Bush says he can settle North Korea nuclear issue

WASHINGTON: US President George W Bush said he is optimistic that he will be able to settle the North Korean nuclear issue before he leaves the White House in January 2009.

"The question is, can it happen before I'm through? Yes, it can. I hope so," he told several non-US media outlets ahead of his trip to Australia Monday for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

The issue of North Korea's denuclearisation will likely be prominent in Bush's meetings on the sidelines of the summit.

Bush said the United States and its allies were "in control of putting the process in place and making sure it's consequential" if North Korea doesn't abide by its agreements.

"But it's the leader of North Korea who gets to the make the decision. It's his choice to make. I've made my choice. It's his choice to make," he added.

Bush, however, insisted to reporters that the ongoing diplomatic effort "is working".

"Unfinished business is North Korea. It's -- let me just say, is finishing. In other words, we're making progress. The six-party talks is working," said Bush, referring to the United States, China, Japan, the two Koreas and Russia.
      
Branded a member of Bush's so-called "axis of evil", North Korea in 2006 joined the limited circle of countries with nuclear weapons, but has since agreed to dismantle its nuclear programme in return for aid, security and normalizing ties with the United States and the international community.
      
Asked about the possibility he might include the unresolved issue of North Korea's abduction of Japanese civilians during the Cold War, Bush said he was determine to seek a solution to the problem.