VZCZCXRO2256
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHHI #0675/01 1010749
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 110749Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5104
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH 2868
RUEHZS/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 000675 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/MLS AND DRL/AWH 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF OTRA ECON VM
 
SUBJECT: CODEL ORTIZ DISCUSSES GROWING U.S.-VIETNAM TIES, EMR 
INCIDENT, WITH SENIOR MFA AND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OFFICIALS 
 
Ref: Hanoi 636 
 
HANOI 00000675  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1. (SBU) On April 6, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham 
Gia Khiem and National Assembly Vice Chairman Nguyen Van Yeu 
separately told Codel Ortiz that U.S.-Vietnam relations are growing 
across the board and are bound to expand more in the coming years. 
Both leaders cited recent landmarks in the evolving relationship, 
such as Vietnam's accession to the WTO and the exchange of 
high-level visits, and appealed for "more discussion" to narrow 
differences on contentious issues such as trade and human rights. 
DPM/FM Khiem noted that defense cooperation is developing well in 
the areas of counterterrorism, the search for MIAs and military 
equipment sales.  The Codel said the USG is committed to stronger 
relations with Vietnam. 
 
¶2. (SBU) The previous day's incident at the Ambassador's residence, 
in which security officers physically prevented the family members 
of political activists to enter (reftel), was raised in both 
meetings, with Codel member Loretta Sanchez telling her hosts that 
she will inform her constituents that Vietnam is "going backwards" 
in the area of hman rights.  The Ambassador informed DPM/FM Khiem 
that the incident "did not reflect well on our reationship."  He 
added that much work needs to bedone, through such venues as the 
Human Rights Dilogue, to improve understanding.  End Summary. 
 
DM/FM Pham Gia Khiem 
--------------------- 
 
¶3. SBU) During his meeting with the Codel (full delegtion list in 
paragraph 16), DPM/FM Khiem focusedhis remarks on his March visit 
to the United Staes and the "expansion and increasing 
effectivenes" of our bilateral relations.  Highlights of his tip 
were the signing of key agreements on nonprolferation and maritime 
trade, discussions in prepration for President Nguyen Minh Triet's 
own vist to the United States later this year and the DPM/M's 
delivery of a letter from Prime Minister Nguen Tan Dzung to the 
President requesting expandig bilateral education assistance. 
High-level vists between the United States and Vietnam are on th 
rise, and the DPM/FM discussed his desire for evn more delegations 
to visit the United States an Vietnam.  Furthermore, security and 
other coopeation is developing well in the areas of 
countererrorism, the search for MIAs and military equipmet sales, 
said DPM Khiem. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Chairman Ortz said he will work to strengthen the bond 
betwen the United States and Vietnam.  "While we learn s we move 
along, more things unite our governmens than divide us."  There 
have been advances in ivil rights and religious activities in 
Vietnam, nd there have been many positive changes since hisfirst 
visit in 1983.  Rep. Wilson praised Vietna's dynamic economy and, 
citing DPM/FM Khiem's coments about military relations, recalled 
that tw Vietnamese officers willsoon graduate from their 
DOD-funded English-langage program in the United States, providing 
the roundwork for further cooperation in the future.  Wile 
acknowledging that we have concerns, Rep. Bodallo also commented on 
the many changes she hasseen in Vietnam over the past 25 years. 
Overall,relations between the countries are improving, shesaid, 
and the more we "sit together and discuss cncerns, the better 
friends we will become." 
 
5 (SBU) Rep. Sanchez thanked the DPM for being alloed to visit 
after not having been able to receiv a visa for almost five years. 
She observed that when she came in 2000, she was allowed to move 
around the country, meeting with political dissidents and human 
rights advocates.  Since that time, most of these people have been 
jailed, and her request to visit some of them in prison (Note: NED 
Fellow Le Quoc Quan) was denied.  Furthermore, the incident the day 
before was "disheartening," the Congresswoman said.  When she 
returns to Washington, she will report what she saw -- that Vietnam 
is going backwards in the area of human rights.  Congresswoman 
Sanchez expressed hope that the GVN will begin to understand the 
importance of basic human rights for the Vietnamese people. 
 
¶6. (SBU) DPM Khiem responded that he "shares Sanchez's view about 
human rights," but further stated that each country has different 
conditions and laws adopted based on the consensus of the majority. 
Only those who break the law are tried.  He agreed with the need for 
more discussion, mentioning his meetings on the Hill during his trip 
and the upcoming bilateral Human Rights Dialogue. 
 
