Agent Orange test results on soil samples from the former baselands at Southside do not suggest the presence of dioxins to be a health risk, Works and Engineering Minister Dennis Lister announced yesterday.

However, Mr. Lister rejected the media's request to release experts' report into safety of land where the lethal defoliant was allegedly dumped and burned while the base was occupied by the US military during the 1960s.

US Army veteran Ronald Slater alleges Agent Orange, now said to cause horrific disfigurements and serious illness to those exposed to it, was disposed at Kindley Field in the 1960s.

Mr. Slater said numerous barrels of the toxic substance were poured into deep pits and set on fire, sending thick smoke over nearby St. David's homes.

He said he was then instructed to bulldoze the remaining waste into the sea.

At a press conference yesterday, Mr. Lister said soil from the base had been sent overseas and examined for dioxins which are the main component of Agent Orange.

"I am pleased to report that testing has confirmed the results found at the time of the departure of the US Navy," he said.

"The most recent testing confirms that dioxin levels in the samples are typical for levels observed in soils Island-wide.

"Quoting the report: 'The analysis of soils taken from the landfill site does not suggest the landfill to be a specific source of dioxins to the surrounding environment.'

"In summary, and most importantly, the results of the extensive testing conducted do not suggest the presence of dioxins to be a health risk."

He declined the media's request to see the report and, when asked why it could not be shared, he replied: "It was done out of public interest. We felt the site was a clean site."

Asked why the public could not see the report if it simply pointed out the site was clean, he said he would give the idea some consideration.

Asked when he would decide it would be released and whether that would be before the General Election, he replied that the analysis had only just been completed and that yesterday's press conference was called to reassure the public.

In July, Mr. Lister had said results would be expected by September 4.

Explaining the delay, he said yesterday: "We had hoped to have had the results prior to now, but the requirements for shipping soil samples overseas (to Canada) and the thorough nature of testing conducted has led to the results only now becoming available."

During the 1960s, millions of gallons of Agent Orange were sprayed across parts of Vietnam by the US military.

Many war veterans who have suffered ill health after being exposed to its chemical clouds have since claimed compensation from the US Government.

Mr. Slater believes his poor health, including Type Two diabetes, was brought on by exposure to Agent Orange and he has been lobbying the US Government for compensation without success for months.

America has consistently said for the past 25 years that Agent Orange was not used anywhere except in South East Asia in the Vietnam War, and has rejected claims it was deployed in a string of places including Panama and Puerto Rico, and parts of America including Hawaii.