Women’s Union protests US ruling

The US Appeal Court o­n February 22 upheld a US Court’s decision to dismiss a class action suit against the companies that supplied AO to the US armed forces during the American-Viet Nam War.

"The verdict ignores the fact that toxic AO sprayed by US troops during the war has irreversibly damaged not o­nly the environment, but the health of veterans o­n both sides," said a statement issued by the union. "Allowing US chemical companies to deny responsibility for their wrongful deeds goes against law, and moral standards."

Around 80 million litres of AO or dioxin was sprayed over central and southern Viet Nam by US troops during the American War, destroying the health and livelihood of those directly exposed and their descendants.

Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister Brian Cowen has pledged to work harder to boost bilateral ties in humanitarian issues, especially in helping Agent Orange/dioxin vicitms in Viet Nam. He made the pledge during his visit to the Centre for Protection and Care of AO/dioxin victims in Da Nang.