Walsh Warns Against Grants of Immunity

The special prosecutor in the Iran- contra affair warned Congress today that additional grants of immunity to central figures will jeopardize their prosecutions and prevent the “evenhanded application of justice.”

“The allegations in the investigation concern possible violations of public trust and possible misuse of position by high government officials and their manipulation by former government officials,” Lawrence Walsh said in a report on his activities.

In strong terms, he urged the special congressional committees investigating the case to employ “reasonable restraints” in granting immunity so as not to skewer the judicial process.

Televised Hearings May 5

The committees, which have already voted to seek immunity for 13 people, are scheduled to begin televised hearings May 5.

Walsh noted that he worked out an arrangement on immunity with the congressional committees on Lt. Col. Oliver L. North, the National Security Council aide who was fired for his role in the Iran-contra affair, and his former boss, Vice Adm. John M. Poindexter.

“It has been suggested that the committees may grant immunity to other individuals, including other central figures in the Iran-contra investigation,” Walsh said.

Despite the Watergate era notion that immunity does not rule out prosecution, Walsh said, “This is very misleading.”

“If anything, the Watergate experience demonstrates the contrary,” he said.