Reagan Gives Testimony in Secret

Former President Ronald Reagan, known as the great communicator, went before cameras in a different role today--explaining during secret court testimony what he knew about the Iran-Contra affair.

Reagan smiled and waved but did not speak to reporters as he entered the federal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles to give a videotaped deposition in the trial of his former national security adviser, John M. Poindexter.

The former Reagan Administration official goes on trial March 5 on charges of concealing from Congress Oliver L. North’s assistance to the Nicaraguan Contra rebels and lying about a 1985 shipment of Hawk missiles to Iran.

Poindexter, flanked by a half-dozen lawyers and legal aides, entered the courtroom a few minutes before Reagan. The aides had in tow a red cart with boxes of documents.

With the press and public barred from the proceedings, Poindexter’s lawyers were to ask Reagan 154 questions, plus follow-ups, that focus on his meetings with Poindexter. Then Reagan was to face cross-examination by Iran-Contra prosecutors in questioning that could carry over until Saturday.

U.S. District Judge Harold Greene allowed Reagan, who lives in Bel-Air, to give videotaped testimony at the federal courthouse here rather than require him to appear in person at the Poindexter trial in Washington.

Three cameras were positioned to record the testimony--one pointed at Reagan, one pointed at the judge and the other directed at lawyers questioning the former chief executive.

Dozens of reporters and camera crews were kept at bay by federal authorities as Reagan arrived at the courthouse by limousine at 9:32 a.m.

On Thursday, Greene rejected a request by news organizations to attend the deposition. However, he said he will order the edited videotape released within a few days, after editing to remove material deemed to touch on classified matters.

Reagan’s testimony could be the toughest questioning he has faced about the scandal that caused heavy political damage to the final two years of his presidency.

Three years ago, Reagan portrayed himself as a President who was kept in the dark by his aides. But Poindexter contends he kept his former boss fully informed about all aspects of the affair--with the apparent exception of the diversion of Iran arms sale money to the Contras--and that Reagan authorized his activities.

Reagan said early in 1987 that he had not known about “secret bank accounts and diverted funds,” two products of the Iran-Contra affair that he said he found “personally distasteful.” He told the Tower Commission he did not know the National Security Council staff was assisting the Contras.

Poindexter subsequently told Congress he believed Reagan understood that “Col. North was instrumental in keeping the Contras supported without maybe understanding the details of exactly what he was doing.”