VZCZCXRO1472
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHHI #2080/01 2280738
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 160738Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3073
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 1651
RUEHZS/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 HANOI 002080 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
Department for EAP/MLS and IO/UNP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV UN VM
SUBJECT: VIETNAM REQUESTS USG SUPPORT FOR UN SECURITY COUNCIL SEAT 
 
 
HANOI 00002080  001.2 OF 003 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) On August 15, the Ambassador met with MFA International 
Organizations Department Director General Pham Binh Minh and was 
officially informed of Vietnam's candidacy for a non-permanent seat 
on the UN Security Council for the term 2008-2009.  The texts of a 
diplomatic note and aide memoire on the subject are included below. 
 
¶2. (SBU) In requesting U.S. support for Vietnam's candidacy, DG Minh 
noted that Vietnam will be the only Asian country seeking a UNSC 
seat.  In addition to already having received the endorsement of 
fellow ASEAN countries, Vietnam expects to receive endorsements soon 
from other Asian countries as well.  DG Minh remarked on Vietnam's 
strong commitment to international peace and stability and said the 
country hopes to cooperate with other UNSC members to promote peace. 
 
 
¶3. (SBU) The Ambassador responded that Vietnam's candidacy will 
prove valuable to its process of integration in the world community, 
but noted that UNSC membership will require a commitment of 
additional resources and a more dynamic role at Vietnam's UN 
mission.  The Ambassador also mentioned U.S. practice not to confirm 
its support for any candidacy prior to the vote. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Vietnam understands the heightened responsibility that 
comes with UNSC membership and Vietnam will have to "look at issues 
from a different perspective," DG Minh said.  He mentioned the 
efforts that Vietnam has already undertaken in preparing for its 
candidacy, including consultations with the UK, Singapore and others 
about the role and responsibilities of a UNSC member. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Begin text of diplomatic note: 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam 
presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of 
America in Hanoi and has the honor to inform the latter that the 
Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam has decided to 
present its candidature for a non-permanent seat of the UN Security 
Council (UNSC) for the term 2008-2009, for which elections will be 
held at the 62nd Session of the General Assembly in 2007. 
 
This important decision stems from Vietnam's foreign policy of peace 
and its strong commitment to the United Nations noble goals as well 
as Vietnam's wish to make greater contribution to cooperation among 
countries in the world to promote the role of the United Nations in 
international political life, especially in maintaining 
international peace and security.  Vietnam currently stands as the 
only Asian candidate for the 2008-2009 term and has the consensus 
support from members of the Association of South East Asian Nations 
(ASEAN) and from many countries from different parts of the world. 
 
Based on the excellent relations between the two countries within 
the bilateral framework and at international fora, Vietnam kindly 
requests the Government of the United States of America for the 
valuable support of Vietnam's candidature as a non-permanent member 
of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for the term 2008-2009 at the 
elections to be held in 2007. 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam 
has the pleasure to enclose herewith an Aide-Memoire on Vietnam's 
candidature. 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam 
avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the 
United States of America in Hanoi the assurances of its highest 
consideration. 
 
End text of diplomatic note. 
 
¶6. (SBU) Begin text of aide memoire. 
 
AIDE MEMOIRE 
 
The Vietnamese Government presents its candidature for the 
non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 
of the 2008-2009 term for which elections will be held at the 62nd 
Session of the General Assembly in 2007 in New York.  Vietnam's 
candidature was officially presented in 1997 and is currently the 
only Asian candidature for the 2008-2009 term and has the consensus 
support from members of the Association of South East Asian Nations 
(ASEAN) declared at the 35th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) held in 
Brunei in July 2002 and from many countries from different parts of 
the world. 
 
Vietnam is strongly committed to the principles and purposes of the 
United Nations 
 
--Vietnam has always and strongly been committed to the principles 
and purposes of the UN Charter, fully complied with international 
law and has firm confidence in the central role of the United 
Nations in maintaining international peace and security. 
 
