Kim Jong Il's Songun Politics Praised

     Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- Souzan al Bitar, head of the delegation of the General Exhibition Bureau of Syria, participating in the 7th Pyongyang International Commodity Exhibition, when interviewed by KCNA on May 17, said that the Korean people are fully exercising their sovereignty in the international arena and dynamically pushing ahead with the building of a great prosperous powerful nation, despite the imperialists' moves to isolate and stifle the DPRK and manifold difficulties, under the wise Songun revolutionary leadership of Kim Jong Il. The single-hearted unity of the leader, the Workers' Party of Korea and the people is growing strong and the might and vitality of the independent national economy fully displayed in the DPRK under his unique Songun revolutionary leadership, she noted, adding that the friendly relations between Syria and the DPRK provided by President Hafez Al-Assad and President Kim Il Sung are developing under the care of President Bashar Al-Assad and leader Kim Jong Il.
    Referring to the positive efforts of the DPRK to boost economic exchange and cooperation with all the countries friendly to it, she said that the Korean people would surely build a great prosperous powerful socialist nation despite ordeals and difficulties.
    She sincerely wished the friendly Korean people greater progress, prosperity and the reunification of the country under the wise and seasoned guidance of Kim Jong Il.

Guinean President Refers to Relations with DPRK

     Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- Guinea would actively develop the friendly and cooperative relations with the DPRK in all fields including politics, economy and diplomacy. Lansana Conte, president of Guinea, said this when meeting Kim Kyong Sin, DPRK ambassador e.p. to Guinea, who paid a farewell call on him on May 13.
    The president noted that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries have developed on good terms under the deep care of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il.
    Noting that the DPRK is a fraternal country which has supported Guinea and rendered disinterested moral and material aid to it since its independence, he stressed that the Guinean people would always remember this and feel grateful for this. The Guinean government will positively support all initiatives taken by the DPRK government to put an end to the division of the country, he said.

DPRK Ambassador to Guinea Appointed

     Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- Kim Pong Hui was appointed as DPRK ambassador e.p. to Guinea according to a decree of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly.

Fighting Slogans Made Public in S. Korea

     Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- The Solidarity for Implementing the South-North Joint Declaration of south Korea reportedly made public fighting slogans of the May 18-June 15 period for national cooperation against the U.S. on May 14. The slogans call for preventing a war in the Korean peninsula and achieving national reunification with national cooperation. The slogans call for opposing the establishment of the U.S. missile defence system, a threat of war in the Korean peninsula, halting the relocation of the U.S. troops in south Korea and blocking the troop dispatch to Iraq, bullet shields of the war of aggression.
    The slogans also call for driving the U.S. troops, the principal culprit of a nuclear war in the Korean peninsula, out of south Korea, and call upon all the Koreans in the south and the north and overseas to bring earlier independent reunification by implementing the June 15 joint declaration.

Rally in S. Korea Condemns GI Atrocities

     Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- A rally was reportedly held near the U.S. embassy in Seoul on May 14 to condemn the U.S. troops' maltreatment of POWs in Iraq and oppose the troop dispatch under the sponsorship of the Joint Action for Peace against War made up of more than 70 civic and public organizations of south Korea. At the rally speakers said that it is very awkward to explain cruel atrocities in Iraq to schoolchildren and that students, too, know well that the U.S. invaded Iraq because of petroleum domination.
    They called for waging an active struggle against the troop dispatch, saying that the government authorities are pushing ahead with the troop dispatch to make them victims of neo-liberalism.
    After the rally the participants made a demonstration march, shouting slogans "Defeat to Bush," "Stop occupying Iraq," "Stop murdering" and so on.

