ASIA-PACIFIC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM IN VIETNAM

UNCLAS HANOI 000246

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EAP AND H

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV VM
SUBJECT: ASIA-PACIFIC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM IN VIETNAM

Reftel: Hanoi 92


1. (SBU) Summary: The Thirteenth Annual Asia-Pacific
Parliamentary Forum (APPF) was held in Ha Long January 10 to

13. The U.S. Congressional was headed by Senator Daniel
Akaka and included Representative Darrell Issa. The Forum
expressed sympathy for tsunami victims and passed 22 non-
binding resolutions on issues ranging from HIV/AIDS to ocean
pollution. One point of contentious debate was North Korea.
Japanese delegates both attempted to insert language
condemning North Korea into a DPRK-specific resolution and
opposed extending to North Korea an invitation to the next
APPF. In a pull-aside meeting, Vu Mao, Chairman of the
Vietnamese National Assembly's (NA) Foreign Relations
Committee, sought support for a visit to Washington by NA
members next September. End Summary.


2. (U) The Forum included delegations from Australia,
Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Fiji, Indonesia,
Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Micronesia, Mongolia,
New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Russia,
Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the United States. The
largest groups came from China, headed by Gu Xiulian, Vice
Chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress,
Japan, led by December Shizuka Kamei and Yasuhiro Nakasone
(who is Chairman Emeritus of the APPF) and Thailand, which
sent twelve Senators led by Senate President Suchon
Chaleekure.


3. (U) Delegates held sessions on four main topics, in
addition to a "special session" on the Tsunami disaster.
The first session dealt with political and security issues
and was largely devoted to a discussion of terrorism and the
situation on the Korean Peninsula. This was followed by a
discussion on economic and trade Issues, which included a
readout of APEC 2004 by the Chilean delegation and a
discussion on a new round of WTO talks. The third topic was
a catch-all of "items of general interest." This included
the environment, HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases
(including SARS and avian influenza),sustainable
development and ways to deal with transnational crimes. The
subject of health led to a rare moment of dissent when
Canada and Japan stated that they believed that Taiwan
should be allowed to enter the WHO, a proposal to which
China objected. The final topic was "the future works of
the APPF," during which the Forum agreed to hold its next
meeting in Bali.


4. (U) The meeting adopted 22 resolutions on a broad range
of issues and issued the APPF-13 joint communique. The most
contentious issue during the Forum was the resolution on
North Korea. South Korea, Japan and the United States
sponsored a resolution calling or the resumption of the six-
party talks, the peaceful resolution of the North Korea
nuclear issue and inter-Korean reconciliation. In committee
discussions on the resolution, the Japanese delegation
repeatedly and forcefully called for the inclusion of text
stating that resolution of the issue of Japanese abductees
in North Korea is necessary for peace and stability in the
region. China objected to the addition of any text on the
issue, while South Korea sought a compromise using more
tepid language. Eventually the phrase "full peace and
stability... will be dependent on resolving issues affecting
bilateral relations" was settled upon, and an annex to the
resolution was attached stating the Japanese position.
South Korea also called for North Korea to be invited to the
APPF, which Canada supported. Japan opposed any invitation
to North Korea, made reference to "as many as 300 Japanese
citizens abducted" by North Korea and said that Korean
attempts to explain the abductions were "insincere."
Senator Akaka suggested that North Korea continue to be
invited in observer status only, as in previous years, a
suggestion which was broadly supported.


5. (SBU) The U.S. delegation had a pull-aside meeting with

Vu Mao, Chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign
Relations Committee. At the meeting, Chairman Mao stated
that maintaining good relations with the United States is
"an emphasis" of Vietnamese foreign policy and that, to this
end, he is planning to lead a delegation of Vietnamese
parliamentarians to Washington in September 2005. Vietnam
is "lagging economically" due to "the results of years of
war," and Mao said he hopes Vietnamese-Americans would do
more to "help their homeland." All people in Vietnam have
freedom of religion and of speech, and the National Assembly
will try to resolve disputes with the United States in these
areas, Mao continued. Senator Akaka said he would welcome
the National Assembly visit. He also noted the importance
of positive relations in the context of rapid Chinese and
regional economic growth. Representative Issa added that
the desire for strong bilateral relations is bipartisan. He
suggested that the NA members visit his district in
California, which contains may Vietnamese-Americans.
Representative Issa also encouraged the Government of
Vietnam to reach an IMET agreement with the United States.
Chairman Mao said he would "do his utmost" to promote it.
Also at the conference, Ambassador Marine held a sidelines
discussion with Vice Foreign Minister Le Van Bang, reported
reftel.

MARINE


NNNN