FW: PRESS RELEASE: Secretary Clinton to Make Historic Visit to Laos on July 11

[Luan Vannithone]

Sabaidii all,
 
Very positive and heartening development!
Thanks to Dao Norath for forwarding this email for info.
Remember one of the story translated by one of our translators, called 'Accidental Teacher' (or 'Teacher without school'). It reflects the plight, hardship and sorrow endured by victims of XMO in Laos.
 
Luang Vannithone
https://sites.google.com/site/criticalandcreativewritinglao/the-land-of-heaven
   
 

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From: dao.n...@hunterwater.com.au
To: mu...@magma.ca; natrud...@yahoo.com.au; bount...@yahoo.com; luan_va...@hotmail.com
Subject: FW: PRESS RELEASE: Secretary Clinton to Make Historic Visit to Laos on July 11
Date: Sun, 8 Jul 2012 05:10:50 +0000

FI.

 

From: Legacies of War [mailto:in...@legaciesofwar.org]
Sent: Saturday, 7 July 2012 3:46 AM
To: Dao Norath
Subject: PRESS RELEASE: Secretary Clinton to Make Historic Visit to Laos on July 11

 

Secretary Clinton's Visit to Laos Provides Historic Opportunity for U.S. to Renew its Commitment to Ending the UXO Crisis in Laos On Wednesday, July 11, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will arrive in Vientiane, Lao PDR, marking the first time that an active U.S. Secretary of State has visited the country since 1955. Legacies of War has been pushing for this groundbreaking trip since July 2011, when it joined with all six former U.S. Ambassadors to Laos in encouraging the Secretary to visit the country and to make a long-term commitment to addressing the crisis caused by unexploded ordnance (UXO) left over by U.S. bombings during the Vietnam War era. "The important progress Laos has made . . . in matters of economic liberalization, trade, and religious freedom has already led to a remarkable improvement in U.S.-Lao relations," wrote the Ambassadors in a joint letter to Secretary Clinton. "We feel strongly that the United States should acknowledge this progress by reaffirming our commitment to help Laos overcome the UXO crisis."     Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the first stop of her eight-nation tour, which will include her historic visit to Laos on July 11.   Secretary Clinton's historic visit demonstrates that she "recognizes that bringing along the less developed countries of the lower Mekong region is key for stability and development in the region," said Brett Dakin, Chair of the Board of Directors of Legacies of War.  "However," he added, "Laos will not reach its full potential as long as much of its land is still contaminated with unexploded bombs."    An estimated one third of Lao land is still littered with UXO from over 40 years ago, making land unavailable for food production or development, and 20,000 people have been killed or maimed by UXO since the bombings ended. "We are hopeful that after witnessing the human impact of UXO in Laos first hand, the Secretary will reaffirm the U.S. commitment to helping Laos solve this problem once and for all."   The bombings were part of the U.S. "Secret War" in Laos, unauthorized by Congress, to stem communist ground incursions from the North and to interdict traffic along the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos. Between 1964 and 1973, the U.S. dropped the equivalent of one planeload of bombs every eight minutes, 24 hours a day on a country the size of Minnesota. One ton of bombs was dropped for every man, woman, and child in Laos at the time, making it the most heavily bombed country per capita in history.   "The people who continue to suffer from the bombings are ordinary Lao villagers," said Channapha Khamvongsa, Executive Director of Legacies of War. "We are hopeful that after witnessing the human impact of UXO in Laos first hand, the Secretary will reaffirm the U.S. commitment to helping Laos solve this problem once and for all."   U.S. funding for UXO clearance began in 1997 and remained at an average of $2.6 million per year until recently, when Congress directed that funding be increased to a record $9 million in 2012. Legacies of War joins its supporters in the diplomatic community and in Congress in asking Secretary Clinton to commit to allocating at least $10 million per year over the next ten years to help bring UXO clearance operations up to scale and make significant progress toward clearing Lao land for farming and development.   "Legacies of War joins its supporters in the diplomatic community and in Congress in asking Secretary Clinton to commit to allocating at least $10 million per year over the next ten years to help bring UXO clearance operations up to scale and make significant progress toward clearing Lao land for farming and development."   Legacies of War was founded in 2004 to raise awareness about the history of the Vietnam War-era bombings of Laos and advocate for greater U.S. funding to clear UXO. Legacies seeks to provide space for healing the wounds of war using art, culture, education, community organizing, and dialogue among the Laotian-American community and the broader U.S. public. The organization is based in Washington, D.C. For interviews or additional information please contact Channapha Khamvongsa, Executive Director, 703-868-0030, chan...@legaciesofwar.org.

