This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

151042Z May 02

2002HANOI01222 - UNCLASSIFIED
 
 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTQ8326

PAGE 01        HANOI  01222  01 OF 05  151046Z 
ACTION EAP-00   

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      DS-00    EB-00    ED-01    OIGO-00  FBIE-00  UTED-00  VC-00    
      HHS-01   H-01     TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00    LAB-01   L-00     
      VCE-00   MOFM-05  MOF-01   AC-01    NSAE-00  NSCE-00  OIC-02   
      OMB-01   OPIC-01  PA-00    PM-00    PRS-00   ACE-00   P-00     
      SP-00    SSO-00   STR-00   TEST-00  TRSE-00  USIE-00  PMB-00   
      DSCC-00  PRM-00   DRL-02   G-00     NFAT-00  SAS-00     /017W
                  ------------------AEB821  151047Z /38    
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6460
INFO AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 
SECDEF WASHDC
AMEMBASSY BEIJING 
AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH 
AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE 
USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 HANOI 001222 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV AND DRL/RF 
 
STATE PASS TO USCIRF 
 
SECDEF FOR ABLAGG 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        HANOI  01222  01 OF 05  151046Z 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KIRF PGOV PHUM SOCI VM HUMANR RELFREE
SUBJECT:  RELIGIOUS REGULATION STRUCTURE IN VIETNAM 
 
 
¶1.  (U)  SUMMARY:  RELIGIOUS REGULATION IN VIETNAM IS 
CHARACTERIZED BY AN EVOLVING BUREAUCRATIC AND LEGALISTIC 
APPROACH.  WHILE THE SRV CONSTITUTION PROTECTS RELIGIOUS 
BELIEF (AND NON-BELIEF), THE GVN THOROUGHLY REGULATES 
RELIGIOUS GROUPS AND RELIGIOUS PRACTICE UNDER THE PREMISE OF 
MAINTAINING THE LEADING ROLE OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF 
VIETNAM (CPV).  THE CPV SETS GENERAL POLICY TOWARDS 
RELIGION, WHILE A SUB-CABINET LEVEL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE ON 
RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS (CRA) IS RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTING 
NATIONAL POLICY.  LOCAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE A PROMINENT AND 
SOMETIMES INVASIVE ROLE IN MANAGING RELIGIOUS GROUPS AND 
ACTIVITIES WITHIN THEIR BORDERS.   END SUMMARY. 
 
REIGNING ON HIGH:  THE COMMUNIST PARTY 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU)  THE MOST RECENTLY PUBLICIZED CPV CENTRAL 
COMMITTEE DOCUMENT ON RELIGION -- DIRECTIVE 37/CT/TW OF JULY 
2, 1998 -- ASSERTS THAT RELIGIOUS FOLLOWERS AND 
ORGANIZATIONS ARE GENERALLY REQUIRED TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE 
"GREAT NATIONAL UNITY" OR THE "GREAT UNIFIED PEOPLES BLOC." 
ACCORDING TO A COMMENTARY ABOUT DIRECTIVE 37 ON THE CPV'S 
WEB SITE, THIS CAN BE "REASONABLY" VIEWED AS THE 
"NATIONALIZATION" OF RELIGIONS.  THE CPV'S CENTRAL COMMITTEE 
POLITICAL REPORT TO THE NINTH PARTY CONGRESS IN APRIL 2001 
DESCRIBED FAITHS AND RELIGIONS AS "THE SPIRITUAL NEED OF A 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        HANOI  01222  01 OF 05  151046Z 
SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION."  IT ALSO NOTED THAT RELIGIOUS 
FOLLOWERS ARE "OBLIGED TO FULFILL THEIR DUTIES AS CITIZENS 
TOWARD THE HOMELAND . . . "  THE POLITICAL REPORT DID NOT 
REPRESENT ANY CHANGE OF POLICY FROM DIRECTIVE 37;   BOTH 
CALL FOR MORE COMPLETE LEGISLATION ON FAITHS AND RELIGIONS. 
WHEN ASKED ABOUT REPORTS THAT THE CPV IS UPDATING ITS 
RELIGION POLICY, CPV AND GVN OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN UNWILLING 
TO COMMENT, WHILE NOT DENYING THAT A NEW POLICY MAY BE IN 
THE WORKS. 
 
