Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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July 18, 2008

Obama's Overseas Trip Draws Praise, Criticism from McCain 
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Republican rival astonished Obama would deliver foreign policy speech on
Afghanistan before visiting country 
Republican presidential candidate John McCain listens to a question
during a town hall meeting at the General Motors Design Center in
Warren, Michigan, 18 July 2008U.S. Democratic presidential candidate
Barack Obama's plans to travel to Iraq and Afghanistan have drawn a
mixed reaction from his Republican rival John McCain.Speaking in
Michigan Friday, McCain said he is pleased Obama is visiting Iraq and
will meet for the first time with the top U.S. commander there, General
David Petraeus.But McCain criticized Obama for his opposition to the
"surge" of additional American troops in Iraq, a strategy McCain says is
working.Obama has said the war in Iraq is distracting the U.S. from the
situation in Afghanistan, which he says is more important in the fight
against terrorism.At the Michigan event, McCain said he was astonished
that Obama would deliver a foreign policy position on Afghanistan before
visiting the country.No dates have been announced for Obama's visit to
Iraq and Af!
 ghanistan.Obama is scheduled to visit Jordan and Israel on his trip.
Palestinian officials say he is to also meet with leaders in the West
Bank. Other stops include Germany, France and Britain.The trip is
intended to bolster his foreign policy credentials and silence critics
who say the freshman senator is too inexperienced in international
affairs to be commander in chief.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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