MONGOLIA ENGAGED ON UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE PRIORITIES

C O N F I D E N T I A L ULAANBAATAR 000418 SIPDIS STATE FOR IO/RHS - REBECCA JOVIN, DRL/MLGA - LYNN SICADE AND EAP/CM E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2018 TAGS: PHUM PREL UN MN UNGA SUBJECT: MONGOLIA ENGAGED ON UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE PRIORITIES REF: STATE 95334 Classified By: Ambassador Mark Minton, Reasons 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) On September 11, PolOff delivered to MFA Department of Multilateral Cooperation Deputy Director Gunaajav BATJARGAL reftel points urging Mongolia not to support "no-action" motions on country-specific resolutions in the UN General Assembly's Third Committee; to support anticipated resolutions on Iran, the DPRK and Burma; and to support a possible resolution on Zimbabwe. PolOff also delivered points regarding freedom of expression, defamation of religions, and prisoners of conscience initiatives. We indicated to MFA officials that, while we agree the U.S. and Mongolia are broadly in agreement with regard to human rights priorities, we would like to see Mongolia standing more frequently by our side at the UN on the above matters. ¶2. (C) Deputy Director Batjargal was candid in his response, first stating that it was "surprising that the U.S. is not offering a resolution on Sudan," pointing out that "violations of human rights in Sudan are widespread." He did however understand the challenges we expressed regarding simultaneous resolutions on both Zimbabwe and Sudan. Regarding a resolution on the DPRK, Batjargal explained that "North Korea is very sensitive to us," and expressed concern that pushing a human rights resolution might be counterproductive to the Six-Party Talks. Batjargal also noted that a resolution on Burma was sensitive to Mongolia because, like DPRK, Mongolia maintains diplomatic relations with Burma. Batjargal had no substantive comment on the thematic resolutions. MINTON