Bush Iran-Contra Notes Become Target

IRAN-CONTRA prosecutors plan to question President Bush and other administration officials about why they failed to turn over relevant notes that the then-vice president took six years ago, officials familiar with the case say.

Mr. Bush, who pardoned former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger and five other Iran-contra figures on Christmas Eve, began keeping the notes in November 1986 as the Iran-contra scandal was erupting, said the officials, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The White House did not tell Iran-contra independent prosecutor Lawrence Walsh about the material until two weeks ago.

Bush will release his Iran-contra notes to the public if Mr. Walsh returns a copy of the president's earlier interview with investigators, presidential spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said Friday.