Greetings to Russian President

     Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il, chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission, today sent a message of greetings to Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin on the 60th anniversary of the victory of the Russian people in the Great Patriotic War. The message reads:
    I extend warm felicitations and greetings to you and, through you, to your government and people on the 60th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War.
    Sixty years ago, the Russian people defended the motherland and made a big contribution to achieving world peace and security by waging a heroic fight to destroy fascism, shouldering the heavy burden of the Second World War.
    We highly appreciate the Russian people's great merits and historic feats.
    Believing that the DPRK-Russia friendly relations with long history and traditions will continue to grow in scope and develop in the future, too, I sincerely wish you and your people greater success in the work for the security and prosperity of the country.

Congratulations to Czech Prime Minister

     Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- Pak Pong Ju, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, sent a congratulatory message to Jiri Parouvek on his appointment as prime minister of the Czech Republic. The message expressed the belief that the relations developing on good terms between the two countries will further expand in the mutual interests in the future, too.

Contribution to Commemoration of June 15 Joint Declaration Urged

     Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- The International Liaison Committee for Reunification and Peace in Korea calls upon the world progressive and peace-loving anti-imperialist forces which support Korea's reunification and peace to actively turn out in the drive to force the south Korean authorities to demolish the wall of division and remove all the political and institutional repressive measures running counter to the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the start of the activity of the international fact-finding group for surveying the concrete wall and thus positively contribute to significantly commemorating the 5th anniversary of the declaration this year. Guy Dupre, secretary general of the committee, said this in his statement titled "The wall of division blocking the reunification of Korea must be pulled down" on May 2. He said the wall, a symbol of the tragedy of the Korean nation unjustly bisected by the U.S. imperialists after the Second World War, is a political and physical wall blocking the independent and peaceful reunification of Korea.
    He further said:
    Affirmative developments have been noted on the Korean Peninsula over the past 15 years. The biggest event is the adoption of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration thanks to the bold decision and the greatest magnanimity of Kim Jong Il, leader of the DPRK. The declaration is making a sizable contribution to the process of reconciliation, cooperation and reunification of the north and the south.
    It goes against not only the historic June 15 North-South Joint Declaration but also the desire of the entire Korean nation to achieve national unity independently and peacefully that the south Korean authorities refuse to demolish the concrete wall.

Members of Syrian Preparatory Committee Visit DPRK Embassy

     Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- The members of the Syrian preparatory committee for the commemoration of the Day of the Sun and the "meeting praising the great persons of Mt. Paektu" visited the DPRK embassy in Damascus on May 4. They laid a floral basket and bouquets before the full-length portraits of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il and made a bow.
    Deputy general secretary of the Socialist Unionist Party of Syria who is chairman of the preparatory committee, said it was entirely attributable to the leadership of the three generals of Mt. Paektu that the Korean people could win one victory after another in a protracted period in face of malicious challenges of the hostile forces.
    Praising the dynamic struggle of the Korean people for the building of a great prosperous powerful socialist nation as a model for the world progressives aspiring after socialism, he stated that the Syrian people were extending unquestioned support and solidarity to the friendly Korean people in their struggle to build a prosperous powerful nation, driving back the U.S. moves to stifle the DPRK
    A deputy to the People's Assembly of Syria and member of the preparatory committee, declared:
    It is the comradely obligation of the Syrian people to render support and encouragement to the courageous struggle of the Korean people. We are deeply impressed by their struggle scoring victories while energetically advancing the cause of Juche started by Kim Il Sung under the leadership of Kim Jong Il. We are convinced that the day will surely come when Korea will be reunified into one, displaying its grand sight as a great prosperous powerful nation

Rapid Spread of Brucellosis in S. Korea

     Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- Brucellosis, an animal epidemic affecting not only such herbivorous animals as cow but also man is spreading rapidly in south Korea, according to south Korean MBC. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry reported that 42 people and 6,200 cows had been infected with this disease by the end of April this year. This is a sharp rise as against last one year when 47 people and 5,300 cows were attacked with the disease, the radio reported.

