By Arshad Mohammed

HANOI, Nov 18 (Reuters) The United States today emphasised the carrots it has to offer if North Korea abandons the pursuit of nuclear weapons rather than the sticks it has often brandished.

Officials from U S President George W Bush on down went out of their way to highlight the incentives they are dangling -- from economic cooperation to a formal end to the Korean War -- if Pyongyang gives up its nuclear weapons programmes.

''We want the North Korean leaders to hear that if it gives up its weapons -- nuclear weapons ambitions -- that we would be willing to enter into security arrangements with the North Koreans as well as move forward new economic incentives for the North Korean people,'' U S President George W Bush said as he met South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun.

The U S comments appeared aimed as much at South Korea, where many people fear that too hard a line could provoke their northern neighbour, as at North Korea, which has agreed to resume six-party talks on ending its atomic programs.

Pyongyang's decision to return to the talks, which include the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the United States, was announced three weeks after it conducted an October 9 nuclear test that strengthens its bargaining position.

The talks last year produced an agreement under which North Korea said it was committed ''to abandoning all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs''. In return, the other nations held out economic, political and security incentives.

In a speech to executives, U S Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice held out U S-Vietnamese relations as an example of two nations overcoming a painful legacy and as a model for North Korea and Myanmar.

''There are other countries with which we hope to overcome difficult circumstances, too. The United States continues to look to the day when cooperation is possible with Burma (Myanmar) and with North Korea,'' Rice said.

''If they make the strategic choice to take the ... necessary steps to join the international community, it will open a new path of peace and (opportunity),'' she added.

White House spokesman Tony Snow provided the most detailed list of what the United States might do, saying it included ''a declaration of the end of the Korean War and moving forward on economic cooperation, cultural, educational and other ties.'' The 1950-1953 Korean War ended with an armistice, rather than a formal peace treaty.

A senior State Department official said he was not aware of any concerted effort to accentuate the benefits for North Korea and said the idea of both sides getting something out of a deal was part of the ''underlying logic'' of the six-party talks.

U S officials have said they wanted North Korea to come to the next round of six-party talks ready to take concrete steps to show its commitment to denuclearisation.

Speaking after Rice met the South Korean and Chinese foreign ministers, the State Department official, who spoke on condition that he not be named, said there was the beginning of a ''convergence'' of views on what steps Pyongyang -- as well as the other parties -- should take.

No date has been set for the next round of six-party talks but the official said ''there is a sense that ... we could make this a productive round by the end of the year''.

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