VIETNAMESE AMBASSADOR IN SINGAPORE WELCOMES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SINGAPORE 000759 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/12/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM SN BM ASEAN SUBJECT: VIETNAMESE AMBASSADOR IN SINGAPORE WELCOMES INCREASED U.S. ENGAGEMENT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA Classified By: Classified by Charge d'Affaires, a.i., Dan Shields, reas on 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Thanh expressed to Charge his appreciation for increased American engagement in Southeast Asia and described as excellent the prospects for enhanced U.S.-Vietnam ties, in areas including defense cooperation. While Vietnam looks to continued engagement from the United States, it also seeks "breathing room" from outside powers to allow Vietnam to focus on economic development. Vietnam-Singapore relations are flourishing as Vietnam tries to apply what it learns from Singapore about matters like urban planning to fit Vietnam's own model for development. Vietnam hopes to develop a more positive relationship with China, Ambassador Thanh said, but problems remain over issues like the South China Sea. Ambassador Thanh, saying he was speaking personally, expressed the hope that President Obama would meet with Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem when he travels to the UN later this year. End Summary. ¶2. (C) The CDA, Economic-Political Section Chief and acting DATT met over lunch on August 6 with Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Nguyen Trung Thanh, Defense Attach COL Nguyen Van Hai and Economic Officer Le Truong Son. Ambassador Thanh noted that DPM/FM Pham Gia Khiem is planning to travel to the UN in New York later this fall and made the personal suggestion that President Obama meet with him. Ambassador Thanh said Vietnamese Defense Minister General Phung Quang Thanh will visit the United States in September. Acting DATT inquired about prospects for strengthening U.S.-Vietnam defense cooperation. Ambassador Thanh said prospects are excellent. He said he wanted to avoid repeating tired formulas like "noninterference in internal affairs," but the spirit of mutual respect is the key to progress on defense cooperation. He added that he hoped the U.S. would remove restrictions on the sale of lethal weapons to Vietnam. ¶3. (C) Ambassador Thanh said in 2010 Vietnam will be the ASEAN Chair and the City of Hanoi will celebrate its 1,000th anniversary. This will be a key year as Vietnam looks to define its future, including its relationship with the United States, so Vietnam hopes for continued strong U.S. engagement with ASEAN, in the wake of U.S. accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC). Ambassador Thanh said perhaps there could be a U.S.-ASEAN Summit in Vietnam, plus U.S. entry into the East Asian Summit. The CDA noted that the USG is considering its position on these issues, which are separate questions from the U.S. accession to the TAC. The Ambassador asked about U.S. plans for the TransPacific Partnership. The CDA said U.S. trade policy, including the TPP issue, remains under review in Washington. ¶4. (C) Ambassador Thanh said Vietnam-Singapore relations are in an excellent state. Many Vietnamese are visiting Singapore for training, especially in areas where Singapore excels, such as urban development. The idea is not to copy a Singapore model, but to learn from Singapore's experience in developing a new model that suits Vietnam's national conditions. ¶5. (C) On Vietnam-China relations, Ambassador Thanh said Vietnam wants the relationship to develop in a positive manner. He complained, however, about China's approach in the South China Sea. He said the Chinese are putting forward proposals to develop jointly what is actually Vietnamese territory. Asked how the rest of ASEAN views the issue, he said few ASEAN countries want to speak up on the matter, but they understand and sympathize with the Vietnamese position. All Vietnam wants -- be it from China, the United States or the rest of the world -- is to be "respected, left alone, and given some breathing room," so Vietnam can concentrate on economic development, he noted. ¶6. (C) Bio Note: Ambassador Thanh, who goes by the nickname Tommy, is a polished diplomat who can quote ancient Chinese proverbs and U.S. Presidents with ease. While sensitive to Chinese and Western interference" in Vietnam and the ASEAN region, he is a proponent of better relations with the United States and welcomed the U.S. accession to the TAC as a sign that the United States is back in the region. He is also a proponent of the East Asia Summit and encourages the United States to join. Given his connections -- according to a diplomatic contact here, Ambassador Thanh is reportedly married to the daughter of former Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Di Nien -- it is this Post's impression that he may be on track for leadership SINGAPORE 00000759 002 OF 002 positions within the Foreign Ministry. Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm SHIELDS