Resolution Supporting DPRK Adopted

     Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- The 14th international seminar of communists on "Experience of Communists and Their Internationalist Tasks in the Struggle against Imperialism" which was held in Belgium from May 2 to 4 adopted a resolution expressing firm solidarity with the Korean people in their just cause of defending socialism, smashing the U.S. imperialists' moves to stifle the DPRK, and supporting it. Noting that the Korean people have suffered the pain of division for over half a century owing to the U.S. occupation of south Korea and its military intervention, the resolution says:
    Leader Kim Jong Il has brought up a matchless army capable of destroying any enemy by leading the Songun revolution.
    It is justifiable that the DPRK should resort to whatever means to defend its independence and the system it has chosen.
    The U.S. should withdraw its armed forces and means of war from south Korea.
    And it should stop threatening the DPRK and come to the dialogue, the only way of defending peace in the region and denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula.
    We oppose all forms of interference and destructive acts against the DPRK and support the process of the reunification of the Korean Peninsula.
    We delegates of communist and workers' parties extend support to the Workers' Party of Korea leading the Korean people in their struggle for the peace and reunification of the peninsula. The seminar brought together party delegations and delegates of many countries including those of the Belgian Labor Party, the Workers' Party of Korea, the Communist Party of Cuba, the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks, the Bulgarian Communist Party (Georgi Dimitrov), the Communist Party of Sweden, the Communist Party of Chile and the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Support and Solidarity for Korean People's Struggle Voiced at Intfl Meeting

     Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- An extraordinary meeting of the world communist and labor parties for solidarity with the DPRK was held in Brussels on May 4 under the sponsorship of the Belgian Labor Party. At the meeting speeches were made by the general secretary of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks and other delegates of parties of different countries including the Communist Party of Estonia, the Communist Party of the Philippines, the Communist Party of Chile and the Spanish Communist Party.
    The speakers expressed full support and militant solidarity with the Workers' Party of Korea in its invariable stand on protecting the national sovereignty and socialism and denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and with the Korean people in their struggle for the independent and peaceful reunification of the country on the basis of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration.
    They referred to the specific ways of rendering support to the just cause of the WPK and the Korean people.
    A letter to leader Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting.
    The meeting was attended by delegations and delegates of over 40 communist and labor parties including the Belgian Labor Party, the Communist Party of Cuba, the Communist Party of Tajikistan and the Bangladeshi Communist Party.

National Cooperation Called for in S. Korea

     Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- It was reported that the Solidarity for Implementing the South-North Joint Declaration on May 3 released a statement titled "The government should cancel south Korea-U.S. cooperation for war and take a positive approach toward national cooperation for peace". The statement said:
    The situation in the Korean Peninsula is inching closer to a touch-and-go one due to the U.S. reckless hostile policy and war moves against the north.
    However, the south Korean authorities are engrossed in acts against the nation, blindly toeing the U.S. line. Although they know well who is harassing peace in the Korean Peninsula, they visit the White House to beg for peace, still harboring illusion about America and turning aside from national cooperation.
    National cooperation and the "south Korea-U.S. alliance" can never go together and lasting peace can settle in the peninsula only through national independence, not through dependence on outsiders.
    South Koreans should now discard flunkeyism and national nihilism and seek a way out through national cooperation with transparent spirit of national independence. This can only guarantee peace and national reunification and prosperity.
    The "south Korea-U.S. alliance" is an outdated framework dating back to the era of the Cold War and dependence on the U.S. only leads to national ruin.
    The government authorities should not pursue the U.S.- dictated sycophantic diplomacy to serve it but carve out the destiny of the south Koreans through national cooperation to serve the Koreans.

