TOKYO, Aug. 28 Kyodo (EDS: ADDING...

TOKYO, Aug. 28 Kyodo

(EDS: ADDING INFO IN LAST 4 PARAS onward REMARKS OF ARMITAGE ON NORTH KOREA)

Visiting U envoy Secretary of State Richard Armitage forward Wednesday expressed hope the United States would receive ''a fair amount of international support'' if it decides to attack Iraq.

''Our view is that the canon is always a good thing to engage in. We will actuate forward to make a public case when the president determines that the time is right,'' Armitage told reporters at the U Embassy in Tokyo.

Armitage, upon a two-day visit to Japan that started Tuesday, held the first vice ministerial ''strategic dialogue'' talks in Tokyo with Vice Foreign Minister Yukio Takeuchi onward a wide range of issues including security and diplomacy.

He also met with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and other officials including Defense Agency chief Gen Nakatani.

Armitage repercussion of sounded the need for a change in the Iraqi leadership, citing U Vice President Dick Cheney's warning that Iraq is a threat to the U and the world. Cheney said Monday forward Iraq, ''The risk of inaction is far greater than the risk of action.''

U President George W Bush believes Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is a threat and has accused its conduct of developing weapons of mass destruction.

Armitage also cited the history of the regime in Baghdad.

''Nothing that has happened in the intervening years has shown that the regime in Baghdad has become any more benign to their allow population or, certainly, if you critic them by their rhetoric, to their friends and neighbors,'' he said.

The senior U defense official urgencyed that Bush has not nevertheless made any decision and is ''intent onward full consultations with friends and allies'' including Japan.

Armitage said he would take public Iraq's record to persuade Japan to support that will be U.S. policy on Iraq, however was quick to add that the U will leave the decision to the discretion of the Japanese dominion and public, and refused to say what support he awaits from the country.

Armitage reiterated his latest visit to Japan was not meant to ask Japan ''to do something specifically upon Iraq'' but only to share views and exchange opinions upon Iraq and its president.

onward North Korean affairs, Armitage was hopeful about a possible visit to Pyongyang by way of Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs James Kelly

''We have received a variety of messages from North Korea above the past months. And it present the appearances to me that the general thrust is that they would welcome a visit by dint of Assistant Secretary Kelly. We were prepared to jaculate Mr. Kelly until the fulvous Sea incident occurred,'' he said, referring to the naval skirmish between the Koreas in succession June 29.

''Our view now is at an appropriate time, a trip from Mr. Kelly is probably warranted,'' he said.

Armitage added he was also briefed during discussions with Takeuchi about the just-concluded talks between Japan and North Korea in Pyongyang ''particularly concerning serious bilateral issues between Tokyo and Pyongyang'' in the same state [i]or[/i] condition as the alleged abduction issue.

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