Socialist Republic of Vietnam

(VNA) US war veterans commended the Vietnamese people for their spirit of reconciliation and their support in the search for the remains of the US servicemen reported missing in action (MIA) during the Vietnam War.

The remarks were made during a recent press briefing held in Washington to report on a week-long visit to Vietnam from Jan. 11-17 of 29 members of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF).

The delegation, including people from all walks of life--veterans, their relatives, businessmen, social workers and students--was led by Barry Richard McCaffrey, a retired US Army General and Professor of International Security Studies at the US Military Academy at West Point, and Jan C. Scruggs, VVMF President.

The Vietnamese people’s spirit of reconciliation is heartfelt and moving, McCaffrey told the press.

The visit was aimed at helping the delegation members learn about the current situation in Vietnam , Vietnam-US relations, the lingering effects of past wars and especially issues regarding the clearance of mines and unexploded ordnance in Vietnam .

During the trip, the delegation travelled throughout the country to different cities and provinces from the north to far south, including Hanoi , Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Da Nang , Quang Nam , Ho Chi Minh City and Cu Chi – well-known for its system of underground tunnels used during past wars for liberation.

They also paid a fieldtrip visit to RENEW – a VVMF project on clearing landmines in Quang Tri province and met with government officials, Vietnamese war veterans, entrepreneurs and students.

The VVMF is a non-governmental organisation founded in 1980. Since the first visit by its members in 1995, the organisation has launched various activities, helping to promote bilateral relations between the US and Vietnam by calling on political circles, the people and NGOs in the US to help address the consequences of war in Vietnam./.