08/07/2023 Cambogia
“If you ever come across anything suspicious like this item, please do not pick it up, contact your local law and/or enforcement agency for assistance”.
Buth Reaksmey Kongkea / Khmer Times
Starting next month, Cambodian Mines Action Centre (CMAC), in cooperation with the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) and other stakeholders, will begin a nationwide survey to detect mines and bombs dropped by US and its allies on Cambodian soil during 1970s. Heng Ratana, Director-General of CMAC, said yesterday that the government plans to clear all kinds of mines, including anti-personnel mines and anti-tank mines, in Cambodia by 2025 in accordance with the Ottawa Treaty. The Ottawa Treaty or simply known as Mine Ban Treaty of 1977 aims at eliminating anti-personnel landmines around the world. Although 164 states had ratified or acceded to the treaty, several major powers, including the US, are not party to the treaty. Ratana said: “I think that it could take at least 40 to 50 years or more to remove all the bombs dropped by American aircraft and its military allies in Cambodia.” He added that according to the CMAA estimation, American and allied fighter planes dropped bombs or unexploded ordnances (UXOs) in tens of thousands of locations during the war in the 1970s in Cambodia. He added that the worst affected areas are the provinces bordering Vietnam such as Svay Rieng, Prey Veng, Kampong Cham, Tboung Khmum, Kratie, Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri. “According to the data that we have obtained from the US, the US and its military allies dropped more than four million tonnes of bombs. “And till now, we do not know the exact size or quantity of the bombs dropped by them. We have to search all those locations clearly,” he said.
Photo-Source: khmertimeskh.com
Dear editors, Biography of a bomb is aimed at highlighting the danger caused by unexploded bombs. Moreover, the most important aspect is that we work completely non profit, what drives us is raising awerness about this topic. We make use of your pictures and articles, but we need them to put a context in how findings are done. We trust in your understanding. We will (and we always do) cite the source and the author. We thank you for your comprehension.
