Clinton keeps up pressure on North Korea at Asia meeting

The statement, obtained by Reuters, also said the group wanted to "overcome security threats and challenges and prevent escalation of potential conflicts." It made no direct mention of North Korea or Myanmar.

Many experts on North Korea have concluded from the reclusive state's belligerence that Pyongyang wants to be recognized as a nuclear weapons state and will not end its atomic activities.

The poor health of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, believed to have suffered a stroke a year ago, and uncertainty about who might succeed him has further complicated efforts to persuade Pyongyang to curb its nuclear ambitions.

The United States urged Myanmar to implement the U.N. resolution imposing an arms embargo on North Korea in a rare face-to-face meeting, a senior U.S. State Department official said on Thursday.

The official, who spoke on condition he not be named, said Washington's willingness to improve relations with the military-ruled former Burma will depend partly on the outcome of a trial against pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Clinton said on Wednesday the United States was worried about possible nuclear technology transfers from North Korea to Myanmar.

Talk of Myanmar-North Korea military ties was fueled after a North Korean ship, tracked by the United States in June and July on suspicion of carrying banned arms, appeared headed toward Myanmar before turning around.