Floral baskets laid before Zhou Enlai's bust
Pyongyang, February 28 (KCNA) -- Floral baskets were laid before the bust of comrade Zhou Enlai at the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex in the industrial city of Hamhung on the east coast, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and party, administrative and economic organs of South Hamgyong Province and the city on Feb. 27 to mark his 100th birth anniversary.
Present at the ceremony were Chief Secretary of the South Hamgyong Provincial Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea Ri Thae Yon, Vice Foreign Minister Chon Jae Hong and other officials concerned.
Chinese Ambassador to Korea Wan Yongxiang, Consul General of China in Chongjin Zhang Min, other officials of the embassy and the consulate general were also on hand.
Written on the ribbons of the baskets were letters reading "precious feats of comrade Zhou Enlai, close comrade-in-arms of the Korean people, will be immortal " on the same day floral baskets were placed before the bust by the Chinese embassy in Pyongyang and Consulate General in Chongjin.
Rodong Sinmun on S. Korean ruler's "inaugural address"
Pyongyang, February 28 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today, commenting on what the new South Korean ruler said at the "inaugural ceremony" on Feb. 25, says a good beginning is important in everything.
The daily says:
He in his "address" referred to inter-Korean relations.
To our regret, however, he showed no response to the patriotic proposal and just call of the joint meeting of our political parties and organizations for the improvement of inter-Korean relations.
It has disappointed the nation that he failed to clearly show a willingness to pursue a policy quite different from his predecessor's for the reunification of the country.
Inter-Korean exchange and cooperation are good and dialogue and negotiations are also desirable. But what is more important is to have a correct view of the past and draw a proper lesson from it.
The north and the south of Korea should reject dependence on outsiders and foreign interference, maintain the Juche character and national character and pursue independence.
And they should not antagonize each other but seek reconciliation and unity.
From this point of view, we hope to have no impressions that there is no change in inter-Korean relations and the reunification issue though there was another change of regime in South Korea.
Atmosphere should be created first for negotiations
Pyongyang, February 28 (KCNA) -- In order to achieve a peaceful reunification of the country through dialogue and negotiations, conditions and climate should be created and proper efforts made for them, Rodong Sinmun today says.
In an article the daily notes in part:
If dialogue between the north and the south is to be substantially conducive to national reunification, a good atmosphere should be provided.
What is important to this end is to have a sincere stand towards dialogue and the partner. Confidence in the dialogue partner is a prerequisite to a successful dialogue.
It is undesirable to come out to the negotiation table to waste time under public pressure, while seeking unification by military force.
It is important first of all to stop all acts opposing or hurting the dialogue partner.
It is also necessary to keep the door open for all the compatriots desirous for reunification to take part in the movement for reunification. All the people of the nation should be encouraged to participate in the reunification dialogue, irrespective of their being "pro-north" or "pro-south."
South Korean political parties and organizations should refrain from fostering distrust and antagonism between the two halves of the country and promote understanding and confidence through contacts.
They should discard the deep-rooted concept of confrontation with the north.
They should not follow in footsteps of former dictators who incited distrust, antagonism and confrontation between the fellow countrymen nor abuse the reunification issue for their interests.
The South Korean political parties, organizations and figures should show an affirmative response to the call of our joint meeting for creating a good atmosphere of dialogue and negotiations for national reconciliation, unity and reunification.
Reception given by Indonesian Ambassador
Pyongyang, February 28 (KCNA) -- Indonesian Ambassador to Korea Zulkarnain Afri Pane gave a reception at the embassy on
Feb. 27 on the occasion of the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
Present on invitation were Pak Song Chol, politburo member of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee and Vice-President of the DPRK, Kim Yong Nam, politburo member of the WPK Central Committee, Vice-Premier of the Administration Council and Foreign Minister, and others.
The Ambassador in his speech said that the Indonesian President extended warm congratulations to General Secretary Kim Jong Il on his birthday some time ago. The friendly relations existing between the two countries would further strengthen and develop in various fields, he noted, adding:
Today the DPRK is making the forced march but it will overcome all the difficulties as it is wisely led by General Secretary Kim Jong Il and guided by the Juche idea authored by President Kim Il Sung.
Kim Yong Nam said that the Korean and Indonesian peoples have long kept bonds of friendship and closely supported and cooperated with each other and constantly consolidated and developed them under the deep care of the leaders of the two countries.
