INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Ambassador's Introductory Meeting with President Triet Sets

Published: Tue 21 Aug 2007 05:15 PM
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RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHHI #1501/01 2331715
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 211715Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6156
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH 3571
RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 001501
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF ECON VM
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S INTRODUCTORY MEETING WITH PRESIDENT TRIET SETS
STAGE FOR CONSTRUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT
HANOI 00001501 001.2 OF 002
1.(SBU) Summary: Presenting his credentials on August 20, newly
arrived Ambassador Michael Michalak had a warm and wide-ranging
discussion with President Nguyen Minh Triet covering cooperation on
trade, education and governance as well as differences on religious
freedom, human rights, and democracy. In response to the
Ambassador's request,QQQ32ts in
moving the U.S. embassy in Hanoi to a new compound. End Summary.
U.S.-GVN RELATIONS CONTINUE TO BROADEN AND DEEPEN
--------------------------------------------- ----
2.(SBU) Following the brief ceremony in which President Triet
accepted the Ambassador's credentials, Triet began their discussion
by noting that U.S.-Vietnam relations have improved greatly in
recent years and that he believed they would continue to do so with
Ambassador Michalak. Despite a not always happy past, the two
nations are looking to the future, Triet said. The Ambassador
agreed that our relations are improving and that we have many shared
priorities in broadening economic and educational ties as well as
our cooperation on governance issues. Triet said he had similar
priorities: promoting friendship and diplomatic relations; building
the economic relationship; and promoting culqQQL3C$ll as cooperation in health
care, science and
technology.
EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGES A PRIORITY
---=Q
x7zQPvZ goal of at leaQ#1Vs
Q-s}rams such as Fulbright as well as private
sector participation are increasing the opportunities for study in
the United States, the Ambassador suggested perhaps we can do even
better than that. Triet said he agreed that the Ambassador's goal
will be surpassed. Vietnamese should not only expect scholarships
to study in the United States, Triet said - the GVN is also
encouraging parents in Vietnam to spend their own money to fund
their childrens' educations in the United States.
IMPORTANCE OF TRADE, INVESTMENT
-------------------------------
4.(SBU) Triet said the business community is supportive good
bilateral relations as a condition for an improving business climate
in Vietnam. He said that during his recent visit to the United
States he had visited an American farmer and found even average
people like this supportive of the U.S.-Vietnam relationship.
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