Vietnam Criticizes U.S. for Refusing to Address Effects of Agent Orange

Hanoi, February 28 (RHC)-- A group representing Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange has strongly criticized the United States for failing to address the consequences of the use of the highly toxic defoliant during the Vietnam War.

In a statement issued in Hanoi, the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent
Orange says: "The Vietnamese people, with their tolerant and humane
tradition, have expresed their willingness to cooperate with the United
States to resolve post-war issues" -- adding that, unfortunately, "their
goodwill has not been reciprocated."

In a move that was considered inevitable given Washington's failure to atone
for its use of Agent Orange, the Association filed a lawsuit in January at a
Federal Court in New York against more than 30 U.S. chemical companies. The
lawsuit is on behalf of six victims in Vietnam and all other Vietnamese
nationals exposed to herbicides during the war. The plaintiffs are seeking
compensatory and punitive damages.

The defendants, who include Dow Chemical and Monsanto, are accused of
complicity to war crimes and crimes against humanity, among other charges.
"The lawsuit is not only for the sake of their own lives but also for the
legitimate interests of all Agent Orange victims, including those in other
countries and even in the U.S.," the Association said.

The legacy of Agent Orange remains a source of contention between Vietnam
and the United States, who established diplomatic relations in 1995, two
decades after the war ended.

>From 1961 to 1971, the U.S. military sprayed millions of liters of toxic
herbicides, mainly Agent Orange, over South Vietnam to destroy the
vegetation used by liberation forces for cover and food.

Hanoi says Agent Orange has caused health problems for more than one million
Vietnamese and continues to have devastating consequences. A study, released
in August last year by scientists from the United States, Germany and
Vietnam, found that the defoliant was still contaminating people through
their food.

According to medical experts, Dioxin, its most deadly component, can cause
an increased risk of cancers, immunodeficiencies, reproductive and
developmental changes, nervous system problems and other health effects.

Vietnam says the United States has a moral and humanitarian responsibility
to heal the wounds of the war. Washington, however, insists there is no
direct evidence linking dioxin with any illnesses.

But this isn't the first time that U.S. chemical companies engaged in the
production of Agent Orange have found themselves in court. In 1984, in a
class action settlement with no admission of liability, they agreed to pay
180 million dollars to U.S. war veterans who died or became ill after
exposure to Agent Orange or other defoliants.

The Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange has appealed to people
across the world to give their backing to the legal proceedings. "The
Association expects and welcomes all sentiments and support from progressive
individuals and organizations who fight for human rights in all corners of
the world."

Courtsey Radio Hanoi