The “Secret War” in Laos: an excursion to the COPE Visitor Center – by Antonia Eiser & Patricia Fromkorth (Team XII)
The COPE Visitor Center: “Helping people move on”
The “Cooperative Orthotic and Prothetic Enterprise (COPE) Visitor Center” is located in Vientiane, Laos, just a 30-minute walk from our VEDI dorm (Vocational Education Development Institute). The COPE Visitor Center’s motto, “Helping people move on,” shows that the aim is to assist not just in physical recovery, but also in mental well-being, by raising awareness and amplifying the voices of the victims of the “Secret War“ (cf. COPE). We – Antonia and Patricia – love exploring places on foot and always try to walk to most of our destinations — just like we did on this day! Many streets in Laos do not feature sidewalks, however, which makes walking a bit different from what we are used to in Germany. Still, we walked there.
The Visitor Center is surrounded by a National Rehabilitation Centre, an Indoor Stadium for Disabled People, and a building that offers wheelchair workshops. This arrangement certainly makes sense, as the museum supports individuals who continue to suffer physically from the consequences of the Secret War to this day. The building itself is a medical rehabilitation center complex that provides rehabilitation services for people with disabilities. It has provided services since 1963 and is a building owned by the Lao government (cf. COPE).
COPE is a community organization that educates local personnel in producing prosthetics, orthotics, and associated rehabilitation practices. Additionally, COPE covers the expenses for individuals unable to afford the services and maintains a small local team dedicated to overseeing fundraising and training initiatives (cf. COPE). The exhibition explains the significant demand for prosthetics in Lao P.D.R. and allows you to explore further details of the activities at the rehabilitation center by hearing the stories of individuals who have benefited from the service (cf. COPE).
The Secret War in Laos, a little-known chapter of “The Vietnam War”, remains shrouded in mystery and obscurity, despite its profound impact and ongoing consequences for the people of Laos. During this covert conflict, which spanned almost a decade (1964 to 1973), the United States and North Vietnam engaged in a largely hidden struggle for control over Laotian territory, or rather supply routes. This clandestine war not only left a devastating legacy of unexploded ordnance (UXO), but also a deeply scarred landscape and population, the effects of which are still felt today. One question – among others that remain to this day – concerning the Secret War is: what role does the neutral country Laos play in this war? How did it get drawn into the terrible struggle?
In an effort to shed light on both this unknown or overlooked part of world history and the ongoing challenges it presents to Lao people, the COPE (Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise) Visitor Center has become a vital hub for both education and advocacy. Join us on an excursion to this remarkable center, as we explore the hidden aspects of the Secret War and the remarkable work being done to heal the wounds of Laos.
The Cold War (1947-1991) & The Second Indochina War (1955-1975)
After the Second World War, the United States and the Soviet Union emerged as superpowers, with no serious competitors remaining. Even during the war, Soviet-American differences became apparent (cf. Nagler 2014). An ideological conflict was emerging between the two power blocs, positioned between the Soviet-communist and American-capitalist poles, which gave rise to the Cold War (1947-1991). The Truman Doctrine (1947) formulated the U.S. “containment strategy”, which meant the U.S. started “defending” other democratic nations against the influence of authoritarian regimes, namely the U.S.S.R., while simultaneosly expanding their own sphere of influence.1 In Southeast Asia, the U.S. considered South Vietnam to be the crucial factor for stability (domino effect according to President Eisenhower). They were concerned that a communist South Vietnam could potentially draw other countries with communist leanings in the region into the Soviet bloc sphere of influence.
In 1954, the French garrison at Dien Bien Phu fell to the North Vietnamese forces led by the popular nationalist Ho Chi Minh, and the French retreated from Vietnam. In Geneva the future of Indochina was discussed: Vietnam was temporarily divided and a general election planned for 1956.2 With growing active Communism in the larger region, the Americans strengthened their military presence in South Vietnam to demonstrate their determination (ibid.).1 This led to U.S. involvement in the Secret War ten years later.
The Secret War (1964-1975)
As Mr Jonas Hoffmann outlines in his Bachelor thesis The Relevance of the Ho Chi Minh Trail During the Second Indochina War and in his blog post, “The Secret War” is the Lao term for what the Vietnamese call “The American War” and the Americans call “The Vietnam War” in their respective languages. The reason it was called “secret” from the Lao perspective is that media coverage during the Second Indochina War predominantly concentrated on Vietnam. The Secret War in Laos was an armed conflict that took place from approximately 1964 to 1975, during the broader context of the Cold War and the Second Indochina (Vietnam/American) War. Despite its significance, it remains relatively unknown because it was not only covert, but carried out by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and thus not officially acknowledged by the U.S. government at the time. Also, Laos had not officially entered the war, and never did.
