U.S. high-handed practices and pressure blasted

    Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- The hardline conservatives of the new U.S. administration are clinging to the policy of strong pressure towards the DPRK. Underscoring the "need to cope with the threat of North Korean missiles" they seek to draw even its allies into a joint counter-action against it.
    It is quite ridiculous for the U.S. to assert that the DPRK threatens it with missiles.
    It is none other than the U.S. which develops new missile technology and accelerates the missile export.
    It is no more than a far-fetched theory that what the U.S. is doing does not pose any threat to anyone, except what others are doing. This is a brigandish logic of the U.S. styling itself the "only superpower."
    There is neither reason nor pretext for the U.S. to pull up the DPRK over its missile development.
    The DPRK's development and production of missiles is an issue belonging to its sovereignty. The DPRK does not hide that it has developed and produced missiles to increase its self-defence capability and is proud of having done so.
    The U.S. loud-mouthed "threat of North Korean missiles" is nothing but a smokescreen to conceal its policy of military pressure and adventurous war moves against the DPRK.
    The U.S. should bear deep in mind that such trick can never go down with the DPRK.
    No matter what others may say, the DPRK will increase its defence capability in every way to protect the dignity of the nation and the security of the country.
    The U.S. is well advised to stop at once such foolish moves, keenly aware that such high-handed practices and pressure will not work on the DPRK.

U.S. urged to drop its criminal design

    Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- Recently the U.S. ruling circles are talking about a "hardline policy" while taking issue with the DPRK for no reason. They do not bother to call for escalating their criminal moves to isolate and stifle the DPRK by force of arms. In this regard rodong sinmun today in a signed commentary denounces these moves as a revelation of their sinister attempt to aggravate the situation on the Korean peninsula, block the way of the independent reunification of the Korean nation opened with much effort and, furthermore, achieve their wild design to invade the whole of Korea at any cost.
    The commentary goes on:
    The DPRK will never remain a passive onlooker to the U.S. undisguised military threat to the DPRK and frantic moves to undermine even the socialist system, its life and soul.
    By indefinitely escalating the moves against the DPRK, the U.S. warmongers seek to stop the situation in Korea from turning favourable to its peace and independent reunification. in other words, the U.S. imperialists are working hard to keep the Korean nation divided forever in a bid to perpetuate their military occupation of South Korea at any cost and, moreover, swallow up the whole of Korea, using it as a springboard.
    With no moves to isolate and suffocate the DPRK the successive U.S. imperialist warmongers could hurt the dignity and might of the DPRK. The world came to clearly realize how anachronistic the U.S. hostile policy is.
    However, the U.S. ruling circles, instead of drawing a lesson, are resorting to foolish moves to bring the situation on the Korean peninsula back to that before the adoption of the DPRK-U.S. agreed framework while resuming anti-DPRK racket of confrontation.
    The U.S. imperialists are mistaken. The DPRK is entitled to take an option.
    It is its revolutionary determination to counter the use of force with force and return war for war and surely win with a thousand-fold retaliation.
    The U.S. imperialists are well advised to stop acting rashly, properly judging our will and spirit. The United States should drop its daydream of isolating and stifling the DPRK by force of arms and opt to sincerely implement the agreed framework.
    This is also beneficial to the U.S.

Voice of Russia slashes at U.S. pressure on DPRK

    Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- Radio Voice of Russia on Thursday aired its commentator's article slashing at the present U.S. administration's moves to upset the peace process on the Korean peninsula. Recalling that recently the DPRK established diplomatic ties with several EU member nations and brazil one after another, the article said:
    Russia, China and many other countries expressed support to this policy of the DPRK, estimating the DPRK's role in northeast Asia and other Asian regions and on the international arena for stability and peace.
    The DPRK's contact with the former u.s. administration had developed at a high speed, but such positive developments have suddenly changed following the emergence of the new U.S.administration, it noted, and went on:
    The U.S. arrogance towards the DPRK has become pronounced, putting new brakes on the improvement of bilateral relations.
    What merits attention is that the United States is seeking to put pressure upon the DPRK. There came such outbursts as "Pyongyang should do something" and "Pyongyang should discharge its duty." This has compelled the DPRK to make a strong reaction.
    Regrettably, it is impossible to expect substantial dialogue under the present situation. The United States' current moves to complicate the inter-Korean relations are sharpening the DPRK's vigilance.
    Such position of the U.S. will only upset the peace process on the Korean peninsula.

