AMBASSADOR REVIEWS BILATERAL ISSUES WITH VFM LE VAN BANG

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 HANOI 002435 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS Department for EAP/MLS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV VM SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR REVIEWS BILATERAL ISSUES WITH VFM LE VAN BANG ¶1. (SBU) Summary. On September 20, the Ambassador met with VFM Le Van Bang to review a range of bilateral issues in the run-up to the President's visit. Presenting a list of potential deliverables and next steps, the Ambassador described our hopes for progress in each. On the issue of establishing a Peace Corps program, the Ambassador reiterated the need to conclude a detailed agreement, while VFM Bang suggested the need for a more gradual approach. The Ambassador also raised the Dalat Nuclear Conversion project, the status of pending commercial projects, and the need for better bilateral cooperation in law enforcement. The Ambassador urged that the case of detained Amcit Cong Thanh Do be resolved promptly. More generally regarding human rights, he stressed the need for greater transparency in handling detainees and more accountability for officials guilty of abuses. In justifying the GVN's arrest of activists, VFM Bang stressed the need for the GVN to maintain stability, citing the coup in Thailand and unrest in the Philippines as evidence of the dangers of dropping one's guard. End summary. Focus on APEC and President's visit -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The Ambassador discussed a range of issues with VFM Bang on the morning of his departure from Hanoi en route to the United States. The Ambassador noted that the Mission's focus is increasingly on the President's visit to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) in November. The Ambassador mentioned that Washington has begun work on a draft joint statement for the President's visit, and that in order for it to be a meaningful document, it must highlight concrete accomplishments, not just include general statements. Next week, a high-level White House site survey team will visit Hanoi and HCMC. VFM Bang regretted that he will not be in Hanoi to greet the White House team, but assured the Ambassador that it will receive a high-level reception. The GVN is assigning the correct counterparts to engage the U.S. team to ensure that it accomplishes its mission. ASEAN meeting with the President at APEC -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Concerning a meeting for the President with ASEAN leaders, the Ambassador reminded VFM Bang that the participation of Burma at any such meeting would not be acceptable. Bang said the matter is still being discussed and that there "needs to be a consensus reached among the ASEAN members." Ideally Vietnam would like to see all ten ASEAN members participate in a meeting with the President, but - given that this is not feasible - Vietnam may fall back to the Busan model involving the seven members of APEC that are also ASEAN members. VFM Bang emphasized the importance of such a meeting. The Ambassador agreed, noting it is an opportunity that should not be missed, but that it cannot take place if Burma attends. Peace Corps -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The Ambassador raised the establishment of a Peace Corps program in Vietnam, a key deliverable for President Bush's visit. He noted that a significant amount of work has already been done, but that there are still differences that must be resolved. The Ambassador pressed for GVN agreement to receive a Peace Corps representative in Hanoi to negotiate a final agreement, and that the GVN designate an MFA interlocutor. VFM Bang suggested that the GVN welcomes a follow-on visit, but did not provide details on dates or the name of an interlocutor. ¶5. (SBU) VFM Bang further explained that a Peace Corps presence in Vietnam is "a little controversial" and will need to be worked out "step by step." For "publicity purposes," he suggested it would be acceptable to announce that our two governments have a Peace Corps program in the works, but that the details of implementing the program would need to be worked out over time, perhaps with a gradual roll out, similar to what was done with the POW-MIA and ordnance programs. This would "give people a chance to get used to the idea." The Ambassador clarified that, in his understanding, if the details of the program are not finalized in advance of the President's visit, neither the White House nor the Peace Corps will be in a position to make an announcement about it. ¶6. (SBU) VFM Bang responded that the President could make an announcement, after which the details of the program could be worked out "step by step," in part to prove to "other GVN agencies" that the Peace Corps program is good. He implied that others in the GVN remain suspicious of the Peace Corps and argue that there are already many NGOS in Vietnam providing training in education. The Ambassador pointed out that, despite the current NGO presence, Vietnam "still has plenty of needs." If the Peace Corps cannot launch a program growing to at least 30 volunteers in its first two years, it would be very difficult to justify the program financially. VFM said he personally would like to have "100 or 1,000 volunteers" because Vietnam needs teachers, but that "we need to build trust first. After trust is established, we will be able HANOI 00002435 002 OF 003 to go as far as possible." Counterterrorism: Dalat Nuclear Project and PSI -------------- --- ¶7. (SBU) The Ambassador asked VFM Bang to work to accelerate approval of the Dalat Nuclear Conversion project, through which low-enriched uranium would be substituted for highly-enriched uranium at no cost to Vietnam in Dalat's Russian-supplied research reactor. This would reduce the GVN's expense in providing security measures to protect the highly-enriched uranium, money that the GVN could use elsewhere. VFM Bang noted that action is with the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST),which is the lead GVN agency on this matter. The Ambassador agreed, noting that the Department of Energy is sending an official to Hanoi in October to continue discussions. The Ambassador also urged GVN endorsement of PSI, noting that four other ASEAN members had already done so and describing various ways by which the GVN could endorse the initiative. VFM Bang recalled that the GVN now cooperates on nonproliferation interdiction matters on a case-by-case basis. Commercial Deals -------------- ¶8. (SBU) In the area of U.S.