Preparatory Committee Formed in Benin

     Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- A preparatory committee for commemorating the Day of the Sun was formed on March 25 with due ceremony in Cotonou, Benin. The chairman of the Benin-Korea Amicable Association "Long Live Kim Jong Il, Supreme Leader" was elected chairman of the committee.
    He in a speech made at the ceremony said that the Korean people under the outstanding leadership of Kim Jong Il have successfully carried forward and developed the idea and feats of President Kim Il Sung despite the most stern trials in the last decade.
    He noted that the committee would actively conduct information service on the greatness of the three generals of Mt. Paektu in combination with activities for significantly celebrating the 60th anniversary of Korea's liberation and the 60th anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea.
    The committee decided to widely introduce the Juche idea and immortal feats of the President to people of all strata in Benin and hold diverse commemorative functions such as a meeting, lecture, film show and photo exhibition from March 25 to April 15.

Day of Sun Commemorated Abroad

     Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- A meeting of the Russian public was held in Moscow on April 3 on the occasion of the Day of the Sun. Vladimir Tolstikov, chairman of the Russian Association for Friendship and Cultural Cooperation with the DPRK, in a report said that the whole life of President Kim Il Sung was a history of the sun who performed distinguished feats for the country, the nation, the era and humankind, holding high the banner of Juche.
    He noted:
    Kim Il Sung is a brilliant thinker and theoretician who fathered the immortal Juche idea and ushered in the era of independence, the benefactor of the nation who carved out the destiny of Korea and liberated it with arms and an iron-willed brilliant commander who defeated the U.S. and Japanese aggressors.
    He successfully settled the issue of succession to the revolutionary cause. This is a great exploit he performed not only for the Korean nation but for humankind to be specially recorded in history.
    Tsitarenko, director of the Institute for Far Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, in a speech said that Kim Il Sung showed the whole world an example of how to defend the sovereignty and dignity of the country and paved the most right road of independence to be followed by the world.
    Yuri Vanin, section chief of the institute, in a speech said that the revolutionary cause of Kim Il Sung would always triumph as it is led by Kim Jong Il.
    A congratulatory message to him was adopted at the meeting.
    Meanwhile, an opening ceremony of a DPRK book, photo and handicraft exhibition took place in Dupnitsa City of Bulgaria on March 31 and a lecture titled "Kim Jong Il, distinguished commander" and a show of the Korean film "Brilliant History of the Great Leadership" were separately held by the Tanzanian National Coordinating Committee for the Juche Idea Study Groups and the Sunlight Company of Egypt on March 29 and 31.

Floral Basket to Kim Jong Il from Yasser Arafat

     Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il received a floral basket from Yasser Arafat, president of the State of Palestine, on the occasion of the Day of the Sun and the 11th anniversary of his election as chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The floral basket was conveyed to Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun by Palestinian Ambassador to the DPRK Shaher Mohammed Abdlah on April 8.

Internet Homepages Open on Day of Sun

     Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- Internet homepage "Korea Today" was opened by Jaroslav Bokoun, a public figure of the Czech Republic, on the occasion of the Day of the Sun. Under the title of "Comrade Kim Il Sung, the great leader of the Korean people" the homepage edited a photo of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il discussing work, a photo of smiling Kim Il Sung, a photo of him organizing the Down-with-Imperialism Union, a photo of him proclaiming the foundation of the Anti-Japanese People's Guerrilla Army and an article introducing his brief biography.
    The article said that Kim Il Sung successfully built the DPRK into a country, independent, self-supporting and self-reliant in national defence, and the Juche idea founded by him serves as a weapon of struggle, a beacon of hope not only for the Korean people but for the world progressive people.
    Edited in the homepage are a photograph of him acknowledging the cheers of servicepersons and an article entitled "Always finding himself among soldiers" under the title "Comrade Kim Jong Il, Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army."
    Meanwhile, the Association for Friendship with the Korean People in Spain on March 29 opened Internet special homepage "President Kim Il Sung, the Sun of Korea, Will Always Be with Us" (April 15, 1912-April 15,2004), commemorating April 15, and Internet monthly international bulletin "Lodestar" No. 1 in close touch with its branches in different countries. A Chinese representative of the association posted on the Internet homepage photos showing the immortal revolutionary history and feats of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.

