FOREIGN MINISTER WRITES TO SECRETARY ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 003382

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR S/EX-CR, S/EX-O

STATE FOR EAP/MLS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPDC PREL VM ETMIN HUMANR
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER WRITES TO SECRETARY ON
CENTRAL HIGHLANDS ASSISTANCE


1. (SBU) On December 29, under cover of MFA Note 593 NG-
CM, Post received a letter and "memo" from Foreign
Minister Nguyen Dzy Nien to the Secretary on the
subject of U.S. assistance to the Central Highlands.
In brief, Foreign Minister Nien expresses regret that
the U.S. Congress earmarked funds for the region
without consulting with Vietnam. The FM further
rejects the Montagnard Development Project or "any of
the like" as development partners, but welcomes
consultations with the USG on possible "appropriate"
development activities in the Central Highlands. Post
will pouch to EAP/MLS the original letter and memo.


2. (SBU) Begin verbatim text of letter:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Socialist Republic of Vietnam

December 28, 2005

Her Excellency Dr. Condoleezza Rice
Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520

Honorable Secretary,

It was brought to my attention that the United States
Congress has passed an appropriation bill which
included a provision making available funds for
programs and activities for the Central Highlands
region of Vietnam. The supposed amount is 2 million
USD, up to one million of which is expected to be
provided to the Montagnard Development Project.

I am aware that certain issues regarding the Central
Highlands region of Vietnam attract quite an amount of
attention in the United States and the evolving of
which does have implication on the overall relationship
between Vietnam and the United States. In this regard,
I would like to affirm that our government pays special
attention to the socio-economic development of the
Central Highlands region. The efforts we made during
the last years have yielded encouraging results. This
year all the 5 provinces of this region have overcome a
serious drought and achieved high economic growth,
among them Dak Lak is leading with a rate of 8 percent.
The lives of ethnic minorities have also improved, with
greater social services being provided. Those who have
returned from Cambodia have also resettled back into
their normal life. Religious festivities during the
holiday seasons are taking place throughout the region.

Nonetheless, the region is still coping with many
problems, especially the matter of achieving
sustainable economic development and narrowing the gap
between urban area and rural area, where the majority
of the ethnic minorities reside. In this spirit, we
welcome assistance from the international community,
particularly projects that contribute to the
improvement of the socio-economic situation in the
region. The Management Board for the development of
Central Highlands, the central agency charged with
improving the socio-economic development of the Central
Highlands provinces, is the appropriate body in which
cooperative activities can be discussed.

As with regard to the above bill-passage, it is
regrettable that such a decision affecting Vietnam has
been made without consultation with our side.
Furthermore, we have strong reasons to believe that the
Montagnard Development Project is drawn up in such a
way that is not constructive to the enhancement of the
socio-economic situation in the Central Highlands. For
this reason, we will not be able to welcome the
Montagnard Development Project or any of the like. We
are further concerned that should funding be given to
this project, it would send a wrong signal about U.S.
commitment to and would surely hinder the further
enhancement of U.S.-Vietnam relations.

I am writing this letter to inform of our concern and
suggest that you work with us to find a satisfactory
and practical way to approach this matter. The best
way is to be in line with the procedure and with the
laws of Vietnam. The Americas Department of our
Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide the U.S.
Embassy in Vietnam with information to help in this
regard.

I am very much impressed by the meeting with Your
Excellency in Busan (ROK) and thankful for your
valuable time and I look forward to welcoming your
Assistant Secretary Mr. Barry Lowenkron and Ambassador
John Hanford to Vietnam.

I wish to affirm my commitment to working with you to
address matters of mutual concern in a forthright
manner.

With highest regards,
Yours sincerely,
//s//
Nguyen Dy Nien

End text of letter.


3. (SBU) Begin verbatim text of memo:

MEMO

-- The Government of the S.R. of Vietnam pays special
attention to the socio-economic development of the
Central Highlands region of Vietnam. We welcome
assistance from the international community in this
regard.

-- Vietnam-U.S. relations have aspects that concern the
Central Highlands, ones that should be worked with in
accordance with the spirit of the Joint Statement
reached in June 21st, 2005, between Vietnamese Prime
Minister H.E. Phan Van Khai and U.S. President H.E. Mr.
George W. Bush.

-- A provision of U.S. public law No. 109-102 (H.R.
3057) making available funds for programs and
activities for the Central Highlands of Vietnam has
been made without due consultation with the Vietnamese
side. Reference in this law's relating documentation
to the Montagnard Development Project, one that is
drawn up in such a way not constructive to the
enhancement of socio-economic situation in the Central
Highlands, further indicates that the implementation of
the said-project could potentially hinder the further
enhancement of U.S.-Vietnam relations.

-- The Government of the S.R. of Vietnam and local
authorities in the Central Highlands will not welcome
the Montagnard Development Project or any of the like
and is opposed to any activity conducted without
consultation with Vietnam.

-- The Government of the S.R. of Vietnam is willing to
cooperate with the United States Government on this
matter. However, we will welcome only projects that
contribute to the improvement of the socio-economic
situation in the region. The Management Board for the
development of Central Highlands, the central agency
charged with improving the socio-economic development
of the Central Highlands is the appropriate body in
which cooperative activities can be discussed. NGOs
who are given license to operate in Vietnam and have
projects contributing to the socio-economic situation
of the region that are approved by provincial
authorities will be welcomed.

December 2005

End text of memo.

MARINE