Cambodian campaigners receive justice and peace Award

Campaigners from Cambodia call on South Korea to join the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the Mine Ban Treaty. Photo credit: Cambodia Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Munitions

2012-03-28
Source: http://www.stopclustermunitions.org/news/?id=3589

The Cambodia Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Munitions, a member of the ICBL-CMC, was awarded the 15th Tji Haksoon Justice and Peace Award 2012 on 14 March 2012 in recognition of their dedication to the welfare and rights of landmine victims. During the visit, campaigners took the opportunity to urge the South Korean government to stop the manufacture of cluster munitions in the country and to join the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the Mine Ban Treaty.

Sister Denise Coghlan, the Director of the Cambodia Campaign and Director of Jesuit Refugee Service Cambodia, and Song Kosal, Youth Ambassador to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, accepted the award at a ceremony in Seoul. The award is named after the deceased Bishop Tji Haksoon, who offered his entire life to peace and justice in South Korea.

Cambodian campaigners urge land mine ban

Mar. 26, 2012
By UCA News

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA -- While in Seoul for an award ceremony March 13, campaigners from Cambodia urged the South Korean government to ban using land mines and to scrap its stockpiles of mines and cluster munitions.

Mercy Sr. Denise Coghlan, founder of the Cambodia Campaign to Ban Landmines, and one of its activists, Song Kosal, were recipients of this year’s Tji Hak-soon Justice and Peace Award.

“We beg the world to stop making and laying mines and to help us rebuild our country,” they said during their acceptance speech.

U.S. cluster munitions haunt Southeast Asia

July 28th, 2011
By Elise Labott
CNN

This weekend in Bali, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced a series of programs for Southeast Asia’s poorest countries as part the U.S. Lower Mekong Initiative.

The initiative aims to help countries along the Mekong River - Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam - by improving their infrastructure, health and education systems while quietly expanding U.S. influence in the region.

But for Laos, Washington’s forward-looking agenda is held hostage to its prior actions. During the Vietnam War, the U.S. military dropped two million tons of bombs - more ordinance than was dropped in all of World War II. Put another way, one planeload of bombs were dropped every eight minutes, 24 hours a day for 9 years.

Cambodia destroys 10 rounds of cluster bombs

July 08, 2011
Xinhua

Cambodia has destroyed 10 rounds of cluster bombs that were shelled onto Cambodia's territory by Thai troops during the exchange of fires between the two countries' forces in early this year, a senior demining official said Thursday.

Saem Punareay, head of Cambodian Mine Action Center based near Preah Vihear Temple, the centerpiece of the border conflict between the two nations, said by telephone that the 10 rounds of cluster bombs were destroyed at the Natural Village of Samdech Decho Hun Sen, located about 17 kilometers south of the disputed Preah Vihear Temple claimed by both sides.

The destruction ceremony was attended by Chuch Pheung, secretary of state of Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, and Phay Siphan, secretary of state of the Office of the Council of Ministers and as well as senior military personnel.

Team Finds Widespread Cluster Munitions Near Border

Injured Cambodian and cluster ammunition used by Thailand (Photo: Bangkok Post)

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Wednesday, 25 May 2011

“Between 5,000 and 10,000 people will be directly impacted by the cluster munitions.”

The Cambodian Mine Action Center has found more than 300 hectares of land peppered with cluster munitions, believed to be fired by Thailand during border fighting in February.

Clearance of the unexploded ordnance could take up to a year or more, demining officials said, following an assessment of the area by CMAC and Norwegian People’s Aid.

“We are searching for more areas affected with submunitions of cluster munitions,” CMAC Secretary-General Heng Ratana told VOA Khmer Wednesday.

Jan Erik Stea, program manager for mines at Norwegian People’s Aid, told reporters Wednesday the munitions were found druing a two-day assessment in April. Twelve areas, including four in villages, spread over more than 1.5 million square meters in Preah Vihear province’s Choam Khsant district were identified, he said.

Thai-Cambodia Border Dispute Adds to [Thai] Election

APRIL 24, 2011
By JAMES HOOKWAY
The Wall Street Journal

Thai military leaders have repeatedly denied any plans to launch a coup or otherwise influence the democratic process, while government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn says the latest clashes with Cambodia were triggered by unexpected troop movements on the Cambodian side of the border.

BANGKOK—A simmering border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia has killed at least 10 soldiers over the past three days and also threatens to complicate a heated political environment in Bangkok, where rumors are swirling about military coups or other ways to block planned elections.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for a cease-fire late Saturday and urged both sides to find a diplomatic solution to the long-running border dispute. But clashes continued into Sunday morning and Cambodian officials said shooting again erupted in the afternoon. Thai officials have reported four of their troops killed, with Cambodia acknowledging six fatalities so far in a duel fought mostly with long-range artillery shells.

