Posthumanously? Well, the riding part of the project is over and I felt like another Pee not to mention the hundreds of thousands if not millions dead from Cluster Bombs
Mark, the Production Editor of the PPP and who took the pic, sent me this link to their story
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2009052125966/Life-Style/Campaign-mobilises-UXO-cleanup.html
Copy and Paste and have a look. Sorry to say a few inaccuracies but hopefully they will publish corrections. If not, read the blog and the website FOR THE REAL STORY.
Cluster Bombs in Casing
76 milion of these individual Bombies remain unexploded in Laos. This is a mother pod that failed to spring open and cast it's deadly cargo.
Project Pineapple Logo
Inside the shape of a BLU26 Cluster Bomb is the result it can cause.
One Reason for the Name Project Pineapple
America versus China
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Lets Go Duch On War Crimes ......
....And Crimes Against Humanity
Lets go Dutch means lets share the responsibility. In Cambodia Duch, not Dutch, is on trial for his part, S21 torture prison, in Khmer Rouge war crimes causing the death of 1.7 million. Read about all that stuff elsewhere. Here the subject is Cluster Bombs.
In The Remnants Museum in Sai Gon was a plaque with the Vietnamese death tally during the American War as they rightfully call it, 3 million. Many of these deaths were caused by Cluster Bombs.
It seems strange that, depending which side you are on or perhaps from which race, war crimes and crimes against humanity are either condemned and token culprits rather than the masterminds are put on trial or a country is lauded for is fight for so called democracy and freedom.
Strange really. The North Vietnamese thought they were fighting for their freedom thus the determination and tenacity behind their ultimate overpowering of the agressor.
But as in Iraq where it is clear now to all that there were no weapons of mass destruction and it was all a ruse to get western hands on the vast three largest known undeveloped oilfields in Southern Iraq so the Viet Nam War was an oil war. Just google 'standard oil, vietnam war' and you can read all about it. It is a little know fact that within the Asian Region Viet Nam is the 3rd largest producer of oil and gas after Indonesia and Malaysia. On a separate issue you may add Burma to this list, producer of oil since 1857, remember Burmah Oil company now through corporate integration, the giant BP.
The patern is similar in most wars over the last 100 years. Look at the Falklands War as the UK just recently pressed its claim to develope its exploration for oil and gas by excerting the 200 mile mineral rights under the International Law of the Sea. Unsurprisingly, Argentina is objecting. Journalists for 27 years, apart from industry technical magasines, have not been reporting the hydrocarbon issue hiding their ignorance behind their arrogance.
So all this war mongering that allows the war machine to do as it wishes and carpet bomb victim countries leaving its trail of destruction and inevitably a 200 year legacy of UXOs, unexploded ordinances, is actually merely a gambit to grab others hydrocarbon resources.
Does the world wish to face up to this reality, will politicians continue to camouflage their intention, does the media largely owned by large corporate business care to distribute this knowledge, must the poor hill farmers in the mountains of Lao, Vietnam, Cambodia and now Iraq and Afghanistan continue to die and lose limbs and eyes from the cluster bomb curse for the west's thirst and greed for oil and gas? Looks like it unless those who are aware stand up and be counted and take up this political task.
So write to your political representative about the Cluster Bomb issue from which ever country you come to persuade those that have not signed the Oslo Treaty against Cluster Munitions to do so. 96 governments have already. Project Pineapple does not stand alone.
Lets go Dutch means lets share the responsibility. In Cambodia Duch, not Dutch, is on trial for his part, S21 torture prison, in Khmer Rouge war crimes causing the death of 1.7 million. Read about all that stuff elsewhere. Here the subject is Cluster Bombs.
In The Remnants Museum in Sai Gon was a plaque with the Vietnamese death tally during the American War as they rightfully call it, 3 million. Many of these deaths were caused by Cluster Bombs.
It seems strange that, depending which side you are on or perhaps from which race, war crimes and crimes against humanity are either condemned and token culprits rather than the masterminds are put on trial or a country is lauded for is fight for so called democracy and freedom.
Strange really. The North Vietnamese thought they were fighting for their freedom thus the determination and tenacity behind their ultimate overpowering of the agressor.
But as in Iraq where it is clear now to all that there were no weapons of mass destruction and it was all a ruse to get western hands on the vast three largest known undeveloped oilfields in Southern Iraq so the Viet Nam War was an oil war. Just google 'standard oil, vietnam war' and you can read all about it. It is a little know fact that within the Asian Region Viet Nam is the 3rd largest producer of oil and gas after Indonesia and Malaysia. On a separate issue you may add Burma to this list, producer of oil since 1857, remember Burmah Oil company now through corporate integration, the giant BP.
The patern is similar in most wars over the last 100 years. Look at the Falklands War as the UK just recently pressed its claim to develope its exploration for oil and gas by excerting the 200 mile mineral rights under the International Law of the Sea. Unsurprisingly, Argentina is objecting. Journalists for 27 years, apart from industry technical magasines, have not been reporting the hydrocarbon issue hiding their ignorance behind their arrogance.
So all this war mongering that allows the war machine to do as it wishes and carpet bomb victim countries leaving its trail of destruction and inevitably a 200 year legacy of UXOs, unexploded ordinances, is actually merely a gambit to grab others hydrocarbon resources.
Does the world wish to face up to this reality, will politicians continue to camouflage their intention, does the media largely owned by large corporate business care to distribute this knowledge, must the poor hill farmers in the mountains of Lao, Vietnam, Cambodia and now Iraq and Afghanistan continue to die and lose limbs and eyes from the cluster bomb curse for the west's thirst and greed for oil and gas? Looks like it unless those who are aware stand up and be counted and take up this political task.
So write to your political representative about the Cluster Bomb issue from which ever country you come to persuade those that have not signed the Oslo Treaty against Cluster Munitions to do so. 96 governments have already. Project Pineapple does not stand alone.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
From Skeleton to Full Blown Business
As the Manager of a water program in Svey Rieng and Prey Veng for an humanitarian organisation in 1987, there were always less than 100 westerners in Cambodia at any time. The infrastructure was skeletal and basic, comfort zone the same. Roads were awful and local people were very much still in a state of shock.
Returning to Kampuchea after 22 years, as expected, I saw vast changes, another country in fact. Having travelled in Lao in 1988/89 and worked in Vietnam in 1991, I had already seen the transformation from Soviet days to more western style economies in the first 6000 kilometers of the ride.
In those '87 days, one of the few hotels available was the Monorom Hotel, famous in journo circles as the base for most correspondents in those earlier hectic times. I discovered it is now Asia Hotel after 2 changes of ownership and sought it out. During my '87 stay Vietnamese technicians were unravelling the 2 person lift elevator. All the NGO workers were afraind to use it so I have the honour of having been the first westerner to have gone up and down since Pol Pot days. Now redecorated and looking pretty swish, I asked permission to repeat the short journey to the 6th floor now renovated to rooms while previously a rooftop bar.
While taking my pic with the Minsk outside a nouveau riche Chinese couple shoved me out of the way to get their pic with my bike. Not polite. Reminded me of standing in the lobby one morning way back trying to get out to work when a cerain French videographer also shoved me out of the way to 'get his shot'. Not polite. Nothing seems to have changed no matter what they call this hotel.
Photographers too. The one who got personal sponsorshiop on the back of this project also shoved me out of the way to get the career path under way. Not polite.
While Cambodia was put on the map by Lady Diana regarding the Landmine issue, its problem with Cluster Bombs has been neglected and brains washed so when the subject is raised they ask "you mean landmines?". Thus the point of Project Pinepple, to gain publicity and raise awareness of the issue. Please tell your friends, write to your political representative.
Returning to Kampuchea after 22 years, as expected, I saw vast changes, another country in fact. Having travelled in Lao in 1988/89 and worked in Vietnam in 1991, I had already seen the transformation from Soviet days to more western style economies in the first 6000 kilometers of the ride.
In those '87 days, one of the few hotels available was the Monorom Hotel, famous in journo circles as the base for most correspondents in those earlier hectic times. I discovered it is now Asia Hotel after 2 changes of ownership and sought it out. During my '87 stay Vietnamese technicians were unravelling the 2 person lift elevator. All the NGO workers were afraind to use it so I have the honour of having been the first westerner to have gone up and down since Pol Pot days. Now redecorated and looking pretty swish, I asked permission to repeat the short journey to the 6th floor now renovated to rooms while previously a rooftop bar.
