Charges Forthcoming, Walsh Hints : Congress’ Grants of Immunity Won’t Deter Him, He Says

Independent counsel Lawrence E. Walsh said Sunday that his criminal investigation of the Iran- contra affair has not been sidetracked either by the congressional grant of immunity to key White House figures or by the outpouring of public support for Lt. Col. Oliver L. North.

“There will be no short-circuiting of the investigation,” Walsh told a meeting of the American Bar Assn. “The popularity of persons involved is no more appropriate as a consideration than would be their unpopularity,” he said.

Walsh would not predict whether or when anyone will be indicted but he gave every indication that criminal charges are forthcoming. He said his team of lawyers had interviewed more than 1,000 witnesses, pored over hundreds of thousands of pages of documents and had been presenting evidence to a grand jury in Washington for two or three days a week since late January.

Cites Rule of Law

The former federal judge, corporate attorney and lifelong Republican said that throughout the investigation he has been “guided by the basic principle of the rule of law: that high office, well-intended policies or popular policies do not place anyone above the law. If the investigation . . . establishes probable cause to believe that crimes have been committed, it is (his) duty,” Walsh said, “to prosecute those believed to be responsible so that the courts can determine their guilt or innocence.”

Without mentioning names, Walsh also attacked lying by government officials as a threat to democratic government.

“Secrecy is one thing; lying is another,” he said. “The whole system breaks down if secrecy is used as an excuse for lying and deceit.”

Walsh said he and his staff have gone to extraordinary lengths to ensure that they did not learn anything about what North and Rear Adm. John M. Poindexter told Congress’ investigating committees under grants of immunity. Walsh said he did not watch television, read newspapers or even speak to anyone about the testimony. But he admitted he did learn about the impact of North’s testimony on the public.

Ollie Bumper Stickers

One friend told him of the bumper stickers that read “Oliver North for President.” And one day, his wife, Mary, called after visiting a hair salon.

“I probably shouldn’t tell you this,” he quoted his wife as saying, “but the lady in the booth next to me asked for a Betsy North hair style.” Walsh also reported that a woman spotted him on the street and rolled down her car window to offer her sympathies. “I think about you every day,” an amused Walsh quoted her as saying. “You have had such a run of bad luck.”

Before the congressional hearings began, Walsh had urged committee members not to grant immunity to North and Poindexter, contending that it would seriously hamper his prosecution. But on Sunday, he said he understands the need for Congress to move ahead quickly and said the immunized testimony does not pose a great danger. He noted that his lawyers had sealed evidence and testimony relating to North and Poindexter before the public hearings began.

“Based upon the holdings of the courts in prior cases (involving testimony given under grants of immunity), we believe that the rigorous insulation procedures employed in this case will be upheld by the courts,” Walsh said. “Accordingly, it is our conclusion that, if the grand jury should determine that one or more of the persons immunized by the select committee should be prosecuted, such persons will not be able to escape criminal responsibility on the basis of the congressional grants of immunity.”