VZCZCXRO4652
PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHHI #0392/01 0530929
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 220929Z FEB 06
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0855
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 0564
RUEHZS/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 000392 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/MLS AND DRL/IRF 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM KIRF PREL PGOV VM
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR HANFORD MEETS WITH DPM VU KHOAN 
 
 
HANOI 00000392  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary:  During a February 21 meeting, IRF 
Ambassador Hanford and Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan agreed 
that the recently concluded Human Rights Dialogue will help 
to spur on further positive developments in the bilateral 
relationship.  On the issue of religious freedom, Ambassador 
Hanford acknowledged progress, but cautioned that problems 
remain.  In particular, we are concerned about local 
officials in the Northwest Highlands.  DPM Khoan recognized 
that these problems must be addressed, but nonetheless urged 
the USG to remove Vietnam's CPC designation as soon as 
possible.  DPM Khoan also noted that Vietnamese public 
opinion does not always welcome U.S. efforts in the areas of 
human rights and religious freedom, and that both the United 
States and Vietnam have to recognize that certain localities 
have special circumstances, cultures and traditions that 
must be respected.  End Summary. 
 
¶2. (SBU) United States Ambassador-at-Large for International 
Religious Freedom John V. Hanford, accompanied by Ambassador 
Marine, met February 21 with Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan. 
Responding to Ambassador Hanford's positive comments on the 
spirit and content of the recently concluded bilateral Human 
Rights Dialogue (HRD) (septel), DPM Khoan said that the HRD 
was a success and would help to lead to positive 
developments in the bilateral relationship.  The DPM praised 
Ambassador Hanford's efforts to improve mutual understanding 
through his candid and constructive discussions during 
previous visits to Vietnam.  The year 2006 will have many 
important bilateral events, and it is the responsibility of 
both the United States and Vietnam to clear the way for a 
successful Presidential visit in November, DPM Khoan said. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Ambassador Hanford expressed his commitment to 
strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in light of this 
year's historic events.  In the past, religious freedom was 
a bilateral irritant, but, thanks to the efforts of the 
Prime Minister, DPM Khoan and others, the problem is in the 
process of being removed.  DPM Khoan responded that it is 
natural for Vietnam to make efforts to improve the human 
rights and religious freedom situations for its citizens, 
and not just because of the HRD with the United States. 
Over the past year, the area of religious freedom has seen 
many improvements.  For example, Vietnam's ties with the 
Vatican continue to improve, and a Catholic Cardinal visited 
in December 2005 to ordain 57 new priests in Hanoi. 
Protestantism is also flourishing, and there are many new 
churches, congregations and pastors.  Furthermore, the GVN 
made the decision to publish bibles in two languages for 
ethnic minority practitioners in the Central Highlands. 
This decision was made based on respect for the faiths of 
the Vietnamese people.  The DPM expressed his hope that the 
USG and Ambassador Hanford will acknowledge new developments 
in Vietnam's policies and recognize the GVN's efforts to 
facilitate the HRD.  Because of Vietnamese public opinion 
and the opinion of the National Assembly, it is sometimes 
not easy to find a policy consensus, he explained. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Ambassador Hanford responded that, during the HRD, 
he acknowledged the important developments taking place in 
the area of religious freedom.  For example, many of our 
religious prisoners of concern have been released and the 
practice of forced renunciations has almost entirely been 
eliminated.  The GVN has also taken steps to facilitate the 
practice of a number of different religious groups.  Taking 
care of the issue of Vietnam's designation as a Country of 
Particular Concern (CPC) will require continued efforts, but 
we are committed to resolving this, preferably before the 
President's visit.  The President watches this issue 
closely, and the USG would like to eliminate the problem of 
religious freedom in Vietnam as a bilateral tension.  We 
have seen over the past several months that dozens of 
churches have reopened, but we would like to see hundreds of 
those previously closed to reopen, Ambassador Hanford said. 
 
