Nation IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : Senate Hearings on CIA Choice Delayed

Confirmation hearings for Central Intelligence Agency director-designate Robert M. Gates were postponed until after the Senate returns from the July 4 recess. The Select Committee on Intelligence decided against conducting the sessions earlier so that the nomination can be put to a vote of the full Senate without holiday interruptions. Committee spokesman Jim Currie said the panel’s staff is working full time to compile briefing books on Gates’ 25-year career with the CIA and the National Security Council. The information is to include what Gates did or did not know about the Iran-Contra affair. Gates, chosen to succeed retiring CIA Director William H. Webster, is expected to win confirmation easily.