Thirty five years have passed since the genocidal regime was abolishedin Cambodia, but memories of the fight against the brutal KhmerRouge remain deeply ingrained in the mind of voluntary Vietnamesesoldiers.

With over 11 years of fighting in Cambodia, formerParty General Secretary Le Kha Phieu said in response to the appeal forhelp of the Khmer United Front for National Salvation, the Party, State,people and armed forces of Vietnam exercised their legitimateself-defence rights and helped the Cambodian people escape from thegenocidal regime.

He emphasised that the help is providedin the spirit of international solidarity, and at the same time, it isalso for defending our own nation.

Following the liberation ofPhnom Penh on Jan. 7, 1979 , the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers notonly helped Cambodian revolutionary forces chase down the remnants ofPol Pot forces but also joined hand in restoring the normal life forCambodian people during the following 10 years.

Le Duy Nga,former commander of Battalion 4B, Division 379 recalled the barbarouscrimes of the Pol Pot regime he had witnessed with his own eyes duringover two years of fighting in the country. He said the Cambodian peoplecollaborated closely with Vietnamese soldiers in wiping out the vestigesof the genocidal system.

Nguyen Thanh An, former deputycommander of the General Department of Logistics’s transport regiment,said thanks to enthusiastic support of the Cambodian people, hisregiment was able to avoid the enemy’s ambushes, ensuring supplies ofmedicine, ammunition, fuel and basic necessities for the battlefield.

At the same time, the Cambodian people have also borne in mindthe sincere help of Vietnam. Without Vietnamese volunteer soldiers’help, there would not be the present Cambodia , said Deputy PrimeMinister and Chairwoman of the Cambodia – Vietnam FriendshipAssociation Men Sam An.

She expressed her hope that both peoples will continue to cooperate and assist each other to foster strong bilateral ties.-VNA