VZCZCXRO2034
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHNH RUEHPB
DE RUEHHI #1011/01 1230953
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 030953Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1703
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 1069
RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM
RUEVAAN/VA CENTRAL OFC WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 001011 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR E, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OVIP PREL PGOV SOCI PHUM KIRF VM
SUBJECT:  VETERANS AFFAIRS SECRETARY NICHOLSON MEETS 
VIETNAMESE PM KHAI 
 
HANOI 00001011  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. (U) Summary: Secretary of Veterans Affairs James 
Nicholson told Prime Minister Phan Van Khai during their 
April 28 meeting that the United States strongly supports 
Vietnam's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) 
and achievement of Permanent Normalized Trade Relations 
(PNTR).  He emphasized that continued improvements in 
religious freedoms, human rights protections, access for 
U.S. POW/MIA searches, and care for veterans will remain 
important issues for the President and the U.S. Congress. 
The PM praised U.S.-Vietnam cooperation to date, noting that 
expanded economic relations allowed Vietnam to afford more 
care for its veterans.  Khai asked Nicholson to convey to 
President Bush Vietnam's request for quick WTO accession, 
support for the subsequent PNTR vote in Congress, and 
increased humanitarian aid for war victims.  End Summary. 
 
¶2. (U) In the second day of his visit to Hanoi, Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs James Nicholson met Vietnamese Prime 
Minister Phan Van Khai April 28 at Government House.  Khai 
warmly welcomed the Secretary, noting that the rapid 
development of bilateral ties between the United States and 
Vietnam was greatly assisted by exchanges like this one and 
the Speaker of the House's recent visit.  Khai told 
Nicholson "we should put aside the past" and focus on our 
"shared future," a goal Nicholson seconded.  Khai also 
expressed appreciation for the interest U.S. investors have 
shown in Vietnamese markets, including Microsoft CEO Bill 
Gates, who visited Hanoi last week.  The November 2006 Asia 
Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit and President 
Bush's visit to Hanoi will allow the United States and 
Vietnam to further develop these economic and political 
relationships, Khai declared.  Hanoi is very much looking 
forward to welcoming President Bush, he added. 
 
PM KHAI: GROWTH IN ECONOMY EQUALS BETTER VETERAN CARE 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
¶3. (U) The Prime Minister asserted that the success of 
Vietnam's "doi moi" or renovation policy that has so 
transformed its economy has also allowed the Government of 
Vietnam (GVN) to take better care of its veterans.  Vietnam 
greatly "cares for its former soldiers and invalids," Khai 
asserted.  It also pays for special medical treatment for 
those with serious injuries. 
 
¶4. (U) Care for U.S. missing in action is also important, 
said Khai.  The U.S. Missing in Action (MIA)/Prisoners of 
War (POW) search effort is a humanitarian issue.  The Prime 
Minister expressed hope for continued cooperation in the 
search for both U.S. and Vietnamese MIA. 
 
PM KHAI'S THREE REQUESTS 
------------------------ 
 
¶5. (U) Khai then presented Secretary Nicholson with three 
requests, asking Nicholson to convey them to President Bush. 
First and foremost, he said, Vietnam wants World Trade 
Organization (WTO) accession this year, and certainly before 
the November APEC summit.  He asked for U.S. support and a 
quick close to bilateral negotiations.  Secondly, after WTO 
accession, Vietnam will also need U.S. support to achieve 
Permanent Normalized Trade Relations (PNTR) with the United 
States.  This endorsement from the U.S. Congress will be 
critical, he said.  Finally, Khai complimented U.S. aid and 
assistance programs to Vietnam, specifically praising U.S. 
programs to help Vietnam combat HIV/AIDS, avian influenza, 
and demining problems.  He noted, however, that while the 
consequences of war on infrastructure could be repaired, the 
impact of Agent Orange and damage to severely wounded 
veterans was more long-term.  Because of this, Khai asked 
the United States to consider increasing the amount given to 
humanitarian relief programs in Vietnam. 
 
SECRETARY NICHOLSON DISCUSSES BUSH VISIT, MIA/POW ACCESS 
 
SIPDIS 
--------------------------------------------- ----------- 
 
¶6. (U) Secretary Nicholson responded by first expressing 
pleasure at the opportunity to return to Vietnam after 
almost forty years.  He noted that President Bush was also 
looking forward to his visit in November.  The Secretary 
said the President also enjoyed hosting the Prime Minister 
during his trip to the United States last year, a visit that 
went a long way in furthering bilateral relations. 
Secretary Nicholson emphasized that the ideas shared during 
 
SIPDIS 
these visits and exchanges are important to helping veterans 
in both countries. 
 
HANOI 00001011  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
 
¶7. (U) The Secretary told Khai he had visited war invalids 
that morning and discussed veterans affairs with several 
Vietnamese officials.  Secretary Nicholson added that he 
also reviewed the current POW/MIA programs here, and thanked 
Khai for giving the United States the opportunity to search 
the Central and Northwest Highlands, areas where U.S. access 
was restricted until only recently. 
 
WTO AND PNTR 
------------ 
 
¶8. (U) Turning to the issue of WTO and the PNTR vote in 
Congress, the Secretary first noted that President Bush 
supports Vietnam's entry into the WTO.  He commended 
Vietnam's progress in increasing religious freedoms and 
human rights protections for the Vietnamese people.  These 
issues are very closely watched by President Bush and the 
U.S. Congress, he said.  The Secretary stressed that 
continued improvements in religious freedom, human rights 
protections, care for veterans, and MIA/POW search access 
will all remain important priorities for the President and 
Congress. 
 
¶9. (U) Secretary Nicholson concluded the meeting by 
affirming that Vietnam and the United States shared a bright 
future because they also shared four important goals.  The 
mutual hopes for peace, prosperity, opportunity, and freedom 
were the foundations for a strong relationship and even 
greater development, said the Secretary.  PM Khai heartily 
agreed. 
 
¶10. (U) Secretary Nicholson's staff members have cleared 
this message. 
 
MARINE