TFLE01: Vietnam Seeks USG Assistance in Evacuating its

UNCLAS HANOI 001896 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MLS, Task Force TFLE01 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR LE VM SUBJECT: TFLE01: Vietnam Seeks USG Assistance in Evacuating its Citizens ¶1. (U) Action Request -- See paragraph 4. ¶2. (SBU) On July 26, Post received an urgent request from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeking USG assistance in evacuating approximately 200 Vietnamese citizens from Lebanon (full text of request in paragraph 5). According to the MFA, most of these individuals are staying in Lebanese friends' homes or are "hiding in the mountains." According to press reports, the GVN has made similar requests of 11 other nations, including the UK, Canada and Germany. ¶3. (SBU) Post recognizes that ongoing evacuation operations remain focused on Amcits and other priorities. However, any assistance the USG can render to Vietnam would be welcomed here as a significant humanitarian gesture and a strong sign of our developing partnership. ¶4. (U) Action Request: Department is requested to advise what assistance, if any, the USG can provide. ¶5. (SBU) Begin text of note. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Socialist Republic of Vietnam No. 555/LS/NN The Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America in Vietnam and has the honor to request as follows: Currently in Lebanon there are still about 200 Vietnamese citizens who have not been able to evacuate. As Vietnam does not have any diplomatic mission or consular post based in Lebanon, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam would like to request the relevant agencies of the United States of America to help arrange evacuation of the above-mentioned Vietnamese citizens from Lebanon. The U.S. side is requested to provide relevant information on the evacuation to the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam or the Vietnamese Embassies in Egypt or Turkey (contact information attached). The Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs looks forward to receiving an early response of the Embassy on the above-mentioned request. The Consular Department of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its highest consideration. Hanoi, July 25, 2006 Embassy of Vietnam in Turkey Cayhane Sokak No. 34 G.O.P, Ankara, Turkey Tel: 0090 312 4468049 Fax: 0090 312 4465623 Email: dsqvnturkey@yahoo.com Embassy of Vietnam in Egypt 8 El-Madina El-Monawra Str., Dokki. Cairo, Egypt Tel: +202-7617309 Fax: +202-3368612 Email: vinaebeg@yahoo.com End text of note. MARINE