Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287
Articles
Brazil
Sri Lanka
United Kingdom
Sweden
00. Editorial
United States
Latin America
Egypt
Jordan
Yemen
Thailand
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
2011/05/20
2011/05/21
2011/05/22
2011/05/23
2011/05/24
2011/05/25
2011/05/26
2011/05/27
2011/05/28
2011/05/29
2011/05/30
2011/05/31
2011/06/01
2011/06/02
2011/06/03
2011/06/04
2011/06/05
2011/06/06
2011/06/07
2011/06/08
2011/06/09
2011/06/10
2011/06/11
2011/06/12
2011/06/13
2011/06/14
2011/06/15
2011/06/16
2011/06/17
2011/06/18
2011/06/19
2011/06/20
2011/06/21
2011/06/22
2011/06/23
2011/06/24
2011/06/25
2011/06/26
2011/06/27
2011/06/28
2011/06/29
2011/06/30
2011/07/01
2011/07/02
2011/07/04
2011/07/05
2011/07/06
2011/07/07
2011/07/08
2011/07/10
2011/07/11
2011/07/12
2011/07/13
2011/07/14
2011/07/15
2011/07/16
2011/07/17
2011/07/18
2011/07/19
2011/07/20
2011/07/21
2011/07/22
2011/07/23
2011/07/25
2011/07/27
2011/07/28
2011/07/29
2011/07/31
2011/08/01
2011/08/02
2011/08/03
2011/08/05
2011/08/06
2011/08/07
2011/08/08
2011/08/10
2011/08/11
2011/08/12
2011/08/13
2011/08/15
2011/08/16
2011/08/17
2011/08/19
2011/08/21
2011/08/22
2011/08/23
2011/08/24
2011/08/25
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Antananarivo
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Alexandria
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embasy Bonn
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Brazzaville
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangui
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Belfast
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Cotonou
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chiang Mai
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Chengdu
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
DIR FSINFATC
Consulate Dusseldorf
Consulate Durban
Consulate Dubai
Consulate Dhahran
Embassy Guatemala
Embassy Grenada
Embassy Georgetown
Embassy Gaborone
Consulate Guayaquil
Consulate Guangzhou
Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Hong Kong
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kolonia
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Krakow
Consulate Kolkata
Consulate Karachi
Consulate Kaduna
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Lusaka
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Lome
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy Libreville
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Leipzig
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Mission Geneva
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Mogadishu
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maseru
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Merida
Consulate Melbourne
Consulate Matamoros
Consulate Marseille
Embassy Nouakchott
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Nuevo Laredo
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Consulate Nagoya
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Praia
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Moresby
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Podgorica
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Ponta Delgada
Consulate Peshawar
REO Mosul
REO Kirkuk
REO Hillah
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Surabaya
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy Tirana
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
Consulate Thessaloniki
USUN New York
USMISSION USTR GENEVA
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Mission CD Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
US Delegation FEST TWO
UNVIE
UN Rome
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vientiane
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AF
ADANA
ASEC
AFIN
AMGT
AE
AORC
AID
AR
AO
AU
ASEAN
AGOA
AFGHANISTAN
AFFAIRS
AMED
APER
ASECARP
APEC
AEMR
AS
AA
ANET
AFLU
ABLD
AL
ASUP
AJ
APECO
AMER
ABUD
AODE
AM
AFSN
AESC
AND
AG
ALOW
AROC
AVIANFLU
ATRN
ACOA
AEGR
AMGMT
AADP
AFSI
ACABQ
APRM
AZ
AIDS
ASE
AGAO
ADCO
ABDALLAH
ARF
AIDAC
ACOTA
ASCH
AC
ASEG
AGR
ACS
AMCHAMS
AN
AMIA
ASIG
ADPM
ADB
ANARCHISTS
ALOWAR
ARM
AUC
AINF
AINT
AORG
AY
AVIAN
AMEDCASCKFLO
AK
ARSO
ARABBL
ASO
ANTITERRORISM
ARABL
AOWC
AGRICULTURE
ALJAZEERA
AMTC
AFINM
AOCR
ABER
ARR
AFPK
ASSEMBLY
ASSK
AZE
AORCYM
AINR
AGMT
AEC
ACKM
APRC
AIN
ASCC
AFPREL
ASED
APERTH
ASFC
ASECTH
AFSA
AOMS
AORCO
ANTXON
ARC
AFAF
ADIP
AIAG
AFARI
AEMED
AORL
AX
ASECAF
AOPC
ASECAFIN
