US reassuring allies on its Asia role

WASHINGTON, Oct 13 (Reuters) The United States, aiming to avert an Asian arms race after North Korea's reported nuclear test, is making new efforts to reassure regional partners it will remain in the region as a dominant force and carry out defence commitments, according officials.

Pyongyang's announcement on Monday that it detonated a nuclear device has raised new concerns that Japan, with its highly advanced civilian nuclear energy program, South Korea and Taiwan might pursue their own nuclear weapons ambitions.

While US officials and many experts insist that is a low probability, especially for Japan, they said this is a pivotal moment for Washington to reaffirm its regional commitments.

President George W Bush began sounding that message this week, promising that while he wants to solve the North Korea row diplomatically, ''the United States will meet the full range of our deterrent and security commitments'' in the Asia-Pacific region.

Bush is expected to reaffirm that point when he attends the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam in mid-November, as will Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice when she visits Northeast Asia, expected next week.

Security reassurances for Japan and South Korea, Washington's top Asian allies, ''would be a big part of the message,'' a senior U.S.

official told Reuters yesterday.

The US pointman on North Korea, Chris Hill, is also expected to visit the region soon to discuss strategy toward the isolated communist state.

The United States does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, a breakaway island which China has threatened eventually to annex, by force if necessary. But it has promised to assist Taiwan by supplying defensive military equipment.

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