Dad’s former cohorts to pin Bush

Those signing the document, which will be released in Washington on Wednesday, include 20 former US ambassadors, appointed by presidents of both parties, to countries from Israel and the former Soviet Union to Saudi Arabia and Mexico.

Others are senior State Department officials from the Carter, Reagan and Clinton administrations and former career military leaders, including retired Gen Joseph P. Hoar, who was commander-in-chief of the US Central Command under President Bush’s father.

Hoar, who in his command post was responsible for W Asia, has become a prominent critic of the war in Iraq. Some of those signing the document — such as Hoar and former Air Force Chief of Staff Merrill A. McPeak — have already identified themselves as supporters of Sen John F. Kerry, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. But most have not endorsed any candidate, according to the group.

Also, it is unusual for so many high-level military and diplomatic alumni to issue such an overtly political message during a presidential campaign. A senior official at the Bush re-election campaign said he did not wish to comment on the statement until it is released. But administration officials have emphatically rejected charges, pointing to the countries contributing troops in Iraq and the unanimous passage last week of the UN resolution authorizing the interim Iraqi government. —(LAT-WP)