Gift to Kim Jong Il from Russian Minister of Railway Transport
Pyongyang, November 2 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il was presented with a gift by the Russian Minister of Railway Transport.
The gift was handed to vice Marshal of the Korean People's Army Kim Il Chol, vice-Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and Minister of the People's Armed Forces, by Gennadi Fadeyev, Minister of Railway Transport of Russia, on a visit to the DPRK yesterday.
80th birthday of Cambodian King celebrated
Pyongyang, November 2 (KCNA) -- A friendship meeting took place at the DPRK embassy in Phnom Penh on October 28 on the occasion of the 80th birthday of Norodom Sihanouk, King of Cambodia.
Present there were Chhorn Hay, Secretary General of the Cabinet of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Khek Sysoda, Chief of Protocol, Chhoeng Chamroeun, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Oum Mannorine, Cambodian Ambassador to the DPRK, officials of the Secretariat of the King, the Ministry of Royal Palace and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, DPRK Ambassador to Cambodia Kim Jong Nam and embassy officials.
The participants first saw a DPRK documentary film "History of Korea-Cambodia Friendship".
The Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in his toast at the reception expressed thanks to the DPRK embassy for arranging the significant friendship meeting on the occasion of the 80th birthday of Norodom Sihanouk under the deep care of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
He noted that President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, who is carrying forward his cause, showed deep solicitude for the King and the people of Cambodia for scores of years.
Saying that the friendly ties between Cambodia and the DPRK are particular relations that cannot be found anywhere, he stressed that the government and the people of Cambodia will make every possible effort to strengthen and develop these historic friendly relations forever.
U.S. urged to respond to DPRK's constructive proposal
Pyongyang, November 2 (KCNA) -- The DPRK will never yield to the U.S. continued unilateral, brigandish demand and high-handed offensive based on the hostile viewpoint and stand towards the DPRK, says Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary.
The commentary goes on:
The Bush administration listed the DPRK as a target of its preemptive nuclear attack after singling out it as part of an "axis of evil". It openly demanded the DPRK disarm itself, refusing to recognize its system. All this is little short of denying the foundation of the DPRK-U.S. Agreed Framework (AF) adopted on the basis of mutual recognition.
The U.S. demanded the DPRK dismantle its "nuclear weapons program first", sidestepping the DPRK's proposal for the conclusion of a non-aggression treaty. This is nothing but a demand that the DPRK put down arms and appear before the U.S. barehanded.
The nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula should be settled under any circumstances on the principle of simultaneous action under the AF.
The conclusion of the non-aggression treaty between the DPRK and the U.S. provides the best way of settling the serious situation on the Korean Peninsula and solving its nuclear issue.
The DPRK's proposal is a very just and realistic peace proposal in view of the trend of the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the ever-deteriorating belligerent relations between the DPRK and the U.S.
There is no reason for the U.S. to fail to positively respond to the DPRK's proposal if it has no intention to invade the DPRK but is truly willing to settle the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula as the "world's only superpower."
The U.S. sidestepping the DPRK's proposal means its intention to invade it. The U.S. ruling quarters' remarks that they have no intention to invade the DPRK is nothing but hypocrisy.
The U.S. is well advised to properly understand the DPRK's unshakable principled stand and respond to Pyongyang's constructive proposal, away from its short-sighted and self-righteous way of thinking and stand.
Rodong Sinmun on DPRK's proposal for non-aggression treaty
Pyongyang, November 2 (KCNA) -- The DPRK's proposal for concluding a non-aggression treaty between the DPRK and the U.S. is the most reasonable and realistic way to peacefully and impartially bridge over and settle the grave situation and nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula, says Rodong Sinmun today in a signed article.
It is a just proposal intended to defend the destiny and interests of the Korean nation, the article says, and continues:
The proposal also conforms with the interests of the U.S. accordingly, there is no reason why the U.S. can not accept the proposal.
The DPRK and the U.S. are still in a state of a temporary truce.
There is no guarantee that the gun-firing will not be resumed on the Korean Peninsula in the state of ceasefire.
There is the increasing danger of war now that the U.S. frantic violation reduced the Korean Armistice Agreement to a dead document and U.S. military threat to the DPRK has become more undisguised.
In case a new war breaks out on the Korean Peninsula its destructive effect will be greater than that of the Korean War in the last century.
The most realistic way of preventing such a tragic consequence is to conclude a non-aggression treaty between the DPRK and the U.S.
Unshakable are the faith and will of the DPRK army and people to uphold the army-based policy, their life and dignity, to the last in a do-or-die spirit.
The U.S. should see their revolutionary faith and will and accede to the proposal for a non-aggression treaty.
