Bush breaks silence on missing Iraq explosives.

LITITZ, United States (AFP) - Breaking his silence on missing Iraqi explosives, US President George W. Bush called Democratic rival John Kerry’s attacks on the subject “wild charges” levelled in desperation.

At a campaign rally in this crucial state just six days before the election, Bush said US forces were investigating the fate of the 350 tonnes of high explosives and that Kerry was irresponsibly jumping to conclusions.

“The senator is making wild charges about missing explosives,” said Bush. “Think about that: The senator is denigrating the action of our troops and commanders in the field without knowing the facts.”

“Unfortunately, that’s part of a pattern of saying almost anything to get elected,” said the president, whom Kerry has accused of incompetent war planning in the wake of media revelations that the explosives went missing.

“America is now investigating a number of possible scenarios, including that the explosives may have been moved before our troops even arrived at the site,” said Bush.

“This investigation is important, and a political candidate who jumps to conclusions without knowing the facts is not the person you want as your commander in chief,” said Bush.