Reagan Sought Advice From Watergate Lawyer

WASHINGTON — President Reagan sought advice from former President Richard M. Nixon’s Watergate lawyer, Herbert Miller, in connection with the Iran- contra affair, a White House official acknowledged Tuesday.

Marlin Fitzwater, the President’s spokesman, said Reagan talked with Miller about defining the role that should be played by the President’s special counselor, David M. Abshire, who is the White House liaison with investigators.

“During the period there was consideration of someone to fulfill the function that David Abshire is filling, I am told that Miller and a number of other people were contacted for how that function should be designed and might be carried out,” Fitzwater said. “Any discussions would have been in the context of the Abshire role.”