Stop to Overall Suppression of Hanchongryon Demanded

     Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- The Group for an Indefinite Sit-in Strike of the south Korean Federation of University Student Councils for the Repeal of "Enemy-benefiting" Label Attached to Hanchongryon and the Abolition of the "Security Law" reportedly issued a statement titled "Let's get the chairman of the 11th term Hanchongryon released and the Security Law abolished through struggle" on May 13. Referring to the fact that the security authorities arrested Jong Jae Uk, former chairman of the 11th term Hanchongryon, on May 13, the statement termed this a wholesale suppression of Hanchongryon.
    Accusing the authorities of kicking up a whirl of wholesale crackdown upon deputies to Hanchongryon at a time when the desire of the people for new politics, system and life is daily growing stronger, the statement demanded the authorities stop the suppression of Hanchongryon and release at once Jong Jae Uk and other detained students.
    It declared the group would conduct in unity with all people a positive struggle for the lift of the "enemy-benefiting" label attached to Hanchongryon and the repeal of the SL.

Cultural Festival Held in Pusan

     Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- The candlelight cultural festival of citizens in Pusan to mark citizens' victory was reportedly held on May 14 in Pusan of south Korea under the sponsorship of the Pusan Citizens' Movement for the Nullification of "Motion on Impeachment" and the Elimination of Corrupt Politics. Speakers at the festival said that the decision to turn down the motion on impeachment this time shows the truth that justice is bound to win, urging the government to administer politics well standing by the people in the future.
    They warned that the government and the 17th National Assembly would meet again resistance of the people unless they withdraw the plan to dispatch troops to Iraq, abolish the security law, reform the press and fulfill other tasks.
    Colorful art performances were given in the festival.
    Prior to the cultural festival, the organization had a press conference in the Pusan railway station plaza, timed to coincide with the announcement of the decision.
    A press release was issued at the conference. It noted that the decision to turn down the "motion on impeachment" proved once again the inexhaustible strength of the people, who raised high candlelights on the streets to defend democracy.
    The day the "motion on impeachment" was dismissed would be recorded in history as a "day people defended their rights from the corrupt forces of the National Assembly by their concerted efforts," the press release said, demanding the ultra-right conservative forces own their political responsibility and apologize to the people for the motion.

Remains of More Patriots Unearthed in DPRK

     Sinchon, May 18 (KCNA) -- Remains of more patriots killed by the U.S. imperialist aggressors during the Fatherland Liberation War were recently unearthed in Sinchon, South Hwanghae Province. Remains of Four patriots were unearthed from a hollow 2m long, 90cm wide and 70cm deep in a mountain north of Sinchon Township.
    Some of the cranial bones were riddled with bullets and others were completely broken.
    Carpals were left tied double or treble with copper wires 3.5mm in diameter. The extreme ends of the wires were seen twisted about 20 times.
    Also discovered there were copper wires used in binding patriots together, shoes, leather belts, cartridges, bottles, spoons and others.
    Though many years have passed since the massacre took place, the remains clearly testify to the thrice-cursed crimes committed by the U.S. imperialist aggressors, most ferocious murderers who regard man-killing as pleasure and the sworn enemies of the Korean people.

GIs Commit Violence against S. Korean Taxi Driver

     Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- GIs committed violence against a south Korean taxi driver on May 15, according to south Korean MBC. That day Corporal Ramond belonging to U.S. Second Division and another tried to run away without paying a taxi driver surnamed Ha. When he demanded the payment, they beat him.

Meeting for Peace against U.S. and War Held in S. Korea

     Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- The Headquarters of the Movement against the U.S. and War and for the Earlier Conclusion of a Non-Aggression Treaty between the DPRK and the U.S. reportedly sponsored the 24th Friday meeting to defend peace from the U.S. and war near the U.S. embassy in Seoul on May 14. The co-chairman of the Headquarters of the People's Movement for the Withdrawal of the U.S. Troops and the permanent co-representative of the Solidarity for the Implementation of the South-North Joint Declaration in their speeches said that such tragic happenings as GIs' atrocities in Iraq are reported in this land due to the U.S. troops present in south Korea, stating they can no longer suffer due to the U.S. troops and it is the way out for the Korean nation to drive them out of this land.
    A resolution read out at the meeting noted that they would foil the U.S. brigandish pressure for additional troop dispatch to Iraq through struggle and fight against the U.S. threatening the existence of the Korean nation through national cooperation against the U.S.

