VZCZCXRO9508
OO RUEHHM
DE RUEHHI #0449/01 0671036
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 081036Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4847
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH 2717
RHEHNSC/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 HANOI 000449
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE - DO NOT POST ON INTERNET
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS
STATE ALSO PASS USTR DBISBEE
COMMERCE FOR 4430/MAC/AP/OPB/VLC/HPPHO
TREASURY FOR OASIA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV OVIP PREL ECON ETRD OEXC VM
SUBJECT: EAP/MLS OFFICE DIRECTOR RAPSON'S MEETINGS WITH GVN
OFFICIALS
REF: (A) HANOI 367 (B) HANOI 349 (C) HANOI 442
1. (SBU) Summary: EAP/MLS Office Director Rob Rapson and the DCM
met with GVN officials March 8 on the eve of the departure of Deputy
Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem and his delegation to
the United States. His exchanges covered recent arrests of
dissidents in Vietnam and details of the DPM's schedule in
Washington and other cities. DPM Khiem intends to answer Secretary
Rice's letter to him in the coming days, and will be bringing with
him a letter from Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dzung to President Bush.
PM Dzung's letter will deal primarily with Vietnam's hope for U.S.
support in the development of its education system. DPM Khiem and
his large delegation are primed to discuss trade issues, including
the U.S. apparel monitoring mechanism, the recently-proposed Trade
and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) and U.S. export control
policies; and, law enforcement cooperation. The MFA noted that DPM
Khiem will suggest to Secretary Rice that the U.S. and Vietnam
intensify discussions on multilateral, regional and global issues in
advance of Vietnam's expected membership on the UNSC beginning in
2008. End Summary.
2. (SBU) On March 8, EAP/MLS Office Director Rob Rapson, accompanied
by the DCM, met with GVN officials to discuss Deputy Prime
Minister/Foreign Minister (DPM/FM) Pham Gia Khiem's upcoming visit
to the United States as well as a broad range of bilateral issues.
He first met with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' (MFA) Americas
Department Director General Mr. Pham Van Que and later with Office
of the Government (OOG) International Relations Deputy Director Bui
Huy Hung.
3. (SBU) DG Que reported that the DPM is pleased with the broad
range of meetings already confirmed in Washington, and that
arrangements for his San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago stops
are well in train. While the schedule is very tight, the DPM/FM has
a large number of issues to discuss with USG counterparts to prepare
for President Triet's visit later this year, build upon recent
progress and resolve several outstanding bilateral issues (Ref A).
Rapson agreed that USG is looking forward to exploring ways to
deepen our relationship.
Human Rights
------------
4. (SBU) Rapson added, however, that - given recent developments --
the issue of human rights will loom large in Khiem's discussions in
Washington. Referencing the delay in release of Nguyen Vu Binh, and
legal action against Father Nguyen Van Ly and more recently against
lawyers Nguyen Van Dai and Le Thi Cong Nhan (septel), many are
questioning whether the GVN is initiating a crackdown against
dissent.
5. (SBU) DG Que confirmed that the MFA received Secretary Rice's
recent letter discussing human rights. There is some
"misunderstanding" about the DPM's commitment to Secretary Rice
during APEC. Vietnam still intends to release him during the next
amnesty, which he opined could be in September. On recent legal
action against activists, Que claimed that those activists are
increasing their activities to "cause trouble" in advance of the
high-profile visits in order to overshadow cooperation in other
important areas. Noting Rapson's call for greater freedom of
expression, Que begged USG understanding that Vietnam is in a
different situation and at a different stage in its development than
the United States. Remarking that the United States and Vietnam
will hold their Human Rights Dialogue in April, he pressed for
further exchanges on this issue, arguing that Vietnam is learning
valuable lessons on good governance from the United States and
others, but that "we can not become the United States overnight."
Education and Economic Matters
------------------------------
6. (U) The MFA reported that DPM Khiem will bring with him a letter
from Prime Minister Dzung to President Bush. DG Que previewed the
letter, saying it articulates the GVN's request for USG assistance
in the education sector (Ref C). The letter also raises Vietnam's
concerns over the Department of Commerce's apparel monitoring
mechanism, an issue which the DPM will raise in Washington. Vietnam
is worried about the number of jobs that may be lost if U.S. apparel
HANOI 00000449 002 OF 003
importers move their orders elsewhere. MFA Americas Department
Officer Le Chi Dzung, also attending the meeting, asked the USG to
consider the "humanitarian aspect" of the decision to monitor
imports from Vietnam. Lost orders in Vietnam risk the jobs of
hundreds of thousands of young Vietnamese workers.
