House Republicans have a new foreign policy adviser with a controversial pedigree: Oliver North. North, an aide on Ronald Reagan's National Security Council who is best known for his role in the Iran-Contra scheme to sell arms to Iran and divert the funds to Nicaraguan revolutionaries in the 1980s, was the special guest at a House Republican Conference meeting on Tuesday. North was convicted on three counts related to the Iran-Contra scandal and his efforts to cover it up, but the convictions were later overturned.
North’s mission: Relay his insights into the U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, where he recently visited.
North's message reinforced the advice of Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who wants to add tens of thousands of troops in Afghanistan.
“Basically, his point was unless we put the troops in there, it’s lost,” said Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.).
Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence of Indiana and Rep. Buck McKeon (R-Calif.), who is the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee, joined forces to issue the invitation to North.
“Col. North is someone who enjoys the very broad respect of the House Republican Conference,” Pence said.