SEOUL, JUNE 26, SPA -- SOUTH KOREA HAS URGED THE UNITEDSTATES TO ENGAGE IN DIRECT TALKS WITH NORTH KOREA, BUTWASHINGTON HAS REFUSED, ACCORDING TO A NEWS REPORT MONDAY. A HIGH-RANKING GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL SAID SEOUL HAD PRESSED FOR THE TALKS, BUT THAT WASHINGTON WAS RELUCTANT BECAUSE IT FELT THAT THE NORTH’S INVITATION SHOULDN’T HAVE BEEN MADE PUBLICLY, SOUTH KOREA’S YONHAP NEWS AGENCY REPORTED. THEOFFICIAL WASN’T IDENTIFIED. --SPA 26/06/2006 11:27 ت م www.spa.gov.sa/371314