DPRK MISSILE LAUNCH: VIETNAM'S UN POSITION REMAINS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 000324

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FOR EAP/K, EAP/MLS, ISN/RA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/08/2019
TAGS: PREL KNNP UNSC PGOV KN VM
SUBJECT: DPRK MISSILE LAUNCH: VIETNAM'S UN POSITION REMAINS
UNDECIDED

REF: A. STATE 32599

B. STATE 33031

HANOI 00000324 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Ambassador Michael Michalak. Reasons 1.4 (b/d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: Despite early indications that it would
simply hew to China and Russia's line, Vietnam's position
on a possible UN Security Council resolution in fact
remains undecided. In an April 8 conversation, the MFA's
International Organizations Official responsible for
Security Council matters, Pham Hai Anh, emphasized two
principles: 1) the need to adhere to UN Resolutions
governing non-proliferation, including UNSCR 1718, and 2)
the right of individual countries to the peaceful use of
space. Anh declined, however, to state specifically how
Vietnam would apply these general principles to the DPRK's
April 5 missile launch, saying only that Vietnam's
determination would depend on "the facts." Pressed
further, Anh acknowledged that Vietnam's calculation was a
political one as well, noting that Russia and China had a
different interpretation than the one presented by the
United States, Japan, South Korea, and others. Anh
stressed that Vietnam had approached North Korea, both
before the launch and after, to express concern; on
April 7, the MFA again summoned the DPRK Ambassador to
urge Pyongyang to make positive gestures to reassure the
international community. All sides should exercise
restraint, Anh said, stressing that whatever actions are
taken should not jeopardize the Six-Party Talks.


2. (C) COMMENT: Vietnam's natural inclination will be to
hide behind China and Russia's position. Still, we are
encouraged, cautiously, by Vietnam's reserve and believe
that high-level engagement could pry important space
between Hanoi and Beijing/Moscow. At one point in the
conversation, Anh said that Vietnam would welcome a more
technical briefing from the United States on the launch.
We think that such a briefing would be a useful opportunity
to underscore the seriousness of the DPRK's actions, and
could supplement more active diplomatic engagement at the
senior levels. END SUMMARY AND COMMENT.


3. (C) On April 8, Deputy PolCouns met with the MFA's
International Organizations Section Chief responsible for
UN Security Council matters, Pham Hai Anh, to urge Vietnam
to support meaningful UNSC action in response to the DPRK's
April 5 launch of a Taepo-Dong 2 missile. DPolCouns
emphasized, per reftels, that the DPRK action represents
clear violation of UNSCR 1718, DPRK claims that it was a
peaceful satellite launch notwithstanding.


4. (C) In response, Anh emphasized that in considering its
position, Vietnam would take into account two principles.
First, Vietnam takes its non-proliferation obligations
seriously, particularly those that stem from UNSC
Resolutions such as UNSCR 1718. Second, however, Vietnam
respects the right of member states to the peaceful use of
space. Asked how Vietnam would apply these general
principles to the DPRK's April 5 launch, which the United
States and others believe constitutes exactly the type of
ballistic missile activity proscribed by 1718, Anh declined
to comment, saying only that Vietnam's determination had
not yet been made and would depend on the "facts." Noting
that there were differing interpretations of the launch, he
said that Vietnam would welcome a more detailed technical
briefing from the United States. Anh acknowledged that
Vietnam faced a political calculation as well, with
China/Russia on one side and the United States, Japan, and
South Korea on the other.


5. (C) Anh was careful to note that Vietnam had expressed
its concerns to North Korea both before the launch and
after, most recently in an April 7 conversation between the
MFA's Director General for International Organizations Le
Hoai Trung and the DPRK Ambassador. During that meeting DG
Trung urged North Korea to take steps to take measures to
reassure the international community, according to Anh.


6. (C) Anh reiterated Vietnam's strong support for the
Six-Party Talks, noting that the DPRK Ambassador bluntly
stated that "a new resolution with sanctions would mean the

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end of the Six-Party process." Given this, Anh said that
Vietnam was concerned that whatever action the Security
Council takes not jeopardize the Six-Party Talks. He said
that Vietnam is urging all sides to exercise restraint.
MICHALAK