Cambodia celebrates 35th anniversary of victory over genocide

According to a VNA correspondent in Phnom Penh, on the morning of January 7, at the Koh Pich Trade, Exhibition and Entertainment Center, the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) solemnly held a ceremony to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the victory over the genocidal regime (January 7, 1979 - January 7, 2014), overthrowing the Pol Pot regime, with the participation of about 10,000 delegates who are party members and people of the capital Phnom Penh and neighboring provinces.

The ceremony was attended by CPP President, Senate President Chea Sim; CPP Vice President, Royal Prime Minister Hun Sen; CPP Honorary President, National Assembly President Heng Samrin; two Buddhist Monks of Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism, along with many high-ranking officials of the Senate, National Assembly, Government; and representatives of many political parties in Cambodia. Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Ngo Anh Dung and the diplomatic delegation in Phnom Penh attended the ceremony.

Senior leaders of the ruling Cambodian People's Party, officials, and representatives of the diplomatic corps in Phnom Penh attended the ceremony. (Photo: Xuan Khu/Vietnam+)

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Heng Samrin recalled the darkest period in Cambodia's history, under the Democratic Kampuchea regime, led by Pol Pot, which committed genocide, killing nearly 3 million Cambodians.

According to Mr. Heng Samrin, although 35 years have passed, this historical event continues to have great significance for future generations as well as for those who love justice and peace in the world. Mr. Heng Samrin stated: “In a situation of suffering and despair, the Cambodian People's Party rose up against the brutal Pol Pot regime, under the leadership of the Cambodian United Front for National Salvation, established on December 2, 1978, with the support and assistance of peace-loving and justice-loving people in the world, including the enormous assistance of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers, to achieve a historic victory on January 7, 1979, overthrowing the Pol Pot regime.”

Mr. Heng Samrin emphasized, “The historic victory on January 7, 1979 ended the darkest period in Cambodian history, opening a new page from which the people regained the right to live, the right to freedom, honor, dignity and the right to control their own destiny. The victory on January 7 opened up the opportunity to focus on national potential to restore and rebuild the country. The Cambodian people always remember that “The victory on January 7, 1979 is our second birthday; without the victory on January 7, there would be nothing we have today.”

After reviewing the great achievements in the revival, national reconciliation, national development, regional and international integration... in the past 35 years, including achievements in economic fields in recent years such as achieving an average annual economic growth of over 7%, per capita income of over 1,000 USD in 20013, reducing the poverty rate to 19%,... Mr. Heng Samrin emphasized the victory of the CPP in the 5th National Assembly election, which was assessed by the international community as having taken place peacefully, freely and fairly, continuing to lead the country until 2018.

Mr. Heng Samrin affirmed that the election results reflected the recognition of the vast majority of Cambodian people for the CPP's correct and just leadership over the past 35 years; at the same time, they reflected the earnest desire of the vast majority of people for the CPP to continue to rule constitutionally, legally, and in the democratic spirit.

However, according to Mr. Heng Samrin, despite these realities, there are still political forces and bad elements that have continuously distorted history, turning black into white to oppose the leadership of the CPP in order to realize their ambition to usurp the leadership. These are forces that claim to be enemies of the victory of January 7, 1979, spreading propaganda that distorts the truth, deceives public opinion, does not respect the Constitution and current laws, seeks to deny all achievements of the country under the leadership of the CPP, causing political instability, economic and social disorder.

In response to the demands and activities of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) after the election, such as protests, street marches, demands for re-elections, and demands for Prime Minister Hun Sen to resign, Mr. Heng Samrin affirmed that the Cambodian people and the CPP will not allow them to continue their illegal activities in order to achieve their unlimited ambitions. Mr. Heng Samrin emphasized, “The CPP emphasizes that as a constitutional ruling party, the CPP will do anything to protect the National Assembly, protect the Government born from the election, protect the Constitution, protect the achievements of democracy, and will not allow any political force or anarchist element to sabotage the country's progress, as well as sabotage all the achievements that the Cambodian people have achieved after overcoming the most arduous difficulties in the past 35 years, since the victory on January 7, 1979.”

On the other hand, Mr. Heng Samrin affirmed the CPP's consistent stance of goodwill and honesty in negotiating at all levels with the CNRP to resolve issues of disagreement, so that the two parties can together serve the interests of the people and the country./.

According to VNA