It is with regret that I read that one of North Korea's communist regime "leaders" is about to visit Namibia. It is not befitting of a democracy such as ours to welcome with open arms the representatives of one of the world's most repressive regimes, whatever the links - historic or current - of members of the ruling SWAPO party to members of the North Korean regime.

While it is very difficult - due to the closed nature of the society - to obtain a precise and clear picture of the situation within the country, it is nevertheless overwhelmingly clear that the government of North Korea controls virtually all activities within the nation.

For example, citizens are not allowed to freely speak their minds and the government detains and even executes those who criticise the regime. Similarly, the only radio, television, and news organisations that are accepted and deemed legal are those operated by the government. The media universally praise the administration of Kim Jong-Il, who remains the unelected leader of the country.

As a young democracy we have a duty and an obligation towards nations with similar values such as those espoused in our Constitution to speak out where injustice occurs, where the rights and freedoms of individuals are trampled on willfully and where citizens are left at the mercy of state-controlled violence and brutality.

I do not welcome his visit to our country. Neither should our Government and any freedom-loving person. I call upon our President and the government to send a clear message to the North Korean regime: Ours are not your values, and your ways are not welcome.

Hear, hear Uncle Paul - I'm with you on this one. Is there a demo planned where we can go and display our disapproval?

Uncle Paul, Comrade_007! I am disappointed!

I may not like these Domrades (bilingual and NO spelling mistake) either, but as a citizen of a democratic country I will not forbid them to visit. Should I prohibit (censor) such a visit, I become nothing less and nothing more than Mad Bob from Dimbabwe (not bilingual) or any of the others who try and prescribe to us what we can and what we cannot do!

PS. They built the new State House, after all .............

Let them come, but let them know what we value, too. They can build all the state houses in the world, it does not change the fact that they are not welcome in our country. "They" being the communist rulers of that country, not the people of North Korea. I have not problems with the people of North Korea, but with its brutal regime. Sure, who can keep them from coming, since they are representatives of a foreign country. But welcome with open arms?

I don't know about you, but I am ashamed that North Kroea built our State House. It is a potent symbol of our Republic and the executive arm of government, and it is built on the sweat and tears of an oppressed people. Not unlike slavery. It fills my mouth with distaste when I hear the untold stories of suffering emanating from North Korea and think that it's regime build our State House.

Brilliant, Oneword! For a change even I agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I should not have been so quick on the trigger!!!!! I agree with Comrade_0007, too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I totally agree with your sentiments, Comrade_007, but I have also noticed that the mere presence of these and similar people in Namibia already has a beneficial effect (on them)! True, some of them are so indoctrinated, they might as well be brain-dead, but there are those who see just how free and easy we handle things between ourselves.

Heck, we even tolerated UNTAG, so why not a North Korean or two?

Regret to be a Namibian now

There may be one or two of our Shebeeners who might be interested in the whole state visit of the Comrade from the DPRK:

Programme for the official visit by h.e. comrade kim yong NAm, president of the presidium of the supreme people’s assembly of the DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUbliC OF KOREA (DPRK) to Namibia from 20 - 23 march 2008

Thursday, 20 march 2008

Arrival ceremony, hosea kutako international airport

12h20 : Arrival of Cabinet Ministers

12h30 : Arrival of Hon. Dr. Libertina Amathila, MP, Deputy Prime
Minister of the Republic of Namibia

12h45 : Arrival of Rt. Hon. Nahas Angula, MP, Prime Minister of the
Republic of Namibia

13h00 : Arrival of H.E., Comrade Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia

13h20 : Arrival of H.E., Comrade Kim Yong Nam, President of the
Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK.

The Ambassador of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Namibian Chief of Protocol board the aircraft

H.E. the President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK disembark the aircraft and are welcomed by H.E. the President of the Republic of Namibia and introduced to the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Service Chiefs

Presentation of Flowers

Proceed to the Saluting Dais

Mount Dais

19 Gun Salute concurrently with the Korean National Anthem and Namibian National Anthem

Inspection of the Guard of Honour

Return to Dais

National Anthems

March pass

Proceed to the presentation line, H.E. Comrade Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia presents the Cabinet Ministers to the President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK

The Chief of Protocol presents the Members of the Diplomatic Corps

View Cultural performances

14h00 : Departure for Windhoek

17h05 : Tête-â-Tête at State House

17h40 : Official Talks at State House

18h30 : End of Official Talks

Signing of Agreements

20h00 : Official Banquet in honour of H.E. Comrade Kim Yong Nam,
President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of
the DPRK at the Safari Hotel

: Conferment of Honours

22h00 : End of Official Banquet

FRIDAY, 21 MARCH 2008

09h30 : Departure for the 18th Independence Anniversary
Celebration and Inauguration of the New State House

SATURDAY, 22 MARCH 2008

10h00 : Courtesy call by H.E. Dr. Sam Nujoma Founding President
and the Father of the Namibian Nation

11h10 : Arrival at Heroes’ Acre

- Wreath-Laying Ceremony

SUNDAY 23, MARCH

12h30 : Arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport


departure ceremony, hosea kutako international airport

09h30 : Arrival of the Public and Cultural Groups

09h30 : Arrival of the Guard of Honour and the Military Band

10h45 : Arrival of the Service Chiefs

11h00 : Arrival of the Heads of Diplomatic Mission and International
Organizations

11h15 : Arrival of Cabinet Ministers

11h30 : Arrival of Hon. Dr. Libertina Amathila, MP, Deputy Prime
Minister of the Republic of Namibia

11h40 : Arrival of Rt. Hon. Nahas Angula, MP, Prime Minister of the
Republic of Namibia

12h30 : Arrival of Their Excellencies, Comrades Kim Yong
Nam, President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly
of the DPRK and Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the
Republic of Namibia

Received by Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs
and Service Chiefs

Proceed to the Saluting Dais

National Anthems

Inspection of the Guard of Honour

Return to Dais

National Anthems

March pass

H.E. Comrade Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia, presents his Cabinet Ministers to the President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK

The Chief of Protocol presents the Members of the Diplomatic Corps

View Cultural Performances

Farewell to the Service Chiefs, the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs,
the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister

Farewell to H.E. Comrade Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia

12h45 : Departure of the visiting President

H.E. the President of the Republic of Namibia departs for State House

Maybe it is because North Korea gives money and arms to SWAPO during the struggle for liberation.