Greetings to Amir of Qatar

    Pyongyang, September 3 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, yesterday sent a message of greetings to Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani, Amir of Qatar, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of its independence. The message extended warmest congratulations to him and the government and people of Qatar on the occasion.
    In the past 30 years the people of Qatar have made great achievements in their work for the progress and prosperity of the country, it noted.
    Expressing belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow stronger, the message sincerely wished him and the government and people of Qatar greater success in their work for the prosperity and development of the country.

KCNA on Japan's moves for militarization

    Pyongyang, September 3 (KCNA) -- The Japan Defence Agency on August 30 reportedly adopted the policy of building a "specialized unit" to "cope with attacks of guerrillas and special units". The adoption is nothing but hysteria of aggression intended to further expand and beef up its aggression troops under the pretext of non-existent "threat" from the DPRK and thus accelerate the militarization of Japan.
    This is clearly evidenced by the fact that the Japanese reactionaries cited the "infiltration of an operation ship of North Korea" and the case of a "stranded submarine" as a pretext for creating the "specialized unit" and they are planning to stage a "field drill" in Hawaii "under the simulated conditions of repelling armed guerrillas attack" and send its agents to U.S. intelligence operation facilities to let them learn latest technology.
    With the DPRK's launching of the satellite as a momentum Japan deliberately created a terror-ridden atmosphere internally and craftily built and has consolidated its political and military foundations to step up militarization and fascism, inciting hostility against the DPRK. Japan is now earnestly putting its program of military action into practice while peddling the old fiction of "threat from North Korea."
    The people's army and people of Korea are following with surging resentment and vigilance the attitude of Japan putting spurs to the buildup of aggression forces, far from redeeming its blood-stained past, its history of aggression, remaining hostile to the DPRK.
    We have warned more than once that militarization of Japan will lead to reinvasion and it will get nothing but a final ruin.
    Japan is well advised to reasonably judge where a real threat and danger come from and get rid of hysteria of militarism before it is too late.

Papers welcome President Jiang Zemin's Korea visit

    Pyongyang, September 3 (KCNA) -- Papers here today editorially welcome the official goodwill visit of Jiang Zemin, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the People's Republic of China, to the DPRK at the invitation of Kim Jong Il, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK. Rodong Sinmun says: Respected Jiang's Korea visit marks an important occasion of further boosting the friendly relations between the two peoples and creating a favorable environment for peace and security on the Korean peninsula and in the rest of Asia. His visit takes place at a time when the Korean people are making energetic endeavours to build a prosperous and powerful nation and achieve national reunification.
    The DPRK-Sino friendship is long-standing and has deep roots. The peoples of the two countries have hewed the path of victory, waging the common protracted and arduous struggle against imperialism and for independence, sovereignty and socialism.
    This friendship continues to develop in the new century.
    Kim Jong Il's visit to China in the first year of the 21st century and his visit in the last year of the 20th century marked an epochal event as it brilliantly decorated the history of the DPRK-China friendship and made it possible to further strengthen and develop the friendship in the new century.
    Jiang Zemin's current Korea visit is a demonstration of the bonds of the DPRK-China friendship growing stronger in the new century.
    The Chinese people are hard-working and dignified people.
    They have embarked upon the road of making a new advance to attain a higher goal of socialist modernization with Chinese characteristics under the leadership of the CPC with Jiang Zemin at the core. They are working hard to successfully carry out the three major tasks, thoroughly meet the demands of the "three represents" and achieve the reunification of the whole country.
    The PRC's authority and say are growing stronger in the international arena.
    The Korean people are pleased to note that everything is going well in China and extend firm solidarity to the Chinese people in their struggle for the complete reunification of the whole country.
    It is the consistent stand of the workers' party and people of Korea to steadily consolidate and develop the DPRK-China friendship. We are convinced that the DPRK-China friendship will grow stronger in the new century thanks to the joint efforts of the two parties and peoples.
    Minju Joson says that there is no change in the stand of the government and people of the DPRK to strengthen and develop the DPRK-China friendship in line with the need of the new century and the common interests of the two peoples.

