In an open letter to mark the 43rd anniversary of the start of wartime herbicide spraying operations, the state-controlled Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange said justice was long overdue.

"For the sake of justice and noble conscience, please raise your voices and demand that the US court conducts serious litigation proceedings and that the US chemical corporations meet their compensation liabilities," it said.

On January 30, a lawsuit against more than 30 American chemical companies was filed in the US Federal Court in Brooklyn, New York by the Association.

The suit was lodged on behalf of three adults in Vietnam and all other Vietnamese nationals exposed to herbicides during the war.

The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages from the companies, who the Association said "gained enormous profits from the suffering of millions of people".

The defendants, who include subsidiaries of New York Stock Exchange-listed giants Dow Chemical, Monsanto and Occidental Petroleum, are accused of complicity to war crimes and crimes against humanity, among other charges.

The defendants are expected to file a motion in September to have the case dismissed, but Constantine Kokkoris, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs, told AFP last month that he was confident it would not be thrown out.

From August 10, 1961 until 1971, the US and South Vietnamese military sprayed millions of litres of toxic herbicides over South Vietnam to destroy the vegetation used by communist forces for cover and food.

Various herbicide mixtures identified by colored stripes on their containers, were used during the spraying programme, which was known as Operation Ranch Hand. Agent Orange was the most common mixture used.

The Association said the herbicide continues to have devastating consequences.

"The war is over. The country has made her marvellous rebirth. Millions of people have nevertheless been subject to deadly, incurable diseases due to dioxin exposure," it said.

"Thousands of them have died in agony with deep indignation towards the perpetrators of the crimes."

Dioxin, Agent Orange's deadly component, can cause an increased risk of cancers, immunodeficiencies, reproductive and developmental changes, nervous system problems and other health effects, according to medical experts.

However, the legacy of the defoliant remains a source of contention between the Vietnamese and US governments, who only established diplomatic relations in 1995, two decades after the war ended.

Washington insists there is no direct evidence linking dioxin with any illnesses but two years ago agreed to more research into its impact.

The Association, however, said the victims' patience had finally run out.

"This legal action is being carried out for the sake of future generations. It is being undertaken for the solemn right to life of every human being."

US chemical companies engaged in the production of Agent Orange have found themselves in the dock before.

In 1984, in a class action settlement with no admission of liability, manufacturers agreed to pay 180 million dollars to US war veterans who died or became ill after exposure to Agent Orange or other defoliants.

WAR.WIRE