Opinion: case of Tim Jarman is not as simple as alleged

Name of Tim Jarman, British national and consultant of the Asian Development Bank made headlines in Mongolian newspapers when he was found dead by a single bullet to his head in his apartment in Ulaanbaatar, 13 years ago. Coroner’s inquest into his death was made recently, according to the website of the Bath city in England.In 1997, Mongolian police started investigation, however in the middle of investigation, Ms.Tina Ohmahn who was a friend of Tim Jarman and one of few who last saw him, run away from Mongolia, according to Mongolian newspapers. Robert Walters, who was questioned along Tina Ohmahn said ““The evidence they seemed to base this around was one single photo with me and Tina either side and Tim in the middle with his arms around our shoulders taken at some special event.All three of us were good friends but they said we had been involved in a sexual relationship.My assumption that they drew this conclusion is because in Mongolia they don’t tend to make physical contact with each other unless they are involved in a sexual relationship.But that was their main evidence”. Well, let us see. Mongolians don’t make physical contact with each other unless they are involved in sexual relationship. It is not true. Mongolians make lots of physical contacts as friends. Many tourists can testify to that. Mongolians are much more closely related people. Not sure where Walters got this idea that unless you are involved sexually, you can not hug somebody in Mongolia. You can see girls walking in streets holding hands in Ulaanbaatar. Same applies to boys and men. In the west, this can be interpreted differently. It is not the case here.

Both Walters and Ohmahn thinks Government of Mongolia may have something to do with Jarman’s death. As usual, bad and corrupt Mongolian authorities knew that Jarman was going to blow a whistle about misspent fund, and killed him, according to the allegations of the two. It is so easy to make up this kind of story considering extent of corruption in Mongolia. We don’t know extent of Jarman’s involvement with the Asian Development Bank's project in Mongolia he is hired as consultant. Was he involved in decision making process in the Bank and in charge of large fund? Where he was working before Mongolia? Once these becomes clear, one can say with confidence that he was going to blow a whistle on misspent fund of the agricultural project funded by international donors.
Wife of Jarman said “The first line of inquiry by Mongolian police was that he'd had an affair - a crime of passion”. It could have been the case. It is common that expatriates in Mongolia enjoy a good life and company of young Mongolian girls and boys as mistresses and lovers. Big part of expatriates lives in UB is consumed by never ending parties, entertainments. Too much temptation and affairs are very likely happens often.No surprise. Everything is cheaper and easier for expatriates in Ulaanbaatar. And so easy to find culprits for any gone-wrong-deeds. Bad and corrupt Mongolian authority and police and strange Mongolian customs and mentality! Right? The case is much complicated and complex than Mr.Walters and Ohmahn alleges.

By Shagai

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Police accused of 'obstructing' probe into Bath man's murder in Mongolia

A colleague and friend of a Bath man shot dead while working in Mongolia 13 years ago has accused the country’s police of being ‘deliberately obstructive’ in the investigation into his death.

An inquest was held today into the death of Tim Jarman of Northampton Street, who was killed in his apartment while working on an eight-month operation in the Mongolian capital of Ulaan Bator in June 1997.

But the mystery of how and why he came to receive a single gunshot wound to the head has never been solved, and the Mongolian investigation into the incident was closed in 1999.

An inquest was finally held after Avon coroner’s office received enough paperwork for a hearing to take place.

Evidence was heard from a number of witnesses including the 50-year-old’s friend and colleague, Robert Walters.

Mr Walters was working alongside agricultural consultant Mr Jarman at the time and was initially questioned as part of the investigation.

Although he was never formally arrested, he said he and another of Mr Jarman’s friends Tina Ohmahn had been interrogated by the authorities and accused of murdering him.

He said: “The evidence they seemed to base this around was one single photo with me and Tina either side and Tim in the middle with his arms around our shoulders taken at some special event.

“All three of us were good friends but they said we had been involved in a sexual relationship.

“My assumption that they drew this conclusion is because in Mongolia they don’t tend to make physical contact with each other unless they are involved in a sexual relationship.

“But that was their main evidence.”

Mr Walter, who has since trained to be a police officer himself, said: “The Mongolian investigation was utterly flawed, I know they have been unobstructive and cooperative since, but I think at best they were unwilling and inept and at worst deliberately obstructive.”

The inquest heard there was speculation that Mr Jarman was assassinated because he may have found evidence of corruption involving the distribution of aid money through his work in the capital for a development bank.

Ms Ohmahn suspected this was the case. Her statement, read by coroner’s officer Laurie Cook, said: “I thought he knew something about the funds and was going to blow his whistle on Monday.”

Mr Walters shared her suspicion and said he would not have been surprised if the Mongolian authorities were involved with his murder.

He described how he was interrogated for hours by the force and felt as though he was being led by officers.

He said: “It would not surprise me if the Mongolian authorities had some involvement in Tim’s death.

“They tried to illicit a confession out of me and trying to make me a scapegoat for the investigation.

“I became ground down and confused and dehydrated. After a while I was confused as to what had or hadn’t taken place and I was being led by them.

“I started to see things that hadn’t happened and was starting to confess the confession they wanted.”

Mr Walters had last seen the father-of-two on the Friday evening before his murder and before he headed out to a friend’s house for a party in the evening.

He said he had appeared ‘jolly’ and ‘jovial’ and showed no signs of being in any trouble.

He said: “He was very upbeat, he was very happy and very friendly.”

Mr Jarman was last seen alive by friends after leaving a pub for expatriates in the capital that Friday.

They became increasingly worried after he did not call them the next day after arranging to go on a fishing trip with them.

When no one had heard by him by Sunday, they climbed through his window, via the balcony of a neighbour who said she had not heard anything from Mr Jarman’s apartment all weekend, and found his body.

It was initially thought that he had had a heart attack, but a single bullet wound was later found in the side of his head, with the gun thought to have been fired from a distance.

However coroner Maria Viosin recorded an open verdict into his death after ruling that there was not enough evidence to record one of unlawful killing.

She said to his family: “I appreciate that you may find that to be a little unsatisfactory but I’m sure you can appreciate that there is simply not enough evidence.”

She also apologised for the length of time it had taken to hold the inquest.

She said: “This has obviously been a long and complex case and I would like to apologise for that.

“I wanted to make sure this reached a speedy conclusion and I am pleased it has been resolved today.

“Again, I extend my apologies that it has taken this long.”

Speaking before the inquest, Mr Jarman’s late wife Sally, 58, had told the BBC: “I regret deeply that a man of 50 was literally struck down in his prime and didn’t live to see his children's achievements.”

She added: “At first the Foreign Office thought he had had a heart attack but then I had a call to say he had been shot.

“The first line of inquiry by Mongolian police was that he'd had an affair - a crime of passion - but this was quickly refuted by friends and family.

“I think the police were floundering. They have a very poorly funded but well-educated police force. Dealing with the murder of a foreigner is a very unusual thing there and really left them out of their depth.

"I don't like this modern word closure because we will never close this subject.

“Yes we will never find the perpetrator - I'm not saying I forgive who did it, but I think you get to the point where you shrug your shoulders.”

She declined to comment after the inquest.

Source:http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/news/
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World Bank’s Arshad Sayed reflects on his tenure in Mongolia

World Bank Office Country Manager, Arshad Sayed’s four year tenure in Mongolia has been completed and his legacy has seen Mongolia transition from a
livestock-based country to a mineral based economy. He has overcome
obstacles to leave Mongolia a stronger economic position. The interview following highlights his achievements. The Mongol Messenger Editor –in–chief Borkhondoin Indra interviewed the World Bank’s departing Country Manager Arshad Sayed, and asked
him about his time in Mongolia.
MM:-What were your first impressions when you arrived in
Mongolia 4 years ago and what do you remember most?

