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 03HOCHIMINHCITY412, SHOTGUN WEDDING: UBCV AND VBS TOGETHER AT LAST?

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. #03HOCHIMINHCITY412.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
03HOCHIMINHCITY412 2003-05-09 18:14 2011-08-30 01:44 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HO CHI MINH CITY 000412 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/BCLTV, EAP/PD, DRL 
 
E. O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM PGOV SOCI VM RELFREE HUMANR
SUBJECT: SHOTGUN WEDDING:  UBCV AND VBS TOGETHER AT LAST? 
 
REF:  A)  2002 HCMC 914   B)  HANOI 807  C)  HANOI 842 
 
1.  (SBU)  Summary:  In a meeting with the Consul General on May 
9, Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV) Patriarch Thich Huyen 
Quang spoke hopefully of a new openness on the part of the GVN 
toward efforts to unite the UBCV with the officially recognized 
Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS).  The Patriarch, who was allowed to 
travel to HCMC after more than 20 years of "pagoda detention" in 
rural Quang Ngai Province, was also realistic about the roadblocks 
ahead.  Repeatedly denying any interest in "political activities," 
he said his overwhelming goal now was to unify the two Buddhist 
churches.  Crediting the USG and other members of the 
international community for past and present efforts on behalf of 
his cause, he stressed the UBCV was not quite ready to make it on 
its own.  Still, Thich Huyen Quang claimed the majority of 
Vietnamese Buddhists were really still "his", even if the UBCV 
organization itself had grown weak.  He concluded by saying he was 
still "measuring the situation," but realized "things outside are 
very complicated."  End summary. 
 
2.  (SBU)  Consul General and ConGenoffs met with Thich Huyen 
Quang at An Quang Pagoda, the former principal pagoda of the UBCV 
and current home of the HCMC Buddhist Sangha, the southern branch 
of the VBS.  The meeting was arranged by UBCV General Secretary 
Thich Tue Sy, who also attended.  (Note:  Unlike previous calls on 
members of the official VBS hierarchy at An Quang, this visit did 
not require a diplomatic note or notification to the local MFA 
branch.  While it is clear GVN officials would have had to approve 
today's meeting, it is remarkable that we were allowed to work the 
appointment entirely through the offices of the "outlawed" UBCV.) 
In addition to the two UBCV leaders, three high-ranking VBS monks, 
with whom ConGenoffs have met in the past, also attended. 
 
3.  (SBU)  Thich Huyen Quang appeared in fairly good health, but 
harder of hearing and less focused than during an October 2002 
meeting at his pagoda in Quang Ngai Province (ref A).  He said he 
was satisfied with the medical attention he had received in Hanoi 
and was confident that his needs would be met in the future (ref 
B).  The atmosphere during the meeting was much more low-key than 
during the visit to Quang Ngai.  Despite the presence of high- 
ranking VBS monks in the room, he spoke openly and comfortably. 
For their part, the VBS monks refrained from the frequent 
interruptions and prompting that had marked the behavior of the 
Quang Ngai authorities. (Thich Huyen Quang twice referred to the 
heavy-handed tactics of his handlers during the October meeting in 
Quang Ngai, apologizing for their rudeness.) 
 
4.  (SBU)  Recapping his April meeting with Prime Minister Phan 
Van Khai in Hanoi (ref C), Thich Huyen Quang was clearly pleased 
that the PM had publicly acknowledged the contributions of the 
UBCV "to the resistance".  He also appreciated the PM's sending 
someone to check on his health in Quang Ngai.  He had pressed PM 
Khai for the release of detained UBCV leaders, including himself 
and Thich Quang Do.  He had also asked for written documentation 
of the reasons for the continued detentions, and an official 
statement on the legal status of the UBCV.  While PM Khai did not 
answer those questions, he promised to act with "Buddhist mercy 
and compassion" in his future dealings with the UBCV.  In return, 
Thich Huyen Quang promised to respond with "Buddhist tolerance." 
 
5.  (SBU)  Thich Huyen Quang had spent 20 days in his hometown of 
Quy Nhon, reconnecting with the UBCV faithful before traveling to 
HCMC.  UBCV followers noted a real improvement in the way they had 
been treated by local authorities since his meeting with PM Khai. 
Thich Huyen Quang had then asked to visit HCMC in order to meet 
with UBCV leaders and attempt to reestablish some viable form of 
organization.  While he did not go into detail on the logistics of 
his trip, he did not seem to have encountered any government 
resistance to his plan.  Thich Huyen Quang had hoped to stay in a 
UBCV pagoda upon his arrival, but seemed genuinely pleased with 
GVN arrangements to provide him space at his former pagoda, which 
had been UBCV headquarters before 1975.  Since arriving in HCMC, 
he had met with many followers and was "happy to see that UBCV 
believers are still here." 
 
