G.S. Kim Jong Il's birthday celebrated abroad
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- The 56th birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il was celebrated in Russia, Mexico, Uganda, Peru, Mongolia and other countries.
Reporters and speakers at functions said February 16, birthday of General Kim Jong Il, is a national holiday of the Korean people which steadily sublimates the pride and dignity of the Korean people and, at the same time, a common holiday of mankind which gives great strength and encouragement to the progressive people of the world.
Praising General Kim Jong Il as a prominent man of great learning in political, economic, philosophical, military and all other fields, they said they envy the Korean people who hold him in high esteem as their great leader.
They hoped that the DPRK under the wise guidance of General Kim Jong Il possessed of great idea, distinguished leadership ability and noble personalities, would become an outstanding country in the 21st century, and that under his guidance the Korean people would speed up a great victory.
Congratulatory messages to General Kim Jong Il were adopted at the celebration meetings in Russia and Peru.
Floral basket to G.S. Kim Jong Il from Libyan Head of State
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a basket of flowers from Moammer El Gaddafi, leader of the Great September First Revolution of Libya, on the occasion of his birthday.
The floral basket was handed to an official concerned by Secretary of the Libyan People's Bureau to Korea Ahmed Amer Al Muakkaf on Wednesday.
National fine art show opens to celebrate Feb. 16
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- A national fine art exhibition opened to celebrate the 16th of February.
On show at the exhibition hall are over 100 fine art works, among them "the great leader Generalissimo Kim Il Sung", "Comrade Kim Jong Il, Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army", "Comrade Kim Jong Suk, anti-Japanese war heroine" and other Korean and oil paintings which show the personalities and immortal feats of the three great persons.
An oil painting "Comrade Kim Jong Il is the greatest genius" and a Korean painting "the fatherly leader sees the flower of loyalty carrying best wishes of the world people" vividly portray the bright smile of tender-hearted President Kim Il Sung optimistic of the future of Korea where General Kim Jong Il has been acclaimed as the successor to the revolution.
Korean paintings "Snowstorm in Mangyongdae", "Soldiers in Cho Islet Are Waiting for Us" and "With Grazers in the Northern Tip of the Country" show the noble greatness and leadership feats of General Kim Jong Il who makes tireless efforts for the security, prosperity and development of the country, visiting people's army units and different parts of the country.
An opening ceremony took place at the Korean art gallery on Wednesday.
Party for day of victory of Iranian revolution
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- Mohammad Ganjidoost, Iranian Ambassador to Korea, hosted a party at the embassy Wednesday to mark the 19th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran.
Invited to the party were Chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly Yang Hyong Sop, acting Chairman of the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries Mun Jae Chol and officials concerned.
Diplomatic representatives of different countries here were present on invitation.
Speeches were exchanged at the party.
Cuban Ambassador gives party on February holiday
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- Cuban Ambassador to Korea Jose Ramon Rodriguez Varona hosted a party at the embassy Wednesday to celebrate the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
The Ambassador noted in his speech that under the leadership of General Kim Jong Il, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, the Korean people are overcoming all hardships in the spirit of self-reliance.
They could always win in the confrontation with the enemy because the DPRK has adhered to correct strategy from the first day of its foundation, he said.
He stressed the DPRK is now respected by the world because the Korean people have the powerful armed forces and the unshakable determination to devote their all to defending the country.
He will work hard to further strengthen and develop the friendship and solidarity between Cuba and Korea, he declared.
Kim Yong Nam, politburo member of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee, Vice-Premier of the Administration Council and Foreign Minister, said it is the lifetime intention of President Kim Il Sung and the steadfast will of General Kim Jong Il to develop the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries down through generations.
"We will do our utmost to continue consolidating and developing the fraternal relations of friendship and cooperation on the basis of the intimacy between General Kim Jong Il and President Fidel Castro Ruz, supreme leader of the Cuban revolution, and always extend steadfast support and solidarity to the just cause of the Cuban people," he said.
Invited to the party were politburo member of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee and Vice-President Ri Jong Ok and other cadres.
Gold prize awarded to Korean aerial acrobatics
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- A gold prize, the highest, was awarded to the aerial acrobats of the Pyongyang circus of Korea at the 22nd Monte Carlo international acrobatic festival.
King of Monaco rainier the third, chairman of the organizing committee of the festival and chairman of its Jury, awarding the prize, said that he extended thanks to the Korean government for sending a wonderful work to the festival.