Analysts say there is a strong political dimension to the border conflict, which reignited in 2008 when Cambodia secured U.N. World Heritage status for an ancient temple within the disputed area. Nationalist movements in both Thailand and Cambodia have stressed the importance of claiming the Preah Vihear temple for their own countries, and eight people were killed in clashes near the temple site in February before this latest conflict, about 160 kilometers away.

Cambodian commander says Thai troops use cluster bombs, poisonous smoke

PHNOM PENH, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Thai troops have used cluster bombs and poisonous smoke in the armed clashes on Saturday morning over the border disputed area at the Ta Mon Thom temple and Ta Krabey temple in Oddar Meanchey province, said a Cambodian military commander on Saturday.

"They (Thai troops) have not only fired poisonous smoke on our troops, but they have also used cluster bombs to attack on Cambodian troops and surrounding villages," Suos Sothea, deputy commander of the artillery unit, told media from the battle fields on Saturday.

The fighting began at 6:15 a.m. and lasted until 10:25 a.m., he said.

Cluster Bombs Cloud Prospects for Peace

A de-miner holds fragments from an exploded cluster submunition. (Credit:Irwin Loy/IPS)

By Irwin Loy

PHNOM PENH, Apr 19, 2011 (IPS) - Allegations that Thailand used controversial cluster munitions during recent border clashes with Cambodia have become the latest wedge driving tensions between the two neighbours.

The disarmament advocacy group Cluster Munition Coalition earlier this month announced that it had confirmed the Thais used the weapons as part of February skirmishes between Thai and Cambodian troops around a disputed area near the Preah Vihear temple.

The group said this marked the first time such weapons have been deployed since a landmark treaty banning their use came into effect last year – though Thailand continues to dispute whether or not the weapons should be classified as cluster bombs.

The CMC said Thailand’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, acknowledged in an April meeting that Thai troops used 155mm Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions, or DPICM, during the February clashes.

International community condemns Thailand's use of landmines on Cambodia border

A Cambodian victim of the Thai cluster bomb (L) and shrapnels from Thai cluster bombs in Cambodia (R)

These cluster munitions have already robbed two men of their lives, two more have lost their arms and a further five were injured", said Sr Denise Coghlan, director of the Jesuit Refugee Service in Cambodia.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

By Speroforum

Source: JRS.net

Based on two separate on-site investigations, the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) has concluded that Thailand used cluster munitions on Cambodian territory during the February 2011 border conflict. Thai officials confirmed the use of cluster munitions in a meeting with the CMC on April 5.

This is the first use of cluster munitions anywhere in the world since the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions entered into force and became binding international law. The CMC, of which the Jesuit Refugee Service is an active member, condemns any use of cluster munitions, and urges Thailand and Cambodia to immediately accede to the global treaty banning the weapons.

In February and April of this year, CMC members conducted two separate missions in cluster-munition contaminated areas in Cambodia including in Svay Chrum village, Sen Chey village and around the Preah Vihear temple hill. Members found unexploded submunitions, as well as fragmentation damage caused by cluster munitions. Norwegian People's Aid confirmed that unexploded M42/M46 and M85 type DPICM submunitions have been found.

The [Thai] military is in charge on the border

April 13, 2011
The Nation

Opinion

One does not have to be an apologist for the less-than-fragrant Phnom Penh regime to recognise the accuracy of the Cambodian foreign minister's complaint that Thailand's government and military speak with different tongues over the border dispute (The Nation news report, April 10).

Anybody with a modicum of experience of Thai affairs realises that ultimately it is the military that calls the shots (excuse the pun). This was shown during the domestic crackdown last May, when Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was a "house guest" at Army HQ, and earlier this year, when fighting broke out on the border unbeknown to Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, who was in Phnom Penh ostensibly negotiating at the time.

Of course, persistent and credible accusations of the inexcusable use of cluster bombs by the Thai side at Preah Vihear in February may well reinforce the reluctance of the Thai authorities, and the Army in particular, to involve outside observers, facilitators or mediators. This topic is very well covered in your editorial of April 11.

Thai Bomb Talk

April 13, 2011
By Luke Hunt
The Diplomat

When the last round of fighting erupted between Cambodia and Thailand around Preah Vihear Temple earlier this year, vigilant journalists suspected cluster bombs were being used, putting civilian populations at great risk. Cluster munitions are explosives that contain smaller bomblets and are too often detonated by civilians long after battles have subsided.

