Colin Powell

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has sought to reassure U.S. allies that new military action is not imminent against Iran, Iraq, or North Korea - countries President Bush has designated an "axis of evil".

Junichiro Koizumi

At a news conference with President Bush and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in Tokyo Monday, Mr. Powell said, "we will share our ideas and visions, but U.S. allies need not fear 'a state of war tomorrow.'"

A number of European Union, Russian and Asian leaders have expressed concern that unilateral U.S. military action against Iraq could splinter the international anti-terror coalition.

Dick Cheney

On the other side of the Pacific Ocean, in California, Vice President Dick Cheney again defended the president's controversial "axis of evil" designation.

Speaking to U.S. Marines at Miramar Air Station, Mr. Cheney said those countries are well known for seeking weapons of mass destruction and providing sanctuary to terrorist organizations.

Mr. Cheney said the president's remarks had caused "a certain amount of hand-wringing in some quarters, but most Americans find it reassuring to have a commander-in-chief who tells the truth and means exactly what he says".

Some information for this report provided by Reuters, AP and AFP.

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