VZCZCXRO4776
OO RUEHHM
DE RUEHHI #2309 2510919
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 080919Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3331
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 1770
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC

UNCLAS HANOI 002309 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR S/EX-CR, S/EX-O, AND EAP/MLS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL OPDC VM
SUBJECT: THANK YOU LETTER FROM PRESIDENT TRIET TO PRESIDENT GEORGE 
¶W. BUSH 
 
Ref: State 142315 
 
¶1. (SBU) On September 6, 2006, under cover of diplomatic note, the 
MFA sent the Embassy a letter from State President Nguyen Minh Triet 
to President George W. Bush.  In the letter, President Triet thanks 
President Bush for his recent National Day message (reftel) and 
seeks the President's support for the quick passage in Congress of 
Vietnam's PNTR legislation.  The MFA's translation of the letter 
follows in paragraph 2.  The signed original and cover note will be 
sent via unclassified pouch. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Begin text of letter to President George W. Bush: 
 
Message of Thanks 
Hanoi, September 6, 2006 
 
The President 
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam 
 
To: His Excellency George W. Bush 
President of the United States of America 
Washington, D.C. 
 
Mr. President, 
 
On behalf of the State and people of Vietnam, I would like to 
express my sincere thanks for your kind words of congratulations on 
the occasion of Vietnam's National Day.  I fully share your view and 
desire to further speed up the strong momentum of our bilateral 
relations in the time to come. 
 
The 14th APEC Summit is coming near and Vietnam is finalizing 
preparations and working with member economies to ensure a fruitful 
and productive summit, contributing to further enhancing the role of 
APEC as we all wish.  Vietnam highly values the United States' 
active cooperation in this preparation process. 
 
We are indeed glad to also have the opportunity to welcome you and 
your spouse to pay an official visit to our country.  We believe 
that your visit will constitute an important milestone and open a 
new chapter in the friendship between our two countries.  In that 
spirit, I believe it is necessary for our two countries to make an 
effort to complete the last span of the bridge to normalizing our 
relations, namely the U.S. Congress' approval of granting Permanent 
Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status for Vietnam.  I highly 
appreciate your personal attention and support to this issue as it 
is beneficial to both countries and hope that you will lend your 
prestige to facilitate this process in the U.S. Congress and its 
leadership.  I am encouraged to know that the Government officials 
and business circles of the two countries, as well as those who 
desire to further strengthen Vietnam-U.S. relations, are making 
joint efforts to support this process and contribute to your 
successful visit to Vietnam. 
 
May I wish Your Excellency good health and every success in your 
noble position.  May your family live in happiness and prosperity. 
We are looking forward to seeing you in Vietnam this November. 
 
Signed 
Nguyen Minh Triet 
 
End text of letter. 
 
MARINE