MANHATTAN

Senator urges caution as war with Iraq nears

As the United States grows closer to war with Iraq, it should move with caution and in concert with its allies, U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel said Thursday in a Landon Lecture at Kansas State University.

“At this critical juncture, the success of our actions will be determined not by the extent of our power but by an appreciation of its limits,” the Nebraska Republican said.

“America must balance its determination with patience and not be seen as in a rush to war,” he added.

Hagel, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Select Committee on Intelligence, made his comments also said the United States must steer from a course that could fracture relations with its longtime allies.

“Allowing a rush to war in Iraq to create divisions in those institutions and alliances that will help sustain American security and world stability is a shortsighted and dangerous course of action,” Hagel said.

TOPEKA

Governor makes ag, aging appointments

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius announced Thursday that she has replaced her acting secretaries of aging and agriculture with permanent appointees.

Adrian Polansky, a Belleville farmer and leader of a team Sebelius appointed to review natural resources agencies, will serve as agriculture secretary.

Acting Secretary Greg Foley will return to his job as assistant secretary.

At the Department on Aging, the new secretary will be Pamela Johnson-Betts, previously the executive director of the Kansas African-American Affairs Commission.

She replaces Acting Secretary Janis DeBoer, who will be an assistant secretary.