VZCZCXRO7518
PP RUEHHM
DE RUEHHI #0982/01 2380232
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 250232Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8348
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH 5052
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 2397

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 000982 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MLS, DRL/AWH, AND DRL/IRF 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM KIRF PREL PGOV CASC OTRA VM
 
SUBJECT: CHIEFS OF MISSION DISCUSS PRISONER LISTS, RELIGIOUS/MEDIA 
FREEDOM, AND AUSTRALIA'S HR DIALOGUE 
 
Ref: Hanoi 662 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY.  Participants at the Ambassador's August 21 
luncheon of "like-minded" chiefs of mission agreed that the MFA has 
lately been more responsive in providing information about 
prisoners.  Guests also concurred with the Ambassador's assessment 
of religious freedom in the Northwest, noting that while conditions 
vary considerably, more could be done to help local officials better 
understand the issues.  Several expressed concern that whatever the 
fate of the two journalists arrested in the wake of the PMU-18 
corruption scandal, the main effect would be to discourage 
aggressive reporting.  Australia's representative previewed her 
country's upcoming human rights dialogue, highlighting plans to host 
a study tour.  The Ambassador urged those present to press Vietnam 
to join the Hague Convention on international adoptions.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
PRISONER LISTS AND AMNESTY 
-------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU) On August 21, the Ambassador hosted chiefs of mission of 
Western embassies to discuss recent developments in Vietnam's human 
rights situation.  With less than two weeks remaining before the 
GVN's anticipated September 2 National Day amnesty, discussion 
focused first on prisoner lists and expected releases.  EU 
Ambassador Sean Doyle summarized a general sense that while many of 
the MFA's responses to requests for information on individual 
prisoners on the EU's list remained "stereotyped and repetitive," 
others were more informative, and that overall the Ministry was 
becoming increasingly receptive though the group remained skeptical 
that this would lead to more prisoners of concern receiving amnesty. 
 With overlapping lists from the EU, individual countries such as 
the United States and Australia, and collectives such as the "Group 
of Four" (Canada, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland) -- some 
asking for prisoner release, others simply requesting information -- 
the group agreed to work to coordinate lists and share information 
on the GVN's response(s).   All agreed on the need to regularly 
raise individual cases of concern with the GVN. 
 
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN THE NORTHWEST 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU) The Ambassador noted that conditions for religious freedom 
in the Northwest differ considerably from province to province. 
During a recent trip, for example, Embassy officers encountered a 
much more positive attitude toward religious groups among local 
officials in Dien Bien than in Son La (reftel).  Given this 
inconsistency -- and the frequent discrepancy between central-level 
directives and how those directives are carried out -- the 
luncheon's participants agreed that more could be done to reach out 
to local officials in the provinces.  Canada's CDA Robert Burley 
said that the G4 had found a similar range of attitudes and 
capacities in its regional visits and cited efforts to work with the 
Woman's Union in Dien Bien on issues touching on religious freedom. 
German Ambassador Rolf Schulze struck a somewhat discordant note, 
pointing to media coverage of a confrontation between Catholic 
demonstrators and police in a Hanoi land dispute (septel) as 
evidence of a possible crackdown. 
 
PMU-18 AND MEDIA FREEDOM 
------------------------ 
 
¶4.  (SBU) Several participants expressed apprehension that whatever 
the plot twists in the Public Management Unit 18 (PMU-18) corruption 
scandal, the immediate impact of the journalists' arrest will be to 
inhibit reporting on sensitive topics such as corruption.  UK 
Ambassador Mark Kent and Norway's CDA Ann-Helen Azedo referred to 
draft revisions to Vietnam's press law as a mixed blessing, arguing 
that language calling for the Party to strengthen its role in the 
media would dilute some of the more positive provisions providing 
for greater protection of sources and access to government 
information (septel).  [Note: The revisions are expected to go to 
the National Assembly for approval in October.  In the meantime, the 
old press law remains in effect.] 
 
AUSTRALIA'S HUMAN RIGHTS DIALOGUE 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  (SBU) Australian DCM Venessa Wood previewed what Australia 
expects will be a "robust dialogue" on the standard range of human 
rights issues beginning August 26.  After the meeting, the GOA is 
sponsoring a study tour for the delegation and a representative from 
Vietnam's National Assembly, meeting with parliamentary 
subcommittees and Australia's Human Rights Ombudsman. 
 
ADOPTIONS 
--------- 
 
HANOI 00000982  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
¶6.  (SBU) The Ambassador urged the participants to back U.S. efforts 
to press Vietnam to join the Hague Convention on International 
Adoptions.  He noted that GVN attitudes toward the issue of baby 
selling had improved, moving from outright denial to more frank 
discussion.  Recent arrests of individuals allegedly involved in 
child trafficking have also been a positive sign.  The EU and 
Australian representatives voiced broad support.  Ambassador Doyle 
said that EU legal counsel will discuss the matter and suggested 
that the eventual EU consensus position will support the U.S. 
stance.  Australian DCM Wood said that in its discussions on 
adoptions, Australia had also pressed the GVN to join the Hague 
Convention. 
 
¶7.  (U) Participants: 
 
U.S. Embassy 
Ambassador Michalak 
DCM Virginia Palmer 
Poloff (notes) 
 
Others 
Australia - DCM Ms. Vanessa Wood 
Canada - CDA Mr. Robert Burley 
Denmark - CDA Ms. Tove Degnbol 
EU - Ambassador Sean Doyle 
Germany - Ambassador Rolf Schulze 
Netherlands - Ambassador Andre Haspels 
New Zealand - Ambassador James Kember 
Norway - CDA Ms. Ann-Helen Azedo 
Switzerland - CDA Ms. Tanja Zangger 
Sweden - CDA Marie-Louise Thaning 
UK - Ambassador Mark Kent 
 
MICHALAK