GVN Returns Great Seal to USG

UNCLAS HANOI 001587 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/BCLTV, L/EAP, CA/EX E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL VM SUBJECT: GVN Returns Great Seal to USG Ref: Hanoi 1300 ¶1. (U) In a brief and low-key ceremony on June 9 at the Government Guest House, Foreign Ministry Consular Department Director Bui Dinh Dzinh presented to the Ambassador two metal plaques bearing the Great Seal of the United States, with the inscriptions, "Consulate General" and "United States of America." One of the plaques was from the Consular Section entrance of former Embassy Saigon. The plaque was removed sometime after 1975 and had been on display in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign Museum in Ho Chi Minh City. The Ambassador had requested the GVN return the seal, which was an integral part of the former Embassy property returned to the United States in 1995. The original location of the second plaque is not known. As per reftel, minutes recording the hand-over were signed by Dzinh and the Ambassador. ¶2. (SBU) Mission plans to display one seal inside the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. ¶3. (SBU) Post is aware of Assistant Secretary Maura Harty's possible interest in displaying one of the seals in the offices of Consular Affairs. Post will be pleased to send the other seal to the Department upon request. BOARDMAN NNNN