SENATOR HAGEL DISCUSSES TRADE, PEACE CORPS, HUMAN RIGHTS

UNCLAS HANOI 002608

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS AND DRL/IRF

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV OTRA ECON VM
SUBJECT: SENATOR HAGEL DISCUSSES TRADE, PEACE CORPS, HUMAN RIGHTS
WITH DPM/FM KHIEM


Summary
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1. (SBU) On October 10, Senator Chuck Hagel discussed Vietnam's WTO
accession, Human Rights and the Peace Corps with the GVN's Deputy
Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem. Khiem noted
that the GVN is working to prepare for the President's upcoming
visit by fulfilling its commitments under WTO and "working hard on
issues like the Peace Corps agreement." End Summary.


2. (SBU) On October 10, Senator Chuck Hagel and the Charge met with
DPM/FM Pham Gia Khiem. Khiem was due to speak to the Politburo so
the meeting was truncated to just 30 minutes. Senator Hagel
expressed condolences for the recent deaths in Vietnam due to
Typhoon Xangsane. In addition, he praised the GVN's efforts to put
together a good agenda for President Bush's upcoming visit during
the APEC Leaders Summit and noted that a Peace Corps country
agreement would also be a positive development for the President's
visit.


3. (SBU) Khiem responded that the GVN is pleased that the bilateral
relationship continues to improve, especially since Former Prime
Minister Phan Van Khai's trip to the United States last June. Trade
has quintupled in the last five years, and U.S. firms have invested
over USD three billion in Vietnam. Security and military
cooperation has also improved. Khiem stated that the GVN is working
hard in advance of the President's visit on issues like reaching a
Peace Corps agreement (mentioned by Senator Hagel as a desirable
deliverable for the POTUS visit) that will help to strengthen the
relationship.


4. (SBU) Khiem also stated that the GVN looks forward to the
Congress' passage of Permanent Normal Trading Relations (PNTR)
legislation for Vietnam. Vietnam is "trying to comply" with their
WTO accession obligations especially in the area of intellectual
property rights, he said. Senator Hagel replied that he hopes the
Congress will vote on PNTR during the week of November 13 and
predicted that, when the vote occurs, the PNTR bill will pass with
bipartisan support.


5. (SBU) Senator Hagel also noted that the United States appreciates
the GVN's efforts to improve human rights in Vietnam and pledged
that the USG will continue to work with Hanoi on these issues.
Khiem noted that the GVN considers its human rights policy a
priority. He also requested that the United States strengthen
cooperation with Vietnam on remediation of the effects of Agent
Orange (AO). Hagel agreed that AO is an important issue and pledged
that the United States "will keep our commitments on this issue."


6. (SBU) Senator Hagel has cleared this message.

ALOISI