VETERANS AFFAIRS SECRETARY NICHOLSON MEETS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 001011

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STATE FOR E, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OVIP PREL PGOV SOCI PHUM KIRF VM
SUBJECT: VETERANS AFFAIRS SECRETARY NICHOLSON MEETS
VIETNAMESE PM KHAI

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1. (U) Summary: Secretary of Veterans Affairs James
Nicholson told Prime Minister Phan Van Khai during their
April 28 meeting that the United States strongly supports
Vietnam's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO)
and achievement of Permanent Normalized Trade Relations
(PNTR). He emphasized that continued improvements in
religious freedoms, human rights protections, access for
U.S. POW/MIA searches, and care for veterans will remain
important issues for the President and the U.S. Congress.
The PM praised U.S.-Vietnam cooperation to date, noting that
expanded economic relations allowed Vietnam to afford more
care for its veterans. Khai asked Nicholson to convey to
President Bush Vietnam's request for quick WTO accession,
support for the subsequent PNTR vote in Congress, and
increased humanitarian aid for war victims. End Summary.


2. (U) In the second day of his visit to Hanoi, Secretary of
Veterans Affairs James Nicholson met Vietnamese Prime
Minister Phan Van Khai April 28 at Government House. Khai
warmly welcomed the Secretary, noting that the rapid
development of bilateral ties between the United States and
Vietnam was greatly assisted by exchanges like this one and
the Speaker of the House's recent visit. Khai told
Nicholson "we should put aside the past" and focus on our
"shared future," a goal Nicholson seconded. Khai also
expressed appreciation for the interest U.S. investors have
shown in Vietnamese markets, including Microsoft CEO Bill
Gates, who visited Hanoi last week. The November 2006 Asia
Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit and President
Bush's visit to Hanoi will allow the United States and
Vietnam to further develop these economic and political
relationships, Khai declared. Hanoi is very much looking
forward to welcoming President Bush, he added.

PM KHAI: GROWTH IN ECONOMY EQUALS BETTER VETERAN CARE
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3. (U) The Prime Minister asserted that the success of
Vietnam's "doi moi" or renovation policy that has so
transformed its economy has also allowed the Government of
Vietnam (GVN) to take better care of its veterans. Vietnam
greatly "cares for its former soldiers and invalids," Khai
asserted. It also pays for special medical treatment for
those with serious injuries.


4. (U) Care for U.S. missing in action is also important,
said Khai. The U.S. Missing in Action (MIA)/Prisoners of
War (POW) search effort is a humanitarian issue. The Prime
Minister expressed hope for continued cooperation in the
search for both U.S. and Vietnamese MIA.

PM KHAI'S THREE REQUESTS
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5. (U) Khai then presented Secretary Nicholson with three
requests, asking Nicholson to convey them to President Bush.
First and foremost, he said, Vietnam wants World Trade
Organization (WTO) accession this year, and certainly before
the November APEC summit. He asked for U.S. support and a
quick close to bilateral negotiations. Secondly, after WTO
accession, Vietnam will also need U.S. support to achieve
Permanent Normalized Trade Relations (PNTR) with the United
States. This endorsement from the U.S. Congress will be
critical, he said. Finally, Khai complimented U.S. aid and
assistance programs to Vietnam, specifically praising U.S.
programs to help Vietnam combat HIV/AIDS, avian influenza,
and demining problems. He noted, however, that while the
consequences of war on infrastructure could be repaired, the
impact of Agent Orange and damage to severely wounded
veterans was more long-term. Because of this, Khai asked
the United States to consider increasing the amount given to
humanitarian relief programs in Vietnam.

SECRETARY NICHOLSON DISCUSSES BUSH VISIT, MIA/POW ACCESS

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6. (U) Secretary Nicholson responded by first expressing
pleasure at the opportunity to return to Vietnam after
almost forty years. He noted that President Bush was also
looking forward to his visit in November. The Secretary
said the President also enjoyed hosting the Prime Minister
during his trip to the United States last year, a visit that
went a long way in furthering bilateral relations.
Secretary Nicholson emphasized that the ideas shared during

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these visits and exchanges are important to helping veterans
in both countries.

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7. (U) The Secretary told Khai he had visited war invalids
that morning and discussed veterans affairs with several
Vietnamese officials. Secretary Nicholson added that he
also reviewed the current POW/MIA programs here, and thanked
Khai for giving the United States the opportunity to search
the Central and Northwest Highlands, areas where U.S. access
was restricted until only recently.

WTO AND PNTR
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8. (U) Turning to the issue of WTO and the PNTR vote in
Congress, the Secretary first noted that President Bush
supports Vietnam's entry into the WTO. He commended
Vietnam's progress in increasing religious freedoms and
human rights protections for the Vietnamese people. These
issues are very closely watched by President Bush and the
U.S. Congress, he said. The Secretary stressed that
continued improvements in religious freedom, human rights
protections, care for veterans, and MIA/POW search access
will all remain important priorities for the President and
Congress.


9. (U) Secretary Nicholson concluded the meeting by
affirming that Vietnam and the United States shared a bright
future because they also shared four important goals. The
mutual hopes for peace, prosperity, opportunity, and freedom
were the foundations for a strong relationship and even
greater development, said the Secretary. PM Khai heartily
agreed.


10. (U) Secretary Nicholson's staff members have cleared
this message.

MARINE