KI Media: “Gambling row getting hotter” plus 24 more |
- Gambling row getting hotter
- Bittersweet harvest [-Ly Yong Phat's BLOOD Sugar]
- Crossing The River (video in Khmer and English)
- Som Niyeay Phorng - Editiorial by Angkor Borei News
- "The planned funeral for Mitt Xen" - Opinion by Anonymous
- "Cảm ơn đồng chí Hoon Xhen" - Opinion by Anonymous
- Please Help Lok Vann Nath's family
- Sunset at Batheay, Kampong Cham along National Road 6A
- ស្តេចអុកស្រុកខ្មែរ (The chess of Khmer King and Samdech) ដោយ ម៉ែន ណាត
- Brain Food for the CPP
- UN Convention Against Corruption
- Brain Food for Sinners - none in Cambodia, I am sure (sic!!)
- Meet Opposition Leader Sam Rainsy in Austria on 11 September 2011
- The Central Authorithy at the Ministry of Justice, Cambodia
- Youth Messengers-Register to vote for a bright future
- Invitation to the Bon Pchum Ben Ceremony at Wat Khemara Rangsey in San Jose, California
- Wikileaks: 06HANOI243, VIETNAM: ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL'S CALL ON
- Wikileaks: 06HANOI242, EAP A/S HILL MEETS SENIOR COMMUNIST PARTY OFFICIAL
- Wikileaks: 06HANOI249, EAP A/S Hill's Meeting with Vietnamese FM Nguyen [-US concerns over Hun Xen]
- Wikileaks: 06HANOI250, EAP A/S Hill's Meeting with Vietnam VFM Le Van Bang [-What VN thinks about Hun Xen]
- Wikileaks: A/S HILL DISCUSSES BURMA, CAMBODIA, LAOS, CHINA
- ព្រឹត្តិប័ត្រ កម្ពុជាក្រោម លេខ៨៣ - Kampuchea Krom Bulletin No. 83 (Aug. 2011)
- CIA, MI6 helped Gaddafi on dissidents - rights group
- Politiktoons No. 175: Feeding
- Brain Food
| Posted: 04 Sep 2011 04:35 PM PDT 5/09/2011 Bangkok Post Editorial Thailand lost millions of baht on the weekend, as gamblers took their addictions and thrill-seeking to Cambodia. They were locked out of their usual haunts as Bangkok casinos suddenly disappeared in a cloud of rare law enforcement. The alternately entertaining and serious escapades of the Bangkok casinos has raised an old question: Should Thailand have legal casino gambling? The answer has always been negative, by the government and by citizens. But times and circumstances change and the issue deserves a detailed and honest look. Those who strongly favour legal casino gambling believe the answer is almost too simple to explain. Proponents stress that gambling happens even when illegal, that legalised betting can be more easily policed, that casinos attract tourists and that the government could substantially boost tax revenues. Opponents also believe it's an easy case. Thailand is a conservative country, that the religion frowns on casinos, that gambling impoverishes and breaks up families, and that government has no business promoting _ let along profiting _ from an activity that at best is of dubious morality. In addition, profits and high tax revenues are by no means certain. Poorly managed or (worse) corrupt casinos lose money. The idea that gambling should be legalised because it is a widespread activity makes little sense. Smoking in restaurants was widespread, fixing prices was widespread, and spousal abuse remains one of the black marks on our society. In any case, those who support legalised gambling generally oppose open betting. They want regulation, age limits, policing of casinos and their accounts, and more. Equally, however, those who oppose casinos must honestly admit that legalised betting would have virtually no effect on gambling addiction and resulting harm to families. The best law enforcement, the most severe anti-corruption crackdown cannot stop gambling by those who are determined to gamble. As the weekend exodus to Poipet and similar casino centres proved, those who are determined to gamble cannot be deterred. The claim that Thailand could attract gamblers from other countries to one or more Thai casinos is undoubtedly true. Assuming it was honest, scrupulously managed and policed against corruption _ huge assumptions, surely _ there is a good chance an open Thai casino could be profitable. Equally true is that many Thais would resent seeing their government involved in an industry as dubious as drugs or prostitution. The contentious issue still has no easy answers. That does not mean there is no answer. Inertia favours a continued ban on casino gaming. That means it also favours the sort of corruption that just last month saw senior policemen running illegal casinos. If the ban on games of chance continues, then, logically, the public and the media should actively support exposing law-breaking officials. They deserve to lose their authority, their jobs and, after prosecution, their liberty. After several decades of mostly desultory public debate, the country should make a positive decision about gambling: Keep the ban or end it. If the latter, there must be strong decisions on how to run and police the casino. To prevent corruption, outsiders should be consulted, as Singapore has done. If the nation decides to continue a ban on most gambling, new and more effective methods are needed for enforcement. What is intolerable is the current system of massive underground, illegal betting, with criminals in charge.  | ||||
| Bittersweet harvest [-Ly Yong Phat's BLOOD Sugar] Posted: 04 Sep 2011 04:32 PM PDT
Major Thai producer among businesses facing land-grab allegations in Cambodia's lucrative sugar industry. 5/09/2011 James O'Toole Bangkok Post PHNOM PENH : Cambodia's burgeoning sugar industry has appeared a sweet deal to both local and international investors of late. Allegations of land-grabbing and human rights abuses now dogging producers, however, have left many people souring on the sector. With neighbouring Thailand, the world's second-biggest sugar exporter, aiming to export 7 million tonnes this year, sugar would appear a natural choice for Cambodia as it attempts to diversify its agro-industrial production. Adding further attraction has been the duty-free access to European markets which, along with guaranteed minimum prices, came into effect in 2009 for Cambodian sugar as part of the European Union's Everything But Arms (EBA) trade initiative. In one of the industry's most prominent projects thus far, Thailand's SET-listed Khon Kaen Sugar Industry Plc (KSL) partnered in 2006 with the Taiwanese company Vewong and Cambodian businessman and senator Ly Yong Phat in a joint venture to harvest sugarcane on roughly 20,000 hectares in southwestern Cambodia. In June of last year, the group made its first shipment to Europe, exporting 10,000 tonnes of sugar to the United Kingdom under the EBA agreement. But as the project has been developed, thousands of Cambodian villagers claim they have been pushed off their farmland, in some cases left homeless and denied their livelihoods, according to local rights groups. Community leaders have been intimidated with lawsuits and attacked by police seeking to clear their land on behalf of the project. Ly Yong Phat has developed sugar plantations in three provinces, in all of which he has been accused of illegal land-grabbing by NGOs and villagers. The senator brushed off the allegations in an interview with the Phnom Penh Post earlier this year, saying that his concessions had been granted lawfully and that the frequent protests against his operations had been orchestrated by "political parties". A report released last year by the NGO Bridges Across Borders Cambodia, however, documents a litany of abuses allegedly committed in the service of Ly Yong Phat's plantations, saying he had been able to "flout the law at will" due to his status as a member of Cambodia's ruling elite. Last year, KSL bought out Ly Yong Phat's stake in the joint venture and it now controls 70% of the project, according to its annual report last year. Meechai Piyavisadpat, an investor relations officer for KSL, said any land problems near the company's Cambodia concession were "not because of KSL's operations". He said that the concession had been lawfully granted by the Cambodian government, and that local residents affected by it had been properly compensated already. (sic!) "Right now, we don't have any problems with the villagers," Mr Meechai said. "In the past, we have [paid] some compensation, provided land - we helped them to develop [a] new area." But David Pred, executive director of Bridges Across Borders Cambodia, said