ASKING MONGOLIA TO JOIN ASIA PACIFIC DEMOCRACY PARTNERSHIP

UNCLAS STATE 128912 SIPDIS SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (ADD SWO SCROWLEY) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM MG SUBJECT: ASKING MONGOLIA TO JOIN ASIA PACIFIC DEMOCRACY PARTNERSHIP ¶1. This is an action request. See Para 3 for suggested talking points. ¶2. Background, for Embassy Info Only: On April 10, Deputies approved plans to develop a partnership among Asian democracies. Subsequent consultations with prospective members led us to broaden the concept to an Asia Pacific Democracy Partnership (APDP). The President called for the formation of the APDP is his speech at APEC in Sydney on September 7. We now hope to complete consultations with prospective members, and secure commitments to participate in APDP. We are hoping to have an initial organizing meeting of the APDP on the margins of the Community of Democracies meeting in Bamako, Mali, in November. We have decided to add Mongolia to the initial group of prospective members. ¶3. Action Request: Post is requested to approach the Mongolian government at an appropriately senior level to encourage Mongolia's participation in and ideas and feedback on the APDP. A formal response is requested by October 12 to ensure adequate time to prepare for a November organizing meeting in Bamako. Post may draw on the following talking points: -As called for by President Bush on September 7, the United States is interested in helping to form an Asia Pacific Democracy Partnership (APDP),and would like to invite your ideas, input and participation. - The APDP would be an partnership of Asia-Pacific democratic states working together to support and promote democracy, rule of law, and civil society in the region. - The APDP would be consistent with other initiatives such as the Community of Democracies, which has encouraged the development of regional democracy partnerships. - It would be an action-oriented organization, which could encompass activities such as (1) coordinating existing bilateral democracy funding and programs, (2) sharing "best practices" expertise, and (3) supporting the work of democracy-promotion NGOs. - We envision the APDP being initiated by a group of leading Asia-Pacific democracies, including Australia, Canada, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mongolia, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea and the United States. - Further participation would be open to any Asian democracies committed to strengthening democratic values and institutions in the region. - We hope to hold an initial organizing meeting of the APDP in Bamako, on the sidelines of the Community of Democracies ministerial. - The President announced this is his speech at APEC in Sydney on September 7. Speaking of efforts by APEC members to support democracy, he said: "These are important steps-and now we must build on them by forging new regional institutions to encourage the continued expansion of freedom in this vital part of the world. And so this week, the United States is proposing the creation of a new Asia Pacific Democracy Partnership. Through this partnership, free nations will work together to support democratic values, strengthen democratic institutions, and assist those who are working to build and sustain free societies across the Asia Pacific Region." -Please let us know of your government's interest and ideas regarding the structure and activities of the APDP, including participation in a meeting during the CD ministerial. 4.Embassy may leave the following background information with host government: The Asia Pacific Democracy Partnership (APDP) is a proposed new initiative to develop a coalition of democracies to support democratic institutions in Asia and the Pacific, including free and fair electoral processes, independent media, rule of law, human rights, and civil society. It would highlight democracy's progress in Asia, as well as the "shared values" between the United States and many Asian nations. It would build on, and be supportive of, the Community of Democracies. The APDP could be initiated by an initial group comprised of Australia, Canada, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mongolia, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea and the United States. Further participation would be open to any Asian democratic states committed to strengthening democratic values and institutions in the region. An APDP would provide a multilateral mechanism for strengthening and promoting democracy, rule of law, and civil society in Asia. The APDP would be action-oriented. The APDP's activities could be initially in three areas: 1) Coordinating existing bilateral democracy funding and programs, 2) Sharing "Best Practices" expertise, developing election standards, and diplomatic activities, and 3) Public/Private Partnerships (e.g. supporting the work of democracy-promotion nongovernmental organizations). Though the APDP's structure will be determined by participant governments, one possible model for the ADP would be: -Each member nation designates a lead official (at a level still to be determined) to meet once per year at an "APDP Leaders Conference"; -Each member nation also designates lead agency/office to coordinate activities on ongoing basis. We request a formal response by October 12 to ensure adequate time to prepare for a November organizing meeting in Bamako on the margins of the Community of Democracies. ¶4. Post should direct replies and feedback to desk, with a copy to Kelley Currie, Christian Whiton and John Kachtik. Department also requests embassy designate an officer as principal POC for further APDP issues. RICE