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EXTRACT: To deny an appeal that requested a trial by jury of the companies that manufactured Agent Orange brings shame on the Supreme Court and on the United States itself.
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President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington DC 20500

Ref: US Supreme Court Ruling on US and Vietnamese Victims of Agent Orange

Dear Mr President,

This is the second letter sent to you, the first, copy attached, expressed the hopes and dreams for the future of many people - including myself - following your election as president.

Sadly, I write in anger at the disgraceful ruling by the US Supreme Court on March 2nd rejecting the appeal by US Veterans and Vietnamese (over three million) seriously affected by Agent Orange used by US Forces in the war on Vietnam.

That such a ruling can be made despite the evidence is an insult to the victims and their families. A further insult was given when the judges gave no reason for their ruling, an incredible decision. To deny an appeal that requested a trial by jury of the companies that manufactured Agent Orange brings shame on the Supreme Court and on the United States itself.

You may know that in 1984 US veterans sued the same companies for the same injuries and disabilities, and the company settled out of court to the extent of $180 million.

Mr President you were born 4th August 1961 the very month that US Forces began spraying Agent Orange on Southern Vietnam, and was to continue for ten-years. The aftermath of the destruction of the forests through Agent Orange can still be seen today. As the aftermath of the use of Agent Orange can be seen in the people seriously disabled in Vietnam.

What is most painful is the number of young people affected, born many years after the war ended 1975 a terrible legacy left by the United States that has travelled into the third generation and close, if not already, to the fourth. Each year during my visits to Vietnam I see the people including the youngsters, due to their disabilities it is not a pleasant sight to see a child crawling along the floor minus a limb, be it a leg, arm or two limbs. You rightly adore your two children; any parent would, as do the parents of a child affected by Agent Orange born in Vietnam.

Can you imagine what the ruling by the Supreme Court has done to these parents? I ask that you read my earlier letter emailed to you from Hanoi on 5th December last year. In it you will read that I wrote asking you "not to wait for any US Court ruling, the victims have waited and suffered long enough."

Mr President, the US Supreme Court has now given its ruling, against both the US veterans and the Vietnamese victims. Despite the court ruling you have the authority to make a policy that will give financial compensation to the victims of Agent Orange and to their families.

Let me end with a quote by Nguyen Duc born conjoined in 1981 with his twin brother Viet. In November 2006 an American journalist interviewed him and his words in my opinion - sum up the feelings of all victims of Agent Orange.

"I find it ironic that on one hand you put Saddam Hussein on trial for using biological warfare, but in another country where you sprayed chemicals for warfare, you neglect your responsibility.

The United States must admit its responsibility and compensate the Agent Orange victims in Vietnam. It is your moral obligation. Sooner or later, it has to be done."

No one could have said it better. Mr President, for the sake of Justice for the Victims, let it be sooner.

Yours sincerely
Len Aldis
Secretary

4th March 2009

Len Aldis. Secretary
Britain-Vietnam Friendship Society
Website: www.lenaldis.co.uk

Time to Round Up Monsanto the makers of Agent Orange. Don't buy their products. Please ask your Member of Parliament to support Early Day Motion 406.