WASHINGTON - US President George W. Bush said Thursday negotiations were still the best way to rein in North Korea's nuclear arms program and tougher action would require consensus among regional allies.
In a televised news conference, Bush vigorously defended his support for six-party talks that have been stalled since last year amid persistent reports that Pyongyang was close to its first nuclear test.
"The best way to solve this problem diplomatically is to work with four other nations, who have all agreed in achieving the same goal, and that is a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula," the president said.
Bush also signaled he would have to consult with other partners to the talks -- China, Japan, South Korea and Russia -- before mulling tougher measures such as taking the matter to the UN Security Council.
"How far we let it (the six-party talks) go on is dependent upon our consensus amongst ourselves," Bush said, adding that all options, including military force, were on the table.
"What we want to do is to work with our allies on this issue and develop a consensus, a common approach, to the consequences of (Korean leader) Kim Jong Il."
04/29/2005 01:44 GMT