VZCZCXRO4181
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHHI #2358/01 2580942
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 150942Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3382
INFO RUEHZS/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE
RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH 1810

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 HANOI 002358 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MLS AND DRL/IRF 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM KIRF PREL PGOV VM
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR HANFORD MEETS WITH GVN OFFICIALS TO 
URGE ACTION ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ISSUES 
 
REF: A. HCMC 491 
 
     ¶B. HANOI 1133 
     ¶C. HANOI 1764 
     ¶D. HANOI 1666 
 
HANOI 00002358  001.2 OF 004 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary: On August 17, IRF Ambassador John Hanford 
met in separate meetings with Deputy Prime Minister and 
Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem and MFA International 
Organizations Department Director General Minh to discuss the 
GVN's record of implementing its commitments to improve 
religious freedom.  While acknowledging progress in some 
areas, in both meetings Ambassador Hanford urged expedited 
efforts in the Northwest Highlands.  DPM/FM Khiem asked him 
to convey to Washington a message about Vietnam's progress 
and its will and determination to overcome shortcomings. 
DPM/FM Khiem also remarked that religious and human rights 
issues should not be attached to economic issues.  DG Minh 
outlined the progress Vietnam has made since the bilateral 
Human Rights Dialogue and asserted that Vietnam continues to 
fulfill its commitments in the area of religious freedom.  DG 
Minh also questioned U.S. efforts to resolve Vietnam's CPC 
status.  End Summary. 
 
VIETNAM'S PROGRESS ON RELIGIOUS ISSUES POSITIVE... 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶2. (SBU) United States Ambassador-at-Large for International 
Religious Freedom John Hanford, accompanied by Ambassador 
Marine, met August 17 with GVN Deputy Prime Minister and 
Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem.  Ambassador Hanford began by 
noting that religious freedom is a "good news story" with 
respect to Vietnam, to which DPM/FM Khiem responded with a 
broad smile.  Ambassador Hanford mentioned that there have 
been important positive developments on religious practice in 
Vietnam during the past two or three years, such as the 
government's strong action to stop local officials from 
aggressive acts against religious groups and progress on 
registering new religious groups.  The issue of religious 
freedom was a positive aspect of the former Prime Minister's 
trip to the United States and the new PM has been reaching 
out to religious groups. 
 
¶3. (SBU) With that introduction, Ambassador Hanford said the 
purpose of his current trip is explore areas in which Vietnam 
can make further progress in addressing our issues of 
concern.  Religious freedom is of deep personal interest to 
many American citizens, as well as to the President and the 
Secretary.  There has been some negative attention in 
 
SIPDIS 
Washington concerning religious freedom in Vietnam, but it is 
also important to recognize the progress that Vietnam has 
made to date, Ambassador Hanford said. 
 
... BUT EXPEDITED EFFORTS WOULD BE TIMELY IN LIGHT OF PNTR 
--------------------------------------------- ------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) Ambassador Hanford said that the USG is strongly 
behind passage of PNTR and WTO accession for Vietnam.  In the 
area of religious freedom, issues of concern remain, and the 
USG would like Vietnam to take steps to address still 
problematic areas.  The Vietnamese government has made 
significant strides towards addressing the issues targeted in 
the exchange of letters, such as registration of places of 
worship.  Still, more action is necessary since there has 
been an uneven record of progress from province to province. 
This is particularly so in the NortQest Highlands. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Ambassador Hanford said he would meet with Vice 
Minister of Public Security Nguyen Van Huong and VM Le Van 
Bang on August 18 to discuss actions that could be taken 
during the next six weeks to address continuing religious 
freedom concerns.  This is not a proposal of new ideas, but 
rather an acceleration of current processes and increased 
Vietnamese government interaction with religious leaders. 
Ambassador Hanford said he had been assured by the Committee 
on Religious Affairs (CRA) that efforts are currently 
concentrated in the Northwest Highlands.  He suggested to CRA 
Chairman Ngo Yen Thi that current plans to approve training 
of religious leaders and to register new places of worship in 
this region could be accelerated to help address our 
concerns. 
 
