Greetings to Fidel Castro Ruz

     Pyongyang, August 29 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission, Monday sent a message of greetings with Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, to Fidel Castro Ruz, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, president of the Council of State and president of the Council of Ministers of Cuba, on the 45th anniversary of the opening of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Extending warm fraternal greetings on the occasion to him and, through him, to the CPC and the Cuban government and people, the message says: Over the last 45 years since the opening of diplomatic ties, our two peoples have steadily expanded and developed the friendly bonds, closely supporting each other in the struggle to frustrate all the subversive moves of the U.S. imperialists, the common enemy, and defend socialism.
    We will bend efforts in the future to further strengthen the friendship and solidarity with the Cuban people based on revolutionary principles in accomplishing the noble cause of anti-imperialism and independence.
    Availing ourselves of this opportunity, we sincerely wish you greater successes in your responsible work for hastening socialist construction and promoting the well-being of the people, while frustrating the U.S. imperialists' moves to isolate and stifle Cuba.

Cause of Korean People Supported in Syria

     Pyongyang, August 29 (KCNA) -- We are convinced that the cause of the Korean people will certainly emerge victorious. Fayez Ismail, general secretary of the Socialist Unionist Party of Syria, said this, noting that the Syrian people can not repress their anger at the U.S. plots on the Korean Peninsula.
    When conversing with the DPRK ambassador to Syria who paid a courtesy call on him on Aug. 24, the general secretary said: The U.S. attempts to break the will of the Korean people, but the DPRK under the wise guidance of Kim Jong Il is reliably defending its dignity and sovereignty.
    The U.S. should accept the just demand of the Korean people, he said.

Struggle against U.S. Moves for New War Called for

     Pyongyang, August 29 (KCNA) -- Marwan Sudah, chairman of the Arab Solidarity Committee for Supporting the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front and the Struggle of the South Korean People, released a statement on Aug. 14 on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Korea's liberation. He recalled that the U.S. imperialists have so far imposed unbearable sufferings and misfortunes on the south Korean people by converting south Korea into their colony and military base.
    There is no more urgent task for the south Korean patriotic people of all strata than to terminate the U.S. imperialist colonial rule, achieve national independence and reunify the country today on the threshold of the lapse of 60 years since the occupation of south Korea by the U.S. forces, he said.
    He earnestly called upon all the Koreans in the north, the south and overseas and the progressives worldwide to pool strength in forcing the U.S. troops to pull out of south Korea and daringly smashing the U.S. imperialists' moves to provoke a new war.

Six-Way Talks and "Overthrow of System" Are Incompatible: KCNA

     Pyongyang, August 29 (KCNA) -- Things are happening that make one feel doubt again as to the U.S. approach to the six-way talks. The U.S. chief executive appointed an "envoy for the human rights issue of north Korea" and set in motion the reactionary Radio Free Asia to launch into a massive distorted propaganda about the lot of "defectors from the north." We swear that we regard this as an absurd and foolish attempt to "overthrow the system" of the DPRK at any cost by adding the "human rights" racket to the nuclear issue.
    It is something hither-to unknown that the U.S. administration appointed a presidential envoy specializing in the "human rights" issue of the DPRK. Still more grave is that the U.S. brought itself to appoint that "envoy" at the moment when there was a brisk movement for the resumption and progress of the temporarily adjourned six-party talks.
    This suggests that the greater the expectation for the six-party talks and the faster the process of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the fiercer will be the "human rights" offensive of the United States against the DPRK.
    The target of the six-way talks is the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and it must be based on the mutual respect for the sovereignty of the dialogue partner. Underlying the "human rights" racket kicked up by the U.S., however, is disregard of the sovereignty of the DPRK and it is aimed to "overthrow" its system. The six-party talks were delayed a little more than one year as the U.S. demolished the very foundation of the talks by disregarding and disrespecting its dialogue partner. The U.S. is now repeating this folly. This is tantamount to urging the DPRK to reconsider its approach to the talks.
    The six-way talks and the overthrow of the system can never go together. This is the lesson drawn from the suspension of the talks for thirteen months. If the U.S. behaves without discretion, oblivious of this lesson, it would be entirely to blame for all the consequences arising from this.
    It is the tragedy of the United States not to know the DPRK properly yet.

Evening Galas Mark Youth Day in DPRK

     Pyongyang, August 29 (KCNA) -- Evening galas of youth and students were held in different parts of the country on Aug. 28 in celebration of the Youth Day. The evening galas began as the song "Waltz of Youth Day" resounded forth. Youth and students in Pyongyang danced to the tune of "Dear Name," "Pride of Youth," "Girl on a Galloping Steed," "Let's Meet on the Front" and other songs at the plazas in front of the Tower of the Juche Idea, the Monument to Party Founding, the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium and other places.
    Similar events also took place in Sinuiju, Hamhung, Sariwon and other provincial capitals, cities and county seats. The participants in the evening galas fully demonstrated their firm determination to perform feats and emerge young heroes by making a breakthrough in the on-going general march for Songun revolution.

Youth Day Celebrated in DPRK

     Pyongyang, August 29 (KCNA) -- The Youth Day was significantly celebrated in various parts of the country Sunday. Senior party and state officials including Kim Yong Nam, Pak Pong Ju, Choe Thae Bok and leading officials of the Party and power bodies and working people's organizations in the capital and local areas visited Kim Il Sung University, the Namhung Youth Chemical Complex, the youth work team of the Kubin Stock-Farm in Kangdong County, the Kim Chaek Iron and Steel Complex and other industrial establishments, farms and universities and colleges to congratulate the young people there on the day. They, together with senior party and state officials, laid floral baskets and bouquets before President Kim Il Sung's statues, portraits of the smiling President and monuments to his revolutionary activities.
    The senior officials looked round the revolutionary museums and rooms dedicated to the history of the units they visited.
    After going round production sites and universities and other places, they met exemplary cadres and members of primary organizations of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League and labour innovators and told them about the noble intention of the Workers' Party of Korea associated with the slogan "Love the Youth!" They expressed firm expectation that all the young people would glorify the ideas of Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il on the youth movement and their exploits performed in leading it and work heroic feats in the general march for Songun revolution. The young people in different parts of the country spent the significant holiday with art performances, sports and amusement games, dancing parties and other colorful events.

Anniversary of Opening of Diplomatic Ties between DPRK and Cuba Observed

     Pyongyang, August 29 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun Monday dedicates a signed article to the 45th anniversary of the opening of diplomatic relations between the DPRK and Cuba. The article says:
    The peoples of the DPRK and Cuba are revolutionary comrades-in-arms and close friends who are respectively standing firm guard over the eastern outpost of socialism and the outpost of socialism in Western Hemisphere. They are struggling shoulder to shoulder on the road of anti-imperialism to realize the common targets and idea of the two peoples.
    The two countries have pursued close cooperation and exchange in various fields, consolidating the bonds of friendship.
    The Cuban people are now firmly defending the sovereignty of the country and socialism and successfully pushing forward the revolution and construction while frustrating every vicious move of the United States to isolate and stifle Cuba, under the unerring leadership of the Communist Party of Cuba led by Fidel Castro, the supreme leader of the Cuban revolution.
    Achievements have been made in socialist construction, too. The Korean people sincerely rejoice over the achievements made by the Cuban people as over their own and wish them greater successes in their just cause of protecting the motherland and the revolution from the moves of hostile forces at home and abroad and advancing socialist construction.
    Boosting the friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and Cuba is not only in full line with the desire and interests of the two peoples but conducive to accomplishing the common cause of the world progressive people for independence and socialism against imperialism.
    It is the common will and stand of the two peoples to give steady continuity to the history of the DPRK-Cuba friendship in the new century, too.
    The Korean people will as ever make positive efforts to consolidate the friendship and solidarity with the Cuban people, the article concludes.

