ARRL NEWS RELEASE For Further Information Contact: Wayne Mills, N7NG Telephone: 860-594-0291 Telefax: 860-594-0259 Email: n7ng@arrl.org DXCC Accepting P5/4L4FN Contacts Since early November 2001, Mr. Edisher (Ed) Giorgadze, 4L4FN, a Georgian citizen employed by the United Nations World Food Program, has been active as P5/4L4FN in Pyongyang, DPRK. DXCC Rule 7 states "Any Amateur Radio operation should take place only with the complete approval and understanding of appropriate administration officials." The rule continues, "In any case, credit will be given for contacts where adequate evidence of authorization by appropriate authorities exists." The ARRL has now received adequate evidence that the operation by Mr. Giorgadze is being conducted with the knowledge and approval of telecommunications officials in Pyongyang. At the present time, this approval is limited to SSB operation. The ARRL Awards Committee has met and concurred that the operation should be accredited. As a result, we are pleased to announce that effective immediately, the DXCC Branch will accept SSB contacts with P5/4L4FN for DXCC credit. Contacts with P5/4L4FN dating back to early November, 2001 will count for this Entity. - 30 -