VFM BANG UNLIKELY TO TRAVEL IN FEBRUARY; VIETNAM

UNCLAS HANOI 000258 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL VM SUBJECT: VFM BANG UNLIKELY TO TRAVEL IN FEBRUARY; VIETNAM PREPARING FOR TWO HIGH-LEVEL VISITS TO U.S. REF: STATE 17040 ¶1. (SBU) After delivering reftel letter February 7, Pol/C discussed EAP A/S Christopher R. Hill's invitation to VFM Le Van Bang with MFA Americas Department Deputy Director Le Chi Dzung. Describing his reaction as "informal," Dzung said that VFM Bang would probably be unable to travel to the United States in February. One reason is that the MFA would like more time to prepare for the substance of the VFM's discussions in Washington. Another is that Vietnam is preparing to send two "high-level delegations" to the United States in February -- one representing the GVN and the other representing the National Assembly -- to discuss Vietnam's WTO aspirations and other issues. "VFM Bang would have to wait for these two delegations before he could travel," Dzung said. ¶2. (SBU) That said, late March may be a good time for VFM Bang to travel to the United States, Dzung suggested. Pressed on the high-level delegations' composition or the timing of their travel, Dzung was reluctant to say anything further, noting that AFM Nguyen Duc Hung would provide further information during his February 10 meeting with CDA Boardman. BOARDMAN