Transcriber's note: Transcribed for MIM's Web site. The source of this document is located at: http://www.prisoncensorship.info/archive/etext/countries/kampuchea/cambodiavictory.pdf (10 MB). Line breaks in the middle of words are omitted in this transcription. Page breaks in the middle of words are retained. None of grammar, punctuation, or spelling, were changed. Recognized original spelling errors are indicated by "[sic]." Illegible characters are indicated by "[illegible]." Images are omitted. Spellings of place names, people's names, etc., were not verified. Some effort was made to preserve the layout of the source, but this was not a priority. If there is any question, please refer to the source.
Chien-p`u-chai jen min ti wei ta sheng li. English
Peking : Foreign Languages Press, 1975.
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[A photograph]
The people of Peking gather at a grand rally in celebration of the Cambodian people's great victory in liberating Phnom Penh. Picture shows the rostrum at the rally.
[A photograph]
A view of the Peking rally.
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[A photograph]
On April 18, 1975, Chinese leaders Teng Hsiao-ping, Chen Hsi-lien and Li Su-wen called at the Mansion of the Head of State of Cambodia and handed Samdech Norodom Sihanouk and Prime Minister Penn Nouth a message of greetings dated April 17, 1975. The message, which was signed by Chairman Mao Tsetung, Chairman Chu Teh and Premier Chou En-lai, expressed the warmest congratulations to Samdech Norodom Sihanouk, Prime Minister Penn Nouth and Deputy Prime Minister Khieu Samphan on the complete liberation of Phnom Penh. Teng Hsiao-ping, Chen Hsi-lien and Li Su-wen also conveyed the most cordial congratulations to the heroic Cambodian people on behalf of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese Government and people.
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MESSAGE FROM CHAIRMAN MAO TSETUNG. CHAIRMAN
CHU TEH AND PREMIER CHOU EN-LAI TO SAMDECH
NORODOM SIHANOUK, PRIME MINISTER PENN NOUTH
AND DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER KHIEU SAMPHAN
(April 17, 1975) 1
SPEECH BY VICE-CHAIRMAN YEH CHIEN-YING AT
THE MASS RALLY IN PEKING CELEBRATING THE
CAMBODIAN PEOPLE'S LIBERATION OF PHNOM
PENH
(April 19, 1975) 4
SPEECH BY PRIME MINISTER PENN NOUTH AT THE
MASS RALLY IN PEKING CELEBRATING THE CAM-
BODIAN PEOPLE'S LIBERATION OF PHNOM PENH
(April 19, 1975) 11
A GREAT HISTORIC VICTORY
— Warm Congratulations to the Patriotic Cambodian
Armed Forces and People on the Liberation of Phnom
Penh
Renmin Ribao editorial, April 18, 1975 18
BRILLIANT EXAMPLE, PATHWAY TO VICTORY
— Warmly Greeting the Liberation of Phnom Penh
Commentary by Hsinhua Correspondent 24
SALUTE TO OUR HEROIC CAMBODIAN COMRADES-IN-
ARMS
The China-Cambodia Friendship People's Commune,
Peking 28
IN PRAISE OF THE VICTORY OF PEOPLE'S WAR
Ching Wen 31
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Samdech Norodom Sihanouk,
Head of State and Chairman of the National United Front of Cambodia,
Samdech Penn Nouth,
Chairman of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the National United Front and Prime Minister of the Royal Government of National Union of Cambodia,
His Excellency Mr. Khieu Samphan,
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of the Royal Government of National Union and Commander-in-Chief of the People's Armed Forces of National Liberation of Cambodia,
Phnom Penh is now completely liberated by the People's Armed Forces of National Liberation of Cambodia in their mighty offensive. People are overjoyed and inspired by the tidings of victory. On behalf of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese Government and people, we extend our warmest congratulations and highest esteem to you, to the National United Front of
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Cambodia, the Royal Government of National Union of Cambodia, the heroic People's Armed Forces of National Liberation of Cambodia and the entire Cambodian people.
Five years ago, U.S. imperialism engineered the reactionary coup d'etat by the traitorous Lon Nol clique and even brazenly sent troops into Cambodia in a vain attempt to turn an independent, peaceful and neutral Cambodia into its colony. Defying brute force, the Cambodian people, who have a glorious revolutionary tradition of combating imperialism, rose up in arms and, rallying around the National United Front of Cambodia with Samdech Norodom Sihanouk as its Chairman, fought bravely and stubbornly for five whole years and finally won the decisive victory in their war of national liberation after overcoming numerous difficulties. This great victory scored by the Cambodian people through armed struggle is another eloquent proof that, firmly following a correct road, a weak nation can certainly defeat a strong one, and a small nation can certainly defeat a big one.
The unyielding revolutionary spirit and dauntless heroism displayed by the Cambodian people in the long years of armed struggle have set a brilliant example for the revolutionary people of the world and won admiration and praise from the people of all countries. The great victory of the Cambodian people not only constitutes an important contribution to the anti-imperialist struggle of the Indochinese peoples but is also a powerful encouragement and stimulus to the revolutionary struggle of all the oppressed nations and oppressed peoples of the world.
The Chinese and Cambodian peoples are very close brothers. Sympathizing with, encouraging and sup-
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porting each other throughout the long anti-imperialist struggle, our two peoples have forged a profound militant friendship. The Chinese people heartily rejoice over the victory of the Cambodian people as they would their own. The fraternal Cambodian people may rest assured that the Chinese people will forever stand by you and march forward with you in the struggles ahead.
