Yet when North Korea's Jo Myong Rok turned up at the White House for a 45 minute chat with Bill Clinton on October 10th, looking stern and in his vice-marshal's full military regalia, American officials were delighted.

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Critical appointments include the installment of Vice Marshal Jang Song-u, a Kim relative by marriage, to command of all forces around the capital of Pyongyang.

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The president's aides say Mr Saleh also announced the promotion of Vice-President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi - who is set to replace him as president - to the rank of marshal.

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