Visiting US Vice President Dick Cheney vowed in Tokyo Monday to help Japan in the prolonged hostage crisis and praised the dispatch of Self-Defense Forces (SDF) in Iraq.  

In the meeting with Cheney, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi reaffirmed that Japan will not pull troops out of Iraq despite Iraqi militants had threatened to kill Japanese hostages if Tokyo refuses the demand, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.

Cheney said the SDF's operation in Iraqi southern city of Samawah is very important, adding the United States would provide utmost efforts to help Japan resolve the ongoing crisis, according to the ministry.

Cheney also noted that the current unrest is blamed on only a few of Iraqis.

Qatar-based Al-Jazeera TV channel reported Thursday an Iraqi militant group asked Japanese troops in Iraq to leave within three days; otherwise, they will kill the three Japanese hostages. The broadcaster also reported Saturday the kidnappers had promised to free them within 24 hours. But none has been released as yet.

Koizumi has said he will not withdraw the 500-strong ground troops because they are there providing humanitarian assistance rather than seeking fight.

Both leaders also discussed the nuclear problems on the Korean Peninsular and bilateral economic issues, the ministry said.

Cheney arrived in Japan on Saturday to pay a four day visit. It is his first trip here since he took office in January, 2001.

On Tuesday, He will meet Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko and deliver a speech at a symposium to mark the 150th anniversary of the US-Japan Treaty of Peace and Amity, the ministry said.

Japan is his first leg of the week-long Asian tour, which also includes China and the Republic of Korea.

(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2004)