GVN to Return Great Seals to USG

UNCLAS HANOI 001300 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/BCLTV, L/EAP HO CHI MINH CITY FOR CONS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL VM SUBJECT: GVN to Return Great Seals to USG 1.(SBU) Deputy Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Consular Department, Truong Xuan Thanh, and Charge met May 27 to discuss the return of two Great Seals of the United States that have been in the possession of the GVN since 1975. This was a follow-on of discussions between Ambassador Marine and Vice Foreign Minister Le Van Bang. ¶2. (SBU) According to MFA, both seals bear the inscription, "Consulate General, United States of America." Our original request was for the return of the seal taken from the consular section of the former U.S. Embassy in Saigon and displayed in a museum in Ho Chi Minh City. MFA has told us that the second seal was in the possession of a military museum in Hanoi, but they do not know from which consulate general it was taken. ¶3. (SBU) Thanh proposed that the seals be returned to the Ambassador in a low-key but formal ceremony prior to the visit of the Prime Minister to Washington. While no media would be invited to the ceremony, the GVN would like to coordinate with the USG a press release noting the handover. Thanh suggested that we agree on a text of "minutes" to be signed by both parties at the time of the handover. After several exchanges with MFA, we have tentatively agreed on the following text. ¶3. (SBU) Begin text: MINUTES ON THE RETURN BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM OF 02 (TWO) PLAQUES, EACH DEPICTING THE GREAT SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES, TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA At the formal request of the Government of the United States of America; To implement the Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the United States of America signed on 28 January 1995 concerning the transfer of diplomatic properties; The Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam agrees to return to the Government of the United States of America 02 (two) plaques, each depicting the Great Seal of the United States and bearing the inscription "Consulate General, United States of America." Prior to 1975, the plaques were located in diplomatic establishments of the United States. On .. June 2005, at ..., Mr. Bui Dinh Dinh - Director General of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam returned the two above-mentioned plaques to Michael W. Marine, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America in Hanoi. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the two representatives have signed these Minutes acknowledging the return of the two plaques. These Minutes are made in Hanoi on .. June 2005 in 02 (two) originals in Vietnamese and English and both versions are equally valid. ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF THE UNITED STATES OF OF VIETNAM AMERICA BUI DINH DINH - DIRECTOR MICHAEL W. MARINE GENERAL OF THE CONSULAR AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND DEPARTMENT, MINISTRY OF PLENIPOTENTIARY FOREIGN AFFAIRS End text. MARINE NNNN