Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 251287 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
AEMR ASEC AMGT AE AS AMED AVIAN AU AF AORC AGENDA AO AR AM APER AFIN ATRN AJ ABUD ARABL AL AG AODE ALOW ADANA AADP AND APECO ACABQ ASEAN AA AFFAIRS AID AGR AY AGS AFSI AGOA AMB ARF ANET ASCH ACOA AFLU AFSN AMEX AFDB ABLD AESC AFGHANISTAN AINF AVIATION ARR ARSO ANDREW ASSEMBLY AIDS APRC ASSK ADCO ASIG AC AZ APEC AFINM ADB AP ACOTA ASEX ACKM ASUP ANTITERRORISM ADPM AINR ARABLEAGUE AGAO AORG AMTC AIN ACCOUNT ASECAFINGMGRIZOREPTU AIDAC AINT ARCH AMGTKSUP ALAMI AMCHAMS ALJAZEERA AVIANFLU AORD AOREC ALIREZA AOMS AMGMT ABDALLAH AORCAE AHMED ACCELERATED AUC ALZUGUREN ANGEL AORL ASECIR AMG AMBASSADOR AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL ADM ASES ABMC AER AMER ASE AMGTHA ARNOLDFREDERICK AOPC ACS AFL AEGR ASED AFPREL AGRI AMCHAM ARNOLD AN ANATO AME APERTH ASECSI AT ACDA ASEDC AIT AMERICA AMLB AMGE ACTION AGMT AFINIZ ASECVE ADRC ABER AGIT APCS AEMED ARABBL ARC ASO AIAG ACEC ASR ASECM ARG AEC ABT ADIP ADCP ANARCHISTS AORCUN AOWC ASJA AALC AX AROC ARM AGENCIES ALBE AK AZE AOPR AREP AMIA ASCE ALANAZI ABDULRAHMEN ABDULHADI AINFCY ARMS ASECEFINKCRMKPAOPTERKHLSAEMRNS AGRICULTURE AFPK AOCR ALEXANDER ATRD ATFN ABLG AORCD AFGHAN ARAS AORCYM AVERY ALVAREZ ACBAQ ALOWAR ANTOINE ABLDG ALAB AMERICAS AFAF ASECAFIN ASEK ASCC AMCT AMGTATK AMT APDC AEMRS ASECE AFSA ATRA ARTICLE ARENA AISG AEMRBC AFR AEIR ASECAF AFARI AMPR ASPA ASOC ANTONIO AORCL ASECARP APRM AUSTRALIAGROUP ASEG AFOR AEAID AMEDI ASECTH ASIC AFDIN AGUIRRE AUNR ASFC AOIC ANTXON ASA ASECCASC ALI AORCEUNPREFPRELSMIGBN ASECKHLS ASSSEMBLY ASECVZ AI ASECPGOV ASIR ASCEC ASAC ARAB AIEA ADMIRAL AUSGR AQ AMTG ARRMZY ANC APR AMAT AIHRC AFU ADEL AECL ACAO AMEMR ADEP AV AW AOR ALL ALOUNI AORCUNGA ALNEA ASC AORCO ARMITAGE AGENGA AGRIC AEM ACOAAMGT AGUILAR AFPHUM AMEDCASCKFLO AFZAL AAA ATPDEA ASECPHUM ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
ETRD ETTC EU ECON EFIN EAGR EAID ELAB EINV ENIV ENRG EPET EZ ELTN ELECTIONS ECPS ET ER EG EUN EIND ECONOMICS EMIN ECIN EINT EWWT EAIR EN ENGR ES EI ETMIN EL EPA EARG EFIS ECONOMY EC EK ELAM ECONOMIC EAR ESDP ECCP ELN EUM EUMEM ECA EAP ELEC ECOWAS EFTA EXIM ETTD EDRC ECOSOC ECPSN ENVIRONMENT ECO EMAIL ECTRD EREL EDU ENERG ENERGY ENVR ETRAD EAC EXTERNAL EFIC ECIP ERTD EUC ENRGMO EINZ ESTH ECCT EAGER ECPN ELNT ERD EGEN ETRN EIVN ETDR EXEC EIAD EIAR EVN EPRT ETTF ENGY EAIDCIN EXPORT ETRC ESA EIB EAPC EPIT ESOCI ETRB EINDQTRD ENRC EGOV ECLAC EUR ELF ETEL ENRGUA EVIN EARI ESCAP EID ERIN ELAN ENVT EDEV EWWY EXBS ECOM EV ELNTECON ECE ETRDGK EPETEIND ESCI ETRDAORC EAIDETRD ETTR EMS EAGRECONEINVPGOVBN EBRD EUREM ERGR EAGRBN EAUD EFI ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ETRO ENRGY EGAR ESSO EGAD ENV ENER EAIDXMXAXBXFFR ELA EET EINVETRD EETC EIDN ERGY ETRDPGOV EING EMINCG EINVECON EURM EEC EICN EINO EPSC ELAP ELABPGOVBN EE ESPS ETRA ECONETRDBESPAR ERICKSON EEOC EVENTS EPIN EB ECUN EPWR ENG EX EH EAIDAR EAIS ELBA EPETUN ETRDEIQ EENV ECPC ETRP ECONENRG EUEAID EWT EEB EAIDNI ESENV EADM ECN ENRGKNNP ETAD ETR ECONETRDEAGRJA ETRG ETER EDUC EITC EBUD EAIF EBEXP EAIDS EITI EGOVSY EFQ ECOQKPKO ETRGY ESF EUE EAIC EPGOV ENFR EAGRE ENRD EINTECPS EAVI ETC ETCC EIAID EAIDAF EAGREAIDPGOVPRELBN EAOD ETRDA EURN EASS EINVA EAIDRW EON ECOR EPREL EGPHUM ELTM ECOS EINN ENNP EUPGOV EAGRTR ECONCS ETIO ETRDGR EAIDB EISNAR EIFN ESPINOSA EAIDASEC ELIN EWTR EMED ETFN ETT EADI EPTER ELDIN EINVEFIN ESS ENRGIZ EQRD ESOC ETRDECD ECINECONCS EAIT ECONEAIR ECONEFIN EUNJ ENRGKNNPMNUCPARMPRELNPTIAEAJMXL ELAD EFIM ETIC EFND EFN ETLN ENGRD EWRG ETA EIN EAIRECONRP EXIMOPIC ERA ENRGJM ECONEGE ENVI ECHEVARRIA EMINETRD EAD ECONIZ EENG ELBR EWWC ELTD EAIDMG ETRK EIPR EISNLN ETEX EPTED EFINECONCS EPCS EAG ETRDKIPR ED EAIO ETRDEC ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ERNG EFINU EURFOR EWWI ELTNSNAR ETD EAIRASECCASCID EOXC ESTN EAIDAORC EAGRRP ETRDEMIN ELABPHUMSMIGKCRMBN ETRDEINVTINTCS EGHG EAIDPHUMPRELUG EAGRBTIOBEXPETRDBN EDA EPETPGOV ELAINE EUCOM EMW EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM ELB EINDETRD EMI ETRDECONWTOCS EINR ESTRADA EHUM EFNI ELABV ENR EMN EXO EWWTPRELPGOVMASSMARRBN EATO END EP EINVETC ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID ELTRN EIQ ETTW EAI ENGRG ETRED ENDURING ETTRD EAIDEGZ EOCN EINF EUPREL ENRL ECPO ENLT EEFIN EPPD ECOIN EUEAGR EISL EIDE ENRGSD EINVECONSENVCSJA EAIG ENTG EEPET EUNCH EPECO ETZ EPAT EPTE EAIRGM ETRDPREL EUNGRSISAFPKSYLESO ETTN EINVKSCA ESLCO EBMGT ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EFLU ELND EFINOECD EAIDHO EDUARDO ENEG ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EFINTS ECONQH ENRGPREL EUNPHUM EINDIR EPE EMINECINECONSENVTBIONS EFINM ECRM EQ EWWTSP ECONPGOVBN
KFLO KPKO KDEM KFLU KTEX KMDR KPAO KCRM KIDE KN KNNP KG KMCA KZ KJUS KWBG KU KDMR KAWC KCOR KPAL KOMC KTDB KTIA KISL KHIV KHUM KTER KCFE KTFN KS KIRF KTIP KIRC KSCA KICA KIPR KPWR KWMN KE KGIC KGIT KSTC KACT KSEP KFRD KUNR KHLS KCRS KRVC KUWAIT KVPR KSRE KMPI KMRS KNRV KNEI KCIP KSEO KITA KDRG KV KSUM KCUL KPET KBCT KO KSEC KOLY KNAR KGHG KSAF KWNM KNUC KMNP KVIR KPOL KOCI KPIR KLIG KSAC KSTH KNPT KINL KPRP KRIM KICC KIFR KPRV KAWK KFIN KT KVRC KR KHDP KGOV KPOW KTBT KPMI KPOA KRIF KEDEM KFSC KY KGCC KATRINA KWAC KSPR KTBD KBIO KSCI KRCM KNNB KBNC KIMT KCSY KINR KRAD KMFO KCORR KW KDEMSOCI KNEP KFPC KEMPI KBTR KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNPP KTTB KTFIN KBTS KCOM KFTN KMOC KOR KDP KPOP KGHA KSLG KMCR KJUST KUM KMSG KHPD KREC KIPRTRD KPREL KEN KCSA KCRIM KGLB KAKA KWWT KUNP KCRN KISLPINR KLFU KUNC KEDU KCMA KREF KPAS KRKO KNNC KLHS KWAK KOC KAPO KTDD KOGL KLAP KECF KCRCM KNDP KSEAO KCIS KISM KREL KISR KISC KKPO KWCR KPFO KUS KX KWCI KRFD KWPG KTRD KH KLSO KEVIN KEANE KACW KWRF KNAO KETTC KTAO KWIR KVCORR KDEMGT KPLS KICT KWGB KIDS KSCS KIRP KSTCPL KDEN KLAB KFLOA KIND KMIG KPPAO KPRO KLEG KGKG KCUM KTTP KWPA KIIP KPEO KICR KNNA KMGT KCROM KMCC KLPM KNNPGM KSIA KSI KWWW KOMS KESS KMCAJO KWN KTDM KDCM KCM KVPRKHLS KENV KCCP KGCN KCEM KEMR KWMNKDEM KNNPPARM KDRM KWIM KJRE KAID KWMM KPAONZ KUAE KTFR KIF KNAP KPSC KSOCI KCWI KAUST KPIN KCHG KLBO KIRCOEXC KI KIRCHOFF KSTT KNPR KDRL KCFC KLTN KPAOKMDRKE KPALAOIS KESO KKOR KSMT KFTFN KTFM KDEMK KPKP KOCM KNN KISLSCUL KFRDSOCIRO KINT KRG KWMNSMIG KSTCC KPAOY KFOR KWPR KSEPCVIS KGIV KSEI KIL KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KQ KEMS KHSL KTNF KPDD KANSOU KKIV KFCE KTTC KGH KNNNP KK KSCT KWNN KAWX KOMCSG KEIM KTSD KFIU KDTB KFGM KACP KWWMN KWAWC KSPA KGICKS KNUP KNNO KISLAO KTPN KSTS KPRM KPALPREL KPO KTLA KCRP KNMP KAWCK KCERS KDUM KEDM KTIALG KWUN KPTS KPEM KMEPI KAWL KHMN KCRO KCMR KPTD KCROR KMPT KTRF KSKN KMAC KUK KIRL KEM KSOC KBTC KOM KINP KDEMAF KTNBT KISK KRM KWBW KBWG KNNPMNUC KNOP KSUP KCOG KNET KWBC KESP KMRD KEBG KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KPWG KOMCCO KRGY KNNF KPROG KJAN KFRED KPOKO KM KWMNCS KMPF KJWC KJU KSMIG KALR KRAL KDGOV KPA KCRMJA KCRI KAYLA KPGOV KRD KNNPCH KFEM KPRD KFAM KALM KIPRETRDKCRM KMPP KADM KRFR KMWN KWRG KTIAPARM KTIAEUN KRDP KLIP KDDEM KTIAIC KWKN KPAD KDM KRCS KWBGSY KEAI KIVP KPAOPREL KUNH KTSC KIPT KNP KJUSTH KGOR KEPREL KHSA KGHGHIV KNNR KOMH KRCIM KWPB KWIC KINF KPER KILS KA KNRG KCSI KFRP KLFLO KFE KNPPIS KQM KQRDQ KERG KPAOPHUM KSUMPHUM KVBL KARIM KOSOVO KNSD KUIR KWHG KWBGXF KWMNU KPBT KKNP KERF KCRT KVIS KWRC KVIP KTFS KMARR KDGR KPAI KDE KTCRE KMPIO KUNRAORC KHOURY KAWS KPAK KOEM KCGC KID KVRP KCPS KIVR KBDS KWOMN KIIC KTFNJA KARZAI KMVP KHJUS KPKOUNSC KMAR KIBL KUNA KSA KIS KJUSAF KDEV KPMO KHIB KIRD KOUYATE KIPRZ KBEM KPAM KDET KPPD KOSCE KJUSKUNR KICCPUR KRMS KWMNPREL KWMJN KREISLER KWM KDHS KRV KPOV KWMNCI KMPL KFLD KWWN KCVM KIMMITT KCASC KOMO KNATO KDDG KHGH KRF KSCAECON KWMEN KRIC
PREL PINR PGOV PHUM PTER PE PREF PARM PBTS PINS PHSA PK PL PM PNAT PHAS PO PROP PGOVE PA PU POLITICAL PPTER POL PALESTINIAN PHUN PIN PAMQ PPA PSEC POLM PBIO PSOE PDEM PAK PF PKAO PGOVPRELMARRMOPS PMIL PV POLITICS PRELS POLICY PRELHA PIRN PINT PGOG PERSONS PRC PEACE PROCESS PRELPGOV PROV PFOV PKK PRE PT PIRF PSI PRL PRELAF PROG PARMP PERL PUNE PREFA PP PGOB PUM PROTECTION PARTIES PRIL PEL PAGE PS PGO PCUL PLUM PIF PGOVENRGCVISMASSEAIDOPRCEWWTBN PMUC PCOR PAS PB PKO PY PKST PTR PRM POUS PRELIZ PGIC PHUMS PAL PNUC PLO PMOPS PHM PGOVBL PBK PELOSI PTE PGOVAU PNR PINSO PRO PLAB PREM PNIR PSOCI PBS PD PHUML PERURENA PKPA PVOV PMAR PHUMCF PUHM PHUH PRELPGOVETTCIRAE PRT PROPERTY PEPFAR PREI POLUN PAR PINSF PREFL PH PREC PPD PING PQL PINSCE PGV PREO PRELUN POV PGOVPHUM PINRES PRES PGOC PINO POTUS PTERE PRELKPAO PRGOV PETR PGOVEAGRKMCAKNARBN PPKO PARLIAMENT PEPR PMIG PTBS PACE PETER PMDL PVIP PKPO POLMIL PTEL PJUS PHUMNI PRELKPAOIZ PGOVPREL POGV PEREZ POWELL PMASS PDOV PARN PG PPOL PGIV PAIGH PBOV PETROL PGPV PGOVL POSTS PSO PRELEU PRELECON PHUMPINS PGOVKCMABN PQM PRELSP PRGO PATTY PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PGVO PROTESTS PRELPLS PKFK PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PARAGRAPH PRELGOV POG PTRD PTERM PBTSAG PHUMKPAL PRELPK PTERPGOV PAO PRIVATIZATION PSCE PPAO PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PARALYMPIC PRUM PKPRP PETERS PAHO PARMS PGREL PINV POINS PHUMPREL POREL PRELNL PHUMPGOV PGOVQL PLAN PRELL PARP PROVE PSOC PDD PRELNP PRELBR PKMN PGKV PUAS PRELTBIOBA PBTSEWWT PTERIS PGOVU PRELGG PHUMPRELPGOV PFOR PEPGOV PRELUNSC PRAM PICES PTERIZ PREK PRELEAGR PRELEUN PHUME PHU PHUMKCRS PRESL PRTER PGOF PARK PGOVSOCI PTERPREL PGOVEAID PGOVPHUMKPAO PINSKISL PREZ PGOVAF PARMEUN PECON PINL POGOV PGOVLO PIERRE PRELPHUM PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PBST PKPAO PHUMHUPPS PGOVPOL PASS PPGOV PROGV PAGR PHALANAGE PARTY PRELID PGOVID PHUMR PHSAQ PINRAMGT PSA PRELM PRELMU PIA PINRPE PBTSRU PARMIR PEDRO PNUK PVPR PINOCHET PAARM PRFE PRELEIN PINF PCI PSEPC PGOVSU PRLE PDIP PHEM PRELB PORG PGGOC POLG POPDC PGOVPM PWMN PDRG PHUMK PINB PRELAL PRER PFIN PNRG PRED POLI PHUMBO PHYTRP PROLIFERATION PHARM PUOS PRHUM PUNR PENA PGOVREL PETRAEUS PGOVKDEM PGOVENRG PHUS PRESIDENT PTERKU PRELKSUMXABN PGOVSI PHUMQHA PKISL PIR PGOVZI PHUMIZNL PKNP PRELEVU PMIN PHIM PHUMBA PUBLIC PHAM PRELKPKO PMR PARTM PPREL PN PROL PDA PGOVECON PKBL PKEAID PERM PRELEZ PRELC PER PHJM PGOVPRELPINRBN PRFL PLN PWBG PNG PHUMA PGOR PHUMPTER POLINT PPEF PKPAL PNNL PMARR PAC PTIA PKDEM PAUL PREG PTERR PTERPRELPARMPGOVPBTSETTCEAIRELTNTC PRELJA POLS PI PNS PAREL PENV PTEROREP PGOVM PINER PBGT PHSAUNSC PTERDJ PRELEAID PARMIN PKIR PLEC PCRM PNET PARR PRELETRD PRELBN PINRTH PREJ PEACEKEEPINGFORCES PEMEX PRELZ PFLP PBPTS PTGOV PREVAL PRELSW PAUM PRF PHUMKDEM PATRICK PGOVKMCAPHUMBN PRELA PNUM PGGV PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PBT PIND PTEP PTERKS PGOVJM PGOT PRELMARR PGOVCU PREV PREFF PRWL PET PROB PRELPHUMP PHUMAF PVTS PRELAFDB PSNR PGOVECONPRELBU PGOVZL PREP PHUMPRELBN PHSAPREL PARCA PGREV PGOVDO PGON PCON PODC PRELOV PHSAK PSHA PGOVGM PRELP POSCE PGOVPTER PHUMRU PINRHU PARMR PGOVTI PPEL PMAT PAN PANAM PGOVBO PRELHRC

