U.S. and Japan unite against N. Korea nukes

CRAWFORD, Texas -- In a stern message to North Korea, President Bush and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi Friday threatened to take "tougher measures" against North Korea if Pyongyang escalates its nuclear program.

The two leaders also declared that the United States and Japan "will not settle for anything less than the complete, verifiable, and irreversible elimination of North Korea's nuclear weapons programs."

During a joint news conference here, Bush and Koizumi at times used identical language in discussing the showdown on the Korean peninsula.

"We will not tolerate nuclear weapons in North Korea," Bush said.

Despite their strong words, both the president and Koizumi reiterated their belief that the controversy over North Korea's nuclear program can be resolved through diplomatic means -- even as the White House again refused to rule out the use of force.

Bush also said that he now favors expanding the talks among the United States, North Korea and China that began earlier this spring in Beijing.

"The prime minister and I agreed that we must broaden these talks to include Japan and South Korea, and at some time later, perhaps others," Bush said.

He added that he and Koizumi view the confrontation with Pyongyang in "exactly the same way."

"The importance of this meeting today should say to the world that Japan and the United States stand shoulder-to-shoulder on the issue of North Korea's nuclear weaponry," Bush said.

After a meeting in Washington last week with South Korean president Roh Moo Hyun, Bush and Roh said they would "not tolerate" nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula. They issued a joint declaration warning of "further steps" if North Korea acted in a way that increased threats to peace and stability in the region.

Here in Crawford, Bush and Koizumi spoke during a brief appearance at the president's ranch after many hours of talks -- and quality time.

"I've never spent so many hours discussing various issues with a head of state or head of government," Koizumi remarked. "And we discussed all sorts of issues very candidly and in depth."

In addition to North Korea, Bush and Koizumi discussed the ailing economies of both nations and the reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Koizumi arrived at Bush's ranch late Thursday afternoon for what was their ninth meeting. He departed Friday evening for Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

The prime minister's visit is part of a concerted effort by Bush to thank foreign leaders who backed the war against Iraq. Three weeks ago, Australian Prime Minister John Howard, a staunch ally in the Iraq war, was an overnight guest at the Crawford ranch. Another key ally, Philippines President Gloria Macapacal Arroyo, paid a state visit to Washington, D.C., on Monday.

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