Cheney offers preview of US post-war plans

Jerusalem Post ^ | Apr 10, 2003 | BARRY RUBIN

[Diddley]

To get a good sense of US government thinking and intentions after the overthrow of the Saddam regime in Iraq, take a look at what Vice President Dick Cheney told the American Society of News Editors on April 9.

Aside from stressing that the war is not over and praising American forces, Cheney discussed three key themes:

* US pressure on terrorist-sponsoring states seeking weapons of mass destruction (i.e., Syria and Iran).
After September 11, 2001, the United States sees its greatest danger and highest priority revolves around countering future terrorist attacks. "The next time they might direct chemical agents or diseases at our population, or attempt to detonate a nuclear weapon in one of our cities," Cheney said.
[snip]

* How will the United States convince Arabs to support its policies?
Here the priority is not on bashing Israel Cheney did not mention the issue until the last questioner raised it but on showing US good intentions and success, as well as making Iraq a showcase, a "dramatic and inspiring example of freedom to other nations in the Middle East."
[snip]

* Plans for Iraq
Cheney says that US behavior in Iraq will also help the image of American policy.
[snip]