VZCZCXRO8428
RR RUEHHM
DE RUEHHI #0987 2390524
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 260524Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8353
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH 5056
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0224

UNCLAS HANOI 000987 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR EUR/RUS KATE SZPILA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL UNSC RS VM
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON POSSIBLE RUSSIAN RECOGNITION OF 
ABKHAZIA AND SOUTH OSSETIA 
 
REF: STATE 90978 
 
(SBU) On August 25, the DCM met with MFA Director General Nguyen Ba 
Hung to register U.S. concerns about possible Russian recognition of 
Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and to urge Vietnam to press Russia not 
to take such a step (reftel).  Hung took note of the U.S. position 
and promised to relay the substance of the demarche to his 
superiors.  In a follow-up discussion August 26, Phan Ho The Nam of 
the MFA's Department of International Affairs emphasized that 
Vietnam has encouraged all sides of the conflict to continue 
discussions.  Noting that the Russian government has yet to act on 
the recommendation of the Russian Duma and Federation Council, Nam 
expressed hope that the situation would stabilize with the 
withdrawal of Russian forces.  When pressed, Nam acknowledged the 
importance of sovereignty and territorial integrity as general 
principles, but declined to characterize Vietnam's position on 
Russia's possible recognition of the separatist regions. 
 
MICHALAK