Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio: Tom Brokaw) Report introduced.

(DC: John Dancy) Iran-Contra committee 's release of final report noted; details given, scenes shown. Excerpts quoted from report on screen. President Reagan reported harshly criticized in analysis. [Senator Dan. INOUYE - says President Reagan tolerated the diversion of funds as consistent with his policies.] [Representative Lee HAMILTON - says the record is still incomplete.] Attorney General Edwin Meese noted blamed for parts of record being deleted. Report's conclusions regarding Meese shown on screen. Report's criticisms of Reagan quoted on screen. Some Republican committee mbrs.' filing minority reported discussed. [Representative Henry HYDE - says major report indicates this effort was a witch hunt.] [Representative Bill McCOLLUM - says major report is shallow in its conclusions.] [Senator Warren RUDMAN - says minority report pathetic.] Committee's conclusions and recommendations shown. Meaning of facts predicted to be disputed politically for years to come.

(Studio: Tom Brokaw) Report introduced.

(DC: Chris Wallace) President Reagan's aides reported ignoring assertions made by Iran/Contra committee; scenes of Reagan shown. [REAGAN - says Washington, DC loves scandals.] White House spokesperson Marlin Fitzwater's comments quoted regarding affair on screen. [REAGAN - saying mos. ago he knew of no scandal.] White House officials' comments quoted on screen regarding President Reagan's reforms of the National Sec. Council and informing Congress of activities within reasonable amount of time. [Former national security adviser Zbigniew BRZEZINSKI - says the problem is people not structure of the NSC.] Scandal's major figures Admiral John Poindexter, former White House chief of staff Don. Regan, Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North and former CIA chief William Casey mentioned. President Reagan's image noted damaged by lack of knowledge in Iran/ Contra scandal &Doug. Ginsburg nomination; scenes shown. [Former White House aide Ed ROLLINS - says Reagan's not being honest has hurt him.] White House aides' comments quoted regarding efforts to forget the Iran/Contra scandal.

(Studio: Tom Brokaw) [Senator Richard CHENEY - says final report came to overblown conclusions and President Reagan was only guilty of making some unwise decisions, not disregarding Constitution.] [Senator George MITCHELL - says Reagan is guilty of some serious failures but should not be impeached and there was excessive zeal in the White House]