Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Reuters: Hidden Bombs Stalk Vietnamese as States Seek Treaty


REUTERS/Kham

This article ran today on the Reuters wire and reports on the accident Chi blogged about today.

The article also makes mention that both US and Vietnamese ordnance pollute the landscape and how the work of NGOs and the Vietnamese government are helping clear land and assist victims.

What the article fails to mention is that the US Government is one of the lead donors in clearing deadly ordnance and assisting victims of their accidents in Vietnam.

At the end of the piece there is a passage that references our good friend Phuong who has been mentioned on this blog before.

Le Thi Hoai Phuong was 17 when her left leg was blown off by an explosion while she and her father were plowing. Now 31, she has an artificial leg.

Four years ago she took up running, the long jump and high jump and she became a champion, winning three gold medals at the 2005 Southeast Asian Para Games in the Philippines.

"To people who have a disability, I would like to say that you need to be strong in your mind," Phuong said. "Don't blame anyone. It's just your bad luck. Take the people's joy as your happiness."


Phuong, landmine survivor and athlete in her home.


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