International Human Rights Day

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International Human Rights Day

Oppose the Escalating Anglo-US Interference and Pressure on the DPRK!
Ensuring Peace and Security in Korea Depends Entirely upon the US: They Must Accept the DPRK’s Proposal to Sign a Non-Aggression Treaty
Introductory Speech of Guy Dupré, Secretary General of CILRECO
Results of the International Petition to Support the Accord of June 15, 2000, and to Demand the Withdrawal of US Troops from South Korea
SFK Opposes Disinformation about DPRK
Red Cross: Fuel Sanctions on DPRK Will Affect Aid Efforts

Tuesday, December 10, marks International Human Rights Day. On this day, people across the world are joining forces to take their stand for peace, to oppose war and to put an end to the use of force to settle conflicts. In this way, people are making their contribution to the struggle in defence of human rights.

To secure human rights internationally, the people’s forces are fighting against imperialist globalisation, for the protection of the environment in the interests of human existence, against racism and racial discrimination, for social programmes, against militarisation and in defence of the rights of all. The people are demanding that all human needs be recognised as human rights and that these rights be provided with a guarantee by society.

On this occasion of Human Rights Day, a Candle-Lit Vigil is being held outside Downing Street, from 4.30-6.30pm, under the banner: "No War on Iraq – Respect Human Rights".

The US administration, backed by the British government, is escalating its attacks on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Under the cover of a sustained disinformation campaign in the world monopoly media, as well as through its allies, notably Britain, it is attempting to sabotage the movement of the Korean people to peacefully re-unify their country without foreign interference. The US is also creating conditions for a "strike-first" attack on the DPRK and to embroil the Korean peninsula in another unjust war of aggression. It is also interfering in the normalisation of relations between Japan and the DPRK. A unified, independent Korea will be a strong force for peace and justice in the world. According to the US government under George W Bush, such a development is not in US interests.

Using the pretext that the DPRK is in violation of the 1994 Agreed Framework, and the blackmail that it has "nuclear weapons programme" and that the DPRK is a "rogue state" posing a nuclear threat to the world, the United States government announced on November 14 that it is going to suspend fuel oil shipments to the DPRK starting in December this year. This is a blatant violation of the 1994 DPRK-US Framework Agreement in which the United States agreed to supply the DPRK with two light water reactors by 2003, and to supply 500,000 tons of fuel-oil for the latter's needs until the reactors were build. In exchange, the DPRK agreed to suspend its heavy-water nuclear energy programme. To this date, the DPRK has kept to the agreement and the site where the heavy-water nuclear facility is located is being monitored weekly by the International Atomic Energy Commission based in Vienna.

The facts show that contrary to the DPRK violating the Framework Agreement, it is the US that has done so. The US had been deliberately dragging its feet with regard to it commitments to build the light-water reactors. According to the Framework Agreement, the two light water reactors were to have been built by 2003. So far only the foundations for the reactors have been built, and the US now says that the reactors will be built by 2008, putting enormous pressure on the DPRK's economic and domestic fuel needs, and worsening the economic embargo it has imposed on the DPRK since 1945.

The US is also actively sabotaging the work being done to link the north and south of Korea via railway and road, which was to have been accomplished by the end of this year. According to a Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) report on November 16, the US is "working hard to hamper the project of reconnecting the Seoul-Sinuiju railway and the east coastal rail and road links. It is totally hindering the mine-clearing in the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ)". The clearing of the DMZ of mines was to be one of the final stages of preparation to link both north and south Korea by road and rail, one of the practical measures to be implemented coming out of the historic June 15, 2000, joint declaration by the DPRK and the Republic of Korea (ROK) to facilitate the peaceful re-unification of Korea.

