[Netherlands] Message to Vietnam

[Dutchy]

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Private & Encrypted​

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To: Phạm Bình Minh, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Cc:
Subject: Emergency Meeting

Dear Minister,

We have recently read disturbing news about a situation at the Thai-Vietnamese border, while some media sources are unreliable, the reports being released present a danger to global peace and stability. At this time we are still trying to verify the reports, therefore we are reaching out to your government in a request for information. If found to be true the events could spiral out of control and lead to conflict in your region. The Netherlands aims to prevent armed conflict around the world and would like to work with Vietnam to resolve the situation in a peaceful manner.

If possible I would like to have the Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam meet you or a representative of you government in order to discuss how the Netherlands and Vietnam could work together to resolve the situation.

Yours Sincerely,
L.ALBRONDA
Leopold Albronda
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Kingdom of the Netherlands
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✆ +31 (0)70 34 84 848
✉ buza@rijksoverheid.nl
■ Rijnstraat 8, 2515 XP The Hague

 

[HeadlessSeeker]

Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Encrypted - Classified - Vietnamese Government Only - No Media - Protected by SIN
​

Recipients:
Leopold Albronda, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of the Netherlands
CC: Phạm Bình Minh, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Greetings,

Unfortunately at this time the Minister of Foreign Affairs is rather busy, however I am available to discuss this important matter. When available please send the Ambassador to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, they will be met there to come up with a plan to help prevent this issue from escalating. Based on reports what occurred is that a Border Defence Force Unit went to patrol the border between Laos and Thailand. They were then buzzed by a Thai helicopter that entered out airspace before it sat down deploying a unit of Thai troops. A verbal confrontation took place in which the Thai troops requested the Border Troops put down their weapons, and upon refusal a firefight commenced. As this is ongoing I am afraid I cannot give you specifics such as locations or times for security reasons. However hopefully once an in person meeting takes place we can share more in such a secured environment.

Best wishes

From:
Pham Xuan Do, President, Socialist Republic of Vietnam

@Dutchy

 

[Dutchy]

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would place a secure phone call to it's Embassy in Hanoi, informing the Ambassador of her mission. She would gather the necessary documents and call down for a chauffeur, leaving the building she would step into a waiting Mercedes G-Class, which had diplomatic license plates and a Dutch flag. The drive through the city from the Embassy to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would be uneventful. Arriving at the building she would show her diplomatic credentials to the guards, going through any security procedure that was required as she waited for a representative of the President to meet her.

 

[HeadlessSeeker]

The Guards at the Foreign Affairs building who were wearing spot camo uniforms and had G11 K2 Assault Rifles checked her papers over carefully. Based on their insignia it was obvious these were Dac Cong, and they took their job very seriously. Handing her papers back she would be let through after her identity had been confirmed and it was radioed to them that they were expecting their arrival. A Vietnamese Rep/Assistant would greet her having hastily arrived."Hello, you must be the Ambassador yes? Please follow me, the President is waiting to meet with you." they would say before starting to lead her through the building. She would notice that unlike outside it was far less humid in here. Arriving at the office of the president he would knock and then open."Ah, welcome. Please, come in and have a seat. Normally we would meet at the Presidential Palace, but it is currently undergoing repairs."

@Dutchy

 

[Dutchy]

She looked at the Vietnamese representative, being 195cm she towered over. "Yes, Ambassador Justine Cuijpers here to meet the President," she managed to say before the representative turned to lead the way. Arriving at the office she would step inside, repeating her greeting the most powerful man of the nation, "Ambassador Justine Cuijpers of the Netherlands, a pleasure to meet you Mr President," she said before taking her seat.

"Mr President, I believe you've been brought up to speed in regards to what I am here to discuss?"

 

[HeadlessSeeker]

Indeed it seemed that they had been in a hurry to bring her up to the office."A pleasure to meet you as well Ambassador." he would say as he watched them take a seat."Indeed, in fact I was the one who replied to the email that Leopold Albronda sent." he replied."The situation at the border was unexpected to say the least. It is also rather unfortunate, but I hope you understand that we will defend ourselves and our interests." he said as he adjusted in his seat a little."We have not heard anything from the Thai at this point, so we are starting to fear that the Thai wish to make a forced boarder adjustment, and that they may try to press their territorial claims on Laotian lands." he added seeming rather concerned.

 

[Dutchy]

"Then we can proceed at haste," the Ambassador would reply.

"The Netherlands was surprised to hear of a border conflict occurring in South East Asia. Your region has been able to maintain peace and stability for some time since the Hainan Concordant incident. However, my government was hoping you could bring me up to speed with some more of the specific details, primarily the cause of the border skirmish. It's of utmost importance that this is resolved as quickly as possible while it remains a small-scale incident, we must do everything in our power to prevent a full-scale conflict."

 

[HeadlessSeeker]

"Indeed, we have been happy to maintain such stability and have been trying to put Hainan behind us, as well as the previous administration. Regardless, the incident is occurring at the border between Chong Mek and Ban Vangtao Nok. A unit of our Border Defence Force went to patrol the area and was spotted by Thai troops in the area. The Thai military dispatched a helicopter with troops inside to buzz our Border Troops and observe them. After that they landed and sent a team to confront our troops demanding that they surrender. Upon refusal the firefight began and it escalated from there. We had dispatched a unit of two fighter jets to get a better view of the situation as well as two support planes. However the two jets reported in that the Thai were dispatching a force of four aircraft that were heading to the area. Not only that but they had a quick reaction force ready to back up the Thai troops already engaged. Approximately 100 troops were deployed by the Thai."

@Dutchy

 

[Dutchy]

"What you say does make it seem like a planned operation, however not one meant to develop into a full-scale conflict between nations. Have you, or one of your colleagues, had any contact with the Thai government. We have yet to hear from them on an international front and they have yet to release a press statement. Furthermore, my government is willing to offer itself as a mediator between your two nations, before this spirals out of control. I can phone the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to attempt to make make contact with the Thai government and also present them with our offer of mediation."

 

[HeadlessSeeker]

"We have not had any contact with the Thai government at this time. They have remained completely silent on the issue. To us it is highly suspicious to not hear a single word from them. Also, I do appreciate your offer to be the mediator between our two nations. Though we are hopeful that with a strong enough resistance that this will come swiftly to an end. It is always good to be ready with both a open hand and a fist as one might say." he said with a momentary pause."Also also doubt this will evolve into a full scale conflict, no one wants a full scale war for a mere border adjustment. That would be insane." he concluded.

 

[Dutchy]

"Then I would suggest attempting to establish a line of communication as quickly as possible. While I doubt anyone wants to see this develop into a full scale conflict, the silence of the Thai government is worrying. If it tells us anything it is that we don't know what will happen next, your decisions could define the course of South East Asia."

 

[HeadlessSeeker]

"Indeed, their silence has been very worrying and has made us expect the worse. We expect that this could be a situation much the same as the one Laos had with Thailand in the past. However, we will not know for sure until official word from the Thai comes out. Their silence could also mean that they wish to position themselves favorably military before they move to diplomacy. I will have a call put out, and hopefully a response is given."

@Dutchy

 

[Dutchy]

"Then the Netherlands shall hold off on contacting Thailand, offering your government the opportunity to solve this dispute bilaterally before seeking mediation from the international community. At this time I require no further information and should return to the Embassy to brief my government. Is there anything else you wish to know or tell me before I go?"

 

[HeadlessSeeker]

"Thank you, after this meeting between us has concluded I will get to the bottom of this with Thailand. Thank you for your understanding on this whole issue. I am hopeful it will not escalate." he said with a minor pause."But no, I do not believe there is anything else."

@Dutchy

 

[Dutchy]

"Then I would like to thank you for your time Mr President, I hope this situation can be resolved swiftly and peacefully." She rose from her chair and bowed her head in respect. "If you require to contact the Dutch government do not hesitate to call on me, the Secretary of State for Asian Affairs or the Minister of Foreign Affairs."

After being dismissed she would head out of the building and step into the waiting car which would take her back to the Embassy where she would place and encrypted call to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to update them on the talks she had just held.