McCain says Mideast summit's failure shows failed Clinton policy

From CNN Producer Karla Crosswhite-Chigbuel

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- This week's collapse of the Middle East peace talks is just the latest example of the Clinton administration's failed international policy, Arizona Sen. John McCain said Wednesday.

"This administration has conducted a feckless photo-op foreign policy," Sen. McCain told a group of Republicans on Capitol Hill Wednesday.

The Camp David summit collapsed on Tuesday after 15 days of intense talks between Clinton, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, although the White House insisted that significant progress had been made toward ending the 52-year-old conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

"This administration has conducted a feckless photo-op foreign policy," McCain told a group of Republicans on Capitol Hill. "The latest manifestation was the failure of the Middle East peace talks ... you don't go into these things unless you have a pretty good chance of success."

The talks stalled mainly around the question of Jerusalem, the Holy City that both Israelis and Palestinians regard as their rightful capital. The issue had never been raised before in face-to-face talks between the two sides.

"This president, as is his classic style, decides to go in it and wing it and hope that maybe with his personal charm and power something good would come of it." McCain said.

McCain reserved his praise for former GOP rival Texas Gov. George W. Bush's choice of former Defense Secretary Richard Cheney as his vice presidential running mate. He characterized Cheney as an "excellent choice" with vast international experience.

He said that Cheney, a former congressman from Wyoming, also enjoys a "reputation on both sides of the aisle of respect and appreciation."

The Arizona senator also said retired Gen. Colin Powell, who served side by side with Cheney as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Persian Gulf War, would make a superb choice as secretary of state.

"I think that would give Americans great confidence about the stewardship of this country," McCain said.