Nation IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : Hearing Slated on North Convictions

A federal judge set a Sept. 10 hearing for the government’s attempt to reinstate former White House aide Oliver L. North’s convictions in the Iran-Contra affair. The hearing will open with testimony by former National Security Adviser Robert C. McFarlane, according to the order by U.S. District Judge Gerhard A. Gesell. The Supreme Court last month let stand an appellate court’s decision to set aside North’s three convictions on destroying documents, accepting an illegal gratuity and aiding the obstruction of Congress. The appeals court ordered Gesell to review the trial testimony to decide whether witnesses were influenced by North’s forced testimony given under immunity to Congress.