A January release would be uncomfortably close to Rather's March 9 retirement date as anchorman, a move he insists had nothing to do with the scandal.

Rather will remain on the job at "60 Minutes," where he first aired bogus records three months ago purporting to show that President Bush received preferential treatment in the National Guard.

CBS executives were said to be anxiously awaiting the report's release, hoping that its findings, based on an investigation by former Attorney General Richard Thornburgh and one-time Associated Press president Lou Boccardi, will help rebuild the credibility of the network's news division.

Also delayed: any announcement about who will replace Rather. CBS brass are reluctant to name his permanent replacement either now or when Rather steps down, the paper said.

Instead, Bob Schieffer, host of CBS's "Face the Nation," could be tapped to anchor during an interim period.

Editor's note: