General Vinh made that statement at a meeting with General Tea Banh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Cambodia, on June 20 at the X16 area in Loc Ninh district, Binh Phuoc province which borders the Cambodian province of Tbong Khnum.
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At the meeting between Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh and Gen. Tea Banh |
The meeting was part of the activities in celebration of the 43rd anniversary of the journey to national salvation of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, starting the struggle to overthrow the genocidal Pol Pot regime (June 20). The activities were held by the Cambodian Government and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces under the chair of General Tea Banh on June 20 in Tbong Khnum province with the participation of leaders of the Cambodian government, military and representatives from diplomatic corps and local people.
At the meeting, both officers recalled the historical landmark made by Prime Minister Hun Sen 43 years ago. At that time, PM Hun Sen and his comrades crossed the Vietnamese-Cambodian border to seek ways to liberate the country. During the time in Vietnam, they received great support from local authorities and people. Together with the assistance from Vietnamese volunteer soldiers, Prime Minister Hun Sen successfully led the Cambodian national struggle to overthrow the Pol Pot regime.
In his speech, the Cambodian general confirmed that Prime Minister Hun Sen made a bold and wise decision to lead his teammates to go through forests and cross streams to Vietnam to seek support from the Vietnamese government. That decision led to the liberation of Cambodia from the Khmer Rouge.
General Tea Banh asked the Vietnamese Government and military to give further assistance and create favorable conditions for the building of a stone stele marking the first night of Prime Minister Hun Sen in Vietnam at the place some 180m from Vietnamese-Cambodian border. He emphasized the importance of this stele, which records Prime Minister Hun Sen’s journey to national salvation, and affirms the solidarity, and close, friendly and peaceful ties between the two States, militaries, and people.
On behalf of the Vietnamese Party, State and Ministry of National Defense’s leaders, General Vinh sent congratulations to Prime Minister Hun Sen, the Cambodian Government, and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces on the day.
Vinh stated that the period that the two nations worked together to end the genocidal regime in Cambodia and protect the nation is the pinnacle of the fruitful relations between Vietnam and Cambodia. Vinh stressed that that fine relationship will further develop in the future.
Translated by Mai Huong