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 HANOI 003382 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR S/EX-CR, S/EX-O 
 
STATE FOR EAP/MLS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OPDC PREL VM ETMIN HUMANR
SUBJECT:  FOREIGN MINISTER WRITES TO SECRETARY ON 
CENTRAL HIGHLANDS ASSISTANCE 
 
¶1. (SBU) On December 29, under cover of MFA Note 593 NG- 
CM, Post received a letter and "memo" from Foreign 
Minister Nguyen Dzy Nien to the Secretary on the 
subject of U.S. assistance to the Central Highlands. 
In brief, Foreign Minister Nien expresses regret that 
the U.S. Congress earmarked funds for the region 
without consulting with Vietnam.  The FM further 
rejects the Montagnard Development Project or "any of 
the like" as development partners, but welcomes 
consultations with the USG on possible "appropriate" 
development activities in the Central Highlands.  Post 
will pouch to EAP/MLS the original letter and memo. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Begin verbatim text of letter: 
 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
Socialist Republic of Vietnam 
 
December 28, 2005 
 
Her Excellency Dr. Condoleezza Rice 
Department of State 
Washington, D.C. 20520 
 
Honorable Secretary, 
 
It was brought to my attention that the United States 
Congress has passed an appropriation bill which 
included a provision making available funds for 
programs and activities for the Central Highlands 
region of Vietnam.  The supposed amount is 2 million 
USD, up to one million of which is expected to be 
provided to the Montagnard Development Project. 
 
I am aware that certain issues regarding the Central 
Highlands region of Vietnam attract quite an amount of 
attention in the United States and the evolving of 
which does have implication on the overall relationship 
between Vietnam and the United States.  In this regard, 
I would like to affirm that our government pays special 
attention to the socio-economic development of the 
Central Highlands region.  The efforts we made during 
the last years have yielded encouraging results.  This 
year all the 5 provinces of this region have overcome a 
serious drought and achieved high economic growth, 
among them Dak Lak is leading with a rate of 8 percent. 
The lives of ethnic minorities have also improved, with 
greater social services being provided.  Those who have 
returned from Cambodia have also resettled back into 
their normal life.  Religious festivities during the 
holiday seasons are taking place throughout the region. 
 
Nonetheless, the region is still coping with many 
problems, especially the matter of achieving 
sustainable economic development and narrowing the gap 
between urban area and rural area, where the majority 
of the ethnic minorities reside.  In this spirit, we 
welcome assistance from the international community, 
particularly projects that contribute to the 
improvement of the socio-economic situation in the 
region.  The Management Board for the development of 
Central Highlands, the central agency charged with 
improving the socio-economic development of the Central 
Highlands provinces, is the appropriate body in which 
cooperative activities can be discussed. 
 
As with regard to the above bill-passage, it is 
regrettable that such a decision affecting Vietnam has 
been made without consultation with our side. 
Furthermore, we have strong reasons to believe that the 
Montagnard Development Project is drawn up in such a 
way that is not constructive to the enhancement of the 
socio-economic situation in the Central Highlands.  For 
this reason, we will not be able to welcome the 
Montagnard Development Project or any of the like.  We 
are further concerned that should funding be given to 
this project, it would send a wrong signal about U.S. 
commitment to and would surely hinder the further 
enhancement of U.S.-Vietnam relations. 
 
I am writing this letter to inform of our concern and 
suggest that you work with us to find a satisfactory 
and practical way to approach this matter.  The best 
way is to be in line with the procedure and with the 
laws of Vietnam.  The Americas Department of our 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide the U.S. 
Embassy in Vietnam with information to help in this 
regard. 
 
I am very much impressed by the meeting with Your 
Excellency in Busan (ROK) and thankful for your 
valuable time and I look forward to welcoming your 
Assistant Secretary Mr. Barry Lowenkron and Ambassador 
John Hanford to Vietnam. 
 
I wish to affirm my commitment to working with you to 
address matters of mutual concern in a forthright 
manner. 
 
With highest regards, 
Yours sincerely, 
//s// 
Nguyen Dy Nien 
 
End text of letter. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Begin verbatim text of memo: 
 
MEMO 
 
-- The Government of the S.R. of Vietnam pays special 
attention to the socio-economic development of the 
Central Highlands region of Vietnam.  We welcome 
assistance from the international community in this 
regard. 
 
-- Vietnam-U.S. relations have aspects that concern the 
Central Highlands, ones that should be worked with in 
accordance with the spirit of the Joint Statement 
reached in June 21st, 2005, between Vietnamese Prime 
Minister H.E. Phan Van Khai and U.S. President H.E. Mr. 
George W. Bush. 
 
-- A provision of U.S. public law No. 109-102 (H.R. 
3057) making available funds for programs and 
activities for the Central Highlands of Vietnam has 
been made without due consultation with the Vietnamese 
side.  Reference in this law's relating documentation 
to the Montagnard Development Project, one that is 
drawn up in such a way not constructive to the 
enhancement of socio-economic situation in the Central 
Highlands, further indicates that the implementation of 
the said-project could potentially hinder the further 
enhancement of U.S.-Vietnam relations. 
 
-- The Government of the S.R. of Vietnam and local 
authorities in the Central Highlands will not welcome 
the Montagnard Development Project or any of the like 
and is opposed to any activity conducted without 
consultation with Vietnam. 
 
-- The Government of the S.R. of Vietnam is willing to 
cooperate with the United States Government on this 
matter.  However, we will welcome only projects that 
contribute to the improvement of the socio-economic 
situation in the region.  The Management Board for the 
development of Central Highlands, the central agency 
charged with improving the socio-economic development 
of the Central Highlands is the appropriate body in 
which cooperative activities can be discussed.  NGOs 
who are given license to operate in Vietnam and have 
projects contributing to the socio-economic situation 
of the region that are approved by provincial 
authorities will be welcomed. 
 
December 2005 
 
End text of memo. 
 
MARINE