FACTBOX: McCain, Obama on diplomacy and foreign relations

(Reuters) - Following are some of the key foreign policy positions of Sen. Barack Obama, who appears set to win the Democratic nomination for November's U.S. presidential election, and Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee.

DIPLOMACY IN GENERAL

McCain advocates a more vigorous U.S. role in international diplomacy after the two terms of President George W. Bush and promises a push to rebuild frayed relations with America's allies.

"The United States cannot lead by virtue of its power alone," McCain said in a speech to the World Affairs Council in California. "We need to listen to the views and respect the collective will of our democratic allies."

Obama emphasizes negotiations rather than military action and drew accusations of naivety from Republicans for saying he would talk without preconditions with leaders of hostile states including Iran, Syria, North Korea and Venezuela. He said such talks would, however, need to be well prepared.

"Strong countries and strong presidents meet and talk with our adversaries," Obama said at an August 19 debate. "We shouldn't be afraid to do so. We've tried the other way. It didn't work."

CHINA

McCain says he would keep pressure on China to improve its human rights record but would expand China-U.S. ties.

Obama says as president he would threaten to limit Chinese access to the U.S. market as a bargaining tool to force Beijing to stop manipulating its currency.

NORTH KOREA

McCain says it is unclear whether North Korea is truly committed to dismantling its nuclear program and giving a full account of all its nuclear materials and facilities. He says future talks must take into account North Korea's ballistic missile programs, its abduction of Japanese citizens and its support for terrorism and proliferation.

Obama calls for an "international coalition" to handle North Korea's nuclear weapons program and says he supports "sustained, direct and aggressive diplomacy" as an option for dealing with the nuclear issue.

RUSSIA

McCain has been a vocal critic of Russian leader Vladimir Putin. He has accused Russia of seeking a de facto annexation of part of Georgia after Putin ordered his government to establish closer ties with separatists in Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Obama has said Russia is neither an enemy nor a close ally and the United States should not shy away from pushing for more democracy, transparency and accountability in that country. He says Washington must work with Russia to make sure its nuclear weapons and nuclear materials are secured.

(Complied by JoAnne Allen and Andy Sullivan; Editing by David Alexander and David Storey)

(To read more about the U.S. political campaign, visit Reuters "Tales from the Trail: 2008" online at blogs.reuters.com/trail08/ )