MOFA Spokesman's Answer on Dismissal of Agent Orange Lawsuit
Answer ny Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Le Dzung
March 11, 2005
Question: Please advise Vietnam's comment on the decision by the Judge of the US Federal Court in Brooklyn to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Vietnamese Agent Orange victims?
Answer:
The people of Vietnam are very discontented at the ruling by the US Federal Court in Brooklyn, New York on March 10th 2005. Whatever the ruling is, it cannot change the truth that the Agent Orange/Dioxin used by the US army during the Vietnam war has caused severe consequences to humans and environment in Vietnam. Over 40 years have elapsed but these consequences still profoundly affect the socio-economic life in Vietnam. This fact has been testified in research projects by the US and Vietnamese scientists. Millions of Agent Orange/Dioxin victims are infected with fatal diseases and tens of thousands of their offspring are born with congenital defects. Consequently, they now live in untold discomfort, suffering from physical and mental pain.
It is a legitimate action by the Agent Orange/Dioxin victims in Vietnam to file their lawsuit against the US Agent Orange/Dioxin producers. Those companies must bear legal accountability to the chemical victims, who are not only American veterans but also the Vietnamese.
We are confident that the fight for justice for Agent Orange/Dioxin victims will continue drawing great attention and gaining strong support from the world community, including individuals and organizations in the US.
It is an extremely urgent humanitarian issue to resolve the consequences of the Agent Orange/Dioxin. These US chemical companies should acknowledge their responsibility, fulfill their legal, spiritual and moral obligations and make practical contribution to settling the consequences of Agent Orange/Dioxin used by the US army during the war to humans and environment in Vietnam.
