Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, drawing from his country’s painful history with war remnants, has appealed to Ukraine not to utilize cluster bombs after the United States, the country behind his nation’s sufferings to this day, announced its intention to provide such weapons to Kiev.
Hun Sen highlighted Cambodia’s “painful experience” with US-dropped cluster munitions in the 1970s, which continue to cause casualties to this date. Stressing the potential long-term dangers and humanitarian repercussions, he urged both the US and Ukrainian presidents to refrain from employing these weapons, expressing empathy for the people who would ultimately suffer the consequences.
“It has been more than half a century. There have been no means to destroy them all yet,” Hun Sen added.
“I appeal to the US president as the supplier and the Ukrainian president as the recipient not to use cluster bombs in the war because the real victims will be Ukrainians,” he said.
The US has allegedly received assurances from Kiev regarding the mitigation of civilian risks, but the decision remains contentious among humanitarian organizations. Cambodia, itself heavily affected by landmines and unexploded ordnance, continues its ongoing clearance efforts with the aim of eliminating all mines and ordnance by 2025.