Cablegate: Tfle01: Vietnam Seeks Usg Assistance in Evacuating Its

VZCZCXRO1254
OO RUEHHM
DE RUEHHI #1896 2070710
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 260710Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2874
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 1550
RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 0014
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 0062
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 0015

UNCLAS HANOI 001896

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MLS, Task Force TFLE01

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR LE VM
SUBJECT: TFLE01: Vietnam Seeks USG Assistance in Evacuating its
Citizens

1. (U) Action Request -- See paragraph 4.

2. (SBU) On July 26, Post received an urgent request from the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeking USG assistance in evacuating
approximately 200 Vietnamese citizens from Lebanon (full text of
request in paragraph 5). According to the MFA, most of these
individuals are staying in Lebanese friends' homes or are "hiding in
the mountains." According to press reports, the GVN has made
similar requests of 11 other nations, including the UK, Canada and
Germany.

3. (SBU) Post recognizes that ongoing evacuation operations remain
focused on Amcits and other priorities. However, any assistance the
USG can render to Vietnam would be welcomed here as a significant
humanitarian gesture and a strong sign of our developing
partnership.

4. (U) Action Request: Department is requested to advise what
assistance, if any, the USG can provide.

5. (SBU) Begin text of note.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Socialist Republic of Vietnam

No. 555/LS/NN

The Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
Socialist Republic of Vietnam presents its compliments to the
Embassy of the United States of America in Vietnam and has the honor
to request as follows:

Currently in Lebanon there are still about 200 Vietnamese citizens
who have not been able to evacuate. As Vietnam does not have any
diplomatic mission or consular post based in Lebanon, the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam would like to request the relevant
agencies of the United States of America to help arrange evacuation
of the above-mentioned Vietnamese citizens from Lebanon.

The U.S. side is requested to provide relevant information on the
evacuation to the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of Vietnam or the Vietnamese Embassies in Egypt or Turkey
(contact information attached).

The Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs looks
forward to receiving an early response of the Embassy on the
above-mentioned request.

The Consular Department of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
Socialist Republic of Vietnam avails itself of this opportunity to
renew to the Embassy of the United States of America the assurances
of its highest consideration.

Hanoi, July 25, 2006

Embassy of Vietnam in Turkey
Cayhane Sokak No. 34
G.O.P, Ankara, Turkey
Tel: 0090 312 4468049
Fax: 0090 312 4465623
Email: dsqvnturkey@yahoo.com

Embassy of Vietnam in Egypt
8 El-Madina El-Monawra
Str., Dokki. Cairo, Egypt
Tel: +202-7617309
Fax: +202-3368612
Email: vinaebeg@yahoo.com

End text of note.

MARINE

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