DPRK gives warning to provokers

    Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- It is the spirit of the Korean people and people's army soldiers to meet challenge with challenge and react to a hardline policy with a tough policy. It was well proved by the "Pueblo" incident, shooting down of "EC-121", "Panmunjom incident" and "shooting down of a helicopter."
    "Pueblo", an armed spy ship of the U.S. imperialists, at anchor on the shores of the River Taedong in Pyongyang is open to visitors.
    The ship, which the U.S. navy called "an unknown emperor," as captured by the navy of the heroic Korean People's Army 33 years ago while conducting espionage in the East Sea of Korea. 82 crew were taken prisoners but two of the crew were killed while resisting.
    The "Pueblo" incident clearly shows the world people what is the end of invaders intruding into our sea.
    On April 15, Juche 58 (1969), "EC-121", a large U.S. imperialist spy plane, was shot down by a pursuit plane of the KPA air force.
    The spy plane was specially manufactured to reconnoitre our radar installations. its crew, 31 in all, met their death.
    The incident proves that those who violate the airspace of the DPRK will not survive.
    Intruders into our land met the same end.
    On August 18, Juche 65 (1976), tens of enemy soldiers attacked four guardsmen of the people's army at Panmunjom, taking advantage of their numerical superiority.
    After a hand-to-hand fight, two officers of the U.S. army were killed and many of them were blood-soaked.
    The axe, which was used by the enemy, is exhibited at Panmunjom to show what is the final fate of provokers. On December 17, Juche 83 (1994), a helicopter belonging to the flying corps of the 8th army of the U.S. imperialist aggression was shot down by a soldier of the Korean People's Army in the eastern sector of the front. This bullet-proof helicopter, what they called a "cat in the sky," was a sophisticated observation and reconnaissance helicopter. They boasted of its technical advantage during the gulf war. But in Korea it failed to demonstrate its advantage.
    Those who invade Korea from sky, land and sea will not get off scotfree.

U.S. argument about "missile threat" condemned

    Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- Minju Joson today in a signed commentary says the new U.S. administration is now persistently clamouring about "missile threat" from the DPRK in a bid to openly pursue world domination based on "upperhand in strength" and establish the "National Missile Defense" (NMD) system for its realisation. As its moves to establish the nmd were rejected the world over, the U.S. has raised the non-existent "missile threat" from the DPRK with a view to obtaining a pretext and time for it, the commentary says, and goes on:
    The section chief for East Asia studies under the New York academy of social science clearly mentioned that the real purpose of NMD is to target against "China and Russia," not against North Korea.
    The U.S. moves to establish nmd under the pretext of the non-existent "missile threat" from the DPRK suggest a lot of things.
    Styling itself the "only superpower" of the world, the U.S. is resorting to high-handed and arbitrary practices. It is quite clear what consequences the U.S. establishment of military domination over the world will bring about.
    However hard the U.S. is trying to achieve its sinister purpose by cooking up "missile threat" from the DPRK, it will never go down with anyone.
    The U.S. should face up to the trend of the times and give up its anachronistic war policy at once.

Rodong Sinmun on army-first policy

    Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- The army-first policy is a basic political method reflecting the practical demand for accomplishing the cause of socialism in the present times. This policy calls for solving all the problems arising in the revolution and construction on the principle of giving priority to military affairs and pushing ahead with the cause of socialism as a whole with the army as a pillar of the revolution.
    Rodong Sinmun today says this in a signed article.
    The article further says:
    The army-first policy is, first of all, an important guarantee for successful implementation of the independent politics.
    The independent spirit of standing against any pressure and threat of the imperialists and the determination to actively open up a road of revolution are ensured by the military strength.
    It is impossible to defend independence without strong military force in the present world where the imperialists are resorting to the policy of strength.
    During the past "arduous march" we won victories in the acute ideological, military, political and diplomatic confrontation with imperialists and defended the Korean-style socialism. This is a brilliant fruition of leader Kim Jong Il's great army-first policy.
    This policy of the Workers' Party of Korea also reliably guarantees the smooth implementation of the politics for the people.
    Attaching importance to military affairs in socialist society is the most just measure to defend the people's destiny and ensure their happy life.
    So, there will be no more powerful political method than the army-first policy for the wpk and the socialist government that serve the people and provide independent and creative life to them.
    The WPK's army-first policy, a perfect and systematized political method, is not a tactical policy adopted only to deal with the present situation but a strategic political method that should be maintained constantly as long as the imperialists remain in this planet.
    We should remain true to Kim Jong Il's army-first policy and thoroughly embody it in the revolution and construction under any circumstances and situation. this is the only way of defending the socialist cause of Juche to the last and demonstrating the dignity of the nation.

KPA does not say empty words

    Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- The Korean People's Army which has the same disposition, grit and pluck as its supreme commander Kim Jong Il's is taciturn but does not say empty words. Once it states, it demonstrates its matchless might and spirit. This is clearly evidenced by only a few official orders and statements which the Korean armed forces released under the serious and complicated military situation in the 1990s.
    The first vice-minister of the people's armed forces in a statement on March 29, 1996 declared:
    "The mission of our people's army to defend the security of the motherland and the gains of the revolution is not limited to defending the country from any aggression only.
    It is the spirit of our army to return fire for fire and counter strong-arm policy with a strong-arm policy".
    The spokesman for the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces in a statement on June 18, 1997 warned:
    "If the enemy eventually challenges our will and military might, our people's army will mobilize to the maximum all the potentials built up for scores of years and give vent to our people's pent-up wrath and grudge against him."
    The spokesman for the general staff of the Korean People's Army in a statement on December 2, 1998 said:
    "We have our own operational plan. 'surgical operation-type assault' and 'forestalling strike' can never be an exclusive option of the united states and such method of attack is not a monopoly of the U.S. It should clearly know that there is no limit to our people's army's strike and there is no place on our planet where the enemy can dodge this strike.
    ... Our revolutionary armed forces solemnly declare with the dignity of Juche Korea that they will meet the challenge of the U.S. imperialist aggressor forces with merciless annihilating blows.
    The aggressors will not be able to escape from the fate of the dead."
    As the Korean armed forces have already declared, those who dare infringe upon our dignity and honour will not be able to survive in Korea nor will be able to dodge our annihilating blows wherever they are in the world.

