US seeks calm over Asian disputes; won't mediate

NEW YORK (AP) — The Obama administration on Friday pressed U.S. allies Japan and South Korea to continue their cooperation on North Korea and other key issues, despite a dispute over a contested islet, and also urged Tokyo and Beijing to make serious diplomatic efforts on an even sharper dispute over maritime borders.

Meeting with the Japanese and South Korean foreign ministers, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said "every nation in the region has a responsibility to work to resolve disputes, peacefully lower tensions, promote regional security and stability." She noted the three key countries' cooperation is vital to convincing North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons, doing her best to calm their disagreement over the tiny islands known as Dokdo in South Korea, and Takeshima in Japan.