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FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC//ISA/DPMO// PRIORITY
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6528
RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH PRIORITY 3814
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CJCS WASHINGTON DC//J2/J3/J5// PRIORITY
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RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI//J00/J2/J3/J5// PRIORITY
RHHMHAA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/CDR JPAC HICKAM AFB HI PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/CDRUSARPAC FT SHAFTER HI PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/NGA FT BELVOIR VA PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/NGA HQ BETHESDA MD PRIORITY
RUEHHI/USDAO HANOI VM PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 HANOI 001801 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/MLS AND EAP/RSP 
SECDEF FOR ISA/SHUBERT AND STERN 
JCS FOR J5/CDR CHASE 
PACOM FOR J5/MAJ MA 
PACFLT FOR N5/YAMAMOTO 
U-171-07 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: MARR PGOV PTER VM
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S CALL WITH VIETNAM'S MINISTER OF 
DEFENSE (U) 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary: Ambassador, accompanied by Defense Attache, 
met with Vietnam Minister of Defense, Senior General Phung 
Quang Thanh, on 19 September 2007 for an introductory call. 
After a warm welcome, Minister Thanh noted that Vietnam seeks 
to increase defense cooperation with the United States, but 
added that Vietnam believes defense cooperation between 
countries should not have an impact on its relations with 
third countries. He thanked the United States for its 
de-mining and unexploded ordinance support, and noted Vietnam 
continues to support the Fullest Possible Accounting (MIA) 
humanitarian mission.  He said that People,s Army,s limited 
English skills make it difficult for Vietnam to perform 
international activities and he thanked the U.S. for its IMET 
support for English training. He hoped the U.S. could 
continue to expand IMET.  He stated that Vietnam will 
participate in the USPACOM Chiefs of Defense (CHOD) 
conference this year, and that he personally would attend the 
next Shangri-La conference in Singapore. He welcomed a 
December visit by the new Commander of U.S. Pacific Command. 
He said that Vietnam,s National Assembly still needs to 
approve any PAVN participation in a PKO, but added that 
Vietnam is willing to participate in PKO is the future. 
Ambassador thanked the Minister for his comments and also for 
Vietnam,s support for MIA recovery.  He noted that IMET 
would expand in the upcoming years, and also said that there 
are many more areas where both sides can strengthen 
cooperation. Finally, he encouraged the Minister to consider 
more security assistance. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Ambassador, accompanied by Defense Attache, met with 
Vietnam Minister of Defense, Senior General Phung Quang 
Thanh, on 19 September 2007 for an introductory call. 
Minister Thanh warmly welcomed the Ambassador and 
congratulated him on his appointment. The Minister said that 
he was confident that United States-Vietnam relations would 
continue to grow. He said that both sides should increase 
cooperation in a spirit of friendship. Ambassador thanked the 
Minister for meeting with him and noted that Vietnam and the 
United States already had developed a very positive 
relationship. He also noted that some of the United States 
closest allies had shared a history of conflict at some point 
with the United States. Ambassador stated that his goal was 
to work to ensure that United States ) Vietnam defense 
relations would to continue to improve on the path to deeper 
cooperation.  Ambassador then asked Minister Thanh to share 
some of his perspectives on the bilateral relationship. 
 
================================ 
Closer Cooperation, with Limits 
================================ 
 
¶3. (SBU) Minister Thanh noted that both Vietnam and the 
United States have had ups and downs in their past. He said 
today Vietnam has a foreign policy of friendship and 
cooperation and seeks to develop reliable partners and to 
make friends with every country. In this context, the 
relationship between Vietnam and the United States has 
already turned and now looks to the future.  We cooperate 
together with a focus on the economy, science and technology, 
education and trade. 
 
¶4. (SBU) He said that the government of Vietnam very much 
understands the economic and military influence of the United 
States, and wants to develop relations and learn the views of 
the United States as well.  Vietnam,s foreign policy 
objectives are to develop friendship and cooperation with the 
United States.  He noted that there more than 1.5 million 
ethnic Vietnamese people the United States. Vietnam hopes 
that these people can be a bridge between our two countries 
to improve understanding and relations. 
 
