VZCZCXRO0486
RR RUEHDT RUEHPB
DE RUEHHM #0406/01 1080952
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 170952Z APR 08
FM AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4367
INFO RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI 2998
RUEHROV/AMEMBASSY VATICAN 0005
RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE
RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 4590

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HO CHI MINH CITY 000406 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/MLS, DRL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KIRF PHUM PGOV VM
SUBJECT: FRESH DEMONSTRATIONS IN THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS 
 
HO CHI MIN 00000406  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary.  Post is receiving reports of demonstrations 
in parts of the Central Highlands, beginning on April 11. 
Participants are largely ethnic minorities, including Degar 
Protestants, who are reportedly demanding better land- 
expropriation and compensation policies, more appropriate 
government zoning plans, and religious freedom and independence 
for ethnic minorities.  Sources report various, sometimes 
conflicting, numbers of demonstrators.  Although official media 
has been silent so far, a Government of Vietnam (GVN) contact 
confirmed the demonstrations.  Reports of GVN reactions, troop 
deployments and arrests are vague and imprecise and have not yet 
been independently confirmed as the situation unfolds.  Post 
continues to track the situation.  End Summary. 
 
Numbers and Locations 
--------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) Although various contacts report differing numbers of 
demonstrators, it appears that the groups are made up of between 
40 and 100 ethnic-minority protestors each.  Several reliable 
contacts confirmed reports that these groups staged 
demonstrations in five villages in Plei Sung Kat, Ia Kla (Duc Co 
District), Ia Le (Chu Se district), Dakre village (Chu Pah 
district), Tam Hai village in Daklak from April 11, 12 and 13. 
The demonstrators appeared to be mostly women and children.  One 
contact said that the demonstrations were slowly spreading south 
to Dak Lak province, and making the GVN's response to the 
situation "more complicated." Our contacts dismissed Montagnard 
Foundation Inc. (U.S.-based advocacy organization) claims that 
there had been up to 7,000 protestors as "not accurate." 
 
Land disputes fuel the protests? 
------------------------------- 
 
¶3. (SBU) Reports suggest that the demonstrators gathered and 
went to the communal people's committees and police stations to 
ask for better land compensation, more transparent 
land-expropriation and zoning policies, and, according to some 
sources, religious freedom and the establishment of a Degar 
"republic".  However, reports from post contacts differ as to 
whether land disputes initially ignited the protests, and 
whether the issues of an "independent Degar state" and religious 
freedom were involved.  Contacts in the Protestant house church 
community shared that several demonstrators were Protestants 
"who call themselves Degar Protestants," but did not so far 
include any followers from any of the recognized and registering 
denominations in the Central Highlands. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Mr. Tran Viet Hung, GVN Chief of Staff of the Central 
Highlands Development Committee (an advisory agency to the 
central GVN on Central Highlands economic, social and securities 
policies) confirmed that demonstrations took place but dismissed 
them as "not of significant scale."  Mr. Hung pointed out that 
the demonstrators were upset because they "lacked accurate 
information on GVN land policies," and that they peacefully 
returned home after listening to explanations from the proper 
authorities. 
 
Arrests and troop deployments 
----------------------------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) One source reported that plainclothes policemen and 
soldiers were monitoring ongoing protests in each village, but 
did not act openly.  The same source reported that the GVN 
deployed two divisions to the Central Highlands and the Ministry 
of Public Security has asked Major General Nong Van Luu to 
return to Gia Lai to calm the situation.  Other contacts either 
do not have information or refute reports that "divisions of 
troops" are being moved into the Central Highlands to crack down 
on the protests.  There is general agreement, however, that at 
least four people have been detained, reasons unknown.  Mr. Hung 
from the Central Highlands Committee also implied that necessary 
actions to maintain order had been taken towards those 
"instigators that received instructions from elements in foreign 
countries via cell phones." Names of the detainees remain to be 
confirmed. 
 
¶6. (SBU) Comment: Post is reaching out to contacts in this 
remote area of central Vietnam, as well as seeking additional 
information on those detained.  However, details will be hard to 
come by and it will be some time before a clearer picture of the 
situation emerges.  The mention by several sources of 
demonstrators receiving instructions from "overseas" will fuel 
the suspicions of some in the GVN that those outside Vietnam, 
particularly from the United States, are attempting to interfere 
in domestic affairs and to instigate civil unrest.  While 
sources differed on the specific issue that sparked the 
demonstrations, the protests can be seen a sign of general 
 
HO CHI MIN 00000406  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
discontent over GVN policies in the Central Highlands, rather 
than a direct challenge to GVN authority.  However, post is 
concerned about reports of troops being deployed to the area and 
will follow events as they unfold. End comment. 
FAIRFAX