Washington, June 11, SPA --The United States isbeefing up defensive measures and readying sanction againstNorth Korea in response to its nuclear test but is willing toresolve differences with Pyongyang through diplomacy, Reuters quoted the U.S. envoy for North Korea as saying today. "Our strong preference is to engage in serious, effectivediplomacy," Ambassador Stephen Bosworth told the Senate foreignRelations Committee.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/673586