CONGRESSMAN FALEOMAVAEGA MEETING WITH VIETNAMESE NATIONAL

UNCLAS HANOI 000038

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON VM
SUBJECT: CONGRESSMAN FALEOMAVAEGA MEETING WITH VIETNAMESE NATIONAL
ASSEMBLY VICE CHAIR


1. (SBU) Visiting Congressman Eni Faleomavaega held a January 10
meeting in Hanoi with Vietnamese National Assembly Foreign Affairs
Committee Vice Chairman Ngo Quang Xuan. Accompanied by Ambassador
Michalak, Faleomavaega reviewed the increasing exchange of
high-level visits and possibilities to take bilateral relations to a
new level with a new U.S. administration.

2. (SBU) Xuan noted that both President Triet and Prime Minister
Dung had visited the U.S. in recent years, and said that it would
also make sense for National Assembly (NA) Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong
to visit as the Vietnamese constitution recognizes the NA as the
highest organ of state power. Asked about dates for a visit in
2009, Faleomavaega suggested that the second half of the year would
probably be better after the new U.S. administration has had time in
office.

3. (SBU) Faleomavaega told Xuan that when such a high-level
delegation comes to the U.S. it should have two or three key
priorities rather than a longer laundry list. Xuan responded that
among Vietnam's priorities are GSP status and expanding exports to
the U.S. such as catfish and fruit. Faleomavaega noted that the
issue of catfish exports had a long history, and that he would
continue to follow the issue closely.

4. (SBU) Turning to the current Communist Party of Vietnam Central
Committee session that began January 5, the Ambassador asked about
rumors that the Committee might recommend high-level leadership
shake-ups. Xuan responded that discussions of personnel changes
were very preliminary with no action likely soon.


5. (U) Congressman Faleomavaega has cleared this cable.

MICHALAK