Phnom Penh (FN), Jan. 7 – Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen, also president of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), addressed at the 44th anniversary of January 7 Victory Day, held on Saturday morning (Jan 7) at Diamond Island.

“The January 7 victory ended the darkest era and opened a new era of independence, freedom, democracy and social progress for Cambodia, by saving the lives of millions of people from death, bringing back the people all their rights and freedoms that were completely lost under the Pol Pot regime, especially the right to life, while bringing back once again the spiritual and material values of the Khmer nation, which has been nurtured in its thousands of years of history,” said the premier.

“The January 7 victory gave a second birth to the Cambodian people. Without the January 7 victory, there would be no Cambodia today. This is a historical fact that no man or force can manipulate and destroy. Only those who love the genocidal regime oppose to the January 7 victory,” the premier underlined.

Samdech continued, “Over the past 44 years, it becomes clear that since the January 7 victory, Cambodia has been constantly moving in the right direction in response to the sacred aspirations of the people. Cambodia has turned from a killing field of genocidal regimes, from the battlefields of chronic warfare, from national disintegration and territorial division, and from a land where the national economy has been destroyed to a land of peace, unity, democracy, respect for human rights, rule of law and development in all areas enabling all people to live in harmony under the same Constitutional umbrella and the cool shade of the highly revered HM the King.”

“These realities underscore the great changes in Cambodia's history that have emerged from the right leadership of the Royal Government that comes from the Cambodian People's Party, from the efforts of all ministries, state institutions and authorities at all levels, people's participation from all walks of life, all races, all religions by encouraging deep patriotism, from the participation of the private sector and civil society, as well as the sincere support and assistance from neighboring countries and international communities,” the premier added.

“The spirit of January 7 is immortal in the hearts of all Cambodians and all generations to come. We are all committed to keeping the spirit of January 7 stronger and brighter. The past 44 years have been the 44 years of unity, the 44 years of heroic struggle and the 44 years of victory for the Cambodian people,” premier Hun Sen underscored.
=FRESH NEWS