Shards of Mongolia

New perspectives: photography from China and Mongolia

2008-08-15T22:12:00.005+02:00

Find more postings on Mongolia on the Shards of Photography blog.

(c) Grace Gelder.

Glimpses of other people's lives are always fascinating, so it's unsurprising that the two photographers in this exhibition chose to document everyday existence in China and Mongolia.

Grace Gelder hails from Wolverhampton, and graduated last year with an MA in International Photojournalism, Documentary And Travel Photography. She hopes to counteract misconceptions of Mongolia as an under-developed country, and her series of striking colour portraits, each depicting one woman in her professional context, follows up a UN report last year that placed Mongolia first in a league table for women's participation in the workforce.

China, Mongolia duke it out in sport pistol

2008-08-15T22:03:00.002+02:00

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As U.S. coach Sergey Lugov predicted, the women's sport pistol event came down to a battle between the Mongolian team and the Chinese. Gundegmaa Otryad of Mongolia set an Olympic record in the qualification round—coming from the middle of the pack after the precision stage, where she fired a 291 out of 300, to drop just a single point in rapid-fire for a 299/300 and a record 590 aggregate. But she couldn't hold onto the lead during the finals as China's Ying Chen turned in an incredibly strong performance to capture the gold.

Olympics judo-ex-wrestler gives Mongolia its first gold medal

2008-08-15T21:57:00.004+02:00

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Mongolian wrestler-turned-judoka Tuvshinbayar Naidan upset a string of more fancied opponents to win the men's 100kg title on Thursday and give the windswept central Asian nation its first Olympic gold medal.

Twenty-four year-old Naidan, who switched to judo in 2000, used a traditional Mongolian wrestling technique to humble Athens heavyweight champion Keiji Suzuki in their opening bout, and then trounced Kazakhstan's Ashkat Zhitkeyev in the final.

"There are no words that can describe my happiness," Naidan told reporters. "After winning this gold my first thought is to thank my parents, my coach and all the people who have supported me in the past."

While not lacking in skill or technique, the burly Mongolian's success was largely built on brute strength and determination.

After arrogantly throwing Suzuki off the tatami for ippon and automatic victory, Naidan bullied, barged and bruised his way to the final where a hapless Zhitkeyev was the victim of three scoring throws.

For second time, oil prices rise for Mongolians

2008-08-12T12:16:00.003+02:00

Find more postings on Mongolia on the Shards of Photography blog.

As in the rest of the world, the cost of petroleum products for Mongolian consumers is rising.

In fact, for the second time in weeks, the price of oil has increased in Mongolia.

Mongolia purchases its oil from Russia. As of last week, the price for Russian oil being sold in Mongolia had increased to reflect world prices of $115-130 per barrel.

In real terms, this is translating to costs of a liter of АI-80 petrol being set at MNT 1260 ($1.09 USD), АI-92 - at MNT 1400-1405 ($1.21 USD) and diesel fuel - at MNT 1630 ($1.41 USD).

D. Amarsaikhan, head of the Minerals and Oil Authority, has said that Mongolia has opened up border checkpoints at Yarant, Khavirga and Bulgan to increase Chinese oil supplies.

D. Amarsaikhan added that oil reserves have been maintained to guarantee fuel will be available for the Mongolian harvest season.

Mongolia's aspiring sumo kids

2008-08-12T12:12:00.003+02:00

Find more postings on Mongolia on the Shards of Photography blog.

Mongolia's young sumo wrestlers compete at the "Future Championships" in the country's capital of Ulan Bator.

It's a sport usually associated with Japan, but now it's Mongolia's youngsters that are taking an interest. More than 900 children turned up at the "Future Championships" sumo contest. Contestants took to the ring at the 12-day long event with the support of their families cheering them on. Later this month the Japanese Sumo Association is organising its first training tour in Mongolia where some 120 wrestlers from Japan are expected to show off their skills.

"Great Construction" exhibition opens

2008-08-12T12:00:00.003+02:00

Find more postings on Mongolia on the Shards of Photography blog.

On Thursday, Mongolian construction companies opened a specialized exhibition "Great Construction" in the central cultural palace of Mongolian Trade Unions. More than 40 construction companies displayed their products at the exhibition and are taking bookings of new apartments with discounted prices and are offering professional advice.

At present, 140-150 apartment buildings are erected in Ulaanbaatar. These buildings will be put into operation by 2010 and the price of a square meter field has been comparatively stable, but has been different depending on their locations, infrastructure and construction materials. The "Gandirs" company erects the most expensive buildings and the price of a square meter field is $2500. The price of a square meter field of the "Urgakh naran" and "Solongo" apartments being built in suburbs is $720. It is the lowest cost. An average price of a square meter field of apartments is $800-900.

The exhibition provides wide-ranging information about what construction companies are erecting what apartment buildings, when the apartments will be put into use, how to conclude cooperation deals, and what companies are building the highest quality apartments.

The exhibition which will last for five provides opportunities to have comprehensive information about credits of houses, building insurance, and commerce and mediation of houses and real estate.

Day of Fathers to be marked

2008-08-08T09:35:00.001+02:00

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Men have it hard in Mongolia. Not only are they on average lower educated, they're also discriminated against when applying for jobs. Unemployment, the subsequent lack of respect from society, depressions... it all too often leads to alcohol abuse. And alcohol often lies at the root of many family problems. Mongolian men suffer from a bad rep.

The truth is more nuanced. Mongolian men work hard, drink hard, live hard. Add a pinch of countryside machismo and tempers can easily flare. This can result in physical abuse of wife and children but also in fist fights.

The thing is that Mongolian men don't really have a different role model to follow, unless you count the Mongolian sumo wrestlers. Therefore, this proposed Day of Fathers could be a good step in the right direction. Raising the prestige of being a father, a good husband, and a good provider, with the increase in respect that comes with it, might just be the push young Mongolian men need. They have a lot to gain. The Mongolian women have a lot to gain. And Mongolia too.

Let's hear it for all the good men and fathers out there! Khuree! Khuree! Khuree!

Mongolian Men's Union started celebrating the Day of Fathers in 2005 with the intention of raising the prestige, duties and responsibilities of fathers.

The Day of Fathers was marked on Thursday in the central cultural palace of Mongolian Trade Union. At the event, awards were granted to the best fathers, more than ten hospitals is starting free of charge diagnose all kinds of men's diseases and the "Yalma" beauty saloon is providing permanent beauty saloons for men. Besides, a competition was arranged among children to write letters for their fathers and the state honored lecturer Ts. Tuvshintugs have a lecture titled "Home - Father - Country" for new couples.

The third national contest to select Mister Mongolia will be administered in September in Ulaanbaatar city with the purpose of improving the ethics and cultural level of young people, developing their talents and abilities and becoming known advantages of Mongolian men to the public. Men aged until 27 will participate in the competition and will compete by their abilities, knowledge and talents.

Engaging Citizens on human impact on ecosystems

2008-08-07T16:11:00.000+02:00

Find more postings on Mongolia on the Shards of Photography blog.

The Asia Foundation in Mongolia has launched "Securing our Future," a program to engage citizens in resource use decision making that affects their lives.

Faculty and students in 18 schools from eastern-most Dornod aimag (province) to western-most Bayan Olgii aimag are participating in a river monitoring program which is building a body of empirical evidence that supports an enhanced science curriculum, and contributes to meaningful citizen engagement.

This research is complemented by rigorous scientific analysis conducted by experienced Foundation scientists, who are working with National University of Mongolia faculty and students to inventory all of Mongolia's rivers.

In 2007, the science team sampled nearly 100 of Mongolia's rivers, of the total of 400, that criss-cross the country. By using experiential learning and "action research" as a tool, and using internationally accepted methods of biological monitoring, citizens are able to assess their aquatic ecosystems. This effort contributes directly to a nationwide effort to better understand the human influences that impact water quality and quantity.

Over the past 17 years, The Asia Foundation in Mongolia has supported democratic and market-oriented reforms in partnership with public, private, and non-governmental counterparts. Foundation programs strengthen public and private institutions, and promote justice, accountability, and prosperity. At the same time, programs also improve governance and transparency, economic growth and investment. Key program areas include: responsible mining and resource use, combating corruption and human trafficking, and promoting education for the next generation of leaders through the Books for Asia program.

Owen Lattimore: Past, present and future of Inner Asian countries

2008-08-07T16:07:00.000+02:00

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The American Center for Mongolian Studies (ACMS), together with the International Association of Mongolian Studies (IAMS) and the National University of Mongolia School of Foreign Service will organize a conference entitled, "Owen Lattimore: The Past, Present, and Future of Inner Asian Studies" in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on August 20 and 21, 2008.

Owen Lattimore played an important role in the development of political and cultural relations between Inner Asia and the West, and he is widely recognized as the father of Inner Asian Studies in the United States and England. His research and writing continues to have a profound impact on generations of scholars and intellectuals interested in Inner Asia. This conference has a duel purpose. First, it is meant to help record the memories of those who knew Owen Lattimore or were directly influenced by him, and offer scholars who are new to the field the opportunity to learn more about Owen Lattimore's role in the development of cultural and political relations between Inner Asia and the West in the 20th century. Second, the conference is intended to build on Owen Lattimore's legacy by providing a forum for new research related to the region. The conference marks the first of a series of annual conferences planned by the ACMS in Inner Asia to promote scholarly exchange between local and international scholars and to explore emerging research topics related to the region.

This section of the ACMS Library website provides comprehensive about the conference, including the schedule of events and list of paper presentations, as well as additional information about Owen Lattimore and his work as a scholar.

Monetary policy implementation of Bank of Mongolia

2008-08-07T16:04:00.000+02:00

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According to the quarterly of the 2008 first half year of the Bank of Mongolia, inflation rise, which started from the second half of 2007, is spreading around the world and is also affecting Mongolia.

Economy affected by unfavorable and mostly supply side adverse impacts such as disruption of supply of some imported goods and worldwide price increase influences an environment, where relatively big portion of consumer basket consists of imported goods. The BOM is implementing its monetary policy by considering the above factors. It is now the main objective of the Bank of Mongolia not to feed the inflation by monetary growth and to ensure better co-ordination of the monetary policy with the fiscal policy.

Travel to Mongolia

2008-08-07T15:58:00.000+02:00

Find more postings on Mongolia on the Shards of Photography blog.

I replied to the article Travel to Mongolia on tripsdestination.com.

I have to suggest a few corrections and additions.

lonely tuaregs wondering on the camels through the great Gobi desert

There are no tuaregs in Asia. Tuaregs live in northern Africa.

Although in most of Ulan Bator you can still see the former communist regimes scars, the city is in full economic development.

While I understand the use of the term "scars" I have to disagree that these are scars. Lack of maintenance after the fall of the Socialist regime has caused many of the buildings from that era to deteriorate. However, many have been renovated both inside and outside these days and sell like hotcakes. What disturbs me nowadays in Ulaanbaatar is the proliferation of modern but shoddily built apartment blocks and high rises. Many are worse than eye sores. Most wouldn't pass the building codes of the US or European countries. Most are also far inferior to the houses from the Socialist era.

One of the most beautiful is Amarbayasgalant Khiid.

I haven't had the pleasure of visiting this far, far away khiid, unfortunately. But right in the middle of Ulaanbaatar is the magnificent yet small Choijin Lama monastery museum. IMO a much better choice for the time strapped tourist than Erdene Zuu or Gandantegchinlen. Both are easily visited (Erdene Zuu is located some 200 hundred km west of the city. Gandan is a 10 minute walk from Sukhbaatar Square) but Choijin Lama monastery is more deserving of your precious time.

Manshir Khiid and Tuvkhun Khiid are also good choices. Manshir Khiid is only a hour's drive south of the city. Tuvkhun Khiid is a 1-2 hours' drive from Khujirt and involves walking up the mountain on which the temple is perched. Beware, this is quite a heavy climb of about an hour.

The story of theresurrection of the takhi, or Przwewalksi's horse, is wonderful. See this article ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takhi ) on wikipedia for starters.

The place can be seen in its natural beauty whit all the green forests and wild life because as it is considered sacred and the locals never kill an animal or destroy nature in this palce.

While the area remains beautiful it's no longer true that it's unspoilt. Illegal logging also takes place in this region. And poaching for fur and valuable birds is on the rise all over Mongolia. Too few people benefit sufficiently from the growing economy.

Other areas of Mongolia are now suffering from mercury polluted rivers from illegal gold mining; water drunk by the herds of the people in the countryside.

former capital that Ginghis Khan built at Karakorum in 1220

When does a camp of tents become a capital city? That's the core question here. Until Ogedei Khan the place Karakorum didn't have walls. And though Chinggis Khaan has spent time there, he was mostly on the move waging yet another war. Where the Khaan went, is where the seat of government was, which was mostly not in Karakorum during the reign of Chinggis Khaan.

Gurvansaikhan is the most popular place in the Gobi desert. From here tourists can go visit the local tribes that still live in isolation, see the hundreds of species of birds here, leopards and wild camels and they can go on hiking trails in the superb surrounding mountains where ancient dinosaur remains can still be found.

I have to warn people that it is strictly forbidden to hunt for dinosaur remains without proper permits. And smuggling dinosaur remains carries a hefty penalty! Also, the dinosaur remains aren't easy to find and the Gobi is a cruel mistress to those coming unprepared.

Stick to the trails to look for ibex, wild camel, leopards (though there are only a handful in the Gobi), antelope, gazelle, birds and the wonderful landscape. Go to Gurvansaikhan National Park in June or July (at the latest) to see the glacier in Yolin Am valley. Yes, a glacier in the desert!

Mongolia Group on LinkedIn

2008-08-06T16:44:00.000+02:00

Shards of Mongolia created the Mongolia Group on LinkedIn.

The Mongolia Group is a LinkedIn group for everyone with a connection with or an interest in Mongolia: Mongolian citizens, expats, business people, educators, photographers, social work, travellers, etc.

You're invited to join the Mongolia Group on LinkedIn. Joining will allow you to find and contact other Mongolia Group members on LinkedIn. The goal of this group is to help members:

* Reach other members of the Mongolia Group
* Accelerate careers/business through referrals from Mongolia Group members
* Know more than a name – view rich professional profiles from fellow Mongolia Group members

Here's the link to join: Mongolia Group on LinkedIn.

Hope to see you in the group,

— The Mongolia Group Team

BTW. Find more postings on Mongolia on the Shards of Photography blog.

More Mongolia on Shards of Photography blog

2008-07-27T12:43:00.001+02:00

Find more postings on Mongolia on the Shards of Photography blog.

Mongolia group on LinkedIn

2008-03-27T21:27:00.002+01:00

On LinkedIn, I created the Mongolia group.

I invite everyone from or with an interest in Mongolia to join this group. I know a lot of you are already on LinkedIn. LinkedIn is about building your network. So that sounds like a good reason to join the Mongolia group.

And it doesn't matter if you're a from Mongolia or a tourist who his heart to the country. Or whether you do business there, work there, are a volunteer with the Peace Corps there. Or whether you just like Mongolia. You are all welcome! So, join me in the Mongolia group.

Find more postings on Mongolia on the Shards of Photography blog.

What micro loans miss

2008-03-12T21:15:00.000+01:00

People who know me (or have visited the Shards of Photography blog regularly) know that I'm quite interested in micro finance and what it can do to better the lives of people around the world.

