Senate okays, Democrats delay Rice confirmation

Confirmation of Dr Condoleezza Rice as the new US Secretary of State may be delayed by Senate Democrats, Congressional sources said Thursday.

The Republican majority had hoped to have her confirmed by the Senate today so that President Bush could swear her in as the new Secretary.

Grilled Rice

Although all but two Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted to confirm her on the ground that a President is entitled to choose his Cabinet, they made it clear that they are not satisfied either with the administration's policies or her rationalization of whatever policy Bush chooses. They now want a debate on the policies of the administration.

``There are a number of Democrats not on the committee that want to have a chance to debate her nomination (for)

a couple of hours,'' said Jim Manley, a spokesman for Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada.

US has a 'plan' for Pak nukes

However, he said they would not seek to block Rice's confirmation and predicted her approval within a matter of days.

Despite misgivings over the administration's policy on Iraq, terrorism, the Middle East and the nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 16-2 Wednesday to confirm Rice as the new Secretary of State on the grounds that the President has the right to choose his own Cabinet.

The two who voted against her after the nine hour hearing were Democratic Senators John Kerry and Barbara Boxer.