Cablegate: Hcmc Evaluation of U.S. Civil Rights Speaker Dr. Carol

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

070831Z Mar 05

ACTION IIP-00

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FM AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1125
INFO AMEMBASSY HANOI

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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