While taking my pic with the Minsk outside a nouveau riche Chinese couple shoved me out of the way to get their pic with my bike. Not polite. Reminded me of standing in the lobby one morning way back trying to get out to work when a cerain French videographer also shoved me out of the way to 'get his shot'. Not polite. Nothing seems to have changed no matter what they call this hotel.
Photographers too. The one who got personal sponsorshiop on the back of this project also shoved me out of the way to get the career path under way. Not polite.
While Cambodia was put on the map by Lady Diana regarding the Landmine issue, its problem with Cluster Bombs has been neglected and brains washed so when the subject is raised they ask "you mean landmines?". Thus the point of Project Pinepple, to gain publicity and raise awareness of the issue. Please tell your friends, write to your political representative.
Positive Action, Not Passing The Buck
Ben joined Project Pineapple as the first active participating rider. With many riding trophies to his name in Oz he remains quiet and humble yet deeply concerned about the Cluster Bomb issue. So much so that he wrote to his political representive to voice this concern. A copy of the Australian Government's reply is shown on the picture column.
Ben is the finest example of what an individual can do to maintain political pressure by our governments to persuade the other 100 or so countries that have not signed the Oslo Treaty banning Cluster Munitions to do so. You too could write to your Political representative in which ever country you live.
Coincidently also from Oz, an old Scottish friend who emigrated years ago, Linda, got wind of the Project and set up a Facebook page for donations to Handicap International. Some exerts from her email:
"Hi Robert
Remember me? Linda Campbell from Sydney, from Stirling. Was talking to John Sinclair today and he told me what you are doing. I think it is amazing. Good on ya, mate! (Have to imagine an Aussie accent for that one!)
I hope you don't mind but I have started a cause on Facebook for Project Pineapple
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/285080?m=96aaaf39
I have sent the cause to over 60 people so I hope that they will pass it on to others and that you will get some more awareness through this.
Good luck with everything - you are a very special person to be doing this.
Take care
Linda"
Please have a look.
You see what an individual can do? If each individual was as positively active as Ben and Linda we might even manage to Change The World.
Ben is the finest example of what an individual can do to maintain political pressure by our governments to persuade the other 100 or so countries that have not signed the Oslo Treaty banning Cluster Munitions to do so. You too could write to your Political representative in which ever country you live.
Coincidently also from Oz, an old Scottish friend who emigrated years ago, Linda, got wind of the Project and set up a Facebook page for donations to Handicap International. Some exerts from her email:
"Hi Robert
Remember me? Linda Campbell from Sydney, from Stirling. Was talking to John Sinclair today and he told me what you are doing. I think it is amazing. Good on ya, mate! (Have to imagine an Aussie accent for that one!)
I hope you don't mind but I have started a cause on Facebook for Project Pineapple
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/285080?m=96aaaf39
I have sent the cause to over 60 people so I hope that they will pass it on to others and that you will get some more awareness through this.
Good luck with everything - you are a very special person to be doing this.
Take care
Linda"
Please have a look.
You see what an individual can do? If each individual was as positively active as Ben and Linda we might even manage to Change The World.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
The Death of Hugo Van Es
Hugh's famous picture was often believed to show a helicopter evacuating people from the roof of the US embassy in Saigon . In fact it was an apartment building that housed employees of the CIA.
"Like so many things about the Vietnam war, it's not exactly what it seems," he wrote in the New York Times in 2005.
Van Es was part of what became a famous generation of reporters and photographers who covered the Vietnam war, and many of those colleagues were quick to pay tribute to him on Friday.
"His sunny demeanour endeared him to his colleagues and to the American and Vietnamese soldiers he photographed," Peter Arnett told AFP.
Arnett called him "one of the few Western photographers willing to take the risks of witnessing the war's end."
"Like so many things about the Vietnam war, it's not exactly what it seems," he wrote in the New York Times in 2005.
Van Es was part of what became a famous generation of reporters and photographers who covered the Vietnam war, and many of those colleagues were quick to pay tribute to him on Friday.
