VZCZCXRO5583
RR RUEHLMC
DE RUEHUM #0459/01 2210836
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 090836Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY ULAANBAATAR
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1372
INFO RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 2886
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5713
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 2602
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP WASHINGTON DC 0672
RUCPODC/USDOC WASHDC 1351
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ULAANBAATAR 000459 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/CM 
STATE PASS USTR FOR STRATFORD AND WINELAND 
STATE PASS EXIM, OPIC, AND TDA 
NSC FOR HANLE 
MCC FOR REID, HALLMARK, AND STORCH 
USDOC FOR ZHENGONG CROSS 
USDA FOR NICOLA SAKHLEH 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL EAID PGOV MARR MG
SUBJECT: MONGOLIAN GOVT SEEKS UPDATES ON PENDING BILATERAL 
AGREEMENTS 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED- NOT FOR INTERNATION DISTRIBUTION 
 
¶1. (U) This is an action cable.  See actionS requested in para 9. 
 
¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY:  Mongolian Foreign Ministry Americas Deputy 
Director General Mounkhou invited the DCM to the Ministry on August 
8 to requestupdates on several pending bilateral agreements ahead of 
President Enkhbayar's anticipated October visit to Washington.  DG 
Mounkhou asked for clarity on the status of the Millennium Challenge 
Account (MCA) Compact Agreement, the Comprehensive Partnership 
Framework Agreement, and the Cultural Heritage Agreement, The GOM 
also asked that President Enkhbayar's visit be  an "official" visit, 
expressed continued concern about reductions in USAID assistance to 
Mongolia, and called on the USG to increase the number of 
scholarships for Mongolian university students.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Mounkhou, MFA Director General for the Americas, Africa 
andMiddle East, told DCM on August 8 that the Government of Mongolia 
would like to conclude several pending bilateral agreements in 
conjunction with President Enkhbayar's proposed visit to Washington 
in mid- to late October.  Mounkhou said: 
 
-- The MCA Compact Agreement is working its way through the GOM 
bureaucracy and, as far as the Mongolian side is concerned, will be 
ready for finalization in the near future. 
 
-- Regarding the (GOM-proposed) Comprehensive Partnership Framework 
Agreement, the GOM would like a formal USG response.  He added that 
the GOM would then respond accordingly. 
 
-- A year ago, the USG proposed a Cultural Preservation Agreement. 
The GOM seeks an update on the status of this agreement.  If the 
agreement cannot be concluded in the near future, the GOM is 
interested in concluding it at a later point. 
 
¶4. (SBU) The DCM noted good progress was being made by both sides 
toward concluding the MCA Compact Agreement, and said he would 
convey to Washington the request for a responses with respect to the 
other agreements. 
 
"OFFICIAL" VISIT SOUGHT 
----------------------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) The MFA asked whether President Enkhbayar's envisioned 
October visit to Washington was categorized as "official."  DCM said 
this was a White House call.  Mounkhou then made clear that the 
Mongolians favor an official visit, given the high level of 
bilateral relations, the fact that President Bush personally issued 
the invitation to President Enkhbayar, and this year the two nations 
celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic 
ties. Mounkhou noted that two had held an office meeting during the 
2004 Summit and the GOM hoped this year's meeting would be bumped to 
a higher level. 
 
FOLLOWUP QUESTION ON ASSISTANCE 
------------------------------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) On the issue of reduced USAID assistance to Mongolia, the 
D/DG pointed out that Foreign Minister Enkhbold had sought EAP 
Assistant Secretary Christopher R. Hill's assistance in preserving 
and expanding assistance levels.  Mounkhou said MFA hoped it might 
receive a response from A/S Hill in this regard. 
 
SCHOLARSHIP INCREASE DESIRED 
---------------------------- 
 
¶7. (SBU) D/DG Mounkhou said the GOM sought an increase in the number 
of U.S. scholarships offered to Mongolian university students, 
adding that this issue also was discussed with A/S Hill, but that no 
response had reached the GOM.  DCM said that the request is still 
being examined, and urged the Mongolians to recognize that education 
in the United States, unlike in Mongolia, is highly decentralized, 
and handled largely at the state and local level.  Viewed on a 
 
ULAANBAATA 00000459  002 OF 002 
 
 
nationwide scale, the DCM added, the number of overall scholarships 
to Mongolians has increased over the past year or so.  D/DG Mounkhou 
then said that if the U.S. side has any positive news about 
scholarships for Mongolians, the GOM would be delighted if that 
information could be conveyed during President Enkhbayar's visit. 
 
M.O.U. ON W.M.D.-COMPONENT DETECTION; PSI 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶8. (SBU) The DCM asked where the Mongolian side stood on the 
proposed Memorandum of Understanding regarding assistance on 
preventing WMD proliferation under on UNSC 1540.  Mounkhou replied 
that the Cabinet had accepted the MOU, which had been submitted to a 
Standing Committee.  (Note: Word reached us on August 9 that the GOM 
has designated the Ministry of Finance as the signer of the MOU, and 
that it would be ready for signing possibly during the upcoming 
visit of a U.S. Department of Energy border inspection team's visit 
at month's end.) Mounkhou also understood that progress had been 
made regarding the possibility of concluding a Proliferation 
Security Initiative (PSI) agreement and promised an update on its 
status in the next few days. 
 
¶9. (U) ACTION REQUESTED:  Post would appreciate receiving responses 
to the questions posed at Washington's earliest convenience.