Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09AMEMBASSYHANOI917
2009-12-02 05:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Hanoi
Cable title:
Vietnam Says it is Pressing Burma for ASSK's Release
how-toVZCZCXRO4768 OO RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHPB DE RUEHHI #0917 3360541 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O R 020541Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY HANOI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0514 INFO ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC RHMCSUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0034 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 0220 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L AMEMBASSY HANOI 000917
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/MLS (SCHEIBE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/12/02
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM ASEAN BM VM
SUBJECT: Vietnam Says it is Pressing Burma for ASSK's Release
CLASSIFIED BY: Harry Kamian, Acting DCM; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L AMEMBASSY HANOI 000917
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/MLS (SCHEIBE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/12/02
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM ASEAN BM VM
SUBJECT: Vietnam Says it is Pressing Burma for ASSK's Release
CLASSIFIED BY: Harry Kamian, Acting DCM; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
1. (SBU) Acting DCM and POLOFF met with the MFA's Deputy DG for
ASEAN Affairs, Vu Hung, December 2 to discuss EAP A/S Campbell and
DAS Marciel's November 3-4 visit to Burma and to urge Vietnam to
use its influence with Burma to press for genuine dialogue with
Burma's democratic opposition and ethnic minority leaders in
advance of the 2010 elections. Drawing on reftel guidance, A/DCM
emphasized Aung San Suu Kyi's recent overtures to the military
regime, stressing that it was important that she be permitted to
meet with the NLD's entire Central Executive Committee.
2. (C) DDG Hung expressed appreciation for the readout of A/S
Campbell's meetings in Burma and agreed it was important for the
United States and Vietnam to exchange information. He acknowledged
that Burma was a vexing issue, not just for Vietnam but for ASEAN
as a whole. ASEAN's members were obliged to present a picture of
uniformity to its dialogue partners, but behind the scenes member
countries were striving to influence the Burmese regime's behavior.
In its bilateral discussions with Burma, the GVN has pushed for
ASSK's release, suggesting to the Burmese leadership that this
would increase Burma's international standing while not
jeopardizing the regime's hold on power. Senior General Tan Shwe
recognized the utility of releasing ASSK but personally disliked
ASSK, Hung said, adding that this animosity stood in the way. Hung
added that he had heard talk that the regime might release ASSK
immediately prior to the elections, a move he conceded would likely
be dismissed as a propaganda stunt if the elections were not
otherwise credible.
3. (C) COMMENT: This was the first time that a Vietnamese official
explicitly told us the GVN had pressed Burma to release ASSK. DDG
Hung offered the customary palaver about not giving offense to the
Burmese authorities, arguing for example that Thailand's Chairman's
statement had been too abrasive. He declined, however, to take
refuge, as senior officials often do, in Vietnam's policy of
non-interference. Vietnam's leaders may not give a hoot for
democracy in Burma, but they dearly want their 2010 ASEAN
chairmanship to go smoothly and recognize that Burma is a potential
spoiler. Pragmatism, if not idealism, is prompting a tougher
stance.
Michalak
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/MLS (SCHEIBE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/12/02
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM ASEAN BM VM
SUBJECT: Vietnam Says it is Pressing Burma for ASSK's Release
CLASSIFIED BY: Harry Kamian, Acting DCM; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
1. (SBU) Acting DCM and POLOFF met with the MFA's Deputy DG for
ASEAN Affairs, Vu Hung, December 2 to discuss EAP A/S Campbell and
DAS Marciel's November 3-4 visit to Burma and to urge Vietnam to
use its influence with Burma to press for genuine dialogue with
Burma's democratic opposition and ethnic minority leaders in
advance of the 2010 elections. Drawing on reftel guidance, A/DCM
emphasized Aung San Suu Kyi's recent overtures to the military
regime, stressing that it was important that she be permitted to
meet with the NLD's entire Central Executive Committee.
2. (C) DDG Hung expressed appreciation for the readout of A/S
Campbell's meetings in Burma and agreed it was important for the
United States and Vietnam to exchange information. He acknowledged
that Burma was a vexing issue, not just for Vietnam but for ASEAN
as a whole. ASEAN's members were obliged to present a picture of
uniformity to its dialogue partners, but behind the scenes member
countries were striving to influence the Burmese regime's behavior.
In its bilateral discussions with Burma, the GVN has pushed for
ASSK's release, suggesting to the Burmese leadership that this
would increase Burma's international standing while not
jeopardizing the regime's hold on power. Senior General Tan Shwe
recognized the utility of releasing ASSK but personally disliked
ASSK, Hung said, adding that this animosity stood in the way. Hung
added that he had heard talk that the regime might release ASSK
immediately prior to the elections, a move he conceded would likely
be dismissed as a propaganda stunt if the elections were not
otherwise credible.
3. (C) COMMENT: This was the first time that a Vietnamese official
explicitly told us the GVN had pressed Burma to release ASSK. DDG
Hung offered the customary palaver about not giving offense to the
Burmese authorities, arguing for example that Thailand's Chairman's
statement had been too abrasive. He declined, however, to take
refuge, as senior officials often do, in Vietnam's policy of
non-interference. Vietnam's leaders may not give a hoot for
democracy in Burma, but they dearly want their 2010 ASEAN
chairmanship to go smoothly and recognize that Burma is a potential
spoiler. Pragmatism, if not idealism, is prompting a tougher
stance.
Michalak