46 years of victory over the Khmer Rouge genocide: Unforgettable historical truth - Lang Son Newspaper

Unforgettable historical facts after 46 years of the Vietnam People's Army and Cambodian army and people defeating the Khmer Rouge genocidal regime.

On January 6, the newspaper Khmer Times have article, “46th Anniversary of the January 7 Victory: Unforgettable Historical Truth”. Accordingly, 46 years ago, on January 7, 1979, patriotic forces under the direction of the "Cambodian United Front for National Salvation", later the "Cambodian United Front for National Development", with the support of Vietnamese volunteer troops, liberated Phnom Penh, overthrowing the Khmer Rouge genocidal regime.

On the afternoon of January 7, 1979, Cambodian revolutionary armed forces and Vietnamese volunteer troops entered the capital Phnom Penh to liberate it, overthrowing the Pol Pot genocidal regime. (Photo: VNA)

According to Cambodian researcher UCH Leang, the historic victory on January 7 quickly rescued more than 5 million Cambodians from the brutal genocidal regime of the Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot – a regime that killed more than 3 million innocent people during 3 years, 8 months and 20 days, from April 17, 1975 to January 6, 1979.

This historic event demonstrates the great international solidarity between the people and armies of Cambodia and Vietnam. “This victory penetrated deeply into the hearts of the Cambodian people, ending the darkest period, opening a new era of independence, freedom, democracy and social progress for Cambodia. The Cambodian people consider January 7, 1979 as their second birthday. Without the victory on January 7, we would not have today. This is a historical truth that no one can change or destroy,” Mr. UCH Leang said.

According to researcher UCH Leang, the victory on January 7, 1979 is also "The best historical lesson learned from Cambodia" for future generations to remember and inherit the tradition of solidarity, heroism, and mutual support of the Cambodian and Vietnamese armies and people in the cause of protecting the territory.

People of Ratanakiri province (Northeast Cambodia) welcome the Cambodian revolutionary armed forces and Vietnamese volunteer soldiers. (Photo: VNA)

Pol Pot-Ieng Sary Group Betrayed the Cambodian People

Vietnam and Cambodia are two friendly and close neighboring countries. The people have long had a close, united and mutually supportive relationship throughout history. During the resistance war against French colonialism and American imperialism, in response to the call of the Cambodian revolution, Vietnam was ready to send volunteer troops to help the neighboring country. The victory of the Cambodian people in the resistance war against the US to save the country on April 17, 1975 was also a victory of the loyal and pure solidarity among the three Indochinese countries.

However, immediately after taking power in April 1975, the Pol Pot-Ieng Sary group took advantage of the revolutionary achievements, betrayed the Cambodian people, established the so-called "Democratic Kampuchea", implemented a genocidal regime, carried out internal purges, killed millions of innocent people, destroyed hundreds of thousands of schools, hospitals, pagodas... The Cambodian patriotic forces faced an extremely difficult situation.

Regarding Vietnam, the Pol Pot–leng Sary group distorted history, provoked and incited. In just two years, 1975-1977, they mobilized 41% of their troops and equipment close to the Vietnamese border; committed bloody crimes against our people, seriously violated the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Vietnam, and trampled on the good values ​​in the friendly relationship between the two countries and two peoples.

To protect the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland and protect the lives and property of the People, our Party and State, on the one hand, directed the Military Regions, localities and units to strengthen the preparation of forces and positions, resolutely smashing the enemy's invasions; on the other hand, persistently advocated the construction of a peaceful and friendly border, and repeatedly proposed negotiations with the Cambodian Government.

However, Pol Pot-Ieng Sary not only refused and rejected all our goodwill but also stepped up sabotage activities and actively prepared for war.

On the night of April 30, 1977, taking advantage of the moment when our army and people were celebrating the 2nd anniversary of the complete liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, the Pol Pot group launched an attack along the entire border in An Giang province, officially starting the war of aggression on the southwestern border of Vietnam.

Cambodian refugees flee to Vietnam on National Highway 22 (in Tay Ninh province), unable to survive under the Pol Pot – Ieng Sary genocidal regime. (Photo: Xuan Ban – VNA)

Victory over genocide

Phase 1 (from April 30, 1977 to January 5, 1978), Pol Pot launched three consecutive large-scale attacks into Vietnamese territory, committing many crimes against the people.

Faced with the blatant invasion of Pol Pot's army, the border guards, militia and guerrillas fought bravely to stop the enemy. The Central Military Commission issued instructions to the armed forces in the South: “Resolutely protect our territorial sovereignty, do not tolerate any invasion of our territory by reactionary Cambodian provocative forces; at the same time respect Cambodia's territorial sovereignty.”

With the sinister plot of “both robbing and shouting”, the Pol Pot group brought the border war to the world public opinion. On December 31, 1977, they issued a statement slandering the Vietnamese Army for “invading Democratic Kampuchea” in order to isolate Vietnam in the international arena.

Also on December 31, 1977, our Government issued a statement on the Vietnam-Cambodia border issue, clearly stating its stance and principles: Resolutely protect independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity; always respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cambodia, do our utmost to protect the fighting solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia; expose the plots, tricks and barbaric crimes of the Pol Pot group against our compatriots in the southwestern border provinces.

Phase 2 (from January 6, 1978 to January 7, 1979), although suffering heavy losses in phase 1, but with support in weapons, equipment and military advisors from outside, Pol Pot continued to prepare forces, concentrate troops on the Vietnam border and continue to cause conflicts.