Pak Pong Ju Receives Thai FM

     Pyongyang, August 29 (KCNA) -- Pak Pong Ju, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, met and had a friendly conversation with Thai Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon and his party at the Mansudae Assembly Hall Monday. Present there were Rim Kyong Man, minister of Foreign Trade, Kim Yong Il, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and officials concerned and Jullapong Nonsrichai, Thai ambassador to the DPRK.

Kim Yong Nam Meets Thai FM

     Pyongyang, August 29 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met Thai Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon and his party at the Mansudae Assembly Hall Monday. Present there were Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Yong Il, officials concerned and Thai Ambassador to the DPRK Jullapong Nonsrichai.

Gifts to Kim Il Sung from Thai PM and FM

     Pyongyang, August 29 (KCNA) -- President Kim Il Sung was presented with gifts by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon of Thailand. The gifts were conveyed to Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, by the visiting Thai foreign minister on Monday.

Gifts to Kim Jong Il from Thai PM, FM

     Pyongyang, August 29 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il was presented with gifts by Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon. The gifts were handed to Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Monday by the foreign minister of Thailand who is visiting the DPRK.

"Arirang" Performers Admired for Gymnastic Skill

     Pyongyang, August 29 (KCNA) -- The grand mass gymnastic and artistic performance "Arirang", a Kim Il Sung Prize laureate, which has been reproduced to celebrate the 60th anniversaries of the Workers' Party of Korea and the liberation of Korea, has been given before full audience every day. A few years ago, it caused a great sensation all over the world as a masterpiece of the century. The gymnastic and artistic technique of its more than 100,000 performers startles even experts, to say nothing of the spectators.
    In particular, Scene 4 "Our Thriving Country" and Scene 5 "Towards Higher Goal at Faster Speed" of Act 2, resembling an acrobatic and gymnastic performance, are highly acclaimed by the spectators.
    Those turning round tassels with long strings on the top of three storied human pyramids, forming five storied human pyramids and playing ring gymnastics are all university and middle school students and primary school children. They successfully perform such high sports technique as support of three storied pyramids, handstand on five storied pyramids and movements accompanied with rings. Over 1,600 students in Act 4 "Arirang of National Reunification" dance janggo-dance, employing various Korean dance rhythmic movements.
    Choe Hyong Gi, a section chief of the Creative Group of Mass Gymnastic Display, told KCNA it is a miracle that in a matter of three months the performers have become skilful in such movements even experts would take a year to do.

Construction of University of Music Nears Completion

     Pyongyang, August 29 (KCNA) -- The builders of Pyongyang University of Music have accelerated the construction at the final stage in response to the slogans jointly issued by the Central Committee and the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea. Its buildings are now taking their unique and grand shapes. They, who held a groundbreaking ceremony in March Juche 93 (2004), are giving a finishing touch to the interior project of six buildings including the main school and special course buildings, concert hall and dormitory and to campus arrangement. The project of tiling with stones the helical staircases (six stories) on both sides of the central hall of the main school building and the floor of the special course building is now at the final stage.
    The project of covering the floor of the concert hall with stones has been carried out at 95 percent and the project of laying seats and stage settings almost completed. The sunbeams-shape background of the stage, floor, walls and ceiling of the concert hall are welded with each other in a way of formative arts.
    The campus arrangement -- covering of several thousand square meters of area with turf, rubblework along roads, their pavement and drainage -- is being carried on in a three dimensional way.
    The conservatory on the bank of the Taedong River covers over 50,000 square meters and its total floor space is more than 40,000 square meters.

