MENNONITES GOAD AUTHORITIES: HCMC FOLLOW UP

UNCLAS HO CHI MINH CITY 000559

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL KIRF SOCI PGOV VM
SUBJECT: MENNONITES GOAD AUTHORITIES: HCMC FOLLOW UP

REF: HCMC 538


1. (SBU) On May 24 we met with the HCMC External Relations
Office (ERO) to follow up on the May 22 clash between Mennonite
Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang and HCMC police. The ERO officials
confirmed that Quang and all his followers had been released in
the early evening of May 23. (Per reftel, on May 22, Pastor
Quang and eight other followers were detained following a clash
with police in HCMC's District 2. Officials sought to dismantle
what they deemed to be illegal construction at Quang's
residence.) At the meeting, we expressed concern that
authorities did not appear to follow due process in the case.
We also urged HCMC authorities to act with maximum restraint in
dealing with Quang, although it did appear from our independent
on-the-scene look that Quang's had violated zoning and building
permits.


2. (SBU) The ERO officials said authorities had followed proper
procedure. They notified Quang on the morning of the incident
that his construction was illegal and ordered him, in writing,
to stop. Quang refused and reportedly "threatened the inspector
with a hammer." When officials returned in the afternoon, Quang
was not complying with the stoppage order. He refused to
cooperate with police when asked to hand over construction
materials and to remove himself and his followers from the
building site. During the ensuing altercation with police (as
they sought to physically remove the Mennonites from the second
floor of the building site and to seize construction materials),
at least one police officer was injured and sent to the hospital
for treatment.


3. (SBU) On May 25, the ERO faxed us a series of document to
support its claim that local officials followed proper
procedure. The first document, dated May 22 at 1020 hours --
the morning of the incident -- is signed by HCMC building
inspectors. Entitled "Minute of Administrative Violation," the
report details Quang's infractions of building and zoning
permits, in particular the addition of a second floor to the
premises. The document orders Quang to cease building code
violations and to follow strictly what was authorized in the
repair permit issued by local authorities.


4. (SBU) The document the ERO presented appears to have been
countersigned by Pastor Quang. It also includes a handwritten
statement from Quang in which he states that he did not consider
his construction a violation because "he is entitled to raise
the roof of his house and, as his building serves as a house
church, he requires a larger, well ventilated space." Quang did
not address the charge that he was adding improperly and
illegally a second floor to his house.


5. (SBU) A second document was dated May 22 at 1450 hours, just
before police moved to remove the offending structure. That
document again noted building code violations and the refusal of
Quang to comply with the earlier request to cease construction.
The second document states that "because of the refusal of the
owner to cease construction, the police are authorized to seize
the offending construction materials and tools." A third
document lists the tools and materials that the authorities
confiscated with an appended note stating that Mrs. Quang
refused to sign the confiscation receipt. By this time her
husband already was in police custody.


6. (SBU) Comment: Our assessment is that the documents that we
received from the HCMC ERO are authentic. While local
authorities may be scrutinizing Quang more closely than others
in the community, there is no doubt that Quang knowingly broke
the law and ignored legitimate orders to cease construction.
The documents provided by the ERO reinforce our earlier
assessment based on our discussion with Mrs. Quang, other
members of Quang's group and neighbors that Pastor Quang -- yet
again -- exaggerated and distorted the facts. Unfortunately, by
intentionally seeking confrontation with HCMC authorities, Quang
not only put himself at risk, but also his small group of
devoted followers. We will continue to urge HCMC authorities to
act with maximum restraint, sophistication and understanding in
responding to Quang. End Comment.

Winnick