KCNA refutes U.S. report on terrorism

    Pyongyang, May 3 (KCNA) -- The U.S. state department in an "annual report on terrorism" on April 30 again labelled the DPRK as a "terrorism sponsor". This is a provocative criminal move of the Bush administration to internationally isolate the DPRK, pursuant to its undisguised hostile policy towards the DPRK.
    In this regard the DPRK cannot but question the U.S. if it is entitled to talk about someone's "issue of terrorism."
    No terrorist acts, big or small, reported in the world were carried out without U.S. involvement.
    A typical example of U.S. international terrorism was airstrikes the U.S. has made at Iraq for the last ten years to overthrow the government of a sovereign state. In less than one month since its appearance the Bush administration carried out air raids on Iraq, thus demonstrating its "strength" as the kingpin of terrorism. Recently it again bombed Iraqi civilian facilities and residential quarters, killing or wounding many people.
    Such being the case, the U.S. cited the DPRK as a "sponsor of terrorism" out of its guilty conscience.
    The DPRK has clarified more than once its principle and stand on opposing all forms of terrorism and has put them into practice.
    The U.S. is labelling other countries as "terrorism sponsors" and putting political and military pressure on them. This is aimed to conceal its true colours as the kingpin of international terrorism.
    Washington had better mind its own business.
    The U.S. is well advised to have its terrorists' hands stained with blood washed before taking issue with others.

Newspapers on development of DPRK-EU relations

    Pyongyang, May 3 (KCNA) -- Papers here today say that the DPRK visit of the high-level delegation of the European Union will mark an important occasion in developing on a fresh basis the bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation. Rodong Sinmun notes that in recent years the EU has rejected outside intervention and domination and maintained independence in the fields of politics, economy, security and diplomacy while opposing unipolar world and calling for many-sided development of international relations and multipolar world in keeping with the trend of the times towards global independence.
    13 of the 15 EU member states established ties with the DPRK, which is positive contribution to the development of the overall international situation, the paper says, and goes on:
    The fresh and positive development of the DPRK-EU relationship is greatly helpful to developing international relations and promoting the tendency towards a multipolar world in the new century and will positively contribute to ensuring peace and security in northeast Asia and the rest of the world.
    It is also beneficial to improving the situation on the Korean peninsula. This will give impetus to the growing movement of the Korean nation for reunification and the improvement of the north-south relations and contribute to ensuring peace and stability on the peninsula.
    Minju Joson stresses that there is no change in the DPRK's stand to favourably develop the relations with the EU.

Compensation for labor disasters called for

    Pyongyang, May 3 (KCNA) -- The Federation of South Korean Trade Unions held a rally in Seoul on April 28 with attendance of unionists and workers who suffered labour disasters, demanding compensation for damage, Seoul-based Radio No.1. reported. The organisation noted that more than 2,500 workers lost their lives due to disasters last year but the authorities have not taken any proper steps to compensate for them.
    It held that the authorities must set "day of working people suffering industrial disasters" and improve the living condition of the workers who fell victim to disasters.
    At the end of the rally the participants staged a signature campaign supporting their demand and a demonstration.

Rodong Sinmun on three principles of national reunification

    Pyongyang, May 3 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today in a signed article says that the three principles of national reunification serve as a cornerstone of national reunification as they provide the Korean nation with fundamental principles, basic ways and guarantees for solving the issue of reunification by the nation's efforts in conformity with its independent requirements and basic interests. The article further says:
    The principle of independence is a fundamental principle of reunification reflecting its nature.
    What is essentially required to reunify the country independently is for the Korean nation to be responsible for the issue and hold fast to the stand of solving the issue independently on the principle of national self-determination.
    All members of the nation should join efforts to reunify the country independently with high national pride and dignity. Herein lies the most right way of overcoming all obstacles and achieving national reunification.
    The principle of peaceful reunification indicates the basic way of national reunification.
    If Korea is to be reunified peacefully it is necessary to defuse the tensions and remove the danger of war and the U.S. should drop its hostile policy towards the DPRK to stifle it and opt for ensuring a lasting peace on the Korean peninsula.
    The principle of great national unity provides the north and south of Korea with differing ideologies and systems with a fundamental guarantee for solving the issue of national reunification by their concerted efforts.
    The basic purpose of the great national unity is to provide a sure guarantee for the independent and peaceful reunification by pushing aside the differing ideologies and systems in the north and south, placing the common interests of the nation above all and achieving the great national unity of all Koreans desirous of national reunification on that basis.
    All the Koreans in the north, south and abroad should promote co-existence, co-prosperity and common interests and join efforts to reunify the country regardless of differing ideologies and systems.