Over the past few years I've heard of the debacles early on in the existence of micro finance, the stories of failed projects and insolvent micro financiers, the high amount of non-recoverable loans, etc. And in the past few years how this financial niche has grown to become mature, stable and effective and, most of all, how micro finance is hugely successful combating poverty.

However much that may be true, the What microloans miss article in the New Yorker opened my eyes to a new reality.

There's no doubt that microfinance does a tremendous amount of good, yet there are also real limits to what it can accomplish. Microloans make poor borrowers better off. But, on their own, they often don't do much to make poor countries richer.

This isn't because microloans don't work; it's because of how they work. The idealized view of microfinance is that budding entrepreneurs use the loans to start and grow businesses - expanding operations, boosting inventory, and so on. The reality is more complicated. Microloans are often used to "smooth consumption" - tiding a borrower over in times of crisis. They're also, as Karol Boudreaux and Tyler Cowen point out in a recent paper, often used for non-business expenses, such as a child's education. It's less common to find them used to fund major business expansions or to hire new employees. In part, this is because the loans can be very small - frequently as little as fifty or a hundred dollars - and generally come with very high interest rates, often above thirty or forty per cent. But it's also because most microbusinesses aren't looking to take on more workers. The vast majority have only one paid employee: the owner. As the economist Jonathan Morduch has put it, microfinance "rarely generates new jobs for others."

This matters, because businesses that can generate jobs for others are the best hope of any country trying to put a serious dent in its poverty rate. Sustained economic growth requires companies that can make big investments - building a factory, say - and that can exploit the economies of scale that make workers more productive and, ultimately, richer. Microfinance evangelists sometimes make it sound as if, in an ideal world, everyone would own his own business. "All people are entrepreneurs," Muhammad Yunus has said. But in any successful economy most people aren't entrepreneurs — they make a living by working for someone else.

I found this notion really interesting. It means there's more to do when it comes to micro finance than just promote it and facilitate it. The next step seems to be to take micro finance up a level and get the micro entrepreneur to become a macro entrepreneur. I know it can happen. Oikocredit, amongst others, takes justified pride in the success stories where a single micro entrepreneur builds a thriving company with 1-5-10-dozens of employees and a $100K turn-over. But these success stories are, as we all should realise, only the really big success stories. But what about all those other micro loaners - who really do pay back their loans? According to the New Yorker article they don't build companies with more than 1 employee... the owner. Why is that? And how, if micro finance is to help build national economies, can we change it? For me those are interesting questions and answers. I hope the questions will be posed more often and more urgently. I hope the answers will come sooner rather than later.

Find more postings on Mongolia on the Shards of Photography blog.

Happy Tsagaan Sar

2008-02-08T21:21:00.000+01:00

Find more postings on Mongolia on the Shards of Photography blog.

In the meantime... Happy Tsagaan Sar!

Changes

2008-02-05T10:21:00.000+01:00

It's been more than a year since I last posted anything here. Reasons? Many.

Anyway, I'm going to change the way I approach this blog.

First of all, I'm not going to report on Mongolian news anymore. At least not on a regular basis. There are far better places for that, that put much more time and effort in it than I ever can or want.

Secondly, my passion is photography and photography will be the most influential angle for my ramblings on Mongolia. That means that most postings on Mongolia will appear on the Shards of Photography blog.

And last but not least, most postings will happen when I've had the chance to visit Mongolia again. I don't have unlimited resources of money and time, so be prepared to find long gaps between my visits to Mongolia. Alas.

However, I'm always available to answer any questions, respond to any recommendations or remarks, or make suggestions you ask for. Just leave a comment on this blog or contact me by email.

Mongolia wins medals at Asian Games

2006-12-13T07:58:00.001+01:00

Mongolian athletes have won two gold, three silver, one bronze (judo wrestling) and other one bronze (shooting team) at the Doha-2006 15th Asian Games.

Boxing athletes have satisfied the conditions of one silver and two bronze medals.

Thus, Mongolian athletes have had a total of ten medals.

The boxers E. Badar-UUgan (54 kg) and U. Munkh-Erdene (60 kg) will play for silver medals even for gold medals. Other boxer Z. Enkhzorig (57 kg) will compete with an athlete from the Republic of Korea for the champion of the Asian Games.

Photo exhibition on human rights opened

2006-12-13T07:54:00.000+01:00

For the International Human Rights Day, a photo exhibition has jointly been featured by the National Commission on Human Rights and non-government and public organizations, which are acting in this sector.

In particular, the Gender Equality Center has earmarked its exhibits to the topics Prevent yourself from sexual violence, the National Center against Violence - Ward of violence in family, and the Center of Children's Rights - Children free from hard labor.

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Shards of Mongolia http://shardsofmongolia.blogspot.com/

WTO essay writing contest announced

2006-12-13T07:50:00.001+01:00

The tenth anniversary of Mongolia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) is taking place on January 29, 2007.

On the occasion of the jubilee celebration, the Ministry of Trade and Industry has announced an essay-writing contest among the third and fourth courses' students of trade and economic higher schools.

The contest with an award fund of Tg 500 thousand aims to raise knowledge of students on the WTO and supporting their intellectual works.

Students who have an interest to participate in the competition could write an essay on advantages of the WTO and multilateral trade agreements, results achieved by Mongolia by using the multilateral agreements, positive influences of Mongolia's accession to the WTO and ways of developing the national production within the scope of the WTO agreements.

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Shards of Mongolia http://shardsofmongolia.blogspot.com/

Hydro trials in Mongolia

2006-12-09T14:21:00.001+01:00

Trial operations have begun at a 960kW capacity hydro power station on the Uyench river in Khovd aimag, Mongolia.

The station - developed by the Khovd Tulga company - has the capacity to supply energy to the Uyench, Bulgan and Altai soums of the aimag.

The station will be put into permanent use after review by a working commission of the State Professional Control Authority.

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Shards of Mongolia http://shardsofmongolia.blogspot.com/

Government has to be transparent

2006-12-09T14:12:00.001+01:00

MonInfo reports:

The Open Society Forum organized a forum called "Government's transparency: Social wealth allocation" yesterday [December 7, 2006] in order to assess activities implemented by the government and citizens, to define difficulties and to discuss ways of further implementation. The Mongolian government, civic society and representatives from local and international businesses have participated in the forum and discussed numerous important subject areas, including: transparency which is a peer principle of democracy, legal and judicial framework to provide transparency of law, state budget and process of tenders, Ulaanbaatar city land issuance and transparency of the extractive industry.

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Shards of Mongolia http://shardsofmongolia.blogspot.com/

Call to Citizens to Report Human Rights Violations

2006-12-09T13:58:00.001+01:00

Amnesty International will give the opportunity to all citizens of Mongolia whose rights have been violated to write down accounts of his or her opinion and will submit them to the relevant authorities to mark International Human Rights Day this Sunday.

Amnesty International officials said anyone can write about woman's rights violations, food and medicine safety and other issues on December 10, the day for human rights which this year has a slogan of, "Being a human and respecting human beings."

"Anyone can express his or her opinion on this day. We will write a letter about human rights violations to the related authorities. If people agree after reading it, they will sign. In particular, we wrote a letter and call to action to L. Gundalai, the Minister of Health. Of course everyone who agrees with this slogan will sign," said B. Altantuya the director of Amnesty International's Mongolia office.

"Our letter is mostly about food and medicine safety. We are launching it so everyone will write a letter to protect his or her own rights," said Altantuya.

The human rights organizations organize this campaign each year on International Human Rights Day. 438 people wrote about their rights on this campaign and 315 of them were delivered to the related authorities and organizations and solved last year, according to the officials.

"Our organization widely participates in issues about kidnapping, the death sentence and torture. About 100 people appeal to us to solve their problems and complaints every year. Thus we pass it to the President, Parliament and the Ministers of our country," said the organization officers.

According to their speech, this organization did research about human rights protectors and woman's right during 2006. Journalists, prosecutors, judges, and defense lawyer's rights are the most violated according to the research.

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Shards of Mongolia http://shardsofmongolia.blogspot.com/

Mongolian citizens demand justice from Malaysian government

2006-12-09T13:52:00.001+01:00

As terrible and shocking the murder of Sh. Altantuya was, Mongolians shouldn't reproach Malaysia for doing not enough to establish justice. Mongolia's police and legal system is probably more corrupt, incompetent and fraudulent than Malaysia's is. In stead of putting so much effort in condemning another country, Mongolians should put in loads of energy to make their own country's police, legal and judicial systems transparent, competent and just.

A public gathering entitled "We demand justice" took place Wednesday in the National Information Technology Park in Ulaanbaatar. Mongolian NGOs, which run their activities for the protection of human rights and women's and children's rights, arranged the above gathering with the purpose of demanding to fairly judge the case regarding to a Mongolian citizen Sh. Altantuya, who was brutally murdered in Malaysia on October 19.

The gathering attendees appealed to combat for justice by establishing a temporary committee for the solution of the unimaginable murder case. The attendees also discussed issues related to delivering a petition to the Malaysian court by demanding to stand for justice and letting an advocate of Mongolia take part in the official trial, which will take place on December 14 to solve the revolting case.

The petition reads that "In the event that the case was not solved fairly, the Government of Malaysia will be considered as an accomplice of the criminal. The Government of Malaysia must remedy the damage caused to the family of the late Sh. Altantuya, because the murder was a contract killing committed by two Malaysian policemen".

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Shards of Mongolia http://shardsofmongolia.blogspot.com/

UB's trolley buses

2006-12-08T11:25:00.001+01:00

UB's trolley buses are a mishmash of Korean, Japanese and godknowswhatothercountry buses in more or less dilapidated state of repair and maintenance. They're ugly, smelly and slow yet ever so useful and cheap. I wouldn't give them a second glance but someone does. Meet the UB trolley bus blog. :) Presented this way, these trolley buses all of a sudden become kinda cute.

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Shards of Mongolia http://shardsofmongolia.blogspot.com/

Bend It Like Chuka!

2006-12-08T11:11:00.000+01:00

Competing in the 2020 Olympics seems a very distant dream for Mongolians, and the rest of the world would be very surprised if it actually did. But for a forward-thinking man like Brazilian Jardel Da Silvia, 2020 was in the forefront of his mind when he created UB United, a football club of 6-18-year-olds aimed at preparing future Beckhams and Ronaldinhos for 2020 and beyond.

Da Silvia went onto new pastures, and the club is now run by a Mongolian, D. Chuluunbat, nicknamed 'Chuka'. Of course with Da Silvia being from Brazil, a country which constantly produces world class players, one would expect he left a very good foundation for Chuluunbat to build on.

UB United was established in 2003 primarily to provide young people with an activity to focus on in their spare time and also to provide an opportunity for the children to learn life skills and the ways of good moral living. At training and during the matches they also make friends and, as they come from various walks of life, learn about the diversity of one another's situation.

"The club now has between 150 and 200 children and team members from different backgrounds and they are very happy being a part of UB United," said Chuka, speaking at a training session at the 72nd school in the Hailaast district. There are three age groups at the club; youth (6-11yrs), mid (12-15yrs) and seniors (16-18 yrs).

The teams are entered into competitions throughout the year, the next big tournament being Sensation 2007 which takes place in March next year. In the meantime, UB United plays other clubs from around Ulaanbaatar and is also stretching out farther to more teams from the countryside. Matches normally take place on a Saturday.

Football clubs like these are funded mainly by sponsors such as Joint Christian Services (JCS) International – an NGO which was behind the formation of the club 13 years ago and which continues to support it even now. And hopefully in another 13 years, the support for these will pay emotional dividends as Mongolia celebrates its football olympic gold.

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Shards of Mongolia http://shardsofmongolia.blogspot.com/

Residents Upset Over Garbage in Cemetery

2006-12-07T15:51:00.001+01:00

If no-one is going to clean it up now, things will get worse. There's already garbage there and people will just chuck their garbage on the existing pile. Does it really matter who cleans it up? Is it not possible for the Chingeltei Urbanization department to clean things up and then settle the issue of who was responsible? Yet, the fact that the sub-districts say they have no plans to clean it up also doesn't show much sense of responsibility. These are elected local government officials, being paid by the tax payer's money. Their whole reason for being should be the welfare and interest of the community, not whether this or that responsibility lies with the district or the sub-district. Clean it up and then fight it out with the district.

Dalan Davkhar cemetery, located less than ten kilometers from the center of Ulaanbaatar, is facing problems with urban growth in changing from a place of remembrance to a landfill site. Local residents said they fear the increase of waste buildup within the graveyard.

"Every other day, individuals and organizations come with trucks to dump their garbage at night. At least one truck gets unloaded everyday," said local resident Ye. Gantumur.

The cemetery’s guard, who lives onsite and spoke on condition of anonymity, said those responsible for the garbage don’t pay attention to the law.

"I have warned the people who bring garbage many times, but they always ignore me," he said.

The waste, mainly consisting of construction materials, broken bottles, livestock carcasses and old car frames is strewn along a 300 meter long side of the cemetery. Some local residents also stated that people go through the garbage to find useful items.

"Most of the garbage is useless. But sometimes I can find some things that could be useful for our home. Cans and bottles are what we really need, but those are not dumped here. Normally only very bad trash is left," G. Lhagvadorj, a local resident, told MonInfo while picking up trash Wednesday morning.

However some residents of the surrounding ger districts feel like those living within the cemetery also generate trash, and say not all blame can be placed on the trucks.

"There wasn’t as much garbage before when fewer people lived in the area," said E. Herlen, a resident who said she has been living in the area for more than a decade.

"People, who live here largely, contribute to forming a big amount of trash. They dump their garbage here, as though it was a dumping area."

The government bodies responsible for the garbage collection in the areas said it was unclear under what jurisdiction the cemetery lies.

"The 7th and 8th sub-districts are independent and responsible for this cemetery. They collect money from residents and use it for cleaning garbage. Thus these sub-districts should be cleaning the area when someone dumps garbage," an official at the Urbanization department of Chingeltei district said in an interview.

Yet residents and sub-district workers said the district should still be responsible, even with their independent status, and had no plans to organize clean ups.

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Herders May Not Have Their 50,000 Solar Converters

2006-12-07T15:40:00.001+01:00

It's sad to see this kind of misuse and abuse. These solar convertors are very useful in the countryside powering radio, electric light and TV; and thus giving people access to information and extending their options for work, study and entertainment.

The National Auditing Office has recently made an inspection on the "100,000 Solar Houses" project, which is being implemented by the government from 2000 to 2010. According to the report, the misappropriation of funds, lack of financial documentation and no oversight may lead to the projects demise.

Passed seven years ago in government resolution #158, the goals were set to supply herder and rural families with 5,000 solar converters in 2000 as the first stage of the project and 45,000 units between 2001 and 2005. In the final stage the remaining 50,000 solar energy converters would be distributed in 2005-2010.

"However, only 740 converters, which is less than 20 percent, were supplied in the first stage, and 31,790 out of the planned 45,000 in the second. In our results, the first two levels were fulfilled with a performance rating of only 65 percent," L. Javzmaa, the general auditor of Mongolia told MonInfo Thursday.

