Cablegate: Doe Sister Laboratory Cooperation

VZCZCXRO7744
PP RUEHHM
DE RUEHHI #2529 2761034
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 031034Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3586
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH 1910
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS HANOI 002529

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS; NP/MNSA RUDOLPH
USDOE FOR NNSA MENDELSOHN, MANNING AND DICKERSON

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KNNP ENRG TRGY KIPR VM
SUBJECT: DOE SISTER LABORATORY COOPERATION

Ref: State 160169

1. (U) On September 26, 2006, the Charg d'Affairs delivered
talking points, informal Vietnamese translation and a color handout
on the Department of Energy's (DOE) Sister Laboratory Cooperation
program per reftel to Vice Minister of Science and Technology Tran
Quoc Thang.

2. (U) Flanked by leaders of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Commission
(VAEC) and Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety and
Control (VARANSEC), the Vice Minister welcomed the initiative and
expressed hopes that the DOE will continue to support Vietnam's
strategy to harness nuclear power safely for non-military purposes.
He promised to provide a formal reply in the near future.

3. (U) COMMENT: Senior leadership within MOST wish to expand
US-Vietnam science and technology cooperation and welcome support
from DOE to assist with the implementation of the GVN's strategy for
peaceful use of nuclear energy. This may include support for
conducting scientific experiments at the Dalat Nuclear Institute and
developing scientific capacity for Vietnam to establish its first
nuclear power facility, which is a stated, long-term GVN goal.

ALOISI

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