¶5. (SBU) CPC is a stumbling block on the path of bilateral 
cooperation, DPM Khoan observed.  We should move it out of 
the way as soon as possible.  Vietnam is grateful for the 
commitment to resolve the CPC issue comprehensively, but 
there are also larger issues we need to address.  For 
example, the United States and Vietnam have had a complex 
history, and, while we are fortunate that the past is behind 
us, some negative sentiments remain today.  Both countries 
thus need to avoid actions that make people look back on the 
past.  For example, when USG officials meet only with 
Government opponents or religious leaders, it sends the 
wrong message.  It would be better for USG officials to 
witness the reality of religious life in Vietnam by visiting 
a pagoda or a church service.  This would allow the USG to 
understand that religious practice is normal in Vietnam. 
 
HANOI 00000392  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
Given this normality, it is difficult for Vietnamese 
citizens to understand criticism of Vietnam's lack of 
religious freedom.  It is important to understand the 
feelings of the Vietnamese and for the United States to work 
closely with Vietnam to earn the people's support for 
further developing bilateral relations.  As hard as it was 
to win Vietnamese public support for the Bilateral Trade 
Agreement or WTO, it is even harder to bring people around 
to support this human rights and religious freedom dialogue 
process, the DPM noted. 
 
¶6. (SBU) Ambassador Hanford rejoined that on three previous 
visits to Vietnam, he was able to visit both churches and 
pagodas and meet with Government-approved religious leaders. 
It is true that many Vietnamese enjoy a high level of 
religious freedom.  Provided we are able to continue to 
resolve our issues of concern, the USG is prepared to argue 
in favor of CPC removal and prepared for the criticism it 
would subsequently receive.  The Secretary is very 
interested in religious freedom and had a good discussion 
with FM Nien on this matter in Busan last November.  While 
there have been improvements, problems also remain, although 
they are decreasing.  For example, one problem appears to be 
with local authorities, particularly in the Northwest 
Highlands, and less so now in the Central Highlands.  Even 
Vietnam's own Commission on Religious Affairs, during a 
visit to the Northwest Highlands, heard from local officials 
that there are no religious practitioners in their region. 
GVN efforts to educate local officials will make the 
difference in this matter.  Vietnam's new legal framework on 
religion provides increased latitude for believers and, as 
more groups are able to register, people in the United 
States will recognize the improvements, and criticism will 
decrease, Ambassador Hanford stressed. 
 
¶7. (SBU) The U.S. Congress and the National Assembly play an 
important role, DPM Khoan observed.  The better each 
legislature understands each other, the easier it will be 
for the two countries to work together.  The incident 
Ambassador Hanford cited may have happened, and Vietnam has 
policies to address this.  If local authorities act 
improperly, then there has to be a solution to deal with it. 
However, it is important for Vietnam and the United States 
to take into account that localities have their own cultures 
and traditions we need to respect.  At the same time, local 
officials need to take into account the special 
characteristics of local traditions and cultures.  Problems 
that arise are like a small-scale clash of civilizations. 
One the one hand, Hanoi demands that local authorities obey 
and conform to central government laws.  On the other, Hanoi 
has to be aware of special local circumstances.  We should 
be patient.  If we are in a rush, it may lead to unnecessary 
social tensions, DPM Khoan said. 
 
¶8. (SBU) Another issue of concern is the need for previously 
closed churches to be reopened and legally registered, 
Ambassador Hanford said.  Although the situation in the 
Central Highlands is improving, authorities in the Northwest 
Highlands appear to be resisting.  We are hopeful that the 
positive efforts of the Ministry of Public Security and the 
Commission for Religious Affairs will help to spur on 
improvements over the next four to six months, and that 
churches will in greater numbers be able to register. 
 
¶9. (SBU) Vietnam has a plan to work on these issues, DPM 
Khoan noted.  That some churches have had difficulty opening 
should not be construed as GVN policy.  Not being able to 
build a church because of lack of land is not the same as 
the GVN forbidding the construction in the first place.  In 
any event, the HRD will help both countries to understand 
each other better.  DPM Khoan expressed his hope that 
Ambassador Hanford would continue to do everything possible 
to fully deal with the CPC issue.  In addition to CPC, 
Vietnam's WTO aspirations will demand much work from the 
United States and Vietnam.  At present, there are a large 
number of foreign and American companies seeking to do 
business in Vietnam.  Vietnam and the United States will 
also work hard this year to ensure that APEC is a success, 
DPM Khoan concluded. 
 
¶10. (U) Ambassador Hanford cleared this message. 
 
MARINE