Opportunity to Strengthen US-Mongolia Ties: 2007 Marks 20th

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ULAANBAATAR 000844 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/CM, EAP/PA, EAP/PD, ECA/C, IIP/G/EAP, STATE PASS USTR, OPIC, EXIM, TDA, FED RESERVE HQ PACOM FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR (J007) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO PREL ECON OIIP OPRC KMDR KPAO MG SUBJECT: Opportunity to Strengthen US-Mongolia Ties: 2007 Marks 20th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Ref: Ulaanbaatar ULAANBAATA 00000844 001.2 OF 002 1.(U) SUMMARY: This cable includes action requests; please see paragraphs 3, 6, and 13. January 27, 2007 will mark the twentieth anniversary of diplomatic ties between the United States and Mongolia. Post plans to tie events throughout 2007 to the anniversary, in order to highlight the bilateral relationship. Embassy Ulaanbaatar seeks Washington's support through VIP visits, activities, events, and supplementary funding to maximize this opportunity. As this week's interest in commemorating President Bush's November 2005 visit demonstrated (reftel),the 20th anniversary presents significant public diplomacy opportunities. END SUMMARY. 2.(U) Post has held preliminary discussions with Mongolia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The anniversary year in 2007 will include events planned independently by the U.S. government, joint events planned with the Mongolian government, as well as events planned independently by the Mongolian government here and in Washington. -------------- Video Message from President Bush -------------- 3.(U) Action request: Post recommends/requests a video message from the President to thank the Mongolian people for their friendship and cooperation on the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Embassy Ulaanbaatar requests NSC assistance in exploring the possibility of preparing a message to a nation that seeks to complete its transformation to democracy and a free market economy, is working to complete a Millennium Challenge Account compact and is supporting counter terrorism efforts in Iraq. The target date for broadcasting in Mongolia is the 20th anniversary date itself--January 27, 2007. The Mongolian Foreign Ministry stated a video message from President Bush would be greatly appreciated. President Bush's congratulatory message for the 800th anniversary of the Mongol State this summer was very well received and gained wide press coverage. MFA also indicated they would solicit an exchange of written messages between the Secretary and the Foreign Minister. -------------- Visit by Assistant Secretary Hill -------------- 4.(U) The Embassy anticipates a visit by Assistant Secretary Hill would give high visibility to the anniversary and help initiate a year of commemorative events. Post has invited Assistant Secretary Hill to visit Mongolia, January 28-30. Per the proposed schedule, A/S Hill would open the annual Comprehensive Bilateral, Regional, Global Issues meeting, visit Peace Corps Volunteers in the countryside, and meet with political and business leaders as well as journalists in Ulaanbaatar. In addition to participation in commemorative events, such as an academic conference, we hope the Mongolian government will be prepared to sign a Consular Convention and perhaps a Bilateral Cultural Preservation Agreement and a Proliferation Security Initiative agreement. -------------- Commercial and Trade Events -------------- 5.(U) In February, post will also seek to tie the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) talks to twentieth anniversary events. The U.S. and Mongolia share an interest in expanding commercial connections during the twentieth anniversary year. The North America Business Council of Mongolia is organizing events around a visit to Chicago for President Enkhbayar tentatively scheduled for April. The Foreign Ministry is interested in holding a large seminar on trade and business. Post believes the ULAANBAATA 00000844 002.2 OF 002 anniversary presents a timely opportunity to begin regular trade shows in Mongolia. 6.(U) Action request: The Embassy would appreciate support from Washington for VIP visits to Mongolia by the Commerce Secretary, USTR, and others during 2007. Post is prepared to structure such seminars or trade shows around those visits. -------------- Other VIP Visits -------------- 7.(U) The Mongolian Foreign Ministry expressed the hope for exchanges of high-level delegations during the year. In particular, they would like to have a high-level delegation visit coincide with a signing of the prospective MCC compact agreement. Post anticipates a CODEL visit in May and a visit to Washington by Mongolian Members of Parliament in September in conjunction with a House Democracy Action Committee project. -------------- Other Mongolian Plans -------------- 8.(U)The Mongolian Foreign Ministry noted they hope for high-level bilateral meetings with the US Treasury and Department of Defense, as well as other U.S. departments. Other Mongolian government ministries will also plan special events during the year. 9.(U) The Mongolian government is planning to issue a postage stamp commemorating the twentieth anniversary around June. The Mongolian Embassy in Washington is also planning a series of events. -------------- Cultural Events -------------- 10.(U) Post and the Mongolian Foreign Ministry hope to make cultural events of high visibility an important part of commemorative activities, for example, art exhibitions in Mongolia featuring American works and in the United States featuring Mongolian works. A tour by American musical groups would be very welcome, and post is prepared to work with neighboring posts, such as Beijing and Seoul, to reduce costs. -------------- Academic Programs -------------- 11.(U) In addition to opinion editorials and a year-long series of speeches by Embassy officers, post plans to stimulate academic and professional dialogues through DVCs and a large academic conference. 12.(U) Post is interested in compiling a booklet including the key documents related to the establishment of diplomatic relations, as well as a chronology of official contact between the United States and Mongolia. 13.(U) Action request: Post requests the assistance of the Ralph Bunche Library and the Office of the Historian for obtaining electronic copies of key documents related to the 20th anniversary. MINTON