¶6. (SBU) Ambassador Hanford remarked that there will be 
critics in the United States who will never be satisfied with 
Vietnam's record.  There would likely continue to be 
criticism about the lack of progress in the north, and it is 
important that registrations there procede at a faster pace. 
In addition, Ambassador Hanford said he would make specific 
suggestions about other actions that could be carried out 
 
HANOI 00002358  002.2 OF 004 
 
 
during the next six weeks at his meetings with GVN officials 
on August 18.  A roadmap of what the GVN plans to do to 
advance religious freedom would also be welcomed.  It is 
clear that the GVN has plans to register additional groups 
and provide training for local officials regarding proper 
implementation of laws on religion.  To have a statement of 
the government's intentions in the form of a letter would 
help address criticism in the United States. 
 
KHIEM'S RESPONSE: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶7. (SBU) DPM/FM Khiem said he had listened carefully to 
Ambassador Hanford's observations and was pleased that 
Ambassador Hanford expressed a good understanding of Vietnam. 
 All American delegations leave Vietnam with a good 
impression, and there is a need to promote visits and 
exchanges to enhance mutual understanding.  The U.S.-Vietnam 
relationship is developing well, and the GVN will do its 
utmost to bring the relationship to a new plane as agreed by 
the President and former PM Phan Van Khai.  Hosting the 
President during the APEC summit will be an historic event. 
One month ago, DPM/FM Khiem spoke with the Secretary and 
found her supportive on the PNTR and CPC issues.  He said he 
thought the Secretary would urge Congress to expedite 
progress on PNTR. 
 
¶8. (SBU) In terms of Ambassador Hanford's specific 
suggestions, the GVN will take note of what has not been 
accomplished and try to make progress on these items, DPM/FM 
Khiem continued.  The GVN respects the right to follow or not 
follow a religious faith, as provided in the constitution and 
in the legal framework on religion.  In cases in which some 
local authorities do not act appropriately, the central 
government will do its best to intervene.  DPM/FM Khiem asked 
Ambassador Hanford to convey a message about Vietnam's 
progress and its will and determination to overcome these 
difficulties.  He said he deeply appreciates USG support on 
PNTR and is grateful for Ambassador Hanford's efforts on 
this.  Religious and human rights issues should not be 
attached to economic issues, and, in the future, the 
situation on religion will improve.  After Vietnam is removed 
from the CPC list and PNTR is finalized, DPM/FM Khiem 
affirmed Vietnam will continue to work with the United States 
on religion and human rights issues.  Vietnam is open to 
receiving scholars and experts to look into these issues, 
DPM/FM Khiem said. 
 
 
MEETING WITH INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS DG MINH 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶9. (SBU) Immediately prior to the meeting with DPM/FM Khiem, 
Ambassador Hanford met with MFA International Organizations 
Department Director General Pham Binh Minh.  Ambassador 
Marine was also present.  (Note:  DG Minh led the Vietnamese 
side in February's Human Rights Dialogue.  End Note.) 
Responding to DG Minh's invitation to begin, Ambassador 
Hanford expressed his belief that the religious freedom 
situation in Vietnam is generally improving.  Many places in 
which harassment of religious believers was previously a 
problem are now tolerating religious activities.  Forced 
renunciations and physical abuse of religious faithful are 
also increasingly rare. 
 
¶10. (SBU) Unfortunately, progress in the Central Highlands 
has not been mirrored in the north, Ambassador Hanford 
continued.  We have yet to see a clear instance of a 
congregation in the north being able to register, although 
the CRA claims six registrations under a pilot program.  The 
Evangelical Church of Vietnam-North (ECVN) reports that 700 
applications for registration have been turned in, but that 
many have been returned unopened (not to mention that the 
organization has heard nothing of this pilot program, 
Ambassador Hanford added).  The CRA disputes this figure, and 
we have asked to see the ECVN's list of these 700 
congregations.  Furthermore, the ECVN says that it has not 
been able to arrange a meeting with the CRA in over one year, 
Ambassador Hanford said. 
 
