At the interview (Source: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnamesearmy was instrumental in defeating the Khmer Rouge regime, changing history inCambodia, according to Executive Director of the Documentation Centre ofCambodia Youk Chhang.
In a recent interview with Vietnam NewsAgency, Chhang said many Cambodians fleeing the genocidal regime had told theworld about the catastrophe, but no country was willing to interfere. He addedthat he had collected several documents proving that Amnesty International triedto negotiate with Khmer Rouge in 1976, but it came to failure. Therefore,genocide had to be ended by military force and the Vietnam People’s Army is theonly one in the region that could deal with it.
He said but for Vietnam’s help, Cambodia wouldhave become a dictatorial country.
On the life sentence given to ex-leaders ofKhmer Rouge Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphon, Chhang said it marks an end to KhmerRouge regime from the legal aspect. The next task is ending the regime viaeducation which he said is especially important for Cambodian people to looktoward the future while not forgetting lessons of the past.
As regards Cambodia – Vietnam ties, he saidboth countries should build a special relationship on the back of long-standinghistorical connection and mutual support. In the future, bilateral ties willthrive as ASEAN member states grow closer in terms of science-technology andeconomy.
According to him, not only the twogovernments but also the two countries’ people need such relations and theyneed to understand each country’s history.
Chhang said he visited Vietnam in 1998 tolearn about the country and Vietnam – Cambodia ties. He called attention toraising public awareness about Khmer Rouge issues.
Youk Chhang himself was a victim of the KhmerRouge and survived by fleeing to a refugee camp along the Thailand-Cambodiaborder before settling in the US. Returning to Cambodia more than three decadesago, he wished his work would contribute to bringing justice to genocidevictims and those who toppled the brutal regime.
Under the helm of Chhang, the centre has madeimportant contributions to judging crimes of leaders of the genocidal regime incourts. He has also authored many articles and books about the regime andserved as a senior researcher and lecturer in research centres and universitiesworldwide.
He was also named among top 60 and 100influential people by Time magazine in 2006 and 2007, respectively.-VNA
In a recent interview with Vietnam NewsAgency, Chhang said many Cambodians fleeing the genocidal regime had told theworld about the catastrophe, but no country was willing to interfere. He addedthat he had collected several documents proving that Amnesty International triedto negotiate with Khmer Rouge in 1976, but it came to failure. Therefore,genocide had to be ended by military force and the Vietnam People’s Army is theonly one in the region that could deal with it.
He said but for Vietnam’s help, Cambodia wouldhave become a dictatorial country.
On the life sentence given to ex-leaders ofKhmer Rouge Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphon, Chhang said it marks an end to KhmerRouge regime from the legal aspect. The next task is ending the regime viaeducation which he said is especially important for Cambodian people to looktoward the future while not forgetting lessons of the past.
As regards Cambodia – Vietnam ties, he saidboth countries should build a special relationship on the back of long-standinghistorical connection and mutual support. In the future, bilateral ties willthrive as ASEAN member states grow closer in terms of science-technology andeconomy.
According to him, not only the twogovernments but also the two countries’ people need such relations and theyneed to understand each country’s history.
Chhang said he visited Vietnam in 1998 tolearn about the country and Vietnam – Cambodia ties. He called attention toraising public awareness about Khmer Rouge issues.
Youk Chhang himself was a victim of the KhmerRouge and survived by fleeing to a refugee camp along the Thailand-Cambodiaborder before settling in the US. Returning to Cambodia more than three decadesago, he wished his work would contribute to bringing justice to genocidevictims and those who toppled the brutal regime.
Under the helm of Chhang, the centre has madeimportant contributions to judging crimes of leaders of the genocidal regime incourts. He has also authored many articles and books about the regime andserved as a senior researcher and lecturer in research centres and universitiesworldwide.
He was also named among top 60 and 100influential people by Time magazine in 2006 and 2007, respectively.-VNA
VNA
