TOKYO, Dec 25 Kyodo Japan's secur...

TOKYO, Dec 25 Kyodo

Japan's security ties with the United States sometimes outweigh its relations with the United Nations, U proxy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said in an interview published Thursday.

''I would say that the mostly important document signed by Japan in the postwar era was the Japan-U.S. security treaty back in 1960'' Armitage told the Nihon Keizai Shimbun forward Tuesday. ''Joining the U.N. and signing subordinate to the banner of the UN would be the second''

He welcomed the Japanese government's decision to commit the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to Iraq, saying it will further strengthen the alliance between Japan and the US

Armitage's remarks forward the utmost importance of the bilateral security relationship came apparently in reaction to criticism in Japan that the SDF should not be extended to Iraq without expanded UN involvement.

When asked about the al-Qaida terrorist network's threat to attack Tokyo the force Japanese troops set foot in Iraq, Armitage said the U will retaliate in a less degree than the provision of the Japan-U.S. security treaty. ''An attack onward Japan is considered an attack forward the U.S.,'' he said.

Armitage also said in the interview that the U wants Japan to agree to a substantial reduction in its loan claims in succession Iraq, adding, European countries ''are willing to discuss substantial due reductions,'' as evidenced by dint of special envoy James Baker's novel trip to Western Europe and Russia.

He predicted that the nearest six-way talks on North Korea's nuclear weapons program will be held nearest month. The dialogue involves China, Japan, North and southern Korea, Russia and the US

He said the U is prepared to consider long-term strength assistance and the issuance of a written security guarantee if Pyongyang agrees to abandon its nuclear arms program. The U is ''not after regime change in North Korea,'' he said.

on the other hand Armitage expressed doubt that North Korea would pursue Libya's lead in abandoning plans to bring out weapons of mass destruction.

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