UNCLAS HANOI 000433

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/RSP AND EAP/BCLTV

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KN VM ASEAN DPRK
SUBJECT: VIETNAM ON ARF ACTION ON NORTH KOREA


1. (U) In a diplomatic note dated February 21, the MFA's
ASEAN Department requested all ARF member Embassies in Hanoi
transmit to their Foreign Ministers a copy of a February 21
letter from Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien to Cambodian
Foreign Minister Hor Hamhong expressing qualified support
for the establishment of a "friends of ARF Chair" to discuss
the situation on the Korean peninsula. FM Nien specifically
acknowledged the importance of US and Korean concurrence.
Full text in para 2.


2. (U) Begin text
Ha Noi, 21 February, 2003

H.E. Mr. Hor Hamhong
Senior Minister,
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Phnom Penh

Dear Mr. Chairman,

With reference to your letter dated 11th February 2003
concerning the situation on the Korean peninsula, I fully
share your view and would like to reaffirm Viet Nam's strong
support for Cambodia's active role as the current ARF Chair.

Concerning your intention to invite some Foreign Ministers
from ARF countries to serve as "friends of ARF Chair," I am
of the view that if you sense the consensus from other
responses, particularly from countries directly concerned
like China, the USA, Russia, Japan and two Koreas, then I
would support the establishment of such a group. With
regards to your suggestion that two ASEAN Foreign Ministers
and another two from non-ASEAN countries be invited, I would
follow Mr. Chairman's and other ASEAN Colleagues' guidance
on who should be invited. From ASEAN countries, may I
propose that Brunei Darussalam -- the Former Chair, and
Indonesia - the Incoming Chair, be the first choices.

Please accept, Mr. Chairman, the renewed assurances of my
highest consideration and best wishes.

Sincerely yours,

//s// Nguyen Dy Nien
Minister for Foreign Affairs
The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

cc: ARF Foreign Ministers
end text
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