MFA DELIVERS MESSAGE: STOP SUPPORTING POLITICAL ACTIVISTS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 000782 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS AND DRL/AWH NSC FOR HOLLY MORROW E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV VM SUBJECT: MFA DELIVERS MESSAGE: STOP SUPPORTING POLITICAL ACTIVISTS REF: Hanoi 752 ¶1. (SBU) On April 27, the Ambassador was called in by MFA Americas Department Director General Pham Van Que to receive a message from the "highest GVN authorities" concerning the Ambassador's and Embassy's "support for political activists." The text of the message is provided in paragraph four below. Before reading the message, a clearly uncomfortable Que noted the positive momentum in our bilateral relations and the Ambassador's personal contributions, but added that there is "strong discontent" in some parts of the GVN about recent U.S. actions. ¶2. (SBU) The Ambassador replied that GVN leaders need to understand that his and the Embassy's actions in support of human rights reflect the concerns of the U.S. Government and the American people. Our meetings with political activists are an important part of the work of our Mission and should not be viewed as support for their political views, but rather a demonstration of the fundamental U.S. belief in the importance of political free speech. Our efforts to set up meetings during the Secretary's visit were done in coordination with the GVN, and we will continue to act transparently regarding such activities because we know the issue is a sensitive one for the GVN and calls for a delicate approach. The Ambassador expressed his strong disappointment that the GVN had interfered with the recent event at his residence to which family members of political activists had been invited (Reftel) and noted that the event became far more important because it was not allowed to take place. ¶3. (SBU) The Ambassador said he would continue to speak out on behalf of peaceful political activism because it is an area of fundamental U.S. concern. Such actions are intended to make overall U.S.-Vietnam relations stronger and have no other aim. He also affirmed the USG's full support for Vietnam's sovereignty and territorial integrity and offered to speak to GVN officials who have concerns about U.S. policy in order to avoid further problems. Both sides need to work together to order to avoid the issue of human rights from dominating the visit of President Nguyen Minh Triet and also causing greater difficulties in the bilateral relationship. ¶4. (SBU) Begin text of MFA message. The course of renovation (Doi moi) in Vietnam has strongly been intensified. Accordingly, the Government and people of Vietnam are determined to speed up economic development, improving people's material and spiritual life and at the same time to enhance democracy and the rights of their people in managing socio-economic life. On that basis, Vietnam hopes to contribute an increasingly positive role for peace, stability, prosperity and international cooperation in South East Asia and the world at large. This policy serves benefit of the whole Vietnamese community. To realize the above-mentioned great objectives, Vietnam does not accept law-breaking activities conducted by some Vietnamese elements, such as Nguyen Van Ly, Nguyen Van Dai, etc. These cases have nothing to do with the issue of human rights or religious freedom. They are associated with a number of overseas Vietnamese reactionaries in order to overthrow the Vietnamese regime, threatening the national security of Vietnam. Vietnam's public opinions have been very discontented at some statements by the Ambassador about the group 8406 and the Ambassador's arrangement of meetings with relatives of several anti-regime elements. The Ambassador's residence has been seen as the venue for meeting with those elements, encouraging them to conduct activities which violate Vietnamese laws and undermine Vietnam's national security. The support for those activities runs counter to the Ambassador's mission of strengthening Vietnam - U.S. relations. Various circles in Vietnam have questioned the role of the U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, whether to promote the bilateral relations or to create instability in Vietnam. The efforts in arranging meetings with those individuals were made at the sensitive moments such as the visits by President Bush, and by Congresswoman Sanchez or on the occasion of the Human Rights Dialogue. Therefore, Vietnam's public opinion raised the question whether these provocative activities by the U.S. side are aimed at creating a critical situation at those times in order to draw the attention from U.S. Congress and public to put pressure on Vietnam and create difficulties for Vietnam and Vietnam-U.S. relations. The U.S. Ambassador, the Embassy, and the Consulate General are strongly urged not to make any further similar statements or to meet with anti-regime elements, which might affect the favorable political atmosphere of Vietnam - U.S. relations that the two sides have been trying to foster. End text of MFA message. HANOI 00000782 002 OF 002 MARINE