Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan has suggested US scientists
conduct deeper research to establish concrete data which can be used as a
basis to ask for assistance in environmental detoxification and
rehabilitation treatment for Agent Orange victims.
Nhan made
the proposal at a meeting in Hanoi on June 8 with a delegation of the
American public health association under the Vietnam Agent Orange Relief
and Responsibility Campaign (VAORRC), led by Susan M. Schnall.
He
stressed that millions of Vietnamese people were exposed to the Agent
Orange sprayed by the US troop during the war in Vietnam and the toxic
chemical continues to affect younger generations of the victims.
After
the Vietnamese Government and people presented clear evidence on the AO
consequences, the US Government has become aware of their
responsibility and has taken the first step in overcoming the aftermath
of the chemical warfare, but it is not enough, the Deputy PM said.
He
went on to say that the Vietnamese Government is implementing
community-based rehabilitation projects for AO victims with the aim of
improving their living conditions and helping them integrate into the
community. However, the work is hindered by limited financial resource
while the victims’ need is huge.
For her part, Susan
Schnall, who is VAORRC coordinator, said her delegation came to Vietnam
to meet AO victims and inspect AO-infected sites.
According to
Schnall, the delegation has also got together with a number of US
congressmen to draw up a draft bill requiring the US government to pay
compensation to Vietnamese AO victims, and deal with consequences on the
environment.
She affirmed that VAORRC will continue its efforts
to raise the public’s awareness as well as its campaign at the US
Congress to garner support for the Vietnamese AO victims’ fight for
justice.-VNA