Cablegate: Demarche Delivered On Possible Russian Recognition Of

VZCZCXRO8428
RR RUEHHM
DE RUEHHI #0987 2390524
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 260524Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8353
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH 5056
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0224

UNCLAS HANOI 000987

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FOR EUR/RUS KATE SZPILA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNSC RS VM
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON POSSIBLE RUSSIAN RECOGNITION OF
ABKHAZIA AND SOUTH OSSETIA

REF: STATE 90978

(SBU) On August 25, the DCM met with MFA Director General Nguyen Ba
Hung to register U.S. concerns about possible Russian recognition of
Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and to urge Vietnam to press Russia not
to take such a step (reftel). Hung took note of the U.S. position
and promised to relay the substance of the demarche to his
superiors. In a follow-up discussion August 26, Phan Ho The Nam of
the MFA's Department of International Affairs emphasized that
Vietnam has encouraged all sides of the conflict to continue
discussions. Noting that the Russian government has yet to act on
the recommendation of the Russian Duma and Federation Council, Nam
expressed hope that the situation would stabilize with the
withdrawal of Russian forces. When pressed, Nam acknowledged the
importance of sovereignty and territorial integrity as general
principles, but declined to characterize Vietnam's position on
Russia's possible recognition of the separatist regions.

MICHALAK

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