EAP DAS MARCIEL AND GVN DISCUSS HUMAN RIGHTS, GOVERNANCE,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 000087 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR KAYE LEE (D) AND SATE FOR OBO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV ABLD PBTS PHSA PHUM PREL ECON VM SUBJECT: EAP DAS MARCIEL AND GVN DISCUSS HUMAN RIGHTS, GOVERNANCE, VISITS AND CHINA HANOI 00000087 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) This cable is Sensitive But Unclassified. For official use only, not for posting on the internet. ¶2. (SBU) Summary: Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Scot Marciel discussed human rights, cooperation in governance reform and law enforcement, and a possible visit by Prime Minister Dung to the United States during January 21 discussions in Hanoi with the Foreign Affairs and Public Security ministries. On human rights, Marciel told the GVN that it needed to create more space for political dialogue, to which his Foreign Affairs interlocutor cautioned against empowering the anti-reform camp within the GVN. Other issues that were discussed included Burma, Radio Free Asia and resolving the impasse over Mission Hanoi's new embassy compound. During his talks, Marciel also had a chance to gauge the reaction to the cancellation due to weather problems of Deputy Secretary Negroponte's January 18-20 visit. While initially confused, and certainly disappointed, the GVN is now focused on seeing the visit rescheduled, if possible at an early date. End comment. HUMAN RIGHTS: "CREATE MORE POLITICAL SPACE" -------------- ¶3. (SBU) DAS Scot Marciel visited Hanoi January 18-21, in part to participate in Deputy Secretary Negroponte's meetings scheduled for January 19. After the cancellation for weather reasons of the Deputy Secretary's visit, Marciel carried on with scheduled calls January 21 with GVN officials. Speaking with MFA Americas Department Acting Director General Nguyen Ba Hung, Marciel said that it was high time for Vietnam to liberalize to better provide for internationally recognized freedoms for its citizens. "We understand that every country is different," he told DG Hung, anticipating the oft-used Vietnamese line, "but the key is that to the extent that you feel more confident and secure, you need to create more POLITICAL space." ¶3. (SBU) DG Hung argued that Vietnam was doing just that, with "many people voicing their opinions and criticism in the papers and the internet." He added that the GVN leadership was learning to deal unemotionally with irritants like congressional resolutions criticizing Vietnam's human rights record, and the regular meetings between visiting U.S. notables and Vietnamese dissidents -- something that Marciel himself planned to do later in the week in Ho Chi Minh City (Septel). As proof of progress, Hung said that the GVN was not interfering "harshly" with these meetings, despite the fact that the dissidents seemed to come out of them thinking that "the communists can do nothing to us." ¶4. (SBU) Still, Hung spent significant effort in cautioning the DAS against pushing too hard on the human rights front. "There are people [in the GVN] who are reluctant to move this relationship forward," he said, who would be empowered if they could "link the opening up of the relationship and the threat posed by dissidents." Marciel shook his head and asked: "You are still worried about threats to the 'revolution' after all this time?" PRIME MINISTER'S DUNG PROJECTED U.S. VISIT -------------- ¶5. (SBU) DG Hung told DAS Marciel that his office is working on a specific proposal to submit to Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung outlaying possible scenarios and deliverables for a visit to the United States, recalling President Bush's invitation extended in November 2006. DG Hung asked for Marciel's opinion on which issues could be expected to be raised during discussions in Washington. Marciel replied that there would be many issues to cite spanning the entire range of our multi-faceted relationship. Noting that he has not coordinated with NSC on a response in advance, he cited possible agreements on peacekeeping training, search and rescue operations, education, the new embassy compound (NEC) or over HCMC's consular jurisdiction as possible deliverables, among many others. ON LACK OF PROGRESS IN BURMA -------------- ¶6. (SBU) DAS Marciel lamented that the Vietnamese position on Burma to date was "not very supportive," but that he was "hopeful that Vietnam will be more willing to speak up." Hung replied that "the more you isolate them and pressure them, the more it benefits China." He added that he understood that the Burmese were by nature very "independent and daring" and would resist other countries' attempts to impose their will over it, whether these came from the United States or China. Marciel emphasized that continuation of the political status quo would likely lead to instability, and that a genuine dialogue with the opposition was the best way for Burma to move forward. SUPPORT ON ENHANCED COOPERATION -------------- HANOI 00000087 002.2 OF 002 ¶7. (SBU) Both the Public Security (MPS) and MOFA officials supported increased U.S. - Vietnam cooperation, including in the area of law-enforcement. DG Hung said that he also had high hopes for continuing cooperation on issues like governance reform and improving the legal framework, and cited projects with the Ministry of Justice, the National Assembly, and IPR cooperation as examples. He again cautioned, however, that both sides needed to be mindful of elements in the GVN which drew a clear line between reforms to implement international agreements, such as the WTO and our Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA),and legal changes which could empower enemies of the regime to "take the stage" and cause trouble. "Legal is close to political," he said, and expressed his preference for cooperation on reform initiatives that did not raise these concerns. ¶8. (SBU) DG Hung acknowledged, however, that the GVN has pledged to continue working together with the United States on governance and rule of law issues, including through the early 2007 exchange of letters between Senator Patrick Leahy (who wrote to President Nguyen Minh Triet offering to facilitate an increase in assistance in these areas) and Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem (who answered Leahy in positive terms on the GVN's behalf). MPS Vice Minister Le The Tiem told Marciel that he felt optimistic about the course of bilateral relations. He singled out International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) training as a particularly successful program. D TRIP CANCELLATION -------------- ¶9. (U) Both DG Hung and VM Tiem expressed regret over the cancellation of Deputy Secretary Negroponte's trip, which they seemed to take in stride. They said that the GVN had been well prepared for the visit, and that they hoped to be able to welcome D soon. DG Hung expressed his hope that the Deputy Secretary would be able to reschedule his visit, repeatedly referring to the lost opportunity created by his inability to hold discussions on January ¶19. RADIO FREE ASIA -------------- ¶10. (SBU) DAS Marciel raised concerns over the jamming of Radio Free Asia (RFA) programming. Hung replied that the GVN monitored the content of foreign broadcasts, including the BBC. While the BBC now carries balanced news about Vietnam, both good and bad, he continued, the GVN now has "scientific" proof that the RFA broadcasts only negative news, which he held distorts the real developments in Vietnam. If the [RFA] was more like the BBC," he concluded, "then there would be no problem." SOUTH CHINA SEA DISPUTE -------------- ¶11. (SBU) MFA officials told Marciel that they had been prepared to discuss with Deputy Secretary Negroponte the contentious issue with China over the South China Sea. It is "not that we are threatened, but we are in tough situation," Hung said. He also implied that China had been a key topic in then-ongoing Central Committee meetings, and stated that many held that - while the United States' role might be limited -- it could and should be "part of the solution." NEW EMBASSY COMPOUND -------------- ¶12. (SBU) DAS Marciel also raised the protracted negotiations to allow Embassy Hanoi to move out of its outdated and cramped facilities, scattered over five locations in Hanoi. "It's time for us to close this issue," he said. Hung replied that his office was working hard on the issues, with the view of advancing the issue over the coming weeks by presenting the USG with a proposal on price and the conditions of sale. ¶13. (U) DAS Marciel cleared on this cable. MICHALAK