The United States said on Friday that it is advising rather than
warning the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) not to
have a missile test.
"That is not a warning, that is a piece of advice," said White
House spokesman Tony Snow on comments after the DPRK was reported
to be preparing for the launch of a multi-stage Taepodong-2
missile.
Snow made the remarks after the White House had rejected a
suggestion to launch a strike against the missile site of the DPRK
before it fires missile.
US national security adviser Stephen J. Hadley said Thursday
"diplomacy is the right answer, and that is what we are
pursuing."
Speaking to reporters, Snow also urged Pyongyang to return to
six-party talks aimed at the settlement of nuclear issue on the
Korean peninsular.
"This is not the United States versus North Korea," Snow said.
The six-party talks involves the United States, the DPRK, South
Korea, China, Russia and Japan.
(Xinhua News Agency June 24, 2006)
