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


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