KSL was not blameless in the dispute, which locals claim remains unresolved. "KSL has a majority ownership of a concession that illegally appropriated the private land of hundreds of local villagers," Mr Pred said. "The land-grabbing may have being carried out by KSL's business partner prior to its joint-venture agreement, but KSL has nonetheless profited from the land-grabbing." Mr Pred's group estimates that overall, more than 12,000 Cambodians have been affected by land-grabbing and other rights abuses associated with the sugar industry. DWS Investments, the retail asset management arm of Deutsche Bank, owned a stake in KSL until last year, when it divested its holdings. DWS spokesman Claus Gruber said the choice to part with the shares - equating to 2.15% or about US$14 million - was primarily a financial decision, but that the controversy in Cambodia also played a role. "This human rights perspective has also affected how we assess the future of the company," Mr Gruber said. "On the one hand, there is financial data, on the other hand, there is non-financial data. These environmental and social and governance issues are more the non-financial data." NGOs and members of the Cambodian opposition, meanwhile, have called on the European Union to review Cambodia's privileges under the Everything But Arms programme, claiming the agreement has in effect incentivised land-grabbing and other human rights abuses associated with the expanding sugar industry. Earlier this year, Cecilia Wikstrom, a member of the European Parliament from Sweden, travelled to Cambodia for a fact-finding mission on the issue, later terming the exports in question "blood sugar". EU officials in Phnom Penh did not respond to a request for comment. Mr Gruber, too, called on the EU to investigate the issue, saying it had a responsibility to offer "guidance" to European firms looking to invest abroad. "When they set up the Everything But Arms programmes with countries such as Cambodia - countries with poor transparency, poor governance - I think the European Union is also responsible for looking into these kinds of issues," he said.  | ||||
| Crossing The River (video in Khmer and English) Posted: 04 Sep 2011 04:08 PM PDT Khmer version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDiM5Iv72G4 English version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbAgTXnSv3k  | ||||
| Som Niyeay Phorng - Editiorial by Angkor Borei News Posted: 04 Sep 2011 03:51 PM PDT   | ||||
| "The planned funeral for Mitt Xen" - Opinion by Anonymous Posted: 04 Sep 2011 03:47 PM PDT   | ||||
| "Cảm ơn đồng chí Hoon Xhen" - Opinion by Anonymous Posted: 04 Sep 2011 03:42 PM PDT   | ||||
| Please Help Lok Vann Nath's family Posted: 04 Sep 2011 03:34 PM PDT
Dear friends, Vann Nath is still in a coma. The family wishes to continue to provide the current medical assistance. The cost averages $ 300 per day. In this difficult time, the family needs your financial support and your solidarity. For those who live in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, you can bring your donations in a sealed envelope in the name of Vann Nath at the reception of Bophana Center (64 Street 200, Phnom Penh). It will be delivered directly to Vann Nath's wife on the day of your deposit. For donations from abroad, thank you to contact the Cercle des amis de Vann Nath in France at the following address: Donation through Paypal : click the yellow button in the right column of To send a check: Le Cercle des Amis de Vann Nath c/o Marie-Sophie Ly 18 rue Emilio Castelar 75012 Paris FRANCE To make a transfer: ASSOCIATION LE CERCLE DES AMIS DE VANN NATH RIB 30004 00821 00010261089 32 BNP PARIBAS PARIS TERNES IBAN : FR76 3000 4008 2100 0102 6108 932 BIC : BNPARFPPPTE Thank you in advance for your help. Please forward this mail to all those who know and esteem Vann Nath. Sincerely, Rithy Panh ------------------- Chers amis, Vann Nath est malheureusement toujours plongé dans le coma. La famille souhaite continuer à assurer le dispositif médical actuel. Le coût est en moyenne de 300$ par jour. Dans ce moment difficile, elle a besoin de votre soutien financier et de votre solidarité. Pour ceux qui résident à Phnom Penh, ou au Cambodge, vous pouvez déposer vos dons sous enveloppe fermée au nom de Vann Nath à l'accueil du centre Bophana (64, rue 200, Phnom Penh). Elle sera remise directement à la femme de Vann Nath le jour même de votre dépôt. Pour les dons en provenance de l'étranger, merci de vous adresser au Cercle des amis de Vann Nath en France à l'adresse suivante : Pour faire une donation via Paypal : cliquer sur le bouton jaune dans la colonne de droite du blog http://lecercledesamisdevannnath.blogspot.com Pour envoyer un chèque : Le Cercle des Amis de Vann Nath c/o Marie-Sophie Ly 18 rue Emilio Castelar 75012 Paris FRANCE Pour faire un virement : ASSOCIATION LE CERCLE DES AMIS DE VANN NATH RIB 30004 00821 00010261089 32 BNP PARIBAS PARIS TERNES IBAN : FR76 3000 4008 2100 0102 6108 932 BIC : BNPARFPPPTE Je vous remercie par avance de votre aide. N'hésitez pas à transmettre ce mail à tous ceux qui connaissent et estiment Vann Nath. Amicalement, Rithy Panh *************** Rithy PANH Centre de Ressource Audiovisuelle Bophana Bophana Audiovisual Resource Center #64 Street 200 Ochnia Mèn Khan Daun Penh Phnom Penh Cambodia rithy.panh@bophana.org www.bophana.org  | ||||
| Sunset at Batheay, Kampong Cham along National Road 6A Posted: 04 Sep 2011 03:24 PM PDT 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMknbY0PXcs  | ||||
| ស្តេចអុកស្រុកខ្មែរ (The chess of Khmer King and Samdech) ដោយ ម៉ែន ណាត Posted: 04 Sep 2011 10:27 AM PDT  (Please click on peom to zoom in)  | ||||
| Posted: 04 Sep 2011 06:37 AM PDT The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction. - Book of Proverbs (the Hebrew Bible)  | ||||
| UN Convention Against Corruption Posted: 04 Sep 2011 06:29 AM PDT United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) In accordance with article 68 (1) of resolution 58/4, the United Nations Convention against Corruption entered into force on 14 December 2005. A Conference of the States Parties is established to review implementation and facilitate activities required by the Convention. Cambodia acceded to the UNCAC Chapter III Criminalization and law enforcement Bribery of foreign public officials and officials of public international organizations 1. Each State Party shall adopt such legislative and other measures as may be necessary to establish as a criminal offence, when committed intentionally, the promise, offering or giving to a foreign public official or an official of a public international organization, directly or indirectly, of an undue advantage, for the official himself or herself or another person or entity, in order that the official act or refrain from acting in the exercise of his or her official duties, in order to obtain or retain business or other undue advantage in relation to the conduct of international business. 2. Each State Party shall consider adopting such legislative and other measures as may be necessary to establish as a criminal offence, when committed intentionally, the solicitation or acceptance by a foreign public official or an official of a public international organization, directly or indirectly, of an undue advantage, for the official himself [SIEGFRIED BLUNK ???] or herself or another person or entity, in order that the official act or refrain from acting in the exercise of his or her official duties.  | ||||
| Brain Food for Sinners - none in Cambodia, I am sure (sic!!) Posted: 04 Sep 2011 06:17 AM PDT Jesus Teaches NicodemusNow there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him." Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." "How can someone be born when they are old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." "How can this be?" Nicodemus asked. "You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him." For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." - St. John (the Holy Bible)  | ||||
| Meet Opposition Leader Sam Rainsy in Austria on 11 September 2011 Posted: 04 Sep 2011 02:25 AM PDT   | ||||
| The Central Authorithy at the Ministry of Justice, Cambodia Posted: 04 Sep 2011 02:16 AM PDT | ||||