AS:- First when I came to Mongolia, I thought it was a small place with few people and it seemed very quiet and peaceful and very serene and calm place because I came
in summer in July and August so that was really my impression, very green
and open vast place and very few people. And what I remember most
was that in my second week the Dalai Lama was visiting and I was called to
meet him and he blessed me…and I think back and I look back and say I
was very fortunate.
MM:-You spent 4 years in Mongolia, what do you see as your most important achievement in your time as country manager?
AS:- I think perhaps the most significant achievement is that the bank decided to participate and work in the area of how to get better development out of the mining sector. This has been the area that we had not been engaged fully before. This was an area that was challenging politically.Most of the international agencies
were not involved in this area. So for the bank to engage in it, it was high
risk. But I do think it was well worth it now because the central challenge for
Mongolia going forward is going to be how to develop the mining sector in a
sustainable manner and in a way that benefits most of its citizens—and not
just a few.
MM:-What role do you see for World Bank in Mongolia?
AS:- Mongolia gets a lot of resources and financial support from
bilateral and other multilaterals. It has benefited because it has an open
regime, it has democracy, and it has a lot of good things which attract bilateral
partners and their appreciation for what Mongolia has done. So resources are not the major issue. Yes of course there are bottlenecks because of resources, but that will not be an issue going forward. So, for the World Bank I think one of the most important roles has been and will continue to be to try and develop platforms of engagement, where we bring knowledge, advice and good practice from other countries
so that government of Mongolia and the people of Mongolia can learn from
these experiences and you do it in a way that will bring other partners on
board. So the bank has the ability to bring knowledge and advice and when you share it openly others can also participate and issues can be seen from many different eyes and then you can address pieces of it rather than the World Bank or ADB or other agency trying to solve the problem by itself in a small area. It’s better to look at the big problem and have small pieces of the problem being addressed by different people. So our role is to make sure that we understand the problem in the full context and make a platform for it.In the case of Mongolia we focused on 3 areas: mining, improving lives of poor people in rural areas and third area was really making efforts to ensure that Ulaanbaatar becomes a better place to live in.
MM:-Did you encounter any specific difficulties?
AS:- You know, one of the Ministers also asked me this question
and I was struggling to find an answer because there are many instances
where you do get into discussions and debates, so there have been many of
these situations during the economic crisis, when we had to work with the government and also number of partners. But frankly the biggest difficulty I’ve had in my 4 years was not with the government or clients
in Mongolia. It was within — trying to make the Bank’s bureaucracy
understand what Mongolia is all about and respond better to Mongolia’s emerging needs in a timely manner. So my difficulties were much more on
the internal side within the institution rather than outside.
MM:-How has the World Bank’s focus changed in your time? What are the priorities in the future?
AS:- I think the focus areas that we have been working are right ones so
far. And we want to be careful that we are not spreading ourselves too much.
Because we have small resources and you want to actually get results.
So our role should not be to try to do too many things but do few things
and make sure there are results in that area. Second, we should be engaged
for long term. So we shouldn’t move our priorities too quickly because
everything is changing. Development priorities are for the long term. And
finally we have to also think long term because Mongolia still needs
institutions. Institutions mean capacity development which also means you
have to take time.So the priority has to be broadly similar. Of course we have to fine tune and change things as we see the situation in the country or we see
something different like the economic crisis when it came. We shifted our
engagement from other sectors to focusing on the budget management
and the economic policies. The idea would be that we would have the 3
areas that I have mentioned before which is focusing on the rural areas,
working on Ulaanbaatar and then on mining, particularly how mining
revenue is to be used and how do you spend it.
Alongside these areas we have to focus on several cross-cutting issues.One of them is governance. This is the area, the government, the president, the parliament, everybody has been talking about – how do you fight corruption, how do you ensure transparency, how do you improve the services for people? How do you make sure that
those funds are not misused? Second is environment. Environment has cross-cutting implications; it doesn’t matter if you’re in rural area or urban
area or somewhere else. Environment is very important. This is a heritage
of Mongolia. This is Mongolia’s treasure. And with mining you always have to remember there will be effects on the environment. The question is how do you manage that? How do you ensure that you are always doing it in
a way that the environment is actually well taken care of? And the last crosscutting
area is education – training, skills development. It doesn’t matter again rural, urban, industry, private, public, whatever area – education and improving education standards, the quality of education for all is a major effort and will continue to be.Particularly, if you have trained and skilled people they can find different
industries, different kinds of things which will produce innovation and
produce new jobs and new areas of business rather than depending only on mining sector.
MM:-Environment, governance and corruption issues are still
widespread. How Mongolia should deal with these problems?

AS:- I think Mongolia should fight it in its own way. I think citizens and people here have to take a much more active role. When you see something going wrong, I think it’s important that those voices are heard. From the government, I see
willingness to tackle these issues. I see the President holding citizen’s hall; I
see the ministries now putting up their budget online. But, it’s important now
for citizens to actually look at the budget and say is this money going
to the school that is mentioned in my district? How much money is used for
what purposes? Because the data is there now, the government has made
it available, so what is happening with it? I think there is a two way process
here. One is from the government side of course, which I see the government
is making good efforts to try and promote accountability, transparency,
openness. On the citizen’s side, we need the same kind of pressures to
make sure that the accountabilities are actually happening.
MM:-Have there been tangible outcomes from the World Bank supported policy conferences?
AS:- I think couple of things that come out of these things. First, what is
really important is to bring new voices to the debate. Discussing among
ourselves, whether it is international institutions or government, this is
one set of voices. It is important to bring outside perspective–people
who see things very differently from us and to hear about how they think.
In the mining debate, 2 years ago, in October of 2008, we had Igor Gaidar
from Russia (former Russian Prime Minister) and he said something very
interesting which was that Mongolia should move forward, should be brave about taking the next step on the mining investment agreement. He
also expressed his views frankly on what ought to be the role of the state.
It was interesting because Mongolia has historic ties with Russia, so it was good to know how key policymakers are thinking there about such issues.
Similarly I think, the following year, we had workshop again, and
conference on banking and fiscal responsibility. This year the parliament
has adopted a fiscal stability law and banking law. And you can see that
these kinds of events, if they promote some kind of discussion and debate,
are very useful. Because they make us all think, and part of the challenge of
these conferences is that there will be no immediate result tomorrow but it
makes you think differently. So I like to believe that having these kinds of
conferences, where you bring good people from outside who don’t have
— you know, any selfish interest — except good ideas, who are objective
and knowledgeable, I think can be very useful. But more importantly,
what’s happened is the government of Mongolia has now adopted this as their
own platform. So you see economic policy conference now hosted by the government of Mongolia and private sector. This is a terrific achievement and actually this sets the tone if you will for how these things should be
done. So I was very happy and very proud to see that the government of
Mongolia organized at the beginning of this year, the economic policy
conference which was covering many of the issues which I think all Mongolians should be concerned about.
MM:- How have they improved Mongolia’s economy and good governance?
AS:- I think we’ve covered that.Because I think the economy has
recovered and what you are seeing is some of the tough measures that were
taken in 2009 are helping the economy now. So you had to for example,
increase in the interest rates which I know was not very popular. You had
to limit the size of the deficit, reduce government spending, many of these
measures are not easy, and you had to reduce the social welfare spending.
But having done that what it allowed was to make sure that you were able
to bear the shock of the external circumstances, basically the drop in
commodity price, it made it easier to manage that shock. Now because the
commodity prices are going up, does not mean that you have to go back
to the same things you were doing before, but really to try and make sure
that next time around when the shock comes you are better prepared. And
the way you prepare better by making sure that you are saving more, you’re
spending on priority issues and you’re continuing to grow your economy
in different ways. So it’s just not dependent on mining. And in terms of governance I think I’ve already answered.
MM: -How did the economic crisis affect Mongolia? What direct results has it had on people of Mongolia? Is it in the past or is it still continuing?
AS:- I think the economic crisis exposed number of weaknesses that
were there in the Mongolian economy. One of the first weaknesses was the
fact that Mongolia was too dependent on exports of commodities. So when
commodity prices collapsed, exports become less, which means it will
hit the economy. Second area that it affected was the budget. The budget
was based on increased revenues coming from copper and from other
commodities. When that fell, same thing —the budget had to go down.
Foreign exchange, same thing, again you had external account deficits
and part of the problem was your exchange rate at least in our view, was
not flexible, so it could not absorb the shock, so when the economic crisis
hit you found countries like Australia, Canada, Chile and others who were
commodity exporters, their exchange rate depreciated, Mongolia’s did not.So artificially trying to keep it up made the shock worse. On the social
welfare side too, the spending was in line with what were windfall — high
revenues — and when the revenues went down you had to start thinking
about whether or not you want to continue these kinds of social welfare
programs which are not targeted which are not necessary. And of course, you
had to think in terms of the poor, who were hit very hard. The laborers, the
day laborers, the rural folks, people who are herders, all of them had their
income crunched down and this came at the same time as high inflation. So
for the poor person, it was a double hit, one because inflation was high
therefore they could buy less, second your income had gone down. Both these factors meant that the economy was really hit hard and the poor were hit hard and this was a real challenge. Now as you look today what the government did in terms of actions it took were the right steps. Are we out of the crisis yet? I don’t think so. And
I think globally also nobody can say that whether the crisis is finished. Is
it going to be V-shaped, is it going to be W, or is it going to be L-shaped,
we don’t know. This is really the challenge here that we must prepare
for any kind of scenario. And we should not just expect that everything
is in the past now and everything will be good in the future. The lesson from
the economic crisis is that we need to be much better prepared because
we were not prepared as well as we should have been.
MM:- What do you believe the government needs to do to avert crisis like this in the future?
AS:- I think the best it can do is to make sure that you have a
good stable macro-economy. Which means, making sure your budget and
spending is in line with what is a long term trend in terms of revenues. If
you have more money, you save that money, and you spend it in times of
crisis. On the monetary side, you are keeping inflation low and currency
from appreciating too much. Then you want to make sure that you
are keeping a stable banking sector and there are lots of banking issues
that should be addressed. The new banking law provides the ways to do
that. This is important so that you are able to provide credit to the people
who need it. Today unfortunately, that’s not happening. So for people
who want to start businesses, who are small owners, that credit is not
coming easily. Macro-economy also means that your inflation should be
low, because otherwise if I cannot know what the inflation rate is in 6
months, I cannot plan my business, I cannot know how much to spend
today, at what price I will bring my imports from other countries, will that
go down, will that go up. It leads to a lot of uncertainty. So inflation has also
has to be stable. I think you also need to starting thinking about the role of the private sector and what are the barriers to the private sector growth. Why is the
private sector not growing? What are the things that come in the way of the
private sector? I think those are the issues that government should remove
so there are not hurdles, so they are not coming in the way, but actually
moving the private sector forward. It’s very important to make sure that
as you think of the government’s role and what the government has to do
you are also thinking what the role of private sector, because ultimately the
private sector is the engine of growth not the government. So if you take on
too much on the government side and you take on a whole lot of things and
government starts doing everything then somebody will be doing less
and that’s the private sector – and the private sector will get hit. So I
think it’s good to be careful as you go about this balance between public
and private and to recognize that the private sector is the engine of growth
and should be kept up.
MM:- What do you think about 70,000 MNT which government is giving to citizens?
AS:- I think this is a debate that Mongolians need to have, but I think
we are all very clear that I think adding additional cash into the economy at the
time when the inflation is increasing is not the best policy. You can provide it
in installments, you can do it overtime, or you do it in formal services and
other things, helps to reduce that. Because inflation by the way is a
tax that everybody pays and nobody collects. People need to understand
this and this tax hurts the poor the most. One hand you might get
money, but if the value of the money is becoming less tomorrow because

