Book praising Secy. Kim Jong Il published in Russia

Pyongyang, March 21 (KCNA) -- The Paleya Publishing House of Russia printed the book "Leader of the 21st Century -- Kim Jong Il" on the occasion of the 55th birthday of Secretary Kim Jong Il. The book containing articles written by the chief editor and the first subeditor of the newspaper patriot is made up of seven chapters including "Heroic People", "General", "the Greatest Man", "Mysterious Might of Kimjongilia" and "the Man Embracing the Whole World". It carries voices of the world's progressive people praising Secretary Kim Jong Il as the beacon of hope and the banner of victorious socialism and features distinguished exploits he has performed in army building through inspections of units of the Korean People's Army. It also introduces his revolutionary family and his traits and human love.

S. Korean students demonstrate

Pyongyang, March 21 (KCNA) -- Some 250 students belonging to the Kwangju and south Jolla provincial federation of university student councils on Thursday urged a thorough investigation into the Hanbo incident, Seoul-based radio no.1 reported. They thronged to Kwangju and south Jolla provincial offices of the "New Korea Party" and staged a demonstration, accusing the puppet authorities of avoiding a close investigation of the hanbo incident and Kim Hyon Chol and urging the introduction of a special prosecutor system for an impartial investigation. The riot police fired barrages of tear gas at them, but they continued the demonstration undauntedly.

41st National Day of Tunisia celebrated

Pyongyang, March 21 (KCNA) -- A meeting to mark the 41st anniversary of the Tunisian National Day was held in Pyongyang on Thursday in the name of the Korea-Tunisia friendship association. Present at the meeting were Ri Song Ho, Vice-chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and Chairman of the Korea-Tunisia friendship association, and officials concerned as well as working people in the captial. A speech was made and a congratulatory message to the Tunisian President adopted at the meeting.

Preparations for 85th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung abroad

Pyongyang, March 21 (KCNA) -- Preparatory committees for commemorating the 85th birth anniversary of the great leader President Kim Il Sung were inaugurated in Zimbabwe and Mali. Chairman N. T. Mawema of the Zimbabwe National Committee for the Study of the Juche Idea was elected Chairman of the Zimbabwe preparatory committee at an inaugural meeting. The period from Mmar. 15 to April 15 was set as a month of commemoration and a colorful function program in this period was discussed at the meeting. Ibrahima n'diaye, Secretary General of the Executive Committee of the African Party of the Solidarity and Justice of Mali was elected chairman of the Mali preparatory committee.

S. korean Sam Mi Steel works goes bankrupt

Pyongyang, March 21 (KCNA) -- The Sam Mi Special Steel works under the Sam Mi group, one of the comprador businesses, went bankrupt on Mar. 19, failing to cash a bill of 1,119 million won, according to a Seoul-based radio report. This has put five other companies under the group on the verge of bankruptcy one after another. The group is in the crisis of overall bankruptcy, falling in debt amounting to 1,500 billion won. The bankruptcy of the group idled hundreds of minor enterprises. The south korean economy is facing a more serious catastrophe with the bankruptcy of the Sam Mi group plus the Hanbo incident.

Party given by Russian ambassador

Pyongyang, March 21 (KCNA) -- Valeri Denisov, Russian ambassador to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, hosted a party at the embassy here Thursday evening on the occasion of the 48th anniversary of the conclusion of the agreement on economic and cultural cooperation between the dprk and the Russian Federation. Invited to the party were Chairman of the State External Economic Affairs Commission Ri Song Dae, Vice Foreign Minister Ri In Gyu, Vice-chairman of the Radio and TV Broadcasting Committee of the DPRK Ro Sok Gyu, who is the chairman of the Korea-Russia friendship association, and other officials concerned. Speeches were made there.