This war involved secret bombings, clandestine operations, and proxy forces, hiding it from American public sight and from the world in general. The American War in Vietnam, meanwhile, triggered protests at home, worldwide, and also in the Federal Republic of Germany. Up to an estimated 100,000 young Americans emigrated to avoid conscription. Despite the unequal balance of power between North Vietnam (“David”) and the military superpower U.S. (“Goliath“) and South Vietnam, North Vietnamese guerilla warfare tactics proved invincible. The Fall of Saigon marked the end of the Vietnam/American/Secret War on 30 April 1975, with the surrender of South Vietnam (ibid.).
In the course of history, the Vietnamese successfully protected their land from invaders on numerous occasions, primarily by using the natural environment, tropical rain forests. They recognized the power of nature and its potential challenges for foreigners, utilizing their understanding of nearly impassable forest routes to gain an upper hand against their opponents (cf. Hoffmann 2020, 4). Moreover, they developed an appreciation for the necessity of infrastructure and supply routes in distant regions. These pathways encompassed not just Vietnamese territory, but also extended into the mountainous regions of Laos along the border between them. A system of approximately 10,000 miles of roads, trails, and tunnels spanning Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, known as the Ho Chi Minh Trail, emerged (ibid.).
In the Secret War, the United States deployed more than 2 million tons of ordnance in 580,000 bombing missions over Lao P.D.R. This is equal to one plane-load every 8 minutes, 24 hours a day, for 9 years. At least 270 million cluster bomblets were released during this campaign, which amounts to 2 tons per inhabitant. This was done to hinder their adversaries’ use of guerrilla warfare along the Ho Chi Minh Trail and resulted in Laos becoming the most extensively bombed country in history, shouldering consequences still felt today (cf. COPE). This is because 10 to 30 percent of the bombs did not explode – then (cf. COPE).
UXO – unexploded ordnance
To deal with the lingering unexploded ordnance on the ground, a systematic UXO survey is carried out. This survey methodically maps out hazardous areas, village by village, to determine the clearance priorities in accordance with local and national considerations. In 2015, the Lao P.D.R. UXO sector officially revised its methodology, integrating survey as a standard procedure according to the national standard. This change significantly enhanced efficiency, leading to a notable 60 to 80 percent increase in the identification and destruction of items during clearance operations. An information sign at the COPE Visitor Center states that “every day throughout Lao P.D.R. 3,000 men and women are conducting survey and clearance work, locating and destroying hundreds of cluster munition and other explosive remnants”. The United Nations Development Programme & Lao Ministry of Defense brochure reports more than 22,000 victims (half of them casualties) since the end of the Indochina War: “even now, one person is killed or injured almost every day”.
In 2009, Laos ratified the International Convention on Cluster Munition (CCM). On the Website of the United Nations you can look up which countries ratified it as well: The United States of America are still not part of the International Convention. In 2016, President Barack Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Laos. During his visit, he acknowledged the devastating impact of unexploded ordnance left from the Vietnam War era and pledged increased U.S. support for clearing these remnants. His visit marked a significant moment in U.S.-Lao relations, as no previous American president had made an official trip to the country or addressed the legacy of cluster munitions so directly (cf. BBC, 2016).
The COPE Visitor Center is not as extensive as we expected it to be, but we believe that the way they present historical events and approach the processing of their difficult history is more significant than the size of the space. They provide a small shop, an array of brief informational videos and a compact theater that, regrettably, we did not utilize. The Center offers abundant illustrative materials, including maps and bombs suspended from the ceiling to depict the extensive bombing in Laos. Additionally, there are displays of wheelchairs, prosthetics, and images of individuals who were assisted following disabilities caused by UXO.
There is also a box with mirrors, which was designed to provide visitors with a simulated experience of the mental consequences associated with phantom sensations.
Phantom limb sensations are perceptions of pain that seem to originate from the missing limb or body part. In this exhibit, the mirrors are used to create an illusion or reflection that encourages visitors to explore and empathize with the challenges faced by individuals who have experienced the loss of a limb and the associated mental effects. It serves as a powerful tool to raise awareness and foster understanding of the complexities of living with physical disabilities.
Another notable observation involved the way stories of patients were presented. Unfortunately, we did not capture photographs of the information boards narrating the stories of those who survived and overcame injuries caused by UXO. However, the Center’s website provides valuable glimpses into how they portray these narratives. The focus of the presentation centered more on the accomplishments of individuals post-receiving assistance and the craft of making artificial limbs rather than primarily aiming to evoke compassion.
This was a change from Antonia’s previous experience during her visit to the War Remnants Museum, Bao Tang Chung Tich Chien Tranh, in Ho Chi Minh City almost five years before. Of course, we acknowledge that the War Remnants Museum in Vietnam primarily highlights the impacts of Agent Orange,3 whose effects are genetically inheritable, but often far less visible than those of UXO, which may explain why the museum follows a different approach.
We interpreted the atmosphere in the Cope Visitor Museum as more uplifting and forward-looking compared to Antonia’s experience at the War Remnants Museum Bao Tang Chung Tich Chien Tranh in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), despite the fact that it conveys information about a highly sensitive and shattering chapter in its nation’s history.
