Cablegate: Demarche On Contribution to Lebanon Tribunal Delivered

VZCZCXRO2509
RR RUEHHM
DE RUEHHI #1698 2680933
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 250933Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6414
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH 3735

UNCLAS HANOI 001698

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNSC PTER LE VM
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON CONTRIBUTION TO LEBANON TRIBUNAL DELIVERED

REF: STATE 129919

(SBU) On September 20, Poloff met with MFA West Asia and Africa
Department Expert Vu Duy Thanh to deliver reftel points encouraging
the Government of Vietnam (GVN) to make a financial contribution to
the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Thanh noted that the GVN will
need to step up and take more responsibility for matters such as the
Tribunal, given the likelihood that Vietnam will occupy a temporary
seat on the UN Security Council. The GVN supports efforts to
respond appropriately to Prime Minister Hariri's assassination, but
Thanh added that any response must address the legitimate interests
of all concerned parties and comply with international law. He also
mentioned that the GVN is not in a good position to contribute
financially, nor is there any GVN precedent for contributing to the
Tribunal. Thanh said he would convey our message to MFA leadership
for its consideration.

MICHALAK

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