Dukakis Brands Reagan Terrorism Policy Worthless

WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential contender Michael S. Dukakis said today at the White House that the Reagan Administration’s anti-terrorist policy is worthless because of arms dealing with Iran.

Dukakis, speaking to reporters after a National Governors’ Assn. meeting with the President, said, “I’d have a much tougher, and much more consistent anti-terrorist policy.”

The Massachusetts governor, referring to the sale of arms to Iran during secret negotiations to free American hostages, said, “We’ll be living with the consequences of what happened in 1985 for a long time.”

“You never, ever make concessions to terrorism. If you ever do it, then your policy is worthless. And that’s what we did,” Dukakis said.

Asked about Dukakis’ statement, White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said, “I think it’s very dangerous to make terrorism a political issue, especially when you’re talking about specific episodes.”