[Australia]: Message to Vietnam [SEC=TOP SECRET]

[Owen]

​

MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS​

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: TOP SECRET (Encrypted)​

25 July 1999​

Dear Ambassador of Vietnam to Australia, I'm sorry about my abrupt exit from the ASEAN+ Summit. We didn't feel like we could morally continue with the negotiations whilst Thailand is invading Laos. I would like to invite you to my office at Parliament House to discuss the matter. Yours sincerely, Kevin Rudd.

Parliament House, CANBERRA, ACT 2600 Telephone: (02) 6277 7700​

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HeadlessSeeker

 

[HeadlessSeeker]

Encrypted/Secure/Classified

To: Kevin Rudd, Australia Owen

CC:

Greetings,


Your reason for leaving the meeting regarding ASEAN+ given what is going on is rather understandable. I accept your invitation and can leave to meet with you at your earliest convenience. We have much to discuss in regards to this out of nowhere invasion which has derailed talks of peace and cooperation. It is my hopes that we can set this matter right.

From: Nguyễn Trung, Ambassador, Socialist Republic of Vietnam

 

[Owen]

The Minister would welcome the Ambassador to his office.

"Ambassador Trung, lovely to meet you. Please take a seat."

They would sit at the coffee table and lounge suite in his office.

"This Thai invasion of Laos comes as a bit of a surprise. We thought a nation like Thailand, vested in ASEAN and to the peace and prosperity of South East Asia would not take such wild course of action. I think they perhaps took the opportunity while our eyes were turned to the Middle East. Well I can say that all Australian forces have returned from the Middle East and we are solely focused again on our own backyard. If it gets to that point we are willing to take miltary action but in the short-term we want to see humanitarian aid and a diplomatic solution. What is Vietnam's approach to this situation?"

HeadlessSeeker

 

[HeadlessSeeker]

Encrypted/Secure/Classified

The Ambassador would arrive and take a seat.

"Indeed, and we ourselves have just gotten through an election which took our eyes away from ongoing affairs. It really is shocking. However we do believe diplomacy can still win out. Currently we are proposing to the Thai thst a cease fire happens effective immediately and then we in Vietnam arbitrate a lasting peace. It is a tricky situation as Thailand was a nation we really wished tk be partners with, but at the same time going to war with a neighbor so swiftly, one which we have a history with? That cannot be accepted."

Owen