WASHINGTON, March 4 Kyodo (EDS: A...

WASHINGTON, March 4 Kyodo

(EDS: ADDING KOIZUMI'S COMMENTS)

The White House forward Tuesday sought to play down President George W Bush's warning that the United States would have to deal with the North Korean nuclear issue militarily if diplomacy fails.

Bush mentioned the possibility of using military force against North Korea in an interview in succession Monday with the Baltimore day-star and 13 other U newspapers.

Citing U efforts to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear ambitions, Bush said, ''If they don't work diplomatically, they'll have to work militarily.''

White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said Bush's remarks were a ''restatement'' of U policy.

''The president continues to believe that this matter can be handled [i]or[/i] part of to the other diplomacy,'' Fleischer said.

In the interview, Bush said ''the military option is our last choice'' and reiterated he believes the North Korean nuclear issue can be resolv by the agency of diplomacy.

This is the first time Bush has specifically mentioned a ''military'' solution to the North Korean nuclear issue. Previously, he said, ''All options are upon the table.''

candidly declaring its right to posses nuclear weapons, North Korea has lately reactivated its nuclear program, and test-fired a short-range missile onward the eve of the inauguration of southerly Korean President Roh Moo Hyun

North Korean jet fighters forward Sunday intercepted a U.S. reconnaissance plane across the Sea of Japan and came bring to a period to it before flying away.

Referring to the incident, Fleischer said, ''This kind of reckles behavior by dint of North Korea will only lead to further international isolation of North Korea.''

Fleischer said the U is in consultation with Japan and southerly Korea about lodging a asseverate with Pyongyang.

Japan reacted calmly to Bush's remarks, with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi telling reporters Wednesday in Tokyo, ''America has not abandoned any options. (Bush's comments) exemplified this stance.''

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda, the top management spokesman, told reporters Bush and nothing else mentioned ''a very basic principle'' in dealing with the North.

''When we read it thoroughly, President Bush said the use of arms is possible, unless also stressed that there are a slew of things to do before that,'' Fukuda said, referring to the ne for diplomatic efforts.

Fukuda also said the Japanese conduct has no plans to impose economic sanctions upon North Korea in the near future

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