Reagan OKs Compensation : Would Assist Families of 290 Killed on Iran Jet

President Reagan has approved U.S. compensation to the families of the 290 people who died aboard an Iranian airliner shot down by a U.S. warship, the White House announced today.

Spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said Reagan wanted to “ease the hardship of the families.” But he stressed that no money will go to the Iranian government and that the United States is acting out of humane considerations rather than any legal obligation.

Less than an hour before Fitzwater appeared in the White House briefing room, Reagan tipped off reporters, saying, “We all have compassion for the families of those unfortunate people.”

No Details Yet

The spokesman said that the payments will be ex gratia, or voluntary, and are subject “to normal U.S. legal requirements, including, if necessary, action by Congress.” Consequently, he said, “details concerning time, amount and other matters remain to be worked out.”

Approval of the proposal, if it goes to Capitol Hill, appeared less than certain.

House Democratic Whip Tony Coelho of California, the party’s chief vote counter, said he believed the request would “have some problems” and said he was personally opposed to it.

Several members of Congress have said the payments ought to be linked to the release of American hostages being held in Lebanon by radical factions said to be under Iranian control.

But House Speaker Jim Wright (D-Tex.) said he supported the compensation proposal.

“If the President is satisfied (that payments are warranted), I would imagine the Congress would be satisfied,” he said. Leading members of the congressional foreign policy and defense committees have spoken out in favor of making such payments.

No Dollar Amount

Fitzwater said that the dollar amount of compensation had not been decided.

He said the payments would be made through a third party, whom he did not name. Fitzwater did say the Red Crescent, the arm of the Red Cross in that area of the world, could serve that function.

“This offer of ex gratia compensation is consistent with international practice and is a humanitarian effort to ease the hardship of the families,” Fitzwater said. “It is offered on a voluntary basis, not on the basis of any legal liability of obligation.”

The spokesman said that Reagan still believes the “actions of the U.S. warship Vincennes . . . were justifiable defensive actions.” But Fitzwater characterized the President as “saddened at the tragic deaths of the innocent victims of this accident.”

Not Tied to U.N.

Fitzwater said the decision was not connected with the opening of a U.N. Security Council debate on the incident and said the Administration “will not countenance” any impression that it is geared toward improving relations with Tehran or winning the release of nine Americans held hostage in Lebanon by pro-Iranian elements.

Fitzwater also reiterated the U.S. position that Iran bears a “heavy burden” for allowing the Iran Air jetliner to fly over an area where a fight was raging between the Vincennes and Iranian gunboats.

Reagan, posing for photographers earlier in the day with Salvadoran President Jose Napoleon Duarte, was asked about compensation. He replied, “Well, I have said from the start that we are a compassionate people.”

Fitzwater said Reagan decided personally that compensation should be offered as a humanitarian gesture.