US embassy cable - 05HANOI246

UNCLAS  HANOI 000246 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR EAP AND H 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, VM 
SUBJECT: ASIA-PACIFIC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM IN VIETNAM 
 
Reftel: Hanoi 92 
 
1. (SBU) Summary: The Thirteenth Annual Asia-Pacific 
Parliamentary Forum (APPF) was held in Ha Long January 10 to 
13.  The U.S. Congressional was headed by Senator Daniel 
Akaka and included Representative Darrell Issa.  The Forum 
expressed sympathy for tsunami victims and passed 22 non- 
binding resolutions on issues ranging from HIV/AIDS to ocean 
pollution.  One point of contentious debate was North Korea. 
Japanese delegates both attempted to insert language 
condemning North Korea into a DPRK-specific resolution and 
opposed extending to North Korea an invitation to the next 
APPF.  In a pull-aside meeting, Vu Mao, Chairman of the 
Vietnamese National Assembly's (NA) Foreign Relations 
Committee, sought support for a visit to Washington by NA 
members next September.  End Summary. 
 
2. (U) The Forum included delegations from Australia, 
Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Fiji, Indonesia, 
Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Micronesia, Mongolia, 
New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Russia, 
Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the United States.  The 
largest groups came from China, headed by Gu Xiulian, Vice 
Chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress, 
Japan, led by December Shizuka Kamei and Yasuhiro Nakasone 
(who is Chairman Emeritus of the APPF) and Thailand, which 
sent twelve Senators led by Senate President Suchon 
Chaleekure. 
 
3. (U) Delegates held sessions on four main topics, in 
addition to a "special session" on the Tsunami disaster. 
The first session dealt with political and security issues 
and was largely devoted to a discussion of terrorism and the 
situation on the Korean Peninsula.  This was followed by a 
discussion on economic and trade Issues, which included a 
readout of APEC 2004 by the Chilean delegation and a 
discussion on a new round of WTO talks.  The third topic was 
a catch-all of "items of general interest."  This included 
the environment, HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases 
(including SARS and avian influenza), sustainable 
development and ways to deal with transnational crimes.  The 
subject of health led to a rare moment of dissent when 
Canada and Japan stated that they believed that Taiwan 
should be allowed to enter the WHO, a proposal to which 
China objected.  The final topic was "the future works of 
the APPF," during which the Forum agreed to hold its next 
meeting in Bali. 
 
4. (U) The meeting adopted 22 resolutions on a broad range 
of issues and issued the APPF-13 joint communique.  The most 
contentious issue during the Forum was the resolution on 
North Korea.  South Korea, Japan and the United States 
sponsored a resolution calling or the resumption of the six- 
party talks, the peaceful resolution of the North Korea 
nuclear issue and inter-Korean reconciliation.  In committee 
discussions on the resolution, the Japanese delegation 
repeatedly and forcefully called for the inclusion of text 
stating that resolution of the issue of Japanese abductees 
in North Korea is necessary for peace and stability in the 
region.  China objected to the addition of any text on the 
issue, while South Korea sought a compromise using more 
tepid language.  Eventually the phrase "full peace and 
stability... will be dependent on resolving issues affecting 
bilateral relations" was settled upon, and an annex to the 
resolution was attached stating the Japanese position. 
South Korea also called for North Korea to be invited to the 
APPF, which Canada supported.  Japan opposed any invitation 
to North Korea, made reference to "as many as 300 Japanese 
citizens abducted" by North Korea and said that Korean 
attempts to explain the abductions were "insincere." 
Senator Akaka suggested that North Korea continue to be 
invited in observer status only, as in previous years, a 
suggestion which was broadly supported. 
 
5. (SBU) The U.S. delegation had a pull-aside meeting with 
 
Vu Mao, Chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign 
Relations Committee.  At the meeting, Chairman Mao stated 
that maintaining good relations with the United States is 
"an emphasis" of Vietnamese foreign policy and that, to this 
end, he is planning to lead a delegation of Vietnamese 
parliamentarians to Washington in September 2005.  Vietnam 
is "lagging economically" due to "the results of years of 
war," and Mao said he hopes Vietnamese-Americans would do 
more to "help their homeland."  All people in Vietnam have 
freedom of religion and of speech, and the National Assembly 
will try to resolve disputes with the United States in these 
areas, Mao continued.  Senator Akaka said he would welcome 
the National Assembly visit.  He also noted the importance 
of positive relations in the context of rapid Chinese and 
regional economic growth.  Representative Issa added that 
the desire for strong bilateral relations is bipartisan.  He 
suggested that the NA members visit his district in 
California, which contains may Vietnamese-Americans. 
Representative Issa also encouraged the Government of 
Vietnam to reach an IMET agreement with the United States. 
Chairman Mao said he would "do his utmost" to promote it. 
Also at the conference, Ambassador Marine held a sidelines 
discussion with Vice Foreign Minister Le Van Bang, reported 
reftel. 
 
MARINE 
 
 
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