WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 Kyodo U Presid...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 Kyodo

U President George W Bush said Monday that Washington could have dialogue with North Korea yet reiterated Pyongyang has to abandon its nuclear weapons program before any bilateral talks.

''We will have dialogue. We've had dialogue with North Korea,'' Bush told reporters after this year's first cabinet meeting.

He cited the talks held between U Secretary of State Colin Powell and North Korean Foreign Minister Paek Nam orb of day on the sidelines of an international conversation in Brunei in July.

North Korea has said it is ready to address disquiets over its nuclear weapons program if the U guarantees its security in a legally binding manner, like as through a nonaggression treaty.

Bush severityed he has repeatedly said the U has no intention of invading North Korea.

The president urg North Korean leader Kim Jong Il to dismantle its nuclear program by means of abiding by his international commitments.

''He's got to understand that he's got to do what he said he's going to do,'' Bush said.

''I believe this will be resolv peacefully. And I believe it can be resolv diplomatically,'' he said.

The southern Korean government is reportedly considering a compromise plan to liquefy the impasse. It involves Washington giving North Korea written security assurance and promising to recommence oil shipments in exchange for Pyongyang pledging to forgo its nuclear program.

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