14 February 2004	Saturday	22 Zilhaj 1424

WASHINGTON, Feb 13: Democratic presidential frontrunner Senator John Kerry vowed on Friday to hit back at any dirty tricks ahead of the Nov 2 election as he was asked in public for first time about an alleged past affair.

An internet gossip site on Thursday reported a past relationship with a young woman but none of mainstream US media has touched the story. When asked about the report on MSNBC television, the Massachusetts senator and Vietnam war hero said he knew about the allegations but he shrugged off any hint of controversy.

"People are talking about it," said presenter Don Imus. Mr Kerry replied: "Well, there is nothing to report, so there is nothing to talk about. I'm not worried about it. The answer is no."

Having won 12 of the 14 states disputed so far in the Democratic nomination battle, Kerry is now firm favourite to be annointed as the Democratic candidate to take on President George W. Bush in November.

And Kerry also said he was ready for an expected Republican onslaught ahead of the election. "Absolutely, And I think we've seen evidence. We know exactly where they're going to go," Kerry said.

"And I'm ready for it. Because, you know, I've been at this for a while. "I've been through some tough races. I've been pretty well vetted and examined from one side to the other. And I think that they're in for a surprise. I'm going to fight back. I am a fighter," he declared.

"I think that the American people want the truth about a whole bunch of things. They are just just tired of the games that are being played in terms of American politics. -AFP