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February 6, 2013 - No. 13

Defend the Korean People's Right to Be

Oppose U.S.-South Korean Nuclear War Games!

Defend the Korean People's Right to Be
Oppose U.S.-South Korean Nuclear War Games!

Anti-DPRK UN Security Council Resolution 2087
DPRK Affirms Its Right to Peaceful Use of Space, Sovereignty and Self-Defence
U.S. Double Standards over Satellite Launch Denounced

DPRK's Nation-Building Program in 2013
Continuing the Work to Strengthen the Socialist Economy, Boost National Defence and Advance Reunification

Coming Events
Halifax Weekly Pickets: Hands Off Syria! Hands Off Iran!
Public Meeting: Tales of Terror -- The U.S. War on Cuba


Defend the Korean People's Right to Be

Oppose U.S.-South Korean Nuclear War Games!

On Monday, February 4, U.S. and south Korean naval and land forces began three days of war exercises off the East Sea of Korea which involve live-fire, naval manoeuvres and submarine detection drills. The USS San Francisco, a nuclear submarine, aegis destroyers as well as battleships from the south Korean navy are deployed in drills aimed at engaging the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in war.

According to the monopoly media, this is a "show of force" against the DPRK for supposedly carrying out "a ballistic missile test" on December 12, 2012 when it successfully put in space the earth satellite Kwangmyonsong 3-2. This is no mean feat for a small nation, facing a 60-year-old economic and political embargo from Anglo-American imperialism, which has now demonstrated its advanced scientific capability in space and threatens the U.S. and big nation monopoly on space technology.

In the wake of the December 12 satellite launch, the UN Security Council unjustly imposed further sanctions against the DPRK on January 22, adding the DPRK Space Agency and other institutions to an economic blacklist. In the face of these unjust measures, the DPRK has repeatedly re-affirmed its right to undertake the peaceful use of space and has pledged to take all necessary measures, including conducting further nuclear tests to safeguard its sovereignty, independence and right to live in peace. Now this is all being used by the U.S. imperialists to justify their war games in the East Sea to escalate war hysteria against the DPRK.

It is important for the Canadian people and all peace-loving humanity to reject the "moral equivalency" argument the U.S. imperialists float with their allies and in the monopoly media that because of the "nuclear threat" from the DPRK, the U.S. is justified in conducting military exercises aimed at invading the DPRK, building its nuclear weapons capability in south Korea (which is in violation of the Korean Armistice Agreement (KAA) signed at the end of the Korean War), and further militarizing south Korea against the supposed threat from the DPRK. This "moral equivalency" argument covers up that it is the U.S. which wants to use the entire Korean peninsula as a launching pad for imperialist war and aggression against China to dominate East Asia and the world, and that the Korean people should be cannon-fodder. This must not pass!

The fact is that from the end of the Korean War in July 1953 to the present, the DPRK, which defeated the U.S. and its allies including Canada in that war, has been calling for a Peace Treaty with the U.S. to replace the KAA. The KAA began the ceasefire at the end of the Korean War and from the time of its signing, the U.S. has overtly and covertly pushed to ignite another war with the DPRK. This includes introducing nuclear weapons to south Korea in violation of the KAA, and refusing to engage in peace treaty talks and other provisions of the KAA following the ceasefire. To date, the U.S. has refused to sign a peace treaty with the DPRK. Instead, it carries on yearly joint military drills with south Korea and Japan aimed at invading the DPRK and imposing regime change. It will be remembered that last June, the joint military land and sea exercises included the bombing of a DPRK flag, a highly provocative act. Clearly, the aim of the U.S. is not peace on the Korean peninsula, but to keep the Korean peninsula in a state of constant military tension and instability, going against the interest of the Korean people and the peoples of East Asia and the world.

In the face of these ongoing threats, the DPRK has had to take serious measures to ensure that it can defend itself militarily in the event of another Korean war which has the potential to engulf all humanity in a nuclear holocaust. The working class and people of Canada and the world must demand that the U.S. immediately stop these war games and sign a peace treaty with the DPRK which is what the Korean people and all humanity want.

