Kim Jong Il sends condolences to Bashar al Assad
Pyongyang, June 12 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il on Saturday sent a message of condolence to Bashar Al Assad of the Syrian Arab Republic on the passing away of Syrian President Hafez al Assad who is also general secretary of the Arab Socialist Baath Party of Syria and commander-in-chief of Army and Armed Forces of the Syrian Arab Republic.
The message said:
"Upon hearing unexpected sad news that his excellency Hafez al Assad passed away, I express deep condolences to you and, through you, to the Syrian government and people and the family of the deceased.
"His excellency Hafez al Assad was an outstanding leader of the Syrian Arab people who devoted his whole life to the defence of the independence and sovereignty of Syria and the achievement of its territorial integrity and a prominent statesman who made distinguished contributions to the sacred cause of safeguarding the dignity of the Arab nation.
"He was also a close friend of the Korean people, who exerted sustained efforts for developing the friendly and cooperative relations between the peoples of our two countries.
"His demise is a great loss to the Syrian Arab people and other Arab nations and the world's peace-loving people.
"Though he passed away, his noble feats will be remembered forever by the Syrian Arab people and humankind.
"I express belief that the intimate Syrian Arab people will overcome sorrow over the loss of their outstanding leader and surely accomplish the cause of his excellency Hafez Al Assad under the leadership of the Arab Socialist Baath Party."
Set period of mourning for Hafez al Assad
Pyongyang, June 12 (KCNA) -- The DPRK government decided to set the period from June 12 to 16, Juche 89 (2000) for mourning and fly flags at half-mast at the appointed places as regards the demise of President of the Syrian Arab Republic Hafez al Assad, who is also General Secretary of the Arab Socialist Baath Party and commander-in-chief of the Syrian Army and Armed Forces.
Kim Jong Il greets Russian President
Pyongyang, June 12 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il yesterday sent a message of greetings to Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, on the occasion of its National Day.
The message warmly congratulated the Russian President, government and people on the National Day.
Today the Russian people under the leadership of the President are working hard to defend the sovereignty of Russia and ensure the country's stability and world peace, it said, and continued:
The friendly relations between the DPRK and Russia have a long history and those relations have entered a new phase of development in conformity with the desire of the two peoples.
It expressed conviction that the traditional relations of friendship between the DPRK and Russia would grow in scope and develop on the principle of complete equality, independence, mutual respect, non-interference and reciprocity and in the spirit of the DPRK-Russia treaty of friendship, good neighborliness and cooperation.
It sincerely wished the Russian President and people greater success in their work to build a powerful Russia.
Greetings to Libyan leader
Pyongyang, June 12 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, yesterday sent a message of greetings to colonel Moammer El Gaddafi, leader of the September 1st Revolution of the great socialist people's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the abolition of the U.S. military base in Libya.
The message warmly congratulated him and, through him, Libyan leadership and people on the 30th anniversary.
It said:
The complete abolition of the U.S. military base by the Libyan Arab people is a brilliant victory in the struggle to put an end to the U.S. interference in Libya and defend the national dignity and sovereignty of the country.
It wished leader Moammer El Gaddafi and the Libyan people greater success in their work for independent development, progress and prosperity of the country, expressing belief that the ties of friendship, cooperation and solidarity between the two countries would be further consolidated and developed.
Greetings to Russian President
Pyongyang, June 12 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, yesterday sent a message of greetings to Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin on the occasion of its National Day.
The message congratulated the Russian President, government and people on the national day.
It expressed conviction that the traditional relations of friendship between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation would develop on good terms in conformity with the spirit of the bilateral treaty of friendship, good neighborliness and cooperation and sincerely wished the Russian people peace and welfare.
Message of condolence to Bashar al Assad
Pyongyang, June 12 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, yesterday sent a message of condolence to Bashar al Assad of Syria on the demise of Hafez al Assad, President of the Syrian Arab Republic.
