U.S. Democratic senator apologizes for comment on Iraq

U.S. Democratic Senator John Kerry apologized on Wednesday for his remarks about Iraq one day earlier that drew sharp attacks from Republicans, days away from the midterm congressional elections.

Kerry apologized to American troops in a brief statement.

"I sincerely regret that my words were misinterpreted to wrongly imply anything negative about those in uniform and I personally apologize to any service member, family member or American who was offended," said Kerry, the Democratic presidential candidate in 2004.

In remarks to a group of students in California on Monday, Kerry said that they could do well if they studied hard, and that if they did not, "you get stuck in Iraq."

President George W. Bush, Kerry's Republican opponent in 2004, said Kerry's statement was "insulting and it is shameful," and Republicans demanded that Kerry apologize.

Kerry initially refused to apologize for the remarks, saying that the words were aimed at Bush and his Iraq policy, not the military. Following the remarks, Kerry cancelled several appearances in campaign events Wednesday for fellow Democratic candidates.

Source: Xinhua