RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: MFA PREPARING LETTER TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L HANOI 002295 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MLS, DRL/IRF E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KIRF VM SUBJECT: RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: MFA PREPARING LETTER TO AMBASSADOR HANFORD REF: HANOI 2245 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Ambassador Michael W. Marine per 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (C) MFA Americas Department Deputy Director Le Chi Dzung told Pol/C September 7 that his office is currently drafting a letter from Vice Foreign Minister Le Van Bang to Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom John Hanford. Although the contents of the letter are not yet final, the letter would: 1) commit to continue the U.S.-Vietnam dialogue on the subject of religious freedom; 2) pledge that the GVN will pursue further positive actions similar to ones it has taken to date; 3) state that progress in northern Vietnam and the Northwest Highlands will go on; and, 4) stress that Vietnam's existing legal framework on religion is a good foundation for further efforts in this area. The letter may be ready for transmission as early as next week, Dzung noted. ¶2. (C) Comment: It is welcome news that the MFA is working to respond to Ambassador Hanford's request (septel) for a letter from VFM Bang on the issue of religious freedom. Although the MFA may not use the term "roadmap" to describe this message to Ambassador Hanford, as a description of GVN intentions in the area of religious freedom in the coming months, it may nevertheless fill the bill. End Comment. MARINE