U.S.-VIETNAM HUMAN RIGHTS DIALOGUE: MORNING SESSION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 HANOI 000669 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS AND DRL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM KIRF PREL PGOV VM SUBJECT: U.S.-VIETNAM HUMAN RIGHTS DIALOGUE: MORNING SESSION HANOI 00000669 001.2 OF 008 Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Delegations from the United States and Vietnam met for the two countries' first Human Rights Dialogue in over three years February 20. The morning session included opening remarks, Vietnam's presentation of its approaches to human rights, a discussion of criminal code, prison conditions and prisoners of concern and an abbreviated discussion of religious freedom, which was picked up in the afternoon session (septel). The tone of the HRD was open and cordial, with both sides expressing their desire to use the discussions to further accelerate positive developments in bilateral relations. In response to DRL A/S Lowenkron's presentation on criminal code, prisons and prisoners of concern, the GVN highlighted recent progress in legal and judicial reform and suggested that Decree 31 (administrative detention) may be amended, but not abolished. A/S Lowenkron also called for greater access to trials and prisons and urged the GVN to allow the UN access to prisons. The GVN representatives left open the possibility that there would be future amnesties or sentence reductions for prisoners of concern, including Pham Hong Son, and agreed to discuss further our prisoner list. ¶2. (SBU) The GVN sought clarification of the reported mistreatment of prisoners in U.S. prisons, incidents at Abu Ghraib and the situation in Guantanamo Bay. In the discussion on religious freedom, the GVN representatives highlighted recent advances, including the promulgation of a new legal framework on religion, efforts to ensure that local officials and religious believers are aware of the changes and the registration of new congregations. U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Hanford acknowledged these improvements and pledged to work with the GVN to address our issues of concern in order to remove Vietnam from the list of Countries of Particular Concern. The two sides agreed to continue in the afternoon the discussion on religious freedom, including remaining issues of USG concern. End Summary. Opening Remarks -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Vietnam delegation head and MFA International Organizations Department Director General Pham Binh Minh opened the 11th round (and first in over three years) of the U.S.-Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue (HRD) February 20 (full participants' lists in Para 33). In his initial remarks, Minh noted that bilateral relations had greatly improved in 2005, and Prime Minister Phan Van Khai's visit to the United States and the U.S.-Vietnam Joint Statement were the year's highlights. With Vietnam's WTO accession efforts and its hosting of APEC 2006, this year would prove to be an equally important year for bilateral ties. In this context, the HRD will help to increase mutual understanding between the United States and Vietnam by allowing the two sides to frankly discuss issues of mutual concern in the spirit of the Joint Statement, DG Minh said. ¶4. (SBU) Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Barry F. Lowenkron noted that the fact that the United States and Vietnam were able to schedule the HRD shows that the two sides had overcome the obstacles that had led to the HRD's suspension in 2002. Today, the United States and Vietnam enjoy strong, cooperative and productive relations and have the responsibility to build on PM Khai's historic visit to the United States. The Joint Statement commits the two countries to raise their ties to a higher plane, and this is the basis for the efforts surrounding the HRD. United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom John V. Hanford's participation in the HRD signals the importance of the HRD and the key place religious freedom has in this dialogue, A/S Lowenkron said. ¶5. (SBU) The United States and Vietnam need to do everything in their power to ensure that the HRD bolsters their positive relations, the A/S continued, particularly because of President George W. Bush's plans to visit Hanoi in November 2006 for the APEC Leaders Meeting. The HRD is also important because the A/S has an obligation to report to Congress the HRD and what it has achieved. For the United States, the principles surrounding the HRD are threefold: that it leads to concrete results; that it is candid and transparent; and, that the two countries can bring all of their concerns to the table. On this occasion, the United States delegation will present a number of suggestions for Vietnam's consideration, including possible actions that Vietnam could take that would be well received by both the HANOI 00000669 002.2 OF 008 President and the international community. We note the positive steps that the GVN has taken in the area of religious freedom and in releasing a number of prisoners of concern. Vietnam has much to be proud of in its socio- economic development efforts on behalf of its citizens. Improvements in these areas are without question. Continued improvements in the human rights situation, and political and legal developments, can bolster Vietnam's efforts in other areas. They can also help to demonstrate the importance Vietnam attaches to these matters and establish Vietnam as a model country that respects fundamental human rights, A/S Lowenkron stressed. ¶6. (SBU) In the May 5 exchange of letters, the United States committed to engage in dialogues, Ambassador Hanford observed, and the United States is pleased in connection with HRD to uphold this commitment. Over the past few years, the United States and Vietnam have worked on the religious freedom issue in ways that have improved official and unofficial bilateral ties. Progress in the area of religious freedom and other areas on the HRD's agenda will allow the U.S.