| Youth Messengers-Register to vote for a bright future Posted: 04 Sep 2011 02:03 AM PDT     Sunday, September 04, 2011 By Mu Sochua Printed on their shirts: "Youth-Register to vote for a bright future" The Sam Rainsy Party Youth Movement is taking the party message to youth voters by walking door-to-door. Target of the "Go get the votes campaign" : marginalyzed youth. We went to market places, restaurants, construction sites where youth work with just less than US$1 a day. Youth talk to youth. Power to the youth! Mu Sochua, MP "I do not fear death; I fear political silence against injustices" -Malalai Joya, MP Afghanistan  | ||||
| Invitation to the Bon Pchum Ben Ceremony at Wat Khemara Rangsey in San Jose, California Posted: 04 Sep 2011 01:50 AM PDT  Invitation to the Bon Pchum Ben Ceremony You are cordially invited to attend our Buddhist cultural event—BON PCHUM BEN which is the commemoration ceremony to remember our loved ones who passed away. The ceremony will be from Friday, September 23, 2011 to Sunday, September 25, 2011 at Wat Khemara Rangsey. On Saturday, our special guests, Mr. Trent Walker from Berkeley University and Ms. Phoeun Sreypeou from Cambodia will perform "Dharma Songs: Buddhist Melodies from Cambodia."  | ||||
| Wikileaks: 06HANOI243, VIETNAM: ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL'S CALL ON Posted: 04 Sep 2011 12:17 AM PDT
Reference ID: 06HANOI243 Created: 2006-02-06 06:53 Released: 2011-08-30 01:44 Classification: UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Origin: Embassy Hanoi VZCZCXRO6613 RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHHI #0243/01 0370653 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 060653Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY HANOI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0659 INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 0432 RUEHZS/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 HANOI 000243 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS AND EB/TPP/BTA/ANA STATE PASS USTR FOR EBRYAN AND GHICKS USDOC FOR 4431/MAC/AP/OPB/VLC/HPPHO TREASURY FOR OASIA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD EINV WTRO PREL PGOV TBIO VM SUBJECT: VIETNAM: ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL'S CALL ON DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER VU KHOAN HANOI 00000243 001.2 OF 003 Sensitive but unclassified protect accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) Summary and Introduction: On January 13, Assistant Secretary Christopher R. Hill met with Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan. The Deputy Prime Minister laid out a roadmap of five steps to prepare for the visit of President Bush in November: work to close bilateral WTO market access negotiations in the first quarter, set up a political consultative mechanism to oversee preparations, review deliverables, expand humanitarian cooperation and settle outstanding issues such as the Country of Particular Concern (CPC) designation. Assistant Secretary Hill suggested that Vice Foreign Minister Le Van Bang direct the consultations, called for conclusion of the WTO talks, expressed the desire to discuss regional issues and noted that APEC issues would also need to be included. A/S Hill said he would return to Hanoi in the spring to continue preparations for the President's visit. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) EAP Assistant Secretary Christopher R. Hill, accompanied by Ambassador Marine, met with Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan on January 13. Vietnam's Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Nguyen Duc Hung also attended. Expressing satisfaction with the development of bilateral relations, A/S Hill congratulated the DPM on Vietnam's economic achievements. The DPM concurred with A/S Hill's assessment that relations are going well, but pointed out that there is more to do. Remarking that Vietnam will host APEC in 2006, he said that he was pleased that President Bush would come to Vietnam. Prime Minister Phan Van Khai's visit to Washington last year had been a great success and a high mark in bilateral relations. It is therefore important to maintain this momentum in the run-up to the President's visit to ensure that relations will move to a higher level. ¶3. (SBU) Since the focus of the 2006 relationship would be preparations for President Bush's visit, Vu Khoan enumerated a roadmap of five concrete steps. Vietnam's top priority is concluding the bilateral WTO negotiations. Pleased that the U.S. team will come to Vietnam next week, DPM Khoan noted that these negotiations are not only important to Vietnam, but are in the best interest of promoting bilateral relations. For this reason Vietnam's team had been instructed to do its utmost to conclude the negotiations early. The two negotiating teams will hopefully bear in mind that Vietnam is ready to go further within the framework of current WTO rules, especially with respect to its level of development, but Vietnam hopes that the U.S. team will not seek to impose conditions from Free Trade Agreements or the unconcluded Doha Round. The DPM clarified that he does not intend to shirk any existing WTO rules, but to avoid future possible rules, he stressed. Completing the bilateral negotiations in the first quarter of this year would be very good. ¶4. (SBU) To prepare for the President's visit, the Deputy Prime Minister issued another call for the bilateral political consultations that the Prime Minister had proposed in June in Washington. Such consultations could take place in Hanoi or Washington at a level subject to agreement by both sides. The two countries would need to review which agreements could be concluded during the President's visit, such as the bilateral maritime agreement reached in principle in December 2005. On humanitarian issues, the DPM expressed satisfaction with bilateral cooperation on POW/MIA accounting and HIV-AIDS. Vietnam welcomes U.S. support on avian influenza and hopes for even more cooperation in this area. It is important to clear up any outstanding issues prior to the President's visit, such as Vietnam's designation as a Country of Particular Concern. Vietnam is prepared to discuss this matter in order to find a solution. While there are other issues, these are the ones needing attention HANOI 00000243 002.2 OF 003 before November, the DPM emphasized. Exchanges between legislators is another way to boost relations. People- to-people ties are also important. DPM Khoan expressed his desire to work closely with the Assistant Secretary and the Ambassador to prepare for President Bush's trip to Vietnam. Cooperation with the United States is necessary for the APEC Summit to be successful, he concluded. ¶5. (SBU) Observing that 2005 had been a very busy year, A/S Hill said that there is potential for a rich harvest in 2006, but there is much work to do. On WTO accession, the U.S. side would also be giving some clear instructions to the U.S. negotiating team. Success in the coming week is important and critical in the next few weeks because this is a Congressional election year. The bilateral WTO agreement will be of great importance to U.S. firms as well as to Vietnamese firms. Trade has risen dramatically since the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) took effect and investment is also rising. A/S Hill called on the DPM to help make the negotiations for the bilateral agreement move forward. He voiced support for the DPM's proposal for a systematic review of bilateral relations and suggested that MFA Vice Minister Le Van Bang head the GVN delegation. The review would need to cover bilateral issues, APEC issues and regional concerns. A/S Hill also praised Vietnam's rapid economic growth rate and its efforts on AI. Regional Issues --------------- ¶6. (SBU) DPM Khoan said that regional issues are of great importance. Some regional developments had not been seen in the previous century, such as the rise of China. Vietnam and its neighbors pay a lot of attention to their relations with China. New forums such as the East Asia Summit are emerging. Relations between China and Japan were also important. While both are Vietnam's friends, sometimes it is torn between them on issues such