¶3.  (U)  THE CENTER FOR RELIGIOUS STUDIES OF 
THE HO CHI MINH NATIONAL POLITICAL ACADEMY -- THE MAIN PARTY 
SCHOOL -- OFFERS TRAINING TO MID- AND SENIOR-LEVEL CPV 
MEMBERS, INCLUDING GVN OFFICIALS.  (ITS OFFICIALS HAVE, 
HOWEVER, BEEN UNABLE TO MEET WITH EMBOFFS IN RECENT MONTHS, 
CLAIMING BUSY TRAVEL SCHEDULES AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS.)  THE 
CENTER ALSO UNDERTAKES RESEARCH AND "THEORETICAL WORK" ON 
RELIGION.  ACCORDING TO LUU DAT TUYET OF THE ACADEMY'S 
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, THE CENTER "CARRIES ON A 
DIALOGUE" WITH THE GVN'S CRA.  THE CENTER WAS ONLY 
ESTABLISHED IN THE LATE 1990'S AND APPARENTLY HAS NOT YET 
TRAINED A LARGE NUMBER OF OFFICIALS, ESPECIALLY BELOW THE 
NATIONAL LEVEL. 
 
¶4.  (U)  CPV OFFICIALS CLAIM THAT THERE IS NO EXPLICIT BAN 
ON RELIGIOUS BELIEF AMONG CPV MEMBERS, AND OFFER ANECDOTAL 
ACCOUNTS OF EVEN SENIOR CPV OFFICIALS VISITING TEMPLES AND 
CHURCHES (ALTHOUGH NOT CLEARLY FOR RELIGIOUS VERSUS TOURIST 
ACTIVITIES).  FEW, HOWEVER, SEEM TO PARTICIPATE OPENLY IN 
RELIGIOUS LIFE OR ADMIT SUCH BELIEFS.  HOWEVER, SIX OF THE 
26 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY (NA) CANDIDATES IN THIS YEAR'S ELECTION 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        HANOI  01222  01 OF 05  151046Z 
WHO DECLARED RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION ARE CPV MEMBERS (1 
CATHOLIC, 3 BUDDHISTS, AND 2 KHMER "BA NI").  SENIOR MONK 
THICH THANH TU, ALSO VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL BUDDHIST 
SANGHA AND HIMSELF A NON-CPV NA CANDIDATE, CLAIMED TO POLOFF 
THAT "NO" BUDDHIST MONKS WERE PARTY MEMBERS BECAUSE 
"MATERIAL CONCERNS" ARE INCOMPATIBLE WITH BEING A MONK. 
(NOTE:  NONETHELESS, VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST MONKS HAVE A LONG 
HISTORY OF INVOLVEMENT IN POLITICAL AFFAIRS.  END NOTE.) 
THERE ARE UNVERIFIED REPORTS THAT SOME MEMBERS OF THE 
OFFICIAL CAO DAI AND HOA HAO LEADERSHIP ARE ALSO CPV 
MEMBERS.  THE CPV, THROUGH THE VIETNAM FATHERLAND FRONT 
(VFF), ENSURES THAT A BROAD CROSS-SECTION OF SOCIETY, 
INCLUDING RELIGIOUS BELIEVERS, IS REPRESENTED IN THE 
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, AND THIS YEAR'S CANDIDATES INCLUDE 
BUDDHIST MONKS, CATHOLIC PRIESTS, AND PROTESTANT MINISTERS. 
 
MAKING RULES:  THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶5.  (SBU)  ARTICLE 84, SECTION 5, OF THE REVISED 1992 
CONSTITUTION GIVES THE NA THE AUTHORITY TO DECIDE STATE 
POLICIES ON ETHNIC COMMUNITIES AND RELIGIONS.  SINCE 
RELIGION IS CONSIDERED A "SOCIAL PHENOMENON," SUCH 
LEGISLATION FALLS UNDER THE NA COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTQ8329 
 
PAGE 01        HANOI  01222  02 OF 05  151047Z 
ACTION EAP-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AID-00   AMAD-00  CIAE-00  DOEE-00  SRPP-00 
      DS-00    EB-00    ED-01    OIGO-00  FBIE-00  UTED-00  VC-00 
      HHS-01   H-01     TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00    LAB-01   L-00 
      VCE-00   MOFM-05  MOF-01   AC-01    NSAE-00  NSCE-00  OIC-02 
      OMB-01   OPIC-01  PA-00    PM-00    PRS-00   ACE-00   P-00 
      SP-00    SSO-00   STR-00   TEST-00  TRSE-00  USIE-00  PMB-00 
      DSCC-00  PRM-00   DRL-02   G-00     NFAT-00  SAS-00     /017W 
                  ------------------AEB82E  151047Z /38 
O 151042Z MAY 02 
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6461 
INFO AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 
SECDEF WASHDC 
AMEMBASSY BEIJING 
AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH 
AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE 
USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 05 HANOI 001222 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV AND DRL/RF 
 
