1930, Ho Chi Minh forms the Indochinese Communist Party, dedicated to the overthrow of French imperialism. This movement created Pathet Lao in Laos and the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia.
1946, French High Commissioner George D’Argenlieu signs the May 27 decree establishing the Federal Government for the Dega people in southern Indochina (see Appendix A, Federal Decree of May 27, 1946). At this time, our people were full of joy and high expectations because we believed that the French would build our country and teach us to govern our own government. Unfortunately, this did not happen and our people were recruited to serve in the French army to protect only colonialist interests in Southeast Asia.
1950, The Central Highlands are designated the Crown Domain of the Southern Highlanders Country and placed directly under the control of Bao Dai, the last king of the Vietnamese to rule the court in Hue. On May 21, 1951, Bao Dai created a special charter that guarantees Dega "free development in accordance with our traditions and customs." (See Annex B, Special Statute of 21 May 1951). However, the French never consulted the Dega people when they handed over these lands to Bao Dai's control. At that time, our people could not resist this intrusion due to the dominance of the French authorities. Dega lands was thus removed and given to Bao Dai. Thousands of our young men also died in the French war and fought against the Viet Minh, the Laotians, the Cambodians and the Siamese. France would lose the war with the Viet Minh and we would never understand why they let the invading Vietnamese destroy our people and homeland.