of inflation, then there’s no point in giving the money. So it’s important to
recognize that inflation is eating into the value of the money. So if you give
money away at one hand and you take it from the other inflation is working
the same way.
MM:- What’s your opinion on social policy of government?
AS:- Our role is to make sure that we are providing objective analysis
and we provide our own objective assessment but what needs to be done,
how it has to be done, in what way should we implement it, is really up
to the citizens of Mongolia and the government of Mongolia. So our role
is to make sure that we are neutral in all of this. Now, as we did that we
were very clear that because you want to reduce poverty it makes most sense
to target your money towards the poor rather than giving in to everybody.It makes a lot of sense to try and make sure that there is some form of targeting and increasing the support for the poor, so instead of giving them less, you give them more, so they can actually do something with that money, and maybe reduce those who
don’t need it. And that’s really the kind of debate that needs to be had
in the country. Should we be going about this way, if we want to reduce
poverty? Should we not focus on the poor and give them more money
instead of trying to give less money to everybody.
MM:- There is a lot of money coming to Mongolia, but there is no
decrease in poverty, why?

AS:- We will see the new study that we are doing; it will come out in
a few months, maybe in September that poverty is actually going down. And this is a big difference I think.When I came I also wondered about
this issue. I see many more buildings, more cars, more apartments, and more
people with cell phones. In rural areas also, I see more animals, more things
out there, and more consumer things – why is poverty not going down?
But then I realized that there might something that we might have done
in terms of methodology, so the team looked at how we have done – and the
team has come to an understanding that there maybe a misunderstanding
on how we have calculated poverty. And this will be addressed in
September and it will show that poverty actually did come down from 2002 to 2007; this is before the crisis to 2008. Now, what happened after the crisis, we don’t know, but during this period poverty certainly went
down. It depends on how you want to look at it. And that’s something that national statistical office of Mongolia and other researches will have to look.
In my own sense, looking at the data that I have seen so far gives me the
encouragement that I think poverty has come down. It is a matter of now,
verifying this with good data and making sure that’s the case.
MM:- So it’s not a real poverty similar to African countries and some Asian countries?
AS:- Every country has to define what their poverty level is. I’m not
ideological on that at all. I really believe that you have to decide who
the poor are. It’s not for somebody outside to say this number is the right
number. But whatever number you use you should use that every year.
Then you have a consistent poverty line. Now if you look at this way that
you are using the same number same calculation same method every year
then you see that poverty has come down. I think the problem has been
that in our calculations of the poverty line we change the method. Because of
this, this 2008 poverty number cannot be compared to 2002. But if you use
the same methodology for 2008 as you do for 2002 then you find that poverty
is down. That’s the problem.
MM:- Comparing the city and rural areas and countryside, where do you see more poverty?
AS:- In ger areas in the city the poverty is very high. And it’s not
surprising because they have come into the city because they have
nothing. They don’t have the assets, they don’t have animals, they don’t
have anything and they find a way living here just off earnings and wages
and they’re doing work. So for them I think the poverty level is high. And
of course in the rural areas, the soum centers you find poverty.
MM:- How many aimags did you visit?
AS:- With the exception perhaps of two, Sukhbaatar and Dornod I think I may have visited all.
MM:-Did you count how many kilometers did you drive?
AS:-I think I’ve driven to every place. From north to south to Gobi then to
the western steppe, Altai Mountains, and all the way up to Selenge, and also
Huvsgol and border there, in the east except for Dornod.
MM:- What was your favorite place in Mongolia?
AS:- Huvsgol, it makes you feel very calm. When you go there you
get a sense of nature being preserved and nature being in harmony with
everything that’s there. Of course, there too much construction is going
on. But still you could feel that you’re part of nature. And that really is a
unique feeling, and you sense that in a way we’re all part of the nature and
part of the earth.
MM:- What aimag was most affected in terms of environmental
damage?

AS:- It’s very hard to say that, but I do think areas where uncontrolled
mining is going on are particularly at risk. So, areas in Dundgobi, Umnugobi,
and others, the migratory patterns of animals, of herders are changing –
because of settlements, traffic, and transportation. I think you have to
watch more carefully, particularly, in Gobi where you have 100 ton trucks
going on unpaved roads, creating the kind of dust that you have, which
frankly is very harmful. There is a grave environmental danger in the
future if we don’t quickly address the infrastructure issues.
MM:- When you visit the same aimag after 4 years, what differences
did you see?
AS:- I think Umnugobi and Dundgobi, you see major changes,
first time I went there I think it was October 2006, there wasn’t anything
like a hotel to stay. No you go; there are so many more places. There’s a
lot more things happening. There are karaoke bars, clubs and all of those
things. Some are good influences some are things you must be concerned
about. The services, the road, the cars, the need for electricity, the need
for water are going to increase. So you see this tension now, already, the
people are demanding more services, better services.
MM:- When you meet the herders, how do you communicate with these people?
AS:- I do still use interpreters; I’m beginning to understand a lot
better, what the person is trying to convey. Even if my interpreter makes
a mistake, I can sometimes catch that mistake. So when I asked this herder
what you think of the investment agreement, you know, do you agree
with this agreement, should Mongolia go forward with this? And his response
was, of course, he said. In any negotiation both the sides must win.
So when he said this the interpreter interpreted it incorrectly and I could
sense that what he was saying was different. So when I asked again, he
said with a twist, he did say that both sides should win, but his hope was
that the Mongolian side is getting a better deal!!
MM:- What Mongolian holidays did you celebrate, like White
Month?

AS:- White Month, because I think my first time I came here and I
met a family near Tuv aimag, which I’ve kept in touch, very nice family
and because I get my butter from them. So they’ve been very generous
to me. I enjoy White Month, because I get to meet families like theirs and
learn about their histories – of having sons or grandsons who are wrestlers…
or seeing pictures their grandfathers going hunting.
MM:- Can you speak Mongolian? What about Mongolian songs and dances?
AS:- Unfortunately, no, I wasn’t able to learn the language. Dancing,
I tried myself!! Not very successful though….
MM:- What about culture? What is your favorite Mongolian music or song?
AS:- In my very first visits to a restaurant, I listened to a throat singer.
And I have liked that. And then of course hearing the Morin Huur.


I am Mongolia Where do I belong?
I come, Where,
came different worlds,
started the march of conquests
a new age began
Why this crossroad?
I have withstood, the
ravages of armies,
greed of neighbors,
fury of gods
Why do I struggle?
I have within me, more
riches than others know
treasures than one can find
beauty than can be seen
Why do I falter?
I gave birth, to
nations
kings and princes
a steady passage of modernity
Oh, Do not
Pity, Or
worry
shed tears
rush in judgement
For I am Mongolia
And I have a date with destiny
A destiny that began with Burkhan
Khalduun
– Arshad Sayed
July 22, 2010

Source:Mongol Messenger Newspaper of Montsame news agency
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Number of Mongolians going to US increases

On July 22, the US Embassy issued a press release reporting that the number of Mongolians going to the U.S. on student and exchange visas
has more than doubled this year. In the first half of 2010, 1,582 Mongolians were given visas for study or exchange programs. This is compared to
655 people who were given visas from January to June of 2009.Starting in 2008, the Consular Section undertook an outreach program to encourage more qualified student and exchange applicants. Consular officials spoke at every single major university in Ulaanbaatar at least once, reaching several thousand students in groups ranging from large audiences of up to 400 students to smaller settings with as few as 20 students. Consular officers also visited colleges and universities in the farthest corners of the country, and created and distributed a Mongolian language brochure
detailing options for students wishing to visit or study in the United States.
Due to outreach efforts, applications for student and exchange visas increased from
1,222 in Jan-June 2009 to 2,299 in 2010 so far. The applicants for student visas have been better qualified, and so the approval rate for student visas has also improved from approximately 30 percent approval in 2009 to close to 50 percent
approval in 2010. As part of the outreach message, the consular section wanted to discourage clearly unqualified applicants from applying and to
encourage more qualified applicants. Qualified applicants for student visas are bona fide students who are accepted into qualified educational
institutions and who have achieved the required English language proficiency.
Summer Work and Travel Program A large part of the increase in visas has been
the growth of the Summer Work and Travel Program. Student participation in this program has grown from around 400 last year to over 1,300 in 2010.The Summer Work Travel program allows post-secondary students to enter the United States
to work and travel during their summer vacation.All applicants must be students enrolled in a college or university and be in good standing.They also must demonstrate strong ties to Mongolia and sufficient English to participate in
the program.Most participants work in unskilled service positions at resorts, hotels, restaurants, and amusement parks. Participants usually earn enough to cover their expenses for the summer and possibly save a small amount of money. This
is not an employment program, so participants should not expect to earn a lot of money during the summer. Most participants enter the United States with prearranged employment arranged by the sponsoring organization. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to find employment and to ensure that they meet the minimum qualifications.Students should carefully select their sponsor and review their success rate in placing students in meaningful employment. Not all sponsors are the
same; some sponsors have problems with students arriving in the US and not having jobs. It is very important that applicants for the Summer Work and Travel program do research to compare the different sponsors, since they have different fees
and different rates of success in placing students in jobs. If students encounter problems while participating in the Exchange Visitor program, the primary point of contact should be the local

Mongolian sponsor.The State Department also wants to ensure that all participants involved in the Summer Work and Travel Program enjoy a positive and successful
exchange experience. To that end, the Department reviews and responds to written complaints against designated sponsors and works with sponsors to ensure that problems are resolved and that all Exchange Visitor Program participants have a
positive and successful exchange experience. Written complaints should be filed with the Office of Private Sector Exchange to follow-up complainants’ concerns via e-mail at jvisas@state.gov. Please be as detailed as possible and provide evidence to support your complaint. Please be aware that situations of a contractual
nature fall outside the jurisdiction of the State Department; however, the Office will follow-up with the designated sponsor upon receipt of each complaint.

