Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Cheney says U.S. wants to leave Iraq "with honour

TOKYO (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney said on Wednesday the United States wants to finish its mission in Iraq and "return with honour", despite the war's growing unpopularity at home and doubts among U.S. allies.

Cheney's visit to Tokyo comes just weeks after Japan's defence minister said starting the Iraq war was a mistake and its foreign minister called the U.S. occupation strategy "immature".

----

In a speech delivered aboard the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier at Yokosuka Navy Base near Tokyo, Cheny said: "We know that terrorist attacks are not caused by the use of strength, they are invited by the perception of weakness."

"We know that if we leave Iraq before the mission is completed, the enemy is going to come after us. And I want you to know that the American people will not support a policy of retreat," he added.

No comments: