WASHINGTON -- Secretary of State Colin Powell and his deputy Richard Armitage have indicated that they do not intend to serve a second term at the State Department even if President Bush is re-elected, The Washington Post reported on Monday.

Citing sources familiar with the conversation, the newspaper reported that Armitage recently told national security adviser Condoleezza Rice that he and Powell would leave on Jan. 21, 2005, the day after the next presidential inauguration.

According to the newspaper, Powell has indicated to associates that he would be leaving for personal reasons rather than any differences over the administration's foreign policy.

The report said Powell indicated that a commitment made to his wife was a key factor in his desire to limit his tenure to one presidential term. There are 18 months left in Bush's current term.

The current administration has been characterized by fierce policy debates often between Powell and more hawkish members, the newspaper said as carried by Reuters.

A State Department spokeswoman declined comment on the report. Rice and Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz are the leading candidates to replace Powell, The Post reported, citing sources inside and outside the administration.

Rice appears to have an edge because of her closeness to the president, the newspaper said.

It cited sources as saying that because Wolfowitz is considered more of a strategic thinker than a manager, he could be tapped as national security adviser if Rice became secretary of state or entered politics.