-Vietnam relationship to improve further, Ambassador Hanford said. Approaches to Human Rights -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Turning to the next item on the agenda, "Approaches to Human Rights," DG Minh noted that to understand Vietnam's perspective on human rights, one had to understand Vietnam's historical circumstances, particularly its over thousand- year struggle for freedom and independence. These are the basic human rights that Vietnam cherishes, along with sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in its internal affairs. Furthermore, Vietnam believes that the protection of political and civil rights are linked with social and economic development. As such, Vietnam's efforts to develop its economy, such as through its "doi moi" (renovation) policy, are designed to encourage social progress. Vietnam also believes that, in a diverse world, international human rights standards should be harmonized with the unique historical, cultural and other traditions of individual countries, DG Minh said. ¶8. (SBU) The principal responsibility of each nation is the protection of its citizens' human rights, the Director General continued. In Vietnam, individual rights can only be secured once the common interests of the community, and the nation, are respected. Finally, given historical, political and cultural differences, each nation's values are also different, but there needs to be a common international understanding about human rights. No nation should consider itself perfect in the area of human rights, and there should be no double-standards. In closing, Vietnam agrees that the HRD should be used to raise any and all issues of mutual concern, and, in that spirit, Vietnam stands ready to use the dialogue to learn from the United States, DG Minh said. ¶9. (SBU) Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has spoken often on the subjects of human rights and democracy promotion; in a recent speech, she noted that democracy by definition cannot be imposed, and that there is no single road to building democracy, A/S Lowenkron responded. However, the Secretary, the President and the American people believe that there are some universal human rights principles: the right for the full political participation of the citizens of each country; the right for the development of a robust civil society; and, the right to have a government that is transparent and accountable to the people. Vietnam's doi moi policy can be strengthened by the advancement of the human rights and democracy agenda and, in so doing, Vietnam can increase its international stature and have a positive role beyond its borders. Indeed, no country is perfect in human rights; in fact, no country is perfect, A/S Lowenkron noted. Criminal Code, Prisons, Prisoners of Concern -------------- ¶10. (SBU) A/S Lowenkron opened the next agenda item by expressing hope that, by frankly raising our concerns in these areas, we will be able to see progress before the President's visit in November. Vietnam's National Assembly amended its criminal code in 2003 to allow for increased rights for defendants. The purpose was to change courtroom proceedings to a more "adversarial" system in which the judge presides over proceedings while the State and the defense make their arguments (rather than the previous system in which the judge helped to guide the State's case). HANOI 00000669 003.2 OF 008 The United States would be interested in learning how these changes are being implemented. Furthermore, the United States continues to have concerns about Decree 31/CP, which deals with administrative detention. We are concerned that the definition is broad, ill-defined and open to abuse. It also appears that Decree 31 violates the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). We urge Vietnam to repeal the decree and release those imprisoned under it. At the most recent U.S.-Vietnam HRD in 2002, this issue was discussed, and we would be interested in hearing whether Vietnam thinks that it would be possible to move beyond this decree, A/S Lowenkron asked. ¶11. (SBU) In the view of the United States, detentions, trials and sentencings without due process damage Vietnam's international image. Opening court trials to observers, journalists and Vietnamese citizens could increase confidence in Vietnam's legal system, A/S Lowenkron continued. There have been some arrests, including of Pham Hong Son, that appear to contravene the ICCPR because the trials were not carried out in a transparent manner. The Unites States would also like to see further reforms to allow for unrestricted pre-trial access to an attorney from the time an individual is arrested, A/S Lowenkron stressed. ¶12. (SBU) On the subject of prisoners of conscience, Vietnam ratified the ICCPR in 1982, the A/S noted. However, Vietnam has detained, arrested, brought to trial and imprisoned individuals for seeking