It will be option fully conforming with the U.S. interests.
Congratulations to German Chancellor
Pyongyang, November 2 (KCNA) -- Hong Song Nam, Premier of the DPRK Cabinet, sent a congratulatory message to Gerhard Schroder on his reelection as Chancellor of Germany.
In the message he expressed conviction that the bilateral relations would continue to expand and develop in the future, too, and wished him and the German government bigger success in their work for prosperity of the country and well-being of the people.
Greetings to Dominican President
Pyongyang, November 2 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, today sent a message of greetings to Vernon Shaw, President of the Commonwealth of Dominica, on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of its independence.
In the message Kim wished the Dominican people well-being and prosperity.
DPRK government delegation leaves for Cuba
Pyongyang, November 2 (KCNA) -- A DPRK government economic delegation led by Ri Kwang Gun, Minister of Foreign Trade, left here today for Cuba to participate in the 22nd meeting of the DPRK-Cuba inter-governmental economic, scientific and technological consultative committee.
It was seen off at the airport by Ku Pon Thae, vice-Minister of Foreign Trade, and Esteban Lobaina Romero, Cuban Ambassador to the DPRK.
DPRK government delegation returns
Pyongyang, November 2 (KCNA) -- A DPRK government delegation led by Jong Thae Hwa, roving ambassador of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, today returned home after participating in the talks for the normalization of relations between the DPRK and Japan in Kuala Lumpur.
Humanitarian aid material presented to DPRK by Germany
Pyongyang, November 2 (KCNA) -- The government of Germany presented thousands of tons of frozen beef in humanitarian aid to the DPRK.
A presentation ceremony was held at Nampho Port on the west coast of the DPRK today.
Present there were Ri Yong Sok, vice-chairman of the Flood Damage Rehabilitation Committee of the DPRK, officials concerned and Tomas Gerberich, charge d'affaires ad interim, and staff members of the German embassy here, representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture of Germany, and members of the German aid delegation led by Christoph Burk.
Speeches were made and relevant documents exchanged at the ceremony.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the DPRK and Germany in March 2001 the government of Germany has so far presented more than 27,000 tons of frozen beef to the DPRK in humanitarian aid in four installments.
First meeting of panel for construction of Kaesong Industrial Zone held
Pyongyang, November 2 (KCNA) -- The first meeting of the panel for the construction of the Kaesong Industrial Zone took place here from October 30 to November 2 under the agreement reached at the 2nd meeting of the north-south committee for the promotion of economic cooperation.
An agreement adopted at the panel meeting said that the north and the south decided to hold a ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the Kaesong Industrial Zone in December and actively cooperate with each other in the efforts to complete the first phase development of one million Phyong of the zone by the year 2003.
It was decided that the north side would recommend that a law on the zone would be promulgated in November to rapidly push forward the construction and provide labour force necessary for the construction and the south side render the biggest possible cooperation so that the construction of external infrastructure including electricity, telecommunications and water service may be sped up in a commercial manner.
The north and the south agreed to discuss and solve the issues of passage, customs, quarantine and telecommunications related to the construction through the committee and working-level contacts between those concerned of both sides when railway and road links are reconnected.
They also agreed to set up an office concerned of the south side in the zone when it is built and hold the 2nd meeting of the panel for the construction in Seoul in December 2002.
The authorities of the two sides decided to actively cooperate with each other for the implementation of the agreement.
Memorandum of understanding signed by DPRK and Russian ministries of railways
Pyongyang, November 2 (KCNA) -- A memorandum of understanding on rebuilding and modernizing the railways on the Korean eastern coast was signed in Pyongyang today by the DPRK Ministry of Railways and the Ministry of Railway Transport of the Russian Federation.
The signing ceremony was attended by minister of railways Kim Yong Sam, vice-Minister of Railways Kim Ryong Gang and officials concerned from the DPRK side and Minister of Railway Transport Gennadi Fadeyev, vice-Minister Vladimir Sazonov and others from the Russian side.
The ministers inked the memorandum.
North-south economic meeting held
Pyongyang, November 2 (KCNA) -- The second meeting of the panel for the prevention of flood in the area along the River Rimjin took place here from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2 under an agreement reached at the second meeting of the north-south committee for the promotion of economic cooperation.
At the meeting the north side advanced a most reasonable proposal to prevent the flood, prompted by the unanimous desire of the Koreans to achieve national reconciliation and unity, and discussed it with the south side.
A joint press release on the meeting was released there.
