VZCZCXRO2606
RR RUEHHM
DE RUEHHI #0793 1910908
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 090908Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8110
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH 4908
RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 6390
UNCLAS HANOI 000793
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS, DRL/AWH, AND PRM/A
EMBASSY BANGKOK FOR REFCOORD TIM SCHERER AND USCIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PHUM PREL PGOV VM
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON RELEASE OF BUI KIM THANH FOR EVALUATION
REF: HANOI 780
1. (SBU) As reported in reftel, IOM will send a psychiatrist from
Bangkok during July 15-17 to conduct Ms. Bui Kim Thanh's psychiatric
evaluation as the next step in her P-1 processing. Poloff contacted
Ministry of Public Security (MPS) official Dao Tam Chau to inform
him of the scheduled July 16 evaluation and to press for Ms. Thanh's
release from the mental institution where she is being held.
2. (SBU) Chau reported that he expects "no difficulties at all" in
arranging Ms. Thanh's release for the examination. He asked post
to contact Ms. Thanh's husband or son and ask them to make an
application to the hospital for her release for the IOM appointment.
Then the family can take Ms. Thanh to IOM, he suggested. He added
that he thinks the hospital will let Ms. Thanh go to IOM for the
medical check. He emphasized that MPS "does not interfere in the
process" and that she needs permission from the hospital. He said
that was "the main thing."
3. (U) Consulate HCMC has contacted Ms. Thanh's son and relayed the
message. He said his family will proceed with the application and
let post know what develops after they have sent it.
4. (SBU) Comment: This exchange indicates that the GVN strategy
will be to permit Ms. Thanh's release for specific appointments
related to her P-1 processing. Security authorities will
undoubtedly be monitoring Ms. Thanh to determine whether she
attempts to contact dissidents during her period of freedom next
week. As reported in reftel, Mission Vietnam will again confirm Ms.
Thanh's willingness to proceed with P-1 processing under these
conditions. End comment.
MICHALAK