McCain says compromise possible in detainee talks

Senator John McCain said yesterday that negotiations with the White House over rules governing US forces dealings with terrorism suspects were ongoing and fruitful.

``We are optimistic we can work out a solution," said the Arizona Republican, who has led congressional opposition to the Bush administration's plans for the CIA's interrogation program for terrorism suspects.

McCain, who delivered a convocation address last night at Boston College, said his negotiators and White House officials had exchanged proposals that could form a compromise, though he would not offer any details.

``I think there's a willingness to try to get this resolved," McCain said.

He said that both sides were talking about potential compromises regarding ways to protect interrogators from legal sanction, the use of classified material in trials of terrorist detainees, and the use of coerced testimony in trials.

But McCain said he would not budge in his opposition to the White House's proposal to reinterpret Article 3 of the Geneva Convention, which protects the rights of prisoners of war and detainees around the world.

During the weekend, Governor Mitt Romney of Massachusetts , a potential rival of McCain's for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, said he disagreed with McCain's stance and supported President Bush's position.

Asked about Romney, McCain said: ``I respect his views."

Raja Mishra