Republicans grill Rice
2006-02-15 20:59
Washington - Republican senators criticised the Bush administration on Wednesday over its policies in Iraq, Iran and the Palestinian territories, as secretary of state Condoleezza Rice's first testimony to congress in months exposed her to a hostile grilling from some members of her own party.
"I don't see, madam secretary, how things are getting better.
"I think they're getting worse in Iraq, they're getting worse in Iran," senator Chuck Hagel told Rice as she appeared before the senate foreign relations committee.
Rice also had a tense exchange with moderate Republican senator Lincoln Chafee over the pace of progress toward Israeli-Palestinian peace and the implications of the Hamas victory in Palestinian legislative elections last month.
"We will continue to insist that the leaders of Hamas must recognise Israel, disarm, reject terrorism and work for lasting peace," Rice said.
- AP