calendar>>January 3. 2012 Juch 101

Italians Mourn Demise of Kim Jong Il

Pyongyang, January 3 (KCNA) -- Giancarlo Elia Valori, chairman of the Development Bank of the Mediterranean and chairman of the Italian General Investment Group, and Mauro Baeli, president of C.I. S. Estero Group of Italy, visited the DPRK mission for the third time on Dec. 27 last year to mourn demise of leader Kim Jong Il.

They placed a large wreath and floral basket at his portrait before expressing condolences.

Giancarlo Elia Valori said: Now is Dec. 28 in Korean time, the saddest day when we bid last farewell to Comrade Kim Jong Il. We came here again with our bitter grief at the fact that we are unable to fly to Pyongyang where the solemn ceremony of paying last farewell to him is taking place.

He wrote in the mourner's book that Kim Jong Il's feats would be recorded in one page of history.

Mauro Baeli said:

We share the sorrow with the Korean people who suffered the great national misfortune by the sudden demise of Kim Jong Il. In the mourning period we live in Korean time, not in Italian time, cherishing the memory of him in humble reverence.

Now is 00:00 on Dec. 28 in Korean time. I can hardly repress my bitter grief at the fact that we have to bid last farewell to him.

Recalling in tears the loving care and benevolence shown for his family by Kim Jong Il, Mauro Baeli expressed belief that the dear respected Kim Jong Un would turn the DPRK into a more prosperous and powerful country true to the behests of Kim Jong Il.