Rather, CBS to end working relationship early

NEW YORK -- CBS News officials have decided to end the network's relationship with Dan Rather and are finalizing negotiations for the former anchor to leave before his contract expires at the end of November.
Rather confirmed Thursday that he is wrapping up talks to conclude his run at CBS.
The 74-year-old newsman said he doesn't view his departure with disappointment.Still, those close to Rather say he has been dismayed and perplexed by the pressure to exit.The abrupt ending to his 44-year career at the network is widely seen as painful for Rather, who stepped down as evening news anchor in March 2005 in the wake of criticism about a story he reported that raised questions about President Bush's service in the Texas Air National Guard.
An independent panel commissioned by CBS concluded that the piece was based on documents that could not be corroborated. In the fallout, four staffers lost their jobs. Some suggested Rather should have quit as well.
Instead, the veteran broadcaster returned to reporting.
If he had continued on at CBS, the veteran newsman indicated, he would have wanted a larger role.
The longtime correspondent said he asked to cover Hurricane Katrina and to visit Iraq and Afghanistan, but his requests were denied. "They just said, 'Not interested,'" he said.