S. Korean "Grand National Party's" anti-DPRK diatribe under fire

    Pyongyang, September 3 (KCNA) -- The secretariat of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland today released its information bulletin no. 810 denouncing the South Korean "Grand National Party's" anti-DPRK diatribe. It says:
    As already known, the DPRK sent a message to the "minister of unification" of South Korea yesterday proposing the earliest resumption of inter-Korean dialogue.
    No sooner had the message been conveyed to the south side and the world become known about it than it commanded positive support and welcome from the public at home and abroad.
    However, only anti-reunification forces of the "Grand National Party" styling itself a political party of South Korea, is talking nonsense, displeased with our proposal.
    They let loose a string of rubbish terming the DPRK's reunification-oriented proposal for dialogue a "very doubtful" offer aimed to save a minister of South Korea and that it is an "expression of trust" in a minister.
    This only discloses the vulgarity of the "GNP" as it cannot distinguish the proposal for the resumption of the dialogue for reunification, the offer related to state affair and the destiny of the nation, from an issue related to a minister.
    It is a shameful act disclosing its narrow mindedness and political ignorance for the "GNP" to try to use the great cause of the nation for its selfish interests and strategy.
    The "Grand National Party" is well advised to stop adding to its crimes against the nation.
    The DPRK strongly warns that it will have no future.

Jiang Zemin arrives

Pyongyang, September 3 (KCNA) -- Jiang Semin, President of the People's Republic of China, arrived here today by a special plane to pay a visit to the DPRK. He was warmly greeted by Kim Jong Il, Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, at Pyongyang airport.

Kim Jong Il greets Jiang Zemin at airport

    Pyongyang, September 3 (KCNA) -- Jiang Zemin, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the People's Republic of China, arrived in Pyongyang today by a special plane for an official goodwill visit to the DPRK at the invitation of Kim Jong Il, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission. Kim Jong Il came out to Pyongyang airport and warmly greeted Jiang Zemin.
    The airport and streets of the city were pervaded with festive atmosphere and friendship between the peoples of the DPRK and China.
    Thousands of Pyongyangites turned out to the airport to welcome Chinese guests, taking national flags of the two countries, bunches of flowers and welcoming decorations in their hands.
    National flags of the two countries were fluttering on the flagstaffs.
    Kim Jong Il came out to the airport.
    Present at the airport were President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly Kim Yong Nam, first vice-chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and director of the general political department of the Korean People's Army Jo Myong Rok, vice-chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and minister of the People's Armed Forces Kim Il Chol, secretary of the WPK Central Committee Choe Thae Bok, vice-president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's AssemblyYyang Hyong Sop, chairman of the central control commission of the WPK Pak Yong Sok, director of the propaganda and agitation department of the WPK Central Committee Jong Ha Chol, first vice-minister of foreign affairs Kang Sok Ju, vice-director of the international department of the WPK Central Committee Ji Jae Ryong, DPRK ambassador to China Choe Jin Su, and leading officials of the party, the armed forces, working people's organizations, ministries and media.
    Also present there were Chinese ambassador to the DPRK Wang Guozhang and Chinese embassy officials and Chinese students studying here.
    A plane carrying the goodwill envoy of the Chinese people landed at the airport.
    Amid the playing of the welcome music, the crowd warmly welcomed the guests, shouting "hurrah" and "welcome to Jiang Zemin".
    Kim Jong Il exchanged a warm handshake with Jiang Zemin and cordially hugged him.
    Arriving together with Jiang Zemin were member of the political bureau of the CPC central committee and vice-premier of the PRC state council Qian Qichen, alternate member of the political bureau and member of the secretariat of the CPC central committee Zeng Qinghong, member of the central military commission of the CPC and deputy chief of the general staff of the Chinese people's liberation army Guo Boxiong, director of the general office of the CPC central committee Wang Gang, head of the international liaison department of the CPC central committee Dai Biangguo, director of the foreign affairs office of the CPC central committee Liu Huaqiu and other suite members.
    A ceremony of welcome to Jiang Zemin took place at the airport.
    The national anthems of the two countries were played.
    Kim Jong Il and Jiang Zemin reviewed a guard of honor of the three services of the Korean People's Army amid the salvo of 21 guns.
    Kim Jong Il and Jiang Zemin received fragrant bouquets from a Korean child and women of the Chinese embassy here.
    Kim Jong Il and Jiang Zemin waved to the cheering crowd.
    Jiang made public an arrival statement.
    The limousine carrying Kim Yong Nam and Jiang Zemin headed for the city center, escorted by motorcycles.
    Jiang Zemin and his entourage were enthusiastically welcomed by Pyongyangites from all walks of life along the route of more than ten kilometres.

