VIETNAM: SUPPORT LIKELY FOR UNGA RESOLUTION CONDEMNING

UNCLAS HANOI 001759 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO/RHS LINDA LUM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC PHUM UN KWMN SOCI VM SUBJECT: VIETNAM: SUPPORT LIKELY FOR UNGA RESOLUTION CONDEMNING RAPE REF: STATE 135255 ¶1. (SBU) On October 4, Poloff met with MFA IO Department Human Rights Section Chief Dang Tran Nam Trung to deliver reftel points and a copy of the draft resolution "Condemning the Use of Rape as an Instrument of State Policy." Trung expressed appreciation to the U.S. Government for raising the issue, adding that the GVN recognizes that women remain a vulnerable group in society and that women's issues deserve the highest level of international attention. He noted that, despite some progress, women still suffer from violence, and that rape should be punished in accordance with international law. ¶2. (SBU) Although Trung did not have a definitive response, he offered his view that the GVN will support the resolution. He said he will report the issue to senior MFA leadership for a final decision and inform us of the outcome as soon as possible. MICHALAK