AFZAL
APCS
AMB
AGUIRRE
AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL
AIT
ARCH
AMEX
ALI
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AORCD
AVIATION
ARAS
AINFCY
ACBAQ
AOPR
AREP
ALEXANDER
ATRD
AEIR
AOIC
ABLDG
ASEX
AFR
ASCE
ATRA
ASEK
AER
ALOUNI
AMCT
AVERY
APR
AMAT
AEMRS
ASPA
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ALL
AECL
ACAO
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORD
AFL
AME
ADM
ASECPHUM
AGIT
ABT
ASECVE
AGUILAR
AT
ABMC
ALZUGUREN
ANGEL
ASR
ANTONIO
BMGT
BEXP
BM
BG
BL
BA
BR
BTA
BO
BY
BBSR
BLUE
BK
BF
BTIO
BELLVIEW
BE
BU
BN
BH
BD
BC
BTC
BILAT
BT
BX
BRUSSELS
BP
BB
BRPA
BUSH
BURMA
BMENA
BESP
BIT
BBG
BGD
BMEAID
BAGHDAD
BEN
BIO
BMOT
BWC
BLUNT
BURNS
BUT
BGMT
BAIO
BCW
BOEHNER
BFIF
BOL
BASHAR
BIMSTEC
BOU
BIDEN
BZ
BFIN
BTRA
BI
BHUM
BOIKO
BERARDUCCI
BOUCHAIB
BORDER
BEXPC
BTIU
BTT
BIOS
BEXB
BGPGOV
BOND
BLR
CE
CG
CH
CVR
CASC
CU
CI
CD
CO
CDG
CB
CJAN
CPAS
COM
CVIS
CMGT
CT
CENTCOM
CNARC
CTERR
COUNTER
CHIEF
CDC
CTR
CBW
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CY
CA
CM
CS
CWC
CN
CITES
CF
CWG
CIVS
CFIS
CASCC
CROATIA
CONS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CASA
COE
CJ
CHR
CODEL
CR
CBC
CACS
CHERTOFF
CAS
CONTROL
CONDITIONS
CONDOLEEZZA
CITEL
CV
CLINTON
CHG
CZ
CON
CTBT
CEN
CRIMES
COMMERCE
CLOK
CRISTINA
CFED
CARC
CND
CTM
CARICOM
COUNTRYCLEARANCE
CBTH
CHINA
CSW
CICTE
CJUS
CYPRUS
CW
CAMBODIA
CENSUS
CIDA
CRIME
CBG
CBE
CMGMT
CAIO
CEC
CARSON
CPCTC
CEDAW
COMESA
CVIA
CWCM
CEA
COSI
CAPC
CGEN
COPUOS
CGOPRC
COETRD
CKGR
CFE
CQ
CITT
CIC
CARIB
CVIC
CLO
CAFTA
CVISU
CHRISTOPHER
CACM
CIAT
CDB
CIS
CUL
CHAO
CNC
CL
CSEP
COMMAND
CENTER
COL
CAN
CAJC
CUIS
CONSULAR
CLMT
CIA
CBSA
CEUDA
CAC
CROS
CIO
CPUOS
CKOR
CVPR
CONG
CONTROLS
CEPTER
CVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGKIRF
CDCE
DPOL
DEMARCHE
DHS
DR
DA
DISENGAGEMENT
DEMOCRATIC
DEFENSE
DJ
DY
DARFUR
DHRF
DEA
DTRO
DPRK
DO
DARFR
DOC
DRL
DK
DOJ
DTRA
DOMESTIC
DAC
DOD
DEAX
DIEZ
DEOC
DELTAVIOLENCE
DCOM
DMINE
DRC
DCG
DPKO
DOMESTICPOLITICS
DE
DB
DOT
DEPT
DOE
DHLAKAMA
DHSX
DS
DKEM
DAO
DCM
DANIEL
DEM
DAVID
DCRM
ETRD
EAGR
ETTC
EAID
ECON
EFIN
ECIN
EINV
ELAB
EAIR
ENRG
EPET
EWWT
ECPS
EIND
EMIN
ELTN
EC
ETMIN
EUC
EZ
ET
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EU
EUN
EG
EINT
ER
ECONOMICS
ES
EMS
ENIV
EEB
EN
ECE
ECOSOC
EK
ENVIRONMENT
EFIS
EI
EWT
ENGRD
ECPSN
EXIM
EIAD
ERIN
ECPC
EDEV
ENGY
ECTRD
EPA
ESTH
ECCT
EINVECON
ENGR
ERTD
EUR
EAP
EWWC
ELTD
EL
EXIMOPIC
EXTERNAL
ETRDEC
ESCAP
ECO
EGAD
ELNT
ECONOMIC
ENV
ETRN
EIAR
EUMEM
ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID
EREL
ECOM
ECONETRDEAGRJA
ETCC
ETRG
ECONOMY
EMED
ETR
ENERG
EITC
EFINOECD
EURM
EENG
ERA
EXPORT
ENRD
ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC
EGEN
EBRD
EVIN
ETRAD
ECOWAS
EFTA
ECONETRDBESPAR
EGOVSY
EPIN
EID
ECONENRG
EDRC
ESENV
ETT
EB
ENER
ELTNSNAR
ECHEVARRIA
ETRC
EPIT
EDUC
ESA
EFI
ENRGY
ESCI
EE
EAIDXMXAXBXFFR
EETC
ECIP
EIAID
EIVN
EBEXP
ESTN
EING
EGOV
ETRA
EPETEIND
ELAN
ETRDGK
EAIDRW
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
EPEC
ENVI
ELN
EAG
EPCS
EPRT
EPTED
ETRB
EUM
EAIDS
EFIC
EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM
EAIDAR
ESF
EIDN
ELAM
EDU
EV
EAIDAF
ECN
EDA
EXBS
EINTECPS
ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ
EPREL
EAC
EINVEFIN
ETA
EAGER
EINDIR
ECA
ECLAC
ELAP
EITI
EUCOM
ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID
EARG
ELDIN
EINVKSCA
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EFINTS
ECCP
ETC
EAIRASECCASCID
EINN
ETRP
EAIDNI
EFQ
ECOQKPKO
EGPHUM
EBUD
ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ
ENERGY
ELB
EINDETRD
EMI
ECONEFIN
EIB
EURN
ETRDEINVTINTCS
EIN
EFIM
ETIO
ELAINE
EMN
EATO
EWTR
EIPR
EINVETC
ETTD
ETDR
EIQ
ECONCS
EPPD
ENRGIZ
EISL
ESPINOSA
ELEC
EAIG
ESLCO
EUREM
ENTG
ERD
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ECINECONCS
ETRO
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECUN
EFND
EPECO
EAIRECONRP
ERGR
ETRDPGOV
ECPN
ENRGMO
EPWR
EET
EAIS
EAGRE
EDUARDO
EAGRRP
EAIDPHUMPRELUG
EICN
ECONQH
EVN
EGHG
ELBR
EINF
EAIDHO
EENV
ETEX
ERNG
ED
FR
FREEDOM
FINREF
FJ
FI
FRELIMO
FOREIGN
FAA
FETHI
FAS
FTAA
FRB
FAO
FCS
FINANCE
FWS
FTA
FEMA
FDA
FLU
FRANCISCO
FBI
FORCE
FO
FARC
FK
FT
FCSC
FAC
FM
FMGT
FINV
FCSCEG
FARM
FERNANDO
FINR
FIN
FINE
FIR
FDIC
FOR
FOI
FCUL
FKLU
FMLN
FISO
FIXED
GM
GMUS
GG
GR
GE
GAZA
GT
GH
GZ
GJ
GLOBAL
GV
GABY
GOI
GA
GCC
GB
GY
GATT
GC
GUAM
GEORGE
GTIP
GOV
GOMEZ
GUTIERREZ
GL
GKGIC
GF
GU
GWI
GARCIA
GTMO
GN
GANGS
GIPNC
GAERC
GREGG
GUILLERMO
GASPAR
GERARD
GI
HK
HR
HUMANR
HUMAN
HO
HA
HUMANRIGHTS
HU
HHS
HIV
HUM
HRKAWC
HILLEN
HILLARY
HDP
HUMRIT
HSTC
HUMANITARIAN
HCOPIL
HADLEY
HURI
HL
HRETRD
HOURANI
HG
HARRIET
HESHAM
HI
HNCHR
HARRY
HRECON
HRC
HOSTAGES
HEBRON
HUMOR
HSWG
HYMPSK
HECTOR
HN
HYDE
HUD
HRPGOV
HIGHLIGHTS
ID
ILC
IS
IZ
ICAO
IMO
ITU
IR
IAEA
ICRC
IPROP
IT
IBRD
ISRAELI
IRAQI
ISSUES
ITRA
IV
IO
IGAD
IRAQ
IN
IMF
ICTR
ISCON
IADB
IDB
IEA
INR
IWC
ICCAT
ILO
INMARSAT
IOM
ICJ
IQ
ISPA
ITRD
IPR
INTELSAT
ISN
IAHRC
INTERNAL
IFAD
IICA
IHO
IRAN
IL
IRCE
IC
INTELLECTUAL
IRM
IE
ICTY
IDLI
IFO
ISCA
INF
INL
ISRAEL
INV
IBB
INFLUENZA
ISPL
ITER
ITIA
INRA
ISAF
IACHR
INTERPOL
IFR
IRS
INRB
IEF
ISAAC
ICC
INDO
IIP
IATTC
INAUGURATION
IND
INS
IZPREL
IACI
IEFIN
INNP
ILAB
IA
IMTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
IFIN
IRAJ
IX
ICG
IF
ITPHUM
ITA
IP
IACW
IK
IUCN
IZEAID
IRPE
IDA
ISLAMISTS
ITF
INRO
IBET
IDP
IRC
ISO
ICES
IRMO
ITPGOV
IQNV
IMSO
IRDB
IMET
INCB
IFRC
JA
JO
JP
JM
JCIC
JOHN
JE
JEFFERY
JS
JUS
JN
JOHNNIE
JAMES
JKUS
JOSEPH
JML
JAWAD
JSRP
JIMENEZ
JOSE
JKJUS
JK
JAPAN
KMDR
KPAO
KPKO
KJUS
KCRM
KGHG
KFRD
KWMN
KDEM
KTFN
KHIV
KGIC
KIDE
KSCA
KNNP
KHUM
KIPR
KSUM
KISL
KIRF
KCOR
KRCM
KPAL
KWBG
KN
KS
KOMC
KSEP
KFLU
KPWR
KTIA
KSEO
KMPI
KHLS
KICC
KSTH
KMCA
KVPR
KPRM
KE
KU
KZ
KFLO
KSAF
KTIP
KTEX
KBCT
KOCI
KOLY
KOR
KAWC
KACT
KUNR
KTDB
KSTC
KLIG
KSKN
KNN
KCFE
KCIP
KGHA
KHDP
KPOW
KUNC
KDRL
KV
KPREL
KCRS
KPOL
KRVC
KRIM
KGIT
KWIR
KT
KIRC
KOMO
KRFD
KUWAIT
KG
KFIN
KSCI
KTFIN
KFTN
KGOV
KPRV
KSAC
KGIV
KCRIM
KPIR
KSOC
KBIO
KW
KGLB
KMWN
KPO
KFSC
KSEAO
KSTCPL
KSI
KPRP
KREC
KFPC
KUNH
KCSA
KMRS
KNDP
KR
KICCPUR
KPPAO
KCSY
KTBT
KCIS
KNEP
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KNNB
KGCC
KINR
KPOP
KMFO
KENV
KNAR
KVIR
KDRG
KDMR
KFCE
KNAO
KDEN
KGCN
KICA
KIMMITT
KMCC
KLFU
KMSG
KSEC
KUM
KCUL
KMNP
KSMT
KCOM
KOMCSG
KSPR
KPMI
KRAD
KIND
KCRP
KAUST
KWAWC
KTER
KCHG
KRDP
KPAS
KITA
KTSC
KPAOPREL
KWGB
KIRP
KJUST
KMIG
KLAB
KTFR
KSEI
KSTT
KAPO
KSTS
KLSO
KWNN
KPOA
KHSA
KNPP
KPAONZ
KBTS
KWWW
KY
KJRE
KPAOKMDRKE
KCRCM
KSCS
KWMNCI
KESO
KWUN
KPLS
KIIP
KEDEM
KPAOY
KRIF
KGICKS
KREF
KTRD
KFRDSOCIRO
KTAO
KJU
KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW
KEN
KO
KNEI
KEMR
KKIV
KEAI
KWAC
KRCIM
KWCI
KFIU
KWIC
KCORR
KOMS
KNNO
KPAI
KBWG
KTTB
KTBD
KTIALG
KILS
KFEM
KTDM
KESS
KNUC
KPA
KOMCCO
KCEM
KRCS
KWBGSY
KNPPIS
KNNPMNUC
KWN
KERG
KLTN
KALM
KCCP
KSUMPHUM
KREL
KGH
KLIP
KTLA
KAWK
KWMM
KVRP
KVRC
KAID
KSLG
KDEMK
KX
KIF
KNPR
KCFC
KFTFN
KTFM
KPDD
KCERS
KMOC
KDEMAF
KMEPI
KEMS
KDRM
KEPREL
KBTR
KEDU
KNP
KIRL
KNNR
KMPT
KISLPINR
KTPN
KA
KJUSTH
KPIN
KDEV
KTDD
KAKA
KFRP
KWNM
KTSD
KINL
KJUSKUNR
KWWMN
KECF
KWBC
KPRO
KVBL
KOM
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KEDM
KFLD
KLPM
KRGY
KNNF
KICR
KIFR
KM
KWMNCS
KAWS
KLAP
KPAK
KDDG
KCGC
KID
KNSD
KMPF
KPFO
KDP
KCMR
KRMS
KNPT
KNNNP
KTIAPARM
KDTB
KNUP
KPGOV
KNAP
KNNC
KUK
KSRE
KREISLER
KIVP
KQ
KTIAEUN
KPALAOIS
KRM
KISLAO
KWM
KFLOA
LE
LU
LH
LA
LG
LO
LY
LANTERN
LI
LABOR
LORAN
LTTE
LT
LAS
LAB
LAW
LVPR
LARREA
LEBIK
LAURA
LS
LOTT
LOVE
LR
LEON
LAVIN
LGAT
LV
LAOS
LOG
LN
LB
MOPS
MO
MARR
ML
MASS
MZ
MR
MNUC
MX
MV
MCC
MY
MEDIA
MTCRE
MG
MCAP
MOPPS
MP
MI
MK
MC
MD
MA
MU
MASC
MW
MT
MEPP
MN
MTCR
MH
MEPI
MIL
MNUCPTEREZ
MMAR
MICHAEL
MUNC
MDC
MPOS
MONUC
MAR
MGMT
MAS
MEPN
MENDIETA
MARIA
MONTENEGRO
MOOPS
MSG
MARITIME
MURRAY
MUKASEY
MOTO
MCA
MFO
MEX
MRSEC
MMED
MACP
MAAR
MINUSTAH
MCCONNELL
MAPP
MGT
MARQUEZ
MANUEL
MNUR
MCCAIN
MF
MOHAMMAD
MOHAMED
MNU
MFA
MILITANTS
MINORITIES
MTS
MLS
MILI
MIAH
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MED
MARAD
MNVC
MINURSO
MNUCUN
MIK
MARK
MBM
MPP
MILITARY
MAPS
MNUK
MILA
MTRRE
MACEDONIA
MICHEL
MASSMNUC
MUCN
MQADHAFI
MPS
MARRGH
MRCRE
MTRE
MORALES
MAP
MCTRE
MHUC
MOPSGRPARM
MOROCCO
MCAPS
NL
NU
NS
NI
NPT
NATO
NO
NG
NATEU
NSF
NZ
NAS
NP
NDP
NLD
NGO
NEPAD
NAFTA
NASA
NEA
NGUYEN
NIH
NK
NIPP
NONE
NR
NANCY
NEGROPONTE
NRR
NERG
NSSP
NSG
NSFO
NE
NATSIOS
NFSO
NATIONAL
NTDB
NT
NCD
NTSB
NRC
NELSON
NAM
NH
NPG
NEC
NSC
NFATC
NMFS
NATOIRAQ
NAR
NZUS
NARC
NCCC
NA
NC
NEW
NRG
NUIN
NOVO
NATOPREL
NEY
NV
NICHOLAS
NPA
NW
NARCOTICS
NORAD
NOAA
NON
NTTC
NKNNP
NMNUC
NUMBERING
ODIP
OIIP
OPRC
OSCE
OREP
OTRA
OPET
OSCI
OVIP
OECD
OCII
OUALI
OPDC
OEXC
OFPD
OPIC
OFDP
OPCW
OECV
OAS
OM
OMIG
ODAG
OPREP
ORA
OIC
OEXCSCULKPAO
OIG
OASS
OFFICIALS
ORTA
OSAC
OIL
OIE
OEXP
OPEC
OPDAT
OMS
OES
OHI
OMAR
OCRA
OFSO
OCBD
OSTA
OAO
ONA
OTP
ORC
OAU
OXEC
OA
ODPC
OPDP
OVIPPRELUNGANU
OASC
OSHA
OPCD
OTR
OPPI
OPCR
OF
OFDPQIS
OSIC
OHUM
OSTRA
OASCC
OBSP
OFDA
OPICEAGR
OIM
OGAC
OTA
OTRAORP
OPPC
OESC
OCEA
OVP
ON
OPAD
OTAR
OCS
ODC
OTRD
OCED
OSD
ORUE
OREG
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PGOV
PREL
PREF
PL
PM
PHSA
PE
PARM
PINS
PK
PUNE
PO
PALESTINIAN
PU
PBTS
PROP
PTBS
POL
POLI
PA
PGOVZI
POLMIL
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLM
PD
POLITICS
POLICY
PAS
PMIL
PINT
PNAT
PV
PKO
PPOL
PERSONS
PING
PBIO
PH
PETR
PARMS
PRES
PCON
PETERS
PRELBR
PT
PLAB
PP
PAK
PDEM
PKPA
PSOCI
PF
PLO
PTERM
PJUS
PSOE
PELOSI
PROPERTY
PGOVPREL
PARP
PRL
PNIR
PHUMKPAL
PG
PREZ
PGIC
PBOV
PAO
PKK
PROV
PHSAK
PHUMPREL
PROTECTION
PGOVBL
PSI
PRELPK
PGOVENRG
PUM
PRELKPKO
PATTY
PSOC
PRIVATIZATION
PRELSP
PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ
PMIG
PREC
PAIGH
PROG
PSHA
PARK
PETER
POG
PHUS
PPREL
PS
PTERPREL
PRELPGOV
POV
PKPO
PGOVECON
POUS
PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN
PWBG
PMAR
PREM
PAR
PNR
PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO
PARMIR
PGOVGM
PHUH
PARTM
PN
PRE
PTE
PY
POLUN
PPEL
PDOV
PGOVSOCI
PIRF
PGOVPM
PBST
PRELEVU
PGOR
PBTSRU
PRM
PRELKPAOIZ
PGVO
PERL
PGOC
PAGR
PMIN
PHUMR
PVIP
PPD
PGV
PRAM
PINL
PKPAL
PTERE
PGOF
PINO
PHAS
PODC
PRHUM
PHUMA
PREO
PPA
PEPFAR
PGO
PRGOV
PAC
PRESL
PORG
PKFK
PEPR
PRELP
PREFA
PNG
PGOVPHUMKPAO
PRELECON
PINOCHET
PFOR
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PRELC
PREK
PHUME
PHJM
POLINT
PGOVPZ
PGOVKCRM
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PECON
PEACE
PROCESS
PLN
PRELSW
PAHO
PEDRO
PRELA
PASS
PPAO
PGPV
PNUM
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGIV
PRFE
POGOV
PEL
PBT
PAMQ
PINF
PSEPC
POSTS
PHUMPGOV
PVOV
PHSAPREL
PROLIFERATION
PENA
PRELTBIOBA
PIN
PRELL
PGOVPTER
PHAM
PHYTRP
PTEL
PTERPGOV
PHARM
PROTESTS
PRELAF
PKBL
PRELKPAO
PKNP
PARMP
PHUML
PFOV
PERM
PUOS
PRELGOV
PHUMPTER
PARAGRAPH
PERURENA
PBTSEWWT
PCI
PETROL
PINSO
PINSCE
PQL
PEREZ
PBS
RS
REFUGEES
RW
RP
RELFREE
RO
REGIONAL
RIGHTS
REACTION
REPORT
RU
RENAMO
RIGHTSPOLMIL
REFORM
RM
REFUGEE
REL
RELATIONS
ROW
RREL
REGION
RATIFICATION
RBI
RICE
ROOD
RODENAS
RUIZ
RODHAM
ROBERT
RGY
ROY
REUBEN
RELIGIOUS
RUEHZO
RODRIGUEZ
RUEUN
RELAM
RSP
RF
RSO
RCMP
REO
ROSS
RPTS
RENE
REID
RUPREL
RMA
RI
REMON
RPEL
RFE
RFIN
RA
RAFAEL
RAY
RUS
RPREL
ROBERTG
RECIN
RAMONTEIJELO
SNAR
SP
SN
SMIG
SL
SOCI
SU
SG
SF
SENV
SZ
SOE
SCUL
SY
SO
SR
SYR
SE
SA
SW
SIPDIS
SCIENCE
SADC
SI
SCI
SOCIETY
SC
SAARC
STR
SECRETARY
SANC
SSH
ST
SNA
SGWI
SEP
SOCIS
SETTLEMENTS
SPECIALIST
SK
SHUM
START
STET
SCVL
SREF
SCHUL
SCUIL
SYRIA
SECURITY
SPCE
SYAI
SMIL
SOWGC
STEPHEN
SNRV
SKCA
SENSITIVE
SECI
SNAP
SPP
SCUD
SOM
SPECI
SMIGBG
SENC
SCRM
SGNV
SECTOR
SENVEAGREAIDTBIOECONSOCIXR
SENVSXE
SASIAIN
SACU
SENVSPL
SWMN
STEINBERG
SOPN
SOCR
SCOI
SCRS
SILVASANDE
SWE
SARS
SNARIZ
SUDAN
SENVQGR
SM
SNARKTFN
SAAD
SD
SAN
SIPRNET
STATE
SENS
SUBJECT
SFNV
SECSTATE
SSA
SPCVIS
SOI
SOFA
SCULKPAOECONTU
SPTER
SKSAF
SENVKGHG
SHI
SEVN
SANR
SPSTATE
SMITH
SCOM
SH
SNARCS
SNARN
SIPRS
SNARM
SIPDI
SCPR
SNIG
SELAB
SULLIVAN
SENVENV
SECDEF
SOLIC
SOIC
SPAS
SASC
SOSI
SEC
SEN
SENVCASCEAIDID
TU
TH
TW
TSPA
TRGY
TPHY
TBIO
TIFA
TS
TZ
TX
TSPL
TT
TK
TC
TINT
TERFIN
TERRORISM
TIP
TURKEY
TI
TECHNOLOGY
TNGD
TRSY
TRAFFICKING
TOPEC
TPSL
TP
TD
TR
TA
TIO
TREATY
TO
THPY
TECH
TRADE
TPSA
TG
TAGS
TF
TRAD
THKSJA
TVBIO
TNDG
TN
TBIOZK
TWI
TV
TWL
TRT
TWRO
TSRY
TTPGOV
TAUSCHER
TRBY
TRBIO
TL
TPKO
TIA
TGRY
TSPAM
TREL
TNAR
TBI
TFIN
TPHYPA
TWCH
THOMMA
THOMAS
TERROR
TRY
TBID
TPP
TE
THANH
TJ
TBKIO
UNGA
USUN
UN
UG
UNSC
UK
UP
US
UNCTAD
UNVIE
UNHRC
USTR
UNAMA
UNCRIME
UNESCO
UV
UNDP
UNHCR
UNCSD
UNCHR
UZ
USAID
UNEP
UNO
UNPUOS
UY
UNDC
UNCITRAL
UNAUS
UNCND
UA
UNMIK
USTDA
USEU
USDA
UNICEF
UR
UNFICYP
USNC
USTRRP
UNODC
UNRWA
UNOMIG
USTRPS
USAU
USCC
UNEF
UNGAPL
UNFPA
UNSCE
USSC
UGA
UEU
UNMIC
UNTAC
UNION
UNCLASSIFIED
USPS
UNA
UMIK
USOAS
UNMOVIC
UNFA
UNAIDS
UNCHC
USGS
UNSE
UNRCR
UNTERR
USG
UE
UAE
UNWRA
UNCSW
UNSCR
UNCHS
UNDESCO
UNPAR
UNC
UB
UNSCS
UKXG
UNGACG
UNREST
UNHR
USPTO
UNFCYP
USCG
UNIDROIT
UNSCD
UPU
UNBRO
UNECE
USTRUWR
UNCC
UNESCOSCULPRELPHUMKPALCUIRXFVEKV
VM
VE
VT
VETTING
VN
VZ
VIS
VC
VTPREL
VIP
VTEAID
VTEG
VOA
VA
VTIZ
VANG
VISIT
VO
VENZ
VAT
VI
VEPREL
VEN
WFP
WTO
WHO
WTRO
WBG
WMO
WIPO
WA
WI
WSIS
WHA
WCL
WE
WMN
WEBZ
WS
WAR
WZ
WMD
WW
WILLIAM
WEET
WAEMU
WM
WWBG
WWT
WWARD
WITH
WMDT
WTRQ
WCO
WEU
WALTER
WRTO
WB
WHTI
WBEG
WCI
WEF
WAKI
WHOA
WGC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 03HANOI386, Vietnam: Second Annual U.S.-Vietnam BTA Joint
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #03HANOI386.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03HANOI386 | 2003-02-18 10:19 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Hanoi |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 HANOI 000386
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTR HUNTSMAN AND EBRYAN
STATE ALSO FOR E, EB AND EAP/BCLTV
STATE ALSO PASS USAID FOR ANE/DEL MCCLUSKEY AND AFERRARA
USDOC FOR 6500 AND 4431/MAC/AP/OKSA/VLC/HPPHO
USDA FOR FAS/ITP/SHEIKH AND HUYNH
GENEVA FOR USTR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD EINV ECON EAID PREL OVIP VM
SUBJECT: Vietnam: Second Annual U.S.-Vietnam BTA Joint
Committee: Scenesetter - the BTA at One Year
¶1. (U) Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please protect
accordingly.
--------
OVERVIEW
--------
¶2. (SBU) Ensuring timely and effective implementation of the
U.S.-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) continues to be
the centerpiece of our economic relations with Vietnam. The
BTA continues to be our best tool to achieve a broad range
of policy objectives in the coming years. It is now 14
months since the U.S. -Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement
came into force on December 10, 2001 and almost one year
since the USAID-funded Support for Trade AcceleRation (STAR)
Project began working with the Vietnamese government,
joining our other USG sponsored technical assistance
programs provided by individual agencies and the U.S.-
Vietnam Trade Council (USVTC). The GVN has made
significant changes since December 2001, although progress
has been uneven. The bulk of Vietnam's core commitments
were due upon entry and we believe that the GVN is in most
cases making a good faith effort to meet most of those
obligations in the face of continued weak capacity. The GVN
spent much of the last year trying to formulate action plans
for implementation by reviewing the legal framework and
assessing needed changes to bring laws, rules, and
regulations into conformity with the BTA. The USG has been
instrumental in assisting the GVN take on this sizeable and
complicated task.
¶3. (SBU) The trade playing field is starting to level slowly
- US exports increased more than 30% in 2002, primarily due
to lower tariffs but also due to increased interest in the
market. The GVN still plays a dominant role in Vietnam's
economy but the private sector is seeing robust growth, with
strong job creation and a growing percentage of industrial
production. International economic integration is
proceeding with a number of AFTA commitments kicking in this
year even if WTO accession talks are proceeding more slowly
than expected. Legal reform continues to occupy center
stage in the GVN's implementation efforts, with several
significant new or revised laws, rules, and regulations
passed in 2002. While the GVN is behind schedule in a
number of areas, overall, progress is being made. We will be
meeting with the Government of Vietnam (GVN) March 10 for
the second annual U.S.-Vietnam Joint Committee under the BTA
(following expert level talks on March 4-5). The following
scene setter provides Embassy review of the status of BTA
implementation, an update on the progress of various
technical assistance programs, and issues that should be
highlighted at the Joint Committee.
---------------------
The Honeymoon is Over
---------------------
¶4. (SBU) When DUSTR Huntsman and then Minister of Trade Vu
Khoan convened the first BTA JC last May, we were clearly
still in the "honeymoon" period after the ratification and
entry-into-force of the agreement. The atmosphere for these
talks has changed - the honeymoon is definitely over. Vu
Khoan has moved up to the Deputy Prime Minister's office and
former Minister of Trade and BTA negotiator Truong Dinh
Tuyen has once again picked up the reigns at MOT. The
antidumping case on frozen fish fillets (or the fish
formerly known as catfish) and threats of an antidumping
case on shrimp have quickly dissipated much of the positive
political capital that should have been accruing this year
based on the tremendous success of Vietnam's exports to the
U.S. In addition, the US and Vietnam will have just begun,
if not finished, textile negotiations - which will put in
place an agreement to limit the exports to the U.S. of
textiles - one of Vietnam's fastest growing export
commodities this past year. In many ways, the reality of
the required BTA commitments has started to sink in and is
perhaps at contrast with original expectations and
understanding of what the BTA would do. Many GVN officials
viewed the BTA as the culmination of a process rather than
the beginning, and have genuinely been surprised by recent
trade disputes with the U.S.
