All who gave their lives in conflicts deserve respect regardless of their origin or nationality.

I had no idea the Khmer were sent by the French to fight in the trenches along side my grandfather and his brother who as newly minted Canadians from England signed up and went to defend freedom in Europe in 1914.

Memorial for the Dead of World War I to be Inaugurated Tomorrow
AKP Phnom Penh, July 13, 2023 --

The Memorial for the Dead of World War I (1914-1918), a symbol of friendship and solidarity between Cambodia and France, will be inaugurated tomorrow under the presidency of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HE, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Located at the Léopold Sédar Senghor public park in Sangkat Sras Chak, Khan Daun Penh, in front of the Embassy of France in Phnom Penh, the Memorial, known in Khmer as “Roup Pi”, is dedicated to the Cambodians and French who sacrificed their lives during World War I and symbolises Cambodia-France friendship.

The 12.3-metre-tall historical monument features two soldiers – a Cambodian and a French. It was built in 1925, but later on destroyed during the Khmer Rouge regime (1975-1979) with the idea that it symbolises slavery.

The reconstruction was broken ground on Jan. 25, 2023 in the presence of H.E. Chea Sophara, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction and H.E. Olivier Becht, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad.

Cambodia and France mark this year the 70th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties.
AKP

PM HE: Monument aux Morts Makes Phnom Penh a Proud Historical Capital
14/07/23 14:41

Phnom Penh (FN), Jul. 14 – Cambodian prime minister HE said that the reconstruction of the Monuments aux Morts made Phnom Penh, the 589-year-old political, economic and cultural center of Cambodia, a proud historical capital with a memorable cultural heritage for every generation.

The premier spoke on Friday morning (Jul 14) during an inauguration ceremony of the memorial in Phnom Penh.

"The reconstruction of the monument made Phnom Penh, the 589-year-old political, economic and cultural center of the Kingdom of Cambodia, a proud historical capital with a memorable cultural heritage for every generation," the premier underscored.

The premier pointed out that Cambodian people have a long history and close cooperation with France in five sectors, including navy, army, administration, diplomats and intellectuals.

At the same time, Samdech mentioned that the Cambodia-France solidarity grew with the help of each other, especially during World War I.

On that occasion, Samdech added the inauguration of the memorial to the 198 Cambodian and French volunteer soldiers who lost their lives in World War I between 1916-1918 is a reminder to all Cambodians of the value of peace, which is the universal value of humanity.
=FRESH NEWS

Premier HE stated, "I have given permission to the Embassy of the French Republic in Cambodia for the purpose of using this monument to hold any memorial services.”

On that occasion, Samdech hoped that through this monument, French ambassador to Cambodia Jacques Pellet will help attract French tourists to this monument to lay wreaths and also to establish good relations between the people of Cambodia and the people of France.

= FRESH NEWS