Faced with that situation, the General Staff mobilized Division 341 (Army Corps 4) to reinforce Military Region 9, ready for combat; at the same time, ordered our units along the entire southwestern border to heighten vigilance, carry out active defense to support our Party and State in carrying out political and diplomatic struggles.

Despite hardships and sacrifices, Vietnamese volunteer soldiers coordinated with the Cambodian United Front for National Salvation to launch a general offensive to liberate the capital Phnom Penh (January 7, 1979) and the entire country of Cambodia (January 17, 1979). (Photo: VOV)

On February 5, 1978, our Government issued a three-point statement: Both sides cease all military activities, withdraw armed forces 5km from the border; Negotiate to sign a friendship and non-aggression treaty, sign a border treaty; Agree on an appropriate form to ensure international practices and international supervision.

Ignoring our goodwill, Pol Pot's army continued to mobilize forces to approach the border and sent troops to attack and infiltrate many points in our country. Our forces resolutely fought back and took back the encroached areas.

With the help of Vietnam, on December 2, 1978, in the liberated zone of Snuol liberated zone, Snuol district, Kratie province (Cambodia), the Kampuchean United Front for National Salvation introduced itself to the Cambodian people, announcing an 11-point revolutionary platform, which clearly stated the determination to unite and gather all patriotic forces to rise up to overthrow the reactionary Pol Pot group, abolish the cruel genocidal regime, and establish a people's democratic regime.

The Cambodian National United Front for National Salvation affirms to strengthen solidarity with the Vietnamese people and peace-loving and justice-loving people in the world; calls on governments of all countries and international organizations to provide all-round support for the just struggle of the Cambodian people.

In response to Pol Pot's invasion and the urgent call of the Cambodian National United Front for National Salvation, on December 23, 1978, the Vietnamese volunteer army, together with the Cambodian revolutionary armed forces, launched a general counter-offensive and offensive along the entire border.

On December 26, 1978, the entire outer defense system of Pol Pot's army was broken. By December 31, 1978, our army and people had completed the mission of driving out Pol Pot's army, reclaiming all of the Fatherland's territorial sovereignty that had been encroached upon by the enemy.

On January 2, 1979, Pol Pot's three main army groups, each with 5 divisions, blocking the routes to Phnom Penh (Route 1, Route 7 and Route 2) were basically destroyed and disintegrated. On January 5 and 6, 1979, in all directions, the Vietnamese Volunteer Army and the Cambodian revolutionary armed forces pursued and advanced close to the capital Phnom Penh. On January 7, 1979, the capital Phnom Penh was completely liberated.

On the morning of May 1, 1983, in Phnom Penh, the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a press conference, announcing the partial withdrawal of Vietnamese volunteer troops after completing their international obligations. (Photo: VNA)

Cambodia – Vietnam build the future together

According to Mr. Sok Eysan, spokesman of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), under the Pot Pot genocidal regime, the Cambodian people fell into a state of misery unprecedented in the world. During that tragic time, the Vietnamese volunteer army and the Kampuchean United Front for National Salvation became an overwhelming force that defeated the Khmer Rouge army, quickly and promptly launched attacks to liberate the Cambodian people and country from the genocidal regime.

After the resounding victory on January 7, Vietnamese volunteer soldiers continued to stay as experts to help and direct until the Cambodian army had enough capacity to prevent the risk of the genocidal regime returning and then withdrew all forces from Cambodia on September 20, 1989, when Cambodia was completely peaceful and the country was independent.

Cambodia and Vietnam have stood side by side, overcoming difficulties together. The solidarity of the two neighboring countries has contributed positively to the reconstruction of Cambodia and Vietnam, building the foundation for a long-lasting friendship between the two countries.

Vietnamese volunteer soldiers left Cambodia in September 1989 amid the lingering nostalgia of the Cambodian people. (Photo: Chip HIRES/Gamma-Rapho/Getty)

Today, the friendship between Cambodia and Vietnam continues to be strengthened in many fields, from politics, economics to culture and education. The two countries are committed to organizing diverse cultural exchanges, trade and investment cooperation, and infrastructure development to improve people's lives and promote sustainable development.

Regarding good cooperation, the two countries have developed strongly in many fields such as economy, culture, education, and defense. Bilateral trade agreements and economic cooperation frameworks have helped increase trade turnover and promote trade and investment between the two countries.

Through the growth of trade, investment and services, Vietnamese enterprises have continuously contributed to socio-economic development, job creation in Cambodia, and helped promote the traditional friendship between Cambodia and Vietnam to become increasingly stronger and more developed.

In addition, the two countries also actively cooperate in border protection, transnational crime prevention and border security protection, ensuring stability and common development of each country.

In particular, through high-level visits, the two sides reaffirmed the agreed directions to strengthen and develop friendship and multifaceted cooperation, form specific mechanisms, and create favorable conditions to promote relations between the two countries to a new stage of development.

In addition, the relationship between the two countries has been constantly strengthened with strategic trust; Cambodia and Vietnam are committed to strengthening good neighborly relations, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term stability, enhancing mutual trust to bring practical benefits to the people of each country.

In the context of the complicated developments in the world and the region, the tradition of solidarity and heroic spirit on January 7, 1979, solidarity and mutual assistance, the relationship between Cambodia and Vietnam will continue to bring the relationship of "Good neighbors, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability" to a new height.

The two countries together build the future, fight against narrow nationalism and activities of distortion, slander, and division, and foster the traditional solidarity and good friendship between the two countries, for the benefit of the people of each country, for peace and prosperity in the region and the world.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/46-nam-chien-thang-che-do-diet-chung-khmer-do-su-that-lich-su-khong-the-quen-5034335.html