Mongolia passes law on right to information

The Mongolian parliament has passed a right to information law after a five-year debate, local media reported Friday.

According to the resolution, any citizen or legal body has the right to seek information from government organizations. Those operating on money from the government budget also have an obligation to reveal information to the public.

The law covers the work of goods and services purchased with money from state and provincial budgets, selection of tenders, and the budget, financial accounts and so on.

The law comes at a time when the Mongolians are demanding detailed information over the tender selection process of development of the Tavan Tolgoi coal mine in southern Mongolia.

Some provisions of the law will come into force from Dec. 1, local media reported.

Source:Xinhua

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Political parties active before election

Preceding the 2012 parliamentary election, political parties have been visibly active. The Power holding party MPRP, held its Congress in early November of 2010, changing its name into Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) and amending the party flag, rules, ideology and platform. It also conducted an intensive campaign throughout the nation to give a new certificate of membership. 

However, MP Ts. Shinebayar who was elected from the MPRP and some MPRP members protested the  change of the party’s name. Later in January, they called an Extraordinary Congress of the MPRP, at which former President N. Enkhbayar was elected a chairman, MP Ts. Shinebayar as deputy chairman, and N. Udval as Secretary General of the MPRP. The party’s name has not yet been registered with the Supreme Court and its authorities explain that there is full legal ground to reinstate the MPRP’s name. 

On the  contrary, MPP’s authority claims that it is illegal to use this name. MPP chairman S. Batbold, Secretary General U. Khurelsukh, Secretary Ya. Sodbaatar, and chief of MPP Group in Parliament, D. Lundeejantsan gave a press conference on February 9 in connection with concluding the campaign for the  new membership certificate. During the press conference, MPP S. Batbold said, “While registering MPP at the Supreme Court, it was clearly asserted that MPP is a legal start and continuation of MPRP.” In addition, he asserted some clauses of the Law on Political Parties. For example, the whole and abbreviation of the  political party’s name is forbidden to be the  same as the name of an organization,company or other parties. 

 If the party has been reorganized or changed its name under the law, the party’s property, name, membership, stamp, symbol and flag are forbidden to be continuously used by a member of the party and other individuals who do not agree with the decision. He said that it doesn’t matter who, the law must be obeyed.

Heads of the Civil Will Party and the Green Party of Mongolia which each has one seat in parliament, signed an agreement on January 30 by confirming their agreement to merge the two parties. It has been agreed in a level of authorities and will finally be resolved at the congresses of the parties by introducing it to their members. CWP chairwoman S. Oyun and GPM chairman D. Enkhbat said that they reached a decision to merge so as to strengthen their policies to safeguard democracy, justice and freedom and become a political power to fulfill social demands. During the signing ceremony, some members of Green Party expressed their being in opposition to the merge. National New Party, United Conservative Party, Mongolian Democratic Movement Party and some civil movements are talking about merging into a National United Party. Their authorities said that it will be resolved at the congresses of the parties and the merging process is on the go.

source: 'The Mongol messenger'newspaper

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Two ministers face disciplinary action

D.Zorigt

At its two cabinet meetings on  December 29, 2010 and January 3, 2011, the cabinet discussed issues on the disciplinary responsibility of government members and an official assignment of the Prime Minister was given to governors of aimags and Ulaanbaatar City.

Pursuant to a decision made at the meeting, legal actions have been taken against Finance Minister  S.Bayartsogt because of his being almost two hours late for a plenary meeting of Parliament that was to discuss the 2011 State Budget, and Minister of Minerals and Energy D.Zorigt because of his failing to convey urgently required research materials and information to  Parliament, Standing committees and sub-committees.

Prime Minister S.Batbold told his cabinet members that being present at plenary parliament meetings is obligatory and to promptly provide Parliament and its standing and substanding committees with required

research materials.

S.Bayartsogt

At the meeting, an official assignment of the Prime Minister was issued for the city’s Mayor and governors of aimags, obliging them to promptly consider any urgent issues within given legal rights, to improve procedures of discussions and to strengthen responsibilities.

source: 'The Mongol Messenger' newspaper

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Mongolia celebrates 20 years of democracy

Closing-out the year-long celebration in style

The 20th anniversary of Democratic Revolution in Mongolia was celebrated for a whole year and officially closed on December 10. On December 10, 1989, establishment of the democratic movement was declared in Mongolia and the purpose and activity of the movement was announced to public. 

Activities for the anniversary aimed at remembering historical events during the democratic revolution, introducing democratic history and values to youth and publicly discussing what should be done to strengthen achievements and lessons of democracy. On the day of the closing events for the 20th anniversary, a meeting of honor, concert and fireworks were held. At the meeting of honor held at the State House, pioneers of democratic revolutions who struggled  for democracy were present. President Elbegdorj who was one of the democrats, sent a greeting that was sounded by D. Battulga, head of the Office of President. 

Pioneer of the 1989 revolution

In his greeting, it read, “I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the heroes and political parties that brought democracy to our home country. I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to Mongolians who welcomed democracy from its first  day.” “The most important thing was that by virtue of democracy, we gained national authority and independence that was Mongolians’ sincere will, effort and struggle.

