VZCZCXRO5636
RR RUEHHM
DE RUEHHI #2435/01 2640955
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 210955Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3487
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH 1863

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 HANOI 002435 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
Department for EAP/MLS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV VM
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR REVIEWS BILATERAL ISSUES WITH VFM LE VAN BANG 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary.  On September 20, the Ambassador met with VFM Le 
Van Bang to review a range of bilateral issues in the run-up to the 
President's visit.  Presenting a list of potential deliverables and 
next steps, the Ambassador described our hopes for progress in each. 
 On the issue of establishing a Peace Corps program, the Ambassador 
reiterated the need to conclude a detailed agreement, while VFM Bang 
suggested the need for a more gradual approach.  The Ambassador also 
raised the Dalat Nuclear Conversion project, the status of pending 
commercial projects, and the need for better bilateral cooperation 
in law enforcement.  The Ambassador urged that the case of detained 
Amcit Cong Thanh Do be resolved promptly.  More generally regarding 
human rights, he stressed the need for greater transparency in 
handling detainees and more accountability for officials guilty of 
abuses.  In justifying the GVN's arrest of activists, VFM Bang 
stressed the need for the GVN to maintain stability, citing the coup 
in Thailand and unrest in the Philippines as evidence of the dangers 
of dropping one's guard.  End summary. 
 
Focus on APEC and President's visit 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) The Ambassador discussed a range of issues with VFM Bang on 
the morning of his departure from Hanoi en route to the United 
States.  The Ambassador noted that the Mission's focus is 
increasingly on the President's visit to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City 
(HCMC) in November.  The Ambassador mentioned that Washington has 
begun work on a draft joint statement for the President's visit, and 
that in order for it to be a meaningful document, it must highlight 
concrete accomplishments, not just include general statements.  Next 
week, a high-level White House site survey team will visit Hanoi and 
HCMC.  VFM Bang regretted that he will not be in Hanoi to greet the 
White House team, but assured the Ambassador that it will receive a 
high-level reception.  The GVN is assigning the correct counterparts 
to engage the U.S. team to ensure that it accomplishes its mission. 
 
 
ASEAN meeting with the President at APEC 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶3. (SBU) Concerning a meeting for the President with ASEAN leaders, 
the Ambassador reminded VFM Bang that the participation of Burma at 
any such meeting would not be acceptable.  Bang said the matter is 
still being discussed and that there "needs to be a consensus 
reached among the ASEAN members."  Ideally Vietnam would like to see 
all ten ASEAN members participate in a meeting with the President, 
but - given that this is not feasible - Vietnam may fall back to the 
Busan model involving the seven members of APEC that are also ASEAN 
members.  VFM Bang emphasized the importance of such a meeting.  The 
Ambassador agreed, noting it is an opportunity that should not be 
missed, but that it cannot take place if Burma attends. 
 
Peace Corps 
----------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) The Ambassador raised the establishment of a Peace Corps 
program in Vietnam, a key deliverable for President Bush's visit. 
He noted that a significant amount of work has already been done, 
but that there are still differences that must be resolved.  The 
Ambassador pressed for GVN agreement to receive a Peace Corps 
representative in Hanoi to negotiate a final agreement, and that the 
GVN designate an MFA interlocutor.  VFM Bang suggested that the GVN 
welcomes a follow-on visit, but did not provide details on dates or 
the name of an interlocutor. 
 
¶5. (SBU) VFM Bang further explained that a Peace Corps presence in 
Vietnam is "a little controversial" and will need to be worked out 
"step by step."  For "publicity purposes," he suggested it would be 
acceptable to announce that our two governments have a Peace Corps 
program in the works, but that the details of implementing the 
program would need to be worked out over time, perhaps with a 
gradual roll out, similar to what was done with the POW-MIA and 
ordnance programs.  This would "give people a chance to get used to 
the idea."  The Ambassador clarified that, in his understanding, if 
the details of the program are not finalized in advance of the 
President's visit, neither the White House nor the Peace Corps will 
be in a position to make an announcement about it. 
 
¶6. (SBU) VFM Bang responded that the President could make an 
announcement, after which the details of the program could be worked 
out "step by step," in part to prove to "other GVN agencies" that 
the Peace Corps program is good.  He implied that others in the GVN 
remain suspicious of the Peace Corps and argue that there are 
already many NGOS in Vietnam providing training in education.  The 
Ambassador pointed out that, despite the current NGO presence, 
Vietnam "still has plenty of needs."  If the Peace Corps cannot 
launch a program growing to at least 30 volunteers in its first two 
years, it would be very difficult to justify the program 
financially.  VFM said he personally would like to have "100 or 
1,000 volunteers" because Vietnam needs teachers, but that "we need 
to build trust first.  After trust is established, we will be able 
 
HANOI 00002435  002 OF 003 
 
 
to go as far as possible." 
 
