> LAO, Sept 2 (KPL) Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh and his
> delegation arrived in Pyongyang on 30August to pay an official
> goodwill visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea at the
> invitation of Premier Kim Yong Il of the DPR of Korea.
>
> He was accompanied by Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office and
> Director of the Secretariat of the Government Cheuang Sombounkhanh,
> Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sitaheng Rasphone, Vice-Minister
> of Foreign Affairs Phongsavath Boupha, Deputy-Minister of Planning and
> Investment Bounthavy Sisouphanthong, Vice-Minister of Industry and
> Commerce Khemmany Pholsena and other suite members.
>
> They were greeted at the airport by Premier Kim Yong Il, Minister of
> Foreign Trade Ri Ryong Nam, Minister of Agriculture Ri Kyong Sik, Vice-
> Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Yong Il, Deputy Chief Secretary of the
> Cabinet Ri Yong Sok and Lao Ambassador to the DPRK Chaleune
> Warinthrasak.
>
> On the same day, the two delegations led by two premiers Bouasone
> Bouphavanh and Kim Yong Il held a talk that both sides exchanged views
> on boosting the bilateral friendly and cooperative relations and
> matters of mutual concern.
>
> As a result, the two governments have agreed to establish a joint
> committee between the Lao PDR and the DPRK.
>
> The agreement on setting up a joint committee for cooperation in
> economy, trade, science and technology was signed between the
> governments of the Lao PDR and the DPRK at the Mansudae Assembly Hall
> on Saturday in the presence of two premiers and both sides’
> delegations.
>
> The agreement was inked by Ri Myong San, vice-minister of Foreign
> Trade, and Khemmany Pholsena.
>
> The DPRK government arranged a banquet in honour of Prime Minister
> Bouasone Bouphavanh and his delegation, on an official goodwill visit
> to the DPRK at the Mansudae Assembly Hall.
>
> Kim Yong Il in his speech made at the banquet referred to the fact
> that Lao people have made vigorous endeavours to realise the
> industrialisation and modernisation of the country, adhering to the
> socialist ideology under the correct leadership of the Lao People’s
> Revolutionary Party.
>
> He hoped that the fraternal Lao people would register fresh and
> greater successes in the work to steadily consolidate the people’s
> democratic system suited to the specific conditions of their country
> and implement the decision of the 8th Congress of the Lao People’s
> Revolutionary Party by displaying the spirit of patriotism,
> sovereignty and independence, self-reliance and fortitude.
>
> It is the consistent stand of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the
> government of the DPRK to set store by the traditional relations of
> friendship and cooperation between the two countries and steadily
> boost them.
>
> Bouasone Bouphavanh said in his reply that the friendly and
> cooperative relations between the two countries laid out by President
> Kaysone Phomvihane and President Kim Il Sung were long-standing.
>
> He noted that the party, government and people of Laos had
> consistently supported the party, government and people of the DPRK in
> the struggle for national defence and accomplishment of the cause of
> socialism.
>
> He said that Laos was pleased with the fact that the Korean people
> have registered great successes in the struggle to build a great
> prosperous powerful nation and achieve the independent and peaceful
> reunification of the country under the wise leadership of Kim Jong
> Il.
>
> This is according to a report of Korean Central News Agency report on
> 30 August.
>
> On 31 August, PM Bouasone and his entourage visited and laid a wreath
> at the Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery on Mt. Taesong.
>
> The participants observed a moment’s silence in memory of the
> revolutionary martyrs who laid down their lives for the sacred cause
> of the liberation of the country, socialist construction and national
> reunification under the leadership of President Kim Il Sung and
> Secretary General Kim Jong Il.
>
> dkj