[VT]: Message to Australia

[HeadlessSeeker]

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

Recipients:
Kevin Michael Rudd, Prime Minister of Australia, Commonwealth of Australia
CC: N/A

Greetings,

Normally the President would be writing you however we have yet to have the elections mandated by our referendum, and thus a temporary government is doing that job. But I found it important that I write you myself now that the extremist portions of our government have been booted out and we have returned to the SRV. I would like to propose that we hold a meeting to discuss the relations between our two nations, and how to seek the path forward. I would also like to discuss military cooperation as well as cooperation in the establishment of a trade route. if you wish to have a phone call instead that would be fine.

Best wishes

From:
Ngô Xuân Lịch, Minister of National Defence, Socialist Republic of Vietnam
@Owen

 

[Owen]

The Prime Minister would pick up his phone, it would be heavily encrypted by the Australian Signals Directorate. He would place it for the Minister's office in Hanoi. It would ring.

 

[HeadlessSeeker]

Encrypted - Classified - Vietnamese Government Only - No Media - Protected by SIN
Due to the current video call occurring at Lịch's office the call would be forwarded to Deputy Minister Phan Văn Giang. Giang would pick up the phone which was encrypted by SIN, his office doors closed, curtains pulled."Hello? This is the Deputy Minister's office. Giang speaking." he would say.
@Owen

 

[Owen]

"Good evening, this is Prime Minister Kevin Rudd."

 

[HeadlessSeeker]

Encrypted - Classified - Vietnamese Government Only - No Media - Protected by SIN
"Hello Kevin. It is a pleasure to hear from you. As I understand it Mr. Ngô sent you a message yes?"

 

[Owen]

"Yes he certainly did, what can I do for you?"

 

[HeadlessSeeker]

Encrypted - Classified - Vietnamese Government Only - No Media - Protected by SIN
"In short we would like to establish a trade route between our two countries. One which will require us to routinely patrol it with naval assets. Following this I believe we can work out the details of a Free Trade Agreement. We here believe that relations between Vietnam and Australia can be drastically improved. The establishment of the trade route would go a long way towards that. Not only that but the notion of military cooperation between our two countries. Before I go any further I would like to know what Australia's position on the Spratly Islands is."
@Owen

 

[Owen]

"Well we are certainly open to these proposals. The Labor Government came into power with numerous policies, one of which was nationalising the shipping lines back to Australian National Lines. At the moment its all privatised, so the Government has no ships and it will be down to private companies to decide if they see any economic benefit with more trade to Vietnam. Obviously an FTA will make the Vietnamese market more attractive to Australian businesses and ergo shipping lines. But we will soon have a Government-owned and operated shipping line to have more direct trade based more on the factors of political cooperation rather than supply and demand factors which private companies are concerned with. Our position on the Spratly's is that no country makes any claims or gains on other countries. That means we wish for the Spratly's to be left as they are, whoever controls which island, it belongs to them. We don't want to see anymore claims, it just leads to unnecessary conflict. As for the resources in the area, that will come down to the boundaries of the EEZ's in accordance with the GA resolution as a result of CURRENT territories."

 

[HeadlessSeeker]

Encrypted - Classified - Vietnamese Government Only - No Media - Protected by SIN
"I see, so you are saying that we should wait until the Government owned shipping line is up and running? Though it cannot hurt to set up an FTA prior to that. One which would, of course, pave the way for the establishment of a trade route for when the Australian Government owned shipping line is established. Also back on the topic of the Spratly Islands, that is a very safe answer, Kevin. However, I must ask if that answer you have given me applies to other South China Sea disputes. One, in particular, is the issue of the stolen Paracel Islands. Being neutral to avoid needless conflict is admirable of course, make no mistake. However, in this situation, there does not have to be any conflict. We have been working with other countries with claims to help sort out the issues with the Spratly Islands. It is a situation which I and others believe can be pursued diplomatically and solved in a peaceful manner. After the Battle for Europe, there were two parties that saw reason and used their words as weapons. Ireland and Australia brought an end to the war with talks and negotiated peace. I believe that Australia can play a key role here, just as they did back then."
@Owen

 

[Owen]

"No, we should start beginning negotiations for an FTA, I'll pass you onto more professional members of DFAT who work in the Office of Trade Negotiations so we can form an agreement which suits both our country's needs. Indeed, the Paracel Islands are a tricky situation. We're not in a position to alienate China, though now that China has somewhat gone dormant we might have some leverage. If China started being a major player though, we can expect them to be a military and economic powerhouse and obviously we need to ensure we know which side our bread is buttered on. Obviously the history is clear and China did take those islands unnecessarily in 1974 while you were still in the middle of a conflict, which granted we ecsaserbated. We will obviously work with Vietnam and China to come to a more mutual agreement on the Spratly's if that is what you desire, obviously with other players such as the Philippines and Taiwan, though we don't expect there to ever be an agreement with disputes between Taiwan and China. Don't forget we also ended the British-American War with the Treaty of Sydney."

 

[HeadlessSeeker]

Encrypted - Classified - Vietnamese Government Only - No Media - Protected by SIN
"That is very encouraging to hear. I can get our own professionals on to help with that matter." he would say with a brief pause as he readied to change subjects."I am glad to hear you understand the situation at hand when it comes to the South China Sea. Indeed, the Paracel Islands were taken from us in the midst of a civil war. One which China used in an attempt to expand their influence throughout Southeast Asia. That can be clearly seen in their actions during our war against Cambodia and the following decades of border conflict. So we would greatly appreciate it if Australia were to help us diplomatically approach the issue of the Paracel Islands. I am also happy to hear that you are willing to mediate with us on negotiating the issue of the Spratly Islands. As the history of Australia has shown that your nation is more than capable of bringing an end to even the most hostile of conflicts. But, on the note of China's current status of power, I do not believe it is that large of an issue. As they are currently dormant it would take some time for them to build up in power once more. Oddly enough very few of their recent administrations have been able to take full advantage of the resources they possess. Meanwhile Vietnam over the years while having gone through some troubling times has grown in its own right. Our government has also never collapsed, fortunately, only changed shape and form. Our military is doing better than ever, especially after we trimmed it of much of the excess equipment. The economy of Vietnam is also at an all-time high, and we are seeking to expand our economic reach as a hand of friendship. Thus entering the South China Sea situation I believe Australia can be confident that Vietnam is the right side to fall in with. We are also building a friendship with the Philipines whom also believe a diplomatic approach is needed."
@Owen

 

[Owen]

"Well that's very good to hear about Vietnam. We welcome your growth and strength in the region and hope you continue to strive to bring peace to South-East Asia. I don't think the Chinese are a big issue right at this point in time, we will see."

 

[HeadlessSeeker]

Encrypted - Classified - Vietnamese Government Only - No Media - Protected by SIN
"I am glad to hear that Australia welcomes our growth in such a way. I believe that cooperation between Australia and Vietnam are the way forward. We are hopeful that China will be reasonable when approached about the subject. However, as we are hoping for cooperation are there any issues that you wish to bring up?"
@Owen

 

[Owen]

"Is there anything you believe we need to be cooperating on at this point in time?"

 

[HeadlessSeeker]

Encrypted - Classified - Vietnamese Government Only - No Media - Protected by SIN
"Not at the moment no. We will let you know however when we are ready to move forward on the south china sea issues."
@Owen

 

[Owen]

"Okay well give us a buzz when you progress with the South China Sea issue. It was lovely chatting with you, cya." The Prime Minister would hang up.