US embassy cable - 05HANOI1416

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 HANOI 001416 
 
SIPDIS 
 
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DEPT FOR EAP/BCLTV; EAP/RSP; DRL; PM 
 
STATE PASS TO USTR FOR E. BRYAN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, PGOV, KIRF, PINR, MARR, OVIP, ETRD, VM, WTO, HIV/AIDS, AFLU, HUMANR, RELFREE, CNARC 
SUBJECT: The Ambassador's June 13 Meeting with the Prime 
Minister 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
1. (SBU) The Ambassador met June 13 with Prime Minister Phan 
Van Khai to discuss the latter's upcoming trip to the United 
States and a number of pending issues, including Vietnam's 
WTO accession bid.  The Prime Minister expressed his 
commitment to using his visit to construct the framework for 
further deepening the two countries' friendship and building 
a long-term, stable partnership.  Although Vietnam is 
committed to concluding its bilateral WTO negotiations with 
the United States now, the Prime Minister proposed that, in 
case no conclusion is reached during his visit, the two 
sides strive to conclude "major agreements about Vietnam's 
WTO bid."  He also requested President Bush voice support 
for Vietnam's WTO accession during their post-meeting press 
availability.  He argued for Vietnam's status as a market 
economy and urged the United States to lift Jackson-Vanik 
and grant Vietnam permanent Most Favored Nation status 
(i.e., Permanent Normal Trade Relations). 
 
2. (SBU) Summary, cont'd:  The Prime Minister agreed with 
the Ambassador's call for better cooperation and 
coordination in health-related issues and observed that an 
Adoptions Agreement is within reach.  He expressed optimism 
about concluding an IMET Agreement before his visit and 
pledged increased transnational crime and counternarcotics 
cooperation (and suggested having positions in our 
respective embassies for this purpose.)  The Prime Minister 
concluded the meeting by asking for the Ambassador's advice 
on how to raise the issue of Agent Orange while in the 
United States, a subject that his domestic public opinion 
would not let him avoid.  Should the PM discuss the issue, 
the Ambassador urged him to acknowledge the disabilities 
assistance the USG has already provided Vietnam and note the 
need for increased scientific research.  During the over one- 
hour meeting, PM Khai was relaxed, well-briefed and clearly 
looking forward to his upcoming trip.  End Summary. 
 
PM's Visit to Build the Framework for Future Relations 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
 
3. (SBU) The Ambassador met for over an hour June 13 with 
Prime Minister Phan Van Khai.  Vice Foreign Minister Le Van 
Bang, Office of the Government External Relations Deputy 
Director Nguyen Thu Do and Pol/C also attended.  The Prime 
Minister opened the meeting by thanking the Ambassador for 
the USG's cooperation and help in preparing for his visit. 
For its part, the GVN is working hard to make the visit a 
success, including sending two advance teams, a first for 
Vietnam.  The official delegation will also be one of 
Vietnam's largest ever, with one Deputy Prime Minister, five 
ministers and ten vice ministers.  This shows the great 
importance Vietnam attaches to the visit, which will help to 
promote cooperation in areas related to politics, economics, 
science and technology, defense and security.  On the 
occasion of the tenth anniversary of bilateral relations, 
the visit reflects the positive developments in bilateral 
relations and will help to construct the framework for 
further deepening the two countries' friendship and building 
a long-term, stable partnership in the interests of both 
sides, the PM said. 
 
4. (SBU) The Ambassador responded that the United States 
shares Vietnam's aspirations for and views on this important 
visit.  With its auspicious timing on the tenth anniversary 
of diplomatic ties, there is no better symbol of where our 
relationship is and how far it has come.  Many people in the 
United States still do not know about the Vietnam of today, 
and the PM's visit will help to educate them.  Both sides 
are currently working on a draft joint statement, and we are 
aware that the Prime Minister made a personal and important 
contribution to it.  In addition, we have been working hard 
to conclude a number of official and commercial agreements. 
In fact, a senior Consular Affairs official will soon arrive 
to continue discussions on an Adoptions Agreement, the 
Ambassador noted. 
 
WTO 
--- 
 
5. (SBU) Another focus of the PM's visit will be economic 
issues, including Vietnam's WTO accession efforts, the 
Ambassador continued.  The PM's stops in Seattle and New 
York City will underscore the extent that bilateral trade 
and investment ties have grown.  That said, both sides agree 
that more is possible, and, to that end, Vietnam's WTO 
accession is key.  The United States continues to support 
Vietnam's WTO aspirations and we are looking forward to this 
week's market access negotiations.  We also applaud the work 
that the GVN and the National Assembly are doing to bring 
Vietnam's laws and regulations into compliance with the WTO. 
Both the bilateral and multilateral tracks are vital to 
achieving Vietnam's goal, and it is clear that Vietnam is 
taking these tasks seriously. 
 
Need Better Health Cooperation 
------------------------------ 
 
6. (SBU) Another important bilateral topic that will come up 
during the visit is health cooperation, particularly in the 
areas of HIV/AIDS and Avian Influenza (AI), the Ambassador 
said.  The story of our cooperative efforts is a good one, 
but people will want hear the Prime Minister's assurances 
about how Vietnam will tackle the tasks before it.  There 
are considerable funds available to contribute to the fight 
against HIV/AIDS, but we need to meet our targets, and this 
requires increased bilateral cooperation.  On AI, the key is 
the degree to which Vietnam is transparent and willing to 
work with the international community in a constructive way. 
The United States and other donors have additional funds to 
support Vietnam and want to work through the WHO and FAO. 
There is much press and other interest in the possibility of 
a pandemic and what Vietnam will do to prevent this.  There 
has so far been much good work, but more cooperation with 
the Ministry of Health (MoH) is possible and needed.  For 
example, the USG has offered USD 2.5 million to Vietnam's 
National Institute for Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) to 
help increase Vietnam's surveillance and diagnostic 
capability, but we have not yet received the MoH's 
agreement, the Ambassador observed. 
 
Vietnam's Media Strategy Critical 
--------------------------------- 
 
7. (SBU) Many other issues will be raised during the PM's 
visit, and the extent to which Vietnam can convey its 
message through the U.S. media will be critical.  The 
Ambassador described the goodwill towards Vietnam he 
encountered among academics, businesspeople and private 
citizens during a recent trip to the United States.  Having 
a good media message is the best way to reinforce and 
strengthen this goodwill.  At the same time, there may also 
be some in the United States who, during the PM's visit, 
will speak out against improving bilateral relations. 
However, although these voices do not reflect the general 
attitude towards Vietnam in the United States, in America's 
open society all voices are allowed to be heard.  During the 
trip, the PM and his delegation will have a wonderful 
opportunity for Vietnam to ensure its voice is heard, the 
Ambassador noted. 
 
With the Press, a Presidential Statement of WTO Support 
--------------------------------------------- ---------- 
 
8. (SBU) Expressing his hope for the chance to have further 
in-depth conversations during the visit, the Prime Minister 
invited the Ambassador to accompany him during his travel in 
the United States.  Continuing, the PM expressed his hope 
that the Adoptions Agreement could be finalized to allow it 
to be signed during the visit.  On WTO accession, Vietnam 
attaches great importance to acceding, and therefore has 
dispatched Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan and several vice 
ministers to back up the negotiating team in Washington. 
Vietnam has a strong determination to conclude its bilateral 
talks with the United States now.  In the event that 
concluding the talks is not possible, the Prime Minister 
expressed his Government's hope that the two sides will 
still be able to arrive at "major agreements about Vietnam's 
WTO bid."  Vietnam also hopes that, during the press 
availability after the meeting with the President, the 
President will express his support for Vietnam's WTO 
accession, the PM said. 
 
9. (SBU) On health cooperation, the Prime Minister promised 
to pass the Ambassador's points to the Minister of Health. 
Vietnam recognizes and appreciates President Bush's support 
for Vietnam's fight against HIV/AIDS.  To address health- 
related issues during the visit, the Minister of Health has 
joined the official delegation, and Vietnam hopes to promote 
further cooperation in this area, the PM said. 
 
