Friendly gathering held
Pyongyang, October 12 (KCNA) -- A friendly gathering with staff members of the UK embassy here took place at the Pyongyang Embroidery Institute yesterday.
Invited there were James Edward Hoe, charge d'affaires ad interim of the UK embassy, and embassy officials.
Present at the gathering were members of the Korean Committee for Friendship with the British people and employees of the institute.
After going round creating rooms, they conversed with each other and enjoyed an art performance, deepening the friendly feelings.
Film show held on National Day of Spain
Pyongyang, October 12 (KCNA) -- A film show was held at the Chollima House of Culture yesterday on the occasion of the National Day of Spain. It was sponsored by the DPRK-Spain Friendship Association.
Present there were Jon Yong Jin, vice-chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries who is also chairman of the association, and members of the association and working people in the city.
After a speech was made, the participants saw a Spanish documentary film.
Appeal by secretariat of CILRECO
Pyongyang, October 12 (KCNA) -- The secretariat of the International Liaison Committee for Reunification and Peace in Korea (CILRECO) had a phone and fax consultation with presidium members on October 5 on the occasion of the month of supporting the proposal for founding the Democratic Federal Republic of Koryo (DFRK) and released an appeal to the governments, political parties and organizations of all countries, international organizations and non-governmental organizations.
The proposal for founding the DFRK based on the three principles of national reunification has been supported not only by all the compatriots in the north and south of Korea and overseas but by the progressive and peace-loving forces of the world, the appeal said, and continued:
The proposal has encouraged the struggle of the Korean people for reunification of the country and opened a bright prospect of reunification.
The progressive and peace-loving forces of the world should conduct in various forms and ways the activities of widely propagandizing the fairness and justice of the proposal so as to lead the world public to support the proposal.
What is the most important task here is to more actively conduct on a world-wide scale the struggle to put an end to the U.S. troops' occupation of South Korea and foreign forces' interference in the issue of Korea.
The CILRECO calls on the governments, political parties and organizations of all countries, international organizations and non-governmental organizations to join in the struggle to realize as early as possible the proposal for founding the DFRK, the only way of putting an end to the U.S. interference in Korea which has lasted for more than half a century and the Korean people's tragedy of national division.
Foreign diplomats visit various places
Pyongyang, October 12 (KCNA) -- Diplomatic envoys and staff members of foreign embassies here visited the national fine art exhibition yesterday on the occasion of the 4th anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's election as General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and the 56th anniversary of the WPK.
They saw art works including those depicting the undying feats of President Kim Il Sung and the greatness of Kim Jong Il.
That day they also visited the educational and scientific exhibition, a laboratory of automatic control engineering, a scientific and technological information library and other places of Kim Chaek University of Technology.
Cuban ambassador hosts reception
Pyongyang, October 12 (KCNA) -- Esteban Lobaina Romero, Cuban ambassador to the DPRK, hosted a reception yesterday on the occasion of the 4th anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's election as General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and the 56th anniversary of the WPK.
The ambassador in his speech said that the WPK has victoriously led the struggle of the Korean people for constructing socialism, achieving the independent and peaceful reunification of Korea and building a prosperous and powerful nation which were wishes of President Kim Il Sung, founder of the WPK who enjoyed high international prestige and a great friend of the Cuban people.
He expressed conviction that the fraternal Korean people, true to the great idea of Kim Il Sung, would surely smash the moves of the U.S. imperialists and emerge victorious in the struggle to achieve the reunification of the country and build a prosperous and powerful nation under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il, General Secretary of the WPK.
The communist party, government and all the people of Cuba will always support the Korean people in their sacred struggle, he said.
It is of very weighty significance to strengthen the friendship and cooperation between the two parties under the present tense situation, he noted, adding that Cuba would do all it can to achieve the common cause in the future, too.
Choe Thae Bok, alternate member of the political bureau and secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, said in his speech made at the reception:
The party and people of Cuba have victoriously pushed forward the revolution and construction despite difficulties.
