US embassy cable - 05HANOI387

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 HANOI 000387 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT PASS TO EAP/BCLTV; EAP/RSP; DRL; PRM; L/EAP; PM; T 
 
State for USTR E. Bryan 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, PREF, KIRF, OTRA, OVIP, VM, KICC, RELFREE, HUMANR, ETMIN 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH AFM NGUYEN DUC HUNG: 
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ACTION PLAN, PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT 
 
Ref: A. Hanoi 312; B. State 29193; C. EAP/BCLTV O-I 17-05; 
D. Hanoi 284 
 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
1. (SBU) The Ambassador met February 18 with Assistant 
Foreign Minister Nguyen Duc Hung at the latter's request, 
and their discussion focused on the Prime Minister's 
proposed June visit to the United States and the religious 
freedom "action plan."  On the PM's visit, AFM Hung 
requested protocol treatment commensurate with the PM's 
status as "number two" in Vietnam and urged the USG to nail 
down the dates of visit.  In the June 20-30 timeframe, the 
PM wants to spend five days in four U.S. cities and also 
plans to visit Canada.  AFM Hung also reiterated that the 
GVN hopes to conclude a number of agreements prior to the 
PM's visit, such as the Framework on Economic and Technical 
Assistance and maritime and agricultural agreements, and is 
considering adoption, Article 98 and IMET agreements. 
 
2. (SBU) Summary, cont'd.  On religious freedom, AFM Hung 
said that the Foreign Minister gave the "go ahead" to work 
on an exchange of notes with the United States and that the 
GVN is putting together its draft.  AFM Hung responded with 
some confusion to the Ambassador's presentation of Ref B, 
questioning the use of the term "action plan" and asking how 
many notes would be exchanged and whether the notes would be 
duplicates of each other.  Ultimately, AFM Hung agreed that 
the Embassy and the MFA's Americas Department would work 
closely to ensure that the notes ultimately exchanged 
reflect each side's views and concerns.  AFM Hung raised in 
familiar terms his Government's concerns about both Nguyen 
Huu Chanh and a recent open letter from the U.S. Commission 
on International Religious Freedom (CIRF) to the Secretary 
on the religious situation in Vietnam.  The Ambassador 
described briefly his upcoming travel to the Central 
Highlands, outlined the purpose of S/P Inboden's February 20- 
24 visit to Vietnam, urged the GVN to both allow MIA 
investigation and recovery operations in the Central 
Highlands and give permission for a medevac helicopter to 
operate in support of site activities and pressed the GVN to 
give favorable consideration to imprisoned Mennonite Le Thi 
Hong Lien.  He also thanked the MFA for its help in allowing 
an Amcit detainee to see his family, sought assistance in 
facilitating the upcoming Codel McHugh visit and passed a 
nonpaper requesting the GVN return to the United States the 
Great Seal from the former Saigon Embassy compound, now on 
display in a museum in HCMC.  End Summary. 
 
Prime Minister's Visit 
---------------------- 
 
2. (SBU) The Ambassador met with Assistant Foreign Minister 
and Americas Department Director General Nguyen Duc Hung 
February 18.  Pol/C and U.S. Desk Director Nguyen Hoanh Nam 
were also present.  AFM Hung opened by noting that the 
Ambassador plans to travel to the Central Highlands 
provinces of Lam Dong and Dak Lak February 25-March 1.  The 
Ambassador said that he wishes to travel to region before 
Easter and added that, during his meetings with local 
officials and religious and civic leaders, he plans to 
deliver a familiar message:  that the United States values 
highly religious tolerance and that the United States 
supports the territorial integrity of Vietnam. 
 
3. (SBU) Turning to his prepared notes, AFM Hung said that, 
during his February 4-5 discussions with NSC Senior Director 
Michael J. Green (Ref A), he had touched on "various 
aspects" of Prime Minister Phan Van Khai's proposed visit to 
the United States in June.  AFM Hung noted that he would 
like to start discussing "details," first among them the 
"protocol level" of the PM's visit.  The GVN understands 
that the United States only has "State" and "non-State" 
visits, but nonetheless hopes that the PM's visit will be an 
"official" one.  Pressed for further details by the 
Ambassador, AFM Hung explained that this means the GVN 
desire is for the visit to be "formal, with all the protocol 
and other measures commensurate with the PM's status as 
number two in Vietnam."  This will be important for 
Vietnamese "domestic consumption," as the Vietnamese people 
will "watch closely" to see how PM Khai is welcomed and 
treated.  For example, "whether he has an honor guard," AFM 
Hung explained. 
 
