US embassy cable - 04HANOI2742

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 002742 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM, PREL, KIRF, VM, RELFREE, HUMANR 
SUBJECT:  CORRESPONDENCE FROM GVN'S COMMISSION ON RELIGIOUS 
AFFAIRS 
 
1.  Embassy received October 4 identical letters from the 
Government of Vietnam's Commission on Religious Affairs 
addressed to the "Department of State," DRL/IRF Ambassador 
Hanford and the U.S. Commission on International Religious 
Freedom.  Embassy pouched the letters to EAP/BCLTV, 
Registration #4047329.  Text of letter follows below: 
 
2. Begin text of letter: 
 
To: 
U.S. Department of State 
2201 C. Street N.W. 
Washington, D.C.  20520 
 
We have learnt that in the annual report on international 
religious freedom released on September 15th 2004, the U.S. 
Department of State designated Vietnam as a Country of 
Particular Concern.  The Government Commission on Religious 
Affairs, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, strongly protests 
against the aforesaid wrongful decision.  This decision does 
not help the cooperative relations between Vietnam and the 
United States, particularly at a time when the bilateral 
relations are considered promising and our two countries are 
preparing for the tenth Anniversary of the establishment of 
diplomatic relations. 
 
The annual report of the Department of State is not 
objective and seeks to impose its view on Vietnam.  It 
intentionally ignores Vietnam's policy and law which 
guarantees the peoples' right to freedom of belief and 
religion in the renovation process.  In addition, it fails 
to update intense religious activities of millions of 
believers and thousands of clergymen and religious 
dignitaries in Vietnam.  The report, prepared on the basis 
of one-sided and anti-Vietnam information provided by 
extremist elements who abuse religious freedom for political 
purposes, outrageously distorts the religious policies and 
practices in Vietnam. 
 
The imposition of view, in the name of religious freedom, of 
one country on another is unacceptable. 
 
The State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam consistently 
pursues the policy of respecting its citizens' right to 
freedom of belief and religion, to follow or not to follow 
any religion.  All religions are equal before the law; no 
discrimination by reasons of belief or religion, no 
infringement upon the right to freedom of belief and 
religion of citizens are permitted.  At the same time, it is 
not allowed to abuse the freedom of belief and religion in 
violation of the law.  In Vietnam, there is no arrest for 
"religious reason"; neither does there exist any State 
document that favors "forced renunciation of faith" as 
mentioned in the report. 
 
In certain localities, for reasons of social security and 
territorial integrity, the government had to handle some 
cases of law violations by several extremists.  However, 
this is not the issue of religion but the political and 
security concern that any country must deal with in the same 
way. 
 
A number of U.S. Senators, Congressmen, international 
delegations, diplomatic missions, representatives of 
European Union, United Nations and Vietnam-based 
international press, who have visited the Central Highlands 
and met with local authorities, religious representatives 
and local people, could have found no evidence to prove that 
the Vietnamese Government represses Protestant believers. 
 
The consistent policy of the State of Vietnam is to 
consolidate the national unity, to improve material and 
spiritual life of its citizens, including religious 
believers.  This policy is widely recognized by the 
international community. 
 
In the process of international integration, Vietnam is 
improving its legislation in conformity with international 
law in every aspect, including faith and religion.  With the 
aim of furthering the right to freedom of belief and 
religion, the Viet Nam Standing Committee of the National 
Assembly approved on June 18, 2004 the Ordinance on Belief 
and Religion.  The Ordinance institutionalizes the 
guidelines and policies of the State of Vietnam on faith and 
religion, thus creating a legal basis to guarantee the 
religious freedom in practice and improving the 
effectiveness of the Government's management in this area. 
This is a strong evidence to prove that the State of Vietnam 
attaches great importance to religious freedom and always 
respects this right in practice, the fact that has been 
reconfirmed by Vietnam's adherence to the International 
Convention on Civil and Political Rights since 1982. 
 
We are convinced that the U.S. Department of State is aware 
of the importance of building a stable and long-term Vietnam- 
U.S. relationship in the interests of the two countries and 
the region.  Any obstacle to this positive trend is 
unacceptable. 
On the other hand, we would like to reaffirm that we are 
eager to promote dialogues between religious organizations 
of Vietnam and the United States for our better mutual 
understanding. 
 
In the spirit, we would like to urge the U.S. Department of 
State to reconsider the wrongful decision to designate 
Vietnam as a Country of Particular Concern, in the long-term 
interest of our two peoples and for the sake of peace, 
cooperation and development in the world as a whole. 
 
Best regards, 
 
NGO YEN THI 
Chairman of the Government Commission on Religious Affairs 
Socialist Republic of Vietnam 
 
End text of letter. 
 
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