CENTRAL HIGHLANDS: NO PUNISHMENT FOR MOST

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 HANOI 000652

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/BCLTV AND EAP/PD/MSPEER
DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR PRM
DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR DRL/IRF

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/20/2012
TAGS: PHUM PREF PGOV PINS SOCI PREL KIRF VM CB ETMIN HUMANR RELFREE
SUBJECT: CENTRAL HIGHLANDS: NO PUNISHMENT FOR MOST
RETURNEES, BUT SOME QINSTIGATORSQ ARRESTED


CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 02 HANOI 00652 01 OF 03 201147Z
REF: HO CHI MINH CITY 263


1. (U) CLASSIFIED BY CONSUL GENERAL EMI LYNN YAMAUCHI,
HO CHI MINH CITY, FOR REASONS 1.5 (D).


2. (C) SUMMARY: A RELATIVELY MODERATE PASTOR FROM THE
CENTRAL HIGHLANDS SAID THE GVN IS WORKING TO IMPROVE
THE SITUATION FOR ETHNIC MINORITIES, ALTHOUGH PROBLEMS
REMAIN. HE BELIEVES THE OVERWHELMING CAUSE OF
WIDESPREAD TENSIONS IS THE ECONOMIC DISPARITY BETWEEN
ETHNIC MINORITIES AND THE KINH VIETNAMESE MAJORITY.
HE CRITICIZED U.S. MONTAGNARD GROUPS WHO ENCOURAGE
PEOPLE TO LEAVE VIETNAM. RETURNEES FROM THE REFUGEE
CAMPS IN CAMBODIA HAVE GENERALLY NOT BEEN PUNISHED,
EXCEPT FOR A FEW QINSTIGATORSQ WHO CONVINCED OTHERS TO
LEAVE. HE STRESSED THE MEETING AND HIS IDENTITY
SHOULD BE KEPT SECRET. SEPTEL REPORTS ON A BRIEF
SEPARATE DISCUSSION WITH HIS BROTHER. END SUMMARY.

ECONOMIC DISPARITIES CAUSE TENSIONS
--------------

3. (C) DPO AND CONOFF DISCUSSED CONDITIONS IN THE
CENTRAL HIGHLANDS MARCH 19 WITH A PROTESTANT PASTOR
FROM GIA LAI PROVINCE. HE BELIEVES THE GVN'S CURRENT
POLICIES TOWARD ETHNIC MINORITIES ARE GENERALLY BENIGN
AND WELL INTENTIONED. THE POLICIES DEMONSTRATE THAT
THE GVN IS FINALLY INTERESTED IN PAYING ATTENTION TO
MINORITIES. SOME LOCAL OFFICIALS HAVE NOT ABIDED BY
THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT'S POLICIES, BUT THE
OVERWHELMING CAUSE OF WIDESPREAD TENSIONS IS THE
ECONOMIC DISPARITY BETWEEN ETHNIC MINORITIES AND THE
CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 03 HANOI 00652 01 OF 03 201147Z
KINH (VIETNAMESE) MAJORITY.


4. (C) THE GVN'S BASIC RELIGIOUS POLICIES ARE QUITE
GOOD. INDIVIDUAL BELIEVERS CAN PRACTICE THEIR
RELIGION FREELY. SOME PROBLEMS, HOWEVER, PERSIST.
FOR EXAMPLE, THERE IS NO CHURCH IN THE PASTORQS
VILLAGE, ALTHOUGH THE BOARD HOPES TO BUILD A CHURCH IN
GIA LAI SOON. BELIEVERS ALSO FACE PROHIBITIONS ON
GATHERING TO DISCUSS THEIR FAITH OR TO PRAY TOGETHER.
THE REALITY OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, THEREFORE, IS THAT
ACTIVITIES ARE LIMITED TO THEIR HOMES. BUT THE PASTOR
BELIEVES SUCH PROBLEMS ARE NOT SO EGREGIOUS THAT
ETHNIC MINORITY PROTESTANTS MUST LEAVE VIETNAM.


5. (C) THE REAL COMPLAINT OF ETHNIC MINORITIES IN THE
CENTRAL HIGHLANDS IS ECONOMIC, NOT RELIGIOUS,
ACCORDING TO OUR SOURCE. SPECIFICALLY, ETHNIC
MINORITIES ARE UPSET THAT THEIR LIVING CONDITIONS ARE
MUCH WORSE THAN THE KINH MAJORITY. FREQUENTLY THERE
ARE LAND DISPUTES BETWEEN MINORITIES AND KINH, AND THE
REALITY IS THAT THE MINORITIES, BECAUSE THEY ARE POOR
AND NOT WELL CONNECTED, ALMOST ALWAYS LOSE IN LAND
DISPUTES WITH KINH. THOSE MINORITIES WHO CAN STAND
SUCH SUFFERING REMAIN IN VIETNAM, WHILE OTHERS SEEK A
BETTER LIFE ELSEWHERE. THIS LATTER GROUP IS EASY TO
EXPLOIT WITH PROMISES OF RESETTLEMENT TO THE U.S. OR A
FIGHT TO REGAIN THEIR LANDS.


6. (C) ETHNIC MINORITIES WHO LEFT VIETNAM FOR
CAMBODIAN CAMPS FALL INTO FOUR CATEGORIES: (1)
POLITICAL ACTIVISTS; (2) RELIGIOUS ACTIVISTS; (3)
CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 04 HANOI 00652 01 OF 03 201147Z
OPPORTUNISTS WHO HOPE TO RESETTLE IN THE U.S.; AND (4)
THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN DUPED BY INDIVIDUALS BELONGING TO
CATEGORIES ONE AND TWO. THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO
LEFT VIETNAM BELONG IN CATEGORY FOUR, AS DO ALMOST
EVERYONE WHO HAS RETURNED TO VIETNAM THUS FAR.


7. (C) THE REASON MANY PEOPLE LEFT VIETNAM IS THAT
THEY HEARD PROMISES FROM ETHNIC MINORITIES LIVING IN
THE U.S.--SPECIFICALLY SUPPORTERS OF KOK KQSOR, KQSOR
TAR AND KQSOR BLIK--OR THEIR ASSOCIATES IN VIETNAM.
THE PASTOR SAID IT IS DIFFICULT TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER
THE PROMISES MADE ARE TRUTHFUL. HE BELIEVES THE U.S.
GROUPS QHAVE CAUSED DISORDER FOR THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE
CENTRAL HIGHLANDS.Q ONE OF THE VIETNAMESE
"MALEFACTORS" LINKED TO THE U.S.-BASED GROUP, A MR.
NGOL, TRIED TO CONVINCE OUR SOURCE TO LEAVE HIS
VILLAGE. NGOL CLAIMED THAT IF MANY VILLAGERS FLED TO
CAMBODIA, THE U.S. AND UNHCR WOULD QHELP THE FIGHT TO
REGAIN LANDS TAKEN OVER BY THE KINH AND ESTABLISH AN
INDEPENDENT STATE.Q (NOTE: WE CLARIFIED THAT QFIGHTQ
IN THIS CONTEXT MEANS AN ARMED UPRISING.) HE ALSO
PROMISED MONEY AND A BETTER LIFE IN THE U.S.


8. (C) LIFE IS NORMAL FOR MOST OF THOSE WHO HAVE
RETURNED FROM CAMBODIA. IF THEY WERE DUPED, THEY ARE

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL PTQ8559

PAGE 01 HANOI 00652 02 OF 03 201147Z
ACTION EAP-00

INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 DINT-00
DODE-00 DOEE-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 ED-01 FBIE-00
VC-00 HHS-01 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 L-00
VCE-00 AC-01 NSAE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 OPIC-01 PA-00
PC-01 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SP-00 SSO-00
STR-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 ECA-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00
DRL-02 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 SWCI-00 /011W
-------------- 77E77F 201147Z /38
O 201116Z MAR 02
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5888
INFO USMISSION GENEVA
AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH
NSC WASHDC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 03 HANOI 000652

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/BCLTV AND EAP/PD/MSPEER
DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR PRM
DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR DRL/IRF

CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 02 HANOI 00652 02 OF 03 201147Z
NOT PUNISHED OR DISCRIMINATED AGAINST. A FEW PEOPLE
HAVE BEEN ARRESTED, BUT QTHEY DESERVE TO BE IN
DETENTION BECAUSE THEY LURED MANY PEOPLE TO LEAVE
THEIR VILLAGES. THEIR DECEPTIONS CAUSED SOCIAL
DISHARMONY FOR THOSE WHO REMAINED BEHIND.Q AT LEAST
ONE SUCH DECEIVER IS STILL IN CAMBODIA.


9. (C) OUR SOURCE CONSIDERS IT NORMAL TO HAVE DISPUTES
WHEN DIFFERENT GROUPS LIVE TOGETHER. THE SITUATION
BECAME MUCH MORE SERIOUS WHEN FULRO CALLED FOR AN
UPRISING TO TAKE BACK THE LAND. THE RECENT SHIFT TO A
MARKET ECONOMY HAS MADE THINGS WORSE. IN THE PAST
EVERYTHING WAS SUBSIDIZED. NOW, THE MINORITIES ARE
BEING LEFT FARTHER BEHIND AND FEEL THEY CANQT CATCH
UP. THE GVN HAS AGREED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE, BUT IT
IS NOT ENOUGH YET.

IMPROVEMENTS FOR PROTESTANTS, BUT PROBLEMS REMAIN
-------------- --------------

10. (C) OUR SOURCE THINKS QNON-BELIEVERSQ (NON-
CHRISTIANS) GET MORE HELP FROM THE GOVERNMENT THAN
BELIEVERS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR EDUCATION. HE
ASKED THE HEAD OF THE GIA LAI PEOPLEQS COMMITTEE WHY
THERE WERE NO PROTESTANT STUDENTS IN ETHNIC MINORITY
BOARDING SCHOOLS. HE WAS TOLD THE SCHOOLS WERE
DESIGNED TO TRAIN FUTURE OFFICIALS FOR THE ETHNIC
MINORITY COMMUNITY. OTHER LOCAL OFFICIALS TOLD HIM
THAT AS LONG AS RESOURCES WERE SO SCARCE, THE SCHOOLS
WOULD FAVOR THE CHILDREN OF LOCAL MINORITY OFFICIALS.


11. (C) CONDITIONS FOR PROTESTANTS HAVE IMPROVED SINCE
CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 03 HANOI 00652 02 OF 03 201147Z
THE PROTESTANT CHURCH OF VIETNAM (SOUTH) (PCVS) WAS
RECOGNIZED. BEFORE PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED FOR PRAYING
(INCLUDING OUR SOURCE IN 1992). AS RECENTLY AS 1999,
THEY WERE OFTEN QINVITEDQ TO SPEAK WITH THE LOCAL
POLICE. OUR SOURCE KNEW OF NO SUCH HARASSMENT IN 2001
OR THIS YEAR. ALTHOUGH THE LOCAL COMMUNIST PARTY AND
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT HAVE SHOWN MORE UNDERSTANDING
LATELY, THEY HAVE ONLY ALLOWED A SMALL NUMBER OF
OFFICIAL PASTORS AND PARISHES/DIOCESES TO BE
ESTABLISHED SINCE THE PCVS WAS RECOGNIZED. QWE
EXPECTED A LOT BUT HAVE ONLY BEEN ALLOWED A LITTLE.Q
THE SITUATION VARIES BY PROVINCE: GIA LAI IS A QLITTLE
BITQ BETTER THAN DAK LAK. KON TUM IS THE MOST
DIFFICULT. LAM DONG, THE FOURTH CENTRAL HIGHLAND
PROVINCE, IS QTOTALLY DIFFERENT,Q WITH OVER 100
PASTORS.

IS IT SAFE TO RETURN?
--------------

12. (C) DURING THE MEETING, OUR SOURCE RECEIVED A
PHONE REPORT REGARDING TWO PASTORS AND THE WIFE OF A
PASTOR WHO WERE PART OF A DELEGATION THAT ACCOMPANIED
A GROUP OF RETURNEES FROM THE MONDOLKIRI CAMP TO DAK
LAK PROVINCE. THEY SAID LIFE WAS VERY DIFFICULT IN
THE CAMP AND THAT MANY MORE PEOPLE THERE WANTED TO
RETURN. OUR SOURCE SAID HE HAD PERSONALLY SPOKEN WITH
MANY PEOPLE WHO HAD ALREADY RETURNED. THOSE WHO CAME
BACK IN AN QORDERLYQ FASHION HAD NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS.
SOME WHO RETURNED ON THEIR OWN -- BEFORE THE
TRIPARTITE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED -- HAD BEEN ARRESTED
BY CAMBODIAN SOLDIERS AND TURNED OVER TO VIETNAMESE
CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 04 HANOI 00652 02 OF 03 201147Z
SOLDIERS. THEY WERE BEATEN BY THE SOLDIERS ON BOTH
SIDES, BUT WERE NOT BEATEN AGAIN ONCE THEY RETURNED
HOME.


13. (C) OUR SOURCE HAD BEEN ASKED BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES
TO GO TO THE CAMPS TO URGE PEOPLE TO RETURN, BUT HE
REFUSED BECAUSE HE DID NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
FOR THEIR DECISION TO RETURN. HAD HE GONE, HE WOULD
HAVE TOLD THE REFUGEES TO FOLLOW THE BIBLE BUT ALSO BE
GOOD CITIZENS AND FOLLOW THE GOVERNMENT'S LAWS. HE
MIGHT TELL THEM ABOUT THE TRUE SITUATION AT HOME --
THAT EVERYTHING IS BASICALLY NORMAL -- BUT HE WOULD
NOT TELL THEM WHAT TO DO. THE GOVERNMENT SAYS IT'S
SAFE TO RETURN AND HE WOULD NOT WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT
BEING UNSAFE.


14. (C) ASKED HOW IT MIGHT BE UNSAFE, HE REPLIED THAT
THOSE WHO CROSSED THE BORDER CAUSED INSTABILITY. WHEN
THEY RETURN, HE THINKS THAT THEY WILL BE WATCHED
CLOSELY. AS FOR THOSE WHO CONVINCED OTHERS TO LEAVE,
HE BELIEVES THE AUTHORITIES WILL DEAL WITH THEM
QAPPROPRIATELY.Q HE IS ALSO CONCERNED THAT OTHER
VILLAGERS WILL BE PREJUDICED AGAINST THOSE WHO LEFT,
COMPARING THIS TO A WOUND THAT LEAVES A SCAR BUT HEALS
AFTER A SHORT TIME. IT WOULD BE WORSE IF PEOPLE

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL PTQ8561

PAGE 01 HANOI 00652 03 OF 03 201147Z
ACTION EAP-00

INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 DINT-00
DODE-00 DOEE-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 ED-01 FBIE-00
VC-00 HHS-01 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 L-00
VCE-00 AC-01 NSAE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 OPIC-01 PA-00
PC-01 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SP-00 SSO-00
STR-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 ECA-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00
DRL-02 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 SWCI-00 /011W
-------------- 77E788 201147Z /38
O 201116Z MAR 02
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5889
INFO USMISSION GENEVA
AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH
NSC WASHDC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 03 HANOI 000652

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/BCLTV AND EAP/PD/MSPEER
DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR PRM
DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR DRL/IRF

CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 02 HANOI 00652 03 OF 03 201147Z
SETTLED IN THIRD COUNTRIES, SINCE THIS WOULD CAUSE
MORE PEOPLE TO LEAVE AND CREATE FURTHER INSTABILITY.
IN HIS OPINION, IT WOULD BE BEST FOR PEOPLE TO COME
HOME.

GOOD INTENTIONS, BUT RHETORIC OUTPACES REFORM
--------------

15. (C) OUR SOURCE SAID HE HAD CELEBRATED CHRISTMAS
WITHOUT INCIDENT. ABOUT 150 BELIEVERS CAME TO HIS
HOUSE TO PRAY. SOME LOCAL POLICE ARRIVED, BUT THEY
STAYED OUTSIDE AND DID NOT INTERFERE. WHEN HE HAD A
CHRISTMAS PARTY, HE MADE A POINT OF INVITING SOME OF
THE LOCAL OFFICIALS INSIDE. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS.
THE SITUATION VARIED ACCORDING TO LOCALITY. HE KNEW
OF ONE VILLAGE WHERE PEOPLE HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO
GATHER AT CHRISTMAS. IT WAS IN AN AREA WHERE THERE
HAD BEEN DEMONSTRATIONS IN FEBRUARY OF 2001, AFTER
WHICH SOME RESIDENTS HAD GONE TO CAMBODIA. HE HAS
HEARD STORIES OF PROTESTANTS WHO WERE FORCED TO DRINK
PIG'S BLOOD WITH WINE, BUT HE DOES NOT BELIEVE THE
SOURCES AND NEVER WITNESSED SUCH TREATMENT HIMSELF.
HE THINKS THE PEOPLE THAT SPREAD THESE RUMORS HAVE
ULTERIOR MOTIVES.