Korean people's struggle supported by Nigeria

Pyongyang, March 21 (KCNA) -- Nigeria's full support to the Korean people's just cause was expressed in Abuja on March 18. Nigeria expressed full support and solidarity for efforts of the DPRK government and people to reunify the country in a peaceful way on the three principles of independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity, according to a communique on the visit of the DPRK government delegation led by Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Kim Yong Nam to Nigeria. the communique said: The Nigerian side supported the Korean people who defend national independence and sovereignty and advance along the road of socialism chosen by themselves under the wise leadership of his excellency Kim Jong Il. The Korean side expressed support for the Nigerian government in its plan to transfer power to civil government under the wise guidance of General Sani Abacha and in the efforts to solve disputes in africa in a peaceful way, strengthening regional cooperation. Views on the relations between the two countries, international issues and the nonaligned movement were exchanged at talks held between the Korean and Nigerian government delegations on March 17.

S. Korean "ANSP's" moves condemned

Pyongyang, March 21 (KCNA) -- Some local university student councils in South korea recently seceded from the federation of university student councils. It is a drama directed by the "Agency for National Security Planning" (ANSP) behind the scenes in an insidious intention to disintegrate the federation with the approach of the inaugural ceremony of its fifth-term organisation. The Korean student committee in the north said this in a statement thursday accusing the "ANSP" of its vicious behind- the-scenes operation. The statement went on to say: The federation is an invincible patriotic unit whose one million members are struggling to open the road of independence, democracy and reunification, rallied as one with the support of the 70 million fellow countrymen. Its cause is just and no force can break the ranks. The traitor Kim Young Sam should promptly stop this operation of the "ANSP", unconditionally abrogate the retrogressively revised "law on the ansp" and dismantle this notorious "agency" at once. The committee expressed firm belief that students in the south will sharpen their vigilance over the cunning moves of the Kim Young Sam group and reliably defend their dignified organization.

CPRF Secretariat condemns campaign of south korean puppets against DPRK

Pyongyang, March 21 (KCNA) -- The Secretariat of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland in its information no. 732 on March 19 denounced the south korean puppets for planning to increase the fascist repressive apparatuses and viciously intensify the suppression of the patriotic students and people and the confrontation racket against the DPRK. A few days ago the puppet national police agency decided to establish or increase investigation organizations for "security" such as "investigation group" and "investigation team" in the headquarters of the police agency and local police offices and stations in south korea. And they also decided to reinforce the guard forces in the west coast and other major coastal areas to cope with "provocation" of the north. The information brands this as aimed at strengthening the fascist suppression of the south korean students and people calling for independence, democracy and reunification and at aggravating the north-south confrontation under the pretext of "security". This shows the Kim Young Sam regime is a group of separatists and fascists, it said, and went on: "We will not remain an onlooker to the south korean puppets' reckless fascist repression and anti-DPRK campaign."

Press review

Pyongyang, March 21 (KCNA) -- Papers here today frontpage a report that the great leader Secretary Kim Jong Il sent gifts to Kim Il Sung University and schools for bereaved children. Secretary Kim Jong Il, Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army, sent thanks to units, officials, working people and students for having sincerely helped servicemen in the building of major objects, says Rodong Sinmun. Preparatory committees were formed in Mali and Zimbabwe to commemorate the 85th birth anniversary of the great leader President Kim Il Sung, says the press. Minju Joson devotes two pages to an article and photographs on the results of mt. Paektu exploration made in recent years. Econews of the press includes innovations effected in production in various domains of the national economy to finish the "arduous march" victoriously this year and seed sowing which began in rural communities in lowlands of the west coast. Papers inform the readers of the sojourn in nigeria of a dprk government delegation led by Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Kim Yong Nam. Carried in the press is a statement of the Korean Student Committee denouncing the south korean puppet Agency for National Security Planning for its moves to divide and disintegrate the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils. Broad segments of the south korean people are strongly calling for a strict investigation into the hanbo corruption scandal and Kim Hyon Chol, says the press. Rodong Sinmun in an article denounces the traitor Kim Young Sam for his racket over the fictitious "threat from the north". The paper in a commentary charges that the United States continues resorting to war provocation moves against the northern half of Korea in league with the south korean puppets behind the facade of suspension of the "Team Spirit" joint military manoeuvres. The paper in an article says that the large warship "Osumi" set afloat in Japan some time ago is a product of the wild ambition for overseas expansion.

