VIETNAM: CLARIFYING WTO LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS

UNCLAS HANOI 000464 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE ALSO FOR E, EB AND EAP/BCLTV STATE PASS USTR EBRYAN, GHICKS STATE ALSO PASS USAID DOC FOR 4431/MAC/AP/OPB/VLC/HPPHO GENEVA FOR USTR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD VM WTO SUBJECT: VIETNAM: CLARIFYING WTO LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS ¶1. (SBU) This is an action request. Please see para. 3. ¶2. (SBU) While the GVN has the clear goal of WTO accession in December 2005, they do not comprehend all the requirements or steps to do so. Recent conversations with GVN officials have shown that, except for the Ministry of Trade, the GVN does yet not understand the importance or the difficulty in preparing legislation needed for WTO accession or the timetable for doing so. The Prime Minister's Research Council has been working under the assumption that completing draft legislation a year from now would be sufficient. Diplomatic colleagues have reported similar findings. As DUSTR Byran determined during her visit last month, neither the National Assembly nor the other ministries understand the gravity of the situation. The Ministry of Trade is focused on market access negotiations and does not have the clout to energize other ministries. ¶3. (SBU) To get the message clearly to the GVN and speed up their legislative efforts, we need to be able to explain simply but clearly what the GVN needs to do in terms of legislation. For example, it would useful to list which laws must be brought into compliance with WTO and which new laws must be passed. Post requests that the Department and Washington agencies provide such guidance. MARINE NNNN