In addition, the United States is using food for political ends. News reports quote the UN World Food Programme as saying that because of "political tensions", the United States and its main ally in East Asia, Japan, will not be continuing to donate food aid to the DPRK. This unilateral decision reveals that the US imperialists have not a shred of humanity. The food aid was important to combat the long-term effects of famine caused by natural disasters and the effects of the long-term economic embargo which prevents the DPRK from trading with other nations for food. While the UN World Food Programme reports that the harvests are better and the food crisis has abated somewhat, the inhumane decision of the US and Japan will create a new crisis where "millions could still starve".

All justice- and peace-loving people must oppose the disinformation campaign and provocations launched by the US government against the DPRK. It is the US that has the largest nuclear weapons arsenal in the world and is the only country to have ever used them, and has stated that it would use nuclear weapons to make first strike attacks against certain countries, naming the DPRK, among others.

The British government is lining itself up with the US on this issue also. Tony Blair is backing up the criminal stand of the US and arrogantly denigrating the DPRK as though it were a given that all the disinformation is the truth and accepted by the working class and people. The government’s foreign policy attempts to dress up Anglo-US aggression and threats as "opposing abuses in the dark corners of the world". But it is the United States which has yet to pay for the crimes committed against the Korean people during the Korean War (1950-53), a war in which British troops were mobilised in the service of US imperialism. The bombing of civilian targets, the deliberate military massacres of hundreds of thousands of men, women and children, the extensive use of germ, chemical, and biological weapons have gone unpunished. History demands that those responsible for these crimes be brought to justice, and an end be put to the crimes still being committed by the 40,000 US troops in the south of Korea. The US cannot be permitted to carry on in this way – erecting a wall of silence round its past crimes against the Korean people, while creating conditions for more crimes. It is clear that the US has not given up its post-World War Two ambitions of occupying the whole Korean peninsula for its geopolitical aims.

The working class and people must stand as one with the people of Korea in opposing US interference in the internal affairs of their country, and ensuring that the US, with British backing, does not begin another war in Korea. The blame for all the provocations on the Korean peninsula must be laid at the feet of the US administration. It must be held responsible as it pursues its imperialist ambitions, and the British government must be held responsible for aiding and abetting these aims for its own ends.

The International Liaison Committee for Reunification and Peace in Korea (CILRECO) organised a press conference on "The Nuclear Issue and the North-South Reunification Process". The conference was held in hotel Ambassador in Paris on November 14, 2002.

Presided over by André Aubry, President of the Association of Franco-Korean Friendship and former French senator, this conference was conducted by CILRECO’s Secretary General

In his introductory speech, Guy Dupré first refuted the accusation professed by the US according to which it is alleged that North Korea is a nuclear threat. Then the Secretary General presented a true indictment of the Bush administration and its policy on North Korea, which he described as a "hostile policy", extremely dangerous to stability in the region and security and peace in the world.

According to Guy Dupré, the US apply this policy in order to maintain at all costs their political, economic and military domination in South Korea, and block the independent reunification of Korea, that would call into question their strategy of hegemony in the region and in the world.

Guy Dupré denounced the media campaign, orchestrated by the US, concerning the so-called "resumption of the nuclear programme" in the DPRK, and he pointed out that whenever there is a positive development of the "Korean problem", curiously an "issue" crops up that is likely to block or slow down the process of the independent reunification of Korea.

He proved, based on facts, that it is not the DPRK that has violated the 1994 Agreed Framework between the two sides, but those who have never honoured any of the promises made at the time, and if there is a threat on the Korean peninsula that threat comes from the US, coolly toying with the idea of a "preventive war" against the DPRK.

In conclusion, Guy Dupré declared: "No the US is up against the wall with their ludicrous accusations" as the DPRK has just proposed to sign a Non-Aggression Treaty, and, in this case, it would be willing to "eliminate all security problems that the US is preoccupied with".

At the end of the press conference, CILRECO’s Secretary General publicly announced the results of the international petition, launched in March 2002, to support the joint North-South Accord of June 15, 2000, and to demand the withdrawal of the US troops from South Korea.