to exercise their right to free speech. This is a serious violation of the ICCPR. We have a list of prisoners of concern and those facing travel and other restrictions that we will share with the GVN, and, as always, we would welcome any further information on these prisoners and other individuals. On the list are a number of prisoners of particular concern, such as Pham Hong Son, who distributed an essay calling for democracy and translated an article from the State Department's website entitled "What is Demcracy?" The American people and Congress will not understand why a country the United States wants good relations with would arrest someone for translating an article from the State Department website. Vietnam would send an important message by releasing Son and others, such as Nguyen Vu Binh, Do Van My and Pham Van Ban. We are also concerned about religious prisoner Ma Van Bay, A/S Lowenkron said. ¶13. (SBU) Finally, the United States is concerned about prison conditions, the A/S noted. While we note progress since the criminal code came into effect in July 2004, we would also note that the last prison visit by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detentions was in 1994. The United States urges Vietnam to consider full access to prisons and prisoners of concern by members of the international community. These are not easy issues, but we seek to discuss them with Vietnam in the spirit of mutual understanding. They are at the core of President Bush's beliefs and U.S. Congressional interest in Vietnam, A/S Lowenkron stressed. Vietnam Responds: Criminal Procedures Code -------------- ¶14. (SBU) Asked by DG Minh to respond to a number of the issues raise, Ministry of Justice representative Dang Hang Oanh described Vietnam's efforts at legal reform as being aimed towards building a just system that is clear, sound, transparent and democratic. One aspect of this is decreasing sentences, expanding the number of set punishments and using non-detention sentences, such as re- education. Vietnam is also seeking to decrease its use of the death penalty, which now applies to a limited number of serious crimes. Thanks to the revision of the criminal procedures code in 2003, there are now strict procedures for arrests, interrogations and sending cases to trial. For example, the 2003 code clearly defines who has the right to make an arrest: the chief and deputy chief of the Supreme People's Procuracy and military procuracies at all levels; a presiding judge or deputy and military judges at all levels; appellate judges of the Supreme People's Court or Trial Council and the heads and deputies of investigative agencies, Oanh described. ¶15. (SBU) Section 2, Article 18 of the revised criminal code also spells out rights and obligations regarding searches. If an arrest is carried out in someone's residence, a communal official or neighbor must be present as a witness. Similarly, if an arrest takes place in a workplace, a workplace representative and local official must be present. The criminal procedures code was also amended in 2003 to lay HANOI 00000669 004.2 OF 008 out rules for arrests in emergency situations. Following an emergency arrest, Article 81 of the criminal procedures code requires the local people's procuracy to approve the arrest warrant. If the warrant is denied, the person must be released immediately. The rules guiding administrative detentions have also been changed. In the past, a person could be held indefinitely for a national security crime, but now the time limit is four months. The 2003 code revisions also established regulations regarding interrogations and questions and answers in court. This was to increase the responsibility of prosecutors to make their case. The prosecutor asks questions, and the accused has the right to defend himself or herself. Defense lawyers also have increased rights to express their opinions in court to ensure that the trial is run in a fair, democratic and transparent manner, Oanh concluded. Prisoners of Concern -------------- ¶16. (SBU) Tran Van Thanh of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) addressed the issue of prisoners of concern. He noted that Ambassador Hanford presented a list of 86 persons of concern, both prisoners and those facing restrictions, to MPS Vice Minister Huong in October 2003. MPS discovered one duplicate name, decreasing the number to 85 persons of concern. Among these, 13 could not be identified, four had not been arrested and two were not present at their residences. Since then, 47 of the 85 have been released or received amnesties. The remaining 19 are serving their sentences. In June 2005, Ambassador Marine presented Vice Minister Huong with a list of 13 persons of concern and, in January 2006, provided Prime Minister Khai with a list of 17 persons of concern, including a number on the previous list and a number of individuals facing restrictions. With regard to the June 2005 list, seven individuals have been amnestied, one person committed suicide, four are serving their sentences and one is under consideration for an amnesty. Based on progress during his detention period, Nguyen Khac Toan was recently released on the occasion of Tet, Thanh observed. ¶17. (SBU) For other cases of concern, based on the necessary conditions for receiving an amnesty and in accordance with Vietnamese law, MPS will work closely with other concerned agencies, Thanh said. In the time to come, there may be additional individuals of concern