Cheney raises concerns about China, NKorea deal

Sydney, Feb 23: U S Vice President Dick Cheney today expressed concerns about China's military build-up and also questioned whether North Korea would follow through on its commitments in a recent nuclear deal.

On a visit to Australia, one of Washington's firmest allies over the Iraq war, Cheney also stressed the importance of coalition forces remaining in Iraq until it had stabilised.

''The notion that free countries can turn our backs on what happens in places like Afghanistan or Iraq or any other possible safe haven for terrorists is an option that we simply cannot indulge,'' Cheney said in a speech to the Australian-American Leadership dialogue.

''If our coalition withdrew before Iraqis could defend themselves radical factions would battle for dominance of the country,'' he said.

Cheney arrived in Australia after talks in Tokyo with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in which China's military rise and its growing clout in the region were high on the agenda.

He praised China's role in six-party talks that led to a February 13 nuclear agreement under which North Korea agreed to disable its main plutonium-producing nuclear complex in return for heavy fuel oil.

''Other actions by the Chinese government send a different message. Last month's anti-satellite tests, China's continued fast-paced military build up, are less constructive and are not consistent with China's stated goal of a 'peaceful rise','' he said.

Cheney also raised concerns about the agreement itself.

''We go into this deal with our eyes open. In light of North Korea's missile test last July, it's nuclear test in October and its record of proliferation and human rights abuses, the regime in Pyongyang has much to prove, yet this agreement represents the first hopeful step towards a better future for the North Korean people,'' he said.

Since the deal was announced, some U S analysts have speculated that Cheney, known for his hawkish views, was a sceptic of the agreement, but today's speech was his first open acknowledgement of concern that North Korea might not follow through.

Police have imposed heavy security for the Cheney visit, with anti-Iraq war protesters scuffling with police prior to his arrival last night and again today.

Roadblocks cut off the hotel in which Cheney spoke on Friday as about 50 people staged a loud and colourful protest, chanting ''Chain Up Cheney'' and calling for an end to the Iraq war and the release of Australian David Hicks from Guantanamo Bay.

Reuters

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