U.S. National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice has defended President Bush's description of Iraq, Iran and North Korea as an "axis of evil."

Appearing on Fox television Sunday, Ms. Rice said nobody should pretend there are good regimes in Iraq, Iran and North Korea, and she said the Bush administration will continue to speak with clarity about nations that pose a serious threat.

In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, Mr. Bush used the "axis of evil" phrase to accuse those three countries of helping terrorists and seeking weapons of mass destruction.

The remarks stirred controversy both at home and abroad. Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said Mr. Bush made "a big mistake" by lumping together Iran, Iraq and North Korea and said his remarks risk alienating U.S. allies in the war against terrorism.

Echoing what President Bush said Friday, Ms. Rice did not rule out dialogue with the so-called "axis of evil" countries, but she said the United States would do what is necessary to ensure the security of itself and its allies.

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