No to U.S.-South Korean Military Exercises to Threaten the DPRK!
The U.S. Must Immediately Sign a Peace Treaty with the DPRK!

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Anti-DPRK UN Security Council Resolution 2087

DPRK Affirms Its Right to Peaceful Use of Space, Sovereignty and Self-Defence

On January 24, the National Defence Commission (NDC) of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) issued a statement condemning the UN Security Council (UNSC) for passing UN Security Council Resolution 2087 based on the disinformation that DPRK's successful launch of its Kwangmyongson 3-2 earth satellite was a ballistic missile test. On the basis of this resolution, further sanctions against the DPRK were imposed. The statement of the NDC denounces the U.S. Obama regime for masterminding this manoeuvre within the Security Council and elevating its hostile policy towards the DPRK to a new and dangerous level, by attempting to rally international public opinion against the DPRK's sovereign right to the peaceful use of space.

In response to this criminal action of the UN Security Council on January 22, the NDC stated that it condemns and rejects the UNSC resolution pointing out that the DPRK will never recognize the unjust resolutions that are aimed at violating its sovereignty and denying its right to the peaceful use of space, as recognized by international law. The NDC statement points out, "Sovereignty is what keeps a country and nation alive. The country and the nation without sovereignty are more dead than alive. The satellite launch was the exercise of an independent right pertaining to the DPRK as well as its legitimate sovereignty recognized by international law. Therefore, the U.S. and those countries which launched satellites before have neither justification nor reason to find fault with the DPRK's satellite launch."

The NDC also points out that other countries that launch space satellites also use ballistic missile technology, and that it is unacceptable that when the DPRK does the same, it is considered a weapons test which endangers the whole world.

Concerning the efforts to denuclearize the Korean peninsula and ensure peace and stability in the region, the NDC makes the important point that as the condition for denuclearizing the Korean peninsula, the U.S. and other big nuclear powers must be forced to abandon nuclear weapons, and as long as the U.S. does not denuclearize, the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula cannot be realized. The NDC further states: "The army and people of the DPRK have drawn the conclusion that only when the denuclearization of the world is realized... including the denuclearization of the U.S., will it be possible to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula and ensure peace and security of the DPRK." The NDC statement notes that since the U.S. is using the UNSC to encroach on the sovereignty and independence of the DPRK, there is no basis for the Six-Party Talks to proceed.[1]

Finally, the NDC affirms the DPRK's right of self-defence, stating that the country will take all measures to foil any effort by the U.S. and its aggressor allies who dare to violate its sovereignty and independence, affirming that the people and army and the nuclear capability of the DPRK will be fully mobilized against aggressors particularly the U.S., "the sworn enemy of the Korean people."

TML condemns UNSC resolution 2087 as a wanton attack on the DPRK's right to the peaceful use of space, its independence and sovereignty, the ongoing campaign of the Harper government to support these and other unjust UNSC resolutions, and calls on the working class and people to stand with the DPRK which is fighting for its right and the right of all nations and peoples to live in peace on the basis of self-determination, sovereignty and independence.

Note

1. The Six-Party Talks are negotiations held intermittently since 2003 for purposes of denuclearizing the Korean peninsula. Attended by China, Japan, the DPRK, Russia, South Korea and the U.S., they are hosted in Beijing and chaired by China. Talks were suspended in June 2008 due to continued obstruction by the U.S. and its allies Japan and south Korea.

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U.S. Double Standards over Satellite Launch Denounced

On February 2, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) addressed the double standards of the U.S. Specifically, the U.S. denied that the DPRK has the right to launch a satellite for peaceful purposes while defending a satellite launch by south Korea. He pointed out that it is the U.S. which masterminded the UN Security Council's "Resolution" which attacks the launch of the DPRK's satellite Kwangmyongsong 3-2, but supports and defends south Korea's launch of satellite Naro. This will only draw worldwide censure and ridicule on the U.S., the spokesman added. His explanation of the situation continued.

