Greetings to Italian Prime Minister
Pyongyang, May 12 (KCNA) -- Premier Hong Song Nam of the DPRK cabinet sent a message of greetings to his Italian counterpart Guiliano Amato.
Congratulating him upon his assumption of office as Prime Minister of Italy, the message wished him success in his responsible work.
It expressed the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would continue to develop on good terms.
Congratulations to Italian Foreign Minister
Pyongyang, May 12 (KCNA) -- DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun sent a congratulatory message to Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini.
The message sincerely congratulated Lamberto Dini on his reappointment as Foreign Minister.
Saying that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries will expand and develop in conformity with the interests of the two peoples, the message sincerely wished him great success in his responsible work.
Sahyon-ri, heron colony
Pyongyang, May 12 (KCNA) -- The heronry at Sahyon-ri in pyoksong county, South Hwanghae Province, is under state protection as a living monument. An ideal place for breeding, feeding, rest and sleep of herons, it is an annual habitat for hundreds of pairs of breeding herons.
The heron is a migratory bird which breeds in Korea from early March to the late autumn, when it leaves for the winter.
It feeds mainly on fish and crabs in aquatic fields, swamps, tidal flats, at lake shores, in reed fields and the lower reaches of rivers.
Between early May and mid-June, it lays eggs, normally one every other day, a total of three to five or rarely four to six in one birth. The eggs are oval-shaped and azure-colored.
During egg-laying, the hen stays in the nest protecting the eggs while the cock goes out to rice fields and lake shores to collect food. After egg-laying, they take turns brooding on the eggs.
The hatched young grow to maturity in 40 to 45 days and leave the nest to venture out for food in a family group.
When their family mixes with other families, they become independent of their parents.
After breeding, the place is used for sleep or rest.
Under state protection, an increasing number of herons frequent the Sahyon-ri rookery.
FM of Australia on relations with DPRK
Pyongyang, May 12 (KCNA) -- The Foreign Minister of Australia released a statement on May 8 as regards the reopening of diplomatic relations with the DPRK.
He in the statement said he was glad to see an agreement reached between Australia and the DPRK on putting an end to the temporary suspension of bilateral diplomatic relations and reopening them.
The development of the bilateral relations is an affirmative contribution to improving relations among Asia-Pacific countries and strengthening regional liaison, the statement said.
Kim Jong Il's army-first politics praised in Guinea
Pyongyang, May 12 (KCNA) -- Sekou Koureissy Conde, Minister of Security of Guinea, on May 4 lauded the army-first politics of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
Kim Jong Il's policy of attaching importance to the army is very just and wise politics that conforms to the present international and Korean situation, he said, and went on:
Kim Jong Il stressed that army priority is a strategic line to be consistently maintained as long as imperialism remains. This is very just.
It is thanks to the powerful military strength that Korea is victoriously overcoming a lot of difficulties caused by outsiders' obstruction and natural disasters and making continued progress.
He wisely leads the work of establishing the all-people and nationwide defence system with the army as its core and maintaining the trait of all the people mastering military affairs and assisting the army. This excellent method of leadership should be followed by all countries.
Japan prepares war for reinvasion of Korea
Pyongyang, May 12 (KCNA) -- The chief of the Japan Defense Agency provoked the DPRK at the first meeting which was held on May 9 to examine the next 2001-2005 "mid-term defence readjustment plan," according to the Tokyo Shimbun May 10.
At the meeting the agency disclosed that its next plan would focus on putting equipment and function of commanding communication on a high-tech basis increasing capabilities to "cope" with "threat of attacks" by "guerrillas," "mysterious ships" and nuclear and bio-chemical weapons and securing "SDF" servicemen.
The chief of the agency also raised a hue and cry over "missile launch" and "case of operation ship" of the DPRK in a bid to justify its planned arms buildup and upgrading.
KCNA advises Japan to fulfil its responsibility
Pyongyang, May 12 (KCNA) -- The Foreign Ministry of Japan released the "2000 diplomatic blue book" on Tuesday. There is no need to comment on it as it is an annual report.
However, what cannot go unnoticed is that the ministry in this report raised again the "missile issue" of the DPRK.
And it said Japan would stick to its policy of "dialogue and deterrence" in dealing with the DPRK, while sustaining its efforts to establish diplomatic ties with it.
Such disgusting argument was prompted by Japan's sinister intention to use the DPRK's "missile issue" as a bargaining chip in a bid to get a sort of "concession" at the ongoing DPRK-Japan talks.
As for the DPRK's "missile issue," it is a matter pertaining to our sovereignty from A to Z which does not allow Japan to go overboard about it.
If Japan truly hopes for the establishment of diplomatic ties and good-neighborly relations with the DPRK, it should not raise that issue but honestly repent of and fully liquidate its past crimes against the Korean people.
