VIETNAM ON ARF ACTION ON NORTH KOREA

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 BURGHARDT