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RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHHI #0179/01 0201022
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 201022Z JAN 06
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0581
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC//USDP/ISA/DPMO//
RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 0378
RUEHZS/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 HANOI 000179 
 
SIPDIS 
 
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SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/MLS, H/EAP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV KIRF PHUM ECON OVIP VM
SUBJECT:  Codel Gillmor Discusses WTO, Human Rights, Fullest 
Possible Accounting with Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan and 
National Assembly Leaders 
 
HANOI 00000179  001.2 OF 006 
 
 
¶1. (U) Summary and Comment:  Members of Codel Gillmor met 
January 17 with National Assembly (NA) Foreign Affairs 
Committee Chairman Vu Mao, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan 
and National Assembly President Nguyen Van An to discuss 
bilateral relations, including Vietnam's WTO aspirations, 
trade relations, human rights and fullest possible 
accounting for MIAs.  DPM Vu Khoan urged the Congress to 
grant Permanent Normal Trade Relations to Vietnam and lift 
Jackson-Vanik.  The Codel expressed gratitude for GVN 
assistance in MIA accounting activities and pressed for 
permission for U.S. Navy ships to take part in underwater 
recovery activities and to continue activities in the 
Central Highlands.  Codel members also urged Vietnam to 
improve its human rights record and address specific trade 
concerns of the United States, such as dairy and catfish 
products.  Although the meetings were generally positive, 
National Assembly President An struck a discordant tone with 
his criticism of "too-high U.S. WTO conditions."  End 
Summary and Comment. 
 
National Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Vu Mao 
--------------------------------------------- -------------- 
 
 
¶2. (SBU) Representatives Paul Gillmor (R-OH), Sam Johnson (R- 
TX), Jerry Costello (D-IL), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Kay 
Granger (R-TX), Greg Walden (R-OR) and Bobby Jindal (R-LA), 
together with accompanying Codel staff, met January 17 with 
National Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Vu Mao. 
Vu Mao brought several other members of the U.S.-Vietnam 
Friendship Caucus of the National Assembly with him to the 
meeting.  The Ambassador and PolOff were also present. 
Congressman Gillmor thanked Vietnam for the contributions 
the GVN and the Vietnamese people made to the American 
victims of Hurricane Katrina, and complimented Vu Mao on the 
"vibrant development" he noticed in Hanoi since his previous 
visit several years ago.  Vu Mao said Vietnam is proud of 
the economic development results it has achieved in the 20 
years since the beginning of its "Doi Moi" (renovation) 
policy and is in the process of reviewing those achievements 
in preparation for the Tenth Communist Party National 
Congress.  Vu Mao said the National Assembly is playing a 
greater role in the governance of the country and has moved 
beyond being "the people who only say yes."  He highlighted 
the National Assembly's oversight role, pointing out that 
the NA now conducts Question and Answer sessions with 
ministers on live television. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Vu Mao volunteered the information that the NA 
"pays much attention to human rights and democracy," stating 
that the first requirement of human rights is to provide the 
basic necessities of life for the population.  "First," he 
elaborated, "we must provided subsistence and social equity 
to the people."  He said Vietnam is proud of its human 
rights successes, such as protecting the rights of the 
disadvantaged.  On the question of religious freedom, Vu Mao 
said that in Vietnam "religious freedom is stipulated in the 
Constitution.  People are guaranteed the right of belief and 
nonbelief, as well as religious practice."  He said that an 
example of Vietnam's religious freedom can be found in the 
highway connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Dalat.  In 300 
kilometers, there are more than 64 houses of worship, 
including those of Catholics, Protestants, Cao Dai, Hoa Hao 
and other faiths.  Vu Mao professed to be surprised that 
international critics could find fault with Vietnam's 
protection of religious freedom when such clear 
contradictory evidence is available "for viewing with your 
own eyes." 
 
¶4. (SBU) The NA Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman 
approached the issue of the Vietnam War head on.  He said 
"the war has not faded away in the hearts of the Vietnamese 
people, but it is in the past."  Vietnam appreciates the 
"humanitarian spirit" of American veterans, he added, citing 
the return of the diary of Dr. Dang Thuy Tram by U.S. 
veteran Fred Whitehurst as an example of that humanitarian 
spirit.  "In the same way," he continued, "we welcome the 
visit of Congressman Sam Johnson, and are glad of his 
goodwill."  (Note: Congressman Johnson was a fighter pilot 
during the Vietnam War and was captured after being shot 
down in 1966.  He spent almost seven years at the Hoa Lu 
Prison, aka the Hanoi Hilton.  End Note.) 
 
