U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has
urged North Korea not to carry through on its plan to test-fire a long-range
missile.
The top U.S. diplomat spoke to reporters in Tokyo Tuesday alongside her
Japanese counterpart, Hirofumi Nakasone. She said North Korea's planned
test-launch of its Taepodong Two missile would be "very unhelpful."
North Korea on Monday said it will test-launch the missile as part of a space
development program.
Clinton said the Obama administration is willing to normalize relations with
Pyongyang if North Korea ends its nuclear weapons program and abides by its
previous agreements.
The secretary arrived in Tokyo Monday on the first stop of her first overseas
trip since taking office. She described the U.S.-Japanese alliance as a
"cornerstone" of Washington's global diplomacy.
She also announced that Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso will visit U.S.
President Barack Obama next Tuesday (February 24th), making him the first
foreign leader to meet with the new president at the White House.