Cheney tells soldiers they must keep resolve

Recalling the terror attacks in Lebanon, Somalia and on the destroyer USS Cole, Cheney said terrorists concluded they could strike America without paying a price.

"If we can learn anything from modern experience it is this: The only way to protect this country from terrorism is to stay on the offensive," Cheney told the soldiers, many of whom face redeployment to Iraq later this month. "Pursue the enemy until there's no place left to hide. Stay in the fight until the fight is won."

Many of the terror attacks Cheney referred to occurred during President Clinton's tenure. The Bush administration has been bickering with Clinton backers since the former president gave a combative interview on "Fox News Sunday" in which he defended his efforts to kill Osama bin Laden.

Cheney said the U.S. backed off its mission or failed to effectively respond after each of the attacks, leading terrorists to believe they had power of American policies.

Now in Iraq, the terrorists "are absolutely convinced they can break the will of the American people," he said.

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