We expect that many works will be succeeded, democratic values will be strengthened, people’s  participations will be ensured, and ratings of justice will be totally adopted in Mongolia in the next 20 years. However, everyone needs to manage to work well, each person is responsible to have just active, and conscious participation in social life. We struggle for a life and society based on people’s participation, a life in which people are free, enjoy their rights, fulfill their duties and belong to a State that listens to its citizens and serves people. This struggle has not come to an end.”

In his speech, N. Altankhuyag, DP chairman, MP and First Deputy Prime Minister, said that democratic revolution has not ended and it has not become perfect, and appealed to start an economic revolution and industrialization that is the second stage of democratic revolution.

D. Ganbold, deputy Governor of Ulaanbaatar who is a representative of DP and Democratic Union’s leaders, gave a report on the further development of the economy. Kh. Battulga, MP and head of Mongolian Democratic Union gave a report on the necessity of a new railway and mining plants in Mongolia. Also, well-known publisher Baabar (B.Batbayar), who criticized  falsification of top State officials 20 years ago by comparing them with a tale about a toast master, gave a report: ‘I believe; therefore I live’. In his report, it reads, “I truly believe that the society with people who were ensured to think freely, openly express their thoughts and implement their ideology in legal frame without any dependence can achieve happiness. I naturally had such great expectations. I believed in it since I learned about a boy whose horses were seized, he rode to take back his horses, came home and founded the greatest empire in the world, eight centuries ago. He was our ancestor.

I believed because I saw Mongolians who lived at the  medieval level, using ordinary horse carts in the century of space travel, gaining independence, civilization and democracy in the 20th century. My great belief flamed up because Mongolia which is situated like elmwood pinched by rocks between two great socialist states, went against the coldness of winter and tyranny and brought the spring of democracy”. “Mongolia’s Gross Domestic Products rose by almost 4-fold in the recent 6 years. It is the highest indication for any country that develops speedily. However, we hear everyday that our life is deteriorating in all aspects. I think

that it is a depression of people who believed that our country could have accelerated its development from the present level and hit the world record.

People do not feel proud when they see statistics for the recent 20 years, indicating that death decreased in

Mongolia, the average age of people was lengthened by five years and the amount and kinds of foods per citizen increased considerably, reaching the level of developed countries. I do not want to think that it is because of wishing my country to be bad. On the contrary, I believe that it is an example of aspiration for longer life and health.

I believe that there will be always be a fresh day and a new development summit for Mongolians who are not

satisfied with the things they have, do not lose their grip, are often insatiable with achievement, and aspire for a

higher summit forever,” the report reads.

D. Bayasgalan, head of the BoD of Golomt Bank, was a representative of students 20 years ago, and addressed the politicians. “I do not want to be a rich businessman in a poor country. Rich and wealthy ministers and members of parliament of our poor country, please care about people’s livelihoods. Businessmen are for profits, but politicians are responsible for making better livelihoods. It is said that the second stage of the democratic revolution is economic revolution. 

However, it is important to think how economic growth is effective on the  total population. Please tie up national security and economic liberation.” A ceremony was held to grant the Chinggis Khaan Order, top award of Democratic Party granting to those whose meritorious deeds accomplished the democratic revolution and strengthened democracy. MP R. Amarjargal, MP and Health Minister S. Lambaa, Ulaanbaatar City’s DP head Sh. Tuvdendorj, Sukhbaatar Aimag’s Governor J. Batsuuri and former Mongolian Students Union and head of Golomt Bank’s BoD D. Bayasgalan were awarded the Chinggis Khaan Order.

source: 'The Mongol Messenger' newspaper

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Foreign Minister visits Thailand

G.Zandanshatar greeted by Thailand’s Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn

On December 6-9, Foreign Minister G. Zandanshatar paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Thailand at the invitation of Kasit Piromya, Thailand’s Foreign Minister. It coincides with the birthday of His Highness Bhumibol Adulyadej, the King of Thailand, and the National Celebration of Thai people. The Foreign Minister met with Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn,who has visited Mongolia twice.

Mr. Zandanshatar appreciated the significant contribution of the Princess to developing Mongolia- Thailand relations and cooperation, and to strengthening the mutual understanding between the peoples.

He also spoke highly of her activities for friendship of the world people and goodness for international children, including Mongolia’s. Afterwards, G. Zandanshatar granted the Princess the Polar Star Order under Presidential decree and conveyed a heartfelt His Highness Bhumibol Adulyadej and his family.

The Princess expressed her appreciation for Mongolia’s State Prize and asked to extend her cordial greeting to the State Head of Mongolia. She also expressed satisfaction with development of Mongolia in democratic and market ways, underlining the importance of women’s role, responsibility and participation in the political and social frames in Mongolia. The Princess mentioned that she is keen to hear about Mongolia and wished

Mongolians all the best.

Following her visit to Mongolia in 1992, the Princess authored a book named ‘Airag’ which contributed to promote Mongolia in Thailand. The Princess is one of the most respected persons in Thailand because she had initiated many programs and funds to help the poor and disabled and to improve their livelihoods. For example, she executed a supply of 230  tonnes of rice, and a tonne of medicine and foods to the Red Cross Society.

During a visit to Mongolia in 2009, she launched a model project called ‘School Lunch’ in a secondary school

in Altanbulag Soum of Tov Aimag. In 1991, the Princess was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service. Moreover, the Prize  of Honor of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other prizes have been awarded to her. She also was bestowed the title of Honorary Doctorate from some 40 universities and institutes.

On December 7, a Mongolia- Thailand business forum was held in Bangkok, Thailand. The Minister gave a speech at opening of the forum which was co-organized by  the Foreign Investment and Foreign Trade Agency (FIFTA) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia,

Thailand’s Investment Department and Trade Chamber. In his opening remarks, G. Zandanshatar underlined

that the forum provides businessmen of the two countries with specific information about the investment environment in both countries and gave them an opportunity to establish contacts. He also mentioned the possibility to boost cooperation in mining, energy, tourism, food industry and health spheres and addressed representatives of two sides to use new economic and financial potentials of two countries to cooperate.

B. Ganzorig, Head of FIFTA gave an expanded report on the business environment in Mongolia, investment opportunities, allowances from the government for foreign investors and continued by saying that the government is ready to support business people.

The forum has attracted representatives of nine companies of Mongolia and some 50 business delegates of Thailand’s private sector.

Following the business forum, Foreign Minister G. Zandanshatar enjoyed ‘Siam Niramit’, one of world’s large-scale theatrical performances, which shows the wonders of Thai national culture and traditions that included over 150 artists and about 100 technical workers and used 500 complete garments. During his visit to Thailand, Foreign Minister G. Zandanshatar and his Thai counterpart Kasit Piromya held official talks; and on December 8, the Mongolian Minister met with Thailand’s Prime Minister, Abhisit  Vejjajiva.

To begin the talks, both Ministers mutually briefed about political, economic and social conditions of home countries, appraised current bilateral relations and exchanged views on expanding bilateral ties and cooperation within frames of the region and multilateral process.

The Prime Minister of Thailand underlined that the visit was well-timed in the present situation of bilateral relations and offered to collaborate in implementing democratic principles and values in the international arena, developing mutual-supportive cooperation in the spheres of mining and agricultural mechanisms and machineries, construction, infrastructure, light industry as well as the decorations, religious and cultural spheres.

In turn, Mr. Zandanshatar noted that presently, there are favorable conditions to deepen bilateral collaboration and expressed an interest to determine cooperation suggestions, directions and receive mining and agricultural machineries and Thai  specialists. The request was positively accepted and it was decided to send a working group. Also, Thailand’s interest was expressed to expand cooperation through a line of Thailand International Cooperation Agency.

Mr. Zandanshatar met with Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and informed him that Mongolia attaches great importance to develop cooperation with ASEAN countries, and Thailand in particular. In turn, the Prime Minister pointed out the importance of trade and technical cooperation in ASEAN’s region and integration process and expressed his confidence that the countries will collaborate in multilateral relations and international matters.

The same day, Mr. Zandanshatar held a meeting with Deputy Commerce Minister Alonkorn Polabutr and expressed Mongolia’s interest to expand bilateral relations in trade, and to collaborate in mining, tourism and agricultural mechanisms. He also proposed to create a permanent mechanism of bilateral economic and trade cooperation, seek new market opportunities, such as producing new products that combine Mongolia’s cashmere and Thai silk. In turn, Mr. Alonkorn supported the proposal and mentioned the possibility of  creating ‘brand’ cashmere-silk products

source: The Mongol Messenger newspaper

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PM opens official TWITTER account

Opening ceremony for the PM’s Twitter site

Prime Minister S.Batbold opened an official TWITTER account, allowing him to communicate openly with citizens. 

On December 3, an award ceremony was held for the Best bloggers of the country. The Head of the Cabinet expressed confidence that through ‘Twitter’, he has gotten plenty of good text messages from young people. He advised business people to develop this initiative and reflect it in Government policy. Immediately after citizens discovered his blog, the Prime  Minister received a lot of queries, so  he promised to specifically carve out ample time to personally reply to these questions.

The organizers of this event calculate that “blogging is a form of public relations that will create wealth through knowledge”. In this context, web-based personalities have become among the most active links on the Internet. To date, thousands of bloggers have exchanged their views in Mongolia through personal home

pages.

source: 'The Mongol Messenger' newspaper

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Law passed to reduce air pollution

Fees on certain fuels, solvents and older machines will be used to reduce pollution 50 percent by 2015

Ulaanbaatar’s air pollution has been talked about for many years. At last, a law on fees for air pollution has been adopted. The main concept of the law is that a person or an organization that pollutes the air will pay money and air pollution will be reduced with this money. As it is a new form of duty, it will not be effective on a broad scale and the legislation imposes fees on 6 subjects. For instance, a duty of Tg1 is imposed on each kg of coal being extracted by industries. With the accumulated money, a conservation fund will be founded.

