June 22, 1977

Senator Baker Trying To Expose 'Koreagate'

Jan.  17, 1972, is not likely to go down in American history with the same emphasis as July 4, 1776, or Dec 7, 1941 - yet, it seemed appropriate on the quintic anniversary of the Watergate break-in to reminisce with Senator Howard Baker.

Senator Baker, you will remember, was a Republican member of the Watergate Investigation Committee which legitimatized the witch hunt that destroyed President Richard Nixon and his top aides.

I call it a witch hunt inasmuch as there is no evidence of impartial inquiry and judgment - with the possible exception of Senator Baker.  As the screws were turned day after day into Nixon's quivering flesh, Baker came across as the only objective inquisitor.

Senator Baker was in Akron to speak at the Summit County GOP annual fund raising banquet.  I had an opportunity to discuss Watergate at a small press conference arranged by my friend Bob Kyle.

"You were relentless in the pursuit of Republican misdeeds, what are you doing to expose the alleged bribery of Democrats by Korean lobbyists?  I asked the Senator.

He replied: "The only good product of the Watergate investigations was a new morality in politics.  I am not going to forfeit this hard won progress.

"I won't rest until there is a full disclosure of the Korean bribes," said Baker.

Senator Baker said he has asked for a special prosecutor in the Justice Department to handle the "Koreagate" scandals but nothing has been done so far, nor is there any indication that anything will.

"Jody Powell, President Carter's chief assistant, has termed my proposal a 'political two-step'," said Senator Baker.  "It reminds me of another flip statement: 'Just a third-rate burglary'."

Washington newspapers have rumored that Congressman Tip O'Neill, Democrat majority leader, was involved in the Korean bribes.  "Any basis for this allegation?"

Senator Baker took a long sip of tonic water before answering, "I don't know.  And I don't want to speculate.  That's why we must have a full investigation."

He cut off further questions on this subject for fear he "might say something he shouldn't!"

Jody Powell and Attorney General 'Griffin Bell may be reluctant to go public with the Korean bribes, but the Washington press corps is not.

As Senator Baker was backing away from the in-depth questioning about possible Democratic scandals; the New York Times announced it had learned that the Central Intelligence Agency had "bugged" the presidential mansion in South Korea.  The National Security Agency - a presidential department - supposedly has "reports of acts by American citizens that violated American law."

The House Ethics Committee is said to be trying to obtain these secret reports.  Up to now, however, "executive privilege" has been invoked to keep the reports covered up.

According to my reliable source in Washington, the reports put the finger on "at least 22 Democrats and possibly two Republicans."

Evidence regarding the two Republicans is inconclusive and it is not likely that anything official about Koreagate will come out of a Democrat Congress until a semblance of bipartisan wrong-doing can be established.

The Korean lobbyist, Tongsun Park, had been buying votes since 1970.  His shenanigans were well known to the Watergate Investigation Committee, but the Democrat members steadfastly refused to broaden its inquiry beyond GOP scandals.

It is reliably reported that the Korean bribe list includes one or more members of the Watergate committee!

Apparently, President Carter holds the key to "the whole truth."  The Justice Department and the National Security Agency are under his direct supervision.  Surely his concern for morality in politics and for human rights extends beyond the party interest.

Let us expose and equally condemn bribe taking by Congressmen, President John Kennedy's conspiracy with the Mafia to kill the heads of other nations, and President Lyndon Johnson's peddling of influence through Bobby Baker.

The biggest conspiracy and cover-up in the nation's capital have deeply involved Democrats to greater extent than the minority Republicans.

Nixon is an acceptable sacrificial goat if his transgression is unique; or, even, if his lesser guilt cleanses the nation's political soul hereafter from sin.

Cynics, including me, doubt the sincerity of the Watergate investigations.

Senator Baker, as a leading character in the Nixon humiliation and as a serious contender for the Republican presidential nomination, is under heavy obligation to nurture even-handed justice.

Only then will the post-Watergate morality be genuine.

Author: Lindsey Williams