Offer of Plot for New U.S. Embassy Building Opposed in S. Korea

     Pyongyang, May 10 (KCNA) -- The People for Achieving Peace and Reunification and the Council for National Reconciliation and Independent Reunification reportedly issued a joint statement on May 6 against the offer of the plot for a new U.S. embassy building at the U.S. military base in Ryongsan. The statement drew attention to the fact that the south Korean authorities are now having a negotiation for an agreement with the U.S. to allot a part of the U.S. military base in Ryongsan instead of the site of Toksu Palace in Seoul for a new U.S. embassy building. It said the "government", which had been intending to offer the site of Toksu Palace for a new U.S. embassy building, are now going to allot to it a part of the U.S. military base in Ryongsan after hesitating in face of the strong opposition of the public.
    If the "government" failed to give up the negotiation on designating the U.S. military base in Ryongsan as the building lot, the U.S. would demand again the site of Toksu Palace, too, and then it would either repeat arbitrary and self-righteous practices against the people to meet the U.S. demand or make a bigger concession to the U.S., it warned.
    Opposing the offer of the U.S. military base in Ryongsan as the site for a new U.S. embassy building, it strongly demanded the "government" authorities open to the people the content of the negotiation with the U.S.

U.S., Human Rights Abuser, Denounced

     Pyongyang, May 10 (KCNA) -- The Reunification Solidarity on May 6 reportedly issued a statement titled "U.S., heinous murderer and human rights abuser, leave Iraq right away. Promptly withdraw planned troop dispatch to Iraq volunteering to be man-killing mercenaries". The statement recalled the continued exposure of facts about brutal maltreatment and tortures of Iraqi prisoners of war by U.S. troops.
    All the more serious is that the maltreatment and tortures of Iraqi POWs have been committed on organized and planned orders and at the connivance of the U.S. forces authorities, the statement said, and added: This is only a tiny part of the war crimes committed by the U.S. in Iraq.
    The humankind of the world, the statement went on, have clearly seen once again the barbarity and aggressive nature of the U.S. through those facts reported by media despite the Bush administration's control on the press.
    Nevertheless, the "government" authorities, with much talk about "alliance" with the U.S., are still going to dispatch troops to Iraq for cooperation in the war of aggression, thereby driving people to the field of death.
    Troop dispatch to Iraq can never be justified from the historical, legal and conscientious point of view, the statement said, and demanded the "government" immediately retract the decision on troops dispatch to Iraq.

U.S. Urged to Take Trustworthy Practical Action

     Pyongyang, May 10 (KCNA) -- It is necessary for the United States to take a trustworthy practical action for the success of a meeting of the working group of the six-party talks expected to be held sooner or later, says Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary. It goes on:
    There is no change in the basic stand of the DPRK to seek a negotiated peaceful settlement of the issue. Proceeding from this stand, the DPRK has kept exercising patience and flexibility and participated in the process of the six-way talks in a positive manner.
    The Korean people hate such a tragic fate as the Iraqis' and will never allow anyone to impose it upon them.
    The nuclear deterrent force of the DPRK does not aim at anyone who does not pose any threat toward it. The nuclear deterrent is a means for legitimate self-defence and a firm guarantee for beating back the U.S. preemptive nuclear attack on the DPRK and reliably defending its sovereignty, socialism, peace and security. If the U.S. takes a practical measure to abandon its hostile policy toward the DPRK from a realistic stand and on the basis of cool-headed judgment, the latter will undoubtedly take a corresponding innovative and trustworthy step.
    Success of the six-party talks and progress in the settlement of the nuclear issue will entirely depend on the U.S. attitude.
    If the U.S. truly stands for a negotiated and diplomatic solution to the issue, it should boldly make a switchover in its stance and take a trustworthy practical action. This is the only shortcut to the settlement of the nuclear issue.
    Nobody can predict what will happen in the future unless the U.S. changes its present stand and attitude. The U.S. had better bear this in mind and stop wasting time.

