DOE SISTER LABORATORY COOPERATION

UNCLAS HANOI 002529 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS; NP/MNSA RUDOLPH USDOE FOR NNSA MENDELSOHN, MANNING AND DICKERSON SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KNNP ENRG TRGY KIPR VM SUBJECT: DOE SISTER LABORATORY COOPERATION Ref: State 160169 ¶1. (U) On September 26, 2006, the Charg d'Affairs delivered talking points, informal Vietnamese translation and a color handout on the Department of Energy's (DOE) Sister Laboratory Cooperation program per reftel to Vice Minister of Science and Technology Tran Quoc Thang. ¶2. (U) Flanked by leaders of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Commission (VAEC) and Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety and Control (VARANSEC),the Vice Minister welcomed the initiative and expressed hopes that the DOE will continue to support Vietnam's strategy to harness nuclear power safely for non-military purposes. He promised to provide a formal reply in the near future. ¶3. (U) COMMENT: Senior leadership within MOST wish to expand US-Vietnam science and technology cooperation and welcome support from DOE to assist with the implementation of the GVN's strategy for peaceful use of nuclear energy. This may include support for conducting scientific experiments at the Dalat Nuclear Institute and developing scientific capacity for Vietnam to establish its first nuclear power facility, which is a stated, long-term GVN goal. ALOISI