The Nation - News from Jan. 20, 1988

A federal judge refused to order the grand jury investigating the Iran-Contra affair to review congressional testimony of key participants in the arms sales to Iran and diversion of profits to Nicaraguan rebels. U.S. District Judge Aubrey E. Robinson Jr. denied the petition filed by retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Richard V. Secord, a target of the Iran-Contra investigation being conducted by independent counsel Lawrence E. Walsh. Secord had sought an order requiring the grand jury to consider the testimony of Lt. Col. Oliver L. North, John M. Poindexter and others who received congressional immunity. Secord also sought an opportunity to tell his side of the story to the grand jury without restrictions on what he could tell the panel about the congressional testimony. Robinson gave no reason for denying Secord’s request, which had been opposed by Walsh.