John Edwards says it's past time for his Democratic presidential rivals - Hillary Clinton in particular - to spell out just what they would do about Iraq.

Edwards, speaking to voters at a Newmarket music hall yesterday, said his rivals aren't being honest about Iraq and should have to say whether they would continue combat missions and how soon they would bring all U.S. troops home.

"If you believe what Sen. Clinton believes, then you can support her," Edwards said. "But if you believe that we need to bring this war to an end by getting all combat troops out and ending combat missions in Iraq, that is what I will do as president of the United States."

A Clinton spokeswoman said Edwards's own positions should give voters concern.

"Senator Edwards's entire campaign has devolved into a daily routine of negative personal attacks. He's a far cry from the John Edwards of 2004 who rose to prominence by decrying personal attacks against other Democrats," Kathleen Strand said.

Clinton has said some troops will have to remain to continue fighting terrorism in Iraq and the region.

During a debate at Dartmouth College, she said she wouldn't commit to any specific timetable: "It is very difficult to know what we're going to be inheriting."

"To me, that's not ending the war," Edwards said. "Ending the war is getting our troops out and ending our combat missions."

Edwards, trailing Clinton in polls, has criticized her ever more intensely in the past few weeks.

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By PHILIP ELLIOTT

The Associated Press