Documents Introduced at George Trial : Arms Sales: Prosecutors try to prove that the CIA spymaster covered up his knowledge of the Iran-Contra affair.

WASHINGTON — Oliver L. North told Iranian officials in 1986 they “might be thinking too small” in their requests to buy U.S. arms, according to a document introduced Monday in the criminal trial of former CIA spymaster Clair E. George.

Prosecutors introduced a flood of documents in their attempt to prove that George covered up his knowledge of the Iran-Contra affair. Defense lawyer Richard Hibey sought to show there was no proof that George actually saw the documents.

George is being tried on three charges of obstructing Congress and a federal grand jury, and six counts of perjury and false statements. He is charged with lying when he told Congress in October, 1986, that he did not know who was supplying guns and ammunition to the Nicaraguan Contras.

Prosecutors are seeking to show that George had a wealth of information on the network operated by White House aide North in 1985 and 1986.

One document released Monday was the transcribed minutes of a September, 1986, meeting that North, retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Richard V. Secord and CIA official George Cave held with two Iranian officials to discuss their requests to buy U.S. arms.

One Iranian official outlined an extensive request for various arms. According to the minutes, North said there would be little problem if the arms were available.

“But as we emphasized to (unidentified Iranian officials) in Tehran, we think that you might be thinking too small,” the minutes quoted North as saying. “People preparing lists are only thinking of the very short term.”

North said the weapons approved for sale to Iran thus far were defensive weapons. The document said he suggested that the Iranians also would need technical aid, medical supplies and masks to protect citizens against chemical warfare in Iran’s war against Iraq.

The United States was selling arms to Iran in hopes of getting help in gaining the release of U.S. hostages in the Middle East. According to the document, North told the Iranian officials that the hostages were an obstacle and that “if the President is found to be helping Iran with this obstacle still in the way, it would be very difficult to explain to our people.”

Profits from the arms sales to Iran were diverted to finance military aid to the Nicaraguan rebels despite a congressional ban on lethal aid.

Prosecutors also introduced North’s memoranda to then-National Security Adviser John M. Poindexter on how he hoped the arms sales would lead to release of all U.S. hostages and the resignation of Iran’s Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

North’s attorney, Nicole Seligman, declined to comment.