The auditing report stated that the performers of the project contributed the solar converters without making contracts for orders and also gave the items to families who were not supposed to receive the expensive equipment. Solar converters were distributed to the center of Bayan-Ulgii province and other soums without any receipts or documentation, which auditors said made it impossible for them to know if families actually ever received the government purchased items. Also, some MP’s trustees took energy converters from the project and contributed them by themselves, when in fact the converters needed to be contributed through the office of parliament, auditors said.

"Some of the funds for the project have been spent for non related purposes, and some repayment loans have not been repaid," Javzmaa said.

In total, MNT 465.3 million was funded from the state budget for the "100,000 Solar Houses" project implementation from 2001-2005, according to the report made by the National Auditing Office. But in the results of the financial reports and receipts from the project officials, there were several breaches such as MNT 8.8 million spent for the lightning outside of the Ministry of Roads, Transportation and Tourism building.

Moreover, officials from the Auditing Office said that there were no independent inspections made on the project in the last six years.

"From the results of these breaches, we have submitted recommendations on more attentive performance to the related organizations and officials. Additionally, we have submitted our demand to the provincial governors for compliance," said Javzmaa.

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UB-Railway Administration Misappropriating Funds: TUC

2006-12-07T15:29:00.000+01:00

Members of the Ulaanbaatar Train and Locomotive Depot's Trade Union Committee (TUC) presented information Thursday, regarding alleged misuse of authority and the embezzlement of public funds by high level UB-Railway officials.

"The authorities defeated our TUC after we revealed how they give presents to each other from the public's fund saying we have stupefied and destroyed the public. Thus, we came here to stand firmly on our position and to protect many other railway employees with facts and evidence to reveal their swindling", Kh. Erdene, the head of the Train Depot TUC, read from a TUC statement.

According to their statement, V. Magdey, the director of Ulaanbaatar Railway and Mongolia- Russian joint stock association, ordered J. Ganbaatar, the head of Construction and apartment office, to give 3-room apartment totaling more than MNT 90 million to financial office director D. Saikhantsetseg. This order was included in his # A-229 order on 5 September, 2006. Therefore, a 2-room apartment privatized by D. Saikhantsetseg was transferred to her daughter N. Tegshkhorol, assistant teacher at the 5th kindergarten which belongs to the UB-Railway.

According to the law, no entity or organization has the rights to transfer and dispose of individual's possessions to any other individual.

"Apartment supplication for Railway empoyees is not enough. D. Nadmid, a 90 years old man, who worked for the UB-Railway for more than 30 years and participated in two wars, is living in a room of someone else's apartment with his spouse who has been bedridden for 10 years. He has been trying to find an apartment from the company, but can't afford it. Why can't the Railway give this poor old man one room considering his contribution?" noted Kh. Erdene.

Therefore, the director of "Bayanbuural" resort that belongs to the UB-Railway was forced to resign before his contract ended, and the authorities appointed Batj. Enkhee, who used to work as a teacher in Khentii province, and brother of MP Batj. Batbayar.

"According to the study of personnel's census, there were 300 working places in 2004, but this number increased to 570, in 2006. There must be some professional people who can control the operation of ‘Bayanbuural' resort. But the former Prime Minister's brother Arslandorj, who's facing his 2nd year at auto base as a director, is checking the operation of the resort and organizing meetings. Where are the officials who are supposed to do this work?" he added.

"Just one day after the accident which took 3 persons' lives, loading train # 3423 was stopped at junction # 30 and at that moment train # 285 was coming from the opposite side. Luckily junction duty man ordered the train to ‘stop'".

"If the communication network didn't work at that time, there would have been a terrible accident. Later on, the administration had an immediate meeting with Batsaikhan, the sub-director of the sector and fired the junction duty man saying he is not experienced" stated Ts. Byambaa, the director of the Locomotive department TUC.

He added, "On the 27th of last month, a train broke down at station # 8 and called for help. But the driver fixed it on his own and left without letting the center know. If other trains were going there for help, a terrible accident would have been repeated."

According to the TUC's statements, the Railway authorities were hiding this information because of their fear to take responsibility.

"Only ordinary employees get fired because of the accidents, not the authorities. They are not considering the laborers' rights, but pocketing the public funds, and make poor employees take accountability," they said.

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Fiber optical network handed over

2006-12-06T12:48:00.001+01:00

This sounds very cool and hi-tech but what is the purpose? A FC network is fast, can handle high loads of data but is also expensive in maintenance, fragile and the cost for users is also high. I'm wondering what this network will be used for. Education? Police, border guard or military communications? The media? Internet access? The article says it will provide the public with information but in what form, who the 'public' is, what kind of information, and by whom that information will be supplied is unclear.

Under the program to provide the public with information, a project has been carried out successfully to connect the aimags in the west, northwest and south directions of Mongolia with fiber optical network. The Government of Mongolia and the Information and Communication Technology Authority have jointly implemented the project. The fiber optical network, which has been installed, was handed over on Thursday [November 30, 2006]. As a result of the project, which has been realized with domestic investment of Tg 12.8 billion, a total of 2,310 kilometers long fiber optical network has been built and 1,630 kilometers of which passes through 14 soums of five aimags in the west and northwest directions and the remaining 680 kilometers cover seven soums of three aimags in the south. A total of 12 domestic companies conducted the project activities.

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Photo exhibition opened

2006-12-06T12:30:00.000+01:00

Though the last remark about the defeat of fascism in WW2 is a bit one-sided (as if the Allied forces in Europe, Asia and the Pacific never played any part), this nevertheless seems like an interesting exhibition. Jukov was one of th great military leaders. I wish I could attend the exhibition.

On the occasion of the 110th birth anniversary of Russian Marshal G.K. Jukov, a photo exhibition featuring the life and struggle period of G.K. Jukov was opened last weekend in the Russian Science and Cultural Center (RSCC). The exhibition's opening ceremony was attended by delegates of veterans, who participated in World War II; G. Baldandorj, the Head of Mongolian-Russian Warrior Friendship Union; I.S. Mostyka, the Advisor to Russian Embassy in Mongolia; and members of the Administrative Council of Mongolia-Russian Friendship Society.

In his opening speech, RSCC Deputy Director G.N. Kluchnikov said that this year is full of special events for Mongolia and Russia. The 25th anniversary of space travel of Mongolian and Russian astronauts and the 85th jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries were celebrated this year. The first victory of Russian army, who defeated the fascism of Germany, was a merit and victory of Mongolian veterans not only of Russian army.

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Detailed survey on water resource management

2006-12-06T12:21:00.001+01:00

The National University of Mongolia and the York University of Canada have agreed to conduct a joint detailed survey on water resource management. The first stage of the bilateral cooperation has launched by an arrival of the York University students, who are studying for master degree, in Mongolia to exchange their experiences and knowledge with Mongolian students. The York University students collaborate with Stein Forward Program (SFP) international organization, which has carried out a project in Omnogobi Aimag (southern gobi region) of Mongolia to raise livelihoods of locals and properly use natural resources. The Canadian students together with the Mongolian National University students have conducted a survey through SFP channels on water resource of two herding families and the Vegetable Growers cooperative in the Gobi Reserve. They have discussed on how to solve urgent problems related to drinking water supply.

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Photo contest announced

2006-12-06T12:17:00.000+01:00

For its first year jubilee, the Mongolian Photographic Union has announced a photographic contest with Tg 10 million-award fund. The contest organizational issues were reported at a press conference that was called on Monday [December 5, 2006] by the Union, which is led by Ts. Tsengel, the Minister of Road, Transportaiton and Tourism. The contest will be held with the intention of developing the photographic art in Mongolia and publicizing the highlight events, which took place in 2006 in Mongolia. A total of 16 organizations will take part in the competition and a selected photographer will be awarded with Tg 500 thousand. Moreover, the best photo and photographer will be selected for the Grand Prix Prize and Tg two million. Works for the contest will be received by the Union until December 8 to be selected in ten nominations.

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Artificial rain in Mongolia?

2006-12-06T11:30:00.001+01:00

Though drought is affecting Mongolia every year, water shortages all over Mongolia are becoming increasingly serious, and aquifers are becoming depleted by over-use, I'm wondering whether the following measures (reported November 16) are wise. Mongolia would do well to establish sounds water conservation policies, implement water purification projects and in general restrict the abundant over-use of water from aquifers that now quench UB's thirst.

A total of 360 million Tg will be spent next year on purchasing necessary equipment to make artificial rainfall by shooting clouds. This financing will additionally be reflected in the package of the Minister of Environment in the 2007 draft law on state budget. The issue was discussed on Wednesday at the second reading of the draft law on state budget, which was performed by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment, Food and Agriculture. Moreover, a proposal made by MP. Ts.Damiran was accepted by the Standing Committee to reflect 11 million Tg in the state budget to finance running operations of newly established meteorological station in Khovd Aimag.B. Bolortuya

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First photo gallery opened

2006-12-06T11:23:00.001+01:00

The first photo gallery was opened in Ulaanbaatar on Wednesday [22 November]. The gallery will run constant and independent activities with the purpose of displaying the best works of professional photographers, photo agencies and studios and of raising the knowledge of citizens on photography. The gallery located in the building of Democratic Party will function an exhibition hall, render support to professional photographers and agencies to display their works abroad and will organize seminars and trainings. A photo-correspondent of the Unen daily, Sh.Otgonjargal and a photographer of the Look photo agency, T.Altanzagas will shortly arrange in the gallery an exhibition featuring the best race horses of Mongolia.

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Officials Shy on Vostok Nefte Gaz Stability Agreement

2006-12-06T11:09:00.001+01:00

Big business, big investments, big money and once again secrecy and obscurity all around. Tsk tsk tsk!

Mongolian government workers declined to give out information about a stability agreement with the Russian invested Vostock Nefte Gaz Company which was signed in October, 2005, according to government and company officials.

"The Mongolian government signed a stability agreement with Vostock Nefte Gaz Company to establish an oil refinery. I support this project because it is very profitable for Mongolia such as increasing jobs, Mongolian people will get more income from this refinery, it would reduce the petroleum price in Mongolia and other productions following this industry," B. Jargalsaikhan, Minister of Industry and Trade told MonInfo Monday.

"This company is investing in Mongolia and it is very good for us. The refineries capacity could be as high as 5 million tonnes of crude oil per year," he said.

According to the website of the company www.vostokneftegaz.com, "The Company's primary business in Mongolia is the realization of two large related investment projects – gasification of the country and the creation of an oil refinery with the annual capacity of two million tonnes of crude oil."

"I can't comment about the stability agreement of Vostock Nefte Gaz Company although I am responsible for this issue, I have not received any information until now," said Ts. Ulemjbayar, specialist of commerce and economics cooperation department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

On Tuesday an advisor of the Vostock Nefte Gaz Company said the directors are currently abroad and after a week they can give out more information.

"We can't give out more information than that because after the Mongolian President's visit in Russia the project's issue, such as the stability agreement, will be clearer. After the president's visit we hope a memorandum will be signed," Lkhagva, advisor to the director of the Vostock Nefte Gaz Company said Tuesday.

Other Mongolian government officials were not able to comment or declined to comment on the specifics of the agreement.

"The stability agreement between the government and Vostock Nefte Gaz Company was done when Ch. Ulaan was Minister of Finance and was signed by me when I was Minister. I can't give out any information about the agreement because I don't have it right now," said D. Altankhuyag, former Minister of Finance.

According to the website information Vostock Nefte Gaz Company has established a stability agreement for 15 years and the refinery is planned to be located in the vicinity of the largest consumer of oil products – the city of Ulaanbaatar, on a land plot of 162 hectares, of which 120 ha will be occupied by the plant, 30 ha – by the railway tracks and 12 ha by the residential area for the workers. The plot is located on the territory of the 21st area of the Songinokharkhan district.

A spokeswomen of the Ministry of Finance replied that Minister of Finance N. Bayartsaikhan was very busy on Monday and Tuesday and thus couldn't hold discussions with media personal.

"I was responsible for this issue under the previous Minister and I know the agreement but now I have no right to give out information because I'm responsible for another issue at the present time," J.Ganbat, chairman of the Budget Regulatory and Coordination Department of Ministry of Finance said Tuesday.

"I can't tell you the amount of the investment from Vostock Nefte Gaz Company because it is a secret of business," said Minister Jargalsaikhan Monday.

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Mongolian State not to accept boycots on law

2006-12-06T11:02:00.001+01:00

When a law is wrong or simply not doing what it was intedned for, a law should be reviewed en reviced when found necessary. The wind fall tax law, signed last May, is one such law. Thugh its intentions are right and just, the way it tries to reach those aims was ill thought out. The law faced severe critique from (foreign) minign companies as well as economists and politicians. The Speaker of Parliament, however, opened his mouth in favour of an unaltered and unlatereated implementation of the law. Now that the law is under review, the Speaker mouths off again

A windfall profits tax law on sales of gold when the world prices rise above US $500 per ounce and $2600 per ton of copper was passed by the parliament last May. Just after that, the speaker of parliament said, "The state of Mongolia will not change the law just because of somebody's oppression," when many gold mining companies expressed their opposition. Ts. Nyamdorj, the speaker, had to repeat his word recently for the reason that the government formulated a project to change the threshold price up to US $650. He blamed the government for coming under the influence of others, while doing nothing to implement the law.

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In Memoriam Tsog Shagdarsüren

2006-12-03T16:21:00.001+01:00

In Memoriam Tsog Shagdarsüren
by Simon Wickham-Smith

The death on November 24th of my friend and colleague Tsog Shagdarsüren has dealt a severe blow to the Mongolian literary community. Tsog had been educated during the 1970s in Dresden, and his fluent German meant that he was able to translate texts from both literature and economics (a subject with which he had been professionally involved) into Mongolian. He had also spent some years working on translating books about history and economics into and out of English, including Francis Fukuyama's The End of History.

But in recent months, Tsog had decided to put his energy into translating Mongolian literature into English. He and I spent August preparing Ancient Splendor, an anthology of Mongolian poetry from the earliest sources until the communist era, and had only in the last few weeks finished our translation of poetry by six of Mongolia's most important young poets. Next year, we were hoping to start a translation of Injanashi's Khökh Sudar. Tsog had such a keen understanding of nuance in language, a willingness to learn, an eagerness to develop and expand his knowledge: he was an enthusiast, his mind was like a sponge.

His contribution to other areas of Mongolian cultural life may not have been so extensive, but it should nonetheless be mentioned. He organised in 2005 an exhibition of photographs taken by his father, who had been private secretary to Marshal Kh. Choibalsan. He was also partly responsible for the Roaring Hooves music festival, having introduced the organisers to one another during the late 1990s.

Tsog's loss will be felt by all of us who knew him, for however long. He was a fine translator, a witty and scholarly man, and most importantly, he was my friend.

