Sloganeering troubles diplomatic pros (AP)

Last updated August 3, 2007 10:09 a.m. PT

Sloganeering troubles diplomatic pros

By MATTHEW LEE
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

WASHINGTON -- The State Department has a message
for White House candidates wanting to expound on
sensitive diplomatic issues: Shut up.

Traditionally silent during presidential campaigns filled
with divisive foreign policy debates, the department on
Friday delivered a rebuke to would-be nominees of both
parties whose recent comments have complicated U.S.
efforts to overcome deep suspicion about the war on
terrorism in the Muslim world.

"Those who wish to hold office can speak for themselves
and whoever is elected in 2008 and comes into office in
2009 will then be in a position to talk about what they
intend or plan to do," said deputy spokesman Tom Casey,
a career foreign service officer.

First it was Barack Obama's talk of dialogue with dictators
and invading Pakistan to kill Islamist militants, then it was
Hillary Rodham Clinton refusing to rule out the use of
nuclear weapons to that end. Now, the Democratic front-
runners have been joined by radical Republican Rep. Tom
Tancredo, who threatened to bomb Muslim holy sites to
stop terror attacks.

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