STATE PASS TO USCIRF 
 
SECDEF FOR ABLAGG 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        HANOI  01222  02 OF 05  151047Z 
 
WHICH IS CURRENTLY WORKING WITH THE CRA TO DRAFT A NEW LAW 
TO REPLACE GVN DECREE 26 OF AUGUST 19, 1999, PRESENTLY THE 
PRIMARY LEGAL DOCUMENT ON RELIGION.  ACCORDING TO NGUYEN VAN 
NGOC, CRA VICE CHAIRMAN, THE PRIME MINISTER APPROVED A DRAFT 
OF THE LAW IN JULY 2001 AND SENT IT TO THE NA STANDING 
COMMITTEE.  THE NA WAS EXPECTED TO HAVE ENACTED THE LAW 
DURING ITS TENTH SESSION, BUT APPARENTLY RAN OUT OF TIME 
GIVEN THE DEBATE ON CONSTITUTIONAL REVISIONS, RATIFICATION 
OF THE BILATERAL TRADE AGREEMENT, AND OTHER MORE PRESSING 
ISSUES. 
 
¶6.  (SBU)  THE NEW MEASURE MIGHT MORE EASILY BE ENACTED BY 
THE NA STANDING COMMITTEE AS AN "ORDINANCE" IF IT APPEARS 
UNLIKELY THAT THE NEW FULL NA (TO BE ELECTED MAY 19) WILL BE 
ABLE TO PASS A MORE AUTHORITATIVE "STATE LAW" IN THE NEAR 
FUTURE.  RELIGIOUS FIGURES, INCLUDING THICH THANH TU AND 
PAUL JOSEPH CARDINAL PHAM DINH TUNG (ALSO ARCHBISHOP OF 
HANOI), SEPARATELY HAVE ADMITTED TO POLOFFS THAT THEY WERE 
GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON A DRAFT OF THE LAW IN 
THE AUTUMN OF 2001.  NEITHER, HOWEVER, COULD PREDICT ITS 
OUTCOME, OFFERED DETAILS ABOUT THEIR VIEWS, OR WERE WILLING 
TO ASSESS WHAT, IF ANY IMPACT THEIR COMMENTS WOULD HAVE. 
 
¶7.  (SBU)  ACCORDING TO THE CRA'S NGOC, THE LEGISLATION WILL 
CORRECT SOME OF THE RECOGNIZED PROBLEMS WITH DECREE 26, 
WHICH EVEN HE AND OTHERS DESCRIBED AS "INCOMPLETE."  THE 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        HANOI  01222  02 OF 05  151047Z 
LEGISLATION WILL ALSO CLEARLY CONFIRM THE NA'S OWN 
CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY OVER RELIGIOUS POLICY, ACCORDING TO 
COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS VICE CHAIRMAN LE QUOC THANH. 
THANH SAID THAT ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH WHICH THE COMMITTEE 
HAS BEEN WRESTLING IS HOW TO DEFINE "SUPERSTITION."  DECREE 
26 OUTLAWS SUPERSTITIOUS PRACTICES WITHOUT PROVIDING 
EXAMPLES.  (NOTE:  UNDER CPV DIRECTIVE 37, SUPERSTITION IS 
TO BE "CRITICIZED AND ELIMINATED."  END NOTE)  NGOC INCLUDED 
LACK OF DEFINITIONS AMONG DECREE 26'S SHORTCOMINGS AND ALSO 
LAMENTED THAT THE DECREE DID NOT ALLOW THE GVN TO INSPECT 
THE FINANCES OF RELIGIOUS GROUPS IN ENOUGH DETAIL.  HE NOTED 
THAT, IN DRAFTING THE NEW LAW FOR SUBMISSION TO THE NA, THE 
CRA HAD STUDIED THE LAWS ON RELIGION OF OVER 35 COUNTRIES. 
 
