Honda have produced some great engines in the past, I'd like to see them return in that capacity and in time I'm sure they will. The current engine development freeze certainly wont entice forward thinking engine designers into F1, which is a bit sad.
As a manufacturer, they weren't much use to be fair, £1 billion investment and very little to show for it. So, no F1 don't need Honda, although the associated interest from Japan is a good thing.
You'll probably find today's statement is just because Honda are pi$$ed off at Brawn's success and want to distance themselves from F1 for a while.
