US toxic chemical makers responsible for all victims
US toxic chemicals companies have to take legal responsibility for their products' victims, says Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Dung on Thursday.
Spokesman Dung made the accusation at a press briefing in response to Tuoi Tre (Young People) newspaper's question on the lawsuit filed by Vietnamese Agent Orange/dioxin victims against US chemical companies .
He said the Agent Orange/dioxin sprayed by American military during the war in Vietnam has left serious consequences for both local human beings and the environment, and has had a major negative impact on the nation's post-war socio-economic development over the past 40 years.
It's a fact that has been confirmed by scientists, including those from the US, spokesman Dung emphasised.
The Vietnam Agent Orange/dioxin Victims' Association, together with victims themselves, have therefore filed a lawsuit against US chemical companies to the US Federal Court in Brooklyn, New York.
"It's a civil case between Agent Orange/dioxin victims in Vietnam and the US chemical companies which produced the above-mentioned substances. We believe that it's a legitimate action for the Vietnamese victims to take. A previous similar case of US Vietnam war veterans who caught Agent Orange/dioxin-related diseases has proven that toxic chemical makers should be responsible for their products' victims," said the spokesman.
" Vietnam warmly welcomes the deep sympathy and strong support from the international community to the victims as well as co-operation and assistance from scientists, including those from the US, and assistance from organisations and Governments over the world in conducting research and overcoming problems left by Agent Orange/dioxin sprayed by the US military during the war in Vietnam," spokesman Dung concluded. (VNA)
