Foreign Policy Matter, Governors Told : Not ‘Another Watergate,’ Nixon Says of Iran Crisis

PARSIPPANY, N.J. —  Former President Richard M. Nixon said Tuesday that President Reagan has told him he did not know about the scheme to divert funds from arms sales to Iran to aid the Nicaraguan rebels and said that Reagan is in trouble because subordinates “screwed it up.”

But Nixon, making his first comments on the crisis that has engulfed the Reagan presidency, told a closed meeting of Republican governors here that “it is not going to be another Watergate, as long as you stay ahead of the curve.”

Draws Distinctions

In revealing, sometimes humorous remarks, Nixon drew sharp distinctions between what he called “the present situation” and the Watergate scandals. “Watergate was a domestic matter. This is a foreign policy matter,” he said. “Watergate was handled . . . abysmally. This is being handled expeditiously.”

The former President made his comments at the end of an hourlong speech on foreign affairs to an audience of about 50, including governors, their wives and chiefs of staff. Reporters were barred from the meeting, but the Washington Post obtained a tape-recording of the speech from a participant.

‘Draw the Line’

Nixon, speaking without notes, urged GOP governors “to draw the line” between Reagan policies and the “mistakes” made in executing them. “Defend the President for trying to seek his goals,” he said. “Don’t, don’t weaken the man . . . . And don’t let Republicans go on with their favorite sport of cannibalism. Let’s not weaken the man for his last two years in dealing with the big subject. It’s a great big circus. Rather than look at the sideshows, let’s look at the main ring. That is Soviet-American relations.”

At another point, he said: “He (Reagan) is going to continue to serve as President. To his critics, I say, ‘Get off his back.’ ”

Nixon described Reagan as a “stubborn,” “big-picture man” who believes “in deciding big issues and then delegating to subordinates the carrying out of these things.” He “doesn’t get involved in details,” Nixon said.

He said it was Reagan’s “right and his responsibility” to make the policy decisions that preceded the current crisis but “the execution of the decisions was something else.”

Reagan subordinates, including former National Security Adviser Robert C. McFarlane, “screwed it up,” Nixon said, because “they mixed up” separate efforts to free hostages and court moderate Iranians. “It became an arms-for-hostage deal, and that was wrong,” he added. “President Reagan said that in his radio speech. That was a mistake, and McFarlane takes responsibility for it.”

Normally “people would accept that,” Nixon said. But, then it was disclosed that Lt. Col. Oliver L. North was “skimming” profits from the Iranian arm sales to aid rebels in Nicaragua.

“That was illegal, apparently,” Nixon said. “But President Reagan didn’t know (about the scheme). I know that because he just was not involved in details. He has told me so. I believe him.”

‘Intelligent Creatures’

Nixon said the press was now “in full cry.” To loud chuckles, the former President said, “Some of you get the idea I don’t like the press. Individually, with Roger Stone (a Republican consultant), I meet with them occasionally. I like individual members of the press. They are, most of them, liberals, but they’re highly intelligent creatures. They’re interesting. We have some good goes.

“But, you get them in a pack, and they’re obnoxious,” he added. “What you have then is a pack. They’re going after him. And, I say, that is their responsibility. They’ve got to report the story.”