Mr Aldis made the promise at a working session with the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA) in Hanoi on November 5.
He said besides communication activities, his society has launched a campaign to boycott products of Monsanto – one of the US chemical companies that supplied defoliants, including AO/dioxin, to the US army for use in Vietnam during the war more than four decades ago.
He expressed his disappointment at the recent US court ruling dismissing the Vietnamese victims’ lawsuit, and said the struggle should be expanded to draw worldwide support. He suggested that VAVA make new documentaries about AO to help the world understand the victims’ struggle for justice.
VAVA Vice President Nguyen Trong Nhan echoed Mr Aldis, saying VAVA will persist with the lawsuit until justice prevails.
Luu Van Dat, a lawyer representing the Vietnamese plaintiffs in the lawsuit, said VAVA will continue with the suit both inside and outside the courtroom. Accordingly, the association will consider lodging a petition with another court in the US or in Western Europe on the recommendation of the International Association of Democratic Lawyers. It will also carry out other activities to gather more domestic and international support for the suit.
During a visit to Hoa Binh (Peace) village in Ho Chi Minh City 20 years ago, Mr Aldis became obsessed with the terrible effects of the toxic chemical on victims’ health, and he decided to do something to support the victims.
Since that visit, he has shuttled between Vietnam and the UK, searching for evidence in support of the victims. He has set up a Webpage to gather public signatures for the victims’ lawsuit.
He has written letters to the UN Secretary General and the US Congress, many US Presidents, chemical firms and courts, demanding justice for the victims.
On April 30, 2009, he lodged an online petition to US President Barack Obama and the US Congress, rejecting the court’s ruling against the lawsuit. To date, the petition has been signed by many people in Vietnam and around the world.
Mr Aldis and other members of the Britain-Vietnam Friendship Society have also organised humanitarian activities to support war victims in Hai Phong City and Quang Tri, Thanh Hoa, former Ha Tay, Nam Dinh and Ha Tinh provinces.
Mr Aldis is scheduled to work with the Vietnam Red Cross, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations, the Vietnam-Britain Friendship Society, and talk with students in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.