Withdrawal of U.S. Forces from S. Korea Demanded

     Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- Nothing can stop people from rejecting the old and aspiring after the new in south Korea. This was clearly proved by the last "general election" of the 17th-term "National Assembly". Rodong Sinmun Wednesday says this in a signed commentary. It goes on:
    The people's struggle for the new against the old entered a turning phase through the "general election". Such reality sets forth more fundamental and vital task before the south Koreans. That is the withdrawal of the U.S. troops from south Korea.
    What is most outdated in south Korea is the continued U.S. military presence and domination over it.
    It is an urgent need for the south Koreans aspiring after the new and new life to drive the U.S. forces out of south Korea and put an end to the U.S. colonial rule.
    The Korean people still suffer from the leftovers of the era of confrontation.
    History and reality require the south Korean people to wake up and make a bold decision.
    It is the greatest disgrace and misfortune for the nation that the U.S. forces' occupation of south Korea still goes on in this century, too. The south Korean people should get rid of such disgrace and sufferings and be allowed to lead a new and independent life at an early date.
    They should positively respond to the call of the era and the nation and force the cursed U.S. aggressor troops to pull out of south Korea as early as possible through do-or-die anti-U.S. resistance.

U.S. Plan for Preemptive Nuclear Attack Denounced

     Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- The United States stages joint war games with Japan and south Korea more than a hundred time every year. Entering this year, "Iron Atef" and "Freedom Banner 04" maneuvers, "RSOI" and "Foal Eagle" joint war rehearsals have been staged. This has created a dangerous situation on the Korean peninsula in which a nuclear war may break out any moment. Rodong Sinmun Wednesday in a signed article says the war exercises staged by the U.S. imperialists in and around south Korea are reckless nuclear war gambles going against the flow and demand of the times and a leftover of the Cold War era.
    The article goes on:
    To put an end to the military confrontation and stabilize the situation on the Korean peninsula which is facing the gravest danger of a nuclear war is an urgent demand in guaranteeing world peace and security.
    For the U.S. to kick up the din of war games with south Korea at this moment is a malicious criminal act challenging the sentiments of the people at home and abroad who are desirous of peace and reunification in Korea.
    The six-party talks for the settlement of the nuclear issue will not progress smoothly if the tension on the Korean peninsula and the military confrontation between the DPRK and the U.S. are screwed up to a higher pitch with intensified anti-DPRK war exercises of the U.S. imperialists.
    The nuclear war rehearsals in and around south Korea contradict also the spirit and mission of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
    It is an anachronistic delusion, if the U.S. considers it will be able to browbeat and subjugate the Korean People's Army and people by military pressure and strength.
    It is the unshakable will of the army and people of the DPRK never to allow any attempt to flout the sovereignty of the country and the dignity of the nation.
    The U.S. should shake itself free from the cold war mode of thinking and give up the adventurous plan for a preemptive nuclear attack on the DPRK, looking straight into the flow of the times toward independence and peace.

Seventh Pyongyang International Trade Fair

     Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- The 7th Pyongyang International Trade Fair, which opened on May 17, is going on in Pyongyang. Displayed there are various kinds of machine tools, equipment of electric power system, light industrial goods, daily necessities, electronic products and many other goods presented by trade companies of the DPRK and scores of companies of China, Malaysia, Syria, Thailand, Italy and Taipei.
    Attracting a particular attention of the delegations and businessmen participating in the fair are numerical control machine tools, motors, generators, engines, colorful slates, natural granite, natural health food and folkcraft articles exhibited by Korean trade companies.
    213 varieties of 18 kinds of "Chonji"-branded lubrication oil displayed by the Korea Sungri Joint Venture Company interest foreign companies and businessmen for their quality coming up to the standard of ISO, ADI and SAE.
    They are also interested in medium and small numerical control lathes, air-tight batteries, wireless switchboard for computer network, cultural and sports apparatuses and materials, office supplies, air conditioners, internal ornaments, shoes, textile goods, various models of cellular phones, cosmetics, etc. exhibited by companies in different countries and regions.
    During the fair, representatives of the companies have had wide-range discussions on trade transactions and concluded trade contracts with each other.
    The fair, which continues until May 20, helps develop many-sided exchange and cooperation and trade relations among nations and regions.

