Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien made the suggestion at the reception for U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) Kelly K. McKeague at the headquarters of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense on June 7.
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Vietnam, U.S. to promote cooperation in settlement of war legacy. In the photo: Gen. Chien receiving U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) Kelly K. McKeague
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Gen. Chien underlined the fruitful development of the Vietnam - U.S. comprehensive partnership and the achievements in different areas. He highlighted the guest’s visit in the context of the 50th founding anniversary of the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP) and 35 years of the joint search for U.S. servicemen missing in action (MIA) during the war, important milestones in the two countries’ collaboration in addressing the consequences of war.
The host spoke highly of the U.S. agency’s contribution to promoting the two countries’ relations, particularly their cooperation in settlement of war legacy. He stressed that the aforementioned joint search is the first bridge and contact channel between the political circles of the two countries, helping the two peoples better understand each other's goodwill and humanitarian policies.
According to the Vietnamese general, the two sides are conducting the 151st joint search. Moreover, on the basis of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on jointly searching and gathering fallen troops signed in July 2021, the two sides are actively carrying out the inked contents, reaping remarkable outcomes in searching and gathering remains of Vietnamese troops who died in the war.
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Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien presenting souvenir to U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) Kelly K. McKeague |
So far, the U.S. side has provided Vietnam with over 30 sets of files on Vietnamese soldiers who died or went missing in the war in Vietnam and a number of war memorabilia. General Chien said that it is the field that the Vietnamese MND is willing to continue to receive support from the U.S. He gave the fact that some 180,000 Vietnamese martyrs have not been found.
Regarding the cooperation in dioxin detoxification and mine clearance via the USAID, the host highly praised the effective cooperation in the dioxin detoxification project in Da Nang Airport which was completed in 2018, the ongoing project to detoxify dioxin-contaminated areas in Bien Hoa Airport, the support to improve living standards of Vietnamese with disabilities in dioxin-heavily contaminated provinces, and communications on addressing consequences of war and post-war toxic chemicals.
Gen. Chien suggested the U.S. side increase support resources for Vietnam to overcome consequences of post-war unexploded ordnance (UXO), effectively implement communications projects on joint efforts in addressing UXO and dioxin consequences, and promote the effective implementation of cooperation contents according to the above-mentioned MoU.
For his part, Director Kelly K. McKeague said that the two countries’ cooperation potential in fields is still huge. He added that his Vietnam visit aimed to participate in VNOSMP’s 50th anniversary and the celebration of the 35 years of MIA cooperation.
The U.S. official confirmed that the U.S. Government will continue to fulfill its commitments in war legacy settlement in Vietnam. He wished the U.S. and Vietnam to constantly exert efforts to promote the cooperation in this regard and stressed that his agency will do its utmost to contribute to bringing more efficiency to this cooperation field.
Translated by Mai Huong