Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09HANOI251
2009-03-18 08:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Hanoi
Cable title:  

INVITING VIETNAM TO PARTICIPATE IN GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO

Tags:  PARM ENRG MNUC PREL PGOV IAEA NPT VM 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO2426
OO RUEHHM
DE RUEHHI #0251 0770816
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 180816Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9352
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH PRIORITY 5695
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0277
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

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