4. (SBU) On the issue of timing, the Prime Minister wishes 
to travel to the United States for five days during the June 
20-30 timeframe.  He also plans to travel to Canada, and, in 
order to nail down the Canadian half of the trip, the GVN 
needs to know soonest when the PM will be welcome in the 
United States.  The Prime Minister would prefer to visit the 
United States first.  His "preliminary itinerary" contains 
stops in four cities over five days, including:  Seattle, 
where he will meet with the Governor, State legislators and 
local Vietnamese-Americans and "sign the contract" for four 
Boeing 787's; Washington, D.C., where during his two-day 
stay he wishes to meet the President, APNSA Hadley, 
Secretary Rice and Members of Congress whom the PM is "close 
 
SIPDIS 
to," such as Senators McCain, Kerry, Hagel and Lugar; in 
addition, the PM hopes to participate in a number of 
agreements' "signing ceremonies;" New York City, where he 
will meet with "financial and insurance company leaders, 
such as the head of New York Life" and deliver the keynote 
address to the U.S.-Vietnam Business Forum; and Boston, 
where he will meet with "intellectuals" and give a speech at 
Harvard University, Hung said. 
 
5. (SBU) As for the agreements the GVN would like to 
conclude by the time the Prime Minister visits - with the PM 
himself "witnessing the signing ceremonies" - AFM Hung 
listed the Framework Agreement on Economic and Technical 
Cooperation (which Hung noted is in its final clearance 
stage); the Maritime Transportation Agreement (which the 
Ambassador said will be the subject of discussion during a 
Maritime Administration team's visit in March); and the 
Agreement on Agriculture and Related Fields.  The GVN "hopes 
to finalize" these three agreements before the PM's visit. 
The GVN is also "considering" agreements on adoptions, 
Article 98 and International Military and Education Training 
(IMET), AFM Hung added. 
 
6. (SBU) Responding to a number of AFM Hung's points, the 
Ambassador noted that, regarding protocol, the White House 
controls these matters and every President has a different 
style.  We will convey the GVN's desiderata to Washington, 
but it is also important for the Vietnamese Embassy to begin 
discussions with the White House and the Department.  The 
same is true for the visit's timing.  On the subject of the 
787 purchase, the Ambassador said that, in light of China's 
recent agreement to purchase 70 787's, the sooner Vietnam 
can get its own order into the pipeline, the better. 
China's large order could impact Vietnam's own delivery 
timetable and it may not be wise to wait until the Prime 
Minister's visit to Seattle to seal the deal, the Ambassador 
observed.  Finally, in preparation for the visit of the 
Prime Minister and his delegation, the Ambassador asked the 
MFA to provide us as soon as possible with names and dates 
of birth (and passport numbers, if feasible) to begin our 
necessary visa-related security check procedures. 
 
Religious Freedom Action Plan 
----------------------------- 
 
7. (SBU) Turning to another subject of discussion during the 
Dr. Green visit, AFM Hung noted that both sides had 
discussed exchanging diplomatic notes to address religious 
freedom issues.  The Americas Department received 
instructions from the Foreign Minister to "go ahead" and is 
currently working on the contents of a note.  AFM Hung 
expressed his hope that the Embassy and the Americas 
Department, "working together," will be able to conclude 
this matter "by early March." 
 
8. (SBU) The Ambassador noted that resolving this issue will 
be a key element in creating the right atmosphere for the 
Prime Minister's visit.  Continuing, he said that he had 
received a green light from Washington to hand over to the 
GVN the list of priority actions (Ref B) which would form 
the heart of our proposed action plan.  Furthermore, while 
we are not yet authorized to present to the GVN the 
remaining text of the action plan (but will do so as soon as 
possible), we are able to read the full text of the proposed 
action plan to GVN officials (Ref C).  Following his 
presentation to AFM Hung, the Ambassador observed that all 
of the elements both sides have discussed as important are 
contained within our draft action plan.  The Embassy 
recognizes that time is short and looks forward to moving 
this process forward. 
 
9. (SBU) Expressing some confusion, AFM Hung said that 
"there appears to have been some misunderstanding" regarding 
the action plan.  The GVN understands that there will be "an 
exchange of notes," but "does not like" to have these notes 
refer specifically to a "work plan" or "action plan."  The 
Ambassador replied that, at the GVN's request, the term 
"work plan" was replaced by "action plan."  That said, the 
important thing is not nomenclature but rather how the two 
sides reach their desired goal.  AFM Hung nodded in 
agreement and returned to the question of notes, asking "how 
many notes are going to be exchanged" and "will they be 
different from each other?"  The Ambassador responded that, 
while the specifics of the notes have yet to be discussed, 
there will be two notes, and one note will have to 
acknowledge the receipt of the other.  The Ambassador and 
AFM Hung agreed that, in the days ahead, both sides will 
need to exchange their thoughts and opinions about their 
respective texts, and AFM Hung urged the U.S. side to "take 
into consideration" Vietnam's concerns. 
 
