Washington ? Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, a Democratic presidential candidate, urged the Bush administration on Thursday to tread slowly and gain support from allies before launching a military strike on Iraq.

“Show respect for the process of international diplomacy because it is not only right, it can make America stronger and show the world some appropriate patience to building a genuine coalition,” Kerry said. “Mr. President, do not rush to war.”

As the White House sought to downplay dissent from European allies who are questioning the urgency of going to war, Kerry delivered a blistering critique of the Bush foreign policy.

Of the six Democratic candidates who have filed presidential exploratory bids, Kerry is the lone military veteran.

In an address at Georgetown University, Kerry said the nation’s priority should be pursuing a war against terrorism, not a war with Saddam Hussein.