With pals like Wallach, Meese doesn't need enemies

Two months after a March, 1987, recommendation went to AttorneyGeneral Edwin Meese to sever all his relations with E. RobertWallach, Mr. Meese proposed bringing his intimate friend into theJustice Department as "counselor" to the attorney general.

The proposal shocked and frightened Mr. Meese's highest aides atJustice. Although they talked him out of it, Mr. Meese made clearthat he considered the idea a live possibility right up to December,when Mr. Wallach was indicted in the Wedtech scandal.

That episode in the squalid, tragic relationship between Mr.Meese and the man who, a trusted insider told us, has "used, misusedand abused" the attorney general …