The United States said on Friday that it is advising rather than warning the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) not to have a missile test.

"That is not a warning, that is a piece of advice," said White House spokesman Tony Snow on comments after the DPRK was reported to be preparing for the launch of a multi-stage Taepodong-2 missile.

Snow made the remarks after the White House had rejected a suggestion to launch a strike against the missile site of the DPRK before it fires missile.

US national security adviser Stephen J. Hadley said Thursday "diplomacy is the right answer, and that is what we are pursuing."

Speaking to reporters, Snow also urged Pyongyang to return to six-party talks aimed at the settlement of nuclear issue on the Korean peninsular.

"This is not the United States versus North Korea," Snow said. The six-party talks involves the United States, the DPRK, South Korea, China, Russia and Japan.

(Xinhua News Agency June 24, 2006)