The issue surrounding three MPs, T. Badamjunai, G. Zandanshatar and U. Hurelsukh involved in the loss of a great amount of money from the Savings Banks, remains the center of public attention. The MPs survived suspension from their duties following a decision made at a Parliamentary meeting, October 27. Daily newspapers reported the ruling MPRP defended its members and forced Parliament to respond to the Supreme Prosecutor’s proposals on the possibility of inspecting the suspected MPs, without suspending them from their positions.
Mongolians join action for Burmese citizens’ rights
A religious ceremony and a public demonstration showed Mongolians support for Burmese citizens rights for freedom and protests against the oppressive ruling military regime
The Center of Mongolian Buddhist religion, Gandantegchinlen Monastery and the Freedom Center conducted a religious ceremony on October 3 to support thousands of Burmese citizens and monks struggling under a aggressive military regime. More than 200 monks of the Gandantegchinlen Monastery and students of the Religious School joined together in a ceremony of prayer.
Batmonkh remembered with new monument
An opening ceremony for the late Mongolian prominent state and social figure, Jambiin Batmonkh’s monument was held in front of the Economic Institute of Mongolian National University on October 7. The Mongolian Government, Uvs aimag provincial council and over 50 herders of Uvs aimag gave donations for the monument’s creation.
J. Batmonkh’s wife, Daariimaa, Minister of Finance, N. Bayartsaikhan and other senior citizens who had studied and worked with the late Mr Batmonkh participated in the opening ceremony.
Austria looks to open air routes
On October 3, Austrian Ambassador to Mongolia, Dr Martin Sadjdik presented his credentials to President of Mongolia, N. Enkhbayar. The President said Mongolia was a gate to emerging markets of China and Northeast Asia. He noted recent rapid development of relations, particularly in education, science and cultural sectors between Mongolia and Austria with their long historic relationship. He said this was a strong base for further development of economic relations.
Israel strengthens relations
On October 3, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador from Israel to Mongolia, Amos Nadai presented his letter of credentials to President N.Enkhbayar. The President advised him to pay attention in development of cooperation in all sectors. Mr Nadai promised to make efforts for deepening development in the relation of the two countries.
Court’s independence grows
President N.Enkhbayar met with Asian Judicial Institute of US, Texas Wesleyan University’s School of Law and Senior Justice Chairperson, Joe Spurlock II, State of Texas District and Appellate Courts and G. Ganzorig, Chief Consultant and CEO, Ganzorig Consulting Inc on October 4.
A first for UN representative
On October 1, Resident Representative from Mongolia to UN, O.Enkhtsetseg, presented her letter of trust to UN Secretary General, Ban ki-moon . She discussed Mongolia-UN cooperation and other mutually interesting issues with the UN Secretary General. Mrs Enkhtsetseg has became the first woman UN Resident Representative from Mongolia.
Government praises Korean summit
A spokesperson from Mongolia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry made a statement on October 5 congratulating delegates in the successful second summit between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) and the Republic of Korea (South Korea).
The statement said Mongolia hoped that the joint declaration calling for a permanent peace deal on the Korean Peninsula by leaders of the two countries would contribute to development of political dialogue and other relations between the two countries and peace on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia.
National development strategy includes public comment
On October 2, Parliamentary Vice Speaker, D. Idevkhten received UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Mongolia, Pratibha Mehta. They discussed UN assistance and approval of the draft strategy of national development until the year 2020.
The UN has focused on assistance in drawing up the national policy on population growth, employment and nature preservation, strategic aspects in achieving the Millennium Development Goals. The Mongolian parliament will approve a resolution on the National Development Strategy related to the development of Mongolia.
MPs learn mining practices from visit to World Bank
On October 1, The World Bank Group received a delegation of parliamentarians from Mongolia to learn best practices from other countries in managing its mining sector in Washington D.C. Discussions focused on international experiences related to effective mining taxation, state participation, comprehensive regional and infrastructure development, and addressing environmental, social and governance risks.
Parliamentarians check best practice in mining
On October 3, Parliamentary Vice-Speaker, D. Idevkhten met World Bank resident representative in Mongolia, Mr Arshad Sayed. They discussed the Mongolian parliamentary delegation visiting the World Bank to gain experience towards developing strong legal coordination in the mining sector, important for the country’s economic development.
