Japan's moves to justify distortion of history under fire
Pyongyang, March 11 (KCNA) -- Various Asian countries that had undergone untold misfortune due to the Japanese imperialists' wars of aggression and occupation are strongly assailing Japan's moves to distort history as an intolerable insult to the Asian people and urging the Japanese authorities to make an apology for them and reject the publication of history textbooks, though belatedly, so that they may not be distributed.
Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary says:
The government and conservative rightists of Japan are foolish enough to justify the distortion of history and evade responsibility for it while describing the above-mentioned criticism as an "interference in its internal affair." This brazen-faced and impudent act reminds one of a thief crying "stop the thief " If criminal textbooks that falsify historical truth are used for the education of young people in Japan, it will only result in producing spiritually deformed unable to properly discern the truth.
Who can vouch that various Asian countries would not undergo the same sufferings as they did in the past when young Japanese bereft of the sense of being guilty of the past and moral value are hurled into a war of aggression as a shock brigade. can this be interpreted as interference in the internal affair of Japan?
What the Japanese reactionaries seek through the distortion of history is to arm young people with militarist idea and drive them to overseas aggression.
They can never be justified in describing the reaction of the times to Japan's distortion of history as an "interference in its internal affair".
Japan is well advised to drop its old way of thinking and sincerely repent of and compensate for its past crimes.
Japan's moves to make retrogressive revision of history textbooks protested
Pyongyang, March 11 (KCNA) -- Six civic and social organizations of South Korea including the society of bereaved families of the pacific war dead inaugurated the headquarters of the movement to block the retrogressive revision of Japanese history textbooks and announced that they would conduct joint activities, Seoul-based MBC reported.
They will set March 23 as a "Day of Asian Action" and launch an anti-Japanese demonstration in the run-up to the announcement of the results of the examination of Japanese textbooks slated for the end of this month, it said.
Russian preparatory committee formed
Pyongyang, March 11 (KCNA) -- A Russian preparatory committee of public circles was formed on march 5 to commemorate Sun's Day (April 15), the birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung.
The committee decided to hold colorful functions on the occasion.
It released an appeal to the progressive political parties and public organizations.
The appeal called on all the progressive political parties and public organizations to inaugurate preparatory committees to significantly commemorate the day with the Korean people.
Meeting of officials and secretaries of Japan HQ of Pomminryon held
Pyongyang, March 11 (KCNA) -- A meeting of officials and secretaries of the headquarters of Koreans in Japan of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon) was held in Tokyo on march 8.
Choe Il Su, chairman of the headquarters, in his report referred to the orientation of its activities for 2001.
He said that a thorough implementation of the north-south joint declaration is a key to bringing about a decisive turn in the efforts to carry out the cause of national reunification at present.
Noting that pomminryon would dynamically conduct a new patriotic mass movement for reunification this year, the first year of the new century, he called for expanding and strengthening forces for reunification and brilliantly adorning the august 15 grand festival for national reunification.
Speeches were made there.
Foundation of African Union favored
Pyongyang, March 11 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, on March 10 sent a message of greetings to Togolese President Gnassingbe Eyadema who is chairman of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) on the occasion of the proclamation of the foundation of the African Union at the fifth special summit of the OAU.
The message noted that the foundation of the union is a historic event which helps the African continent further enhance its position in the international arena and firmly defend its dignity and interests by its concerted efforts.
It expressed the belief that the union would make a great contribution to ensuring regional peace and stability and achieving prosperity of the African people by building strong economy through an effective use of enormous potentials and rich natural resources.
Expressing the conviction that the good friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and Togo would as ever grow strong and develop, the message wished the president great success in his work for the prosperity of the country and the integration of the African continent.
Greetings to head of state of Libya
Pyongyang, March 11 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, on March 9 sent a message of greetings to moammer el gaddafi, leader of the Great September First Revolution of the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, on the occasion of the proclamation of the foundation of the African Union at the fifth special summit of the Organization of African Unity (OAU).
Noting that moammer el gaddafi put forward in right time a proposal for founding the African Union reflecting the new circumstances of the 21st century and the desire of the African people and has made positive efforts for its materialization, the message said that this great feat performed by him would remain forever in the African history.
Expressing firm belief that the good friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow stronger and develop, the message wished Moammer El Gaddafi great success in his work to achieve the progress and prosperity of the country and complete the integration of the continent.
Message of sympathy to Mozambican President
Pyongyang, March 11 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of sympathy to President of Mozambique Joaquim Alberto Chissano on Friday in connection with the fact that recently flood hit the country, causing great human and economic losses.
The message expressed deep sympathy and condolences to the president, victims and other afflicted people.
It also hoped that under the leadership of the president the Mozambican government and people would offset the flood damage and stabilize the living of inhabitants in the afflicted area as soon as possible.