The message expresses deep condolences on his passing away, and notes that it is a great loss not only to the Arab nation, including the Syrian Arab people, but to the Korean people and the peace-loving people of the world.
It expresses belief that the Syrian Arab people will overcome great sorrow and grief over the loss of Hafez al Assad, their teacher, and surely accomplish his cause under the leadership of the Arab Socialist Baath Party.
Greetings to Russian Prime Minister
Pyongyang, June 12 (KCNA) -- Hong Song Nam, premier of the DPRK cabinet, sent a message of greetings to Mikhail Mikhailovich Kasyanov, Prime Minister of the government of the Russian Federation.
The message extended warm congratulations to the Prime Minister on the National Day.
It expressed belief that the DPRK-Russia friendly and cooperative relations would further expand and develop in various fields, including the economy, in the interests of the two peoples and wished the Prime Minister and the government of the Russian Federation greater success in their work for the nation's economic development and promotion of public welfare.
Condolences to Prime Minister of Syria
Pyongyang, June 12 (KCNA) -- Hong Song Nam, premier of the cabinet of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea , sent a message of condolence to Muhammad Mustafa Mero, Prime Minister of the Syrian Arab Republic.
Upon hearing the unexpected sad news that Syrian President Hafez Al Assad, an outstanding leader of the Syrian Arab people and a close friend of the Korean people, passed away, the message expressed deep condolences to him and through him to the government and people of Syria and the bereaved family of the deceased in his own name and in the name of the DPRK government.
Although Hafez Al Assad passed away, the lofty exploits left by him for the country and the people will remain for ever.
Convinced that the friendly Syrian Arab people will overcome the sorrow over the loss of their outstanding leader and surely accomplish his cause under the leadership of the Arab Socialist Baath Party, the message expressed deep condolences again to the government of Syria and the bereaved family of the deceased.
Minister of People's Armed Forces leaves for Syria
Pyongyang, June 12 (KCNA) -- Vice marshal of the Korean People's Army Kim Il Chol, Minister of the People's Armed Forces, and his party left here today for Syria to attend the funeral of President of the Syrian Arab republic Hafez Al Assad who is also General Secretary of the Arab Socialist Baath Party and commander-in-chief of the Syrian Army and Armed Forces.
They were seen off at the airport by vice-Minister of the People's Armed Forces Ryo Chun Sok, vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Pak Tong Chun and other officials concerned.
Central Fine Arts Studio
Pyongyang, June 12 (KCNA) -- Many art works are now being created at the Central Fine Arts Studio.
According to its vice-director Kim Pyong Nam, the studio has created at least 130 art works of various kinds from the outset of the year to greatly encourage people from all walks of life in the drive to build a powerful nation.
Among them are oeuvres highly appreciated at a series of national art exhibitions such as Korean painting "Rhododendron," oil painting "Mangyongdae at Moonlight Night" and embroideries "Kimilsungia" and "Kimjongilia."
Also among the successful works are scores of handicrafts, including celadon "Pterophyllum Eimekei Inlaid Flower Vase" and "Chrysanthemum Inlaid Flower Vase" and wooden handicrafts "Bear" and "Fox."
Artists of the studio are now busy creating oeuvres on the themes of Kaechon-Lake Thaesong waterway project and national reunification.
The Central Fine Arts Studio was founded in Juche 75 (1986) and is situated in Thongil Street, Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK.
The studio plays a big role in producing art works listed as national treasures as it has various creating groups including those producing Korean painting, oil painting, celadon, embroidery and handicrafts. Thousands of pieces of art works have been produced by the studio since its foundation.
Many art works of the studio were well received at art exhibitions held in southeast Asian countries.
Construction of salterns makes headway in Korea
Pyongyang, June 12 (KCNA) -- A large saltern is now under construction in Odaejin area on the east coast of North Hamgyong Province on the northern tip of Korea.
There was no saltern in this area in the past owing to the little difference between high and low tides and unfavorable geographical conditions. The wish of the Korean people to produce salt on the east coast came true after the construction of modern large Kwangmyongsong saltern last year.
