Bush says expects N.Korea to stop weapons flow

WASHINGTON, Sep 20 (Reuters) US President George W Bush said today he expects North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program and not allow other countries to gain its know-how on producing such technology and weapons.

''We expect them to honour their commitment to give up weapons and weapons programmes,'' Bush said during a news conference. ''To extent that they are proliferating, we expect them to stop their proliferation.'' Bush's comments came after he declined to answer questions about reports from the US intelligence community of concerns that North Korea may have helped Syria with nuclear activities.

North Korea said on Tuesday that such allegations were groundless conspiracy fabricated by those who oppose the North's improving ties with Washington.

North Korea last week hosted a team of international nuclear officials and experts who made a rare road trip to Pyongyang and to the country's main nuclear complex at Yongbyon north of the capital.

North Korea has suspended operation of the Yongbyon complex under a February deal in return for 50,000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil from South Korea.

REUTERS GT RK2118