FINAL SAY:  THE PRIME MINISTER 
------------------------------ 
 
¶8.  (U)  THE PRIME MINISTER HAS ULTIMATE AUTHORITY OVER MANY 
DECISIONS DEALING WITH RELIGION, ACCORDING TO VARIOUS 
SOURCES.  ONLY THE PRIME MINISTER MAY DECIDE WHETHER TO 
AUTHORIZE A RELIGIOUS GROUP, SUCH AS IN THE 2001 FORMAL 
RECOGNITION OF THE SOUTHERN EVANGELICAL CHURCH OF VIETNAM 
(SECV).  COMPLAINTS ABOUT VIOLATIONS OF THE CONSTITUTIONALLY 
PROTECTED FREEDOM "TO BELIEVE OR NOT TO BELIEVE" IN A 
RELIGION MAY BE INVESTIGATED BY THE CRA AT THE PRIME 
MINISTER'S DIRECTION, BUT ONLY THE PRIME MINISTER MAY TAKE 
ACTION BASED ON THE FINDINGS OF SUCH AN INVESTIGATION, 
ACCORDING TO CRA CHAIRMAN LE QUANG VINH.  DECREE 26 ALSO 
RESERVES A NUMBER OF OTHER POWERS FOR THE PM, INCLUDING: 
-- APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENTS TO THE OFFICES OF MOST VENERABLE 
(FOR BUDDHIST LEADERS), CARDINAL, BISHOP, AND CURATE AND 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        HANOI  01222  02 OF 05  151047Z 
EQUIVALENTS; 
-- APPROVAL OF RELIGIOUS CONFERENCES AND CONVENTIONS 
INVOLVING MORE THAN ONE PROVINCE; 
-- APPROVAL OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CLERGY TRAINING 
INSTITUTIONS; AND, 
-- WHETHER TO ALLOW RELIGIOUS GROUPS TO RECEIVE "PURELY 
RELIGIOUS AID" FROM OVERSEAS. 
 
OVERSIGHT: THE COMMITTEE ON RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶9.  (U)  WITH A REORGANIZATION OF RELIGIOUS OVERSIGHT BY THE 
GVN AND VFF IN THE EARLY 1990'S, THE GOVERNMENT CRA WAS SET 
UP IN 1993 AND REPORTS DIRECTLY TO THE PRIME MINISTER.  IT 
HAS SUB-CABINET-LEVEL RANK AND IS THE LINE AGENCY 
RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTING RELIGIOUS POLICY.  IT ALSO 
ADVISES THE GVN ON RELIGIOUS POLICY.  ACCORDING TO NGUYEN 
THE DOANH, DIRECTOR OF THE CRA INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 
DEPARTMENT, THE CRA HAS BETWEEN 120 AND 150 EMPLOYEES IN 
HANOI.  (THERE ARE CRA-EQUIVALENTS ALSO ON THE PROVINCIAL 
AND DISTRICT LEVELS WORKING ON THE STAFFS OF THOSE LOCAL 
GOVERNMENTS, NOT DIRECTLY FOR THE CRA.  SEE PARAS 14-15) 
THERE ARE SEVERAL ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS, INCLUDING AN 
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS DIVISION RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL CONTACT 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTQ8330 
 
PAGE 01        HANOI  01222  03 OF 05  151047Z 
ACTION EAP-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AID-00   AMAD-00  CIAE-00  DOEE-00  SRPP-00 
      DS-00    EB-00    ED-01    OIGO-00  FBIE-00  UTED-00  VC-00 
      HHS-01   H-01     TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00    LAB-01   L-00 
      VCE-00   MOFM-05  MOF-01   AC-01    NSAE-00  NSCE-00  OIC-02 
      OMB-01   OPIC-01  PA-00    PM-00    PRS-00   ACE-00   P-00 
      SP-00    SSO-00   STR-00   TEST-00  TRSE-00  USIE-00  PMB-00 
      DSCC-00  PRM-00   DRL-02   G-00     NFAT-00  SAS-00     /017W 
                  ------------------AEB834  151047Z /38 
O 151042Z MAY 02 
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6462 
INFO AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 
SECDEF WASHDC 
AMEMBASSY BEIJING 
AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH 
AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE 
USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 05 HANOI 001222 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV AND DRL/RF 
 
STATE PASS TO USCIRF 
 
SECDEF FOR ABLAGG 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        HANOI  01222  03 OF 05  151047Z 
 
WITH FOREIGNERS. 
 
