UPDATE ON RELEASE OF BUI KIM THANH FOR EVALUATION

UNCLAS HANOI 000793 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS, DRL/AWH, AND PRM/A EMBASSY BANGKOK FOR REFCOORD TIM SCHERER AND USCIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF PHUM PREL PGOV VM SUBJECT: UPDATE ON RELEASE OF BUI KIM THANH FOR EVALUATION REF: HANOI 780 ¶1. (SBU) As reported in reftel, IOM will send a psychiatrist from Bangkok during July 15-17 to conduct Ms. Bui Kim Thanh's psychiatric evaluation as the next step in her P-1 processing. POLOFF contacted Ministry of Public Security (MPS) official Dao Tam Chau to inform him of the scheduled July 16 evaluation and to press for Ms. Thanh's release from the mental institution where she is being held. ¶2. (SBU) Chau reported that he expects "no difficulties at all" in arranging Ms. Thanh's release for the examination. He asked post to contact Ms. Thanh's husband or son and ask them to make an application to the hospital for her release for the IOM appointment. Then the family can take Ms. Thanh to IOM, he suggested. He added that he thinks the hospital will let Ms. Thanh go to IOM for the medical check. He emphasized that MPS "does not interfere in the process" and that she needs permission from the hospital. He said that was "the main thing." ¶3. (U) Consulate HCMC has contacted Ms. Thanh's son and relayed the message. He said his family will proceed with the application and let post know what develops after they have sent it. ¶4. (SBU) Comment: This exchange indicates that the GVN strategy will be to permit Ms. Thanh's release for specific appointments related to her P-1 processing. Security authorities will undoubtedly be monitoring Ms. Thanh to determine whether she attempts to contact dissidents during her period of freedom next week. As reported in reftel, Mission Vietnam will again confirm Ms. Thanh's willingness to proceed with P-1 processing under these conditions. End comment. MICHALAK