A Prosecutor at Peace with Himself

As he prepared to return to private law practice in Houston, Special Prosecutor Leon Jaworski last week talked with TIME Correspondent Hays Gorey about the accomplishments of eleven months spent investigating the Watergate scandal. Highlights of the interview:

Will the American people ever know the full story of Watergate?

As to the cover-up itself, yes. The full story is contained in grand jury material sent to the House Judiciary Committee and in cumulative evidence from White House tapes. This will all become public, and the American people will have the full story.

Including Nixon's involvement?

The tapes show that President Nixon knew about and participated in the cover-up within days after the Watergate breakin.

What about the Ford-Nixon agreement concerning custody of White House tapes and other material not already obtained by your office?

I was never satisfied with the original agreement. Now there is an understanding to hold the tapes and docu ments here, and that's fine. We have not been able to come to terms with Nixon's lawyers on a new agreement.

Do you need more White House material?

We have subpoenaed some original documents today [Thursday] for use both in the trial and in continuing investigations.

Is it true that you approve of the pardon of Richard Nixon, including the timing?

I find no basis for attacking the pardon legally. It would be improper for me to comment one way or the other as to whether I approve or disapprove of it from a personal standpoint.

What do you think would have happened had you challenged the pardon in court?

Eventually, the challenge would have become a farce. The pardoning power has no limitations whatsoever.

Why should Nixon and some of the other principals be spared prison?

You have to ask yourself about each individual case, and the circumstances are always different. What is to be ac complished by having certain people sitting in the slammer?

Do you regret advising the grand jury that it should not indict Nixon?

I would give the grand jury the same advice today. There is serious legal doubt that a grand jury can indict a sitting President. I believe that the Supreme Court would have so ruled. Besides, the impeachment process was already under way. Suppose Nixon had been indicted and the Supreme Court ruled that he could not be? Those responsible for bringing the indictment would have gravely injured the country domestically and internationally.

But if the court did not rule that way?

How long would it have been before that man could have been tried? Probably months and months. All that time he would have been the President, handling matters of gravest importance while he was under a criminal indictment.

Are you glad that you took this job?

I feel better inwardly than if I had feared to undertake it. I wish it had not been tendered. It has been burdensome. It brought drastic changes in my lifestyle. But I'm at peace with myself.

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