AMBASSADOR'S INTRODUCTORY MEETING WITH PRESIDENT TRIET SETS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 001501 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF ECON VM SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S INTRODUCTORY MEETING WITH PRESIDENT TRIET SETS STAGE FOR CONSTRUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT HANOI 00001501 001.2 OF 002 1.(SBU) Summary: Presenting his credentials on August 20, newly arrived Ambassador Michael Michalak had a warm and wide-ranging discussion with President Nguyen Minh Triet covering cooperation on trade, education and governance as well as differences on religious freedom, human rights, and democracy. In response to the Ambassador's request,QQQ32ts in moving the U.S. embassy in Hanoi to a new compound. End Summary. U.S.-GVN RELATIONS CONTINUE TO BROADEN AND DEEPEN -------------- -------------- 2.(SBU) Following the brief ceremony in which President Triet accepted the Ambassador's credentials, Triet began their discussion by noting that U.S.-Vietnam relations have improved greatly in recent years and that he believed they would continue to do so with Ambassador Michalak. Despite a not always happy past, the two nations are looking to the future, Triet said. The Ambassador agreed that our relations are improving and that we have many shared priorities in broadening economic and educational ties as well as our cooperation on governance issues. Triet said he had similar priorities: promoting friendship and diplomatic relations; building the economic relationship; and promoting culqQQL3C$ll as cooperation in health care, science and technology. EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGES A PRIORITY ---=Q x7zQPvZ goal of at leaQ#1Vs Q-s}rams such as Fulbright as well as private sector participation are increasing the opportunities for study in the United States, the Ambassador suggested perhaps we can do even better than that. Triet said he agreed that the Ambassador's goal will be surpassed. Vietnamese should not only expect scholarships to study in the United States, Triet said - the GVN is also encouraging parents in Vietnam to spend their own money to fund their childrens' educations in the United States. IMPORTANCE OF TRADE, INVESTMENT -------------- 4.(SBU) Triet said the business community is supportive good bilateral relations as a condition for an improving business climate in Vietnam. He said that during his recent visit to the United States he had visited an American farmer and found even average people like this supportive of the U.S.-Vietnam relationship.