Joint Press Conference with Vice Foreign Minister Batbold

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: The warmth of the reception here in Ulaanbaatar is in dramatic contrast to the degrees Fahrenheit outside.

President Bush and Secretary Powell have asked me to travel here to make three points:

The first is to express our appreciation for the courageous decision of the government, and for the courage of the soldiers of Mongolia who are participating in the global war on terror, both in Afghanistan and in greater numbers in Iraq.

Second, President Bush and Secretary Powell have asked me to make the point that, and a visible point so all can see, the amount of affection we have for this relationship with Mongolia.

Third, the President has asked me to explore with our colleagues here in the Foreign Ministry and the Office of the Prime Minister and laterally with the President, ways in which we can deepen, broaden, and strengthen this relationship.

We are to leave no aspect of our relationship unexplored - whether it's in the trade and investment area, whether it's in the foreign direct investment area, whether it's in training opportunities for our friends in Mongolia, whether it's in the provision of equipment to the military.

I look forward to your questions, and just let me close by expressing gratitude to my colleague for the reception here and the talks which we've begun this morning. And I'll look forward to the continuation of these talks this afternoon, this evening, and again tomorrow.

(Question and Answer Session)

QUESTION: (Indistinct.)

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: First of all, it seems to me, since Mongolia has made the decision to be involved in the global war on terror, you'll be part of the solution to the global war and to the problem of terrorism. This is a good beginning. I think in terms of actual benefits you will become part of a great mighty coalition who will have brought stability to the Middle East. Stability to the Middle East brings with it, I think, certain benefits for the entire international community in terms of access to petroleum products, things of that nature. So I think there is a whole host of benefits that may accrue to Mongolia. More specifically I've discussed with our colleagues here today the possibility of Mongolian business, or companies, being involved in the reconstruction activities in Iraq. And we're going to do our best to try to make this happen.

QUESTION: (Indistinct.)

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: I think if you wait a little bit longer, a little bit later this afternoon, you'll have a pleasant surprise.

QUESTION: (Indistinct.)

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: (Repeating question) Why does he include Mongolia as a developing country?

We have that view. We have the view that things are developing politically here; they're developing socially. The education levels, particularly among women, by the way - the majority of the university graduates - are something that's, I think, to be envied in many parts of the world. So we think that this nation has an awful lot going for it. And to the extent possible and acceptable and agreeable to our friends in Mongolia, we're going to try to help it along.

QUESTION: (Indistinct.)

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: (Aside to Vice Foreign Minister Batbold) Is he asking me, or…? (Pause, again aside to Vice Foreign Minister Batbold) Do you want to do it? OK.

(Vice Foreign Minister Batbold responds in Mongolian to questioner. Translation indistinct.)

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Thank you very much - oh…? (Further question)

QUESTION: (Indistinct.)

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Right now on the issue of North Korea and nuclear weapons we're working quite well with five other partners - the Russian Federation, the People's Republic of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea - to try to bring about a situation in which we could have another round of six-party talks. And as I said in Beijing yesterday, I think it's fair to say both the U.S. side and the Chinese side are hopeful that we will have these talks soon.

President Bush believes that this issue is one that can be resolved peacefully through diplomacy and we're working to that end.

QUESTION: (Indistinct.)

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Of course if we get to a second round of six-party talks, we have said that we would enter these talks without preconditions, and every member of the six-parties are welcome to put their views forward and let them be fully examined by the others.

Thank you. Thank you.

(End of official portion of Joint Press Conference)

(Interview by Mongol TV)

MONGOL TV: (Indistinct.) …your finalization of being the ambassador…(indistinct)…how's it feel about?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Oh, I saw that Mr. Ivanov made the announcement particularly (indistinct word). He came not so long ago, and I think this was a hangover of the Soviet era. I think it's a very good thing, and a very positive development.

MONGOL TV: OK, thank you very much.

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Are you not happy with the developing country? (Laughter)

MONGOL TV: (Laughter) Yep.

MONGOL TV: Many students like to study in America so what kind of things will you do from America on this question?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: We have actually increased by a small amount the amount of money available for scholarships - number one. Number two, we've got a certain number of teacher assistants positions opening. Number three - this is something we have to do - we have to make the visa situation a little easier for potential students, so they can participate in our great universities and then come back home hopefully and participate in the development of a great nation.

MONGOL TV: Thank you. Will you agree that our country is a democratic country?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Is a what?

MONGOL TV: Democratic country.

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: It's a developing democratic country. (Laughter)