The liberation of Phnom Penh marks the beginning of a new historical stage in Cambodia's struggle for national liberation. We are certain that under the banner of the National United Front of Cambodia with Samdech Norodom Sihanouk as its Chairman, the Cambodian people, strengthening the great unity of the entire nation and people and carrying on their valiant struggle, will keep on winning new and greater victories. Cambodia will emerge with a new visage in the East.
Mao Tsetung
Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China
Chu Teh
Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China
Chou En-lai
Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China
Peking, April 17, 1975
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(April 19, 1975)
Respected Prime Minister Samdech Penn Nouth and Mme. Penn Nouth,
Respected Vice-President Kim Dong Gyu of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea,
Respected Vice-Premier Pak Sung Chul of the Administration Council of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Comrades and Friends,
The heroic People's Armed Forces of National Liberation of Cambodia have victoriously liberated Phnom Penh. Today, people from all walks of life of our capital are gathered in this grand rally with boundless elation and joy to warmly hail this great historic victory of the Cambodian people. At this moment of jubilation over the victory, allow me, on behalf of the Chinese people's great leader Chairman Mao Tsetung, the Communist Party of China and the Chinese Government and people, to extend our warmest fraternal congratulations to Samdech Norodom Sihanouk, Prime
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Minister Penn Nouth and Deputy Prime Minister Khieu Samphan, to the National United Front and the Royal Government of National Union of Cambodia, to the brave and capable People's Armed Forces of National Liberation of Cambodia and to the heroic Cambodian people.
The Cambodian people have a glorious tradition of combating imperialism and colonialism. They have waged a protracted and unyielding struggle to defend their motherland's independence and national dignity. Engineering the reactionary coup d'etat by the traitorous Lon Nol clique and brazenly sending troops to invade Cambodia in 1970, U.S. imperialism violated single-handedly the independence peace and neutrality of Cambodia in a vain attempt to turn Cambodia into its colony. The U.S. imperialist aggression and intervention roused the Cambodian people to blazing anger and indignation. Defying brute force, the Cambodian people rose up in arms and, rallying around the banner of the National United Front of Cambodia with Samdech Norodom Sihanouk as its Chairman, vigorously waged a just war to resist U.S. aggression and punish the traitorous Lon Nol clique. The People's Armed Forces of National Liberation of Cambodia—the Cambodian people's own army—have expanded and grown in strength amidst the flames of war. In the past five years the patriotic armymen and civilians of Cambodia successively frustrated the invasions of U.S. aggressor troops and Saigon puppet troops, bravely combated wanton bombings by the U.S. air force and dealt devastating blows at the Lon Nol puppet troops, compelling them to retreat in panic and despair. From the
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beginning of this year, the people's armed forces, with dauntless revolutionary mettle and the force of a thunderbolt, launched a fierce general offensive on Phnom Penh and the few other isolated cities. Pressing on irresistibly, they destroyed large numbers of enemy effectives and finally liberated Phnom Penh on April 17, and won the decisive victory of the national-liberation war. The traitorous Lon Nol clique rigged up by U.S. imperialism totally collapsed and was swept onto the garbage heap of history by the Cambodian people. The Cambodian people's struggle for national liberation has now entered a new historical stage.
The great victory of the war of people's national liberation of the Cambodian people is an event of major international significance. The staunch revolutionary spirit and dauntless heroism displayed by the Cambodian armymen and civilians in their long war of resistance have won the admiration and praise of the people throughout the world, The practice of the Cambodian people's struggle forcefully bears out Chairman Mao Tsetung's wise dictum in his May 20, 1970 statement that "a weak nation can defeat a strong, a small nation can defeat a big. The people of a small country can certainly defeat aggression by a big country, if only they dare to rise in struggle, dare to take up arms and grasp in their own hands the destiny of their country. This is a law of history." The victory of the people's war in Cambodia has set a brilliant example for the people of all countries in their struggle to resist foreign aggression and defend national independence. It is providing not only an impetus to the further development of the excellent situation in Indochina as a whole, but also a
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powerful encouragement to the revolutionary struggles of all oppressed nations and oppressed peoples.
That the Cambodian people have, within five years, achieved the liberation of their motherland and scored such a great victory is because the patriotic armymen and civilians of Cambodia have followed a correct line. Adhering to the principles of independence, initiative and self-reliance and persisting in the road of armed struggle, they have mobilized the masses, relied on the masses, established and upheld the National United Front, united all forces that can be united, and achieved a great unity of the whole nation and people. It is inseparable, too, from the widespread sympathy and support of the people of all countries, and especially of the third world countries which are growing in strength. The Cambodian people's victory is also a common victory of the people of all countries.
Imperialism and its lackeys always overestimate their own strength and underestimate the strength of the people. U.S. imperialism thought that it could put down the people's struggle for liberation and wilfully [sic] decide the fate of other countries by relying on its dollars and guns and hiring and maintaining a handful of lackeys. It swaggered and blustered like anything five years ago when it engineered the reactionary coup d'etat in Cambodia. But, under the heavy blows of the Cambodian people, it was not long before its lackeys toppled one after another, and U.S. imperialism itself was driven out of Cambodia. Facts again prove that it is not imperialism and its lackeys but the people who are really powerful. Cambodia belongs to the Cambodian people and not to imperialism and its lackeys.
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The victory of Cambodia's national-liberation war has also put a superpower in a most awkward position. Five years ago, at the critical juncture when Cambodia's national existence was in peril, this superpower sided and fraternized with the traitorous Lon Nol clique, calling Cambodia's traitor No. 1, Lon Nol, by the flattering term of "president" and maintaining diplomatic relations all along with the bogus regime in Phnom Penh. On the other hand, it referred to the Royal Government of National Union—the sole legal government of Cambodia—as a government "in exile" and refused to recognize Samdech Norodom Sihanouk as Head of State. But now, five years later, when nationwide victory appeared imminent for the Cambodian people's just war of national salvation, this superpower made an about-face and struck up a different tune, trying to describe itself as a friend "who was, is and will always be with the Khmer people in their just struggle." Its clumsy performance on the Cambodian question can deceive nobody but will only enable people to see more clearly that it is social-imperialism.
Comrades and friends,
At present, the international situation is excellent. In their contention for world hegemony, the two superpowers have perpetrated aggression, interference or subversion everywhere and committed all sorts of evil and foul deeds, thus arousing the people of the world to ever stronger resistance and becoming tightly besieged by them. The struggle against colonialism, imperialism and hegemonism is mounting throughout the world. Beset with troubles at home and abroad, the two hegemonic powers have long been in the plight as
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described by the verse, "Flowers fall off, do what one may."
We hail the great victories of the south Vietnamese armymen and civilians in their fight to severely punish the Nguyen Van Thieu clique for its crimes of violating the Paris agreement. We firmly support the Vietnamese people in their just struggle.
We firmly support the Lao people in their just struggle for the thorough implementation of the Vientiane agreement.
We firmly support the Korean people in their just struggle for the independent and peaceful reunification of their fatherland free from foreign interference.
We firmly support the Arab people in their just struggle against superpower interference and Israeli aggression and expansion and for the recovery of the lost territories and the restoration of the Palestinian people's national rights.
We firmly support the people in southern Africa in their just struggle for national liberation and against white racist rule.
We firmly support the people of Asia, Africa and Latin America and of all countries in their just struggle against superpower aggression, subversion, control, interference or bullying.
Comrades and friends,
China and Cambodia are very cordial neighbours, and our two peoples are near and dear to each other like brothers. Sympathizing with and supporting each other throughout the protracted struggle against impe-
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rialism, our two peoples have forged a profound revolutionary friendship. The great victory of the Cambodian people is a powerful support and a great encouragement to the Chinese people's revolutionary cause. In the years to come, the Chinese Government and people will, as always, continue to perform our internationalist duty and render resolute support to the Cambodian people's just struggle to liquidate the remnant forces of the lackeys of imperialism and defend their national independence and state sovereignty. We are convinced that the Cambodian people, persevering in unity and in struggle under the banner of the National United Front of Cambodia, will surmount all difficulties and obstacles on their road of advance and continue to win new and still greater successes. The militant friendship and great unity of the Chinese and Cambodian peoples will certainly grow stronger and develop further in the new historical stage.
Long live the great victory of the war of people's national liberation of the Cambodian people! Long live the great friendship and militant unity of the Chinese and Cambodian peoples!
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(April 19, 1975)
Your Excellency Wang Hung-wen, respected and beloved Vice-Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China,
Your Excellency Yeh Chien-ying, respected sand beloved Vice-Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Vice-Chairman of the Military Commission of the C.P.C. Central Committee and Minister of National Defence of the People's Republic of China,
Your Excellency Teng Hsiao-ping, respected and beloved Vice-Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Vice-Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China,
Your Excellency Wu Teh, respected and beloved Chairman of the Peking Municipal Revolutionary Committee,
Your Excellencies, respected and beloved Chinese leaders,
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Your Excellency Kim Dong Gyu, respected and beloved Vice-President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea,
Your Excellency Pak Sung Chul, respected and beloved Vice-Premier of the Administration Council of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea,
Your Excellencies, respected and beloved Heads of Diplomatic Missions, ladies and gentlemen,
Respected and beloved Chinese brothers and sisters,
First of all, allow me, on behalf of the Cambodian people, the National United Front of Cambodia, the Royal Government of National Union of Cambodia and the People's Armed Forces of National Liberation of Cambodia, to express our heartfelt thanks to respected and beloved Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen and friends who attend this grand rally of the people of Peking organized by the Peking Municipal Revolutionary Committee to celebrate the liberation of Phnom Penh by the Cambodian people and express our thanks to His Excellency Yeh Chien-ying for his eloquent words overflowing with revolutionary fraternity for the Cambodian nation and people.
This rally is a new vivid testimony to the militant unity and fraternal friendship between the Cambodian and Chinese peoples, a new testimony to the manifold support and aid accorded by the fraternal Chinese people to the Cambodian people's struggle from its beginning to complete victory against the U.S. aggressors and their lackeys the traitorous clique.
Under the overwhelming offensive launched by the Cambodian people and the People's Armed Forces of
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National Liberation of Cambodia (P.A.F.N.L.C.) in the dry season, U.S. imperialism, who is the boss of the traitorous clique, fled from Phnom Penh on April 12, 1975, after wreaking havoc on our beloved motherland Cambodia and committing the most savage crimes against our nation and people for more than five years. This constitutes the proof of the thorough defeat of the U.S. imperialist war of aggression in Cambodia.
At half past nine on April 17, 1975, our revolutionary army completely liberated Phnom Penh, the last den of the traitorous clique.
Thus, the U.S. imperialist aggressors and their lackeys were at last completely crushed by the Cambodian people and the P.A.F.N.L.C. after our armymen and civilians, our National United Front of Cambodia (N.U.F.C.) and our Royal Government of National Union of Cambodia (R.G.N.U.C.) waged a heroic, resolute and arduous fight for five years and one month.
This inspiring and brilliant victory is the greatest victory in the history of several thousand years of the Cambodian people and nation.
This victory is due to the correct political line followed firmly and constantly by the Cambodian people, the P.A.F.N.L.C., N.U.F.C. and R.G.N.U.C. under a correct leadership and their position of independence, sovereignty, and being master of their own destiny, daring to surmount all sorts of difficulties, daring to undergo all sacrifices and daring to wage a protracted war without retreat, compromise or negotiations, for genuine national independence, peace, neutrality, non-alignment and territorial integrity. This glorious page in the history of
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Cambodia has been written with the blood and sweat of the heroic Cambodian people.
At the same time, this great victory is due to the union and complete unity of the Cambodian people and nation in their struggle against the U.S. imperialist aggressors and their lackeys—a unity from the viewpoint of conception, position, line and action under the ever-victorious banner of the N.U.F.C. with Head of State Samdech Norodom Sihanouk as its Chairman. Through all sorts of tests and the tempest of the war of people's national liberation of the Cambodian people, this union and this unity have been reinforced and developed until complete victory, and will grow stronger and develop further in the future.
This historic victory of the Cambodian people, of the P.A.F.N.L.C., N.U.F.C. and R.G.N.U.C. is won with their own blood and sweat, but also with the support of all people who love peace and justice and of all friendly countries in the world. In particular, it is inseparable from the manifold assistance in all fields rendered by the great leader Chairman Mao Tsetung, the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people, and the Chinese Government with His Excellency Chou En-lai as its Premier.
The Cambodian people, the P.A.F.N.L.C., N.U.F.C. and R.G.N.U.C. will never forget Chairman Mao Tsetung's solemn statement of May 20, 1070, which affirms that Chairman Mao Tsetung, the Chinese people, the Communist Party of China and the Chinese Government firmly support the Cambodian people, the P.A.F.N.L.C., N.U.F.C. and R.G.N.U.C. in their struggle against the U.S. imperialist aggressors and the traitorous clique.
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In our just struggle for people's national liberation, the Cambodian people, the P.A.F.N.L.C., N.U.F.C. and R.G.N.U.C. have always, whether circumstances were favourable or not, and however the situation might change, received many-sided support materially, politically and morally from Chairman Mao Tsetung, Premier Chou En-lai, the Chinese people, the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese Government. In the five years and one month of the war of people's national liberation of the Cambodian people, the militant unity and fraternal friendship between the Cambodian and Chinese peoples have grown stronger and developed in all aspects. The People's Republic of China, which is a large country with a population of 800 million, has rendered Cambodia, a small country with a population of only seven million, sincere and unconditional support while abiding by the principle of mutual equality and respecting the sovereignty and dignity of the Cambodian nation and people. The friendship between the Cambodian and Chinese peoples is based on the most correct principles and sincere unity. This is a brilliant example in relations between nations of the world.
The great victory won by the Cambodian people, the P.A.F.N.L.C., N.U.F.C. and R.G.N.U.C. clearly bears out Chairman Mao Tsetung's following dictum: "The people of a small country can certainly defeat aggression by a big country, if only they dare to rise in struggle, dare to take up arms and grasp in their own hands the destiny of their country."
Therefore, we regard the complete liberation of Phnom Penh on April 17, 1975 as a victory of the fraternal Chinese people, just as the Cambodian people
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regard the victories achieved by the Chinese people in their socialist construction as our own.
Not long ago, Chairman Mao Tsetung reaffirmed that the fraternal Cambodian people may rest assured that the Chinese people will forever stand by you and march forward with you in the struggles ahead. We are overjoyed at this. We are convinced that the Cambodian people and the fraternal Chinese people will, as before, continue to achieve common splendid victories.
With these sentiments, I wish to extend once again to His Excellency Chairman Mao Tsetung, His Excellency Premier Chou En-lai, the Chinese people, the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese Government the deepest and warmest thanks of the Cambodian people, the P.A.F.N.L.C., N.U.F.C. and R.G.N.U.C. We are firmly convinced that the militant unity and fraternal friendship between the Cambodian and Chinese peoples will grow stronger and develop continuously.
I would like to take this solemn occasion to express our heartfelt thanks to the people and governments of all friendly countries and all people who love peace and justice for their support to the Cambodian people's just cause.
The Cambodian people will continue to support all nations and peoples in the world, and particularly the Palestinian people and the peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America, in their just war for national liberation against all forms of aggression by imperialism, colonialism and neo-colonialism, until complete victory is won.
I would like to express my deep thanks to His Excellency Wang Hung-wen, His Excellency Yeh Chien-
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ying, His Excellency Teng Hsiao-ping, His Excellency Wu Teh, other leaders of the Party and Government of the People's Republic of China and the Peking Municipal Revolutionary Committee which has kindly organized this grand rally. I would like to thank the Heads of Diplomatic Missions for attending this rally. I would like to convey my greetings to the people of Peking, who are taking part in this rally in great numbers.
Long live the great historic victory of the Cambodian people's war of people's national liberation!
Long live the militant unity and fraternal friendship between the Cambodian and Chinese peoples!
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Renmim Ribao (People's Daily) editorial, April 18, 1975
With the momentum of a landslide and like a whirlwind sweeping away wisps of clouds, the patriotic Cambodian armed forces and people liberated Phnom Penh on April 17, 1975. As the Cambodian people's armed forces marched in, the enemy fled in disorder, and the people raised thunderous cheers. Opposed by the people and deserted by its followers, the traitorous Lon Nol clique was totally overthrown. The liberation of Phnom Penh and the decisive victory of the Cambodian people's just war for national salvation is a brilliant page in the annals of Cambodia's struggle for national liberation. It marks the beginning of a new historical stage in the revolutionary struggle of the Cambodian people. This great victory is another great event of far-reaching historic significance for Asia in the period after World War II. It is a great encouragement to the revolutionary struggle of the oppressed nations and oppressed peoples the world over. With boundless joy, the Chinese people extend their warmest congratulations and highest respects to the great and heroic Cambodian people.
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The verdict of history is merciless. When the traitorous Lon Nol clique staged the coup under US, instigation five years ago, they were so inordinately arrogant and unbridled as to think they could swallow up the whole of Cambodia at one go. At that time, U.S. imperialism disbursed large amounts of money to aid this clique, rushed arms to it and even flagrantly dispatched troops to invade Cambodia. The superpower which flies the banner of "socialism" tore off its disguise as a supporter of the Cambodian people and staked all on the traitorous Lon Nol clique. But their rejoicing was premature. After a mere five years the situation has changed radically. As the Cambodian people won victory after victory in their just war for national salvation, the traitorous Lon Nol clique rapidly fell apart and finally perished in utter disgrace. Superpower though it be, the United States had to close its "embassy" in Phnom Penh, an act which set the seal of total bankruptcy on its policy of aggression. The other superpower hastily started singing a different tune and changed its tactics, exposing before the world the predicament of a political gambler who has lost everything. In a word, these reactionaries overestimated their own strength and underestimated the might of the people. They lifted a rock only to smash their own toes.
The reason why such a great change took place in the Cambodian situation in the past five years is that the heroic Cambodian people, rallying as one around the National United Front of Cambodia with Samdech Norodom Sihanouk as Chairman, and the Royal Government of National Union of Cambodia with Samdech Penn Nouth as Prime Minister and Khieu Samphan as Deputy
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Prime Minister, persisted in the correct line of independence, initiative, self-reliance and people's war; they defied brute force and braved sacrifices to carry on their exalted, heroic and just war for national salvation. In these five years the Cambodian people advanced wave upon wave and fought valiantly. In these five years the Cambodian people fought shoulder to shoulder, solidly united in battle. In these five years the Cambodian people continued to advance in triumph amid songs of victory.
The great victory of the Cambodian people's just war for national salvation is the common victory for the people of the third world and the entire world in their cause of united struggle against imperialism The achievements of the victory will be recorded indelibly in the glorious history of the national-liberation struggle of all countries in the world. The victory has set a splendid example and provided new experience for the struggle of the oppressed nations and oppressed peoples.
The experience of the Cambodian people's struggle tells us that the weak can defeat the strong and the small can defeat the big. Cambodia, with a population of only a few million, dared to defy the colossus of U.S. imperialism, dared to fight it and persist in fighting it. She grew from weak to strong, from small to big, went from victory to victory, and in the end defeated the U.S. aggressors and their lackeys. This is of inestimable significance The strong and the weak, the big and the small, can turn into each other under given conditions. Strong as it appears, imperialism is actually nothing to be afraid of. So long as we cast away illusions and dare to fight it, there is nothing much to it. Revolutionary and progressive forces are usually comparatively weak at
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the beginning of their struggle. So long as they follow a correct line, unite as one, persist in struggle and constantly increase their strength in the course of struggle, they will certainly be able eventually to defeat powerful enemies.
The experience of the Cambodian people's struggle proves that to gain genuine independence and strive for complete liberation, it is essential to build a people's armed force with combat strength and persevere in people's war. When the imperialists have forced their way in, they cannot be driven out except by relying on the people, who take up arms and carry out resolute struggle. Nor will they become kind-hearted and serve up independence and sovereignty to the oppressed people on a silver platter, Only by establishing and developing the people's armed forces, carrying forward revolutionary heroism, adhering to a correct line, constantly accumulating experience and giving full play to the might of people's war can the revolutionary armed forces defeat the counter-revolutionary armed forces. Facts prove that the people's armed forces act like a magic weapon in winning national liberation and the victory of revolution.
The experience of the Cambodian people's struggle also proves that a just cause is invincible because it enjoys abundant support, while an unjust cause has little support. The National United Front and the Royal Government of National Union of Cambodia represent the interests of the Cambodian people. Domestically they are cherished and supported by the broad masses of the Cambodian people and internationally they have won the universal sympathy and support of the Indochinese peo-
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ples, the third world people and all countries and peoples which uphold justice throughout the world. The Cambodian people have friends all over the globe. Events prove that those who represent progress and justice have inexhaustible strength.
In his statement of May 20, 1970, Chairman Mao said: "A just cause enjoys abundant support while an unjust cause finds little support. A weak nation can defeat a strong, a small nation can defeat a big. The people of a small country can certainly defeat aggression by a big country, if only they dare to rise in struggle, dare to take up arms and grasp in their own hands the destiny of their country." The course of the Cambodian people's great struggle has fully borne out this law of history.
The Cambodian people have won a great historic victory. But the tasks facing them will be arduous. We are convinced that the heroic People's Armed Forces of National Liberation of Cambodia will continue to march forward from victory to victory and liberate the whole country by sweeping away the remnants of the enemy. The entire Cambodian people will unite more closely and continue their advance so as to win new and greater victories in safeguarding national independence, healing the wounds of war and building up the motherland.
The Chinese people and the Cambodian people are brotherly comrades-in-arms, close members of one family. In the long years of revolutionary, anti-imperialist struggle, profound revolutionary friendship and militant solidarity have been forged between our two peoples. Our friendship is long-tested and indestructible. The Chinese
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people will always stand firmly on the side of the Cambodian people and resolutely support their just struggle. They will always be united, fight side by side and win victory together with the fraternal Cambodian people.
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Commentary by Hsinhua Correspondent
Pressing forward irresistibly, the People's Armed Forces of National Liberation of Cambodia (P.A.F.N.L.C.) liberated their national capital, Phnom Penh, on April 17, 1975. Army and government chieftains of the traitorous Phnom Penh clique surrendered one after another. People are inspired by the news of victory.
The liberation of Phnom Penh marked the collapse of the traitorous Lon Nol clique and its political regime, which were an ulcer on the country and the people. It bespoke the complete failure of U.S. imperialist policies of aggression and intervention against Cambodia, and proclaimed the Cambodian people's winning of a decisive victory of great historic significance in their revolutionary war for national liberation. Moreover, the liberation of Phnom Penh dealt a telling blow to the other superpower, which, being hostile to the Cambodian people's struggle, colluded with the traitorous Lon Nol clique.
This signal, historic victory was won with guns by the patriotic Cambodian army and people, who defied brute force and feared no sacrifices. Five years ago, U.S. imperialism instigated the traitorous Lon Nol clique to stage a reactionary coup d'etat and then brazenly sent
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its troops to invade Cambodia in a vain attempt to ward off total defeat on the Indochinese battlefield. But the Cambodian people, with a glorious tradition of struggle, were not cowed by the overweening arrogance of U.S. imperialism and its lackeys. When dark clouds gathered over the land of Cambodia and the future of the nation hung in the balance, the Cambodian people determinedly took up arms. Rallying around the National United Front of Cambodia (N.U.F.C.) with Head of State Samdech Norodom Sihanouk as Chairman and the Royal Government of National Union of Cambodia (R.G.N.U.C.) with Samdech Penn Nouth as Prime Minister and Khieu Samphan as Deputy Prime Minister, they plunged into the just struggle for national salvation. Displaying the spirit of revolutionary heroism and of readiness to fight the enemy to the last drop of their blood, they wrote a magnificent song of victory to people's war.
For more than five years the Cambodian people, led by the N.U.F.C. and R.G.N.U.C., persisted in the line of independence, initiative and self-reliance, the line of national union and the line of people's war. Keeping to the firm stand of no compromise and no retreat, they waged a tit-for-tat struggle against the enemy, shattered its various kinds of "peace talks" plots, and achieved one great victory after another on the political, military, economic and diplomatic fronts.
Born in the flames of battle, the glorious P.A.F.N.L.C. learned warfare through warfare and rapidly grew and gained in strength. Closely relying on the people and developing the inexhaustible might of people's war, they became ever stronger as they fought. They crushed the massive intrusions into Cambodia by more than 100,000
26
U.S. and Saigon aggressor troops, frustrated the continual wanton bombings by U.S. planes which flew more than 35,000 sorties in some 200 days, wiped out the several hundred thousand Lan Nol puppet troops equipped with modern U.S. arms, and failed all the war schemes of U.S. imperialism and its Phnom Penh lackeys.
In the course of the war the patriotic Cambodian armed forces and people speedily established stable and expanding liberated areas to serve as powerful bases for their just struggle for national salvation. Organs of people's political power at various levels were set up in the vast liberated areas, whom the people, rifle in one hand and hoe in the other, launched a vigorous production campaign through which they gradually attained self-sufficiency in grain and even built up a surplus. Man-power and materials to support the liberation front steadily increased. In contrast, the traitorous Lon Nol clique, holed up in a few isolated cities, managed to prolong its feeble existence only thanks to U.S. aid.
From the beginning of 1975 the patriotic armed forces and people of Cambodia fought strategically decisive battles against the traitorous Lon Nal clique. With a mighty force they swept away the enemy strongholds, swiftly cut land and water transport routes to Phnom Penh, captured the Pochentong Airport, the only airway to and from Phnom Penh, and finally overthrow the traitorous Lon Nol clique when they completely liberated the city itself. A new Cambodia has grown out of the barrel of a gun, a Cambodia where the people are the masters of the country.
The splendid victory won by the Cambodian people has demonstrated that a just cause enjoys abundant
27
support, and is sure to win. At home, the Cambodian people of all strata, closely rallying around the banner of the N.U.F.C., farmed a broadest unity against U.S. imperialism and its Phnom Penh lackeys, The people in enemy-held areas closed their ranks and waged continuous struggle of various kinds, forming a second front for attacking the traitorous Lon Nol clique. Internationally, the just cause of the Cambodian people has won widespread sympathy and support from the people of all countries and its prestige is growing throughout the world.
