Emergency meeting of non-governmental organisations for food aid to Korea held in Japan

Pyongyang, March 19 (KCNA) -- An emergency liaison meeting of non-governmental organisations for food aid to the DPRK was held in Japan on Mar. 12, according to a KNS report from Tokyo. Present at the meeting were representatives from the International Volunteer Centre of Japan, the Sotoshu International Volunteer Society, the Japan Christian Consultative Council, the Union of Christian Youth Societies, "Love and Peace", "Peace wins Japan" and other civic and religious organisations which have conducted a movement for assistance to the DPRK and those which will join in this movement. The meeting discussed activities for humanitarian assistance to the DPRK this year.

Russian ambassador gives party

Pyongyang, March 19 (KCNA) -- Russian ambassador to Korea Valery Denisov gave a party Wednesday on the occasion of the 49th anniversary of the signing of the agreement on economic and cultural cooperation between the DPRK and Russia. Invited to the party were Ri Song Dae, Chairman of the State External Economic Affairs Commission, and other officials concerned. Speeches were made at the party.

Korean books donated to India

Pyongyang, March 19 (KCNA) -- Celebrated works of President Kim Il Sung and General Kim Jong Il and other Korean books were donated to the Central Committee of the All-India Forward Bloc. The works and books were handed to D. Biswas, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Bloc, by the DPRK ambassador to India on Mar. 14. The General Secretary said at a donation ceremony that the works of President Kim Il Sung and General Kim Jong Il give a scientific exposition of questions facing the world revolution. He pointed out that he would send the valuable works and books to state committees of the bloc and grass-roots organisations and let all the bloc members study them deeply and organize seminars.

Rodong Sinmun calls for defending principle of national independence

Pyongyang, March 19 (KCNA) -- For a nation to carry on revolution and construction in its own way on the principle of national independence is a sure guarantee for the destiny of the country and the nation and the victorious advance of the cause of human independence. Rodong Sinmun today says this in a signed article headlined "defence of principle of national independence guarantees victory of revolution and construction". The daily goes on: It is important to find a way of solution on the principle of national independence and carry on revolution and construction for oneself because the specific conditions of each country and nation are different from each other. Victory is sure to come when a nation defends its ideology and system and its way, braving the arbitrariness and challenge of the imperialists on the principle of national independence. The people, who keep to the principle, can advance revolution and construction victoriously defying any moves of the imperialists and dominationists. But those who abandon the principle curry favour with others and repose expectations in others' way and finally fall into slavery. Proof of this is the situation of those countries that abandoned socialism. General Secretary Kim Jong Il clarified all the matters arising in adhering to the principle of national independence including the question of finding one's own way and means in advancing revolution and construction with one's own idea and faith, not reposing expectations in "way" of imperialists. When all the countries and nations firmly defend this principle and take a road of independent development, as he taught, the cause of human independence will be accomplished without fail.

Minju Joson urges early repatriation of unconverted long-term prisoners

Pyongyang, March 19 (KCNA) -- If the South Korean authorities truly want to improve the inter-Korean relations, they should not repeat the misdeeds of their predecessors but take a practical measure to send old Kim In So, Kim Yong Thae and Ham Se Hwan back to North Korea. So says Minju Joson today in a signed article dedicated to the fifth anniversary of the repatriation of an unconverted long-term prisoner Ri In Mo to North Korea from South Korea. Recalling that the successive South Korean rulers inflicted all sorts of evil doings upon unconverted long-term prisoners of the DPRK origin, the author of the article says: The South Korean authorities must send them back to the north where their blood relations are waiting for them, which is a matter of urgency. This matter is not confined merely to a humanitarian issue related to destinies of individuals but closely linked with the inter-Korean relations. The United States also must perform its portion in solving the issue of their repatriation. The article expresses the expectation that South Korean people, overseas Koreans, the world progressive people and international organisations will make every possible effort for their repatriation as they did for the repatriation of Ri In Mo.

DPRK Information Committee delegation leaves for Singapore

Pyongyang, March 19 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the DPRK Information Committee headed by Chairman Kim Tok Yong left here today for a visit to Singapore.

DPRK Foreign Ministry spokesman on threats by United States

Pyongyang, March 19 (KCNA) -- The spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK made public a statement today accusing the United States of having reorganised major units of its armed forces into field units on the eve of the second round of the "four-way talks." Branding the reorganisation as a foolish design to get something at the talks by posing threats to the DPRK with strength, the spokesman further said: With the Iraqi incident as an occasion, the United States additionally deployed uptodate military equipment in South Korea and reorganised the U.S. 8th Army Command present in South Korea and the 3rd army based in the mainland into a field military system simultaneously. This eloquently proves that its preparations for a war against the DPRK have entered the final stage. This also clearly shows what the United States seeks while clamouring for improved relations with the DPRK and peace on the Korean peninsula. To cope with the U.S. war preparations positively, the DPRK some days ago issued a wartime mobilisation order throughout the country and hurled all the armed forces including the people's army into military exercises. The current tense situation on this peninsula eloquently shows what a just self-defensive measure it was to avert war and preserve peace on the Korean peninsula. The United States must act with discretion, mindful that the policy of strength is not almighty in solving issues.