DPRK FM. Spokesman on Second Phase of Fourth Six-Party Talks

     Pyongyang, August 29 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry gave the following answer to a question put by KCNA on Aug. 29 as regards the issue of holding the 2nd phase of the fourth six-party talks: As known, at the first phase of the fourth six-party talks held between late July and early August, the participating countries agreed to open the 2nd phase of the talks in the week beginning on Aug. 29 and reached understanding of the need to refrain from words and deeds obstructive to the resumption of the talks during their recess. However, no sooner had the talks gone into recess than the United States began the large-scale war exercises "Ulji Focus Lens-05" targeted against the DPRK and staged such charade as appointing a "presidential envoy for the human rights issue of north Korea", an issue that had been put on hold till recently.
    This has thus eliminated all possibilities of holding the second-phase of the talks in the week beginning on August 29.
    What the U.S. has done is little short of spitting at the DPRK. It has seriously insulted its dialogue partner and broke faith with the DPRK.
    It is unimaginable for the DPRK to sit at the negotiating table with the U.S. at a time when the powder-reeking war exercises targeted against it are under way. Under such situation the DPRK, through the New York contact channel, has notified the U.S. side of its stand that it can not return to the six-party talks while those war exercises are going on and its view that the talks may be resumed in mid-September when the atmosphere chilled due to the saber rattling is likely to improve. The U.S. expressed understanding of this view.
    It is the stand of the DPRK to open the second-phase of the fourth six-party talks in the week beginning on September 12 when one will be able to view that the war exercises have worn down a bit.
    This is the utmost magnanimity the DPRK can show under the prevailing situation.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Delegation Leaves

     Pyongyang, August 29 (KCNA) -- The delegation of the Chinese Foreign Ministry led by Vice-Minister Wu Dawei left here today. It was seen off by officials concerned and the Chinese ambassador to the DPRK and staff members of the embassy here.

Paek Nam Sun Meets Chinese Foreign Ministry Delegation

     Pyongyang, August 29 (KCNA) -- DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun met and had a conversation with the delegation of the Chinese Foreign Ministry led by Vice-Minister Wu Dawei Monday.

Thai FM Hosts Reception

     Pyongyang, August 29 (KCNA) -- Thai Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon hosted a reception Monday in connection with his visit to the DPRK. Present there on invitation were DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Yong Il, officials concerned and diplomatic envoys of Southeast Asian countries in Pyongyang. Also present were the party of the Thai foreign minister and Thai Ambassador to the DPRK Jullapong Nonsrichai.
    The Thai foreign minister, addressing the reception, noted that his visit to the DPRK took place on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the DPRK. During the visit, wide-range views were exchanged at the talks with officials concerned in various fields to contribute to the development of the bilateral friendly relations, he said.
    Expressing the belief that those talks would contribute to boosting the bilateral friendly ties, he hoped that these relations would develop into friendly ones conducive to ensuring peace and stability and promoting confidence. He said he would work hard for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
    He wished Chairman of the National Defence Commission Kim Jong Il greater success in his work.
    Speaking at the reception next, Paek Nam Sun warmly congratulated the Thai foreign minister on his success made in his visit to the DPRK and expressed the conviction that points agreed upon between the two sides this time would be successfully implemented in the common interests of the two countries.
    It is an invariable stand of the DPRK government to set store by its relations with Thailand and steadily boost them, he said, stressing that the Korean people would work hard to boost the ties of friendship and cooperation with the Thai people. He hoped that the Thai foreign minister and his party would continue to closely cooperate with their Korean counterparts for the development of the bilateral relations, cherishing the Korean people's friendly feelings toward the Thai people.