¶11. (SBU) This lack of progress is particularly striking when 
compared to the south, Ambassador Hanford observed.  For 
example, permission was recently granted for a Christian 
training institute to be opened in the south.  This is a 
significant step forward, in part, because it represents 
progress in an area that was not part of our two countries' 
exchange of letters.  However, this progress has not been 
mirrored in the north, where the ECVN has asked for official 
 
HANOI 00002358  003.2 OF 004 
 
 
permission to train deacons, the goal of which is to have an 
increasingly sophisticated and knowledgeable church 
leadership.  This also squares with the GVN goal of having 
pastors who understand Protestantism and its teachings, but 
there has been no official response to the ECVN's request, 
Ambassador Hanford said. 
 
¶12. (SBU) DG Minh explained that his mandate for this meeting 
is to outline the progress Vietnam has made since the 
bilateral Human Rights Dialogue.  In response to the USG's 
request, the GVN allowed U.S. Mission officers to visit two 
prisons in southern Vietnam (Ref A).  U.S. Mission officers, 
including the Ambassador, have also been able to pay many 
visits to northern Vietnam and the Central Highlands. 
Furthermore, USG prisoner of concern Do Van My was released 
(Ref B).  (Note: We have not yet been able to independently 
confirm this.  End Note.)  The CRA's Chairman Ngo Yen Thi has 
separately communicated to Ambassador Hanford progress in the 
area of religious freedom (Ref C).  For example, by the end 
of June, 64 congregations were registered in the Central 
Highlands (an increase of four over the 60 reported by 
Chairman Thi in his message to Ambassador Hanford, Minh 
added) and more than 700 places of worship there were 
organized.  In the north, six congregations were registered 
and 620 places of worship were "facilitated."  All of these 
actions show that the GVN is interested in responding to USG 
concerns, DG Minh asserted. 
 
¶13. (SBU) As promised, the GVN is paying special attention to 
northern Vietnam, including the Northwest Highlands.  The CRA 
plans to continue to register congregations in northern 
Vietnam.  In September, the GVN will work with U.S. 
faith-based organization the Institute for Global Engagement 
to organize a seminar on law and religion for Southeast Asian 
nations.  The GVN is also considering the release of USG 
prisoners of concern on the occasion of the upcoming National 
Day amnesty.  However, in spite of all these actions, the GVN 
wonders what the USG has done, particularly regarding 
Vietnam's CPC status, DG Minh said. 
 
¶14. (SBU) Noting intense Congressional and other interest in 
religious freedom developments in Vietnam, Ambassador Hanford 
said that his goal for this visit is to explore with the GVN 
ways to accelerate progress in the area of religious freedom. 
 One matter of particular concern remains the north, and even 
the CRA representative at the Human Rights Dialogue 
acknowledged that local officials in this region can pose 
difficulties.  With attention increasingly focused on Vietnam 
with the PNTR discussions, the impending CPC decision and the 
President's November visit, now is the time to move forward. 
Specific GVN actions over the next six weeks and a roadmap of 
what it intends to do over the next year to advance religious 
freedom would send a significant message that Vietnam is 
committed to addressing our religious freedom concerns, 
Ambassador Hanford said. 
 
