Ex-Israeli Aide Subpoenaed for Walsh Inquiry

The special prosecutor investigating the Iran- contra affair has subpoenaed the former director of Israel’s Foreign Ministry to testify about his role in the affair, an Israeli official said today.

The prosecutor, Lawrence Walsh, issued the summons to David Kimche, who is currently visiting New York, said Asher Naim, information director at the Israeli Embassy here.

Naim accused Walsh of “going off on his own and violating agreements reached between Israel and the United States.”

Another Israeli official, who asked not to be identified, said Kimche would not have risked a visit to the United States if he had not felt safe from subpoena.

Not Administration Decision

State Department spokesman Charles E. Redman confirmed that the subpoena had been issued but dissociated the Administration from the decision.

“That decision was made by the independent counsel acting under his own authority,” Redman said. He referred all questions on the subject to Walsh.

Kimche, who left government service last year after a reshuffle in the Israeli Cabinet, was the political liaison between the Israeli government and the United States on the subject of U.S. arms shipments to Iran.

Naim said that Kimche was acting for the Israeli government at the time and that “any complaint Walsh has should be taken to the Israeli government.” But he also said Kimche is now a private individual who does not enjoy diplomatic immunity and will have to comply with the subpoena.

Agreement Claimed

The Israeli government had reached an agreement with House and Senate investigators in the Iran-contra affair under which Israel would provide a written report outlining its role in the arms shipments to Iran.

The report was prepared based on information and records supplied by Kimche and three other Israelis--arms dealer Yaakov Nimrodi, his associate Al Schwimmer and the prime minister’s adviser on counterterrorism, Amiram Nir.

The documents were brought to Washington last month, but Israel refused to hand them over to the investigators unless the four Israelis were guaranteed immunity from prosecution and the report’s confidentiality was assured.