THE LEDGER-STAR Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: Wednesday, August 24, 1994 TAG: 9408240714 SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL SOURCE: WASHINGTON POST LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
In television commercials aired by U.S. Senate candidate Oliver L. North, William Haskell says North saved his life. What Haskell doesn't mention is that he served as a key aide to North during the Iran-contra scandal.
North is airing TV spots across Virginia that describe his relationship with Haskell, a Maryland accountant, in heroic terms. According to the ad, Haskell was severely wounded during the Vietnam War and North's platoon rescued him on the battlefield. ``I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you if it weren't for Ollie North,'' Haskell says.
But North and Haskell also shared in covert activities during the Iran-contra affair of the 1980s, according to the final report of special prosecutor Lawrence E. Walsh. While North served in the White House as a key architect of that arms-for-hostages scheme, Haskell acted as a trusted courier for North, dispensing more than $140,000 in cash, tapping into secret Swiss bank accounts and even arranging the purchase of a ship used to smuggle weapons.
North's aides said Tuesday they made no mention of the Iran-contra connection because they don't believe the public cares about it. ``How much are you supposed to explain in a 30-second ad?'' asked spokesman Mark Merritt.
But an aide to one of North's rivals, independent Senate candidate L. Douglas Wilder, said the incident resurrects questions about North's truthfulness that first were raised after he admitted lying to Congress during Iran-contra.
``It again begs the question, What else hasn't Ollie North revealed to the public?'' said Glenn Davidson, Wilder's campaign manager. ``For North to play on Virginia voters' patriotism in such a deceptive fashion is distasteful.''
A spokesman for Democratic Sen. Charles S. Robb had no comment. Independent Senate candidate J. Marshall Coleman said North's lack of candor demonstrates why ``the overriding issue (in the race) is character.''
Haskell could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.
KEYWORDS: U.S. SENATE RACE CANDIDATE by CNB