Tsog Shagdarsuren

14th of Feb 1951 - 24th of Nov 2006

Education:

* Dresden University of Technique in Germany
* In English class of National University of Mongolia
* Leadership Institute of Maastricht in the Netherlands
* Course of project management of Budapest in Hungary

Employment:

* As an Engineer in Ulaanbaatar Meat factory
* "Aris impeks" combination of Ministry of Foreign Trade
* Mongol Amical LLC
* Water power station of Erdenebulgan in Kuvsgul aimag
* "Open Society Forum" in Mongolia
* "Soros foundation" in Mongolia

Works:

* Translated Germain Droogenbroodt’s Prayer with Dashnyam L.
* Translated oral poetries Simon Wickham-Smith
* Mongolian ancient poetry
* Talent of Chinggis
* Khubilai Khaan
* Agai Princes
* Translated the famous poets novels and poetries such as Natsagdorj.D, Yavuuhulan.B, Rinchin.B etc.
* Published books and others: Ancient splendor; Please, lift your foot, a flower wants to blossom; The flying deer

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The truth in Mongolia's media

2006-12-01T12:39:00.001+01:00

The media in Mongolia have made great strides over the past 10-15 years, since democratisation. But it needs to make more and larger strides yet to be truly the unbiased, impartial watchdog of democracy that it should be. The recent reporting (or rather lack thereof) on the botched hijack exercise is one clear example and should serve as a warning sign for everyone in Mongolia who loves freedom, transparancy and truth. In stead of applauding EagleTV for the reporting they did, there were many peers in the journalism field who critisised EagleTV for making such a fuss about an "exercise". Goverment officials made statements that went contrary to the statements of eyewitnesses, and in general not much useful information was presented by the government and most media on the whole issue. Still many answers haven't been asked and certainly not answered.

Tom Terry, EagleTV's big man, posted a passionate declaration of what journalism is about, and where journalism in Mongolia lacks. Yes, there are good, truthful and passionate journalists in Mongolia but they are like sunflowers in winter: few and far between, and in danger of vanishing in the next snow flurry.

Journalism is not passing on dirt that you've been handed to about political opponents, or reporting how bad it is that Mongolia's youth are being influenced into decadence by fat cat, western tourists who have nothing better to do than seduce poor, sweet, innocent Mongolian girls and sell them into a life of sex and slavery. That's not what journalism is about. That's just populist yellow press. Then what is journalism about? Journalism is to take these supposed facts, these pieces of information and find out the truth in them. And if they turn out false, it's the journalist's job to find out why and who make such false statements. What is that person trying to achieve and to what purpose? Who else is involved, and why?

The lack of truth and the lack of urge to want to know the truth is a nail in the coffin of Mongolian democracy. When the media are the plaything of people in power, democracy looses its meaning and Mongolia will be nothing more than a banana republic. And Mongolia is too good for that!

Mongolians deserve better! Mongolia and Mongolians deserve every bit of freedom, wealth and health that this world has to offer. There will always be people who crave power and don't care for the needs of others. But it's every freedom-loving person's duty to stand up and fight these power-hungry, greedy, corrupt bastards. And it's the media's duty to lead that fight by providing truthful information, by constantly probing around for lies and cheats, expose them and infuse the population with a fighting spirit to fight for their rights, their freedoms and for truth.

What follows is Tom's eloquent appeal. I cannot agree with him more.

Journalism is not the practice of imitating a parrot, or taking the word of a spokesperson at a press conference and rewriting his words into your own words. Journalism is about getting to the truth. If the person behind the mic is telling the truth – verify it, then report it. Confront the speaker during the press conference. Don't ask the question once. Rephrase it; ask it again. Summarize it and give it a new angle then ask it again. Don't simply give someone a free pass when every eyewitness on the scene gives a contrary account to the official line as we saw on Tuesday. And when the eyewitnesses suddenly change their story - radically - later in the day, don't give them a free pass either.

Investigate. Find out why.

To be journalists we must have more than a professional passion about reporting events. We must have a personal love affair with the truth. The lack of passion for truth is the first failing of all journalists. Without a clear and ambitious desire to discover the truth of a matter, and disseminate that truth to the viewers, listeners, and readers who depend upon us, then we cannot be trusted – period. Tuesday's failure of journalists to pursue the hijacking story wherever it would lead was a demonstration of professional laziness. That many of them have turned to pressuring other journalists to drop the story reveals a lack of understanding of the issues presented, and a lack of journalistic passion for truth. It does not matter that it was a "test." The journalist must ask, "Was it right?" And in case you think that journalism isn't about this all-important question, then you must not be paying attention to the world at large. Isn't that what journalists around the world are doing right now?

* Was the Iraq war a right decision?
* Does Iran have a right to nuclear arms?
* Is North Korea a global menace?

Visit any news site on the Internet and scour the headlines. The most important stories and controversies of our day always revolve around issues of right and rights, truth and corruption.

In the Bible, Jesus Christ is recorded as saying, "You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free" (John 8:32). While Jesus was specifically referring to the testimony about himself, he was also presenting an important principle equally applicable to us all.

Truth brings freedom. It is imperative that the journalist pursue truth in his craft above else. It is for the discovery of truth that so many have worked so hard for freedom of press in the first place. Shall we let truth fall by the wayside now that we have freedom? If we do, will not freedom follow it?

The hijack story has been put to bed. All of the new stories that could come out of it, waiting to be told – most will never see the light of day. They will rest like a quiet bump under that thick Mongolian carpet, stepped over, but never quite noticed enough for anyone to wonder, "Why does the carpet bulge like that?" Why not peel it back and see what is there? Follow the trail of dirt where it leads – no matter where it leads – and then go find out who is supposed to clean up.

You may discover that in part, that’s the job of the journalist.

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Passenger & CIA comments on hijacking

2006-11-30T11:43:00.001+01:00

The hijacking story continues on Tom Terry's blog....

I was out all day at a meeting off-site yesterday so I did not get to post any updates for the blog. Now that I'm back in the saddle I wanted to provide you with transcripts of interviews and statements that appeared on Eagle TV on Tuesday, about the Mongolian CIA's "hijacking" of a MIAT airline to test security and customs at Chinggis Khan International Airport. I'll be posting a commenterry later this evening about the Mongolian media's failure to cover what may have been one of the biggest stories of the year - and how some competing journalists are trying to pressure our people.

Are you sitting down? Some of the statements in these transcripts will blow your mind.

The following is a transcript of a live interview from Eagle TV between Eagle TV Lead Anchor Jargalmaa and Dorlig, editor of "Umnugobi's News" newspaper. Mr. Dorlig was a passenger on the plane that was "hijacked" in a "planned action" by the Mongolian CIA. (Note: Mongolians only use one name.)

--:BEGIN TRANSCRIPT:--

Anchor Jargalmaa: Thank you for being with us this evening. According to our request, the chief editor of "Umnugobi’s News," Mr. Dorlig has come to our studio. He was on that plane. So, what happened on the airplane, was it just a training [exercise] or did real terrorists try to hijack the plane?

Dorlig: The flight from Dalanzadgad to Ulaanbaatar was absolutely normal as usual. Some of the Aimag's high government officials were on this flight. After landing, half of the passengers left the plane. I was just outside the plane, and suddenly the door closed right behind me and the stewardess screamed. When we were getting into the bus, one of the pilots rushed in and shouted: "Hurry, get out of here!" Then after entering the airport hall, he said that our plane, maybe, had been hijacked. And we were forbidden to leave the airport, and stayed there for about 2 hours. I am a media person, and I cannot be silent on this matter. In my view, this was not just a training exercise. This was a deliberate act to scare and insult people of my Aimag.

Anchor Jargalmaa: Who closed the plane's door behind you?

Dorlig: Three young men were on the flight and they were drinking alcoholic beverages. The stewardess told us that she saw the pilot was held at gunpoint in the cockpit. At that time everybody was really shocked.

Anchor Jargalmaa: One [State] official denies that someone had been drinking alcohol during the flight.

Dorlig: I confirm that those guys were drinking. I saw it with my very eyes. They were at the front of the plane. I want to ask why did they choose exactly our flight; we're not the test rats. And I'm going to say everything in our paper to protect the rights of our people.

Anchor Jargalmaa: How was it possible that some of the passengers had managed to get the gun aboard?

Dorlig: I don't know, but it seems very easy to smuggle the gun inside. As far as I know, the MIAT officials had any information about this accident. And if the real hijacking takes place in the future, people would think that somebody is training. We have to find out who was responsible for such an act.

Anchor Jargalmaa: What was the reaction of the passengers?

Dorlig: I talked to one of the pilots. He said that he'd been at the gunpoint, hands tied up and beaten up. He was in a deep shock. And, also, one of the passengers was at the gunpoint. Most of the passengers were really frightened and shocked. A woman named Tumengerel, was beaten.

Live Caller #1: I've just seen your coverage. This is a barbaric act against the people. Those who went through this trial must fight for the compensation.

Live Caller #2: In my opinion, those three young men were the children of the state leaders. And, in order to cover it up, they say it was just training. (Note: "Children" in this Mongolian context does not mean literal children, rather "operatives.")

Dorlig: Now, the officials are going to hide or cover everything up. Nobody's going to apologize to its people. Those who were responsible must apologize to the Mongolian people.

Live Caller #3: There's nothing serious. It's just hooligans.

Dorlig: The saddest thing is that the officials are still covering this horrible act up. No one is going to tell the truth.

Anchor Jargalmaa: We've received information that MIAT officials have issued an apology [to the passengers].

Dorlig: That's not true. But, even, if they apologized, that's absolutely not enough. Those responsible must be punished and prevented from being elected or entered the government structures in the future. I have to say this on behalf of my people.

--:END TRANSCRIPT:--

The following are quotes from Members of Parliament from Umnugobi Aimag. The MP's held a press conference on Tuesday after talking with passengers of the plane.

MP Baterdene:

"Passengers stated that throughout the flight four male passengers were drinking alcohol heavily. As soon as the plane landed in the Chinggis Khan airport of Ulaanbaatar and some of passengers left the plane, they suddenly jumped out of their seats brandishing guns. At the time four or five passengers remained in the plane. They shot in air and announced that the airplane was hijacked. They also hit one woman named Tumengherel, seriously wounding her lip. The hijackers acted very violently, tying up pilots, threatening the passengers. They even made impossible demands like flying the plane."

MP Bayarsaikhan:

"Now these passengers under deep shock. They ask from us, "Where is our government? Why do they mock ordinary people and violate common rights of people?" Among the passengers were several representatives of local authority (Umnugobi Aimmag) as well as ordinary citizens. They all unanimously told about the cruelty of hijackers. According to passengers the hijackers waited until some part of passengers left the plane and then suddenly pick up these guns and announced that the plane was being hijacking. Hijackers demanded all passengers lie on floor face down and they hit one women. Then they penetrated pilot's cabin and tied up the pilots. So we consider it a serious violation of constitutional rights of Mongolian citizen as well as a cruel police act which humiliated ordinary people."

The following is a statement by the Vice Chairman of the Mongolian Central Intelligence Agency, Jargalsaikhan, about the "hijacking." Delivered during an evening press conference on Tuesday and carried by Eagle TV.

What the Vice Chairman admits about Mongolia's air security is a little more than alarming. I'm placing the most shocking statements in bold. I'm frankly shocked that this kind of admission would be made in public. But it was, so here it is.

"The results of the anti-hijacking exercise are: Firstly, it is quite possible to hijack a plane in Mongolia. This conclusion derived from the fact that some people today can smuggle weapons and explosives into Mongolian passenger plane which had flight from Dalanzadgad to Ulaanbaatar. So we can say that explosives and weapons could be smuggled into Mongolian passenger planes without problem. Therefore it is possible to hijack a plane using firearms and even explosives.

"Secondly, we established that any kind of drugs and great amount of gold (410 gr of gold) could be smuggled through our custom's controls without any problem, without any sophisticated smuggling techniques. Yes.

"Thirdly, in particular, we saw that in emergency situations our security and law enforcement organizations worked without any coordination, without any clear plan. In brief, I think it is needed to improve our information retrieving system as well as alarm control. Some people as well as some representatives of our mass media demand information about such exercises in advance. I think it is not so important as they consider. Because this is only begiinning, this is first phase of our activity.

"Thanks to this exercise we have learned some lessons. It is firstly, we learned that firearms as well as explosives could be smuggled into airplane. Secondly, our officers could smuggle over 800 gr of explosives into airport waiting room, and then into the plane. All our smuggling operations recorded via special video devices. We already sent official letter to the custom house authority, indicating all holes in security structure of the organization. We will also send similar document to the Frontier Guard Agency. So what kind of measures we must took in order to prevent real hijacking event? Some urgent preventive measures could be taken immediately, we consider. For example, we know some amount of explosives were sold through our blackmarkets because it is so easy to steal explosives from mining company storehouses. At last we must establish who is responsible for these drawbacks. I am ready to raise the problem as Vice Chairman of Mongolian Central Intelligence Agency."

I will post a commenterry later this evening.

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Daily Newspapers Association Protests Budget Proposal

2006-11-30T09:31:00.001+01:00

Mymy! When is it going to end?! I mean the corruption, bribery, grafting, etc. Even if the following issue is ballooned a bit, it is still odd that MPs would receive hundreds of thousands dollars to spend in their aimags. The possibilities of abuse are legion, and it's fair to say that at least some MPs will abuse these funds. So, no wonder people are objecting loudly.

A full page announcement graced the second page of every major daily paper in Ulaanbaatar Thursday as the Association of Daily Newspapers paralleled civil movements and political parties in rejecting a passed government proposal to grant MNT 250 million (US $214,776) to every Member of Parliament.

"This space is dedicated to the work of a democratic parliament, not for corrupt bribers. We are protesting against the bribes of MNT 250 million," the statement reads.

Representatives from the association alleged that the money would not be spent on what the MPs had proposed the money for.

"MPs are trying to spend this money in order to prepare for their 2008 elections, even though the money is for their districts…We consider that this is the biggest type of corruption," said B. Enkhbold, editor of the politics section of the Odriin Sonin (Daily News) paper where the statement ran.

"Journalists and newspapers are the bridge between the government and the readers, so that page is dedicated to informing about a democratic parliament, which is why we posted it on my page."

Since the preliminary passing of the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party's (MPRP) proposal November 21, the Democratic Party, People's Party, National Soyombo Movement, Mongolian National Front Movement and now the Association of Daily Newspapers have all objected to the proposal.

"We are completely blaming the MPs for this 250 million. Parliament doesn't have the authority to decide how to spend the budget. This decision is contradictory to parliament's duties of only processing the laws," A. Baatarkhuyag, head of the DP’s public relations, told MonInfo Thursday.

"Parliament members can’t see the whole state budget if they have this 250 million. This is a direct bribe; it is corruption. MPs are trying to control the government's activity."

However opposition party members may be rendered helpless if the issue is included in the budget vote, expected Thursday evening during parliament's fourth day of discussion on the budget.

The MPRP, holding 39 of parliament's 76 seats, introduced the bill and is still a staunch supporter, according to party officials.

"The MPRP is supporting this budget proposal as an investment for local areas. It doesn’t mean that MPs are taking this money for themselves," D. Idevkhten, head of the MPRP faction in parliament told MonInfo Thursday.

The proposal to grant every MP the money was passed during a parliamentary vote on sections of the budget on November 21, but must be passed again in the complete budget proposal. Under Mongolian law, the budget of the coming year must be passed by December 1 of the current year.

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Temperature to fall drastically

2006-11-30T08:30:00.001+01:00

Mongolia's weather is extreme, as we know, but how extreme is once again made clear from the following article.