 

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[Into Champon]

Positive indeed!  However, She will be the first US Secretary of State to visit Laos since 1973 when US Secretary of State Kissinger visited Laos, NOT since 1955!  Six days before Kissinger, US Vice-President Agnew visited Laos!

On Sunday, July 8, 2012, Luan Vannithone wrote:

Sabaidii all,
 
Very positive and heartening development!
Thanks to Dao Norath for forwarding this email for info.
Remember one of the story translated by one of our translators, called 'Accidental Teacher' (or 'Teacher without school'). It reflects the plight, hardship and sorrow endured by victims of XMO in Laos.
 
Luang Vannithone

the land of heaven | criticalandcreativewritinglao

[Pomma Chantachak]

Fantastic to hear. Perhaps we in Aus should lend some support to the Legacy of War organization in US. It's due to their hard work that this happens.
pc

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From: luan_va...@hotmail.com
To: laol10n...@googlegroups.com; jim...@yahoo.com; kheu...@hotmail.com; mar...@bigpond.com; panyara...@gmail.com; ngone...@yahoo.com; jdun...@hotmail.com; noi8...@yahoo.com; keoa...@gmail.com; vincean...@gmail.com; somd...@yahoo.com; siri_...@yahoo.com; bolyv...@hotmail.com; keophou...@yahoo.com.au; good...@yahoo.com.au; makee...@yahoo.com.au; hanu...@tidalwave.net; snor...@hotmail.com; pommach...@hotmail.com; chsa...@yahoo.com; marcia_v...@hotmail.com; dao.n...@hunterwater.com.au; khamto...@hotmail.com; char...@comcast.net; mari...@hotmail.com; vong.n...@defence.gov.au; mu...@magma.ca; rasa...@grapevine.com.au; natrud...@yahoo.com.au; thong.ph...@fahcsia.gov.au; pphou...@hotmail.com; bount...@yahoo.com; outh...@bigpond.com; luan_va...@hotmail.com; thaene....@ato.gov.au; am...@dodo.com.au; thaene....@bigpond.com; sing....@gmail.com; inp...@tpg.com.au; samanth...@act.gov.au; inpong.h...@itsa.gov.au; somsy.r...@innovation.gov.au

Subject: FW: PRESS RELEASE: Secretary Clinton to Make Historic Visit to Laos on July 11

Date: Sun, 8 Jul 2012 19:10:29 +1000

[Into Champon]

Pomma,

Channapha Khamvongsa, Executive Director of Legacies of War, has been doing a great job.

Into

[Pomma Chantachak]

Indeed, he has. And so have Mr Deakin, Mr Haney and the people around him. I think these people deserve all the support they can get.
Pomma