The law also includes a clause that if a coal mine operates a processing plant, it will be 100 percent exempted from the fee. Additionally, the law creates a mechanism to not burden coal extractors. For example, coal extractors in Nalaikh and Baganuur districts can be exempted from the fee if they process coal. The law on air pollution fees is not just way of receiving money, but is directed in the reduction of air pollution and creates leverage for companies to produce end-products.

In the law, automobiles that operate on electricity and gas, or new cars, have been exempted from the fee. Depending on amount of carbonic acid gas emitting from automobiles in the air, different fee amounts will be imposed. It means that the fee will be higher if an automobile has a larger engine. State administrative organizations responsible for road and transportation are working to settle size of fees in collaboration with the government.

Besides smoke, the smells from organic solvents pollute the air as well. People who stay in rooms whose walls were painted with Chinese paint are particularly vulnerable to suffer from allergic and asthmatic reactions. The fee is to be imposed on organic solvents because there are main air polluters. Government sets a fee worth Tgs10-30 per a kg on organic solvents depending on their toxicity and evaporability.

Moreover, power stations and thermo stoves are involved in the fee because they emit smoke and dust. Ts. Banzragch, chief of Sustainable Development and Strategy Department at Environment and Tourism Ministry, said “It is the newly adopted law. The ministry’s main principle ‘polluter shall pay’ has become the main principle of this law. In other words, recent activities are conducted to reduce air pollution of Ulaanbaatar with all tax payers money while only some people pollute the air. All people should obey the law. I would like to give one example. I saw a person on TV saying, “Condensed fuels provided by the city administration is not good and I would like to use crude coal.” Using crude coal is harmful not only for him but his family members as well. It is not just the work of the Environment and Tourism Minister and UB Mayor, but all citizens are responsible for reducing air pollution.

Citizens need to pay attention to these matters.” Government approved the ‘Fresh Air Fund’ rule and monies from the fee will be accumulated in this fund, not the State Budget. It is estimated that Tgs30 billion will be accumulated in 2011. It is intended to reduce air pollution by 10 percent in 2011 and 50 percent by 2015.

source: 'The Mongol Messenger' newspaper

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PRIME MINISTER CANCELS VISIT TO BRITAIN

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs B.Bolor has said the Prime Minister canceled his visit to Britain scheduled to begin on November 27 as he could not leave the country when Parliament was to discuss the budget. This is going to fool no one as the date of the visit had been fixed with the full knowledge that the budget had to be passed before December 1. It has also been suggested that he wants to express Mongolia’s displeasure at the arrest of Mr. B. Khurts, Chief of Administration at the National Security Council, at Heathrow on September 17 and at the subsequent British refusal to release him despite Mongolian requests. It is difficult to understand why Mongolia should be displeased. After all, the Government has admitted that Mr. Khurts did forcibly abduct a man from French soil, and it is well known European nations value human rights. Can the real reason be that the Prime Minister was afraid the whole affair had given him a bad image and that he would not be able to answer questions in Britain? Official hints that the Prime Minister’s decision was meant to “assert our national dignity” hide the fact the real threat to this dignity lay in the fact that the Prime Minister would have been paying an official visit to Britain at a time when one of his seniormost officials was in prison there.
source:  Onoodor newspaper

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MNCCI CHAIRMAN RUMORED TO BE ON WAY OUT

There is a move afoot to replace Mr. S.Demberel as Chairman of the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a post he has held since 1998. Officials of the Marketing and Management Institute have said there are several allegations against Mr. Demberel misusing his position for personal gain. He is currently in his third term as MNCCI Chairman and has been vocal in demanding a bigger role for the private sector and has often been critical of the Government’s economic policies.

Among politicians and businessmen who have shown interest in succeeding Mr. Demberel are former President N.Enkhbayar, the Head of Ajnai Corp. Mr. D.Bat-Erdene, and the Director of Buyan LLC, Mr. B.Jargalsaikhan. The MNCCI has 700 members in Ulaanbaatar and its branches have a further 300. It works under a law passed by Parliament in 1995 and meets its expenses from membership fees. Members fall into four groups and annual fees range from MNT300,000 to MNT1 million.

source: www.news.mn

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MPP not responsible for failures of MPRP

The real reason why the MPRP changed its name is that it does not want to answer any angry questions before the 2012 election on why the MPRP promise to give every citizen MNT1.5 million has not been kept. Many citizens still retain the paper with the promise for many had hoped to start a business with the money paid to all family members. The DP had said citizens would own MNT1 million worth of shares of the mining resources but newspaper articles of that period would reveal that the MPRP promised more and offered MNT1.5 million in cash.

Halfway through the four-year term of Parliament, citizens have got only MNT120,000. With the change of name, managing officials of the present MPP will claim the promise was made by the MPRP, and they cannot be held responsible. Keeping at least part of he promise has meant 1/3 of the combined budget will be spent on providing social welfare and cash allowances and tuition fees of the students. Similarly the blame for the July 1 disorder will be laid on the defunct MPRP.

But are Mongolian voters so easily duped?
source: www.news.mn

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Good Bye Revolution, Good Morning Nationalism

Written by G.Chingis

Last week, the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party (MPRP) called for their XXVI congress. Usually, in a normal country with a market economy, this is not a big deal. For example, in the USA there would be a Democratic Party convention. However, if it is a country, such as the People’s Republic of China or even better, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, it will be a big event. Happy, dressed-up members of Congress will go with great enthusiasm to participate in Congressional sessions; and all ministers and high level ranking generals will go to see party leaders. It makes sense since it is every four years (time between party congresses) when poor ordinary members of the party will come and during those four years, they will not have any joy or even not be allowed to visit the Government Palace or even to visit the country’s capital. It is the same with the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party Congress.

Elected participants of the MPRP went to the Government Palace and it was a great chance to go to Ulaanbaatar. If you live in remote provinces, such as Bayan Ulgii, Uvs you can’t afford to go Ulaanbaatar city. Airfares are almost the same as if you will fly from Ulaanbaatar to Seoul.

Elected participants more than likely stayed in five star hotels. Many Mongolian officials like to say that Mongolians hate to stay in hotels, and that they prefer to stay with relatives because Mongolians have very strong ties with them. Therefore, Mongolians cannot spend even one day without meeting their relatives.

The XXVI congress of the MPRP was very traditional, even the goal of this event was to start innovation and to finish ties with the communist or revolutionary heritage. Party leaders delivered their speeches, participants were applauding them with great enthusiasm. When there were panel discussions, many participants wanted to leave. They know that speeches of party leaders are more important than speeches of ordinary participants. And this was a great time to see relatives, since the party did not allow them to stay with them. Unfortunately, General Secretary of the MPRP Mr. U. Khurelsukh warned them that they should stay in the hall unless they will be severely punished.

During the congress, there were many warnings about punishment. Severe punishment will be discharge from party membership. In the XXth century, if you were kicked from the party, it meant death. The next day you would have been fired from your job, your children would have been kicked out of schools and finally you would be asked to move out of your house. There was no private property, and housing was public and free.

Some sessions were also held behind closed doors. This might remind some of secretive regimes. The party leadership worried about some unexpected actions or some extraordinary stuff. Everything should be done according to a prepared scenario. In the XXth century MPRP’s congresses were like that. And Mongolian people had to watch this boring show all day on TV with some breaks when actor playing the Mongolian revolutionary leader D. Sukhbaatar fights in movies against the Chinese and the White Russians (FYI-there were good Russians (Red Russians) and bad Russians (White Russians). The General Secretary of the MPRP Mr. U. Khurelsukh gave a chance to Mongolian people to once again see Mr. D. Sukhbaatar played in a movie in the party congress hall.

There was one unexpected action, when there was the election of the Chairman of MPRP. Mr. U. Enkhtuvshin wanted to participate in this election. In the MPRP, the election of the party leadership usually is very straightforward. Usually there is only one candidate. Usually, party leaders will say that they want to see Mr. S. Batbold as our Chairman. Then members of the MPRP will say “yes”. You can see that it is a very simple and “clear” procedure.

So now, the MPRP is the MPP and party leaders emphasized that they want to see more of a national flavor. They missed one point though; they should invite the Dalai Lama or if it is not possible, they should invite Hamba Lama (Head of the Buddhist sect in Mongolia) and he could say that he believes that Mr. S. Batbold is the reincarnation of D. Sukhbaatar. Also, he will add that the father of S. Batbold is Mr. D. Sukhbaatar, which is a very significant sign that he is the real reincarnation.

Recently, there has been a big discussion about whether the MPP is a right wing party or a left wing party. It is a huge dilemma. If the MPP will be a left wing party, it means that the MPP was created by the former President of Mongolia, the former Chairman of the MPRP, and he who made the MPRP a member of the Socialist International. If the MPP will be a right wing party, it means that the MPP is almost like the party of Mr. B. Jargalsaikhan, former Member of Parliament and former cashmere tycoon, who established the Bourgeois Party at the beginning of the multi-party system. Maybe Mr. S. Batbold should say that he is a tycoon, and the MPP is a right wing party and forget all the archaic heritage of the MPRP and the MPP, and all of these movies where Mr. D. Sukhbaatar fights against the Chinese and the White Russians.

Unfortunately or fortunately, Mr. S. Batbold asked their party scholars, who aged from 55 to 65 to formulate the party’s new platform. Of course, they went to their tables, and these scholars found their papers from their fantastic youths when they would wake up with the book “The History of the MPRP” and later go to bed with that book.
Mr. S. Batbold belongs to a new generation, and he was reading “The History of the MPRP” for a couple of years until starting his first business. Therefore, Mr. S. Batbold is a businessman, who later became the richest person in Mongolia. He is different from Mr. S. Bayar who worked for MONTSAME (the only Mongolian state news agency) and he read “The History of the MPRP” for a long time. Therefore, Mr. S. Bayar likes topics from there like “Virgin Land” (Mongolians followed the Soviets to start growing wheat in the virgin steppes of Central Asia, which brought desertification) etc.