"Complete Collection of Kim Il Sung's Works" Vol. 53 Published

     Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- The Workers' Party of Korea Publishing House brought out "Complete Collection of Kim Il Sung's Works" Vol. 53, a library of the immortal Juche idea which systematically and comprehensively carries the famous works of President Kim Il Sung in chronological order. Carried there are 32 works including highly important speeches, concluding speeches, talks, etc. made by him from October Juche 62 (1973) to February Juche 63 (1974).
    During the period the Korean people waged a grand struggle to bring about a new great turn in all fields of socialist construction by pushing forward the three revolutions, ideological, cultural and technical, under the leadership of the Party. "Concluding Speech Made at a Meeting of the Political Committee of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea", "Let Us Consolidate and Develop the Great Successes in Building a Socialist Rural Community" and other works carried in the complete collection indicate the highly important tasks to push ahead with the socialist economic construction to strengthen the material and technological foundations of the country and improve the standard of the people's living.
    "For the Rapid Development of Science and Technology in Our Country", "On Sending Three-Revolution Teams to the Educational Field" and other works indicate the idea that the scientists and technicians should accelerate scientific researches from the Juche-oriented stand and put the scientific and technological level of the country on the world standard as soon as possible, the tasks before the three-revolution team members to be sent to the educational field, etc. Included there is a work "Let Us Strengthen the Companies of the People's Army" which gives exposition of the importance of the position and role of the companies in strengthening the People's Army and the militant tasks to strengthen the companies.
    Also included there are works "Let Us Achieve National Reunification and World Peace through Struggle", "Talk with the Delegation of the Communist Party of Cuba", "On the Three Tasks Facing the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan" and "Koreans in Japan Should Become Patriots Who Love the Socialist Homeland".

Floral Basket and Congratulatory Letter to Kim Jong Il from Diplomatic Corps

     Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il received a floral basket and congratulatory letter from the diplomatic corps here on the occasion of the Day of the Sun and the 11th anniversary of his election as chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The floral basket and congratulatory letter were conveyed to Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun by Palestinian Ambassador to the DPRK Shaher Mohammed Abdlah who is doyen of the corps on April 8.

Staff Members of Syrian Embassy Visit Revolutionary Site on Mt. Jang

     Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- Charge d'affaires a. i. Muhammad Adib Alhani and staff members of the Syrian embassy here visited the Revolutionary Site on Mt. Jang on April 8 on the occasion of the 57th anniversary of the foundation of the Arab Socialist Baath Party. They went round with keen interest historic buildings and mementoes, being briefed on the fact that during the revolutionary activities at Kim Il Sung University leader Kim Jong Il participated in the project for expanding the road between Wasan-dong and Ryongsong and wisely led students and servicepersons, true to President Kim Il Sung's far-sighted plan for building the capital city and that he mastered the Juche-oriented military theory and tactics.
    The charge d'affaires a. i. made an entry in the visitor's book.

Reception Given by Cuban Ambassador

     Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- Esteban Lobaina Romero, Cuban ambassador to the DPRK, gave a reception at the embassy last evening on the occasion of the Day of the Sun and the 11th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's election as chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The ambassador in a speech said that true to the idea of President Kim Il Sung, the Korean people are now waging a dynamic struggle to build a great prosperous powerful nation and achieve the independent and peaceful reunification of the country. The Cuban party, government and people will always extend support and solidarity to the Korean people, he noted.
    He expressed the conviction that the friendly relations between the two countries provided by Kim Il Sung together with Fidel Castro Ruz will steadily develop under the deep care of Kim Jong Il.
    Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, in a speech said that the revolutionary cause of Juche started by Kim Il Sung is being successfully carried forward and accomplished by Kim Jong Il. He went on: We sincerely rejoice over the achievements made by the fraternal Cuban government and people in the work to defend the sovereignty of the country and the gains of socialism under the leadership of Fidel Castro Ruz and sincerely wish them greater success in the future.
    Present on invitation were Paek Nam Sun, minister of Foreign Affairs, Rim Kyong Man, minister of Foreign Trade, Kim Yong Jin, minister of Education, and other officials concerned.