This is ascribable to the correct leadership of Fidel Castro, the supreme leader of the Cuban revolution who is loyal to the revolutionary principle and socialist cause.
The Korean people are rejoiced as over their own over all the successes the party and people of Cuba have achieved, by smashing all the moves of the imperialists and sincerely wish them greater success in their struggle to accomplish the socialist cause.
It is the firm will of the WPK to consolidate the friendship and unity between the two parties and peoples which President Kim Il Sung and respected Fidel Castro provided and brought into bloom on the road of anti-imperialist, anti-U.S. struggle.
Anniversary of establishment of DPRK-Russia diplomatic ties marked
Pyongyang, October 12 (KCNA) -- Newspaper today dedicate signed articles to the 53rd anniversary of the opening of diplomatic relations between the DPRK and Russia.
Rodong Sinmun says the establishment of diplomatic relations marked an important occasion in developing the friendly relations between the two peoples.
Noting that since the opening of diplomatic ties the bilateral relations have developed, standing the trials and tempest of history, the paper goes on:
The DPRK-Russia friendly relations have entered a new stage of development suited to the changed situation.
The historic meetings and talks between leader Kim Jong Il and President Putin some time ago, in particular, marked an event that opened a turning phase in boosting those relations.
The Moscow meeting following the Pyongyang meeting last year deepened the close relationship between the top leaders of the two countries and, on this basis, those relations have become viable.
The Korean and Russian peoples are now determined to boost those relations in accordance with the agreement reached between the leaders of the two countries and in the spirit of the DPRK-Russia Moscow declaration.
Russia is a close neighbour of the DPRK with a river in between and the Russian people are an honest and talented people, the paper says, and goes on:
Positive steps have been taken in different aspects of social life in Russia under the guidance of President Putin and achievements made in the work to build strong Russia.
Different sectors are getting stabilized and making progress, and the state power including the military capability is growing stronger. The position and say of Russia are rising on the international arena.
We sincerely hope that the efforts of the Russian people to achieve the sovereignty of the country and its territorial integrity and build strong Russia will bear fruits.
The prospect of the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries is good.
Statement of CPRF spokesman
Pyongyang, October 12 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland today made public a statement as regards the fact that South Korea has been put on an "emergency alert" in a tense atmosphere.
He said:
The 6th north-south ministerial talks, the 2nd meeting of the committee for the promotion of economic cooperation and the 2nd authorities' talks to pep up Mt. Kumgang tourism are slated to be held in October following the resumption of the north-south ministerial talks in September.
And the dates of exchanging the 4th visiting groups of separated families and relatives and the Seoul visit of the Taekwon-do exhibition team are coming near.
But in South korea the whole army and police have been put on "emergency alert" under the pretext of what is happening abroad, thus creating an unpredictable atmosphere of tension.
A "perfect security posture" is being called for at a "national security council meeting" or "emergency state council meeting." And the military authorities are "discussing measures against the movement of the Korean People's Army" and urging their army to be fully ready to go into action.
This is a dangerous act of going against the spirit of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration, which calls for pooling efforts of the nation, and getting on the nerves of the north, a dialogue partner.
In such tense atmosphere of alertness smooth dialogue and travel can not be expected nor can there by any guarantee that an accidental event would not take place.
Taking into consideration the situation prevailing in South Korea, we cannot but postpone the exchange of the 4th visiting groups of separated families and relatives and dispatch of our Taekwon-do team to Seoul for the time being.
We feel very regretful for this.
It is our steadfast and consistent will to develop dialogue and negotiation with the south side.
Proceeding from this stand, we will hold as scheduled the 6th north-south ministerial talks, the 2nd meeting of the north-south committee for the promotion of economic cooperation and the 2nd north-south authorities' talks to pep up Mt. Kumgang tourism slated for October.
We consider it reasonable to hold them in Mt. Kumgang area which we had already proposed and where security is guaranteed.
