The Phnom Penh Post

Win-Win Policy Day observed

- Ry Sochan

THE Ministry of National Defence is set to celebrate the 24th anniversar­y of “WinWin Policy Day” to commemorat­e the end of the Cambodian civil war.

The event, scheduled to run for three days from December 29, will be presided over by defence minister Tea Banh.

“The organisati­on of the 24th Anniversar­y of Win-Win Policy Day serves as a reminder and expression of gratitude to the heroism and exceptiona­l guidance of the initiators of the Win-Win Policy.

“This brought the civil war to a complete end on December 29, 1998, ushering in peace and bringing full national unity to Cambodia,” the ministry said in an announceme­nt.

It recalled on December 27 that the long-running civil war in Cambodia ended through Prime Minister Hun Sen’s Win-Win policy, which had three core tenets – “Life, Career and Ownership”.

Ensuring life, allowing a career and securing the ownership of property, the three core tenets brought about the dismantlin­g of the political and military organisati­ons of the Khmer Rouge and establishe­d peace and national unity on December 29, 1998.

“Peace and political stability provided the Cambodian people with the most valuable opportunit­y to develop in all areas and across society,” said the ministry.

“They also opened the way for the Royal Cambodian

Armed Forces [RCAF] to be organised as a profession­al entity building and protecting the motherland of Cambodia,” it added.

The ministry has set up an organising committee for events celebratin­g the 24th Win-Win Policy Day and the fourth anniversar­y of the inaugurati­on of the Win-Win Monument, with RCAF deputy commander-in-chief Ith Sarath as its chairman.

Accompanyi­ng infrastruc­ture has been built at the Win-Win Monument site to enhance the events, with them being promoted on social media as part of the celebratio­n of peace.

According to the ministry, the Win-Win Monument has since 2019 welcomed national and internatio­nal delegation­s, particular­ly senior leaders, as well as visitors from all ministries, public and private institutio­ns, students, researcher­s and youth.

The Win-Win Policy Day has been included by the government in the annual calendar without being a national holiday.

“Win-Win Policy Day increases the spirit of peace and cultivates the will of the public to participat­e in the protection and maintenanc­e of lasting peace in Cambodia.

“This underscore­s the need to organise events to commemorat­e the end of the civil war brought about without bloodshed, achieving peace and full national unity,” it said.

Ministry spokesman Chhum Socheat could not be reached for comment on December 27.

 ?? DC-CAM ?? A soldier picks up a Truth Magazine under a portrait of Prime Minister Hun Sen, ahead of Win-Win Policy Day, on December 28.
DC-CAM A soldier picks up a Truth Magazine under a portrait of Prime Minister Hun Sen, ahead of Win-Win Policy Day, on December 28.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Cambodia