Hawaii's senior Sen. Daniel Inouye says he doubts if President-elect Barack Obama, who has pledged to remove troops from Iraq in 16 months, would cut the military.

“;In my discussions with Senator Obama, he has indicated to me that he supports the military,”; Inouye added.

As chairman of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Inouye said he “;will do whatever I can to make certain our military remains strong.”;

On Iraq, it is “;a sovereign nation,”; Inouye said.  “;It would be unreasonable for us to expect to be there forever.  I think Iraqis have so indicated that they hope we would leave.  And we will leave with honor.  We leave that place better than how we found it.”;