White House warns N. Korea against provocative acts

WASHINGTON, July 5 (Reuters) The White House has warned North Korea against taking any more ''provocative acts'' such as more ballistic missile launches, and said the United States would take ''all necessary measures'' to protect itself and its allies.

''The United States strongly condemns these missile launches and North Korea's unwillingness to heed calls for restraint from the international community,'' White House spokesman Tony Snow said in a statement. ''We are consulting with international partners on next steps.'' North Korea test fired six missiles, including a long-range Taepodong-2 missile that failed less than a minute after launch, a senior US administration official said earlier.

The missile launches ''demonstrate North Korea's intent to intimidate other states by developing missiles of increasingly longer ranges,'' Snow said.

The United States remains committed to a ''peaceful diplomatic solution,'' but North Korea's actions and unwillingness to return to talks about its nuclear program appear to indicate Pyongyang has not yet decided to give up its nuclear programs, he said.

''Accordingly, we will continue to take all necessary measures to protect ourselves and our allies.'' REUTERS SK RAI0943