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 06HANOI862, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE DELEGATION MEETS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
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. #06HANOI862.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06HANOI862 | 2006-04-17 08:58 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Hanoi |
VZCZCXRO4768
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHNH RUEHPB
DE RUEHHI #0862/01 1070858
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 170858Z APR 06
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1493
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 0951
RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 HANOI 000862
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR H, E, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP. EAP PLEASE PASS TO USTR
DBISBEE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA PREL PHUM KIRF ECON ETRD WTO VM SUBJECT
SUBJECT: SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE DELEGATION MEETS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
CHAIRMAN NGUYEN VAN AN
HANOI 00000862 001.2 OF 006
¶1. (SBU) Summary: Visiting Speaker of the House of
Representatives Dennis Hastert delivered a basic message in
Hanoi: we support, in principle, Vietnam's economic
development and openness and will work hard to pass
Permanent Normalized Trade Relations for Vietnam because
international economic integration and economic development
are good for mankind and passing PNTR is the right thing to
do. His delegation strongly cautioned the Vietnamese that
trade votes are difficult at any time, but especially in an
election year, and that Vietnam's human rights record will
be an important issue in the debate. National Assembly
Chairman Nguyen Van An highlighted the historical linkages
between the United States and Vietnam and described
Vietnam's economic development to date. He was obviously
pleased to hear Speaker Hastert commit to trying to pass
PNTR; it is less clear if he understood the other delegation
members' warnings that it might not succeed. Describing
himself as a Buddhist, An declared that religious activity
within Vietnam is robust. End Summary.
¶2. (SBU) Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert had meetings
with Vietnam's leadership April 14. In his first meeting
with National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An, An noted that
he had just come from opening the 15th (and last) Plenum of
the Central Committee of the Communist Party before the
beginning of the 10th National Party Congress. After this
unsubtle reminder that the Speaker's visit is coming at a
sensitive time for Vietnam, An extended a "warm welcome to
the first visit of the Speaker of the U.S. House of
Representatives to Vietnam." Vietnam highly values this
significant and important visit because it marks an
important milestone in the relationship between the U.S.
Congress and the Vietnamese National Assembly. It was
regrettable that the United States and Vietnam could not
hold such a meeting sixty years ago when then-President Ho
Chi Minh had extended an invitation and letter to President
Harry Truman stating that Vietnam wanted "complete
independence and comprehensive cooperation with the United
States." That goal has not changed since 1946, An stressed.
He pointed out the historical linkages between the United
States and Vietnam, using the similarities in language
between the two countries' declarations of independence as
an example.
¶3. (SBU) Speaker Hastert thanked An for his gracious
welcome, and said that his delegation sees this opportunity
to re-establish mutual understanding and communication as
very important. It is unfortunate that the conversations of
today did not happen in 1946, and as a result many people
suffered. He introduced the delegation, which included:
Speaker Hastert (R-IL)
Rep. Michael Oxley (R-OH)
Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY)
Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK)
Rep. Ray LaHood (R-IL)
Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI)
Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX)
Rep. Dan Boren (D-OK)
U.S. PRIORITIES: HUMAN RIGHTS, POW/MIA, TRADE, PNTR
--------------------------------------------- ------
¶4. (SBU) Speaker Hastert told Chairman An that the issues of
interest to the delegation include trade, permanent
normalized trade relations (PNTR) and related issues such as
human rights and fullest possible accounting of those
missing from the war. Trade votes are never easy in the
U.S. Congress, Speaker Hastert cautioned, because every
member with an issue or specific concern will have to raise
it in order to be responsive to his or her constituents.
Any bill requires a majority to pass, and that means
satisfying the concerns of a majority of members, which can
be difficult. In the long run, the work to satisfy the
concerns of as many constituencies as possible is a good
thing. The greatest good is to bring two sides together, to
have dialogue, to exchange trade and bring people closer,
the Speaker said.
AN: WE MISSED A CHANCE 60 YEARS AGO
HANOI 00000862 002.2 OF 006
-----------------------------------
¶5. (U) "The doors have been open since 1945 for this
conversation," An said. "The people of Vietnam strongly
desire independence and freedom; our revolution in 1945 was
like yours in 1776; both of our countries paid a dear price
for freedom." Vietnam's priority today is for cooperation
in economic development, An continued, in order to bring
about a better life for the Vietnamese people. The United
States and Vietnam have missed opportunities to cooperate in
the past, "but better late than never, for world peace,
development and security."
¶6. (SBU) An presented the U.S. delegation with a copy of the
Vietnamese Declaration of Independence of 1945 to
demonstrate the similarity with the U.S. Declaration of
Independence. He also supplied a cartoon from 1945
depicting the United States Army as "our friends." The
cartoon's eight panels served as a kind of public service
announcement to enlist the assistance of the Vietnamese
people in rescuing and protecting downed American pilots and
contacting local Viet Minh guerrillas to escort them to
Chinese territory for repatriation back to the United States
during World War II. An also showed the delegation photos
of Viet Minh guerrillas in 1945 receiving training from
allied forces, including the United States. The Declaration
of Independence, the cartoon and the photo of the joint
training are all evidence to support his claims that Vietnam
was ready in 1945 to cooperate closely with the United
States, An said.
AN: ECONOMIC OVERVIEW, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ROLE
---------------------------------------------
¶7. (SBU) An gave a brief overview of Vietnam's current
situation. The "Doi Moi" (renovation) period of economic
reform began in 1986 with a shift from a centrally planned
economy to a market-based economy along socialist lines.
The phrase "along socialist lines" means that the GVN pays
attention to social equity. Vietnam wants fast and
sustainable development, but without disadvantaging anyone.
Central planning did not result in the production of enough
food, he acknowledged. Now after the shift to a market
economy, Vietnam has food security and enough to eat as well
as enough to export to other countries, and has become a top
exporter of rice. In the process, Vietnam has reduced the
number of poor households by half and GDP growth continues
to increase at an average of 7.5 percent in recent years,
and with a target of over eight percent in the next five
years. Unfortunately, competitiveness is a problem for the
Vietnamese economy, as is efficiency. The rate of return on
Vietnam's investments is not high. Vietnam is working hard
to make the development process sustainable and make the
economy operate more efficiently, a process that will make
Vietnam more competitive, especially after it enters the
WTO.
¶8. (SBU) The National Assembly's role in Vietnamese politics
has grown in recent years, An said. Under the Constitution
and the law, the National Assembly should be the highest
body of authority in Vietnam. The National Assembly's
activities have become more and more democratic and
observant of the Constitution and the law in recent years.
Making and amending domestic laws are key functions of the
National Assembly, especially as Vietnam revamps its legal
code for entry into the WTO. Laws and regulations and the
National Assembly's future responsibilities are not yet
completely defined, he admitted. The National Assembly will
strive to overcome that and meet its governing
responsibilities.
AN: VIETNAMESE FOREIGN POLICY
-----------------------------
¶9. (SBU) With regard to foreign policy, Vietnam wants to put
the past behind it and look to the future, especially with
the United States. Vietnam's policy is to be a friend and
reliable partner with all countries, in compliance with the
UN charter and international law, An explained. In the
development of relations with all the countries of the
HANOI 00000862 003.2 OF 006
world, prioritization is necessary, noting that Vietnam's
top priority is its neighbors, while the second priority is
the "major powers and centers in the world," such as the
United States, the EU, Japan, India, China and Russia.
Political relations with the United States have been going
very well, he judged, and Vietnam is happy with the exchange
of high-level visits, including the Speaker's visit. The
next major bilateral event will be the visit of President
Bush to Vietnam in conjunction with APEC 2006, which will be
"another important milestone."
¶10. (SBU) Vietnam is pleased with the success of the
Bilateral Trade Agreement and the fact that the United
States has become Vietnam's largest export market, though it
is unfortunate that U.S. investment is not as high as U.S.
trade. The United States is Vietnam's tenth largest
investor, An said, though he acknowledged that the amount of
investment would be triple if third-country subsidiaries of
U.S. firms were included in the investment statistics.
There should be more cooperation in the areas of science and
technology, education, security and defense and culture, as
well as more legislative branch delegations in both
directions. The delegation should be sensitive to the fact
that Vietnam has had thousands of years under feudal
domination by China, hundreds of years under colonialism,
decades of war and only a few years of peace and stability
to overcome the past and make a better life for Vietnamese
people, An urged.
HASTERT: VIETNAM'S EMERGENCE GOOD FOR EVERYONE
--------------------------------------------- -
¶11. (SBU) Speaker Hastert took An's comment regarding
Vietnam's past "seriously," noting that history has given
Vietnam very little time to pursue economic and educational
development because so much time and effort was devoted to
defense. The United States sees better relations with
Vietnam developing because the Vietnamese people are
emerging into the international community and wanting better
health care, education and economic opportunity. To meet
this need and cooperate, the United States and Vietnam must
build a relationship of trust and transparency. As that
relationship develops, friendship follows. All of the major
countries of the world have changed over the years, the
Speaker observed. The United States has been called on to
help other countries maintain their freedom; the EU has
become a unified group; China has opened its doors; India
has changed from a nonaligned country to an eager
participant in the world economy; and, Japan has gone from
being a major military threat to a huge economic driving
force in global economic development.
¶12. (SBU) The large sign welcoming visitors to "Hanoi, City
of Peace" has a strong message, the Speaker continued. When
people are at peace internally and externally, many
opportunities arise. Vietnam can take advantage of stable
(and equal) commodity and capital costs globally to use its
advantage in lower-cost labor to make economic gains. This
same philosophy worked for Japan in the 1950s, for Taiwan in
the 1960s, for Thailand in the 1970s and for China in the
1980s, he said. Countries that follow this path develop
economically, they open up and they change from within. The
people become better educated, they have better health care,
they have a greater understanding of world events and a
higher standard of living. "When we as leaders make this
happen," the Speaker said, "we build a much richer legacy to
pass on to our children and grandchildren, all based on the
actions we take now."
HASTERT: PRIORITY ISSUES FOR PNTR
---------------------------------
¶13. (SBU) The Speaker welcomed Chairman An's suggestion of
continued and expanded parliamentary exchanges and
recommended setting up ways to move that forward right away.
He promised An that he would "work to pass PNTR, even though
trade legislation is often the most difficult to pass."
Every member and every constituent with a specific Vietnam-
related issue will bring it forward during the PNTR vote,
the Speaker warned. That includes trade issues, such as
HANOI 00000862 004.2 OF 006
market access for corn and soybeans grown in Illinois, for
example, as well as non-trade issues like human rights and
POW/MIA accounting. It is a good process, with facts
brought out and discussed, but it is also difficult. He
asked An to "give us better ideas and a better understanding
so we can carry the debate forward."
OXLEY: TELL US MORE ABOUT VIETNAM'S ECONOMIC REFORMS
--------------------------------------------- -------
¶14. (SBU) Representative Oxley noted that when he was in
Bangkok 13 years earlier, the American Chamber of Commerce
(AMCHAM) discussion at the time concerned whether the United
States was ready for normal relations with Vietnam. It is
hard to believe, he said, that only 13 years later the two
sides are discussing WTO entry for Vietnam and the United
States has become Vietnam's largest export market.
Vietnam's change from central planning to market-based
system is admirable, Rep. Oxley said. He asked for more
information on Vietnam's formation of capital markets, the
transparency of political and economic decisionmaking and
anti-corruption efforts. These details will be vital for
advocates of PNTR passage, Oxley said, including himself.
AN: ECONOMIC REFORM AND "ECONOMIC DEMOCRACY"
--------------------------------------------
¶15. (SBU) Chairman An said the Doi Moi reforms were "of the
greatest importance" because they prevented Vietnam from
"following the fallen path of the Soviet Union." Vietnam
followed the central planning philosophy with the idea that
ridding Vietnam of private ownership would prevent
exploitation of workers and farmers. However, Vietnam
learned that this is an ineffective system because it
deprives people of economic incentives to work. In the old
days, there were only two sectors: State-owned Enterprises
and collectives. Now, the Constitution and the GVN promote
the growth of every economic sector and people's rights
include the right to participate in every part of the
economy as private citizens or in business. This
fundamental change led to an explosion in agricultural
development. Democracy in the area of economic growth is
very strictly enforced, with the outcome that "anyone can
successfully pursue happiness and prosperity and develop
themselves and the country." This policy helps Vietnam
mobilize capital domestically and from overseas, An said.
¶16. (SBU) An acknowledged that the creation of capital
markets "is very new for us." There are two stock
exchanges, in Hanoi and in Ho Chi Minh City. The capital
markets are growing, however. "Money and banking systems
are also relatively new to us, but we are working on them,"
he continued. "Part of our banking system is now commercial
banks, and we are creating the conditions for effective
monetary markets and policies to operate."
¶17. (SBU) A quick read of the press will demonstrate
Vietnam's commitment to anti-corruption, An said. The anti-
corruption fight is one method to increase efficiency, and
gain the confidence and trust of the population and the
world, including business people and investors. The reforms
of the last twenty years have been a great exercise in
conceptual change. To achieve the results Vietnam has
achieved is an exceptional process, and a success. The GVN
and the Party attribute the success of the reform process to
the success of economic democracy, and have committed to
taking the process to new heights in the years to come. "I
say that we won the wars of resistance because we complied
with the wishes of the people, and we will have success in
economic modernization with the same popular involvement."
RYAN: KEY ISSUES ARE REFORM, MARKET ACCESS, HUMAN RIGHTS
--------------------------------------------- -----------
¶18. (SBU) Rep. Paul Ryan, a member of the Ways and Means
Committee, described three major challenges ahead for
Vietnam as it faces a PNTR vote in Congress. First, the
Congress will look closely at Vietnam's laws on the rule of
law, intellectual property rights, and the transparency of
business rules and procedures, and then will look at how
HANOI 00000862 005.2 OF 006
those laws are implemented. Second, it will be necessary
for individual members to justify a PNTR vote to their
constituents, so tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade
will be very important. U.S. Trade Representative Rob
Portman is a former colleague in the House of
Representatives and very well respected in Congress, and he
is trusted to raise and solve the important market access
issues that remain, such as on motorcycles, car engines,
tractors, financial services, etc. These are crucial to
constituents and of the highest importance to members.
Third, it is necessary to keep in mind that Vietnam PNTR
will be a very emotional vote, both because of the history
between our countries and because of ongoing political
differences. Human rights, for example, particularly in the
realms of religious freedom, internet freedom and
trafficking in persons, will be closely watched. Rep. Ryan
said he appreciates Chairman An's candor on the democracy of
Vietnam's economic system, but is concerned about the
inherent contradiction between economic democracy and
political centralization. This will be a contentious issue
as Congress debates PNTR for Vietnam and each member tries
to justify his/her position to his/her constituents.
AN RESPONDS AT LENGTH
---------------------
¶19. (SBU) The National Assembly passed WTO laws three times
faster than any other law on Vietnam's books, An declared.
The quality of those laws is also higher than other
legislation. The National Assembly is involved in the
process intimately, and is required to approve any bilateral
agreement with Vietnam, a role it has played efficiently in
the past year. Vietnam is looking forward to addressing the
challenge of PNTR, as well as other contentious issues, such
as Vietnam's continued placement on the list of countries of
particular concern for religious freedom. For the PNTR vote
to be fair and accurate, An said, it will be important that
Congress receives "fair information from different angles"
that will do the best job of informing the institution.
