Oliver North

File:Ollie-north.jpg

Oliver North

Lieutenant-Colonel Oliver Laurence North (b. 1943) is an American political figure best known for his involvement in the Iran-Contra Affair.

Early life and career

North was born on October 7 1943 in San Antonio, Texas and attended the State University of New York Brockport before attending the U.S. Naval Academy, from which he graduated in 1968.

He is a combat-decorated Marine, serving for twenty-two years. He was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star for valor, and two Purple Hearts for wounds in combat.

North was assigned to the National Security Council staff of the Reagan Administration in 1981, served as the United States government counterterrorism co-ordinator from 1983 to 1986, and eventually became deputy director for Political-Military affairs. He co-ordinated the 1983 invasion of Grenada and the unsuccessful 1985 attempt to arrest the hijackers of the passenger ship Achille Lauro in Italy. He also helped plan the controversial 1986 air raids on Libyan military bases in Tripoli and Benghazi in retaliation for the bombing of a Berlin nightclub.

Iran-Contra Affair

Oliver North testifies before Congress

North became famous due to his participation in the Iran-Contra Affair, which involved his co-ordination of the illegal sale of weapons via intermediaries to Iran. The profits were used to finance the Contra rebel group in Nicaragua who were fighting to overthrow the Sandinista government.

In 1987, North was summoned to testify before televised hearings of a joint Congressional committee formed to investigate Iran-Contra related matters, where he admitted lying to Congress. He defended his actions by stating that he believed in the goal of aiding the Contras, whom he considered to be "freedom fighters," and said that he viewed the illegal Iran-Contra scheme as a "neat idea."

North was tried in 1988 in relation to his activities while at the National Security Council. He was indicted on sixteen felony counts and convicted of three: accepting an illegal gratuity, aiding and abetting in the obstruction of a congressional inquiry, and destruction of documents. He was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gerhard A. Gesell on July 5 1989, to a three-year suspended prison term, two years probation, $150,000 in fines and 1,200 hours community service.

However, on July 20 1990 a three-judge appeals panel vacated North's conviction in advance of further proceedings. These further proceedings were to determine whether North's immunized Congressional testimony influenced witnesses in the trial. The Supreme Court declined to review the case, and Judge Gesell dismissed the charges on September 16 1991, after hearings on the immunity issue, on the motion of the independent counsel.

Essentially, North's convictions were overturned on appeal because he had been granted limited immunity for his Congressional testimony, and this testimony influenced witnesses at his trial. While the convictions were overturned, North did admit to breaking the law, under oath.

Later life and career

Oliver North signing one of his books

In 1994, North unsuccessfully ran for the Senate as the Republican candidate in Virginia. He narrowly lost to incumbent Democrat Charles Robb. North's candidacy was documented in the 1996 film A Perfect Candidate.

North has written several best-selling books including Under Fire, One More Mission, War Stories — Operation Iraqi Freedom, Mission Compromised, and The Jericho Sanction. He is also a syndicated columnist, and is the host of the television show War Stories and a regular commentator on Hannity and Colmes on the Fox News Channel.

North is married to Betsy, and has four children.

External links

• Oliver North's Weekly Column
• Oliver North's political donations