Hatch Predicts More Secrecy Problems in North Trial

Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) said Sunday that despite days of legal wrangling over classified documents in Oliver L. North’s upcoming trial, secrecy issues during the proceedings will trigger enough problems “to knock your socks off.”

Hatch, appearing on ABC-TV’s “This Week With David Brinkley,” said “the only way” North can defend himself at his trial, opening Tuesday, is to divulge classified information.

“And if we get into that, I can explain to you some of the really serious problems that will arise in the classified (area) and from the disclosure of sources, methods, means and other aspects of intelligence-gathering that will just knock your socks off,” said Hatch, who served on the Senate committee that investigated the Iran-Contra affair.

Charged With Felonies

North, a retired Marine lieutenant colonel, is charged with 12 felony counts arising from his actions in the U.S. arms sales to Iran and diversion of some of the profits to Nicaraguan rebels.

If convicted, he could face 60 years in prison and $3 million in fines.

U.S. District Judge Gerhard A. Gesell, who is presiding over the trial, ruled that North may introduce evidence, including classified documents, to back his claim that President Ronald Reagan and other Administration officials kept Iran-Contra deals secret and encouraged North’s alleged concealment of information.

“If Oliver North has to defend himself . . . he will have to bring out thousands of documents that are seriously classified in nature, he’s going to have to go into tactical and strategic intelligence-gathering systems, he’s going to have to look into technical control systems involving means, sources and methods,” Hatch said.

Arthur L. Liman, chief counsel to the Senate committee investigating the Iran-Contra scandal, told ABC that North’s defense team should have no problem showing that an “atmosphere of secrecy” shrouded the White House’s dealings concerning Contra aid.