(2003-08-04) -- Director of Central Intelligence George Tenet apologized today for allowing a story to appear in The Washington Post alleging that Secretary of State Colin Powell and a deputy intend to resign in 2005.

The report, apparently based on now-discredited British intelligence from an unknown third-country, claimed that Mr. Powell and Richard Armitage would step down at the end of President George Bush's first term.

The White House, Mr. Powell and Mr. Armitage all denied the allegations.

"It's my responsibility to review all Washington Post stories," said the CIA director. "Such faulty intelligence never should have appeared in such an important newspaper. I have failed the President again yet again."

Florida Sen. Bob Graham immediately called for a Senate inquiry into the matter to determine whether the Post story was an intelligence error, or part of a "deliberate pattern of deception."