British activist calls for compensation for Vietnamese AO victims

Secretary of the Britain-Vietnam Friendship Society Len Aldis has asked US agencies and companies involved in the production of Agent Orange to take responsibility and provide compensation to Vietnamese AO victims.
Secretary of the Britain-Vietnam Friendship Society Len Aldis has askedUS agencies and companies involved in the production of Agent Orange totake responsibility and provide compensation to Vietnamese AO victims.

Aldismade the request in his letters sent to the headquarters of Monsanto inSt Louis, the US and its offices in Cambridge, the UK and Ho Chi MinhCity, Vietnam as well as the offices of Dow Chemical and DuPont inVietnam on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the use of AO inVietnam.

He also sent letters to British Prime Minister DavidCameron and MP Leader of the Labour opposition Ed Miliband, calling onthem to consider what the UK government could do to help ease thesuffering of Vietnamese AO victims.

Aldis stressed that inVietnam there are near to four million victims of AO produced byMonsanto, Dow Chemical, DuPont and other companies and sprayed by USforces during the 10-year period beginning August 10th, 1961. Many ofthem have not been able to be treated in a hospital or a clinic. Thesetragic victims and their parents need help, especially help of MonsantoCompany that made profits running into billions of USD, in manufacturingAO, wrote Len.

The effects of Monsanto’s AO have gone into thethird generation of the Vietnamese. Soon, if not already, it will enterinto the fourth, he wrote.

Aldis pointed to the fact that in theUS there are also thousands of Vietnam veterans suffering from illnessesand disabilities, as are their children, as a consequence of theirexposure to AO during the war in Vietnam.

The Secretary of theBritain-Vietnam Friendship Society, express hope that his letter will bemet with a positive response, from related companies and individuals,not only in accepting responsibility for the damage done to the peopleand land of Vietnam, but also in giving financial and practical supportto the victims and their families./.

See more

PM Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the Government’s second legislation meeting in Hanoi on April 18. (Photo: VNA)

Second government legislation meeting reviews draft bills

In his opening speech, PM Pham Minh Chinh revealed the Government’s plan to submit 63 documents and reports to the 15th NA’s 9th session, including 37 draft laws and regulatory resolutions, all aimed at having a wide-ranging impact on society. Earlier this month, feedback was provided on six other draft laws and resolutions.

PM Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the meeting (Photo: VNA)

PM urges spread of emulation movements to inspire national pride

Commendation must be objective, transparent, and merit-based, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed, noting that legal documents guiding the enforcement of the Law on Emulation and Commendation are nearly complete, ensuring effective enforcement across ministries, agencies, and localities.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh speaks at the meeting to review preparations for Vesak 2025 in Hanoi on April 16. (Photo: VNA)

Deputy PM orders thorough preparations, absolute safety for Vesak 2025

Vietnam has successfully hosted Vesak three times, in 2008, 2014, and 2019, contributing to promoting the image of a peace-loving, hospitable, and united nation to the international community and reaffirming the consistent policy of the Vietnamese Party and State in respecting and ensuring freedom of belief and religion.