Washington: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joe Biden says Republican Sen John McCain would continue President George W Bush's practice of pursuing the war in Iraq at the expense of other urgent global issues.

"When it comes to Iraq, there is no daylight between John McCain and George W Bush. They are joined at the hip," Biden said in excerpts of remarks prepared for delivery yesterday at Georgetown University. "When it comes to Iraq, there will be no change with a McCain administration ... And so there is a real and profound choice for Americans in November."

McCain, the certain Republican presidential nominee, backs Bush's policy in Iraq and favoured last year's increase in US troops in the country. "John McCain remains wedded to the Bush administration's myopic view of a world defined by terrorism. He would continue to allow a tiny minority to set the agenda for the overwhelming majority," Biden said.

"It is time for a total change in Washington's world view. That will require more than a great soldier. It will require a wise leader." Biden accused the Bush administration of squandering the ability of the US to shape such emerging issues as the increasing influence of China and India, the resurgence of Russia, the unification Europe, the spread of dangerous weapons and lethal diseases, the impact of climate change, and shortages of secure sources of energy, water and food, among others.

Source : PTI