Phnom Penh (FN), Nov. 24 – Cambodian Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen revealed that during his stay in Viet Nam, the Khmer Rouge frequently attacked Viet Nam. He informed the Vietnamese leadership about where the Khmer Rouge would strike, but they did not believe him. He pointed out that had Viet Nam trusted his warnings, their forces would not have suffered such heavy losses, as the situation was very dangerous.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen spoke on Sunday (Nov. 24) during the opening of the 11th Plenary Session of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace (IPTP) at Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel.
Samdech Techo shared that when he arrived in Viet Nam, he presented five key proposals to the Vietnamese government, seeking their assistance in the Cambodian resistance movement. These included preventing the deportation of Cambodians and the forced creation of refugees; providing asylum for political cadres, fighters, and refugees from Cambodia; helping to build an armed force for Cambodia's liberation; recruiting Cambodian refugees who had fled to Viet Nam to join the armed forces; and facilitating Samdech Techo’s travel to meet with other resistance groups.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen underscored, "At that time, Viet Nam stood by the principles of non-interference in Cambodia's internal affairs. The Vietnamese leadership did not grant me permission. However, when the Khmer Rouge attacked Viet Nam, I had warned them about where the strikes would occur, but they did not believe me. As a result, Viet Nam suffered severe damage and many people were killed. Later, the chief of the Vietnamese army told me that if Viet Nam had trusted me, the Vietnamese people would not have faced such danger."
Samdech Techo Hun Sen continued, "As the situation escalated, Viet Nam recognised the emergency not only within its own borders but also in Cambodia. This led to Viet Nam’s decision to help me build an armed force for the Cambodian National Rescue, which at the time had more than 10,000 troops across 23 battalions. I would like to emphasised that, despite being only 25 years old, even as the leader of the resistance, my 10,000 troops could not match the 180,000 Khmer Rouge army. As a last resort, Viet Nam agreed to provide military assistance for Cambodia's liberation."
On the occasion, Samdech Techo Hun Sen also acknowledged that the liberation of Cambodia required the combined efforts of two forces, the Cambodian army, though smaller, and the Vietnamese volunteer army. He expressed his gratitude to the Vietnamese Communist Party for accepting his request for assistance.
Samdech Techo further recalled that before fleeing to Viet Nam, he was the commander of a 2,000-strong battalion and faced four options: to lead the rebel forces, which he deemed unfeasible; to withdraw to Viet Nam and continue the fight; to do nothing and allow himself to be killed by the Khmer Rouge; or to commit suicide. Ultimately, Samdech chose the second option: to flee to Viet Nam and continue the resistance.
=FRESH NEWS
