Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ULAANBAATAR213
2009-07-31 10:00:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Cable title:  

MCC, DEFENSE ISSUES TOP MEETING BETWEEN AMBASSADOR AND FOREIGN MINISTER

Tags:  EAID ECIN ECON ETRD MARR PGOV PREL MG CD KS 
pdf how-to read a cable
INFO LOG-00 EEB-00 AF-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 
 COME-00 INL-00 C-00 DOEE-00 DOTE-00 PERC-00 DS-00 
 EAP-00 E-00 FAAE-00 FBIE-00 VCI-00 H-00 TEDE-00 
 INR-00 IO-00 LAB-01 L-00 CAC-00 MED-07 MOFM-00 
 MOF-00 M-00 VCIE-00 NSAE-00 ISN-00 OCS-00 OES-00 
 OIC-00 OIG-00 NIMA-00 PA-00 MCC-00 PM-00 GIWI-00 
 MA-00 P-00 SGAC-00 SCT-00 ISNE-00 FMPC-00 SP-00 
 IRM-00 TRSE-00 T-00 NCTC-00 BBG-00 R-00 IIP-00 
 SCRS-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-00 G-00 NFAT-00 
 SAS-00 DTT-00 FA-00 SWCI-00 SNKP-00 SEEE-00 SECC-00 
 SANA-00 /008W
 
P 311000Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY ULAANBAATAR
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2958
AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA 
AMEMBASSY SEOUL 
AMEMBASSY TOKYO 
MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP WASHINGTON DC
NSC WASHINGTON DC
OSD WASHINGTON DC
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
C O N F I D E N T I A L ULAANBAATAR 000213 


PLEASE PASS TO USTR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2019
TAGS: EAID, ECIN, ECON, ETRD, MARR, PGOV, PREL, MG, CD, KS
SUBJ: MCC, DEFENSE ISSUES TOP MEETING BETWEEN AMBASSADOR AND FOREIGN
MINISTER

Ref A) USDAO IIR 6 909 0081 09 / Mongolia moves to squelch rumors of
arms sales to North Korea (U/FOUO, 23 July 2009)

Ref B) USDAO IIR 6 909 0082 09 / Mongolia seeks US support for upcoming
peacekeeping mission to Chad (23 July 2009)

Ref C) USDAO IIR 6 909 0080 09 / Mongolia requests urgent logistic
support for planned upcoming UN peace keeping deployments (23 July 2009)


C O N F I D E N T I A L ULAANBAATAR 000213


PLEASE PASS TO USTR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2019
TAGS: EAID, ECIN, ECON, ETRD, MARR, PGOV, PREL, MG, CD, KS
SUBJ: MCC, DEFENSE ISSUES TOP MEETING BETWEEN AMBASSADOR AND FOREIGN
MINISTER

Ref A) USDAO IIR 6 909 0081 09 / Mongolia moves to squelch rumors of
arms sales to North Korea (U/FOUO, 23 July 2009)

Ref B) USDAO IIR 6 909 0082 09 / Mongolia seeks US support for upcoming
peacekeeping mission to Chad (23 July 2009)

Ref C) USDAO IIR 6 909 0080 09 / Mongolia requests urgent logistic
support for planned upcoming UN peace keeping deployments (23 July 2009)


1. (C) SUMMARY: Foreign Minister Sukhbaatar Batbold hosted the
Ambassador for lunch July 22. The FM offered to assist with obstacles
in reprogramming of Millennium Challenge Account funds, sought
assistance with the upcoming Mongolian peacekeeping mission to Chad,
and requested a study visit in preparation for Transparency Agreement
negotiations. The Ambassador and the FM also discussed plans for
upcoming visitors including CODEL Boehner, the President of Mongolia's
plans for attending the UN General Assembly, and Mongolia's interest in
chairing the Community of Democracies in 2011. Finally, the Foreign
Minister used the opportunity to reject rumors regarding Mongolian
intentions to sell retooled warplanes to North Korea. End Summary

2. (SBU) The Ambassador, accompanied by the Defense AttachQ and poloff,
attended a lunch July 22 hosted by Foreign Minister Batbold. The
meeting was intended as a friendly mid-summer review of the bilateral
relationship. Key topics included:

3. (C) Airplane Sales: The Foreign Minister volunteered on his own to
the Ambassador that the rumors of a potential sale of retooled MIGs
from Mongolia to North Korea were groundless. Please see ref (A) for
more details.

4. (SBU) Peacekeepers to Chad: The Mongolians will be sending a large
contingent of peacekeepers to Chad. Mongolia does not have any
diplomatic presence in Chad and will need additional USG support to
assist this mission. Please see refs (B and C) for more info. The
Foreign Minister also hoped our DATT in Chad would be a source of
advice to Mongolia's peacekeepers once deployed.

5. (SBU) Millennium Challenge Account: The Foreign Minister, following
up on statements he made in June when he met the Secretary in
Washington, offered to assist with any problems reprogramming the MCC
money ahead of the upcoming Sept. 9 board meeting. Batbold is very
supportive of the current proposal to increase the funding of existing
projects and add additional projects on roads, renewable energy
(including pollution abatement),and veterinary medicine. He is eager
to ensure that Mongolia does not lose any of the money originally
intended as a result of the failure of the railroad project.

6. (SBU) Transparency Agreement: Batbold is eager to push for a
Transparency Agreement, but he believes that the Ministry needs to
understand the process better to negotiate effectively. The GoM will
be requesting a study visit by one or two officers to USTR. The
Mongolian Embassy in Washington will be raising it shortly directly
with USTR, but they would appreciate our support and guidance moving
forward.

7. (SBU) UNGA: President Elbegdorj is tentatively planning to attend
the UN General Assembly opening ceremony. At this time he is not
planning to request any additional bilateral meetings, preferring
instead to wait for a more focused bilateral Washington visit in 2010.
Instead, Elbegdorj will focus on regional and multilateral climate
change discussions and may attempt to address the General Assembly if
scheduling allows. The Prime Minister is not planning to attend the
UNGA at this time.

8. (SBU) COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES: FM Batbold raised the issue of
Mongolia's chairing the Community of Democracies in 2011. He believes
there is a broad consensus in support of Mongolia's chairmanship. He
thinks this will be a good opportunity for Mongolia to raise its
international profile. Mongolia will be eager for any feedback or
information closer to 2011.

9. (SBU) CODELS AND UPCOMING VISITS: Batbold expressed his
appreciation for the Price Congressional Delegation (CODEL) that visited
in June, and is eager to meet with the members of the Boehner CODEL if scheduling allows. The Ambassador mentioned that the FM should meet with General Campbell, the new Lieutenant Governor of Alaska, who has a long-standing relationship with Mongolia and will be representing the Alaska National Guard in the upcoming Khan Quest 2009 in August. The Foreign Minister closed discussion of this issue by inviting Secretary Clinton or other senior USG officials to Mongolia as a sign of the continued U.S.
commitment to Mongolia.

MINTON