as UN Security Council enlargement. New developments in the region require new attitudes. Given such important changes, the U.S. role is key. More attention from the United States is important; otherwise, other players will fill the vacuum. ¶7. (SBU) A/S Hill pledged to pay greater attention to ASEAN and said that Secretary Rice will attend the next ASEAN Regional Forum in the Philippines. The United States wants to work with China and Japan, but not to compete with them. Relations with China are good, but the rising trade surplus is unsustainable. Laid-off U.S. workers tend to blame China for their job losses, even those resulting from exports from other countries. On the East Asia Summit, A/S Hill expressed the desire for the EAS to be open and transparent so that no one concludes it is meant to exclude other countries. He expressed concern about Burma, which he termed "in another world." On Cambodia, the United States is concerned about Hun Sen's recent decisions to arrest government critics. The many tough issues before us will require much hard work in 2006. Human Right and Religious Freedom, CPC -------------------------------------- ¶8. (SBU) A/S Hill pressed for the DPM to work to make the upcoming visit of DRL A/S Lowenkron successful following the model of the successful visit by Congressman Chris Smith. More progress on human rights and religious freedom is necessary. The United States wants to resolve these issues so as not to burden the bilateral relationship. ¶9. (SBU) The DPM noted that it had not been easy to allow (elderly dissident) Hoang Minh Chinh to go to the United States for medical treatment and expressed HANOI 00000243 003.2 OF 003 concern about Chinh's public criticism of Vietnam. This cannot be allowed, he said. He expressed willingness to have a dialogue about these issues, noting that Vietnam does not want them to become an obstacle to the larger relationship. A/S Hill responded that openness made Vietnam look stronger and more confident. ¶10. (SBU) A/S Hill said that he would be back in the spring to work on the preparations for the President's trip. The American people's impression of Vietnam is very positive, and this is good for investment as American firms take note of their customers' views. Vietnam's economy is a rising star, one in which U.S. firms want to participate. Concluding, the DPM said he is pleased that the United States will have a new embassy in Hanoi. ¶11. (U) Participants: United States ------------- Assistant Secretary Christopher R. Hill Ambassador Michael W. Marine EAP Special Assistant Kamala Lakhdhir Pol/C Marc Knapper Econ/C Sam Watson (notetaker) Vietnam ------- Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan Assistant Foreign Minister Nguyen Duc Hung Americas Department Deputy Director Nguyen Anh Dzung U.S. Desk Officer Lai Thai Binh ¶12. (U) A/S Hill has cleared this message. BOARDMAN  | ||||
| Wikileaks: 06HANOI242, EAP A/S HILL MEETS SENIOR COMMUNIST PARTY OFFICIAL Posted: 04 Sep 2011 12:10 AM PDT Reference ID: 06HANOI242 Created: 2006-02-06 06:51 Released: 2011-08-30 01:44 Classification: UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Origin: Embassy Hanoi VZCZCXRO6607 RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHHI #0242/01 0370651 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 060651Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY HANOI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0657 INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 0430 RUEHZS/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 000242 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM ETRD ECON CB KN VM SUBJECT: EAP A/S HILL MEETS SENIOR COMMUNIST PARTY OFFICIAL IN HANOI HANOI 00000242 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: On January 13, EAP Assistant Secretary Christopher R. Hill met with Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) External Relations Commission Director Nguyen Van Son to discuss the U.S.-Vietnam bilateral relationship and regional issues of mutual interest. In addition to upcoming high-level visits to Vietnam, A/S Hill also raised Vietnam's WTO aspirations and stressed the importance of a quick conclusion to the next round of negotiations. Director Son outlined the consensus in the current CPV Plenum on continued economic and political reform through the expansion of democracy and the market mechanism. A/S Hill also discussed relations with China, North Korea and Cambodia. Son emphasized cooperation with China, but had little to offer regarding North Korea except to affirm the GVN's continued support for a unified and non-nuclear Korea. He also noted the importance of stability to Cambodian officials. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) On January 13, EAP Assistant Secretary Christopher ¶R. Hill met with CPV External Affairs Commission Director Nguyen Van Son, accompanied by the Ambassador. Hill noted that since Prime Minister Phan Van Khai's June 2005 visit, the USG has thought a great deal about the bilateral relationship. He predicted that 2006 should be a historic year as Vietnam hosts APEC and hopefully celebrates WTO accession. The United States wants Vietnam to succeed and will continue to work to build a strong and lasting relationship. For the United States, Vietnam is not just an economy, but also has a strong political role to play in the region. Son responded that the GVN appreciates the role and position of the United States and attaches importance to the beneficial, bilateral relationship. He agreed that 2005 had many positive developments, including the PM's trip to Washington, and noted that the GVN "had carried out their part of the agreements reached in the summit." APEC and Upcoming Visits ------------------------ ¶3. (SBU) Son predicted that 2006 will see more positive developments between the United States and Vietnam and stated that the GVN is looking forward to visits by President Bush and Secretary Rice during APEC. He added his personal hope that the Secretary would visit Vietnam before APEC. Son also conveyed the GVN's request for U.S. assistance in hosting APEC and observed that the President's visit will contribute greatly to APEC's success. A/S Hill said that the Secretary is very interested in visiting Vietnam since her good discussion with Foreign Minister Nguyen Dzy Nien at the Busan APEC Summit. He further noted that the President enjoyed meeting PM Khai in Washington and President Tran Duc Luong in Busan. WTO Accession ------------- ¶4. (SBU) Director Son also expressed hope that the United States will soon conclude WTO accession negotiations with Vietnam. A/S Hill noted that a USTR delegation will be arriving soon for another round of negotiations, but emphasized that the GVN needs to be pragmatic in its approach in these negotiations. He asserted that if negotiations go well and are concluded quickly, then Vietnam will be in a position to accede by the end of the year. Quick accession would be very beneficial to Vietnam's economy, he stressed. Party Plenum ------------ ¶5. (SBU) A/S Hill asked about the status of preparations for the CPV's Tenth Party Congress this summer. Son noted that the CPV's Central Committee is currently holding its (likely) penultimate plenum meeting before the Congress to finalize draft policy and personnel decisions. The Central Committee plans to push for further "Doi Moi" (renovation) reforms in economic, political and cultural spheres. Son predicted that the CPV will move in a more democratic direction regarding the economy, internal politics and external relations, as it seeks to find "opportunities and conditions to escape Vietnam's under-developed status" and to "contribute to regional stability." The Plenum has come to a consensus within the party on using the "mechanism of the market" and to allow Party members to enter the private sector. The Assistant Secretary complimented Vietnam's practical approach. HANOI 00000242 002.2 OF 002 China ----- ¶6. (SBU) Noting the importance and complexity of U.S.-China and Vietnam-China relations, A/S Hill asked for Son's thoughts on these relationships. Son replied that the Vietnam-China relationship is centuries old and has many historical problems, but has become more positive in recent years due to the GVN's focus on cooperation and friendship. A/S Hill stated that the United States seeks good relations with China and wants Vietnam to have similarly good relations. He added that the USG also maintains a spirit of cooperation and friendship towards its complex, important relationship with China. Cambodia -------- ¶7. (SBU) Turning to recent developments in Cambodia, A/S Hill noted his concern that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is making mistakes that will be difficult to overcome. Noting that he will meet the Cambodian leader next week, he asked for advice on how to impress on Hun Sen the need to be careful with his decisions. Son observed that this will be "an interesting meeting," especially since Cambodia has only recently overcome many difficulties to maintain stability. Son recently attended Prince Ranariddh's party conference, where many Cambodian leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining stability, peace and development in the country and in the region. A/S Hill observed that what is really needed is implementation of such policies, but recent arrests in Cambodia do not bode well in this regard. ¶8. (U) Participants: United States ------------- Assistant Secretary Christopher R. Hill Ambassador Michael W. Marine EAP Special Assistant Kamala Lakhdhir Pol/C Marc Knapper PolOff Nate Jensen (notetaker) Vietnam ------- CPV External Relations Commission Chairman Son CPV North America/Western Europe Director Pham Tien Nhien MFA Americas Department Deputy Director Nguyen Ba Hung ¶9. (U) A/S Hill has cleared this message. BOARDMAN  | ||||
| Wikileaks: 06HANOI249, EAP A/S Hill's Meeting with Vietnamese FM Nguyen [-US concerns over Hun Xen] Posted: 03 Sep 2011 11:50 PM PDT
Reference ID: 06HANOI249 Created: 2006-02-06 09:47 Released: 2011-08-30 01:44 Classification: UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Origin: Embassy Hanoi VZCZCXRO6788 RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHHI #0249/01 0370947 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 060947Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY HANOI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0669 INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 0441 RUEHZS/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 000249 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV APEC ETRD PHUM CB CH BM KN VM SUBJECT: EAP A/S Hill's Meeting with Vietnamese FM Nguyen Dzy Nien HANOI 00000249 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: During his meeting January 13 with Foreign Minister Nguyen Dzy Nien, EAP Assistant Secretary Christopher R. Hill underlined the need for the United States and Vietnam to systematize their bilateral discussions on issues of mutual interest, such as Burma and Cambodia; expressed support for strong regional architecture; and pressed Vietnam to make progress on WTO and improve its human rights situation. FM Nien pledged to work closely with the United States to make the President's November visit to Hanoi a success; said Vietnam would welcome and strongly support the United States as an observer at the East Asia Summit; noted that the DPRK's foreign minister plans to visit Vietnam in the first half of 2006; and agreed that the situations in Burma and Cambodia are troubling. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) EAP Assistant Secretary Christopher R. Hill opened his 30-minute meeting with Foreign Minister Nguyen Dzy Nien January 13 by outlining his talks earlier in the day with senior MFA officials responsible for American and Asian affairs (septels, full participants list in paragraph 10). These discussions had been valuable and pointed to a need to systematize bilateral contacts on areas of mutual interest, such as Southeast Asia and China. The Foreign Minister responded that, based on the briefing he had received on these earlier discussions, he shares most of A/S Hill's views of bilateral, regional and global issues. High-level Visits to Vietnam ---------------------------- ¶3. (SBU) A/S Hill conveyed the greetings of the Secretary, who had had a valuable meeting with FM Nien in Busan in November 2005. President Bush himself is looking forward to visiting Vietnam, to which FM Nien replied that the GVN is ready to welcome him and work closely with the USG and Embassy to ensure a successful outcome. Developing a roadmap for the visit over the next several months would be useful, FM Nien opined. A/S Hill responded that he plans to visit Vietnam again, perhaps in the spring, for discussions on our bilateral agenda. Regional Issues --------------- ¶4. (SBU) As A/S Hill had told VFM Le Van Bang earlier in the day, the United States and Vietnam have many issues of common interest and need to have a structured dialogue to exchange views. For example, the situation in Cambodia is worrisome. Hun Sen is creating problems and may be turning Cambodia into the next Burma. FM Nien responded that Hun Sen "will listen if you speak frankly to him." ¶5. (SBU) Within ASEAN, Burma remains the odd man out, and A/S Hill said he would meet the Malaysian Foreign Minister to discuss this matter later in the week. Instead of regional actors such as ASEAN, China and India taking turns shifting responsibility to one another when it comes to addressing the Burma problem, a more coordinated approach is needed. Burma has great potential and natural resource wealth, but the problem is how to develop, FM Nien observed. The current situation is not good for Burma or the region. Although ASEAN has its non-interference principle, this does not mean that it cannot express its views. There are certain ways that states need to behave, A/S Hill said, and it is sometimes hard to draw a line between internal and external affairs. FM Nien expressed his agreement. ¶6. (SBU) Another issue raised in A/S Hill's other meetings was North Korea. FM Nien noted that the DPRK had reacted strongly to the July 2004 mass defection of North Koreans from Ho Chi Minh City to Seoul. Now, both countries continue to work to "normalize" their relations, and the DPRK Foreign Minister plans to visit Vietnam in the first half of 2006. China needs to take greater responsibility for North Korea, A/S Hill stressed, but the historic nature of the DPRK-PRC relationship makes this difficult. ¶7. (SBU) On regional architecture, A/S Hill noted that the December East Asia Summit (EAS) in Kuala Lumpur. The U.S. continues to welcome regional cooperation and integration, and would pay close attention to the EAS. On the ASEAN Regional Forum, A/S Hill said that the Secretary plans to attend this year's meeting in Kuala Lumpur. This reflects our commitment to the region. FM Nien said that Vietnam seeks an EAS that is inclusive and would welcome and strongly support observer status for the United States and Russia. HANOI 00000249 002.2 OF 002 WTO --- ¶8. (SBU) FM Nien said Vietnam is looking forward to next week's bilateral WTO accession talks. A/S Hill replied that, the sooner Vietnam joins, the sooner Vietnam's economy will reap the benefits. We should not miss this window of opportunity, particularly because this is an election year in the United States. We have to move quickly. Human Rights ------------ ¶9. (SBU) Noting the upcoming Human Rights Dialogue (scheduled for February 20), A/S hill said it would be important for DRL A/S Lowenkron to be able to meet whomever he would like to meet. The United States does not want the issues of human rights and religious freedom to burden the bilateral relationship, and we need to see Vietnam make further progress. FM Nien noted that former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore had often said that his country had been able to avoid criticism about its human rights situation because it was open. FM Nien thus often told his colleagues in the GVN, including the Ministry of Public Security, that Vietnam needs to be more open. A/S Hill agreed, noting that the more open a country is, the stronger it is. ¶10. (U) Participants: United States ------------- Assistant Secretary Christopher R. Hill Ambassador Michael W. Marine EAP Special Assistant Kamala Lakhdhir Pol/C Marc Knapper (notetaker) Vietnam ------- Foreign Minister Nien Assistant Foreign Minister Nguyen Duc Hung Americas Department Deputy Director Nguyen Anh Dzung U.S. Desk Director Nguyen Hoanh Nam U.S. Desk Officer Lai Thai Binh ¶11. (U) A/S Hill has cleared this message. BOARDMAN  | ||||
| Posted: 03 Sep 2011 11:39 PM PDT
Reference ID: 06HANOI250 Created: 2006-02-06 09:48 Released: 2011-08-30 01:44 Classification: UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Origin: Embassy Hanoi VZCZCXRO6791 RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHHI #0250/01 0370948 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 060948Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY HANOI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0671 RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 0443 RUEHZS/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 1305 UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 000250 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM CB BM CH VM SUBJECT: EAP A/S Hill's Meeting with Vietnam VFM Le Van Bang HANOI 00000250 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: During his January 13 meeting with Vice Foreign Minister Le Van Bang, EAP A/S Christopher R. Hill underscored the importance of making progress in next week's WTO talks, urged Vietnam to improve its human rights situation and welcomed Vietnam's role in regional structures such as APEC and ASEAN. The United States also values Vietnam's views on regional issues such as Burma, Cambodia and China. VFM Bang emphasized that bilateral relations are at their best and expressed his confidence that the United States and Vietnam will be able to build upon last year's successes in a wide range of areas. VFM Bang also expressed Vietnam's commitment to engaging with the United States on human rights and religious freedom concerns. According to the Vice Foreign Minster, China continues to have a "big brother" presence in the region. End Summary. 2005: "Best Ever" in Bilateral Relations ---------------------------------------- ¶2. (SBU) Vice Foreign Minister Le Van Bang welcomed EAP A/S Hill to Hanoi on January 13, saying that 2005 was the "best year ever" in U.S.-Vietnam relations. The two countries had succeeded in raising the level of cooperation in the areas of the military, security, economy, science, education, humanitarian work and health care. Based on this, 2006 will be a year of "still better bilateral relations." Vietnam is eager to improve the level of its cooperation with the United States in the larger regional context, VFM Bang said. ¶3. (SBU) A/S Hill relayed the positive spirit in Washington towards Vietnam following the historic visit of Prime Minister Pham Van Khai to the United States last year, which continues to resonate as Vietnam prepares to host the APEC summit in November. A/S Hill also underscored the United States' commitment to developing relations with Vietnam as a valued friend. He relayed plans by the Secretary to attend the Asian Regional Forum (ARF) this year in Kuala Lumpur and the U.S. anticipation of a stronger role for Vietnam in ASEAN and the ARF. WTO on the Horizon ------------------ ¶4. (SBU) A/S Hill reiterated the need for Vietnam to be pragmatic and move forward aggressively on its desire to accede to the World Trade Organization (WTO), noting that WTO membership would reap tremendous benefits for Vietnam. Hanoi must move quickly on WTO talks and not lose sight of reaching this goal by the time it hosts APEC. VFM Bang agreed that it would be a unique opportunity for Vietnam to host APEC with its WTO membership in hand. Vietnam has made its "political determination" on WTO and now the negotiators must work out the details. Human Rights and Religious Freedom ---------------------------------- ¶5. (SBU) Turning to religious freedom and human rights, VFM Bang acknowledged that the GVN must work with the United States to address concerns, such as its designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and overall matters related to religious freedom and human rights. He said that he welcomed Congressman Chris Smith's visit to Hanoi in December 2005 and plans to write a letter pledging Vietnam's commitment to address the three areas the Congressman raised: trafficking in women and children, abortion and religious freedom. VFM Bang also referred to the GVN's new legal framework on religion, but admitted that some local governments may have yet to take them seriously. The Vatican is pleased with progress on religious freedom in Vietnam, exemplified by the recent ordinance of 57 new priests, the VFM said. ¶6. (SBU) A/S Hill asked the Vice Foreign Minister to review our list of imprisoned political dissidents, and singled out Dr. Pham Hong Son, noting that Vietnam's willingness to show progress in this area will help to advance bilateral relations. Responding that he had put all his political weight on last year's amnesties, VFM Bang said he has no information about when the next amnesty will be. This process is considered on a year-by-year and case-by-case basis, but the GVN will work in close consultation with the Embassy on prioritizing the list and addressing concerns. Big Brother China ----------------- ¶7. (SBU) VFM Bang praised the United States for successfully HANOI 00000250 002.2 OF 002 reaching out to Asian countries last year, particularly ASEAN members. He said Vietnam views this as a positive sign that the United States is making its presence felt in the region, thereby giving more confidence to Asian countries to deal on a more equal footing with countries like China that had an "overwhelming" presence. ¶8. (SBU) Acknowledging that China is important to Vietnam, VFM Bang said that the two countries must work together closely, but that Vietnam would not have its ambitions dampened by its "big brother." Vietnam feels the heat of China's "heavy-handed actions" in the same way that Japan and Taiwan do. Still, Vietnam must nurture its relations with China as it does with the United States. A/S Hill responded that the United States is committed to good relations with China and has no desire to create conflict between China and its regional neighbors, including Vietnam. Political progress in China has not kept pace with economic progress, and it must deal with that reality as it moves ahead, A/S Hill noted. Other Regional Neighbors ------------------------ ¶9. (SBU) While discussing Burma and North Korea, Bang was quick to distance Vietnam from the two countries, stressing that they are in a separate political and economic territory, one which Vietnam feels fortunate to have left behind years ago. Vietnam is interested in opening its country, inviting the growth of democracy and implementing economic reforms, while manifesting its independence, steps that Burma and North Korea should follow. ¶10. (SBU) Hill expressed concerns about human rights issues in Cambodia and asked Bang for advice on interacting with Prime Minister Hun Sen. Bang responded that Hun Sen is pragmatic and nationalistic, but wants to be in control of his country. He further suggested that building a comfort level of communication and inviting Hun Sen to visit the United States could help strengthen the U.S. message. China has been infusing Cambodia with cash, including a recent $13 million non-conditional gift, that demonstrates its growing influence there, he warned. APEC and the Year Ahead ----------------------- ¶11. (SBU) A/S Hill reiterated Vietnam's hosting of APEC and WTO prospects all point to a positive year ahead. A/S Hill invited Bang to the U.S. for a discussion of regional issues as well as preparations for APEC and the President's visit. VFM Bang thanked Hill for frank and fruitful discussions, and pledged Vietnam's commitment to strengthening APEC. He also underscored Vietnam's eagerness to host the President on his first visit to Vietnam, suggesting visits to an HIV- AIDS project and an MIA-POW accounting site on the fringes of APEC meetings. ¶12. (U) Participants: United States ------------- Assistant Secretary Christopher R. Hill Ambassador Michael W. Marine EAP Special Assistant Kamala Lakhdhir Pol/C Marc Knapper PAS Julie Chung (notetaker) Vietnam ------- Vice Foreign Minister Bang Assistant Foreign Minister Nguyen Duc Hung Americas Department Deputy Director Nguyen Ba Hung Americas Department Deputy Director Nguyen Anh Dzung U.S. Desk Director Nguyen Hoanh Nam U.S. Officer Lai Thai Binh ¶13. (U) A/S Hill has cleared this message. BOARDMAN  | ||||
