EAP A/S HILL MEETS SENIOR COMMUNIST PARTY OFFICIAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 000242

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TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM ETRD ECON CB KN VM
SUBJECT: EAP A/S HILL MEETS SENIOR COMMUNIST PARTY OFFICIAL
IN HANOI


HANOI 00000242 001.2 OF 002



1. (SBU) Summary: On January 13, EAP Assistant Secretary
Christopher R. Hill met with Communist Party of Vietnam
(CPV) External Relations Commission Director Nguyen Van Son
to discuss the U.S.-Vietnam bilateral relationship and
regional issues of mutual interest. In addition to upcoming
high-level visits to Vietnam, A/S Hill also raised Vietnam's
WTO aspirations and stressed the importance of a quick
conclusion to the next round of negotiations. Director Son
outlined the consensus in the current CPV Plenum on
continued economic and political reform through the
expansion of democracy and the market mechanism. A/S Hill
also discussed relations with China, North Korea and
Cambodia. Son emphasized cooperation with China, but had
little to offer regarding North Korea except to affirm the
GVN's continued support for a unified and non-nuclear Korea.
He also noted the importance of stability to Cambodian
officials. End Summary.


2. (SBU) On January 13, EAP Assistant Secretary Christopher

R. Hill met with CPV External Affairs Commission Director
Nguyen Van Son, accompanied by the Ambassador. Hill noted
that since Prime Minister Phan Van Khai's June 2005 visit,
the USG has thought a great deal about the bilateral
relationship. He predicted that 2006 should be a historic
year as Vietnam hosts APEC and hopefully celebrates WTO
accession. The United States wants Vietnam to succeed and
will continue to work to build a strong and lasting
relationship. For the United States, Vietnam is not just an
economy, but also has a strong political role to play in the
region. Son responded that the GVN appreciates the role and
position of the United States and attaches importance to the
beneficial, bilateral relationship. He agreed that 2005 had
many positive developments, including the PM's trip to
Washington, and noted that the GVN "had carried out their
part of the agreements reached in the summit."

APEC and Upcoming Visits
--------------


3. (SBU) Son predicted that 2006 will see more positive
developments between the United States and Vietnam and
stated that the GVN is looking forward to visits by
President Bush and Secretary Rice during APEC. He added his
personal hope that the Secretary would visit Vietnam before
APEC. Son also conveyed the GVN's request for U.S.
assistance in hosting APEC and observed that the President's
visit will contribute greatly to APEC's success. A/S Hill
said that the Secretary is very interested in visiting
Vietnam since her good discussion with Foreign Minister
Nguyen Dzy Nien at the Busan APEC Summit. He further noted
that the President enjoyed meeting PM Khai in Washington and
President Tran Duc Luong in Busan.

WTO Accession
--------------


4. (SBU) Director Son also expressed hope that the United
States will soon conclude WTO accession negotiations with
Vietnam. A/S Hill noted that a USTR delegation will be
arriving soon for another round of negotiations, but
emphasized that the GVN needs to be pragmatic in its
approach in these negotiations. He asserted that if
negotiations go well and are concluded quickly, then Vietnam
will be in a position to accede by the end of the year.
Quick accession would be very beneficial to Vietnam's
economy, he stressed.

Party Plenum
--------------


5. (SBU) A/S Hill asked about the status of preparations for
the CPV's Tenth Party Congress this summer. Son noted that
the CPV's Central Committee is currently holding its
(likely) penultimate plenum meeting before the Congress to
finalize draft policy and personnel decisions. The Central
Committee plans to push for further "Doi Moi" (renovation)
reforms in economic, political and cultural spheres. Son
predicted that the CPV will move in a more democratic
direction regarding the economy, internal politics and
external relations, as it seeks to find "opportunities and
conditions to escape Vietnam's under-developed status" and
to "contribute to regional stability." The Plenum has come
to a consensus within the party on using the "mechanism of
the market" and to allow Party members to enter the private
sector. The Assistant Secretary complimented Vietnam's
practical approach.


HANOI 00000242 002.2 OF 002


China
--------------


6. (SBU) Noting the importance and complexity of U.S.-China
and Vietnam-China relations, A/S Hill asked for Son's
thoughts on these relationships. Son replied that the
Vietnam-China relationship is centuries old and has many
historical problems, but has become more positive in recent
years due to the GVN's focus on cooperation and friendship.
A/S Hill stated that the United States seeks good relations
with China and wants Vietnam to have similarly good
relations. He added that the USG also maintains a spirit of
cooperation and friendship towards its complex, important
relationship with China.

Cambodia
--------------


7. (SBU) Turning to recent developments in Cambodia, A/S
Hill noted his concern that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen
is making mistakes that will be difficult to overcome.
Noting that he will meet the Cambodian leader next week, he
asked for advice on how to impress on Hun Sen the need to be
careful with his decisions. Son observed that this will be
"an interesting meeting," especially since Cambodia has only
recently overcome many difficulties to maintain stability.
Son recently attended Prince Ranariddh's party conference,
where many Cambodian leaders emphasized the importance of
maintaining stability, peace and development in the country
and in the region. A/S Hill observed that what is really
needed is implementation of such policies, but recent
arrests in Cambodia do not bode well in this regard.


8. (U) Participants:

United States
--------------

Assistant Secretary Christopher R. Hill
Ambassador Michael W. Marine
EAP Special Assistant Kamala Lakhdhir
Pol/C Marc Knapper
PolOff Nate Jensen (notetaker)

Vietnam
--------------

CPV External Relations Commission Chairman Son
CPV North America/Western Europe Director Pham Tien Nhien
MFA Americas Department Deputy Director Nguyen Ba Hung


9. (U) A/S Hill has cleared this message.

BOARDMAN