Shii inspects sufferings caused by U.S. defoliant at hospital in Ho Chi Minh City

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Shii inspects sufferings caused by U.S. defoliant at hospital in Ho Chi Minh City

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo in Ho Chi Minh City on January 13 visited Tu Du Hospital which studies the sufferings caused by U.S. defoliants and provides relief to victimized children.

Shii said, "It is unforgivable that the U.S. forces used toxic defoliants in immense quantities in Vietnam that have caused tremendous long-term suffering. Please tell us about the realities of the victims and the assistance you need."

Based on the research conducted by the hospital, Director Pham Viet Thanh explained in detail about cause-and-effect relation between defoliants and stillbirths or handicapped children.

Former Hospital Director Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong (defoliant victims association vice chair) said, "We want to establish a disabled children self-support center to take care of 3,000 defoliant victims. So we need assistance for this."

Shii in reply said, "The cause-and-effect relation between defoliants and the suffering is clearly shown in your detailed research. The U.S. government has already provided veterans with compensation for health damages and admitted the causal connection from a medical viewpoint. We will work for assistance in consultation with Japanese citizens' organizations that have carried out aid activities and also work on the Japanese government."

At the hospital, Shii met a newly married couple, Nguyen Duc and Thanh Tuyen. Duc was born as a Siamese twin affected by defoliants but became independent by surgery to separate the twins.

Shii greeted the couple, saying, "Your marriage was covered by TV reports in Japan, and many Japanese people are giving warm greetings to you."

Shii then visited the "Peace Village," an in-hospital facility that provides treatment and training for defoliant-victimized children, and met Viet, Duc's brother, who has been unconscious due to encephalosis.
- Akahata, January 14, 2007