European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 23, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Stripes Magazine invites you to pick the oscars inside today the stars and stripes see Nisil authorized unofficial publication for the . Armed forces vol. 47, no. 309 thursday february 23, 1989 25 daily an daily d sunday d 8693 a Bush leaves for far East Anchorage Alaska a president Bush heading to Asia in his first overseas trip As chief executive wednesday voiced american determination to stay a Pacific Power and strengthen key relation ships with our friends and partners in the Region. Calling Alaska the american Gateway to Asia Bush spoke briefly to a group of . Servicemen and their families during a refuelling Stop at Elmendorf fab a traditional departure Point for presidential trips to the far East. Bush speaking inside a hangar As Snow fell outside said the aim of his five Day 18,095-mile trip is to strengthen key relationships with our friends an partners in the Pacific  alaskans understand that America is As much Pacific nation As it is an Atlantic one and that the Pacific Region is of great and growing importance i International affairs he said. Saying that his visit would also include talks on important policy decisions with foreign leaders from the Middle East and other areas Bush declared but we Don t Ever want to neglect our friends. And yes things in the Pacific seem to be going reasonably Well. But we Are a Pacific Power and this visit will demonstrate that we intend to stay a  Bush spoke before several thousand airmen in Blue army infantrymen in camouflage uniforms and school children in parkas in the huge hangar at the air base. Bush s 90-minute refuelling Stop came roughly mid Way through his 16-hour flight on air Force one. In Tokyo Bush was to meet with various foreign leaders and attend emperor Hirohito s funeral on Fri Day. He was also to visit China on saturday and sunday see Bush on Back Page president Bush and his wife Barbara Brave the rain As they set out from the White House on their far East trip. White House stance on North upsets Democrat Washington a the former chairman of the House intelligence com Mittee testified wednesday that he was satisfied with White House denials of news reports that Oliver l. North was helping nicaraguan rebels in Defiance of a congressional ban on such assistance. Rep. Lee Hamilton d-ind., testified that then National Security adviser Rob Ert Mcfarlane assured him in two letters and a committee briefing that North was not helping the Contra guerrillas. Were you satisfied with the response prosecutor John w. Keker asked Hamilton the first witness in the trial in . District court. No i was not Hamilton  press stories continued in Large numbers it was of great interest to  the inquiries were first made in a gust 1985 following news reports that North was helping raise Money for the contras and giving the rebels tactical military advice despite prohibitions . Aid enacted by Congress in 1984. This was the most controversial mat ter of policy in Washington at the time Hamilton testified. It was not possible North for me to go onto the floor of the House of representatives without members asking me about the news  prosecutors Are trying to show that North a former National Security coun cil aide subverted the processes of government by helping Mcfarlane draft false answers to letters from Congress inquiring about the news reports of his activities. Keker asked Hamilton whether it Sall right to go and lie to the intelligence committee no the lawmaker  question and answer Drew a de sense objection that was sustained by judge Gerhard a. Gesell. North is charged among other things with obstructing congressional inquiries into his activities in 1985 and 1986. Mcfarlane who is expected to testify As a prosecution witness has pleaded guilt to four Misdemeanour counts of with holding information from  said the news reports about North s fund raising activities sparked enormous interest among House Mem Bers because the debate in this country through a Large part of the 1980s was on see North on Back Page by Chuck Vinc Washington Bureau Washington attorneys for former Marinell. Col. Oliver North May Call prominent military offi cers from Europe to testify about North s efforts to resupply the nicaraguan contras in 1986. Among those who May be called is nato com Mander Gen. John r. Galvin who led the . South Ern come which has Headquarters in Panama during the period when Congress had ordered a halt to Mili tary Aid for the contras. A spokesman for Galvin s office at shape head quarters in Belgium had no comment. Classified ads May Call Europe officers to testify a defense department spokesman said the Penta gon had been informed by North s lawyers that col. James j. Steele commander of the 2nd army Ca regt in Nurnberg West Germany also May be called to testify. Steele a highly decorated Vietnam Veteran with 22 years of service is identified in the Tower commission report on the Iran Contra scandal As on of the principal members of North s Covert resupply operation. A spokesman for Steele s unit capt. Glen Golightly also declined comment. North s lawyers Are refusing to comment on Poten tial witnesses. The trial which pits special prosecutor Lawrence Walsh against North s attorney Brendan v. Sullivan jr., began tuesday with judge Gerhard Gesell presid ing. It had been delayed repeatedly Over the Issue of How classified documents could be used in North defense. Steele 43, was commander of the . Military assistance group in Al Salvador under the . Southern come from May 1984 to november 1986. He was among 50 colonels picked for promotion to brigadier general last summer army spokesman it col. Greg Rixon said. However the names of Steele continued on Back Page Magazine