Pernyataan Aso tersebut mengabaikan spekulasi bahwa Cheney tidak bertemu dengan Kyuma karena ketidaksenangan AS terhadap pernyataan menteri pertahanan Jepang itu.
Aso said that the lack of a scheduled meeting between Cheney and Kyuma has nothing to do with Kyuma's recent controversial remarks, dismissing media speculation that Cheney is not meeting Kyuma due to U.S. displeasure over those comments.