Wikileaks: 06HANOI242, EAP A/S HILL MEETS SENIOR COMMUNIST PARTY OFFICIAL

Reference ID: 06HANOI242

Created: 2006-02-06 06:51

Released: 2011-08-30 01:44

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Origin: Embassy Hanoi

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SUBJECT: EAP A/S HILL MEETS SENIOR COMMUNIST PARTY OFFICIAL

IN HANOI

HANOI 00000242 001.2 OF 002

¶1. (SBU) Summary: On January 13, EAP Assistant Secretary

Christopher R. Hill met with Communist Party of Vietnam

(CPV) External Relations Commission Director Nguyen Van Son

to discuss the U.S.-Vietnam bilateral relationship and

regional issues of mutual interest. In addition to upcoming

high-level visits to Vietnam, A/S Hill also raised Vietnam's

WTO aspirations and stressed the importance of a quick

conclusion to the next round of negotiations. Director Son

outlined the consensus in the current CPV Plenum on

continued economic and political reform through the

expansion of democracy and the market mechanism. A/S Hill

also discussed relations with China, North Korea and

Cambodia. Son emphasized cooperation with China, but had

little to offer regarding North Korea except to affirm the

GVN's continued support for a unified and non-nuclear Korea.

He also noted the importance of stability to Cambodian

officials. End Summary.

¶2. (SBU) On January 13, EAP Assistant Secretary Christopher

¶R. Hill met with CPV External Affairs Commission Director

Nguyen Van Son, accompanied by the Ambassador. Hill noted

that since Prime Minister Phan Van Khai's June 2005 visit,

the USG has thought a great deal about the bilateral

relationship. He predicted that 2006 should be a historic

year as Vietnam hosts APEC and hopefully celebrates WTO

accession. The United States wants Vietnam to succeed and

will continue to work to build a strong and lasting

relationship. For the United States, Vietnam is not just an

economy, but also has a strong political role to play in the

region. Son responded that the GVN appreciates the role and

position of the United States and attaches importance to the

beneficial, bilateral relationship. He agreed that 2005 had

many positive developments, including the PM's trip to

Washington, and noted that the GVN "had carried out their

part of the agreements reached in the summit."

APEC and Upcoming Visits

------------------------

¶3. (SBU) Son predicted that 2006 will see more positive

developments between the United States and Vietnam and

stated that the GVN is looking forward to visits by

President Bush and Secretary Rice during APEC. He added his

personal hope that the Secretary would visit Vietnam before

APEC. Son also conveyed the GVN's request for U.S.

assistance in hosting APEC and observed that the President's

visit will contribute greatly to APEC's success. A/S Hill

said that the Secretary is very interested in visiting

Vietnam since her good discussion with Foreign Minister

Nguyen Dzy Nien at the Busan APEC Summit. He further noted

that the President enjoyed meeting PM Khai in Washington and

President Tran Duc Luong in Busan.

WTO Accession

-------------

¶4. (SBU) Director Son also expressed hope that the United

States will soon conclude WTO accession negotiations with

Vietnam. A/S Hill noted that a USTR delegation will be

arriving soon for another round of negotiations, but

emphasized that the GVN needs to be pragmatic in its

approach in these negotiations. He asserted that if

negotiations go well and are concluded quickly, then Vietnam

will be in a position to accede by the end of the year.

Quick accession would be very beneficial to Vietnam's

economy, he stressed.

Party Plenum

------------

¶5. (SBU) A/S Hill asked about the status of preparations for

the CPV's Tenth Party Congress this summer. Son noted that

the CPV's Central Committee is currently holding its

(likely) penultimate plenum meeting before the Congress to

finalize draft policy and personnel decisions. The Central

Committee plans to push for further "Doi Moi" (renovation)

reforms in economic, political and cultural spheres. Son

predicted that the CPV will move in a more democratic

direction regarding the economy, internal politics and

external relations, as it seeks to find "opportunities and

conditions to escape Vietnam's under-developed status" and

to "contribute to regional stability." The Plenum has come

to a consensus within the party on using the "mechanism of

the market" and to allow Party members to enter the private

sector. The Assistant Secretary complimented Vietnam's

practical approach.

HANOI 00000242 002.2 OF 002

China

-----

¶6. (SBU) Noting the importance and complexity of U.S.-China

and Vietnam-China relations, A/S Hill asked for Son's

thoughts on these relationships. Son replied that the

Vietnam-China relationship is centuries old and has many

historical problems, but has become more positive in recent

years due to the GVN's focus on cooperation and friendship.

A/S Hill stated that the United States seeks good relations

with China and wants Vietnam to have similarly good

relations. He added that the USG also maintains a spirit of

cooperation and friendship towards its complex, important

relationship with China.

Cambodia

--------

¶7. (SBU) Turning to recent developments in Cambodia, A/S

Hill noted his concern that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen

is making mistakes that will be difficult to overcome.

Noting that he will meet the Cambodian leader next week, he

asked for advice on how to impress on Hun Sen the need to be

careful with his decisions. Son observed that this will be

"an interesting meeting," especially since Cambodia has only

recently overcome many difficulties to maintain stability.

Son recently attended Prince Ranariddh's party conference,

where many Cambodian leaders emphasized the importance of

maintaining stability, peace and development in the country

and in the region. A/S Hill observed that what is really

needed is implementation of such policies, but recent

arrests in Cambodia do not bode well in this regard.

¶8. (U) Participants:

United States

-------------

Assistant Secretary Christopher R. Hill

Ambassador Michael W. Marine

EAP Special Assistant Kamala Lakhdhir

Pol/C Marc Knapper

PolOff Nate Jensen (notetaker)

Vietnam

-------

CPV External Relations Commission Chairman Son

CPV North America/Western Europe Director Pham Tien Nhien

MFA Americas Department Deputy Director Nguyen Ba Hung

¶9. (U) A/S Hill has cleared this message.

BOARDMAN