Kwangmyongsong saltern is now profusely paying off and registering signal successes.
The saltern project in Odaejin is part of the nation's drive to solve the salt problem.
The saltern took full shape in a matter of several months after its ground-breaking ceremony thanks to high enthusiasm of the builders though they were hard pressed for everything.
They have built a water system extending more than 10,000 metres and over 12,000 metres of drains and many structures.
The work of leveling salt-fields and covering them with clay is progressing at its final stage. The project of digging waterways and the construction of water-pump stations and auxiliary establishments are being pushed forward simultaneously.
The landscape of Odaejin is getting more beautiful with the appearance of terraced salt-fields in the hillock area.
The builders are hastening their work to complete the main project earlier than scheduled in order to greet the 55th anniversary of the Worker's Party of Korea with great labour achievements.
Rodong Sinmun on demise of Hafez al Assad
Pyongyang, June 12 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today editorially mourns the passing away of President of the Syrian Arab Republic Hafez al Assad who is also general secretary of the Arab Socialist Baath Party and commander-in-chief of the Syrian Army and Armed Forces.
Noting his demise is a big loss to the Syrian Arab people and other Arab nations and the progressive peoples of the world, the editorial goes on:
Hafez al Assad devoted his whole life to the struggle for the independence, sovereignty, progress and prosperity of the country as a loyal son of the Syrian Arab people.
Many years ago, he met the great leader Kim Il Sung during his visit to the DPRK to establish intimate relations with him. He always supported the Korean people's just cause.
The Korean people always remember the strong sense of obligation and friendly feelings of Hafez al Assad and the Syrian Arab people.
The Korean people are convinced that the friendly and cooperative relations forged between the two peoples through the joint struggle for independence against imperialism will grow stronger and develop in all fields in the future, too, as in the past.
Though Hafez al Assad passed away, his noble exploits will always be remembered by the Syrian Arab people and the world progressives.
It is the belief of the Korean people that in the future, too, the Syrian Arab people will continue to advance along the path chosen by them.
Korean people's willingness for reunification
Pyongyang, June 12 (KCNA) -- National reunification is the supreme desire of the Korean people that brooks no further delay and the noblest revolutionary will of the Korean communists.
Rodong Sinmun today says this in a political essay.
The Korean people, a homogeneous nation, remains the only one nation on the earth that suffers from the division of national territory and the tragic division of the nation should be terminated without fail, the political essay says, and goes on:
All the proposals, including the three principles of national reunification, laid down by the Worker's Party of Korea for the country's reunification ever since Korea's liberation from the Japanese colonial rule fully reflect the will of all the fellow countrymen in the north and south of Korea and abroad for reunification. They are most reasonable and patriotic reunification proposals to rejoin the severed blood ties of the nation, preventing the moves of separatists at home and abroad and transcending the differences in ideology, ideal and system.
The President Kim Il Sung said the greatest gift that he could give to the Korean nation was national reunification. He devoted his whole life to the patriotic cause of the country's independence and reunification. He died at his post, examining a document on national reunification at the last moments of his life.
The great leader Kim Jong Il is the lodestar of reunification who is confidently leading the cause of national reunification, true to the President's behest.
The three principles of national reunification--independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity--and the proposal for founding the Democratic Confederal Republic of Koryo are the most reasonable and patriotic reunification principle and proposal set forth by the President and held fast to by Kim Jong Il. The DPRK will surely achieve the historic cause of national reunification by putting them into practice at any cost.
Independence is precisely Kim Jong Il's political philosophy, philosophy for reunification. Great national unity constitutes his warm love for the country and nation and the noblest will for reunification.
His benevolent politics, all-embracing politics and army-first politics are politics of love for man and the nation and politics for national reunification.
Optimistic is the prospect of national reunification thanks to the guidance of Kim Jong Il, lodestar of independent reunification and peaceful reunification and center of great national unity.