Therefore, the modernization of the MPRP by S. Batbold will be traditional, with communist slogans with a national flavor or in a global prospective very much like the Chinese model. The market economy with dominance of the Communist Party is the modernization of the MPRP by S. Batbold. Unfortunately, the Chinese did these 20 years ago, and now they are talking about real political reforms.

Therefore, Mongolia will go back to the beginning of XX century, when Mongolia was medieval country without industry except some Chinese and Russian owned gold mines. Mongolia expected so much from S. Batbold and his Party congress, but we received poor show with grey haired actors and old decorations.
source: The UB Post

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U.Khurelsukh, shares insights into changes to MPRP’s principles

U.Khurelsukh

MPRP General Secretary U. Khurelsukh met with journalists to answer questions about issues that will be discussed at the party’s upcoming congress in November. Montsame reporter G. Manduul provides readers with Mr. U.Khurelsukh’s comments about the past, present and future of the MPRP, including much deliberation over a probable name change.
-What was the decision of the conference about the manifesto document?
-It is under discussion and we considered appropriate of adhering to the national democratic ideas. The MPRP when founded first was based on the ideas of the national democratic concept worked out by our great leader D.Sukhbaatar, S.Danzan and Bodoo.
This was the history, and at our meeting in Terelj the party group rightly decided to restore this concept. We released the manifesto called “Renewal, Advancement and Progress”. The members of the conference supported the discussion of the manifesto.
On the other hand, in connection with discussion of convening the party congress it was considered correct to discuss the manifesto, the party concept and principle at the initial party organizations among party members, supporters, at organizations functioning under the party organization and among scholars, scientists and researchers. We will also study the attitude of the people regarding the party name and the concept because the MPRP is the party of the common people. The final decision will be reached at the 26th congress of the MPRP. We will also organize a scientific conference inviting our researchers and scientists. The explanation of the theory and methodology of the national democratic concept will be widely launched.

-The organizational matters of the party will be discussed at the congress. Does it mean the question of the chief of the party will also be discussed?
-No party conference will be held prior to the congress. Therefore, the members of the party conference will be elected and approved at the 26th congress. The number of the conference members is going to increase so the structure and the organizational questions will be debated.
- By how much will the number of conference member’s increase?
-Now it is at 255 members. In recent years the membership increased reaching 150,000. And we are now talking to increase the members of the party Governing Council.
-At the international level, the political parties are becoming member-free. What about the MPRP which is striving to increase its membership? Does it mean a retreat from the world standard?
-No. According to Mongolian law the political party must have membership. Talks are developing about free membership of political parties. This matter was also discussed in our party but it was not yet decided.
-The MPRP is talking about changing the democratic socialist principles and relying on the national democratic concept. If the party will refuse from the left-wing concept would it mean cancelling of joining the Socialist International?
-The MPRP will remain to be a member of the Socialist International. It is impossible to say directly that the national democratic ideas regarding the theory and methodology are of the left-wing direction. Today, the world is becoming very pragmatic. No more it is adhering to the left or to the right wing, but is more declined to using the best and the better. There exists Tony Blair’s trend which unites the best of these two directions. There are also are theories and teachings advocated by Bill Clinton. The MPRP, being from the outset a left-wing political force, is able to implement the national democratic ideas of social orientation. A scientific conference will be held on the matter on September 15. Come to hear what the scientists will talk about.
-N.Enkhbayar, former chairman of the MPRP addressed party leaders and members and made a statement. What is your attitude about it?
-The MPRP is a democratic party. Any party member is free to make a statement. To support or not to support is a personal matter. There are many members in our party who are supporting the renewal of the party name and its concept. The final decision will be reached by the majority voice and to follow it is the democratic principle.
-Were the ideas of the person who worked previously as the party chairman and general secretary of the party heard before releasing the party manifesto?
-S.Batbold is the present chairman of the MPRP. U.Khurelsukh is the general secretary of the party. There are 23 members of the Governing Council of the party. There are also members of the party in the parliamentary group of the MPRP. The matter has been discussed among them and is being released. Now the document will be discussed by the organization under the party, among members, supporters, the scientists and researchers. As we understand, former President N.Enkhbayar read the manifesto as an ordinary member of the party and expressed his ideas.
-Did former President N.Enkhbayar conclude the functioning of the MPRP leadership as unsatisfactory?
-Conclusions might be different. We don’t think we worked too badly. We met our people, heard their commentaries, we travelled to the countryside and we tried to define what we are going to accomplish in the next 20 years, and what we have accomplished in the past 20 years at our coming party congress. I am not going to say the MPRP was an excellent political force; we are searching for ways to improve our work, to make fewer mistakes. The renovation took place in N.Enkhbayar’s time, it will not finish at my time and we will work further to renew the party and to develop our country.
-With the change of the concept, will the logo and the names of organizations like the Mongolian Democratic Socialist Women’s Union functioning under the MPRP be changed and renewed?
-The party symbolic and logo will be changed with the innovation of the party name and concept. No more commentaries because the question was not finally decided.
-The manifesto says the party name will be changed to the Mongolian People’s Party. But what about the MPP which was not disbanded? Are you going to take the name of that party?
-N.Enkhee talked about the existence of the MPP in his interview with newspapers. As one of the Civil Hall’s decisions of the Supreme Court dated June 30, 2006 says, the MPP founded by N.Enkhee has been officially disbanded. There is no such party now. The MPP founded at the beginning of 1920 is the MPRP. The MPRP was registered at the Supreme Court in 1990 as the MPP.
-In 1992 the Supreme Court registered the MPP founded by N.Enkhee and D.Ulziibaatar under the name MPP. Was that party different from the MPRP?
-The Mongolian people’s party founded in 1921 by D.Sukhbaatar was the MPRP. Our party is going to restore its old name. N.Enkhee’s party no longer exists.
-Is it right to change the name of the MPRP when the time for parliamentary elections is approaching? Are the party members aware of the responsibility of this move?
-I will take responsibility if changing the name of our party fails at the election.
-Until now, nothing has been said about the responsibility of the failing in the presidential election. Why are you making such statements when the previous conclusions were not made and responsibilities not taken?
-It is said in the rules of the MPRP that the party that fails at the parliamentary or regional election is called to political responsibility and will be the party chairman, the leadership and the Governing Council. Everything is being held under the framework of this rule. You know that the nomination of one person is promoted for the presidential election. Private competitiveness as you know is being held after the nomination. There exists no program of the President nominated from the MPRP, but there is a rule that the candidate must be liable to be called to account himself after failing.
source: The Mongol Messenger