Source:US Embassy in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
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Russia and Mongolia plan new military exercises

Russia and Mongolia will be holding another round of "anti-terror" drills in Siberia in September, RIA Novosti reports:

The drills, called Darkhan-3, will involve some 1,000 servicemen and 300 items of hardware. They will be held in three stages.

"Joint use of Russian and Mongolian troops to counter international terrorism threats will be practiced during the exercises," the press service said.

But if previous Darkhan exercises are anything to go by, they may be less than what they appear.


From last year's version:

The military exercise, Darkhan-2, is also less significant than it might otherwise seem. Much of it is based on repairing Mongolian equipment. Although the two countries billed it as a "peacekeeping exercise," similar to another just concluded by the U.S. Marines and Mongolia, that only means that the units whose equipment is being repaired are peacekeeping units, said Jargalsaihan Mendee, another analyst and a former Mongolian defense attaché in Washington. About 90 percent of the equipment of the Mongolian armed forces is of Soviet origin, and the spare parts are available only in Russia, said Mendee.
source: http://www.eurasianet.org
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U.S secretary of state to visit Mongolia next year

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will pay an official visit to Mongolia next year, Mongolian media said Monday.

Mongolian Foreign Minister Zandanshatar Gombojav met Clinton on the sidelines of the foreign ministers' meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) held in Hanoi, Vietnam, from July 22 to 23.

During the meeting, they exchanged views on Mongolia-U.S. relations and cooperation. Zandanshatar invited Clinton to visit Mongolia in 2011 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Mongolia's national freedom movement and the 90th anniversary of the People's Revolution.

Clinton accepted the invitation and agreed to visit Mongolia at that time.

Moreover, she congratulated Mongolia on the 20th anniversary of Mongolia's democratization and on leading the League of Democratic Nations from 2011.

Clinton visited Mongolia as U.S. first lady.

Source: Xinhua
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Mongolian mining company guards clash with illegal miners

Security guards of a mining company in western Mongolia clashed with illegal miners known as "ninja miners," leaving many of the combatants injured, local media said Wednesday.

About 50 security guards of a gold mining company fought for over two hours with about 200 ninja miners and local residents in Omnogobi county of Uvs province in western Mongolia.

Many were injured in the fight and three were in critical condition.

The security guards used gas pistols, while ninja miners threw stones and wood against the guards.

The guards called local police, who detained about 17 ninja miners.

It is unclear what caused the clash, and the case is now being investigated by police.

About 100,000 ninja miners dig for gold and other minerals during summer and 30,000 dig throughout the year in Mongolia. Ninja miners include unemployed youths, students, impoverished herders, and others.

Ninja miners are individuals not licensed by the state and mainly look for gold in abandoned gold fields and unauthorized places with hand tools such as shovels and pans.

Periodically, clashes between mining companies and ninja miners break out in licensed gold fields.

A bill to regulate ninja mining activities is pending in the Mongolian parliament.

Source: Xinhua

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Are We Russian or Mongolian?

Interestingly, some Mongolians who do not know anything about Russia still love Russia. Psycho analytics will call this a collective unconscious or archetypes. We Mongolians have known Russia and the Russians, since Chinggis Khaan sent his advance troops to Kiev Russia in the 13th century. Therefore, seven centuries and seventy years has been enough time to occupy the minds and mentalities of Mongolians. It might be said that the Russian invasion of our mentalities has been much more effective and victorious than our actual numerous invasions of their homeland.

Of course, the main reason to love Russia is thanks to the socialist era of Mongolian history. Most Mongolian adults over 40 studied Russian or lived in the former Soviet Union. Even now, for many of them, it is probably the only non-Asian country that they have visited. In the Soviet Union, Mongolians felt like Americans, Europeans or Japanese there because they were treated like aliens along with others from Latin America, Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe. In any socialist country every alien, even from a friendly country, is usually perceived as a potential enemy spy


The Russian language is still the first and last language for many Mongolian scholars and artists. For higher education and the health industries, Russian is still the only foreign language, which gives them access to the entire world. Some of my critics might say that many Mongolian scholars know English. It would be wonderful if this truly was the case. Nowadays, many of these industries are flourishing. The number of private universities and hospitals are increasing rapidly and the percentage of these private entities exceeds that of public ones. Unfortunately, most of them still offer a low quality socialist type of education and health care.

Open the newspaper or go into a bookstore and you will see many leading Mongolian economists, usually above the age of 50, who like to write and talk about the market economy, inflation and the role of the state in the economy. All of these experts were Russian educated, or they studied in Mongolia, using Russian textbooks. Therefore, these famous Mongolian economists like to refer to Russian translated western books often. For example, one famous Mongolian economist mentioned in an interview that he subscribes to over a hundred magazines and newspapers. Russians are very good with presenting western concepts in their unique manner which attracts people from former socialist countries. Thanks to them, the Mongolian public understands the notions of inflation, GDP, currency fluctuations and even about stock markets quite well.

In the Mongolian parliament, there are several Mongolian economists who specialized in the political economy of socialism. Therefore, they all still support heavy industry and the main role of state enterprises in an economy. Karl Marx is well known for having said that heavy industry is the base of any economy.

Nowadays, Mongolian members of parliament like to go back to Russia to receive postgraduate degrees. Russians are still using their old degrees so Mongolians can translate them freely to English. For example, a lower post graduate degree in Russian will be translated as PhD in English. Therefore, the Mongolian Parliament has several prominent scholars, such as Member of Parliament, Dr. Ch.Ulaan and Member of Parliament Sc.Dr. D. Baldan Ochir, who according to his official biography, was able to finish all of his postgraduate degrees within only two years. Of course, the middle aged generation of Mongolian economists were retrained in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. But, what is one or two years of postgraduate study compared to four or five years of their study in the Soviet Union? Also, they spent their entire lives in a socialist economy, such as the Governor of the Central Bank of Mongolia, D.Purevdorj.
There is another interesting huge Russian heritage that we have adopted. It is not only Soviet but it is Russian too. Russian Presidents like to award their scholars, medical doctors and professionals with various titles, medals and orders. Of course, Mongolian Presidents like to do this too. The current President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj promised in his election battle that he would not continue this practice; even his former Director of Presidential Administration D.Dorjigjav complained that the previous President of Mongolia N.Enkhbayar wasted many medals and orders. Therefore, when the new President Elbegdorj took office, he faced a shortage of medals, orders and titles. Nevertheless, a downpour of titles, medals and orders also came from Ts.Elbegdorj as well, despite his earlier promises. So, why does this practice continue? Quite simply, people love it.

The current Minister of Health S.Lambaa even received the title of People’s Teacher while he was a Member of Parliament. According to his official biography, he was teaching for only two years. The title of People’s Teacher was created in the Soviet Union to motivate low paid teachers to work more and more without complaints, especially in rural areas.
Very often, Mongolian oligarchs and politicians like to receive strange titles such as “honored cowboy” or herdsmen. It is very common for rich Mongolians to own many horses. Therefore, you might be led to believe that they are spending their entire spare time in the countryside with their horses.
Even the younger generation of artists, especially Mongolian country singers love to receive titles, such as Honored Artists, Leading Cultural Workers, or some other even crazier titles and medals.
All of these titles and medals along with orders will most certainly precede a large party. Every recipient of any title,

medal or order should organize a huge party almost like a wedding party. These parties are a pure Russian tradition.
Anther Russian tradition is the continuous desire to study, especially if you are high ranking official, politician or big businessman. Recently, there was some speculation in the Western press about the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin’s dissertation. Also, one can not only have a Bachelors degree. You need to have a Masters degree, after a Masters degree you should have a Ph.D. After a Ph.D. you should obtain an Sc.D. The Mongolian scientific elite successfully combined Western degrees with Russian degrees. In Western countries, a Ph.D. is the last degree you can obtain. In Mongolia, you can also have a very strange degree, which is called “Science Doctor.” Therefore, if you have a Ph.D. from Harvard University or Oxford University, you are not qualified to become the Rector of Mongolian State University. You need to study again in Russia or Kirgizstan to obtain this degree.