Temperature to fall drastically

The Hydro-Meteorological Institute warned it will snow with severe storms in some places in the far east of Mongolia December 1, and in northern parts of the west the next day. Thus, the National Emergency Authority warned the herders to prepare for the winter and to be careful. The temperature will reach -31 to -36 degrees in the nights and -10 to -24 in the days in mountainous areas of Khangai and Khuvsgul, and in Ider, Tes, Kharaa, Yuroo, Muul, Kherlen, Khalkh river's basins. The temperature will be -17 to -22 nightly and -5 to -10 daily in the inner gobi area of Altai. But from December 2, the temperature will increase a little in western parts and in the other areas later on. (Ardiin Erkh)

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Mongolian government agencies stage fake(?) hijacking: passengers assaulted and terrorized(?)

2006-11-29T12:33:00.000+01:00

This is bad! A MIAT airplane was hijacked but by whom?! Several government agencies are claiming responsibility but no-one is answering questions. The spokesman for the PM is asking Eagle TV to tone down the reporting. It's weird and scary.

Check it out on Tom Terry's blog.

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Huge cross erected at Russian border

2006-11-28T10:24:00.001+01:00

A 19-foot high Orthodox cross has been placed at the junction of Russia's border with China and Mongolia in the Baikal region of Eastern Siberia.

The metal structure weighing more than a ton carries the inscription "Save, Oh God, Thy People," the official Russian news agency Itar-Tass reports.

The head of the Federal Security Service's border department said the cross is intended to be an inspiration to guards patrolling the 1,800-mile border.

It is also designed to mark the revival of spirituality of the population on the Russian border, said Maj.-Gen. Nikolai Volkov, head of the border department.

Border guards in the Baikal region face winter temperatures of 40-below zero in winter and summer temperatures that rarely reach above 40 degrees.

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Race Track and Gambling Center Unknown in Ulaanbaatar

2006-11-28T10:18:00.001+01:00

Odd news! Is UB going to be Asia's Ascot? A race track and gambling center are supposedly going to be build in UB, even though current laws forbid gambling. Even odder is that there are no law revisions planned to make such a gambling center legal, and neither are concerned organisations aware of such a deal.

A race track and gambling center would be a fierce impulse in UB's economy, though. Not only would the supposedly US$110 million inject a lot of money and jobs into UB's economy, it could also attract Chinese gamblers interested in attending the horse races. An online internet gambling house could further increase income and revenue.

But all this will have to wait until the news is confirmed, laws have been ammended and the details of the deal made public.

Parliament member T. Badamjunai (MPRP) and N. Bolormaa, Director of the Citizen's Representative Council of Ulaanbaatar, made a deal to build a race track and gambling center with Lexington based equestrian businesses last Thursday in Lexington, Kentucky, USA according to a report from Kentucky.com.

However, related organizations in Mongolia were unaware of such a deal including discussion about building a gambling center in Mongolia since the country is prohibited to run any gambling centers, a law effective since August and backed by Mongolian President N. Enkhbayar.

According to officials at the Ministry of the Justice and Domestic Affairs Mongolia has no gambling centers, and now legislation to facilitate any since last summer's decree.

However, Kentucky.com reported: "And with that a Mongolia-Bluegrass alliance was forged yesterday to build for the Asian nation a $110-million racetrack that will offer both pari-mutuel wagering and casino gambling".

"The deal was cinched with pledges that the necessary laws and regulations will be approved by Mongolia's parliament and the city council of the capital, Ulaanbaatar, the site of the racetrack."

Through Monday, no draft laws related to building or carrying out a gambling center in Mongolia were on the list of discussion for parliament sessions during the fall/winter session, according to the office of parliament. "No draft laws about a gambling center in Mongolia are listed or have been submitted to the Justice Standing committee of parliament," a spokeswoman replied told MonInfo Monday.

"I don't think that they are making illegal activity…I think the information is not true," said Ch. Baatar, advisor to the Minister of Justice and Domestic Affairs on Monday.

"I have no information that Bolormaa and Badamjunai have made a deal about a horse gambling center. It is not possible because Mongolia prohibited the activities of gambling. As for our department, nobody knows about it," said an employee of the Policy and Regulation Department of Justice, who wished to remain anonymous.

Although MonInfo tried to meet with the Vice Minister and State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Domestic Affairs, all high ranking and staff of the ministry are not meeting with journalists until Friday because of the 85th Anniversary celebration of the Ministry.

"I don't know clearly why the Citizens Representative Meeting has done a deal with foreign company about building a racetrack," Khaltar, a Member of the Citizens Representative Council, told MonInfo.

"The Mongolian International Jockey Club and the Asia Pacific Sports Promotion will have a 50 percent to 55 percent interest in the project. A Mongolian horse industry group and the Ulaanbaatar city government each will have a 20 percent interest," reported Kentucky.com.

The announcement Saturday was also a surprise to Mongolia's National Horse Racing Union which currently runs almost all of Mongolia's official races.

"I know that the Mongolian International Jockey Club was liquidated early. And the investment of this organization was a differently named company from Lexington and the investment was US$20 million in spring, 2006," said D.Davaa, Mongolian National Horse Racing Union.

"I am surprised that the company wants to build a US $110 million track in Mongolia when they can't take any profit because Mongolia doesn't have enough tourists or foreigners to spend that amount of money."

Officials at the Ministry of Justice and Domestic Affairs said they had no company or organization named the "Mongolian International Jockey Club" in their listings, a requirement under Mongolian law for all legal entities.

(additional reporting by Luke Distelhorst)

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Monitoring Finds “Discrepancies” in Fine System

2006-11-27T13:10:00.001+01:00

According to monitoring completed by the Women for Social Progress Movement, the revenue generation from fine income into the state budget comes into existence with plans to break human rights, raise barriers to develop the small and medium sized businesses and sets a basis for producing bribes.

"The revenue generation from fine income into the state budget is one part of the revenue generation from income of non-taxation and the plan for revenue generation from fine incomes is processed by Ministry of Finance," S. Oyuntuya, a Lawyer of the Women for Social Progress Movement told MonInfo on Wednesday.

"Our organization made an analyses and monitoring report of the revenue generation from fine income over the last five years of reports of state budget for three provinces, six soums and one district of Ulaanbaatar," Oyuntuya said.

"One discrepancy that attracted our interest was that this income rate is always realized 100-200 percent of the planned amount, which is increased almost every year."

Reports for provinces A and B showing revenue generation from fine income into the state budget; graph obtained from provincial budget reports due to the monitoring (amount in MNT):

Province name 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
"B" planned 37,610,000 38,416,000 39,987.000 40,411,000 64,174,600
realized 34,939.300 44,026,200 105,178,800 72,296,200 84,228,900
"A" planned 28,000,000 25,000,000 32,000,000 32,230,000 37,000,000
realized 36,978,800 43,791,300 36,088,200 36,724,900 252,634,200

Under the monitoring the inspectors of the professional inspection, tax, fire and police agencies are to collect fines from people and organizations for this income. However researchers said that if employees couldn't give out fines their salaries were reduced 20-40 percent. But if more fines are given than employees take a ten percent bonus from the amount of fines.

"The planning of the revenue generation from fine income into the state budget is not real because it is increased every year. The inspectors and police are under a lot of pressure to work from this plan, and they want just fine people any way possible. There is high pressure to develop the small and medium business in local areas. Thus the businessmen inform and keep a counterfeit record of taxes and such," said Oyuntuya.

"In fact the state organizations should assist people in order to help them make any irregularities which might be fined uncommon. Instead state inspectors and police are working just to give fines in order to fill their quotas," noted Oyuntuya.

However officials at the regulatory body for collecting fines were unsure of how the planned amounts were chosen.

"The state budget is made under a plan; of course it is just like a family's budget. It is stated in the state budget law also that fines are the duty of the Ministry of Finance. But it is different issue whether the planned amounts are correct or not," B. Batjargal, Chairman of the State Budget Policy and Regulation Board of the Ministry of Finance told MonInfo on Thursday.

"Maybe it is related to the measures with bonuses that when the planned amount increased more than the previous year the amount collected also increases. I'm not introducing this report, so I'm not sure," Batjargal said.

In a document with the conclusions of the monitoring the Women for Social Progress Movement stated that there are currently no mechanisms for controlling inspectors and policy makers who distribute fines and have no possibilities to control the revenue which is generated from fine income.

"This monitoring should be introduced to the citizens and our organization will send an official letter to parliament, the government and policy makers before December 1," said one lawyer involved.

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Non-governmental Groups Call for Ethics in Anticorruption

2006-11-27T12:45:00.000+01:00

Transparency International Mongolia and the National Soyombo Movement consider that the anticorruption organization's appointment of its chairman and vice chairman should be run in an open fashion to the public, including clearly defined ethic's criteria for those leaders, leaders from both organizations said Monday.

"The very new organization which is to fight against corruption will be established soon in accordance with Mongolia's anticorruption law, which is valid since November 1, 2006," said Chairman of Transparency International Mongolia, R. Burmaa.

"According to the law the organization will be a very high authority. But under the law the necessary criteria of the chairman and vice chairman is not enough, in particular their ethic’s criteria is not stated at all."

The law on anticorruption states that the chairman and vice chairman of the anticorruption authority must not have been previously convicted of any crimes, or received disciplinary action while they were working in a state organization. Also they should hold at least a bachelors degree, have the necessary skills for the work, must have worked more than 15 years in a state organization, be over the age of 55, be a specialist of law and have some experience as a leader of professional work and should not have held a political post within the last five years.

"Transparency International Mongolia and the National Soyombo Movement consider that the law does not address the ethic's issues of the chairman and vice chairman of the anticorruption authority. We are conducting an opinion poll from citizens concerning the chairman and vice chairman and that they should support introducing criteria on ethics," Burmaa said.

At the opinion poll and under those organizations' appeal to the state leaders the chairman and vice chairman of the new organization should support the following ethics criteria:

Officers' personal biographies must be true; the educational documents should be examined, their previous work's results should be received and analyzed by the people, did they give their income information as public information, they must openly give the information of individual and families' income and properties to people, do they have any loan or debt from banks and non-banking organizations, if they have a loan they should inform the cause of the loan, were they dismissed or not from a post in a state organization from receiving disciplinary action and if they were receiving disciplinary action should inform clearly about it.

"We are making these appeals to Parliament, the President and the public. We are collecting public opinion through voting forms, e-mail, SMS phone messages, fax and by post to Transparency International Mongolia. Our organization is the representative organization of Transparency International and we are working for the anticorruption law and related issues following international experiences of other countries," Burmaa told MonInfo.

Transparency International Mongolia and the National Soyombo Movement are organizing a live discussion on Mongolian National Public Television on Tuesday evening at 9 p.m. regarding the appointment and the process of establishing the anticorruption organizations and how open the appointment process should be.

Mongolian parliament approved the anticorruption law on July, 2006 but is only now discussing the size and budget for the agency's first year. According to one standing committee proposal the organization should consist of about 90 posts and be similar to a government ministry.

However possible candidates for the chairman and vice chairman positions have yet to be formally discussed within parliament or cabinet meetings.

"As for the citizens of Mongolia they should know how to appoint a high, responsible chairman with the highest authority. If this organization is run by a similar high ranking political figure, it will only protect people who produce corruption," Burmaa said.

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Citizens Get New Outlet for Reporting Violations

2006-11-27T12:32:00.000+01:00

Citizens can now register complaints and injustices related to legal and judicial organizations and report criminal offenses through the State Prosecutor's Office on the internet, officials announced.

B. Galdaa, Director of the Investigation department under the State Prosecutor's authority said, "If citizens can not apply to legal and judicial organizations when citizens incurred losses because of improper actions done by officials of legal organizations, then citizens can now express their complaints and requests at the website www.epmba.in.mn."

According to officials at the authority violations of human rights from legal organizations, policement, investigators and other government officials go almost completely unreported. The new site is trying to boost the awareness and resources for those whose rights are violated.

"A report from 2002-2006 of the works done by the Investigation department and activity and directions of the department are on the site. Journalists and reporters can also download documents about cases that have already been resolved within the framework of the law to use as examples," Ts. Batbold, Vice Director of the Investigation department said.

The site will target all citizens in Mongolia and is already available in four languages.

B. Galdaa, Director of the Investigation department said "Foreign citizens can also access the site because everything is translated into English, Russian and German too."

Update 2006/11/27 The link to the English language page of www.epmba.in.mn reports "Page not found". The other language pages (Russian, German and Mongolian) are working.

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Centers Cash in on Games Addiction; Health Risks

2006-11-27T11:21:00.001+01:00

There are many computer centers in UB. I have yet to run into a district where there is not a computer center, except perhaps in the far-out ger districts. And these computer centers are often full for hours on end. Many of these computer centers are frequented by children of school-going age, during school hours (though in UB it's hard to tel whether a pupil is skipping class or not). These computer centers hold a tremendous attraction for many children, who often (and I've seen this from close up) lie and cheat to their parents, as long as they can go and play games.

The below article tells of teachers' concerns and parents who are not so concerned. Fortunately, not all parents are so lax. Many don't want their children to grow up as street children but don't want them to grow up a gamer either, finding homework, going to school and playing with the right friends more important.

Owners of Ulaanbaatar's computer games centers have admitted to profiteering from children's games addictions by violating their license hours and staying open all night, while doctors claim psychological dammage to the children.

In Ulaanbaatar, most centers are licensed to open from 9am-10pm, but most work all night. There is no enforcement of the license hours, which many game-center owners treat like a normal occurrence.

"We don't push the children to play," said Sh. Gankhuu, who owns a games center in Bayanzurkh district. "They want to play it themselves. Almost all game centers work all night. Who would give it up when people want to give us money? No one knows that we're working all night."

A. Naiman, a Khaan-Uul game center owner, agreed: "Few game centers have got a license to work all night, but all PC centers work in the nights. It's not that big a thing. There aren't any children who are playing too much. Not here."

Department of Professional Inspection auditor J. Tserenjamts said there were about 300 computer-game centers in Ulaanbaatar.

"Maybe some of them are not working now. But about 300 PC game centers have got a license."

He said auditors needed information about the games centers.

"We need more information from the citizens. If some one knows about a PC game center that is operating working illegally, give the information to us."

A look at five game centers in different districts around Ulaanbaatar last week revealed many similarities between them: each had from eight to 12 computers, the rooms were very small, there was no air-conditioning, and there was little available light. Two didn't have a toilet.

Each night, the centers were filled with children aged from 10-18, who, given the speed and skill at which they played, were obviously experienced gamers.

The gaming center owners know the children, who spend most of their time there. Some let the children run up playing debts if they have no money with which to play. Others get money from their parents.

"My Mom and Dad give me money to buy food at school. I collect it and then I play all night in a game center. I tell them that I'm with my friend at his home," said B. Nomun, 11, a student in the fourth grade at school Number 60.

It was 9.20pm and his parents didn't know he was at the game center.

"I'll stay here tonight," he said.

Nomun is just one of many children filling Ulaanbaatar's computer game centers. The younger ones said they played before and after school.

"Sometimes, when I stay overnight in the game center, I miss class. It's very nice to go school in the afternoon; when that happens we can play and go to school," said G. Badruugan, 10, a third-grade student at school Number 52.

School Number 52 social worker and math teacher N. Nandinbinderya said that children who played computer games often saw their school results suffer.

"If the parents don't know that their children are playing, the pupil becomes bad at their lessons. The students who are especially bad at their lessons always play computer games," she said.

School marks aren't the only thing to suffer with computer-game addiction. The most damaging effect can be on children's psychological health.

