Ball in N Korea's court: Rice

"Whether the talks can restart depends on North Korea. Everyone is waiting and is ready to have a constructive discussion," Rice said during a visit to China focussed on the North's nuclear ambitions.

"We have no intention to attack."

In addition, Rice said Washin-gton was "prepared to think of their energy needs." The North had insisted it needed a nuclear program to provide energy.

"We hope North Korea understands that this (six-party talks) is the only way to address their needs," Rice told a news conference on the last day of her two-day visit to Pyongyang's closest supporter Beijing.

Earlier on her Asian tour, Rice in South Korea Sunday ruled out separate talks between the United States and North Korea but said direct dialogue would take place as part of six-party nuclear negotiations.

She also called on Pyongyang to make a "strategic decision" to abandon its nuclear ambitions.

Rice, on the second day of a visit to South Korea, said that only through six-party talks would North Korea get the "respect that they have desired and ... the assistance that they need".