¶7. (SBU) The Ambassador agreed with Rep. Sanchez regarding the 
growing concern about human rights in Vietnam.  Referring to the 
incident at his residence, he said it was an "ugly scene" such as he 
had never witnessed in Vietnam.  "It did not reflect well on our 
 
HANOI 00000675  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
relationship," he emphasized. 
 
NA Vice Chairman Yeu 
-------------------- 
 
¶8. (SBU) At a separate meeting at the National Assembly (NA), Vice 
Chairman Nguyen Van Yeu concentrated his remarks on the positive 
trends in U.S.-Vietnam relations.  He cited the Codel's visit to the 
National Assembly as "one more landmark" in the evolving 
relationship, and relayed that he hopes more exchanges between 
legislators from the two countries take place. 
 
¶9. (SBU) In continuing down the renewal ("doi moi") path, the GVN is 
always looking to expand relations with other countries, Yeu 
continued.  Vietnam's accession to the WTO, growing U.S.-Vietnam 
trade and the exchange of high-level visits are proof that 
U.S.-Vietnam ties are strong and destined to get stronger.  Yeu 
thanked Codel members for U.S. assistance to fight avian influenza 
and HIV/AIDS and said "it is good to see" cooperation between our 
two countries in defense and security.  It is now "normal" to see 
U.S. naval ships calling on Vietnam's ports, he remarked. 
 
¶10. (SBU) In the context of sound relations, certain issues remain, 
meaning that more dialogue is needed, the Vice Chairman continued. 
He cited "basa" fish and human rights issues as areas in which more 
discussion should take place.  The NA pays a lot of attention to the 
issue of Intellectual Property Rights because Vietnam understands it 
is in its benefit to do so.  "We strive for cooperation on this 
issue with other countries, including the United States," Yeu 
asserted. 
 
¶11. (SBU) Rep. Wilson told Yeu and the other NA officials that the 
Vietnamese Embassy and NA staff in Washington have impressed him 
with their professionalism and dedication to the U.S.-Vietnam 
relationship.  He thanked meeting participants for their efforts to 
expand trade and push finding those unaccounted for from the Vietnam 
War.  Vietnam has achieved a great deal economically in such a short 
time, and Rep. Wilson urged the NA to send more delegations to 
Washington to further improve relations.  Rep. Bordallo added 
applauded the GVN leadership for its accomplishments in bettering 
the lives of Vietnam's citizens. 
 
¶12. (SBU) Rep. Sanchez thanked the GVN for granting her a visa and 
expressed gratitude that the GVN kept its promise to let her in the 
country.  However, the incident at the Ambassador's residence was 
saddening and does not conform to a government that says it respects 
its citizens, she said.  The Congresswoman requested that she be 
allowed to visit Le Quoc Quan in prison, noting that she has a 
special bond with him because she nominated him for a Reagan/Fascell 
fellowship at the National Endowment for Democracy. 
 
 
¶13. (SBU) Vice Chairman Yeu responded that the schedule of the visit 
had been set by both sides and, because it was "tight" already, her 
visit to the detention center could not occur.  He hoped that her 
time in Hanoi had helped her to "better understand" Vietnam's 
situation. 
 
¶14. (SBU) The Ambassador cited the Codel's visit as an important 
step in the evolving U.S.-Vietnam relationship.  The future is 
bright, "but we need to work to improve understanding."  The 
Ambassador said that he shared Rep. Sanchez's disappointment about 
the incident and in the GVN explanation that its actions were 
motivated by security concerns.  The female guests "in no way were 
threatening to anyone." 
 
¶15. (SBU) Chairman Ortiz pointed out that, after 200 years, the 
United States is still striving to perfect its own democracy.  He 
said he understood Rep. Sanchez's concerns because she has many 
Vietnamese-Americans in her district.  In the words of former 
President Johnson, it is time for the two sides to "sit down and 
reason together," he said, and assured Vietnamese participants in 
the meeting that the USG wants to "work with the GVN."  Even 
marriages require a lot of hard work to overcome difficulties, the 
Chairman stated. 
 
¶16. (U) The Codel had four members:  Chairman Solomon Ortiz (D-TX), 
Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), Rep. Madeleine Bordallo (D-GU) and Rep. 
Joe Wilson (R-SC). 
 
¶17. (U) Codel Ortiz cleared this message. 
 
MARINE