Cablegate: Demarche On Support for Lebanon Delivered

VZCZCXRO9390
RR RUEHHM
DE RUEHHI #0134 0360417
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 050417Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7119
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH 4247

UNCLAS HANOI 000134

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SENSITIVE
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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM LE VM
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON SUPPORT FOR LEBANON DELIVERED

REF: STATE 10786

(SBU) On February 5, Poloff met with MFA West Asia and Africa
Department Deputy Director General Nguyen Van Linh to deliver the
Secretary's note verbale and discuss reftel points urging support

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for the Lebanese government. Linh said the GVN maintains good
relations with the Lebanese government and mentioned a recent
exchange of New Year's greetings between GVN leaders and Prime
Minister Siniora. While noting that Vietnam is not in a position to
provide economic or security assistance to Lebanon, he cited the
return of Vietnamese laborers to Lebanon as a form of cooperation
that contributes to Lebanon's development. Concerning the role of
Syria, Linh said the GVN opposes any interference by other countries
in internal Lebanese affairs and that the GVN has advised Syria that
it must respect Lebanese sovereignty. He added that although the
GVN is familiar with reports about links between Syria and
Hizballah, it has not received concrete evidence about such links.

MICHALAK

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