who receive amnesties, are released or receive sentence reductions. Among those individuals raised by Ambassador Marine who are facing restrictions, MPS has found that only one is subject to probation based on Vietnamese law. The others are leading normal lives in their areas of residence. MPS stands ready to discuss with the United States, through different channels, the U.S. list of names. That said, all the individuals of concern who are in prison were tried in a democratic and transparent manner and in accordance with Vietnamese law, Thanh averred. ¶18. (SBU) On the subject of Decree 31 (administrative detention),Thanh said that Vietnam is currently attempting to transform into a nation based on rule of law. Vietnam needs legal documents to manage society, protect national security and promote human rights. Decree 31 must be understood in that context. However, no legal document is permanent, and Vietnam will consider amendments to Decree 31 through a survey and review of the decree to ensure that it reflects appropriate international standards, Thanh said. Prisons, and a List of Concerns About the U.S. -------------- - ¶19. (SBU) Nguyen Van Ninh of the Department of Prison Management (MPS) said that Vietnam's prison policies are in accordance with Vietnam's regulations and legal code. Vietnamese law prohibits mistreatment of prisoners and encourages prisoners to reflect on their crimes to become better citizens in the future. Vietnam's humanitarian policies and traditions are reflected both in its prison laws and in the practice of offering amnesties. For example, in 2004 and 2005 there were four grand amnesties in which 35,299 persons were released, including over 100 foreigners and 25 individuals of concern to the United States. Anyone is eligible regardless of religion, ethnicity or citizenship, provided their fellow prisoners vote that he or she should be amnestied and Vietnam's Amnesty Council agrees, Ninh said. ¶20. (SBU) Turning to a number of issues of concern to Vietnam about the United States, Ninh noted that U.S. prison HANOI 00000669 005.2 OF 008 conditions and the treatment of prisoners are not ideal and sought further information on the alleged mistreatment and sexual abuse of prisoners. A November 12, 2004, New York Times article reported that over 13 percent of U.S. prisoners have been sexually abused. The news surrounding Abu Ghraib was also disturbing. Furthermore, since 2003, there have been over 300 cases of cruel and inhumane treatment of prisoners in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay. According to a number of documents made public by the White House in June 2004, the U.S. Department of Defense authorized the harsh treatment of prisoners in Guantanamo Bay. Vietnam also has concerns about the detention without trial of a number of individuals. Since September 11, 2001, 70 persons, including 69 Muslims, have been detained because of their refusal to provide information to U.S. courts. Finally, the GVN would like further information on the secret prisons the CIA has reportedly established in eight SIPDIS countries. Over the past four years, some 100 suspects have been detained in these locales, with 30 of them turned over to third country intelligence services. The German press has also reported many rendition flights over its territory. The conditions in these prisons are reportedly worse than hell. The GVN seeks U.S. clarification of and elaboration on these matters, Ninh requested. ¶21. (SBU) Prior to asking A/S Lowenkron to respond, DG Minh noted that the Vietnamese side listened carefully to the U.S. delegation's legal and judicial reform recommendations. He suggested that some of these views may be reflected in future legislation and legal revisions. A/S Lowenkron Responds -------------- ¶22. (SBU) The list the U.S. delegation will hand over today will have more than 13 names but fewer than 86. The list's content reflects discussions at both the State Department and White House and was updated to note Nguyen Khac Toan's amnesty, which was welcomed in Washington. We will continue to work with the GVN in the months ahead to share information about the individuals on the list to hopefully resolve the 21 cases. The release of Pham Hong Son would send a strong signal to the international community. On Decree 31, it is good to hear that the GVN is discussing ways to amend the law, even if there are no discussions underway to abolish it. It is not for the United States to discuss Vietnam's history, but Vietnam is resilient, independent and strong, and Decree 31 does not reflect a Vietnam that is now more open and confident, particularly after so many difficult years. We are grateful for the comprehensive overview of Vietnam's criminal procedures code, but areas of concern remain. The United States is willing to work with Vietnam in a partnership to strengthen its legal system and reform efforts. In response to A/S Lowenkron's question about whether there will be further amnesties this year, Ninh said that the State President makes the decision, and an amnesty or sentence reduction is granted based on the subject's progress in prison. A/S Lowenkron stressed that the international community is very interested in access to prisons and for observers to attend trials. ¶23. (SBU) On the issues of concern to Vietnam, A/S Lowenkron said that the incidents at Abu Ghraib are inexcusable and indefensible. While there have been more than 300 cases of prisoner abuse around the world, there