U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell defended the United States and advocated condom use in a global forum broadcast on the world's biggest music television network, MTV, Thursday.

Mr. Powell took questions by satellite from young people on at least four continents.

Asked by a Norwegian teenager how it felt to represent a nation seen, in her words, as "the Satan of contemporary politics," Mr. Powell responded that he considered the United States a great protector.

A young Roman Catholic woman in Rome asked his opinion on condom use. Mr. Powell said he not only supports condom use, but advocates it for people who are sexually active. His remarks drew fire from conservatives, including Christian activist Gary Bauer, said the secretary should support the Bush administration's emphasis on abstinence.

Mr. Powell's young audience also asked tough questions about terrorism, AIDS drugs, and the Middle East, leading the secretary to joke that the session felt like a Congressional hearing.

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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