U.S. Helps Vietnam Surmount Bomb, Mine Consequences

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of National Defense Nguyen Chi Vinh and U.S. majority clerk, Senate State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee Tim Reiser exchanged views on bilateral cooperation in overcoming consequences of bombs, mines and Agent Orange/dioxin. At the talks held on April 7 in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Tim Reiser highly valued the techniques and experience of Vietnam in disarming bombs and mines, hoping the two sides will share more information and experiences in this field. The U.S. will actively support localities in Vietnam in launching programs and policies to help victims integrate into the community, he asserted. Deputy Minister Vinh expected that in the future, there will be more U.S. professionals working with Vietnamese agencies to improve the quality and effectiveness of the consequence alleviation efforts. The U.S. non-governmental organizations could cooperate with Vietnamese local and social organizations to take care of victims, he proposed. Mr. Vinh suggested the two sides facilitate an enhanced cooperative mechanism for surmounting bombs, mines, Agent Orange/dioxin consequences. (Chinhphu.vn Apr 8)