7. (U) Director Rapson queried as to when the GVN would complete its
review of the TIFA text proposed by USTR recently, noting that
signing of a TIFA would be an excellent way to advance the bilateral
economic relationship. Que agreed that Vietnam is interested in a
TIFA and would be responding shortly, but also asked the United
States to review its export control policies, reduce restrictions on
technology transfers to Vietnam and enhance "export credits" through
OPIC and the EXIM Bank. He pointed to delays in the issuance of USG
approval to export parts of Vietnam's VINASAT-1 satellite purchase
from Lockheed Martin as an example of how current policies affect
our bilateral trade. Liberalized regulations on technology
transfers could contribute to lowering the U.S. trade deficit with
Vietnam, he said. The late 2006 Presidential decision to allow the
transfer of non-lethal military goods and services is a positive
step, but Vietnam would like to pursue further reductions in U.S.
export controls, Que said.
8. (U) Both sides agreed to continue open dialogue and close
cooperation in the coming days to ensure a successful visit to the
United States and to strengthen the rapidly expanding relationship.
Rapson pointed to the breadth of DPM Khiem's meetings in Washington
as a sign of the high level of ongoing activity between our
countries. Looking ahead, Que proposed developing a regular
dialogue between the MFA and the Department to discuss bilateral,
regional and global issues. Given Vietnam's candidacy as a
non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, such a forum would
be useful, Rapson said. Rapson and the DCM ended the meeting by
returning to the human rights issues, underscoring our concern once
again over recent events.
OOG: Khiem's Visit Agenda
-------------------------
9. (SBU) In Director Rapson's separate meeting at the Office of the
Government, International Relations Deputy Director Hung outlined
the wide range of issues on the DPM's agenda and the March visit's
role in setting the stage for President Triet's visit later this
year. Hung confirmed that Prime Minister Dzung plans to convey a
letter to President Bush through DPM Khiem. He then provided a
run-down of Khiem's visit objectives, from Vietnam's side:
-- (1) Follow up on President Bush's and Secretary Rice's visit in
November, particularly regarding commitments raised in the Joint
Statement;
-- (2) Promote economic cooperation. Hung said these discussions
(including with accompanying delegation members on the margins of
top-level meetings) will include:
--The signing of the Maritime Transport Agreement;
--An exchange confirming Vietnam's intent to convert the Dalat
Nuclear Research Reactor to LEU fuel before the end of the year.
--The signing of an MOU between the GVN and Microsoft Corporation
for the purchase of licensed software to equip national and
provincial government offices across Vietnam. (A more binding
document could be signed at the time of President Triet's visit
later in the year.)
--Discussion of large U.S. business contracts with Department of
Commerce officials.
--Discussions with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
(USTR) on the TIFA and the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP)
program, and Vietnam's implementation of WTO commitments;
-- (3) To discuss the U.S. apparel monitoring mechanism; and,
-- 4) To discuss education cooperation, particularly possible
support for more U.S. scholarships for Vietnamese students, more
training for Ph.D-level university professors and support for an
"international-level" university in Vietnam.
10. (SBU) Director Rapson agreed that the large GVN delegation will
have good opportunities for exchanges on relevant issues with the
HANOI 00000449 003 OF 003
Departments of State, Defense, Commerce, Energy, Transportation and
Justice, as well as the White House and USTR. He noted our interest
in discussing law enforcement cooperation and in particular engaging
with Vietnam in combating money laundering. The United States would
like to see more law enforcement cooperation, he added. Hung
confirmed that OOG Vice Chairman Nguyen Xuan Phuc will meet with
counterparts in the DEA and DOJ to discuss these issues. He asked
for background on the specific topics the DEA and DOJ plan to
raise.
OOG: Human Rights Situation Troublesome
---------------------------------------
11. (SBU) Finally, Rapson reiterated that concerns regarding
Vietnam's human rights record would be major topics of discussion
during the DPM's meetings. "Frankly, [Nguyen Vu] Binh's status is
troublesome," he said, also noting the recent arrests of the human
rights lawyers and the case of Father Ly. Noting that Ambassador
Marine met this same day with prisoner of concern Phan Van Ban
(septel), Hung responded that, "We have done something on this," and
that the "MFA will work with your side." He added that the GVN aims
to take some kind of actions on the Binh case and that perhaps more
information would become available soon.
12. (U) EAP/MLS Director Rapson has cleared this cable.
MARINE