A U.S. State Department spokesman argued that south Korea carried out its launch in a responsible manner and clarified that it is not for military purposes. Therefore, south Korea's approach is allegedly different from that of the DPRK. The U.S. denial of the DPRK's right to launch a satellite for no justifiable reason while consenting to the satellite launch by its client state south Korea is the height of double standards and impudence, the DPRK's spokesman pointed out.

The successful launch of Kwangmyongsong 3-2 by the DPRK was the exercise of the legitimate right of a sovereign state to the peaceful use of space, consistent with universally recognized international law. Even professional institutions in the U.S., to say nothing of the international community, have verified that the DPRK's satellite is in orbit.

Despite this reality, the U.S. perpetrated its hostile act via the UNSC to negate the DPRK's independent and legitimate right to launch its satellite, using the occasion as yet another opportunity to stifle the DPRK. The U.S. sought a pretext to deny a satellite launch and block the DPRK's scientific research into space and its economic development. "Resolution" 2087 was passed to trample on the right of the DPRK to determine its own economy and violates the fundamental principles of the UN Charter which calls for respecting each country's sovereignty and their impartial treatment.

Highlighting yet another double standard, it was pointed out that last year, the U.S. allowed its south Korean puppets to drastically extend the range of their missiles in violation of the very missile non-proliferation regime instituted by the U.S. itself, straining the regional situation.

The U.S. self-serving imperialist logic is that its allies are permitted to violate international law, while those countries it deems hostile are not to be permitted to do anything -- it is law of the jungle which prevails.

The U.S. brazen double standards and hostility will be met with the toughest retaliation from the army and people of the DPRK who will not cease to defend the sovereignty and dignity of the country, the spokesman concluded.

(KCNA)

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DPRK's Nation-Building Program in 2013

Continuing the Work to Strengthen the Socialist Economy, Boost National Defence and
Advance Reunification 


New Year's celebration in Pyongyang, January 1, 2013.


Kim Jong Un delivers 2013 New Year's message.

Since January 1, the people of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) have been discussing the New Year's Message delivered by Kim Jong Un, Supreme Leader of the DPRK, and are taking initiatives to implement the plans for the nation laid out in that speech. The main themes of the speech summed up the achievements of 2012, the centenary of the birth of Kim Il Sung, the founder of modern Korea, and acknowledged the people's many proud achievements on all fronts of their socialist nation-building project. Kim Jong Un, hailed these accomplishments and called on the people of the DPRK to go all out and carry the work further. This includes the work to build an independent socialist economy that meets the needs of the people, further develop modern Korean socialist culture, boost national defence to safeguard against outside threats and aggression, and the efforts to realize the independent, peaceful reunification of Korea.

One of the highlights of the New Year's message was to celebrate the successful launch of earth satellite Kwangmyonsong 3-2 on December 12, 2012, and pay tribute to the scientists and technicians who brought credit to the nation by achieving the goal set out by the late leader of the DPRK Kim Jong Il, to attain this goal in rocket science in the centenary year of the birth of Kim Il Sung.

Kim Jong Un noted that the successful satellite launch fully demonstrated "the high level of space and technology and the overall national power of Juche Korea." He underscored that by relying on their own efforts, technology and knowledge -- thus embodying the Juche principle of self-reliance -- the DPRK's scientists had raised the prestige of the Korean people and "clearly showed that Korea does what it is determined to do."


Iron workers celebrate satellite launch (left); awards ceremony for scientists involved in satellite launch.