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From: in...@intolaw.com
Date: Sun, 8 Jul 2012 06:19:26 -0700
Subject: Re: [LaoEnGT] RE: PRESS RELEASE: Secretary Clinton to Make Historic Visit to Laos on July 11
To: laol10n...@googlegroups.com
CC: luan_va...@hotmail.com; jim...@yahoo.com; kheu...@hotmail.com; mar...@bigpond.com; panyara...@gmail.com; ngone...@yahoo.com; jdun...@hotmail.com; noi8...@yahoo.com; keoa...@gmail.com; vincean...@gmail.com; somd...@yahoo.com; siri_...@yahoo.com; bolyv...@hotmail.com; keophou...@yahoo.com.au; good...@yahoo.com.au; makee...@yahoo.com.au; hanu...@tidalwave.net; snor...@hotmail.com; chsa...@yahoo.com; marcia_v...@hotmail.com; dao.n...@hunterwater.com.au; khamto...@hotmail.com; char...@comcast.net; mari...@hotmail.com; vong.n...@defence.gov.au; mu...@magma.ca; rasa...@grapevine.com.au; natrud...@yahoo.com.au; thong.ph...@fahcsia.gov.au; pphou...@hotmail.com; bount...@yahoo.com; outh...@bigpond.com; kk.k...@hotmail.com; thaene....@ato.gov.au; am...@dodo.com.au; thaene....@bigpond.com; sing....@gmail.com; inp...@tpg.com.au; samanth...@act.gov.au; inpong.h...@itsa.gov.au; somsy.r...@innovation.gov.au

[Pomma Chantachak]

I will respond to you about this later in another forum, Dao.
Pomma

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From: dao.n...@hunterwater.com.au
To: pommach...@hotmail.com; luan_va...@hotmail.com; laol10n...@googlegroups.com; jim...@yahoo.com; kheu...@hotmail.com; mar...@bigpond.com; panyara...@gmail.com; ngone...@yahoo.com; jdun...@hotmail.com; noi8...@yahoo.com; keoa...@gmail.com; vincean...@gmail.com; somd...@yahoo.com; siri_...@yahoo.com; bolyv...@hotmail.com; keophou...@yahoo.com.au; good...@yahoo.com.au; makee...@yahoo.com.au; hanu...@tidalwave.net; snor...@hotmail.com; chsa...@yahoo.com; marcia_v...@hotmail.com; khamto...@hotmail.com; char...@comcast.net; mari...@hotmail.com; vong.n...@defence.gov.au; mu...@magma.ca; rasa...@grapevine.com.au; natrud...@yahoo.com.au; thong.ph...@fahcsia.gov.au; pphou...@hotmail.com; bount...@yahoo.com; outh...@bigpond.com; kk.k...@hotmail.com; thaene....@ato.gov.au; am...@dodo.com.au; thaene....@bigpond.com; sing....@gmail.com; inp...@tpg.com.au; samanth...@act.gov.au; inpong.h...@itsa.gov.au; somsy.r...@innovation.gov.au
Subject: RE: PRESS RELEASE: Secretary Clinton to Make Historic Visit to Laos on July 11
Date: Sun, 8 Jul 2012 23:03:18 +0000

Pomma

I'll join you if you want to take the lead! it;'s never too late! I am lookin for something worthwhile to do , maybe some on this list wil too!

We could organise the display to come to cities of Austr. This will sure to get some support here!

Dv

[Into Champon]

Oops, 

Kissinger was still an advisor when he visited Laos on 2/9/73.  He became US Secretary of State in September 1973.  VP is still of a higher rank than Secretary of State.

Into

[Luan Vannithone]

Dao,
 
I presume you will approach Silvia re the film/video.
Can u ask her if it's Ok for us to put it on YOUTUBE for ease of raising awareness and possible support?
What good would it be in DVD format, stashed away in video stores! I can't imaging there would be many people searching for it for entertainment.
YOUTUBE, perfect for raising awareness and possible support.
 
