The Nation - News from Dec. 7, 1988

Independent counsel Lawrence E. Walsh, in memos to a federal judge, said he is taking a narrow focus in the Iran-Contra case against Oliver L. North, reducing the need to expose classified information at trial. Walsh’s memorandums were submitted at the request of U.S. District Judge Gerhard A. Gesell, who is conducting hearings to determine if ex-White House aide North’s prosecution can go forward without endangering some of the nation’s best-kept secrets. Whether North stands trial on the two central counts of conspiracy and theft of government property will depend largely on whether Gesell agrees with Walsh’s argument that North has no grounds to use classified material for his defense.