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Solidarity With Cambodia: International Conference

By VVAW

Over 300 delegates from 53 countries met in Paris on December 8th and 9th for the International Conference of Solidarity with the Cambodian People to express support for Cambodia?s continuing struggle against U.S. imperialism.

The U.S. government, after stopping B-52 raids over Cambodia, has tried to tell the people of the world that only a civil war now goes on in Cambodia, a civil war between the puppet government of Lon Nol and the F.U.N.K. ?If that were so,? Secretary Prasith said, ?it is a war between the armies of the people and $1 billion U.S. dollars per year.? (Mr. Thiounn Prasith is Secretary of the Central Committee of the National United Front of Cambodia ? FUNK ? and Minister of the Government of National Union of Cambodia - GRUNK.

Only U.S. aid keeps the Lon Nol government alive; the economy in the areas controlled by the Lon Nol government is so bad that the people have to eat American rice gown in California. At the same time, the economy of the liberated zones supports its people, plus the people leaving the cities under Lon Nol control; and they still can export food to their brothers and sisters in South Vietnam. But U.S. aid - which continues to pour into Cambodia - does not always help the Lon Nol government: the Armed Forces of National Liberation have captured sufficient American arms to outfit 100 battalions, according to Secretary Prasith.

Delegates from other Asian countries, including the PRG from South Vietnam, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the Lao Patriotic Front, the Democratic Peoples? Republic of Korea, and Japan supported Cambodia against continued American aggression. Though the U.S. government no longer uses B-52?s, the remainder of sophisticated U.S. airpower - planes which no Cambodian pilot has yet been trained to operate - continue strafing and bombing over the liberated zones. The complete destruction of the town of Kompong Cham on September 16, 1973, is the most glaring example of the results of U.S. imperialism, unchecked even by the Congressional ban on further U.S. bombing. Moreover, American ?advisors? still personally lead units of the Lon Nol puppet forces.

For some delegations, just their presence in Paris was a moving expression of solidarity. The Spanish delegates, for instance, even though they must live underground in fascist Spain, came to Paris to speak in support of the Cambodian brothers and sisters.

In its statement of support and solidarity, VVAW/WSO said: ?We draw hope and inspiration from your victories. The end of U.S. support to the puppet government of Lon Nol has long been one of our objectives. As an organization with mass membership, we express the affection and admiration of the American people for the Cambodian people. Knowing that in unity there is strength, we look forward with confidence to the day of final liberation for Cambodia and all of Indochina."

Other delegations expressed special interest in VVAW/WSO and our activities. The Japanese delegates wished to continue their work with us through VVAW/WSO chapters in Japan. And the Korean delegation asked for our support in getting U.S. troops out of Korea and stopping U.S. aid to the puppet government in South Korea, the remnants of earlier U.S. aggression against the people of Asia.

Again and again there was a clear distinction between the U.S. government and its policies of imperialism, and the American people. This was most strongly stated in the speech of Secretary Prasith which opened the conference.

?The Cambodian people know and appreciate fully the valiant struggle of the American people. They have never forgotten from the very first days of the invasion launched on Cambodia by the Nixon administration, young American boys and girls fell under the bullets at Kent State University and Jackson State College. They gave their young and precious life and blood so that the fighting solidarity between the Cambodian and the American peoples against Nixon's war of aggression may live forever.

?We are proud and happy to have the American people by our side in the same struggle. We convey to you our sincere wishes for the success of your struggle to compel the Nixon administration to stop its aggression in Cambodia, for the happiness, democracy, and prosperity of the American people, for the friendship between the Cambodian people and the American people. Your victories are also our victories."

To our Cambodian friends we say: "Your victories are also our victories."

AND SUPPORT TO LON NOL

WITHDRAW ALL U.S. TROOPS - MILITARY OR CIVILIAN

RECOGNIZE THE RIGHTFUL GOVERNMENT OF THE CAMBODIAN PEOPLE

CAMBODIA FOR THE CAMBODIANS