| Wikileaks: A/S HILL DISCUSSES BURMA, CAMBODIA, LAOS, CHINA Posted: 03 Sep 2011 10:54 PM PDT A/S HILL DISCUSSES BURMA, CAMBODIA, LAOS, CHINA Reference ID: 06HANOI244 Created: 2006-02-06 06:55 Released: 2011-08-30 01:44 Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Origin: Embassy Hanoi VZCZCXRO6619 OO RUEHHM DE RUEHHI #0244/01 0370655 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 060655Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY HANOI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0662 INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 0435 RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 4499 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 6628 RUEHJA/AMEMBASSY JAKARTA 0613 RUEHKL/AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR 1627 RUEHML/AMEMBASSY MANILA 2232 RUEHPF/AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH 3504 RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 1311 RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 2140 RUEHVN/AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE 3739 RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI//FPA// RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 HANOI 000244 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM CB BM LA VM SUBJECT: A/S HILL DISCUSSES BURMA, CAMBODIA, LAOS, CHINA WITH SENIOR VIETNAMESE DIPLOMATS ¶1. Summary: In a frank lunch meeting January 13 with visiting EAP Assistant Secretary Christopher R. Hill, senior GVN diplomats said that Vietnam is worried about China's increasing influence in Southeast Asia, particularly Burma, Cambodia and Laos, and urged the United States to engage more with these countries. Hun Sen, they predicted, will "not go too far" in his political actions, which are designed to protect his efforts to secure public support for his coalition in advance of the 2008 elections in Cambodia. Incentives will have more of an effect on Hun Sen than criticism. Both sides expressed a desire to pursue dialogue in a more formal channel in the future. End Summary. ¶2. EAP Assistant Secretary Christopher R. Hill met three high-ranking GVN diplomats for lunch January 13 at the Ambassador's residence: Assistant Foreign Minister for the Americas Nguyen Duc Hung; Assistant Foreign Minister for Southeast Asia Do Ngoc Son; and, Ambassador Trinh Quang Thanh, Director General of the Institute for International Relations. The conversation focused on China's role in Asia and U.S. relations with Southeast Asia, particularly mainland Southeast Asia. The Ambassador, POL/C, PolOff and A/S Hill's Special Assistant also attended. ¶3. A/S Hill observed that Vietnam is playing an increasingly positive role in the region, and that the potential for a close U.S.-Vietnam relationship is building. Our relationship with Vietnam will not be focused on China, he predicted, but on our many common interests. Vietnam's transformation into a capitalist economy is evident from the vibrant commerce visible on the streets of Hanoi, despite the prominent placement of statues of Lenin. Ambassador Thanh responded that though Marxism-Leninism remains the ideological underpinning of the Vietnamese State, the people of Vietnam care mostly about peace, prosperity, security and the ability to send their children to good schools. CHINESE INTERESTS IN VIETNAM ---------------------------- ¶4. Ambassador Thanh acknowledged that Chinese investment in Vietnam is low compared to the very high (and growing) levels of trade, especially on the border. The limited Chinese investment dollars are focused on natural resources, AFM Hung noted, highlighting Chinese interest in an investment in a bauxite mining operation in the Central Highlands near the Cambodian border. This investment is particularly interesting because the Chinese have also purchased a 99-year lease on 40,000 HA of land on the Cambodian side of the border opposite the site of the planned Bauxite operation, Thanh said, ostensibly with the purpose of growing trees for paper pulp. BURMA AND CAMBODIA ------------------ ¶5. The huge land purchase on the border brings Cambodian politics into the picture, AFM Son noted, because the issue of the Vietnam-Cambodia border has become contentious and also because the land the Chinese purchased has an existing population of Cambodians that will be displaced. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's political opponents have used sensitive international issues such as the border and the Chinese land purchase to inflame public opinion against him, Son said. A/S Hill replied that Hun Sen has demonstrated his lack of sophistication in dealing with the opposition by treating them so harshly, thus turning local critics into international heroes. ¶6. AFM Son noted that Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and FUNCINPEC have worked hard to strengthen their coalition and are actively preparing for the 2008 elections. The opposition's tactic of focusing on Cambodia's relations with its neighbors to fan nationalist sentiment and popular discontent is harmful to the CPP and FUNCINPEC. Vietnam, AFM Son continued, solved its border problem with Cambodia on the basis of international law and past agreements in order to come up with a good, defensible solution. A/S Hill commented that Hun Sen's problem is that he seems unable to HANOI 00000244 002 OF 003 defend his regime's decisions in a public forum, and instead resorts to taking action against his critics. ¶7. AFM Son said that Vietnam has been a frequent target of the opposition's efforts to undermine Hun Sen's government through criticism of improvements in Vietnam-Cambodia relations. Still, Vietnam has refrained from responding in kind, and instead has pursued low-key confidence-building measures along the border, providing assistance to Cambodians in border areas by allowing them to use Vietnamese infrastructure such as hospitals and schools. "Cambodian politics are complicated and difficult to understand, so we do not try to interfere," he said. The Ambassador noted that there is a big difference between interference and constructive influence, and Vietnam is in a position to constructively influence developments in Phnom Penh. A good example of constructive influence can be seen in the ASEAN statement on Burma, he added. ¶8. Responding to A/S Hill's statement that Burma has become an embarrassment to ASEAN, Ambassador Thanh said that the result of the international pressure on Burma, from ASEAN and other countries, has been to drive Burma "into the arms of the Chinese." The United States, Ambassador Thanh said, needs to engage Burma more. AFM Son agreed. "The more pressure we put on Burma, the closer the Burmese get to China," he said, pointing out that the Chinese Foreign Minister skipped the July 2005 ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference (where Burma was forced to give up the 2006 Chairmanship of ASEAN) and instead went straight to Rangoon. The Burmese regime is defensive and wary of Western countries, Ambassador Thanh pointed out, because it believes that its legitimacy and survival are in jeopardy. The Burmese are close to China, he continued, but their only alternative to balance China has become India. AFM Hung opined that the United States should engage more with Southeast Asia in general, and mainland Southeast Asia in particular. Burma, Cambodia and Laos are all moving closer and closer to the Chinese orbit because of perceived hostility or indifference from the United States, he said. ¶9. A/S Hill asked about the potential influence Thailand and Vietnam could have over Hun Sen and the regime in Burma. AFM Son observed wryly that Hun Sen is very shrewd and listens to Vietnam only when it is both convenient and profitable for him to do so. Hun Sen is also very capable of manipulating his neighbors and other countries in the region, Son said. Hun Sen knows that the top priority for regional countries is stability in Cambodia, with the secondary concern being growing Chinese influence. These concerns restrict the degree to which regional countries can pressure Hun Sen. Thailand could conceivably have a larger role to play, but the Thai are still recovering from the breakdown in relations that occurred between Cambodia and Thailand in January 2004 (following the torching of the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh). In general, Thailand lacks the goodwill and trust of its neighbors, but Vietnam and Thailand have coinciding interests in the region. ¶10. AFM Son noted that in Hun Sen's mind, the opposition uses his accomplishments and the things he does to build the country as tools to discredit him. He is both pragmatic and nationalist, AFM Hung observed, and as a result, confronting him bluntly on any issue is likely to fail. AFM Son said that the top priority of Hun Sen and FUNCINPEC is to improve their popularity in advance of the 2008 elections, and their strategy for doing that is to "build the country and develop the economy." Anything the United States could provide to assist with that will have a positive effect on Hun Sen, he predicted. China knows this, he said; in August 2005, Hun Sen visited China and came away with USD 200 million in aid and low interest loans for infrastructure development. A/S Hill observed that Hun Sen's actions in Cambodia have become a real problem, generating serious negative attention and creating a situation where Cambodia could become as much of a pariah state as Burma is. AFM Son predicted that Hun Sen "will not let it go too far" because he is, in the end, practical and reasonable. HANOI 00000244 003 OF 003 LAOS ---- ¶11. AFM Hung said that one constant for all Southeast Asian countries is the understanding that they need good relations with both the United States and China, and that excessive closeness to either is not in their best interests. With that in mind, the United States can expect both Cambodia and Laos to open up to better relations, unless, due to excessive pressure, they become completely alienated like Burma. Ambassador Thanh noted that Laos is not opposed to better relations with the United States, but has been disappointed with the results of its efforts so far. Laos expected to see much more benefit from signing the BTA with the United States, but the signing did not lead to additional projects to alleviate poverty, Laos' top priority. Ambassador Hill replied that the allocation of U.S. resources to a country is a function of that country's strategic importance to the United States and U.S. domestic interest. Unlike, Afghanistan, for example, Laos has neither strategic importance nor U.S. domestic interest. AFM Son replied that Laos does have importance to China, and as a result, the Chinese are moving in fast, especially on the economic front. U.S.-VIETNAM RELATIONS ---------------------- ¶12. A/S Hill noted that policy discussions on regional issues are very useful for the United States and suggested the United States and Vietnam think seriously about how to pursue dialogue more systematically. AFM Hung said Vietnam is ready and willing to pursue a strategic dialogue with the United States at the Vice Minister level. Turning to WTO negotiations, A/S Hill urged the three senior officials not to let talks drag on over small points of contention because the end benefits for Vietnam will dwarf any small concessions made now. ¶13. A/S Hill has cleared this message. BOARDMAN  | ||||
| ព្រឹត្តិប័ត្រ កម្ពុជាក្រោម លេខ៨៣ - Kampuchea Krom Bulletin No. 83 (Aug. 2011) Posted: 03 Sep 2011 09:34 PM PDT | ||||
| CIA, MI6 helped Gaddafi on dissidents - rights group Posted: 03 Sep 2011 09:18 PM PDT
Sat Sep 3, 2011 By Yvonne Bell TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Documents found in the abandoned Tripoli office of Muammar Gaddafi's intelligence chief indicate the U.S. and British spy agencies helped the fallen strongman persecute Libyan dissidents, Human Rights Watch said on Saturday. The documents were uncovered by the human rights activist group in the abandoned offices of Libya's former spy chief and foreign minister, Moussa Koussa. The group said it uncovered hundreds of letters between the CIA, MI6 and Koussa, who is now in exile in London. Letters from the CIA began, "Dear Moussa," and were signed informally with first names only by CIA officials, Human Rights Watch said. The current military commander for Tripoli of Libya's provisional government, Abdel Hakim Belhadj, was among those captured and sent to Libya by the CIA, Human Rights Watch said. "Among the files we discovered at Moussa Koussa's office is a fax from the CIA dated 2004 in which the CIA informs the Libyan government that they are in a position to capture and render Belhadj," Human Rights Watch's Peter Bouckaert, who was part of the group that found the stash, told Reuters. "That operation actually took place. He was captured by the CIA in Asia and put on a secret flight back to Libya where he was interrogated and tortured by the Libyan security services." The files shed new light on the practice known as rendition, used by the United States under former President George W. Bush, in which the terrorism suspects were handed over to other countries for interrogation. Rights groups have criticized the United States for sending these suspects to countries where they were likely to be tortured. HANDED OVER FOR TORTURE Belhadj has said that he was tortured by CIA agents before being transferred to Libya, where he says he was then tortured at Tripoli's notorious Abu Salim prison. Western intelligence services began cooperating with Libya after Gaddafi abandoned his programme to build unconventional weapons in 2004. But the files show his cooperation with the CIA and MI6 may have been more extensive than previously thought, analysts say. The depth of the ties could anger officials in Libya's provisional government -- many of whom are long-term opponents of Gaddafi and are now responsible for charting a new path for Libya's foreign relations. Bouckaert showed Reuters photos of several documents on his computer and also photos of letters he said were from the CIA to Koussa and were signed, "Steve." He also displayed photographs he said were of letters from MI6 giving Libyan intelligence information on Libyan dissidents in Britain. "Our concern is that when these people were handed over to the Libyan security they were tortured and the CIA knew what would happen when they sent people like Abdel Hakim into the hands of the Libyan security services," Bouckaert said. In Washington, CIA spokeswoman Jennifer Youngblood, without commenting on any specific allegation or document, said: "It can't come as a surprise that the Central Intelligence Agency works with foreign governments to help protect our country from terrorism and other deadly threats. That is exactly what we are expected to do." A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, added: "There are lots of countries willing to take terrorists off the street who want to kill Americans. That doesn't mean U.S. concerns about human rights are ignored in the process." "Let's keep in mind the context here," the official added. "By 2004, the U.S. had successfully convinced the Libyan government to renounce its nuclear weapons program and to help stop terrorists who were actively targeting Americans in the US and abroad." A British government spokesman told Reuters that Britain did "not comment on intelligence matters." More recent documents showed that after the war broke out six months ago, Libya reached out to a former rebel group in the breakaway Somali state of Puntland, the Somali Salvation Front, asking them to send 10,000 fighters to Tripoli to help defend Gaddafi. (Additional reporting by Jim Wolf in Washington; Writing by Barry Malone; Editing by Alastair Macdonald, Caroline Drees and Will Dunham)  | ||||
| Posted: 03 Sep 2011 09:08 PM PDT
TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Documents found in the abandoned Tripoli office of Muammar Gaddafi's intelligence chief indicate the U.S. and British spy agencies helped the fallen strongman persecute Libyan dissidents, Human Rights Watch said on Saturday  | ||||
| Posted: 03 Sep 2011 08:39 PM PDT Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly. - Book of Proverbs (the Hebrew Bible)  |
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