Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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March 21, 2008

Cheney in Saudi Arabia for Talks with King Abdullah
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1B9E1AD:A6F02AD83191E1603CB68A18CA6A7C9F98CBE7246176B735& US vice
president's discussions expected to focus on ways to stabilize world's
oil market U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney is expected to talk with
Saudi King Abdullah about ways to stabilize the world's oil market.

Cheney arrived in Saudi Arabia Friday after an unannounced visit to
Afghanistan.

U.S. officials say Cheney will also encourage Saudi Arabia to increase
formal ties with Iraq to counter Iran's growing regional influence.

Saudi Arabia and several other Arab states have yet to send
ambassadors to Baghdad.







U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, left, speaks as Afghan President
Hamid Karzai looks on during a joint press conference in Kabul,
Afghanistan, 20 Mar 2008On Thursday in Afghanistan, Cheney met with
Afghan President Hamid Karzai. The two officials urged NATO countries
to step up their commitment to help Afghanistan fight extremists and
recover from years of war.

Cheney said the United States and NATO need to maintain sufficient
forces in Afghanistan to counter a resurgent Taliban and al-Qaida.

Mr. Karzai said NATO troops will be needed until Afghanistan is ready
to protect itself.

Vice President Cheney is on a tour of the region, including stops in
Oman, Israel, the West Bank and Turkey.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.




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