Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05HANOI1303
2005-06-03 10:09:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Hanoi
Cable title:  

GVN CONSIDERS RESUMPTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DIALOGUE

Tags:  PHUM PREL PGOV VM HUMANR 
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UNCLAS HANOI 001303 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV and DRL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV VM HUMANR
SUBJECT: GVN CONSIDERS RESUMPTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DIALOGUE

Ref: A) State 98765, B) May 28 Jackson-Zaring email

UNCLAS HANOI 001303

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV and DRL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV VM HUMANR
SUBJECT: GVN CONSIDERS RESUMPTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DIALOGUE

Ref: A) State 98765, B) May 28 Jackson-Zaring email


1. (SBU) DCM delivered Ref A demarche to MFA International
Organizations Department Director General Pham Binh Minh on
June 3. The DCM noted that the Department would like to
restart the dialogue as early as mid-July in Washington,
with the Vietnamese delegation headed by a representative at
the Vice Minister level and containing participants from a
number of other ministries (Ref. B). The dialogue was
suspended due to the Department's view that there was not
enough progress in specific areas, and we would hope that
this round would deal with concrete issues.


2. (SBU) DG Minh said that "it would be good to begin
again," and that he would pass the USG proposal to MFA
leadership. Minh brought up some areas where he would like
to see "further clarification" from the Department about
restarting the dialogue. As the last round was held in
Washington, "my people" will question why we should hold it
there again now. Charge noted that DAS Dugan had held
meetings on human rights issues in Hanoi last November,
though Minh replied that had not been a real dialogue
session. Minh recalled that the GVN had proposed resumption
of the dialogue two years ago and suggested at that time it
could be held at the Vice Minister level. However the GVN
would want to be sure that State Department counterparts
will also be at a suitable level. If the USG delegation
were headed by a DRL P/DAS, perhaps an MFA Director General
- such as Minh himself - would be a more appropriate
counterpart.


3. (SBU) On the question of timing, Minh said that the MFA
International Organizations Department was extremely busy in
July and August preparing for UNGA and researching questions
of U.N. reform. He understood that it can be difficult to
find appropriate counterparts in Washington in August, and
he expressed his view that November or December may be more
workable dates. The dialogue would be conducted on an
"equal footing," with each side proposing items for the
agenda.


4. (U) The DCM agreed to seek further clarification on these
issues from Washington and reply to the IO Department as
soon as possible.

MARINE