Secretary of State Colin Powell has reaffirmed U.S. willingness to resume talks with North Korea, despite President Bush's description of the communist nation as part of an "axis of evil" -- along with Iraq and Iran.

Appearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Tuesday, Mr. Powell defended Mr. Bush's remarks, but said Washington is ready to hold talks with Pyongyang at anytime - if it decides to come back to the negotiating table.

President Bush used the term "axis of evil" in his State of the Union address last week, accusing North Korea, Iran and Iraq of helping terrorists and seeking weapons of mass destruction. Mr. Powell said the people of the three states are not evil, but their regimes are.

North Korea responded to Mr. Bush's remarks by accusing the United States of plotting a war to occupy the communist nation and vowed "merciless" retaliation against any attack. Iran and Iraq also angrily rejected Mr. Bush's comments.

Mr. Powell said Mr. Bush's strong language does not mean Washington is preparing to attack the three countries, or has written off the prospect of dialogue.

Relations between the United States and North Korea have been tense since President Bush suspended dialogue pending a review of U.S. policy toward Pyongyang early last year. In June, Mr. Bush offered to resume talks, but North Korea has not accepted.

Some information for this report provided by AFP.

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