"Recognize Vietnam as a Market Economy, Lift Jackson-Vanik" 
--------------------------------------------- -------------- 
 
10. (SBU) Vietnam has undergone 20 years of reform in which 
it has been transformed from a planned economy to a market 
economy and recorded enormous achievements, the PM 
continued.  Vietnam will continue with its "doi moi" 
(renovation) process to further improve market mechanisms 
and institutions.  In recent years, Vietnam has adopted many 
active measures to integrate more into the regional and 
global economies.  Therefore, Vietnam hopes that the United 
States will recognize Vietnam as a market economy.  Although 
much remains to be done, in terms of building a market 
economy, Vietnam has done in 20 years what developed 
countries took centuries to achieve.  Vietnam would thus 
like the United States to lift Jackson-Vanik and grant 
permanent Most Favored Nation status (i.e., Permanent Normal 
Trade Relations).  Vietnam has a strong will to change, and 
the National Assembly is determined to bring Vietnam's laws 
in line with WTO standards, the PM emphasized. 
 
Human Rights and Religious Freedom:  "Much Progress" 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
11. (SBU) The Prime Minister will take every opportunity to 
express Vietnam's position and opinions during contacts with 
the American media.  For example, in the areas of human 
rights and religious freedom, there are still differences 
between the United States and Vietnam.  Vietnam has 
undertaken measures to better the situation, but needs more 
time to make further improvements.  This is an issue with 
historic roots in Vietnam because war divided the country in 
two, and there have been serious domestic tensions.  In the 
past, regulations such as the new Ordinance on Religion or 
the Prime Minister's Instruction on Protestantism would not 
have been supported by the public.  Through efforts at 
national reconciliation and with the support of the people, 
Vietnam has been able to issue these and other regulations. 
In keeping with the PM's Instruction, local authorities now 
increasingly recognize churches and provide them with 
favorable conditions.  Local authorities also know that they 
have to give religious adherents equal treatment.  One 
problem in some of these regions is there may be some 
activities that are influenced by outsiders.  The GVN fully 
understands that certain ethnic minorities still face great 
difficulties and that their education levels are low.  The 
Government's policy is to support these people.  In the near 
future, new churches will continue to open up, the Prime 
Minister pledged. 
 
Promise of Declaration of Independence Not Yet Fulfilled 
--------------------------------------------- ----------- 
 
12. (SBU) In terms of human rights and democracy, Ho Chi 
Minh borrowed from the American Declaration of Independence 
to write Vietnam's own Declaration, the PM continued. 
However, due to wars, Vietnam has not been able to fulfill 
the promise of this Declaration.  During the "doi moi" 
process, the freedom of the Vietnamese people has been 
strongly promoted for the better.  Under "former regimes," 
the economy was made up of state-run and collectivized 
sectors.  However, with Vietnam's new Enterprise Law, people 
are free do engage in business and rewarded economically if 
they succeed.  "I would like to reaffirm to you that, during 
the 'doi moi' process, freedom and democracy have been 
improved," the PM said.  Every country must develop in its 
own way and according to its own conditions, and the Prime 
Minister expressed his hope that the USG and the President 
will understand the situation in Vietnam in order to discuss 
issues of mutual concern.  "I believe my visit will enable 
our two countries to develop relations further in this new 
era," the Prime Minister said. 
 
Keeping up the Relationship's Momentum 
-------------------------------------- 
 
13. (SBU) During the PM's visit, his interlocutors will want 
to hear more about his thoughts on expanding Vietnam's 
market economy, increasing space for religious believers and 
growing democracy in Vietnam, the Ambassador said. 
Furthermore, we will need to look beyond the visit in order 
to keep up the momentum in the bilateral relationship.  On 
WTO, for example, although we will likely see progress, 
regardless of whether there is an agreement in the next two 
weeks, we must continue our efforts.  For example, part of 
the WTO accession process will be a Congressional vote on 
PNTR for Vietnam.  Subsequently, entering the WTO will set 
the stage for Vietnam to host APEC, an opportunity which 
brings its own set of challenges, the Ambassador said. 
 
