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Salient. Victoria University Students' Association Newspaper. Vol 42 No. 1. February 26 1979

The Soviet Ambition

The Soviet Ambition

This "Indochinese Federation" would fit very well into the plans of the Soviet Union. Brezhnev, in one of his books deals in some detail with the establishment of regional 'federations' similar to the Vietnamese vision, linked to the Soviet Union by treaties of "Friendship and Co-operation". Recently the Soviet Union signed such treaties with Ethiopia, Afghanistan and Vietnam.

In an attempt to rest control of Asia and encircle China, they have found the perfect ally in Vietnam. The ruthless advance into Kampuchea is part of a wider plan. By taking control of Kampuchea the Soviet Union would also control the important oil route into the Pacific.

Laos has already been transformed into a client state, it is said that of the central organ of the Laotin government, one third is Laotin, one third is Vietnamese and one third is Soviet Union. It no longer has independence in political action, and is reduced to parrotting the statements of both Vietnam and the Soviet Union. But Kampuchea, would not join such a federation. This forms another part of the reason why Vietnam launched the attack.

Having tied itself succesfully to the coat tails of the Soviet Union, not a hard job, as those in Ethiopia and Afganistan can testify, the Vietnamese, whatever their own motivations are, being used in a world wide plan to assure the Soviet Union of ascendancy in the world.

The Kampuchean people are fighting back against the invaders. The lessons that the Vietnamese themselves learned in their long war against America are being used against them. Falling back to what appears to be long prepared defensive positions, the leadership of the Kampuchean Communist Party are prepared for a long war of guerilla tactics and attrition. Commander Roeung of the Kampuchean Army said "Even with just a few people we can be very effective because everyone participates".

No matter how painful and distressing the turn about in thinking necessary to understand the present situation, it has to be undertaken, and from the new thinking must come positive action. Those who found it impossible to keep silent in face of the imperialism of America cannot afford to stand aside now that the Soviet Union accupies the centre stage. Kampuchea is a small nation, against immense odds it has fought for its independence and sovereignity, and it is still struggling. As Vietnam once" held hopes of oppressed peoples, Kampuchea hold these same hopes, the support from progressive forces is still vital for them to win.