Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio: Dan Rather) Report introduced.

(DC: Phil Jones) [Representative Lee HAMILTON - comments on Iran/Contra committee maj. report's conclusions of the Iran/Contra scandal.] Copies shown of final report President Reagan's facing harsh criticism in report discussed. [Senator Dan. INOUYE - says Reagan was constitutionally responsible.] Congress leaders who signed final report noted not believing Reagan was solely to blame for Iran/Contra scandal. [Senator Howell HEFLIN - says his advisers betrayed and deceived him.] Premises of the final report quoted on screen. [Lieutenant Colonel Oliver NORTH - (during hearings) admits misleading Congress] Possible cover-up by top White House officials mentioned. [HAMILTON - says top aids covered up the scandal by shredding and altering documents.] Report quoted asserting that President Reagan did not know all the facts regarding the Iran arms scandal. Former head of CIA William Casey, Admiral John Poindexter and North's roles in affair reviewed. [POINDEXTER - (during July 19, 1987, hearings) believed he had the authority to act as he did.] Iran/Contra scandal final report quoted mentioning that Vice President George Bush knew nothing about situation. Attorney General Edwin Meese's handling of investigation said criticized in report Report's new disclosure that Iranian radical who planned the kidnapping of American William Buckley actually received some of the weapons in question noted. Middlemen taking large profits from sale of arms for aid to Contras noted. Committee's minority report discussed. [Representative Henry HYDE - says final report indicates effort was a witch hunt.] [Senator Warren RUDMAN - says the minority report is pathetic.] Report's urging that officials respect existing laws noted.