White House hopes to pressure North Korea
Trying to build an 'international diplomatic coalition'
From Kelly Wallace
CNN
LOS CABOS, Mexico (CNN) -- President Bush hopes his talks with the leaders of Japan and South Korea on Saturday lead to a "strong statement," calling on North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons program, a senior administration official said.
Bush, in Los Cabos for the annual "APEC" economic summit meeting of the 21 Asian-Pacific nations, plans to host a three-way meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi and South Korean President Kim Dae-jung.
The three leaders will talk about ways to put the maximum diplomatic pressure on Pyongyang, U.S. officials said.
Asked about the administration's strategy, a senior administration official said, "First to isolate North Korea to let them know this is not cost-free."
North Korea admitted earlier this month that it has an active uranium-enrichment program.
U.S. officials said the administration will also encourage countries in the region, including Japan and South Korea, to maintain contacts with Pyongyang.
The Japanese are scheduled to hold meetings with the North Koreans later this month.
Bush and Chinese President Jiang Zemin, during talks at the Bush ranch in Crawford, Texas, agreed on the need for a Korean peninsula free of nuclear weapons -- and both expressed a desire for a "peaceful resolution."
The two leaders did not discuss next steps, although the administration has said that China, one of North Korea's major trading partners, could exert economic pressure on Pyongyang.
A senior administration official said the United States is trying to build an "international diplomatic coalition" against what North Korea has been doing.
