Cablegate: Congressman Smith Discusses Religious Freedom With
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 HANOI 003259
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR EAP/MLS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KIRF PHUM PGOV VM HUMANR RELFREE TIP HIV AIDS ETMIN
SUBJECT: CONGRESSMAN SMITH DISCUSSES RELIGIOUS FREEDOM WITH
VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Visiting Congressman (and Vice-Chairman of
the House International Relations Committee) Christopher
Smith (R-NJ) met with Vietnamese government officials, and
Catholic, Protestant and Buddhist leaders in Hanoi on
December 2. Principal issues discussed were improvements
and challenges for religious freedom in Vietnam and the
status of development of faith-based charitable
institutions. End Summary.
Committee on Religious Affairs
------------------------------
2. (SBU) On December 2, Congressman Smith met with Committee
on Religious Affairs (CRA) Vice Chairman Nguyen The Dzoanh
to discuss religious freedom in Vietnam. Dzoanh monopolized
the conversation with a rambling explication about his
family, time served in the Vietminh and the 50-generation
history of religion in Vietnamese society that concluded
with the bold assertion that there are "absolutely no
religious conflict or concerns in Vietnam." He stated that
the CRA respects the ideals and philosophies of all
religions, but noted that Vietnam's geo-strategic position
makes concerns for "national unity" paramount.
Nevertheless, the GVN is trying to return to Ho Chi Minh's
"enlightened stance on the role of religion, particularly
Catholicism, in Vietnam", Dzoanh said.
Catholics: Mass Ordination...
------------------------------
3. (SBU) Later on December 2, Congressman Smith and the
Ambassador met with Hanoi Archbishop Ngo Quang Kiet. An
Office of the National Assembly representative insisted on
observing the meeting despite the delegation's request for a
private discussion. Nonetheless, Kiet provided a frank
review of recent advances in religious freedom from the
perspective of Vietnam's Catholics. He noted some
significant improvements, including the fact that all
bishoprics are now filled and the GVN has allowed annual
enrollment at the Saint Joseph's Seminary instead of semi-
annual. He also noted that Vatican Missionary Minister
Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe recently visited Vietnam to
participate in the ordination of 57 new priests on November
27 in front of the Hanoi Cathedral. This was the very first
visit of a ranking Vatican official to Vietnam at the
invitation of the Vietnam Episcopal Council. However, while
the GVN's agreement to allow the mass ordination and Sepe's
visit represent significant improvements in Vatican/GVN
relations, these advances are "not adequate" and have not
met all the needs of Vietnamese Catholics. In particular,
the Church is frustrated that no ecclesiastical properties
seized by the Government in 1954 have been returned, despite
repeated requests. In the face of continuing resistance on
this issue, the Vatican has decided to focus on asking for
the return of the property that originally housed the Office
of the Pontifical Envoy in Hanoi. In addition to past
properties, the Catholic Church also needs new houses of
worship in traditionally non-Catholic areas because of the
continuing and increasing internal migration of Catholics
within Vietnam.
...Social Work...
-----------------
4. (SBU) Kiet also noted that Cardinal Sepe made an official
request in his meeting with Prime Minister Phan Van Khai for
permission to publish a Catholic journal in Vietnam, and for
the church to become more involved in charitable education
and medicine. At present, the Church is allowed to operate
kindergartens and pharmacies, but no higher-level schools
and no clinics or hospitals. Moreover, two orders of nuns,
one of which was founded by Mother Theresa, tried
unsuccessfully for almost three years to establish HIV/AIDS
hospices in Vietnam, but gave up several years ago in the
face of bureaucratic reluctance to grant them permission
(although they are willing to return if the GVN creates a
more supportive climate). That said, Catholics are not
completely discouraged, as there have been positive
developments in these areas as well. For example, 100 monks
are now allowed to work in an HIV/AIDS hospice near HCMC.
In sum, Kiet asserted that the GVN has been working to
improve religious freedom for Catholics, which has resulted
in "some new things," and that Church leaders hope the GVN
will soon agree that religion and charitable work are a good
thing for society.
5. (SBU) Congressman Smith stated that one of his messages
to GVN officials had been that the charitable work of
religious institutions would make Vietnam a better place,
adding that 25 percent of all hospitals in the United States
are run by Catholic charities. Even the Government of
Ethiopia understands that religious institutions provide a
valuable service to mankind. The GVN thus has no reason to
fear faith-based organizations. He also noted that Mother
Theresa is revered in Congress and that, "if my colleagues
knew that her nuns ran into resistance trying to set up a
charity in Vietnam, they'd be outraged." The Congress will
work very hard to persuade the GVN to become more tolerant
of religious charities and the Catholic Church should work
with the Embassy to build new social programs because of the
USG's strong emphasis on aid to faith-based charities. The
Ambassador noted that the new ordinance on religion has
opened a door for charitable work, but the Catholics need to
push through that door. If the Church comes up with
concrete proposals, the Embassy will do its best to support
them, he said, but "it won't be possible if we don't push."
The Archbishop asked that the Ambassador meet with the nuns
of Mother Theresa if they return to Vietnam. The Ambassador
consented and also offered to raise the issue of
expropriated properties at the national and local levels.
...and Family Planning and TIP
------------------------------
6. (SBU) Turning to other issues, Congressman Smith asked
whether the GVN's "two-child policy" and social predilection
for boys have pressured Catholics into sex-selection
abortions in Vietnam, as similar policies have in China and
elsewhere. The Archbishop explained that the policy is less
strict in Vietnam, with pressure on population control
mainly coming from the mass media. There are no fines or
other punishments for having more than two children, he
said. (Note: Government employees may be subject to small
fines, but the imposition of such fines is inconsistent.
End note.) On abortion, the Congressman noted that faith-
based pregnancy-care and pregnancy-crisis centers are very
powerful weapons in the fight against abortion. Kiet
explained that the Church does not operate crisis centers in
Vietnam, but "as Catholics, we have been trying to help
dissuade women from having abortions."
7. (SBU) Congressman Smith also raised the issue of
trafficking in persons, and exhorted the Archbishop to work
through a new Vatican/Congressional initiative to promote
anti-trafficking education "from the pulpit." He noted that
this is a particularly important project as local church
involvement in this issue has proven very successful at
preventing trafficking in the first place, alleviating the
need to rehabilitate victims after the fact.
8. (SBU) At the end of the meeting, the Ambassador asked if
prospects for GVN/Vatican reconciliation are better after
Cardinal Sepe's visit. Kiet answered that prospects are
better, and both sides wish to establish diplomatic
relations, but true reconciliation will not come soon.
Protestants: Faith-based Charities...
--------------------------------------
9. (SBU) On the same day, the Ambassador hosted a lunch for
Congressman Smith, Evangelical Church of Vietnam North
(ECVN) President Phung Quang Huyen, ECVN General Secretary
Pastor Au Quang Vinh, Haiphong Pastor Nguyen Gia Huyen and
Bui Binh Thi of the ECVN's Executive Board. In response to
the Ambassador's question regarding the possibility of the
ECVN becoming active in faith-based charities in Vietnam,
particularly in the area of HIV/AIDS treatment, Vinh
explained that, in addition to needing a better legal
framework to make such charitable work possible, the ECVN
needs greater institutional strength. In the past,
Protestants were focused on survival, but the ECVN is now
expanding its capacity and working to change its image. For
example, some followers in the provinces are now working
with foreign NGOs that focus on HIV/AIDS treatment and
advocacy. Hopefully, the ECVN will establish more
provincial programs like these, with the GVN's assistance as
local officials continue to become more receptive. The ECVN
is thus glad that the USG is providing significant support
for HIV/AIDS projects in Vietnam. The hope is that ECVN
followers will be able to get training to help AIDS victims,
Vinh said. Charitable work is new for Vietnam's
Protestants, but they are encouraged by the support they
have received in this endeavor from faith-based NGOs.
10. (SBU) The Ambassador asked the ECVN to keep the Embassy
apprised of its charitable plans as they develop and
suggested that the ECVN look into programs aimed at reducing
the social stigmas against people living HIV/AIDS as well as
in prevention and education. The ECVN should also consider
programs aimed at countering trafficking in persons,
although there are limits to the time and money the Embassy
can commit to support any development projects.
Nevertheless, such programs could help the growing number of
northern Protestants establish congregations in areas that
have been less receptive to their followers. Congressman
Smith noted the effectiveness of faith-based initiatives in
working to combat social evils and improve religious
freedom. Mr. Thi interjected that recent progress in
religious freedom has been exaggerated and held up the
example of the GVN's reluctance to give congregants the
right to repair the ECVN church in Thanh Hoa Province. Vinh
observed, however, that the more difficult the situation,
the stronger the ECVN's followers' belief in God. Returning
to faith-based charitable work, Vinh noted that one ECVN
member has already developed a proposal for a program to
support HIV/AIDS victims, which he promised to send to the
Embassy.
...Religious Freedom...
-----------------------
11. (SBU) The Ambassador asked Vinh for an assessment of the
situation in the Northwest Highlands, particularly with
regard to the friction between Christianity and traditional
beliefs among ethnic minorities there. Vinh explained that
there are now 1,050 ECVN sub-congregations in the Northwest
Highlands, but no churches. The 117,000 followers in the
area still meet in "house churches," and there are at least
17,000 followers in Lai Chau and Dien Bien provinces alone
despite repeated assertions on the part of local officials
that there are no Protestants under their administration.
Followers are able to meet openly in some areas, and the
ECVN is currently sending letters requesting official
registration for these groups because local authorities are
now willing to talk to Protestants. The ECVN's intention is
to first ask for church registration for Protestant groups
that are not afraid to "show" their faith. It is like a
test, Vinh said, adding that the remaining groups that have
not submitted their applications are waiting to see how the
GVN handles those requests. If their requests are turned
down, it is likely that the rest may choose not to go for
registration because of their fear of repression.
12. (SBU) Congressman Smith asked what happens when
officials refuse registration requests. Pastor Vinh said
that responses in many areas had not been favorable at
first, and followers were frightened of unintended
consequences. The ECVN has been meeting with recalcitrant
local officials to educate them about the GVN's new policies
on religion. Many other districts have been amenable to
registration. ECVN President Huyen observed that some local
officials have been helpful by being silent, but in other
locations, especially Lao Cai and Ha Giang provinces,
officials have treated followers badly. The Congressman
asked if the ECVN has ever asked the Prime Minister to visit
a church or church conference to convince him to give direct
support to their cause. Vinh answered that while Prime
Minister Khai may have good feelings about religions in
Vietnam, he must ultimately listen to the will of the Party.
If many Party officials change their minds about religion,
then we can expect real change, Vinh said. The Ambassador
noted that to effect such a change requires steady, regular
and persistent attention, and he encouraged church leaders
to bring problems to the Embassy's attention to aid our
efforts to keep the pressure on.
Buddhists
---------
13. (SBU) In a separate meeting December 2, Congressman
Smith met with the Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu of the (GVN-
recognized) Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha (VBS). This meeting
was largely disjointed, as Tu responded to Smith's questions
with a series of rambling non-sequiturs and an extensive
list of the various officials of the VBS, both past and
present. Tu claimed only two monks had left the VBS and
admitted there were no theological differences between the
VBS and UBCV. Smith urged that with the PM's effort to open
up on religious freedom, Tu find space for Thich Quang Do,
and noted that unity should not be the highest value, but
mutual respect, tolerance, love and co-existence. When
asked about the VBS's relationship with United Buddhist
Church of Vietnam's (UBCV) Thich Quang Do and Thich Tien
Hanh, Tu took pains to explain that it is the aspiration of
all Buddhists to form a unified organization. He asserted
that the VBS has tried to live in harmony with these two
even though they have rejected unity. For example, the VBS
has provided lodging for Do and Hanh on numerous occasions
in VBS headquarters. Tu would not comment on this issue
further and returned to his original, unfocused
presentation.
14. (SBU) Congressman Smith has cleared this message.
MARINE