A speech by Mr HAMLAOUI MEKACHERA, deputy minister for war veterans, delivered at the Jardin des Tuileries in PARIS, on March 9th 2005, before the commemorative plate to citadels and resistance movements in Indochina.

“ Exactly 60 years ago , on March 1945 in Indochina, unspeakable crimes were committed; The surprise attack of the Japanese empire forces against French forces, this “onslaught” which we are here to remember was unforgettably brutal and indescribably cruel.

In this moment, let us listen to the words of General de Gaulle. They judge this historical episode in the memory of which we have gathered today at its true worth: “the battles that took place during a long period of doubt, sorrow and humiliation happened under the most bitter circumstances – people were caught off guard, they were isolated, they lacked equipment and felt that God was too far away in heaven and France simply too far away. In the moral resources of a people, no soldiers’ hardship is ever lost.”

Today, in the name of the government of the French Republic, I wish to express my gratitude to all our fighters who have well deserved it. I pay homage to their courage, to their high sense of honour, to the unfailing patriotism which was shown in tragic conditions.

France has not forgotten any of its people: those who belonged to free France or the Resistance, the civilians, the women and children who faced the horror of the world war and were so far away from their home country.

Captain Jean d'HERS, who was made Liberation Companion by General de GAULLE; Edmond GRETHEN, buried at the Mémorial de la France combattante, (Resistance memorial) at Mont Valérien, General LEMONNIER, honoured and remembered by the name of a street in this highly prestigious place, General SABATIER and General ALESSANDRI, together with René NICOLAU, Lieutenant-colonel LECOQ and so many others whose name should be quoted, they have all found their place in history. They are the great figures through whom we remember our brothers in arms who sacrificed their lives in spring 1945.
Besieged, deceived and largely outnumbered by the enemy they all resisted heroically. In those tragic months and in the long ordeal that followed , our fellow countrymen showed admirable bravery and dignity. They gave the world an immensely respectable image of France and French people.

Though they were attacked on all fronts in this vast country, they resisted in a bold and incredibly courageous way.

They were arrested, jailed, tortured most horribly, treated in degrading and inhumane ways, in ghastly camps and places but they were always faithful to France – and France remembers every single one of them.

France also remembers that Indochinese people shared this cruel fate with remarkable loyalty and fidelity.

France will celebrate the men who played a part the victory in a few months. Indeed on September 2nd, in Fréjus, a commemorative plaque will be unveiled. Thus we will express our gratitude once more.

I wish to assure the players and witnesses of the tragic and heroic events, their descendants and friends, their relatives, the associations and all those who keep their memory, of my consideration and of the consideration of our country.

60 years have gone by. This region’s geography and geopolitical realities have changed dramatically, often at the cost of more misery.

60 years have gone by. Yesterday’s enemies have become allies, partners and friends. They share the same democratic values, they fight for the same freedom and human rights.

Building together and offering the next generations a future that holds peace, the respect of rights and freedom, is the greatest homage that can be paid to those who gave everything for France to be among the victors, and for France to be a sovereign power, respected throughout the world.

Yes, the fighters have deserved well of their country.“