Perot won't make Mena a  92 campaign issue

The following article was printed in the Sunday, April 26, 1992 issue of 
*The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette* on page 15A.

   PEROT VOWS MENA AIRPORT WON'T BE ISSUE IF HE RUNS

   By Terry Lemons and Jane Fullerton

   Ross Perot said the controversy surrounding the Mena airport will not be 
a campaign issue if he runs for president.
   The Texas billionaire made the comment last week in a written response 
to questions submitted by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
   Perot also confirmed in a brief, terse telephone interview that he had 
discussed the Mena situation with Gov. Bill Clinton, the likely Democratic
presidential nominee.
   The Democrat-Gazette reported last week that Perot called Clinton in 
1988 after being alerted to questions about Mena.
   The case involves allegations that the Polk County airport was the 
centerpiece of a covert staging area for smuggling drugs, guns and money 
in the mid-1980s to assist the Contra rebels in Nicaragua.
   No charges ever resulted in the case. That led to allegations that the 
Republican administration of Ronald Reagan and George Bush - supporters of
the Contras - was responsible for a coverup.
   Perot, who is considering an independent bid for the White House, said 
he didn't "have any idea" whether Mena was appropriately investigated by 
state and federal authorities.
   The Arkansas Committee, a University of Arkansas student group, has 
accused Clinton of failing to ensure a full examination of the Mena 
allegations - a claim denied by Clinton and other state officials.
   Perot said he learned of Mena after being contacted by Gene Wheaton, a 
private military investigator from California. 
   "I received documents and a phone call from Gene Wheaton describing 
the situation," Perot explained.
   Wheaton said Perot was concerned that the federal government wasn't doing
enough to investigate the case.
   Perot has looked into several other cases with international political 
implications.
   He has investigated missing American prisoners of war in Southeast 
Asia. He also has inquired about the October Surprise, the allegation 
that, Reagan and Bush secretly conspired to keep Americans hostage in 
Iran to help defeat President Jimmy Carter in 1980.

   Democrat-Gazette staff writer Rachel O'Neal contributed to this report.