Religious Freedom Progress, Human Rights Dialogue 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
14. (SBU) Thanking the Prime Minister for his comments on 
religious freedom and human rights, the Ambassador noted 
that we had seen good progress in recent months.  Provided 
Vietnam implements consistently its new laws and 
regulations, the stage will be set for removing the Country 
of Particular Concern designation and, more importantly, 
Vietnam will eventually become a country in which people are 
allowed to practice religion freely.  Our two governments 
are currently discussing how to renew our Human Rights 
Dialogue to create the foundation for discussing important 
issues in a spirit of mutual respect.  There are many 
possible areas in which we can agree and make progress, 
creating even more goodwill in the United States. 
 
Transnational Crime, Mil-Mil, Fullest Possible Accounting 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
 
15. (SBU) Another issue we will continue to address in the 
months ahead is the need to raise our counternarcotics and 
transnational crime efforts to a new level of operational 
cooperation, the Ambassador continued.  Nothing will happen 
overnight, but we need to start the process that will lead 
us in the right direction.  Similarly, the Prime Minister's 
meeting with the Secretary of Defense will be an excellent 
opportunity to explore how to broaden our military-to- 
military relationship.  We remain hopeful that we will be 
able to reach an IMET Agreement soon. 
 
16. (SBU) We will also need to continue to focus on fullest 
possible accounting cooperation.  We have made good progress 
recently, particularly in regards to Central Highlands 
operations, underwater searches and archival access, and we 
are particularly grateful to the GVN for agreeing to allow a 
resumption of Central Highlands activities.  While all of 
these joint efforts are important, we also look forward to 
Vietnam's unilateral efforts.  For its part, the USG remains 
committed to helping Vietnam whenever possible to account 
for its own missing, the Ambassador said. 
 
17. (SBU) Responding to the Ambassador on the subject of 
transnational crime and other cooperation, the Prime 
Minister said that the USG and the Ministry of Public 
Security (MPS) can take steps to promote cooperation, 
exchange information and cooperate in the fight against 
crime and narcotics trafficking.  Perhaps the USG and GVN 
could establish positions in their respective embassies for 
this purpose, the PM suggested.  On IMET, the Prime Minister 
expressed his complete agreement and said the MFA will be in 
contact soon.  Vietnam wishes to take a step-by-step 
approach in expanding our defense relationship and is 
looking to participate someday in peacekeeping operations 
through medical or demining activities.  However, English- 
language communication difficulties make this difficult, the 
Prime Minister said. 
 
Agent Orange 
------------ 
 
18. (SBU) Expressing agreement with the Ambassador's points 
on fullest possible accounting, the Prime Minister sought 
the Ambassador's advice on how to deal with the Agent Orange 
(AO) issue while in the United States.  "If nothing is 
mentioned, this will be unacceptable to Vietnamese public 
opinion," the PM said.  "Where and when would raising the 
issue be acceptable?" he asked.  The Ambassador responded 
that it would be best to raise AO in a way that acknowledged 
USG efforts over the past 15 years (with an expenditure of 
USD 35 million) to meet disabilities needs in Vietnam. 
Furthermore, in expressing a desire for continued U.S. 
efforts, a call by the Prime Minister to increase scientific 
efforts would be well received.  This is a subject that 
Minister of Health Chien can raise with HHS Secretary 
Leavitt, or perhaps the PM can raise it during his public 
remarks in Boston.  In any case, there are constructive and 
unconstructive ways to address this issue, and often the way 
it is treated in the press in Vietnam is not beneficial to 
bilateral relations, the Ambassador noted. 
 
19. (SBU) In August, there will be a DoD-funded seminar to 
share our experiences with Vietnam in cleaning up toxic 
chemical sites.  This is the kind of cooperation we like to 
see, the Ambassador stressed.  However, there is a need for 
better coordination and cooperation at the ministerial level 
between our two Governments so that, when useful projects 
are approved, we can finish them successfully. 
Unfortunately, we recently had to cancel a birth defects 
study project because, even after two years, we still could 
not work out how to proceed, the Ambassador said.  The Prime 
Minister had no substantive reaction to the Ambassador's 
points. 
 
20. (SBU) Comment:  Throughout the meeting, Prime Minister 
Khai was relaxed and clearly looking forward to his upcoming 
trip.  He seemed well-briefed and had a complete grasp of 
the various issues the Ambassador raised.  End Comment. 
 
MARINE