VZCZCXRO8427
PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHNH RUEHPB
DE RUEHHM #0559 1460313
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 260313Z MAY 06
FM AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0899
INFO RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI PRIORITY 0652
RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE
RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 0938

UNCLAS HO CHI MINH CITY 000559 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM PREL KIRF SOCI PGOV VM
SUBJECT: MENNONITES GOAD AUTHORITIES:  HCMC FOLLOW UP 
 
REF: HCMC 538 
 
¶1. (SBU) On May 24 we met with the HCMC External Relations 
Office (ERO) to follow up on the May 22 clash between Mennonite 
Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang and HCMC police.  The ERO officials 
confirmed that Quang and all his followers had been released in 
the early evening of May 23.  (Per reftel, on May 22, Pastor 
Quang and eight other followers were detained following a clash 
with police in HCMC's District 2.  Officials sought to dismantle 
what they deemed to be illegal construction at Quang's 
residence.)  At the meeting, we expressed concern that 
authorities did not appear to follow due process in the case. 
We also urged HCMC authorities to act with maximum restraint in 
dealing with Quang, although it did appear from our independent 
on-the-scene look that Quang's had violated zoning and building 
permits. 
 
¶2. (SBU) The ERO officials said authorities had followed proper 
procedure.  They notified Quang on the morning of the incident 
that his construction was illegal and ordered him, in writing, 
to stop.  Quang refused and reportedly "threatened the inspector 
with a hammer."  When officials returned in the afternoon, Quang 
was not complying with the stoppage order.  He refused to 
cooperate with police when asked to hand over construction 
materials and to remove himself and his followers from the 
building site.  During the ensuing altercation with police (as 
they sought to physically remove the Mennonites from the second 
floor of the building site and to seize construction materials), 
at least one police officer was injured and sent to the hospital 
for treatment. 
 
¶3. (SBU) On May 25, the ERO faxed us a series of document to 
support its claim that local officials followed proper 
procedure.  The first document, dated May 22 at 1020 hours -- 
the morning of the incident -- is signed by HCMC building 
inspectors.  Entitled "Minute of Administrative Violation," the 
report details Quang's infractions of building and zoning 
permits, in particular the addition of a second floor to the 
premises.  The document orders Quang to cease building code 
violations and to follow strictly what was authorized in the 
repair permit issued by local authorities. 
 
¶4. (SBU) The document the ERO presented appears to have been 
countersigned by Pastor Quang.  It also includes a handwritten 
statement from Quang in which he states that he did not consider 
his construction a violation because "he is entitled to raise 
the roof of his house and, as his building serves as a house 
church, he requires a larger, well ventilated space."  Quang did 
not address the charge that he was adding improperly and 
illegally a second floor to his house. 
 
¶5. (SBU) A second document was dated May 22 at 1450 hours, just 
before police moved to remove the offending structure.  That 
document again noted building code violations and the refusal of 
Quang to comply with the earlier request to cease construction. 
The second document states that "because of the refusal of the 
owner to cease construction, the police are authorized to seize 
the offending construction materials and tools."  A third 
document lists the tools and materials that the authorities 
confiscated with an appended note stating that Mrs. Quang 
refused to sign the confiscation receipt.  By this time her 
husband already was in police custody. 
 
¶6. (SBU) Comment:  Our assessment is that the documents that we 
received from the HCMC ERO are authentic.  While local 
authorities may be scrutinizing Quang more closely than others 
in the community, there is no doubt that Quang knowingly broke 
the law and ignored legitimate orders to cease construction. 
The documents provided by the ERO reinforce our earlier 
assessment based on our discussion with Mrs. Quang, other 
members of Quang's group and neighbors that Pastor Quang -- yet 
again -- exaggerated and distorted the facts.  Unfortunately, by 
intentionally seeking confrontation with HCMC authorities, Quang 
not only put himself at risk, but also his small group of 
devoted followers.  We will continue to urge HCMC authorities to 
act with maximum restraint, sophistication and understanding in 
responding to Quang.  End Comment. 
 
Winnick