Vietnam's Marine Police Seeking Equipment, Cooperation

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 001208 SENSITIVE SIPDIS EAP/RSP FOR Keith Sheives, Andrew Mueller Pass to U.S. Coast Guard E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL EWWT PINS SNAR VM SUBJECT: Vietnam's Marine Police Seeking Equipment, Cooperation HANOI 00001208 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. In an October 21 meeting in Hai Phong, Rear Admiral Pham Duc Linh, Director General of the Ministry of Defense's Department for the Vietnam Marine Police (VMP),explained the mission of the VMP, expressed their interest in U.S. equipment to build their patrol capabilities, and highlighted their desire for greater contact and cooperation. In line with U.S. regional maritime security interests and Vietnam's membership in Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) and other multilateral fora, this seems an organization and and an area ripe for future U.S. contact and cooperation. End summary. ¶2. (U) Established in 1998, the Vietnam Marine Police (VMP) are responsible for security and order along the coastline and in Vietnam's territorial seas, as well as carrying out Vietnam's responsibilities related to international conventions, such as the Law of the Sea. The organization's main missions include: 1)preserving and protecting security, law and order; 2) countering drug trafficking, smuggling, human trafficking, and fraud; 3) conducting search and rescue operations; 4) protecting the environment and responding to environmental incidents at sea, e.g. oil spills; 5) cooperating with international partners; 6)combating piracy at sea. While the VMP is currently headquartered in Hai Phong, RADM Linh noted that the headquarters will move to Ha Dong City, an outlying area of Hanoi, in the future. ¶3. (SBU) The Vietnam Marine Police fall under the Ministry of National Defense (MOD); however, RADM Linh was quick to point out that while the MOD provides administrative management for the VMP, the organization is not military and is "completely transparent." When asked about the rationale for having a law enforcement organization under the MOD, RADM Linh explained that VMP ships have to coordinate closely with the People's Navy of Vietnam (PNV) ships when operating at sea and VMP ships are dependent upon PNV shipyards for maintenance and repair. The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) simply does not have the technical expertise to manage a sea-going organization, he explained, adding that 60 percent of the VMP officers and staff have degrees in engineering. MPS does provide professional instruction and training on the law enforcement aspects of VMP's mission and frequently gives lectures and seminars to VMP staff. Purchasing U.S. Equipment, Vessels and Aircraft -------------- -- ¶4. (SBU) RADM Linh explained that as the VMP is a relatively new organization, the GVN has been making a significant investment in equipment, vessels, and patrol aircraft (to detect illegal shipping, pirates, and locate boats in distress),clarifying that the patrol aircraft do not carry weapons or any combat equipment. RADM Linh commented on the high quality of U.S. equipment and went to express an interest in buying U.S. aircraft. He half-joked that once the Marine Police had acquired a sufficient number, they would like to have a U.S company set up a maintenance and repair shop to service the aircraft. There is currently a team in the United States to look at surveillance aircraft the VMP is interested in purchasing, he added. When asked about future requirements for equipment, RADM Linh reflected that Vietnam is still a poor country and must prioritize its spending across many important areas, and declined to cite specific requirements. International Cooperation in Combating Piracy -------------- ¶5. (SBU) RADM explained that the South China Sea, or the East Sea as it is known in Vietnam, is the second busiest after the Mediterranean. Given Vietnam's geographical location, the Vietnam Marine Police has a responsibility to ensure that ships traveling in these waters are safe. As such, the organization serves as the GVN point of contact for information sharing on piracy and actively participates in the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) Information Sharing Center in Singapore. ¶6. (SBU) Poloff noted that the VMP's mission and duties closely mirror those of the U.S. Coast Guard. RADM Linh responded that the VMP has had no past contact or cooperation with the U.S. Coast Guard, but appeared very interested in the prospect, adding that as a new maritime law enforcement organization, there is much the VMP could learn from the U.S. Coast Guard. ¶7. (SBU) COMMENT: While demurring on specific requirements, the conversation with RADM Linh clearly reflected an interest in U.S. airplanes, helicopters, and their parts to improve VMP capabilities. RADM Linh was open and straightforward in the meeting, emphasizing on several occasions that the VMP is not like MOD and is open to HANOI 00001208 002.2 OF 002 international cooperation and coordination. Given U.S. regional maritime security interests and the Vietnam's membership in ReCAAP and other multilateral fora, this seems an organization and an area ripe for future U.S. contact and cooperation, particularly with the U.S. Coast Guard and similar organizations. MICHALAK