Sometimes, however, these medals and orders, and degrees come under extremely odd circumstances. For example, after his study in the UK, the Prime Minister of Mongolia S.Batbold apparently was not so happy with his level of education. According to his biography, he went to study again at the Diplomatic Academy in Moscow while he was the Vice Minister in the Mongolian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. One can only wonder how a person can be at two places at the same time. In 2008, while S.Bayar was Prime Minister, he awarded Batbold with the Order of Red Labor Heroism, an order traditionally given to factory workers and the like. At the time, he was serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Later, when Bayar fell ill, he gave his prime minister seat to Batbold. According to official biography, former Premier Minister S. Bayar does not have one single medal or title.

Clearly, there will be a dominance of Russian/Soviet heritage for a while in Mongolia. As Russia quickly becomes a part of the global economy, Mongolia will eventually leave that heritage behind.
source: The UB Post
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World Mongols welcomed in Buryatia

The World Mongols gathered at the 4th general conference of the “Convention of World Mongolians” held July 15-18 in the capital city of Burytia, Ulaan-Ude to exchange views on preserving and developing Mongolian language, culture, traditions and, customs. Attending this conference of Convention of World Mongolians NGO (CWM), were Mongolian President Ts.Elbegdorj, President and Government head of the Buryat Repuplic of the Russian Federation V.V..Nagovitsyn, and Russian President D.Medvedev sent a greeting message which proves that the spirit of this important international convention meets the ideas and policies of the two States. This was also evident in their speeches

President Ts. Elbegdorj said the following at the opening ceremony: “We live in the time of globalization, when under the pressure of international obligations and of the strong influence of the largest economies of the world, the tendency for eradication of the national features of nations, of their vital values and as a result of all this, the hidden and the objective conflicts appear regarding the theory and practices of further development.
Under these uncommon situations, the ability of the Mongol nationalities to develop economy, culture, the language, and humanitarian relations in states where they live plays an important role in preserving the national self conscientiousness. In this connection, I would like to assure that the government of Mongolia and its State policy will be directed at rendering all possible support to public initiatives. The Mongolian language, the writing, the books, sutras, the life style, traditions and culture were one of sources of the creation of moral values in humanity. This is why it is important for us to our unite efforts for further studying, preserving, multiplying and disseminating our knowledge and our ability for the sake of others’.
V.V.Nagovitsyn, the President of Buryat Republic said they worked hard to host this prestigious world convention in their own country considering it as a symbol of friendship of the peoples which as many consider an event of great significance to preserve folk traditions, culture and language of the people of Mongol origin. President Elbegdorj of Mongolia who is the Honored President of the Convention of the World Mongols attaches significant political importance to this meeting. “The Globalization and the Mongolian World” international scientific conference was held where scientists, historians and researchers shared results of their studies and researches on the development attitude of Mongolian cultures and traditions, on studying the old Mongolian scrip and memorial writing artifacts of Mongols, as well as having exchanged opinions on issues related to Mongolian geopolitics, cultural and civilization problems.
“It is getting more and more evident that we, a small number of Mongols, should combine our peaceful efforts to preserve and enhance with the passing of time, our language, culture and national identity. Mongols who make up just 0.2 per cent of the world population will be able to protect and inherit to future generations the values of the Mongolian nationality, first of all, language, script and culture if we cherish our historical identity, kinship feelings, brotherly traditions and benefits of friendly relations. One can say that this is a commitment and responsibility of contemporary Mongols before mankind. The reason is that the ancestors of Mongols, throughout their over two thousand years-long history, have contributed unique and eternal works of their knowledge and mind to world culture and civilization heritage, have created teachings and consistent doctrines on methods of peaceful existence and social progress of countries, have accumulated unique experience in forging legislation, order, commerce and ambassadorial relations that are now in the era of globalization and serve as an endless source for research and learning lessons that are an inexhaustible spring of national consciousness and national pride. In this sense, the work launched within the CWM embraces many people and life shows that if it is implemented on the basis of multilateral cooperation, with participation and support of the present Mongolian State, which keeps the seat alive for the great emperor, it is more effective” said Ts.Gombosuren, President of the CWM. Some new research works as well as art and culture projects have been started on themes related to world Mongols. For example, a fundamental research project on ‘World Mongolians’ under the auspices of the Academy of Sciences of Mongolia has been launched. ‘Dispersed settlement of Mongols’, ‘World Mongolian Family’ research and advocacy projects comprised the territory of several countries and as a result, a documentary film, series of publications has been presented, thematic research books have been published, exhibitions, meetings and lectures have been organized.
Despite the fact that this was convocation of Mongol speaking people, the Buryats and the Kalmyks that were united under Russian Federation, were not good in their native tongue and measures of the Convention were held in Russian language. Nevertheless, in recent years, the Buryats and the Kalmyks are exerting efforts to restore their native language and writing and to inherit them to their younger generation. “The Buryat language faced difficulties over the passed years, especially in the first half of 1970s and 1980s because the teaching of the Buryat language in schools was forbidden. The learning and teaching of the Buryat language only stabilized since 1992, when the Constitution of Buryatia and the Law on languages of the Buryat Republic was approved; thus becoming the second official language of the country. Now the learning of the Buryat language has become a public matter and almost 80 percent of school children are studying Buryat language. We cannot say the problem of learning the Buryat language is okay and we have no problems, this still continues to be an urgent and need to be resolved, said President V.V.Nagovitsyn.
The Buryat language is now taught at more than 100 pre-school organizations, 24 primary schools, 4 special secondary schools, at the Humanitarian Institute of the Buryat University and the Teachers’ Institute. The Committee to develop Buryat language was established under the Buryat Government and this year, the government issued a resolution to support the Buryat language. Also, forums, meetings and festivals of Buryat language to promote the language are organized.
The Buryads we met spoke Russian, but it was evident they were eager to learn their native tongue and preserve the language for their children and youth. “With old people, we speak in Buryad language, but among ourselves we speak in both Buryat and Russian languages. My husband was born in Buriat village and speaks BuryaT very well. I want the following generation to speak the Buryad language well”, said teacher Radjana Sabhaeva.
“We should acknowledge our origin and our roots. If we consider ourselves as the Mongols and the Buryats we must speak in our own language, this is why we must teach our children their native language, said Bayarjav Badamtserenov. Post graduate student Ajunov Andrei assured that he likes the Buryat language for its beautiful pronunciation, that he wanted to learn from childhood and that he wishes much to learn Buryat songs.
Salaev Badma, deputy Government head of the Kalmyk Republic of RF stated that the Kalmyk people take efforts to develop their native language and writing. “The national language and culture must be preserved and further developed. The Kalmyks draw attention to investigating and studying their native tongue. The Kalmyk language is now being taught to all children in Kalmyk schools from grades 1 to 11” According to the decree of the Kalmyk President, the Kalmyk language is being popularized widely by organizing contests of the best Kalmyk families who speak Kalmyk language, the journalists and the school children who write well in Kalmyk language, etc. The Kalmyks respect very much their history and science.
There are many scientists in Kalmyk, who are holders of scientific degrees in Mongol study. The faculty of the Mongol language and culture study opened at the Kalmyk University. This is very important, he said. The Kalmyk republic issues the national newspaper, journals, and children’s magazines in Kalmyk language, they have TV and radio programs in Kalmyk language. Over 600 delegates arrived to the Convention including more than 200 from Mongolia, over 30 from Kalmyk, and also from Tuva Republic, the US, Austria and Switzerland. Only a few Mongolians were delegated from China where a considerable number of the world Mongols live. Regarding this matter, president of CWM Ts. Gombosuren said “According to data available to us, over 9 million Mongols live in the world. Everyone is well aware that nearly fifty per cent of the world’s Mongols live in the PRC. Mongolian nationalities promote an active cooperation in such fields as culture, art, education, science, sports and mass media within the framework of multi-faceted cooperation between Mongolia and China. However, our Convention failed to establish a working relationship with Mongols of our southern neighbor. A relevant request was formally conveyed to the Chinese side; nevertheless, we still have to find the proper ways and means for such cooperation. In this connection I wish to reiterate one of my ideas expressed at our first conference in 2006: this is not an idea to unite the Mongols in political terms. We do not harbor a policy or objective to affect in any way the political legal status of Mongols living abroad; in particular, in our northern and southern neighbor countries. We have no intention to represent or lead the world Mongols in every respect. I think, we have confirmed our position in practice through our activities’ The Mongol culture and information center to provide information on Mongolia opened during the Convention at the Public Library of Buryatia. President Ts. Elbegdorj presented the 8-wall Mongol gher as a gift to the Government of Buryatia and the Buryad people.
More than 10 horse-riding peace messengers arrived from Mongolia, Buryatia and Tuva to Ulaan-Ude. Three Mongolian stunt men from the “Hidden Art All Mongolia” Association dressed in Chinggis Khan’s warrior clothes arrived from Ulaanbaatar traveling 600 km long distance. The team leader L.Gerelchuluun said “We passed 120 km a day, changing our horses every 25-30 km when travelling through the territory of the RF. The Buryats and the Kazakhs welcomed us as most dear guests. We were not feeling much the heat from 30-40 degree temperatures and our heavy warrior’s clothes, because the friendly attitude and hospitality encouraged us” he said. Three members of the horse team praised Mongolian horses’ strength, saying that they did not change their Mongolian horses travelling from Ulaanbaatar to the Russian border for a whole day and a half and there were no signs of tiredness on the horses. One woman horse-rider and a 13- year old boy where among the horse team which left the Okinsk region and arrived at the Convention after 5 days.
The most entertaining activities of the Convention continued for 3 days with Mongolian national music and songs, Naadam festival, sport contests, art and culture performances which offered a fine opportunity for the spectators to watch the wonders of Mongolian culture, art, customs and traditions. For example, a big joint concert of the art masters from Mongolia, Buryatia, Inner Mongolia and Kalmykia was held and the traditional Buryad “Yohor” dance was performed at the “Yohor Night” festival. Many wrestlers from Mongolia, Buryyatia, Tuva, Kalmyk and Inner Mongolia contested in the Three Manly Games, the national sport entertainment. A total of 512 wrestlers classified in two categories, over and under 75 kg, competed. Tuva wrestler Monguush Syldyk, won the contest in the wrestling under 75 kilogram weight category and Mongolian wrestler Sanjaadamba in the above 75 kg weight category. In the Buryad “Surharban” festival, Tserenpilov Baljinnyam, the well-known Buryad shooter was the best. He learned the art of archery shooting since 1985 when he was a schoolboy. The children, riders in a shorter distance horse race, were comparatively older than Mongolian horse rider boys, and some Buryats raced in horse-driven carts.
The Mongol horse riders of the “Khan Mongolia” group who were trained in 2 days demonstrated the skill of face right and face back riding on horse, galloping skill and of skillful hitting from the horse.
At the end of the Convention the delegates released the “Baikal Declaration” and Declaration to Future generations.
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US Deputy Secretary of State meets with PM and Foreign Minister