¶5. (SBU) He continued that Vietnam has an eight percent 
 
HANOI 00001801  002 OF 004 
 
 
growth rate for Gross Domestic Product (GDP); and Vietnam has 
jointed the World Trade Organization (WTO) as well. These and 
other accomplishments show that Vietnam is cooperating 
together with the United States in many areas. Vietnam also 
appreciates all of the Untied States, support for the 
development of Vietnam.  Developmental cooperation with the 
United States is a positive aspect of the foreign policy 
development of Vietnam 
 
¶6. (SBU) Minister Thanh added the caveat that there are 
differences between the United States and Vietnam, but these 
are not as important as the friendship and cooperation.  He 
also noted that it is Vietnam,s view that defense 
cooperation between countries should not have an impact on 
its relations with third countries. 
 
========================================= 
 De-mining, UXO, Dioxin/Agent Orange, MIA 
========================================= 
 
¶7. (SBU) The Minister noted that the United States has been 
has been working closely and cooperative with Vietnam on 
de-mining, unexploded ordnance (UXO) issues, and even with 
Agent Orange (AO) cleanup of dioxins from the past war era. 
 
¶8. (SBU) He added that Vietnam also continues to support the 
Fullest Possible Accounting (MIA) humanitarian mission and he 
also hoped that the USA could continue to provide Vietnam 
with information that will help us resolve Vietnam,s MIA 
cases as well. 
 
============================ 
IMET and Security Assistance 
============================ 
 
¶9. (SBU) Minister Thanh then turned to the issue of 
International Military Education and Training (IMET). He 
thanked the Ambassador and the United States for the IMET 
program that has developed in Vietnam. He particularly noted 
the language lab and equipment that will soon be delivered. 
He also commented on the high value of the scholarships for 
language study that have been extended to Vietnam,s military 
officers (IMET-funded English language and English language 
trainer courses).  The Minister noted that limitations in the 
force,s English language skills represent a difficulty for 
Vietnam,s military to perform intentional cooperation 
activities.  He said that because of this Vietnam has asked 
many countries to assist in English language training for 
Vietnam,s officers. 
 
¶10. (SBU) Minister Thanh also noted that Vietnam would like 
to expand Vietnam,s IMET program to include courses in 
science and technology areas. He concluded the point by 
saying that if IMET or U.S. government could provide 
scholarships in these areas it would be a tremendous benefit. 
 
¶11. (SBU) Ambassador agreed with the Minister,s comments 
about the value of education.  He noted the importance of 
education and said that securing an English language lab with 
IMET for Vietnam was an essential step. He also recalled that 
IMET training of Vietnam officers in the United States 
already has been a plus.  He noted that the first two 
officers that Vietnam sent to the English language and 
English language instructors course at Defense Language 
Institute/ English language Center (DLI/ELC) in Texas 
delivered high standards and were very successful in their 
courses. He noted DLI/ELC is eagerly awaiting the next group 
of Vietnam officers, and DLI hopes they will be as talented 
as the first. 
 
¶12. (SBU) The Ambassador continued that during this coming 
year Vietnam would have IMET training for Search and Rescue 
 
HANOI 00001801  003 OF 004 
 
 
(SAR), military medical courses and more English. In addition 
Vietnam would have a chance to participate in several 
humanitarian assistance training events as well.  He said 
that with programs like IMET, military relations were off to 
a good start, but could even get better. There are many ways 
for defense relations to grow even more. 
 
¶13. (SBU) Ambassador noted that both sides had expanded 
contacts and interaction on the human side, but also could 
expand cooperation on the material side as well. He noted 
that Ministry of Defense had just submitted two Letters of 
Request for spare parts. He welcomed that action and said 
that the changes in United States defense security 
cooperation policy meant that many more options were 
available to Vietnam. He encouraged the Minister to take 
these new opportunities to promote the security assistance 
relationship with the United States in a way that could help 
Vietnam and enhance our relationship. 
 
¶14. (SBU) Minister Thanh thanked the ambassador for his 
comments and stated that Vietnam also would like to continue 
to explore more options with IMET as well. He hoped that IMET 
could be expanded to allow scholarships (course funding) for 
officers to study military medical and SAR and science and 
technology topics. He also hoped that the United States could 
provide support to promote the FMS system with Vietnam for 
security assistance cooperation. 
 
