Clinton targets Bush war powers

WASHINGTON: Senator Hillary Clinton has spearheaded a new bid to strip President George W Bush's powers to wage war in Iraq by October, two days after he vetoed a Democratic troop withdrawal timetable.

Clinton opened up a new front in the showdown between Congress and the White House for control of the unpopular war, as congressional leaders and Bush aides met for talks on finding a compromise over a mammoth Iraq war funding package.

"It is time to reverse the failed policies of President Bush and to end this war as soon as possible," said Clinton in a speech in the Senate on Thursday.

The White House reacted furiously, accusing the New York senator of naming a 'surrender' date in a politically motivated attempt to boost her 2008 presidential campaign.

Clinton, who has vowed to bring troops home if she makes it to the White House, joined veteran Democratic Senator Robert Byrd to frame legislation which would repeal Bush's authority to wage war on October 11 this year, exactly five years after the Senate gave its original consent.

"I believe a full reconsideration of the terms and conditions of the authorisation are overdue," Clinton said, two days after Bush wielded his veto against a war funding bill containing Democratic withdrawal timelines.

Bush was authorised by Congress to use military force against Iraq in October 2002, on the grounds that its alleged weapons of mass destruction were a security threat and that it thwarted United Nations weapons inspections.

White House deputy spokeswoman Dana Perino condemned Clinton's move.