¶15. (SBU) DG Minh observed that Vice Foreign Minister Le Van 
Bang's May 2005 letter to Ambassador Hanford is still valid, 
and Vietnam continues to do what it committed to do in the 
letter.  The CRA had a plan for the Central Highlands and it 
has a plan for the north, and there will be more progress 
over the next six months.  The CRA has already organized 
three seminars to instruct trainers, and 500 officials at the 
village and commune level have received training on 
implementing the Ordinance on Religion and Belief.  Over the 
next six months, there will be further registrations of 
congregations as well.  But, we have to be realistic.  There 
are difficulties in some northern provinces, and it is not 
realistic to expect major progress in six weeks.  Vietnam 
will do everything it can, not for the USG, but for the sake 
of its own people, DG Minh said.  DG Minh noted that, just as 
the GVN promised progress in the Central Highlands, there 
will also be progress in the north.  However, after the 
exchange of letters, expectations were high that Vietnam 
would be removed from the CPC list.  "Now people doubt that 
you can do something," DG Minh said. 
 
¶16. (SBU) Ambassador Hanford explained that the exchange of 
letters was intended to address the issue of what the 
Department was legislatively mandated to do under the 
International Religious Freedom Act after Vietnam was 
designated as a CPC.  The CPC designation will be removed 
when the problems that led to the designation have been 
resolved.  Vietnam is now close, but problems remain, and 
many people are opposed to lifting CPC.  DG Minh said that 
Vietnam also has domestic constituencies, and the MFA would 
like to try to find a way forward just as it would like to 
have Vietnam's CPC designation removed. 
 
HANOI 00002358  004 OF 004 
 
 
 
¶17. (SBU) Ambassador Hanford said that there are many things 
that Vietnam can do over the next six weeks to resolve 
continued issues of concern.  Several of these are probably 
already in the works and their roll-out would only need to be 
accelerated.  For example, the CRA could work with the ECVN 
to identify mature congregations in the north and register 
some 100 of them.  A meaningful number of registrations would 
show Vietnam's obvious commitment to implementing its legal 
framework on religion.  The GVN could also continue to 
register congregations in other parts of the country, such as 
the Mennonites, the Baptists and the 7th Day Adventists. 
 
¶18. (SBU) Another issue that could quickly be addressed is 
the lack of transparency in the registration process.  The 
CRA should play a greater leadership role in this area to 
ensure that local officials do not tell different 
congregations different things when they attempt to register. 
 The release or amnesty of religious prisoner of concern Ma 
Van Bay would be another significant step.  We understand 
that his case is complicated.  Notably, he was arrested in 
1997 for church collections, something that would not be a 
crime today.  Our list of religious prisoners has, through 
the GVN's actions, been shortened to one person -- Ma Van Bay 
-- and it would be good if we could say that there are now no 
more religious prisoners of concern on our list, Ambassador 
Hanford noted. 
 
¶19. (SBU) It would also be useful to see instances in which 
the GVN holds officials accountable for violating the law 
when it comes to religious rights.  While forced 
renunciations are increasingly rare, problems still occur, 
such as when certain ethnic minority individuals are told to 
renounce their faith in return for receiving a national ID 
card.  There are also incidents, such as the ongoing problem 
in Thanh Hoa Province (Ref D).  In terms of property issues, 
there are one or two that could quickly be resolved, 
including those involving a Catholic cathedral in Hanoi and 
the ECVN's Hanoi church.  However, we recognize that these 
can be difficult because local authorities are involved. 
Similarly, the establishment of a point of contact whom 
religious groups could reach out to in case of problems with 
local authorities would be another step forward, as would 
facilitating meetings between the CRA and the ECVN. 
Approving training for pastors would be another positive 
gesture. 
 
¶20. (SBU) In short, these are all specific steps that, if 
taken over the next six weeks, would be very helpful in 
advancing our mutual interest in resolving religious freedom 
concerns.  Furthermore, a roadmap of GVN intentions and 
proposed actions over the next year would be a useful step 
forward and show Vietnam's commitment to continue to work 
with us.  DG Minh pledged to pass all of this on to VFM Bang 
(whom Ambassador Hanford was to meet on August 18, reported 
septel). 
 
¶21. (U) Ambassador Hanford cleared this message. 
MARINE