LI Z, United States (AFP) - Breaking his silence on missing Iraqi explosives, US President George W. Bush (news - web sites) called Democratic rival John Kerry (news - web sites)'s attacks on the subject "wild charges" levelled in desperation.
At a campaign rally in this crucial state just six days before the election, Bush said US forces were investigating the fate of the 350 tonnes of high explosives and that Kerry was irresponsibly jumping to conclusions.
"The senator is making wild charges about missing explosives," said Bush. "Think about that: The senator is denigrating the action of our troops and commanders in the field without knowing the facts."