VZCZCXRO5919
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHHI #0118 0310940
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 310940Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7098
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH 4228
RUEHROV/AMEMBASSY VATICAN 0041
RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS HANOI 000118 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/MLS, DRL/IRF 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL KIRF PHUM PGOV VM
 
SUBJECT: GVN LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION INTO CATHOLIC CHURCH PROTESTS 
 
REF: HANOI 097 
 
¶1. (U) Summary.  The Government of Vietnam (GVN) announced that it 
is seeking legal action following ongoing Catholic prayer vigils and 
protests seeking the return of church lands in downtown Hanoi 
confiscated after the communist takeover in 1954 (reftel).  The 
Church says it intends to take action against government-controlled 
media outlets for distorting the truth and attempting to intimidate 
peaceful worshippers.  As neither side appears to be backing down, 
the standoff appears set to continue following the holiday week of 
lunar new year.  End Summary. 
 
¶2. (U) Lieutenant-Colonel Nguyen Manh Hung, from the Hanoi police 
central Hoan Kiem district investigative unit, signed a decision on 
January 26 to launch a criminal investigation into the alleged 
crimes of damaging property, causing social disorder and assaulting 
public officials.  The police launched the investigation following 
an incident during a prayer vigil on January 25 after a woman 
climbed over the gate into the courtyard and attempted to lay 
flowers (reftel).  She and a male lawyer claimed to have been beaten 
by guards, whereas authorities said the two assaulted public 
security personnel.  Protestors then scuffled with security guards, 
tore down billboards posted on the fence and broke down the gate to 
the property. 
 
¶3. (U) According to Catholic News services, the GVN is conducting 
legal investigations of Archbishop Joseph Ngo Kiet and several other 
clergymen, accusing them of abuse of power and inciting their 
followers to confront the government.  Church leaders in Hanoi 
believe the investigations are an attempt to intimidate individuals, 
following the failure of the government to intimidate Catholics as a 
whole.  Further, the Hanoi Archbishop's Office stated that it would 
render complaints against Hanoi Television and the Hanoi Moi and An 
Ninh Thu Do newspapers for running distorted information about the 
case. 
¶4. (U) Catholic parishioners have continued to defy the authorities' 
demands that they disperse, and have maintained a presence on the 
property under rain shelters and tents since the January 25 
incident.  Tuesday evening, January 29, more than 100 people again 
defied authorities, praying and singing hymns on the disputed 
property, where they have erected a large white cross and placed 
candles and flowers on the building's steps and walls.  The crowds 
put up rain shelters and lit fires against the winter chill on the 
2.5 acre property, which the Hanoi People's Committee has used as a 
community center and for parking motorcycles. 
¶5. (SBU) Comment:  As the standoff continues, neither side appears 
to be willing to blink.  The Church looks unlikely to be cowed by 
threats, ultimatums, and police investigations.  Meanwhile, the GVN 
is seemingly struggling for a way to bring the gatherings to an end 
without relinquishing the land, losing its grip on authority, or 
drawing further international attention and/or condemnation.  With 
the lunar new year or "Tet" holiday approaching, we expect many of 
those gathered will return to their homes and villages to pass the 
lunar new year with family, giving both sides a bit of breathing 
room.  The test for the GVN will come following Tet (the week of 
February 11).  If the Catholic Church manages to regain its current 
momentum, the GVN will be back in the same tight spot.  End comment. 
 
 
MICHALAK