Rodong Sinmun on double-faced behaviour of the United States

Pyongyang, March 21 (KCNA) -- The United States is continuing war preparations against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on the plea of "nuclear and missile threat from the DPRK" together with the south korean puppets even after it announced that it decided not to stage "Team Spirit" joint manoeuvres this year. Commenting on this, a news analyst of Rodong Sinmun today says: The U.S. intensified war preparations are inconsistent with its commitment. The DPRK and the United States are technically in a state of war. Accordingly, any military action taken in such a state will provoke the dprk and result in keying up tensions on the Korean peninsula. If the United States truly wants the relaxation of tensions on the Korean peninsula, it must stop not only the "Team Spirit" but also all other war provocation moves. The Korean People's Army and people are compelled to take full readiness to cope with military moves of the United States and the south korean puppets because they are aggravating the situation on the Korean peninsula. When a war breaks out in Korea, the DPRK will lose nothing but the Military Demarcation Line. The korean people and army are following the behaviour of the United States.

Great man and natural phenomena

Pyongyang, March 21 (KCNA) -- A new legend is these days gaining circulation in korea, stirring up the hearts of people. it says, "the Snowstorm of mt. Paektu Fell in Fog". A legendary phenomenon occured on November 24 last year when the respected General Kim Jong Il, the son of mt. Paektu and a peerlessly great man, was giving on-site guidance to the Panmunjom mission of the Korean People's Army, an outpost of the forefront. That day, the area of Panmunjom was enveloped in thick fog from dawn. In the previous days, it had been cloudy but fog never set in in the area. The General went round various places of Panmunjom and mounted the balcony of the Panmun House to acquaint himself with the enemy situation. The fog would not go while he was making an inspection tour of the area. So, the enemy failed to observe the kpa post and, accordingly, they could not take any hint of happenings there. Mysterious is the fact that the fog began to lift suddenly and the weather cleared when the general posed for a photograph in front of the monument dedicated to an autograph signature of the great leader President Kim Il Sung. The fog disappeared after the General ended his inspection of Panmunjom. It was when he inspected the KPA Post on mt. Taedok in the western sector of the front on March 18 last year. No sooner had his car arrived at the entrance to the post within the range of the enemy observation than its sky was covered with inky clouds. Instantly the car passed by, the sky began to clear up. a mysterious natural phenomenon took place at a time when the General was inspecting a kpa unit which is defending cho island in the West Sea. After mounting a forward command post, exposed to rain and wind, he stood by a map of operations when the black rain cloud cleared and bright sunrays spread. Such a natural phenomenon happened when he posed for a photograph with sailors at a naval unit on that same day. Informed of them, people say that even the heaven ensures the personal safety of General Kim Jong Il, working mysterious wonders.

Greetings to Chairman of Funcinpec Party

Pyongyang, March 21 (KCNA) -- The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea sent a message of greetings Thursday to Norodom Ranariddh, Chairman of the Funcinpec Party, on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of its foundation. The message noted that the Funcinpec Party has achieved success in the efforts to realise the reconciliation and unity of the whole nation and to push ahead with the cause of reconstruction of the country upholding the intention of his majesty King Norodom Sihanouk. The message expressed the belief that the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between the parties and peoples of the two countries will be strengthened, and wished the funcinpec party and the cambodian people greater success in their struggle for building a new Cambodia.

Greetings to Nepali Prime Minister

Pyongyang, March 21 (KCNA) -- Hong Song Nam, acting Premier of the Administration Council of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, sent a message of greetings to Lokendra Bahadur Chand, upon his appointment as Prime Minister of Nepal. The message expressed the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries will be further strengthened and developed in the idea of independence, peace and friendship.