US embassy cable - 05HANOI3259

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 HANOI 003259 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR EAP/MLS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, KIRF, PHUM, PGOV, VM, HUMANR, RELFREE, TIP, HIV/AIDS, ETMIN 
SUBJECT: CONGRESSMAN SMITH DISCUSSES RELIGIOUS FREEDOM WITH 
VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS 
 
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Visiting Congressman (and Vice-Chairman of 
the House International Relations Committee) Christopher 
Smith (R-NJ) met with Vietnamese government officials, and 
Catholic, Protestant and Buddhist leaders in Hanoi on 
December 2.  Principal issues discussed were improvements 
and challenges for religious freedom in Vietnam and the 
status of development of faith-based charitable 
institutions.  End Summary. 
 
Committee on Religious Affairs 
------------------------------ 
 
2. (SBU) On December 2, Congressman Smith met with Committee 
on Religious Affairs (CRA) Vice Chairman Nguyen The Dzoanh 
to discuss religious freedom in Vietnam.  Dzoanh monopolized 
the conversation with a rambling explication about his 
family, time served in the Vietminh and the 50-generation 
history of religion in Vietnamese society that concluded 
with the bold assertion that there are "absolutely no 
religious conflict or concerns in Vietnam."  He stated that 
the CRA respects the ideals and philosophies of all 
religions, but noted that Vietnam's geo-strategic position 
makes concerns for "national unity" paramount. 
Nevertheless, the GVN is trying to return to Ho Chi Minh's 
"enlightened stance on the role of religion, particularly 
Catholicism, in Vietnam", Dzoanh said. 
 
Catholics:  Mass Ordination... 
------------------------------ 
 
3. (SBU) Later on December 2, Congressman Smith and the 
Ambassador met with Hanoi Archbishop Ngo Quang Kiet.  An 
Office of the National Assembly representative insisted on 
observing the meeting despite the delegation's request for a 
private discussion.  Nonetheless, Kiet provided a frank 
review of recent advances in religious freedom from the 
perspective of Vietnam's Catholics.  He noted some 
significant improvements, including the fact that all 
bishoprics are now filled and the GVN has allowed annual 
enrollment at the Saint Joseph's Seminary instead of semi- 
annual.   He also noted that Vatican Missionary Minister 
Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe recently visited Vietnam to 
participate in the ordination of 57 new priests on November 
27 in front of the Hanoi Cathedral.  This was the very first 
visit of a ranking Vatican official to Vietnam at the 
invitation of the Vietnam Episcopal Council.  However, while 
the GVN's agreement to allow the mass ordination and Sepe's 
visit represent significant improvements in Vatican/GVN 
relations, these advances are "not adequate" and have not 
met all the needs of Vietnamese Catholics.  In particular, 
the Church is frustrated that no ecclesiastical properties 
seized by the Government in 1954 have been returned, despite 
repeated requests.  In the face of continuing resistance on 
this issue, the Vatican has decided to focus on asking for 
the return of the property that originally housed the Office 
of the Pontifical Envoy in Hanoi.  In addition to past 
properties, the Catholic Church also needs new houses of 
worship in traditionally non-Catholic areas because of the 
continuing and increasing internal migration of Catholics 
within Vietnam. 
 
...Social Work... 
----------------- 
 
4. (SBU) Kiet also noted that Cardinal Sepe made an official 
request in his meeting with Prime Minister Phan Van Khai for 
permission to publish a Catholic journal in Vietnam, and for 
the church to become more involved in charitable education 
and medicine.  At present, the Church is allowed to operate 
kindergartens and pharmacies, but no higher-level schools 
and no clinics or hospitals.  Moreover, two orders of nuns, 
one of which was founded by Mother Theresa, tried 
unsuccessfully for almost three years to establish HIV/AIDS 
hospices in Vietnam, but gave up several years ago in the 
face of bureaucratic reluctance to grant them permission 
(although they are willing to return if the GVN creates a 
more supportive climate).  That said, Catholics are not 
completely discouraged, as there have been positive 
developments in these areas as well.  For example, 100 monks 
are now allowed to work in an HIV/AIDS hospice near HCMC. 
In sum, Kiet asserted that the GVN has been working to 
improve religious freedom for Catholics, which has resulted 
in "some new things," and that Church leaders hope the GVN 
will soon agree that religion and charitable work are a good 
thing for society. 
 