Friendly Meeting Held at Russian Embassy

     Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Andrei Karlov hosted a friendly meeting at the embassy last evening. Present there on invitation were Choe Chil Nam, editor-in-chief of Rodong Sinmun, Kim Pyong Ho, deputy director general of the Korean Central News Agency, Hwang Yong Bo, vice-chairman of the Radio and TV Broadcasting Committee of the DPRK, and other media officials in Pyongyang.
    Staff members of the Russian embassy were on hand.
    The participants first went round photos showing the feats performed by President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il in strengthening and developing the DPRK-Russia friendship.
    Then they saw a Korean documentary film that contains historic scenes showing Kim Jong Il receiving congratulatory messages and gifts from V.V. Putin, president of the Russian Federation.
    Speeches were made at the meeting.
    The participants deepened the friendship, talking to one another about the need to boost the friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and Russia favorably developing as the days go by under the deep care of the leaders of the two countries.

KCNA on U.S. Criminal Moves to Escalate Nuclear Stand-off

     Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- The Korean Central News Agency Thursday issued an indictment accusing the U.S. of driving the military situation on the Korean peninsula to the brink of a nuclear war by escalating the nuclear stand-off behind the scene of dialogue and pushing forward the "strategy of preemptive nuclear attack" at the phase of its implementation. The indictment cited historical facts that the DPRK has made every effort to solve the nuclear issue by singling out the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula as a general goal, taking the initiative of proposing constructive dialogue to realize it and putting forth the most fair and aboveboard proposals.
    The indictment said:
    As soon as the Bush administration came to power in January 2001 it completely suspended the DPRK-U.S. dialogue that started in the period of the Clinton administration, deepening the nuclear crisis and extremely escalating the tensions on the Korean peninsula.
    When the Bush administration insisted on the multiparty talks prompted by a sinister political purpose, dead-set against the DPRK-U.S. direct talks, the DPRK broadmindedly accepted its proposal to have the tripartite talks.
    Even when the U.S. proposed to have the six-way talks the DPRK expressed the readiness to accept it if the offer was prompted by the intention to express the will to make a switchover in its policy towards the DPRK and co-exist with it in peace.
    What is the most important of the reasonable proposals the DPRK advanced for a solution to the DPRK-U.S. nuclear issue is a package solution based on the principle of simultaneous actions.
    The head of the DPRK side at the first round of the six-way talks clarified the principle of implementing the measures to solve the nuclear issue between the DPRK and the U.S. through simultaneous actions and set forth detailed formula for a package solution and rder for simultaneous actions to observe the principle.
    The DPRK side at the second round of the six-way talks held in Beijing from February 25 to 28 advanced a flexible proposal calling upon the U.S. to commit itself to" drop its hostile policy towards the DPRK in return for its abandonment of the nuclear weapon rogram" as a first-phase action and appealing to the parties concerned to make a due compensation by way of simultaneous actions in return for the DPRK's dismantlement of its nuclear weapon program on the principle of "action for action" as there was still no onfidence between the DPRK and the U.S. and it was impossible to agree upon the package solution based on the principle of simultaneous actions at one time.
    The dialogue and negotiations for the solution to the DPRK-U.S. nuclear issue suffered repeated setbacks due to the U.S. adamant insistence that the DPRK should abandon its nuclear program first.
