Could you please have Kerry get back to Colin Powell on this issue:
story.news.yahoo.com
Powell to Kerry: Back Claims With Names
By JENNIFER C. KERR, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Colin Powell (news - web sites) on Sunday challenged Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry (news - web sites) to name the foreign leaders whom the Massachusetts senator claims want him as the next U.S. president.
Kerry, the all-but-certain Democratic presidential nominee, said at a fund-raiser last week in Florida that he's heard from some world leaders who quietly back his candidacy and hope he defeats President Bush (news - web sites) in November.
Powell expressed skepticism on "Fox News Sunday" when asked about Kerry's assertion.
"I don't know what foreign leaders Senator Kerry is talking about. It's an easy charge, an easy assertion to make. But if he feels it is that important an assertion to make, he ought to list some names," Powell said. "If he can't list names, then perhaps he should find something else to talk about."
Powell also dismissed Kerry's recent suggestion that the secretary of state has been undercut by hawks in the Bush administration, saying again that Kerry should substantiate the claim.
He said Bush "has me right now on the lead" on many issues, including China, Haiti, Iraq (news - web sites) and Iran.
"I know what the president wants, I know what his agenda is, and he knows that I am working his agenda," Powell said. "So these sorts of charges are always interesting to read and fun to gossip about, but don't have any standing in reality."
Later, on ABC's "This Week," Powell rebutted Kerry's charge that Bush administration policies in Afghanistan (news - web sites) and Iraq have turned allies away from the United States.
"You know, it is a political year. We are seeing a campaign unfold," Powell said.
Powell was leaving late Sunday on a weeklong visit to South Asia and the Middle East, and meetings with leaders in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, among other countries. |
