U.S. sees "severe consequences" to new N. Korea test

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http://www.swissinfo.org/eng/international/ticker/detail/U_S_sees_severe_consequences_to_new_N_Korea_test.html?siteSect=143&sid=7405427&cKey=1168025935000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States warned North Korea on Friday there would be "severe consequences" to the diplomatic effort to end Pyongyang's atomic ambitions if it conducted a second nuclear test.

U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack also said the six-party talks designed to get North Korea to give up its pursuit of nuclear weapons in exchange for aid and security guarantees could resume later this month.

McCormack made the remarks as U.S. officials tried to play down reports suggesting North Korea, which carried out its first nuclear test on October 9, might be making preparations for another test.

"If you did have another test of a nuclear device, that would have severe consequences for the viability of that political-diplomatic process -- why would they take such a step at this time?" U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters.