Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ULAANBAATAR64
2009-03-02 09:01:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR PRESENTS MONGOLIAN DEFENSE MINISTER
how-toP 020901Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY ULAANBAATAR TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2715 SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY INFO AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY AMEMBASSY BERLIN PRIORITY AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY AMEMBASSY SEOUL PRIORITY AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY AMEMBASSY WARSAW PRIORITY NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ULAANBAATAR 000064
STATE FOR EAP/CM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2019
TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR MG
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR PRESENTS MONGOLIAN DEFENSE MINISTER
WITH SECRETARY GATES' LETTER ON AFGHANISTAN
REF: SECDEF 241850Z FEB 09
Classified By: Political Counselor Andrew Covington, Reasons 1.4 (b/d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ULAANBAATAR 000064
STATE FOR EAP/CM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2019
TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR MG
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR PRESENTS MONGOLIAN DEFENSE MINISTER
WITH SECRETARY GATES' LETTER ON AFGHANISTAN
REF: SECDEF 241850Z FEB 09
Classified By: Political Counselor Andrew Covington, Reasons 1.4 (b/d)
1. (C) On March 2, the first day of GOM operation after the
Mongolian Lunar New Year holiday, the Ambassador presented
Secretary Gates' letter on Mongolia's prospective
redeployment in Afghanistan to Defense Minister Bold (see
reftel). The text of the letter is reproduced below in para
7.
2. (C) The Ambassador reiterated our appreciation for
Mongolia's contributions in Iraq and Afghanistan and
underscored that the USG's comprehensive policy toward both
Afghanistan and Pakistan will include diplomatic, military,
and foreign assistance components. The Ambassador reviewed
the points of the Secretary's letter with Bold and offered to
report back to Washington any particulars or preferences the
Mongolians may have at this point.
3. (C) Bold noted that Mongolia has sent two site survey
teams to visit possible security mission assignments at
Polish and German bases in Afghanistan. He also indicated
Mongolia would like to send another site survey team to
Afghanistan at the earliest opportunity in response to the
Secretary's letter. (Note: Although Bold did not specify,
our understanding is that this team would investigate what
the new site security assignment broadly would involve,
regardless of the nationality of the forces under Mongolian
protection, and how the Mongolian operation would relate to
the U.S. presence in Afghanistan. End Note.) Bold stated
that sending such a team is necessary to achieve the details
needed to inform the political leadership of what the mission
would entail. Bold did not provide further information
regarding the GOM's preference for providing site security
for the Poles, the Germans, or someone else.
4. (C) Regarding the political context, Bold requested that
the Ambassador assist him in engaging the Mongolian National
Security Council ("NSC," comprising the President, Prime
Minister, and Speaker) on the importance of the Mongolian
mission. (Note: This would need to occur after the Mongolian
site survey team returns from Afghanistan. The NSC, if it
agrees, recommends such a mission to Parliament for final
approval. End Note.)
5. (SBU) Post sent courtesy copies of Secretary Gates' letter
to the offices of President Enkhbayar; Prime Minister Bayar;
Speaker Demberel; NSC Executive Secretary Ganbold; and Deputy
Director Odonjil of the Americas, Middle East and Africa
Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
6. (C) COMMENT: The GOM has once again stated clearly its
interest to return to Afghanistan in line with the two types
of missions described in Secretary Gates' letter. However,
because the Mongolian decision to do so will be political,
Bold must approach both the NSC and Parliament with a
specific request for these missions. We will need to
coordinate closely with the GOM to achieve their
participation. In so doing, we should support Bold's request
to send another survey team to Afghanistan to assist the
Defense Ministry in preparing its justification for the NSC
and Parliament. END COMMENT.
7. (SBU) Begin text of Secretary Gates' letter:
His Excellency Luvsanvandan Bold
Minister of Defense
Ministry of National Defense
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Dear Minister Bold:
Following Mongolia's successful redeployment from Operation
Iraqi Freedom, I am pleased to hear that the Government of
Mongolia and the Mongolian Armed Forces (MAF) once again
desire to contribute to Coalition operations in Afghanistan.
Mongolia's efforts in Iraq and previous support in
Afghanistan have been critical to the stabilization and
reconstruction of both of these countries. You should take
great pride in these contributions.
Ground commanders in Afghanistan have identified two missions
for which the MAF can provide valuable assistance. The first
of these is an artillery Mobile Training Team (MTT).
Previously deployed Mongolian MTTs have performed superbly in
support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and have provided
a critical capability to the Afghan national army. The
second request is for an infantry company to conduct a
security mission similar to the task the MAF successfully
accomplished in Iraq. It is my sincere hope that your
government will agree to deploy forces for both of these
important purposes.
In order for Mongolia,s contributions to be most beneficial
to coalition efforts in Afghanistan, I request that the MAF
consider the deployment on a continuous, rotational basis
ensuring year-round coverage. Through the U.S. Defense
Attach's office in Ulaanbaatar, the United States is ready
to work with the MAF on initial deployment dates, locations,
and other specifics.