    On June 6, 2001 Bush released a "statement on the policy towards north Korea" unilaterally demanding it "accept an early nuclear inspection and reduce its conventional weapons," declaring the U.S. attempt to disarm the DPRK by forcing it to abandon its nuclear program first as a policy at last.
    The U.S. official moves to pressurize the DPRK to abandon its nuclear program first and its hostile acts to bring down its system have become more undisguised since Kelly, a special envoy of the U.S. president, visited the DPRK in early October 2002.
    The U.S. dispatched "special envoys" and "delegations" one after another to European and Asian countries according to its pre-arranged scenario in a bid to "persuade" the governments of the countries to bring the DPRK's "nuclear issue" to the UNSC. And it did not hesitate to perpetrate such an arrogant act as asking south Korea and other Northeast Asian countries not to improve relations with the DPRK.
    The U.S. instigated the International Atomic Energy Agency to adopt two "resolutions" demanding the DPRK scrap its "nuclear program" in a verifiable manner on November 29, 2002, and on January 6, 2003.
    The U.S. demand that the DPRK scrap its nuclear program first is the main obstacle in the way of solving the nuclear issue between the DPRK and the U.S. This was clearly proved by three rounds of talks held in Beijing last year and this year.
    And even when the DPRK showed greatest magnanimity, advancing a broad-minded proposal for a simultaneous package solution to the nuclear issue at the tripartite talks and the first round of the six-way talks in Beijing last year, the U.S. demanded it disclose and abandon the non-existent "enriched uranium program," pushing the talks to a collapse.
    It is a well-known fact that the second round of the six-way talks held in Beijing last February proved fruitless due to the U.S. demand that the DPRK dismantle its nuclear program first.
    At the talks the U.S. side did not show any will to make a switchover in its policy but repeated its assertion that the DPRK should abandon its nuclear program first, which had been rejected in the last talks. Furthermore, it made a senseless and far-fetched assertion that it may discuss other issues only after the DPRK completely scraps its nuclear program in a verifiable and irreversible manner, thus deliberately creating obstacles to the talks.
    The U.S., which is technically at war with the DPRK, is accelerating the development of nukes, speeding up the moves to put the strategy of nuclear attack into practice and asking it to come out for negotiations only after scrapping its nuclear program first.
    This is nothing but a brigandish demand that the DPRK unconditionally surrender to the U.S.
    The U.S. would be sadly mistaken if it, turning aside from the just demand of the DPRK, .thinks it will allow itself to be disarmed and gives up its system like Iraq, yielding to Washington's demand that the DPRK scrap its nuclear program first.
    Citing facts proving the U.S. frantic moves to put the "strategy of preemptive nuclear attack" into practice in a bid to contain the DPRK with nukes, the indictment stressed: Now that the U.S. has completely scrapped the DPRK-U.S. Agreed Framework banning the use of nukes and the threat with them and steadily escalated its nuclear threat to the DPRK in a bid to provoke a nuclear war it is left with no option but to increase its deterrent force for self-defence.
    But for the DPRK's deterrent force to cope with the U.S. "policy of strength," "nuclear policy," a nuclear war would have already broken out on the Korean peninsula.
    Its powerful deterrent force guarantees peace on the Korean peninsula.
    The DPRK will bolster its deterrent force for self-defence unless the U.S. abandons its hostile policy towards the DPRK and stops escalating the nuclear stand-off behind the curtain of dialogue.

