A Cambodian victim of the Thai cluster bombs (L) and shrapnels from Thai cluster bombs in Cambodia (R) fired during the 4-7 February clashes.International community condemns Thailand's use of landmines on Cambodia border. 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
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.
"These cluster munitions have already robbed two men of their lives, two more have lost their arms and a further five were injured. The area must be cleared immediately to prevent more suffering. Cambodia must make every effort to ensure the safety of civilians", said Sr Denise Coghlan, director of the Jesuit Refugee Service in Cambodia, who took part in the first mission.
"It's appalling that any country would resort to using cluster munitions after the international community banned them. Thailand has been a leader in the global ban on antipersonnel mines, and it is unconscionable that it used banned weapons that indiscriminately kill and injure civilians in a similar manner", said Laura Cheeseman, director of the CMC.
In a meeting on 5 April, the Thai Ambassador to the UN in Geneva confirmed the nation's use of 155mm Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (DPICM) cluster munitions. The Ambassador said Thailand used cluster munitions "in self-defence" as a response to the alleged heavy use of rocket fire on civilians in Satisuk, the Khun Khan district of Thailand by Cambodian forces.
The ambassador alleged Thailand's use of cluster munitions were used according to the principles of "necessity and proportionality and were in compliance with the military code of conduct".
"There are around 5,000 people living in Sen Chey village that are at risk from these unexploded weapons. Thailand must supply information to help clear affected areas and make them safe for civilians to return home", said Atle Karlsen of Norwegian People's Aid.
The CMC has urged Thailand to provide detailed information on the results of its inquiry, specifically including the location of all cluster munition strikes. With such information, civilians can be adequately warned of the dangers and steps can be taken to remove submunition remnants, which are as dangerous as landmines.
Cambodia and Thailand are not among the 108 countries that have signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions. However, both joined the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty and participated in the "Oslo Process" to negotiate the Convention on Cluster Munitions and attended its First Meeting of States Parties in neighbouring Lao PDR in November 2010.
"This conflict should spur both countries to take urgent action to denounce the weapons and join the ban treaty," said Cheeseman.
The Convention on Cluster Munitions entered into force as binding international law on 1 August 2010, banning the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of cluster munitions, while requiring states to destroy stockpiles, clear contaminated land and assist victims and affected communities. Of the 108 countries that have signed the Convention since it opened for signature in December 2008, 55 states have already ratified.
Background
Both Thailand and Cambodia possess stockpiles of cluster munitions, but little is known about their status or composition. The Cambodian government has in the past cited an ongoing review of its defence and security situation as the reason for a delay in joining the treaty. Thailand has cited concerns over its ability to destroy its stockpile as a roadblock to joining the Convention, as well as security concerns. Thailand announced in 2008 that it had no intention of using the weapons in the future.
Cambodia and Thailand are States Parties to the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty and Cambodia will host that treaty's 11th Meeting of States Parties in November 2011.
Southeast Asia is more heavily contaminated by cluster munitions than any other region after the United States dropped large numbers of cluster bombs on Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam in the 1960s and 1970s.
Source: JRS.net.
By Speroforum
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.
"These cluster munitions have already robbed two men of their lives, two more have lost their arms and a further five were injured. The area must be cleared immediately to prevent more suffering. Cambodia must make every effort to ensure the safety of civilians", said Sr Denise Coghlan, director of the Jesuit Refugee Service in Cambodia, who took part in the first mission.
"It's appalling that any country would resort to using cluster munitions after the international community banned them. Thailand has been a leader in the global ban on antipersonnel mines, and it is unconscionable that it used banned weapons that indiscriminately kill and injure civilians in a similar manner", said Laura Cheeseman, director of the CMC.
In a meeting on 5 April, the Thai Ambassador to the UN in Geneva confirmed the nation's use of 155mm Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (DPICM) cluster munitions. The Ambassador said Thailand used cluster munitions "in self-defence" as a response to the alleged heavy use of rocket fire on civilians in Satisuk, the Khun Khan district of Thailand by Cambodian forces.
The ambassador alleged Thailand's use of cluster munitions were used according to the principles of "necessity and proportionality and were in compliance with the military code of conduct".
