VZCZCXRO3597
RR RUEHHM
DE RUEHHI #0124/01 0330352
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 020351Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0816
INFO RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI
RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 0433

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 000124 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
PASS TO MLS/EAP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OREP PHUM PGOV PREL VM
SUBJECT: Codel Faleomavaega Touts Engagement during January 4-5 Visit 
to Vietnam 
 
REF: VIETNAM-EAP/MLS 01/04/10 O/I; VIETNAM-EAP/MLS 01/05/10 O/I 
 
1.(SBU) Summary: Congressman Eni Faleomavaega led a three-member 
congressional delegation to Vietnam on January 4-5.  In meetings 
with senior GVN officials in Hanoi, the Congressman and 
Representatives Honda and Cao stressed their commitment to building 
bridges between the American and Vietnamese peoples, and deepening 
engagement between the two governments.  The delegation stressed 
that the "real" differences between the U.S. and Vietnam should not 
impede engagement.  Congressman Cao openly expressed his 
differences with the GVN over human rights and religious freedom 
issues, but stated he opposed efforts to overthrow the Vietnamese 
government and instead supported a strong, stable Vietnam.  The 
Vietnamese interlocutors welcomed the delegation's assurances and 
agreed that the U.S. and Vietnam should resolve their differences 
through engagement and dialogue.  The self-proclaimed "first 
Asian-American" Codel, including the first Vietnamese-American 
congressman, received considerable and largely positive press 
coverage in Vietnam.  End summary. 
 
 
 
2.(U) Congressman Eni Faleomavaega led a three-member congressional 
delegation to Vietnam on January 4-5 that included Representatives 
Michael Honda and Joseph Cao.  In HCMC, Representatives Honda and 
Cao met with ERO officers and visited (on their own) Tu Du 
Hospital.  Congressman Cao visited his hometown, Trung Chanh. 
Congressman Faleomavaega arrived in HCMC January 4 in the morning 
and joined the other members of the Codel for their flight to 
Hanoi.  In Hanoi, the delegation met with Chairman of the National 
Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee Nguyen Van Son, Chairman of 
the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Vice Minister Nguyen 
Thanh Son, and Vice Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.  Vice Chair of 
the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee Ngo Quang Xuan 
hosted a dinner for the delegation on January 4, and the Ambassador 
hosted a working lunch for an informal discussion about Agent 
Orange and climate change.  The CG and CG officers accompanied the 
delegation throughout its visit in HCMC (with the exception of a 
visit to Tu Du hospital), and the Ambassador accompanied the 
delegation throughout its time in Hanoi. 
 
 
 
¶3. (SBU) During their January 4 dinner, National Assembly Foreign 
Affairs Vice Chairman Ngo Quang Xuan and the Codel discussed their 
backgrounds and exchanged views on the overall relationship. 
Discussions were mostly general and included largely positive 
statements about the overall relationship and the importance of 
deepening engagement, especially between legislative branches. 
However, Congressman Cao offered his personal, frank assessment of 
the current human rights and religious freedom situations in 
Vietnam, including a recommendation that Vietnam be returned to the 
CPC list.  Not surprisingly, the Congressman's statements prompted 
a strong rebuttal from Vice Chairman Xuan, who strongly defended 
the GVN position on human rights and religious freedom with 
well-known talking points. 
 
 
 
¶4. (SBU) During a meeting the following morning, National Assembly 
Foreign Affairs Chairman Nguyen Van Son welcomed the delegation as 
the National Assembly's first official visitors in 2010.  Chairman 
Son said GVN was committed to deepening relations with the U.S. in 
2010 and expressed hope that additional congressional delegations 
would visit Vietnam this year.  Representatives Faleomavaega and 
Honda expressed their support for the Administration's policy of 
engagement in Asia, arguing it would lead to strengthening 
relations with countries in the region, including Vietnam. 
Congressman Honda underscored that the three Congressmen differ 
philosophically and politically, but share a common goal of working 
to increase bilateral relations with Vietnam.  Congressman Cao, 
speaking in Vietnamese, assured Son that he did not intend to 
overthrow the Vietnamese Government.  All political disagreements 
should be expressed openly in order to find common ground on issues 
of concern. "It is important that we continue to talk together and 
address any differences," he noted. 
 
 
 
¶5. (SBU) Congressman Faleomavaega suggested to Chairman Nguyen that 
Vietnam make "good use" of Congressman Cao's position as the 
"unofficial representative" of the approximately 2.2 million 
Vietnamese-Americans living in the U.S.  Chairman Nguyen welcomed 
Congressman Cao's comments and criticisms, even when they are 
controversial.  He expressed hope the U.S. and Vietnam would 
 
HANOI 00000124  002 OF 002 
 
 
continue to make progress on bilateral relations, and stated his 
interest in meeting with Congressman Cao again to discuss issues of 
concern. 
 
 
 
¶6. (SBU) During a follow-on meeting, Chairman of the State 
Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Nguyen Thanh Son highlighted the 
importance of having Representative Cao as a Vietnamese-American 
participate in the first "all Asian-American congressional 
delegation" to Hanoi.  Son said his committee sought to work with 
the overseas Vietnamese community to further Vietnam's development. 
The Vice Minister said he was aware that Vietnamese-Americans 
distinguished themselves in many fields and contribute to the U.S. 
growth and prosperity.  Congressmen Faleomavaega and Cao responded 
that America's strength comes from its diversity and added that the 
Vietnamese-American population would welcome the opportunity to 
assist in Vietnam's development. 
 
 
 
¶7. (SBU) Representative Cao stated that many Vietnamese-Americans 
are vocal about issues facing Vietnam because they want to see the 
country prosper.  Vice Minster Son responded that the few political 
differences between the U.S. and Vietnam can be overcome through 
dialogue, and expressed hope he could work with Representative Cao 
to gain the support of the Vietnamese-American community.  Son 
noted he intends to visit the U.S. "in the near future," and would 
welcome the delegation's assistance in scheduling meetings, 
including meetings with members of the Vietnamese-American 
community. 
 
 
 
¶8. (SBU) During a brief meeting, Vice Foreign Minister Pham Binh 
Minh observed that 2010 marked the 15th anniversary of 
re-normalization of U.S.-Vietnamese relations.  He expressed his 
wish that the Codel's visit would be the first of many high-level 
delegations from the U.S. this year.  Minh thanked the delegation 
for its work in promoting bilateral relations and stated that 
Representative Cao played an important role in this process.  Cao 
thanked the GVN for granting him a visa and allowing him to return 
to his country of birth.  (Note: We understand from our discussions 
with the Codel on the ground that the GVN did not approve 
Congressman Cao's visa until "the last minute," and that 
Congressman Faleomavaega was prepared to cancel the visit if the 
GVN did not issue Congressman Cao a visa.  End note.)  Congressman 
Cao noted that he continues to have a strong affinity for Vietnam 
even though he left when he was eight years old. 
 
 
 
¶9. (SBU) Congressman Cao said he would continue to express his 
personal opinions on issues facing Vietnam, but only with the 
intent of making Vietnam a stronger, more stable and prosperous 
country.  VFM Minh replied that differences and disagreements are 
natural, but dialogue is the key to resolving them.  Referring to a 
comment he made during the U.S.-Vietnam Strategic Dialogue in June 
2009 in Washington, D.C., Minh argued that a strong and prosperous 
Vietnam was good for the U.S. and for the region.  "No one wants to 
see a failed state, we want to grow and succeed."  Minh thanked 
Congress for granting $3 million to assist with Agent Orange health 
and remediation projects. 
 
 
 
¶10. (U) Codel Faleomavaega did not have an opportunity to clear 
this message before departing Post. 
Michalak