On July 19, James B.Steinberg, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, arrived in Mongolia to meet with senior Mongolian officials Prime Minister S.Batbold, Foreign Minister G.Zandanshatar and members of civil society. During the visit the two sides evaluated the present situation in Mongolian-American relations, expressed interest to develop full partnership relations in all spheres of economy relying on the common values of democracy, freedom and human rights, and exchanged views on the foreign policy of Mongolia, and some issues related with the regional security of Central Asia and North East Asia. The Deputy Secretary of State’s visit is expected to strengthen ties in the region

The government of the USA congratulated Mongolia once again, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the democratic movement in this country. “The American administration considers Mongolia as a model State which developed democracy in the vast region of Central Asia,” pointed out the US Deputy Secretary of State Prime Minister S.Batbold received Mr.Steinberg on July 19 and said Mongolia-U.S. relations are developing in good fashion and the two countries have made progress in the social, political and economic sectors. “The United States remains a staunch supporter of Mongolia’s transition to a market economy and social as well as political democracy,” said the PM, noting that the present bilateral relations between the two countries are being elevated to a new qualitative level. For example, Mongolia would continue to protect international and regional security and has dispatched peacekeepers to a series of global hot spots in partnership with the US and many other countries. Mongolia is always ready to share her rich experience with any country of the world, cooperate in developing a market economy, respecting democracy and the human values obtained over the past twenty years, said the PM. He said assistance programs managed by the U.S. Millenium Challenge Corporation are being implemented successfully in Mongolia, and that in the future this country has fine opportunities to develop trade and economic cooperation with the US, expand investment, exchange business, and wishes to cooperate in the education sphere, develop information technology and shifting technologies. The US Deputy Secretary of State said he highly appreciates cooperation between the USA and Mongolia and promised to work to enhance relations and cooperation in the future. “The US supports Mongolia’s peaceful policy for safeguarding the world and regional security,” he said. Mr. Steinberg said the US values Mongolia’s efforts in strengthening international and regional security, pointing out that the experience of Mongolia in democratic transition is a model for other States. He supported the initiatives and proposals forwarded by the Mongolian Prime Minister and stressed that the relationship and cooperation with Mongolia will expand by training Mongolian students and specialists in America.
Traveling to Mongolia for the first time as Deputy Secretary of State, Mr. Steinberg also visited Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, before flying to Japan.
source: The Mongol Messenger' - MONGOLIA’S FIRST ENGLISH WEEKLY PUBLISHED BY MONTSAME NEWS AGENCY
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Naadam celebrated abroad

In Hungary
On July 10, a Naadam Festival took place in Budapest, Hungary among Mongolians who are staying there.
Mongolia’s Ambassador to Hungary O. Erdenechimeg gave an opening speech and extended a greeting to Mongolians. Among Mongolians, wrestling, archery, anklebone shooting and Mongolian songs contests were organized. The wrestling involved 22 Mongolians , of whom O. Khuyagbaatar became the winner for the second time, while Altansukh won the ankle bone shooting, and Osokhbayar took the first place in the archery contest. During the festival, Mongolian dishes were offered to Hungarians and foreign guests.

In Switzerland 

A Naadam Festival was also organized on July 10 in Geneva, Switzerland by Mongolian Students and Youths under the support of the Society of Switzerland and Mongolia and the Embassy of Mongolia in Switzerland


D. Batmonkh, Charge D’Affairs of Mongolia to Switzerland opened the festival that was organized for the purpose to celebrate together, held contacts between Mongolians staying far away from their native country and publicize national traditions to foreigners. The Naadam brought together some 200 Mongolians from Geneva city, France, Austria and other European countries. They joyfully organized national wrestling, sumo, and basketball competitions along with performance of folk culture and classic music.

In South Korea

On July 11, the Naadam Festival was organized on the square of the Yensei University in Seoul under an initiative of the Mongolian Embassy and in collaboration with the Employment and Labor Ministry of the Republic of Korea, the Department of Industry and Human Resource, the KOMEX Society, and the Honorary Consulate of Mongolia.
After hearing the video-greeting by President Ts. Elbegdorj about the Naadam Festival, Mongolia’s Ambassador D. Gerel delivered a speech at the opening and the national anthem was harmonized. High-level, S.Korean officials from the Ministry of Employment and Labor extended congratulations to Mongolians. National wrestling, archery, ankle bone shooting and basketball competitions were organized and a folk art group gave a concert. About 5,000 Mongolians staying in South Korea participated in this festival which is being organized within the frame of the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and the Republic of Korea. The event was organized in a friendly and warm atmosphere and was broadcast by three TV channels and media agencies such as ‘Arirang’ TV.


In Australia
July 12, 2001 was the 804-year anniversary of Great Mongolia, and the National Holiday for the 89th anniversary of the popular Mongolian revolution. To mark this occasion, Ts. Jambaldorj, the Ambassador of Mongolia to Australia held a reception at his Embassy for top Australian State and government authorities, the diplomatic corps in Canberra, the Australian firms and companies, NGO representatives, and Mongolian citizens. Present at the reception were more than 100 representatives, including A.Planket, the chief of the Protocol service of the Foreign affairs and Trade Department, G.Fletcher, the Director of the North Asian Office, J.Tompson, Chief of the Sino- Mongolian department, P.Slown, the Sidney-centered Mongolian resident consul, heads of the diplomatic corps at Canberra, the representatives of the foreign relations service of the Australian Parliament, the Australian International Relations Office, of the foreign trade agency, of the capital city governing house, the Australian firms and companies maintaining cooperation with Mongolia, the representatives of the “Mongolian Union in Australia” and the Mongolians working and studying in Sidney and Canberra. Opening the reception, Ambassador Ts.Jambaldorj briefed the guests about Naadam, the Mongolian National Holiday, and served traditional Mongolian foods

source: The Mongol Messenger - MONGOLIA’S FIRST ENGLISH WEEKLY PUBLISHED BY MONTSAME NEWS AGENCY
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President Ts.Elbegdorj explores Baikal’s depths

Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj became the first president to dive the bottom of the world’s deepest lake, Baikal, in the Mir-1 mini-submarine, a representative for the Fund for the Protection of Lake Baikal said.
“Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj and a representative of the Fund for the Protection of Lake Baikal’s advisory board, Mikhail Slepenchuk, explored the depths of Lake Baikal for two hours,” he said. “The president liked it all,” he continued adding that Elbegdorj had already returned to shore. Last year Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin dove to the bottom Lake Baikal on the same submersible.

Putin has won popular support for his extravagant feats, especially among women: he has co-piloted a bomber, traveled inside submarines and driven various vehicles. He’s also been pictured on horseback, showing off his torso while fishing, and tagging a wild polar bear in the Arctic. The fund spokesman also said that in mid-August James Cameron, the director of the two highest-grossing films of all time, Avatar and Titanic, as well as an American oceanographer, explorer and marine policy specialist, Don Walsh, might join the exploration of Lake Baikal in Siberia. The Mir-1 and Mir-2 mini-subs involved in research in Lake Baikal performed 52 dives last summer. They resumed work in June to monitor the southern part of the lake, near Cape Tolsty, with plans to conduct research in the lake’s central and northern parts as well.

source: Ria-Novosti
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MM Interviews top US official

Following his first visit to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, The Mongol Messenger’s Editor-in-Chief, Borkhondoin Indra, interviewed US Deputy Secretary of State, James B. Steinberg on his arrival in Mongolia. The interview with the American delegation in the Foreign Ministry preceded Mr.Steinberg’s meeting with Foreign Minister G.Zandanshatar and Prime Minister S. Batbold. Mr.Steinberg’s Central Asian regional visit is from July 16 to 22.

MM: Mr.Steinberg, what is the purpose of this, your first visit to Central Asia?
JS:First of all, I’m delighted to be here in Mongolia. This is my first visit as a Deputy Secretary, and it’s a reflection of the strong commitment we have built through our good bilateral relationship with Mongolia. It’s in a partnership with us as a democracy and a country that’s moving forward with its own economic-political development. It’s a country we can do so much with and we admire the work that Mongolia is doing in supporting our efforts in Afghanistan and its peacekeeping work around the world.

