Presidential Delegation Visit To Mongolia

Date: July 18, 2006
Contact:  Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy
              976-11-329095, 976-11-312376

President George W. Bush designated Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns to head a Presidential Delegation to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to attend the 800th Anniversary of the Great Mongolian State from July 12-13, 2006.  The U.S. delegation included Ambassador Pamela J. Slutz and Mr. Robert M. Peck, Senior Fellow of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.

During his visit, Secretary Johanns met with President Enkhbayar on July 12 to convey President Bush’s congratulations on marking the 800th anniversary of the Mongolian nation.  The full text of President Bush’s congratulatory message is provided below. Secretary Johanns also met with Prime Minister Enkhbold over breakfast on July 13 and Foreign Minister Enkhbold hosted the delegation for dinner on July 12.  The morning of July 13 Secretary Johanns attended Naadam activities, including the wrestling competition, and he also traveled to the countryside to visit a herder who had participated in the Gobi Initiative project, a project jointly funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

TEXT OF PRESIDENT BUSH’S JULY 11, 2006 LETTER TO PRESIDENT ENKHBAYAR

Dear Mr. President:

Congratulations on a most significant national day, one which marks the 800th anniversary of the Mongolian nation, on July 11, 2006.

Our two countries share much in common - a love of freedom, a belief in the dignity of each individual and a commitment to working together to contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the region surrounding Mongolia and the world. We Americans commend your nation's participation in the stabilization and reconstruction of Afghanistan and Iraq, and support your efforts to promote good governance, economic liberalization, and fight corruption.

I look forward to working with you and your countrymen to expand the comprehensive partnership between our countries.

On behalf of the American people, I wish you and the people of your great nation ongoing success and prosperity.

Sincerely,

George W. Bush