Two years ago, game-addicted children were regularly admitted to Shar Khad psychiatric hospital. Although that number had fallen in the past year, Shar Khad physician Dr L. Tumurkhuu said children were still experiencing behavioral changes as a result of games addiction.

"When the computer game called 'Counterstrike' was new, many children became hooked on it, but nowadays we aren't seeing many addicted children. Sometimes parents come to us with their children to find out how to change their child's character back to the way it was. In the first stage of addiction, a child becomes tempestuous. If children play a long time, they do change."

Shar Khad pediatrician Dr S.Erdnee said that three children were currently in the hospital as a result of games addiction.

"Two years ago, we cured more than 10 children in two weeks. Now there are just three children in hospital."

Some parents don't mind their children frequenting computer-games centers.

"We know that our children play all night in a nearby game center," said S. Damba of Sukhbaatar district and father of a 10-year-old son. "But we don't think that it's wrong. It's encouraging our children not to become street children. There's no change in my boy's character."

Such tacit acceptance is not encouraged by Dr L. Tumurkhuu and N. Nandinbinderya, who urged parents to care more about their game-playing children's welfare.

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Parliament Speaker appealed to PM

2006-10-10T11:36:00.000+02:00

Speaker of Parliament, Ts Nyamdorj, is again on his crusade against civil liberties, or at least the curtailment of such liberties. Now he is appealing the Prime Minister of all people to restrict free speech because it might harm national security and unity. Discrimination and slander are legal matters, Mr Speaker; matters for the police and the courts. The Prime Minister is neither. Restricting free speech because an individual, in this case Ts Nyamdorj, feels that some people shouldn't be allowed to expres their opinions is a sure fire way (back) to a totalitarian state and an uncontrolable government. Perhaps Mr Speaker should consider that as harming national security and unity.

If there are any cases where the laws was broken, it's up to the public or people defamed to appeal to the police, up to the police to investigate the allegations, up to the State Prosecutor to bring people to trial, and up to a judge to pass sentence. Perhaps Mr Speaker should try to live by the rules instead of trying to bend them to fit in his alley.

Perhaps Mr Speaker should also appeal against the regular aggressive acts and discrimatory statements against foreigners that abound on certain Mongolian websites. But Mr Speaker has shown his reluctance to condemn such acts and statements before, as if foreigners (from Chinese to Russians to Europeans and Americans) are free game. I reckon many prospective tourists, businessmen and foreign investors would not be very keen on such legitimisation of (verbal, sometimes even physical) violence against them or their ilk.

The speaker of the Parliament, Ts Nyamdorj, made a request to the Prime Minister M. Enhbold today. In the request, it mentioned about articles published in Zindaa, High Society, Social Mirror newspapers and on Olloo website, which repeatedly published contents to discriminate khalh and oirad nationalities of Mongolia, provoking arguments and fighting. These articles contradict national security and unity, and have grossly misused reputation of many political and social figures. This violates national security and interests indicated in the Constitution and Criminal law. Thus the authors of the above articles must be checked by a relevant organization and called for responsibility, as requested to the Prime Minister.

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Mongolia may regulate Genghis Khan Name

2006-10-06T08:08:00.000+02:00

Mongolia's legislature on Thursday began debating a law on regulating the use of Genghis Khan's name in a bid to prevent the memory of the legendary conqueror from being cheapened.

Since Mongolia emerged from the shadow of the Soviet Union in 1991, the isolated Asian nation has applied the moniker of its favorite son to more than half a dozen brands of vodka and beer and a variety of other commercial products.

The trend reflects the immense pride Mongolians feel about a man who established an empire that stretched across Asia all the way to central Europe in the early 13th century.

While Genghis Khan is reviled in much of the world as a symbol of barbarism, Mongolians see him as a symbol of order and civilization. He is a touchstone of national identity in a nation sandwiched between Russia and China and wary of being swallowed up by either.

Lawmaker E. Bat-Uul said that since the prohibition on the use of Genghis Khan's name and imagery had been lifted following the breakup of the Soviet Union, Mongolians had gone overboard in attaching them to products and brands that brought disrepute on a revered national symbol.

"We are not showing enough respect to Genghis Khan," he said. "We tend to use his name more on vodka bottles. If today somebody produces toilet paper with Genghis Khan's name, we do not know what to do about it as currently there is no law to regulate this issue."

Under the provisions of the new law, use of the name Genghis Khan for commercial purposes would be granted only by the government, which would set fees for its licensing.

The law would also give the Mongolian president the right to select an official Genghis Khan portrait from one of about 10 currently in circulation and define the organizations authorized to use it.

It would forbid the Genghis Khan name or portrait to be employed in a degrading or insulting manner or to serve the interests of political parties or non-governmental bodies.

Lawmaker D. Arvin said a major feature of the new legislation would be to prevent foreigners from cashing in on Genghis Khan's name for their own purposes.

"Foreigners are attempting to use the Genghis Khan name and image for their use," he said. "They are saying Genghis Khan was born in Kazakhstan or the Siberian part of Russia or Chinese Inner Mongolia and thus distorting our history."

The legislature is expected to vote on the bill next week. If it passes, it will almost certainly be signed into law by President Nambaryn Enkhbayar, who submitted it.

Gap years: disaster or trip of a lifetime?

2006-10-06T08:05:00.000+02:00

An interesting article about the sometimes not so shiny experiences of students taking a gap year. What amazes me are the examples given of bad experiences. They are examples from Mongolia.

In Mongolia this summer, volunteers with TPA frequently expressed dissatisfaction with their placements and with the lack of back-up administration. Significantly, at the beginning of August a member of the administrative team in Ulan Bator was sacked for incompetence. Volunteers' requests for information often went unheeded and appointments were missed, while some placements were unstructured, even to the point of collapse.

Robert Mak, 26, had paid more than £2,000 upfront to work for five months as a business adviser with a cashmere production company, but quit in despair after two months. "The placement has been really boring, yet at the same time quite frustrating as there was so much potential," says Mak. "I have very little to do most days and the people that I work closest with don't speak very good English, which makes it very difficult to achieve work-related tasks."

IMO this shows an incredible naivity. Mr Mak goes to a country where he can't communicate with the local people, expecting that they learn English while it should be him who should have taken the trouble of learning at least a smattering of Mongolian. I would suggest Mr Mak that, if he feels that there's really so much potential, to study Mongolian, get to know Mongolians, contact the cashmere company and offer your services. Be a professional. Present a proposal. Convince the management. And see what can come of it. In my experience, Mongolian business leaders are far from lazy or satisfied with maintaining a status quo. They want to make money, and lots of it. Everyone who can convince these managers that they are an asset to the company, can move the company forward, and can bring in more revenue, cause more efficiency or lower production costs, is welcome. If there's a country where business owners and leaders are quite easy to approach (especially by Westerners) than it's Mongolia. Mr Mak, go for it!

On two other occasions newcomers were not met on arrival. For Trish Sexton, this meant being harassed by local men in the middle of the night, and being forced to take refuge in the airport toilet. She eventually found hotel accommodation, which TPA later paid for. "Of course, no one truly expects everything to run like clockwork," says Sexton. "This is a Third World country and we come here to experience the difference. But the point is that volunteers pay Western prices and expect a Western standard of service."

Ms Sexton's's experience is, of course, a deep shame. No-one wants to be harassed and having to flee for cover, especially not on first arrival. But I find it derogative to name Mongolia a "Third World country", implying it's poor and backward, and that this lady assumes a "Western standard of service". She actually has the nerve to state that she went there "to experience the difference". I get the idea that many of these gap year students are naive about what to expect outside their cosy little world, prepare themselves very poorly, and expect things to be settled and arranged according to their wishes and (flawed) expectations.

While TPA acknowledges that it has slipped up in some areas, it claims that the majority of volunteers in Mongolia have had successful placements. It points out that "volunteers pay a good deal of money to join programmes ... The reason why they are good value is that it would be extremely difficult for the thousands of young people that we send around the world every year ... to organise efficiently and legally voluntary work in developing countries such as Mongolia."

If these gap organisations charge thousands and thousands of euro, dollars or pounds for their services, they better make sure these volunteers are received, coordinated, administrated and helped properly to fulfil the job they are asked to do. I can't loose the sense that even those who report having had a good experience often had to content with poor supervision and support and inadequate information and advice on preparation prior to the stint abroad.

Volunteers do mighty good work, often for little or no pay. They deserve to be supported in a proper fashion and receive adequate and timely advice on what to expect abroad. Volunteers, however, also should be made aware that the reality in Europe, the UK or the USA is much different from what they'll run into abroad. Things are usually not organised along similar lines as in the West, if at all. Living circumstances are quite different, often much poorer. Local people often speak little or no English, so the volunteer should at least try to learn a few basics of the local language before going there. Hygiene, food, customs, relations, etc are often on a different level, a different standard or bound by different rules and mores. It pays to get to know the gap organisation but it pays even more to get to know the country and the people the volunteers will be send to.

Genghis Khan's heart remedy

2006-10-05T06:55:00.000+02:00

'Wonder berries' used as medicine in the time of Genghis Khan could help defeat heart disease, experts claim.

Sea buckthorn comes from Mongolia, where the warlord began the epic military campaign that eventually saw him rule over one of the largest empires the world has known.

Khan's troops believed the berries helped keep them in good shape. The berries contain chemicals that combat 'bad cholesterol', which causes arteries to clog up, scientists believe.

They have long known of the plant's properties, but had struggled to develop its full potential because juice extracted from the berries did not contain much of the vital compound.

Now researchers in India have developed a technique which separatesthe juice from berry sludge to unlock the nutrients more efficiently.

They found the new process retained more than 40 per cent of polyphenols – the beneficial antioxidant chemicals also found in red wine, green tea and fresh fruit and vegetables.

The technique might have great potential, said lead researcher Dr C Arumughan of the Regional Research Laboratory at Trivandrum in the southern state of Kerala.

'No previous report has shown efficiency matching ours,' he added. 'Oxidised bad cholesterol is far more dangerous and any chemical that inhibits it would reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.'

The improved technique meant juice could be extracted more cheaply from the berries, reducing the price of any medicine produced from them, he said.

As well as battling heart disease, polyphenols have been found to lower the risks of cancer.

Genghis Khan briefing

* Khan, originally named Temujin, inherited the leadership of a small tribe when he was a still a boy. By 1206, he was given the title Genghis Khan, or Universal Ruler'

* His huge empire, built with sophisticated military techniques, eventually covered much of Central Asia, Eastern Europe, Persia and India.

* Khan died while putting down revolt in the kingdom of Xi Xia in China, aged 60.

* He is believed to have fathered hundreds of children. One in 200 men is descended from him, a recent study claimed.

* George Bush visited Mongolia last year. He said the country was 'kind of like Texas'.

Growing Mongolian community seeks Genghis Khan statue in D.C.

2006-10-03T07:09:00.000+02:00

He's one of the most famous names of the last millennium, and he's the father of his country, which turns 800 years old this year.

That's why the D.C. region's growing Mongolian community would like to see a statue erected of Genghis Khan, the George Washington of Mongolia.

The Mongolian embassy, in D.C.'s Georgetown neighborhood, has inquired with the State Department and had preliminary discussions with a contractor who works with embassies.

Supporters of the statue say the popular image in the West of the Khan as a ruthless barbarian invader gives Americans a misconception of a leader who some historians say was ahead of his time and progressive in many ways.

Genghis Khan established an empire based on religious tolerance in an age where the Crusades and religious wars were commonplace, his advocates say. He was an ardent free trader, and established principles of diplomatic immunity.

A statue would be a good way of highlighting some of those overlooked traits, said G. Ganbold, the embassy's consul-general.

"We are eager to make the people of both cultures get to know one another," Ganbold said. "Genghis Khan is the one person who best represents what Mongolia stands for."

Getting it built may be difficult, though. Statues require approval from either the National Park Service, if on federal land, or the District of Columbia, if on city land.

The particular spot eyed by the Mongolians, near their embassy, is on city land. Michael Johnson, a spokesman for the city's Office of Planning, declined comment on whether Genghis Khan would be an appropriate historical figure to honor with a statue, saying he didn't want to prejudge an issue before a formal application is made.

But he said the city gives strong preference to local figures rather than foreign ones.

Still, many statues in the city honor foreign heroes. The world famous excommunicate, Martin Luther, is honored at Thomas Circle, and one of the tallest statues in the city honors South America's Great Liberator, Simon Bolivar.

Other statues include Joan of Arc; Jose Artigas, the father of Uruguayan independence; Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko, and French artist Louis Daguerre.

In academic circles, Western historians have begun taking a revisionist view of Genghis Khan. A 2004 book by anthropology professor Jack Weatherford, "Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World," spent several weeks on the best-seller list and offered a more sympathetic portrayal.

Still, the popular view of Genghis Khan as warmonger is hard to dispel. And it is not baseless. While cities that acquiesced to Mongol rule received relatively enlightened treatment, the Mongols did indeed engage in wholesale slaughter of those who refused to submit to their rule. They were particularly quick to kill aristocrats from resisting cities - an uncommon practice at the time.

What's more, they encouraged the few who were allowed to survive to go out and spread the word to other cities about the consequences of resistance, which helped enshrine their reputation as ruthless, bloodthirsty conquerors.

"I think we're suffering from the mindset of the vanquished," said William Fitzhugh, an anthropologist and director of the Arctic Studies Center at the Smithsonian's Museum of natural History. "But people are now more willing to take a look at the other side."

The Smithsonian, in conjunction with the Mongolian Embassy, is sponsoring a Mongolian Family Festival this weekend that will include lectures and demonstrations of Mongolian wrestling and throat singing and a celebration of the Mongolian state's 800th anniversary.

Part of the reason Americans know so little about Mongolia, Fitzhugh said, is the nation's isolation during its Communist era. In the last decade, though, the D.C. area and Arlington County, in particular, have seen rapid growth in the Mongolian population. With an estimated Mongolian population of 2,000 to 3,000, the D.C. area now rivals a more established community in Denver as the largest Mongolian enclave in the United States.

The Mongolian community's ability to emigrate and rapidly adapt to American life is not surprising, since Mongolians have long been a nomadic people.

"Mongolians have always proven adept at adjusting to new situations," said S. Dawadash, the embassy's second secretary.

Mongolia arts exhibition opens in Beijing

2006-10-01T08:09:00.000+02:00

Though it has some of the most beautiful landscapes in Asia, Mongolia is often over-looked by tourists. A new photography exhibition in Beijing offers rare glimpses of China's northern neighbor. The small-scale exhibition explores not only the country's vast landscapes, but also its people and nomadic culture.

Mongolia arts exhibition opens in Beijing.

The 47 pictures display images of a simple people, flourishing in an oasis of blue sky and endless grassland.

In a region less affected by modernization than most parts of Central Asia, descendents of the original nomads still entertain themselves with dances in pastures and competitions on horseback.

The exhibition marks the 57th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Mongolia.

As neighbors with a long history, quite a lot of what's shown is not so surprising for a Chinese viewer. But organizers hope local Chinese audiences will update their knowledge about Mongolia's development.

China and Mongolia have increased cultural exchanges in recent years. In 2004, Mongolia hosted a Chinese Culture Festival. And last August, Mongolian art mesmerized Chinese viewers. These cultural shows promote a modern understanding for two countries that have long been linked by history.