5. (SBU) Congressman Smith stated that one of his messages 
to GVN officials had been that the charitable work of 
religious institutions would make Vietnam a better place, 
adding that 25 percent of all hospitals in the United States 
are run by Catholic charities.  Even the Government of 
Ethiopia understands that religious institutions provide a 
valuable service to mankind.  The GVN thus has no reason to 
fear faith-based organizations.  He also noted that Mother 
Theresa is revered in Congress and that, "if my colleagues 
knew that her nuns ran into resistance trying to set up a 
charity in Vietnam, they'd be outraged."  The Congress will 
work very hard to persuade the GVN to become more tolerant 
of religious charities and the Catholic Church should work 
with the Embassy to build new social programs because of the 
USG's strong emphasis on aid to faith-based charities.  The 
Ambassador noted that the new ordinance on religion has 
opened a door for charitable work, but the Catholics need to 
push through that door.  If the Church comes up with 
concrete proposals, the Embassy will do its best to support 
them, he said, but "it won't be possible if we don't push." 
The Archbishop asked that the Ambassador meet with the nuns 
of Mother Theresa if they return to Vietnam.  The Ambassador 
consented and also offered to raise the issue of 
expropriated properties at the national and local levels. 
 
...and Family Planning and TIP 
------------------------------ 
 
6. (SBU) Turning to other issues, Congressman Smith asked 
whether the GVN's "two-child policy" and social predilection 
for boys have pressured Catholics into sex-selection 
abortions in Vietnam, as similar policies have in China and 
elsewhere.  The Archbishop explained that the policy is less 
strict in Vietnam, with pressure on population control 
mainly coming from the mass media.  There are no fines or 
other punishments for having more than two children, he 
said.  (Note: Government employees may be subject to small 
fines, but the imposition of such fines is inconsistent. 
End note.)  On abortion, the Congressman noted that faith- 
based pregnancy-care and pregnancy-crisis centers are very 
powerful weapons in the fight against abortion.  Kiet 
explained that the Church does not operate crisis centers in 
Vietnam, but "as Catholics, we have been trying to help 
dissuade women from having abortions." 
 
7. (SBU) Congressman Smith also raised the issue of 
trafficking in persons, and exhorted the Archbishop to work 
through a new Vatican/Congressional initiative to promote 
anti-trafficking education "from the pulpit." He noted that 
this is a particularly important project as local church 
involvement in this issue has proven very successful at 
preventing trafficking in the first place, alleviating the 
need to rehabilitate victims after the fact. 
 
8. (SBU) At the end of the meeting, the Ambassador asked if 
prospects for GVN/Vatican reconciliation are better after 
Cardinal Sepe's visit.  Kiet answered that prospects are 
better, and both sides wish to establish diplomatic 
relations, but true reconciliation will not come soon. 
 
Protestants:  Faith-based Charities... 
-------------------------------------- 
 
9. (SBU) On the same day, the Ambassador hosted a lunch for 
Congressman Smith, Evangelical Church of Vietnam North 
(ECVN) President Phung Quang Huyen, ECVN General Secretary 
Pastor Au Quang Vinh, Haiphong Pastor Nguyen Gia Huyen and 
Bui Binh Thi of the ECVN's Executive Board.  In response to 
the Ambassador's question regarding the possibility of the 
ECVN becoming active in faith-based charities in Vietnam, 
particularly in the area of HIV/AIDS treatment, Vinh 
explained that, in addition to needing a better legal 
framework to make such charitable work possible, the ECVN 
needs greater institutional strength.  In the past, 
Protestants were focused on survival, but the ECVN is now 
expanding its capacity and working to change its image.  For 
example, some followers in the provinces are now working 
with foreign NGOs that focus on HIV/AIDS treatment and 
advocacy.  Hopefully, the ECVN will establish more 
provincial programs like these, with the GVN's assistance as 
local officials continue to become more receptive.  The ECVN 
is thus glad that the USG is providing significant support 
for HIV/AIDS projects in Vietnam.  The hope is that ECVN 
followers will be able to get training to help AIDS victims, 
Vinh said.  Charitable work is new for Vietnam's 
Protestants, but they are encouraged by the support they 
have received in this endeavor from faith-based NGOs. 
 
10. (SBU) The Ambassador asked the ECVN to keep the Embassy 
apprised of its charitable plans as they develop and 
suggested that the ECVN look into programs aimed at reducing 
the social stigmas against people living HIV/AIDS as well as 
in prevention and education.  The ECVN should also consider 
programs aimed at countering trafficking in persons, 
although there are limits to the time and money the Embassy 
can commit to support any development projects. 
Nevertheless, such programs could help the growing number of 
northern Protestants establish congregations in areas that 
have been less receptive to their followers.  Congressman 
Smith noted the effectiveness of faith-based initiatives in 
working to combat social evils and improve religious 
freedom.  Mr. Thi interjected that recent progress in 
religious freedom has been exaggerated and held up the 
example of the GVN's reluctance to give congregants the 
right to repair the ECVN church in Thanh Hoa Province.  Vinh 
observed, however, that the more difficult the situation, 
the stronger the ECVN's followers' belief in God. Returning 
to faith-based charitable work, Vinh noted that one ECVN 
member has already developed a proposal for a program to 
support HIV/AIDS victims, which he promised to send to the 
Embassy. 
 
...Religious Freedom... 
----------------------- 
 
11. (SBU) The Ambassador asked Vinh for an assessment of the 
situation in the Northwest Highlands, particularly with 
regard to the friction between Christianity and traditional 
beliefs among ethnic minorities there.  Vinh explained that 
there are now 1,050 ECVN sub-congregations in the Northwest 
Highlands, but no churches.  The 117,000 followers in the 
area still meet in "house churches," and there are at least 
17,000 followers in Lai Chau and Dien Bien provinces alone 
despite repeated assertions on the part of local officials 
that there are no Protestants under their administration. 
Followers are able to meet openly in some areas, and the 
ECVN is currently sending letters requesting official 
registration for these groups because local authorities are 
now willing to talk to Protestants.  The ECVN's intention is 
to first ask for church registration for Protestant groups 
that are not afraid to "show" their faith.  It is like a 
test, Vinh said, adding that the remaining groups that have 
not submitted their applications are waiting to see how the 
GVN handles those requests.  If their requests are turned 
down, it is likely that the rest may choose not to go for 
registration because of their fear of repression. 
 
12. (SBU) Congressman Smith asked what happens when 
officials refuse registration requests.  Pastor Vinh said 
that responses in many areas had not been favorable at 
first, and followers were frightened of unintended 
consequences.  The ECVN has been meeting with recalcitrant 
local officials to educate them about the GVN's new policies 
on religion.  Many other districts have been amenable to 
registration.  ECVN President Huyen observed that some local 
officials have been helpful by being silent, but in other 
locations, especially Lao Cai and Ha Giang provinces, 
officials have treated followers badly.  The Congressman 
asked if the ECVN has ever asked the Prime Minister to visit 
a church or church conference to convince him to give direct 
support to their cause.  Vinh answered that while Prime 
Minister Khai may have good feelings about religions in 
Vietnam, he must ultimately listen to the will of the Party. 
If many Party officials change their minds about religion, 
then we can expect real change, Vinh said.  The Ambassador 
noted that to effect such a change requires steady, regular 
and persistent attention, and he encouraged church leaders 
to bring problems to the Embassy's attention to aid our 
efforts to keep the pressure on. 
 
Buddhists 
--------- 
 
13. (SBU) In a separate meeting December 2, Congressman 
Smith met with the Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu of the (GVN- 
recognized) Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha (VBS).  This meeting 
was largely disjointed, as Tu responded to Smith's questions 
with a series of rambling non-sequiturs and an extensive 
list of the various officials of the VBS, both past and 
present.  Tu claimed only two monks had left the VBS and 
admitted there were no theological differences between the 
VBS and UBCV.  Smith urged that with the PM's effort to open 
up on religious freedom, Tu find space for Thich Quang Do, 
and noted that unity should not be the highest value, but 
mutual respect, tolerance, love and co-existence.  When 
asked about the VBS's relationship with United Buddhist 
Church of Vietnam's (UBCV) Thich Quang Do and Thich Tien 
Hanh, Tu took pains to explain that it is the aspiration of 
all Buddhists to form a unified organization.  He asserted 
that the VBS has tried to live in harmony with these two 
even though they have rejected unity.  For example, the VBS 
has provided lodging for Do and Hanh on numerous occasions 
in VBS headquarters.  Tu would not comment on this issue 
further and returned to his original, unfocused 
presentation. 
 
14. (SBU) Congressman Smith has cleared this message. 
 
MARINE