LETTER TO AMBASSADOR HANFORD FROM VICE MINISTER OF PUBLIC

UNCLAS HANOI 003004 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS, DRL/IRF E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KIRF PHUM PGOV HUMANR VM SUBJECT: LETTER TO AMBASSADOR HANFORD FROM VICE MINISTER OF PUBLIC SECURITY HUONG ¶1. (SBU) On December 8, Ministry of Public Security contacts passed a letter to Poloff from Vice Minister Nguyen Van Huong to Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom John Hanford (unofficial translation below). Our contacts noted that lifting Vietnam's Country of Particular Concern designation "had contributed to the success of the President's November visit to Hanoi." As a result of the visit, the GVN "feels closer to the United States than it ever has," they added. ¶2. (SBU) Begin MPS letter: MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM Hanoi, November 22, 2006 To: H.E. Mr. John V. Hanford U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Washington D.C., U.S. Dear Mr. Ambassador, I received your letter through Ambassador Marine. Finally, we have managed to neutralize all problems; the fact that the United States removed Vietnam from the list of "Countries of Particular Concern for Religious Freedom Violations" (CPC) is an improvement in the perspective of the U.S. Government on Vietnam, and I highly appreciate your and Ambassador Marine's contributions, and, in a broader sense, your important contributions to the development of the relations between our two countries. First, I would like to thank you for your kind words, which confirmed that I managed to accomplish what my Government and people had requested of me. I have also been pleased each time I work with you by virtue of your frank, open and very practical attitude. Thus we were able to narrow our differences to reach an understanding appropriate to the conditions and situation of our two countries. You and I should truly be proud of our modest contribution to the development of the relations between our two countries and I believe that, with your talents and current position, you will further contribute to the strengthening of the good relations of our two countries. I wish you and your wife good health and happiness, and look forward to seeing you and your wife in Hanoi to find a common happiness between us. Sincerely, (Signed) General Nguyen Van Huong Vice Minister of Public Security End text of letter. ¶3. (SBU) Original letter and translation dispatched by pouch. MARINE