DPRK Red Cross Meeting Held

     Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- A Red Cross meeting of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has been held at the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang from May 18 to 19. The meeting reviewed the achievements made by the DPRK Red Cross Society in its activities and chose the orientation it should take for its development until 2010 to suit the new environments of the 21st century. It also discussed and decided on its program.
    Jang Jae On, chairman of the C.C., Red Cross Society of the DPRK, delivered a report on its work to the meeting.
    The reporter said the society's ability has increased still further in public health, water hygiene and activities for coping with various kinds of disasters and tremendous achievements have been made in the efforts for protecting and improving the people's lives and health and in press and information activities.
    The Central Committee of the Red Cross Society has made strenuous efforts to lessen the nation's misfortune and sufferings caused by the division of the country and defend the interests of overseas compatriots, he said. It has also developed friendly and cooperative ties with international Red Cross organizations and Red Cross and Red Crescent organizations of many countries and conducted energetic activities to contribute to the world peace.
    The DPRK Red Cross Society, in cooperation with the International Federation of Red Cross Societies and other nations' Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, has supplied many kinds of medicines and medical apparatuses to some 1,760 medical institutions in North Phyongan Province and other areas, he said.
    Saying that cooperation between the DPRK Red Cross Society and the International Committee of Red Cross has also expanded and developed in such fields as dissemination of international humanitarian law, survey of information and offering of convenience for living conditions of handicapped, Jang voiced thanks to governments of other countries across the world, the Humanitarian Office of the European Union, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of Red Cross and other countries' Red Cross organizations for their sincere assistance to the DPRK for its natural disasters.
    The DPRK Red Cross Society will as ever prevent misfortune and sufferings of people, improve their health and wellbeing and promote friendship and unity with the people of other countries throughout the world in conformity with the basic principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, thus fully discharging its mission of contributing to the world peace, he declared.
    The meeting was participated in by officials of the central and local Red Cross committees and meritorious members of the Red Cross Society. And members of the cooperation delegations of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Committee of Red Cross, the representative of the World Health Organization and foreign diplomatic envoys and embassy officials in Pyongyang were invited to the meeting.

National Exports Exhibition

     Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- A national exhibition of export commodities is going on in Pyongyang. On show at the Central Hall of Light Industrial Samples are fibers, daily necessities, footwear, electronic products, foodstuffs and many other goods presented by exports manufacturing units.
    At the hall of samples diverse services will be provided, which will include foreign trade and commercial activities and export contracts will be made.

S. Korean Authorities Hit for Anti-North Move

     Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- The south Korean authorities are going to finish till mid-June the building of the course of the "tour of tunnels" in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Phaju, Kyonggi Province, and open them to visitors. This is an unpardonable grave political provocation against the north, said a spokesman for the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland in a statement issued to the press on Wednesday. The repetition of this burlesque dating back to the old era of confrontation is an anti-national and anti-reunification criminal act to keep all the Koreans from advancing toward national cooperation, he noted, and continued: The south Korean authorities hatched such plot against the north with the 4th anniversary of the publication of the historic June 15 North-South Joint Declaration at hand. This cannot be construed otherwise than an outright challenge to the joint declaration and a perfidy to it.
    Both sides had an earnest discussion on the issue of stopping all actions getting on each other's nerves at the 14th inter-Korean ministerial talks.
    Yet, the south Korean authorities are going to commit a hostile act soon after the return of their negotiators to Seoul. This is an insult and perfidy to their dialogue partner.
    We will certainly settle accounts with those who chose the leftover of the era of confrontation as a "tourist site" in a bid to use it for their anti-north smear campaign though it is the era after the publication of the June 15 declaration.
    The south Korean authorities should ponder over the grave consequences to be entailed by such hostile act and unconditionally and promptly stop the moves to incite mistrust and confrontation among compatriots.

