Lugar: North Korea problem vexing

INDIANAPOLIS -- North Korea's nuclear test is a sign of the difficulties the United States will face with that country for years to come, Sen. Richard Lugar said Tuesday.\nLugar, chairman of the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee, said he backed the Bush administration's decision to reject direct negotiations with the North Koreans.\nHe said he believes the United States should work closely with South Korea, China, Japan and Russia in responding to the nuclear test because those countries face more immediate danger.\n"Diplomacy still has a chance," the Indiana Republican said. "There is a possibility a formula can be found in which the North Koreans want to re-enter the world, want to deal with their neighbors. Otherwise, they are going to remain isolated, whether there are sanctions or not."\nDespite his hopes, Lugar said he did not expect a resolution to be reached with North Korea anytime soon.\n"I don't see that coming in the next few days or weeks," Lugar said. "I think we have a lot of further diplomatic consolidation to do in the meanwhile."\nEven if North Korea's communist government agreed to give up its nuclear ambitions, Lugar says its secretive history would leave doubts about whether it is hiding weapons.