Tokyo, May 19, SPA -- U.S. officials met with North Koreanofficials in New York last week, the U.S. Embassy in Tokyosaid Thursday. The meeting, reportedly at the North Korean representativeoffice at the United Nations, came as concerns are mountingthat the reclusive regime is moving toward extractingweapons-grade plutonium and could be preparing for anuclear test. "We can confirm that we had working-level contact withNorth Korean officials on Friday, May 13, in New York," anembassy official said. "This channel is used to conveymessages about U.S. policy, not to negotiate." The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, did notelaborate. Kyodo News agency, citing anonymous sources, reported thatthe North Korean side said in the meeting that it wouldhave a response to the discussions in two weeks.--SPA1145 Local Time 0845 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/263528