KCNA Assails Japan's Moves to Establish MD

     Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- Japan is zealously joining the U.S. in its moves to establish the missile defense system (MD), arousing concern among the international community and increasing the threat to peace and stability around the Korean peninsula and in the Asia-Pacific region. The Japan Defense Agency is busy with preparations for MD. It began its work to revise the "law on the Self-Defense Forces" after setting up a missile defense section in it. It is planning to submit the amendment to a plenary session of the Diet next year.
    Then why Japan is getting so frantic in its moves to establish MD.
    One can find here the inveterate bad habit of Japanese politicians. Their appearance is quite different from their real intention and they are adamant in justifying their wrong views and assertions and crime-woven past.
    On December 19 last year when Japan decided to introduce MD, Chief Cabinet Secretary Fukuda made public a statement to the effect that MD is "the only means without any alternative for defending the lives and properties of the people" and conforms with "the idea of exclusive security" and "does not pose any threat to neighbouring countries."
    Foreign Minister Kawaguchi, referring to the decision, said "Japan intended to explain it to different countries around Japan".
    What is the need to explain it to neighbouring countries with so much zeal if MD is so vital and only means to defend Japan?
    Kyodo News reported that the chief executive of Japan said Japan should give other countries an impression that it is too weak to yield to a threat or lacks measures against aggression so that they may not think otherwise.
    This tells that the Japanese reactionaries' moves to establish MD are not aimed to defend the life of the people but assumes offensive and aggressive nature as they are designed to put surrounding countries under their control by force of arms under the pretext of a "threat" from someone.
    Their sophism intended to justify the unreasonable moves to establish MD is nothing but brigandish logic based on an anachronistic illusion as an assailant is painted as a victim.
    There was no need to establish MD in Japan in the past and there is no need today, too.
    During the era of the East-West Cold War Japan steadily increased its military muscle while talking about the "threat of the Soviet Union" and was keen on "economic growth", styling itself an "unsinkable aircraft carrier" under the nuclear umbrella of the United States.
    In those days modern military equipment such as missiles were deployed in surrounding countries but Japan did not openly talk about the establishment of MD to cope with the threat.
    The real crisis in the Japanese society was not caused by any "missile threat" from outside.
    Japan's reactionary and unpopular domestic and foreign policies including its policy of blindly toeing the U.S. line, its ultra-right politics, its moves to turn Japan into a military giant and its overseas expansion are posing a threat to its socio-political reality and future.
    Japan's stepped-up moves to establish MD is chiefly aimed to seize the golden opportunity of realizing its ambition to turn itself into a military giant and overseas expansion at any cost.
    As already known, after the appearance of the Bush administration the U.S. unilaterally withdrew from the ABM treaty and is pushing forward the establishment of MD at a phase of implementation and plugging Japan into it. By availing itself of this opportunity, Japan seeks to establish MD and secure an unchallenged position as a military giant through the application of the U.S. "preemptive attack" doctrine.
    An immediate chief aim of Japan's moves to establish MD is to reduce to a dead document the present constitution, the largest hurdle in legalizing the policy of turning itself into a military giant.
    In recent years Japan enacted a variety of laws related to war including the unconstitutional "law on emergency" in a bid to reduce the "no-war article" of the constitution to a dead document with the establishment of MD as a momentum. The right-wing reactionary forces of Japan took this as the golden opportunity of justifying the revival of militarism.
    Japan which drenched Korea and other Asian countries with blood, crying out for "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere", is resorting to such dangerous political and military adventure to become the "leader in Asia" with the U.S. backing once again.
    History proves that there is no limit to Japan's ambition for aggression and recklessness as well as shamelessness and craftiness.
    The Japanese authorities are pushing forward the introduction of MD under the pretext of defending "peace and stability," clamouring for the protection of "people's lives and properties". This can never be justified.
    If peace and security of humankind are to be preserved, all the people of not only Korea and other Asian countries, victims of the war of aggression committed by Japan, but Japanese and the peace-loving peoples of other countries should never tolerate the moves of Japan to turn itself into a military power and its ambition for oversea expansion.

Chinese State Symphony Orchestra Gives Its Premiere

     Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- The Chinese State Symphony Orchestra now staying here to participate in the 22nd April Spring Friendship Art Festival gave its premiere at the Ponghwa Art Theatre on April 8 prior to its opening. It was appreciated by Kim Jong Ho, chairman of the organizing committee of the festival, officials concerned and working people in the city.
    Among the audience were Chinese Ambassador Wu Donghe and staff members of the Chinese embassy here, diplomatic envoys of different countries and members of the Chinese government cultural delegation led by Zhao Weisui, vice-minister of Culture.
    The orchestra made up of talented conductor, musicians and singers put on the stage colorful numbers they had prepared with sincerity to make a tangible contribution to the festival with unbounded reverence for President Kim Il Sung. Its orchestral music made a successful ideological and artistic representation of the immortal revolutionary paean "Song of General Kim Il Sung" and male and female singers excellently presented the Korean songs "Song Devoted to Comrade Kim Jong Il" and "May the Country Prosper" to be highly acclaimed by the audience.
    The performers in violin concerto "Liang Shanbai and Zhu Yingtai" successfully represented the national sentiment of the Chinese people with a good ensemble and peculiar rendition.
    The audience was deeply impressed by the performance of symphony of Tchaikovsky No. 4 and male solo "Lensky's Aria" from opera "Eugene Onegin" by Tchaikovsky.
    The performance ended with the immortal revolutionary paean "Song of General Kim Jong Il."
    The performance was acclaimed by the audience.

