Pyongyang declaration signed by 239 parties

Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- The Romanian Communist Party recently signed the Pyongyang declaration "Let us defend and advance the cause of socialism". Chairman of the party Nicolae Ion Cristian pointed out that his party supported the idea of the Pyongyang Declaration and congratulated the Workers' Party of Korea upon its distinguished exploits. The number of political parties which signed the declaration amounts to 239.

DPRK ambassador to Uganda appointed

Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- Kim Tang Su was appointed Korean ambassador E. P. to Uganda, according to a decree of the Central People's Committee of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Friendship meeting on Pakistani Day

Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- A friendship meeting was held at the Korea-Pakistan Friendship Pyongyang June 9 Senior Middle School on Mar. 19 to mark the Day of Pakistan. Invited to the meeting were Pakistani ambassador to Korea Rehmdil Bhatti, embassy officials and members of a delegation of the Pakistan-Korea Friendship Association, on a visit to Korea. Participants saw an art performance given by circle members of the school and deepened their friendly feelings, talking with each other.

S. Korea should positively respond to DPRK proposal

Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- Director of youth affairs of the Pan-African movement and President of the Indian Federation of working journalists K. Vikram Rao made public press statements in support of the proposal of a joint meeting of the DPRK political parties and organisations. Lukamuzi said in the statement that the fraternal Korean people have firm conviction and will to achieve national reunification at any cost under the guidance of General Kim Jong Il true to the noble instructions of President Kim Il Sung for reunification. South Korean political parties and organisations should positively respond to the proposal for reunification of the country noted in the letter of the DPRK joint meeting, he added. K. Vikram Rao pointed out that there is no change in the reunification policy of South Korea though the regime was changed, disappointing the peace-loving people of the world.

Explosive unemployment in S. Korea

Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- Unemployment is on the increase with the formal introduction of the layoff system from the latter part of February in South Korea forced by the International Monetary Fund, according to a radio report from Seoul. The Ministry of Labour expected the number of the completely unemployed in March, to be 1.5 million, but the number reached 1,644,000 as of the middle of March.

Repatriation of pows in S. Korea urged

Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- The All-Pakistan Federation of United Trade Unions sent an appeal to the South Korean President demanding repatriation of unconverted long-term prisoners in South Korea. The appeal said that old men Kim In So and Ham Se Hwan, who were arrested during the Korean War, are still suffering all sorts of maltreatment by the South Korean authorities. The appeal strongly urged the South Korean President to repatriate them without delay to the DPRK where their families and relatives are waiting for them.

International Friendship Botanical House

Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- An endless stream of plant lovers and other people are now flowing into the International Friendship Botanical House. According to Kim Kwang Yun, director of the house, 25 species of flower seeds, ten species of tree seeds, fig trees and other species of young trees were sent to the house. The house is situated in the central botanical garden at the foot of Mt. Taesong in Pyongyang,it consists of five buildings including the Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia green houses in an area of 4,000 square meters. 15 hectares of plant fields are in the open air. Growing there are different species of flowers, flower trees and fruit trees from the five continents of the world. Among them are more than 7,500 gift plants of over 3,600 species that were presented to President Kim Il Sung and General Kim Jong Il by heads of state, party leaders and progressive peoples of dozens of countries. The gift plants are propagating year by year. In recent years some 200 species of flower seeds and trees have come from foreign countries. The International Friendship Botanical House is setting world-famous plants as national treasure and directing big efforts to their propagation, cultivation, preservation and management.

Japan urged to activate food aid to DPRK

Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter urged the Japanese government to grant more active food aid to the DPRK during his stay in Japan some time ago, according to a report. On March 12, he told the Committee of the Foreign Policy and Defence Affairs of the House of Councillors of Japan that he was disappointed by Japan's insufficient food aid to the DPRK and said that the Japanese government was too hesitant. He urged Japan to grant active food aid to the DPRK, saying that the assistance would be a favourable move for laying foundations for DPRK-Japan relations and normalising diplomatic relations between them as well as from the humanitarian point of view. In an interview with reporters at the U.S. embassy in Japan on March 13, he said Japan "has not even been generous" and "there is a stinginess about it that really concerns me." Kyodo quoted Carter as saying at the interview that reasons Japan gives for its reluctance to provide food to the DPRK include Pyongyang's failure to account for the alleged "abductions of Japanese nationals" and that he did not find the excuse adequate. He cited the "food pledges made by the United States despite the huge casualties suffered by the U.S. in the 1950-1953 Korean War." In response to a January appeal by the world food program, the United States announced that it would provide 75 million dollars worth of additional food aid, or 200,000 tons, to the DPRK beginning in April. Japan has not yet responded to the new appeal. Carter said that the "international community was taking advantage of the famine as a means for 'political extortion'", adding that "I think it's an inhumane way to address the real crisis that exists in North Korea."

Greetings to Chinese Premier

Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- Hong Song Nam, acting Premier of the Administration Council, sent a message of greetings to Zhjr Llan his appointment as Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China. The message expressed the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would continue to strengthen and develop and wished him success in his responsible work for the prosperity of the country. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Kim Yong Nam sent a message of greetings to Tang Jiaxuan upon his appointment as Foreign Minister of China.