In conclusion, the COPE Visitor Center in Vientiane is not just a museum: it is a testament to resilience, compassion, and the human spirit. The impactful stories, interactive exhibits, and the dedication of those involved in providing assistance to those affected by UXO make it a must-visit destination.
More to discover
Related posts: Mr Johannes Zeck, this blog’s former co-editor, describes how Laos deals with its history and its effects on the education system in his two articles “Education in Laos“. Another resource from our circle is Jonas Hoffmann’s Bachelor’s thesis, “The Relevance of the Ho Chi Minh Trail During the Second Indochina War“.
Ms Jasmin Unterweger (Team VIII) visited Houaphan Province, one of the contaminated areas, and Pauline Faix and Malin Frahm (also Team VIII) researched the connection between the Friday school flag ceremony and the Secret War in their post “The Lao flag ceremony: An interview with Mr Khamsing“.
Text by A. Eiser & P. Fromkorth
Photos by A. Eiser, P. Fromkorth, I. Martin4 & Pixabay
Notes
1 This equally applied to Europe and led to the creation of the “North Atlantic Treaty Organization” (NATO) in 1949.
2 From the U.S. State Archive: “In the wake of the French defeat, the French and Vietnamese, along with representatives from the United States and China, met in Geneva in mid-1954 to discuss the future of Indochina. They reached two agreements. First, the French and the Viet Minh agreed to a cease-fire and a temporary division of the country along the 17th parallel. French forces would remain in the South, and Ho Chi Minh’s forces would control the North. The second agreement promised that neither the North nor the South would join alliances with outside parties, and called for general elections in 1956. Laos and Cambodia were to remain neutral. The United States did not sign the second agreement, establishing instead its own government in South Vietnam.” https://2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/ho/time/lw/88114.htm
3 Agent Orange was a toxic herbicide used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam/American War to destroy forest cover and crops, but it also caused severe health issues including cancer and birth defects for both Vietnamese civilians and veterans.
4 The editor visited the COPE Center on 3 January 2016, during her second visit to Lao P.D.R. The photographed exhibits shown in the text are still on display today. Unexpectedly, she literally tripped over UXO material at a stall on the night market in Luang Prabang half a year later: it had been melted down and reshaped:
References
ABC News (2016, 6 September). “The Bombing of Laos: Going by the numbers”. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/International/bombing-laos-numbers/story?id=41890565
BBC News. (2016, September 6). “Barack Obama in Laos: Unexploded bombs ‘a reminder of war’.” BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37286520
Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung. (n.d.). “Vietnamkrieg“. Retrieved from https://www.bpb.de/kurz-knapp/lexika/politiklexikon/18426/vietnamkrieg/
COPE. (n.d.). “Visit Us“. Retrieved from https://copelaos.org/visit-U.S./
COPE. (n.d.). “Who We Are”. Retrieved from https://copelaos.org/who-we-are/
COPE. (n.d.). “Our Mission”. Retrieved from https://copelaos.org/
COPE (2014). Annual Report 2014. Vientiane: Sisavath Printing Press. Retrieved from https://copelaos.org/assets/uploads/2017/03/ANNAULREPORT-2014-mail.pdf
Hoffmann, J. (2020). “The Relevance of the Ho Chi Minh Trail During the Second Indochina War“. Bachelor thesis [University of Education Karlsruhe]. Retrieved from
https://www.thelaosexperience.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Jonas-Hoffmann-2020-The-Relevance-of-the-Ho-Chi-Minh-Trail.pdf
Hoffmann, J. (2021, 14 December). “The ‘Secret War’ (aka ‘American War’ aka ‘Vietnamese War’) – Bachelor thesis [summary]. The Laos Experience. Retrieved from https://www.thelaosexperience.com/the-secret-waraka-american-war-aka-vietnamese-war-bachelor-thesis-by-j-hoffmann/
Nagler, J. (2014). Kalter Krieg von 1945 bis 1989. Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung. Retrieved from https://www.bpb.de/shop/zeitschriften/izpb/181036/kalter-krieg-von-1945-bis-1989/
United Nations Development Programme. “Hazardous Ground: Cluster Munitions and UXO in the Lao PDR” (under “Files”), PDF Foreword by D. Phichit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Lao P.D.R. ” Retrieved from https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/migration/la/UNDP_LA_Hazardous-Ground.pdf
U.S. Department of State. Archive (2001-2009). , “Dien Bien Phu & the Fall of French Indochina, 1954”, retrieved from https://2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/ho/time/lw/88114.htm. “North Atlantic Treaty Organizsation”. Retrieved from https://2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/ho/time/cwr/102468.htm
Image
Pixabay Photo Laos Mekong River: https://pixabay.com/de/photos/loei-laos-mekong-flU.S.s-2583989/