The November 2002 Bulletin of CILRECO, the International Liaison Committee for Reunification and Peace in Korea, in a Special Issue, carries the following extracts from Guy Dupré’s introductory speech at its International Press Conference in Paris on November 14, 2002.

In the days following the visit of President Bush’s special envoy to North Korea at the end of October, the Bush administration orchestrated a vast media campaign in which they accused the DPRK of "resuming its nuclear programme for military purposes", thus violating the Agreed Framework signed between the two countries in October 1994.

This is not the first time that the US has accused the north of being a nuclear threat. We have to point out that this accusation crops up periodically, always at the time when there is some positive development creating serious prospects for the independent reunification of the country and the solution of the "Korean problem", consequence of the tragic division of the Korean nation imposed on it against its will after the Second World War.

This has indeed been the case ever since the joint North-South Accord of June 15, 2000, was signed at the historic inter-Korean Summit in Pyongyang, which set in motion the process of reconciliation, co-operation and reunification between the two Koreas.

During this period we have witnessed some spectacular progress in the relations between the DPRK and the countries bordering on it, attesting to its policy of peace and good neighbourly relations, but also in its relations with many other countries world-wide, that appreciate its efforts to accomplish the reunification of the country and carry out economic reforms in line with today’s global development.

All these changes have been almost unanimously acclaimed by the international community as a contribution to a peaceful solution of the "Korean problem", to stability in the region, security and peace in the world.

Only the US, more or less supported by some of its allies, has persisted in applying, or even, with the arrival of George W Bush in office, intensifying their hostile policy on the DPRK, thus maintaining the climate of tension on the Korean peninsula, which is a serious threat to stability and peace in the region.

Whatever slight progress had been made in the relations between the two countries as a result of President Clinton’s realistic policy, was quickly destroyed by the Bush administration, which, two years ago, put an end to dialogue and adopted an aggressive attitude towards the DPRK, referred to as a "pariah state", a member of the "axis of evil", against which "the USA will launch preventive military action even before the threat materialises" (the words of George W Bush in his National Security Report, published in September 2002).

In spite of these strained US-North Korean relations, one could hope at least that the visit to North Korea of the special envoy of the US president would result in some improvement, as that was the wish widely expressed by the international community, and in particular by the countries that participated recently in the Europe-Asia Forum in Copenhagen.

Unfortunately, this was not the case. Not only did the special envoy of the US during his visit to Pyongyang confirm with arrogance the hostile policy of the US on the DPRK, professing threats against the DPRK if it refused to comply with unilateral US demands, but he also accused the DPRK, without any proof whatsoever, of resuming its nuclear programme.

This accusation arrives at the time when the US is faced with successive failures of its attempts to isolate the DPRK on the international level and block the process of the independent reunification currently under way between the North and the South.

Generally speaking, this "revelation" of the north Korean nuclear threat comes at the time when the bellicose US policy against all those countries which refuse to obey its orders and hegemonic ambitions is increasingly contested world-wide, and a very strong opposition of people to the war against Iraq attests to it.

Let us stick to facts to see who really threatens peace and security on the Korean peninsula, and, in turn, international security and peace.

For more than half a century, numerous occupying US forces, heavily armed with the most sophisticated weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, have been stationed in south Korea, with total disregard for international law, with an obvious goal to maintain their political, economic and military domination in south Korea, to block the independent reunification of Korea, and to ensure the implementation of their strategy of domination in this region.

Why have they been obstinately refusing ever since the end of the 1950-1953 Korean War the proposals of the DPRK to replace the 1953 Armistice Accord by a peace treaty, in accordance with the stipulations of this very Accord and with the resolution 3390B adopted at the 30th General Assembly of the UN held in 1975? If it is not because they want to maintain the climate of tension in this part of the world to justify the presence of their troops, whose goals we have just mentioned?