Abolition of U.S. military base in Libya celebrated
Pyongyang, June 12 (KCNA) -- Papers here yesterday dedicated signed articles to the 30th anniversary of abolition of the U.S. military base in Libya.
The Libyan Arab people abolished the U.S. military base and thus showed that strength of the people who value the national dignity and the sovereignty of the country is powerful, Rodong Sinmun said, and continued:
The imperialists, regarding Libya that advances along the road of independence as a thorn in their flesh, have persistently pursued the policy of pressure, interference, isolation and blockade against Libya, but they have failed to break the will of the Libyan Arab people.
With the conviction of the justness of their cause the Libyan Arab people under the leadership of colonel Moammer El Gaddafi, leader of the great September 1st Revolution, have smashed the anti-Libya moves of the imperialists, accelerated the building of a new society and defended the national dignity and the sovereignty of the country.
The Korean people support the Libyan Arab people in their just cause of defending the sovereignty of their country and promoting the building of a new society.
Minju Joson noted that the struggle of the Libyan people to build a new independent and prosperous society under the uplifted banner of independence against imperialism will surely be crowned with resounding victory.
U.S. order to start Korean War
Pyongyang, June 12 (KCNA) -- The U.S. gave an order to the "ROK Army" to start the war after its final examination of war preparations.
On June 17, Juche 39 (1950) the then U.S. President Truman sent Dulles as his special envoy to South Korea to examine the anti-north war scenario and give an order to start the attack.
On June 18 Dulles inspected the 38th parallel and the war preparations of the "ROK Army" units. That day he told Syngman Rhee to start the attack on North Korea with the counter-propaganda that North Korea first 'invaded' the south.
On the next day, he appeared at the South Korean "National Assembly" to egg the South Korean authorities on to a war, saying that the U.S. was ready to offer all the mental and material aid to South Korea in its fight against communism.
In the June 20 letter to Syngman Rhee he stressed that the role for the "ROK" to play was to invent a pretext for a war.
The "ROK Army" chief of general staff, upon receiving an order to invade the north from the U.S., on June 21 issued order no. 29 as regards the date of invasion to the first and second combat commands under his control.
On June 24 officers were confined to the barracks and an order was issued to them to stand by. That night a secret order was issued to break through the 38th parallel on the early morning of June 25 and start military actions against North Korea.
The U.S. order to provoke the war was directly given to Syngman Rhee under a carefully arranged plan.
Repatriation of unconverted long-term prisoners called for
Pyongyang, June 12 (KCNA) -- The South Korean Promotion Committee For Repatriation of the Unconverted Long-Term Prisoners reportedly called a press conference on June 9 and reiterated demand for immediate repatriation of the unconverted long-term prisoners, who call for their repatriation to the North Korea.
Most of the unconverted long-term prisoners who call for their repatriation are persons of over 70 years, including those of over 90 years.
Asserting that the repatriation of the unconverted long-term prisoners, who remain the symbol of division, would be a measure helpful to the atmosphere for national reconciliation and unity under the situation in which the historic south-north summit is to be held, the committee urged the authorities not to delay their repatriation any longer.
Priest Hong Kun Su, co-representative of the Council For the National Reconciliation and Independent Reunification, said that the unconverted long-term prisoners should be repatriated to the north as they demanded and that there should be neither political pretext nor strings as regards this issue.
Socialist cause of Korea supported
Pyongyang, June 12 (KCNA) -- H.S. Surjeet, general secretary of the central committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and A. Bardhan, general secretary of the National Council of the Communist Party of India, separately met the DPRK ambassador to India on June 5 and 6.
On the occasion they said that the historic China visit of the great leader Kim Jong Il was a significant event which instilled the conviction of the victory into the socialist movement of the world.
Supporting the Korean people in their cause of building a powerful socialist nation, they expressed conviction that the north-south summit will make a contribution to the reunification cause of the Korean nation.
They reaffirmed their support to the worker's party and people of Korea in the struggle for the socialist cause.