SFChroniCle Colson feels 'Pity' for Nixon By Robert Bartlett Charles W. Colson, former Nix- guilty to obstruction of justice for on aide turned evangelist, said complicity in the burglary of the yesterday he pitied Richard Nixon office of Daniel Ellsberg's psychia- for his "pathetically defensive" trist, and subsequently served sev- demeanor during his interview on en months of a three-year federal national television Wednesday. prison term.) "But for the first time," Colson Colson disputed Nixon's tele- told a jammed news conference at vised assertion that the former the Fairmont Hotel, "(Nixon) took President had committed no crimi- his full share of responsibility" for nal or impeachable offense be- the Watergate scandals that led to cause, he said, his deeds 'sprang his resignation in 1974. from purely political and humani- Nixon's performance in the tarian motives. interview by David Frost did not reveal "the razor-sharp mind I Had Nixon not resigned, con- knew" while a White House special tended Colson — at one time one of counsellor, Colson said. Washington's most prominent law- yers — he "would have gotten "He was groping for words." convicted." But he lauded the interview be- The former White House coun- cause it "continued the healing sellor again denied a recent Wash- process which I think has already ington Post story saying that Colson begun." and Nixon discussed "hush money" CHARLES COLSON payments to the Watergate bur- He said he hopes Americans He said he wasn't bitter who have not forgiven Nixon "may glars on Jan. 8, 1973. find it in their hearts to do so now; He waved a transcript of White not for Mr. Nixon, but for the House tape-recordings and offered country." "the best dinner money can buy" to Since his release from prison, anyone who find any mention of Colson has written a best-selling Colson said he felt "a great deal book on his religious experience as of compassion and pity" for the "hush money" in the conversation between Colson and Nixon. a "born-again Christian," and now former chief executive after watch- lectures extensively before reli- ing the interview. "Mr. Woodward (Washington gious groups. Post reporter Bob Woodward, au- "Although I went to prison thor of the article) has been because I followed Mr. Nixon's strangely silent on this," Colson Yesterday, he spoke at a Santa orders," Colson continued, "I don't said, then got a laugh when he Cruz prayer breakfast and is sched- have a shred of bitterness in my continued: uled to speak again today at a heart." public interdenominational reli- "I have added Mr. Woodward gious rally at the Cow Palace at 8 (The White House aide pleaded to the list of those I pray for daily." p.m. .