¶5. (SBU) We should acknowledge Vietnam's progress and
encourage continued reform, while stressing the need for
Vietnam to move more quickly to reflect its BTA commitments
in law and in practice. Many GVN officials either do not
understand (or choose not to understand) which issues fall
under the BTA and which fall under the category of general
trade relations. On the date of entry into force, the U.S.
fully met all its obligations under the BTA; the GVN's
obligations are phased in over 9 years and the GVN is still
struggling to implement many obligations that were due upon
entry. Thus, any time there is an assessment of the
progress of BTA implementation, the GVN, by default, bears
the brunt of the criticism. While the GVN may have
legitimate complaints regarding the catfish antidumping
case, they are also clearly searching for issues to raise
under the BTA to "even the score", such as limitations on
business visas or other "business facilitation" issues. In
addition, the GVN has and will likely continue to downplay
the tremendous success Vietnam has seen on the trade side
this past year. In a period where Vietnamese exports to
other countries either decreased or remained relatively
static, exports to the U.S. increased more than 100 percent.
By any definition, this is an impressive result. In the
MOT's official report on implementation sent to the Prime
Minister in December, however, the MOT stated that although
the trade relationship had taken some "promising steps in
the spirit of the BTA. trade turnover figures between the
two countries remain low, and some matters have arisen
showing inequality in the trade relationship between the two
countries, notably the catfish dispute."
¶6. (SBU) The GVN has had difficulty in ensuring enforcement
of BTA implementation at the provincial levels - a problem
that, if not addressed more effectively by the GVN, will
seriously impede Vietnam's ability to meet its BTA
commitments - particularly in the area of investment. With
little ability to force provincial officials to toe the
line, the GVN has focused on an information campaign
regarding obligations under the BTA to try to bring those
officials along - with only mild success. One key GVN
official argued that it is difficult to convince the
provincial and local governments that the BTA will benefit
them in the face of the frozen fish fillet and other trade
disputes. We need to impress upon the GVN that ultimately
the central government alone bears the responsibility to
ensure that central, provincial, and local government
officials fully implement the BTA.
------------------------
BTA - The WTO and Beyond
------------------------
¶7. (SBU) This visit presents another important opportunity
to remind the Vietnamese of the broader implications and
benefits associated with implementation of the BTA. The BTA
is the GVN's most effective roadmap to reform consistent
with international standards. The reform and international
integration efforts called for under the BTA are critical to
the GVN's own growth and development objectives. WTO member
countries see Vietnam's progress in BTA implementation as an
indication of how serious Vietnam is in its efforts to
integrate. If BTA implementation falters, Vietnam's efforts
to accede to the WTO will be setback significantly. We also
need to remind the Vietnamese that the benefits of the BTA
reach far beyond the quick boost in trade that lower tariffs
promise; proper implementation will create in Vietnam the
type of environment that will attract high quality
investment and trade.
------------------------------
Issues for the Joint Committee
------------------------------
¶8. (SBU) While other members of the delegation will have an
opportunity in the "expert sessions" to explore fully the
technical issues of implementation, there are a number of
key themes that DUSTR Huntsman may wish to address in the
plenary session on March 10.
THEME ONE: The U.S. already has fully implemented the BTA
and opened wide its market to Vietnamese goods, services and
investment. Vietnam is already reaping significant benefits
from this market access.
--------------------------------------------- -------------
¶9. (SBU) The overall tone of our discussion should be
positive and cooperative, but we also must lay down
appropriate markers that we will not ignore Vietnam's
commitments and that greater effort must be made to stick to
the implementation timetable. We continue to need to
stress the point that the U.S. has already fully implemented
the BTA. This is perhaps even more important now that much
GVN rhetoric over the last year has focused on "lack of U.S.
commitment" to the spirit if not the letter of the BTA due
to the catfish antidumping case and other irritations in the
bilateral economic relationship. The GVN has sought to
bring all disagreements under the rubric of the "spirit of
the BTA." MOT's year-end report on the status of BTA
implementation concluded, ""Although the US undertook to
liberalize trade, it has in fact erected barriers and needs
to take anti-dumping and other measures."
¶10. (SBU) The GVN has on several occasions implicitly and
explicitly linked BTA implementation with favorable outcomes
on unrelated issues - most specifically the frozen fish
dumping case. In October, during a meeting with USG
officials, an official from the Office of the Government
(the Prime Minister's office) attempted to explicitly link a
"reasonable resolution" of the frozen fish fillet dumping
case to progress on IPR and other BTA implementation issues.
DPM Vu Khoan echoed this sentiment recently when he told
news agencies that the decision by the USDOC that Vietnam is
dumping frozen fish fillets on the U.S. market will "curb
the acceleration of BTA implementation." In addition, at
the one-year anniversary of the BTA, the GVN seemed to make
a conscious decision to downplay the enormously successful
results on the trade side - not acknowledging that we had
opened our markets fully and that Vietnam has benefited
significantly.
¶11. (SBU) The GVN has also failed to acknowledge when the
U.S. is actively enforcing its BTA commitments, such as
trademark protection. The GVN has complained about several
cases where competing trademark applications for Vietnamese
products, such as Trung Nguyen (coffee) and PetroVietnam
have been filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Although the cases are being handled appropriately, i.e. in
a transparent and legalistic manner, the GVN has attempted
to link the lack of political intervention in the process as
evidence of a lack of will by the USG to uphold its
commitments, stating that "the US has complained that
Vietnam is late in implementing TRIPS, whereas in fact under
the BTA both sides are in breach."
THEME TWO: The U.S. and Vietnam have worked together in a
positive and constructive manner to assist the GVN in its
reform effort and implementation of the BTA.
--------------------------------------------- --------------
¶12. (SBU) The progress over the last year across the board
on cooperative, constructive engagement has been
significant. USG agencies and our technical assistance
providers have worked with the GVN on issues ranging from
training for Supreme Court justices to international
arbitration to rule of law and sectoral issues like tariff
reform, insurance, and banking reform. USG technical
assistance and our providers are working with more than 40
government ministries, departments, agencies and local
people's committees. The breadth and depth of this effort
should be highlighted and commended on both sides. We
should stress that we place a priority on continued positive
momentum and real results.
THEME THREE: Vietnam has made commendable progress in
implementing new legislation, but many laws, regulations and
administrative practices do not yet meet BTA obligations.
Despite this, we expect that U.S. nationals, products and
companies will be accorded BTA treatment even when existing
regulations are contradictory.
--------------------------------------------- --------------
¶13. (SBU) Over the last year, a number of important laws
have been drafted or revised, such as the Law on the
Promulgation of Legal Normative Documents ("Law on Laws")
and the Ordinance on Most Favored Nation and National
Treatment, bringing them closer to BTA compliance but in
some cases still falling short. Additionally, numerous
others remain inconsistent with BTA obligations that were
due upon entry-into force, due at the one year mark or are
due in the near future. While acknowledging the depth and
breadth of the Vietnamese effort to reform the legal
framework, we should strongly emphasize that regardless of
the status of reform of laws and regulations, we expect that
Vietnam will meet its commitments and provide assurances
that U.S. nationals, products, and companies will be
accorded BTA treatment even when existing regulations are
contradictory.
THEME FOUR: Normal, active trade and economic
relationships require regular dialogue. Encourage Vietnam
to work with us on a daily basis to resolve ongoing issues
on both sides. The key is to work together to resolve
issues in a cooperative manner.
--------------------------------------------- --------------
¶14. (SBU) The GVN tends to see political messages behind
even minor technical trade/economic issues and thus often
reserves problems or concerns for discussion at high-level
meetings, such at the annual Joint Committee meetings.
While we will always have a mismatch of delegation of
authority (i.e. we make decisions at much lower levels),
this preference for a more formal route for what may be
mundane or minor issues is a less-than-efficient use of
senior officials time. Additionally, many of the questions,
problems, and issues that have been informally proposed for
Joint Committee meetings could easily be resolved through
informal working level discussions (for example questions
about SA8000 certification). We should stress that as our
economic relations expand, issues will arise - it is a
normal if somewhat unfortunate situation. We should
encourage the GVN to relay issues as they come up so that
they can be addressed quickly in the appropriate forum.
--------------------------------
General update on implementation
--------------------------------
Trade in Goods
--------------
¶15. (U) MFN/National Treatment for Imports: Vietnam did
enact an NT and MFN ordinance this year which covers goods
as well as services, and investment (Hanoi 1766) and that's
a good start. However, a broad array of regulations related
to VAT taxes, special inspection and quality-control
requirements and rules for trading that are not applied
equally to domestic goods remain inconsistent with Vietnam's
commitments to provide national treatment, except for
exempted goods. Vietnam is currently working to bring these
regulations into conformity but we need to stress we expect
BTA treatment regardless.
¶16. (U) In 2002 the USAID-funded STAR project provided the
GVN with detailed analysis of key pieces of legislation
related to the Trade in Goods chapter of the BTA including
the draft Ordinance on Commercial Arbitration, the draft
Commercial Law, and the draft Ordinance on E-Commerce. STAR
also provided training and workshops on E-Commerce, trade
policy procedures and customs issues. USG-funded technical
assistance projects related to trade in goods planned for
2003 include:
-- (STAR) Follow-up assistance in revising and implementing
the draft Ordinance on Commercial Arbitration and the draft
Commercial Law.
-- (STAR) Training and technical assistance for Customs on
meeting BTA obligations.
-- (STAR, USDOC) Support for a conference on trade-related
technical standards for the Ministry of Science and
Technology (MOST).
-- (STAR) Provide support to the Ministry of Fisheries in
implementing BTA obligations.
-- (USVTC) A study tour in the U.S. on technical regulations
and standards. Participants will include: GVN officials
from the MOT, MOST, the Ministry of Health (MOH), and the
Ministry of Industry (MOI) as well as the National Assembly.
-- (USVTC) A study tour in the U.S. on Sanitary and
Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures. Participants will include:
GVN officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development (MARD), MOH and MOT.
Intellectual Property Rights
----------------------------
¶17. (SBU) Vietnam has come a long way in revising
legislation to bring its IPR laws into compliance with its
BTA commitments, but gaps remain. Commitments related to
trademarks and patents were due 12 months after entry into
force (December 2002); commitments on copyright and trade
secrets are due in May 2003. The main issue continues to be
SIPDIS
lack of IPR enforcement, particularly with respect to
copyrights and trademarks. Vietnam committed in the BTA,
upon entry-into-force, to enforce existing laws, the U.S.-
Vietnam Copyright Agreement, and the Paris Convention. No
such routine and reliable enforcement exists. While there
have been some well-publicized raids over the last year,
they are few, ineffective and prompted by the
copyright/trademark holders with little to no independent
action by GVN authorities.
¶18. (U) Microsoft, for example, worked with HCMC law
enforcement officials earlier this year to raid shops
selling pirated Microsoft software. Authorities raided 6 or
7 of the probably hundreds of shops in the city which openly
sell pirated software. Only nominal fees were levied (12
million Dong per violator, or approximately USD 780), there
has apparently been no follow up by local authorities, and
the shops quickly re-opened. Although the raids can be seen
as a positive first step, clearly much needs to be done
before Vietnam can be considered serious in addressing IPR
enforcement concerns.
¶19. (U) In 2002 the STAR program supported several seminars,
workshops and conferences on IPR for judges, court
officials, government officials, business leaders and IP-
related agencies. STAR also sent a delegation from the
Supreme People's Court to Thailand to learn about Thailand's
specialized IP court. USG-funded technical assistance
projects related to IPR planned for 2003 include:
-- (STAR) Support the Ministry of Culture and Information
(MOCI) in the development of stronger regulations for
optical disc production and distribution.
-- (STAR) Provide detailed comments to the Ministry of
Justice (MOJ) on the revision of Part VI of the Civil Code,
which establishes the legal basis for IP protection in
Vietnam.
-- (STAR) Support GVN efforts to meet the standards
necessary to accede to the IP conventions cited in the BTA.
-- (STAR) Provide support to the Supreme People's Court and
Customs in meeting BTA IPR-related obligations.
-- (USVTC) Conduct a study tour to the U.S. on IPR issues,
particularly those related to Special 301. Participants
will include officials from the MOCI.
-- (USVTC) Conduct a study tour to the U.S. on IPR
enforcement issues. Participants will include: GVN
officials from the MOCI, MOST, Customs, and the Supreme
People's Court.
Trade in Services
-----------------
¶20. (U) Vietnam's commitments to provide increased market
access, MFN and National treatment to US service providers
are phased in over 2 to 9 years after entry-into-force of
the agreement (depending on the sector). However, in some
areas Vietnam has begun on a case-by-case basis to grant
greater access by U.S. firms in advance of its BTA
obligations in some limited sectors (insurance, banking).
