UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL, UNSC, NEXT SECRETARY-

UNCLAS HANOI 000896 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS Department for EAP/MLS and IO/UNP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV UN UNSC KUNR PHUM GT VE VM SUBJECT: UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL, UNSC, NEXT SECRETARY- GENERAL REF: A) State 57036; B) Hanoi 290; C) Hanoi 680; D) Hanoi 344 UN Human Rights Council -------------- ¶1. (SBU) The DCM met April 19 with MFA International Organizations Department Acting Director General Vu Anh Quang to deliver reftel's points and letter from the Secretary to Foreign Minister Nguyen Dzy Nien. Quang said SIPDIS that the MFA values U.S. viewpoints on multilateral issues such as human rights, arms control and economic development. The matter of membership on the UN Human Rights Council is no different, and Vietnam will take into consideration our presentation as it formulates its own position, he said. UNSC: Guatemala vs. Venezuela -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In response to the DCM's inquiry about whether Vietnam has come to a decision regarding Guatemala's and Venezuela's competing candidacies for a non-permanent UNSC seat (Refs B and C),Quang said that the MFA's IO Department is "leaning" towards supporting Guatemala, but that the final decision will have to be made by Vietnam's leadership. Should Vietnam support Guatemala, it would be with the hope that the United States will support Vietnam's own candidacy for non-permanent UNSC membership in 2008-2009. Next UN Secretary-General -------------- ¶3. (SBU) On the subject of the next UN Secretary-General (Ref D),Quang noted that the leaders of ASEAN have thrown their support behind the candidacy of the ASEAN (Thai) candidate. However, with other strong Asian candidates in the running, the ASEANs are also open to discussing this matter with other Asian countries to find the best Asian candidate. Quang expressed his hope that the United States would also support an Asian candidate. The DCM stressed our desire to find the best candidate possible, regardless of region. MARINE