¶10.  (SBU)  FIVE DIVISIONS SPECIALIZE IN THE MAJOR 
RECOGNIZED RELIGIONS -- BUDDHIST, CATHOLIC, PROTESTANT, CAO 
DAI, AND HOA HAO (THE LATTER APPARENTLY ALSO COVERS SMALLER 
GROUPS SUCH AS ISLAM, POSSIBLY THE BAHA'I, AND POTENTIALLY 
ANY OTHER FAITHS WITH FEW FOLLOWERS IN VIETNAM).  NOT ONLY 
DO THESE FIVE DIVISIONS ADMINISTER LAWS ON RELIGION, THEY 
ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR UNDERTAKING NEGOTIATIONS WITH STILL 
UNOFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED RELIGIOUS GROUPS.  MOST NOTABLY, 
NEGOTIATIONS ARE UNDERWAY FOR RECOGNITION OF SOME 
"UNDERGROUND" PROTESTANT GROUPS, SUCH AS THE BAPTISTS. 
THERE IS NO KNOWN DIALOGUE, HOWEVER, WITH THE UNITED 
BUDDHIST CHURCH OF VIETNAM, OR WITH CAO DAI OR HOA HAO 
GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE REJECTED PARTICIPATION IN 
THEIR RELIGIONS' RESPECTIVE OFFICIAL BODIES.  THE CRA ALSO 
MUST ENSURE THAT ANY RELIGIOUS GROUPS APPLYING FOR 
RECOGNITION COMPLY WITH ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF DECREE 
¶26.  ONCE THE CRA IS SATISFIED (AS WAS THE CASE IN 2001 WITH 
THE SECV), IT RECOMMENDS A FORMAL DECISION IN FAVOR BY THE 
PRIME MINISTER. 
 
¶11.  (U)  IN APRIL 1999, THE CRA SET UP A PUBLISHING HOUSE 
UNDER ITS AEGIS TO CENTRALIZE ALL RELIGIOUS PUBLISHING IN 
VIETNAM.  BEFORE THAT DATE, IT WAS POSSIBLE TO PUBLISH 
RELIGIOUS MATERIALS AT OTHER LEGAL PUBLISHING HOUSES, WHICH 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        HANOI  01222  03 OF 05  151047Z 
ARE NOW FORMALLY BANNED FROM SUCH RELIGIOUS PUBLISHING.  THE 
CRA'S NGOC SAID THAT THE CRA'S PUBLISHING HOUSE BENEFITS 
RELIGIOUS GROUPS BECAUSE IT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN DIFFICULT TO 
GET "PROFIT-ORIENTED" PUBLISHERS TO PRINT RELIGIOUS 
DOCUMENTS.  SOME RELIGIOUS FIGURES HAVE NOTED THAT IT IS NOT 
NOW PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN BASIC RELIGIOUS TEXTS 
SUCH AT THE BIBLE OR THE KORAN THROUGH THE RELIGIOUS 
PUBLISHING HOUSE, ALTHOUGH SOME PROTESTANTS IN HANOI 
COMPLAINED PRIVATELY IN 2001 ABOUT ONGOING SHORTAGES OF BOTH 
BIBLES AND HYMNALS.   THERE ARE REPORTS ABOUT A PRINTING OF 
NEW TESTAMENTS, APPARENTLY AIMED PRIMARILY AT THE RECENTLY 
RECOGNIZED SECV CHURCHES.  MOSQUE OFFICIALS IN HANOI NOTED 
THAT THE PUBLISHING HOUSE HAD ESSENTIALLY PRINTED A KORAN 
FOR EACH KNOWN MUSLIM IN THE COUNTRY IN 2000 AND HAD NO 
ONGOING PUBLISHING OF MUSLIM MATERIALS.  (NOTE:  IT IS 
ILLEGAL TO BRING IN "REACTIONARY" MATERIALS -- SOMETIMES 
DEFINED BY CUSTOMS OFFICIALS TO INCLUDE BIBLES AND OTHER 
RELIGIOUS MATERIALS -- INTO THE COUNTRY FROM OVERSEAS. END 
NOTE) 
 