U.S. and S. Korean Conservatives' Much Ado about "Human Rights Issue" in North Dismissed

     Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- The death of Jong Sun Dok, unconverted long-term prisoner in south Korea, who suffered from long illness was not natural but a murder caused by political and institutional factors. Rodong Sinmun today says this in a signed commentary. She was a patriotic woman who had indomitably fought in prison for 23 years. She should have been sent to the north in September, 2000 according to the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration as she wished but died to the nation's sorrow before seeing the day of national reunification due to the south Korean authorities' inhuman attitude.
    The commentary goes on:
    The U.S. and the south Korean conservative forces are floating a sheer rumour about "human rights issue" in the north and kicking up a racket by mobilizing riff-raffs to internationalize it. This is an unpardonable challenge to the DPRK as it is another trick to cover up their crimes and their serious human rights situation and fan up the confrontation with it.
    The anti-DPRK smear campaign of the U.S. and the pro-U.S. conservative forces in south Korea over its non-existent "human rights issue" is intended to find fault with it in various aspects in a bid to stifle the DPRK at any cost.
    They should stop at once such racket, bearing deep in mind that this will only reveal their despicable colors.

Devoted Defence of Headquarters of Revolution Called for

     Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today runs a signed article saying that to devotedly safeguard the headquarters of the revolution is the maxim of revolutionaries in the era of Songun. Devotedly safeguarding the headquarters of the revolution has fully been reflected in the faith, conscience and action of the servicepersons and people of the DPRK in their efforts to protect socialism and build a great prosperous powerful nation, it says, and goes on:
    The spirit of devotedly defending the headquarters of the revolution is a noble one of absolutely defending and implementing the idea and line of the leader who is the brain and heart of the revolution and safeguarding his safety devotedly.
    The glorious course up to this day from the dawn of the Korean revolution is associated with the spirit displayed by the Korean revolutionaries. Kim Hyok, Cha Kwang Su and other young vanguard remained true to their leader with the undisputed confidence in him. Their transparent spirit of devotedly defending the leader shines more in the era of Songun through the annals of the Korean revolution.
    The slogan "Let us defend the headquarters of the revolution headed by the great Comrade Kim Jong Il at the cost of our lives!" which has become the faith of the people across the country and the song "We will defend the headquarters of revolution with our lives" loudly reverberating throughout the country are run through with the spirit.
    As they regarded the noble spirit as the maxim of their life and struggle, the servicepersons and people could emerge victors in the confrontation to protect socialism, a war without gun reports, and work great miracles in the efforts to build a great prosperous powerful nation.
    Their spirit of devotedly defending the headquarters of the revolution is based on the transparent viewpoint and stand that the destinies of the country and the revolution depend on the headquarters of the revolution and the revolutionary conscience and sense of obligation to repay the loving care and trust of their leader to the last.
    Their faith, will and grit precisely are those based on their spirit of devotedly defending the headquarters of the revolution. No force on earth can match the strength of the servicepersons and people of the DPRK who are fighting with the fixed faith, will and grit, come what may.

Victorious Banner for Progressive People

     Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- Discussions and gatherings on various subjects including "Kim Il Sung, ever-shining august name", "Evening-gala of culture commemorating the Day of the Sun", "The great man's exploits will shine long" have been held in various countries with the approach of the Day of the Sun (April 15), the birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung. Participants in the functions said that the august name of President Kim Il Sung, along with the immortal Juche idea, as ever serves as the banner of victory for the progressive humankind. He, they said, embarked upon the road of revolution in his teens, liberated his country, fully demonstrated the might of the DPRK in the three-year Korean war against the U.S. imperialists' invasion and converted his country into a powerful socialist country in a short period.
    Their remarks reflected the boundless reverence of the world people for the President, who performed immortal feats in achieving the independence of humankind.
    He fathered the Juche idea, not only opening the era of independence, a new era, but also lighting the road to be taken by the Korean and other progressive people of the world. He also successfully carried it into practice with his energetic activities and thus paved a new phase for accomplishing the cause of global independence.
    He met more than 400 heads of party, state and government and over 70,000 public figures of various countries for the humankind's cause of independence for five decades from the first days of building a new society.
    He made 54 foreign tours to visit many countries on 87 occasions in the period.
    Thanks to his energetic activities of the President, a great victorious progress was made in the efforts for accomplishing the human cause of independence in the 20th century and a firm foundation was laid for the world progressives to vigorously advance along the road of independence in the new century, too.
    President Kim Il Sung will always be kept in the memory of all the people as the sun of Juche for his imperishable feats and noble virtues.

