Workshop highlights Boloven Plateau campaign in Laos

Vientiane (VNA) – The Defence Ministry of Laos held a workshop in Champasak province on April 5, looking back the Boloven Plateau liberation campaign in 1971 and 1972, a symbol of the Vietnam-Laos solidarity.

The event saw the participation of Lao military officers, representatives from the Lao Government, scientists, historical witnesses and the Vietnamese military attache in Laos.

In his opening speech, Deputy Minister of Defence and Director of the Lao People’s Army’s General Department of Politics Lieutenant General Vilay Lakhamphong highlighted the significance of the event, saying that it helps review the unyielding struggle of Lao ethnic groups, especially those in the south.

Practices and historical lessons learned from the campaign show the crushing defeat of imperialists, he said, adding that the campaign paved the way for the struggle for national liberation.

While underlining the steadfast relationship between Laos and Vietnam, Vilay Lakhamphong said he appreciated help provided by Vietnamese volunteer soldiers for Lao people during their national liberation struggles, saying that this strengthened the friendship between the two nations.

From 1969 to 1972, Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and Pathet Lao (Lao Nation) forces organised campaigns to liberate many regions in the country.

The feat of arms contributed to educating the two countries’ young people about the revolutions of the past, the Lao official stressed.

Reports presented at the workshop pointed out the ingenious leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party in campaigns in southern provinces, and highlighted the significance of the Boloven Plateau campaign.

They said the campaign contributed to the signing of a ceasefire agreement (February 21, 1973) on the road to the establishment of the Lao’s People Democratic Republic on December 2, 1975.

Participants also spoke about solidarity between Vietnamese volunteer soldiers, with soldiers and people of Laos working together on defence in southern Laos and other campaigns in the country.-VNA