Jiang Zemin pays homage to Kim Il Sung

Pyongyang, September 3 (KCNA) -- Jiang Zemin, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the People's Republic of China, today visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace to pay homage to President Kim Il Sung. A floral basket was laid before the statue of Kim Il Sung in the name of Jiang Zemin.
Jiang Zemin made a bow to Kim Il Sung who lies in state for perpetuity and looked round orders and medals awarded to him by different countries and the mourners' hall Jiang Zemin made an entry in the visitor's book.

Japan's rocket test-fire assailed

    Pyongyang, September 3 (KCNA) -- Japan recently test-fired "H-2A" rocket of an improved type. Paper here today carry signed commentary in this regard.
    The testfire is nothing but a broad hoax to cover up its military purpose to launch an inter-continental ballistic missile, not for "space development" as claimed by the Japanese reactionaries.
    The rocket, an improved version of a series of prototype rockets perfected through a number of testfires since 1998, can easily be converted into an inter-continental ballistic missile to serve various purposes.
    Rodong Sinmun says:
    The recent rocket test-fire self-exposed the fact that Japan has totally discarded its spurious signboard of "exclusively self-defensive policy" which it has advocated since the Japanese imperialists' defeat and that it has taken a step forward toward the realization of its ambition for overseas expansion.
    The testfire is a clear indication that Japan's militarist policy to become the leader of Asia through overseas expansion is being pushed ahead under a carefully pre-arranged plan.
    The Japanese reactionaries'rocket testfire is targeted against the DPRK.
    The DPRK can never remain a passive on-looker to Japan's reckless moves to develop missiles primarily targeted against the DPRK and the moves of Japan's master the U.S. to stifle the DPRK.
    The U.S. and Japan should not misjudge the peace-loving DPRK's stand whereby it suspended satellite launch. It is the DPRK's legitimate sovereign right to push forward its peaceful missile program. as already clarified, the DPRK's missiles do not pose any threat to those countries which respect the DPRK's sovereignty but they have no mercy on Japan keen on a dangerous missile launch targeted against the DPRK and some countries which actively support it.
    The U.S. and Japan should clearly know this and stop running amuck.

Kim Jong Il gives banquet in honor of Jiang Zemin

    Pyongyang, September 3 (KCNA) - Kim Jong Il, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, gave a grand Banquet at the Moran House this evening in honor of Jiang Zemin, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the People's Republic of China, on a official goodwill visit to the DPRK.
    The banquet proceeded in an amicable and friendly atmosphere.
    At the banquet a performance was given by the merited chorus of the Korean People's Army.

Tete-a-tete talks held between Kim Jong Il and Jiang Zemin

Pyongyang, September 3 (KCNA) - Tete-a-Tete talks were held here today between Kim Jong Il, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and Chairman of the National Defence Commision of the DPRK, and Jiang Zemin, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the People's Republic of China. The talks proceeded in a sincere and friendly atmosphere.