INVITING VIETNAM TO PARTICIPATE IN GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO

UNCLAS HANOI 000251 SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR ISN (PRESCOTT),EAP/MLS (BLACKSHAW) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM ENRG MNUC PREL PGOV IAEA NPT VM SUBJECT: INVITING VIETNAM TO PARTICIPATE IN GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO COMBAT NUCLEAR TERRORISM REF: A) PRESCOTT-BLAKSHAW EMAIL, MARCH 5, 2009 ¶1. (SBU) On April 13, PolCouns joined representatives from the Australian, Russian and Japanese Embassies in a rare four-party demarche to urge Vietnam to consider participating in the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GI). As the senior member of the group, Australian DCM Vanessa Wood presented the agreed-upon points (reftel),stressing that it was the international community's shared obligation to prevent terrorists from acquiring nuclear material, as well as noting the practical benefits that would accrue to Vietnam if it were to join the GI. Representing GI co-chairs United States and Russia, DPolCouns and Russian Political Minister Counselor Igor Khovaev endorsed the Australian DCM's message. DPolCouns emphasized that with 75 member countries, including China and India, the GI already enjoys broad international support. Khovaev concurred, noting that as a "strategic partner and old friend," Russia could allay any concerns that Vietnam might have about the GI intruding on member countries' sovereignty. Japanese Second Secretary Rika Mori added that the GI is perfectly consistent with the peaceful use of nuclear energy. ¶2. (SBU) In response, the Deputy Director General of the MFA's Department of International Law and Treaties, Nguyen Manh Dong, said that Vietnam was cognizant of the severity of the threat and was committed to fighting terrorism. He noted that Vietnam had ratified eight out of twelve CT conventions at the UN, and was considering acceding to the other four. He assured the group that he would report the recommendation to his leadership, along with his personal endorsement. At the same time, he cautioned that approval would require inter-agency consideration, with input from the Ministries of Public Security and Science and Technology, and that this could take some time. Michalak