HANOI 00002080  002.2 OF 003 
 
 
 
--Vietnam supports the strengthening of multilateralism and 
considers multilateral approaches, conducted via the UN and regional 
organizations, effective and sustainable means of resolving issues 
of common interests. 
 
--Vietnam fully realizes the importance of reforms of the UN and the 
Security Council so that the United Nations can become more 
effective in dealing with the new challenges of the 21st century. 
Vietnam will do its utmost to make active contribution to this 
significant process. 
 
Vietnam always tries its utmost to contribute to the work of the 
United Nations 
 
--Vietnam has always fulfilled the obligations of a UN member state, 
including the financial contribution to the UN budget. Vietnam has 
participated in the most responsible manner in discussions over 
different issues of the international community's interests such as 
development cooperation, human rights protection, and conflict 
resolution.  Vietnam is also highly appreciated for its 
determination in fulfilling obligations of international treaties 
and programs and plans of UN agencies. 
 
--Vietnam has actively taken part in UN policy-making activities in 
the positions as Vice-President of the UN General Assembly in 1997, 
2000 and 2003; member of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) 
in the 1997-2000 term; President of the 33rd General Assembly of the 
UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); member of the UN Human 
Rights Commission in the 2001-2003 term, member of the Executive 
Council of the UN Development Program (UNDP) and the UN Population 
Fund (UNFPA) in the 2000-2003 term; member of the Board of Governors 
of the International Atomic Energy (IAEA) in the 1991-1993, 
1997-1999, 2003-2005 terms; member of the Executive Council of the 
Universal Postal Union (UPU) of the 1999-2004 term and of the 
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in the 2003-2007 term. 
 
 
Vietnam is strongly committed to the consolidation of international 
peace and security 
 
--Vietnam supports the peaceful resolution of conflicts and disputes 
through dialogue based on the fundamental principles of 
international law and the UN Charter and a comprehensive approach to 
international peace and security. 
 
--Regarding anti-terrorism, Vietnam supports the efforts of the 
international community towards effective measures to counter 
international terrorist activities and eliminate terrorism in 
accordance with the United Nations Charter, the fundamental 
principles of international laws and in full respect of national 
sovereignty.  Vietnam is willing to cooperate with other countries 
in the world in combating and eliminating terrorism.  Vietnam has 
acceded to key international treaties on anti-terrorism.  Vietnam 
works closely with other countries and international organizations 
in enforcing those multi-lateral treaties of which Vietnam is a 
member, as well as resolutions of the United Nations on this issue. 
Vietnam has fulfilled all the obligations, including the obligation 
to submit national reports in accordance with the anti-terrorism 
Resolution No. 1373 (2001) adopted by the Security Council. 
 
--Vietnam supports general and complete disarmament.  Vietnam is 
party to important treaties on disarmament including the 
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the Biological Weapons Convention 
(BWC), the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), the Comprehensive 
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and adheres to the UN Register for 
Conventional Weapons.  Vietnam has signed the Southeast Asian 
Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ).  Vietnam has fully 
complied with the UN Security Resolution 1540 (2004) on 
non-proliferation. 
 
--Vietnam is an active member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and 
makes effective contribution to the International Organization of 
Francophonie (OIF).  Vietnam was the host of the 7th Francophonie 
Summit (1996), the 6th ASEAN Summit (1998), the 5th Asia-Europe 
Meeting (2004) and Vietnam will host the Asia-Pacific Economic 
Cooperation Summit in November 2006. 
 
On the strength of these records, the Vietnamese Government strongly 
believes that in the position of a non-permanent member of the UN 
Security Council, Vietnam will play a more active, responsible and 
constructive role in maintaining international peace and security in 
service of the common interests of member countries.  The Vietnamese 
Government highly appreciates the valuable support of member states 
at the elections to be held at the UN General Assembly 62nd Session 
in the year 2007. 
 
End text of aide memoire. 
 
 
HANOI 00002080  003.2 OF 003 
 
 
MARINE