Russia rejoicing at North Korea's successes in all spheres.

15/8 Tass 29

PYONGYANG, August 15 (Itar-Tass) - Russia regards the North Korean
national holiday - the 65th anniversary of Korea's Liberation - "as a
chance to show invariability of feelings of friendship and sympathy
(generated during the struggle against the common enemy), which we
experience for Korean people", said Russian Minister of Regional
Development Viktor Basargin, speaking on Sunday at a reception on the
occasion of this date in Pyongyang.
"This is corroborated by the fact that the Russian leadership took
this decision on my trip to the DPRK these 'hot' days, in the direct and
indirect sense of this word, when Moscow and a considerable part of
Russian regions are overcoming aftermaths of the unprecedented drought and
wildfires."
Basargin pointed to the commitment of the North Korea's leaders and
its people to the traditions of friendship and cooperation with Russia.
"This has been proven, better than by any words, by respect, with which
Koreans treat monuments and the memorial burial places for the Soviet Army
soldiers and officers, fallen in battles for Korea's liberation," he noted.
The minister was much impressed by the Sunday visit to the Liberation
monument on Mt. Moranbong and the memorial cemetery of Soviet citizens in
Sadong District in Pyongyang.
Basargin said Russian people know that "chairman of the North Korean
State Defence Committee Kim Jong-Il personally gives much attention to
this question".
According to the minister, even a short stay in the North Korean
capital gives a chance to get convinced "how dynamically this modern city
is developing, as is the entire country, which has changed beyond
recognition in the years that passed after the Liberation".
"We sincerely rejoice at successes, scored by friendly Korean people
in all spheres, and wish them even greater accomplishments and the
solution of impressive tasks of social, economic and cultural
construction, set forth on the eve of the 100th birth date of DPRK founder
Kim Il-Sung."
-0-bur/kud