A TV monitor in the University of Mississippi presidential debate media center
© AFP Paul J. Richards

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Internet search giant Google has developed an experimental new tool which allows Web surfers to compare quotations from the US presidential candidates side by side.

Called "Google In Quotes" (labs.google.com/inquotes), the program displays statements by the candidates on whatever subject the user enters into a search box.

Enter "Iraq," and up pops the latest quote on Iraq from the candidates.

A box labelled "Spin" allows users to scroll back through their previous comments on the selected issue.

The quotes are drawn from stories which have appeared on Google News.

For the moment, "In Quotes" only provides quotations from politicians but not all of them are American. Google has also created Canadian, Indian and British editions of the program featuring leading political figures in those countries.

The site created by Google Labs is still under development and carries a hefty disclaimer.

"Quotes and their speakers are determined automatically by a computer program and we don't guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information you may see," it says.

©AFP