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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, August 05, 2003

Powell Dismisses Report of Departure as 'Nonsense'

US Secretary of State Colin Powell has dismissed as "nonsense" a Washington Post report on Monday that he and his deputy had planned to step down in early 2005.


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US Secretary of State Colin Powell has dismissed as "nonsense" a Washington Post report on Monday that he and his deputy had planned to step down in early 2005.

"It's nonsense. I don't know what they are talking about," Powell said in an interview with Radio Sawa, a US-funded Arabic broadcast service to the Middle East.

"I serve at the pleasure of the president. The president and I have not discussed anything other than my continuing to do my job for him," he said.

According to a Washington Post front-page report, Powell's deputy, Richard Armitage, recently told National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice that they would leave on Jan. 21, 2005, the day after the next presidential inauguration, even if US President George W. Bush is re-elected.

The report said Powell has indicated to associates that a commitment made to his wife, rather than any dismay at the administration's foreign policy, is a key factor in his desire to limit his tenure to one term.

"The story has no substance, and the so-called conversation that took place between my deputy, Mr. Armitage, and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice did not take place," said Powell.

The White House has expressed Bush's support for Powell.

"The president thinks he (Powell) is doing an outstanding job and appreciates the job that he is doing," Press Secretary Scott McClellan said in Texas, where Bush has started a month-long vacation. "The president looks forward to Secretary Powell continuing to work with him in our foreign policy realm."

The report was also denied by State Department spokesman PhilipT. Reeker.

"There's no basis to the story at all," he said in a statement." There was no conversation between the deputy secretary and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice concerning any plans for 'stepping down'," he added.

Powell and Armitage will fly to Texas on Tuesday for dinner with Bush and talks on foreign-policy issues.


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