FM TELLS AMBASSADOR NSC WILL DECIDE 7TH IRAQ

C O N F I D E N T I A L ULAANBAATAR 000609

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/09/2016
TAGS: MARR PREL MG IZ PL
SUBJECT: FM TELLS AMBASSADOR NSC WILL DECIDE 7TH IRAQ
ROTATION SIZE

REF: A. STATE 123080


B. ULAANBAATAR 575

C. ULAANBAATAR 553

D. ULAANBAATAR 550

Classified By: Acting DCM Patrick J. Freeman, for reasons
1.5(B) and (D).


1. (C) Summary and comment: Ambassador, accompanied by
Polish ambassador, met on August 9 with Foreign Minister
Enkhbold to urge Mongolia to reconsider its decision to
reduce the 7th rotation to Iraq to a few staff officers.
Ambassador noted that Washington welcomes Mongolia's decision
to send a 7th rotation, but is disappointed at the late
notice, and concerned about the force protection effect at
Camp Echo. The Polish ambassador stated that the Mongolia
contingent is very important for the security of Polish
soldiers and that Mongolia's decision on the rotation is a
very important one for his government. Foreign Minister
Enkhbold responded that Mongolia's National Security Council
would make the final decision at an as yet unscheduled
meeting, and that the U.S. and Polish views would be taken
into account. He commented that the Cabinet had felt that
the 7th rotation could be decided at its level, but that it
would "have to listen to the NSC." Comment: Enkhbold's
acknowledgement that the NSC will make the final call is a
change from his demeanor on July 20 (ref c),which gave no
suggestion that the Cabinet decision to make the significant
reduction was other than final. While the outcome remains
unknown, two of the three members of the NSC (the President
and Speaker) have been strong supporters of Mongolia's
presence in Iraq, and President Enkhbayar is known to be
unhappy both with the reduction and the way that the decision
was made. End summary and comment.


2. (C) Ambassador, accompanied by Polish Ambassador Zbigniew
Kulak, met with Foreign Minister Enkhbold on August 9.
Ambassador stated that Washington had asked her to meet with
the Foreign Minister to urge Mongolia to send a 7th rotation
which could carry on with the same mission. She drew on ref
a points to state that, while the U.S. welcomes Mongolia's
decision to send a 7th rotation to Iraq, there is
disappointment with the late notice. She noted there would
be a significant negative impact on security at Camp Echo,
since it is impossible to find replacements for the Mongolia
soldiers, who had performed very well in previous rotations.


3. (C) Polish Ambassador Kulak noted that he had briefly
talked with the Foreign Minister several days ago on the
margins of another event. Since then, his government had
suggested that he call on the Foreign Minister with the U.S.
ambassador. Kulak stated that the Mongolian contingent is
very important for the security of the 2,000 Polish soldiers
in Iraq. There had been excellent cooperation between the
Polish and Mongolian contingents. A reduction in Mongolia's
contingent at Camp Echo, or its end, is a very important
issue for the Polish government. He urged the Mongolian
government to understand Poland's viewpoint. Ambassador
Slutz noted that the Polish forces are more directly affected
by the intended Mongolian reduction, but that it also has
bearing on Coalition relations as a whole.


4. (C) FM Enkhbold responded that both ambassadors knew
about the Cabinet decision which had been made, and which had
been based on consultations between MFA and the Ministry of
Defense. The Cabinet had supported the suggestion to reduce
the number of soldiers, but to still have a few staff
officers there. A final decision had yet to be made
concerning the details of this decision, such as how many
staff would be sent.


5. (C) The Foreign Minister continued that, prior to those
details being worked out, the issue would be submitted to
Mongolia's National Security Council (note: the President,
Speaker, and Prime Minister). Enkhbold expressed uncertainty
as to when the NSC would meet, but opined it likely would be
in the near future, before the planned vacations of
officials. The Foreign Minister reiterated that it is within
the authority and power of the Cabinet to make decisions on
the details of each rotation but, in this case, the issue
would be discussed and a decision made at the NSC level. He
assured that Mongolia would not be withdrawing from Iraq.
Foreign Minister Enkhbold acknowledged that he had seen the
Ambassador's letter of the previous day, and passed it to the
President and Speaker. (Note: On August 8, citing MFA

reports that the NSC would meet to discuss the 7th rotation,
the Ambassador wrote to the President, Speaker, and Prime
Minister, with a copy to the Foreign Minister, attaching a
copy of the ref a talking points.) Enkhbold stated that the
Cabinet and the NSC would consider the U.S. and Polish points
in making the final decision on the 7th rotation.
SLUTZ