Darwin veterans reject settlements

Press, 19 May 1984, Page 25

Darwin veterans reject settlements

NZPA-AAP Darwin The Vietnam Veterans’ Association in the Northern Territory has overwhelmingly rejected the recent $lBO million out of court settlement in the Agent Orange class-action case in America. The branch now seeks the support of all other branches within Australia and New Zealand to have the case go to court. More than 20 veterans attended a meeting in Darwin — the first to be held by Vietnam veterans in Australia since the announcement of a sAustlBo million ($NZ273.36 million) out of court settlement on the eve of the action going to court. The action was filed on behalf of Vietnam veterans in America, Australia, and New Zealand.

The Northern Territory branch president, Mr Frank Alcorta. said that the Brisbane lawver. Mr Bill McMillan, who represented the veterans, argued at the meeting that the out of court settlement was the best they could hope for. Mr Alcorta said this was overwhelmingly rejected. “The diggers expressed more interest in finding out the truth about Agent Orange than a fistful of dollars.” he said. “If we accept this settlement the truth about the use and effect of chemical defoliants in Vietnam may never be known. “We will be sending letters to all branches of the association in Australia and New Zealand seeking support. "I have already spoken to the president of the New

Zealand association and he has pledged support." Mr Alcorta said the veterans were also angry they had not been consulted before the out of court settlement was reached. It has been estimated that between 2000 and 3000 Australian and New Zealand veterans would receive less than $5OOO a head compensation from the settlement. The seven companies which produced Agent Orange agreed in the settlement to establish a $lBO million trust fund to provide treatment for dioxin-related problems among veterans. Companies named in the suit were Dow Chemical. Diamond Shamrock Chemicals. Uniroyal Incorporated. Thompson Chemical Corporation. Hercules. Inc.. Monsanto, and T.H. Agriculture and Nutrition.