Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien works with VNMAC and MND’s MIA Agency

PANO - In the coming time, the Vietnam National Mine Action Center (VNMAC) and MIA Agency should expand international cooperation in settling consequences of post-war unexploded ordnance (UXO) and searching for MIA servicemen and raise the effectiveness of cooperation agreements with foreign partners in this field.

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Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien speaks at the working session.

The request was made by Deputy Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien at the working session on June 16 with the VNMAC and the Ministry of National Defense (MND)’s MIA Agency on the settlement of consequences of post-war UXO and outcomes of the search for U.S. servicemen who were reported missing in action (MIA) during the war in Vietnam.

Gen. Chien, who is Head of the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee on the Settlement of Post-war Unexploded Ordnance and Toxic Chemical Consequences (Steering Committee 701 in short), emphasized the need to popularize knowledge related to the risks of accidents caused by post-war UXO and the outcomes of the Vietnam People’s Army and specialized forces in settling war legacy.

VNMAC’s representative delivers a report on the settlement of consequences of post-war bombs and mines.

The deputy defense minister evaluated that in recent years, VNMAC has well conducted post-war UXO detection and clearance, contributing to freeing land for housing and socio-economic development and reducing losses caused by UXO.

Regarding MIA activities, the defense leader reviewed that Vietnam and the U.S. have conducted 150 search operations and found and repatriated hundreds of sets of remains of U.S. MIA servicemen. He emphasized that the collaboration in this field has become a symbol of the cooperative relationship between the two countries.

An overview of the working session

Praising and acknowledging the VNMAC and MIA Agency’s pro-activeness in carrying out this noble and humane duties, Gen. Chien asked the two units to be fully aware that the settlement of post-war UXO and search for MIA servicemen are urgent but long-term tasks. He requested the VNMAC and MIA Agency to accelerate the progress of the building of a long-term strategy and the compilation of legal documents related to this work and foster specialized training and research activities.

Translated by Tran Hoai