Relief Organization Formed in Japan

     Pyongyang, May 10 (KCNA) -- A liaison council of Japan for the relief of victims of an explosion at Ryongchon Railway Station grouping seven organizations in Japan including the National Association for the Promotion of Japan-Korea Diplomatic Relations and the Society of Japan for Solidarity with Korean Women was reportedly inaugurated on April 30. Representatives of those organizations in their statement released at a press conference in Tokyo recalled that the DPRK government rendered aid to Japan when there was the great earthquake in Hanshin in 1995 and said that "there exist pending issues between Japan and the DPRK but the humanitarian aid should be given on the basis of different judgment." They called on all the people in Japan to cooperate in raising fund.
    That day, Mataichi, secretary general of the Japan Social-Democratic Party, conveyed a letter of sympathy from Mizuho Fukushima, leader of the party, and relief fund to So Man Sul, chairman of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon).
    Meanwhile, Kwak Su Ho, vice-chairman of the Federation of South Koreans in Japan for Democracy and Unification, met Jo Ryong Hyon, vice-chairman of the Central Standing Committee of Chongryon, on April 30 to hand over a donated fund amounting to 500,000 yen ( Japanese currency) to him.

KCNA on Working Group Meeting of Six-Party Talks

     Pyongyang, May 10 (KCNA) -- As already reported, a meeting of the working group of the six-party talks is expected to open in Beijing on May 12 under an agreement reached at the second round of the six-party talks. The international community unanimously hoped that the meeting would prove fruitful, deeply concerned for it.
    The meeting, the first of its kind in the process of the talks, would predict the prospect of the third round of the six-party talks to be held in the future because what agenda items the participating countries will take up and on what they should focus their discussion pose as a very serious matter.
    The proposal of "reward for freeze" should be taken up as the major agenda item at the meeting whatever the cost and only then the meeting would satisfactorily attain its objective. This is the stand of the DPRK. This is a flexible proposal advanced by the DPRK as a first-phase measure, taking into full account the fact that there exists no confidence between the DPRK and the U.S. and Washington is not yet ready to accept Pyongyang's proposal of a package solution based on the principle of simultaneous actions all at once.
    It is the assertion of the DPRK that it should commit itself to scrap its nuclear program in return for the U.S. commitment to renounce its hostile policy toward the DPRK on the principle of "verbal commitments" and "action for action" and the U.S. and those countries concerned should make due compensation to the DPRK for its freeze of its nuclear program. This is an indisputably just and fair stand.
    The DPRK will participate in the meeting to discuss this issue. It is ready to take a positive and fair stand and attitude so as to make the meeting successful.
    However, the rumor has it that the U.S. still insists on its assertion that the DPRK should make the CVID and is set to unilaterally pressurize the latter to accept it at the upcoming meeting.
    Such unreasonable stand of the U.S. would only throw a hurdle in the way of the meeting. In that case the discussion of the issue would not proceed smoothly but will only spark off argument and the meeting would make it impossible to expect any success from the third round of the six-party talks. The DPRK is of the view that it would feel no need to sit with the U.S. at the negotiating table if the U.S. persistently insists on its wrong assertion that the DPRK should dismantle its nuclear program "in an irreversible manner" and the like in a bid to force the DPRK to disarm itself.
    The DPRK, however, will participate in the working group meeting with patience and magnanimity, proceeding from the stand to seek a negotiated peaceful solution to the nuclear issue between the DPRK and the U.S.. It takes two hands to make handclap. It is self-evident that the efforts exerted by the DPRK side alone would not be enough to make the meeting successful.
    The meeting can prove successful only when the U.S. responds to the DPRK's concession with concession and returns its magnanimity with magnanimity.
    Chances are not always available.
    The U.S. had better seize this opportunity to make a switchover in its stand.

