US Communist Party supports Vietnamese AO victims

During his visit to the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange (VAVA) on April 5th, President of the Communist Party of the United States of America (CPUSA) John Bachtell affirmed that his Party would continue to support Vietnamese AO victims overcoming difficulties, and encourage American people to support the victims’ struggle against US chemical companies.

A walk to raise funds for AO victims (Photo: dantri.com.vn)

Receiving President John Bachtell, Senior Lieutenant-General Nguyen Van Rinh, VAVA President, said that he hoped the CPUSA would continue to encourage the US public to assist the lives of Vietnamese AO victims and support the victims’ struggle for justice.

During the meeting, the two sides showed their confidence that the CPUSA delegation’s visit to Vietnam would help reinforce and heighten Vietnam – US relations, making active contributions to the struggle for peace, development and social advancement.

The Vietnamese nation has shouldered serious consequences caused by the toxic chemical used by the US troops during the war in Vietnam. Some 4.8 million Vietnamese people were exposed to the toxic chemical, including 3 million victims of AO.

Hundreds of thousands of the victims have died, while millions of the others are struggling with dangerous diseases caused by the chemical. Meanwhile, the chemical has now caused consequences to the fourth generation in Vietnam.

Over the past years, the Vietnamese Party and Government have made great efforts to overcome the AO calamity’s consequences. Each year, the nation dedicates VND10 trillion to giving monthly allowances to AO victims and assist extremely disadvantaged regions seriously affected by the toxic chemical.

Recently, the US Government has given support in environmental detoxification and bomb and mine disarmament in Vietnam./.

( Compiled by VNF )