Posted on 05/04/2005 9:26:01 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
Wednesday May 4, 9:28 AM
(Kyodo) _ U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney told a visiting group of Japanese ruling coalition lawmakers Tuesday that the United States will shift its top priority to East Asia, especially over nuclear issues, delegation leader Taro Aso said. Speaking to reporters after the group's meeting with Cheney, Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Aso said the vice president flatly denied as "no" when being told that the U.S. administration is focusing on Iraqi, Palestinian and other Middle East matters as well as Afghanistan.
Cheney stressed that Washington will be focusing rather on East Asia with its highest interests from now on, especially mentioning nuclear issues in an apparent reference to North Korea, Aso said.
The vice president also underlined the "importance" of Japan lifting its 17-month-old import ban on U.S. beef, while the delegation explained the ongoing "scientific" study by the independent Food Safety Commission over whether to resume imports.
Japan, which had been the largest importer of U.S. beef, imposed the ban in December 2003, when the United States discovered its first case of mad cow disease. But it agreed with Washington last October to resume imports from animals aged up to 20 months.
The beef issue is one of a few disputes in the generally sound bilateral ties, with the U.S government repeatedly urging Japan to implement the accord and resume imports amid growing retaliatory pressure in Congress.
Meanwhile, the delegation also attended a reception hosted by U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who highlighted the strong alliance between the two nations, Aso said.
Ping!
I noticed that, too. It was a ballistic missile. Thanks for reminding me anyway.
I wish we wouldn't burn so much political capital on this very small trade issue of beef imports. Having the President, the Vice President, and Secretary Rice continually bringing up this very small item in the grand scheme of things is just a waste of precious political capital in my view.
Can we also take time to kill those Assholes in Iran?
OH OH I thinking of more SNL Skit LOL!
OH OH Cheney is not amused with Chia Pet
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