Participants of art parade Kuzbas-Mongolia. Dialogue of cultures to stay in Krasnoyarsk

2006-09-28T06:55:00.000+02:00

Krasnoyarsk will become the first town of destination on the way of the art parade "Kuzbas-Mongolia. Dialogue of cultures", as the regional cultural agency reported.

Kemerovo State University of Culture and Arts hold the art parade "Kuzbas-Mongolia. Dialogue of cultures" from September, 28 to October, 9. Five dance groups will go by buses from Kemerovo to Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude and Ulan-Bator. The best dancing groups of the university will give charity concerts and master classes in these towns.

Many-fold winners of international and All-Russian contests and festivals are participating in the art parade: modern dance group "Eternal Movement", national dance group "Young Kuzbas", classical dance group "Ballet Vernissage", national musical group "The Skomorokhs", vocal group "Pastoral".

"The Skomorokhs" will give a concert for war veterans in the regional hospital on September, 29. On the same day a photo exhibition and a charity concert will be held by Kemerovo artists in the Culture Palace.

On completion of their mission in Mongolia the art parade delegates will go home by buses, to Kemerovo, where they are to arrive by October, 9.

Mongolia’s torture conditions reviewed at UN Human Rights Council

2006-09-26T14:09:00.000+02:00

Manfred Nowak, a UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, presented his report on a mission to Mongolia at the second session of the UN Human Rights Council on September 20 in Geneva, stating violations were rife in Mongolia's legal system. Nowak worked in Mongolia in June, 2005 and compared it to other countries he worked in with similarities, such as Georgia and Nepal.

The Special Rapporteur concluded that torture persists, particularly in police stations and pretrial detention facilities. He expressed concern at the secrecy surrounding the application of the death penalty and the cruel treatment of prisoners on death row.

Nowak especially expressed concerns about the situation of prisoners subjected to the special isolation regime at Prison No. 405 (Takhir Soyot).

"In the view of the Special Rapporteur the special isolation regime, where prisoners serve 30-year terms in virtual total isolation, is contrary to article 10 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and amounts to cruel and inhuman treatment."

Seded Bataa (name as it was appeared in the report) died on July 22, 2005, in custody in Prison No. 405 (Tahir Soyot), following his transfer from Zuunmod Pretrial Detention Centre on July 5, 2005.

On his arrival, Seded Bataa was bloated, unable to speak, and in very poor health. His family was not informed of his poor health, and he did not receive treatment nor was he seen by any doctor. Although the postmortem listed the cause of death as tuberculosis, his corpse did not present the normal indications for this disease such as appearing gaunt or emaciated. Rather, his corpse presented, among other things, welts and bruising around the wrists and ankles consistent with accounts of being continuously handcuffed and shackled in his cell.

When he was last seen by family members in May 2005, Seded Bataa did not complain of tuberculosis and did not request any need for treatment in this regard. Following his death, the police warned Seded Bataa's family that if they registered a complaint, his body would not be returned for burial as the investigation would be protracted. The family reluctantly complied and the body was cremated on 29 July. His personal effects, including a diary have not been returned. (report excerpt)

The Special Rapporteur expressed his strongest concerns about this case. First, he was denied access to Bataa when he visited Zuunmod Detention Centre and later he received convincing evidence that Bataa had been tortured to death.

According to the 1992 Constitution, no one shall be subjected to torture, inhuman, cruel or degrading treatment.

The report said that respect for basic safeguards for detainees such as notification of lawyers and families were routinely disregarded.

"The methods of torture described in the vast majority of cases that the Special Rapporteur came across involved beatings with fists and truncheons to extract confessions. Other methods cited included: ‘flying to space' (where a person is made to stand on a stool, which is kicked away from underneath), needles pushed under fingernails, electroshock (i.e. wires attached to a ceiling light bulb socket and connected to a puddle of water), burning with cigarettes, prolonged periods of being handcuffed and shackled (in one case three years), coercing confessions by putting suspects in cells with convicted prisoners who are encouraged by guards to be abusive, and detaining suspects in distant facilities which, given the geography of the country, is intended to isolate detainees from lawyers and families."

The Special Rapporteur found Prison No. 421 (Amgalan), ordinary securit, and Prison No. 413 (Zuunkharaa), strict security, to be generally in line with international standards. "They were open, dormitory-type prisons, relatively well maintained."

He said he lacked support from certain parts of the government and his requests to all information related to the death penalty and access to prisoners on death row were repeatedly denied. Nowak was deeply concerned about all the circumstances surrounding the death penalty in Mongolia as they are considered a State secret. He was not provided with any official information, names or statistics concerning persons who have been sentenced to death, pardoned or executed, nor with any information regarding the times and places of execution.

"Even the families are notified of the exact date or place of execution and they do not receive the bodies of executed persons for burial."

"His conclusions on the conditions on death row therefore have to be based on well-substantiated allegations of witnesses, family members and NGOs."

At the Gants Khudag Detention Centre No. 461 and Zuunmod Detention Centre, Nowak expressed concern about overcrowded cells, but more particularly at the mixing of convicted prisoners and pre-trial detainees, contrary to article 10.2(a) of the Covenant.

The main purposes of the visit, according to the Special Rapporteur, were to assess the prevailing situation of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; to promote preventive mechanisms to eradicate torture and ill-treatment; and to begin a process of long-term cooperation with the Government.

He met with a number of high-profile government officials, ministries, police department, court decision enforcement agency, prosecution office, legislators of the parliament, lawyers, representatives from NGOs, and foreign diplomatic missions.

Esprit heads east

2006-09-26T08:13:00.000+02:00

Esprit expanding its Asian presence with flagship stores in Mongolia and Vietnam planned for December.

The move follows the opening of three of what the fashion brand calls shop-in-stores in three department stores in Seoul, Korea in August and September this year.

The flagship store in the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar opens on December 1. On December 5, Esprit will unveil its first flagship store in Hanoi, Vietnam. More Esprit shop-in-stores are planned for Vietnam over the next five years.

To date, Esprit has 209 retail outlets in Asia, including Hong Kong, Macaw, China, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Dubai, Singapore, Guam, The Philippines and the Middle East.

'Young' Parish presents opportunities, challenges

2006-09-26T08:12:00.000+02:00

Start by sending half-a-dozen altar boys to the river early to prepare a place for Mass. Add parishioners packed into vehicles and transported to the site. After Mass cook three fat sheep in a big metal pot and play games. Then bring the exhausted but happy group back to the city.

This recipe is just one of the specialties Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Ulaanbaatar serves up for its mostly young community members, whom the parish priest is trying to form into an extended family.

The parish, largest of the three in Ulaanbaatar, the only parishes in Mongolia, covers half the capital. Approximately half-a-million people live in its territory. About 300 people make up the parish community, split almost evenly between catechumens and baptized Catholics.

Besides a few people in their early 20s and a handful of older adults, the community comprises children and teenagers, except for the fluctuating number of expatriates, sometimes more than 50, few of whom speak Mongolian. Only five married couples in which husband and wife are Catholics belong to the parish.

"Does this sound like your average parish?" asks Father Serge-Patrick Mondomobe, the pastor. The Immaculate Heart of Mary missioner from Cameroon, in west-central Africa, told UCA News he aims to create a "family" out of this group.

"The special potential in this parish is that almost all members are young or children, as opposed to grown-up people with families. They have a lot more free time to spend together in the parish, and they are willing to do so," he explained. Moreover, his young parishioners "learn a lot and dedicate a lot of their time to their faith, their Christian growth."

The flip side to this, however, is that they have few people to look to as exemplars of Catholic family life. The children and youths all come from non-Christian homes.

Read the whole article here.

Twentieth Century Mongolia

2006-09-24T15:08:00.000+02:00

One of the best and comprehensive books on contemporary Mongolian history is Twentieth Century Mongolia by Baabar. It covers the Mongol Empire superficially (there are tons of books that cover this period in excruciating detail), covers the 14th-19th centuries in much more detail, and spends more than half the book covering the last century: the century of independence, the Revolution and the Socialist era. For everyone interested in this exciting, yet almost unknown, period in Mongolian history, I highly recommend this book.

Insider tip! The same book is available under a different title for less than half the price quoted on Amazon.com. If you are interested in ordering this cheaper, later edition of the book than contact me.

Twentieth Century Mongolia by Baabar

Technorati Tags : Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Ulan Bator
Shards of Mongolia http://shardsofmongolia.blogspot.com/

Shambhala Rising

2006-09-24T14:37:00.000+02:00

Around 1000 years ago, an extraordinary spiritual composition called the Kalachakra Tantra appeared in northern India. Its mysterious origin, profound practice system and dire prophecies would deeply impact the Buddhist world across Central Asia up to and including an obscure, sandswept corner of Mongolia's eastern Gobi desert. There in 1853, at his seat in Khamar Monastery, a tremendously charismatic lama named Danzan Ravjaa, the 5th Wrathful Dharma Lord of the Gobi, called his disciples together. Sharing with them his meditative insight and disturbing visions of the future, including the premonition of his impending early death, he declared the necessity for swift construction of a temple and stupa complex symbolic of the mystical land where the Kalachakra had once been secretly preserved: Shambhala.

A mammoth devotional effort completed the construction of a temple, three entry gates, 108 stupas and an ovoo (sanctified stone cairn) in a mere 124 days. For the next 80 years, pilgrims flocked to the Shambhala site from as far away as Japan until it was completely demolished in the Stalinist religious purges of the late 1930's. Though the Red Army razed the structures, along with every other one at Khamar, they could not destroy the devotion and faith in the Gobi people's hearts, even over the course of three generations.

Upon Mongolia's independence from Soviet-style Communist rule in 1990, devotees of Danzan Ravjaa immediately set about rebuilding Khamar, one piece at a time, with whatever meager resources they could pull together. For the past two years, hundreds of people from across Mongolia have worked tirelessly to cause Shambhala to rise once more, exactly according to Danzan Ravjaa's vision. This September a mass gathering of Mongolian Buddhists will offer two days of prayer, recitation of scripture, song, and masked dance to celebrate their new-found religious freedom and the completion of this sacred task.

But what is Shambhala? And why has it so ignited the Mongolian spiritual imagination in general and that of the Gobi people in particular?

Taiwan aid group Mongolia-bound

2006-09-24T11:16:00.000+02:00

A medical group organized by the Taipei City Hospital (TCH) will set off next Wednesday on a 10-day medical mission to Taipei's sister city of Ulan Bator, the capital of Mongolia, to offer medical aid and learn how to operate medical missions in snowy areas. The medical group, led by the head of TCH's emergency department Shen Shi-che (沈希哲), is composed of nine medical rescuers trained by TCH, an administrator, a voluntary worker and a researcher in public health at National Yang Ming University, a TCH spokesman said. Mongolia is 44 times larger than Taiwan in geographic terms, with a population of just 2.81 million, half of which resides in Ulan Bator. Each year nearly 360,000 people receive medical treatment in nearby countries due to a lack of medical training and equipment in Mongolia, Shen said.

Asashoryu reigns again

2006-09-24T11:10:00.000+02:00

Yokozuna Asashoryu of Mongolia lost to Chiyotaikai on Saturday but won his 18th Emperor's Cup with a little help from compatriot Ama.

Asashoryu captured the title when Ama was defeated earlier by ozeki Tochiazuma.

Mongolian Yokozuna Asashoryu, right, reacts after losing to ozeki Chiyotaikai in a close bout on the 14th day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday at Ryogoku Kokugikan.

With Asashoryu watching from the sideline, Tochiazuma fought off a series of slaps to the head and prevailed when Ama lost his footing in the center of the ring while trying to shove the ozeki out.

Ama, the only wrestler with a mathematical chance of catching Asashoryu heading into Saturday's bouts, dropped to 10-4 while Tochiazuma improved to 9-5.

In the day's final bout at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, Asashoryu and ozeki Chiyotaikai engaged in a fierce slap-fest that saw both wrestlers exchanging blows to the head.

Asashoryu, who dropped to 12-2, eventually forced his opponent to the edge and out but touched the dirt surface with his hand before Chiyotaikai (10-4) stepped out.

Before Saturday's bout, Asashoryu's only loss of the tournament came at the hands of Kisenosato.

In other major bouts, Bulgarian Kotooshu used a textbook arm throw to send fellow ozeki Hakuho tumbling to the dirt surface to improve to 9-5.

It's been a disappointing tournament for Hakuho, who came into the 15-day meet hoping to earn promotion to grand champion. Instead of the 13 wins he would need to gain consideration Hakuho, who dropped to 8-6, will settle for a winning record.

Sekiwake Miyabiyama (8-6) ensured himself of a winning record in the fall tourney when he shoved out Russian Roho (9-5).

Baatar's charges shake MPRP leadership

2006-09-24T11:04:00.000+02:00

The convicted former director of the General Customs Office, Kh. Baatar, deposed at his trial that he took money from people to raise funds for the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party, of which he was a member. He said the party had given him the responsibility. He has been sentenced to eight years' imprisonment for taking bribes. But his statements have shaken the MPRP leadership. Several other members of MPRP were investigated by the police.

According to the Ardiin Erkh and Odriin Sonin newspapers the MPRP's administrative council held a meeting last week just before the party's leader, Prime Minister M. Enkhbold, left for the USA. There Ch. Ulaan, who had faced questions from the police, admitted that Baatar had indeed collected a lot of money for the MPRP. He also showed exemplary discipline at the trial, by refusing to name names and not saying anything more than was barely necessary to protect himself.

According to Odriin Sonin, Ulaan asked the meeting, "Should we allow people to go to jail because they served the party?" Enkhbold's angry reply to this was, "Enkhtuvshin and you are responsible for this. It is an entirely irrelevant question for the party as a whole. Did the party ask you to do this? In fact, our party does not need people like you who are involved with bribe takers, no matter how you present their crime."

Enkhbold is reported to have said further, "Enkhtuvshin, do not think you won the Khovsgol by-election as an individual. It is the MPRP that won. Do you realize how much MPRP's honor has fallen after it has become known that you got an apartment from a convicted bribe-taker like Baatar?" Reacting to Ulaan's statement that Baatar had donated a lot of money to the MPRP and deserved the party's support, Enkhbold said, "I don't even know Baatar. You should plead for him to the President."

Odriin Sonin also reported that Enkhbold told Yo. Otgonbayar, "You gave a chit to Baatar's lawyer saying it was true that Baatar gave Tg 100 million to the MPRP. Do you understand how much damage such a statement does to the party's image?" Zuunii Medee reported that both Enkhbold and S. Bayar, MPRP general secretary, told the newspapers that they knew nothing about any Tg 100 million that Otgonbayar, head of the Capital City's Committee of MPRP, says Baatar gave to MPRP.

Looking beyond the 500th house

2006-09-24T10:55:00.000+02:00

Habitat for Humanity Mongolia, a non-profit non-government organization (NGO) working in the country since 2000 to meet low income families' need for simple and affordable housing, is planning to celebrate its achievement of certain milestones. The 500th house it has built here will be dedicated in Darkhan on September 26, the 501st in Erdenet on September 27 and, finally, the 502nd in Ulaanbaatar on September 28. International functionaries of the organization will be joining senior Mongolian Government officials at all three ceremonies. In Mongolia Habitat has projects in eight locations where it builds simple houses, and also does renovation and repair work. The chairperson of the national board, Lkhasuren Agaa, feels happy that the Habitat program "has improved the living conditions of many families in Mongolia". The director of the organization here, Charles Jolliffe, elaborates the feeling thus, "It is the vision of Habitat to reduce poverty. The number of houses built is certainly important, but what really matters is the improvement and changes in the lives of the families that have been helped, particularly the children. It is their future that really counts."