U.S. brinkmanship against DPRK blasted

    Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today in a signed article accuses the bush administration of stepping up its hostile policy of military pressure towards the DPRK. The article says:
    The Bush administration is working hard to establish the "National Missile Defence" system (NMD) under the pretext of "threat of missile" from the DPRK and zealously pushing forward the work to put its new Korean war scenario into practice.
    It is embarking upon the establishment of the NMD in defiance of protest at home and abroad though it was deferred by the Clinton administration. The NMD is also aimed to mount a nuclear assault against the DPRK in a bid to exterminate the Korean nation.
    The U.S. imperialists are placing Japan on a war footing by turning its territory into an advance base.
    A few days ago a night take-off and landing drill was held in the Atsugi base in Japan. The fighters involved have the missions to mount surprise attacks on the DPRK's major targets by flying close to coastal areas of the DPRK.
    A headquarters of the mine-sweeping detachment was newly set up in the U.S. naval base in Sasebo, Japan.
    The transfer of the commandership to the headquarters is an emergency measure to be taken only on the eve of a war.
    Many U.S. warships of different types sailed into civilian ports of Japan before and after the entry of the flag-ship "blue ridge" of the U.S. 7th Fleet into Tokyo port.
    It is a wrong option for the U.S. imperialists to seek a solution to the Korean issue in a war.
    The DPRK has maintained the principle to wipe out any aggressors coming to invade its territory and infringe upon its dignity and sovereignty and is strong enough to do so.
    The DPRK's strike at aggressors is merciless and limitless.

DPRK free to go its own way

    Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- Conservative hardliners of the new administration in the United States are trying to put a brake on the implementation of the DPRK-U.S. agreed framework. In this regard rodong sinmun today in a signed commentary says: The U.S. is urging the DPRK to take a sort of "measure" instead of taking steps to compensate for the loss the DPRK has suffered from the delayed lwr construction.
    It is brazen-faced and ridiculous for the u.s. to pull up the DPRK. This is like a thief crying "stop the thief " by dragging on the lwr project it aims to bar the DPRK's independent nuclear power industry from developing and weaken its economic and military potentials. in other words, it is designed to impose unilateral sacrifices and losses upon it. It also seeks to scrap the AF and stifle the DPRK by force of arms when an opportunity presents itself, whiling away time with following the DPRK's stand.
    Time is running out for the U.S. promised provision of LWRS to the DPRK. Therefore, the DPRK and the U.S. should decide at once on this issue. The DPRK cannot wait for it indefinitely, without getting anything. If the U.S. pursues a reckless hostile policy towards the DPRK, taking no measure to compensate for the loss caused by its non-compliance with the AF, the DPRK will have no alternative but to take a corresponding measure.
    The DPRK will not be bound to the AF any longer as it is not implemented and will be left with no option but to go its own way.
    The U.S. will be held responsible for all the ensuing consequences.

Greetings to President of Cape Verde

Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings to Pedro Pires upon his election as President of Cape Verde on March 15. Extending warm congratulations to the President of Cape Verde, Kim in the message hoped that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would continue to develop on good terms. The message sincerely wished him greater success in his work for prosperity of the country.

Greetings to Ugandan President

    Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, sent a message of greetings on March 15 to Yoweri Kaguta Museveni upon his reelection as President of Uganda. The message extended warm congratulations to him upon his reelection.
    It said that his reelection as president is an expression of the deep trust and expectation of the Ugandan people for him.
    It expressed the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow stronger and develop, and sincerely wished him fresh success in his responsible work.

DPRK delegations leave

Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- The delegation of the Workers' Party of Korea led by Kang Sok Sung, director of the history institute of the Central Committee of the WPK, left here today by air to participate in the congress of the Funcinpec Party of Cambodia and celebrations of its foundation. Meanwhile, the delegation of the DPRK Foreign Ministry headed by its vice-minister Choe Su Hon left here today by air to visit Sweden, Poland, Germany and other European countries.

Gift to Kim Jong Il from Russian delegation

Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- A gift was presented to leader Kim Jong Il by the Russian minister of Railway Transport on a visit to the DPRK. It was handed to premier of the DPRK cabinet Hong Song Nam by minister Nikolai Aksenenko on March 17.