Cablegate: Ubcv Patriarch Hospitalized

VZCZCXRO0115
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHNH RUEHPB
DE RUEHHM #1089 2690701
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 260701Z SEP 06
FM AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1504
INFO RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI 1065
RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0008
RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 1584

UNCLAS HO CHI MINH CITY 001089

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM SOCI PREL PGOV KIRF PREF VM
SUBJECT: UBCV PATRIARCH HOSPITALIZED

1. (SBU) Thich Vien Dinh, a senior member of the Unified
Buddhist Church (UBCV) in HCMC confirmed Internet reporting that
UBCV Patriarch Thich Huyen Quang was hospitalized on September
25 for a heart ailment and pneumonia. According to Thich Vien
Dinh, at least one UBCV monk from HCMC was able to travel to
Binh Dinh over the weekend to visit Quang in his pagoda before
admission to the hospital. We also spoke with Thich Minh Tuan,
the assistant to Thich Huyen Quang in central-coastal Binh Dinh
province. He said that the Patriarch is being treated in the
VIP area of the provincial hospital in Quy Nhon. His condition
currently is stable and he is able to communicate.

Confusion over GVN Response
---------------------------

2. (SBU) Thich Vien Dinh alleged that Quang had been ailing for
a few days prior to his admission, but provincial officials
refused to take Quang into the hospital, preferring to provide
medical care at the Pagoda. However, Thich Minh Tuan told us
that provincial officials responded promptly to his initial call
for assistance; it was the Pagoda's decision -- based on
recommendation of the attending physicians -- that Quang be
treated at home. When Quang's condition did not improve, the
hospital responded promptly to his request for admission and
more intensive treatment.

3. (SBU) Thich Minh Tuan was not optimistic about the prognosis
for the octogenarian UBCV leader. He suspects that Quang also
is suffering from kidney and liver failure.

Police Reach Out to Quang?
--------------------------

4. (SBU) Thich Vien Dinh also reported that on September 21,
Hanoi-based Ministry of Public Security Standing Vice Minister
Nguyen Khanh Toan visited Quang along with provincial MPS
officials. According to Minh Tuan, the Vice Minister was
visiting the province and decided to pay an impromptu "courtesy
call" on the UBCV Patriarch. Minh Tuan did not provide details
on the contents of the discussion.

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