DEMARCHE ON CONTRIBUTION TO LEBANON TRIBUNAL DELIVERED

UNCLAS HANOI 001698 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNSC PTER LE VM SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON CONTRIBUTION TO LEBANON TRIBUNAL DELIVERED REF: STATE 129919 (SBU) On September 20, Poloff met with MFA West Asia and Africa Department Expert Vu Duy Thanh to deliver reftel points encouraging the Government of Vietnam (GVN) to make a financial contribution to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Thanh noted that the GVN will need to step up and take more responsibility for matters such as the Tribunal, given the likelihood that Vietnam will occupy a temporary seat on the UN Security Council. The GVN supports efforts to respond appropriately to Prime Minister Hariri's assassination, but Thanh added that any response must address the legitimate interests of all concerned parties and comply with international law. He also mentioned that the GVN is not in a good position to contribute financially, nor is there any GVN precedent for contributing to the Tribunal. Thanh said he would convey our message to MFA leadership for its consideration. MICHALAK