16. (C) OUR SOURCE CONCLUDED THAT, IN HIS VIEW, THE
GVN IS TRYING TO IMPROVE ITS POLICIES TOWARDS ETHNIC
MINORITIES AND PROTESTANTS. BUT RHETORIC OUTPACES
ACTUAL REFORMS. HE THINKS RELIGIOUS LEADERS, WHEN
CONFRONTED WITH PROBLEMS, SHOULD SIT DOWN WITH
OFFICIALS TO WORK THINGS OUT. THERE ARE TOO MANY
POLITICIANS, AND NOT ENOUGH FARMERS AND BUSINESSMEN,
CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 03 HANOI 00652 03 OF 03 201147Z
IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT. THE MINORITIES IN THE CENTRAL
HIGHLANDS HAVE BEEN IGNORED SINCE BEFORE 1975. EVEN
NOW THERE IS ALMOST NO WORK FOR THEM IN FACTORIES OR
ON THE COFFEE AND RUBBER PLANTATIONS. THEY ARE LESS
EFFICIENT THAN ETHNIC KINH AND USUALLY GET FIRED FOR
THIS. INSTEAD, THEY SHOULD BE GIVEN TRAINING. AS FOR
EDUCATION, UNTIL THINGS CHANGE, PROTESTANTS SHOULD
QFAKE ITQ AND CHECK QNONBELIEVERQ ON THE ENTRANCE
FORMS.


17. (C) HE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE U.S.-BASED ETHNIC
MINORITIES BE MORE HELPFUL. THEY SHOULD NOT TELL
ETHNIC MINORITIES THE U.S. GOVERNMENT WILL HELP THEM
FIGHT TO REGAIN LAND FOR A DEGA STATE, WHICH CANNOT BE
ACHIEVED. INSTEAD, THE U.S.-BASED GROUPS SHOULD
PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO DEVELOP THE ECONOMY AND IMPROVE
LIVING CONDITIONS FOR THE ETHNIC MINORITIES STILL IN
VIETNAM.

COMMENT
--------------

18. (C) IT IS DIFFICULT TO ASSESS INFORMATION ON THE
CENTRAL HIGHLANDS. IT IS ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT TO
GENERALIZE FROM ANY SINGLE SOURCE SINCE LOCAL
CONDITIONS VARY WIDELY. EVEN NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES
OFTEN DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT EACH OTHER. THIS
SOURCE IS PART OF THE RECENTLY RECOGNIZED PCVS AND
CLEARLY FAVORS WORKING WITH THE GVN. HE IS NOT
UNCRITICAL, HOWEVER, AND HE IS WELL PLACED TO PROVIDE
FIRST-HAND REPORTING. HIS BASIC POINTS SEEM TO BE IN
LINE WITH OTHER CREDIBLE SOURCES. ETHNIC MINORITIES
CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 04 HANOI 00652 03 OF 03 201147Z
IN THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS HAVE SERIOUS PROBLEMS, MOST
OF THEM ECONOMIC. THE GVN IS SUSPICIOUS OF ANY
ORGANIZED RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY, PARTICULARLY IF IT IS
TIED TO A FULRO PAST AND A DEGA STATE PRESENT. YET
THERE IS CONSIDERABLE PERSONAL FREEDOM TO WORSHIP.
THERE ARE CASES OF INDIVIDUAL ABUSES, BUT SO FAR WE
HAVE NOT SEEN EVIDENCE OF WIDESPREAD FEAR OR SYSTEMIC
WHOLESALE REPRESSION.
BURGHARDT

CONFIDENTIAL