UNCLAS HANOI 000293

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM OTRA VM

SUBJECT: MEETING WITH AFM HUNG: VFM LE VAN BANG MAY TRAVEL
TO THE U.S.; HUMAN RIGHTS DIALOGUE

Ref: A) Hanoi 258; B) State 17040


1. (SBU) Summary and Comment: Assistant Foreign Minister
Nguyen Duc Hung informed the Charge February 10 that
National Assembly Vice Chairman Nguyen Van Yeu tentatively
plans to lead an Assembly delegation to Washington February
26 for discussions with Congress on WTO and the PNTR vote.
VFM Le Van Bang may accompany and would use the opportunity
to continue his discussions with EAP A/S Hill, and AFM Hung
asked whether this timing would work for A/S Hill. The
Charge stressed the importance of a successful Human Rights
Dialogue and that DRL A/S Lowenkron plans to meet a number
of individuals of interest in HCMC. AFM Hung responded that
the MFA takes USG considerations seriously but is
constrained by preparations for the upcoming Communist Party
Congress. Our best estimate is that the GVN will not get in
the way of these meetings, although it is likely that A/S
Lowenkron will hear about it during the dialogue and the GVN
will express its disappointment after the fact. The Charge
and AFM Hung also discussed the New Embassy Compound and,
reported septel, Iran and the IAEA and Venezuela's bid for a
non-permanent UNSC seat. End Summary.

VFM Le Van Bang May Accompany Possible Assembly Delegation
-------------- --------------


2. (SBU) Meeting with the Charge February 10, Assistant
Foreign Minister and Americas Department Director General
Nguyen Duc Hung said that a high-level National Assembly
delegation may visit Washington for one week from February

26. The delegation would be led by National Assembly Vice
Chairman Nguyen Van Yeu and would seek meetings with
Congress to discuss Vietnam's WTO aspirations and the
Permanent Normal Trade Relations vote. (Note: Vice
Chairman Yeu is one of three National Assembly Vice Chairmen
and is in charge of legislative affairs. End Note.)
Contrary to initial GVN signals (Ref A), VFM Le Van Bang may
join the group and would use the opportunity to respond to
EAP A/S Christopher Hill's invitation to continue their
discussions (Ref B). AFM Hung explained that these plans
are still "preliminary" and that the National Assembly has
not yet made its final decision. Nevertheless, he asked for
confirmation whether A/S Hill will be available during that
time.

Human Rights Dialogue
--------------


3. (SBU) On the subject of the bilateral Human Rights
Dialogue and the visit to Vietnam by DRL A/S Barry Lowenkron
and International Religious Freedom Ambassador John Hanford,
the Charge underlined our hope that a results-based dialogue
will help to continue the bilateral relationship's momentum
in the lead-up to the President's visit in November. In
order to ensure that A/S Lowenkron has the fullest possible
understanding of the human rights situation in Vietnam, once
the dialogue is concluded he plans to meet with a number of
individuals of interest in HCMC. AFM Hung responded that
the MFA is taking into serious consideration the USG's
concerns and is working hard with other agencies to ensure a
successful dialogue. Because of ongoing preparations for
this spring's Party Congress, however, the MFA cannot do
anything it wishes and hopes that the USG understands.

NEC
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4. (SBU) AFM Hung noted that, until the matter of the new
property for Vietnam's Consulate General in San Francisco is
resolved, the Hanoi People's Committee will not sign any
contract with the USG for the New Embassy Compound. The
Charge explained that the Department would soon inform the
Vietnamese Embassy that it agrees in principle to the
ConGen's move and that the GVN can begin to make the
necessary arrangements.

Comment: Human Rights Dialogue
--------------


5. (SBU) Although our MFA interlocutors have expressed their
discomfort with A/S Lowenkron's plans to meet with
dissidents in HCMC, our best estimate is that the GVN will
not get in the way. Instead, A/S Lowenkron will likely hear
about it during the dialogue and, after the fact, the GVN
will express its disappointment with USG actions, concern
about the Vietnamese public's reaction and doubts about U.S.
intentions.

BOARDMAN