Cablegate: Vietnam Proposes to "Begin Immediately" Work On Non-Market

VZCZCXRO9989
PP RUEHHM
DE RUEHHI #0940 2270013
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 140013Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8297
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH 5009
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS HANOI 000940

COMMERCE FOR I/A A/S DSPOONER AND SSU

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD ETTC
SUBJECT: VIETNAM PROPOSES TO "BEGIN IMMEDIATELY" WORK ON NON-MARKET
ECONOMY AND TRADE REMEDIES

1. (U) On August 13, 2008, Embassy Hanoi received the following
letter from Vietnam's Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr. Vu Huy
Hoang, addressed to Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez, dated
August 11. Post has the original copy of the letter on file.

2. BEGIN TEXT:

Re: Establishing working group on trade remedy administration

Dear Mr. Secretary,

I am pleased to inform you that the Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung
has agreed to your proposal on establishing a bilateral working
group to discuss technical aspects of trade remedy administration,
including issue of market economy status. The Prime Minister
instructed me to work with you on details and to appoint Vietnamese
co-chair of the working group.

On my part I fully support your view that due to the complexity of
the topics that may arise in the discussion under the working group,
continued discussion should be allowed across several meeting as
needed and the time between scheduled meetings is for appropriate
follow-up.

I also agree that the working group be chaired at Director
General/Assistant Secretary level and that each side designates a
liaison/point of contact in the group. For the Ministry of Industry
and Trade of Viet Nam, Mr. Bach Van Mung, Director General of the
Competition Administration Department will be the liaison. Mr. Bach
Van Mung will directly work with the US liaison to map out working
plan for the group and coordinate its activities.

I propose that the two designated liaisons begin immediately work on
a substantive framework and agenda for the group and make necessary
arrangement for the first meeting to be held this year as emphasized
in the letter of the Prime Minister to you.

I look forward to early operation of the Working Group.

Yours sincerely,

Vu Huy Hoang
Minister of Industry and Trade

END TEXT

MICHALAK

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