American officials see the improved ties as likely to add to Baghdad's isolation by reducing Jordan's reliance on Iraqi oil and other cross-border trade.

He acknowledged that such improved ties would not hurt his mayoral aspirations.

Those and other steps, with a phased-in withdrawal of troops by both sides, were deemed by Pyongyang to be prerequisites to improved ties.

While saying that it was up to Washington to take the initiative, he noted that Beijing would like to see improved ties.

Beijing has publicly welcomed improved ties between its south-east Asian neighbour and the US - but it might not be as happy in private.

But Pyongyang now has more reason than ever to seek improved ties with the U.S. and Japan.

The Soviet Union is reported to be stressing to Pakistan that improved ties between the two nations are linked to an Afghan settlement.

Officials had speculated that the Laotians were perhaps testing the international waters on behalf of Vietnam, which says it also wants improved ties with Beijing.

The actions of the committee were designed to allow for improved ties between the two countries, although that goal was not shared by a large segment of Republicans.

But the improved ties made it unlikely that Seoul's U.N. application would be vetoed.