They’re a favorite for children who unwittingly pick-up what they think are toys.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen initially claimed that Thai soldiers had used cluster bombs; a charge denied by Bangkok, which determined it was in fact the Cambodians who’d used the munitions.

Now, experts from the international group Cluster Munitions Coalition (CMC), who visited the Thai-Cambodia border and interviewed people injured by the fighting near the Preah Vihear, have confirmed that almost half of the 12 border sites they recently toured were contaminated by unexploded cluster bombs. More importantly, they’ve pointed the finger of blame at Thailand.

Norway condemns [Thailand's] use of cluster munitions

Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre and Soraj Ghulam Habib from Afghanistan at the Oslo signing conference in December 2008. Photo Credit: Federico Visi

2011-04-11
Cluster Munition Coalition

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign affairs condemned Thailand’s use of cluster munitions in a press release issued on 7 April 2011

+++

Press release

7 April 2011

Norway condemns use of cluster munitions

It has been reported that the Thai authorities have used cluster munitions in Cambodia. Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre commented: “If these reports are true, this is a very serious matter.”

According to reports, Thailand used cluster munitions in February this year in connection with a border conflict with Cambodia. Norwegian People’s Aid, which works in both Thailand and Cambodia, recently visited the area around the disputed Preah Vihear temple. The NGO has now reported that cluster munitions of the type M42/M46 and M85 have been found. Several people are believed to have been killed or injured in the conflict, and many fled from the area. Now that people are returning to their villages, the unexploded ordnance puts them at serious risk.

“Norway condemns all use of cluster munitions. These weapons kill and maim civilians and have unacceptable humanitarian consequences long after they are used,” said Mr Støre. “South East Asia is a region that is already badly affected, and the incident on the border between Cambodia and Thailand demonstrates clearly why this weapon is now prohibited.

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: Cluster Bomb

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

April 11, 2011
The Nation

Editorial

Thailand, Cambodia have not signed convention banning these munitions

The UK-based Cluster Munition Coalition claimed that it had evidence and confirmation from the Thai representative in Geneva, Sihasak Puangketkaeo, showing that Thailand had used cluster bombs in the border skirmish with Cambodia.

Sihasak, Thailand's ambassador to the UN, said he had been misquoted.

"Unfortunately, I was misquoted in the press release. I never used the term 'cluster munitions' at any point in the meeting when referring to the 'dual-purpose improved conventional munitions' type of weapon we used," Sihasak told The Nation.

The ambassador said he had double-checked with Thai top brass on the types of weapons that had been used in the border clash.

CMC director Laura Cheeseman insisted that two separate, onsite investigations had proved that 155mm Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions (DPICM) were used by the Thai military during the exchange. "These are cluster munitions," she told The Nation.

Cluster bombs by any other Thai perfidious names are still cluster bombs

Thailand says it used "cargo ammunition", not cluster bombs

April 11, 2011
ABC Radio Australia

DPCIM illustration by the Bangkok Post clearly shows that it is a cluster bomb

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to continue border talks after Indonesian-brokered negotiations wound up in Bogor last Friday.

But plenty of sticking points remain. Thailand has refused to accept Indonesian military observers into the disputed area on the Thai-Cambodian border. And the Thai government has denied a claim that the Thai military used cluster bombs during the recent border clashes with Cambodia. This latest statement follows claims by the Cluster Munitions Coalition that Thailand admitted using cluster bombs during a skirmish on its border with Cambodia.

Presenter: Sonja Heydeman

Speakers: Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn; Cambodia's Foreign Affairs spokesman Koy Koung

Click here to listen to the audio program (Windows Media)

Thai military must hone its communications

Thai generals can also say: "7-eleven" and "ice cream" (Photo: Bangkok Post)

April 11, 2011
By Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation
 

"No coup" seems to be most precise and briefest message that the Thai armed forces could deliver to the public without a hitch especially in times of crisis or great doubts.

However, when it comes to additional information and explanations, their military leaders are often at a loss.

At issues here these days are not simply just the guarantee of no military takeovers but the whole gamut of Thai military's engagement in domestic domains and their relationship with the regional and global community as well. On the top of that, there is an important issue of the public rights to know. Thailand is a democracy, albeit its defects, which has rules that the military must comply under a civilian government.

When it comes to communicate with the Thais and outside world on pivotal issues, particularly on security aspects, the military top brasses quite often take it personally viewing further enquiries from media or civil society groups as signs of mistrust and unnecessary provocations. They also take it granted that outsiders must understand their goodwill and true intentions in the country with a constitutional monarchy.

