John Kerry says he stands by his claim that some foreign leaders privately support him against President George W. Bush. The White House, casting doubt on the Democrat's credibility, suggested he was lying.

　　"I'm not making anything up at all," Kerry told The Associated Press in an interview on Monday, accusing Republicans of "trying to change the subject" from jobs, health care and other issues.

　　In a telephone interview, the Massachusetts senator and presumptive Democratic nominee said "it's no secret" that some countries are "deeply divided about our foreign policy. We have lost respect and influence in the world."

　　He continued: "I stand by my statement. The point is not the leaders. What's important is that this administration's foreign policy is not making us as safe as we can be in the world."

　　Kerry has won more than enough Democratic convention delegates to win the presidential nomination when the Democratic Party convenes in August.

　　Kerry said last week that he's heard from some world leaders who quietly back his candidacy and hope he is elected in November. Kerry has declined to identify them, saying to do so would betray confidences.

　　Three times on Monday, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said Kerry was "making it up." On Sunday, Secretary of State Colin Powell called on Kerry to name names.

　　"Either he is straightforward and states who they are, or the only conclusion one can draw is that he is making it up to attack the president," said McClellan.

　　He also took issue with Kerry's suggestions that the administration held up for political purposes the announcement of an agreement with Libya to rid itself of weapons of mass destruction; and that the administration had rebuffed offers from Russia and France to avert the Iraq war.

　　In response, Kerry's campaign issued a list of statements by Bush administration officials it portrayed as falsehoods.

　　(The Associated Press)