U.S. presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's campaign said that he has the first meeting on Wednesday with his newly-formed foreign policy panel including former Democratic officials and lawmakers.
According to his campaign, his foreign policy advisory group includes former Indiana Representative Lee Hamilton, former national security adviser to President Bill Clinton Anthony Lake, and former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn.
The panel members were considered by U.S. media potential candidates for top posts in Obama's administration should he be elected president in November, including state secretary, White House national security adviser or even Vice President.
Former secretaries of state Madeleine Albright and Warren Christopher as well as former Defense Secretary William Perry are also among Obama's foreign policy "senior working group," his campaign said, adding that the Illinois Senator would consult with the group regularly between now and the Nov. 4 general elections.
Obama is trying to bolster his foreign policy credentials since the first-term Senator was always criticized as "naive" in foreign and defense affairs by his Republican rival, John McCain, who has rich experience in this regard during his years work at the Capitol Hill.
In a statement announcing the working group, Obama attacked McCain's foreign policy for being similar to that of President George W. Bush and underscored his call for a pullout of U.S. troops from Iraq.
"It's time to end the war in Iraq responsibly, refocus on Afghanistan and al-Qaida, and renew our global leadership so that we can tackle the huge challenges of the 21st century," Obama said.
After the foreign policy meeting, Obama will meet with another group of about 40 retired admirals and generals about military affairs and Iraq and Afghanistan.
Source:Xinhua
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