¶5. (SBU) Congressman Gillmor thanked Vu Mao for his words, 
and highlighted that the United States and Vietnam have 
 
HANOI 00000179  002.2 OF 006 
 
 
interests in common, including trade.  He said that trade is 
"good for both sides" and encouraged Vietnam to make 
progress in its negotiations with the United States on 
Vietnam's accession to the WTO.  Vietnam should be aware, he 
advised, that the U.S. Congress would have to approve any 
trade agreement signed with Vietnam, and that approval would 
be based on a range of factors, not just economics. 
Vietnam's human rights and religious freedom record, for 
example, will be considered when Congress votes on Vietnam's 
entry into the WTO. 
 
¶6. (SBU) Congressman Johnson thanked Vu Mao for the efforts 
the GVN has made to assist with the humanitarian effort to 
account for all U.S. personnel missing during the Vietnam 
War, which represents "a great opportunity to help 
families."  He praised Vietnam as "much easier to deal with 
than China or Russia."  Congressman Costello asked Vu Mao to 
urge the GVN to grant the U.S. request to use U.S. Navy 
vessels in underwater MIA recovery work.  Vu Mao noted that 
the issue of GVN cooperation with the United States on MIA 
issues is sensitive for his constituents, who "always pose 
the question to me why the GVN doesn't put all of the 
attention and the resources into searching for Vietnamese 
MIAs."  Vu Mao said that he and the GVN recognize that MIA 
operations are a humanitarian effort.  The use of U.S. Navy 
ships for recovery efforts is a "technical issue for our 
agencies to work out," he said.  One of Vu Mao's colleagues, 
NA Member and Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship 
Organizations (VUFO) Vu Xuan Hong, added that Vietnam is 
grateful for the efforts by U.S. NGOs and veterans in 
assisting with the efforts to account for Vietnamese MIA 
personnel. 
 
¶7. (SBU) Congressman Kucinich, turning to the question of 
trade agreements, asked Vu Mao what he thinks of trade 
agreements that promote the privatization of public 
services.  Vu Mao said that in principle, Vietnam does not 
agree with agreements that force the privatization of public 
services, but in practice, Vietnam is engaged in a process 
of liberalization and development of a market economy.  That 
process, he said, involves "the reform of all sectors, 
including State-owned enterprises and collectivized 
industries."  Vietnam is mostly concerned with finding the 
appropriate pace for modernization and reform, he said. 
 
Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan 
------------------------------ 
 
¶8. (SBU) Immediately following the meeting with Vu Mao, the 
Codel met with Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan.  Congressman 
Gillmor opened by welcoming the progress and improvements in 
U.S.-Vietnam relations.  Economic ties, particularly since 
the Bilateral Trade Agreement went into effect, are also 
positive, with many Vietnamese products now on sale in the 
United States.  The ongoing bilateral trade negotiations, 
aimed at Vietnam's WTO accession, are important for both 
countries.  Both the USG and the Congress are involved in 
these matters, and agreement between and within these 
branches is not always a foregone conclusion, Congressman 
Gillmor said. 
 
¶9. (SBU) This congressional visit, last week's visit by EAP 
Assistant Secretary Christopher R. Hill and the ongoing 
trade negotiators' visit underscore the rapid pace of 
development in the U.S.-Vietnam relationship, DPM Khoan 
said.  More importantly, during these meetings, both sides 
take part in a candid and open dialogue that deepens mutual 
understanding.  Ultimately, Vietnam's interests are having 
good foreign relations and bringing itself out of 
underdevelopment and poverty.  In terms of its foreign 
relations, Vietnam now has normal ties with all of the major 
powers, including the UN's P-5.  The GVN attaches great 
importance to the relationship with the United States 
because it understands the important role America plays in 
the international arena and market.  Since normalizing 
bilateral relations, both sides have made great efforts to 
expand relations in many areas and now have significant ties 
in politics, trade and economics, science and technology, 
and security.  Now, stabilizing the overall bilateral 
relationship requires mutual cooperation. 
 
DPM Khoan:  We Need the Cooperation of Congress 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶10. (SBU) In terms of political cooperation, Vietnam looks 
 
HANOI 00000179  003.2 OF 006 
 
 
forward to further bilateral exchanges, both in the 
executive and legislative branches, DPM Khoan continued. 
This year, the most important task is achieving a successful 
visit to Vietnam by President George W. Bush.  Secondly, 
there must be an early conclusion to the bilateral WTO 
negotiations, which will bring U.S.-Vietnam economic 
relations to a new height.  Vietnam's WTO membership is in 
the interest of Vietnam, but it also will benefit the United 
States.  This year, both sides must also reach cooperative 
agreements in several areas, and the GVN will work closely 
with the Ambassador and the U.S. Executive Branch to carry 
this out.  Finally, this year the United States and Vietnam 
must address their differences in such a way that they do 
not become obstacles to a successful visit by the President. 
To do all this, Vietnam "desperately requires the 
cooperation of the U.S. Congress," DPM Khoan stressed. 
 
