A Mystery Without an Ending

By DAVID ELLIS

DESPITE OBJECTIONS FROM SOME OF HIS STAFF, IRAN-CONTRA independent counsel LAWRENCE WALSH plans to end his six-year investigation into the scandal and thus leave a number of key questions unanswered. The special prosecutor favors closing out the inquiry before it becomes a partisan issue in the presidential campaign. But Craig Gillen, Walsh's deputy, wants to pursue allegations that former Secretary of State George Shultz was regularly briefed by a top aide on secret intelligence material about hostage negotiations. Walsh's decision also means it is unlikely that any legal action will be taken against Donald Gregg, U.S. ambassador to South Korea. Gregg was national security adviser to George Bush, then Vice President, during the arms-for-hostages swap and has long been identified as a top target of the probe.