White House highlights doubts about reports Bush had help avoiding Vietnam duty

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2004

ST. CLOUD, United States (AFP) — The White House emphasized doubts surrounding documents used in a recent CBS News report, claiming that US President George W. Bush had help in escaping Vietnam War duty.

"CBS has now acknowledged that the crux of their story may have been based on forged documents," White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters as Bush made a campaign stop in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

The White House had earlier refused to comment on the authenticity of the documents dated from the 1970s, which suggested that Bush, now 58, had help in being assigned to a Texas National Guard unit and avoiding service in Vietnam.

CBS News anchor Dan Rather on Wednesday acknowledged that the documents' authenticity was questionable and told The Washington...