Pyongyang (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The army and people of North Korea have accused Washington of "conducting an anachronistic policy hostile to North Korea", the true reason at the heart of stalled six party talks about its nuclear aims. North Korea also threatened to "squash the American aggressors in case of attack".

With these words, Yanhg Hyong-sop, vice-president of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, launched national festivities for the 64th birthday of the "Dear Leader" Kim Jong-il. The dictator received gifts and messages from several countries around the world, including Russia, China, Laos, Japan and Benin. "Especially appreciated", according to the regime's official press agency, was the gift sent to Kim by the Workers' Party in Belgium, although it was not described. Festivities will close with fireworks going off on Mount Paikdu, the "cradle of civilization" for North Koreans (this is where the leader was born).

International analysts see the birthday celebrations of the leader as a move to "strengthen his political figure in the country". They point out that the age reached today by Kim is the same as his father's – "the Eternal President" Kim Il-sung – when in 1974, he made him secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of North Korea. This set the seal on his succession. The son is not as fortunate: of his three sons, Kim Jong-nam (the eldest) seems to be out of the running after his attempted escape in Japan, while the other two are still too young to be considered for immediate succession. The dictator fears the power vacuum after his retirement may lead to violent uprising by the Armed Forces.