Mongolia Undecided on UNHRC Vote, But Mulling Belarus

UNCLAS ULAANBAATAR 000285 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL UNHRC MG BO SUBJECT: Mongolia Undecided on UNHRC Vote, But Mulling Belarus Offer Ref: State 63345 Sensitive But Unclassified -- Not for Internet distribution. ¶1. (SBU) E/P Chief met on May 15 with MFA Director for Multilateral Relations Ms. Enkhtsetseg and drew on reftel points to urge that Mongolia cast its vote for Slovenia and Bosnia, and to not vote for Belarus to join the UN Human Rights Council. ¶2. (SBU) Enkhtsetseg responded that Mongolia had heard that Bosnia intended to run for the Council, but so far nothing official had been received in Ulaanbaatar or New York. She stated that Mongolia had not yet decided how to vote, but was mulling an offer from Belarus to support the Mongolian candidate for UNESCO, former Foreign Minister Erdenchuluun, if Mongolia supports the UNHRC bid of Belarus. ¶3. (SBU) E/P Chief responded that, in view of Mongolia's role as a fellow Convening Group member of the Community of Democracies, the U.S. especially hopes for leadership from Mongolia on the UNHRC candidates: Belarus is not a suitable candidate for the Council in view of the recent UN General Assembly criticism of its human rights record. Regarding Erdenechuluun's UNESCO candidacy, E/P chief continued, while the U.S. had a firm policy of not stating which candidates it intended to support, Embassy Ulaanbaatar had sent favorable comments on him to the State Department. Enkhtsetseg expressed appreciation. Goldbeck