North proposes & South accepts
THURSDAY, 06 JUNE 2013
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday proposed holding direct talks with the Republic of Korea(ROK) on issues including the normalization of the operation in the Kaesong Industrial Zone (KIZ) and the resumption of tour of Mt. Kumgang, the official KCNA news agency reported.
The four-point proposal was made by the DPRK's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea (CPRK) in a special statement issued by its spokesman.
The proposal was accepted by ROK's Ministry of Unification, ROK's Yonhap news agency reported.
"Seoul is considering the proposal in a positive light and hopes talks will erect trust between the two sides," the ministry's spokesman said in a statement.
The venue and time for such talks will be announced later, said Yonhap.
In its statement, the CPRK said that firstly, it proposed "talks between authorities of the north and the south for the normalization of the operation in the KIZ and the resumption of tour of Mt Kumgang on the occasion of the anniversary of the June 15 joint declaration."
"Such humanitarian issues as the reunion of separated families and their relatives can be discussed at the talks," said the statement, quoting an unnamed CPRK spokesman as saying.
It added that the venue and the date of the talks can be set to the convenience of the south.
Video: Demo urges release of fiveCubansTHURSDAY, 06 JUNE 2013
The National Freedom Front (NFF) and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) held demonstrations near the American Embassy in Kollupitiya today demanding that five Cubans imprisoned in the United States be freed.
The NFF said the Cubans were imprisoned for no reason at all and alleged that the US was violating human rights. It said American Embassies were interfering in the internal affairs of other countries. JVP MP Vijitha Herath said the five Cubans were patriots and urged that they be released and the US sanctions imposed on Cuba and its people be lifted.  The image shows the National Freedom Alliance carrying out a protest in front of the American Embassy requesting the US Government to release 5 prisoners and to stop interfering with the Cuban Government. Pix by Manjula Dayawansa
|