Luang
 

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Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2012 12:25:59 +1000
From: mu...@magma.ca
To: pphou...@hotmail.com
CC: dao.n...@hunterwater.com.au; mar...@bigpond.com; pommach...@hotmail.com; luan_va...@hotmail.com; laol10n...@googlegroups.com; jim...@yahoo.com; kheu...@hotmail.com; panyara...@gmail.com; ngone...@yahoo.com; jdun...@hotmail.com; noi8...@yahoo.com; keoa...@gmail.com; vincean...@gmail.com; somd...@yahoo.com; siri_...@yahoo.com; bolyv...@hotmail.com; keophou...@yahoo.com.au; good...@yahoo.com.au; makee...@yahoo.com.au; hanu...@tidalwave.net; snor...@hotmail.com; chsa...@yahoo.com; marcia_v...@hotmail.com; khamto...@hotmail.com; char...@comcast.net; mari...@hotmail.com; vong.n...@defence.gov.au; rasa...@grapevine.com.au; natrud...@yahoo.com.au; thong.ph...@fahcsia.gov.au; bount...@yahoo.com; outh...@bigpond.com; kk.k...@hotmail.com; thaene....@ato.gov.au; am...@dodo.com.au; thaene....@bigpond.com; sing....@gmail.com; inp...@tpg.com.au; samanth...@act.gov.au; inpong.h...@itsa.gov.au; somsy.r...@innovation.gov.au
Subject: Re: Bomb Harvest

Pauline, I am an ex officio member of the Womens' International League from Peace and Freedom (otherwise known as Grannies for Peace).. I was thinking that I should get a copy to show them and out local peace group Just Peace.. how can I get a copy? I am in Brisbane now.. and Luan, I got back late from the coast and have been scrubbing bricks ever since.. Tired tired and its cold..


Oops ust saw the address. i met Sylvia years ago when they first showed the film in Lao at COPE..
Love

M

On 7/10/2012 9:15 AM, Pauline Phoumindr wrote:

Hi Daovieng

If you write to Sylvia, the producer of both films, she'll be able to give you all the information.  Bomb Harvest is on DVD but the Rocket is still in the process, not yet ready for release.  But stay tuned!

Contact Sylvia at: syl...@redlampfilms.com

Cheers

Pauline



PS: Any email with my user account trying to sell any product is a spam.  Please ignore it.

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From: dao.n...@hunterwater.com.au
To: pphou...@hotmail.com; mu...@magma.ca
CC: mar...@bigpond.com; pommach...@hotmail.com; luan_va...@hotmail.com; laol10n...@googlegroups.com; jim...@yahoo.com; kheu...@hotmail.com; panyara...@gmail.com; ngone...@yahoo.com; jdun...@hotmail.com; noi8...@yahoo.com; keoa...@gmail.com; vincean...@gmail.com; somd...@yahoo.com; siri_...@yahoo.com; bolyv...@hotmail.com; keophou...@yahoo.com.au; good...@yahoo.com.au; makee...@yahoo.com.au; hanu...@tidalwave.net; snor...@hotmail.com; chsa...@yahoo.com; marcia_v...@hotmail.com; khamto...@hotmail.com; char...@comcast.net; mari...@hotmail.com; vong.n...@defence.gov.au; rasa...@grapevine.com.au; natrud...@yahoo.com.au; thong.ph...@fahcsia.gov.au; bount...@yahoo.com; outh...@bigpond.com; kk.k...@hotmail.com; thaene....@ato.gov.au; am...@dodo.com.au; thaene....@bigpond.com; sing....@gmail.com; inp...@tpg.com.au; samanth...@act.gov.au; inpong.h...@itsa.gov.au; somsy.r...@innovation.gov.au
Subject: RE: PRESS RELEASE: Secretary Clinton to Make Historic Visit to Laos on July 11
Date: Mon, 9 Jul 2012 22:56:12 +0000

Pauline

It's so nice to hear from you again! I may be speking prematurely here, but am confident, that we are starting up a chapter here in Austr. I will be involved.

Is therw any chance of aquaring the two film for use in educational purposes?

