PRESS RELEASE

NEW REPORT HIGHLIGHTS SOLUTIONS TO

LAOS’ 40-YEAR-OLD CLUSTER BOMB PROBLEM

(Washington D.C., Feb 3, 2010) – Legacies of War (“Legacies”) announces the release of its conference report, “A Peaceful Legacy Now: Briefing & Discussion on Cluster Bomb Removal and Assistance in Laos,” which details the current status of cluster bomb clearance, victim assistance and risk awareness education in Laos and recommends a substantial increase in U.S. funding for these activities. The report contains the key findings and recommendations that emerged from the first U.S.-based meeting on the topic of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Laos, convened by Legacies in Washington, D.C. on November 5, 2009.

“The report contains the most up-to-date information on the issue of UXO in Laos,” says Brett Dakin, Chair of Legacies’ Board of Directors.  He adds, “The November conference offered an historic opportunity to hear about the U.S. Vietnam War-era bombing and to discuss the current status of UXO clearance and related programs. This was the first time representatives of the U.S. and Lao governments and humanitarian organizations have all sat down together in one room to share their perspectives on finally addressing the long-term problem of UXO in Laos. We now have a clearer picture of the problem, and how to finally bring this 40-year old tragedy to an end.< ...more

The Bombing of Laos and the Continuing Tragedy of Cluster Bombs

Forbush Memorial Library

Westminster, MA

January 20, 2010, 6-8PM

 Mother and daughter, two of hundreds interviewed in 1971 by Walt Haney after the bombing. 

"Bombies" documentary by Jack Silberman tells of the history and current problems of cluster bombs in Laos.

WALT HANEY, Forbush Library Trustee and longtime resident of Westminster, will give a talk on “The Bombing of Laos and the Continuing Tragedy of Cluster Bombs.” Haney spent more than three years in Laos, 1968-71 and 1975. In 1970 and 1971, he carried out two surveys of Lao refugees that helped document the widespread bombing of civilians in Laos. Reports on these surveys were both published in reports by the U.S. Senate. ...more

Anthony Bourdain's trip to Laos was not only a culinary voyage but a humbling trip back in time. ...more

In this article nongovernmental organization (NGO) workers Channapha Khamvongsa and Elaine Russell discuss the massive illegal U.S. bombing of Laos between 1964 and 1973 and its lingering human, economic, and ecological toll. They survey the history of foreign intervention in Laos, with special emphasis on the cold war-era civil war and U.S. intervention. The authors describe continuing civilian casualties and obstacles to development posed by unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Laos, and detail current efforts for UXO removal. The authors propose a formal reconciliation process between the United States and Laos in which the U.S. government would accept responsibility for the long-term effects of the bombing and the governments would cooperate with NGOs and the United Nations in a transparent process to fund UXO removal ...more

http://act.legaciesofwar.org/

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Lao Transpired Art Exhibit - San Diego Lao New Year 2009 (April 3-5)

Legacies on Wheels - International Lao New Year in San Francisco (April 11) 

Legacies of War joins in upcoming Lao New Years Celebrations (click to download postcard)

Image: Boon vong ...more