VIETNAM: INDEPENDENT INQUIRY COMMITTEE

UNCLAS HANOI 000875 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS STATE FOR IO/PSC LIZ PARKER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KFIN PGOV IZ VM SUBJECT: VIETNAM: INDEPENDENT INQUIRY COMMITTEE FOLLOW-UP REF: SECSTATE 40595 ¶1. (U) Post received a note dated April 7 from the Ministry of Trade formally conveying their response to Post's inquiry regarding the Independent Inquiry Committee investigation. ¶2. (SBU) Begin text of note: Ministry of Trade Socialist Republic of Vietnam Hanoi, April 7, 2006 The Ministry of Trade of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America in Hanoi and, with reference to the Latter's Note No. 0242/06 dated 03/16/2006, has the honor to state as follows: During the Iraq Oil-for-food Programme of the United Nations, the Vietnamese Government has had no intervention in the activities of Vietnamese enterprises participating in this Programme. These enterprises shall be liable for their own business activities. Their contracts have been approved by the 661 Committee of the United Nations. These enterprises informed that they have complied with provisions of their approved contracts. Should the Independent Inquiry Committee into the Oil-for-food Programme of the United Nations have concrete proof of violation of Vietnamese enterprises, the Vietnamese Government is willing to cooperate to make clear these cases. The Ministry of Trade of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States in Hanoi the assurances of its highest consideration. Embassy of the United States of America in Hanoi. End of text of Note. ¶3. (U) No original will follow. MARINE