A senior U.S. government official says information on North Korea’s alleged uranium enrichment program is fairly limited due to the North's closed society.

U.S. National Security Advisor Steve Hadley made the remark during a news briefing Thursday after being asked about a comment he had made two years ago that, based on contemporary intelligence, Pyongyang would be producing fuel for uranium-based nuclear weapons by the middle part of this decade.

Hadley declined to elaborate further on the question, only saying one of the reasons for holding the six-way nuclear talks is to address the limited amount of information on the reclusive state.

He said it was important that the nuclear discussions produce a related declaration, dismantlement procedures and verification measures so that Washington can be sure that the North’s commitment to ceding its nuclear ambitions is carried out.

Hadley was quick to add, however, that the six-party talks will not be the focus of U.S. President George W. Bush’s trip to Busan for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

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