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