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MF representative meets Altankhuyag, Lundeejantsan, to warn against budget revision

IMF representative P.Ramlogan yesterday met with First Deputy Premier and Democratic Party head N.Altankhuag and the leader of Mongolian People"s Revolutionary Party group in Parliament, D.Lundeejantsan. He told both leaders that the IMF could not complete its mandatory annual review of the Mongolian economy until the fate of the proposed fiscal stability law was determined in Parliament.

Ramlogan emphasized that only a sustainable and effective macroeconomic policy would be able to reduce poverty and the rate of unemployment, and stressed the need to keep the budget deficit under 5 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product and to create a fund where all income in excess of budget estimates will be put for later use, instead of being spent immediately.

The IMF was of the view that failure to do either could lead to runaway inflation, and Ramlogan urged a review of the proposed budget revisions incorporating fresh programs of expenditure that would raise budget expenses by 17 percent. The IMF and other donor institutions may then be constrained to stop their assistance to Mongolia. Altankhuyag agreed with the analysis and said the government was trying to follow the IMF advice. He suggested that the IMF should also talk to party groups in Parliament.


Lundeejantsan told Ramlogan that a working group was presently discussing the budget revision programs. There had to be an improvement in people’s life but inflation also had to be under control. He said his group was ready to cooperate with the IMF.
source:news.mn

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Z. Enkhbold: Constitution may have to be amended if new election law is adopted

MP Z.Enkhbold, Head of the Standing Committee on Security and Foreign Policy, answers questions on the proposed changes to the law on elections.

Which of the two drafts will be discussed?

It is most likely that Parliament will decide to discuss the two draft laws simultaneously.

Have the party groups agreed on adopting the proportional system?

In general, yes, but it is too early to say that it will be fully proportional. Maybe a mixed system will be favored.

If a mixed system is chosen, how many seats will be elected proportionally and how many by the present majority system?

It is too early to say anything about this.

A working group of Parliament studied the issue; what conclusion did it reach?

No system can be flawless. There can be no absolute good or absolute bad and every country has to choose a system that best suits its conditions and requirements. The goal is to ensure that results of an election truly reflect the voters’ choice. In the election of 2000, the MPRP got just 51 percent of the total votes, but won 72 seats in Parliament. A Swedish organization later called this “an example of an extremely bad election” as party with just about half the votes got 93-94 percent of seats.

What about the suggestion that a party announces the full list of its candidates before voting?

L.Bold’s draft allows voters to choose both the party and the candidate.

Will the law about political parties have to be changed if the election system is changed?

If the system is changed, this is likely. If there is just one nationwide constituency, it will have the names of 76 candidates from each party. If there are 10 constituencies, the number of candidates will be 7 or 8. The party will decide whose name will be placed higher in its list. There must be a new law to have the same rules for every party.

Does this mean a party cannot have its own procedures?

These internal procedures also come under the political party law. This way, the fairness of the candidates’ list will be assured.

Bold’s draft proposing circling the name of the candidate and the party is said to be following the Constitution’s reference that “voters have the right to choose the representative directly”. How is this different from the other draft?

Both drafts suggest this. The working group’s draft proposes a list of 76 candidates while L.Bold’s will have, say,10.

