The US Vice President Mr Dick Cheney has agreed to be President George Bush's running mate in 2004, saying past health problems will not prevent him from being on the next presidential ticket.
"The president has asked me if I would serve again as his running mate. I've agreed to do that," he said in Dallas.
Mr Cheney's position on the 2004 ticket has been the subject of heightened speculation because of his heart condition. He has had four heart attacks, though none as vice president.
"I've got a doc with me 24 hours a day who watches me very carefully," said Mr Cheney. "If I ran into problems where I felt I couldn't serve, I'd be the first to say so and step down."
More recently, Mr Cheney's value has been questioned because of his connection to a corporate accounting scandal. The Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating accounting practices at Halliburton while Mr Cheney was its chief executive officer.
Mr Cheney (61) has already said he would relish a chance to join Mr Bush for any 2004 re-election run. In November, Mr Bush indicated he wanted his vice president to reprise his role, saying "there's no reason for me to change."
Mr Cheney said he did not know when Bush would formally announce his candidacy.
AFP