The great victory of the Cambodian people has set a brilliant example for the oppressed peoples and oppressed nations in their just struggles against foreign aggression and for independence and liberation. Cambodia has a population of only seven million, The Cambodian people, however, dare to despise the colossus of U.S. imperialism, dare to wage a tit-for-tat struggle against it and have scored a magnificent victory. This proves to the hilt that "a weak nation can defeat a strong, a small nation can defeat a big. The people of a small country can certainly defeat aggression by a big country, if only they dare to rise in struggle, dare to take up arms and grasp in their own hands the destiny of their country."
Countries want independence, nations want liberation and the people want to make revolution. This is an irresistible historical trend of our time. The great victory of the Cambodian people is certain to greatly inspire the people throughout the world to win new victories in their struggle against imperialism, colonialism and hegemonism.
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The China-Cambodia Friendship People's Commune, Peking
When the exciting news came of the liberation of Phnom Penh and all Cambodia by the Cambodian people's armed forces, we members of the China-Cambodia Friendship People's Commune passed it round excitedly and rejoiced over it. Filled with revolutionary sentiment, we extend our warmest congratulations and highest respects to our heroic Cambodian comrades-in-arms.
Five years ago U.S. imperialism instigated its running dogs of the traitorous Lon No1 clique to stage a reactionary coup. In no time, dark clouds thickened over Cambodia and monsters and freaks ran amuck, turning the country into a hell for the masses of the people. The Cambodian people refused to give in to this calamity, however. Rallying around the National United Front of Cambodia with Samdech Norodom Sihanouk as Chairman and the Royal Government of National Union of Cambodia with Samdech Penn Nouth as Prime Minister and Khieu Samphan as Deputy Prime Minister, they waged a stirring, just war for national salvation with indomitable revolutionary spirit They won one victory after another and finally liberated Phnom Penh and the whole country.
The Cambodian people's brilliant victory culminating in the liberation of Phnom Penh is of enormous signifi-
29
cance. It shows forcefully that the surging tide of revolution is thundering abroad in the world today, that gone are the days when the imperialists and all reactionaries could do as they pleased. If only the invaded and oppressed countries and peoples adhere to the correct road, dare to take up arms, advance wave upon wave and persist, in fighting regardless of sacrifice, they can defeat the imperialists and all reactionaries despite the enemy's truculence and apparent strength. With a population of only seven million, Cambodia defeated the U.S. aggressors and their lackeys through five years of heroic fighting. This is another convincing proof that the weak can defeat the strong and the small can defeat the big. The real strength lies in the people of all countries lighting for their just cause, not in imperialism and reaction. Once a people awakens, gets united and persevere in struggle, no reactionary forces can halt their march forward.
The Chinese and Cambodian peoples are close
brothers and comrades-in-arms. In the map 30 couragement. It excites us still to recall our meetings with our Cambodian comrades-in-arms where they told of the excellent situation in their just war for national salvation and some of the glorious deeds arising from their unity and struggle. The day of victory longed for by the Chinese and Cambodian comrades-in-arms came at last! While celebrating the victory we at the same time determined, in accordance with Chairman Mao's consistent touching, to continue our firm support to the just struggle of the Cambodian people. We will grasp revolution, promote production, learn from the revolutionary fighting spirit of our Cambodian comrades-in-arms and win still bigger harvests as our part in supporting their just cause. We sincerely wish the Cambodian people new and still greater victories. May the friendship between the peoples of China and Cambodia remain ever green
like the pine tree! 31 Ching Wen On April 17, 1975 the People's Armed Forces of National Liberation of Cambodia completely liberated Phnom Penh, making a clean sweep of the traitorous Lon Nol clique and Shattering the U.S. imperialist policy of aggression against Cambodia. This is a victory of historic significance in the Cambodian people's struggle for national salvation. People may remember that spring five years ago
when, manipulated by U.S. imperialism, a handful of
Cambodian traitors staged a reactionary coup d'etat,
which was followed up by a large-scale invasion of Cambodia by U.S. aggressor and Saigon puppet troops. Instantly, reaction ran amuck, monsters and freaks came to the fore and terror reigned in Cambodia, turning the beautiful land into a stark inferno. The heroic Cambodian people, however, refused to bow down and be subjugated. Rallying closely around the National United Front of Cambodia (N.U.F.C.) with Head of State Samdech Norodom Sihanouk as Chairman, and the Royal Government of National Union of Cambodia (R.G.N.U.C.) with Samdech Penn Nouth as Prime Minister and Khieu Samphan as Deputy Prime Minister, they launched an earth-shaking, just struggle for national salvation. After
five years of extremely arduous struggle, they finally de- 32 feated U.S. Imperialism and its lackeys, scoring a decisive victory in their national-liberation war. The key to the Cambodian people's winning such a splendid victory is their adherence to the stand of no compromise and no retreat, and to the correct line of independence, initiative and self-reliance and of waging people's war. And this is why, in the past five years, they frustrated all enemy plots and advanced from victory to victory on the military, political, diplomatic and economic fronts. The splendid victory of the Cambodian national-liberation war is a majestic song of praise to people's war. From the very start, the N.U.F.C. made it entirely clear that armed struggle was the Cambodian people's only road to victory and the realization of their aspirations. The N.U.F.C. called on the people of various strata to take up arms in struggle and, in the flames of battle, an army of the people was born. This people's army grew rapidly in strength, developing into a mighty force made up of regular and local forces and guerrilla units. Sweeping over the length and breadth of Cambodia, this army waged people's war everywhere from both banks of the Mekong River to the lake shore of the Tonle Sap and from the Dangrek Mountains to the coast on the Gulf of Siam, forming a vast sea in which to drown the enemy. The patriotic armymen and civilians of Cambodia learned warfare through warfare, summing up their experience from time to time in order to perfect their strategy and tactics. In this way they became stronger and stronger in the course of war. They wiped out great numbers of enemy effectives and put to rout the several hundred thousand Lan Nol puppet troops, till their total destruc-