HUMAN RIGHTS
------------
¶20. (SBU) Tariff and non-tariff barriers as well as other
technical issues have, by and large, been dealt with in the
negotiations, An asserted. The issues of human rights and
religious freedom are very big ones, and very sensitive,
based on the fact that Vietnam and the United States have
differences in opinion and approach due to their different
historic development as countries. It takes time to grow
when you have the complex and difficult history of Vietnam,
he said. The real problem is that the two sides do not
understand each other well enough, he added. "Why do you
think we fought wars for thirty years," he asked
rhetorically, "if not for the human rights of our people?"
All men are created equal, and Vietnam fought its wars to
guarantee that it will be on an equal footing with other
countries. As Ho Chi Minh put it, "there is nothing more
valuable than independence and freedom." Politically,
Vietnam has a great deal of freedom, as evidenced by the
popular participation in and feedback to the draft Political
Report in advance of the 10th National Party Congress. An
said he himself loves the internet and finds it very free.
Vietnam looks forward to welcoming the "symbol of the
internet," Bill Gates. Vietnam even has internet access in
remote and mountainous areas, An said with pride. The
Government's role in the internet is "to pay attention to
the downsides, the things that can harm youth or be used to
instigate negative issues." Vietnam understands that in a
global age, force cannot be used to stop things; guidance is
required to protect the people. The people require internet
access to be efficient and wholesome.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
-----------------
¶21. (SBU) An urged the delegation to visit a church or
pagoda to see the practice of religion in Vietnam firsthand.
"The issue in Vietnam has never been the practice of
religion, but rather those who would take advantage of
HANOI 00000862 006.2 OF 006
religion to do other things, and to invade us from outside,"
An explained. "The history of religious actions in Vietnam
has been that religion from outside has been a road-paving
project for colonialism." Religious activity within Vietnam
is very robust, as much or more so than in the United
States, he said. Every Vietnamese follows religion of one
kind or another, he declared, and some follow more than one.
"I am a Buddhist," An said, "and my wife is Catholic. My
wife's sister is both. She attends the pagoda and the
church." Vietnam takes a great deal from all religions. An
closed with a "Ho Chi Minh thought" (itself borrowed from
the Cao Dai, a uniquely Vietnamese religion) regarding the
contributions of various religious belief systems:
"Confucius teaches us how to be humane. Buddha teaches us
how to be benign. Jesus Christ teaches us to be
compassionate, and Sun Yat Sen teaches us the three
principles of the people (nationalism, democracy, and `the
people's livelihood,' which the Vietnamese believe means
socialism)."
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DINNER
------------------------
¶22. (SBU) Following their official meetings, Chairman An
hosted an elaborate dinner for the Speaker and his
delegation in which An and other NA members who spoke were
even more enthusiastic and upbeat about the future of the
bilateral relationship. At one point, all of the NA
representatives joined in song together in a toast to the
future of U.S.-Vietnam relations. Later, An expounded on
his earlier religious statements, saying that "God teaches
us to love each other, and Buddha teaches us to show
compassion to each other. This meeting allows us to put
these principles into practice." In a final gesture, An had
the musicians play a traditional American song and then a
traditional Vietnamese song for the delegation. The Speaker
concluded the evening with expressions of thanks and a
commitment to continue developing our exchanges and
dialogue.
Comment
-------
¶23. (SBU) Chairman An is known as a relatively hard-line
communist politician, and we have seen him take a combative
and defensive attitude towards American delegations in the
past (such as during Congressman Gillmor's visit in January
2006). He is also widely assumed to be retiring after the
10th National Party Congress this week, which would suggest
that he does not need to pull his punches. With that in
mind, his expansive, friendly responses to the Speaker's and
the delegation's comments and questions, even on sensitive
topics such as religious freedom and human rights, were a
welcome surprise. The National Assembly (no doubt at An's
instruction) went out of its way to create warm atmospherics
for the meeting, with a relatively intimate "welcome toast"
and a robust turnout of pro-U.S. officials and legislators.
We noted that An did not let his colleagues ask or answer a
single question, and instead did all the talking himself.
He promised that he would give them a chance to express
themselves later at the dinner reception, but in fact that
was a largely social affair.
¶23. (SBU) The Speaker's staff members cleared this message.
MARINE