North Korea to invite observers to satellite launchMarch 17, 2012 - 18:01 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - North Korea said Saturday, March 17 it would invite foreign experts and journalists to observe a satellite launch which the United States and other countries see as a disguised missile test. The Korean Committee for Space Technology "will invite experienced foreign experts on space science and technology and journalists" to visit the launch site and other places to observe the blast-off next month, the official news agency said. The North announced Friday it would launch a long-range rocket carrying the satellite between April 12-16 to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of founding president Kim Il-Sung. It says the program is part of peaceful space research. The United States and other countries say any launch would be a serious provocation and would violate UN Security Council resolution 1874, which bans the country from carrying out any ballistic missile launches for any purpose. The news agency said it had informed the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Maritime Organisation, the International Telecommunication Union and other bodies about the upcoming launch, AFP reported. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Lemkin Institute petition seeks release of Armenians in Azerbaijan The Lemkin Institute is deeply concerned about the continued illegal detention of political prisoners from Karabakh in Azerbaijan. Armenian Catholicos calls for national unity against threats Karekin II issued a message on Republic Day marking the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic. Pashinyan: Armenia’s desired goal is “on the horizon” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Armenia is moving forward “without interruption”. Opposition leader, supporters spend night at Sardarapat memorial Police made nearly 300 arrests the day before as Galstanyan and his supporters continued to demonstrate in Yerevan. |