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 06HANOI1678, POLOFF VISITS BAC GIANG, MEETS WITH LOCAL BAPTISTS AND

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #06HANOI1678.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
06HANOI1678 2006-07-06 10:38 2011-08-30 01:44 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Hanoi
VZCZCXRO0354
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHHI #1678/01 1871038
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 061038Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2644
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 1465
RUEHZS/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 HANOI 001678 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/MLS, DRL/IRF 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL KIRF PHUM PGOV HUMANR VM
SUBJECT: POLOFF VISITS BAC GIANG, MEETS WITH LOCAL BAPTISTS AND 
OFFICIALS 
 
HANOI 00001678  001.2 OF 003 
 
 
Summary and Comment 
------------------- 
 
1. (SBU) On June 19, Poloff met with provincial officials in Bac 
Giang Province and sat in on a heated exchange between Baptist 
believers and local commune officials.  Provincial officials 
acknowledge that the province does not plan to register the group 
anytime soon under the GVN's framework on religion.  That said, the 
access to the Baptist's house church that we were given -- despite 
initial attempts to deny the existence of the group and to warn the 
group from meeting with us after we made clear our intention to meet 
-- was a positive development.  The frank discussion between local 
officials and the Baptists that our visit generated was even more 
surprising.  The Ambassador will visit the province and the Baptists 
on July 6.  End Summary and Comment. 
 
