Cluster Bombs in Plain of Jars, Laos

Bomb Detector

Sitting here in a cafe in Phonsavan, Lao, surrounded by recovered bomb shells, make it pretty hard not to recall the horrors of the Vietnam War. While drinking my coffee, I gaze at the collection standing like guardian around the door, making a unique screen between terrace and street. This rather nondescript town with it dusty streets and broken footpaths could represent any number of provincial towns in many parts of the world. The difference of course is that Phonsavan is the new capital of Xieng Khuang, established in 1975 after the old one was obliterated by saturation bombing by the American Air Force during their Lao adventure. As a seventy five year old who lived through similar experiences , I spent my early childhood with a saucepan on my head during air raids, I can fully appreciate the trauma of the locals. At the time I had an exhibition of my paintings on the Vietnam War closed on the grounds of causing a demoralising public attitude.

Cafe Enterence

The reality for these people is that America saw fit to drop some 78 million bombs on this country, more than all the bombs dropped by all participants during World War two. If that was not enough, many were cluster bombs that break open before impact scattering mini bombs over a wide area so as to kill as many as possible. Many of these explosive devices are still out there, killing and maiming some 300 odd people annually. Many of these UXO [unexploded ordnance] have been found and disabled. Since the beginning of this year according to Lao's Foreign Minister, some 26,600 bomies as they are called have been destroyed, and the government should be congratulated. But I can't help thinking that if this number of bombs were found each year in Europe or America there would be an uproar. Yet because this is a poor peaceful  country these facts hardly rate a mention in Western media.

It is little wonder that the people of this province are poor. They are naturally reluctant to plough fields to increase their food supply, to forage in the forest gathering food because of this concern for safety. Children are the main victims, finding a nice round ball to play with is too tempting.  In Phonsavan there are two organisations devoted to these problems. One the UXO mine clearance museum who need funds, and a few doors down a group who try to rehabilitate the maimed, blinded and limbless. Teaching new skills and raising funds to send victims to Vientiane for further treatment, both these organisation are worthy of support.There is a move  by the U.N. to prohibit the use and trade of cluster munitions. I feel sure all civilised people will not only support these endeavors, but actively lobby their governments to take action.

Back Street, Phonsavan.

Remains of a Buddhaist Temple in the old capitat.