'''Oliver North''' ''Ollie'' born October 7, 1943 is a former [[US Marine Corps|marine]] lieutenant colonel who was the primary coordinator of what became known as the 'arms for hostages' policy of selling weapons to Iran during its [[Iran-Iraq War|war]] with Iraq and diverting the proceeds to the Nicaraguan [[Contras]]. The resulting scandal came to be known as the [[Iran-Contra Affair]].
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'''Oliver North''' ''Ollie'' born October 7, 1943 is a former [[US Marine Corps|marine]] lieutenant colonel who was the primary coordinator on the Amercian end of what became known as the 'arms for hostages' policy of selling weapons to Iran during its [[Iran-Iraq War|war]] with Iraq and diverting the proceeds to the Nicaraguan [[Contras]]. The resulting contoversy came to be known as the [[Iran-Contra Affair]].
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After a long lead-in during the Congressional inquiries into the scandal, Oliver North was called to testify before [[Congress]] in July 1987. North became a popular fixture in American culture based upon his handling of the Congressional inquiry, and his ability to make the organization that was questioning him seem smug and overblown in the eyes of the American people. Although originally facing sixteen felony indictment counts, he was convicted of only three, and those three were overturned on appeal.
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After a long lead-in during the Congressional inquiries, Oliver North was called to testify before [[Congress]] in July 1987. North became a popular fixture in American culture based upon his handling of the Congressional inquiry, and his ability to make the committee that was questioning him seem smug and overblown in the eyes of the American people. Although originally guaranteed immunity in exchange for Congressional testimony, a Special Councel renigned on the aggreement and prosecuted him anyway. North faced sixteen felony indictment counts, he was convicted of three, and those three were overturned on appeal because of the violation of [[Fifth Amendment]] rights. North's Congressional testimony had been used to prosecuted him.
North ran for the [[senate]] in 1994 in [[Virginia]], but was defeated by the Democratic incumbant in a tight race.
North ran for the [[senate]] in 1994 in [[Virginia]], but was defeated by the Democratic incumbant in a tight race.