N. Korea remains on U.S. terror list

SYDNEY, Australia - North Korea remains on a list of states thatsponsor terrorism, a senior U.S. diplomat said today, dismissingNorth Korean claims that Washington decided to remove thedesignation.

"No, they haven't been taken off the terrorism list," AssistantSecretary of State Christopher Hill told Japanese reporters as hearrived in Australia's business capital for a meeting of Pacific Rimnations. A State Department press officer separately confirmed theremarks.

Hill's comments were the first U.S. denial since North Korea'sForeign Ministry, in a statement carried Monday by the country'sofficial news agency, said that Washington decided to scotch theterror …