VIETNAM NOT READY TO SUBSCRIBE TO HCOC

UNCLAS HANOI 000478 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MTCRE PREL MNUC KSCA ETTC TSPA VM SUBJECT: VIETNAM NOT READY TO SUBSCRIBE TO HCOC REF: A) STATE 36361 B) 07 HANOI 1051 (SBU) On April 25, poloff discussed Ref A points urging the GVN to subscribe to the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC) with MFA International Organizations Department Specialist Vu Tran Phong. The GVN's policy on the issue has not evolved since a similar demarche was delivered in June 2007. Phong said the GVN shares the concern of the United States and other HCOC subscribers about the threat of WMD proliferation. However, the GVN's position is that, since Vietnam does not possess, produce or export ballistic missiles, it is not necessary for the GVN to subscribe to the HCOC at the present time. Phong also said the GVN has economic difficulties and would lack the financial means necessary to meet HCOC obligations, failing to respond to the point that there are no assessed contributions or other monetary costs of subscribing to the HCOC. MICHALAK NNNN End Cable Text