In the open letter published on the Legacies of War website, 17 diplomats who previously served as U.S. ambassadors to Viet Nam, Laos, and Cambodia called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to lift the 90-day suspension on U.S. foreign aid programs, which has resulted in the disruption of U.S.-funded bomb clearance efforts abroad.
According to the diplomats, while it is necessary for the U.S. government to reassess its foreign aid programs, the three-month suspension risks causing significant setbacks—or even the complete halt—of U.S.-funded global demining efforts, victim assistance, and mines risk education programs.
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| Mine clearance in Quang Tri - Viet Nam. |
The former U.S. ambassadors emphasized that support for bomb and unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance demonstrates "America’s commitment to Viet Nam, Laos, and Cambodia—countries of great strategic importance to the U.S."
"Mine clearance not only saves lives but also brings tangible benefits by turning contaminated land into usable land for agriculture or infrastructure development, thereby boosting the economy," they stressed.
Additionally, they asserted that these programs contribute to U.S. national security by reducing the risk of explosive materials falling into the hands of bad actors who could use them for malicious purposes, potentially leading to violence or instability. If left uncleared, landmines and UXOs pose a direct threat to American contractors and aid workers operating in the region.
In their letter, the former U.S. ambassadors expressed their belief that "the U.S. partnership with Viet Nam, Laos, and Cambodia on key issues—including demining, dioxin remediation, and the search for missing service members from the war—not only helps heal the wounds of the past but also fosters reconciliation and expands defense cooperation, economic growth, and people-to-people exchanges."
"Our continued investments in areas such as mine clearance and other development initiatives will only strengthen these crucial relationships and drive even greater shared success in the future," they added.
Previously, on January 27, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the U.S. to consider additional exemptions to its foreign aid cuts to "ensure the continued provision of vital development and humanitarian activities."
The spokesperson for Secretary-General Guterres, Stephane Dujarric, noted that the U.S. is one of the largest voluntary contributors to UN humanitarian aid and that the UN is working to understand the impact of Washington’s aid suspension.
"We appreciate the generosity the U.S. has consistently shown. We want to collaborate, assess, listen, and address the concerns of the new U.S. administration while ensuring that the most vulnerable remain protected," Dujarric told reporters.
After taking office a week ago, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a temporary halt to foreign aid contributions to evaluate whether they align with his foreign policy. This move risks cutting billions of dollars in critical aid, as the U.S. is currently the world’s largest foreign aid donor. In the 2023 fiscal year, the U.S. disbursed $72 billion for foreign aid.
| On February 8, the Quang Tri Mine Action Center (QTMAC) reported that approximately 1,000 bomb disposal personnel in Quang Tri province—working under three non-governmental organizations (MAG, NPA/RENEW, and PeaceTrees Viet Nam)—have been affected by President Donald Trump’s suspension of most U.S. foreign aid contributions. All three organizations rely on funding from the U.S. government. |
Source: Vietnamtimes