Counterterrorism: Dalat Nuclear Project and PSI 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶7. (SBU) The Ambassador asked VFM Bang to work to accelerate 
approval of the Dalat Nuclear Conversion project, through which 
low-enriched uranium would be substituted for highly-enriched 
uranium at no cost to Vietnam in Dalat's Russian-supplied research 
reactor.  This would reduce the GVN's expense in providing security 
measures to protect the highly-enriched uranium, money that the GVN 
could use elsewhere.  VFM Bang noted that action is with the 
Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), which is the lead GVN 
agency on this matter.  The Ambassador agreed, noting that the 
Department of Energy is sending an official to Hanoi in October to 
continue discussions.  The Ambassador also urged GVN endorsement of 
PSI, noting that four other ASEAN members had already done so and 
describing various ways by which the GVN could endorse the 
initiative.  VFM Bang recalled that the GVN now cooperates on 
nonproliferation interdiction matters on a case-by-case basis. 
 
Commercial Deals 
---------------- 
 
¶8. (SBU) In the area of U.S.-Vietnam commercial activity, several 
significant agreements could be signed either during the President's 
visit or in its run-up.  The Ambassador mentioned, in particular, 
agreements involving Boeing aircraft, Liberty Mutual insurance, an 
SSA Marine port project, power projects involving AES and Gannon and 
Motorola mobile communications infrastructure equipment. 
 
Law Enforcement Cooperation 
--------------------------- 
 
¶9. (SBU) The Ambassador urged VFM Bang to use his influence to spur 
bilateral law enforcement cooperation, including the sharing of 
information.  He mentioned that the lack of cooperation to date has 
caused some in the United States to suggest that steps should be 
taken to disrupt the flow of funds between the two nations due to 
the large amounts of drug-related money laundered through that 
channel.  Law enforcement cooperation needs to be improved in order 
to address the money laundering and other issues.  A draft MOU 
between DEA and the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) is languishing 
within the MPS.  VFM Bang said he would talk to the MPS about the 
status of the MOU.  The Ambassador also pushed for quick approval of 
the pending repatriation agreement. 
 
Human rights issues remain an area for improvement 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶10. (SBU) As a vote on PNTR for Vietnam approaches, the Ambassador 
noted that there will be more attention paid to the human rights and 
religious freedom situation in Vietnam.  The detention of U.S. 
citizen Cong Thanh Do, an activist who has advocated for political 
freedom in Vietnam, is a concern.  The longer Do remains detained 
without charges, the more negatively this case will impact on 
Vietnam's human rights record.  GVN prosecutors need to complete 
their investigation and, if there is no case against him, release 
him.  While we were pleased with the release of two prisoners of 
conscience in early September, we remain concerned about the cases 
of three other U.S. citizen prisoners of conscience detained without 
charge on suspicion of links with Nguyen Huu Chanh, as well as 
reports of arrests of Vietnamese participants associated with the 
8406 Movement.  The Ambassador stressed we will always raise our 
concern over the arrest of persons for expressing their views.  We 
had also heard of a case in which a minority individual from the 
Central Highlands was beaten and died in custody.  Officials who 
commit abuses need to be held accountable for their actions.  Abuse 
cases need the careful attention of the GVN.  One bad case 
overshadows all the progress that has been made, the Ambassador 
concluded. 
 
VFM Bang justifies detentions on security grounds 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶11. (SBU) Responding to the Ambassador's points, VFM Bang asserted 
that since the beginning of this year the GVN has worked to create 
an atmosphere conducive to the President's visit and to focus on the 
positive.  VFM Bang assessed that, to date, the atmosphere of the 
bilateral relationship has yet to change for the better - it still 
remains "balanced."  According to VFM Bang, the U.S. citizens 
affiliated with Nguyen Huu Chanh are detained and under 
investigation for their violent terrorist intentions.  The 
Ambassador replied that if that is the case, then the evidence 
should be made clear, they should be charged and then be allowed to 
appear court.  He continued, stating that it is our understanding 
that the three detained U.S. citizens are not undergoing active 
interrogations and are not linked to violent activities. 
 
¶12. (SBU) VFM Bang contended that these individuals and others are 
 
HANOI 00002435  003 OF 003 
 
 
in jail because they are agitating to overthrow the government.  The 
GVN needs to protect the stability of the government.  He cited 
recent events in Thailand and Mindanao as evidence of the possible 
outcome of not arresting those seeking the overthrow of the 
government.  He also said that, if Chanh could succeed in "doing 
something" in connection with the President's visit, it would be 
very bad for Vietnam.  He noted U.S. citizen Ly Tong's unauthorized 
flight over HCMC in advance of then-President Clinton's visit as 
evidence that some "activists" are dangerous. 
 
¶13. (SBU) The Ambassador told the VFM that the USG continues to 
investigate Nguyen Huu Chanh's activities, but that we need greater 
transparency and flow of information from the Vietnamese in order to 
understand what he may have done.  VFM Bang concluded on the same 
line of thought, saying that a 70-year-old woman who has a canister 
of gasoline to throw at the Prime Minister can be dangerous.  "We 
will have to take care of security, otherwise it will be a no man's 
land here," VFM Bang said. 
 
¶14. (SBU) Comment:  VFM Le Van Bang has just returned to Vietnam 
from a trip overseas, and the back-and-forth on each issue raised in 
this early morning meeting was limited to some degree by time.  The 
Ambassador left with VFM Bang a non-paper on possible deliverables 
and next steps to ensure that our messages were received.  We will 
continue to follow up on all of them as November approaches.  End 
Comment. 
 
ALOISI