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