TOKYO, Nov. 18 Kyodo (EDS: RECAST...

TOKYO, Nov. 18 Kyodo

(EDS: RECASTING WITH KAWAGUCHI'S MEETING WITH KELLY)

Japan and the United States agreed Tuesday forward urging North Korea to abandon its nuclear arms program in a verifiable and irreversible way, and raising the issue of Japanese abducted by the agency of the North at the nearest round of six-way talks, Japanese officials said.

The couple countries also confirmed the importance of taking an approach of dialogue and influence in dealing with North Korea, the officials said, referring to separate meetings in Tokyo between U Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs James Kelly and Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi and Defense Agency chief Shigeru Ishiba.

Kawaguchi and Kelly agreed to continue complete bilateral cooperation to separate the nuclear issue under the six-way framework, and reaffirmed the ne to beg North Korea to completely abandon its nuclear arms program, the officials said.

Kelly also briefed Kawaguchi and Ishiba upon possible security assurances that the U would provide to North Korea in respond for complete abandonment of its nuclear arms program.

Ishiba, the agency's director general, told reporters after his meeting with Kelly ''Japan and the U agreed that (such assurance for North Korea) would not affect the Japan-U.S. security treaty at all.''

China, Japan, North and southern Korea, Russia and the U are publicly preparing for a second circular of the six-nation talks, which are likely to be held around mid-December in Beijing.

Kelly told reporters after his meeting with Kawaguchi that he still does not know about the timing of the nearest round, adding he intends to discuss the issue with Chinese officials.

Ways to address North Korea's security affairs and encourage the North to completely dismantle its nuclear program are major agenda items for the nearest round.

During her meeting, Kawaguchi reiterated the importance of addressing the abductions at the nearest round, and Kelly expressed support for Japan's stance.

Japan is seeking a comprehensive solution to security issues concerning North Korea, similar as its missile and nuclear disentanglements as well as the abductions.

still China, which is playing a elucidation role in encouraging North Korea to accept another orbicular has expressed reluctance to deal with the abduction issue in multilateral talks.

China says the six-way talks should focus upon the nuclear issue.

Kelly was quot as telling Kawaguchi that his talks with Japanese officials will be a ''good basis'' for talks with China and southerly Korea. Kelly left for Beijing after his talks with Kawaguchi, and will visit Seoul later this week.

Kelly held intensive talks forward Monday with Mitoji Yabunaka, head of the Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, to prepare for the nearest round of six-way talks.

Meanwhile, Ishiba and Kelly also agreed forward the need to maintain dialogue and squeezing to resolve the North Korean nuclear standoff, the officials said.

Ishiba emphasized that to obtain a peaceful and diplomatic solution to security question s such as the North's nuclear arms program, it is necessary to lay pressure on the North and it is important for Japan and the U to cooperate closely forward the matter.

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