The princess of Monaco said flight from ground to air is a fascinating and mysterious scene she had never seen in any other countries and the aerial acrobatics of Korea is the King of the world's aerial acrobatics.
The head of the Munich circus of Germany, a working chief of Jury, said that the aerial acrobatics is the acme of the world in creation, composition, artistic value and technique. No country can outstrip Korea in aerial acrobatics, he added.
U.S. military presence in Asia cannot be justified
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- The U.S. military presence in Asia is entirely illegal and anachronistic and should no longer be kept in view of the recognized principles of the international law or in light of the trend of the times.
Rodong Sinmun says this in a signed article today.
The daily continues:
Today the world peaceloving people are opposing the U.S. military presence and strongly calling for pullout of its troops, but the united states is finding every conceivable pretext for avoiding it.
The United States justified the presence of its aggression troops in Japan first on the pretext of "protection" of Japan from the "southward operations" of the Soviet Union. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, there is no need for the U.S. to keep its troops in Japan for "security" of Japan.
The United States is claiming that its troops should remain in South Korea because of "threat" from the DPRK and of "instability" of the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
Threat on the peninsula comes from the U.S. troops, not from the DPRK. And the "instability" of the situation on the peninsula entirely rests with the U.S. troops present in South Korea. It is because the United States pursues the Cold War that it intends to maintain its troops in South Korea for an indefinite period under the unreasonable pretext.
The pullout of the U.S. troops is fundamental in ensuring peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in Asia. As long as the U.S. troops remain there, neither peace and security in Asia can be guaranteed nor independence can be realized.
There is no reason and pretext for the U.S. troops to remain in Asia any longer.
The U.S. ruling quarters should not resort to crafty moves regarding the pullout of the U.S. troops from Asia but pull them out without delay.
Transit capacity increases
Pyongyang February 12 (KCNA) -- Nampho Port is a gateway to Pyongyang, the Cpital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and a major trade port. The port is furnished with up-to-date machines and automatic facilities.
There are several quays handling the cargo which include grains, cement, anthracite and sundries.
The annual cargo handling capacity is millions of tons.
Computers are used in management activities.
All-out efforts have been launched to increase the iransit capacity, in hearty response to the appeal of the Workers' Party of Korea which called for the forced march for final victory this year. Special emphasis is laid on the effective management of port facilities. A wide range of initiatives are launched for the creation of conditions to raise the level of performance through the revolutionary spirit of self-reliance and fortitude. Manpower and equipment are used to greater advantage to cut the turnaround time of cargo vessels.
Conditions for loading and unloading operations are being improved by organizational measures such as a rational quay arrangement of large vessels and a better coordination of performance between various forms of transport. Work is under way in quays nos. 6 and 9 to install new loaders and conveyer belts.
Thanks to the high working morale shown by the port workers, the transit capacity will continue to increase even in the face of the manifold difficulties at present.
Medium and small power stations
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- Medium and small power stations are taking a big share in electricity production in Korea.
In a little over three months from September last year, some 230 minor power stations were built throughout the country and are now greatly conducive to production, construction and people's living.
Jagang Province is a pace-setter in the construction and operation of minor power stations.
The province produces sufficient electricity needed for people's living including house heating by constructing by itself minor power stations of various types on large and small rivers and streams.
During his recent on-site guidance to the province, General Secretary Kim Jong Il was very satisfied to look round the minor power stations built in the province and new houses whose heating services are linked with these power stations.
He said that all provinces, cities and counties should follow the example of Jagang Province.
This year, Jagang Province plans to build some 50 more minor power stations.
Over 30 cities and counties including Taehongdan county, Ryangang Province, and Yangdok county, South Phyongan Province, meet their need of electricity for production, heating and lighting with minor power stations built by themselves.
In Anju city, several tens of factories are operated at full capacity by minor power stations it built. The city also fully supplies electricity to the citizens.
Changsong county, North Phyongan Province, Hochon and Sinhung counties, South Hamgyong Province, built dam and waterway power stations and waterwheel power stations adapted to their natural and geographical features.
South Korean defects to north
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- A South Korean Song Ki Chan (46) crossed over the extension of the Demarcation Line on the West Sea and reached the northern half of Korea aboard a boat on Feb. 11. He resided in Taemyong-ri, Taegot-Myon, Kimpho county, Kyonggi Province, South Korea.
Disillusioned with the rotten and ailing South Korean society which is in a serious political and economic crisis owing to the colonial rule of the U.S. and the anti-popular policy of the Kim Young Sam clique, he came over to the socialist homeland in the north where the anthropocentric benevolent politics is in force, he said.