So, it’s a chance to exchange views about the region and global issues as well strengthening our bilateral relationship.

MM: What issues were discussed in the previous countries visited?
JS: We’ve just spent several days in Central Asia before coming here. I participated in the informal OSCE summitand a number of important issues were raised there including how to deal with the challenges of recent unrest in Kyrgyzstan and our collective effort to help the interim president work there, build reconciliation and reconstruction for the people, as well as strengthening our ties in this very critical region in which the United States has a great deal of interest and support for the efforts of reforming the region. This is a long-term partnership we have with the countries of the region, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and we want to try to build those ties going forward to deal with challenges of Afghanistan, deal with problems of drugs and terrorism in the region, andcreate economic opportunities for the people of the region as well.

MM: What issues are you going to discuss with Prime Minister and Foreign Minister ?
JS:Well, as I said before, we will discuss how we will strengthen our bilateral relationship and reaffirm the United States’ strong interest and commitment to Mongolia as a partner as a fellow democracy, our strong interest in creating a good environment where American businesses can come and invest and work in Mongolia– as we work together expressing appreciation for Mongolia, its deployments to Afghanistan and we will talk about the way forward. We will discuss our cooperation in Gulf peacekeeping and some of the other regional issues of peace and security in North-East Asia.

MM: Is your next stop in Tokyo?
JS: In Tokyo, this will be my first visit since Prime Minister Kan became Prime Minister. So, it’s a chance to talk about the plans of the new government there, to talk about our both bilateral relationship. I’m sure we will spend an important amount of time talking about the challenges of Iran and North Korea which the United States and Japan work very closely on as we move forward. And we’re also having a meeting on our trilateral security dialogue between Australia, Japan and the United States.

MM: How do you see the role of Mongolia in negotiations regarding issues with North Korea?
JS: I think that we know that Mongolia has had historical ties with North Korea. We very much hope that Mongolia will use those relationships to convey the importance of North Korea’s change of course ending the kind of provocative behavior that led to the sinking of the South Korean ship and take the opportunity to move in a different direction and commit to complete demilitarization and a more positive engagement with South Korea and the rest of the 6-party countries. And I think Mongolia can be a very important carrier of that message as a strong democracy. It’s important that North Korea takes a different approach, to open up, to take more interest in well-being and welfare of its own people and tries to create a more peaceful environment on the Korean peninsula.

MM: Thank you Secretary Steinberg for your time and thoughts. We wish you much success in your work and hope you will visit Mongolia again soon.
source: 'The Mongol Messenger' MONGOLIA’S FIRST ENGLISH WEEKLY PUBLISHED BY MONTSAME NEWS AGENCY
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Sumo champ Asashoryu starts MMA camp

Retired sumo star Asashoryu might be serious about mixed martial arts, after all.

An official with World Victory Road says Asashoryu has started an MMA team for athletes from his native country of Mongolia, according to the Nightmare of Battle. World Victory Road runs Sengoku Raiden Championships, one of Japan's two leading MMA brands along with K-1's Dream organization.

Dream and Sengoku have been open about their interest in Asashoryu as soon as he announced his retirement from sumo in February, following his latest controversial episode in a career rife with them.

Sumo athletes generally have not done well in MMA competition, but none as talented or accomplished as Asashoryu, who was just the third non-Japanese in sumo's long history to become a yokozuna, the sport's highest rank. A surprisingly quick and agile 330-pounder, he ranks third on the all-time list for tournament wins at the top level of sumo.

Also during the World Victory Road press conference, flashy veteran Akihiro Gono confirmed that he is trying to drop to lightweight. He spent years as a 183-pounder before cutting to 170 when he joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2007. He stayed at welterweight after Sengoku picked him up in 2009, following his release from UFC.

Gono is scheduled to make his lightweight debut Aug. 22 at Sengoku 14.

(Posted by Sergio Non)
source: http://content.usatoday.com
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Reference Business Russia's En+Group, Renova want to develop Mongolian coal deposit - govt

Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin confirmed on Wednesday that the Russian companies En+Group and Renova Group are interested in developing Mongolia's Tavan-Tolgoi deposit, together with Russian Railways (RZhD).

"We support new suggestions from the consortium to the working group of the Mongolian government on the integrated development of the deposit," Levitin said in a statement.

Tavan-Tolgoi is one of the largest coal deposits in the world, with reserves of nearly 6.5 billion tons of coal, including 40 percent of high-calorie coke-coal.

The Mongolian government wants to privatize Erdenes-Tavantolgoi company, the Tavan-Tolgoi developer, by selling 30 percent to foreign investors, 10 percent to households and a further 10 percent to Mongolian businessmen at a nominal value. Half of the shares will stay with the government.

In 2009, the Mongolian government transferred 50 percent of Ulan-Bator Railway (UBR) shares to RZhD for a five-year trust management. UBR's priority project is the construction of a 1,100 kilometer railway link between Tavan-Tolgoi and the Russian border.

Levitin said that the railroad would help transfer coal from the deposit to Russia's sea ports in the Far East.

In February, the Mongolian government cancelled an auction to sell 49 percent of Tavan-Tolgoi and decided to retain full control over the deposit.

Auction bidders included BHP Billiton, India's Jindal, Brazil's Vale, U.S. Peabody, China's Shenhua, and a consortium of South Korea's COPEC and Russian-Mongolian Infrastructure Development company.



MOSCOW, July 21 (RIA Novosti)
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Mongolia gripped by ‘white death’

A lifetime of experience, years of training and a sleepless night of preparation -- yet Tsedendamba's stallion, in the fifth and prime year of its racing career, trailed across the finish line in 12th place.

"Last year it came in second. This time we had the dzud, bitter winter conditions, and that's why I didn't push it harder in training. The horse is too thin," said the 61-year-old herder.

Mongolia's national festival of Naadam, which saw contests in the "manly sports" of archery, racing and wrestling across the country last week, dates from before Genghis Khan's time and celebrates the country's fabled nomadic spirit. Almost a third of the population are herders.

But the catastrophic winter has killed millions of animals and left thousands of rural families struggling to survive. It has also exacerbated the country's financial woes, increasing the pressure to exploit its vast but largely untapped mineral resources. Two decades after the collapse of communism, Mongolia may be at another turning point.

Tsedendamba, who like many Mongolians uses only his given name, was experienced enough to foresee the dzud, or "white death". He roamed far across central Ovorkhangai province to ensure his livestock fed well despite the summer drought. He prepared fodder for the coming winter and built up their shelter. Others slaughtered the weakest animals to ensure more food for the strongest.

None of it was enough. Temperatures fell to -500C and thick snow buried the grass. By the time it finally melted in May, nearly 9 000 families had seen their entire herds freeze or starve to death. Another 33 000, including Tsedendamba, lost half their livestock. Almost 10-million cattle, sheep, goats, horses, yaks and camels have died, a fifth of the country's total, at a cost of 520-billion togrogs (about R2,88-billion).

Pregnant animals miscarried and weakened ones are still succumbing to illness. Only the ravens are fat here, gorged on carrion. For many households, their only recent income has been United Nations payments for burying carcasses.

But beneath the soil could lie a fresh start for the country: gold, copper, uranium, lead, fluorspar and coal.

After years of political wrangling, Mongolia agreed to a deal last October for the Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold seams, which should bring $5-billion of foreign investment -- a little more than the country's GDP last year. Analysts at one investment bank have predicted it could unleash an unstoppable transformation and create a "Mongolian wolf" economy.

For its citizens such prospects are long overdue. The former Soviet satellite has been hailed as a success story of post-communist political transition, moving with relative smoothness to democracy. But its economy has taken it close to disaster in the past two decades.

The country almost lost its sole source of aid and trade. Poverty rates soared in the 1990s and rationing was in place during the early years of capitalism. Even after recent annual growth rates of around 8%, the proportion living below the poverty line -- 101 600 togrogs (about R576) a month -- appears stubbornly unchanged at more than a third.

Many are clustered in the unlovely capital of this strikingly beautiful country. Six times the size of the United Kingdom, Mongolia has just 2,75-million inhabitants and almost 40% of them live in the capital, Ulan Bator. In the past decade its population swelled from 800 000 to almost 1,1-million, with arrivals peaking in the wake of harsh winters. Tens of thousands more are likely to arrive in the next few years.

NGOs say destitute herders have already moved to small settlements, just as they did after the last dzud, before realising there was no work and drifting towards the capital.

Some have arrived already. It took 14 days for Erdenebileg's family to drive what remained of their flock the 480km from southern Dundgovi province to a bleak hillside in Tov province, close to the city. Once they enjoyed "a pretty decent life", selling cashmere and spare animals for cash to supplement the meat and milk from their 600-strong herd. Then came the winter.

"Every day we saw our animals dying in front of us. I was devastated," said the 32-year-old, her face etched deep by the wind and worry.

The 80 surviving animals graze close to the family's tent, overlooking a disused concrete factory and rubbish tip. Her husband has been lucky, finding a factory job through relatives. But the couple and their four children will barely scrape by on his 150 000 togrogs (about R865) a month. The government recently withdrew substantial child benefits.

