Aldis, who has launched a worldwide campaign in support of the lawsuit lodged by the Vietnamese Agent Orange (AO)/Dioxin victims, attended a press conference in Hanoi on June 7, briefing on Vietnamese victims’ preparations for the proceedings at the US Court of Appeals in New York on June 18.
We bring you an excerpt from the interview with him.
VOVNews: Could you elaborate on the international support for Vietnamese Agent Orange/Dioxin victims in their lawsuit against US chemical companies?
Mr Aldis: I am very delighted to be here in Hanoi to attend the conference by the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA) who are flying to New York with four victims of Agent Orange for the proceedings at the US Court of Appeals on June 18. The outcome of the court case will be the signal that long-lasting justice will be done after many years of struggle. Whatever the outcome of the court case, the victims have won the support of millions of people around the world, from France, the UK and the US to New Zealand, the Republic of Korea and Japan. It has been indicated by the high number of signatures to the online petition in support of the victims. This morning, I looked on the Internet and found that there had been 791,000 signatures. As far as I know, around 12 million Vietnamese people have signed the petition. So the support is there. We have won the case for the international people, now we have to win the case in the American court. And if we do, it will be wonderful news.
In Britain, people in general have been very supportive of Vietnam, even during wartime, and in many cases that still continues. I myself have been in many demonstrations and marches in support of Vietnam. I have delivered speeches to international students at UK universities and my last speech two weeks ago was on the question of AO. I also screened documentaries about the Vietnam War and the consequences of AO. They have responded extremely well and signed the petition, as well as getting their friends to sign. I have been invited back to the city university. It was very interesting that these students were sitting for the MA degree in journalism and they also wrote an article based on the talk I gave.
VOVNews: What will you and your colleagues do to support Vietnamese AO victims on June 18?
Mr Aldis: Before I came to Vietnam, I had emailed and contacted my supporters in the UK and other friends reminding them that on the morning of June 18, they should phone the American Embassy in London, and explain why they phone and tell diplomats there that the American President and American chemical companies do not have to wait till June 18, but can decide to accept the responsibility and to make moves to pay compensation. In New York itself, there will a large meeting, while a rally will be held in Paris in the evening of June 18 with supporters carrying 700 cartons symbolizing 700,000 signatures I have collected. So in many European countries, there will be meetings and rallies in support of the victims. That is why I say the international support is there. Now we have to build it up even further in many more countries and many more cities to make people aware of the damage done to Vietnam.
VOVNews: What about you?
Mr Aldis: I have been a supporter of Vietnam for many years since the US joined the war. In my first visit to Vietnam in 1989, I travelled to HCM City where I saw jars containing embryos of abnormal births. We had a chance to see Viet and Duc, the conjoined twins who were separated after an operation as a result of Agent Orange, and other AO victims. Many of them were born with no limbs, no eyes, no legs or even one leg. When you see them, you cannot walk away. I come back every year, sometimes twice a year. I was pleased to come back in December last year and was invited to Duc’s wedding. Every time I come, I feel I should do something to help the victims.
VOVNews: Many war veterans in many countries are suing US chemical companies for compensation. Do you think that it is good news for Vietnamese victims’ lawsuit?
Mr Aldis: I think it is an advantage. American war veterans filed a lawsuit and won the case. New Zealand and Australian war veterans are in negotiations with their governments in their legal actions. The Republic of Korean war veterans also sued American war chemical companies Monsanto and Dow for compensation, but the two refused to accept the responsibility. Now Korean veterans are taking Monsanto and Dow to the RoK Supreme Court. Canadian war veterans are also in discussions with their government, asking for compensation. So in many countries, the struggle goes on.
VOVNews: What can you say about the outcome of the coming proceedings as well as the lawsuit in general?
Mr Aldis: We really have to wait because the lawsuit deals with the American law and in US courts. Whatever judgment either party makes will be and however long the struggle will be, it is very important for each of us in many countries to increase our campaigns for the AO victims. We cannot stop. We have to continue and gather as much support internationally as we can internationally for the victims.
VOVNews: Thank you.
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