[JURIST] Vietnamese plaintiffs have condemned a US district judge's dismissal [JURIST report] of their class action against Agent Orange manufacturers for alleged harms since the defoliant was used by the US military. The lawsuit against Dow Chemical and Monsanto among others had gained incredible momentum in Vietnam, where 11.5 million people signed a petition in support, but US District Judge Jack B. Weinstein dismissed the suit Thursday as having no legal basis. Leaders of Vietnam's Association for Victims of Agent Orange promised to appeal the decision. Lawyers for the plaintiffs also said they may turn to a settlement reached between Agent Orange manufacturers and US veterans in 1984 to push the case forward. A Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesman condemned the ruling [Vietnam News Agency report] on Friday, calling for accountability on the part of the chemical companies. The Vietnam News Agency has local coverage. AFP has more.