VZCZCXRO2478
RR RUEHROV
DE RUEHHI #2510/01 2721014
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 291014Z SEP 06 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3566
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH 1899
RUEHZS/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE
RUEHROV/AMEMBASSY VATICAN 0001

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 002510 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/MLS, DRL/IRF, EUR/WE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL KIRF PHUM PGOV HUMANR VM
SUBJECT: VIETNAM'S PRESIDENT MEETS WITH CATHOLIC LEADERS 
 
REF: HCMC 1047 AND PREVIOUS 
 
SUMMARY AND COMMENT 
------------------- 
 
¶1. (SBU) On September 28, State President Nguyen Minh Triet met with 
leaders of Vietnam's Catholic Church for the first time since taking 
office in June.  During the meeting, Triet underlined the GVN's 
willingness to allow Catholics to become more involved in Vietnam's 
socio-economic development.  Though the government privately 
downplayed the significance of this "courtesy call" meeting, the 
Catholics were very pleased, especially since Triet was willing to 
frankly discuss issues related to property disputes and GVN 
permission for Church officials to visit remote parts of the county. 
 We will continue to encourage the GVN to allow the space for 
Catholics to conduct charitable and humanitarian programs in 
Vietnam.  End Summary and Comment. 
 
¶2. (SBU) On September 29, Vietnamese media widely carried reports of 
a meeting in Hanoi between President Triet and the Catholic Church's 
Episcopal Council of Bishops.  In addition to the President, 
Chairman Ngo Yen Thi of the GVN's Committee on Religious Affairs 
(CRA) participated in the meeting.  The Catholics were led by Bishop 
Nguyen Van Hoa, President of the Council.  Hanoi Archbishop Ngo 
Quang Kiet, Hue Archbishop Pham Nhu The and Ho Chi Minh City 
Cardinal Pham Minh Man were also members of the Catholic delegation. 
 In its reporting, the media emphasized the GVN's support for 
Catholic efforts to become more involved in charitable and social 
development projects while highlighting "national solidarity" on 
religious freedom. 
 
¶3. (SBU) CRA officials informed us that the meeting was merely a 
courtesy call on the President and "nothing substantive was 
discussed."  According to a close aide to Hanoi Archbishop Ngo Quang 
Kiet, the meeting was made at the request of members of the 
Episcopal Council who had wanted to congratulate the new State 
President in person.  The aide stated that after formal greetings, 
Triet asked the bishops to brief him on the status of outstanding 
issues and problems for the Church. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Archbishop Man advocated for permission for the Church to 
become more involved in charitable and humanitarian projects, the 
aide continued.  Archbishop The explained the Church's pending 
property issues (reftels).  Hung Hoa Diocese Bishop Chuong also 
outlined the difficulties faced by Church leaders trying to minister 
to Catholics in remote parts of the country, particularly in the 
northwestern region, including Son La Province.  President Triet 
told the bishops that he was surprised to hear that Catholic clergy 
still have not been able to visit places within their bishoprics in 
these regions.  Regarding property issues, Triet also said he would 
ask relating agencies to speed up the process.  As State President, 
Triet promised "to continue encouraging the Church to be more 
involved in charitable and humanitarian activities/projects," the 
aide added. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Kiet's aide noted that, despite the fact that Triet failed 
to suggest any specific measures that may help to bring immediate 
solutions to pending problems, the bishops attending the meeting 
found it encouraging that the State President took such an open and 
constructive approach to the problems of the Church.  The bishops 
were also glad that Triet did not attempt to use previous GVN 
excuses like "time is needed to educate local officials," or similar 
reasons, to justify their unwillingness to help solve the Church's 
problems.  Instead, Triet acknowledged that local officials must 
"address pending issues facing the Church as soon as possible within 
their scope of their duties and responsibilities," the aide added. 
 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) It remains to be seen whether Triet's highly publicized 
support for the Catholic's efforts to engage in humanitarian and 
charitable works aimed at poverty alleviation and healthcare will 
have a real impact on the ground.  Italso is notable that no mention 
was made of allowing the Church to enter the realm of education.  As 
with similar statements in the past, the real question is if the GVN 
actually wants to allow the Church to establish more socio-economic 
development and charitable programs.  That the Catholics report that 
Triet is at least willing to discuss the issues facing the Church in 
a frank and open manner is an encouraging sign.  We will continue to 
urge the GVN at every opportunity to allow more space for the Church 
to contribute to society in this way. End Comment. 
 
¶7. (SBU) Begin verbatim text of Vietnam news report: 
 
State President Nguyen Minh Triet has affirmed the Party and State's 
consistent policy of respecting freedom of religion and belief, as 
 
HANOI 00002510  002 OF 002 
 
 
well as creating favorable conditions for religious followers to 
contribute to national development and implement social and 
religious affairs. 
 
President Triet made the affirmation while receiving bishops of the 
Viet Nam Episcopal Council in Ha Noi on September 28. 
 
The State leader stressed that the tradition of great national unity 
was a source of strength and a driving force in the cause of 
national construction and defense. 
 
"National unity and solidarity among religions are of important 
significance that contribute to the success of the renewal process 
and lead the country forwards on the path of national 
industrialization and modernization," he said. 
 
The President urged the council to encourage Catholic followers to 
make practical contributions to the cause of national development 
and help foreign friends better understand Viet Nam's renewal 
achievements as well as its policy on freedom of religion and 
belief. 
 
Bishop Nguyen Van Hoa, President of the Viet Nam Episcopal Council, 
expressed his thanks to the Party and State for their care for 
Catholics and joy at the country's achievements in socio-economic 
development, hunger eradication and poverty reduction over the past 
years. 
 
The bishops pledged to support and make more contributions to social 
affairs, hunger eradication and poverty reduction and national 
cultural identity preservation. 
 
End text of report. 
 
ALOISI