Region | Palestinian Territories
Obama plans trips to Europe and the Middle East
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, fending off Republican criticism that he's short on foreign policy experience, plans to visit Europe and the Middle East by the end of August, his campaign said.
- Bloomberg
- Published: 09:18 June 29, 2008
Washington: Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, fending off Republican criticism that he's short on foreign policy experience, plans to visit Europe and the Middle East by the end of August, his campaign said.
The U.K., Germany, France, Jordan and Israel are all on the candidate's itinerary. Spokesman Ben LaBolt wouldn't confirm any plans for trips to Iraq or Afghanistan after ABC News reported that Obama intends to go to the war-torn countries with a congressional delegation next month. LaBolt also wouldn't confirm the dates for travel to the other countries.
"This trip will be an important opportunity for me to assess the situation in countries that are critical to American national security, and to consult with some of our closest friends and allies about the common challenges we face,'' Obama said in a statement distributed by the campaign.
Obama, 46, an Illinois senator, is spending his morning visiting wounded troops at Washington's Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Reporters weren't allowed inside.
The war in Iraq has long been a top issue in Obama's campaign. He capitalized on his early opposition to the conflict to win the support of antiwar voters who helped him defeat New York Senator Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries.
Obama's rival, presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain, a Navy veteran who was a prisoner of war during the Vietnam conflict, is emphasizing his experience on national security to appeal to voters in the general election campaign. Obama argues that Arizona Senator McCain, 71, would continue the "misguided'' policies of President George W. Bush.
A trip to Iraq would be Obama's second; he first visited in January 2006.
Republicans have been criticising him for waiting so long to go back; the Republican National Committee has sent out e-mails to reporters counting the number of days.
"In order to maintain the absolutely highest levels of security, we will not be announcing any details of any potential trips to Iraq or Afghanistan,'' LaBolt said.
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