¶12.  (U)  VICE CHAIRMAN NGOC ADDED THAT THE CRA MEDIATES 
SPECIAL PROBLEMS FACED BY RELIGIOUS GROUPS.  NGOC CLAIMED 
THAT THE CRA HAD ARRANGED A MUTUALLY SATISFACTORY SETTLEMENT 
BETWEEN A CARMELITE MONASTERY AND A COMPANY SEEKING TO BUILD 
A WATER PARK ON LAND WHERE THE MONASTERY HAD CULTIVATED 
ORCHARDS FOR MANY YEARS.  HE CLAIMED THAT THE CRA ALSO 
ASSISTED RELIGIOUS GROUPS IN THEIR BUREAUCRATIC DEALINGS 
WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, FOR INSTANCE OVER BUILDING 
PERMITS.  NGOC AND OTHER OFFICIALS HAVE SAID THAT LOCAL GVN 
OFFICIALS, ESPECIALLY IN REMOTE PROVINCES, ARE SOMETIMES NOT 
FAMILIAR WITH LAWS ON RELIGION AND "MAKE MISTAKES"; THE CRA 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        HANOI  01222  03 OF 05  151047Z 
HELPS THEM TO UNDERSTAND THE PROVISIONS OF DECREE 26, HE 
NOTED. 
 
¶13.  (SBU)  THE CRA ALSO SUPERVISES CLERGY TRAINING 
INSTITUTIONS (SEPTEL) IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MINISTRY OF 
EDUCATION AND TRAINING AS WELL AS PROVINCIAL AUTHORITIES. 
RELIGIOUS FIGURES HAVE STATED TO EMBOFFS THAT AT LEAST THE 
THREE MAIN BUDDHIST ACADEMIES AND SIX CATHOLIC SEMINARIES DO 
CONTROL THEIR OWN BUDGETS AND THAT FUNDING TO CARRY OUT 
TRAINING ACTIVITIES COMES FROM THE RELIGIOUS GROUPS 
THEMSELVES.  THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING NEITHER 
SUPPORTS CLERGY TRAINING INSTITUTIONS FINANCIALLY, NOR SEEKS 
TO CONTROL THEIR BUDGETS, ACCORDING TO THESE SOURCES. 
 
DAY-TO-DAY REGULATION: LOCAL GOVERNMENT 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶14.  (U)  UNDER DECREE 26, THE CRA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR 
REGULATING ANY RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES THAT CROSS PROVINCIAL 
BOUNDARIES, BUT CHAIRMEN OF PROVINCIAL AND DISTRICT PEOPLE'S 
COMMITTEES HAVE AUTHORITY OVER LOCAL ACTIVITIES.  SINCE MOST 
RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES ARE LOCAL, THIS MEANS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS 
CARRY OUT THE BULK OF RELIGIOUS REGULATION.  DECREE 26 
SPELLS OUT MANY OF THE REGULATED ACTIVITIES, BUT DOES NOT 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTQ8331 
 
PAGE 01        HANOI  01222  04 OF 05  151048Z 
ACTION EAP-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AID-00   AMAD-00  CIAE-00  DOEE-00  SRPP-00 
      DS-00    EB-00    ED-01    OIGO-00  FBIE-00  UTED-00  VC-00 
      HHS-01   H-01     TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00    LAB-01   L-00 
      VCE-00   MOFM-05  MOF-01   AC-01    NSAE-00  NSCE-00  OIC-02 
      OMB-01   OPIC-01  PA-00    PM-00    PRS-00   ACE-00   P-00 
      SP-00    SSO-00   STR-00   TEST-00  TRSE-00  USIE-00  PMB-00 
      DSCC-00  PRM-00   DRL-02   G-00     NFAT-00  SAS-00     /017W 
                  ------------------AEB83A  151048Z /38 
O 151042Z MAY 02 
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6463 
INFO AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 
SECDEF WASHDC 
AMEMBASSY BEIJING 
AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH 
AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE 
USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 04 OF 05 HANOI 001222 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV AND DRL/RF 
 
STATE PASS TO USCIRF 
 
SECDEF FOR ABLAGG 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        HANOI  01222  04 OF 05  151048Z 
 
