Paraguayan President Gonzalez Macchi Thursday promised visiting South Korean parliamentary speaker Lee Man-sup that his government will allow Korean companies to participate in its communication network project.

In talks with Macchi at his palace in Asuncion, Lee requested the participation of Korean firms in the 30 million-dollar project towards which a Korean loan will be made.

Macchi was quoted as promising an early start on the project so that Korean companies could join, and expressed his gratitude for the South Korean government's loan and cooperation in technology.

Lee called on Macchi to support Seoul's reconciliatory policy toward Pyongyang and thanked him on behalf of President Kim for his congratulations on Kim's win of the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize.

The secretary said... Macchi also invited Kim to visit Paraguay.

Lee has been touring Latin American countries since last Saturday. During his trip, he attended the 9th general assembly of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) in Santiago, Chile.