The two-day international conference of Agent Orange/dioxin victims, which was jointly organized in Hanoi by the Vietnam Association of nbsp;Agent Orange Victims, Vietnam’s War Veteran Association and Union of Friendship Organizations, attracted 150 delegates, including Agent Orange/ dioxin victims, lawyers, scientists and social activists nbsp;from the US, South Korea, Australia, Canada, New Zealand....

The conference aimed to rally people in the struggle for the legitimate interests of not only Vietnamese Agent Orange/dioxin victims but also those of other countries, for not only one generation, but also many generations as well as a peaceful and just world. It also aimed at triggering a wave of strong public opinion, attracting the attention of everyone in everynbsp;country around the world to Agent Orange/dioxin victims and receiving their support for victims, including the Vietnamese victims’ lawsuit against the US chemicals companies.

At the conference, the delegates told about their contact with the defoliants and the subsequent consequences they have to suffer.

“I myself and my sons have suffered health effects as a result of exposure to the Agent Orange/dioxin and other defoliants that were sprayed for nine years during the Vietnam War. I hope all countries, international humanitarian organizations and people of different religions will stand together, help us overcome the sufferings and prevent the use of the defoliants as well as other mass-destruction weapons in wars,” said Bui Tho Tan, an Agent Orange/dioxin victim from Thai Binh Province.

At the conference, the Korean delegation affirmed Korean war veterans who participated in the war in Vietnam have suffered serious diseases and the US’ spraying of toxic chemicals over Southern Vietnam had violated the Geneva Protocol in 1925 in term of banning the use of chemical weapons in wars. It also called on the US to make compensation for Agent-Orange victims.

Canadian citizen Art Connolly told about severe effects caused to Canadian environment by the defoliant which was experimentally used in Canada by the US Government. He raised his voice demanding justice for the Agent Orange/dioxin victims, stating that he would support the Vietnamese Agent Orange/dioxin victims’ lawsuit against the US chemicals companies.

Daniel J.Shea, a war veteran serving in the US Marine Force in Vietnam in the 1968-1969 period, confided: “In 1968, I joined the war in Vietnam and was stationed in Da Nang, Phu Bai and Quang Tri. After the war, I got married and had two children. Unluckily, my children were affected by the Agent Orange/dioxin and both of them died. The death of my children and others as well as the disabilitating effects on thousands of peoplenbsp; claim for justice and compensation from the US for Agent Orange/ dioxin victims”.

“I suggest you seek justice for the Agent Orange/dioxin victims.nbsp; You will have to firmly define an international principle to force governments and companies to take responsibly for their actions and defend future generations from the harm caused by such weapons,” said Joan A.Duffy Newberry, a US war veteran.

The conference issuednbsp; a statement, clearly pointing out: We, victims of Agent Orange and other toxic chemicals, together with supporters and scientists from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia, Switzerland, the United States and Viet Nam participating in the International Conference of Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin, held in Hanoi, Viet Nam, on March 28/29 2006-- call upon the international community to pay attention to the issue of the Agent Orange/dioxin and solutions to its aftermaths.

The statement also affirmed the defoliant used by the US in the Vietnam War contained a high dioxin, very poisonous, that has destroyed the environment and damaged the lives of millions of Vietnamese and thousands of soldiers from other countries. It also said that the production and use of the defoliant and other toxins violate the international laws.

In addition, the statement utterly disputed the conclusion made by Judge Jack Weinstein who dismissed the Vietnamese victims’ lawsuit without paying respect to justice and the obvious realities in Vietnam and called for the international community’ support to Vietnam Victims of Agent Orange Dioxin Association’ lawsuit against the US for justice.

Also, it called upon governments, international and national organisations, and non-governmental organisations to provide material and spiritual support for the Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange/dioxin, and help Vietnam overcome the heavy aftermath of toxic chemicals used during the Vietnam War.

At the conference, the Vietnam Fatherland Front sent an open letter to the judges of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals to seek compensation for the Vietnamese victims and called for the Court of Appeal to overturn Judge Weinstein’s decision and accept the action taken by the Vietnamese victims.

Sotory: Bich Van - Photos: Thanh Dat, Duong Ngoc