11 October 2013
"But we still fought because, for Vietnam, nothing is more precious than our independence and freedom", General Vo Nguyen Giap, in a 2005 interview with the Associated Press, referring to the wars that Vietnam fought against French and United States domination.
The South African Communist Party (SACP), the vanguard party for socialism, the leading political force of the South African working class is saddened by the passing away on Friday, 4 October, of Vietnamese General Vo Nguyen Giap, at the age of 102. The Party sends its heartfelt condolences to his family, the Vietnamese Communist Party, government and the people.
The SACP will remember General Giap for Vietnam`s defeat over France and the United States control and military invasions. In the "First Indochina War" - the Anti-French Resistence War which lasted eight years between 1946 and 1954, although initial fighting started earlier than the period, Vietnam fought off and defeated a powerful French army which comprised among others troops drawn from the former empire`s dominated countries, French professional troops and units of the French foreign contingents. In the Vietnam War, Vietnam defeated the world`s dominant empire - the United States.
General Giap played a significant and brilliant role in the two wars as a strategist, tactician and a principal commander of the Vietnamese People`s Army. The wars ended in one of the greatest costs in human history as millions of lives were lost, yet in one of the greatest achievements to humanity - the liberation of Vietnam and its independence as well as a basis for an advance in the construction of a socialist society.
An educator and journalist, General Giap took responsibility for the revolution, and served in the leadership of the Communist Party, both Central Committee and Politburo, and in government as Minister of National Defence and later Deputy Prime Minister.
General Giap will be laid to his final place of rest this Saturday, 12 October. The SACP is walking together with the people of Vietnam in this period of their mourning of one of the finest revolutionaries who fought for national liberation and socialism. The Party will honour its responsibilities by continuing the struggle in South Africa, advancing and deepening its vanguard role because the struggle for socialism and long lasting freedom to humanity is an international struggle.
Issued by the SACP
Contact,
Alex Mashilo - Spokesperson & Head of Communications
Mobile: 082 9200 308
Office: 011 339 3621
Email: alexmashilo.sacp@gmail.com