Vietnamese General Speaks Out Over Agent Orange in Hanoi

...chemical companies who supplied the toxic Agent Orange /dioxin, Dow Chemical & Monsanto to bravely acknowledge their wrong doings and pay compensation to the Vietnamese people.

Agent Orange was sprayed over Vietnam's jungles during years of deadly combat in the U.S. War

(HANOI, Vietnam) - Forward by editor: Salem-News.com writer and Agent Orange activist Len Aldis, has been invited to an international conference being held in Hanoi 8-9-10 August to commemorate the 50th anniversary of when the spraying of Agent Orange began by US Forces over South Vietnam, 10 August 1961. The conference has been organised by the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA).

Learn more about BDS, take part.

Today Len received the following Appeal from the President of VAVA Lt General Nguyen Van Rinh, who he have met a few times in Hanoi. It is an Appeal that will be well received by all who have been campaigning for Justice for the victims. Len draws our attention to the last line of paragraph five: "Is it sensible for them to have representatives in Viet Nam?"

That is a powerful comment. Monsanto and Dow Chemical have offices in Ho Chi Minh City. Never before has such a comment been publicly issued by anyone in any position in Vietnam.

APPEAL of the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent of Orange/dioxin

By Sr. Lt. General Nguyen Van Rinh

Dear concerned brothers, sisters and friends, in Vietnam and all over the World.

On August 10th, 1961, the U.S. forces started the first spraying of toxic chemicals, to launch their “Operation Ranch Hand” that lasted almost a decade in South Vietnam , with its destruction on Vietnam 's environments, ecology system and human health.

On this August 10th, 2011, that marks the 50 years old of the Agent Orange disaster in Vietnam. This is indeed a sad commemoration on the part of the Vietnamese people. More than 3 million hectares of forests and rice fields, about 26.000 hamlets herein were sprayed with U.S. forces’ toxic chemicals. Presently, several "hot spots" are still severely contaminated with high levels of dioxin. In addition, out of about 5 million Vietnamese who were exposed to the Agent Orange/dioxin, 3 millions of them have been estimated to be its victims; many of them are children of the 2nd and 3rd generations who are suffering birth defects and having to live an abnormally vegetative life; many of them are women who fail to enjoy the happiness of being a mother and a wife, many of them are gradually dying in pain due to the extremity of horrible diseases related to Agent Orange/dioxin. Indeed, most of the victimized families are being in the state of heartbreaking conditions.

The War has ended 36 years ago. The country of Vietnam has been restored to life. Although, the Government of Vietnam, mass organizations and individuals in the country and abroad have been assisting the Agent Orange victims, they are nevertheless still belonging to the poorest group of the poor population, the most wretched group of the wretched population.

On the occasion of starting the 50 high-tide days of the “Action for Agent Orange Victims in Vietnam”, the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin sincerely appeals to all of our brothers, sisters and friends in the country & abroad to demonstrate their sympathy and support extended to the Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange in their struggle for justice.

The Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin requests the U.S. side to take their responsibilities for the losses caused to the Vietnamese people, and the U.S. chemical companies who supplied the toxic Agent Orange /dioxin to the U.S. forces for use during the Vietnam War. first of all, Dow Chemical & Monsanto to bravely acknowledge their wrong doings and ask themselves that once they are still failing to pay compensation to the Vietnamese people, is it sensible for them to have their representatives in Viet Nam?

The Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin welcomes and appreciates all the sentiment and action taken in support of the victims of Agent Orange by brothers, sisters and friends, domestically and internationally.

The truth has spoken out. The justice should be respected. The support and assistance offered to the Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange/dioxin and to victims of all types of chemical weapons in the world constitute a great contribution to the cause of struggle for peace and justice on this planet.

On behalf of The Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin.