Mongolian minor opposition parties and civic groups to form major opposition force

Minor political parties-National New Party, Mongolian Traditional United Party, Party of Mongolian Democratic Movement, Freedom Party, Association of First Constitution, Radical Reform civic group, Dayar Mongol civic group, My Mongolia civic group, Citizens' Just Court NGO, Society to Combat Crime, Mongolian Development Association, Institute of Political and Strategic Studies, Association To reform Mongolian mining Sector and representatives of lawyers, researchers had a consultative meeting in Ulaanbaatar hotel this afternoon.

These political parties and civic groups which opposes Oyu Tolgoi Investment Agreement with Ivanhoe Mines and Rio Tinto, announced their intention to form major political opposition force.

Current Government of Mongolia is a coalition government of Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party and Mongolian Democratic Party. The lawmakers of the ruling parties supported the draft Oyu Tolgoi investment agreement and by late August, passed needed legal revisions so the negotiation can be concluded within September, 2009.

The opposition parties and groups formed joint working group and demanded from the Government and the State Great Khural to make Oyu Tolgoi Investment agreement in a way beneficial to Mongolian people and asked for implementation of the election platforms of the ruling parties.

The opposition parties and civic groups have long been critical of the government's handling of Oyu Tolgoi Investment agreement.

By Ganbat, MonInfo News Service