That Was Then . . . This Is Now

PREVIOUS REMARKS

"We'll do everything necessary to get at the truth, and then we'll make the truth known."

Point Mugu Naval Air Station, Calif., Nov. 30

FROM HIS SPEECH

"I've paid a price for my silence in terms of your trust and confidence. But I have had to wait, as you have, for the complete story."

PREVIOUS REMARKS

"We did not trade weapons or anything else for hostages."

Television speech, Nov. 13

FROM HIS SPEECH

"A few months ago, I told the American people I did not trade arms for hostages. My heart and my best intentions still tell me that is true, but the facts and evidence tell me it is not. What began as a strategic opening to Iran deteriorated . . . into trading arms for hostages."

PREVIOUS REMARKS

"I do not believe it was wrong to establish contacts with a country of strategic importance or to try to save lives."

State of the Union address, Jan. 27

FROM HIS SPEECH

"I let my personal concern for the hostages spill over into the geopolitical strategy of reaching out to Iran."

PREVIOUS REMARKS

"I think we took the only action we could have in Iran. I am not going to disavow it. I do not think it was a mistake."

Time interview, Nov. 26

FROM HIS SPEECH

"((Trading arms for hostages)) runs counter to my own beliefs, to Administration policy and to the original strategy we had in mind . . . It was a mistake."

PREVIOUS REMARKS

"Surround yourself with the best people you can find, delegate authority, and don't interfere as long as the policy you've decided upon is being carried out."

Fortune interview, Sept. 15

FROM HIS SPEECH

"Much has been said about my management style . . . When it came to managing the NSC staff, let's face it, my style didn't match its previous track record."

PREVIOUS REMARKS

"Lieut. Colonel North . . . is a national hero. My only criticism is that I wasn't told everything."

Time interview, Nov. 26

FROM HIS SPEECH

"As disappointed as I may be in some who served me, I am still the only one who must answer to the American people for this behavior."

PREVIOUS REMARKS

"I had no knowledge whatsoever of ((the contra diversion)) until Ed Meese briefed me on it."

White House statement, Dec. 1

FROM HIS SPEECH

"As I told the Tower board, I didn't know about any diversion of funds to the contras. But as President, I cannot escape responsibility."