Post by skyhawkdon on Dec 8, 2006 11:22:24 GMT 12
How ironic that Herr Clark will apologise on behalf of the NZ people when she was reportedly active in the anti-US and Vietnam movement in the early 70's. 
What next - an apology for protesting against the purchase of the Skyhawks in 1970??!! ;D Even better how about an apology for scrapping them and making so many of us redundant in 2001! 
Vietnam veterans win last battle
08 December 2006
By HANK SCHOUTEN
Vietnam war veterans with diseases linked to Agent Orange exposure will get $40,000 each under a $30 million compensation package announced yesterday.
The veterans' children who suffered conditions related to their fathers' service will receive $30,000 each.
Spouses of veterans who died of war-linked diseases will also get $25,000 and there will also be a big boost in war pension payments to all war veterans dying of service-related illnesses.
The package – which also includes an apology, another welcome home parade next year, and a promise to overhaul the Veterans Affairs agency and the War Pensions Act – was based on the recommendations of a working group set up last year to investigate veterans' concerns.
Details were finalised after months of negotiations between the Government, the Ex-Vietnam Veterans Association (EVSA) and the Returned Services Association.
Defence Minister Phil Goff said yesterday he hoped the healing process could now begin.
It was 34 years since the last of the 3400 New Zealanders who served in Vietnam returned home and many were angry and bitter at the way they had been treated.
Veterans had waited too long for the Government to recognise they served in a toxic environment and they had also unfairly taken the brunt of public criticism for their service in an unpopular war.
RSA president John Campbell said the package was "worthy, just and fair".
It was a hard-won, comprehensive and reasonable package which had far-reaching benefits for all veterans.
The package met most concerns raised by veterans and in some respects it went beyond what was offered to United States and Australian Vietnam veterans.
However, he was disappointed the Government would not pay back the tax soldiers paid during their active service.
Goff said that instead of paying $5000 to $8000 to all veterans it had decided to target help to those who needed it most.
Campbell also welcomed the independent review of the Government's Veterans Affairs agency.
Campbell said the announcement yesterday would hopefully lead to improved service for all veterans.
The association had lobbied for the creation of Veterans Affairs in 1999 but had been disappointed with its performance and had been pushing for a review for five years, he said.
Problems included underfunding and understaffing, with veterans having to wait up to a year for entitlement applications to be processed.
The association believed Veterans Affairs should be taken out of the Defence Force, should be better funded and staffed, and should operate as a "one-stop shop" for veterans' concerns.
Meanwhile, EVSA Agent Orange project leader Chris Mullane welcomed the package, saying it provided immediate benefits for those in need and a process for dealing with future problems.
What next - an apology for protesting against the purchase of the Skyhawks in 1970??!! ;D Even better how about an apology for scrapping them and making so many of us redundant in 2001! 
Vietnam veterans win last battle
08 December 2006
By HANK SCHOUTEN
Vietnam war veterans with diseases linked to Agent Orange exposure will get $40,000 each under a $30 million compensation package announced yesterday.
The veterans' children who suffered conditions related to their fathers' service will receive $30,000 each.
Spouses of veterans who died of war-linked diseases will also get $25,000 and there will also be a big boost in war pension payments to all war veterans dying of service-related illnesses.
The package – which also includes an apology, another welcome home parade next year, and a promise to overhaul the Veterans Affairs agency and the War Pensions Act – was based on the recommendations of a working group set up last year to investigate veterans' concerns.
Details were finalised after months of negotiations between the Government, the Ex-Vietnam Veterans Association (EVSA) and the Returned Services Association.
Defence Minister Phil Goff said yesterday he hoped the healing process could now begin.
It was 34 years since the last of the 3400 New Zealanders who served in Vietnam returned home and many were angry and bitter at the way they had been treated.
Veterans had waited too long for the Government to recognise they served in a toxic environment and they had also unfairly taken the brunt of public criticism for their service in an unpopular war.
RSA president John Campbell said the package was "worthy, just and fair".
It was a hard-won, comprehensive and reasonable package which had far-reaching benefits for all veterans.
The package met most concerns raised by veterans and in some respects it went beyond what was offered to United States and Australian Vietnam veterans.
However, he was disappointed the Government would not pay back the tax soldiers paid during their active service.
Goff said that instead of paying $5000 to $8000 to all veterans it had decided to target help to those who needed it most.
Campbell also welcomed the independent review of the Government's Veterans Affairs agency.
Campbell said the announcement yesterday would hopefully lead to improved service for all veterans.
The association had lobbied for the creation of Veterans Affairs in 1999 but had been disappointed with its performance and had been pushing for a review for five years, he said.
Problems included underfunding and understaffing, with veterans having to wait up to a year for entitlement applications to be processed.
The association believed Veterans Affairs should be taken out of the Defence Force, should be better funded and staffed, and should operate as a "one-stop shop" for veterans' concerns.
Meanwhile, EVSA Agent Orange project leader Chris Mullane welcomed the package, saying it provided immediate benefits for those in need and a process for dealing with future problems.
