Codel Faleomavaega Touts Engagement during January 4-5 Visit

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 000124 SENSITIVE SIPDIS PASS TO MLS/EAP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OREP PHUM PGOV PREL VM SUBJECT: Codel Faleomavaega Touts Engagement during January 4-5 Visit to Vietnam REF: VIETNAM-EAP/MLS 01/04/10 O/I; VIETNAM-EAP/MLS 01/05/10 O/I 1.(SBU) Summary: Congressman Eni Faleomavaega led a three-member congressional delegation to Vietnam on January 4-5. In meetings with senior GVN officials in Hanoi, the Congressman and Representatives Honda and Cao stressed their commitment to building bridges between the American and Vietnamese peoples, and deepening engagement between the two governments. The delegation stressed that the "real" differences between the U.S. and Vietnam should not impede engagement. Congressman Cao openly expressed his differences with the GVN over human rights and religious freedom issues, but stated he opposed efforts to overthrow the Vietnamese government and instead supported a strong, stable Vietnam. The Vietnamese interlocutors welcomed the delegation's assurances and agreed that the U.S. and Vietnam should resolve their differences through engagement and dialogue. The self-proclaimed "first Asian-American" Codel, including the first Vietnamese-American congressman, received considerable and largely positive press coverage in Vietnam. End summary. 2.(U) Congressman Eni Faleomavaega led a three-member congressional delegation to Vietnam on January 4-5 that included Representatives Michael Honda and Joseph Cao. In HCMC, Representatives Honda and Cao met with ERO officers and visited (on their own) Tu Du Hospital. Congressman Cao visited his hometown, Trung Chanh. Congressman Faleomavaega arrived in HCMC January 4 in the morning and joined the other members of the Codel for their flight to Hanoi. In Hanoi, the delegation met with Chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee Nguyen Van Son, Chairman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Vice Minister Nguyen Thanh Son, and Vice Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh. Vice Chair of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee Ngo Quang Xuan hosted a dinner for the delegation on January 4, and the Ambassador hosted a working lunch for an informal discussion about Agent Orange and climate change. The CG and CG officers accompanied the delegation throughout its visit in HCMC (with the exception of a visit to Tu Du hospital),and the Ambassador accompanied the delegation throughout its time in Hanoi. ¶3. (SBU) During their January 4 dinner, National Assembly Foreign Affairs Vice Chairman Ngo Quang Xuan and the Codel discussed their backgrounds and exchanged views on the overall relationship. Discussions were mostly general and included largely positive statements about the overall relationship and the importance of deepening engagement, especially between legislative branches. However, Congressman Cao offered his personal, frank assessment of the current human rights and religious freedom situations in Vietnam, including a recommendation that Vietnam be returned to the CPC list. Not surprisingly, the Congressman's statements prompted a strong rebuttal from Vice Chairman Xuan, who strongly defended the GVN position on human rights and religious freedom with well-known talking points. ¶4. (SBU) During a meeting the following morning, National Assembly Foreign Affairs Chairman Nguyen Van Son welcomed the delegation as the National Assembly's first official visitors in 2010. Chairman Son said GVN was committed to deepening relations with the U.S. in 2010 and expressed hope that additional congressional delegations would visit Vietnam this year. Representatives Faleomavaega and Honda expressed their support for the Administration's policy of engagement in Asia, arguing it would lead to strengthening relations with countries in the region, including Vietnam. Congressman Honda underscored that the three Congressmen differ philosophically and politically, but share a common goal of working to increase bilateral relations with Vietnam. Congressman Cao, speaking in Vietnamese, assured Son that he did not intend to overthrow the Vietnamese Government. All political disagreements should be expressed openly in order to find common ground on issues of concern. "It is important that we continue to talk together and address any differences," he noted. ¶5. (SBU) Congressman Faleomavaega suggested to Chairman Nguyen that Vietnam make "good use" of Congressman Cao's position as the "unofficial representative" of the approximately 2.2 million Vietnamese-Americans living in the U.S. Chairman Nguyen welcomed Congressman Cao's comments and criticisms, even when they are controversial. He expressed hope the U.S. and Vietnam would HANOI 00000124 002 OF 002 continue to make progress on bilateral relations, and stated his interest in meeting with Congressman Cao again to discuss issues of concern. ¶6. (SBU) During a follow-on meeting, Chairman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Nguyen Thanh Son highlighted the importance of having Representative Cao as a Vietnamese-American participate in the first "all Asian-American congressional delegation" to Hanoi. Son said his committee sought to work with the overseas Vietnamese community to further Vietnam's development. The Vice Minister said he was aware that Vietnamese-Americans distinguished themselves in many fields and contribute to the U.S. growth and prosperity. Congressmen Faleomavaega and Cao responded that America's strength comes from its diversity and added that the Vietnamese-American population would welcome the opportunity to assist in Vietnam's development. ¶7. (SBU) Representative Cao stated that many Vietnamese-Americans are vocal about issues facing Vietnam because they want to see the country prosper. Vice Minster Son responded that the few political differences between the U.S. and Vietnam can be overcome through dialogue, and expressed hope he could work with Representative Cao to gain the support of the Vietnamese-American community. Son noted he intends to visit the U.S. "in the near future," and would welcome the delegation's assistance in scheduling meetings, including meetings with members of the Vietnamese-American community. ¶8. (SBU) During a brief meeting, Vice Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh observed that 2010 marked the 15th anniversary of re-normalization of U.S.-Vietnamese relations. He expressed his wish that the Codel's visit would be the first of many high-level delegations from the U.S. this year. Minh thanked the delegation for its work in promoting bilateral relations and stated that Representative Cao played an important role in this process. Cao thanked the GVN for granting him a visa and allowing him to return to his country of birth. (Note: We understand from our discussions with the Codel on the ground that the GVN did not approve Congressman Cao's visa until "the last minute," and that Congressman Faleomavaega was prepared to cancel the visit if the GVN did not issue Congressman Cao a visa. End note.) Congressman Cao noted that he continues to have a strong affinity for Vietnam even though he left when he was eight years old. ¶9. (SBU) Congressman Cao said he would continue to express his personal opinions on issues facing Vietnam, but only with the intent of making Vietnam a stronger, more stable and prosperous country. VFM Minh replied that differences and disagreements are natural, but dialogue is the key to resolving them. Referring to a comment he made during the U.S.-Vietnam Strategic Dialogue in June 2009 in Washington, D.C., Minh argued that a strong and prosperous Vietnam was good for the U.S. and for the region. "No ONE wants to see a failed state, we want to grow and succeed." Minh thanked Congress for granting $3 million to assist with Agent Orange HEALTH and remediation projects. ¶10. (U) Codel Faleomavaega did not have an opportunity to clear this message before departing Post. Michalak