EAP A/S Hill's Meeting with Vietnam VFM Le Van Bang

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 000250 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM CB BM CH VM SUBJECT: EAP A/S Hill's Meeting with Vietnam VFM Le Van Bang HANOI 00000250 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: During his January 13 meeting with Vice Foreign Minister Le Van Bang, EAP A/S Christopher R. Hill underscored the importance of making progress in next week's WTO talks, urged Vietnam to improve its human rights situation and welcomed Vietnam's role in regional structures such as APEC and ASEAN. The United States also values Vietnam's views on regional issues such as Burma, Cambodia and China. VFM Bang emphasized that bilateral relations are at their best and expressed his confidence that the United States and Vietnam will be able to build upon last year's successes in a wide range of areas. VFM Bang also expressed Vietnam's commitment to engaging with the United States on human rights and religious freedom concerns. According to the Vice Foreign Minster, China continues to have a "big brother" presence in the region. End Summary. 2005: "Best Ever" in Bilateral Relations -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Vice Foreign Minister Le Van Bang welcomed EAP A/S Hill to Hanoi on January 13, saying that 2005 was the "best year ever" in U.S.-Vietnam relations. The two countries had succeeded in raising the level of cooperation in the areas of the military, security, economy, science, education, humanitarian work and health care. Based on this, 2006 will be a year of "still better bilateral relations." Vietnam is eager to improve the level of its cooperation with the United States in the larger regional context, VFM Bang said. ¶3. (SBU) A/S Hill relayed the positive spirit in Washington towards Vietnam following the historic visit of Prime Minister Pham Van Khai to the United States last year, which continues to resonate as Vietnam prepares to host the APEC summit in November. A/S Hill also underscored the United States' commitment to developing relations with Vietnam as a valued friend. He relayed plans by the Secretary to attend the Asian Regional Forum (ARF) this year in Kuala Lumpur and the U.S. anticipation of a stronger role for Vietnam in ASEAN and the ARF. WTO on the Horizon -------------- ¶4. (SBU) A/S Hill reiterated the need for Vietnam to be pragmatic and move forward aggressively on its desire to accede to the World Trade Organization (WTO),noting that WTO membership would reap tremendous benefits for Vietnam. 
Hanoi must move quickly on WTO talks and not lose sight of reaching this goal by the time it hosts APEC. VFM Bang agreed that it would be a unique opportunity for Vietnam to host APEC with its WTO membership in hand. Vietnam has made its "political determination" on WTO and now the negotiators must work out the details. Human Rights and Religious Freedom -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Turning to religious freedom and human rights, VFM Bang acknowledged that the GVN must work with the United States to address concerns, such as its designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and overall matters related to religious freedom and human rights. He said that he welcomed Congressman Chris Smith's visit to Hanoi in December 2005 and plans to write a letter pledging Vietnam's commitment to address the three areas the Congressman raised: trafficking in women and children, abortion and religious freedom. VFM Bang also referred to the GVN's new legal framework on religion, but admitted that some local governments may have yet to take them seriously. The Vatican is pleased with progress on religious freedom in Vietnam, exemplified by the recent ordinance of 57 new priests, the VFM said. ¶6. (SBU) A/S Hill asked the Vice Foreign Minister to review our list of imprisoned political dissidents, and singled out Dr. Pham Hong Son, noting that Vietnam's willingness to show progress in this area will help to advance bilateral relations. Responding that he had put all his political weight on last year's amnesties, VFM Bang said he has no information about when the next amnesty will be. This process is considered on a year-by-year and case-by-case basis, but the GVN will work in close consultation with the Embassy on prioritizing the list and addressing concerns. Big Brother China -------------- ¶7. (SBU) VFM Bang praised the United States for successfully HANOI 00000250 002.2 OF 002 reaching out to Asian countries last year, particularly ASEAN members. He said Vietnam views this as a positive sign that the United States is making its presence felt in the region, thereby giving more confidence to Asian countries to deal on a more equal footing with countries like China that had an "overwhelming" presence. ¶8. (SBU) Acknowledging that China is important to Vietnam, VFM Bang said that the two countries must work together closely, but that Vietnam would not have its ambitions dampened by its "big brother." Vietnam feels the heat of China's "heavy-handed actions" in the same way that Japan and Taiwan do. Still, Vietnam must nurture its relations with China as it does with the United States. A/S Hill responded that the United States is committed to good relations with China and has no desire to create conflict between China and its regional neighbors, including Vietnam. Political progress in China has not kept pace with economic progress, and it must deal with that reality as it moves ahead, A/S Hill noted. Other Regional Neighbors -------------- ¶9. (SBU) While discussing Burma and North Korea, Bang was quick to distance Vietnam from the two countries, stressing that they are in a separate political and economic territory, one which Vietnam feels fortunate to have left behind years ago. Vietnam is interested in opening its country, inviting the growth of democracy and implementing economic reforms, while manifesting its independence, steps that Burma and North Korea should follow. ¶10. (SBU) Hill expressed concerns about human rights issues in Cambodia and asked Bang for advice on interacting with Prime Minister Hun Sen. Bang responded that Hun Sen is pragmatic and nationalistic, but wants to be in control of his country. He further suggested that building a comfort level of communication and inviting Hun Sen to visit the United States could help strengthen the U.S. message. China has been infusing Cambodia with cash, including a recent $13 million non-conditional gift, that demonstrates its growing influence there, he warned. APEC and the Year Ahead -------------- ¶11. (SBU) A/S Hill reiterated Vietnam's hosting of APEC and WTO prospects all point to a positive year ahead. A/S Hill invited Bang to the U.S. for a discussion of regional issues as well as preparations for APEC and the President's visit. VFM Bang thanked Hill for frank and fruitful discussions, and pledged Vietnam's commitment to strengthening APEC. He also underscored Vietnam's eagerness to host the President on his first visit to Vietnam, suggesting visits to an HIV- AIDS project and an MIA-POW accounting site on the fringes of APEC meetings. ¶12. (U) Participants: United States -------------- Assistant Secretary Christopher R. Hill Ambassador Michael W. Marine EAP Special Assistant Kamala Lakhdhir Pol/C Marc Knapper PAS Julie Chung (notetaker) Vietnam -------------- Vice Foreign Minister Bang Assistant Foreign Minister Nguyen Duc Hung Americas Department Deputy Director Nguyen Ba Hung Americas Department Deputy Director Nguyen Anh Dzung U.S. Desk Director Nguyen Hoanh Nam U.S. Officer Lai Thai Binh ¶13. (U) A/S Hill has cleared this message. BOARDMAN