For Spanish-speaking people

Firme lazo de amistad entre Corea y Cuba

    　Pyongyang, 29 de agosto (ATCC) -- El diario Rodong Sinmun inserto en su edicion del dia 29 un articulo dedicado al 45 aniversario del establecimiento de las relaciones diplomaticas entre Corea y Cuba. 　Los pueblos de Corea y Cuba son companeros de armas revolucionarios e intimos amigos que defienden firmemente el puesto oriental y el puesto occidental del socialismo, respectivamente, y luchan hombro con hombro en el camino del antiimperialismo e independencia para alcanzar el objetivo y la aspiracion comunes, senala el articulo y prosigue:
    　En el pasado ambos paises vinieron estrechando el lazo de amistad, la cooperacion y el intercambio en varias ramas.
    　Hoy en dia, bajo la correcta direccion del Partido Comunista de Cuba encabezado por Fidel Castro, maximo dirigente de la Revolucion Cubana, el pueblo cubano frustra a cada paso perversas maquinaciones de EE.UU. encaminadas a aislar y aplastar a Cuba, defiende firmemente la soberania del pais y el socialismo y promueve exitosamente la revolucion y la construccion.
    　Logra exitos tambien en la construccion socialista.
    　El pueblo coreano se regocija sinceramente de los exitos del pueblo cubano como de los suyos y le desea mayores exitos tambien en el futuro en el cumplimiento de la justa causa para defender la patria y la revolucion desde las maquinaciones de las fuerzas hostiles internas y externas y llevar adelante la construccion socialista. 　El mayor fortalecimiento de las relaciones bilaterales de amistad y cooperacion conviene enteramente a la aspiracion e intereses de ambos pueblos y es util para el cumplimiento de la causa comun de los pueblos progresistas del mundo para la soberania antiimperialista y el socialismo.
    　Los dos pueblos tienen voluntad y posicion de continuar en el nuevo siglo la historia de la amistad Corea-Cuba. 　El pueblo coreano hara tambien en el futuro todo lo que este a su alcance para fortalecer la amistad y la solidaridad con el pueblo cubano.

Son incompatibles el dialogo y el "derrocamiento del regimen"-comentario de ATCC-

 　    Pyongyang, 29 de agosto (ATCC) -- Acontecen las cosas que vuelven a suscitar la duda de la actitud de EE.UU. con respecto a las conversaciones a 6 bandas. Ultimamente el maximo gobernante de EE.UU. nombro al "enviado especial encargado del problema de DDHH del Norte de Corea" y particularmente lanzo desinformaciones de los casos de "desertores del Norte" a traves de la "Radio de Asia Libre".
    Lo consideramos como una aviesa intencion de EE.UU. de realizar de todas maneras el "derrocamiento del regimen" de la RPDC al sumar un alboroto de "DDHH" al problema nuclear.
    Es una cosa inedita en la historia el nombramiento por la administracion norteamericana del "enviado especial" del presidente que se encarga excluidamente del problema de "DDHH" de la RPDC.
    Lo mas grave es que el nombramiento de tal personaje coincidio en tiempo con la aparicion de los movimientos activos por el reinicio y el avance de las conversaciones a 6 bandas temporalmente en receso.
    Esto insinua que se tornara mas siniestra la ofensiva de "DDHH" de EE.UU. contra la RPDC a medida que se eleva la esperanza en la cita a 6 bandas y se acelera el proceso de desnuclearizacion de la Peninsula Coreana.
    La meta de la cita es la desnuclearizacion de la Peninsula Coreana y su base esta en el respeto mutuo de la soberania de la contraparte del dialogo. Pero, el alboroto de "DDHH" de EE.UU. tiene su base en la ignorancia a la soberania de la RPDC y su objetivo es realizar el "derrocamiento del regimen" de esta. La postergacion de un ano y pico de las conversaciones a 6 bandas se debe a que EE.UU. destruyo la base de estas al despreciar a la contraparte del dialogo. La reaparicion de tal acto de EE.UU. equivale a exigirnos a cambiar de idea en cuanto a tales conversaciones.
    Son incompatibles las conversaciones a 6 bandas y el "derrocamiento del regimen". Esto es la leccion de la interrupcion de esta cita de 13 meses. Si EE.UU. olvidando esta leccion, sigue actuando con imprudencia, debera asumir la entera responsabilidad de todas las consecuencias que emanen de e