DEMARCHE ON SUPPORT FOR LEBANON DELIVERED

UNCLAS HANOI 000134 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM LE VM SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON SUPPORT FOR LEBANON DELIVERED REF: STATE 10786 (SBU) On February 5, Poloff met with MFA West Asia and Africa Department Deputy Director General Nguyen Van Linh to deliver the Secretary's note verbale and discuss reftel points urging support SIPDIS for the Lebanese government. Linh said the GVN maintains good relations with the Lebanese government and mentioned a recent exchange of New Year's greetings between GVN leaders and Prime Minister Siniora. While noting that Vietnam is not in a position to provide economic or security assistance to Lebanon, he cited the return of Vietnamese laborers to Lebanon as a form of cooperation that contributes to Lebanon's development. Concerning the role of Syria, Linh said the GVN opposes any interference by other countries in internal Lebanese affairs and that the GVN has advised Syria that it must respect Lebanese sovereignty. He added that although the GVN is familiar with reports about links between Syria and Hizballah, it has not received concrete evidence about such links. MICHALAK