German journalist Hellmut Kapfenberger (left) at the launching ceremony of the book. (Photo: VNA) Entitled “Vietnam 1972. Ein Land unter Bomben. Mit Notizbuch und Kamera imNorden unterwegs” (Vietnam 1972. A country under bombs. Out and about in theNorth with a notebook and camera), the 256-page book presents a large number ofwritings and 36 photos that the author took in the North of Vietnam, bringingreaders a panorama and true picture on the resistance war of the Vietnamesepeople, especially in the tough fight in 1972.
In its first part, the book reviews major milestones in the history of theVietnamese revolution from 1945 to 1965 when the US started bringing its firsttroops to the South of Vietnam and bombing the North, forcing Vietnam to sit atthe negotiating table.
The author underlined that the US sprayed Agent Orange/dioxin (AO) in Vietnamnot from 1965 but as early as 1961 and lasted until 1971. The spraying of thistoxic chemical has left devastating consequences on Vietnamese people and theiroffspring.
Decades after the war ended, about 1 million Vietnamese, including about100,000 children, mostly with birth defects, have still suffered theconsequences of this crime. Even today, in the fourth generation, every yearabout 6,000 children are born with birth defects or serious diseases.
According to the author, no one can say when the incalculable suffering of theVietnamese people will end. The perpetrators of the crimes were neverprosecuted and the Vietnamese victims were not compensated by the US, while in1984, thousands of US soldiers affected by AO were compensated by themanufacturers with 180 million USD.
The cover of the book (Photo: VNA) In its introduction, Wiljo Heinen publishing house wrote that 1972 was aterrible year when the US, under the command of President Richard Nixon andSecretary of State Henry Kissinger, tried to break the resistance of theVietnamese people with a cruel bombing campaign. The information and imagescollected by journalist Kapfenberger, introduced in the book, reflect thedevastating consequences of attacks on civilians that have left thousands dead,and turned towns and villages into ruins and ashes. According to the publisher,the testimonies of Kapfenberger are not only contemporary documents but also ademonstration of solidarity with a nation that stood up to struggle for its ownindependence and freedom.
Speaking at the launching of the book, Vietnamese Minister Counsellor Chu TuanDuc highly evaluated the deep sentiments that journalist Kapfenberger havegiven to Vietnam. He said that what the journalist wrote about Vietnam wouldhelp German friends and readers get a better understanding and insight onVietnam, thus helping promote the sound relations between the two countries'people.
Kapfenberger, born in 1933, worked as a resident reporter in Vietnam in the1970-1973 and 1980-1984 periods. After returning home, he actively joinedsolidarity activities with Vietnam.
He is also the author of many other books about Vietnam, including "Berlin- Bonn - Saigon - Hanoi", “Ho Chi Minh – Politische Biografie” (PoliticalBiography), “Vietnam - ein dreizigjähriger Krieg 1945-1975” (Vietnam – A30-year war 1945-1975), and “Duong mon Ho Chi Minh” (Ho Chi Minh Trail)./.
VNA
