American Notes IRAN-CONTRA

A trial delayed could be a trial that never takes place. Iran-Contra Defendant Oliver North has argued successfully for postponement of his Sept. 20 trial until he can sort through more classified documents. Judge Gerhard A. Gesell's grant of the delay was also a victory for George Bush. North's defense, in part, is that he had the approval of his White House superiors in diverting Iran arms-sales profits to the Nicaraguan rebels. The trial postponement removes the possibility that a prejudicial answer to the question "Where was George?" could come out in the courtroom before the November election.

The volume of classified material that North says he needs -- Prosecutor Lawrence Walsh last week compared it to a telephone book -- may take a while to peruse. Intelligence agencies will want many of the documents kept secret, which could effectively postpone North's trial forever.