Apology to Vietnam veterans a step in the right direction

The crown will apoligise to veterans of the Vietnam war in parliament this week, but more needs to be done to assist them, according to the director of Massey University’s Centre for Defence Studies.

The apology is part of Tribute 08, which recognises the veterans of the war and their families.

Associate Professor Glyn Harper says the apology is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done.

“Vietnam veterans received no counselling, no thank you and no homecoming parade. It was a very unpopular war and the soldiers were an embarassment for elected governments and the public.”

Dr Harper says the compensation package for veterans exposed to agent orange two years ago is not enough.

“The money paid out for healthcare isn’t enough and while the government has promised to review services for children and grandchildren, it is still incredibly vague.”

More than 3500 New Zealanders served in the Vietnam war, with 37 killed and 200 wounded.

Last year a study led by Dr Al Rowland of the Insitute of Molecular BioSciences at Massey University found that Vietnam veterans had suffered significant genetic damage as a result of radiation.

The study has been recognised in the United Kingdom House of Commons.