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VN, Cambodia commemorate victory over genocidal regime

VGP – A solemn ceremony was held in Ha Noi on Sunday to mark the 35th anniversary of the Southwest border defense war victory and the shared triumph over the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime (January 7, 1979-January 7, 2014).

January 05, 2014 1:42 PM GMT+7

The 35th anniversary of the southwest border defense war victory, Ha Noi, January 5, 2014 – Photo: VGP/Tu Luong

The event drew the attendance of Vietnamese State President Truong Tan Sang, Cambodian NA Chairman Heng Samrin, former Vietnamese leaders, Vietnamese heroic mothers and former volunteer experts and soldiers.

Addressing the event, State President Sang underlined that in response to Cambodian people’s appeal and with international support, the Party, State, people and army of Viet Nam exercised their self-defense rights, wiping out invaders and helping Cambodia overthrow the genocidal regime on January 7, 1979.

The victory ended one of the darkest periods in the Cambodian history and ushered in a new era of independence, freedom, peace, neutralization, and development in the country, State President Sang said.

He expressed his deep gratitude to Vietnamese and Cambodian war martyrs who laid down their lives for independence and freedom of each country and for the common destiny, friendship and solidarity between the two peoples, and for peace, stability and development in Southeast Asia and the rest of the world.

The Party, State and people of Viet Nam would always bear in mind the great contributions by volunteer Vietnamese experts and soldiers who overcome numerous hardships and even sacrificed themselves in the struggle to defend Viet Nam’s South-western border and topple the genocidal regime in Cambodia, fulfilling the lofty international mission.

The host leader also congratulated Cambodia on its comprehensive, tremendous achievements over the past 35 years.

According to Mr. Sang, the neighboring country has achieved high economic growth for many consecutive years and joined many regional and international organizations.

Cambodia and Viet Nam have spared no effort to nurture the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation, while strongly supporting each other at international forums.

For his part, Cambodian NA Chairman Heng Samrin emphasized the humanitarian and sound support of the Vietnamese volunteers and experts. When Cambodia was liberated and Cambodian people were able to control their destiny, Vietnamese volunteer solders came back home in 1989.

Mr. Heng Samrin took the occasion to show his deep gratitude to the great, valuable, timely and efficient assistance of Viet Nam for Cambodia./.

By Kim Loan