Powell Planning Final Trip Abroad
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In what may be his final official overseas trip, Secretary of State Colin Powell (search) plans visits to Bulgaria, Belgium, the Netherlands and Morocco from Dec. 6 to 11.
In Sofia, Powell will attend a meeting of the 55-member Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (search). In Brussels, the main event will be a NATO (search) Council meeting. Powell also plans to attend a U.S.-European Union meeting at The Hague (search).
In Morocco, Powell will attend a meeting on ways to promote political, economic, and social reform in the Middle East and North Africa.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said he was unaware of any other foreign trips by Powell before he steps down as secretary of state, probably next month.
President Bush has nominated national security adviser Condoleezza Rice to replace Powell.