Answer: Under the accords reached during the talks at the highest level on July 19-20 in Pyongyang, the leaders of the two countries agreed to maintain regular contacts, which, inter alia, presupposes the introduction in practice of an exchange of messages on important bilateral relations matters and topical international issues.

Upon conclusion of the Group of Eight summit in Okinawa Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his message to DPRK leader Kim Jong-il, to which an answer was received recently. In accordance with established practice the specific content of the messages is not made public.

In relation to the reports that have appeared in the media on this score I would like once again to confirm that the North Korean side during the talks in Pyongyang advanced the view that in the event the countries expressing concern over the missile program of the DPRK agree on a gratuitous basis annually to launch two or three DPRK satellites as part of the North Korean space program, Pyongyang will not have any need for booster rockets of its own manufacture.

In our view, this initiative could serve as a matter for practical discussion primarily with those countries that insist on the termination of the DPRK's relevant missile programs.