Iran-Contra Panels Get Draft Report Summarizing 9-Month Investigation

The House and Senate Iran- contra investigating committees met Thursday to receive a 1,000-page draft report summarizing their nine-month inquiry into the deals that sent arms to Iran and aid to Nicaragua’s rebels.

The papers, contained in two loose-leaf binders, were classified top secret. Members were cautioned that they could read them only in the secure offices of the House and Senate committee staffs, or in their offices if the copies were accompanied by a security officer.

The committees, in separate meetings that lasted about 45 minutes each, were briefed on the contents of the report and familiarized with the rules for their handling. Members were given until Sept. 28 to read and study the documents and submit comments or suggested changes.

Committee members have said that they expect major partisan disagreements about what should be in the report and that it is likely the final version will contain dissenting and additional views.

The final report is expected to be published in late October.

The bulk of the document is a long narrative of the deals surrounding the arms sales and aid to the contras.

It contains also a chronology and an executive summary and will ultimately include chapters on some of the issues raised, recommendations and conclusions.