Walsh Tries to Stop Immunity to Key Figures

Special prosecutor Lawrence E. Walsh tried today to head off a congressional drive to grant immunity to Oliver L. North, John M. Poindexter and other key figures in the Iran- contra affair.

Walsh, concerned that granting immunity early in the inquiries could eventually jeopardize his case, met with the House panel investigating the scandal late in the afternoon.

Walsh was apparently hoping that the more sympathetic House panel would help him stem growing momentum in the Senate Select Committee toward granting limited immunity to key witnesses. No votes were expected.

“He probably wants to head us off so we don’t grant immunity,” Rep. Jim Courter (R-N.J.) said of Walsh in a telephone interview before the meeting.

Gail Alexander, Walsh’s spokeswoman, declined comment on the meeting.

Sen. Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), chairman of the Senate panel, said his committee may meet with Walsh on Wednesday.

Inouye and Rep. Lee H. Hamilton (D-Ind.), chairman of the House committee, also planned to meet later in the day, apparently on the same topic.

There appeared to be a widening split between Inouye and Hamilton over the timing of immunity. That difference of opinion could jeopardize a verbal agreement between the chairmen to grant immunity jointly and then hold combined hearings for witnesses given the limited protection from prosecution.