Greetings to Polish President

Pyongyang, May 3 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, today sent a message of greetings to Aleksander Kwasniewski, President of Poland, on the day of its constitution. Extending wholehearted congratulations to the president and the people of Poland on the day of the constitution, their national holiday, the message wished him success in his work.
Foreign minister Paek Nam Sun also sent a message of greetings to his Polish counterpart Wladyslaw Bartoszewski on this occasion.

High-level EU delegation leaves

    Pyongyang, May 3 (KCNA) -- A high-level delegation of the European Union led by Goran Persson, President of the European Council and prime minister of Sweden, Javier Solana, high representative for common foreign and security policy of the EU, and Chris Patten, commissioner for external relations of the European Commission, left here today after wrapping up the visit to the DPRK. A farewell function took place at the airport.
    Goran Persson together with Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, reviewed the guard of honor of the three services of the Korean People's Army.
    The delegation was seen off by Paek Nam Sun, minister of foreign affairs, and other officials concerned.

Gift to Kim Jong Il

Pyongyang, May 3 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il received a gift from Goran Persson, President of the European Council and prime minister of Sweden, Javier Solana, high representative for common foreign and security policy of the EU, and Chris Patten, commissioner for external relations of the European Commission, on a visit to Korea. The gift was handed to an official concerned on May 2.

Gifts to Kim Jong Il from foreign parties

    Pyongyang, May 3 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il received a gift from the central committee of the Popular Liberation Movement of Angola. The gift was handed by Mario Antonio Carvalho, member of the political bureau of the c.c., the movement and its secretary for information who is leading the visiting movement delegation, to Kye Ung Thae, member of the political bureau and secretary of the c.c., the Workers' Party of Korea, yesterday.
    He also received a gift from the visiting delegation of the Arab Socialist Baath Party of Syria.
    The gift was handed by Mohammad Khalifah, member of the national leadership of the party and director of the cultural and training department of the national leadership who is leading the delegation, to Choe Thae Bok, alternate member of the political bureau and secretary of the c.c., the WPK, on the same day.

Kim Jong Il receives high-level EU delegation

    Pyongyang, May 3 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il today received a visiting high-level delegation of the European Union. Present were members of the delegation led by Goran Persson, President of the European Council and prime minister of Sweden, Javier Solana, high representative for common foreign and security policy of the EU, Chris Patten, commissioner for external relations of the European Commission.
    Kang Sok Ju, first vice-minister of foreign affairs, was on hand.
    Kim Jong Il had a talk with them in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
    There were open-hearted discussions about a series of issues of mutual concern.

EU delegation gives luncheon for Kim Jong Il

    Pyongyang, May 3 (KCNA) -- The visiting high-level delegation of the European Union today hosted a luncheon in honor of Kim Jong Il, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission. Leader Kim Jong Il was invited to the luncheon.
    Also present on invitation were Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly= Jo Myong Rok, director of the general political department of the Korean People's Army = Kim Il Chol, minister of the People's Armed Forces= Yon Hyong Muk, member of the DPRK National Defence Commission = Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the WPK Central Committee and chairman of the DPA= Kim Kuk Thae, secretary of the c.c., the WPK= Paek Nam Sun, minister of foreign affairs= and Kang Sok Ju, first vice-minister of foreign affairs.
    Diplomatic envoys of some European countries and representatives of international organizations here were invited.
    Present there were members of the delegation led by Goran Persson, President of the European Council and prime minister of Sweden, Javier Solana, high representative for common foreign and security policy of the EU, and Chris Patten, commissioner for external relations of the European Commission.
    The luncheon proceeded in a cordial and friendly atmosphere.

EU delegation interviewed

    Pyongyang, May 3 (KCNA) -- A high-level delegation of the European Union had a press conference at Pyongyang Koryo Hotel today. Present there were mediapersons in Pyongyang, journalists accompanying the delegation and correspondents of different countries here.
    Goran Persson, President of the European Council and prime minister of Sweden, Javier Solana, high representative for common foreign and security policy of the EU, and Chris Patten, commissioner for external relations of the European Commission, spoke at the conference.
    They noted that the delegation had an open-hearted and in-depth talk with Kim Jong Il, Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission, about a series of matters.
    Stressing the historic importance of the process of inter-Korean reconciliation, they said they would work hard to ensure the continued progress of this process.
    The delegation's meetings and productive dialogues with the leadership of the DPRK were very beneficial, they said, adding that the current visit was a good start for the continued contacts between the EU and the DPRK.
    Then, answers were given to questions put by reporters.