COUNSEL SHOULD DELIVER CHARGE OR SURRENDER JOB

In terms of popular recognition, the phrase "Iran-Contra" is more closely linked with nostalgia these days than with a developing investigation. That isn't the case in some Washington offices, where the "prosecution" of arms dealing with Iran is ongoing with a heavy taxpayer subsidy. Our desire to see justice done concerning criminal conduct remains steadfast, but the idea of turning loose a special prosecutor for years on an illusory investigation without demanding results at some juncture is irresponsible even by federal standards.

Our message here isn't "forgive and forget," though the majority of American people have most certainly forgotten the incidents that spawned this investigation. If laws were broken, regardless of who broke them, the criminals should be sought out and prosecuted. However, some measure of good sense and accountability should be applied to the pursuit of criminal claims.

The Iran-Contra case centers on the CIA-assisted delivery of 18 Hawk anti-aircraft missiles from Israel to Iran in November 1985. This can at a time when the United States was not officially doing business with Iran. The investigation has tried to pin down who knew about the transaction in the U.S. government, how much was known about it and if there was an attempt to cover up the sale. Seven people have pleaded guilty to minor offenses as part of the investigation. Oliver North was convicted of some of what the investigators accused him of, and those convictions were overturned at the appellate level. The federal grand jury that examined all this information was disbanded earlier this month.

However, Lawrence Walsh, the independent counsel investigating these allegations, remains on the job after 5 years. His advantages during that time have been considerable. He has had financial resources as bottomless as the federal treasury. He had favorable national news media at his disposal, at least before his continuous non-results became tedious. There is no indication that his job will be terminated in the immediate future, an assurance many people in the nation's capital would die for.

With all this going for him, Walsh keeps plugging away with no outcome. When will it stop? Not until the American public demands it. As of last July, the fiscal toll of Walsh's work stood at $25 million. Tenacity is an admirable trait, but not while the meter is running. Taxpayers, who are usually more reasonable than the people who "guard" their money in Washington, want justice done, but also want some reasonable return on their investment.

Mr. Walsh, if there are charges to be brought, bring them. If not, wrap up this investigation, surrender your job and let America cut its losses. The nation is being punished more by the investigation than it was by the purported crime.