VIETNAM: SHAPING ASSISTANCE IN BURMA DEMARCHE DELIVERED;

UNCLAS HANOI 000761

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID BM VM
SUBJECT: VIETNAM: SHAPING ASSISTANCE IN BURMA DEMARCHE DELIVERED;
FOOD SITUATION REMAINS DIRE

REF: STATE 68527


1. (SBU) On June 27, POLOFF discussed reftel points about shaping
post-cyclone humanitarian assistance to Burma with MFA Asia II
Department Burma Desk Officer Tran Nguyen Thao. Thao mentioned that
the GVN has already urged Burmese authorities to allow foreign
relief workers to conduct humanitarian activities in Burma. He said
he would pass the information to the MFA leadership for its
consideration.


2. (SBU) Thao shared that he had recently returned from the
Vietnam-Burma Joint Commission meeting held in Nay Pyi Taw during
June 16-18. He said the joint commission normally takes place every
two years, although the previous meeting was in 2005. The joint
commission deals with bilateral economic cooperation in areas such
as agriculture, energy and fisheries. Deputy Foreign Minister Dao
Viet Trung led the Vietnamese delegation. The most senior Burmese
official was the Secretary of the State Peace Development Council,
the "fifth most senior official" in the Burmese government,
according to Thao.


3. (SBU) During the joint commission meeting, the Burmese official
talked about post-cyclone difficulties, reported Thao. The food
situation was described as critical, both because the cyclone
destroyed crops in the primary rice growing area and at the same
time destroyed the seed stock needed to plant another crop. Thao
said the official described people as "still in shock." Concerning
the constitutional referendum, Thao mentioned that the Burmese
official stated that it was a success and that a multi-party
election will be held in 2010, "after which the current regime will
hand over power."

ALOISI