Bush-Putin "N.K.`s Nuclear Programs Have to Be Dismantled."

U.S. President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday urged Iran and North Korea to abandon nuclear-weapons programs and said they will work together to resolve North Korean nuclear standoff.

The two leaders, however, did not propose any new measures to resolve North Korea`s nuclear crisis and showed differences over whether to give the communist country a guarantee of its security in exchange for dismantling of its nuclear program.

The two leaders began a two-day summit Friday at the Camp David presidential retreat, outskirts of Washington to discuss North Korean nuclear standoff, postwar help for Iraq and suspicions over Russia`s role in promoting proliferation of nuclear weapons.

"The United States and Russia jointly urged North Korea to completely, verifiably and irreversibly end its nuclear programs," Bush said during a joint press conference, reiterating its existing stance.

But, again, there was disagreement. "In exchange for North Korea`s dismantling of its nuclear program, the United States should give the communist country a guarantee of its security." Putin said. "A priority must now be made of defusing the heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula caused by the new nuclear crisis and creating a favorable atmosphere for a constructive dialogue." Putin added.

Over establishing the postwar Iraqi government, the two leaders agreed that it has to be a united liberal and democratic country, but Putin emphasized that the Iraqi Interim Administration and the U.N. should take a major role.

The two admitted differences over the Iraqi issues. Putin, however, said "We have differences over Iraq in terms of the practical way of how to resolve this problem, but we have understanding on the essence of the problem."

maypole@donga.com