Greetings to Cameroonian President

     Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings to Paul Biya, president of the Republic of Cameroon, on Monday on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the Republic. Sincerely wishing the president greater success in his responsible work for the prosperity of the country, he expressed belief that the friendly relations between the two countries would continue to develop on good terms.

For Spanish-speaking people

Exposicion Nacional de Mercancias de Exportacion

     Pyongyang, 19 de mayo (ATCC) -- La Exposicion Nacional de Mercancias de Exportacion tiene lugar en el capitalino Pabellon Central de Muestras de Productos de la Industria Ligera. Estan exhibidos ahi distintas fibras, articulos de uso diario, zapatos, productos electronicos, alimentos, etc.
    Este pabellon desarrollara las actividades de comercio exterior e interior y de servicio y concertara contratos de exportacion.

Nombrado embajador de la RPDC en Guinea

     Pyongyang, 19 de mayo (ATCC) -- Segun un decreto del Presidium de la Asamblea Popular Suprema de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, Kim Pong Hui fue nombrado como embajador extraordinario y plenipotenciario de la RPDC a acreditarse en la Republica de Guinea.

Nuevos restos de patriotas en Sinchon

     Sinchon, 18 de mayo (ATCC) -- En estos dias, en Sinchon de la provincia de Hwanghae del Sur fueron descubiertos de nuevo los 4 restos de patriotas asesinados por los agresores yanquis durante la Guerra de Liberacion de la Patria (1950-1953). Los restos estaban echados en una fosa de 2 metros de largo, de 90 centimetros de ancho y de 70 de profundo en un monticulo al norte de la cabecera distrital de Sinchon.
    Entre ellos se ven craneos con huella de bala o rotos por completo.
    Los brazos estaban atados 2 o 3 veces por alambre de cobre de 3.5 milimetros de diametro y sus colas estaban retorcidas fuertemente mas de 20 veces por alicates.
    Del hueco tambien desenterraron alambres de cobre utilizados para atar uno a otro a los patriotas, zapatos, cinturones de cuero, casquillos, botellas, cucharas, etc.
    Las huellas en los restos que se ven hasta hoy demuestran a las claras los crimenes de los agresores yanquis, que son asesinos mas atroces del mundo que toman por diversion la matanza humana y que son enemigo jurado del pueblo coreano.

Presidente guineo se refiere al desarrollo de relaciones con Corea

     Pyongyang, 19 de mayo (ATCC) -- Guinea desarrollara activamente las relaciones de amistad y cooperacion con Corea en todas las esferas politica, economica, diplomatica, etc. Asi dijo el presidente africano Lansana Conte al reunirse el dia 13 con el embajador extraordinario y plenipotenciario de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, Kim Kyong Sin, quien le hizo una visita de despedida.
    El mandatario subrayo que las relaciones de amistad y cooperacion entre los dos paises se han desarrollado favorablemente bajo la profunda atencion del Presidente Kim Il Sung y del Dirigente Kim Jong Il.
    Corea es un pais hermano amistoso que siempre ha dado el apoyo y no ha escatimado la ayuda material y espiritual desde cuando Guinea habia logrado la independencia nacional, senalo Lansana y apunto que el pueblo guineano siempre lo recuerda y esta agradecido de ello.
    Destaco que el gobierno de Guinea apoyara enteramente todas las iniciativas del gobierno de la RPDC para acabar con la division del pais.