U.S. reassures Japan on N. Korean pact

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TOKYO -- The United States will not conclude an agreement with North Korea on its nuclear-arms program without verification, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said yesterday.

Mr. Rumsfeld, appearing at a news conference with Japan Defense Agency Director Shigeru Ishiba, also said that any U.S. security guarantees provided to Pyongyang would not be made at Tokyo's expense.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ishiba sent a different signal than other senior Japanese officials on the question of Japan's plans for sending troops to Iraq.

The hawkish Japanese defense chief said Tokyo is watching the situation in Iraq closely and favors the dispatch of troops in the future.

"We would like to do it as soon as possible," Mr. Ishiba said, speaking through an interpreter.

Asked about reports that North Korea is prepared to dismantle its nuclear program in exchange for a U.S. promise not to attack Pyongyang, Mr. Ishiba said the United States is studying the security-guarantee issue.

However, he noted that any security promises to North Korea would not affect the strong U.S.-Japan security ties.

"There is not a relationship between the two, between the assurance or guarantee given to North Korea," Mr. Ishiba said.

"And if there is an unjust attack made on Japan, the United States I'm sure has no change in its intention to work together with Japan to defend our nation, and I believe myself and the secretary are in total agreement," he said.