A scientific seminar marking the 40^th anniversary of the victory of the southwest border defence war and the joint victory of Vietnam and Cambodia over the genocidal regime (January 7) took place in the southern province of An Giang on December 28.

At the event (Source: VNA)

The event attracted nearly 90 reports by leaders, military scientists and witnesses during the war.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen Le Chiem said when Vietnam was pooling resources for national development following the liberation victory on April 30, 1975, Cambodia’s Pol Pot - Ieng Sary regime backed by external forces launched a border war while beginning the brutal genocidal policy against Cambodian people.

Only within four years, the regime killed nearly 3 million Cambodians, destroyed almost social infrastructure and pushed Khmer nation to the brink of genocide.

In Vietnam, the Pol Pot - Ieng Sary regime distorted its history, incited national hatred, deployed tens of army pisions and regiments to destroy villages and kill residents, even the elderly, women and children, seriously violating Vietnam’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In face of such invasion, Vietnam together with the Cambodian United Front for National Salvation launched counter-attacks and toppled the regime on January 7, 1979.

Deputy Director of the General Political Department under the Vietnam People’s Army Nguyen Trong Nghia highlighted the significance of the victory of the southwest border defence war, saying that it not only protected the territorial integrity but also saved Cambodian people from genocide, creating conditions to restore friendship and solidarity between the two countries’ Parties and people.

Director of the Military History Institute of Vietnam Nguyen Hoang Nhien said January 7, 1979 has become a historical milestone of transparent and loyal solidarity and special friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia, especially in times of difficulty.

Co-organised by the Defence Ministry and the Party Central Committee’s Information and Education Commission, the event featured the role and historic significance of the victory of the border defence war and fighting alliance between the Vietnamese and Cambodian armies and people, contributing to strengthening bilateral cooperation in national defence-security, stepping up regional and global integration in the new period./.

( VNF/NDO )