PM DUNG TO ATTEND NUCLEAR SUMMIT MEETING IN APRIL 2010

UNCLAS HANOI 000877 SENSITIVE SIPDIS MLS/EAP FOR MARC FORINO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KNNP PGOV VM SUBJECT: PM DUNG TO ATTEND NUCLEAR SUMMIT MEETING IN APRIL 2010 REF: A. HANOI 1100; B. STATE 106836; C. STATE 104896; D. HANOI 966 ¶E. WHITE HOUSE 9141135; F. WHITE HOUSE 9141133 ¶G. WHITE HOUSE 9111126; H. WHITE HOUSE 9101120 ¶1. (SBU) MFA Director General for International Organizations Trung told the DCM October 20 that PM Dung would attend the Summit meeting in Washington in April 2010 because he recognizes the importance of the issue internationally and the potential it holds for future U.S.-Vietnamese cooperation. Currently, the Foreign Ministry (MoFA) is the focal point for Summit issues and is trying to secure participation from several other interested GVN agencies. However, MoFA has recommended to the Prime Minister that focal point responsibility shift to the Ministry of Science and Technology, given the need for follow up and the Ministry's technical expertise on the issues. Trung stressed MoFA would continue to play a "substantial role" between now and the Summit in April. Trung explained that if the PM does not decide on the MoFA recommendation before the Sherpa meeting in early November in Washington, Trung will attend as the GVN Sherpa. ¶2. (SBU) In response to MFA/IO's request for details about level of Sherpas and agendas for the November-December meetings (ref. A), poloff informed MFA/IO that the majority of Sherpas from other countries are being represented at a level comparable to the U.S. Sherpa. Poloff clarified that the list of invited countries is not tied to the CTBT or to any specific existing list of nations. Rather, it includes nations with significant material holdings, nuclear fuel cycle facilities, nuclear energy programs, and involvement in various international regimes and initiatives, as well as a need for regional representation. MFA/IO officials expressed appreciation for the information and reiterated their request for agendas for the November and December meetings as soon as they become available. Michalak