VIETNAM REQUESTS USG SUPPORT FOR UN SECURITY COUNCIL SEAT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 HANOI 002080 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS Department for EAP/MLS and IO/UNP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV UN VM SUBJECT: VIETNAM REQUESTS USG SUPPORT FOR UN SECURITY COUNCIL SEAT HANOI 00002080 001.2 OF 003 ¶1. (SBU) On August 15, the Ambassador met with MFA International Organizations Department Director General Pham Binh Minh and was officially informed of Vietnam's candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the term 2008-2009. The texts of a diplomatic note and aide memoire on the subject are included below. ¶2. (SBU) In requesting U.S. support for Vietnam's candidacy, DG Minh noted that Vietnam will be the only Asian country seeking a UNSC seat. In addition to already having received the endorsement of fellow ASEAN countries, Vietnam expects to receive endorsements soon from other Asian countries as well. DG Minh remarked on Vietnam's strong commitment to international peace and stability and said the country hopes to cooperate with other UNSC members to promote peace. ¶3. (SBU) The Ambassador responded that Vietnam's candidacy will prove valuable to its process of integration in the world community, but noted that UNSC membership will require a commitment of additional resources and a more dynamic role at Vietnam's UN mission. The Ambassador also mentioned U.S. practice not to confirm its support for any candidacy prior to the vote. ¶4. (SBU) Vietnam understands the heightened responsibility that comes with UNSC membership and Vietnam will have to "look at issues from a different perspective," DG Minh said. He mentioned the efforts that Vietnam has already undertaken in preparing for its candidacy, including consultations with the UK, Singapore and others about the role and responsibilities of a UNSC member. ¶5. (SBU) Begin text of diplomatic note: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America in Hanoi and has the honor to inform the latter that the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam has decided to present its candidature for a non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for the term 2008-2009, for which elections will be held at the 62nd Session of the General Assembly in 2007. This important decision stems from Vietnam's foreign policy of peace and its strong commitment to the United Nations noble goals as well as Vietnam's wish to make greater contribution to cooperation among countries in the world to promote the role of the United Nations in international political life, especially in maintaining international peace and security. Vietnam currently stands as the only Asian candidate for the 2008-2009 term and has the consensus support from members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and from many countries from different parts of the world. Based on the excellent relations between the two countries within the bilateral framework and at international fora, Vietnam kindly requests the Government of the United States of America for the valuable support of Vietnam's candidature as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for the term 2008-2009 at the elections to be held in 2007. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam has the pleasure to enclose herewith an Aide-Memoire on Vietnam's candidature. The 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 in Hanoi the assurances of its highest consideration. End text of diplomatic note. ¶6. (SBU) Begin text of aide memoire. AIDE MEMOIRE The Vietnamese Government presents its candidature for the non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) of the 2008-2009 term for which elections will be held at the 62nd Session of the General Assembly in 2007 in New York. Vietnam's candidature was officially presented in 1997 and is currently the only Asian candidature for the 2008-2009 term and has the consensus support from members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) declared at the 35th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) held in Brunei in July 2002 and from many countries from different parts of the world. Vietnam is strongly committed to the principles and purposes of the United Nations --Vietnam has always and strongly been committed to the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, fully complied with international law and has firm confidence in the central role of the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security. HANOI 00002080 002.2 OF 003 --Vietnam supports the strengthening of multilateralism and considers multilateral approaches, conducted via the UN and regional organizations, effective and sustainable means of resolving issues of common interests. --Vietnam fully realizes the importance of reforms of the UN and the Security Council so that the United Nations can become more effective in dealing with the new challenges of the 21st century. Vietnam will do its utmost to make active contribution to this significant process. Vietnam always tries its utmost to contribute to the work of the United Nations --Vietnam has always fulfilled the obligations of a UN member state, including the financial contribution to the UN budget. Vietnam has participated in the most responsible manner in discussions over different issues of the international community's interests such as development cooperation, human rights protection, and conflict resolution. Vietnam is also highly appreciated for its determination in fulfilling obligations of international treaties and programs and plans of UN agencies. --Vietnam has actively taken part in UN policy-making activities in the positions as Vice-President of the UN General Assembly in 1997, 2000 and 2003; member of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in the 1997-2000 term; President of the 33rd General Assembly of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); member of the UN Human Rights Commission in the 2001-2003 term, member of the Executive Council of the UN Development Program (UNDP) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) in the 2000-2003 term; member of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy (IAEA) in the 1991-1993, 1997-1999, 2003-2005 terms; member of the Executive Council of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) of the 1999-2004 term and of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in the 2003-2007 term. Vietnam is strongly committed to the consolidation of international peace and security --Vietnam supports the peaceful resolution of conflicts and disputes through dialogue based on the fundamental principles of international law and the UN Charter and a comprehensive approach to international peace and security. --Regarding anti-terrorism, Vietnam supports the efforts of the international community towards effective measures to counter international terrorist activities and eliminate terrorism in accordance with the United Nations Charter, the fundamental principles of international laws and in full respect of national sovereignty. Vietnam is willing to cooperate with other countries in the world in combating and eliminating terrorism. Vietnam has acceded to key international treaties on anti-terrorism. Vietnam works closely with other countries and international organizations in enforcing those multi-lateral treaties of which Vietnam is a member, as well as resolutions of the United Nations on this issue. Vietnam has fulfilled all the obligations, including the obligation to submit national reports in accordance with the anti-terrorism Resolution No. 1373 (2001) adopted by the Security Council. --Vietnam supports general and complete disarmament. Vietnam is party to important treaties on disarmament including the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT),the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC),the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC),the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and adheres to the UN Register for Conventional Weapons. Vietnam has signed the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ). Vietnam has fully complied with the UN Security Resolution 1540 (2004) on non-proliferation. --Vietnam is an active member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and makes effective contribution to the International Organization of Francophonie (OIF). Vietnam was the host of the 7th Francophonie Summit (1996),the 6th ASEAN Summit (1998),the 5th Asia-Europe Meeting (2004) and Vietnam will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in November 2006. On the strength of these records, the Vietnamese Government strongly believes that in the position of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Vietnam will play a more active, responsible and constructive role in maintaining international peace and security in service of the common interests of member countries. The Vietnamese Government highly appreciates the valuable support of member states at the elections to be held at the UN General Assembly 62nd Session in the year 2007. End text of aide memoire. HANOI 00002080 003.2 OF 003 MARINE