33 tion. The patriotic armymen and civilians established bases in the countryside and gradually expanded and consolidated the liberated areas, forcing the enemy to entrench itself in a number of besieged cities and towns. They proceeded then to capture all these isolated enemy points, including Phnom Penh, lair of the traitorous Lon Nol clique, and finally seized nation-wide victory. The triumph of the Cambodian people's just war of national salvation fully demonstrates the might of people's war. Little wonder that the victorious course of the Cambodian people's struggle is described in the Western bourgeois press as the most enigmatic among the revolutionary wars in the world. In fact, the "enigma" is by no means difficult to solve. For the N.U.F.C. mobilized the people and relied on them in waging a genuine people's war. When an awakened people in their millions are mobilized and organized, when they rise in arms and keep to the correct road, they can grow from weak to strong and become a force capable of defeating any powerful enemy. Within the short span of five years the Cambodian people completely defeated the traitorous Phnom Penh clique supported by U.S. imperialism, overthrew its autocratic
rule and gave Cambodia a new life—further and striking proof that people's war is a most effective weapon in the hands of oppressed nations and peoples for dealing with imperialism and reaction. The splendid victory of .the Cambodian national-
liberation war is also due to the seven million Cambodian people uniting as one in their struggle. When the handful of traitors attempted, five years ago, to turn an independent, peaceful and neutral Cambodia into a colony serving U.S. imperialism by launching a reactionary coup, 34 they placed themselves in a position antagonistic to the entire Cambodian people. To uphold national independence, overthrow the autocratic rule and strive for national liberation became the common demand of the vast masses of the people, It was on this common political ground that a broad united front against U.S. imperialism and its lackeys was formed. Raising high the banner of national liberation, the N.U.F.C., which came into being at a critical juncture in the existence of the Cambodian nation, rallied and organized into a mighty army all patriotic forces including workers, peasants, the petty bourgeoisie, the national bourgeoisie, patriotic members of the Royal House, intellectuals. Buddhist clergy and patriotic personages. This isolated the enemy as never before. It was in the dragnet formed by the whole people that the traitorous Phnom Penh regime, battered by the people's armed forces and confronted with the heroic resistance of the people in enemy-occupied areas, went to its doom at increasing speed. The splendid victory of the Cambodian national-liberation war was won by the Cambodian people carrying forward the spirit of dauntlessness and persevering in the arduous and staunch struggles. The N.U.F.C. held last to the policy of independence, initiative and self-reliance, relying primarily on its own strength. Under its leadership, the broad masses of patriotic armymen and civilians in the past few years established stable revolutionary bases in the liberated areas, launched production drives for solving the problems of food, clothing and other daily necessities, and armed themselves with weapons captured from the enemy. In this way they overcame all difficulties and remained impregnable. 35 The victory of the Cambodian national-liberation war is also the common Victory of all the world's people. The just struggle of the Cambodian people for national salvation has been an important component part of the struggle against imperialism and hegemonism waged by the people of the third world and of the entire world. The struggle and victory of the Cambodian people are a great contribution to the revolutionary, anti-imperialist cause of the people of all countries and have won their universal sympathy and support. The revolutionary people of all countries have resolutely sided with the Cambodian people. When times were most difficult for the Cambodian people, many countries that stand for justice extended recognition to the R.G.N.U.C., which represents
the interests of the Cambodian people, as the sole legal government of the Cambodian people. As for the two superpowers, one brazenly pushed its policy of aggression, openly using U.S. dollars, weapons and even to troops to buttress and aid the Phnom Penh puppet regime; the other put its stake on a handful of national traitors spurned by the Cambodian people and, consorting over the years with the Phnom Pent puppet regime, tried to undermine the just cause of the Cambodian people for national salvation. Both, however, were only lifting rocks to drop on their own toes, and both ended up ignominiously. The great victory of the Cambodian people is a shining example of a small nation defeating a big one, of a weak nation besting a strong one. Five years ago the Cambodian people rose in arms with almost nothing to start with. But, as a heroic people, they dared to despise the apparently strong enemy and take up arms to fight 36 against it. Sapping the enemy's strength while building up their own, they grew from weak to strong and finally inflicted total defeat on the enemy. Though U.S. imperialism in the past Five years threw several thousand million dollars down the drain of the traitorous Phnom Penh clique, rained hundreds of thousands of tons of bombs on Cambodian soil and even intervened with more than 100,000 of its own and Saigon puppet troops, it could not rescue the traitorous Phnom Penh clique from extinction, nor could it avert its own defeat. The glorious deeds of the Cambodian people are a great inspiration to all oppressed nations and people as well as all small and weak countries which are victims of aggression. The heroic struggle and great victory of the Cambodian people are of profound historic significance. Their experience, gained at the cost of blood, will become a treasure common to the revolutionary people of the world. Their national-liberation struggle having entered a new historical stage, the Cambodian people, who have been steeled in the flames of war, will certainly continue to hold high the banner of national liberation and forge ahead to win new, still greater victories! [End]IN PRAISE OF THE VICTORY OF PEOPLE'S WAR