US: The US Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell, and his deputy do not plan to serve a second term even if President Bush is re-elected, the Washington Post said yesterday. However the State Department dismissed the report as "gossip and rumour".
Citing sources familiar with the conversation, the newspaper reported that Deputy Secretary of State Mr Richard Armitage recently told National Security Adviser Ms Condoleezza Rice that he and Mr Powell would leave on January 21st, 2005, the day after the next presidential inauguration.
"This is gossip and rumour," said State Department spokesman Mr Philip Reeker when asked about the story.
"The story purports to describe a conversation that took place. That conversation never took place."
According to the newspaper, Mr Powell indicated to associates he would leave for personal reasons rather than any differences over foreign policy.
The report said Mr Powell indicated a commitment made to his wife was a key factor in his desire to limit his tenure to one term.
There are 18 months left in Mr Bush's presidential term.
The current administration has been characterised by fierce policy debates, often between Mr Powell and more hawkish members, the newspaper said.
Ms Rice and Deputy Defence Secretary Mr Paul Wolfowitz are the leading candidates to replace Mr Powell, the Washington Post reported, citing sources inside and outside the administration.
Ms Rice appeared to have an edge because of her closeness to the President, the newspaper said.
It cited sources as saying that because Mr Wolfowitz was considered more of a strategic thinker than a manager, he could become National Security Adviser if Ms Rice became Secretary of State. - (Reuters)