A Historical Timeline of the Resistance Forces
before and after
the Establishment of the Government of Free Vietnam.
In 1975, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Dan organized a resistance campaign in Vietnam under the name "Bao Long Liberators," which operated throughout the Delta and the Central Highland regions of Vietnam. The campaign was based in the province of Binh Dinh (Central Vietnam).
In 1980, he chose his most trusted comrade, Mr. Nguyen Huu Chanh, to share the leadership of the resistance. After secretly leaving Vietnam in 1992, Mr. Chanh’s mission was to organize and lead the movement overseas, as well as to build up international support for the cause of the resistance.
On December 2, 1995, a dramatic event took place in Cambodia that captured international attention. Since the Communists regime in Vietnam had become too fearful of GFVN forces, they demanded the Cambodian government to deport these freedom fighters. An international press conference was organized in Phnom Penh. Ironically, it turned out to be a valuable opportunity for GFVN to present its leadership to the international news media such as BBC, VOA, CNN,…
In 1989, Mr. Chanh initiated a major plan for the resettlement of 50,000 Vietnamese refugees in Southeast Asia to Santo Island, part of Vanuatu Islands, a small nation in the South Pacific. The plan was approved by Prime Minister Walter Lini, his special envoy Leo Dero, as well as the National Legislature of Vanuatu. Unfortunately, the plan could not be carried out because of a military coup d’etat in the islands.
In 1990, there began a long-term strategy to maximize support of oversea Vietnamese, and thus building solidarity between the resistance inside and outside of Vietnam. Mr. Chanh Nguyen formed the "Federation for the Construction and Development of a Free Vietnam," with active support from the AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations).
The strategic objective of 1991 was to build an alliance among various Vietnamese political forces overseas. Mr. Nguyen Huu Chanh, together leaders of two other organizations formed the "Coalition Council of the People of Vietnam." On March 16, 1991, the Coalition Council was formally introduced in California with the presence of more than 2,000 people, including representatives from various political organizations and the news media.
In spite of all these shortcomings, and in response to the urgent political situation, the Government of Free Viet Nam still came into existence on the date of April 30, 1995. Mr. Nguyen Hoang Dan became the first Prime Minister, with Mr. Nguyen Huu Chanh as his highest representative overseas.
In 1992, as part of the long-term plan to solidify the support of oversea Vietnamese, Mr. Chanh Nguyen, together with a number of young medical doctors, formed the "Nhan Hoa" (Social Harmony) Medical Center in Orange County, Southern California. This medical center is still providing free medical service for the local community.
The main focus of 1992, nevertheless, was a plan to reestablish the strategic link between the resistance inside and outside of Vietnam. Mr. Chanh Nguyen was chosen by an organization of American intellectuals to lead a delegation to Vietnam, along with his comrades Hoang An and Jimmy Ta. There, he held meetings with then Deputy Premier Phan Van Khai (currently premier of the Communist regime), as well as other high-ranking Communist officials throughout the country. Officially, the subjects of those meetings were to study the effects of "Agent Orange" in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, and investment plans of VINAMOTO Corporation, a disguising business enterprise. However, the real objective of these trips was to secretly reestablish connections with various underground organizations formed by Mr. Nguyen Hoang Dan. He also used this opportunity to distribute two millions copies of the "Labor Handbook," informing millions of workers in Vietnam of their basic rights of labor, which set the foundation for the coming labor movements of Vietnamese workers from 1992 until now.
In 1993, these secret plans were discovered by the Communist regime. Mr. Chanh Nguyen, his comrades, had to escape to Cambodia. There, he became the Commander-in-Chief of the new "Alliance of Resistance Forces in Indochina.” In order to train new leaders, and support the resistance operations, he opened the "Pacific Technical School" in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia. The school was also supported by then US ambassador to Cambodia, Mr. Charles Twinning, through his visits and donations of textbooks.
In 1994, the Alliance was introduced to the public at a major press conference in Southern California. The event generated extensive publicity and attention from the news media.
Strategically, 1994 also was the highlight of a movement to form the Government of Free Vietnam. Since many political leaders were too cautious to accept their leadership positions, this particular campaign was not successful.
During 1996, a high-ranking delegation of GFVN carried out an extensive diplomatic campaign for further support in the US. Many meetings were arranged with state governments and Vietnamese communities in the states of Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, and Washington. In the same year, the Central Military Council was created, with Lieutenant General Linh Quang Vien as the Chief Commissioner.
The political highlight of 1997 was the "Chinh Nghia," or "Just Cause" Convention, which took place in January 1997. The convention was held in Orange County with the participation of more than three thousands (3,000) people, including more than two hundreds official delegates of the Government from numerous states and countries.
In August 1997, Mr. Nguyen Huu Chanh, Admiral Lam Nguon Tanh, and Major General Nguyen Duy Hinh returned to the battlefield of Indochina, and thus fulfilling their promise to the people at the convention. From then on, they have been directly leading "Operation Peace," a strategic campaign. From there on, these special personnel will assist opposition forces in Vietnam in their quest to dismantle the Communist regime.
On April 30, 1998, the Government of Free Vietnam held a special conference of its high-ranking members from all over the world, commemorating the three-year anniversary of the existence of GFVN. The conference was held at Base KC 702, one of the military bases along the Indochina frontier. The dramatic turn of events during those few days and the following weeks have been thoroughly reported by the international news media, as well as through official news releases by GFVN.
To date, training bases have been built in the above region of Indochina. In many countries and regions of the world, including the US, Canada, Australia, Europe, and in Asia, GFVN has formed "Councils of Deputies" to officially represent the Government.
At the central level, the Government is directed by the National Advisory Council, National Executive Council, National Security Council, as well as the General Council of Deputies. This system of organization is based on the Charter of GFVN. This Charter, along with an official draft for a future constitution, as well as a plan for the future reconstruction of the country, have been ratified by the Government of Free Vietnam.
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