Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05HANOI1197
2005-05-23 07:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Hanoi
Cable title:
VIETNAM: TRADE OFFICIAL'S FRANK ASSESSMENT OF WTO
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. 230725Z May 05 ACTION EAP-00 INFO LOG-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AIT-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 COME-00 CTME-00 INL-00 DODE-00 EB-00 EXIM-01 E-00 VC-00 FRB-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 ITC-01 JUSE-00 VCE-00 AC-00 NRC-00 NSAE-00 OES-00 OIC-00 OMB-00 ACE-00 FMPC-00 SP-00 SSO-00 STR-00 TRSE-00 EVR-00 BBG-00 IIP-00 DRL-00 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /002W ------------------F34F5C 230729Z /38 FM AMEMBASSY HANOI TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7709 INFO USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L HANOI 001197
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV AND EB
STATE PASS USTR FOR EBRYAN AND GHICKS
GENEVA FOR USTR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2015
TAGS: ETRD VM WTRO WTO
SUBJECT: VIETNAM: TRADE OFFICIAL'S FRANK ASSESSMENT OF WTO
NEGOTIATIONS, MINISTER'S HEALTH
Classified By: Economic Counselor Samuel R. Watson. Reason 1.4(b and d
).
C O N F I D E N T I A L HANOI 001197
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV AND EB
STATE PASS USTR FOR EBRYAN AND GHICKS
GENEVA FOR USTR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2015
TAGS: ETRD VM WTRO WTO
SUBJECT: VIETNAM: TRADE OFFICIAL'S FRANK ASSESSMENT OF WTO
NEGOTIATIONS, MINISTER'S HEALTH
Classified By: Economic Counselor Samuel R. Watson. Reason 1.4(b and d
).
1. (C) During a casual meeting with Econoff on May 20, Mr.
Nguyen Hong Duong (strictly protect),Deputy Director of the
America's Department at the Ministry of Trade, told Econoff
he did not expect major breakthroughs during WTO bilateral
negotiations with the United States in Washington June 13-16.
Duong noted that although Vice Minister of Trade Luong Van
Tu (the GVN's chief negotiator for WTO) will lead the GVN
delegation this time, he doubts the delegation will have
authority to make significant concessions. Duong said VM Tu
does not have significantly more authority than a director
general and WTO decisions are "beyond the Government." Duong
speculated that the GVN delegation will come with general
instructions for the negotiations but will not have the
ability to make tough decisions on specific issues. (Note:
Duong does not have primary responsibility for WTO issues.
However, he was part of the GVN's negotiating team during
negotiation of the U.S.-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement
(BTA) and is very familiar with GVN negotiating strategies
and constraints. End Note.)
2. (C) When asked about Minister Truong Dinh Tuyen's health,
Duong responded that the Minister remains "very frail" and
has only been in the office once or twice since getting out
of the hospital in late April. It appears the Minister is
having difficulty concentrating on briefings provided by his
staff. (Note: Minister Tuyen had surgery on his stomach in
April after several weeks of hospitalization. There are
rumors he was suffering from stomach cancer and had to have
two-thirds of his stomach removed. End Note.) Duong said
that although the Prime Minister wants Minister Tuyen to
accompany him on his trip to the United States in late June,
it is unlikely the Minister will be strong enough to travel.
It is not clear whether VM Tu will stay in the United States
or if America's Department Director Nguyen Cam Tu will travel
with the Prime Minister.
3. (C) Bio note: Duong has worked for the Ministry of Trade
for about fifteen years. His wife is an "expert" in the
textile office of MOT's Export-Import Department. They have
two children. Duong's father-in-law Nguyen Dinh Luong
retired from MOT with the rank of Assistant Minister in early
2003. Duong speaks excellent English and has a law degree
from a university in Moscow. Duong participated in a
International Visitor's Program (IVP) last year. Before
coming to MOT, he worked for an arbitration board at the
Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Duong is very
frank and outspoken, characteristics which have reportedly
hindered his advancement within the Ministry of Trade.
Boardman
NNNN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV AND EB
STATE PASS USTR FOR EBRYAN AND GHICKS
GENEVA FOR USTR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2015
TAGS: ETRD VM WTRO WTO
SUBJECT: VIETNAM: TRADE OFFICIAL'S FRANK ASSESSMENT OF WTO
NEGOTIATIONS, MINISTER'S HEALTH
Classified By: Economic Counselor Samuel R. Watson. Reason 1.4(b and d
).
1. (C) During a casual meeting with Econoff on May 20, Mr.
Nguyen Hong Duong (strictly protect),Deputy Director of the
America's Department at the Ministry of Trade, told Econoff
he did not expect major breakthroughs during WTO bilateral
negotiations with the United States in Washington June 13-16.
Duong noted that although Vice Minister of Trade Luong Van
Tu (the GVN's chief negotiator for WTO) will lead the GVN
delegation this time, he doubts the delegation will have
authority to make significant concessions. Duong said VM Tu
does not have significantly more authority than a director
general and WTO decisions are "beyond the Government." Duong
speculated that the GVN delegation will come with general
instructions for the negotiations but will not have the
ability to make tough decisions on specific issues. (Note:
Duong does not have primary responsibility for WTO issues.
However, he was part of the GVN's negotiating team during
negotiation of the U.S.-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement
(BTA) and is very familiar with GVN negotiating strategies
and constraints. End Note.)
2. (C) When asked about Minister Truong Dinh Tuyen's health,
Duong responded that the Minister remains "very frail" and
has only been in the office once or twice since getting out
of the hospital in late April. It appears the Minister is
having difficulty concentrating on briefings provided by his
staff. (Note: Minister Tuyen had surgery on his stomach in
April after several weeks of hospitalization. There are
rumors he was suffering from stomach cancer and had to have
two-thirds of his stomach removed. End Note.) Duong said
that although the Prime Minister wants Minister Tuyen to
accompany him on his trip to the United States in late June,
it is unlikely the Minister will be strong enough to travel.
It is not clear whether VM Tu will stay in the United States
or if America's Department Director Nguyen Cam Tu will travel
with the Prime Minister.
3. (C) Bio note: Duong has worked for the Ministry of Trade
for about fifteen years. His wife is an "expert" in the
textile office of MOT's Export-Import Department. They have
two children. Duong's father-in-law Nguyen Dinh Luong
retired from MOT with the rank of Assistant Minister in early
2003. Duong speaks excellent English and has a law degree
from a university in Moscow. Duong participated in a
International Visitor's Program (IVP) last year. Before
coming to MOT, he worked for an arbitration board at the
Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Duong is very
frank and outspoken, characteristics which have reportedly
hindered his advancement within the Ministry of Trade.
Boardman
NNNN