Best regards

Daovieng

 

From: Pauline Phoumindr [mailto:pphou...@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, 10 July 2012 8:54 AM
To: Dao Norath; mu...@magma.ca
Cc: mar...@bigpond.com; pommach...@hotmail.com; luan_va...@hotmail.com; laol10n...@googlegroups.com; jim...@yahoo.com; kheu...@hotmail.com; panyara...@gmail.com; ngone...@yahoo.com; jdun...@hotmail.com; noi8...@yahoo.com; keoa...@gmail.com; vincean...@gmail.com; somd...@yahoo.com; siri_...@yahoo.com; bolyv...@hotmail.com; keophou...@yahoo.com.au; good...@yahoo.com.au; makee...@yahoo.com.au; hanu...@tidalwave.net; snor...@hotmail.com; chsa...@yahoo.com; marcia_v...@hotmail.com; khamto...@hotmail.com; char...@comcast.net; mari...@hotmail.com; vong.n...@defence.gov.au; rasa...@grapevine.com.au; natrud...@yahoo.com.au; thong.ph...@fahcsia.gov.au; bount...@yahoo.com; outh...@bigpond.com; kk.k...@hotmail.com; thaene....@ato.gov.au; am...@dodo.com.au; thaene....@bigpond.com; sing....@gmail.com; inp...@tpg.com.au; samanth...@act.gov.au; inpong.h...@itsa.gov.au; somsy.r...@innovation.gov.au
Subject: RE: PRESS RELEASE: Secretary Clinton to Make Historic Visit to Laos on July 11

 

Dear all

Just to let everybody know that "Bomb Harvest" which was produced by our film production team has raised a lot of awareness about UXO in Laos.  It is in fact the very reason why this team is now producing "The Rocket" (a lot in the story talks about UXO in Laos and the cave in the North that was bombed and hundreds of people who lived in there died as a result).  The film should be out for screening early 2013.

You are right Dao - it's about time!

Regards

Pauline

PS: Any email with my user account trying to sell any product is a spam.  Please ignore it.

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From: dao.n...@hunterwater.com.au
To: mu...@magma.ca
CC: mar...@bigpond.com; pommach...@hotmail.com; luan_va...@hotmail.com; laol10n...@googlegroups.com; jim...@yahoo.com; kheu...@hotmail.com; panyara...@gmail.com; ngone...@yahoo.com; jdun...@hotmail.com; noi8...@yahoo.com; keoa...@gmail.com; vincean...@gmail.com; somd...@yahoo.com; siri_...@yahoo.com; bolyv...@hotmail.com; keophou...@yahoo.com.au; good...@yahoo.com.au; makee...@yahoo.com.au; hanu...@tidalwave.net; snor...@hotmail.com; chsa...@yahoo.com; marcia_v...@hotmail.com; khamto...@hotmail.com; char...@comcast.net; mari...@hotmail.com; vong.n...@defence.gov.au; rasa...@grapevine.com.au; natrud...@yahoo.com.au; thong.ph...@fahcsia.gov.au; pphou...@hotmail.com; bount...@yahoo.com; outh...@bigpond.com; kk.k...@hotmail.com; thaene....@ato.gov.au; am...@dodo.com.au; thaene....@bigpond.com; sing....@gmail.com; inp...@tpg.com.au; samanth...@act.gov.au; inpong.h...@itsa.gov.au; somsy.r...@innovation.gov.au
Subject: RE: PRESS RELEASE: Secretary Clinton to Make Historic Visit to Laos on July 11
Date: Mon, 9 Jul 2012 22:27:21 +0000

That’s great! It's about time!