Some feel choosing from 76 names given by each party would be cumbersome.

This is true. If there are 10 parties, there may be 760 candidates and the viter will find it difficult to choose one. Bold’s draft appears to be more practical. Making the constituencies bigger than they are now is a way to control the role of money.

What are the other benefits of the proportional system? Will it make the parties more responsible?

Elements from the proportional system must be used to make political parties more responsible. If there were no parties and anyone can stand for election, 76 individuals will be chosen. Everywhere, political parties select the candidates and take the final responsibility for their performance. By choosing the proportional system, we are getting closer to this way.

What do you mean by getting closer? Wouldn’t it be better to just implement the proportional system, instead of losing time getting closer?

There is the Constitution to think of. This has to be changed, if the best option is chosen. Both drafts worked with the assumption that the State Constitution will not be changed.

Why must the two drafts be discussed together?

They have good ideas that must be combined. If we really want to improve the election system, we shall have to amend the Constitution. Making the constituencies bigger is a way to utilize the experience of a candidate chosen from a small soum who will not work only in that region. Bold’s draft proposes a brand new thing - election geography. This will allow those elected to work for the entire country, not just for the constituency that chose him. MPs are chosen to solve the problems of Mongolia. We have the civil representatives’ assemblies to solve the problems of regions.

If this is the general thinking, why cannot we amend the State Constitution now?

We cannot anticipate what Parliament will finally decide.

Let’s say there will be a need to change the Constitution. Will this be possible?

If we adopt a system that will not “directly choose” MPs, then amending the Constitution will be necessary. But this can be done only after taking the opinion of the people.

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Photos of the Prime Minister Bayar Sanjaa

Following are pictures of Prime Minister Bayar Sanjaa. Credit of the photo goes to the Press Service of Government of Mongolia.
Enjoy pictures of the Prime Minister

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Sharavdorj, head of the Mongolian Parliamentary office is on a working visit in Poland

Mongolian delegation headed by Sharavdorj, General Secretary of the Parliamentary office is visiting Poland at the invitation of Wanda Fidelus-Ninkevich, head of the Chancellory of Sejm-Polish Parliament.
Mongolian delegation met with the head of Chancellory of the Polish Parliament on Aug 24, 2009 in Warsaw, Poland. Sides exchanged opinions on inter parliamentary working relationships and signed working documents on mutual cooperation.

Mongolian delegation is to stay in Poland until Aug 28 and study best practices of the Polish Parliament and its chancelory office.

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Bayartsogt Sangajav, the Finance Minister to the lawmakers of the Khural: there are things that can not be measured by money and profit terms

Today during the parliamentary hearing, the Finance Minister was under intense pressure from the lawmakers which questioned why Government proposed to annul the tax which generated nearly 1 trillion Tugrig for government coffer. Much of the revenue was spent on social wellfare programs for poor as cash handouts.One third of it was spent for infrasructure development and another one third was used as government guarantee for bank deposits.
Bayartsogt said " there are things that can not be measured by money only. These are our national security, foreign policy and independence. Mongolia have been pursuing active third neighbor policy since early 90s. We have to make a political decision on Oyu Tolgoi. We have to welcome mining companies from our third neighor countries. Same economic stimulus software is used by us and as well the group from the miners on determining economic feasibility study of the mine."
Some of the lawmakers suggested to substitute the windfall profits tax with another tax or increase royalty tax.

Reporting by Ganbat, reporter of MonInfo, news and information services

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President Elbegdorj to visit India and US in September

President Elbegdorj Tsakhia is scheduled to visit India from September 13, 2009 and afterwards US from September 19-26, 2009.

This is first overseas visits of President Elbegdorj since he took office in June 18, 2009.

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Parliamentary committee briefing: So far Mongolian government did not apply for a single commercial loan

Enkhbold Zandaakhuu (MDP), Chairman of the Parliamentary standing committee on Security and Foreign Relationship and members of the committee, Ganbyamba Navaasamdan (MPRP), Narankhuu Khalzkhuu (MPRP), held a press conference in Government house yesterday afternoon.


Mr.Enkhbold, lawmaker from the Mongolian Democratic Party briefed the Mongolian
Press about the work of the committee. The committee's investigation on implementation of the "Stability Agreement" signed between Government of Mongolia and Canadian "Centerra Gold Inc" is ongoing, according to Enkhbold and so far Mongolia have not received single commercial loans from abroad.
Mongolia receives "development" or "soft" loans only from donors and other countries. The committee supports the government's policy to get only development loans with long term and with low interest rates (about 0.5%).During the 2009 spring parliamentary season, Mongolia received five development loans from abroad.
Four were from international donors such as World Bank, ADB, IMF and one was from Japanese Government, traditional ally of Mongolia. Russian Government offered $ 300 US commercial loan for Mongolian banks and wanted the Mongolian Government to act as guarantor of the loan. However, the Khural refused to act as guarantor of the loan and it is up to commercial banks of Mongolia to get the loan from the Russian Agricultural Bank.

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