"There are around 5,000 people living in Sen Chey village that are at risk from these unexploded weapons. Thailand must supply information to help clear affected areas and make them safe for civilians to return home", said Atle Karlsen of Norwegian People's Aid.
The CMC has urged Thailand to provide detailed information on the results of its inquiry, specifically including the location of all cluster munition strikes. With such information, civilians can be adequately warned of the dangers and steps can be taken to remove submunition remnants, which are as dangerous as landmines.
Cambodia and Thailand are not among the 108 countries that have signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions. However, both joined the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty and participated in the "Oslo Process" to negotiate the Convention on Cluster Munitions and attended its First Meeting of States Parties in neighbouring Lao PDR in November 2010.
"This conflict should spur both countries to take urgent action to denounce the weapons and join the ban treaty," said Cheeseman.
The Convention on Cluster Munitions entered into force as binding international law on 1 August 2010, banning the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of cluster munitions, while requiring states to destroy stockpiles, clear contaminated land and assist victims and affected communities. Of the 108 countries that have signed the Convention since it opened for signature in December 2008, 55 states have already ratified.
Background
Both Thailand and Cambodia possess stockpiles of cluster munitions, but little is known about their status or composition. The Cambodian government has in the past cited an ongoing review of its defence and security situation as the reason for a delay in joining the treaty. Thailand has cited concerns over its ability to destroy its stockpile as a roadblock to joining the Convention, as well as security concerns. Thailand announced in 2008 that it had no intention of using the weapons in the future.
Cambodia and Thailand are States Parties to the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty and Cambodia will host that treaty's 11th Meeting of States Parties in November 2011.
Southeast Asia is more heavily contaminated by cluster munitions than any other region after the United States dropped large numbers of cluster bombs on Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam in the 1960s and 1970s.
Source: JRS.net.
10 comments:
(I)
Thai prime minister has laid the blame for the crisis on Unesco's decision to declare the temple
ruins, the most celebrated example of ancient Khmer architecture outside of Cambodia's Angkor
Wat, a world heritage site even though the land around it is supposedly disputed because of
Thailand’s insistence on its own interpretation and unilateral, secret and internationally
unrecognized map.
For peace to prevail and for the ancient temple to be treated like a cultural heritage site in a
sustainable manner, the international community should pay attention to Cambodia’s plea .
Thai premier who has isolated or blinded by the
spin pulled by his advisors and the pressure mounted on him by his one time allies, the PAD.
The PAD is pushing for the military option.
And, when one side is pushing for a military option and at the same time, beefing up its armed
forced on the conflict zone, not only with troops but also with heavy weaponry, the situation has
become inherently dangerous and sufficient to precipitate an all out war with Cambodia.
(II)
If one follows the Thai press, like all of them-it is obviously pro-Thai to the maximum-as they
say “The Truth is the first thing that gets killed in war.”
By bringing in such body as the UN or ASEAN-that takes away Thailand’s advantage-and place
the mediation and negotiation in the hands of a body like the UN or ASEAN-which stands for
equitable and on the same level solution seeking.
The two heavily armed militaries are ranged against each other across a 4.6-sq km (1130 acres)
stretch of disputed land. Accordingly, the presence of a third Party to mediate and to observe the
buffer zone as requested by Cambodian Prime Minister is a Must since it will build a transparent
process and mutual confidence, and more importantly to stop once and for all the trading of who
instigates the fighting first. Now, the Ball is in the court of Thailand and the Latter should not be
afraid of third Party if they do have the goodwill and true intention to build a lasting peace and
good neighbor with Cambodia.
(I)
For peace to prevail and for the ancient temple to be treated like a cultural heritage site in a
sustainable manner, the international community should pay attention to Cambodia’s plea .
Thai premier who has isolated or blinded by the
spin pulled by his advisors and the pressure mounted on him by his one time allies, the PAD.
The PAD is pushing for the military option.
And, when one side is pushing for a military option and at the same time, beefing up its armed
forced on the conflict zone, not only with troops but also with heavy weaponry, the situation has
become inherently dangerous and sufficient to precipitate an all out war with Cambodia.
(I)
For peace to prevail and for the ancient temple to be treated like a cultural heritage site in a
sustainable manner, the international community should pay attention to Cambodia’s plea .
Thai premier who has isolated or blinded by the
spin pulled by his advisors and the pressure mounted on him by his one time allies, the PAD.