ALWAYS SPECIFY THE RELEVANT AUTHORITIES.  FOR INSTANCE, "THE 
COMPETENT STATE AGENCY" MUST AUTHORIZE ANY RELIGIOUS 
ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE RECOGNIZED PLACES OF WORSHIP OR THE 
ANNUALLY REGISTERED PROGRAM, BUT WHICH SPECIFIC AGENCY HAS 
THAT ROLE IS NOT CLEAR.  AMONG THE OTHER MATTERS CONTROLLED 
BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES ARE: 
-- PERMISSION TO ENTER A RELIGIOUS LIFE AFTER BACKGROUND 
INVESTIGATION (PROVINCE LEVEL); 
-- REGISTRATION OF A RELIGIOUS GROUP'S ANNUAL ACTIVITIES 
(E.G. THE ANNUAL CYCLE OF EVENTS AT A PAGODA OR CHURCH) 
(DISTRICT OR PROVINCE LEVEL); 
-- TRANSFER OF CLERGY WITHIN A PROVINCE (PROVINCE LEVEL); 
-- APPROVAL OF ORDINATION OR INVESTITURE OF TITLES OF ANY 
LEADER NOT REQUIRING PRIME MINISTERIAL APPROVAL (PROVINCE 
LEVEL); 
-- APPROVAL OF CONFERENCES OR CONVENTIONS WITHIN A PROVINCE 
(PROVINCE LEVEL); 
-- PERMISSION TO RAISE FUNDS (PROVINCE LEVEL); AND, 
-- APPROVAL OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION, REPAIR, AND RENOVATION 
(LEVEL DEPENDS ON SCALE OF ACTIVITY). 
 
¶15.  (U)  MOST, BUT NOT ALL, PROVINCES AND DIRECT-RULE 
CITIES HAVE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES DEDICATED TO RELIGIOUS 
AFFAIRS THAT REPORT TO THE CHAIRMEN OF THE PROVINCIAL 
PEOPLE'S COMMITTEES.  THESE OFFICES ARE OFTEN COMBINED WITH 
ETHNIC MINORITY AFFAIRS OFFICES.  THE PROVINCIAL PEOPLE'S 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        HANOI  01222  04 OF 05  151048Z 
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN USUALLY HOLDS GREATEST LOCAL DECISION- 
MAKING POWER.  WHILE CRA CHAIRMAN VINH CONFIRMED THAT 
RELIGIOUS POLICY IS SUPPOSED TO BE CONSISTENT AND UNIVERSAL 
THROUGHOUT VIETNAM, HE ADMITTED THAT IN PRACTICE TREATMENT 
OF RELIGIOUS GROUPS MIGHT VARY CONSIDERABLY FROM PROVINCE TO 
PROVINCE, DEPENDING ON THE ATTITUDE (OR DEGREE OF KNOWLEDGE) 
OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES.  FOR INSTANCE, UNDER ARTICLE 7 OF 
DECREE 26, THE CRA'S NGOC NOTED, ONE IS PERMITTED TO PRAY 
AND CARRY OUT RITES WITHIN THE FAMILY.  IN SOME PLACES, NGOC 
AND OTHERS SAID, LOCAL AUTHORITIES HAVE ALLOWED "HOUSE 
CHURCHES" TO MEET UNDER THIS RUBRIC, WHILE OTHERS HAVE NOT. 
 
ENFORCEMENT:  MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶16.  (U)  THE MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY (MPS) IS NOT 
DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS, BUT IT PROVIDES 
THE MECHANISM TO ENFORCE MUCH GVN POLICY ON RELIGION. 
ACTING UNDER INSTRUCTIONS FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE 
SUPREME PEOPLE'S PROCURACY, MPS HAS THE POWER TO DETAIN 
INDIVIDUALS SUSPECTED OF VIOLATING LAWS, INCLUDING THOSE ON 
RELIGION, OR MORE NEBULOUS REGULATIONS ABOUT HARMING 
NATIONAL SOLIDARITY.  MPS ACTS TO "ENSURE THE SAFETY AND 
ORDERLINESS" OF RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS, ACCORDING TO MPS VICE 
MINISTER NGUYEN VAN HUONG, BUT HE STRESSED THAT MPS HAD NO 
INDEPENDENT ROLE WHERE RELIGION IS CONCERNED.  MPS PERSONNEL 
ARE WIDELY BELIEED TO MONITOR RELIGIOUS GROUPS, SOMETHING 
HUONG CKNOWLEDGED AS PART OF THE MINISTRY'S "NORMAL" 
FUNCTION. 
 
