(2004-06-03) -- The White House cannot prove that CIA Director George Tenet has resigned, according to Democrat presidential hopeful John Forbes Kerry, therefore "no action should be taken to replace him."

Mr. Kerry, who is also a U.S. Senator, called for a United Nations investigation into Bush administration claims that Mr. Tenet had stepped aside for "personal reasons."

"We’ve learned to look askance at CIA data interpreted by this administration," said Mr. Kerry. "Only the U.N. can legitimately determine the truth in this matter."

If the White House claim can be proved by a multilateral probe team, then Mr. Kerry said he would support appointing a new CIA chief with the advice and consent of the U.N. Secretary-General