US embassy cable - 05HOCHIMINHCITY227

UNCLAS HO CHI MINH CITY 000227 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
Department for Anne Seshadri; IIP/G/EAP for Steve Prieto 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP, KPAO, PHUM, VM 
SUBJECT: HCMC EVALUATION OF U.S. CIVIL RIGHTS SPEAKER DR. CAROL 
SWAIN 
 
 
A.   DATES:  February 26-March 4. 
 
B.   OBJECTIVE:  This speaker program supports the MPP goals of 
Mutual Understanding, and Democracy and Human Rights. It promotes 
one of the principal missions of the public diplomacy section-- 
telling America's story to the Vietnamese people.  This program 
also encourages the Vietnamese to reflect on international human 
rights standards and racial, ethnic and religious issues in 
Vietnam. 
 
C.   ACTIVITIES TO REACH THE OBJECTIVE:  PAS programmed Dr. Swain 
in HCMC and Dalat.  In HCMC, Dr. Swain discussed the global legacy 
of the U.S. civil rights movement with students and faculty at the 
Open University of HCMC, Vietnam National University School of 
Social Sciences and Humanities, and with LES at the ConGen.  PAS 
hosted a roundtable discussion with academic contacts to discuss 
affirmative action in America and Asia, with local print media on 
hand to cover the event.  PAS arranged for an exclusive interview 
for Dr. Swain with Phu Nu (Women) Magazine (circulation: 100,000). 
Dr. Swain became the first U.S. speaker ever to travel to the 
Central Highlands when she addressed students and faculty at Dalat 
University. 
 
D.   EVALUATION/POSSIBLE IMPACT:  Outstanding.  Dr. Swain's 
presentations reached out to students and faculty to increase 
their understanding of the U.S. civil rights movement and its 
global impact, and contributed to a more open dialogue on human 
rights and religious freedom--an especially important step in the 
Central Highlands, where this issue is especially sensitive. 
 
Dr. Swain's discussion of the Immigration Reform Act of 1965 
particularly resonated with Vietnamese audiences.  Had it not been 
for this landmark legislation, post-1975 Vietnamese immigration to 
the U.S. would never have been possible. 
 
Dr. Swain's message is that the civil rights movement did not just 
free black Americans, but freed white Americans as well, thereby 
empowering the U.S. to advocate for human rights throughout the 
world.  Discussion of human rights and religion is taboo in public 
fora in Vietnam.  Though not directly addressing the human rights 
situation in Vietnam, participants at every workshop asked Dr. 
Swain what they personally could do to promote global freedom and 
human rights.  She advised them to start by examining the human 
rights records in their own community and in Vietnam. 
 
Dr. Swain is the first U.S. speaker we have programmed in the 
Central Highlands, a region of Vietnam with a high percentage of 
ethnic minorities and a focus of USG concern over human rights and 
religious freedom.  Discussing these sensitive topics in the 
bilateral relationship at a university in the Central Highlands is 
a significant step forward in post's dialogue with host country 
contacts.  Since Dr. Swain was specifically addressing racial 
issues in the U.S., dialogue took place in a non-confrontational 
way that will not jeopardize future programming. 
 
We were very impressed with Dr. Swain and her professionalism and 
we would be pleased to welcome her back to Vietnam for a future 
visit. 
 
E.   QUALITY OF U.S. SUPPORT AND IIP OFFICES INVOLVED: 
Outstanding. Post appreciates IIP's assistance for its cooperation 
in bringing Dr. Swain to Vietnam. Post would like to thank Helen 
Sebrow for her invaluable assistance. 
 
WINNICK 
 
 
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