Let us now examine the DPRK’s supposed violation of the 1994 Agreed Framework between the DPRK and the US, whose objective was, let us mention it again, to solve the nuclear problem on the Korean peninsula and normalise the relations between the two countries.

The US officially declares that it has withdrawn all nuclear weapons from south Korea (but it has never accepted any verification of this statement), so it wants the DPRK to dismantle its two graphite-gas nuclear reactors producing plutonium "suspected" of being used for military purposes.

Article 1 of the accord reached stipulates that the DPRK should stop using these two reactors in exchange for two light-water reactors, that cannot be used for military purposes, and that the US should supply as early as 2003, and during their construction the US should also supply the DPRK with oil to compensate it for its energy loss.

According to article 2 the two parties concerned agree to work in favour of the full normalisation of their political and economic relations, according to article 3 the US gives a firm promise "not to threaten the DPRK or use nuclear weapons against it", and, finally, article 4 stipulates that the DPRK should open its nuclear sites for inspection as soon as the "essential components" of the first reactor are delivered (theoretically in 2003!).

When we look at what has been done so far, in other words to what extent have the two parties honoured this accord, it is obvious that the Americans are duplicitous and their accusations are unfounded. The DPRK has kept all its promises, the two reactors were put on hold as soon as the accord was signed, its numerous gestures of goodwill have been accompanied by concrete measures to accomplish détente and normalisation of its relations with the US.

As far as the US is concerned, it has not stopped inventing fallacious pretexts to postpone fulfilling, or even completely refuse to fulfil its obligations:

• for instance, only the foundations of the site of one reactor have been laid so far (even though its delivery was scheduled for 2003), and the US is now talking about a delivery of 2010!;
• the US has not honoured its promise to supply the DPRK with oil, thus provoking an important energy shortage that has seriously affected the DPRK’s national economy and living conditions of its population;
• ever since the accord was signed eight years ago, the US has continued applying its hostile policy towards the DPRK, it has maintained or even reinforced its embargo and economic sanctions, not to mention its campaign against the "rogue state" and incessant provocation.

This is the truth about the US violations of the 1994 accord and the reason why the DPRK has declared to Bush’s special envoy that under these circumstances it reserves the right to equip itself with any weapons deemed necessary to defend its sovereignty and independence against the threats of war professed by the USA.

Nevertheless, the DPRK has strongly reaffirmed that it "prefers negotiations to confrontation", and has made it quite clear to the US that it is willing to negotiate a Non-Aggression Treaty under these three conditions: the recognition of its sovereignty by the US, the guarantee given by the US that it will not attack and that it will not use nuclear weapons, and the recognition of the right to existence of the DPRK, which implies elimination of all obstacles to its economic development.

The DPRK has made it quite clear that with such a treaty "it will be willing to eliminate all security problems that the US is preoccupied with", thus putting the Bush administration up against the wall in the eyes of the international community.

As far as CILRECO is concerned, it will continue to fight to re-establish the truth about this misleading campaign of the US against the DPRK, to make them put an end to their interference in the internal affairs of the Korean people, to oblige them to withdraw their troops from south Korea and finally adopt a sensible attitude that would encourage the normalisation of their relations with the DPRK and the process of the independent North-South reunification.

In accordance with the decision of CILRECO’s Presidency, which launched this petition at its meeting held on March 9, 2002, this campaign came to an end in October, and resulted in numerous solidarity initiatives throughout the world, with peaks in June, on the occasion of the second anniversary of the Accord, from June 25 to July 27, during the Month of International Solidarity, and from October 1 to 31, during the "Month of Support to the Creation of the Confederal Democratic Republic of Koryo".

The count was made at the beginning of November, and it was based on the information gathered by CILRECO and the Korean Committee of Solidarity with the People of the World, taking into account not only individual signatories but also those represented by all political, social and peace-loving organisations that signed the petition of CILRECO on behalf of their members.