Anti-U.S., Anti-war Struggle Called for

     Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun Monday in a signed article stresses the need to intensify the anti-U.S., anti-war struggle through national cooperation. Recalling that the United States is driving the situation on the Korean Peninsula to a grave phase of war while antagonizing the DPRK, pursuant to its aggressive policy for dominating the DPRK, and the south Korean military authorities are zealously toeing the U.S. line, ignoring the idea of "By our nation itself", the basic spirit of the June 15 joint declaration, the article says:
    All the recent developments indicate that in order to defend peace on the Korean Peninsula and reunify the country, the Korean nation should further intensify the anti-U.S., anti-war struggle than ever before.
    Peace on the peninsula is not protected by anyone and nobody else brings the reunification of the country to us. The Koreans should defend peace on the peninsula and bring earlier the reunification of the country by themselves.
    All the Koreans should follow the idea of "By our nation itself" and wage a more valiant anti-U.S., anti-war struggle and the struggle for independent reunification. At the same time, they should dynamically struggle to contain and reject the south Korean bellicose forces keeping to the road of crimes against the fellow countrymen, pursuant to the U.S. imperialists' policy of aggression and war.
    No matter how desperately the U.S. imperialists may work to ignite a criminal war against the DPRK while brandishing a nuclear stick, they cannot do harm to the Koreans' cause of independent and peaceful reunification making progress thanks to their concerted efforts.

Japan Well Advised Not to Even Dream of Sitting on UNSC

     Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- The Japanese ruling quarters including the chief executive set a goal of winning permanent membership of the UN Security Council this year and are very busy with a diplomatic offensive to attain it. In this regard Rodong Sinmun Monday in a signed commentary advises Japan not to even dream of sitting on the UNSC.
    It goes on:
    What is ridiculous is that Japan regards it as a settled matter to become a permanent member of the UNSC under the pretext of its "financial contribution" to the United Nations. Japan, however, is not qualified to sit on the SC.
    Japan has neither honestly reflected on the most hideous crimes the Japanese imperialists committed against humanity in the last century nor settled them though nearly 60 years have passed since their defeat. On the contrary, it is more rapidly veering to the Right and heading for militarism.
    By sitting on the SC the Japanese reactionaries seek to behave as a political power by abusing its authority and realize its wild ambition to dominate Asia and conquer the world, which they failed to do so in the past.
    To allow Japan to become a permanent member of the SC is as dangerous a move as splitting the UN and inviting a new militarist war to the international arena. For this reason, many countries of the world including Asian countries are strongly opposed to Japan's bid for permanent membership of the SC.
    It is quite ridiculous and laughable for Japan to go hectic with shuttle entreaty and bribing diplomacy in a bid to realize its militarist ambition and hold a responsible position at the UN, swimming against the trend of the world.
    Japan can never win the trust of the international community as long as it is seeking militarization and overseas expansion without redeeming its past crimes.

Rodong Sinmun Observes Day of Russian People's Victory

     Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- The feats of the Russian people in the victory in the Great Patriotic War will be immortal with history, says Rodong Sinmun Monday in an article dedicated to the 60th anniversary of their victory in the war. Noting that May 9 is a significant day deeply engraved in the history of the Russian people, the author of the article goes on:
    The Great Patriotic War of the Soviet people was a grim test and a just war for defending the Soviet motherland and socialism.
    The Soviet army and people defended the Soviet motherland with honor and demonstrated the invincibility and might of the socialist system by winning victory in the war through the display of a high degree of unrivalled bravery, mass heroism and patriotic spirit. They played a decisive role in routing international fascism and saving humankind from the danger of fascist enslavement.
    The Soviet people's victory in the war was a historic event that opened the heyday of the prosperity of the Soviet motherland and brought a dramatic turn in the worldwide balance of forces between progress and reaction.
    Today the Russian government and people are making increased efforts to defend the security and strategic interests of the country by carrying forward the tradition of the victory in the war. On the occasion of the 60 anniversary of the war victory, they highly honor the war veterans and are strengthening military and patriotic education of the youth, while taking measures to fortify defense capabilities and achieve territorial integrity.
    The Korean people sincerely hope that everything will go well in Russia.
    The DPRK and Russia are close neighbors and the two peoples have long history and tradition of friendship. Today DPRK-Russia friendship is favorably developing in conformity with the desire and interests of the two peoples. This is beneficial to social development in the two countries and guarantee of regional peace.
    The DPRK-Russia friendship and cooperation will be made stronger by the common efforts of the two countries in the future.

