By Lauren Crothers

PHNOM PENH

The head of Cambodia’s governmental mine clearance body has hit out at the U.S. for giving $90 million to Laos for demining efforts but providing only “marginal assistance” to Cambodia. The U.S. has been accused of dropping an estimated 2.7-million tons of ordnance over Cambodia between 1965 and 1975, which sparked calls for similar help for Cambodia’s clearance efforts Thursday. On Tuesday, U.S. President Barack Obama announced that a $90-million demining aid package would be given to Laos, where Obama has been attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit, and where the 6th Meeting of State Parties to the Cluster Munition Convention has also been held this week.

 

Heng Ratana, director-general of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre, said in a Facebook post that the people of Cambodia had been “hurt twice by American policy,” in that the U.S. dropped “almost 3 million tons” of ordnance, but has failed to uphold its “moral obligations” to properly fund clearance programs in Cambodia. “[The] USA has remarkably provided financial assistance to Laos and Vietnam with a considerable sum [$90-$100 million] for a period of three years; however, Cambodia continues to receive marginal assistance to address the same roots of matter!” he wrote. “This is very unfair and injustice for Cambodian people! Thus, the USA hurts Khmers twice for their bombardment! During bombing and clearing remained unexploded bombs!”

 

Ratana could not be reached for further comment Thursday. The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority was more judicious in its reaction, releasing a statement congratulating Laos for receiving the funds and the U.S for its “demonstrated moral obligation”. “Not only Laos, but also the wars affected two other neighboring countries, Cambodia and Vietnam, to a grave extent,” the statement said, adding that 2.75-million tons of “air-delivered ammunitions were dropped on Cambodia during the wars”.

 

 

read more http://aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/us-accused-of-failing-demining-obligations-in-cambodia/643310

As a member of the murderous despot Hun Sen's administration,  Heng Ratana is in no position whatsoever to lecture anyone on what is and what isn't a moral obligation.

But then again Cambodia's Kmer Rouge put most the mines in their own country, some being found in Thailand still. Why would the US even be questioned on this? The choice of where US aid goes is up to the US surely.

 

 

16 hours ago, xineohp said:

As a member of the murderous despot Hun Sen's administration,  Heng Ratana is in no position whatsoever to lecture anyone on what is and what isn't a moral obligation.

 

 

Very, very true indeed. And he fails to mention much of this was done while their infamous leader Pol Pot was wreaking destruction on his own people. This country has a long ways to go. And Sen is not helping on any level. He is a very destructive man, and a serial killing PM.