Schoolchildren's Camp in Kaesong

     Pyongyang, May 10 (KCNA) -- A schoolchildren's camp is situated at the foot of picturesque Mt. Songak in Kaesong, a time-honored cultural city of Korea. It, which was opened on June 6 Juche 54 (1965), has the floor space of some 1,200 square meters and covers ten hectares.
    The camp, surrounded by pine, pine-nut, apricot and other trees and various species of beautiful flowering plants, has three Korean-style buildings, dining hall, etc.
    It accommodates some 1,500 Children's Union members in 15 terms from mid- April to late October every year.
    Children of servicemen serving in frontline units and those from schools in the city are now enjoying their holidays at the camp.
    During their holidays, the campers conduct colorful activities including a composition-presenting session, poem recitation, dancing party, amusements, sports games, mountaineering and visit to factories and historical spots in the city.

Ancient Korea, First State in East

     Pyongyang, May 10 (KCNA) -- Ancient Korea was the first state in the East which existed from the early 30th century B.C. to 108 B.C. in a vast area of northeastern Asia. Pyongyang was the capital of the state and Tangun is the founder of the country.
    National classics such as "Samkukyusa" (historical records on the Three Kingdoms--Koguryo, Paekje and Silla), "Jewangungi" (poetic records on the kings of the periods from Ancient Korea to 1308) and "Sejongsilrok" (true records on King Sejong) explain the social features in the closing years of the primitive society and before the appearance of the state and the establishment of ancient Korea by Tangun.
    Remains and relics of Tangun were unearthed in Kangdong County, Pyongyang, in Juche 82 (1993). The discovery proved in a scientific way that he was not a fable but real man, and renewed the explanation of the Korean nation's 5,000-year-long history.
    Tangun set up the capital in the walled city of Pyongyang and proclaimed the foundation of the state named Korea in the early 30th century B.C.
    This fact shows that ancient Korea was founded in the same period with ancient states established in the areas of the River Nile and Mesopotamia which have been known as the cradle of human civilization, and earlier than the states in the areas of the River Indus and Huanghe.
    Pyongyang was the center of politics, the economy and culture during all the period of ancient Korea.
    Ancient Korea had a developed ruling system with "Eight Articles on Violation of Restrictions" (a written criminal law) and strong military forces. The country made a progress in the economic field, too. It developed the iron industry in the end of the second millennium B.C. and extensively made and used ironware including farming tools in the first millennium B.C.
    Handicraft including earthenware and commerce were also developed considerably.
    Indeed, ancient Korea was a strong country of the East which existed nearly three millennia, establishing its own national culture and traditions and demonstrating its national power.

For Spanish-speaking people

Premier y canciller de RPDC reciben mensajes de consuelo de varios paises

     Pyongyang, 10 de mayo (ATCC) -- En relacion con el accidente de explosion ocurrido en la estacion ferroviaria de Ryongchon de la provincia de Phyong-an del Norte, el gobierno de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea recibio un telegrama de consuelo del gobierno de la Republica de Uganda, el primer ministro coreano del Consejo de Ministros Pak Pong Ju, los de los homologos de Mongolia Nambaryn Enkhbayar, del gobierno del Reino de Camboya Hun Sen y de la Republica Federal de Alemania Gerhard Schroeder y el canciller coreano Paek Nam Sun, los de los homologos de Malasia Datuk Sri Syed Hamid Albar, de la Republica de Indonesia Nur Hassan Wirayuda, de la Republica Socialista de Vietnam Nguyen Dy Nien, de la Republica Federal de Alemania Joschka Fischer, de la Republica de Bulgaria Solomon Passi, de la Republica de Checo (y vicepremier) Cyril Svoboda, de la Republica de Polonia Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz, del Reino Unido de Gran Bretana e Irlanda del Norte Jack Straw, de la Republica del Peru Manuel Rodriguez Cuadros y de la Republica de Nicaragua (interino) Sergio Blandon. Los telegramas senalan que se enteraron de la triste noticia de grandes perdidas humanas y materiales a causa del tragico accidente de explosion de trenes en la estacion ferroviaria de Ryongchon y expresan el mas profundo pesame y simpatia al gobierno de la RPDC, al pueblo coreano y los familiares de los afectados.
    Manifiestan firme solidaridad con los esfuerzos del pueblo coreano por resarcir cuanto antes los danos bajo la direccion del Partido del Trabajo de Corea y el gobierno de la RPDC.
    Ademas, los organos correspondientes y las organizaciones sociales de la RPDC recibieron semejantes mensajes por parte de las personalidades de la ONU, la Organizacion de solidaridad de los pueblos de Asia y Africa, la Organizacion Internacional Maritima, la Union de la Juventud Comunista de Alemania, la Asociacion de Amistad Laos-Corea, la Asociacion de Amistad y Solidaridad Congo Democratico-Corea y otras organizaciones internacionales y entidades de varios paises.

