Speaking at the opening ceremony, President of the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/ Dioxin (VAVA), senior lieutenant-general Nguyen Van Rinh, emphasized that the conference will have great significance for all the participants, particularly those who are working for peace and an end to war.
Rinh said several of the wounds of war have been healed for both Vietnam and the US as well as other countries, but the wounds caused by Agent Orange are persistent. With every passing day, several more victims die. The victims are not only those who were directly exposed, but also innocent children born after the war, and not only in Vietnam. There are also millions of victims in other countries that suffer more intensified sickness, poverty, despair and misery.
The solution to the AO issue is closely linked to the world’s aspiration to live in a safe environment. Indeed, it is not only an issue of justice but also of humanitarianism and reconciliation. Therefore, the pain of Vietnamese AO victims has been a concern of people all over the world and has become the common pain of humanity, Rinh said.
On behalf of the Vietnamese Government, Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, said this is a conference of “golden hearts” because all the participants have expressed their deep concern for the future and destiny of AO victims.
She emphasized that the Vietnamese Government has made great efforts to care for AO victims and deal with the issue in Vietnam, and she praised the support from international friends.
International participants expressed their deep interest in the AO issue. Venezuelan ambassador, Rondon Uzcategui, said since its establishment, the embassy has had regular contact with the “Thanh Xuan Peace Village” and developed a successful cooperative relationship with VAVA.
The people of Venezuela added their voices to the millions of others demanding justice for this evil chapter of history.
Hamish Angus McGregor Chitts, a representative from the Agent Orange Justice-Australia-Vietnam Solidarity Network (AOJ-AVSN) said although the network was only established in June 2011, it is drawing upon the experiences of peace and social justice activists who were active in the anti-war movements in Australia and the US.
“Everyone in our small membership is fully aware of the tragedy still unfolding and that AO is ravaging the environment and people of Vietnam but there were not enough committed members to get a campaign off the ground until now,” Chitts said.
The conference also heard reports by AO victims from Vietnam, the US and Australia.
Add new comment