Reagan's Speech: A Successful First Step in Rebuilding Image

Professors and politicians said last night that President Reagan's address on the Iran-contra affair, although successful, was only a first step in remedying the damage done to his administration by the scandal.

Speaking to the nation in a televised address, Reagan accepted responsibility for the actions his staff is alleged to have taken in selling arms to Iran and in diverting money to the Nicaraguan rebels, called contras. The president said that such an operation would never again occur but did not explicitly apologize for the policy.

By accepting responsibility for the controversial policy and outlining several new staff and procedural changes in the White House, Reagan continued to address concerns that he is not in control of his administration, observers said after the speech.

But the observers said that only by continuing to take a forceful role in future White House activities will