Please Grant PNTR and Lift Jackson-Vanik 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶11. (SBU) As legislators, the members of the U.S. Congress 
must have a far and broad vision, and in their actions they 
must take into account U.S. interests and make decisions 
that benefit bilateral ties, DPM Khoan said.  The United 
States and Vietnam will not always agree, but they can share 
the same goal of maintaining good ties.  In terms of 
Vietnam's WTO aspirations, Vietnam needs both a positive 
Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) vote and a waiver of 
the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, both of which it hopes to 
achieve soon.  A Jackson-Vanik waiver would also benefit the 
United States by making it easier for U.S. businesses to 
invest in Vietnam. 
 
The Next Five Years 
------------------- 
 
¶12. (SBU) By maintaining a growth rate of eight percent per 
year, Vietnam hopes by 2010 to leave underdevelopment behind 
and raise per capita GDP from its current USD 640/year to 
USD 1,000/year, DPM Khoan explained.  Over the next five 
years, Vietnam also hopes to reduce poverty, perfect the 
market mechanism, promote administrative reform and the rule 
of law, fight corruption and maintain social stability.  In 
terms of foreign relations, Vietnam attaches greatest 
importance to its neighbors, namely China, Laos and 
Cambodia.  Relations with China have been better than ever 
since normalization in 1991.  Following ties with these 
neighbors is Vietnam's relationship with ASEAN, and third in 
priority are Vietnam's relations with Asia-Pacific 
countries, including the United States.  Vietnam will 
concentrate its efforts on the successful hosting of APEC 
2006, but will maintain its foreign policy principles of 
openness, independence and sovereignty.  Vietnam recognizes 
that the United States is a strong pole in foreign relations 
and looks forward to congressional support for a long- 
lasting and stable bilateral relationship. 
 
China:  Need Peaceful Coexistence 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶13. (SBU) In response to Congressman Gillmor's question on 
China's military modernization program, the DPM reiterated 
that Vietnam-China relations are the best ever since 1991. 
Quoting a Vietnamese proverb, he said that, "one can choose 
friends, but not neighbors," and Vietnam has to live 
peacefully with China.  This was true over one thousand 
years ago and it is true today.  Vietnam understands the 
significance of a good relationship with China, a sentiment 
that Canadians feel towards the United States, DPM Khoan 
surmised.  China's development is the story of the 21st 
century.  China is now the world's factory and will soon be 
the world's market.  Like it or not, the Chinese will pursue 
their path to development, so it is best to try to work with 
them.  Although Vietnam and China have different views on 
some issues, such as territorial matters in the South China 
Sea, Vietnam, China and ASEAN reached a Code of Conduct on 
maintaining the region's status quo.  Vietnam hopes that the 
United States will support its view in this regard, DPM 
Khoan said. 
 
Fullest Possible Accounting and Human Rights 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶14. (SBU) Thanking DPM Khoan for the cooperation of the GVN 
in our fullest possible accounting activities, Congressman 
 
HANOI 00000179  004.2 OF 006 
 
 
Costello raised the USG request for U.S. Navy ships to 
participate in underwater recovery activities and asked for 
favorable consideration of this.  On WTO, he noted that, 
when considering PNTR, the Congress will not only look at 
the economic angle, but also at other matters, such as human 
rights and religious freedom.  These are issues of 
importance to Americans, and many citizens and members of 
Congress wonder why activist Dr. Pham Hong Son remains in 
prison. 
 
¶15. (SBU) Fullest possible accounting cooperation is a 
humanitarian issue.  Vietnam will work in a consistent 
manner with the United States on this, even though Vietnam 
has many missing of its own, DPM Khoan responded.  To 
address technical issues such as that raised by the 
Congressman, there is a Joint Committee, and through it both 
sides can work together to find a mutually agreeable 
solution.  The question of WTO is purely an economic issue, 
but some Congressmen are interested in tying other matters 
to it.  An Assistant Secretary of State for human rights 
(DRL A/S Lowenkron) will soon visit to participate in the 
Human Rights Dialogue, and both sides should be able to sit 
together and find an appropriate answer to matters of 
concern.  The United States and Vietnam have different 
approaches to this issue, but Vietnam fundamentally cares 
about its own people and would never do anything to harm 
them.  "This would be like shooting yourself in the foot," 
DPM Khoan explained.  Members of Congress may have bad 
information that has led to misunderstanding, which is why 
exchanges such as these are so important, DPM Khoan said. 
 