Symbol of Victory for Korean People

     Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army Kim Jong Il gives rifles to servicemen as souvenir when he inspects army units. The rifles reflect his iron will to defend the socialist cause and accomplish the revolutionary cause on the strength of arms.
    Arms are a symbol of victory associated with the history of the ever-victorious Korean revolution.
    The Korean revolution was pioneered and has emerged victorious by force of arms.
    President Kim Il Sung was handed over two pistols as the heritage from his father who fought in the early period of the struggle for the liberation of the country. With them, he started the twenty-year war against Japanese imperialism to achieve the historic cause of national liberation.
    He humbled the pride of the U.S. imperialists who had boasted of being victorious in their 110-odd big and small wars, safeguarded the dignity and sovereignty of the nation with honor and established a powerful socialist system centered on the people.
    He had adhered to the army-first line all his life, basing himself on the truth that independence is unthinkable without arms, the state power and national pride are guaranteed by force of army and weakened national power results in people reducing into slaves.
    His arms-first idea has been carried forward by Kim Jong Il.
    He has led the Korean revolution successfully with his unique Songun politics.
    The DPRK is fully displaying its might as the powerful nation of Juche and the fortress of socialism though the U.S. imperialists are pursuing the policy of strength, backed by military force, while overtly committing military terrorism against legitimate sovereign states and trying hard to isolate and stifle the DPRK.
    Thanks to the rifles of revolution held fast by Kim Jong Il the Korean people are pushing ahead with the general march for building a great powerful socialist nation, overcoming all trials and difficulties.
    The servicemen and people of the DPRK, firmly seizing rifles of justice, the symbol of victory provided by the Supreme Commander, will firmly defend the dignity and sovereignty of the nation.

Yang Hyong Sop Meets Chinese Cultural Delegation

     Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, met and conversed with a Chinese cultural delegation led by Zhao Weisui, vice-minister of Culture, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today. Present there were Kim Jong Ho, chairman of the organizing committee of the 22nd April Spring Friendship Art Festival, and Wu Donghe, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK.

Indonesian Government Cultural Delegation Arrives

     Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- An Indonesian government cultural delegation led by Thamrin B. Bachri, vice-minister of Culture and Tourism, arrived here today to participate in the 22nd April Spring Friendship Art Festival and the 6th Kimilsungia Festival. Among the arrivals today were a Mongolian cultural delegation and a Cambodian cultural delegate.
    They were greeted at the airport by Jo Yong Hwa, vice-chairman of the organizing committee of the art festival, Janchivdorjyn Lomvo, Mongolian ambassador to the DPRK, Keo Sophannara, charge d'affaires a.i. of the Cambodian embassy here, and Barita Siburian, first secretary of the Indonesian embassy.

For Spanish-speaking people

Kim Jong Il recibe cesto de flores del presidente de Palestina

     Pyongyang, 9 de abril (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il recibio un cesto de flores que le dirigiera Yasser Arafat, presidente del Estado de Palestina, con motivo del Dia del Sol (cumpleanos del Presidente Kim Il Sung) y del 11 aniversario de su eleccion como Presidente del Comite de Defensa Nacional de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea. El embajador extraordinario y plenipotenciario de Palestina en Corea, Shaher Mohammed Abdlah, lo entrego el dia 8 al canciller coreano Paek Nam Sun.

