VZCZCXRO1906
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHHI #0444 1320936
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 120936Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9622
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH 5847
RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS HANOI 000444 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/MLS - LAURA SCHEIBE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL BM VM
 
SUBJECT: Demarche to Vietnam on Aung San Suu Kyi 
 
REF: State 46562 
 
¶1. (SBU) DCM delivered reftel demarche to MFA Americas Director 
General Nguyen Ba Hung on May 12, emphasizing that, while we are 
reviewing our policy on how best to promote human rights in Burma, 
the continued imprisonment of Aung San Suu Kyi casts doubt on the 
Burmese regime's commitment to meaningful improvement. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Ba Hung responded that Vietnam is "more than willing" to 
help the U.S. make progress not only in relations with Burma but 
also in relations with Iran, the DPRK and other regimes with which 
the U.S. has difficult relations.  If there are any specific 
requests for Vietnamese assistance, Ba Hung said they could be 
passed along at any time. 
 
¶3. (SBU) DCM responded that we appreciate Vietnam's growing 
international role and that this is indeed a very specific request: 
for Vietnam to use its influence with Burma to seek Aung San Suu 
Kyi's release.  Ba Hung said he understood our message very clearly. 
 
 
MICHALAK