Dairy Products 
-------------- 
 
¶16. (SBU) Congressman Walden noted that Nike, headquartered 
in his state of Oregon, has a good working relationship with 
Vietnam, and he welcomes this.  American dairy producers, 
however, do not appear to enjoy the same benefits as 
domestic Vietnamese ones.  As the Congress looks at WTO, 
Jackson-Vanik and PNTR, issues of concern to agricultural 
producers will certainly be taken into consideration, Mr. 
Walden said.  DPM Khoan responded that Vietnam seeks to have 
good relations with individual states and would welcome 
future delegations.  Because Vietnam is an agricultural 
nation, agriculture is a major issue, but, as a poor 
country, it does not subsidize farmers the way the Europeans 
do.  Vietnam is willing to open its agricultural market, but 
the issue of agricultural tariffs is not a matter to be 
addressed in the current WTO negotiations.  Dealing with 
them in a Free Trade Agreement may be a next step. 
Australia and New Zealand have similar concerns about dairy 
products' market access, and if Vietnam can satisfy their 
worries, then it can satisfy U.S. worries as well, DPM Khoan 
explained. 
 
Agriculture Policy 
------------------ 
 
¶17. (SBU) Responding to Congressman Kucinich's question 
about GVN agricultural policy, particularly how Vietnam 
seeks to maintain its agricultural traditions, DPM Khoan 
noted that 70 percent of the population lives in rural areas 
and that agriculture makes up 28 percent of GDP.  Rural 
development is Vietnam's highest priority, and the quick 
pace of urban migration is a big issue.  Vietnam's policy is 
to discourage farmers from leaving their home regions, and 
to that end the GVN is making efforts to promote 
agricultural processing, such as poultry and dairy products. 
U.S. cooperation in this area would be welcome, and one U.S. 
firm has had some success in helping with cocoa planting, 
DPM Khoan said. 
 
Shrimp and Catfish 
------------------ 
 
¶18. (SBU) Congressman Jindal opened by thanking the GVN and 
the people of Vietnam for their generosity in responding to 
the Hurricane Katrina disaster.  DPM Khoan conveyed his 
sympathies and noted that, with the large numbers of ethnic 
Vietnamese directly affected by the hurricane, it was as if 
Katrina had hit Vietnam too.  On the subject of the catfish 
and shrimp dumping cases, Mr. Jindal welcomed the handling 
of these cases through normal mechanisms and urged Vietnam 
to continue to work with the United States on ways to solve 
their differences.  DPM Khoan said that whatever actions are 
 
HANOI 00000179  005.2 OF 006 
 
 
taken should not damage the confidence in free trade of 
those who participate in Vietnam's aquaculture industry. 
They are already very disadvantaged and receive no money 
from the GVN, DPM Khoan said. 
 
¶19. (SBU) Congressman Gillmor concluded by noting that, 
although the United States and Vietnam have a number of 
differences, there are many more areas in which the 
countries are in agreement. 
 
National Assembly Chairman An 
----------------------------- 
 
¶20. (SBU) Welcoming the delegation later in the day, 
National Assembly President Nguyen Van An (who was joined by 
Vice Minister of Trade Tu and Assistant Minister of Foreign 
Affairs Hung) described 2005 as marking an important 
milestone in the development of U.S.-Vietnam relations, with 
the two countries celebrating significant anniversaries. 
2006 will also be important, particularly because of 
President Bush's scheduled visit in November.  Congressman 
Gillmor noted the great progress the two countries have made 
in developing their relationship, particularly in the area 
of trade.  The BTA had succeeded in bringing the United 
States and Vietnam closer together economically, and two-way 
trade is on the rise.  With bilateral WTO negotiations 
taking place, both sides are keenly aware of the importance 
of Vietnam's WTO accession.  When a deal is finally reached, 
a majority of Congress must give its approval.  In the case 
of a trade agreement, it must be clear that it benefits both 
sides, and the clearer this is, the easier it will be for 
Congress to pass it.  The goal of the U.S. Congress is to 
have long-term and friendly relations with Vietnam, and 
Congress hopes to see a trade agreement that will help to 
advance the relationship. 
 
