LOOSING TRACTION: S&T VICE MINISTER ON FUEL CONVERSION OF

UNCLAS HANOI 002687

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS; EB; EB/ESC/IEC (GALLOGLY)
USDOE FOR NNSA (MENDELSOHN, BOLSHINSKY, DICKERSON)

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KNNP ENRG TRGY KIPR VM
SUBJECT: LOOSING TRACTION: S&T VICE MINISTER ON FUEL CONVERSION OF
VIETNAM'S RESEARCH REACTOR IN 2006


THIS CABLE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED.

Ref: A) State 134614 B) Hanoi 2163 C) State 151900 D) State 160169


1. (SBU) Summary. On September 26, 2006, the Charg d'Affairs paid
a return visit to Vice Minister of Science and Technology Tran Quoc
Thang to seek the Government of Vietnam's (GVN) prompt approval for
the fuel conversion of the Dalat research reactor and conclusion of
two related agreements on assistance. While the Vice Minister
reiterated his full support for the fuel conversion and hopes for
continued support from the Department of Energy (DOE),it became
clear that the issue is hung up in the GVN's bureaucratic processes
and that the decision rests with the Prime Minister/Office of the
Government. The Charg conveyed the intent of DOE's Deputy
Assistant Secretary Andrew Bieniawski to meet with VM Thang on
October 24 or 25 in Hanoi per reftel B and delivered talking points
on the DOE's Sister Laboratory Cooperation program per reftel C.
End summary.

Dalat Reactor Conversion
--------------


2. (SBU) On September 26, 2006, the Charg d'Affairs met with Vice
Minister of Science and Technology Tran Quoc Thang to continue
engagement with the GVN for the fuel conversion of Vietnam's
research reactor and seek resolution on proposed nonproliferation
assistance agreements. As reported (reftel B),the Ambassador's
previous meeting underscored the scientific as well as political
importance of moving forward on the fuel conversion project and
concluding the two related agreements on nuclear non-proliferation
prior to President Bush's visit in November.


3. (SBU) Flanked by leaders of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Commission
(VAEC) and Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety and
Control (VARANSEC),the Vice Minister reiterated his support for the
Russian Research Reactor Fuel Return program because it is fully in
line with Vietnam's strategy for the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
The Vice Minister reiterated hopes that the DOE will continue to
support Vietnam's strategy to safely harness nuclear power for
non-military purposes. The Vice Minister also stated that the Dalat
research reactor is Vietnam's only nuclear reactor. (NOTE: The GVN
has a strategy to construct a nuclear power facility in Ninh Thuan
Province in south-central Vietnam by 2020.)


4. (SBU) COMMENT: The Ministry of Science and Technology clearly
recognizes the potential of long-term USG assistance for nuclear
non-proliferation in Vietnam. Gaining traction on this issue, which
has been under negotiation since early 2004, remains challenging
given that MOST's enthusiasm for technical cooperation has bogged
down in bureaucratic process. In attempts to generate momentum and
garner needed political support from the GVN's Office of the
Government/Prime Minister, the Ambassador has raised the issue
separately with the Deputy Foreign Minister. END COMMENT.

DOE DAS Bieniawski's Visit in October
--------------


5. (SBU) The Charg conveyed the intent of DOE's Deputy Assistant
Secretary Andrew Bieniawski to meet with VM Thang on October 24 or

SIPDIS
25 in Hanoi. MOST has informed ESTHOff that they are prepared to
receive DAS Bieniawski and that they intend to send a response
letter to the DOE shortly.

DOE Sister Laboratory Cooperation
--------------


6. (SBU) The Charg also delivered the Embassy's informal
Vietnamese translation and color handout highlighting the DOE's
Sister Laboratory Cooperation program as requested in reftel C. See
septel for details

ALOISI