Japan grants more than US$700, 000 for Lao UXO clearance
http://www.kplnet.net/english/news/edn2.htm

(KPL) Government of Japan has agreed to provide a grant total US$744,680 in support of UXO Lao operations in southern provinces of Saravane and Sekong, for 2011.

The grant contract was signed in Vientiane Capital, on 25 March between the Director of Lao National UXO, Mr. Bounpone Sayasenh and Ambassador of Japan to the Lao PDR, Ms. Junko Yokota.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Mrs. Onchanh Thammavong, UNDP resident representative a.i Ms. Kyoko Yokosuka and representatives from Lao Government.

Japan is one of the largest donors to the UXO Lao. The Japanese Government has provided more than US$8.7 million to the UXO Lao from 2006, supporting operation in Saravane, Sekong, Attapeu and Xiengkhouang provinces.

Since 1996, the UXO Lao has cleared more than 19,185 hectares of land, including 16,054 hectares of agricultural land with more than US$3.3 million beneficiaries.

It has also visited 8,494 villages, conducting community awareness activities on the dangers of UXO to more than 2,153,000 villagers. In the process of conducting operation, it has destroyed more than 973,274 items of UXO, of which 46 per cent are sub munitions from cluster bombs.

The UXO Lao currently receives support from donor countries including Australia, Germany, European Commission, Japan, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States of America. It also received support from private foundations of World Without Mines (WWM) and Intrepid Foundation.

Mme Onchanh expressed thanks the Japanese Government and people for providing financial support of UXOs clearance and human saving over the past five years.

The problem of UXOs pose a threat for Lao people and more than 300 Lao people per year fall the UXO victims.

The UXOs is also a barrier for agriculture production and socio-economic development.

�This grant is a great contribution to the reduction poverty programme,� she added.

Ambassador of Japan to Lao PDR Ms. Junko Yokota expected that, �today�s grant assistance will enable the UXO Lao to continue to implement their activities such as UXO clearance, survey tasks and capacity building of their staff in Saravane and Sekong provinces�.

�It will contribute not only to reducing the number of human casualties but also increasing the amount of the land available for agricultural production and other socio-economic activities in the two provinces,� she said.

�As you know, the first meeting of state parties of the Convention on Cluster Munitions was held in Vientiane last year. I hope that our grant assistance this time will contribute to the effort of Lao Government in meeting the legal obligations under the Convention, leading to achievement of the Millennium Development Goals until 2015,� she added.

Although Japan is now facing the unprecedented difficulty caused by the earthquake and tsunami, the government and people of Japan are united to overcome the hard time. On behalf people of Japan, I would like to take this opportunity to extend our sincere gratitude to the government and people of Lao PDR and people of all other nation for their heartfelt inquiries and sympathies which have been a great consolation and encouragement to not only the families of victims but also the entire society of Japan, she added.

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Thank you for your kindness Japan and alway helping Laos. Is our good friends Vietnam doing anything to help Laos removing UXO?
:-? ;)

Puak Gaauw needs to go! Out of LAOS! >:(

Larb Dip wrote on 26^th Mar, 2011 at 3:55am:

Puak Gaauw needs to go! Out of LAOS! >:(

Laos also have problem with drough, flood, rice shortage. Maybe our ai nong Vietnam can help us out and maybe discount on rice. Vietnam is the second largest rice producer in the world after Thailand. So Laos don't need to look very far if they need help. Viet are nice and hard working people too.
:-/ ::)

Vietnam population is around 90 million. They can help clear UXO from Laos in less then 10 year if they want too. At the rate it going and short on fund and donation they say it will take at least 50 year or more to clear all bomb from Laos. Lao and Viet are ai nong, friends and allies. We should help each other with food shortage and removing UXO.
8-)

llX wrote on 26^th Mar, 2011 at 4:48am:

Vietnam population is around 90 million. They can help clear UXO from Laos in less then 10 year if they want too. At the rate it going and short on fund and donation they say it will take at least 50 year or more to clear all bomb from Laos. Lao and Viet are ai nong, friends and allies. We should help each other with food shortage and removing UXO. 8-)

Puak Gaauw don't care! That's why the 'commies' need to bring in Puak Jeen. 35 years is a long time. Nothing has changed much in Laos. It still feels like you got off a time machine every time you go to Laos. Back 100 years! :'(

Lao government are pretty clever. They don't want Laos to tilts too much toward only one country. To counter Vietnam influence they open up the country and welcome China, South Korea, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, India, US, Autralia. Just about anybody who want to invested in Laos. As a result Laos economy had grew 7.7% a year second fastest in Asia after China.
8-)

I prefer Japan over any other country, any day! They are the Real-Deal-Hollyfield.
Just as long as they don't suggest building radiation plants.

I like Japan too they been helping Laos without string attach. Nuclear power plant is bad for business because Laos is battery of ASEAN and selling electricity. No country want to build one now that mean hydropower business in Laos is good.
:D


Larb Dip wrote on 26^th Mar, 2011 at 5:08am:

I prefer Japan over any other country, any day! They are the Real-Deal-Hollyfield. Just as long as they don't suggest building radiation plants.

With all this foreign investment flooding into Laos, I think that the demographics will eventually diversify in accordance to these changes. Good or bad? I personally don't care who stays in Laos, as long as we can still live in harmony with one another.
                               
                                      LOVE, PEACE & HAPPINESS.

Not much we can do. Those in authority of power decide Laos destination. All Lao around the world should united to help build a beautiful, and modernized Laos. "Peace and love." Make love not war.
;)

It is sad what happened to Japan, but, they will rebuild to a better society and this time they'll be well equipped and prepared for future disasters.  As for Laos it's not so much of the donation that is needed, it's more manpower possible more volunteers.  United States is cheap when it comes to helping countries that don't benefit them especially resources.  Imagine this if Laos were the worlds leaders in crude oil, you know all the UXOs will be gone within 6 months to a year with US help alone.

Western nation don't like to supported Communism country. Maybe our good buddy Vietnam, China, North Korea, Cuba should do more to help Laos clear UXO.
:-? ::)


OMD wrote on 26^th Mar, 2011 at 9:10pm:

It is sad what happened to Japan, but, they will rebuild to a better society and this time they'll be well equipped and prepared for future disasters.  As for Laos it's not so much of the donation that is needed, it's more manpower possible more volunteers.  United States is cheap when it comes to helping countries that don't benefit them especially resources.  Imagine this if Laos were the worlds leaders in crude oil, you know all the UXOs will be gone within 6 months to a year with US help alone.

It's not not the case anymore especially now and days.  If a country is willing to give America or Western countries something in return (in exchange) they will most likely help out and even spend more.  Communism, Socialism, Capitalism, etc...doesn't matter time's change.  The old mindset needs to go.

Capiatalist is all about business and making money. US is the largest investor in Vietnam and also do lot of business with China. Socialist buddy should stick with each other. Vietnam is the second largest rice producer in the world after Thailand. Vietnam, and China should help Laos more with food shortage and clearing UXO.
:o

llX wrote on 27^th Mar, 2011 at 4:11pm:

Capiatalist is all about business and making money. US is the largest investor in Vietnam and also do lot of business with China. Socialist buddy should stick with each other. Vietnam is the second largest rice producer in the world after Thailand. Vietnam, and China should help Laos more with food shortage and clearing UXO. :o

Laos is NOT a socialist country. Hardly ANYONE owns anything, let alone the community as a whole!

They say government want to moved toward socialist.
:o

llX wrote on 28^th Mar, 2011 at 11:50pm:

They say government want to moved toward socialist. :o

GOOD LUCK! If you haven't already noticed, the majority of people don't have any money. It doesn't make any sense. You would think that capitalism is the way forward for Laos.

Laos is moving toward Capitalist market economy like China. With one socialist party system. But corruption, small population and short on skilled labors doesn't help.
:o


Larb Dip wrote on 29^th Mar, 2011 at 12:29am:

llX wrote on 28th Mar, 2011 at 11:50pm: They say government want to moved toward socialist. :o GOOD LUCK! If you haven't already noticed, the majority of people don't have any money. It doesn't make any sense. You would think that capitalism is the way forward for Laos.

'Socialism' is the right path to go for Laos.  I am hoping that we do not go fullblown Capitalism over night.  We need to build roads and other necessary infrastures first while working on the socialistic mentality and ease our way to Capitalism.  We do not want to end up like Russia.


llX wrote on 28^th Mar, 2011 at 11:50pm:

They say government want to moved toward socialist. :o

Laos would benefit from a socialist economy over capitalism any day. But like I said earlier, no one has any REAL money. Capitalism will only tear our community-based customs apart. Everyone would then be out for themselves. Not the Laos I want to return to.

I agree 100%.  We need to create a 'true middle class' first and then one's desire and ambtion can kick in.


Larb Dip wrote on 29^th Mar, 2011 at 9:59pm:

Laos would benefit from a socialist economy over capitalism any day. But like I said earlier, no one has any REAL money. Capitalism will only tear our community-based customs apart. Everyone would then be out for themselves. Not the Laos I want to return to.

didnt japan tried to conquer laos during ww2? actually yes our gloriously leader gen vang pao and his brave hmong and lao men fought them off, haha no lie, true stuff.

Larb Dip wrote on 29^th Mar, 2011 at 9:59pm:

Laos would benefit from a socialist economy over capitalism any day. But like I said earlier, no one has any REAL money. Capitalism will only tear our community-based customs apart. Everyone would then be out for themselves. Not the Laos I want to return to.

Laos is moving toward Socialist with Capitalist market like China. Laos been opening up to foreign investment since the 80's. Laos economy has grown 7.7% a year second to China.
8-) ;)
8-) :o

longhang wrote on 4^th Apr, 2011 at 3:29am:

didnt japan tried to conquer laos during ww2? actually yes our gloriously leader gen vang pao and his brave hmong and lao men fought them off, haha no lie, true stuff.

I think Japan took over Indochina in WWII and Vietnam kick them out.
;)

There will alway be rich, middle class and poor. There's no utopia on earth. Laos need to industrialized and learn from the west, Singapore and China.
:o

PEACE wrote on 29^th Mar, 2011 at 10:07pm:

I agree 100%.  We need to create a 'true middle class' first and then one's desire and ambtion can kick in. Larb Dip wrote on 29th Mar, 2011 at 9:59pm: Laos would benefit from a socialist economy over capitalism any day. But like I said earlier, no one has any REAL money. Capitalism will only tear our community-based customs apart. Everyone would then be out for themselves. Not the Laos I want to return to.