The Vietnamese Embassy in the UK hosted a party last Saturday to mark the 80th birthday of the UK-Vietnam Friendship Association’s President Len Aldis, a special friend of the Vietnamese people and Agent Orange (AO) victims.

Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem and former Vice State President Nguyen Thi Binh, who is President of the Vietnam Peace and Development Foundation, sent letters of congratulations to Aldis.

Many Vietnamese friends, including those from the Vietnam-UK Friendship Association, came to congratulate and share the joy with him.

In his letter, Khiem wrote, “The government and people of Vietnam always respect and highly value the kind heart and great contributions you and the UK-Vietnam Friendship Association have extended to the country and people of Vietnam during their past struggle for national independence and the current cause of national construction.”

The deputy PM expressed his hope that, with his enthusiasm and prestige, Aldis would contribute further to the development of the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Aldis first came to Vietnam in 1989 and since then he has annually returned to the country to meet with and assist local AO/dioxin victims. He granted US$75,000 via the Vietnam Red Cross Society to support the victims and put forth initiatives to raise funds for the purpose.

Aldis even braved the cold on winter days to sell souvenirs to collect money for the unfortunates in Vietnam.

In 2009, he launched a website to gather and send signatures to US President Barack Obama and Congressmen to demand justice for the AO/dioxin victims. As many as 3,380 people have to date signed in the petition.

Aldis has often been invited to UK universities to talk with students about the AO-related issue. He also raised the matter during his meetings with the local people in Sweden, Denmark, Germany and France.

He said there is much work to be done to assist the AO victims, adding that he will continue performing activities to help the British people as well as international organizations better understand the serious consequences AO has caused to Vietnamese people.

Aldis said he could not forget the pains the Vietnamese AO victims are suffering, adding he will come back to Vietnam and do whatever he can to support them.
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Source: VNA