U.S. Congress to hold Agent Orange hearing

The U.S. Congress will again examine Vietnam’s Agent Orange/dioxin legacy at a hearing on June 4, according to a U.S. House of Representatives congressman.
The U.S.-Vietnam Dialogue Group on Agent Orange/Dioxin will provide the U.S. Congress with more information about what the group has done to deal with the Agent Orange legacy in Vietnam, Eni F.H. Faleomaveaga, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Sub-Committee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment, said on Tuesday.
Faleomaveaga chaired the first hearing on May 15, 2008 in Washington.
The next session will hear about U.S. assistance to Agent Orange victims, the impact of the toxic herbicide on human health and the environment in Vietnam and joint efforts to address the issues.
The U.S.-Vietnam Dialogue Group will also review the U.S. government’s assistance programs for Vietnamese Agent Orange victims.
Established in February 2007 under the auspices of the Ford Foundation, the US-Vietnam Dialogue Group includes policymakers, scientists and leaders of non-governmental organizations and economic groups.
The group will hold a consultation session in Washington D.C. on June 2 to focus on joint efforts to clean up the polluted environment, treat illnesses and safeguard human health from Agent Orange /dioxin.
The meeting will also look at partnerships between the public and private sector in addressing post-war issues
(www.vietnewsonline.vn)