PROSECUTORS PRESENT CASE IN TRIAL OF EX-SPYMASTER

Prosecutors are introducing a flood of documents at former US CIA spymaster Clair George's trial in a bid to prove he covered up his knowledge of the Iran-contra affair.

Several Central Intelligence Agency cables introduced into evidence July 27 showed how agency officials in Central America were seeking information about activities involving aid to the contra rebels in Nicaragua and Felix Rodriguez, an operative for White House aide Oliver North.

"Additional confusion being introduced into San Salvador scenario by Felix [Rodriguez]," said a January 1986 cable.

But defense lawyer Richard Hibey sought to show July 27 that there was no proof that Mr. George actually saw the documents. He asked CIA information review officer Katherine Stricker whether it was possible to tell by looking at a document who had read it. No, she replied.

George, former head of CIA covert operations, is being tried on three charges of obstructing Congress and a federal grand jury and six counts of perjury and false statements. He is charged with lying when he told Congress in October 1986 he did not know who was supplying guns and ammunition to the contras.

Prosecutors want to show that George had a wealth of information on the network operated by Mr. North in 1985 and 1986.

One document released July 27 was the transcribed minutes of a September 1986 meeting that North, retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Richard Secord and CIA official George Cave held with two Iranian officials to discuss their requests to buy US arms.