US embassy cable - 04HANOI1239

UNCLAS HANOI 001239 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR EAP/BCTLV 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, EAID, PTER, VM, HUMANR, CTERR 
SUBJECT:  GVN APPRECIATES RECENT POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS BUT 
STILL TROUBLED BY FLAG ISSUE 
 
 
1.  (U)  SUMMARY.  On April 29, Nguyen Ba Hung, Deputy 
Director of the Americas Department of the Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs, met with DCM to convey messages on six 
issues relating to the bilateral relationship.  These 
issues included the political dialogue in May, the 
extradition of suspected terrorist Vo Van Duc, USDA funding 
of American Red Cross nutrition education program, the 
possible early release of Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hanh, the 
"involvement" of a high-level U.S. diplomat in 
demonstrations at the SRV Embassy in Geneva, and the 
Commonwealth of Virginia's recently signed law on the flag 
of the former Republic of South Vietnam.  Econoff attended 
as notetaker.  END SUMMARY. 
 
2.  (U)  POL dialogue:  Hung provided DCM with a tentative 
program for the upcoming political consultation in Hanoi 
(septel).  May 14 is an acceptable date to the GVN.  He 
noted that the GVN had incorporated many of Embassy's 
recommendations, and informed DCM that the GVN is also 
willing to discuss any new ideas or questions. 
 
3.  (U)  Hung conveyed the GVN  appreciation of the recent 
ruling to extradite suspected terrorist Vo Van Duc, who is 
accused of placing a bomb outside the Vietnamese Embassy in 
Bangkok.  Hung noted that the appeals process may 
potentially delay the extradition.  The GVN considers this 
"a very meaningful gesture," which will promote good anti- 
terror cooperation, Hung promised. 
 
4.  (U)  Hung expressed the GVN's pleasure with the USDA 
approval of the 
American Red Cross' Child Nutrition 
Education project in four provinces "that were heavily 
affected during the war."  Hung informed DCM that this 
project will provide food to approximately 15,000 pupils 
and nutrition education to the students and their families. 
The project budget is approximately 2 million USD. 
 
5.   (U)  On the negative side, Hung conveyed the GVN's 
disappointment to learn of the possible early release of 
Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hanh, who was sentenced to a term of five 
years in prison for involvement in an incident in San 
Francisco with Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in 
2001.  According to Hung, a court of appeals in San 
Francisco is now considering the possibility of shortening 
the remaining three years of her term. 
 
6.  (SBU)  Hung claimed that the Vietnamese Mission in 
Geneva recently reported that the head of the U.S. 
Delegation to the UNCHR, Ambassador Richard Williamson, 
"participated in a demonstration" in front of the SRV 
mission in Geneva following the recent disturbance in the 
Central Highlands and "delivered remarks to the 
demonstrators that were highly critical of the GVN." 
Following the demonstration, according to Hung, Ambassador 
Williamson invited members of a group called "The 
Foundation of the Vietnamese Republic" to his residence. 
Hung noted that the GVN is "very disturbed" by this 
behavior and takes the matter "very seriously."  Hung 
wondered aloud whether this was an act of personal initiative 
or whether Ambassador Williamson was acting on official 
instructions. 
 
7.  (U)   Hung emphasized the GVN's displeasure with the 
fact that Governor of the State of Virginia had recently 
"approved legislation recognizing the use of the flag of 
the former Republic of South Vietnam as a cultural symbol." 
Hung said that he understood that Vietnamese Americans have 
a right to express themselves in this regard, but that this 
issue could damage the bilateral relationship if more 
states should follow the examples set by Virginia and 
Louisiana.  He emphasized that the GVN does not understand 
why the Department cannot do more to "influence" such 
decisions.  Hung noted that the GVN has tried to engage 
with the overseas Vietnamese community in the U.S. in a 
positive manner so that many of the divisive issues between 
Vietnamese Americans and the GVN do not damage the 
improving relationship between the two countries. 
BURGHARDT