CRAWFORD, Aug 6: President George W. Bush made a show of support for Secretary of State Colin Powell on Wednesday in the wake of a report that Powell did not plan to serve in a possible second Bush term.

Bush and Powell talked to reporters outside the Coffee Station restaurant in Crawford before ducking inside for lunch. Bush and Powell, as well as Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, had held talks on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning at Bush’s ranch about top foreign policy priorities.

“The fact that he is here in Crawford, Texas, talking about issues of importance, should say loud and clear to the American people that he’s completely engaged and doing what he needs to do,” Bush said.

A report on Monday in the Washington Post said Powell did not plan to serve as secretary of state in the event Bush won a second term in the 2004 election.

The Powell visit had been planned for a week or two but after the Post story created a big stir in Washington, the public appearance was added in order for Bush to offer his support.

Neither Bush nor Powell would say whether Powell would serve during a second term. Bush said “first things first” — he must first get re-elected.

Said Powell: “I serve at the pleasure of the president and this is all August speculation and there is no basis of fact. There was no basis to the story to begin with and we’re doing our jobs together.”

“All right, we’re going to get a burger,” Bush said as he ushered Powell and other top aides into the restaurant.—Reuters