An estimated 76 million cluster bombs (bombies) remain from the 'carpet bombing' (260 million bombs, equivalent to one C130 planeload every 8 minutes for 9 years) of supply lines during the Vietnamese war, mostly in Laos but also in Vietnam and Cambodia, scattered like seeds, ready to explode. And they do. Every week. Handicap International estimates that 98% of the victims have been civilians, 27% children. Kids are attracted to them because they are often brightly coloured. Many look rather like toy pineapples ..... more numerous and insidious than landmines. On average, 10 children have died every month during the last 33 years.

On 3rd December this year 94 countries, including 18 of the 26 NATO member nations, signed The Convention on Cluster Munitions, known as the Oslo Treaty. The Convention seeks to ban cluster bombs and assist the victims. Notable amongst those who did not sign were USA, China, and Russia, all key perpetrators.

Project Pineapple (PP) is planning a peaceful event to publicize the issue of these unexploded ordinances (UXOs). Increased awareness will help to mobilize the support necessary to clean up the mess, support the victims and educate local people to know how to deal with those they find. It is hoped to assist in getting more signatories to the Convention, through pressure from voters. Project Pineapple will take the form of an 'Easy Ride' by motor bike enthusiasts. The riders will carry a pineapple from the starting point in Hanoi, Vietnam, through Laos and Cambodia, ending in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Members of the Minsk (previously Soviet) Motorcycle clubs from the 3 Indochina countries will be the 'frontline.' However, anyone may participate in the ride, with any model of bike, either in part or for the whole route.

Negotiations are underway with media organizations, in particular a key international one, to produce a documentary film on the ride highlighting the cluster bomb issues. It is hoped that several famous media personalities will agree to participate. Project Pineapple is committed to ridding the world of cluster bombs, and to providing support to Non Government Organizations (NGOs) involved in cleanup and victim care. Project Pineapple does not solicit funds but encourages donations be made to NGOs. Project Pineapple welcomes any level of assistance with logistics, administration and publicity, only commitment to the aims of PP is required. In particular, motivated bikers from any country are welcomed.

The founder of PP, Robert Kinnear, a member of RedR (Register of Engineers for Disaster Relief) was hiking through remote Lao hill villages on the Ho Chi Minh trail severely affected by cluster bombs, on a water well project for Handicap International in 2003. On 19th March he heard on his short wave radio that the USA had started dropping cluster bombs on Iraq. On 30th April 1975, the final exodus of US personnel from Ho Chi Minh City was made.

The pineapple was chosen as a symbol of peace. It has loose small munitions connotations as some cluster bombs resemble fruit because of their bright colours. The cartoon image is intended as a means of conveying the damage cluster bombs deliver in a palatable manner.

http://projectpineapple.blogspot.com/

Robert Kinnear, Thailand, tel+66 (0)2 249 5877, [email protected]
Alan Jenkinson, UK, tel +44 (0)1773 856094 [email protected]
Released 14.12.2008 by Michael Wansbrough. [email protected]