Most longer-term migrants are stuck in the crowded ger (the traditional white, circular felt tents of herders) settlements around the capital, where 46% live in poverty. Sanitation and services are poor. Many lack the documents to claim benefits -- though a registration drive should help -- and the skills to find work.

Cheerleaders of the move to exploit the country's natural resources believe it can tackle such entrenched poverty, creating jobs and growth.

Robert Friedland, executive chairman of Ivanhoe, Oyu Tolgoi's Canadian co-developer, said recently: "When production begins, Mongolian GDP could rise by 30% and employment by 10% per year for 30 years."

But many observers are concerned that the prospects are being oversold. "Expectations have gone, in my view, way ahead of reality," said Arshad Sayed, country representative of the World Bank. "There is a big danger society faces, because when people's expectations are not met, at some point they will get very upset."

Oyu Tolgoi will create 3 000 jobs, but the real question is how the government spends the revenue and whether the mine will kick-start the wider economy.

The deal was stalled for years by concerns that foreign firms would not give Mongolia a fair deal. Negotiations on the development of Tavan Tolgoi, a massive coal seam, are mired in similar debates.

"[Oyu Tolgoi] may not be the best agreement but I don't think it's the worst either," said Sanjaasuren Oyun, a trained geologist, former foreign minister and one of only three opposition MPs, thanks to Mongolia's grand coalition.

"Time is also of the essence. After 20 years of transition, many people's lives are economically no better off than under communism."

Boost health and education spending and Mongolia can diversify its economy and see real development, she said. That is all the more necessary because the winter blizzards precipitated a rural crisis that has been long in the making.

Tens of thousands of families moved to the countryside in the 1990s, when the economic crisis led to food shortages in cities. Some say that contributed to the increase in herd sizes, with new herders unaware of the dangers of overgrazing.

But challenging herders is "very political", Tungalag said, not only because they form a powerful constituency, but also because nomadism is identified with the country’s very spirit. You can drive for hours across Mongolia without seeing a fence and permanent buildings are few and far between. On the horizon, dotted about, are the gers.

The scene appears timeless. But its inhabitants have been buffeted not only by the weather but also by man-made forces arising far beyond the steppes: desertification partly caused by global warming, bad loans, rising interest rates and volatile ­commodity prices.

When cashmere prices soared, they bought more goats, which damaged more pastures. Then the financial crisis hit. Wealthy Westerners reined in their spending, cashmere prices halved and incomes plummeted.

Yet many are undeterred by the turbulence of the past few years. Lkhagvasuren moved to Ulan Bator when a cruel winter wiped out his livestock three years ago, rebuilding his herd only to see it destroyed again this winter. Now he plans to find labouring work.

"But if I make some money I'll use it to buy more animals," he said as he crouched in his leaking ger. "Mongolia without herders is unimaginable." -- Guardian News & Media 2010
source: http://www.mg.co.za
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Fluor Receives Notice to Proceed for Ivanhoe Mines Project in Mongolia

IRVING, Texas, Jul 22, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Fluor Corporation /quotes/comstock/13*!flr/quotes/nls/flr (FLR 47.04, +1.02, +2.22%) announced today that the company has reached an agreement with Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. /quotes/comstock/13*!ivn/quotes/nls/ivn (IVN 17.62, +0.32, +1.85%) to move forward with full-scale work at its gold and copper mine development project in southern Mongolia. Fluor's scope of work will include overall program management (PM) as well as engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) for select portions of the construction of the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex. Fluor booked approximately $1 billion into backlog for the project during the second quarter of 2010.

Beginning in late 2005, under direction from Ivanhoe, Fluor carried out a strategic planning review of the integrated development plan (IDP-05) for the Oyu Tolgoi project including a strategic assessment of the concentrator facilities development. Since completion of that work, Fluor has continued to be involved in the project providing site support services and preliminary engineering in preparation for the commencement of full-scale construction. Now, with a definitive agreement in place, Fluor will be in charge of overall PM as well as EPCM-related services for the ore processing plant and mine-related infrastructure such as roads, water supply, a permanent airport and administration buildings.

The Oyu Tolgoi project is located in the South Gobi region of Mongolia. The mine is expected to produce 1.2 billion pounds of copper and 650,000 ounces of gold annually for the first ten years. The Mongolian Government holds a 34 percent interest in the Oyu Tolgoi project with Ivanhoe Mines controlling the remaining interest.

"We are gratified to see the Oyu Tolgoi project reach this important milestone," said Dwayne Wilson, group president of Fluor's Industrial business. "We have been engaged with Ivanhoe for many years on this project and our team is eager to participate in full-scale, site-wide work that began earlier this year."

Fluor will execute the engineering for the project from its Vancouver, Canada and Beijing, China offices with operations being managed on-site in Mongolia. The project is currently underway with engineering expected to reach completion in the first quarter of 2011 and construction completion scheduled for 2013. At peak construction, the project will employ approximately 2,500 local workers. Over the anticipated 59-year life of the mine, the project will provide an important source of state revenue and long-term employment for the people of Mongolia.

About Ivanhoe Mines

Ivanhoe Mines (NYSE, NASDAQ & TSX: IVN) is an international mining company with operations focused in the Asia Pacific region. Assets include the company's 66% interest in the world-scale, Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine development project in southern Mongolia; its 57% interest in Mongolian coal miner SouthGobi Resources /quotes/comstock/11t!e:sgq (CA:SGQ 13.66, +0.16, +1.19%) ; an 81% interest in Ivanhoe Australia (ASX: IVA), a copper-gold-uranium-molybdenum-rhenium exploration and development company; and a 50% interest in Altynalmas Gold Ltd., a private company developing the Kyzyl Gold Project in Kazakhstan. Ivanhoe Mines' shares are listed on the New York, NASDAQ and Toronto stock exchanges under the symbol IVN.

About Fluor Corporation

Fluor Corporation /quotes/comstock/13*!flr/quotes/nls/flr (FLR 47.04, +1.02, +2.22%) designs, builds and maintains many of the world's most challenging and complex projects. Through its global network of offices on six continents, the company provides comprehensive capabilities and world-class expertise in the fields of engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, operations, maintenance and project management. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Fluor is a FORTUNE 200 company and had revenues of $22 billion in 2009. For more information visit www.fluor.com.

SOURCE: Fluor Corporation


Fluor Corporation
Media Relations
Keith Stephens, 469-398-7624
or
Brian Mershon, 469-398-7621
or
Investor Relations
Ken Lockwood, 469-398-7220
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Jason Landkamer, 469-398-7222
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Beyond Hakuho: Advancing Japan-Mongolia Relations

Tokyo -- To the extent that Mongolia receives any attention in contemporary Japan, it is usually in the context of the minor scandals of former Yokozuna Asashoryu and the splendid recent performances of Yokozuna Hakuho.

It would be a mistake, however, to leave it at that, because Japan-Mongolia relations do seem to be picking up some momentum in recent months.

On Thursday, Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada met in Hanoi with his Mongolian counterpart Gombojav Zandanshatar and discussed bilateral political and economic relations.

Zandanshatar told Okada that the people of his country consider Japan to be their "third neighbor" and that a comprehensive bilateral partnership was most desirable.

The two ministers agreed that Japan should become more deeply invested in Mongolian natural resources, such as the coal fields at Tavan Tolgoy as well as uranium mining. In exchange, Mongolia wants to get its hands on some of Japan's more advanced technologies.

Last December, Japan and Mongolia initiated the first steps toward a negotiation of a bilateral Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The first public-private talks on this initiative were held last month in Ulan Bator.

Okada and Zandanshatar confirmed their mutual interest in advancing these talks when they met on Thursday.

Finally, arrangements are currently underway to have Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj visit Japan before the end of this year.


PanOrient News
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Khan Up 87% as Wins Mongolian Court Case

Khan Resources Inc. (KRI.TO) is up 87% at 43 cents, and off a day high 45 cents, after announcing today that the Mongolian Capital City Administrative Court has ruled in favour of its 58%-owned joint venture subsidiary, Central Asian Uranium Company, LLC, and declared that the previous purported decision by the Mongolian Nuclear Energy Agency to invalidate CAUC's mining license 237A is itself invalid and illegal.

Trading in Khan was halted aroundn 10:45 a.m. ET, but it resumed about two hours later.

As previously announced in April 2010, both CAUC and Khan's 100%-owned Mongolian subsidiary Khan Resources LLC, the respective holders of mining license 237A and exploration license 9282X), both in respect of the Dornod Uranium Property, received notices from the NEA purporting to invalidate the Licenses effective as of October 8, 2009, allegedly based on unspecified violations of Mongolian law

Subsequently, each of CAUC and Khan Mongolia filed and has since been pursuing separate formal claims in the Court challenging the legal bases for the NEA's notices asserting, among other things, that the NEA had no legal authority to make a decision to invalidate the Licenses and that the NEA's purported decision to do so violated the provisions of Mongolian law and was, therefore, invalid.
source: http://community.nasdaq.com
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Japanese company wants to use bacteria in airag

In summer 2007, Gentaro Yasuda of Calpis Co. traveled to Mongolia in search of new types of lactic acid bacteria. He visited gers to sample and compare airag, the homemade fermented horse milk liquor whose recipes date back thousands of years. Calpis, with a research institute affiliated with the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, concluded an agreement with the Mongolian government that stipulates that bacterium will be isolated at a Mongolian laboratory, the isolated strains will be stored in both countries, and a fixed sum will be paid to the Mongolian side at the time of any patent application.

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