Addressing the membership of the whole country and all the people working with the Workers' Party of Korea, Kim Jong Un called on everyone to put full weight behind the further strengthening and consolidation of the economy. He particularly highlighted the need to further develop coal-mining, electric-power and metallurgical industries, as well as railway transportation as the basis of building the foundations of a thriving economy capable of serving the people's needs. He noted that honing the cutting edge of the scientific and technological revolution today is key to building a strong economy. In 2013, modern scientific methods will be used to increase grain production, livestock, fish and fruit farming to provide people with a better and varied diet. Among the projects highlighted was transformation of the Sepho tableland into a massive stock-breeding centre to increase meat production. This project is being undertaken by the Korean People's Army and shock work brigades who are making great advances.


Food production: greenhouse tomatoes and fish processing factory.

This year also marks the 65th anniversary of the founding of the DPRK and the 60th anniversary of the Korean War in which the DPRK defeated the U.S. and forced it to sign the Korean Armistice Agreement. In this regard, to safeguard the sovereignty of the DPRK, Kim Jong Un mentioned that defence capacity of the DPRK will be raised in various ways.

In his speech Kim Jong Un also highlighted the contributions of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il in building the modern Korean nation and especially their tireless work to advance the sacred project of Korean reunification. He noted that the entire Korean nation -- north, south and overseas compatriots -- should unite in the coming year and do their duty to achieve the independent, peaceful reunification of Korea by their own efforts by implementing the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration and the October 4 Declaration which provide the way forward. He called on the anti-reunification forces in south Korea to abandon their hostility to the DPRK and work toward realizing the collective interests of the nation.

The New Year's Speech ends with recognition that in the world today the imperialists run rampant, interfering in the internal affairs of sovereign nations and launching wars of aggression which endanger peace and the security of all humankind. Kim Jong Un called attention to the fact that the Korean peninsula itself is a volatile region where the danger of war is ever present. In the face of this, he pointed out that the DPRK will march forward upholding its banner of independence and sovereignty. It will extend the hand of friendship and co-operation with those countries that reciprocate by respecting its sovereignty and in so doing contribute to safeguarding peace and stability and in the world.

TML congratulates the leadership and people of the DPRK for their momentous achievements in 2012 and bold plans to uphold their sovereignty, build their independent socialist people-centered economy and to safeguard peace and security on the Korean peninsula. TML calls on the working class and people of Canada to demand that the Harper government abandon its hostile anti-communist cold war stance against the DPRK and normalize relations with that country on the basis of mutual non-interference in order to promote friendly and mutually beneficial relations between our two countries.


Production of textiles and heavy machinery.

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Coming Events

Halifax Weekly Pickets:
Hands Off Syria! Hands Off Iran!

Join the Weekly Pickets Opposing
Imperialist Intervention in Syria and Iran



Weekly pickets began in Halifax on June 8, 2012 and take place every Friday at 4 pm.

Every Friday -- 4:00-5:00 pm (weather permitting)
Corner of Spring Garden Rd. & Barrington St.
Organized by: Halifax Branch of the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist),
No Harbour For War and other concerned Haligonians

The warmongering against Syria is reaching fever pitch. The big powers of Western Europe, Turkey and the U.S. with Canada in tow seem determined to launch open aggression against Syria. Their covert operations have thus far failed to achieve their aim of regime change so every day they up the ante. In this regard, the Canadian government and the Loyal Opposition in the federal Parliament are the most hysterical of warmongers.

The Harper dictatorship and the Loyal Opposition have not hesitated to repeat the Anglo-French-U.S. litany of justifications for such aggression and added some of their own. This is mainly comprised of disinformation to demonize the Syrian government which is blamed for gross violations of human rights. This is to make sure no investigations can seriously determine who is committing the violations, while also claiming that external powers, like Russia, are fueling the internal conflict.

In this way Canada is deploying itself to advance the U.S. imperialist interests in particular. It wants the kind of "humanitarian intervention" which culminated with regime change in Libya but has to contend with the likes of Russia first. To do this it is advancing a self-serving definition of what constitutes foreign interference in the internal affairs of a country. According to the Canadian warmongers, it is foreign interference in the internal affairs of Syria when Russia and China defend their political and economic relations with Syria because these relations are outside the U.S. imperialist sphere of control. But, according to them, all the covert operations carried out by the U.S. and western imperialist powers and their client states in the Middle East and Turkey are not foreign interference. These actions are allegedly disinterested because they are said to have the aim of defending human rights. It is the most unadulterated balderdash. Amongst other things, the aim is to confuse the anti-war movement, while it sets in motion its deadly plans to attack Syria.

