Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Thongloun Sisoulith has delivered a message to mark the first anniversary since the Convention on Cluster Munitions came into force on August 1, 2010.
Dr Thongloun stressed that it was the responsibility of all humanity to protect people from cluster munitions.
Dr Thongloun Sisoulith.
Laos is one of the first signatories to the convention and remains the most heavily bombed country in history. More than 2 million tonnes of ordinance were dropped on Laos between 1964 and 1973 during the Indochina war.
The convention to outlaw cluster munitions was agreed by 107 states on 30 May 2008 in Dublin and so far 109 countries are party to the convention and 59 have ratified the agreement.
The First Meeting of States Parties to the Convention took place in Vientiane in November 2010.
“We will work resolutely to uphold our obligations under the treaty, especially in regard to the dissemination of information on cluster munitions. We hope to persuade as many countries as possible to become party to the convention,” Dr Thongloun said.
Dr Thongloun said that 87,000 square kilometres of the country’s 236,800 square kilometre remains covered in unexploded ordinance which is the single biggest issue facing the country – however so far the clearance efforts have been far too slow.
The government established the Lao National UXO Programme (UXO Lao) in 1995 and in 2003 adopted “The Safe Path Forward,” a national strategy for UXO clearance for 2003 – 2013 and a second ten year strategy is currently being drafted. The plan focuses on clearing priority areas for development, victim assistance and raising community awareness.
Poverty levels and unexploded ordinance are closely related, with most of the poorest districts suffering from extensive land contamination.
Source: Vientiane Times
By Khonesavanh Latsaphao
(Latest Update August 1, 2011)
By Khonesavanh Latsaphao
(Latest Update August 1, 2011)
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