U.S. President George W. Bush reaffirmed Wednesday that he was sticking to diplomatic efforts on North Korea but warned he "reserves all options" to defend allies against the belligerent communist regime.
In a press conference at the White House, Bush said the U.S. and its partners are working through the United Nations to "ensure there are serious repercussions for the regime in Pyongyang" for its nuclear threats.
He also said the U.S. will step up cooperation with other nations for its ballistic missile defense.
The resolution under discussion by the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) should specify measures to make sure North Korea will not be able to export its nuclear or missile technologies, he said.
The comments were yet another strong-worded message to North Korea, which on Monday announced it successfully conducted a nuclear test. On Wednesday, it threatened more tests in response to any pressure from Washington.
Bush repeatedly said his focus is still on diplomatic efforts.
"The United States remains committed to diplomacy," he said.
"And we will continue to work to come up with a diplomatic solution in North Korea," he reiterated later, and again by saying, "And I will also remind our citizens that we want to make sure that we solve this problem diplomatically."
Directly asked about a military option, Bush said, "Well, diplomacy hadn't run its course."
But at the same time, Bush said his country holds all options open to defend its allies and interests in the region.
"And together we will ensure that North Korea understands the consequences if it continues down its current path," said Bush.
"I also made it clear, and I will repeat, that we have security obligations in the region that I reconfirmed to our partners."
He talked about enforcing security agreements "if need be."
"And that's in particular to South Korea and Japan," he said.
Pyongyang's nuclear test came nearly three months after the communist regime defied international appeals and test-fired a barrage of missiles in July.
The UNSC unanimously adopted a resolution condemning Pyongyang's actions and demanding North Korea's unconditional return to the six-party process, a nuclear disarmament forum involving South and North Korea, the U.S., China, Russia and Japan.
The talks were last held in November.
The Security Council was huddling again for another resolution on North Korea, but as in July, the U.S. and Japan are facing reluctance by China and Russia for an all-out sanction and possible use of armed force against Pyongyang under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter.
Bush skirted repeated questions on whether his administration's North Korea and Iran policies have failed, given their refusal to give up nuclear programs under international pressure and negotiations.
"I used the moment to continue my desire to convince others to become equity partners in the North Korean issue," Bush said about not having used military means to prevent North Korea from going nuclear.
He avoided saying what the line in the sand is now for North Korea, now that it went ahead with the nuclear test.
"The world has made it clear that these tests... caused us to come together and work in the United Nations to send a clear message to the North Korean regime," he said.
Washington, Oct. 11 (Yonhap News)
Bush stresses diplomacy but says he reserves all options on North Korea |
