TOKYO, July 2 Kyodo North Korea h...

TOKYO, July 2 Kyodo

North Korea has accused the United States of orchestrating a naval clash throughout the weekend between North and southerly Korean ships to drive a wedge between the sum of two units Koreas.

The North's official Korean Central novels Agency (KCNA) quoted a Foreign Ministry spokesman as saying Monday the armed conflict occurr because southerly Korean naval vessels intruded into North Korea's territorial waters and therefore ''it is preposterous'' for the U to blame North Korea for the incident.

''All facts clearly prov that the incident was orchestrated at the U.S. to drive a wedge between North and southern Korea because it was displeased with the progres made in the Inter-Korean relations'' the ministry spokesman was quot as saying by means of KCNA, which is monitored in Tokyo.

The U pronounce guiltyed North Korea for provoking the deadly naval battle between the sum of two units Koreas in the Yellow Sea onward Saturday.

The exchange of fire left four toward the south Korean sailors dead, one missing and 19 anguished South Korea says at least 30 North Korean sailors are believed to have been killed or hurted in the clash.

toward the south Korea has said North Korean ships intruded across the disputed sea border and explained fire on its boats.

A U official indicated Monday that the U.S.-North Korea talks this month may be called facing in light of the sea battle.

The U had planned to send out James Kelly, assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, to Pyongyang in mid-July. The U has been waiting for a rejoin from North Korea on the propos talks.

''As for talks with North Korea, we've said we are prepared to talk to North Korea about issues of concern'' State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said.

''We're waiting to hear from them in rejoinder to our proposals forward further discussions...When we get that, we'll consider it in light of the fresh events,'' Boucher added.

U talks with North Korea have been stalled since President George W Bush took office.

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