VZCZCXRO4377
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHHI #0312/01 0530826
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 220826Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4663
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH 2587
RUEHZS/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 000312 
 
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SENSITIVE 
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STATE FOR EAP/MLS AND DRL/IRF 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV VM
SUBJECT: SUBJECT: MFA DEMARCHE ON STATUS OF THREE POLITICAL 
DISSIDENTS 
 
REF: CDA-DESK E-MAIL 2/19/07 
 
HANOI 00000312  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Summary:  The MFA briefed Embassy Hanoi on February 19 
regarding the cases of three prominent political activists.  The MFA 
reported that Father Nguyen Van Ly, an activist resident in Hue, is 
under investigation and is under administrative restrictions. 
Separately, Vietnamese officials stated that imprisoned activist 
Nguyen Vu Binh may be released later this year, but will not be 
included in the current Tet amnesty.  Finally, the MFA indicated 
that it is looking into the possible release of Phan Van Ban, on the 
condition that he leave Vietnam for the United States.  This unusual 
mid-holiday demarche was calculated to influence U.S. reaction to 
actions against Father Ly and the fact that Nguyen Vu Binh will not 
be released this month.  The MFA is aware that these actions, 
directed by "other agencies," could complicate Deputy Prime Minister 
Pham Gia Khiem's visit to Washington next month.  End Summary. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) On February 19, in the midst of Vietnam's Lunar New Year 
holiday, MFA America's Department Deputy Director General Nam called 
the acting political counselor to the MFA to deliver several 
messages related to human rights activists.  DDG Nam began by 
reporting that "local authorities" in the province of Thua Thien Hue 
initiated on February 18 an "administrative check" into the 
activities of activist Father Nguyen Van Ly after receiving reports 
that Ly has been acting to "gather forces" to oppose local 
Vietnamese authorities.  The MFA officials added that, since his 
release, Ly has been engaged in inappropriate activities.  He stated 
that, because of the review, it would not be appropriate for USG 
personnel to attempt to visit Father Ly. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) (Note: Over the past year, Father Ly has publicly 
associated himself with several campaigns to organize peaceful calls 
for regime change in Vietnam.  Earlier on February 19, an ethnic 
Vietnamese individual in the United States called the acting 
political counselor to pass on reports that scores of security 
officials are ringing the residence of Father Ly.  End Note). 
 
¶4.  (SBU) Deputy DG Nam next told the acting political counselor 
that the MFA is in discussions with "concerned authorities" 
regarding the release of imprisoned activist Nguyen Vu Binh.  Nam 
stated that Binh will not be released on the occasion of the Tet 
holiday, but may be released about the time of the May 1 holiday or 
the national day holiday on September 2. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) On a third case, Nam recalled earlier conversations with 
U.S. Embassy officials concerning imprisoned activist Phan Van Ban. 
 Nam stated that the MFA is interested in exploring the possibility 
of releasing Ban so that he can join his son in the United States. 
Nam requested that U.S. diplomats help secure a letter from the 
Amcit son indicating that he is prepared to receive his father and 
also noted that Vietnamese authorities are interested in determining 
whether Ban is willing to leave Vietnam for the United States. 
 
¶6.  (SBU) The acting political counselor commented on all three 
cases.  With regard to Mr. Binh, he reminded DDG Nam that Deputy 
Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem had promised 
Secretary Rice in November, 2006 that Binh would be released "soon," 
 
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which we had taken to mean before or during the Tet amnesty.  He 
noted our strong concern and disappointment that Binh has not been 
released.  Nam reiterated that the MFA continues to work toward the 
release of Binh, in accord with Khiem's statement.  With regard to 
Father Ly, the acting political counselor noted that we are unaware 
of anything that Father Ly had done that was inconsistent with the 
peaceful expression of one's political views.  He questioned why 
this prominent dissident had been subject to an "administrative 
check" during the middle of the Tet holiday.  He also asked whether 
Ly had been subject to such "checks" in the past.  Nam replied that 
the MFA does not have any details on the case and referred us to the 
provincial authorities on both questions.  With regard to Phan Van 
Ban, the acting political counselor reminded Nam that DPM/FM Khiem 
had also agreed in November that Ambassador Marine would be able to 
visit Ban in prison, but that the MFA has yet to arrange that 
meeting.  He added that we stand ready to facilitate Mr. Ban's 
departure for the United States if Ban wants to leave Vietnam. 
 
¶7.  (SBU) Comment:  The MFA took the unusual step of calling us in 
during their long Lunar New Year holiday to provide us with "its 
side of the story" ahead of possible press reporting with regard to 
the cases of Father Ly and Nguyen Vu Binh, knowing that both the 
"investigation" of Father Ly and the absence of Nguyen Vu Binh from 
the Tet amnesty lists may garner comment and press play.  The MFA is 
also of course concerned with our reaction to DPM/FM Khiem's failure 
to deliver on his commitments to the Secretary with regard to the 
release of Nguyen Vu Binh in advance of Khiem's March 15-16 
discussions in Washington.  Hints of movement on Phan Van Ban add 
some potential good news to the mix.  We have passed the message of 
USG concern about action against Father Ly, and a "delay" in the 
release of Nguyen Vu Binh, noting that these messages will not be 
 
HANOI 00000312  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
well received in Washington.  Mission Vietnam will continue to seek 
information/further clarification on these important cases. 
 
ALOISI