The U.S. camp's strategy is ultimately also aimed at targeting the Islamic Republic of Iran for attack once Syria is out of the way. To justify such an aggression, like the fairy tale a decade ago about weapons of mass destruction buried in the deserts of Iraq, deafening propaganda is being floated world-wide -- especially from the United States and Israel -- about the alleged dangers of Iran developing a nuclear bomb. The real issue, however, is the imperialists' ambition to eliminate Iran's political independence, especially its independent development and management of current and future oil production on its territory. The gauntlet is openly being thrown down by the Big Powers. The peoples of the world cannot afford to hesitate for a minute. Peace-loving humanity must take its stand against this latest grave danger of war, one that could easily escalate far beyond the borders of Syria and/or Iran.

Hands Off Syria! Hands Off Iran!
Canada Needs an Anti-War Government!
Get Canada Out of NATO!

Read and subscribe to the No Harbour For War newsletter: noharbourforwar@hotmail.com

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Public Meeting:
Tales of Terror -- The U.S. War on Cuba

with acclaimed journalists
Keith Bolender and Stephen Kimber

Thursday, February 7 -- 7:00 pm

Room 302, Dalhousie Student Union Building
6136 University Avenue
Sponsored by: Canadian Network on Cuba, Nova Scotia Cuba Association,
Nova Scotia Public Interest Research Group

Since the early 1960s, few other countries have endured more acts of terrorism against civilian targets than Cuba. The U.S. has had its hands in much of these terror attacks. The impact on the Cuban civillian population has been enormous, with over 1,000 documented incidents resulting in more than 3,000 deaths and 2,000 injuries.

Keith Bolender and Stephen Kimber will examine different facets of this tragic history. Drawing on his groundbreaking book, Voices From the Other Side: An Oral History of Terrorism Against Cuba (2010), Bolender will tell the story from the Cuban side by giving voice to the victims on the island. Bolender allows the victims to articulate the atrocities the Cuban people have suffered -- which largely originate from Cuban counter-revolutionaries based in the U.S., often with the active help of the CIA. Voices From the Other Side includes first-person interviews with more than 75 Cuban citizens who have been victims of these terrorist acts, or have had family members or close friends die from the attacks.

In his forthcoming book, What Lies Across the Water: The Real Story of the Cuban Five (2013), Stephen Kimber, chronicles the case of five Cuban intelligence agents sent to penetrate Cuban-exile terrorist groups in Miami. Their mission was to prevent terrorist acts. However, they were arrested and sentenced to long terms in prison. As former U.S. diplomat Wayne observes: "Kimber follows the Cubans as they are assigned to the United States as undercover agents, not to work against the U.S. but to gather information on exile terrorist activities against Cuba. The Cuban government then invited representatives of the FBI to come to Havana to receive and discuss the evidence of these terrorist activities and plans gathered by the agents. The meeting took place in June of 1998. The Cubans then waited for the United States to take action against the exile terrorists. But none was taken. The only action, rather, was the arrest of the Cuban Five, they who had provided much of the evidence turned over to the FBI."

Keith Bolender is a freelance journalist who worked for more than 10 years with the Toronto Star. He has written extensively on Cuban matters for a variety of North American publications. He is a member of the Institute for Public Accuracy (IPA), on their Roster of Experts for Cuban Affairs. He currently lectures at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies on American foreign policy and the Cuban Revolution.

Stephen Kimber is an award-winning Canadian journalist and writer. The author of one novel and seven books of non-fiction, he is a Professor of Journalism at the University of King's College in Halifax, where he specializes in non-fiction.

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