The defense relationship between the United States and
Mongolia continues to flourish, and I am grateful to Mongolia
for its continued commitment to the stabilization and
reconstruction of Afghanistan.
Sincerely,
//Robert Gates//
(End text of letter.)
MINTON
STATE FOR EAP/CM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2019
TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR MG
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR PRESENTS MONGOLIAN DEFENSE MINISTER
WITH SECRETARY GATES' LETTER ON AFGHANISTAN
REF: SECDEF 241850Z FEB 09
Classified By: Political Counselor Andrew Covington, Reasons 1.4 (b/d)
1. (C) On March 2, the first day of GOM operation after the
Mongolian Lunar New Year holiday, the Ambassador presented
Secretary Gates' letter on Mongolia's prospective
redeployment in Afghanistan to Defense Minister Bold (see
reftel). The text of the letter is reproduced below in para
7.
2. (C) The Ambassador reiterated our appreciation for
Mongolia's contributions in Iraq and Afghanistan and
underscored that the USG's comprehensive policy toward both
Afghanistan and Pakistan will include diplomatic, military,
and foreign assistance components. The Ambassador reviewed
the points of the Secretary's letter with Bold and offered to
report back to Washington any particulars or preferences the
Mongolians may have at this point.
3. (C) Bold noted that Mongolia has sent two site survey
teams to visit possible security mission assignments at
Polish and German bases in Afghanistan. He also indicated
Mongolia would like to send another site survey team to
Afghanistan at the earliest opportunity in response to the
Secretary's letter. (Note: Although Bold did not specify,
our understanding is that this team would investigate what
the new site security assignment broadly would involve,
regardless of the nationality of the forces under Mongolian
protection, and how the Mongolian operation would relate to
the U.S. presence in Afghanistan. End Note.) Bold stated
that sending such a team is necessary to achieve the details
needed to inform the political leadership of what the mission
would entail. Bold did not provide further information
regarding the GOM's preference for providing site security
for the Poles, the Germans, or someone else.
4. (C) Regarding the political context, Bold requested that
the Ambassador assist him in engaging the Mongolian National
Security Council ("NSC," comprising the President, Prime
Minister, and Speaker) on the importance of the Mongolian
mission. (Note: This would need to occur after the Mongolian
site survey team returns from Afghanistan. The NSC, if it
agrees, recommends such a mission to Parliament for final
approval. End Note.)
5. (SBU) Post sent courtesy copies of Secretary Gates' letter
to the offices of President Enkhbayar; Prime Minister Bayar;
Speaker Demberel; NSC Executive Secretary Ganbold; and Deputy
Director Odonjil of the Americas, Middle East and Africa
Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
6. (C) COMMENT: The GOM has once again stated clearly its
interest to return to Afghanistan in line with the two types
of missions described in Secretary Gates' letter. However,
because the Mongolian decision to do so will be political,
Bold must approach both the NSC and Parliament with a
specific request for these missions. We will need to
coordinate closely with the GOM to achieve their
participation. In so doing, we should support Bold's request
to send another survey team to Afghanistan to assist the
Defense Ministry in preparing its justification for the NSC
and Parliament. END COMMENT.
7. (SBU) Begin text of Secretary Gates' letter:
His Excellency Luvsanvandan Bold
Minister of Defense
Ministry of National Defense
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Dear Minister Bold:
Following Mongolia's successful redeployment from Operation
Iraqi Freedom, I am pleased to hear that the Government of
Mongolia and the Mongolian Armed Forces (MAF) once again
desire to contribute to Coalition operations in Afghanistan.
Mongolia's efforts in Iraq and previous support in
Afghanistan have been critical to the stabilization and
reconstruction of both of these countries. You should take
great pride in these contributions.
Ground commanders in Afghanistan have identified two missions
for which the MAF can provide valuable assistance. The first
of these is an artillery Mobile Training Team (MTT).
Previously deployed Mongolian MTTs have performed superbly in
support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and have provided
a critical capability to the Afghan national army. The
second request is for an infantry company to conduct a
security mission similar to the task the MAF successfully
accomplished in Iraq. It is my sincere hope that your
government will agree to deploy forces for both of these
important purposes.
In order for Mongolia,s contributions to be most beneficial
to coalition efforts in Afghanistan, I request that the MAF
consider the deployment on a continuous, rotational basis
ensuring year-round coverage. Through the U.S. Defense
Attach's office in Ulaanbaatar, the United States is ready
to work with the MAF on initial deployment dates, locations,
and other specifics.
The defense relationship between the United States and
Mongolia continues to flourish, and I am grateful to Mongolia
for its continued commitment to the stabilization and
reconstruction of Afghanistan.
Sincerely,
//Robert Gates//
(End text of letter.)
MINTON