6.  (SBU)  The Patriarch requested, and was able to meet, with 
HCMC People's Committee Chairman Le Thanh Hai on May 8.  During 
their discussions, Chairman Hai tacitly opened the way for 
discussions on "legalizing" the UBCV through integration with the 
VBS.  When the Patriarch asked Chairman Hai if the two churches 
could be merged, Hai responded that was an internal matter to be 
resolved by the two churches -- but he believed one day there 
would be a single, unified church.  Thich Tri Quang, head of the 
HCMC Buddhist Sangha, also attended that meeting and supported the 
concept of unification.  Based on Chairman Hai and Thich Tri 
Quang's responses, the Patriarch said he believed the GVN really 
wanted to heal the schism within the Buddhist community.  Showing 
off HCMC as the nation's economic engine, the People's Committee 
took Thich Huyen Quang to the new Saigon South urban development 
area - where upscale villas cost USD 800,000. 
 
7.  (SBU)  After some prodding, Thich Huyen Quang briefly 
summarized his May 5 meeting with number two-ranking UBCV leader 
Thich Quang Do, who has been under administrative detention in 
HCMC since June 2001.  During the meeting, Thich Quang Do had 
emphasized the need to get the UBCV's own house in order before 
opening negotiations with the VBS.  Long years of operating as an 
underground church had taken their toll and left the UBCV 
splintered and disorganized.  Thich Huyen Quang deflected several 
attempts by ConGenoffs to elicit predictions on whether Thich 
Quang Do's administrative detention would be lifted on schedule 
this June.  He did note that the meeting had ended with Thich 
Quang Do saying he looked forward to visiting Thich Huyen Quang 
and continuing the discussion in Quy Nhon.  (Thich Huyen Quang 
told ConGenoffs he would be returning to Quy Nhon rather than 
Quang Ngai after leaving HCMC.  He plans to use An Quang Pagoda as 
his base of operations for meetings in HCMC from time to time.) 
 
8.  (SBU)  Assessing the likelihood of merging the UBCV with the 
VBS, the Patriarch noted, "agreeing is easy, but the process is 
difficult."  He placed great stock in UBCV "(human) assets and 
property" as leverage, claiming that many VBS monks and nuns are 
actually UBCV followers.  While the UBCV still holds a number of 
properties that had escaped (or been spared) confiscation, he 
hoped the GVN would consider returning other former assets.  He 
said he expected to meet with the VBS to discuss a merger in the 
near future.  He hopes the two churches will be allowed to sit 
down and discuss - free of GVN interference - their merger, and 
that local authorities would allow the UBCV to reconstruct its 
organizational framework.  Thich Huyen Quang described a future 
unified church which would steer clear of politics, focusing its 
efforts on spiritual matters and charitable works.  While he 
acknowledged that some Buddhists had participated in political 
activities in the past, he stressed the need to concentrate on 
religious affairs during this time of peace. 
 
9.  (SBU)  A recurring theme in the 75 minute-long meeting was 
appreciation for the efforts of the world community and 
international media in supporting the UBCV cause.  The Patriarch 
expressed thanks to the many countries that had allowed UBCV 
Buddhists to maintain the 2000-year-old tradition of Vietnamese 
Buddhism overseas.  Asked what the USG and others could do to 
support the peaceful integration of the two Buddhist churches, he 
noted the importance of continuing international support for and 
media attention to efforts to train new monks and nuns, organize 
UBCV activities at the local level, communicate with believers 
overseas, and build a UBCV public information apparatus.  He also 
cited pressing needs for renovation of many UBCV properties. 
 
10.  (SBU)  Another recurring feature was Thich Tue Sy's strident 
voice interrupting the Patriarch to drive home his own call for 
continued international support for the absolute separation of 
church and state in Vietnam.  Citing the Universal Declaration on 
Human Rights, he insisted no true religion could ever submit to a 
secular authority ("there are no worldly ends for us").  While 
Thich Tue Sy said he would work within the framework of the 
Vietnamese Constitution, his determination to pursue "pure 
spiritualism" outside the supervision of the Fatherland Front and 
Communist Party seemed at odds with Thich Huyen Quang's resigned 
pragmatism.  The difference in viewpoint was clear in their 
responses to a question on whether the GVN would allow interviews 
with foreign journalists.  While the English-speaking Thich Tue Sy 
immediately responded "no problem," the Patriarch's more reserved 
answer after hearing the Vietnamese translation was, "depends on 
the Government." 
 
11.  (SBU)  Comment:  ConGenoffs have previously met with VBS and 
UBCV monks separately.  But together in the same room, we found 
less tension between the formal VBS-UBCV adversaries than between 
the two UBCV leaders themselves.  The VBS monks sat silently by 
while the elderly, revered Patriarch of its UBCV rival listened 
patiently to the strident demands of a monk whom he himself has 
anointed "executive director" of the UBCV once it "gets its house 
in order." 
 
12.  (SBU)  Comment (cont.):  It is too early to tell whether the 
GVN, VBS, and UBCV are really ready to mend fences.  The actions 
of "hard-line" elements who might push the envelope right off the 
table should also be taken into account.  While Thich Huyen 
Quang's recent travels, meetings, and pronouncements are something 
we could not have imagined last October, no one at today's meeting 
made any concrete predictions for the future.  Thich Huyen Quang 
closed the discussion by saying he was still "measuring the 
situation," and acknowledged "things outside are very 
complicated."  The next signal to watch for may be whether the GVN 
renews Thich Quang Do's administrative detention when it expires 
next month. 
 
YAMAUCHI