This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
110908Z May 05
ACTION EAP-00
INFO LOG-00 AID-00 AIT-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 CTME-00 INL-00
DODE-00 ITCE-00 EB-00 EXME-00 E-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00
INR-00 IO-00 JUSE-00 NSAE-00 OES-00 OIC-00 OMB-00
OPIC-01 SSO-00 SS-00 STR-00 TRSE-00 DRL-00 NFAT-00
SAS-00 /001W
------------------ECC969 110954Z /38
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7588
INFO AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY
USMISSION GENEVA
USDOC WASHDC
USDA WASHDC
UNCLAS HANOI 001092
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV AND EB/TPP/BTA/ANA
STATE PASS USTR FOR EBRYAN AND GHICKS
USDA FOR FAS
USDOC FOR 4430/MAC/ASIA/OPB/VLC/HPPHO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD WTRO VN WTO
SUBJECT: VIETNAM: GVN Agrees to WTO Bilats June 13-16
REF: STATE 79775
1. The Ambassador received a fax copy of a letter (in
English) dated May 10 from Vice Minister of Trade Luong Van
Tu accepting the U.S. proposal for another round of WTO
bilateral negotiations in Washington June 13-16 (reftel).
According to the letter, VM Tu plans to lead the GVN
delegation for this round of bilateral talks. Text of the
letter follows.
2. Begin text:
Hanoi, May 10th, 2005
H.E. Mr. Michael W. Marine
Ambassador
U.S. Embassy to Vietnam
Your Excellency Mr. Ambassador,
Thank you for your letter dated May 4, 2005 inviting us to
Washington, D.C. for the next round of WTO accession
bilateral negotiations on June 13-16. We are pleased to
inform you that this timing is agreeable to us. Bearing in
mind that the U.S. negotiation schedule this year is tight,
we thank you for your efforts in making this round happen.
We highly appreciate your commitment to work constructively
and creatively on Vietnam's accession. On our side, Vietnam
has paid serious attention to pushing up negotiation with
the United States. Thus, I will myself lead the delegation
this time to take the opportunity of discussing with the
U.S. counterparts.
We would like to thank you for your careful consideration of
our market access offers and for identifying existing issues
for the next round. We would appreciate it if you could
provide us with an official response to our offers. This
will facilitate us to better prepare for the negotiation.
We believe that both Vietnam and the United States attach
importance to this round of bilateral negotiation, which
takes place on the threshold of an outstanding historical
event of our two countries - the official visit of our Prime
Minister to the U.S. We hope that with the efforts and
flexibilities extended by both sides, we would be able to
achieve a breakthrough in the June meeting.
We are also pleased to know that the United States will take
part in the Working Party in May. In this meeting, Vietnam
wishes to inform the Working Party of our progress in
complying with WTO agreements, especially in pushing up our
legislative program. We hope to receive your strong support
for the efforts made by Vietnam, so that we can make a
substantial progress in the Draft Report of the Working
Party.
Yours sincerely,
(signed)
Luong Van Tu
Vice Minister of Trade
Chief Negotiator of the Government
End text.
MARINE
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