"His sunny demeanour endeared him to his colleagues and to the American and Vietnamese soldiers he photographed," Peter Arnett told AFP.
Arnett called him "one of the few Western photographers willing to take the risks of witnessing the war's end."
Saturday, May 16, 2009
SPECIAL UPDATE FOR AMERICANS - TIME FOR POSITIVE ACTION
SPECIAL UPDATE FOR AMERICANS
FOR NON AMERICANS PLEASE PASS ON TO YOUR US FRIENDS AND CONTACTS
PLEASE VIEW SITE
http://www.handicap-international.us/our-fight-against-landmines-and-cluster-bombs/in-brief/
AND FIND LINK TO
National Senate Call-In Day to Ban Cluster Bombs MAR 30
but keep up pressure after this date
MAKE SURE YOU CONTACT YOUR SENATOR
FOR NON AMERICANS PLEASE PASS ON TO YOUR US FRIENDS AND CONTACTS
PLEASE VIEW SITE
http://www.handicap-international.us/our-fight-against-landmines-and-cluster-bombs/in-brief/
AND FIND LINK TO
National Senate Call-In Day to Ban Cluster Bombs MAR 30
but keep up pressure after this date
MAKE SURE YOU CONTACT YOUR SENATOR
The Last 'Leg' of The Ho Chi Minh Trail
The North East Ratanakiri Province of Cambodia is not generally associated wth the Ho Chi Minh Trail although it got it's unfair share of Cluster Bombing too. I headed up the 127 kilometers on what I was hoping would be my last dirt ride of the trip to Ban Lung, soon to be upgraded to blacktop. This is the new provincial town after the original one, Lumphat, got severely bombed in the American War, relocated no doubt due to the widespread threat of unexploded Cluster Bombs and the rest.
I stayed at Ratanakiri Guest House, on the near edge of town. The family's grandmother recalls way back before all the wars when they were only one of five houses located there. Now it's the booming new town near the border crossing with Viet Nam. Mother ponders the Pol Pot era and the subsequent stabalisation period when Vietnamese swarmed all around the region. I did not care to stir too many memories, to see their eyes was enough. The young grand-daughter does not have the older ladies regretful expressions but radiates an optimistic wide smile.
I called in on CARE who do agricultural and education programs and to my surprise knew little about the 18 million unexploded Cluster Bombs in the region. This is surely in part to do with the Cambodian government's lack of commitment to sign the Oslo Treay against Cluster Bombs. The prominence of the Landmine issue in Cambodia also has been allowed to override the problem. However, now that the region is opening up to trade, tourism and particularly developing agriculture it surely must be time for those who can do something about it to do so. There will be many further accidents. No doubt it will take an injury to a western tourist to highlight the issue.
Like Viet Nam, Cambodia is burying its head in the sand. As usual city people quickly forget about Cluster Bombs, too busy making money, but the poorer rural folks, those who cut and clear the forest are the ones who continue to die and be maimed. They are the ones putting food in the markets and on the table but never get the proper support and representation they deserve. They are today's frontliners.
America continues to disperse Cluster Bombs at will in any country they please. It is time for us with a conscience to apply our will on such callous governments and remind them of the values they are meant to represent, to stop using them and clean up those still lying in wait, unexploded, for the innocent farmer and his children.
I stayed at Ratanakiri Guest House, on the near edge of town. The family's grandmother recalls way back before all the wars when they were only one of five houses located there. Now it's the booming new town near the border crossing with Viet Nam. Mother ponders the Pol Pot era and the subsequent stabalisation period when Vietnamese swarmed all around the region. I did not care to stir too many memories, to see their eyes was enough. The young grand-daughter does not have the older ladies regretful expressions but radiates an optimistic wide smile.
I called in on CARE who do agricultural and education programs and to my surprise knew little about the 18 million unexploded Cluster Bombs in the region. This is surely in part to do with the Cambodian government's lack of commitment to sign the Oslo Treay against Cluster Bombs. The prominence of the Landmine issue in Cambodia also has been allowed to override the problem. However, now that the region is opening up to trade, tourism and particularly developing agriculture it surely must be time for those who can do something about it to do so. There will be many further accidents. No doubt it will take an injury to a western tourist to highlight the issue.
