Vietnam Vows to Punish Any Individuals Involved in Formosa Incident: President

Vietnam’s President Tran Dai Quang has pledged to bring any individuals and organizations to light for their involvement in an environmental pollution case caused by Taiwan-invested Formosa Hung Nghiep Ha Tinh Steel Corporation, state media reported. The state’s leader said at a meeting with constituents in Ho Chi Minh City on Aug 1 that authorized agencies will continue investigations into the case to find out persons and have strict punishments. Mr. Quang made the statement after a number of voters demanded the authorized agencies to clarify responsibilities of individuals who were in charge of granting license, land lease, and supervision of Formosa’s operations in the central province of Ha Tinh. Voter Tran Quang Tuan criticized the government for undetermined solutions in the Formosa case, ruining people’s trust in the authorities. Formosa Hung Nghiep Ha Tinh Steel Corporation admitted to discharge untreated waste into the sea off four central provinces of Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien-Hue, causing massive fish death and destruction of many marine creatures. The environmental incident is predicted to result in generation-long consequences. State media reported that the case leaves direct impact on marine economy, harming livelihood of 41,000 local residents and threatening living conditions of more than 200,000 others. Vietnam requires the Taiwanese company to solve short-term consequences by compensation worth VND11 trillion ($500 million). Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha said in a report to the latest session of the country’s top legislature National Assembly (NA) that Formosa had transferred half of the amount it pledged to recompense as of July 28. Lawmaker Tran Cong Thuat from Quang Binh province said that the environmental incident has slowed the locality’s economy growth rate, causing social disorder. He said that local voters wonder when they can resume catching and eating fish. In a press briefing held last month, the NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan affirmed that the legislative body will continue supervising the Formosa case. (Nhandan.com.vn Aug 1, Plo.vn Aug 1)