The results of the petition were assessed by CILRECO’s Presidency, which adopted the following declaration, which was made public at CILRECO’s international press conference, held in Paris on November 14, 2002.

Declaration of CILRECO’s Presidency

The Presidency of CILRECO, which has the honour to lead the international movement of solidarity in favour of the independent reunification of Korea, has assessed the results of its international petition, launched in March 2002 to support the joint Accord of June 15, 2000, and to demand the withdrawal of the American troops from South Korea.

458 million people participated directly or indirectly, through the intermediary of their organisations, in this campaign, that came to an end on October 31, 2002, and they expressed their support to the cause of the Korean nation, and their wish for the success of the North-South reconciliation, co-operation and reunification process, initiated by the historic Accord of June 15, 2000.

CILRECO’s Presidency rejoices over the success of this campaign, especially since many heads of state or government, parliament members, prominent leaders of political parties and social organisations from different countries, as well as national and international non-governmental organisations directly participated in it.

These results show the solidarity of people from different countries with the struggle of the Korean nation to reunite without foreign interference, to ensure peace on the Korean peninsula, which is a factor of stability, security and peace in Asia and in the world.

The success of this campaign is also perceived by CILRECO’s Presidency as an encouragement to reinforce its action to mobilise public opinion in order to put an end to American interference in the internal affairs of the Korean nation, to make them withdraw their troops from South Korea, abandon their hostile policy towards the DPRK, and normalise their bilateral relations, thus contributing to a positive outcome of the process under way in Korea.

The Presidency of CILRECO would like to give its warmest thanks to all political and social organisations and individuals who actively committed themselves to this campaign, as well as to all those who participated in it.

The Presidency hopes that the international community will heed the demands expressed by people during this campaign, to contribute actively to the independent and peaceful reunification of Korea.

Paris, November 4, 2002

The Society for Friendship with Korea (SFK) Northern Region on November 23 issued a Newsletter. In it the SFK Northern Region published two statements made by the Foreign Minister of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on the oil and the nuclear weapons issue. The Newsletter aimed to counter the disinformation being put out in the media which is aimed at isolating the DPRK in the face of serious threats to its sovereignty by the US administration and supported by the British government.

The statement of the DPRK Foreign Ministry on the US decision to stop supplying heavy oil to the DPRK from December denounced the US for its violation of the DPRK-US Agreed Framework.

The statement of the DPRK Foreign Ministry as regards the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula called for the conclusion of a Non-Aggression Treaty between the DPRK and the US.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said on December 7 that it is deeply concerned that fuel sanctions on the DPRK could have a disastrous effect on aid operations in that country, according to a VOA report. The Red Cross says fuel shortages could prevent aid agencies from delivering essential relief supplies this winter. The United States, Japan and South Korea decided last month to suspend fuel oil shipments to North Korea, violating the 1994 Agreed Framework.

Red Cross Spokesman Denis McClean said that his agency is not taking a stance on whether fuel sanctions should be imposed. "We are asking for the people who are imposing these sanctions to take into account the humanitarian needs on the ground," he said. "And to bear in mind that the blanket imposition of a ban on fuel in the country would have serious consequences for organisations like the Red Cross, which is trying to meet the needs of very, very vulnerable people, who are already very close to the edge, and it will not take very much to push them over."

The Red Cross says a severe fuel shortage in the country is already costing lives. It says the lack of fuel for heating is responsible for a high incidence of acute respiratory infections because people are unable to keep warm. Mr McClean says humanitarian organisations are having difficulties delivering aid, including food, because of a lack of fuel for trucks. He says the fuel sanctions will only worsen an already dire situation.

"You should also remember that it has been announced in recent weeks that three million children, women and elderly people will no longer be receiving food rations from the World Food Programme. So, that is also going to impact on the health situation in the country," Mr McClean said. "And, we are afraid that the most vulnerable in the country will be pushed over the edge this winter because of a lack of fuel, lack of transport, hunger and cold. And, we do not think this is right."