He was convinced that the Indonesian people will make a new progress in the efforts for achieving the political stability of the country and the nation's unity, tiding over the economic difficulties caused by the present financial crisis as soon as possible and attaining a stable development of the economy under the correct leadership of the esteemed President Suharto.
"Paektusan Prize" sports tournament closed
Pyongyang, February 28 (KCNA) -- The "Paektusan Prize" sports tournament which opened on Feb. 4 closed on Feb. 27.
Such a tournament is held in February every year to celebrate General Secretary Kim Jong Il's birthday.
Yu Jong Rim, an athlete of the Amnokgang sports team, chalked up a national record in the 60 meter race (indoor).
The team won the basketball, volleyball and table tennis events.
New players proved successful in such events as boxing, wrestling, judo, marathon and diving.
Annual meetings of Arabian organizations
Pyongyang, February 28 (KCNA) -- Annual meetings of the Arab People's Solidarity Committee for Supporting the Struggle of the National Democratic Front of South Korea (NDFSK) and the South Korean people and the Arab people's committee for solidarity with the NDFSK and the South Korean people were recently held in Damascus.
The meetings reviewed last year's activities of the organizations and discussed this year's programs.
The participants expressed full support for the just cause of the Korean people for national reunification.
Congratulatory messages to General Secretary Kim Jong Il were adopted at the meetings.
S. Korea urged to respond to DPRK's proposal
Pyongyang, February 28 (KCNA) -- Overseas Koreans are hailing and supporting the new step taken at the joint meeting of the political parties and organisations in the DPRK to have the policy of confrontation with the north replaced with a policy of reconciliation with it.
The federation of Korean nationals in China and its liaoning regional association and Shenyang city branch held a joint meeting on Feb. 20, in which they vowed to actively turn out in the struggle for reunification, saying that the country should be reunified in accordance with the three charters of national reunification.
Chairman of the Russian United Confederation of Koreans Ri Tong Chol and Chairman of the Moscow United Confederation of Koreans Ro Yong Jin issued a joint statement on Feb. 24.
The way of national reunification will not be opened by mere change of regime in South Korea but depend, on how the South Korean authorities change the policy and how the political parties and organisations in South Korea seek a policy switchover, the statement said.
It continued that if the South Korean authorities really want the reunification, they must respect the three principles of national reunification, show their willingness to shape the destiny of the nation independently and make a decision to change the policy of confrontation with the north with a policy of reconciliation with it.
The Kazakh, Uzbek, Tajik and Kyrgyz united confederations of Koreans also made public a joint statement on Feb. 23.
The statement hoped that the political parties and organisations in South Korea would actively respond to the patriotic call of the DPRK at an early date.
S. Korean political parties, organisations should affirmatively respond to dialogue
Pyongyang, February 28 (KCNA) -- The Nepal-Korea Friendship Association made public a statement on Feb. 23 supporting the letter sent to the political parties and organisations of South Korea which was adopted at the joint meeting of the political parties and organisations in the DPRK.
The statement said that if South Korea changes its policy and makes sincere efforts for reunification, inter-Korean dialogue for the independent and peaceful reunification of the country will bear a desirable fruit by common efforts of the nation.
South Korea should put an end to the policy of confrontation with the north and pursue a policy of reconciliation with it and both the north and the south of Korea should seek co-existence, co-prosperity and common interests, the statement said, adding:
South Korea should abrogate all the anti-social "laws" obstructive to reconciliation with the north and stop joint military exercises with the united states for good and all.
Espionage flights condemned
Pyongyang, February 28 (KCNA) -- The U.S. warmaniacs made a total of some 150 espionage flights against North Korea in February, military sources said.
Involved in the espionage flights were U-2, RC-135, P-3, H-60 and other strategic and tactical reconnaissance planes.
The spy planes made shuttle flights day and night almost every day between the east and the west along the Military Demarcation Line to spy on the depth areas of North Korea.
Overseas-based spy planes of various types made some 20 espionage flights to photograph North Korea.
All this proves that the U.S. are running amuck to stifle the Korean people by force of arms.
Greetings to Laotian President
Pyongyang, February 28 (KCNA) -- The Central People's Committee of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on Feb. 27 sent a message of greetings to Khamtay Siphandone upon his election as President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.
The message warmly congratulated him upon his election as President of the lPDR.
Expressing the belief that the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries would strengthen and develop day by day, the message wished him great success in his responsible work for the country's prosperity.