POWELL SKITTISH ON GOP CONVENTION APPEARANCE.

Byline: The Boston Globe

Retired Gen. Colin Powell has told Bob Dole he may not appear at the Republican National Convention unless he is satisfied the party is committed to a ``big tent'' of inclusion and will let him speak up for affirmative action and perhaps abortion rights, according to aides.

In a setback for Dole, the presumed Republican presidential nominee, Powell took a significant step away from politics Monday and rebuffed Dole's request to become a major, active part of the former senator's campaign. Powell also rejected the idea of being a keynote convention speaker and again ruled out a vice presidential candidacy.

The possibility that Powell may not appear at the convention could prove embarrassing to Dole as the Kansan tries to portray his campaign as appealing to moderates. In fresh evidence that Powell is stepping further from the political process, he said he does not intend to campaign actively, although he does plan to vote for Dole.

``I don't plan to go out on the campaign or fund-raising trail,'' Powell said during a radio interview to promote the paperback edition of his best-selling autobiography. ``I am practicing my own politics privately,'' he said.

This was clearly not what Dole was hoping to hear.

Last month, Dole told reporters he hoped Powell would play a major, active role, saying: ``I'd like to have him everywhere I go. I'd ask him if he'd be willing to travel with me.''

In a round of promotion interviews for his book ``My American Journey,'' Powell repeatedly ruled out the idea of being such an active campaigner and went on to underscore several differences he has with Dole.

Powell said on AP Network News that he was ``out of step with some of my political friends'' in the Republican Party in advocating the continuation of affirmative action programs. Later, Powell said on National Public Radio that ``a woman should have the right to choose'' whether to have an abortion, and he said it was ``shortsighted'' not to provide education to the children of illegal immigrants.