Decision No. 74/1998/QĐ-TTg On Investigating and Identifying Victims Affected by Chemical Herbicides Used by the United States During the Vietnam War

Pursuant to …;

Regarding the investigation and identification of victims affected by chemical warfare agents used by the United States during the Vietnam War

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Government Organization Law dated September 30, 1992;

To provide a basis for formulating policies and fundamental solutions to address the consequences of chemical warfare agents used by the United States during the Vietnam War on human beings;

At the proposal of the Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs,

DECISION:

Article 1. Conduct an investigation and identification of victims affected by chemical warfare agents used by the United States during the Vietnam War throughout the country.

1. Investigation subjects:

a) Military personnel, revolutionary armed forces officers, civil servants, party cadres, and volunteers who worked, fought, or served in areas sprayed with chemical warfare agents by the United States during the war and have children with deformities or disabilities, or themselves suffer from serious illnesses caused by these chemical agents.

b) Other individuals who lived or worked in areas sprayed with chemical warfare agents by the United States during the war and have children with deformities or disabilities, or themselves suffer from serious illnesses caused by these chemical agents.

c) Deformed or disabled children born to the subjects mentioned in point a, Clause 1, Article 1 of this Decision.

d) Deformed or disabled children born to the subjects mentioned in point b, Clause 1, Article 1 of this Decision.

2. Content of the investigation includes:

a) The number of people affected by chemical warfare agents as specified in Clause 1, Article 1 of this Decision.

b) Types of deformities in children resulting from the effects of chemical warfare agents.

c) Determining the health status, diseases, and work capacity of the subjects mentioned in Clause 1, Article 1 of this Decision.

d) Income situation and living conditions of families with members affected by chemical warfare agents.

e) State policies and solutions, community assistance to victims affected by chemical warfare agents: current status and directions for resolution.

3. Duration of the investigation: 2 years (1998 - 1999).

Article 2. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall be responsible for developing the plan and coordinating with relevant agencies and localities to organize the investigation and identification of victims affected by chemical warfare agents used by the United States during the Vietnam War and compile a report on the results.

Article 3. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall coordinate with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Investment regarding the budget for the investigation.

Article 4. This Decision takes effect fifteen days after the date of signature.

Article 5. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-affiliated agencies, Chairpersons of provincial and municipal People's Committees directly under the Central Government are responsible for implementing this Decision.