Mongolian Ponders Guatemala UNSC Vote

UNCLAS ULAANBAATAR 000307 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UN UNSC MG IR VE GT SUBJECT: Mongolian Ponders Guatemala UNSC Vote Refs: (A) Ulaanbaatar 212, (B) Ulaanbaatar 115, (C) Ulaanbaatar 117 Sensitive But Unclassified -- Not for Internet Distribution ¶1. (SBU) During an April 25 introductory courtesy call on new MFA State Secretary K. Bekhat, Charge urged Mongolia to immediately make clear that it will vote for Guatemala for an elected UNSC seat. He commented that prospective votes are being closely followed in Washington. Bekhat cautiously replied that Mongolia typically waits until August to make such decisions, and then decides how to vote based on a variety of factors. He added, however, that Mongolia is currently discussing formal establishment of relations with Guatemala, as well as considering how to wage its own campaign in 2008 vis-a-vis Iran for an elected seat. Poloff commented that the U.S. hoped Mongolia would not become discouraged looking at the 2008 UNSC battle; just as the U.S. might focus later on the 2008 battle, however, it is now squarely intent on this year's UNSC contest and hopes for early expressions of Mongolian support for Guatemala. ¶2. (SBU) In an ad hoc follow-on separate discussion immediately after the meeting with the State Secretary, Charge and Poloff met with MFA Director for Multilateral Affairs Ms. Enkhtsetseg, who explained that Mongolia hopes to sign an agreement of mutual support with Guatemala at the time diplomatic relations is established. Mongolia, she said, would offer Guatemala support for its UNSC bid this year in exchange for Guatemalan support for Mongolia in 2008. She commented that Mongolia's reply to the U.S. request thus would be speeded if the Guatemalan Foreign Ministry accelerates discussions with Mongolia on establishment of diplomatic relations. Charge urged that Mongolia support Guatemala's candidacy without linking it to the potentially time-consuming process of establishing diplomatic relations. Ms. Enkhtsetseg mentioned the two nations' embassies in London planned to conduct discussions soon, and she also suggested USUN might consider putting Guatemalan and Mongolian UN reps together to advance the dialogue regarding UNSC voting. GOLDBECK