2. (SBU) On June 19, Poloff and Pol Assistants traveled to Bac Giang 
Province and met with the Provincial People's Committee's (PPC) 
Chief of Staff Nguyen Sy Nhan and Director of the Department of 
Ethnic and Religious Affairs (DERA) Vu Dinh Canh.  Poloff sought 
clarification about the harassment of a Baptist congregation in Song 
Mai Commune after it attempted to register in early May.  Local 
authorities allegedly interrogated Pastor Than Van Truong, the head 
of the church, and told members of the congregation that 
"Protestantism is an illegal American religion" and that "God will 
never exist in the north."  (Note: Truong was committed to a mental 
institution in July 2004 after sending letters to provincial 
officials calling on them to abandon Communist teachings and follow 
Christian scripture instead.  He was released on September 17, 2005 
after reportedly signing a document acknowledging a mental illness. 
Since his release, Truong has strenuously advocated religious 
freedom over GVN objections.  End Note.) 
 
Officials are evasive about existence of Protestants... 
--------------------------------------------- ---------- 
 
3. (SBU) Although Nhan noted that "every story has two sides," he 
also acknowledged that "rumors sometimes are based in facts." 
Describing the province's religious demographics, Canh said there 
are 300 Catholic deacons in Bac Giang and four priests serving 
25,000 Catholics among the province's residents.  There are 150,000 
Buddhist adherents who worship in 618 pagodas with the assistance of 
71 monks.  Canh repeated the standard GVN talking points that 
Vietnam guarantees religious freedom for all, but that "the State 
also needs to maintain national solidarity among all citizens and 
guarantee the spiritual well-being of the people."  The Bac Giang 
PPC aspires to create favorable conditions for religious activities 
and works closely with the Catholic and Buddhist clergy to establish 
this environment.  Canh categorically rejected the existence of 
Protestants in the province and refused to discuss problems with the 
registration of Pastor Truong's Baptist group. 
 
...but then discuss registration and deny harassment 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
4. (SBU) After his initial denial that Protestants live in Bac 
Giang, Canh said provincial officials will abide by the PM's 
Instruction on Protestantism, but "prospective Protestants must 
fulfill certain criteria before they can properly register."  Groups 
must demonstrate a spiritual need for religion, after which they may 
meet in small groups.  Following this stage, a congregation must 
develop correct rituals according to a doctrine that does not 
interfere with traditional customs.  The group must then have a 
nationally-recognized umbrella organization "recommend their 
application" to the province.  In addition, the applicant 
congregation must have a leader who resides in the province, he 
said. 
 
5. (SBU) Canh acknowledged that a Baptist group did attempt to apply 
for registration in May in Song Mai.  The district's Ethnic and 
Religious Affairs Committee rejected their application because 
Baptist Protestantism is not a recognized faith in Vietnam, and 
because Pastor Truong is not a legal resident of Bac Giang.  (Note: 
Although Truong was born in Bac Giang, he is legally resident in 
Dong Nai Province.  End Note.)  Furthermore, local police 
interrogated Pastor Truong because he has an outstanding debt with 
the Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank), 
not because they were trying to persecute him for his religious 
beliefs.  (Note:  According to local officials, Pastor Truong moved 
to Dong Nai Province in 1984, leaving an unsettled loan of VND 18 
million with the Agribank.  When Truong returned to Bac Giang in May 
2006, he committed to repay his debt, now amounting to VND 
75,810,000 with compounded interest, by June 15, 2006.  Troung 
allegedily did not pay as promised.  End Note.) 
 
6. (SBU) Canh assured Poloff that provincial authorities do not 
differentiate in their treatment of different religious 
denominations, but only focus on facilitating "activities at home" 
 
HANOI 00001678  002.2 OF 003 
 
 
for groups that do not meet provincial criteria for registration. 
"We do not prevent anyone from practicing their faith at home," Vu 
concluded.  Nhan added that an allegation that police forced the 
removal of a cross from the exterior of the Song Mai house church 
was taken out of context.  The police intervened because several 
members of the family owning the house disagree over the practice of 
Protestantism and local officials simply settled a family conflict, 
he asserted. 
 