 

From: Melody [mailto:mu...@magma.ca]
Sent: Monday, 9 July 2012 6:01 PM
To: Dao Norath
Cc: 'Margaret Eldridge'; 'Pomma Chantachak'; 'Bounluang Vannithone'; 'Lao Google Trans Group'; jim...@yahoo.com; kheu...@hotmail.com; panyara...@gmail.com; ngone...@yahoo.com; jdun...@hotmail.com; noi8...@yahoo.com; keoa...@gmail.com; vincean...@gmail.com; somd...@yahoo.com; siri_...@yahoo.com; bolyv...@hotmail.com; 'Viengkeo Phoupraseuth'; good...@yahoo.com.au; makee...@yahoo.com.au; hanu...@tidalwave.net; snor...@hotmail.com; 'Chareun Sayakoummane'; marcia_v...@hotmail.com; khamto...@hotmail.com; char...@comcast.net; mari...@hotmail.com; vong.n...@defence.gov.au; rasa...@grapevine.com.au; 'Natrudy Saykao'; 'Thongrith Phoumirath'; pphou...@hotmail.com; 'Bounthanh Phongphichit (VT)'; outh...@bigpond.com; kk.k...@hotmail.com; thaene....@ato.gov.au; am...@dodo.com.au; thaene....@bigpond.com; sing....@gmail.com; inp...@tpg.com.au; samanth...@act.gov.au; inpong.h...@itsa.gov.au; somsy.r...@innovation.gov.au
Subject: Re: PRESS RELEASE: Secretary Clinton to Make Historic Visit to Laos on July 11

 

She is also set to launch a program to decontaminate Danang air base..which I hope to cover for UK Geographic.. Its the first attempt to do a systematic cleanup of the dioxin and other persistent toxins that were left ther and have been contaminating the water table and defining land use in this area since the war... so Hilary is effectively killing two war victims with one trip..

M

On 7/9/2012 4:39 PM, Dao Norath wrote:

Margaret

 

Thx for this poem, so appropriately written..

 

One hundred years! We who weep will be dead and gone

As will more victims of the war that never was,

Before munitions are finally removed,

Before it will be safe to plough again.

Too long! Too late for Laos and her people,

Twice-over casualties of the Secret War.

 

I will print it out and share with like minded people.

[Pomma Chantachak]

Dear Margaret
Sorry for being late replying. Thank you so much for your appropriate and moving poem. I know you have always been good to Laos and Lao people, and you are trying your best to help.  It's a privilege to have someone like you as a friend.
Pomma

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From: mar...@bigpond.com
To: pommach...@hotmail.com; luan_va...@hotmail.com; laol10n...@googlegroups.com; jim...@yahoo.com; kheu...@hotmail.com; panyara...@gmail.com; ngone...@yahoo.com; jdun...@hotmail.com; noi8...@yahoo.com; keoa...@gmail.com; vincean...@gmail.com; somd...@yahoo.com; siri_...@yahoo.com; bolyv...@hotmail.com; keophou...@yahoo.com.au; good...@yahoo.com.au; makee...@yahoo.com.au; hanu...@tidalwave.net; snor...@hotmail.com; chsa...@yahoo.com; marcia_v...@hotmail.com; dao.n...@hunterwater.com.au; khamto...@hotmail.com; char...@comcast.net; mari...@hotmail.com; vong.n...@defence.gov.au; mu...@magma.ca; rasa...@grapevine.com.au; natrud...@yahoo.com.au; thong.ph...@fahcsia.gov.au; pphou...@hotmail.com; bount...@yahoo.com; outh...@bigpond.com; kk.k...@hotmail.com; thaene....@ato.gov.au; am...@dodo.com.au; thaene....@bigpond.com; sing....@gmail.com; inp...@tpg.com.au; samanth...@act.gov.au; inpong.h...@itsa.gov.au; somsy.r...@innovation.gov.au
Subject: RE: PRESS RELEASE: Secretary Clinton to Make Historic Visit to Laos on July 11
Date: Mon, 9 Jul 2012 16:16:55 +1000

Dear Pomma and others,

I attach a poem I wrote which you may be interested in. I also had an article published in Federal Gallery which is the journal of former Australian politicians. Every time I perform a public speaking duty related to Laos or the Hmong (or both) I refer to the dreadful statistics of UXOs. Margaret

 

From: Pomma Chantachak [mailto:pommach...@hotmail.com]

Sent: Sunday, 8 July 2012 10:47 PM