Kerry Criticizes Bush for War Policies

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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&ncid=703&e=1&u=/ap/20040317/ap_on_el_pr/kerry

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry (news - web sites) on Wednesday marked the first anniversary of the war in Iraq (news - web sites) by criticizing the Bush administration for stubbornly holding to failed policies that drive away potential allies at the cost of lives and money "with no end in sight."


In remarks prepared for delivery in Washington at George Washington University, Kerry called for better health care and other benefits for veterans while faulting President Bush (news - web sites) for failing to uphold promises to those who served in the armed forces. He was to be joined by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright (news - web sites) and former Defense Secretary William Perry.


The Bush administration was defending the invasion that began March 19, 2003, with a series of speeches this week contending that overthrowing Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) had made the world safer. The president's re-election campaign also was renewing its criticism of Kerry's foreign policy and his vote against funds for the war.


Kerry said Bush's use of the armed services has been reckless and has left the military spread far too thin, and he called for more focused use of the nation's armed services.

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