DECISION No.74/1998/QD-TTg OF APRIL 3, 1998 ON THE SURVEY AND DETERMINATION OF VICTIMS OF TOXIC CHEMICALS USED BY THE UNITED STATES DURING THE VIETNAM WAR

THE PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government of September 30, 1992;

In order to have grounds for devising policies and fundamental measures to overcome the consequences of toxic chemicals used by the United States during the Vietnam War on human being;

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

DECIDES:

Article 1.- To conduct a survey of and determine, the victims of toxic chemicals used by the United States during the Vietnam War throughout the country.

1. Subjects of the survey:

a/ Officers and men of the revolutionary armed forces, cadres of the Party, State and mass organizations and young volunteers, having previously worked, fought or served the combat in areas where the US sprayed toxic chemicals during the war, who have their children born deformed or defective, or have themselves been suffering from serious illness caused by toxic chemicals.

b/ Other subjects who once worked or lived in areas where the US sprayed toxic chemicals during the war and have their children born deformed or defective, or who have themselves been suffering from serious illness caused by the toxic chemicals.

c/ Deformed or defective children who are offsprings of the subjects defined in Point a, Clause 1, Article 1 of this Decision.

d/ Deformed or defective children who are offsprings of the subjects defined in Point b, Clause 1, Article 1 of this Decision.

2. The contents of the survey:

a/ The number of people affected by toxic chemicals as stated in Clause 1, Article 1 of this Decision.

b/ The child deformities caused by toxic chemicals.

c/ The determination of the state of health, illness and working capacity of the subjects defined in Clause 1, Article 1 of this Decision.

d/ The current incomes and living conditions of families having people affected by toxic chemicals.

e/ The State's policies and solutions, the community's assistance to the victims of toxic chemicals: the real situation and the settlement orientation.

3. The survey duration: two years (1998-1999).

Article 2.- The Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs shall have to elaborate plans and coordinate with the concerned agencies and the localities in organizing the survey and determination of victims of toxic chemicals used by the United States during the Vietnam war and make sum-up reports on the results thereof.

Article 3.- The Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs shall consult with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Investment on the fund for the survey..

Article 4.- This Decision takes effect 15 days after its signing.

Article 5.- The ministers, the heads of the ministerial-level agencies, the heads of the agencies attached to the Government and the presidents of the People's Committees of the provinces and cities directly under the Central Government shall have to implement this Decision.

For the Prime Minister

Deputy Prime Minister

PHAM GIA KHIEM