Kim Yong Nam Greets Russian President

     Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Monday sent a message of greetings to Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, Russian president, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the victory of the Russian people in the Great Patriotic War. The message noted that history would always remember the exploits and contribution the Russian people made by winning a great victory in the fight against the barbarous tyranny of fascism that threatened the existence of humankind.
    In the belief that the bilateral traditional ties of friendship and cooperation would continue to grow stronger in the future, too, the message sincerely wished the Russian president greater success in his responsible work for the stability and prosperity of the country and the well-being of the people.

Greetings to Russian PM and FM

     Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- Premier of the DPRK Cabinet Pak Pong Ju Monday sent a message of greetings to Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Yefimovich Fradkov on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the victory of Russia in the Great Patriotic War. The message said that the victory won by the Russian people in the war to protect their country from fascist Germany made a great contribution to defeating fascism and protecting world peace and security.
    Expressing the belief that the economic and cooperative relations between the two countries would more substantially grow stronger, the message sincerely wished him and his government a greater success in their work.
    Meanwhile, Foreign Minister of the DPRK Paek Nam Sun sent a similar message to his Russian counterpart Sergei Viktorovich Lavrov.

Bean Farming Encouraged in DPRK

     Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- Great efforts are being directed to bean cultivation to solve the issue of edible oil and protein food in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Bean farming had been almost neglected in the past because of its low yield.
    In recent years, however, great attention has been paid to the cultivation of high-yielding bean seeds.
    This year the acreage under bean cultivation will double that of last year.
    High-yielding bean seeds have already been supplied to the farms throughout the country.
    Rodong Sinmun, organ of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, editorially calls on all the provinces, cities and counties to reap a rich bean crop this year by following the example shown by army units.
    On May 3, the agricultural working people of the Chongsan Co-op Farm, Kangso County, South Phyongan Province, challenged all the peasants across the country to a socialist emulation for finishing the transplantation of rice-seedlings and maize and bean sowing in time and in a qualitative way.
    Co-op fields are now animated with bean seeding.
    Korea is the home of bean and bean food is one of the Korean people's favorite dishes.

Stamps on Ecological Environment of Tok Islet Issued

     Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- The Korea Stamp Corporation has published a sheetlet showing the ecological environment of Tok Islet. Seen in the upper part of the sheetlet is a stamp showing the So (West) and Tong (East) islets belonging to Tok Islet, viewed by a pair of binoculars, under the words "Ecological Environment of Tok Islet." Beneath it, a blue Korean Map is flanked by four kinds of stamps showing Dianthus superbus L. var. longicalycina (Maxim) williams, Lysimachia mauritiana Lam., Zalophus lobatres and Larus crassirostris living on and around the islet.
    Given in the lower part are words "Tok Islet consists of 30-odd rocky islets including So and Tong islets and sunken rocks" and the sizes, circumferences and the heights above the sea level of the So and Tong islets.
    The stamps vividly represent the beautiful ecological environment of Tok Islet, a part of the Korean territory, with various species of flowers and rich marine resources.

Floral Tribute Paid to Fallen Servicepersons of Soviet Army

     Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- Wreaths were laid before the Liberation Tower today on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Russia's victory in the Great Patriotic War. Guards of honor of the Korean People's Army lined up there.
    Amidst the playing of the wreath-laying music wreaths were placed before the tower in the joint name of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly and the Cabinet of the DPRK and in the name of the Russian embassy here and of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces, the Foreign Ministry, the DPRK-Russia Friendship Association and the Pyongyang City People's Committee.
    Written on the ribbons of the wreaths were words "Glory to the fallen fighters of the Soviet Army!"
    Bouquets and flowers were also laid before the tower by staff members of the Russian embassy and diplomatic envoys of various countries here and Pyongyangites.
    The participants observed a moment's silence in memory of the fallen fighters before looking round the tower.
    Present at the wreath-laying ceremony were Vice-President of the SPA Presidium Yang Hyong Sop, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kung Sok Ung, Vice-Chairperson of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries Hong Son Ok who is chairperson of the DPRK-Russia Friendship Association, officials concerned and working people in the city.
    Also on hand were Ambassador Andrei Karlov and staff members of the Russian embassy and diplomatic envoys of various countries here.
    Wreaths and flowers were also placed at the cemetery of fallen fighters of the Soviet Army in Sadong District, Pyongyang.
    Meanwhile, wreaths, bouquets and flowers were laid before the liberation towers and statues of the Soviet Army in local areas.

