‘Don’t Recall’ Warning Poindexter, North Says

Former White House aide Oliver L. North testified today that he was unable to recall crucial details that Iran-Contra prosecutors want to focus on in their criminal case against ex-National Security Adviser John M. Poindexter.

At a pretrial hearing in the Poindexter case, North said he was unable to remember telling Poindexter about false statements in letters to Congress denying that North was assisting the rebels in Nicaragua.

“Did you have discussions with Adm. Poindexter before the letter was sent . . . about the false nature of the response?” asked Iran-Contra prosecutor Dan Webb.

“I don’t recall,” North replied.

The fired National Security Council aide, returning to the courthouse where he was convicted of three felonies, initially invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination when called to the witness stand.

Prosecutors then won from U.S. District Judge Harold Greene an order compelling North to testify in exchange for a promise not to prosecute him for his statements as long as he tells the truth.

After the hearing, Greene will determine whether North was tainted by testimony that Poindexter gave to Congress in 1987 under a grant of immunity.

North was sentenced July 5 to 1,200 hours of community service and a $150,000 fine. He is appealing the convictions and the fine while serving the community service in an anti-drug program.

Poindexter faces trial Jan. 22 on criminal charges of conspiracy and two counts each of obstructing Congress and making false statements in connection with Iran-Contra.