Phnom Penh (FN), Mar. 30 – On March 29, Singaporean ambassador to Cambodia Teo Lay Cheng visited the Anlong Veng Peace Center and other historical tourist sites in the Anlong Veng district – the final stronghold of the Khmer Rouge. Singaporean ambassador was the second ASEAN diplomat to visit Anlong Veng, and without question, her visit underscored the importance of military historical sites, military history zones, and military history in Cambodia and the region.

The newly established military history zones of Anlong Veng play an important role in Cambodia and the region’s collective peace and security. Drawing from the intent of general Nem Sowath, military history zones can play an important role to highlight for the public the tragedy of war and instability of the past, and they can provide important reminders of momentous victories and struggles that must never be forgotten.

At 8 am, Youk Chhang, director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia, and Ly Sok-Kheang, director of the Anlong Veng Peace Center, warmly welcomed ambassador’s arrival at the Anlong Veng Peace Center. The purpose of her visit was to explore a selection of the 14 historical sites in the Anlong Veng area. During the visit, Ly Sok-Kheang presented the Anlong Veng Peace Center’s exhibits and work, including the classroom forums on the history of the Democratic Kampuchea (1975-1979). After touring the Center, ambassador visited different houses and compounds of senior Khmer Rouge leaders in the area, such as Pol Pot, Khieu Samphan, and Ta Mok.

The tour was informed by distinguished Cambodian military officials with expert knowledge of the region. Brigadier general Nith Narong described the history of the wars in Anlong Veng and the peace establishment process attributed to the Win-Win Policy of the Royal Government of Cambodia. The tour also included information on the construction of the “Anlong Veng Win Win Memorial”, which represents a permanent memorial of the Win-Win Policy and key site for raising public awareness of military history in the area. Before leaving Anlong Veng, ambassador praised the Anlong Veng Peace Center’s mission in educating the next generations about Khmer Rouge history and she expressed her sincere gratitude for the insightful tour, which allowed her to learn about the history of war and peace in Cambodia.
=FRESH NEWS