-Vietnam commercial activity, several significant agreements could be signed either during the President's visit or in its run-up. The Ambassador mentioned, in particular, agreements involving Boeing aircraft, Liberty Mutual insurance, an SSA Marine port project, power projects involving AES and Gannon and Motorola mobile communications infrastructure equipment. Law Enforcement Cooperation -------------- ¶9. (SBU) The Ambassador urged VFM Bang to use his influence to spur bilateral law enforcement cooperation, including the sharing of information. He mentioned that the lack of cooperation to date has caused some in the United States to suggest that steps should be taken to disrupt the flow of funds between the two nations due to the large amounts of drug-related money laundered through that channel. Law enforcement cooperation needs to be improved in order to address the money laundering and other issues. A draft MOU between DEA and the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) is languishing within the MPS. VFM Bang said he would talk to the MPS about the status of the MOU. The Ambassador also pushed for quick approval of the pending repatriation agreement. Human rights issues remain an area for improvement -------------- -------------- ¶10. (SBU) As a vote on PNTR for Vietnam approaches, the Ambassador noted that there will be more attention paid to the human rights and religious freedom situation in Vietnam. The detention of U.S. citizen Cong Thanh Do, an activist who has advocated for political freedom in Vietnam, is a concern. The longer Do remains detained without charges, the more negatively this case will impact on Vietnam's human rights record. GVN prosecutors need to complete their investigation and, if there is no case against him, release him. While we were pleased with the release of two prisoners of conscience in early September, we remain concerned about the cases of three other U.S. citizen prisoners of conscience detained without charge on suspicion of links with Nguyen Huu Chanh, as well as reports of arrests of Vietnamese participants associated with the 8406 Movement. The Ambassador stressed we will always raise our concern over the arrest of persons for expressing their views. We had also heard of a case in which a minority individual from the Central Highlands was beaten and died in custody. Officials who commit abuses need to be held accountable for their actions. Abuse cases need the careful attention of the GVN. One bad case overshadows all the progress that has been made, the Ambassador concluded. VFM Bang justifies detentions on security grounds -------------- -------------- ¶11. (SBU) Responding to the Ambassador's points, VFM Bang asserted that since the beginning of this year the GVN has worked to create an atmosphere conducive to the President's visit and to focus on the positive. VFM Bang assessed that, to date, the atmosphere of the bilateral relationship has yet to change for the better - it still remains "balanced." According to VFM Bang, the U.S. citizens affiliated with Nguyen Huu Chanh are detained and under investigation for their violent terrorist intentions. The Ambassador replied that if that is the case, then the evidence should be made clear, they should be charged and then be allowed to appear court. He continued, stating that it is our understanding that the three detained U.S. citizens are not undergoing active interrogations and are not linked to violent activities. ¶12. (SBU) VFM Bang contended that these individuals and others are HANOI 00002435 003 OF 003 in jail because they are agitating to overthrow the government. The GVN needs to protect the stability of the government. He cited recent events in Thailand and Mindanao as evidence of the possible outcome of not arresting those seeking the overthrow of the government. He also said that, if Chanh could succeed in "doing something" in connection with the President's visit, it would be very bad for Vietnam. He noted U.S. citizen Ly Tong's unauthorized flight over HCMC in advance of then-President Clinton's visit as evidence that some "activists" are dangerous. ¶13. (SBU) The Ambassador told the VFM that the USG continues to investigate Nguyen Huu Chanh's activities, but that we need greater transparency and flow of information from the Vietnamese in order to understand what he may have done. VFM Bang concluded on the same line of thought, saying that a 70-year-old woman who has a canister of gasoline to throw at the Prime Minister can be dangerous. "We will have to take care of security, otherwise it will be a no man's land here," VFM Bang said. ¶14. (SBU) Comment: VFM Le Van Bang has just returned to Vietnam from a trip overseas, and the back-and-forth on each issue raised in this early morning meeting was limited to some degree by time. The Ambassador left with VFM Bang a non-paper on possible deliverables and next steps to ensure that our messages were received. We will continue to follow up on all of them as November approaches. End Comment. ALOISI