Fullest Possible Accounting:  Central Highlands 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶21. (SBU) Representative Johnson described the importance of 
continuing cooperation in fullest possible accounting and 
thanked Vietnam for allowing activities to take place in the 
Central Highlands.  Cooperation between the militaries of 
both countries is very good, and he urged Vietnam to 
continue to allow access to that region.  President An 
responded that Vietnamese cooperation in accounting 
activities reflects the love and tolerance of the Vietnamese 
people and leadership, and GVN policy is for these 
activities to continue. 
 
WTO 
--- 
 
¶22. (SBU) Responding to Congressman Kucinich's question 
about how Vietnam views the WTO and its role and influence 
in the world, President An said that global economic 
integration and WTO accession are the great aspirations of 
the Vietnamese people.  The U.S.-Vietnam BTA is an important 
foundation of the ongoing bilateral trade negotiations with 
the United States.  Vietnam has concluded its bilateral WTO 
negotiations with 22 partner countries, and only six remain, 
of which the United States is one.  Every country wants to 
protect its interests, and the United States and Vietnam are 
no different, but there is no reason for the United States 
not to conclude its talks with Vietnam when the EU, Japan 
and South Korea have already done so.  The biggest obstacle 
is that the United States is mandating tougher requirements 
for Vietnam than in the BTA or with other countries during 
previous negotiations.  President An requested that the 
Codel return to the United States and tell the American 
people and Congress that American conditions are too high. 
There is no reason for the United States to set such high 
conditions, which are even higher than those set by the EU 
and others. 
 
¶23. (SBU) In the past, the Vietnamese people always believed 
that Americans were beautiful people, particularly after the 
First and Second World Wars, President An continued.  Only 
after the United States sent troops to Vietnam did that view 
change.  Vietnam will always highly regard the American 
Revolution.  After all, Vietnam's own Declaration of 
Independence has a direct quote from the American 
Declaration of Independence.  Vietnam respected the decision 
of Congress during the Vietnam War to withdraw troops.  That 
was a wise decision 
 
HANOI 00000179  006.2 OF 006 
 
 
 
¶24. (SBU) U.S.-Vietnam political relations are very 
important, as are relations in the areas of trade and 
economics, education, science and technology, defense and 
security, President An said.  Vietnam hopes that both sides 
will work together to build a strong relationship not just 
for the sake of the two countries, but also for regional and 
global peace and stability.  Historically, Vietnam has never 
sent troops to the United States, but of course the United 
States has sent troops to Vietnam.  After 1975, the U.S. 
embargo policy against Vietnam was wrong and slowed down the 
development of bilateral relations.  The United States seems 
to be taking the same slow steps by setting high conditions 
on Vietnam's WTO entry, President An surmised. 
 
Dry Milk Protein Standards 
-------------------------- 
 
¶25. (SBU) In response to Representative Walden's question 
about why Vietnam's treatment of U.S. dry milk protein is 
stricter than that of Japanese dry milk protein, Vice 
Minsiter of Trade Tu explained that Vietnam and Japan have 
negotiated a General System of Preferences (GSP) agreement 
on the basis of reciprocity.  However, there is no GSP in 
the U.S.-Vietnam BTA.  Perhaps in the future the United 
States and Vietnam could sign a GSP agreement, VMOT Tu 
observed. 
 
Vietnam Would Like To See Increased Exchanges 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶26. (SBU) Vietnam and the United States should continue to 
work to develop new and better relations, President An said. 
Vietnam will never threaten the security of the United 
States or even Vietnam's own neighbors.  It will always 
respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of those 
around it and will listen to the views of others while 
staking its own place in the world.  To promote greater 
bilateral trust, Vietnam and the United States should 
increase the number of their exchanges and contacts, both 
between leaders and average citizens.  This should include 
cooperation and exchanges between the U.S. Congress and the 
National Assembly.  President An also requested U.S. 
assistance in promoting Vietnamese "human resource training" 
to allow Vietnam to adapt more easily to the global 
knowledge economy.  Vietnam still suffers from the 
consequences of the war, including Agent Orange, and hopes 
for greater U.S. cooperation in addressing this.  Vietnam is 
already very grateful for U.S. support in combating and 
preventing HIV-AIDS and avian influenza.  Representative 
Gillmor pledged to carry President An's ideas and requests 
back to Washington and closed by noting that, although 
bilateral differences remain, the areas of agreement between 
the two countries are far greater. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶27. (SBU) Although the overall atmosphere of these three 
calls was positive and cooperative, National Assembly 
President An's strident hectoring of the United States 
struck a discordant tone.  With the Communist Party's 
Central Committee Plenum beginning to wrap up, and the Party 
Congress only a few months away, it is possible that 
President An's audience was somewhere outside the room.  End 
Comment. 
 
¶28. (U) Codel Gillmor cleared this message. 
 
BOARDMAN