Reagan Completes Video Testimony

Former President Ronald Reagan completed his Iran-Contra testimony in a federal courtroom here Saturday, spending about three additional hours answering--on a still-secret videotape--questions that may form the heart of John M. Poindexter’s legal defense.

Poindexter, the former White House national security adviser, who faces five felony counts of obstruction of Congress, making false statements and conspiracy, called Reagan as a defense witness to bolster his contention that his activities were authorized by the former President.

But the extraordinary taped testimony included some of the most detailed questioning Reagan has ever faced concerning his own role in the sale of arms to Iran and the diversion of some of the profits to the Contras in Nicaragua.

In the past, Reagan’s statements about the affair that rocked the final two years of his presidency have been limited and sometimes contradictory. However, he has consistently denied knowing about diversion of revenues from the Iran arms sales to the Contras.

During his testimony Friday and Saturday, Reagan spent a total of slightly more than 11 hours in the courtroom. It was unclear precisely how much time was devoted to testimony.

U.S. District Judge Harold H. Greene, who will preside over Poindexter’s trial starting March 5 in Washington, authorized the retired rear admiral’s lawyers to ask Reagan 154 questions covering such subjects as the 79-year-old former President’s knowledge of the sale of missiles to Iran and his understanding of legislation which in 1985 prohibited the U.S. government from aiding the Contras.

In a ruling Thursday, Greene closed the taping session to the press and the public, but he said the tape would be made public as soon as it can be edited to remove any national security or diplomatic secrets which the former President might have inadvertently disclosed.

Following the hearing Saturday, a spokeswoman for Lawrence E. Walsh, Iran-Contra independent counsel, said that Greene told lawyers to submit new briefs concerning the conditions under which the tape would be released. She said Greene would determine the exact procedure sometime this week.

Most participants in the taping refused to talk to reporters as they left the Federal Courthouse in the Civic Center. Those who said anything at all provided only minimal information.

“The testimony is finished, that’s about all I can say,” Richard W. Beckler, Poindexter’s lawyer, said as he left the courtroom with Poindexter at his side.

A few minutes later, the chief prosecutor, Dan K. Webb, was asked if he could say anything. He replied: “I can’t.”

Reagan spent the lunch break each day in the chambers of Manuel L. Real, chief judge of the Central District of California, who usually presides over courtroom 8 where the hearing was held. On Saturday, with most Civic Center restaurants closed, Reagan sent out for hamburgers from Carl’s Jr. in the L.A. Mall across the street from the courthouse.

Reagan waved to reporters as he entered the courtroom and again as he left, and when he was asked how he felt, he said: “Great!”

In Kennebunkport, Me., on Saturday, President Bush said he would have no comment about any aspect of the Poindexter trial until it ends.

He said he had “no thoughts” about Reagan’s court-ordered testimony. “I’m going to stay out of the system regarding those trials and let the system work,” he said.

Poindexter is the only one of the eight persons charged by Walsh who is still facing trial. Six of the other seven pleaded guilty and former Lt. Col. Oliver L. North was convicted by a jury. However, none of the defendants has been sentenced to prison.

Poindexter was national security adviser from December, 1985, until he resigned in November, 1986, after the Administration disclosed that proceeds of arms sales to Iran had been diverted to the Contras.