Calling for the establishment of bilateral relations, Japan refuses to do what it should do, but raises the issue which has nothing in common with it. It is self-evident that this will bring Japan to nowhere.
"Dialogue" and "deterrence can never go together.
It is a mockery and an insult to the dialogue partner to call for talks while slandering it.
Japan should abandon its wrong position and attitude. The establishment of bilateral relations depends on its position and behaviour.
Members of Chinese embassy visit school in DPRK
Pyongyang, May 12 (KCNA) -- Chinese ambassador to Korea Wang Guozhang and members of the embassy yesterday visited east Pyongyang senior middle school no. 1.
The visitors went round "Mao Zedong class," "friendship room" and practical training rooms of the school, while being briefed on the history of the school built into an excellent educational base for the rising generations thanks to the correct educational policy of the Worker's Party of Korea and the state.
They presented educational equipment to the school.
S. Korean victims to chemical weapons protest against authorities
Pyongyang, May 12 (KCNA) -- Residents and several social organizations in Yongdong, North Chungchong Orovince of South Korea are lodging a protest with the authorities against damage caused by chemical weapons, according to a radio report from Seoul.
The protest was made when it was brought to light that the authorities began "scrapping" chemical weapons at a factory built in Yongdong last year.
Yielding to public pressure, the Yongdong county authorities began an "investigation into the truth behind the case" but investigators were kept away from the factory by the "ROK" army authorities, the radio reported.
S. Korean unionists demand restoration of original wage level
Pyongyang, May 12 (KCNA) -- Chairman Tan Pyong Ho and other leading members of the South Korean Confederation of Trade Unions on May 8 called on the General Association of Managers, an organization of South Korean enterprise owners, to clarify the position of trade unions on the outstanding issue between employers and workers, according to a radio report from Seoul.
They urged the reduction of working hours and the restoration of the original level of wages which have decreased owing to the foreign exchange crisis.
The General Association of Managers refused to meet the demand, arguing that it was premature. This has sparked the resistance of the KCTU and workers, the radio reported.
Promising diver
Pyongyang, May 12 (KCNA) -- Many divers undergo intense training to win world diving competition. Ri Ok Rim from the team under the Ministry of Fishery is one of them.
Endowed with quick action and proper physical fitness, she was enrolled in a primary school gymnastics group to take part in mass gymnastic games performed by the Pyongyang schoolchildren. For her stronger physical stamina than those of her age and her distinctive style of quick reflex action she attracted public attention, and finally came to the notice of Mun Ran Ok, a diving coach from the Ministry of Fishery. In this way she joined the diving team at the age of 10.
Full of self-confidence and with high competitive spirit, she strove to improve her skill. Training hard, she earnestly did every daily assignment and repeated exercises many a time. All this helped her improve her skill quickly and emerge as one of the best in the team within a few years.
She began to appear at national games from the age of 14 and gained experience at international games. She made her international debut at the Moscow Spring Swallow Prize Tournament in Juche 82 (1993), where she finished third. She came first in total points at the 5th Asian Swimming Championships in Bangkok in 1996.
She captured a total of some 80 medals, including 50 gold ones at home and international games.
Cheerful and optimistic in daily life, she takes a fancy to music and reading and is good at dancing.
She is eager to win Asian and world championships in the future.
Annual meeting of Peru-Korea Institute of Culture and Friendship
Pyongyang, May 12 (KCNA) -- An annual meeting of the Peru-Korea Institute of Culture and Friendship was held in Lima on May 5.
Present at the meeting were leader of the national executive committee of the New Left Movement of Peru Tany Valer, chairman of the Peru-Korea Institute of Culture and Friendship Angel Castro Lavarello and members of the institute.
The meeting reviewed last year's work and discussed action program for this year.
Then new leadership members of the institute were elected.
S. Korean students' anti-U.S. struggle supported
Pyongyang, May 12 (KCNA) -- Papers here today in signed commentaries support the South Korean students' surprise demonstration after thronging into the embassy of the United States in Seoul a few days ago.
Rodong Sinmun describes this as an eruption of the pent-up anger and resentment at the U.S. aggressors.
The U.S. drove murderer Chun Doo Hwan into brutal killings of thousands of people in Kwangju, the daily notes, and goes on: South Korean students' attack on the U.S. embassy with the approach of the anniversary of the Kwangju Popular Uprising reflects the South Korean people's towering grudge against the U.S.
South Korean students turned out in the anti-U.S. struggle, aware that the Korean nation can neither achieve the reunification of the country nor escape a scourge of nuclear war as long as the U.S. aggressive forces are allowed to stay in South Korea.