Like Viet Nam, Cambodia is burying its head in the sand. As usual city people quickly forget about Cluster Bombs, too busy making money, but the poorer rural folks, those who cut and clear the forest are the ones who continue to die and be maimed. They are the ones putting food in the markets and on the table but never get the proper support and representation they deserve. They are today's frontliners.
America continues to disperse Cluster Bombs at will in any country they please. It is time for us with a conscience to apply our will on such callous governments and remind them of the values they are meant to represent, to stop using them and clean up those still lying in wait, unexploded, for the innocent farmer and his children.
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Another Good Reason for Name Project Pineapple
This cluster bomb, known as a pineapple, which is still active, is in the collection of Tourist Information at Phonsavan, Plain of Jars, Laos
Two Good Reasons for Image on Project Pineapple Logo
Cope publicity staff Soksai 'plays' Project Pineapple logo
Mr Ta, No Arms One Eye, Cluster Bomb Victim
This is what the ride is about, to stop the perpetrators of these weapons
An Animated Mr Ta Gesticulates....
....as best he can during interview with COPE's Cluster Bomb display behind
'Handling' His Misfortune by Selling Maps at War Museum, Sai Gon
This victim armless, one legged, one eye, is pragmantic, I shook his 'hand' with both of mine
Arms and Legs All Over The Place
That's COPEs limb fitting centre, not going out of business soon, unfortunately.
Colourful Collection of Cluster Bombs
A tasty collection, you can see why kids enjoy playing with them
Togehter We Can Make It Happen
Bomb Awareness Day in Vientiane, is that an American flag I see before mine eyes?
Out of Nong Across to Along and The Hardest Trail
The Along villagers build this crossing during the dry season with a hefty toll on the otherside
War Vet Wonders Where The Good Times Went, And His Leg
The restrained display opposite the City Opera House on Le Loi Avenue, Sai Gon
International Artist Supports Project Pineapple
Man Winkler's contribution to the project , see blog entry, April 22
Little Remains After 40 Years of Scrap Hunters
Too big with rusted bolts for the recycling confirms you are on the Trail
Forest Fire
Sunset on Lao at the Viet Nam border. Imagine these skies on real fire 40 years ago.
Descendant of First Generation Clearance Team
Pigs, Dogs and Children were the first to clear UXOs before western conscience finally activated, see website
Jettisoned Fuel Tank Takes to the Air Again
B52s dropped their supplimentary fuel tanks after their deadly Cluster Bomb missions
UXO Lao Xekong meet Project Pineapple
Mr Tawee and some of his crew receiving COPE's brouchures
Mountain Villagers Have Little But The Land They Live On
Why should these people be suffering from the war remants so flagrantly scattered 40 years ago?
Complex Weaving Designs Take a Complex Comprehension
Villagers skilled in weaving intricate designs easily capable of searching their mountainous forest floor plan
Unstoppable Road Development of the Ho Chi Minh Trail
Parking a Minsk even for a moment can be hazardous
Minsk 125cc 2002
Your going on that? remarked Tony, the web man.
What's that Minsk doing up there?
It's on the way to my 'local' mechanic in Luang Prabang of course.
My 'Local' Mechanic
Hey Joe, Second Gear, not Top Gear
A Jarring Ride
Phonsavan, Pathet Lao stronghold
Hanoi, Minsk's Second Fix
Snagging repairs after first fix
The Ride Kickstarts
Project Pineapple departs from Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi
The Big House Pitstop
Not reaching the start of the Ho Chi Minh Trail on the first day we make a pitstop at this fine traditional Big House.
Cam Thuy, Start of the Ho Chi Minh Trail
Outside the restaurant, our last meal together before they head north and I south
Project Pineapple Riders
Ben from Australia, with 32 biking trophies to his name, rides the Minsk in Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh's Birth Place
Not far off the Trail to which he gave it's name, Uncle Ho's house
Phong Nga Cave's now Toothless Mouth
Like Venice, Cave Gondaleers have time
Spooked at Trail Crossroads
Tien with Jokers Alain and Ludivec
Moody Mountains of Mordor
The Spooky crossroads of the Trail
Friendly French
Missing a gear change causes a photo op returning to the caves
Chain of Events cause Delays
Tuan speedily replaces clutch and drive chain
