Cheney tells troops US won't relent in Iraq

US Vice President Dick Cheney met with Japan’s emperor today and later flew to a US aircraft carrier where he told thousands of cheering American troops the US would not relent in the war on terror.

Mr Cheney, who arrived in Japan yesterday, was given a 19-gun salute as he boarded the USS Kitty Hawk and began his 20-minute address to about 4,000 troops in the hangar bay.

He praised Japan as “one of America’s closest allies,” and said relations have never been better, adding that Tokyo and Washington “understand our duties”.

Washington’s duty, he said, was to remain on the attack in its global campaign against terrorism.

“America will stay on the offensive on the war on terror,” he said. “The American people will not support a policy of retreat.”

Mr Cheney also reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to the increasingly unpopular war in Iraq.

“We want to complete the mission, we want to get it done right, and then we want to come home, with honour,” he said.

Mr Cheney’s brief visit to Japan – he’s due to leave early tomorrow – is a gesture of appreciation to Tokyo, which has been one of Washington’s most valuable allies in the war on terror, sending troops to Iraq and deploying logistical help for US and coalition forces in Afghanistan.

Mr Cheney was to have dinner today with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and meet with Foreign Minister Taro Aso.

Tomorrow, he is due to meet the parents of a Japanese schoolgirl abducted by North Korean agents in 1977. Mr Cheney will then fly to Australia and the tiny US Pacific island of Guam.