VIETNAM MFA NONCOMMITTAL ON U.S. CANDIDATE FOR UN HUMAN

UNCLAS HANOI 002084 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM UNHRC VM SUBJECT: VIETNAM MFA NONCOMMITTAL ON U.S. CANDIDATE FOR UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE REF: STATE 130666 (SBU) On August 16, Poloff met with MFA International Organizations Department Desk Officer Nguyen Hai Luu to deliver reftel diplomatic note and c.v. in support of the U.S. candidate for the UN Human Rights Committee. After receiving the diplomatic note, Luu explained that the IO Department would not make any decisions until one or two weeks prior to the scheduled vote to allow time for all candidates to provide supporting materials. At that time, the IO Department will make a recommendation to senior MFA officials, who will make the final decision. Luu said the Embassy will be informed as soon as a decision is made. He added that the Vietnamese government appreciates the work of the Human Rights Committee, but noted that it "needs to work on transparency in addressing human rights issues." MARINE