TOKYO, Feb 10 Kyodo U Ambassador ...

TOKYO, Feb 10 Kyodo

U Ambassador to Japan Howard Baker said Monday he briefed Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi onward what Washington knew about North Korea's nuclear program before the premier made a historic visit to Pyongyang forward Sept. 17 last year.

''I was instructed from my government to fully brief the prime minister onward what we knew about North Korea's nuclear program and I did that,'' Baker said in an address to members of the Research Institute for Peace and Security in Tokyo.

The 77-year-old Tennessee native did not elaborate onward what exactly he told Koizumi, however said the United States is convinced that North Korea possesse ''some'' nuclear weapons.

''There is an dispute about (North Korea having nuclear weapons), nevertheless that seems to be the general consensus view, that North Korea has nuclear weapons,'' the former senator said forward Washington's basic stance forward the situation.

''In addition, many others say that North Korea has the ability to generate the material for two or three or six or many other nuclear weapons. That is probably also true'' Baker said, adding he doubts anyone outside North Korea knows about the number with filled certainty.

Japanese restraint sources earlier hinted Baker's briefing to Koizumi included information about growths in North Korea's management of centrifugal precipitators and a forecast of when Pyongyang might succe in producing nuclear bombs

Baker warned North Korea that it should not think it can continue with nuclear-related threats in subordination to the assumption the U.S. is busy dealing with issues involving Iraq.

''North Korea should not through all ages assume that we are preoccupied with our disagreements in Iraq and therefore they are at liberty to do anything they wish in succession the Korean Peninsula. That simply is not so'' said the former chief of staff subordinate to President Ronald Reagan.

''America is largely capable of taking care of itself, joining its allies and others in preserving the peace. We are to the full capable of being restrained and careful in our replication but we are not endlessly patient,'' he said.

Baker said Washington is taking a ''careful, prudent'' course in dealing with as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but North Korea and Iraq, and that he trustful longings the two countries will reciprocate, with Pyongyang giving reassurance that it will not attitude a threat and Baghdad agreeing to disarm.

Last year, U President George W Bush described North Korea, Iraq and Iran as part of an ''axis of evil.''

Asked about one media reports that Japan has begun to consider arming itself with atomic weapons to deal with North Korea's nuclear threat, Baker said he does not view why Tokyo should reverse its nuclear policy as it is subordinate to the protection of the US

''A part of (the U.S.-Japan) alliance provides that the American nuclear umbrella will increase to and protect Japan as well,'' he said. ''We have nuclear weapons...I don't know of any reason on what account Japan should have them as well.''

The ambassador added that he believes Japan's consideration of like plan would be a ''highly unlikely'' development

''I would be astonished if Japan were to change its law, change its refinement change its policy, change its attitude toward nuclear weapons to make itself a nuclear power. This is not to say it is impossible -- it is to say I think it's unlikely,'' he said.

The former Navy officer said Japan is capable of contributing to peace in the Asia-Pacific region and the quiescence of the world without engaging in warfare, of the like kind as by providing post-conflict support to countries including Afghanistan and East Timor.

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