FOLLOW UP ON USCIRF VISIT DATES

UNCLAS HANOI 001642 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS NSC FOR ASIA SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KIRF PHUM VM SUBJECT: FOLLOW UP ON USCIRF VISIT DATES REF: Hanoi 1625 1.(SBU) Summary: Despite repeated Mission Vietnam demarches, the GVN has yet to reverse its decision and allow a visit by U.S. Commission on Religious Freedom (USCIRF) commissions later this month (reftel). The MFA continues to hold that it is fully engaged in short-term critical priorities. Vietnamese officials pledge to engage quickly on alternate dates later this year, stating that they wish to host a successful third USCIRF visit before the end of the year. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) In response to September 11 request by GVN to postpone USCIRF visit (reftel),post on September 12 delivered a letter from Ambassador Michalak to Vice Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh urging the GVN to reconsider its postponement request. In a September 12 meeting with MFA's Americas Acting Director General Nguyen Ba Hung, the DCM expressed concern at the postponement and strongly urged the GVN to allow the trip to go forward on its proposed dates. Ba Hung responded that Vietnam recognized the significance of the USCIRF visit and that Vietnam will host this visit, as it has successfully done twice before. ¶3. (SBU) Ba Hung further said the MFA faces a short-term "capacity problems" that prevent it from devoting its energy to preparing for the visit. First, the MFA International Organizations Bureau, which will be charged with coordinating the visit, is completely engaged in preparations in Vietnam's campaign to win a UNSC seat in the upcoming UNGA sessions. The Americas Department is similarly fully engaged in the related issue of preparing for the Prime Minister's visit later this month to New York. Moreover, the Committee on Religious Affairs, which would play a key role in the delegation's program, recently had its line authority changed - it now reports to the Ministry of Home Affairs and is adjusting its procedures accordingly. The DCM regretted that the MFA had not considered these limitations weeks ago, but only now raised them, after significant coordination has already taken place to clear the calendars of USCIRF commissioners. ¶4. (SBU) On September 13, Mission Vietnam reiterated these points in further demarches with the MFA. The GVN, in reply, repeated its pledge to host the visit before the end of the year, and further promised to re-engage on possible alternative dates in the near future. MICHALAK