Song Mai officials criticize Pastor Truong 
------------------------------------------ 
 
7. (SBU) Embassy team later traveled to Song Mai Commune and met 
with the Chairman of the People's Committee (PC), Mr. Do Van Bao, 
and the President of Vietnam Fatherland Front's (VFF) Veterans 
Association (VA), Mr. Nguyen Van Chien.  On the subject of the 
difficulties faced by the Song Mai Baptists in registering, Bao 
acknowledged that the group had applied for registration, but 
reiterated the PPC officials' arguments for why the application had 
been denied.  Bao further noted that, aside from his financial 
problems, "Truong also tries to preach Protestantism to his extended 
relatives."  While the commune respects the freedom of religion for 
every Vietnamese citizen, the PC cannot allow "anyone to exploit a 
religion to disrupt the solidarity of the commune, force the people 
to believe and to work against the GVN."   Villagers are displeased 
with Truong's conversion of the owners of the Baptist's place of 
worship. 
 
8. (SBU) Poloff immediately challenged Bao's arguments and insisted 
that stability is preserved only when local officials provide legal 
means for people to organize their religion openly.  It is the 
responsibility of the PC to explain that people are free to believe 
under Vietnam's legal system.  Bao answered that the commune does 
not prevent any individual from worshipping at home, but Pastor 
Truong has not completed the necessary paperwork for registration 
and does not cooperate with commune's officials. 
 
Song Mai Baptist Church 
----------------------- 
 
9. (SBU) Embassy team visited the house in which the Song Mai 
Baptists meet.  It is owned by an elderly couple, and during the 
meeting with them, Poloff asked the local officials for Pastor 
Truong to also be allowed to participate in the discussion.  The PC 
officials appeared displeased but did not prevent him from joining 
the meeting.  Pastor Truong informed Poloff that a local MPS officer 
had just told him not to meet with the Embassy team.  An 
uncomfortable local official tried to explained that the Embassy 
team had only requested a meeting with the house church residents, 
but "if the hosts are not opposed to Truong's presence, the PC has 
no objections."  The house church owner said that he and his wife 
welcome Baptist followers to worship in their house and that the 
Baptist group followed legal procedures per the PM's Instruction on 
Protestantism, when it applied to register the group in May. 
However, local officials rejected both the congregation's 
application and suggested that the congregation file its request at 
the central level.  Pastor Truong also met with CRA officials in 
Hanoi but without much result. 
 
10. (SBU) Local MPS officers subsequently informed the couple that 
"under secret instructions the commune's PC will never register 
Protestants."  The homeowner concluded that while he believes that 
Protestantism is a virtuous religion, his discouragement and fear 
forced him "to give up and not to pursue the matter further." 
However, the two homeowners still believe in Protestantism. 
"Americans are by our side and I hope the congregation will be able 
to register," he added.  One of the local officials present loudly 
asserted that the commune's responsibility is "to guide the people 
to conduct activities in accordance to the law."  National unity is 
crucial and national solidarity comes before international 
obligations, he said. 
 
11. (SBU) Continuing, the local official said that the commune's 
position is that "preaching Protestantism is legal, but needs 
authorization from local authorities."  At this point, one of the 
house church owners confronted the official:  "How can you make such 
a statement after you visited us yesterday and claimed that 
Protestantism is an American religion and will never be allowed in 
Song Mai.  You said yesterday that Song Mai's VFF will crush 
Protestantism in the commune while it is still only an egg."  She 
then turned to Poloff and asked him whether local authorities' 
allegations that the USG is rewarding Protestants with VND 1,000,000 
for each Protestant conversion were true.  After Poloff rejected the 
allegation, the homeowner then shouted at the PC officials: "You 
see!  It's official!  The Americans are not paying us!" 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
HANOI 00001678  003.2 OF 003 
 
 
 
12. (SBU) Despite the sophomoric attempts by local officials to 
limit our access to the Song Mai Congregation, this visit was an 
important step forward in forcing the provincial and commune 
officials to deal with their Protestants in an open and legal 
manner.  It is particularly striking that the Baptists felt 
comfortable challenging the local officials directly in front of the 
Embassy team.  We have heard from the house church owner that since 
our visit, the Baptists have been left alone by local police and 
other officials.  Despite this positive development, Bac Giang will 
likely not register the group any time soon.  We expect that the 
Province will allow the Baptists to worship at home in the interim 
if only because of our direct attention. 
 
MARINE