DCM MEETS WITH COMMITTEE FOR RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS

UNCLAS HANOI 003047 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV AND DRL/IRF E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KIRF PHUM PREL RELFREE HUMANR SUBJECT: DCM MEETS WITH COMMITTEE FOR RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS CHAIRMAN THI REF: A. SECSTATE 234238 ¶B. HANOI 711 ¶1. (SBU) On November 8, the DCM met with Committee for Religious Affairs (CRA) Chairman Ngo Yen Thi to deliver Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom John Hanford's response to Thi's letter complaining about Vietnam's designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) (ref A). (Note: Thi has recently resumed work after a lengthy illness. End Note) ¶2. (U) After receiving the letter and listening to the DCM's presentation of the U.S. Government's perspective, Thi spoke very broadly about what he perceived as the differences between GVN and USG attitudes towards regulating religion. "You look at specific and localized incidents of abuses and conclude that this Government does not protect religious freedom," he said. "We do ensure religious freedom, but have problems of implementation at the local level." Thi added that some people in Vietnam had created "false or evil" religions simply to gain followers, stressing that it is the duty of the Government to protect people from this. The GVN is determined to protect freedom of religion, and realizes that there have been problems in some localities. However before being able to correct these problems, the Government must have a solid basis of law in effect, Thi explained, the Ordinance on Religion and its implementing regulations, soon to come into effect, will provide that basis. The DCM noted that in the United States, the Government does not make judgments about doctrine, but restricts individual members of religious groups only when they break laws. "We do not start out with the view that a specific religion is wrong based on its teachings or beliefs," he told Thi. ¶3. (U) Responding to DCM's urging for fewer restrictions, Thi noted developments on some specific issues. In the Central Highlands, he said that provincial officials in Dak Lak and Gia Lai had agreed with plans to begin training courses for unlicensed preachers affiliated with the Southern Evangelical Church of Vietnam (SECV). Both provinces are also considering applications to open new SECV congregations, and officials had recently provided land to two congregations in each province to construct new churches. Further, officials are encouraging groups of worshippers with too few members to create an official congregation nonetheless to register their places of worship. Thi added that the SECV is now recruiting a new class for the SECV seminary in HCMC. He claimed that the Evangelical Church of Vietnam: North (ECVN) is close to holding a congress and that the only remaining issues are internal disputes. (Note: The ECVN hopes to hold the long delayed congress, its first in 16 years, in early December. We understand that recent delays may be connected to CRA attempts to influence the nominations of Church leaders. Ref ¶B. End Note) Finally, Thi said that there are "four or five" unregistered Protestant organizations, as well as some other "indigenous religious groups," for which the CRA is considering official recognition. ¶4. (U) Comment: The GVN continues its slow advance to expand the allowed scope of religion. However the Government remains firm that this activity must take place within the official administrative framework. Thi's view of religion as a potentially dangerous entity which requires close oversight is an interesting glimpse into the mindset of Vietnam's leadership. MARINE