Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
01HANOI2962
2001-11-14 01:19:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Hanoi
Cable title:
NHAN DAN ON FATHER LY'S SENTENCE
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. 140119Z Nov 01 2001HANOI02962 - UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED PTO7492 PAGE 01 HANOI 02962 140144Z ACTION EAP-00 INFO LOG-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DINT-00 DODE-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 ED-01 EUR-00 FBIE-00 UTED-00 HHS-01 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 L-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OIC-02 OPIC-01 PC-01 PRS-00 P-00 SP-00 SS-00 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 SNIS-00 NISC-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-02 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /009W ------------------3DDF39 140144Z /38 FM AMEMBASSY HANOI TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4657 INFO AMEMBASSY VATICAN AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY
UNCLAS HANOI 002962
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV AND DRL/RF
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM SOCI PINS VM HUMANR RELFREE
SUBJECT: NHAN DAN ON FATHER LY'S SENTENCE
REF: A. HANOI 2884 B. HANOI 2789
UNCLAS HANOI 002962
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV AND DRL/RF
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM SOCI PINS VM HUMANR RELFREE
SUBJECT: NHAN DAN ON FATHER LY'S SENTENCE
REF: A. HANOI 2884 B. HANOI 2789
1. (U) A SIGNED COMMENTARY UNDER THE HEADLINE OF "NO ONE
HAS THE RIGHT TO INTERFERE" IN NHAN DAN, THE LEADING PARTY
DAILY NEWSPAPER, ON NOVEMBER 13 DENOUNCED FOREIGN MEDIA
COVERAGE, ESPECIALLY BY RFI AND BBC, REGARDING THE 15 YEAR
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 HANOI 02962 140144Z
CUMULATIVE SENTENCES GIVEN TO FATHER NGUYEN VAN LY ON
OCTOBER 19. IT INCLUDED SOME QUOTES FROM INTERNATIONAL
COVERAGE SUCH AS "CALLING ON THE GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM TO
RESPECT HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND REJECT THE
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 31/CP REGARDING ADMINISTRATIVE
DETENTION"
2. (U) THE COMMENTARY DESCRIBED THE "TRUTH" AS BEING THAT
FATHER LY HAD VIOLATED THE LAW BY "CAUSING DIVISIONS AMONG
RELIGIOUS BELIEVERS, WITH AN AFFECT ON ORDER, SECURITY AND
THE PEACEFUL LIFE OF THE PEOPLE," BY "TWISTING THE TRUTH"
AND BY "DAMAGING THE POLICY OF SOLIDARITY AMONG THE ENTIRE
POPULATION." IT REITERATED THE "CONSISTENT POLICY" OF THE
PARTY AND STATE WAS TO RESPECT FREEDOM OF BELIEF AND NON-
BELIEF, BUT WARNED THAT ANY INSTANCE OF VIOLATING THE LAW
WILL BE "DEALT WITH BY THE LAW."
3. (SBU) COMMENT: THE GVN CONTINUES TO TRY TO PORTRAY
FATHER LY'S CASE AS A LAW AND ORDER ISSUE, RATHER THAN A
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY ISSUE. OFFICIAL SENSITIVITY TO EXTERNAL
CRITICISM IS APPARENT IN THE INCLUSION IN THIS SEMI-
DEFINITIVE COMMENTARY OF DIRECTLY CRITICAL COMMENTS MADE BY
OUTSIDE OBSERVERS; THEY ARE PROBABLY WELL AWARE THAT
INTERNATIONAL NEWS PROGRAMS ARE POPULAR AND FELT THEY NEEDED
TO REACT TO SUCH CRITICISM FACE-ON.
PORTER
UNCLASSIFIED
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV AND DRL/RF
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM SOCI PINS VM HUMANR RELFREE
SUBJECT: NHAN DAN ON FATHER LY'S SENTENCE
REF: A. HANOI 2884 B. HANOI 2789
1. (U) A SIGNED COMMENTARY UNDER THE HEADLINE OF "NO ONE
HAS THE RIGHT TO INTERFERE" IN NHAN DAN, THE LEADING PARTY
DAILY NEWSPAPER, ON NOVEMBER 13 DENOUNCED FOREIGN MEDIA
COVERAGE, ESPECIALLY BY RFI AND BBC, REGARDING THE 15 YEAR
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 HANOI 02962 140144Z
CUMULATIVE SENTENCES GIVEN TO FATHER NGUYEN VAN LY ON
OCTOBER 19. IT INCLUDED SOME QUOTES FROM INTERNATIONAL
COVERAGE SUCH AS "CALLING ON THE GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM TO
RESPECT HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND REJECT THE
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 31/CP REGARDING ADMINISTRATIVE
DETENTION"
2. (U) THE COMMENTARY DESCRIBED THE "TRUTH" AS BEING THAT
FATHER LY HAD VIOLATED THE LAW BY "CAUSING DIVISIONS AMONG
RELIGIOUS BELIEVERS, WITH AN AFFECT ON ORDER, SECURITY AND
THE PEACEFUL LIFE OF THE PEOPLE," BY "TWISTING THE TRUTH"
AND BY "DAMAGING THE POLICY OF SOLIDARITY AMONG THE ENTIRE
POPULATION." IT REITERATED THE "CONSISTENT POLICY" OF THE
PARTY AND STATE WAS TO RESPECT FREEDOM OF BELIEF AND NON-
BELIEF, BUT WARNED THAT ANY INSTANCE OF VIOLATING THE LAW
WILL BE "DEALT WITH BY THE LAW."
3. (SBU) COMMENT: THE GVN CONTINUES TO TRY TO PORTRAY
FATHER LY'S CASE AS A LAW AND ORDER ISSUE, RATHER THAN A
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY ISSUE. OFFICIAL SENSITIVITY TO EXTERNAL
CRITICISM IS APPARENT IN THE INCLUSION IN THIS SEMI-
DEFINITIVE COMMENTARY OF DIRECTLY CRITICAL COMMENTS MADE BY
OUTSIDE OBSERVERS; THEY ARE PROBABLY WELL AWARE THAT
INTERNATIONAL NEWS PROGRAMS ARE POPULAR AND FELT THEY NEEDED
TO REACT TO SUCH CRITICISM FACE-ON.
PORTER
UNCLASSIFIED