Minju Joson points out that through the surprise demonstration the South Korean students fully demonstrated their firm will to put an end to the colonial rule of the U.S., bring independence and democracy to South Korean society and achieve national reunification.
Korea's reunification supported abroad
Pyongyang, May 12 (KCNA) -- Political parties and organizations of different countries joined in the international signature campaign supporting the three-point charter of Korea's reunification.
The signature paper was signed in Egypt by general secretary of the Nasser Arab Democratic Party Diya al Din Daud on behalf of 80,000 party members, general secretary of the Misr al-Patat Party Ahmad Sunbul on behalf of 80,000 party members and general secretary of the National Progressive Unionist Party Rifaat Es-Said, chairman of the Afro-Asian Solidarity Committee of Egypt Ahmed Hamroush and chairman of the Peace and Disarmament Committee of Egypt Khalid Muheddin on behalf of their party and organizations.
In Madagascar a rally related to the international signature campaign supporting the charter was held at the building of the trade unions' front on May 11.
After the rally the paper was signed by the general secretary of the Revolutionary Trade Union, the chairman of the Transport and Information Trade Union, the general secretary of the Trade Unions' Front, the administrative secretary of the Federation of Militant Worker's Occupation Unions and the general secretary of the Christian Workers Union in the name of their organizations.
In Uganda the signature campaign was participated in on May 2 by the chairman of the National Youth Council on behalf of eight million youth and students, the chairman of the National Students Association in the name of his organization, the general secretary of the Federation of Railway Workers on behalf of 3,000 members.
Meanwhile, the paper was signed by the chairman of the Post and Telecommunications Workers Union of Guyana on behalf of 1,000 members on May 5 and members of the Portuguese Group for the Study of Kimilsungism and the Carcabelos, Portugal, Group for the Study of Kimilsung-Kimjongilism on April 25.
Achievements in quality and measuring science
Pyongyang, May 12 (KCNA) -- 50 years have passed since the DPRK began to develop the quality and measuring science and technology.
This science started from scratch. The workers in this field are successfully performing measuring and quality supervising work in different sectors of the national economy by using many prototype gauges, meters, scales and standard tools.
The rapid development of the Juche-based measuring science and technology was clearly shown by a recent exhibition sponsored by the National Institute of Quality and Measuring Science.
More than a hundred prototype densimeters attracted the attention of visitors. Much larger in measuring scope than the previous ones, these meters ensure several times more accurate measure of density of different kinds of liquid than others. They fully guarantee scientific accuracy and correctness in measuring including meteorological observation.
Devices for examining watt-hour meters have also reached the level of prototype meters. They have been improved to solve the problem of shortage of electricity.
They are very instrumental in making a most satisfactory measurement of the power production and consumption in various sectors.
Devices for measuring luminous flux, noise and radiate coefficient in low temperature, an electronic turbine current meter, a scale measuring vehicle weight, standard counterpoises, etc. are greatly helpful to the Juche-orientation, modernization and scientification of the national economy.
Standard counterpoises, in particular, are in great demand in foreign markets.
Kim Chong Un, director of the institute, said that the quality and measuring science of Korea fully guarantees the successful development of the nation's science and technology.
55th anniversary of Soviet people's victory marked
Pyongyang, May 12 (KCNA) -- A photo exhibition and film show were held here yesterday on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the Soviet people's victory in the great patriotic war.
Invited there were Valery Denisov, ambassador of the Russian Federation here, and embassy officials.
Present were Ri Song Ho, vice-chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and chairman of the DPRK-Russia Friendship Association, officials concerned and working people in the city.
The participants looked round the photos showing the great victory of the Soviet army and people in the patriotic war against the Hitler fascists.
Then they appreciated a Soviet feature film.
Japan's move to expand overseas operation theatre
Pyongyang, May 12 (KCNA) -- The Japan Defence Agency has reportedly planned to introduce heavy transport planes during the next "mid-term defence readjustment plan" (2001-2005).
Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary says the introduction of new transport planes is part of dangerous preparations for a war of aggression to increase the carrying capacity of Japan's aggression forces and expand overseas military operation to vast areas of the world.
The Japanese reactionaries drew a conclusion from the recent dispatch of "Self-Defence Forces" to Indonesia that they can not achieve their ambition for overseas expansion without introduction of up-to-date, large and long-distance arms equipment. With the introduction of transport planes they seeks to increase the combat capacity of the air "Self-Defence Force" and keep it ready to join in any war of overseas aggression, the commentary notes, and goes on:
The Japanese reactionaries are describing their introduction as for "evacuation of Japanese" and "UN peace-keeping activity" in an effort to cover up their overseas aggression moves.
Japan has presented itself as a dangerous force of war in Asia. But the overseas aggression war moves of the Japanese reactionaries will only hasten their destruction.