The PAD is pushing for the military option.
And, when one side is pushing for a military option and at the same time, beefing up its armed
forced on the conflict zone, not only with troops but also with heavy weaponry, the situation has
become inherently dangerous and sufficient to precipitate an all out war with Cambodia.
For peace to prevail and for the ancient temple to be treated like a cultural heritage site in a
sustainable manner, the international community should pay attention to Cambodia’s plea .
Thai premier who has isolated or blinded by the
spin pulled by his advisors and the pressure mounted on him by his one time allies, the PAD.
The PAD is pushing for the military option.
And, when one side is pushing for a military option and at the same time, beefing up its armed
forced on the conflict zone, not only with troops but also with heavy weaponry, the situation has
become inherently dangerous and sufficient to precipitate an all out war with Cambodia.
Be the judge it really relevant to cluster bumbs?
Thailand got Army division name SURANAREE it a name after Thai goddess yamo in Nakorn Ratchasima (Korat) province .
Sura in Thai mean: alcohol,Naree in Thai mean : women ,How (suranaree) work:
The story goes that, a hundred years or so ago, the local Thai army was lured away from town by the advancing Burmese army which then attacked the town. Princess Suranaree arranged for the women of the town to make an evening's entertainment for the Burmese. When the soldiers were drunk, the women killed all of them, thus saving the town and Thailand.
Another confusing myth:http://www.thekoratpost.com/ladymo.html
It a myth or the history event but at least That why Thai name their army division like that if that really what happen that evening's entertainment it not normal chit chat something beyond our imagination you're the judge.
If the event is really a dirty tricks why thai name army division after it might be Thai really proud what they do moral or unmoral as long they win and don't feel shame.
it really relevant to cluster bombs?
Thailand got Army division name SURANAREE it a name after Thai goddess yamo in Nakorn Ratchasima (Korat) province .
Sura in Thai mean: alcohol,Naree in Thai mean : women ,How (suranaree) work:
The story goes that, a hundred years or so ago, the local Thai army was lured away from town by the advancing Burmese army which then attacked the town. Princess Suranaree arranged for the women of the town to make an evening's entertainment for the Burmese. When the soldiers were drunk, the women killed all of them, thus saving the town and Thailand.
Another confusing myth:http://www.thekoratpost.com/ladymo.html
It a myth or the history event but at least That why Thai name their army division like that if that really what happen that evening's entertainment it not normal chit chat something beyond our imagination you're the judge.
If the event is really a dirty tricks why thai name army division after it might be Thai really proud what they do moral or unmoral as long they win and don't feel shame.
Be the judge it really relevant to cluster bombs?
It really relevant to cluster bombs?
Thailand got Army division name SURANAREE it a name after Thai goddess yamo in Nakorn Ratchasima (Korat) province .
Sura in Thai mean: alcohol,Naree in Thai mean : women ,How (suranaree) work:
The story goes that, a hundred years or so ago, the local Thai army was lured away from town by the advancing Burmese army which then attacked the town. Princess Suranaree arranged for the women of the town to make an evening's entertainment for the Burmese. When the soldiers were drunk, the women killed all of them, thus saving the town and Thailand.
Another confusing myth:http://www.thekoratpost.com/ladymo.html
It a myth or the history event but at least That why Thai name their army division like that if that really what happen that evening's entertainment it not normal chit chat something beyond our imagination you're the judge.
If the event is really a dirty tricks why thai name army division after it might be Thai really proud what they do moral or unmoral as long they win and don't feel shame.
voice from pom salon
4-7 feb 2011 clashed quite brutal one BM 21 rockets flying over Thai villages the explosion sound of BM 21 was unbearabled for thai villagers and Thai Army ,one villager in pom salon described I quote " BM 21 is very powerful rockets it not just the human being that scare the hell out of it even the animals from chicken to dog are shaking and run for cover we only see on the television Iraq and iran shooting each others now is our turn because of the one group of people come to our village one day and use 4.6 square KM as an excuse to pick a fight with our neighbor for theirs political gains after they make all kind of trouble and they leave let us the local people to pick up the pieces Abhisit Government is the blood government this never happen in the previous government we and Khmer are live along side we get along well we never have any trouble with
1
wella bad boy Thai
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