Editado tomo 53 de "Obras Completas de Kim Il Sung"

     Pyongyang, 9 de abril (ATCC) -- La Editora del Partido del Trabajo de Corea dio a luz el tomo 53 de las "Obras Completas de Kim Il Sung", ciclo de la inmortal idea Juche que recoge sistematica y globalmente por orden cronologico sus imperecederas obras clasicas. El libro recopila 32 trabajos del Presidente Kim Il Sung, entre otros, programaticos discursos, discursos resumenes y charlas, realizados durante el periodo que abarca desde octubre del 62 (1973) de la Era Juche al febrero del ano siguiente.
    Fue un periodo de la lucha grandiosa en que el pueblo coreano, bajo la direccion del Partido, aceleraba con vigor las 3 revoluciones ideologica, tecnica y cultural para registrar nuevos virajes en todos los dominios de la construccion del socialismo.
    En las obras "Discurso resumen pronunciado en el Comite Politico del Comite Central del Partido del Trabajo de Corea", "Consolidar y desarrollar aun mas los grandes exitos en la construccion rural socialista", etc., el Presidente presento las tareas programaticas para impulsar con energia la construccion economica socialista, fortalecer la base material y tecnica del pais y mejorar la vida del pueblo.
    En las obras "Para un rapido desarrollo de las ciencias y la tecnica en nuestro pais", "Sobre el envio de los grupos por las tres revoluciones al sector docente" y otras, aclaro el problema de hacer que los cientificos y tecnicos intensifiquen la investigacion cientifica adhiriendose a la posicion autoctona para elevar cuanto antes el nivel cientifico y tecnico del pais a un nivel mundial, las tareas que se presentan ante los miembros de los grupos por las tres revoluciones al sector docente, etc.
    Tambien se ve la obra "Fortalezcamos las companias del Ejercito Popular" en la cual esta dilucidada la importancia de la posicion y papel de las companias para el fortalecimiento del ejercito popular y presentadas las tareas combativas para consolidarlas.
    Ademas, el libro incluye las obras "Con la lucha logremos la reunificacion de la patria y la paz del mundo", "Charla con la delegacion del Partido Comunista de Cuba", "Sobre las 3 tareas que se presentan ante la Asociacion General de Coreanos Residentes en Japon", "Los coreanos residentes en Japon deben ser patriotas que aman a la patria socialista", etc.

Embajador cubano ofrece banquete

     Pyongyang, 9 de abril (ATCC) -- Con motivo del Dia del Sol (cumpleanos del Presidente Kim Il Sung) y del 11 aniversario de la eleccion del Dirigente Kim Jong Il como Presidente del Comite de Defensa Nacional de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, el embajador extraordinario y plenipotenciario de la Republica de Cuba en Corea, Esteban Lobaina Romero, ofrecio el dia 8 por la noche un banquete en su sede diplomatica. El embajador, en su discurso, dijo que en acato a la idea del Presidente Kim Il Sung, gran Lider, el pueblo coreano libra hoy una energica lucha por la construccion de una gran potencia prospera y la reunificacion independiente y pacifica del pais y destaco que el partido, el gobierno y el pueblo de Cuba enviaran siempre apoyo y solidaridad con el pueblo coreano.
    Expreso su conviccion de que las relaciones de amistad entre ambos paises preparadas por el Presidente Kim Il Sung y el estimado companero Fidel Castro Ruz se desarrollaran continuamente gracias a la profunda atencion del gran camarada Kim Jong Il.
    El secretario del CC del Partido del Trabajo de Corea, Choe Thae Bok, al hacer uso de la palabra, senalo que la causa revolucionaria del Juche iniciada por el Presidente la lleva adelante el Dirigente Kim Jong Il.
    Nos regocijamos sinceramente de los exitos que el hermano gobierno y el pueblo de Cuba, bajo la direccion del estimado companero Fidel Castro Ruz, han logrado en la labor para salvaguardar la soberania del pais y las conquistas socialistas y les deseamos de todo corazon mayores exitos tambien en adelante.
    Estuvieron invitados Paek Nam Sun, Rim Kyong Man y Kim Yong Jin, ministros de Relaciones Exteriores, de Comercio Exterior y de Educacion, respectivamente y otros funcionarios coreanos.