VZCZCXRO3939
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHHI #1331 2081448
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 271448Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5934
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH 3418
RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS HANOI 001331
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER KNNP MCAP PINR PINS PARTM PREL VM
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON NUCLEAR TERRORISM CONVENTION; FIVE CT
CONVENTIONS NOT YET ADOPTED
REF: STATE 102149
GVN Consideration of NTC in Early Stages
----------------------------------------
1. (SBU) On July 25, Poloff met with MFA Department of International
Law and Treaties Expert Nguyen Dang Thang to deliver reftel points
pressing for the signing and ratification of the Nuclear Terrorism
Convention (NTC) by Vietnam. Thang explained the GVN policy of
support for the world community's counterterrorism efforts and noted
that the NTC is an important mechanism to enhance cooperation in
this area. Concerning the status of the GVN's consideration of the
NTC, Thang said information concerning the NTC was circulated among
relevant ministries following adoption of the convention in 2005,
but no ministry has yet been designated to prepare a recommendation
for the prime minister's consideration. Thang noted that the NTC is
highly technical and requires the Ministry of Justice to analyze
existing law in light of the NTC's requirements. The Ministry of
Science and Technology (MOST) will also play a key role due to its
role in overseeing the handling of nuclear materials. After the
Foreign Ministry receives feedback from these and other ministries,
Thang said a lead ministry will be designated and tasked with
preparing a recommendation for the prime minister's consideration.
Status of Remaining CT Conventions Varies
-----------------------------------------
2. (SBU) In addition to the NTC, Vietnam has not signed and ratified
four other UN counterterrorism conventions. The Hostages Convention
and the Suppression of Terrorist Bombing Convention have been
submitted to the Office of the President for final approval.
According to the GVN's ratification procedure, these conventions
must next be submitted to the newly-elected Standing Committee of
the National Assembly for its opinion on whether they require
ratification by the National Assembly or whether the president can
be authorized to ratify them. Given that the Standing Committee
just took office, Thang could not predict when it will take action
on these conventions.
3. (SBU) The Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety and
Control (VARANSAC), part of MOST, has a project to study physical
protection of nuclear materials and recommend legal and procedural
measures. According to VARANSAC Director General Ngo Dang Nhan,
during 2007 VARANSAC will study the Nuclear Materials Convention and
make a recommendation to MOST. Finally, the status of the
Convention on Marking of Plastic Explosives is similar to that of
the NTC -relevant ministries are considering the document and will
provide feedback to the Foreign Ministry.
4. (SBU) Post will continue to track the GVN's progress on signing
and ratifying the UN counterterrorism conventions.
MARINE