PHNOM PENH: A monument commemorating the Cambodian casualties of World War I has been re-opened to the public to commemorate the sacrifices of Cambodian and French veterans of the war from 1914-1918. The monument was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Cambodia and the French Ambassador on July 14, 2023.

The monument stands in the garden in front of the French Embassy in Daun Penh and honors the lives of Cambodian volunteers who fought and died to protect France in World War I. Originally built in 1925, the monument was later destroyed by the Khmer Rouge in 1975.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony on Friday morning, Minister of Land Management, DPM Chea Sophara, said that the inauguration of the memorial to the victims of the First World War is the latest achievement of The Royal Government and that it has both a historical meaning and a role to play in conserving the beauty of the urban landscape.

He said, "The construction of this monument really shows the attention of the Royal Government to protect, preserve and restore the jewel of Cambodia: its capital city,Phnom Penh, which is the largest historical city of The Kingdom of Cambodia.”

He added that the reconstruction of the monument was a result of Cambodia's peace, which created Cambodian architects who were able to accurately recreate the monument.

The monument stood unperturbed for 50 years before the Khmer Rouge destroyed it in 1975. It was another symbol of the potential for lost history as a result of the Khmer Rouge’s efforts, and nearly faded into the past along with so many other stories of Cambodian bravery.

French Ambassador to Cambodia Jacques Pellet says the reopening of the monument is an expression of a desire to honor the past and to remember the unforgettable history of mankind. He said that the statue’s comeback was a response to the madness of the Khmer Rouge's efforts to eradicate the past and shows that modern society hates war.

"On behalf of the President of the French Republic, I would like to thank Samdech Techo Prime Minister and His Excellency the Deputy Prime Minister for re-initiating this monument, which is not just a symbol of the relationship between the people of our two countries, but also a universal message of peace and tolerance," said Jacques Pellet.

The revitalization of the World War I monument was announced by Prime Minister Hun Sen during a press conference in Paris in December 2022 alongside French President Emmanuel Macron.

The PM said that restoring the monument was to remind the Cambodian people of the value of peace, which holds universal value for humanity. He called on people to join together to prevent all manipulations that cause social instability. He emphasized the need for citizens to unite to maintain the peace that Cambodia has now, so that it may last forever.

He ordered the Phnom Penh Capital Administration to maintain the monument in a beautiful state for the people of Phnom Penh and its tourists. He also granted permission to the French ambassador to use the monument to commemorate World War I and hold other ceremonies.

"I hope that His Excellency Jacques Pellet will help attract French tourists and bring them here to pay their respects to those who sacrificed their lives during World War I," he said. "This shows our good relationship, which is part of the people-to-people cultural relationship."

The 12.74-meter-tall monument was designed in the Khmer style by French sculptor Paul Ducuing. A Khmer soldier and a French soldier stand atop a bell holding a laurel leaf to represent peace. Four elephants guard the base of the statue with plaques naming the 184 soldiers who sacrificed their lives in between.