have been over 400 prosecutions in the United States for these abuses and over 100 persons were found guilty. The question of how the United States organizes prisons in the context of the global campaign against terror has been debated openly and freely in the United States. This kind of incident was not unique in American history, but when it has happened in the past, we have counted on a free press, a fully independent court system, including the Supreme Court, and a fiercely independent and active U.S. Congress. The American people expect nothing less. The debate on interrogations and prisons is conducted on the basis of a free press, rule of law and the Congress, A/S Lowenkron stressed. ¶24. (SBU) On Guantanamo Bay, over one-third of the prisoners have been released or sent back to other governments. The International Committee of the Red Cross has full and unimpeded access to the remaining prisoners. In fact, the days of Guantanamo Bay are numbered, and Guantanamo Bay is not Abu Ghraib. These prisons are not prison camps but camps for prisoners of war. The war on terror is a long and difficult struggle and involves many nations. Progress will be fitful. Working with others, the United States will do everything it can to ensure that its principles are honored HANOI 00000669 006.2 OF 008 while these same principles, and its homeland, are protected to the full extent of our law and international law. On the issue of renditions, Ramsey Youssef, one of the 1993 World Trade Center bombers, is probably the most famous rendition case, and this is a procedure that nations need to defend themselves against attack. In short, no country is perfect, but the fundamental freedom of debate, rule of law and listening to the people through the electoral process can help to discover and address problems, the A/S said. ¶25. (SBU) DG Minh wrapped up this agenda item by noting that EU Ambassadors and the Swiss Ambassador have been able to visit prisons, and said that, while the GVN had arranged for A/S Lowenkron to visit a prison in Ho Chi Minh City, the delegation decided against it. A/S Lowenkron stressed that it is important for Vietnam to allow the UN access to prisons. Religious Freedom: Vietnam Describes Achievements -------------- -------------- ¶26. (SBU) Nguyen Thi Bach Tuyet of the GVN's Committee for Religious Affairs (CRA) opened this agenda item by expressing her government's hope that Vietnam's achivements in this area would allow Vietnam to be removed from the list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC). Over the past year, Vietnam has promulgated the Ordinance on Religion and its Implementing Decree and the Prime Minister's Instruction on Protestantism. To ensure that local officials understand the new legal framework, the GVN has organized training courses and workshops for over 2,000 civil servants in charge of religious affairs. Some 12,878 religious leaders and followers have also taken part in these courses. A total of 281 courses in 32 out of 64 provinces and cities have reached 1,154,735 civil servants at all levels. The central-level CRA is working closely with local authorities to promote communication and information sharing and ensure that there is broad awareness of the new laws and regulations, particularly in the Central Highlands and northwest and southwest, Tuyet explained. ¶27. (SBU) In the Central Highlands and Binh Phuoc Province, there are currently 300,760 Protestant believers, 32 pastors, 37 honorary pastors, 105 missionaries and 50 Protestant congregations. Out of these 50, 12 are new or recently established. Local authorities in Dak Lak and Gia Lai have allocated land for the construction of churches, and a new church was recently opened in Gia Lai on February ¶1. Also, there are increasing numbers of ordained pastors and honorary pastors. Some 25 students from Gia Lai were sent to attend a training course at an institute for bible and theological studies, and there have been three courses for 113 deacons and an additional 115 deacons in Binh Phuoc. The GVN is also considering recognizing additional Protestant branches, such as the Baptists. It has published 60,000 copies of the Ordinance and the implementing decree, with half of them written in ethnic minority languages. The GVN has also produced three films regarding the Central and Northwest Highlands and the southwest to help the international community understand better the situation there, Tuyet said. ¶28. (SBU) There have been a number of important visits to Vietnam by religious leaders over the past year, she continued. In 2005, Buddhist leader Thich Nhat Hanh led a large delegation to Vietnam for discussions. Cardinal Sepe of the Vatican also traveled to Vietnam to ordain 57 priests in Hanoi; he also visited a number of diocese. EU Ambassadors have visited both the Northwest and Central Highlands and conducted meetings with religious leaders and followers. Ambassador Hanford himself has visited the Central Highlands. Vietnamese religious organizations have sent delegations abroad, including to the ASEM Dialogue on Beliefs in Bali. The CRA and other agencies have also sent delegations abroad, and the positive outcomes to date have been thanks to the efforts and goodwill of religious organizations and followers. Tuyet closed by seeking information the ten Protestant churches that were recently burned down in the United States. Ambassador Hanford Responds -------------- ¶29. (SBU) Religious freedom is an issue of