RENO SEALS REPORT ON CIA-CRACK CLAIMS

WASHINGTON(AP)--Over the Justice Department inspector general's objections,
Atty. Gen. Janet Reno ordered him Friday to keep secret a report on how the
department dealt with people and allegations described in a newspaper
series on the CIA, Nicaraguan rebels and crack cocaine dealers.

It was the first time an attorney general had ever invoked provisions of
the Inspector General Act that allow a report to be withheld from the
public if its release would reveal sensitive information.

The 400-page report is the product of a 15-month investigation triggered by
August 1996 articles in the San Jose Mercury News, Inspector General
Michael R. Bromwich said.

In a letter to Bromwich, Reno said her decision was prompted by "law
enforcement concerns unrelated to the ultimate conclusions reached in your
report."

She did not elaborate, but it was learned that department officials feared
release might compromise an undercover operation that is expected to last
an extended period.

Copyright Los Angeles Times