WASHINGTON, March 4: The United States made it clear that it was running out of patience in its efforts to have North Korea dismantle its nuclear weapons programme at the recent six-day talks in Beijing , The Washington Post said on Thursday, quoting US officials.

President George Bush issued instructions to that effect after China sought to include in a draft statement laying out the steps for resolving the crisis North Korea's demand that Washington change its "hostile policy", the officials said.

The instructions, delivered at the start of the third day of talks last Friday, stopped the discussions on the draft statement, the daily said. Diplomats said the message undercut public statements by Washington that progress was made at the talks. In fact, the diplomats said, North Korea withdrew its offer to give up its civilian nuclear programme. -AFP