GVN STRETCHES HISTORICAL RECORD TO ENHANCE CLAIM FOR SOUTH

UNCLAS HANOI 000493 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHSA PBTS SOCI VM SUBJECT: GVN STRETCHES HISTORICAL RECORD TO ENHANCE CLAIM FOR SOUTH CHINA SEA ISLANDS ¶1. Summary: A recent ceremony to honor past heroes in Vietnam's fight for the Spratly and Paracel Islands received primetime attention on national television, highlighting Vietnam's historical claim to the islands. The ceremony was dedicated to the "tens of thousands" of 19th century Nguyen Dynasty soldiers who gave their lives in defense of the South China Sea islands. Some Vietnamese historians report that actual military engagement by these troops was considerably more modest in scope. By embellishing the historical record, the GVN also used the event as a reminder to its public about "past sacrifices" that were required in order to defend its claim to these islands. End Summary. Ceremony Dedicated to Fallen Heroes -------------- ¶2. On April 19-21, Ly Son island district in central Quang Ngai Province held a traditional and religious ceremony to honor Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945) soldiers who fell in defense of the Paracel and Spratly Islands. At a distance of about 135 miles, Ly Son is the closest Vietnamese territory to the Paracels and was the home of many of these Nguyen Dynasty soldiers. State-controlled Vietnam Television's April 22 evening news program covered the event, reporting that "tens of thousands of soldiers died fighting for the territorial sovereignty of the East Sea." (Note: In Vietnam, the South China Sea is called the East Sea.) In addition to national television coverage, the annual ceremony was well attended by the local population and government officials. Do Not Forget Your Ancestors' Sacrifices -------------- ¶3. A local participant at the event, Nguyen Suong, said the ceremony was dedicated to honoring the sacrifices of the troops who did not return home from the sea. In addition to its traditional and religious aspects, the ceremony was a reminder "for the next generations of their forefathers' work to build the Fatherland." MFA National Border Affairs Commission Vice Chairman Le Van Thinh, who attended the ceremony, commented that the Commission pays attention to such activities in the area of Vietnam's coastline. According to Thinh, the ceremony is a way to "maintain and implement Vietnam's sovereignty rights." Actual Historical Record More Modest -------------- ¶4. Professor Nguyen Van Nhat of Vietnam's Academy of Social Sciences, History Institute confirmed that, while there were Vietnamese troops patrolling the islands in the South China Sea prior to the arrival of the French colonial regime, these troops did not necessarily have to "fight" in order to defend the islands, but in general they were there to protect the sovereignty of the country. Other Vietnamese historians have also noted that the Nguyen Dynasty troops guaranteed Vietnamese access to the islands' natural resources. The casualties of these seafaring Ly Son troops most likely numbered in the hundreds, not tens of thousands. Comment -------------- ¶5. In defending its interests in the South China Sea, the GVN is trying to balance good bilateral relations with China with its need to repeatedly assert the legitimacy of its territorial claim. Given criticism by bloggers and anti-China demonstrators for reacting weakly to Chinese aggressiveness, the GVN also needs to manage public opinion. As this news report shows, the GVN uses every opportunity to affirm its territorial claim to the rest of the world and to raise public awareness of the islands at home, a pattern we expect will continue. MICHALAK