S/P Inboden Visit 
----------------- 
 
10. (SBU) Continuing on the subject of religious freedom, 
the Ambassador noted that S/P staffer and DRL/IRF Ambassador 
Hanford associate Will Inboden will travel to Vietnam next 
week for meetings with Government officials and religious, 
particularly Protestant, leaders in HCMC and Hanoi.  The 
purpose of this visit will be to understand the religious 
freedom situation in Vietnam as well as possible, and, to 
that end, S/P Inboden will likely meet with a number of 
house church leaders.  The purpose of these meetings will 
only be to gather information.  Inboden will not visit 
Vietnam to negotiate the action plan, the Ambassador added. 
AFM Hung said that the MFA had instructed the External 
Relations Office in HCMC to assist in arranging meetings for 
Dr. Inboden. 
 
CIRF Recommendations to S 
------------------------- 
 
11. (SBU) AFM Hung expressed concern about the U.S. 
Commission on Religious Freedom's (CIRF) February 8 letter 
to the Secretary, which recommends putting People's 
Committee Chairs of problem provinces on visa watchlists and 
providing USD one million for religious freedom and human 
rights programs in Vietnam.  The GVN understands that the 
CIRF is independent and that its recommendations do not 
constitute a State Department decision, but the CIRF letter 
"irritated" Vietnamese public opinion and "certain law 
enforcement agencies."  AFM Hung urged the United States to 
"be careful," because "such news can spoil things." 
Responding to the Ambassador's question about whether AFM 
Hung had seen the CIRF's reaction to the Prime Minister's 
Instruction on Protestantism, he said that he had, but that 
the CIRF recommendations could still "cause some problems." 
The Ambassador rejoined that Vietnam's failure to issue the 
implementing regulations for the Ordinance on Religion left 
it open to criticism.  AFM Hung replied that he had attended 
a meeting February 17 chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Vu 
Khoan, and said it seemed that the regulations will be out 
"in a couple of days." 
 
Nguyen Huu Chanh 
---------------- 
 
12. (SBU) Responding to AFM Hung's request for "more 
information" Nguyen Huu Chanh (the self-described leader of 
the "Government of Free Vietnam" (GFVN)), the Ambassador 
reiterated points he had made two weeks before in a 
conversation with Vice Foreign Minister Le Van Bang (Ref D). 
On the specific issue of the GFVN's office in Washington, 
the Ambassador remarked that opening an office is not 
illegal and, as far as we could tell, would have virtually 
no real significance in terms of damaging GVN interests. 
AFM Hung expressed his understanding but noted that some in 
his Government "exaggerated" Chanh's activities.  Hung urged 
the USG to "give serious consideration" to Vietnamese public 
opinion and take some measures to prevent Chanh from 
carrying out his activities, which could include "something" 
on the occasion of the Prime Minister's visit.  The 
Ambassador responded that, because of societal and other 
differences, there are some issues in which one side is not 
prepared to do what the other wishes.  When it comes to the 
Prime Minister's safety and security, however, there will be 
no higher priority.  That said, we cannot stop individuals 
from speaking out or perhaps demonstrating, even if it is 
during the PM's visit. 
 
Codel McHugh 
------------ 
 
13. (U) The Ambassador noted that a three-person delegation 
of House Members will travel to Vietnam next week to discuss 
issues related to the fullest possible accounting of MIAs. 
However, while their plans are to visit Vietnam and Laos and 
then return to Vietnam, they only received single-entry 
visas from the Vietnamese Embassy in Washington.  The 
Ambassador asked for the MFA's assistance in addressing this 
issue. 
 
Fullest Possible Accounting 
--------------------------- 
 
14. (SBU) Our inability to carry out MIA investigation and 
recovery activities in the Central Highlands remains an 
issue, the Ambassador continued, as does the matter of 
allowing a medevac helicopter to operate.  The Ambassador 
urged the GVN to take steps to resolve these concerns. 
 
Lien Case 
--------- 
 
15. (SBU) On the subject of imprisoned Mennonite Le Thi Hong 
Lien, the Ambassador pressed the GVN to consider favorably 
her case, noting that she needs medical treatment, not 
imprisonment.  AFM Hung promised to look into her situation. 
 
Amcit Detention 
--------------- 
 
16. (SBU) Returning to another subject raised during the 
Ambassador's February 1 meeting with VFM Bang (Ref D), the 
Ambassador thanked the MFA for its assistance in allowing 
the family of imprisoned Amcit Bao Phat Tang to visit him. 
 
The Great Seal 
-------------- 
 
17. (SBU) The Ambassador concluded by raising the issue of 
the Great Seal of the United States, which was part of the 
former Embassy compound in Saigon.  Noting that the Seal is 
now on display in a museum in Ho Chi Minh City, the 
Ambassador said that, as part of the 1995 property agreement 
between the United States and Vietnam, the Seal should have 
been returned.  A GVN decision to return the Seal would be a 
welcome and highly symbolic gesture.  Its display in a 
museum as a trophy of war is not appropriate for the current 
positive state of bilateral relations.  If the Seal's return 
could be quietly arranged, it would be greatly appreciated. 
The Ambassador handed AFM Hung a nonpaper to this effect. 
 
MARINE