Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ULAANBAATAR558
2006-07-21 06:06:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Cable title:  

Mongolia Still Pondering Guatemala UNSC Vote

Tags:  PREL UN UNSC MG IR VE GT 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUM #0558 2020606
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 210606Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY ULAANBAATAR
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0148
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0430
RUEHGT/AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA 0010
UNCLAS ULAANBAATAR 000558 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FOR EAP/CM, WHA/CEN, AND IO/UNP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UN UNSC MG IR VE GT
SUBJECT: Mongolia Still Pondering Guatemala UNSC Vote

Refs: (A) Dugan/Freeman email of 6/16/06, (B)
Ulaanbaatar 307 and previous

Sensitive But Unclassified -- Not for Internet
Distribution

UNCLAS ULAANBAATAR 000558

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FOR EAP/CM, WHA/CEN, AND IO/UNP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UN UNSC MG IR VE GT
SUBJECT: Mongolia Still Pondering Guatemala UNSC Vote

Refs: (A) Dugan/Freeman email of 6/16/06, (B)
Ulaanbaatar 307 and previous

Sensitive But Unclassified -- Not for Internet
Distribution


1. (SBU) On July 20, E/P Chief called MFA Multilateral
Relations Director General Enkhtsetseg to ask whether
the July 3 announcement of the establishment of formal
diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Guatemala had
resulted in any movement in Mongolia's decision on this
year's UNSC vote. (Note: MFA has told us previously it
intended to tie agreement to establish diplomatic
relations to conclusion of an agreement for mutual
support in elections in international organizations.
Effectively, this is Mongolia's effort to win
Guatemala's promise to vote for Mongolia in a tough
2008 UNSC election contest versus Iran, in exchange for
Mongolia's vote this year. End note.) Enkhtsetseg
replied that the ball remains in Guatemala's court on
the mutual support agreement, failing which Mongolia
would decide how to vote in August as part of its
general pre-UNGA review.


2. (SBU) During a July 20 meeting, DCM noted to the
Prime Minister's Foreign Policy Advisor, Davaasuren,
and MFA Director General for the Americas, Middle East
and Africa Jambaldorj that the U.S. continued to hope
Mongolia will declare its support for Guatemala. He
noted, for instance, that Secretary Rice would likely
raise the subject with Foreign Minister Enkhbold,
should schedules permit a brief pull aside on the
margins of the ARF meeting in Kuala Lumpur, as Mongolia
had requested.


3. (SBU) Comment: Clearly, Guatemala has not told
Mongolia it has already pledged to support Iran in
2008, and therefore does not feel it can "oversell" its
vote by making a conflicting promise to the Mongolians
(ref a). We remain optimistic that the Mongolians will
opt to vote for Guatemala but, while waiting for a
"yes" answer on support in 2008 which will never come
from the Guatemalans, MFA may not declare its position
much before the UNSC vote is held this fall.

Slutz