Reagan Answers Questions 2nd Time With Iran Panel

President Reagan answered questions from an investigatory board about the Iran arms affair today as the White House defended his refusal to order two key figures in the case to end their silence and testify.

For the second time in 17 days, Reagan met in the Oval Office with members of the review board headed by former Sen. John Tower (R-Tex.). He appointed the panel Nov. 26 to investigate the activities of the National Security Council staff, including the secret sale of arms to Iran and diversion of profits to contra rebels in Nicaragua.

White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater refused to discuss what Reagan told the board.

The meeting came one day after the White House revealed Reagan had turned down a request from Tower that he order former aides John M. Poindexter and Oliver L. North to appear before the board and answer questions. (Story on Page 20.)

Fitzwater said today that ordering the men to testify would violate their constitutional rights against self-incrimination, and a similar guarantee provided by the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which covers servicemen.

“As a practical matter, if the order was given . . . it would be an illegal order, therefore they would not have to comply on the one hand,” Fitzwater said.

Fitzwater also said Reagan was “very concerned and upset for” Robert C. McFarlane, the former national security adviser who, police sources said, tried to commit suicide Monday with a Valium overdose.

Reagan telephoned McFarlane’s wife, Jonda, on Tuesday, but has not spoken to McFarlane, Fitzwater said.

White House telephones and computer equipment installed in the homes of McFarlane and Poindexter were disconnected last Nov. 25.