¶21. (U) In 2002 STAR organized workshops, a study tour, and
provided detailed comments on revisions to the draft Decree
on Foreign Lawyers. STAR also supported workshops and
conferences on E-Commerce, telecommunications, and financial
services. USVTC conducted a study tour to the U.S. on WTO
services issues. In addition, in cooperation with the
Embassy, the Pacific Investment Management Company (PIMCO)
hosted a two-day seminar for key GVN and State Bank
officials in early January related to banking reform, and
plans to host another seminar at the end of February. USG-
funded technical assistance projects related to Trade in
Services planned for 2003 include:
-- (STAR) Provide technical support to the Ministry of Post
and Telecommunications (MPT), the State Bank of Vietnam
(SBV), the Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of
Finance (MOF) on BTA implementation issues related to
telecommunications, construction and financial services.
-- (USVTC) Conduct a study tour to the U.S. focused on
implementation of BTA obligations related to
telecommunications services and banking and financial
services. Participants will include: GVN officials from
the MPT, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), the Ministry
of Planning and Investment (MPI), the Office of the
Government and the National Assembly.
-- (USVTC) Conduct a study tour to the U.S. on banking and
financial sector development. Participants will include:
officials from the SBV, the MOF and the Office of the
Government.
Investment
----------
¶22. (U) The 2000 revised Law on Foreign Investment
represents a significant step forward in bringing the GVN's
investment regime into compliance with the BTA. However,
Vietnam still has much work to do to bring its laws and
regulations on foreign investment fully into conformity with
BTA obligations that were due upon entry-into-force. Most
of the inconsistencies are related to a lack of national
treatment. Additionally, even where the laws are clear,
the GVN has had difficulty enforcing them at the provincial
and local levels. Enforcement of arbitral awards and the
courts interpretation of Vietnam's obligations under the New
York Convention are other areas for particular concern.
¶23. (SBU) At the First BTA Joint Committee, we raised the
case of McCullagh Krong Ana Joint Venture, which involves a
U.S. company involved in a joint venture in Dak Lak province
that has been trying to buy out its Vietnamese partner since
¶1998. Both the partner and MPI have approved the buyout.
However, the Provincial Department of Planning and
Investment in Dak Lak refuses to allow the transaction to
occur. The case potentially violates the National Treatment,
MFN and technology transfer portions of the investment
chapter. We are continuing to press the GVN to resolve this
issue.
¶24. (SBU) In a second case, the Mission has been assisting
Tyco Services Singapore since 2001 in its attempts to get
two arbitral awards enforced in Vietnam. In January the
Vietnamese Supreme Court reversed a May 2002 landmark
decision by the Ho Chi Minh City Economic Court (supported
by the Ministry of Justice) that would have recognized an
international arbitral award for the first time. We believe
that this case highlights the current lack of understanding
at the highest judicial levels of modern, market-based
normal business transactions (in particular the definition
of a commercial transaction or contract), Vietnam's
international obligations, and a continuing lack of
transparency in legal decisions. It also raises questions
about Vietnam's ability to live up to its obligations under
the BTA and the New York Convention. We understand that
Tyco officials are considering requesting a review of the
Supreme Court decision. We recommend that this issue be
raised in the BTA Joint Committee meeting, not to argue the
merits of the case but to stress our expectation that U.S.
businesses will be treated fairly by the Judicial system and
that international commitments will be respected.
¶25. (U) In 2002 STAR supported the MPI in the development
and publication of an "Investment Guidebook for Vietnam" and
provided MPI with detailed comments on proposed amendments
to Decree 24 on investment procedures. In October, USVTC
hosted a delegation of eight inter-ministerial officials to
the U.S. to look at issues relating to Vietnam's membership
in the International Center for the Settlement of Investment
Disputes (ICSID). USG-funded technical assistance projects
related to Investment planned for 2003 include:
-- (STAR) Provide support to MPI in its efforts to revise
the Law on Foreign Investment.
-- (STAR) Provide training related to implementing ICSID
procedures.
-- (STAR) Support MPI in 1) developing a website for
disseminating information on foreign investment policies and
procedures and 2) developing a systematic analysis of the
difficulties faced by foreign investors in Vietnam.
-- (USVTC) Conduct a study tour to the U.S. on investment
and investment disputes.
-- (USVTC) Conduct follow-on workshops on accession to
ICSID.
Business Facilitation
---------------------
¶26. (SBU) The GVN may raise the issue of business visas for
Vietnamese nationals. On many occasions the GVN has
complained about 1) visa issuance requirements (which have
resulted in the refusal of applicants); how long the
application process takes; and 3) the short length of stay
allowed in the U.S. Post will provide DUSTR Huntsman and
participants in the "expert sessions" with background and
talking points on this issue upon arrival in Hanoi.
Transparency
------------
¶27. (SBU) Vietnam moved forward on efforts to enhance
transparency, but Vietnam's laws, regulations, and rule-
making processes are still far from compliant with this
obligation. After much debate, the National Assembly passed
a revised "Law on Laws" at the end of 2002, which is
supposed to provide the legal framework for many of the
changes related to transparency commitments that were due
upon implementation. While the revised law made noteworthy
improvements, it still does not conform with BTA
obligations. Of particular concern, the revised law 1) does
not adequately address the issue of public comment and 2)
does not include GVN orders, decisions, directives or
circulars in the definition of a "legal normative document."
¶28. (SBU) Although many GVN officials will admit that in the
cases where Vietnam has circulated draft laws and
regulations to industry and technical assistance providers,
the end result has been much better laws and rules, the
National Assembly saw the issue of public comment in terms
of national sovereignty and deleted that provision from the
final version of the revised law. Likewise, when new rules
have been published well in advance of their effectiveness,
implementation has been much smoother and the rules have
been much better received by the business community.
¶29. (SBU) However, Vietnam has not yet instituted a formal
regime to publish all laws, regulations, and administrative
practices promptly in a centralized source and in advance of
implementation to give companies an opportunity to adjust
their operations accordingly, and to provide opportunity for
input into the formulation process. We have been trying to
follow this issue closely and work with US firms to ensure
that any lack of transparency regarding new rules and
regulations does not have a negative impact on their
operations. There have been some noteworthy cases; at the
top of the list was a December 2002 decision by the Ministry
of Finance, which would have doubled import tariffs on auto
kits. The decision was based on a non-public "official
letter" from the Prime Minister and although it was due to
take effect on January 1, as of December 18, it had not yet
been issued publicly, published in the Official Gazette or
officially conveyed to the auto producers. (MOF
subsequently agreed to "delay" the decision.)
¶30. (U) In 2002 STAR supported the Office of the
Government's efforts to develop an "Action Plan for
Transparency," provided detailed comments on proposed
revisions to the Law on Laws and the draft Decree on the
Official Gazette, and hosted conferences and workshops on
transparency related obligations. USG-funded technical
assistance projects related to transparency planned for 2003
include:
-- (STAR) Support GVN efforts to further revise the Law on
Laws and improve the legal framework for the Official
Gazette.
-- (STAR) Support the MOJ in drafting a new "Law on
Promulgation of Local Level Legal Normative Documents."
-- (STAR) Support efforts to improve publication of laws and
court decisions at all levels of government.
Burghardt