US embassy cable - 05HANOI1197

C O N F I D E N T I A L HANOI 001197 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV AND EB 
STATE PASS USTR FOR EBRYAN AND GHICKS 
GENEVA FOR USTR 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2015 
TAGS: ETRD, VM, WTRO, WTO 
SUBJECT: VIETNAM:  TRADE OFFICIAL'S FRANK ASSESSMENT OF WTO 
NEGOTIATIONS, MINISTER'S HEALTH 
 
 
Classified By: Economic Counselor Samuel R. Watson.  Reason 1.4(b and d 
). 
 
1. (C) During a casual meeting with Econoff on May 20, Mr. 
Nguyen Hong Duong (strictly protect), Deputy Director of the 
America's Department at the Ministry of Trade, told Econoff 
he did not expect major breakthroughs during WTO bilateral 
negotiations with the United States in Washington June 13-16. 
 Duong noted that although Vice Minister of Trade Luong Van 
Tu (the GVN's chief negotiator for WTO) will lead the GVN 
delegation this time, he doubts the delegation will have 
authority to make significant concessions.  Duong said VM Tu 
does not have significantly more authority than a director 
general and WTO decisions are "beyond the Government." Duong 
speculated that the GVN delegation will come with general 
instructions for the negotiations but will not have the 
ability to make tough decisions on specific issues.  (Note: 
Duong does not have primary responsibility for WTO issues. 
However, he was part of the GVN's negotiating team during 
negotiation of the U.S.-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement 
(BTA) and is very familiar with GVN negotiating strategies 
and constraints.  End Note.) 
 
2. (C) When asked about Minister Truong Dinh Tuyen's health, 
Duong responded that the Minister remains "very frail" and 
has only been in the office once or twice since getting out 
of the hospital in late April.  It appears the Minister is 
having difficulty concentrating on briefings provided by his 
staff.  (Note:  Minister Tuyen had surgery on his stomach in 
April after several weeks of hospitalization.  There are 
rumors he was suffering from stomach cancer and had to have 
two-thirds of his stomach removed.  End Note.)  Duong said 
that although the Prime Minister wants Minister Tuyen to 
accompany him on his trip to the United States in late June, 
it is unlikely the Minister will be strong enough to travel. 
It is not clear whether VM Tu will stay in the United States 
or if America's Department Director Nguyen Cam Tu will travel 
with the Prime Minister. 
 
3. (C) Bio note:  Duong has worked for the Ministry of Trade 
for about fifteen years.  His wife is an "expert" in the 
textile office of MOT's Export-Import Department.  They have 
two children.  Duong's father-in-law Nguyen Dinh Luong 
retired from MOT with the rank of Assistant Minister in early 
2003.  Duong speaks excellent English and has a law degree 
from a university in Moscow.  Duong participated in a 
International Visitor's Program (IVP) last year.  Before 
coming to MOT, he worked for an arbitration board at the 
Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.  Duong is very 
frank and outspoken, characteristics which have reportedly 
hindered his advancement within the Ministry of Trade. 
 
Boardman 
 
 
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