The United States has reiterated its call for North Korea to return to the six-way nuclear talks.

White House press secretary Scott McClellan on Friday said the United States wants the North back at the negotiating table, and is prepared to seriously discuss moving forward.

Speaking at US President George W. Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas, McClellan said the other parties to the six-nation talks also want Pyongyang to resume dialogue.

McClellan made the remarks when asked to comment on Pyongyang's rare praise of Bush for addressing North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il as "Mr.," and if the softened tone could lead to its return to the talks.

Earlier, the North's foreign ministry said the feud between hawks and moderates in the United States has thrown US policy on the Korean Peninsula into confusion, but if Bush's remarks can bridge the divide, it will help create an atmosphere conducive to the six-party talks.

Though noting Bush's polite reference to Kim, the ministry said it will closely see if his remarks suddenly change as in the past.

At a Tuesday news conference, Bush said he was committed to diplomatically resolving the nuclear standoff, but will not rule out other options.

Pyongyang's softer tone came a day after it called US Vice President Dick Cheney a "bloodthirsty beast" for calling Kim an "irresponsible" leader.