VIETNAM: FURTHER DISCUSSIONS ABOUT GPOI TRAINING

UNCLAS HANOI 000597 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPKO MARR MASS PREL PGOV VM SUBJECT: VIETNAM: FURTHER DISCUSSIONS ABOUT GPOI TRAINING Ref: A) 07 Hanoi 2120 B) May 2 Blackshaw-Eckstrom email ¶1. On May 8, poloff and DATT met with MOD External Relations Department Senior Colonel Nguyen Dinh Huy to reiterate the USG's previous invitation to the GVN to participate in the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI)(Ref A) and to provide a list of possible GPOI training courses (Ref B). Senior Colonel Huy indicated that GVN agencies are studying the issue of Vietnamese participation in peace support operations closely. He added, however, that a timeframe for GVN participation in GPOI remains undetermined, but that he would submit the list of GPOI training options to senior MOD leadership and wait for its decision. ¶2. On May 21, poloff discussed the GPOI training course options with MFA International Organizations Department Specialist To Anh Tuan. (Note: MFA has the lead within the interagency working group that is considering GVN participation in peacekeeping operations.) Tuan accepted the list of possible training courses, saying it would be considered by appropriate officials. On May 7, poloff also delivered the list of GPOI course options to MFA Americas Department Section Chief Lai Thai Binh. MICHALAK