MONGOLIAN PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER DESCRIBES TIES WITH NORTH

UNCLAS ULAANBAATAR 000479 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/CM, EAP/PM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL SOCI ECON MG KN KS SUBJECT: MONGOLIAN PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER DESCRIBES TIES WITH NORTH KOREA Ref: Ulaanbaatar 0435 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Tsogtbaatar Damdin (protect),Foreign Policy Advisor (FPA) to Mongolia's President, shed light August 21 on his country's relationship with North Korea. Joined by officials from the MFA, Tsogtbaatar told USG officials that Mongolia is trying to reduce North Korea's sense of isolation. He said this engagement becomes impossible when North Korea takes actions that threaten the security of other countries. Tsogtbaatar also indicated that Mongolia favors the idea of turning the Six-Party talks into a Northeast Asian regional forum, adding that it has approached China with this idea, with favorable results. Separately, a Mongolian Lieutenant General informed the USG that he and other Mongolian military officials have been invited to visit North Korea. It remains unclear whether such a visit will occur; the last one at that level occurred prior to 1990. END SUMMARY.. ¶2. (SBU) Mongolian presidential advisor Tsogtbaatar told DCM, E/P chief and visiting U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Senior Professional staff member Luse August 21 that Mongolia's interaction with North Korea is aimed at helping that country avoid feeling isolated. During a 90-minute luncheon conversation covering this and other subjects, Tsogtbaatar said: "We've been there and we know how important it is not to be alone. We try to engage North Korea, to help it not feel isolated." He added, however, that this engagement has its limits. In an apparent reference to Pyongyang's missile tests and nuclear maneuvering, he said: "When North Korea takes action that jeopardizes everybody's security, there is no compromise. We cannot support them." ¶3. (SBU) Tsogtbaatar, educated in Russia and Australia, said the Government of North Korea complains to Mongolia that the Mongolians, their "friends," criticize North Korea at international forums. Said Tsogtbaatar: "We say, 'It's an open democracy. We can't shut the mouths of our Parliamentarians.' North Korea will have to accept us the way we are." ¶4. (SBU) Regarding Six-Party talks, Tsogtbaatar said Mongolia seeks to create an environment conducive to a positive solution, partly by making the North Koreans realize that others care about their welfare. He added that the Mongolian leadership supports the idea of turning the Six-Party talks into a Northeast Asian regional forum. He added: "We've sounded out China on that, and they support us on that." (Note: Tsogtbaatar's comments track with reftel report of the July visit by DPRK Speaker Kim Yong Nam.) ¶5. (SBU) Separately, Embassy Ulaanbaatar's DAO office quotes Mongolian Lieutenant General Togoo as saying that he and other Mongolian military officials have been invited to visit North Korea. (Note: It is unclear whether such a visit will be realized; the last one at this level occurred prior to 1990. End Note.)