Exito de reunion de grupos de expertos depende de EE.UU.

     Pyongyang, 10 de mayo (ATCC) -- Como trascendidos, tendra lugar el 12 de mayo en Beijing la reunion de grupos de expertos para las conversaciones a 6 bandas segun lo acordado en la segunda ronda de estas. Ahora, la sociedad internacional expresa gran interes en ella y desea resultado positivo de esta incipiente reunion que sopesara la perspectiva de la tercera ronda de conversaciones a 6 partes Las agendas que presenten los paises participantes y el rumbo del debate que tomen constituyen cuestion importantisima.
    Creemos que debe presentarse y discutirse sin falta como agenda principal el proyecto de "congelacion vs. indemnizacion" y que solo de esta manera la cita lograra satisfactoriamente su objetivo.
    Este proyecto es una proposicion flexible y al mismo tiempo, deviene la medida de primera etapa puesto que la RPDC y EE.UU. no tienen confianza entre si y este ultimo pais no esta dispuesto a aceptar de una vez el proyecto de solucion global basado en el principio de accion simultanea.
    Es muy justa e irrefutable con cualquier argumento nuestra insistencia segun la cual la RPDC y EE.UU. deben expresar la voluntad de la "renuncia de la politica hostil del segundo vs. la desistencia de plan del desarrollo de armas nucleares de la primera" partiendo del principio de "palabra vs. palabra" y "accion vs. accion", y el segundo y otros paises interesados deben hacer indemnizacion correspondiente a la primera al mismo tiempo que esta congela su plan de portadores nucleares.
    Participaremos en la venidera cita para discutir este problema y tomamos la decision de mantenernos en la posicion y la actitud activas y justas para hacerla fructifera de todas maneras.
    Se rumorea que EE.UU. todavia se obstina en la insistencia de la "renuncia completa, verificable e irreversible del plan nuclear" y en la venidera cita trata de volver a imponer de modo unilateral ese paquete a la RPDC.
    Es obvio que tal insistencia injusta de EE.UU. creara solo un obstaculo artificial ante la reunion.
    Cuando esto suceda, la discusion del problema no sera satisfactoria provocando solo disputas y en fin, hara imposible esperar el exito de la tercera ronda de conversaciones a 6 partes.
    En el caso de que EE.UU. siga obstinandose en su injusta insistencia de "reversible e irreversible" para desarmarnos, no sentiremos la necesidad de entablar las conversaciones con esta superpotencia. Esto es nuestro criterio.
    Pero, partiendo de la invariable posicion de encontrar la solucion negociada del problema nuclear con EE.UU., participaremos sinceramente con la paciencia y la magnanimidad en la reunion de grupos de expertos para las conversaciones a 6 bandas.
    Esta claro que solo con los esfuerzos unilaterales de la RPDC no se puede esperar el exito de la reunion.
    Es posible esperar exito de la reunion solo cuando EE.UU. responda con las concesiones y la magnanimidad a las concesiones y la magnanimidad de la RPDC.
    La oportunidad no se ofrece siempre.
    EE.UU. no debe perder la presente ocasion para demostrar practicamente el cambio de su posicion.