American Notes JUSTICE

He was so despondent over his Iran-contra role that he tried to commit suicide. Last week the troubles of former National Security Adviser Robert McFarlane continued. He became the first Reagan Administration official to plead guilty to crimes in the scandal. After negotiations with Special Prosecutor Lawrence Walsh, McFarlane, 50, admitted that on four occasions in 1985 and 1986 he unlawfully withheld information from Congress about the National Security Council's secret military aid to the Nicaraguan rebels.

Each offense is a misdemeanor carrying a maximum penalty of one year in prison. Sentencing may be delayed until McFarlane cooperates with Walsh on further prosecutions. "I have told all that I know . . ." McFarlane said. "I will be available to repeat it." That was not good news for such major Walsh targets as John Poindexter and Oliver North.