high interest and concern to the international community, Ambassador Hanford said. No country, including the United States, is perfect, but respect for religious freedom is a fundamental right. It is important to recognize that the large portion of the Vietnamese population is able to enjoy a significant degree HANOI 00000669 007.2 OF 008 of religious freedom. The focus of U.S. concern is on particular groups that are not able to freely practice their faith. We recognize and welcome the efforts the GVN has made to promote religious freedom and address issues of concern. For example, the GVN has released a number of religious prisoners of concern. These were individuals for whom we had made personal appeals, and we appreciate the GVN's responsiveness, Ambassador Hanford said. ¶30. (SBU) The most important initiative to date has been the introduction of new laws, including the Ordinance on Religion and Belief, its implementing decree and the Prime Minister's Instruction on Protestantism, the Ambassador continued. These represent a real commitment to change and established a nationwide structure to protect new freedoms or preserve freedoms established in the past. It is commendable that the Prime Minister demonstrated his personal commitment to this issue as reflected in his special instruction on Protestantism. The GVN's efforts to reach the May 5 exchange of letters were also significant, and we appreciate the GVN's hard work to conclude this exchange. As President Bush said in his meeting with PM Khai, this is a landmark agreement, the implementation of which will help bilateral relations to reach a higher plane. President Bush has a personal interest in this matter and, as A/S Lowenkron said, the Secretary has the same interest, Ambassador Hanford noted. ¶31. (SBU) We have heard from various religious groups in Vietnam that there is increasing openness for religious practice, he continued. In particular, the USG welcomes the explicit ban on forced renunciations. This kind of progress goes far in eliminating a divisive issue between the United States and Vietnam. Religious believers in the United States can be expected to find it very difficult to understand such an extreme practice. The GVN claimed this was not the law of Vietnam, and now that a ban on forced renunciations has been codified, this issue has been clarified for all concerned parties both at home and abroad. The USG also welcomed: the Evangelical Church of Vietnam- North's (ECVN) December 2004 Congress, the first in twenty years; Thich Nhat Hanh's visit to Vietnam after 38 years; the new latitude granted to religious groups to select their leadership; the recognition granted to Grace Baptist Church and the Seventh Day Adventists, which opens up a new chapter in the recognition of religious groups; the formal recognition of over 200 meeting points in Gia Lai Province, facilitating over 200 meeting points for Protestants for Christmas service in Dak Lak Province; and, providing religious training and building permits, which in the past have been difficult to secure. The United States and others in the international community recognize these and other positive steps. We hope to work together in the coming months to resolve the CPC issues, Ambassador Hanford concluded. ¶32. (SBU) At this point, the two delegations agreed to break for lunch and continue in the afternoon the religious freedom discussion, including our remaining areas of concern (afternoon session reported septel). ¶33. (SBU) List of HRD participants: United States -------------- Assistant Secretary Barry F. Lowenkron Ambassador John V. Hanford Ambassador Michael W. Marine Susan O'Sullivan, Senior Advisor DRL/PHD Patricia Davis, National Security Council Michael Orona, DRL Clarissa Adamson, DRL/IRF John Adams, Desk Officer MLS/VN Marc Knapper, Political Counselor Ben Moeling, Political Officer, Hanoi Robert Silberstein, Political Officer, HCMC Nate Jensen, Political Officer, Hanoi (control officer) Vietnam -------------- Mr. Pham Binh Minh, Director General, Department of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Mr. Nguyen Quang Thang, Director General, Department of Internal Affairs, Office of the Government HANOI 00000669 008.2 OF 008 Mr. Tran Van Thanh, Deputy Director General, Department of Security Advisory, General Security Department, Ministry of Public Security Mr. Hoang Van Phan, Deputy Director General, Department for External Relations, Committee for Ethnic Affairs Mr. Nghiem Quang Xuyen, Deputy Director General, Department of Prosecution and Investigation of Security Violations, Supreme People's Procuracy Mr. Ngo Cuong, Deputy Director General, Judicial Science Institute, Supreme People's Court Mr. Nguyen Tri Dzung, Deputy Director General, Press Department, Ministry of Culture and Information Mr. Nguyen Van Ninh, Deputy Director General, Prison Management Department, Ministry of Public Security Mr. Nguyen Ba Hung, Deputy Director General, Americas Department, MFA Ms. Nguyen Thi Bach Tuyet, Deputy Director General, External Relations Department, Committee for Religious Affairs Ms. Dang Hoang Oanh, Desk Officer, External Relations Department, Ministry of Justice Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Quynh, Desk Officer, Department of International Organizations, MFA Ms. Hoang Thi Thanh Nga, Desk Officer, Americas Department, MFA Mr. Le Chi Dzung, Desk Officer, Americas Deprtment, MFA ¶34. (U) A/S Lowenkron and Ambassado Hanford cleared this message. MARINE