THE NORTH VERDICT : Text of Statement Read by North

Here is the text of a statement read by Oliver L. North after a federal court jury convicted him on three counts and acquitted him on nine others in charges arising from the Iran-Contra affair:

Today’s verdict by the jury here in Washington is a partial vindication for what has been for my family and me a very long and difficult process. Throughout this, my family and I have been sustained by the support and the love and the kindness and the prayers of the American people. Without them and their love, and the grace of God, there is no way we could have endured the length of this ordeal.

Certainly I hoped that this battle would be behind us by now, but today’s was not a complete victory. After more than 2 1/2 years and over $40 million of our taxpayers’ money spent on investigations, congressional inquisitions and now a special prosecutor who has likened me to Adolf Hitler, we now face many months and perhaps years of fighting the remaining charges. Nonetheless, we are absolutely confident of the final outcome. As a Marine, I was taught to fight and fight hard, for as long as it takes to prevail. We will continue this battle and with the support and prayers of the American people, we will be fully vindicated.