At the same time, we hope that the emergency alert will be lifted and a favorable atmosphere created soon in South Korea so as to exchange the visiting groups of separated families and relatives and Taekwon-do exhibition teams at an early date.
We believe that the south side will positively respond to our just measure.
Mt. Paektu, pride of Korea
Pyongyang, October 12 (KCNA) -- Mt. Paektu represents the spirit and pride of Korea.
Our ancestors idolized the spectacular sceneries presented by Mt. Paektu covered with snow all the year round, calling it "Mt. Thaebaek," "Mt. Jangbaek" and "Mt. Sangbaek" meaning that it is a mysterious mountain.
They made a particular mention of the three spectacular sceneries presented by Mt. Paektu, saying that it has open-hearted and dignified character of man and elegant and fascinating beauty of woman.
O1e of the three sceneries is solemn and majestic landscape of the mountain. The sublime peaks of Mt. Paektu rising high and Lake Chon surrounded by them seem to embrace the whole universe.
When seeing the peaks of Mt. Paektu and the majestic scenery of Lake Chon from the Janggun Peak, one may think that the fantastic nature was mysteriously created by heaven.
A vast primeval forest and ridges, big and small, surrounding it clearly visible from the Mudu Peak present picturesque scenery peculiar to Mt. Paektu.
A vast expanse of forest is bright with morning glow during the sun-rise and fog slowly sets in the forest, beginning from Mt. Sobaek in the evening.
One can hardly claim that one has seen the landscape of Mt. Paektu without enjoying this fantastic scenery.
Delicate and lovely is the landscape of Lake Samji standing against the background of peaks of Mt. Paektu.
Lake Samji with crystal clear water teems with fishes and wild ducks and flocks of deers and roe deers romp about, drinking water on its beach. It is reminiscent of a famous picture.
The Korean people regard Mt. Paektu as the pride and honour of the nation, saying that the three spectacular sceneries presented by it fully represent the matchless pluck, invincible spirit, unbounded magnanimity and noble and benevolent personality of peerlessly great men and woman, the three generals of Mt. Paektu.
Russian ambassador gives reception
Pyongyang, October 12 (KCNA) -- Russian ambassador to the DPRK Andrei Karlov gave a reception yesterday on the occasion of the 53rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the DPRK and Russia.
The ambassador said in his speech that the historic Moscow meetings and talks between President Putin and chairman of the National Defence Commission Kim Jong Il are important political events and that the agreements reached at the meetings and talks are the foundation which coordinates the effective cooperation based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit between the Russian Federation and the DPRK and close joint activities in the international arena.
The development of the Russia-DPRK relations entirely conforms with the interests of the two peoples and is beneficial to promoting peace and security in the Korean peninsula and northeast Asia, he said, and went on:
The two countries are dead set against the U.S. attempt to modify the 1972 anti-ballistic missile treaty and destroy the process of strategic arms reduction.
The Russian people are deeply moved to see the tenacious and devoted Korean people building a powerful nation, overcoming the difficulties under the energetic leadership of Kim Jong Il.
Russia sincerely wishes for the prosperity of the Korean people and peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.
Korea should be reunified peacefully by the Korean people themselves without the interference of foreign forces.
Foreign minister Paek Nam Sun said in his address that the DPRK-Russia relations are being developed onto a higher stage by the deep concern of the two supreme leaders and the joint efforts of the two countries.
Kim Jong Il's visit to Russia some time ago was a historic event which further deepened the intimate relations between the two leaders and boosted from a new angle the traditional DPRK-Russia relations of friendship, he said.
He said that the cooperation between the two countries is growing in depth in the economic fields including railways, science, culture and city management in accordance with the agreements reached at the summit meetings and talks, the joint declaration and the new state-to-state treaty.
Noting that the Russian people have made positive efforts to achieve the political and economic stability and prosperity of the country, prevent despotism, arbitrariness and terrorism in the international arena and establish a fair international order, peace and security under the leadership of President Putin, he sincerely wished the Russian leadership and people great success in their efforts.