On historic Laos trip, Barack Obama aims to heal war wounds
Making the first visit for a sitting US president, Obama said too few Americans know of the United States' covert bombing of Laos during the Vietnam War. He offered no apologies, calling the campaign and its aftermath reminders that “whatever the cause, whatever our intentions, war inflicts a terrible toll.”
“Given our history here, I believe that the United States has a moral obligation to help Laos heal,” Obama said, as he addressed an audience of more than 1,000 students, business people and officials.