But a State Department spokesman vigorously denied the story on Monday. "There's no basis to the story at all," said Philip T. Reeker. "There was no such conversation." Meanwhile, at the White House, Michael Anton, a spokesman for the National Security Council, said "the conversation didn't happen." Citing "sources familiar with the conversation," the paper said in a story for Monday's editions that Powell deputy Richard L. Armitage recently told national security adviser Condoleezza Rice that he and Powell will leave on Jan. 21, 2005, the day after the next presidential inauguration. The Post said Powell has indicated to associates that a promise to his wife, rather than any policy disagreements with others in the administration, is a key factor in his intention to serve only one term.

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