Participants in a discussion on the effect of Agent Orange (AO) organised inWashington DC on Jan. 6 said that US assistance for AO victims in Vietnam so farare "insufficient" and "at a minimum" level.
"The problem of AgentOrange never really goes away" and "dioxin is continuing to damage lives inVietnam , not only for those exposed to it during the war, but for theirchildren and grandchildren", said Paul Glastris, Editor in Chief of theWashington Monthly which together with the New America Foundation held thediscussion.
According to Glastris, the US has taken the "first move" incooperation with Vietnam in addressing the legacy of Agent Orange so far andtherefore "the two countries should negotiate in this field".
He notedthat the special report in the Jan, Feb issue of the Washington Monthly magazine"highlights the new developments and make the case for finally doing what weshould have done years ago, which is to offer humanitarian aid to Vietnam forthose whose are suffering from the effects of Agent Orange and offer Vietnamveterans care to all whose served".
For Michael F. Martin, a Ph.D. inAsian affairs of the Congressional Research Service, who visited Vietnam severaltimes to study Agent Orange issues, shared the the view of Glastris thatassistance for Agent Orange victims in Vietnam so far are "insufficient". Hesaid that more fund would be needed for Vietnam to address the long-acting toxinthat is still damaging lives in Vietnam , adding that a number of American MPswished to push the issue in the coming time.
Alan B. Oates, NationalChairman of the Vietnam Veterans of America, said: "For the Agent Orange isssuesin Vietnam , I don’t feel that the US government is properly taking care ofthose issues in regard to taking care of those people who are impacted by AgentOrange."
He wished to send his messages to Agent Orange victims andVietnamese people who suffer that "I am sorry and I pray that they will be takencare of".
Relating to Vietnam 's coordination with the US in addressing theAgent Orange issue in Vietnam , Charles Bailey, Director of Ford Foundation,said: "The government of Vietnam and the government of the US have comeincreasingly into ways of cooperating to find solutions for both Agent Orangeeffecting people of Vietnam and to stop further exposure from contaminatingplaces in Vietnam . I think it is beginning and more need to be done and theleaders of the two countries intend to do more. I think sharing information,learning together and starting with easy parts, building confidence and touchingharder part later."
He said that "many Americans felt sad" for VietnameseAgent Orange victims and therefore people of the two countries should worktogether to give more reseources for the victims.
For Rick Weidman, VietnamVeterans of America's Executive Director for Policy and Government Affairs,"dioxin damages the chromozone in the cell as it passes through. Dioxin maymanifest in the individuals, it may manifest in their children, it may manifestin their children’s children, it passes down through the family. That is themost concerned to our members right now."
Other participants in thediscussion, which was attended by nearly 100 scholars, researchers, Americanveterans and reporters, highlighted new studies relating the effects of AgentOrange in Vietnam as well as in other countries. They all said that Agent Orangeissues have so far received improper concern and addressing./.
"The problem of AgentOrange never really goes away" and "dioxin is continuing to damage lives inVietnam , not only for those exposed to it during the war, but for theirchildren and grandchildren", said Paul Glastris, Editor in Chief of theWashington Monthly which together with the New America Foundation held thediscussion.
According to Glastris, the US has taken the "first move" incooperation with Vietnam in addressing the legacy of Agent Orange so far andtherefore "the two countries should negotiate in this field".
He notedthat the special report in the Jan, Feb issue of the Washington Monthly magazine"highlights the new developments and make the case for finally doing what weshould have done years ago, which is to offer humanitarian aid to Vietnam forthose whose are suffering from the effects of Agent Orange and offer Vietnamveterans care to all whose served".
For Michael F. Martin, a Ph.D. inAsian affairs of the Congressional Research Service, who visited Vietnam severaltimes to study Agent Orange issues, shared the the view of Glastris thatassistance for Agent Orange victims in Vietnam so far are "insufficient". Hesaid that more fund would be needed for Vietnam to address the long-acting toxinthat is still damaging lives in Vietnam , adding that a number of American MPswished to push the issue in the coming time.
Alan B. Oates, NationalChairman of the Vietnam Veterans of America, said: "For the Agent Orange isssuesin Vietnam , I don’t feel that the US government is properly taking care ofthose issues in regard to taking care of those people who are impacted by AgentOrange."
He wished to send his messages to Agent Orange victims andVietnamese people who suffer that "I am sorry and I pray that they will be takencare of".
Relating to Vietnam 's coordination with the US in addressing theAgent Orange issue in Vietnam , Charles Bailey, Director of Ford Foundation,said: "The government of Vietnam and the government of the US have comeincreasingly into ways of cooperating to find solutions for both Agent Orangeeffecting people of Vietnam and to stop further exposure from contaminatingplaces in Vietnam . I think it is beginning and more need to be done and theleaders of the two countries intend to do more. I think sharing information,learning together and starting with easy parts, building confidence and touchingharder part later."
He said that "many Americans felt sad" for VietnameseAgent Orange victims and therefore people of the two countries should worktogether to give more reseources for the victims.
For Rick Weidman, VietnamVeterans of America's Executive Director for Policy and Government Affairs,"dioxin damages the chromozone in the cell as it passes through. Dioxin maymanifest in the individuals, it may manifest in their children, it may manifestin their children’s children, it passes down through the family. That is themost concerned to our members right now."
Other participants in thediscussion, which was attended by nearly 100 scholars, researchers, Americanveterans and reporters, highlighted new studies relating the effects of AgentOrange in Vietnam as well as in other countries. They all said that Agent Orangeissues have so far received improper concern and addressing./.