For Spanish-speaking people

Kim Jong Il envia mensaje a Putin

     Pyongyang, 9 de mayo (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il, Presidente del Comite de Defensa Nacional de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, envio el dia 9 un mensaje de felicitacion a Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, Presidente de la Federacion Rusa, con motivo del 60 aniversario del triunfo del pueblo ruso en la gran guerra para defender a la patria. El mensaje senala:
    En ocasion del 60 aniversario del triunfo en la gran guerra para defender a la patria, le envio mi calurosa felicitacion y saludo a Vd. y, por su conducto, al gobierno y el pueblo de Rusia:
    Hace ahora 60 anos, el pueblo ruso, al encargarse de la responsabilidad importante de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, desplego la lucha heroica por derrotar el fascismo e hizo un gran aporte a defender a la patria y preservar la paz y la seguridad del mundo.
    Apreciamos altamente los meritos y hazanas historicas del pueblo ruso.
    Estoy convencido de que las relaciones de amistad Corea-Rusia con larga historia y tradiciones continuaran ampliandose y desarrollandose tambien en el futuro y le deseo de todo corazon a Vd. y a su pueblo mayores exitos en la labor para la seguridad y la prosperidad del pais.

Kim Yong Nam envia mensaje al presidente ruso

     Pyongyang, 9 de mayo (ATCC) -- Kim Yong Nam, presidente del Presidium de la Asamblea Popular Suprema de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, envio el dia 9 un mensaje a Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, presidente de la Federacion Rusa, para felicitar el 60 aniversario del triunfo del pueblo ruso en la gran guerra para defender a la patria. El mensaje senala que la historia no olvidara eternamente los meritos y proezas del pueblo ruso que logro la gran victoria en la lucha contra las crueles arbitrariedades del fascismo que amenazaba la existencia de la humanidad.
    El remitente expresa conviccion de que las tradicionales relaciones de amistad y cooperacion entre los dos paises seguiran ampliandose y desarrollandose tambien en lo adelante y le desea de todo corazon al destinatario mayores exitos en su labor responsable para la estabilidad y la prosperidad del pais y el bienestar del pueblo.

Rodong Sinmun censura intento de Japon de entrar en CS

     Pyongyang, 9 de mayo (ATCC) -- El mandatario y otros gobernantes de Japon lanzan una intensa campana diplomatica para cumplir su objetivo de hacerse en el ano en curso miembro permanente del Consejo de Seguridad de la ONU. Pero, que no lo piense Japon ni en el sueno. Senala asi el diario Rodong Sinmun en un comentario individual del dia 9 y prosigue: Lo que mueve a risa es que este pais isleno cree que puede ganar atributo de miembro permanente del CS por su "contribucion financiera" a la ONU. Pero, no tiene calificacion para asumir tal responsabilidad.
    Hasta la fecha a 60 anos de su derrota, este pais isleno se niega a reflexionar e indemnizar sus archi-crimenes antieticos cometidos en el siglo pasado y se precipita por el camino de la derechizacion y militarizacion.
    Los reaccionarios japoneses tratan hacerse miembro permanente del CS para portarse como una potencia politica abusando de su autoridad y realizar su ambicion de dominar el continente asiatico y conquistar a todo el mundo, que no lograron en el pasado.
    Si Japon se hace miembro permanente del CS de la ONU, surgiran cosas muy peligrosas como la division de la ONU y una nueva guerra militarista en la escena internacional. Es por eso que numerosos paises del mundo, en particular, los asiaticos se oponen al ingreso de Japon en el CS de la ONU.
    Japon nada contra esta corriente internacional y despliega la diplomacia de peticion y pecuniaria para asumir tal responsabilidad.
    Con tal proceder nunca puede ganar la confianza de la sociedad internacional.