Iran Investigation Lacks Key Information

WASHINGTON--Independent counsel Lawrence E. Walsh is lacking key information from Switzerland and Israel as he tries to piece together the remainder of the Iran-Contra puzzle.

Walsh said Wednesday that his request for Swiss bank records may be tied up in that country's courts for an indefinite time.

The Swiss government has approved the request, but eight people with control over the accounts have filed objections and their hearings in Swiss courts could lead to long delays, Walsh said.

In addition, a source close to Walsh's investigation, speaking on condition he not be named, said Israeli officials have not yet submitted written information promised to Congress on their role in secret arms sales to Iran.

Spokesmen for the House and Senate committees investigating the sale and the diversion of profits to Nicaragua's Contra rebels confirmed that lawmakers have not yet received the Israeli information. A Senate source said the material is still expected, and added he would not characterize Israel as uncooperative.

While Walsh faced delays from abroad, developments moved forward briskly in this country.

Walsh announced he planned to ask a court Monday, for the first time in his investigation, to delay a congressional grant of immunity to businessman Albert Hakim for the legal limit of 20 days.

Congressional sources have suggested that their motive in granting immunity to Hakim, 50, was the expectation that he will provide some of the needed Swiss bank account records.

Walsh said he would use the 20-day period, if granted, "to try to bring together whatever material we had" involving Hakim.

Congressional immunity would force a witness to testify or face prison. That testimony could not be used against the witness in a criminal case, but Walsh could build a case independently.

In Congress, the House and Senate investigating committees Wednesday approved a timetable for taking the testimony of Adm. John Poindexter, should the panels decide to compel him to talk under an immunity grant. A separate timetable was set for Lt. Col. Oliver North.

Poindexter ran the National Security Council during much of the period when the U.S. was selling arms to Iran and a private network was supplying the Nicaraguan Contras during a congressional ban on military aid to the rebels. Poindexter resigned and North, his aide, was fired for their roles in those operations.