Cluster bomb issue needs to be confronted [by Thailand]

April 11, 2011
The Nation

Editorial

Thailand, Cambodia have not signed convention banning these munitions

The UK-based Cluster Munition Coalition claimed that it had evidence and confirmation from the Thai representative in Geneva, Sihasak Puangketkaeo, showing that Thailand had used cluster bombs in the border skirmish with Cambodia.

Sihasak, Thailand's ambassador to the UN, said he had been misquoted.

"Unfortunately, I was misquoted in the press release. I never used the term 'cluster munitions' at any point in the meeting when referring to the 'dual-purpose improved conventional munitions' type of weapon we used," Sihasak told The Nation.

The ambassador said he had double-checked with Thai top brass on the types of weapons that had been used in the border clash.

CMC director Laura Cheeseman insisted that two separate, onsite investigations had proved that 155mm Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions (DPICM) were used by the Thai military during the exchange. "These are cluster munitions," she told The Nation.

[Thai] Military News: Thailand digs itself into a deeper hole on cluster bombs & rejection of border observers

In fact, in the artillery exchange that took place between Thailand and Cambodia, an Al Jazeera journalist was at the Thai military artillery unit, and the journalist said the Thai started the artillery exchange.

Thailand's Defense Minister, Pravit, just yesterday deny Thai military used cluster bombs

By Ranger, Thai Intel’s national security journalist
Originally posted on http://thaiintelligentnews.wordpress.com

Thai Intel just got a comment from a reader, who said, quote:

Actually, the so-called “rogue state” is Cambodia, as seen by the first shot fired into Thailand’s territory. Even after a cease fired agreement, the country still fired during the night. Furthermore, Cambodia’s special forces has also tried to ambush the Thai military in Thai soil. Not only does this show the state of inconsideration of the Cambodia army, but also the aggression it has.

Not only are the attacks meant on the military, but a local village and school was also destroyed from Cambodian attacks, a few civilians lost their lives as well. An excuse of miss placed shots can not be use because the village is quite far from military positions.

If you think Cambodia is defending the old temple monument because of their love, think again. Would a country to worships a temple, as old as the one in dispute, use it as a strong hold for its army? would one use it as a barrack? would one use it to stock armament? I don’t think so.

Those who think Thailand is the rouge state is delusional and ignorant.

The Thai army is BLIND, DUMB and DEAF ... or it is trying to act that way when it got caught red-handed!!!

Army insists cluster bombs were not used

MILITARY BARS USE OF MUNITIONS AT CENTRE OF SCANDAL

10/04/2011

Wassana Nanuam

Bangkok Post

The army at first denied using a cluster bomb because it thought the term referred only to those dropped from aircraft, but the definition also covers ones fired from the ground if they later burst into multiple bomblets, said the source ... The Thai troops did not care if the weapons they used were cluster bombs

The army has suspended the use of the M198 shell used with 155mm towed artillery, following allegations that cluster bombs were employed in border clashes with Cambodia in early February.

The army, however, insisted this type of shell was not classified as a cluster bomb, despite some similarities.

The army has suspended the use of M198 shells and the French-made Caesar self-propelled howitzer since late February after Cambodian soldiers complained to the United Nations that Thai troops had used cluster bombs during clashes on Feb 4-6, said an army source.

Cambodian soldiers had collected samples of what they believed to be cluster bombs and showed them to the UN, said the source.

Cluster bombs: Thailand in pitiful denial

Cluster bombs not used in border clash: Sihasak

April 9, 2011
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation

Thailand's ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, said yesterdaythat activists had misquoted him about the use of cluster bombs in the military skirmish with Cambodia in February.

Members of the UK-based Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) claimed that they had evidence and confirmation from the Thai representative in Geneva that Thailand had used cluster bombs in the border skirmish.

CMC representatives met Sihasak on Monday to discuss the issue, and then issued a statement condemning Thailand for using cluster bombs in the military showdown.

"Unfortunately, I was misquoted in the press release. I never used the term 'cluster munitions' at any point in the meeting when referring to the 'dual-purpose improved conventional munitions' type of weapon we used," Sihasak told The Nation.

Thailand ‘muddying the waters’: CMC Chair Laura Cheeseman

Cheeseman: Thailand ‘muddying the waters’

Anti-munitions group takes aim at Thailand cluster bomb denial

9/04/2011
Bangkok Post

The international anti-cluster munitions group insists Thailand is only "muddying the waters" by attempting to refute the allegation that it used cluster bombs during border clashes with Cambodia in late February.

Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) director Laura Cheeseman yesterday said the Thai army admitted to using Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (DPICM) in fighting with Cambodia. The DPICM, she said, is a "classic example of a cluster munition".

Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdi yesterday released a statement rebutting the CMC's claim. He said the group "misinterpreted" a statement made by Thai Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva Sihasak Phuangketkeow.