VZCZCXRO6607
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHHI #0242/01 0370651
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 060651Z FEB 06
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0657
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 0430
RUEHZS/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 000242 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/MLS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM ETRD ECON CB KN VM
SUBJECT: EAP A/S HILL MEETS SENIOR COMMUNIST PARTY OFFICIAL 
IN HANOI 
 
 
HANOI 00000242  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary:  On January 13, EAP Assistant Secretary 
Christopher R. Hill met with Communist Party of Vietnam 
(CPV) External Relations Commission Director Nguyen Van Son 
to discuss the U.S.-Vietnam bilateral relationship and 
regional issues of mutual interest.  In addition to upcoming 
high-level visits to Vietnam, A/S Hill also raised Vietnam's 
WTO aspirations and stressed the importance of a quick 
conclusion to the next round of negotiations.  Director Son 
outlined the consensus in the current CPV Plenum on 
continued economic and political reform through the 
expansion of democracy and the market mechanism.  A/S Hill 
also discussed relations with China, North Korea and 
Cambodia.  Son emphasized cooperation with China, but had 
little to offer regarding North Korea except to affirm the 
GVN's continued support for a unified and non-nuclear Korea. 
He also noted the importance of stability to Cambodian 
officials.  End Summary. 
 
¶2. (SBU) On January 13, EAP Assistant Secretary Christopher 
¶R. Hill met with CPV External Affairs Commission Director 
Nguyen Van Son, accompanied by the Ambassador.  Hill noted 
that since Prime Minister Phan Van Khai's June 2005 visit, 
the USG has thought a great deal about the bilateral 
relationship.  He predicted that 2006 should be a historic 
year as Vietnam hosts APEC and hopefully celebrates WTO 
accession.  The United States wants Vietnam to succeed and 
will continue to work to build a strong and lasting 
relationship.  For the United States, Vietnam is not just an 
economy, but also has a strong political role to play in the 
region.  Son responded that the GVN appreciates the role and 
position of the United States and attaches importance to the 
beneficial, bilateral relationship.  He agreed that 2005 had 
many positive developments, including the PM's trip to 
Washington, and noted that the GVN "had carried out their 
part of the agreements reached in the summit." 
 
APEC and Upcoming Visits 
------------------------ 
 
¶3. (SBU) Son predicted that 2006 will see more positive 
developments between the United States and Vietnam and 
stated that the GVN is looking forward to visits by 
President Bush and Secretary Rice during APEC.  He added his 
personal hope that the Secretary would visit Vietnam before 
APEC.  Son also conveyed the GVN's request for U.S. 
assistance in hosting APEC and observed that the President's 
visit will contribute greatly to APEC's success.  A/S Hill 
said that the Secretary is very interested in visiting 
Vietnam since her good discussion with Foreign Minister 
Nguyen Dzy Nien at the Busan APEC Summit.  He further noted 
that the President enjoyed meeting PM Khai in Washington and 
President Tran Duc Luong in Busan. 
 
WTO Accession 
------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) Director Son also expressed hope that the United 
States will soon conclude WTO accession negotiations with 
Vietnam.  A/S Hill noted that a USTR delegation will be 
arriving soon for another round of negotiations, but 
emphasized that the GVN needs to be pragmatic in its 
approach in these negotiations.  He asserted that if 
negotiations go well and are concluded quickly, then Vietnam 
will be in a position to accede by the end of the year. 
Quick accession would be very beneficial to Vietnam's 
economy, he stressed. 
 
Party Plenum 
------------ 
 
¶5. (SBU) A/S Hill asked about the status of preparations for 
the CPV's Tenth Party Congress this summer.  Son noted that 
the CPV's Central Committee is currently holding its 
(likely) penultimate plenum meeting before the Congress to 
finalize draft policy and personnel decisions.  The Central 
Committee plans to push for further "Doi Moi" (renovation) 
reforms in economic, political and cultural spheres.  Son 
predicted that the CPV will move in a more democratic 
direction regarding the economy, internal politics and 
external relations, as it seeks to find "opportunities and 
conditions to escape Vietnam's under-developed status" and 
to "contribute to regional stability."  The Plenum has come 
to a consensus within the party on using the "mechanism of 
the market" and to allow Party members to enter the private 
sector.  The Assistant Secretary complimented Vietnam's 
practical approach. 
 
 
HANOI 00000242  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
China 
----- 
 
¶6. (SBU) Noting the importance and complexity of U.S.-China 
and Vietnam-China relations, A/S Hill asked for Son's 
thoughts on these relationships.  Son replied that the 
Vietnam-China relationship is centuries old and has many 
historical problems, but has become more positive in recent 
years due to the GVN's focus on cooperation and friendship. 
A/S Hill stated that the United States seeks good relations 
with China and wants Vietnam to have similarly good 
relations.  He added that the USG also maintains a spirit of 
cooperation and friendship towards its complex, important 
relationship with China. 
 
Cambodia 
-------- 
 
¶7. (SBU) Turning to recent developments in Cambodia, A/S 
Hill noted his concern that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen 
is making mistakes that will be difficult to overcome. 
Noting that he will meet the Cambodian leader next week, he 
asked for advice on how to impress on Hun Sen the need to be 
careful with his decisions.  Son observed that this will be 
"an interesting meeting," especially since Cambodia has only 
recently overcome many difficulties to maintain stability. 
Son recently attended Prince Ranariddh's party conference, 
where many Cambodian leaders emphasized the importance of 
maintaining stability, peace and development in the country 
and in the region.  A/S Hill observed that what is really 
needed is implementation of such policies, but recent 
arrests in Cambodia do not bode well in this regard. 
 
¶8. (U) Participants: 
 
United States 
------------- 
 
Assistant Secretary Christopher R. Hill 
Ambassador Michael W. Marine 
EAP Special Assistant Kamala Lakhdhir 
Pol/C Marc Knapper 
PolOff Nate Jensen (notetaker) 
 
Vietnam 
------- 
 
CPV External Relations Commission Chairman Son 
CPV North America/Western Europe Director Pham Tien Nhien 
MFA Americas Department Deputy Director Nguyen Ba Hung 
 
¶9. (U) A/S Hill has cleared this message. 
 
BOARDMAN