Cheney: War Won’t Drag On Indefinitely
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
NEW LONDON, Conn. — Vice President Cheney told newly minted Coast Guard officers yesterday that the war on terrorism would be won on their watch and dismissed fears that fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan would drag on indefinitely.
Mr. Cheney, sporting a 10-gallon hat, said the troop surge in Iraq “has succeeded brilliantly.”
“The war on terror is a lengthy enterprise, but it does not have to go on forever,” he told more than 200 graduating cadets during the 127th commencement at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
“The only way to lose this fight is to quit. That would be irresponsible,” Mr. Cheney said. “More than that, quitting would be an act of betrayal and dishonor.”
The commencement address was Mr. Cheney’s second in four years at the academy. He was joined by the secretary of homeland security, Michael Chertoff. President Bush addressed graduates last year.
Mr. Cheney noted that the cadets entered the academy during the Iraq war and that it continues as they graduate.
“I am absolutely convinced that we will succeed in the war on terror, and I’m also convinced that it will happen on your watch,” he said.
