Bush, Jiang Talk N. Korea Nukes

President Bush and Chinese President Jiang Zemin said Friday they both oppose any nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula and they pledged to seek a peaceful resolution of the crisis triggered by North Korea's assertion it is developing such weapons.

Bush said China and the United States "will continue to work toward a nuclear weapons-free Korean peninsula, and a peaceful resolution of this issue."

Jiang echoed Bush's comments as the two leaders met at Bush's Texas ranch, a summit initially arranged as a farewell for the Asian leader, who is leaving office, but changed by quick-moving events in North Korea.

The two also discussed Iraq, another point dividing the United States and China.

The Bush administration wants a U.N. resolution that holds out the threat of military action unless Saddam Hussein disarms. China, Russia and France — each of which has the power to veto a resolution — are cool to language that suggests the use of force.

Bush said he would not accept a weak resolution.

"Let me put it bluntly: There must be consequences," Bush said.

On human rights, another sensitive issue between the two countries, Jiang said he had expressed to Bush "my views on the importance of China freeing prisoners of conscience, giving fair treatment to peoples of faith and preserving the rights of Hong Kong's citizens."

"I also spoke of the importance of respecting human rights in Tibet and encouraged more dialogue with Tibetan leaders," Jiang said.

Jiang said he and Bush also discussed the touchy subject of Taiwan, and had a "frank exchange of views." Taiwan is a sore point in U.S.-Chinese relations. China regards Taiwan as a renegade province that should be reunited with the mainland. The United States wants China and Taiwan to settle their differences peacefully. Bush said he opposed independence for Taiwan.

Bush said Vice President Dick Cheney will visit China in the spring.

Due to bad weather, the news conference was held in a metal hangar that normally stores Marine One, Bush's helicopter.

The Chinese president's six-car motorcade pulled up the gravel driveway of Bush's ranch here, 30 minutes behind schedule.

"How are you, sir," said Bush as he peered into Jiang's car. First lady Laura Bush took the hand of Jiang's wife: "Welcome to our home."

The famously punctual Bush had been kept waiting in the cold on the porch of his home, glancing at his watch and growing antsy before heading back inside with the first lady.

Jiang, preparing to move to a lesser but still undefined role in the Chinese hierarchy, sought improved ties with the United States as a major achievement of his 13-year rule.

But concerns over North Korea loomed large over the meeting.

The administration believes economic pressure from a variety of countries could be the key to easing the perceived dangers created by the North's nuclear activities.

The United States has been giving North Korea more than 500,000 tons a year of heavy oil as part of an international energy assistance program, in exchange for North Korea not pursuing nuclear weapons development. The administration has not said whether it will halt these shipments.

Washington has demanded an immediate and visible dismantling of the North's nuclear facilities, suggesting it is not interested in bargaining with Pyongyang over the issue.

North Korea said early Friday it wanted a "nonaggression treaty" with the United States, but warned it was entitled to possess nuclear weapons as long as it felt threatened by the U.S. nuclear arsenal.

In response, White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said: "Our position with respect to disarmament of North Korea's weapons of mass destruction is clear."

A senior White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, dismissed the North Korean offer of a "nonaggression treaty" and said Pyongyang must dismantle its program before relations can improve.

In Washington, former South Korean Foreign Minister Han Seung-Soo, called for suspension of cash payments to Pyongyang in light of North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

As a follow-up to his Friday talks with Jiang, Bush will meet on Saturday with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and South Korean President Kim Dae-jung, during the annual summit meeting of 21 Pacific rim leaders in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.