General Kun Kim points to the map for the win-win monument in Oddar Meanchey province’s Anlong Veng district on Sunday. DEFENCE MINISTRY
The Ministry of National Defence plans to build the Anlong Veng Win-Win Monument at the Techo Phnom 200 historical military site in Oddar Meanchey province’s Anlong Veng district in March.
Officials say the monument will provide an opportunity for future generations to learn about their history and will contribute to Cambodia’s national identity and will also inspire patriotism.
A statement from the ministry’s information department announced that a ground-breaking ceremony is scheduled for March 9.
During a visit to determine the final site of the monument on February 6, defence minister Tea Banh said the government had begun planning to build this monument after the completion of the Victory Monument in Phnom Penh.
“We are building these monuments to remember the Win-Win victory. We do not aim to do anything as ambitious as those in ancient times who built tens of thousands of temples, but we do believe it is important to remember the beginning of peace.
“We are doing in a way that demonstrates to the whole world that the Techo era brought peace. Another side to the victory was the complete unification of the nation, unprecedented in the history of Cambodia,” he said.
Tea Banh, speaking earlier at a ceremony to announce the composition of the monument construction team in January, said that it would show a culture of gratitude and remembrance of the heroism, achievements and wisdom of the leaders.
“Our leaders sought peace by sacrificing their flesh and blood for the cause of peace, and eventually overthrew the genocidal regime of Pol Pot through a [resistance] movement on June 20, 1977,” he said, referring to the formation of the National Salvation Solidarity Armed Forces on that date.
Tea Banh added that the monument would be a place for the next generations to learn the true history of Oddar Meanchey province.
He also recalled the events that Cambodia went through – the war that caused the catastrophe and tragedy of the Cambodian people, which has left scars that have not yet disappeared.
Win-win monuments are being built in a number of other municipalities and provinces, including Phnom Penh and the provinces of Kampong Speu, Banteay Meanchey and Koh Kong.
The government plans to build in more provinces in the future.
