Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il on Thursday sent a congratulatory message to Choummaly Sayasone, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, president of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and chairman of the Central Committee of Defence and Security of Laos, on the 36th founding anniversary of the Republic.

The message said:

I extend warm congratulations to you and, through you, to the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and the government and people of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on the 36th founding anniversary of the Republic.

After the foundation of the Republic the Lao people have steadily consolidated the people's democratic system chosen by themselves as the genuine masters of the country and, in this course, made the great socio-economic development.

The Korean people are pleased that the fraternal people of your country are defending the socialist idea and bolstering the state might as a whole under the leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party headed by you and sincerely wish them better achievements in the efforts to attain the tasks and goals set forth in the 9th Congress of the party.

Expressing belief that the traditional DPRK-Laos friendly and cooperative relations would grow stronger in keeping with the noble intention of the preceding leaders of the two countries and the desire of the people, I wholeheartedly wish you greater success in your responsible work as well as you good health.