It was pointed out in the joint press release that the north and the south shared the understanding of the significance and importance of preventing the flood. They had an in-depth discussion on such matters as conducting a joint survey of the basin of the River Rimjin and the lower reaches of the River Han, providing hydro-meterological information, installing flood forecast equipment and supplying saplings for the afforestation of the upper reaches of the River Rimjin before exchanging proposals, it noted.
It was also noted in the press release that the north and the south decided to discuss and solve the issues raised through further dialogue and contacts and agreed to hold the third meeting of the panel for the prevention of flood in the area along the river Rimjin in Seoul in January 2003.
The south side's delegation left Pyongyang by air on Saturday after participating in the meeting.
Russian Minister of Railway Transport interviewed
Pyongyang, November 2 (KCNA) -- Gennadi Fadeyev, Minister of Railway Transport of Russia, was interviewed by local reporters at the airport today before returning home after concluding his visit to the DPRK.
He said the Korean people are waging a dynamic drive, overcoming ordeals caused by the foreign forces and difficulties by natural disasters and that they are, indeed, diligent people.
He vent on:
I think that as a neighboring country Russia should cooperate with the DPRK in various fields.
Specified in the Moscow declaration adopted last year is the issue of linking Korean railways to the Trans-Siberian Railroad.
After the adoption of the declaration a lot of work has been done in this field and deep-going discussions were held during my current visit.
We repose great expectations in the future tripartite talks for linking railways.
The two peoples have intention to develop friendly relations.
The meetings and open-hearted talks between the top leaders of the two countries are of weighty significance in developing the Russia-DPRK friendly relations and wonderful special events.
DPRK Foreign Ministry spokesman rejects U.S. claim
Pyongyang, November 2 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK in an answer given to a question put by KCNA today accused the U.S. of insisting on its unilateral and arrogant assertion, sidestepping the DPRK's proposal to conclude a non-aggression treaty.
He said:
The DPRK advanced an important proposal to conclude a non-aggression treaty between the DPRK and the U.S. on Oct. 25 to bridge over the serious situation on the Korean Peninsula. It also clarified its will to clear the U.S. of its security worries if it legally assures the DPRK of its non-aggression on the DPRK including the nonuse of nuclear weapons.
Pyongyang's proposal is the best way to bridge over through dialogue and negotiations the grave situation created on the peninsula due to the threats of nuclear attack and preemptive attack posed by the U.S.
However, the U.S. insists on its absurd assertion that it would negotiate with Pyongyang only after it scraps its nuclear weapons program, persistently sidestepping the DPRK's call for legally guaranteeing non-aggression. By doing so, the U.S. seeks to mislead the world public opinion and create an environment for putting diplomatic pressure upon the DPRK.
This once again laid bare the U.S. brigandish design to disarm and stifle the DPRK and goes to prove President Bush's remark that the United States has no intention to invade the DPRK is sheer hypocrisy.
The DPRK and the United States have long been in confrontation due to deep-rooted antagonism. The mistrust and confrontation between them have become bitterer than ever before since the emergence of the present U.S. administration.
It is quite natural for the DPRK to produce various types of weapons by every possible means under the present situation where the DPRK and the U.S. are in the most hostile relationship and the former is exposed to the real threat of aggression from the latter.
Is there any need for the DPRK to exert so tremendous efforts for increasing the defence capability and make even special weapons despite its difficult economic conditions if such hostile relations do not exist between the DPRK and the United States?
We would like to state explicitly the U.S. demand for the DPRK's scrapping of its "nuclear weapons program" is sparking a new clash and compelling it to take a stronger corresponding measure.
The DPRK will not move first to get "recognition" by the hostile country and does not feel any need to beg for it.
Greetings to German Foreign Minister
Pyongyang, November 2 (KCNA) -- DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun sent a message of greetings to Joschka Fischer on his reelection as Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Expressing belief that the relations between the two countries, which have developed on good terms in various fields after establishing the diplomatic relations, would grow stronger on the principle of mutual respect for sovereignty equality and reciprocity, the message wished him greater success in his responsible work for enhancing the external position of the country.
Inter-Korean Red Cross working-level contact held
Kosong, November 2 (KCNA) -- A Red Cross working-level contact between the north and south of Korea was held in Mt. Kumgang from October 31 to November 2 to discuss the issue of building a meeting house for the separated families and relatives in Mt. Kumgang according to the north-south agreement.
At the contact both sides discussed the site, scale, design, ground-breaking ceremony, mode of building and other issues as regards the building of the meeting house as well as the issues of identifying whereabouts of those missing during the Korean War and whereabouts of separated families and relatives, the issue of the 6th meeting of separated families and relatives and so on.
Both sides agreed to consult concrete measures to materialize these issues in the future.