Report: Cheney to snub Japan defense minister for calling Iraq war 'mistake'

[sabra]

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/02/12/asia/AS-GEN-Japan-US-Cheney.php

Report: Cheney to snub Japan defense minister for calling Iraq war 'mistake'
The Associated PressPublished: February 11, 2007

TOKYO: U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney plans to spurn meetings with Japan's defense minister next week in protest over the minister's calling the American-led Iraq war a "mistake," a news report said Monday.

Cheney is scheduled to meet top officers in Japan's Self-Defense Forces when he arrives on Feb. 20 for a visit — but he has asked Japan not to schedule any meetings with Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma, Kyodo News agency said.

The move would underline lingering bad feelings between the allies since late last month, when Kyuma told reporters the decision to invade Iraq was a "mistake" because it was based on the erroneous assumption that weapons of mass destruction existed.

Kyuma later backtracked, saying he meant that the decision to attack Iraq should have been thought out more cautiously.

"I did not say it was a mistake, but I thought at the time (the U.S.) should have been more cautious," Kyuma said.

[bahrbearian]

1. That'll teach ya Kyuma,, you don't get to meet Snarly Dick.

[boobooday]

2. To be snubbed by DICK . . . it's a high honor

Like winning a Grammy.

Congrats Mr. Kyuma.

:applause:

[tanyev]

17. Only the best and brightest get snubbed by Dick Cheney.

[Olney Blue]

3. Note to Cheney: 99.9% of the world thinks it was a mistake.

Deadeye is out of his element in Japan. A breach of etiquette like this will never be forgotten.

[badgerpup]

20. you got that right...

Courtesy is VERY deeply ingrained into the Japanese culture...and while Defense Minister Kyuma-san may not react outwardly, it doesn't mean that he's blown it off.
Just because a Japanese person is smiling at you doesn't mean he likes you.

Yet another demonstration of how provincial and ethnocentric our ruling class senior govt officials have become.
Doesn't know squat about ANY other culture, doesn't care to learn, goes out of his way to insult, degrade and belittle the senior members of other countries' governments...and thinks it makes them look big and powerful.

:eyes::puke:

[grytpype]

4. He backtracked, so what's the problem?

He didn't stick to his guns, he blinked! So what's the problem?

[aquart]

5. Was Dick Cheney raised by wolves?

Seriously, who was this man's mother? What on god's earth did she teach him?

[shanti]

11. she was

probably someone like babs :yoiks:

[Bonobo]

6. Japan's Foreign Minister Called it "Naive" and "Immature". Snub him too?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/03/AR2007020301894.html

Japan FM calls U.S. Iraq policy immature: media
Reuters
Sunday, February 4, 2007; 1:04 AM

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso has criticised U.S. policy in Iraq, saying American actions following the initial fighting in 2003 have been "immature," Japanese media reports said on Sunday.

The comments follow remarks by Japan's defense minister last month saying President Bush had been wrong to start the Iraq war, and may damage ties with Washington ahead of a visit by Vice President Dick Cheney on February 20-22.

"Rumsfeld went ahead and did it, but the operation after occupation was very immature and did not work so well, so that's why there's still trouble now," the financial daily Nikkei quoted Aso as saying in a speech on Saturday, referring to former U.S. defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

Kyuma was also quoted as making controversial comments last month about relocating a U.S. military base in Japan and the need to win local understanding.

"I am telling (the U.S. side) not to say such patronising things, that I am talking to the governor, so please wait a bit and leave Japanese matters to Japan," he was quoted as saying.

[caligirl]

7. Cheney and wife, two mistakes. let the snubbing begin.

[struggle4progress]

8. Uh ... then Japan should cancel Cheney's meetings with army officers

[daleo]

9. Cheney shoots people

You got off easy, Japanese Defense Minister.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

10. sounds like my ex's parents snubbing me,

My first reaction "now I don't have drive all the way to LAX to pick those assholes up!"

[Mend]

12. better snubbed then bush vomiting on him....these repukes are so good

at diplomacy.

[pinniped]

13. He might throw up on him like that POS * did years back.

Robots aren't supposed to eat food.

[ninkasi]

14. I can think of no greater honor

than to be snubbed by Cheney, Bush, or any other member of this vile administration.

[truthisfreedom]

15. Meeting with darth cheney is like begging for a swift kick in the crotch.

Besides, if he's anywhere near a beer, he'll shoot you in the neck.

[MGD]

16. To any Japanese listening: we're sorry.

I'm really tired of this asshole embarassing us like this.

[zara]

18. Cheney Gets to Prove Again He Won't Listen to Damn Foreignors!

[Algorem]

19. go fakku yourself,cheney.

[tabasco]

21. We are PAYING HIM to represent this country.

Why doesn't he do his job??

My God he gets paid to embarrass us daily.

[Acadia Blue]

22. Reality based analysis is upsetting to ugly smirky Dick the dick.