RALLY THE RELIGIOUS TROOPS:  VFF 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        HANOI  01222  04 OF 05  151048Z 
------------------------------- 
 
¶17.  (U)  ACCORDING O BUDDHIST LEADER (CONCURRENTLY VICE 
CHAIRMAN OFTHE VFF'S RELIGIOUS COUNCIL) THICH THANH TU, THE 
VFF HAD THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR OVERSIGHT OF AND 
LIAISON WITH RELIGIOUS GROUPS BEFORE THE ESTBLISHMENT OF 
THE CRA.  RELIGIOUS GROUPS WERE WELOME TO JOIN THE VFF, 
NOTED VFF GENERAL SECRETARYTRAN VAN DANG. (NOTE:  IT IS 
UNCLEAR IF THE OFFIIAL CAO DAI MANAGEMENT COUNCIL OR THE 
HOA HAO REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEE ARE AFFILIATED WITH THE 
VFF BUT MUCH EVIDENCE POINTS TO THEIR WORKING IN CLOS 
COORDINATION WITH, IF NOT UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF, THE 
PROVINCIAL VFF IN TAY NINH AND AN GIANG PROVINCES, 
RESPECTIVELY.  END NOTE)  AN AUGUST 1999 VIETNAM NEWS 
ARTICLE LISTED THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH OF VIETNAM (NORTHERN), 
THE VIETNAM BUDDHIST SANGHA, AND THE COMMITTEE FOR 
SOLIDARITY AMONG VIETNAMESE CATHOLICS AS MEMBER VFF 
ORGANIZATIONS.  RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND RELIGIOUS BELIEVERS 
ALSO HOLD VFF OFFICES AT VARIOUS LEVELS. 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
¶18.  (SBU)  GVN REGULATION OF RELIGION IS EVOLVING AND EVEN 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTQ8332 
 
PAGE 01        HANOI  01222  05 OF 05  151048Z 
ACTION EAP-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AID-00   AMAD-00  CIAE-00  DOEE-00  SRPP-00 
      DS-00    EB-00    ED-01    OIGO-00  FBIE-00  UTED-00  VC-00 
      HHS-01   H-01     TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00    LAB-01   L-00 
      VCE-00   MOFM-05  MOF-01   AC-01    NSAE-00  NSCE-00  OIC-02 
      OMB-01   OPIC-01  PA-00    PM-00    PRS-00   ACE-00   P-00 
      SP-00    SSO-00   STR-00   TEST-00  TRSE-00  USIE-00  PMB-00 
      DSCC-00  PRM-00   DRL-02   G-00     NFAT-00  SAS-00     /017W 
                  ------------------AEB83E  151048Z /38 
O 151042Z MAY 02 
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6464 
INFO AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 
SECDEF WASHDC 
AMEMBASSY BEIJING 
AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH 
AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE 
USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 05 OF 05 HANOI 001222 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV AND DRL/RF 
 
STATE PASS TO USCIRF 
 
SECDEF FOR ABLAGG 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        HANOI  01222  05 OF 05  151048Z 
 
INCREASING IN SOPHISTICATION, WITH NOTABLY MORE FLEXIBILITY 
THAN A DECADE OR TWO AGO.  THE GVN IS GOING TO GREAT LENGTHS 
TO DRAFT A COMPREHENSIVE LAW ON RELIGION, PERHAPS PARTIALLY 
IN RESPONSE TO US AND OTHER CRITICISMS REGARDING RELIGIOUS 
FREEDOM IN VIETNAM (ALTHOUGH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT 
REVIEWING THE DRAFT LEGISLATION TO ASSESS WHETHER SUCH 
GREATER COMPREHENSIVENESS IS ACTUALLY FAVORABLE TO A MORE 
FREE RELIGIOUS LIFE).  A COMPREHENSIVE LAW WITH SPECIFIC 
REGULATIONS MIGHT HELP MAKE SUPERVISION OF RELIGIOUS GROUPS 
AND ACTIVITIES MORE TRANSPARENT AND LESS SUBJECT TO LOCAL 
INTERPRETATION.  THE BOTTOM LINE ON RELIGIOUS GROUPS -- AS 
WELL AS ON OTHER SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS AND MOVEMENTS -- 
REMAINS, HOWEVER, THAT IN THE EYES OF THE CPV AND GVN, THE 
PRESERVATION OF SOCIAL UNITY AND NATIONAL SOLIDARITY, AND OF 
THE OVERALL AUTHORITY OF THE CPV, SUPERSEDES PERSONAL 
FREEDOMS WHENEVER THERE ARE CONFLICTS. 
BURGHARDT 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED