Changing US chemical companies’ attitude

Len Aldis has organised a number of activities to advocate the Vietnamese AO victims’ lawsuit against the US chemical companies since the first days of the lawsuit. On the occasion of attending the second International Conference on victims of AO in Vietnam, he granted a small talk with VOVNews reporters.

Reporter: Seven years ago, you actively advocated the Vietnamese AO victims’ lawsuit. Since then what have you done to support AO victims and their struggle for justice?

Len Aldis: Fifty years ago, this month, a crime was committed against the people and the land of this country that so far has gone up-punished.

Over the past years, we have organised many activities to help Vietnamese AO victims, such as posting publications of AO victims, organizing a competition on the Internet and encouraging people to sign in support of AO victims.

One important thing is that the number of Vietnamese population is increasing. It means that children born with congenital malformation caused by dioxin chemical also increases.

Every year I come to Vietnam I realise that lives of AO victims are full of difficulties.

Let’s not hesitate to lay the blame at the doorstep of those responsible for the crime that today, fifty-years later, is still killing the people of Vietnam and leaving hundreds of thousands with severe disabilities. So the US Government must be responsible for its action 50 years ago. They must apologize Vietnam and compensate AO victims. US chemical companies made billions of US dollar in profit from manufacturing Agent Orange so they must appologise and compensate AO victims.

Reporter: What do you think of the Vietnamese AO victims’ lawsuit which has lasted seven years without achieving final decision?

Len Aldis: I do not know that whether the Vietnam Association for Victims of AO/Dioxin (VAVA) continue to pursue the lawsuit or not. But I think it is high time we should find the way to rally support from the international community in the struggle for justice of Vietnamese AO victims. We must joint efforts with the international community to make the US chemical companies change their attitude, take responsibility for such a war crime and compensate AO victims.

Reporter: What should we change to continue to pursue the struggle for justice for AO victims?

Len Aldis: I have visited many AO children across Vietnam and many of them died. A few days ago, I visited two hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City and met with a six-month child with congenital malformation, no hands. How his future will be? He is one of thousands of AO children in Vietnam who have not received any compensation. We should do our utmost to force the US chemical companies to admit their responsibility and compensate AO victims.

For those still living and those yet to be born, we have a duty to see they do not wait another 50 years. With support of the international community, we can bring justice to these tragic victims.

Each country takes delegations and sends letters to the US embassies demanding the US Government pay compensation to the victims.

To Hugh Grant, President of Monsanto Company, let each of us take and send a letter demanding his company to pay compensation. To each office of Monsanto, in all countries, let a letter be sent with the same demands.

Each of us purchases a share in the Monsanto Company and where possible attends their Annual General Meeting demanding justice for the Vietnamese victims.

We should ask our governments to help the victims of AO in Vietnam and ask them to bring pressure on the US Government to do the same.

Monsanto is the world’s largest company supplying GM seeds to many countries so we do not buy them, plant them and eat them.

Reporter: What will you do to help Vietnamese AO victims in the future?

Len Aldis: I will return to the UK and write about this journey to Vietnam. I will talk with students at universities about AO victims in Vietnam. The Olympic Games will be held in London in 2012 and I will take this advantage to help international friends gain a better understanding about the US crime in Vietnam and encourage them to support victims.

I have a friend running a chemical company in Australia. I will ask him to buy shares at Monsanto Company in order to have a voice at the Annual General Meeting.

Reporter: Thank you very much.