National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan received Bob Filner, a member of the US House of Representatives, in Hanoi on January 9.
At the reception, Ngan thanked Filner for his good sentiments and valuable support for Vietnam, saying that the visit is expected to help him understand more about the land and people of Vietnam.

Since Vietnam and the US normalised their relations 16 years ago, the two countries have seen great achievements in various fields, including politics, security and defence, economics, trade, education and training, science and technology, and humanitarian cooperation, she said.

The US is now one of Vietnam’s leading partners, with two-way trade reaching almost US$20 billion in 2011, she added.

Regarding the Agent Orange/dioxin issue in Vietnam, the NA Vice Chairwoman said that the Vietnam-US Dialogue Group on Agent Orange/dioxin, including scientists and policymakers, was set up in 2007 to raise public awareness of this issue.

She expressed her wish that US congressmen would provide further assistance for Vietnam in comprehensively addressing AO consequences.

For his part, Filner spoke highly of Vietnam’s efforts to overcome the aftermath of the toxic chemical, affirming that he will make greater efforts to help AO victims.

After the visit, he will call on private companies and doctors to provide material and technical support for AO victims in Vietnam, he said.

US Congressman supports Vietnamese AO victims

US Congressman Robert Earl Filner has voiced support for the H.R 2634: Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act as it is a humanitarian issue and could be of great significance to helping AO victims.  

Robert Earl Filner, a member of the US House of Representatives Veterans Affairs' Committee, held a working session with the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin (VAVA) in Hanoi on January 9.

At the session, VAVA president Nguyen Van Rinh expressed thanks for the valuable support AO/dioxin victims and VAVA have received over the years from international friends, including American citizens and US Congressman Filner.

In July 2011, Filner submitted the H.R 2634: Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act to the US Congress, which VAVA hopes will be approved soon so that AO victims in both Vietnam and the US will be properly compensated for their suffering.

The association also wants Congressman Filner to ask the US government to transfer a budget for AO/dioxin victims directly to the Vietnamese Government for it to allocate and disburse. The US Government should also continue supporting AO victims by cleaning up the environment in areas that are seriously contaminated with dioxin.

Congressman Filner was very moved when he visited some AO victims recently and witnessed their difficulties and sufferings. He said the Vietnamese victims need further support, especially from the US.

Earlier, Filner worked with local authorities in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Quang Ngai province and visited healthcare centres and families of AO victims.

VNA