The delegation is visiting Washington DC to learn best practices from countries in managing their mining sectors. Discussions have focused on international experiences related to effective mining taxation, state participation, comprehensive regional and infrastructure development and addressing environmental, social and governance risks.
Diplomat accused of illicit drug dealing
A primary court meeting on October 3 has convicted a former counsellor from the Mongolian Embassy in Bulgaria, D. Shatarbal, to 10 years imprisonment for dealing in illicit importing of drugs and narcotics from Bulgaria.
In March 2005 when Mr Shatarbal worked in the embassy in Bulgaria, Bulgarian Home Affairs arrested him for transporting a significant amount of Ampedamin drug in his own car with a diplomatic number. The UN Resolution of 1971 lists the drug as prohibited. Partners of D. Shatarbal, Turkish and Bulgarian citizens, were also investigated by Bulgarian legal organizations.
Inspection uncovers more mining contamination in rural areas
Inspections carried out by Government agencies have revealed a more threatening chemical contamination incident than that reported in Hongor soum of Darkhan-Uul aimag, early June. The Ministry of Environment, National Emergency Management Agency, the State Professional Inspection Agency, Ministry of Trade and Industry and General Police Department have started inspections among businesses using illicit chemical substances and operating private mills for gold extraction in connection with the situation created in Hongor soum of Darkhan-Uul aimag.
Renewable energy projects improve rural soums’ services
Finance minister N. Bayartsaikhan and World Bank resident representative, Arshad Sayed signed a USD 6 million grant assistance from the Netherlands government to Mongolia on October 5.
The World Bank, the WWF and the Government of Netherlands promised to finance the project on renewable energy supply to rural regions and the Netherlands government decided to spend USD 6 million for renewable energy techniques and technology for rural households, to modernize domestic network of 27 soums to be connected with the central power grid, to reduce power and energy loss and ensure renewable energy sources to centers of total ten soums.
Mongolian-Korean forum promotes investment
On October 1, A Mongolian-Korean business forum was held in the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI). During forum both countries signed a ‘Specialists Exchange Cooperation’ memorandum to raise trade, investment and cooperation to new levels.
The business forum has been organized annually since the ‘Foreign Investment and Foreign Trade Agency’ of Mongolia and Korean ‘Trade and Investment Agency’ signed a Cooperation Memorandum in 2003.
Letter from Mongolian people
From Mongolian people: Mongolians have been following the trial proceedings concerning the brutal murder of Mongolian citizen and mother of two, Sh. Altantuya, for one year with great anxiety. Together, they have expressed their concerns through the media during the year. Their messages have been in hope that the honorable judge in Malaysia, leading the trial would conduct it fairly and disclose all evidence related to the crime and convict the perpetrators for their brutal crime.
Father of the late Altantuya, Jaler S. Shaariibuu expressed his sorrow and frustrations over the dealings of his daughter’s murder in Malaysia.
“My deceased daughter Sh. Altantuya knew Baginda in Malaysia. She was arrested illegally by Malaysian policemen and trusted bodyguards of Malaysian deputy prime minister, Najib Tun Razak. Violence and armed robbery were part of the process. The police carried weapons only authorized for use by military defence officers in the case of an external attack on Malayisa. with special permission but they attacked a powerless Mongolian woman.
Border defense troops service upgraded
The General Border Defence Authority organized a trip for journalists along Mongolia’s southern borders during spring and along the northern borders from September 10 to 13 to show them border defence reforms; the situation along borders and border troops living conditions. The visit was organized to demonstrate a more open approach than before to border control and to encourage citizens to support border control activities.
Attempts are being made to replace contract border defence staff with professional troops and from August training of two border troop Units in southern and northern borders raised border control to professional standards.
Eight contracted border guards are working at the Hutagt Undur border division of 0243 Unit in Selenge aimag, closest to the border.
Mongolian tour guide wins international award
A Mongolian woman born in a small Gobi Desert town in 1979 has won a silver medal in an international award for travel guides in a ceremony at the Royal Geographical Society in London, UK, on October 4.
Twenty eight year old Goyotsetseg ‘Goyo’ Radnaabazar was honoured by Wanderlust Magazine’s ‘The Paul Morrison Guide Award 2007,’ with a silver medal by a judging panel led by internationally known writer Bill Bryson, with top naturalist, Mark Carwardine; ‘Wanderlust Travel Magazine’ co-founder, Lyn Hughes and TV travel personality and writer, Michael Palin. Ms Radnaabazar is chief guide and operations manager for a UK travel company, ‘Panoramic Journeys’ and was the first female guide to reach the finals of the awards.
Tourism day in Mongolia
‘World Tourism Day’ is commemorated annually on 27 September with appropriate events on themes selected by the General Assembly and recommendations of WTD’s Executive Council.
The timing of the day is appropriate in the northern hemisphere falling at the end of summer and the high season for tourism and the beginning of the high season in the southern hemisphere.
Regions join fight against desertification
According to a survey, 70 percent of Mongolian territory has become a desert. The economy, impact of livelihoods and yellow dust storms have influenced Mongolia’s desertification through wind, water and weather.
Representatives of ‘Evergreen Life’ NGO; the Ministry of Environment, Forest Prospecting
The Republic of Korea shares its National Day in Mongolia
The Republic of Korea Embassy marked National Day in Sunjin Grand Hotel and Korean Ambassador, Jin-ho Park delivered a speech to guests, on October 3. He said, “First, I would like to begin by expressing my deepest gratitude to you all for joining us on Korean National Day. The meaning of Gaecheon-Jeol of Korea, October 3rd, is the day when the heaven was opened for Korean people. That is, the day when Dangun - father of the Koreans - founded the first Korean nation 4,340 years ago. For a long time, many people regarded it as a myth, however, recent studies revealed archaeological evidence for its existence”.
Ambassador says the time is ripe to invest in Mongolia
The German Embassy in Mongolia celebrated Germany’s, ‘Day of German Unity’ with a large crowd of guests at the German Embassy in Ulaanbaatar, October 2, 2007. Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Mongolia, Pius A. Fischer hosted a reception and said Mongolian – German relations had strengthened as a result of increasing high-level visits and a heightened awareness in Germany of Mongolia’s economic growth.
Surprises for Opera aficionados
The Mongolian Opera and Ballet Theatre opened its new season with A. S. Pushkin’s opera, ‘Eugene Onegin’ and music by Mend-Ooyo and D. Jamyandagva’s ballet, ‘Uiliin Gurvan Tolgoi,’ on October 6 and 7. Theatre artists have performed 80 performances since the theater’s opening and the choice of the ‘Eugene Onegin Opera’ for its opening. It was a reflection of the first performance where the theater received its title - Opera and Ballet Theatre title – and ‘Eugene Onegin’ was performed.
Japanese violinist wins audience
Ulaanbaatar’s opera and theater lovers enjoyed a performance by famous Japanese violinist, Temma Atsuko at the Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet, October 2.
Ms Asuko’s performance was organized as one of many events celebrating the 35th anniversary of Mongolian-Japanese diplomatic relations, in 2007. Ms Asuko played compositions of famous international and Japanese composers as well as pieces by people’s artists of Mongolia, B. Damdinsuren and J. Chuluun and a new composition especially written for the concert by Japanese composer who listened from the audience.
Mongolian adds another mountain to climb
Well-known Mongolian traveller, G. Gankhuu, who has climbed the 4800m Himalayas; 5200m high mountains in Europe and 2800m high Kilimanjaro, is striving to add a Tanzanian mountain - Uhura Peak of Mount Kilimanjaro – to his climbing résumé.
Mr Gankhuu also famous for his ‘Backpack travel’ television programme hopes to conquer the 5985m high Kilimanjaro Mountain known as the ‘African Roof.’ over a climb lasting between eight nights and nine days.
FIFA brings international soccer to Ulaanbaatar
Mongolia’s national soccer team will compete with North Korean footballers in the Asian Zone preliminary round in Ulaanbaatar on October 21 and in the DPRP on October 28 to qualify for 2010
