Rather admitted that CBS had failed to heed their primary source's warning.

Burkett also insisted that he wasn't the ultimate source of the documents and that he invented a cover story, saying they came from a fellow Guardsman, when CBS pressed him to reveal his own source.

"Your staff pressured me to a point to reveal that source," Burkett told Rather. "I simply threw out a name that was basically, I guess, to get a little pressure off for the moment."

Rather said CBS couldn't verify the identity of Burkett's ultimate source.

Asked if he had "forged" or "faked' anything, Burkett answered, "No sir."

Rather personally apologized and said CBS News President Andrew Heyward would launch an independent investigation.

Editor's note: