Party officials, war veterans, scientists and representatives from relevant agencies of Laos and Vietnam are gathering in Xiengkhouang province of Laos for an international scientific symposium on the fighting alliance between the two neighbouring countries during the Indochina war.

The seminar entitled, The Lao-Vietnamese fighting alliance defeats the US Imperialists Kou Kiet Operation on the Plain of Jars in Xiengkhouang province will last through Sept. 16.

Prominent among the Vietnamese delegates are Truong Tan Sang, CPV CC Politburo member and standing member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee's Secretariat and To Huy Rua, CPV CC Politburo member, Party Central Committee Secretary, Chairman of the Commission for Education and Training and Head of the Steering Board of the project on compilation of the history of Vietnamese-Lao special ties.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Samane Viyaketh, Politburo member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, head of the Party Steering Board on ideology, theory and culture works and head of the Steering Board of the project on compilation of the history of Lao-Vietnamese special ties, said the Kou Kiet (Reclaim Honour) Operation on the Plain of Jars in the northern Xiengkhouang province was an important and fierce battle.

The operation saw the defeat of the Nixon theory of using local people to fight local people as well as the enemys tactic of using modern destructive weapons. The operation also involved the right-wing puppet forces, the Hmong-dominated special forces of General Vangpao, Thai mercenaries, and US military advisors. The victory manifested the unique peoples war under the leadership of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party and an outstanding example of the Lao-Vietnamese fighting alliance. Mr. Samane Viyaketh said he expected that the seminar would draw scientific and theoretical lessons from the operation and set out orientations for the future.

Mr. Bounnhang Vorachit, LPRP CC Politburo member and standing member of the LPRP Central Committee's Secretariat and Vice State President, expressed his hope that the seminar would provide necessary materials for the compilation of history as well as help educate people of the two countries, especially the youth, and constantly foster the Lao-Vietnamese friendship. Truong Tan Sang expressed his gratitude to Vietnamese and Lao revolutionary leaders, soldiers and war martyrs, who devoted their lives to the two nations war of resistance for a bright future.

He analysed the strategic importance of the Plain of Jars in Xiengkhouang and basic factors for the victory. He said that the Vietnamese Party and people were grateful for Laos precious sentiments and assistance to the Vietnamese revolution during the hard days to gain the final triumph.