CODEL PAYNE'S VISIT TO MONGOLIA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ULAANBAATAR 000429

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV EMIN EINV MG
SUBJECT: CODEL PAYNE'S VISIT TO MONGOLIA

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION.


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ) led a delegation of
members from the House Democracy Assistance Commission (HDAC)
through three days of highly productive meetings with
representatives of the Mongolian legislative and executive branches,
July 1-4, 2007. Delegation members included Rep. David Dreier
(R-CA),Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA),Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL),and Rep.
Mazie Hirono (D-HI). The delegation engaged their Mongolian State
Great Hural (parliament) counterparts on a range of issues related
to the promotion of effective legislative government in Mongolia.
Highlights of the visit included meetings with the Mongolian
President, Prime Minister, and Speaker; individual and group
meetings between parliamentarians and government officials; and a
tour of Ulaanbaatar and a demonstration of traditional Mongolian
sports. END SUMMARY.

Meetings with Parliament
--------------


2. (U) During a series of breakout meetings between U.S. and
Mongolian parliamentarians and staff members, participants exchanged
lessons learned and shared their experiences functioning in their
respective legislative systems. Discussions ranged from issues of
budgeting and social policy to media and constituent relations, and
Codel members stressed to their Mongolian counterparts the
importance of effective oversight, transparency, accountability,
effective legislation, and responsiveness to constituents.

Meeting with President Enkhbayar
--------------


3. (SBU) President Enkhbayar warmly welcomed the Codel, noting that
Parliamentary exchange was a valuable part of the U.S.-Mongolian
relationship. Enkhbayar also expanded on Mongolia's "third partner"
policy. With big neighbors--Russia and China--Mongolia seeks
balance, and needs U.S. engagement and assistance in its efforts.
He mentioned the importance of concluding the Millennium Challenge
Corporation (MCC) compact agreement, and expressed his hope that,
with Congressional support, it could be finished in time for his
trip to Washington later this autumn.


4. (SBU) The President highlighted Mongolia's contribution to Iraq
and said it was a symbol of partnership between our two countries.
He noted also that Mongolian forces' participation in Iraq was also
good for the training and readiness of Mongolian troops. He
reminded the Codel that Mongolia also seeks to deepen the commercial
relationship and seeks a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the U.S.


5. (SBU) President Enkhbayar also expressed his hope that a
situation could be created to provide more visas for Mongolians to
travel to the U.S., thereby promoting people-to-people exchanges. He
mentioned in that regard, Mongolia's desire for more opportunities
for students to study in the U.S. Rep. Payne underscored the
importance of the relationship and all the issues raised by the
President. He provided an explanation of the HDAC program and said
the delegation would write a letter, upon returning to Washington,
asking the Administration to complete the MCC compact in time for
the President's visit. He noted that there would be legislation in
the House to expand scholarships for foreign students to study in
the U.S.


6. (SBU) Rep. Drier explained the U.S. Trade Representative's
recently proposed "transparency initiative" as a first step towards
an enhanced commercial relationship. Rep. Drier offered his
appreciation for the President's strong leadership on the global war
on terrorism, especially for the continued dispatch of Mongolian
troops to Iraq and Afghanistan, and for supporting peacekeeping
operations in Sierra Leone and Kosovo. Rep. Drier noted that he had
supported a call for negotiating an FTA with Mongolia. Rep. Miller
noted that he had visited Camp Echo in Iraq and thanked President
for Mongolian troops there. Doing a fine job, he said.

Meeting with Prime Minister Enkhbold
--------------


7. (SBU) In his meeting with the Codel, Prime Minister Enkhbold
reiterated a number of points raised in previous recent discussions
with the Embassy. These included the need for a bilateral
Comprehensive Partnership Framework Agreement for the upcoming
summit, the importance of concluding the MCC agreement, and his
desire for an FTA. He also noted that Mongolia made a hard decision
sending troops to Iraq, and many were critical of this decision.

ULAANBAATA 00000429 002 OF 002


Initially, Mongolia had planned to send only five officers on the
latest rotation, but following a phone call from President Bush, the
government decided again on a full rotation. He also expressed his
support for further Congressional exchanges, and expressed his view
that Mongolia should be included in visa waiver program.


8. (SBU) Rep. Payne thanked the Prime Minister for his continued
support for Iraq, promised support for concluding MCC, and was
noncommittal on the issue of the visa waiver program.

Meeting with Speaker Lundeejantsan
--------------


9. (SBU) The meeting with Speaker Lundeejantsan, who had only the
previous week replaced Speaker Nyamdorj, sounded many of the same
themes and gave greater focus on HDAC activities and next steps.


Meeting with Defense Minister Sonompil
--------------


10. (SBU) Minister Sonompil welcomed the group and expressed
appreciation for the security assistance Mongolia had received from
the United States. The Minister briefly discussed how the Mongolian
Armed Forces are undergoing a transformation to an "elite, smaller,
professional" force suited to participate in UN peacekeeping
missions around the world. The Minister emphasized the importance
of the U.S.-GOM defense relationship as an accepted pillar of the
overall U.S.-GOM relations. The Minister added that the decision to
send an 8th rotation to Iraq was very difficult politically for
Mongolia.


11. (SBU) The delegation expressed their appreciation for Mongolia's
continued support to UN missions and OIF and OEF, and noted that
because of Mongolia's willingness to support and field forces for UN
peacekeeping missions and the Global War on Terrorism, Mongolia's
armed forces were becoming known around the world. The delegation
later discussed specifics on Mongolia's contingent in Iraq, the
current state of Mongolia's armed forces, and third country security
assistance and training programs. Minister Sonompil closed with an
appeal to speed up current security assistance spending and
implementation.


Full Delegation List
--------------


12. (U) Members of Congress: Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ),Rep. David
Dreier (R-CA),Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA),Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL),Rep.
Mazie Hirono (D-HI). Staff Members: John Lis, Staff Director, HDAC;
Jon Stivers, Adviser, Office of Speaker Nancy Pelosi; Brad Smith,
Professional Staff Member, House Rules Committee; Mr. Tommy Ross,
Legislative Assistant to Rep. David Price; Rachael Leman, Policy
Coordinator to Rep. David Dreier; Nkechi Mbanu, Legislative
Assistant/Deputy Press Secretary to Rep. Donald Payne. Other: Lt.
Cmdr. (Dr.) Alaric Franzos, USN; Lt. Kelechi Ndukwe, USN; Gy. Sgt.
Ramses Cypress, USMC; and Ms. LuAnn Bennett, wife of Rep. Moran.


13. (U) CODEL cleared this message.
MINTON