Bush invites Fukuda to US

NEW YORK: US President George W. Bush on Wednesday invited Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda to the United States 'at an early date' and said he hoped Tokyo's support for US-led efforts in Afghanistan would continue, the White House said.   

Bush also reaffirmed the importance of ending North Korea's nuclear weapons program and resolving the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by Pyongyang, US national security spokesman Gordon Johndroe said in a statement.   

The US president, who telephoned Fukuda to congratulate him on taking office, said he valued "the friendship and the relationship the United States and Japan have," said Johndroe.   

"The president thanked the prime minister for Japan's significant contribution to the global war on terror and noted that he hoped the refueling operations for Afghanistan will be renewed by the Diet," he said.   

Bush discussed the importance of the six-party talks and reiterated his commitment to dealing with the issue of abductees.   

"The prime minister thanked the president for his comments that Japan is well qualified to be a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. President Bush invited Prime Minister Fukuda to visit the United States at an early date," said Johndroe.