==================== 
Senior Leader Visits 
==================== 
 
¶15. (SBU) Ambassador turned to the topic of senior leader 
visits. He appreciated Minister Thanh,s support to the Chief 
of Staff Army and the Commander, United States Army of the 
Pacific,s Pacific Army Chiefs Conference in Sydney in 
August.  Ambassador noted that the attendance by a Deputy 
Chief of the General Staff was a very opportunity for he and 
all the participants to exchange professional views and 
develop relationships that can enable better cooperation in 
the region. The Ambassador then expressed his hope that the 
Chief of the General Staff for the People,s Army could 
follow up on this success by attending the Chiefs of Defense 
Conference in Honolulu at the end of October. He said that 
this conference, which would be hosted by the Commander of 
the Pacific Command and would likely include the Chairman of 
the Joint Chiefs of Staff and would be another valuable 
opportunity for Vietnam and for the region. 
 
¶16. (SBU) Ambassador noted that the new Commander of the 
Pacific Command was hoping for an opportunity to visit 
Vietnam soon and ambassador hoped that this could occur. 
Finally ambassador inquired about Minister Thanh,s own plans 
and reminded him that he was welcome and should consider a 
visit the United States as well. 
 
¶17. (SBU) On the issue of senior leader visits, Minister 
Thanh said that Vietnam supports a regional peaceful 
environment as Minister of Defense he have accepted many 
senior leader visits from the United States including the 
previous Commander of PACOM.  Minister Thanh said that he 
would continue to welcome all of these types of visits, 
including by the new PACOM Commander in December. 
 
¶18. (SBU) Minister Thanh then said that he would send a 
high-ranking officer to the CHOD conference this year, and it 
would be a Deputy Chief of the General Staff.  He himself now 
planned to go the next annual Defense Ministers gathering at 
the Shang-ri La conference in Singapore. 
 
¶19. (SBU) Minister Thanh then noted that Vietnam &owes8 the 
United States a visit since only one Minister of Defense has 
 
HANOI 00001801  004 OF 004 
 
 
visited the United States, but two U.S. Secretaries of 
Defense have visited Vietnam.  He said that it is likely that 
he will visit the United States before the Ambassador leaves 
Vietnam. Minister Thanh followed himself up by adding that he 
certainly would visit the United States before his own term 
of office as Minister of Defense is over in 2011. 
 
======================= 
Peace Keeping Operation 
======================= 
 
¶20. (SBU) Ambassador then inquired about Vietnam,s current 
bid for a seat on the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) 
for the2008-2009 session.  He asked how the Minister viewed 
participation in regional or UN Peace Keeping Operation (PKO) 
missions in the context of the new UNCS responsibilities. 
 
¶21. (SBU) Minister Thanh responded that he believes Vietnam 
is likely to be UNSC member for the 2008-2009 session.  He 
said this is a strong indication of Vietnam,s growing 
prominence in the region and Vietnam,s increasing 
involvement in word issues as well.  At present he said that 
Vietnam conducts exchanges about PKO with a variety of 
nations.  PKO is an area in which Ministry of Defense is 
still developing its expertise.  He noted that Vietnam,s 
National Assembly still would have to address legal aspects 
of PAVN participation in a PKO. 
 
¶22. (SBU) Minister Thanh said this is a step there expand our 
capability to do more and expand cooperation.  He noted that 
in the past Vietnam,s military had experience in Laos and 
Cambodia with international missions to help the Laos and 
Cambodian peoples. However, now in a time of peace the PAVN 
is closely managed by the National Assembly. He wrapped up 
the point by saying that Vietnam is willing to participate in 
PKO is the future. 
 
¶23. (SBU) He concluded the meeting by thanking the Ambassador 
and by saying that during Ambassador,s time in Vietnam he 
will gain a deep understating on the development and 
conditions in Viet Nam including on issues like religious 
freedom. In addition, he added that during Ambassador,s time 
in Vietnam he have the opportunity to visit military basses 
far and near and to see first to understanding the friendship 
and cooperative sprit of the people of Vietnam He will work 
close both together for the two nation,s interests. 
 
24 (SBU) Comment: The meeting with Minister Thanh was very 
positive. He was receptive to increased contacts and expanded 
areas for cooperation, but also was frank about limits 
defense relations faced when Vietnam deals with other 
countries, foremost among them being China.  His comments 
about PKO suggest that Vietnam,s military is still far from 
ready to participate in any UN PKO, but Vietnam military 
leaders still feel comfortable moving at a deliberate pace to 
gain that capability. 
ALOISI