Cheney heads for Asia to reassure key allies Japan, SKorea on Iraq

[Barrett808]

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US Vice President Dick Cheney headed for Asia, where he is expected to urge key allies Japan and South Korea (news - web sites) to stay the course on Iraq despite security fears stemming from abductions in the war-torn nation.

A senior administration official, speaking ahead of the week-long trip, indicated that Japanese and South Korean leaders may raise with Cheney their concerns over the abduction of their citizens in Iraq.

"The unfortunate developments, ... the kidnapping of the Korean and Japanese citizens, I expect to be very much on their minds," the official said.

Three Japanese have been captured in Iraq, while seven South Koreans were taken hostage only to be released unharmed Thursday amid some of the fiercest fighting between insurgents and US-led forces since Baghdad fell a year ago.

(more)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20040409/pl_afp/iraq_us_japan_skorea&cid=1521&ncid=1480

I'm sure that's a typo in the headline: the editor meant to say "threaten" instead of "reassure".

[JPace]

1. He would rather go abroad than stay here where

the heat in the kitchen is getting hot and
people want accountability for getting us
into this mess.

[Beetwasher]

2. Reassure or Threaten?

The question is, at this point will they be more afraid of Dick "Hitman" Cheney or the Iraqi's?

[PATRICK]

3. Bingo

NOW I understand the timing of the kidnappings. It seems the Iraqis are thinking far ahead. Maybe we should put them on the Bush payroll and get rid of the chickenhawks. I wonder of media people can add one story to the other as readily. Nope, not a chance.

Who exactly is Cheney going to talk to in Korea after the impeachment? How is he going to praise the Japanese for being bought out suckers who may also have to absorb economic pain to reelect Wee Georgie?

He would be more sympathetic talking amoral cutthroat business with the new Chinese business leaders.

[Joanne98]

7. Ugh. Capitalists, communists, mafia dictators...........

The Chinese have the worst of all worlds.

[leesa]

4. "Reassure" = threaten/bribe in Cheneyland.

There will be a lot of arm-twisting in Asia this weekend. And when they agree to keep troops in Iraq, the hostages will be released.

[PfcHammer]

5. wonder if he will vomit all over them like poppy did

[Joanne98]

6. I hope those Japanese and South Korean protestors give him an

earful. GET OUT OF MY COUNTRY YOU MONSTER. :)

[Brucey]

8. When Kissinger won the Peace Prize it was the end of irony.

The Bush* administration has put an end to arrogance. No one could top them.

[cliss]

9. As they're nervously wringing their hands,

Cheney reminds Junichiro Koizumi about the Coalition. "You've got to stay the course, buddy". "Just think of what China would do to you if we would reduce the forces that we've been using to protect you guys......"

[74dodgedart]

10. Why isn't * going ?

You'd think they would rate a presidential vist. i guess he has too much to do on the farm.

Does he ever go anywhere ?

[2cents]

11. He's bringing an offer they can't refuse...

...thanks to the "timely" assist from Kim.

[Wwagsthedog]

12. Who could possibly be reassured by dick?

nt

[Barrett808]

13. AFP: Bush seeks to underpin support in Iraq coalition

CRAWFORD, United States (AFP) - President George W. Bush moved to shore up international support for US action in Iraq while reaffirming his determination to crush insurgents who have stepped up pressure on US forces.

Bush telephoned a number of leaders from countries that have troops in the US coalition, the White House said. Vice President Dick Cheney headed for Asia, where he was to urge Japan and South Korea to stick with the coalition despite kidnappings of their citizens in Iraq.

Bush, who is on holiday at his Texas ranch, discussed mounting unrest in Iraq with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Polish and Salvadoran presidents Aleksander Kwasniewski and Francisco Flores, the White House said.

"The four leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a free and democratic Iraq and defeating the minority extremist elements seeking to derail the transition process through violence," said presidential spokesman Scott McClellan.

(more)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20040409/pl_afp/us_iraq&cid=1521&ncid=1480

[bpilgrim]

14. wonder who will pull out first?

and how soon :shrug:

i think japan will stick to the bitter end but they too won't stick around FOREVER.

the neoCONs must be feeling the HEAT.

peace