Habitat does not believe in charity and aims at developing a sense of individual and social responsibility among its beneficiaries. After a low-income family in need of a house is identified, it is asked to save 35 percent of the estimated cost of the house before construction can begin. The Government provides the land and other components of the infrastructure.

When work starts, the family must provide a reasonable amount of the unskilled labor needed. The remaininge 65 percent of the cost has to be repaid to the Habitat Revolving fund in four to five years. No interest is charged but the repayment amount is inflation- adjusted. Habitat follows the policy of "A house for a house", so what every family pays for its house should make it possible for another house to be built for another low-income family. This promotes a feeling of responsibility to the community.

HFH International has its head office in the USA and has so far built more than 200,000 houses in 100 countries, particularly in places severely damaged by Tsunamis and other natural disasters, and by civil war.

The Secret History of the Mongols

2006-09-23T09:28:00.000+02:00

The Secret History of the Mongols is one of those books that every person interested in the Mongols should have read. There quite a few translations available in English. Some are poorly translated, others are so freely translated they harm the original story, yet others are translated with such scientific fervour that they are nigh impenetrable.

Fortunately there is one translation that is easy to read and yet does justice to the story. It's the translation of the Secret History of the Mongols by Urgunge Onon. I read this book with joy. It opened up the story for me, giving me a better grasp of the (mythical) youth of Temujin and the rise of Chinggis Khaan.

If you need one translation of the Secret History of the Mongols then let it be this book. In my view this is the best introduction one can have into the Secret History of the Mongols and the early beginnings of the Mongol Empire.

Secret History of the Mongols by Urgunge Onon

Technorati Tags : Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Ulan Bator
Shards of Mongolia http://shardsofmongolia.blogspot.com/

Trip to Mongolia - Aug-Sep 2006

2006-09-21T17:09:00.000+02:00

Here is an index to my diary blog postings of my trip to Mongolia in August-September 2006.

2006-08-06 Our upcoming trip to Mongolia
2006-08-14 Amsterdam, at home
2006-08-14 Amsterdam, at home
2006-08-16 En route to Moscow
2006-08-16 En route to Ulaanbaatar
2006-08-17 En route to Ulaanbaatar
2006-08-17 Ulaanbaatar, Boldkhuder-akh's house
2006-08-17 Ulaanbaatar, Belkh, Eej's ger, our yard
2006-08-19 Ulaanbaatar, Boldkhuder-akh's house
2006-08-19 Ulaanbaatar, Khan Brau
2006-08-19 Ulaanbaatar, waiting for Sumiya in front of Boldkhuder-akh's house
2006-08-20 Ulaanbaatar, Belkh, Mend-Bayar-akh's ger, our yard
2006-08-20 Mongolia diary pages
2006-08-20 Ulaanbaatar, Belkh, Mend-Bayar-akh's ger, our yard
2006-08-21 Ulaanbaatar, dentist's waiting room near Selbe Gol bridge
2006-08-22 En route to Erdene Zuu, just outside Lun
2006-08-23 Khujirt, Elma-Khujirt rashaan cuwilal, room 214
2006-08-24 Khujirt, Elma-Khujirt rashaan cuwilal, room 214
2006-08-24 Khujirt, sitting outside spa resort
2006-08-24 Khujirt, Elma-Khujirt rashaan cuwilal, room 214
2006-08-26 Khujirt, sitting outside spa resort
2006-08-26 Khujirt, Elma-Khujirt rashaan cuwilal, first floor landing
2006-08-26 Khujirt, Elma-Khujirt rashaan cuwilal, room 214
2006-08-26 Khujirt, Elma-Khujirt rashaan cuwilal, room 214
2006-08-26 Khujirt, Elma-Khujirt rashaan cuwilal, room 214
2006-08-27 Khujirt, Elma-Khujirt rashaan cuwilal, room 214, on the balcony
2006-08-27 En route to Ulaanbaatar
2006-08-27 Ulaanbaatar, Boldkhuder-akh's house
2006-08-27 Ulaanbaatar, Boldkhuder-akh's house
2006-08-29 Ulaanbaatar, Russian embassy, Visa section, waiting room
2006-08-29 Ulaanbaatar, dentist's waiting room near Selbe Gol bridge
2006-08-29 Ulaanbaatar, Khan Brau
2006-08-30 Ulaanbaatar, Mend-Ooyo's office
2006-08-30 Ulaanbaatar, Mend-Ooyo's office
2006-08-30 Ulaanbaatar, Chinggis Khaan hotel, Mr Wang restaurant
2006-08-30 Ulaanbaatar, Chinggis Khaan hotel, lobby
Ulaanbaatar, Boldkhuder-akh's house
2006-08-31 Finally!
2006-08-31 Ulaanbaatar, Chinggis Khaan airport, business lounge
2006-09-01 Ulaanbaatar, Boldkhuder-akh's house
2006-09-01 Ulaanbaatar, Boldkhuder-akh's house
2006-09-01 Ulaanbaatar, Boldkhuder-akh's house
2006-09-01 Ulaanbaatar, Mend-Ooyo's office
2006-09-01 Ulaanbaatar, Barilgachidiin Talbai
...diary entrees missing. soon to be inserted
2006-09-06 Back home from Mongolia
2006-09-06 Russian visas... never again!
2006-09-09 Photos from Mongolia
2006-09-10 Photos from Mongolia inserted
2006-09-13 Calligraphy

Technorati Tags : Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Ulan Bator
Shards of Mongolia http://shardsofmongolia.blogspot.com/

A lamb classic from Mongolia

2006-09-21T10:12:00.000+02:00

Mmmm, this is a tasty recipe but I doubt whether it's really Mongolian. First of all, I've never seen it on ever anywhere in Mongolia. But I haven't been in every place in Mongolia, so it could be offered in, for instance, the Far West or the Far East. Secondly, Mongolians don't eat medium rare meat. They want their meat well done. This nomadic people, wise as they are, know that freshly slaughtered meat can be infested with desease and make you ill. So, they cook, boil, or fry the meat until it's well done and all the pathogenics killed. Still, enjoy this dish. It's tasty!

IF I were to ask someone who knows about the world's cuisines, "Where is the combination of chili, cumin, garlic and lamb a classic?" the most likely answers would be North Africa, the Middle East or elsewhere in western Asia. But this dish is straight from Mongolia, via the street vendors of Queens, and it's little more than those four ingredients.

On the street, the lamb is marinated for who knows how long, threaded onto skewers, grilled quickly over very hot charcoal and sold for a buck - maybe two - a stick. If you wanted to do it that way at home, you could, with good wood charcoal and a grill rack pretty close to the heat. You want to sear the lamb, but keep it medium rare.

The combination takes perfectly well to stir-frying. Start with lamb shoulder; leg is not lean or tender enough for this treatment. You can use loin if you prefer, but the dish will cost at least 10 times as much and it won't be any better. Marinate it dry (or nearly so; I use a little soy sauce, for complexity) for as long as you like - 10 minutes, an hour, a day. The flavor will get a little stronger, though not much.

More important than the length of time is the freshness of your cumin. You absolutely need cumin seeds, not ground cumin. It's worth the two or three minutes it takes to toast the seeds before marinating the meat. You can grind them if you like, but I like the little bit of crunch the seeds add.

For stir-frying, get your pan really hot, then add some oil and the lamb and leave it alone for a minute; let it sear. Stir it and let it sear again.

I offer a couple of other options, but it's that basic combination of flavors, no matter where it's from, that's doing the work here.

Newspaper journalists repeatedly threatened over critical articles

2006-09-20T07:52:00.000+02:00

In the northern province of Huvsgul, a journalist and her coworkers have repeatedly received threats from businessmen concerning critical articles.

U. Gereltuya, editor of the Huvsgul-based newspaper "Khuvsguliin erkh chuluu" ("Freedom of Khuvsgul"), which has approximately 500 subscribers, said, "We repeatedly receive threats and are insulted by businessmen."

For instance, in 2005 Mr. L. Tumurbaatar, director of Khuvsgul Geology Company and owner of the newspaper "Dalai Eej", threatened Gereltuya over an article that alleged that Tumurbaatar was lobbying a judge to select his newspaper as "best media outlet of the year".

In another case in 2005, unidentified people in a car passed through the fence of a "Khuvsguliin erkh chuluu" journalist's house. "We reported it to the police but they didn't pursue the criminals. We are still receiving threats concerning our publication," Gereltuya said.

Huvsgul province is located in the northern part of Mongolia, more than 600 km from the capital of Ulaanbaatar. According to the Press Institute's journal "Mongolian Media 2005," the province has two newspapers which are issued three times a month.

Korea to get railway for Mongolian coal mine

2006-09-15T07:03:00.000+02:00

A South Korean resources development firm will sign a pact this week with a Mongolian rail service company to transport coal from two mines in the central Asian country, government officials said Thursday.

Korea Resources Logistics (CORET) plans to sign a memorandum of understanding with a local mining company on Friday in Ulan Bator that will remove a key obstacle to developing the mines in the Dornogovi region, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy said.

The arrangement for the rail service is expected to accelerate South Korea’s endeavor to explore the mines about 450km southeast of Ulan Bator. In July, the company signed an agreement to buy a 100 percent stake in the mines, estimated to hold 56 million tons of coal.

South Korea uses up 76 million tons of coal per year, mainly to create electrical energy. CORET said it will invest a total of $18.5 million for the next three years, with an initial shipment of sample coal arriving in December.

Peace Corps is crucial today, as Kolbe knows

2006-09-15T07:01:00.000+02:00

I am an English teacher in rural Mongolia. My village, Orkhon, has a population of 1,500. We have no Internet, running water or paved roads, but we do have a school, a hospital and a spirit of community.

I live in a nomad's round felt tent, called a ger, without heat, save a wood-burning stove. The winters push 50 degrees below zero. For a native of Arizona, this is a dramatic change in climate, but one of many things to which I have become accustomed. Everywhere I go, I am followed by choruses of "hellos" from my students. I'm sure it will make the winter warmer. I am a volunteer in the United States Peace Corps. This is the greatest experience so far in my 25 years.

Being in such a remote country, I was surprised when my country director called me to tell me my congressional representative, Jim Kolbe, was coming to Mongolia. Mr. Kolbe said he would like to meet with me. It took me three cars and five hours to travel the 120 miles to the capital, Ulaanbaatar. I had breakfast with Mr. Kolbe and two other congressmen who were touring Asia.

Mr. Kolbe was approachable and conveyed a genuine respect and admiration for the work the Peace Corps does. He mentioned to me how important he thought the work we were doing was, not only for the people of Mongolia, but also to Americans, in that Peace Corps volunteers return to the United States with a sense of international compassion and openness. As a volunteer, I can corroborate the truth of Mr. Kolbe's statement.

One great thing about serving in this country is that sometimes, while walking through a herd of cows on the way to school, for example, I am struck by moments of spontaneous joy. Early in my service I was on a train bound for the capital talking to a fellow volunteer about these feelings of euphoria. He said he had also experienced these sentiments. We named this the "Peace Corps Feeling" and since then I have spoken to other volunteers about it, too.

The longer I am here, the more I realize this emotion stems from living in such a foreign environment, but while being welcomed to live here and doing it successfully. Ultimately, it speaks volumes about the unity of humankind. After living here, I know now that the commonalities we share as peoples transcend any differences we may have. This is the ethos of the Peace Corps.

The Peace Corps constitutes a unique approach to development. It is a quiet and gentle form of development. We don't build infrastructure, such as roads or bridges. Perhaps more importantly, we build roads to hearts and minds and bridges among peoples. The current American foreign policy stance purports to win hearts and minds. I think the Peace Corps does this better than any other American agency, which in these troubled times, holds infinite significance. Mr. Kolbe's record as chairman of the House Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs has shown his support of the Peace Corps. I wish him luck on his retirement and hope his successor will continue to support our great organization.

Canadian Jazz quartet headlines Jazz festival in Mongolia

2006-09-15T06:56:00.000+02:00

Calgary based jazz ensemble Northern Lights Quartet are about to take the sound of Canadian jazz to far-away Mongolia where they are slated to perform October 5-7th at the Giant Steppes Jazz Festival in Ulaanbaatar. The quartet will appear alongside fellow headliners, pianist Steve Tromans U-Bop Band (Ulaanbaatar) and pianist Bob Bellows (US) for the Main Stage Concert Thursday October 5th. The program also includes headline club performances on Friday October 6th and Saturday October 7th. Several events will be covered by the UBS Television and FM radio stations.

Recognized leaders in Calgary, the Northern Lights Quartet is formed by Bruce Petherick (piano), Keith Smith (guitar), John Hyde (bass) and Robin Tufts (percussion), with each member highly regarded as musicians, composers, and educators. The group will be joined for the tour by Calgary vocalist Deb Rasmussen.

In addition to making their festival appearances the musicians will spend a week collaborating with local artists and teaching students of jazz, investing their talents in the growth of the fledgling Mongolian scene. The group have also been invited to lend their expertise and advice to the Ministry of Education and the UB Jazz Academy toward their development of jazz education programmes.

The idea for the tour was spawned when Mongolian pianist/drummer N. Ganbat traveled to Calgary last year and met the members of Northern Lights Quartet at a local jazz club. Ganbat is an established leader in his own right, and has collaborated with pianist/composer Steve Troman, a UK native who currently lives in Ulaanbaatar, to found the Giant Steppes festival and the UB Jazz Academy. They've also established the U-/bop Band, a trio with US bassist Andrew Colwe, also living and teaching in the Mongolian city.

When the Calgary musicians heard of their efforts to promote and foster jazz music and education in Mongolia, they threw their weight on board, taking the message out to the community. Contributions of items such as instructional books, DVD's and videos, and music texts have been donated by Calgary's business and music community, and the project has gained the support of the provincial government through the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, assisting the Canadian musicians to participate in the festival.

Ivanhoe-BHP Biliton find geophysical anomalies in Mongolia.

2006-09-15T06:53:00.000+02:00

Regional Geophysical Exploration Delineates Two Large IP Anomalies on the Ivanhoe-BHP Billiton Falcon JV Property in the Oyu Tolgoi District, Mongolia.

Charles Forster, Ivanhoe Mines Oyu Tolgoi Exploration Manager, announced today that the Ivanhoe-BHP Billiton Falcon Gobi joint venture has discovered two large induced polarization (IP) chargeability anomalies north and northwest of the Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold mine development project in southern Mongolia. The two new anomalies are on the Falcon Gobi Project, an exploration joint-venture between BHP Billiton, which manages and funds the joint venture, and Ivanhoe. The project covers an area of approximately 28,000 square km kilometres of Ivanhoe's non-core exploration ground in southern Mongolia.

The two large anomalies, together with many smaller anomalies, were delineated by Ivanhoe's Mongolian exploration team that has been conducting a regional geological and geophysical program under contract to BHP Billiton to better define priority targets identified by BHP Billiton's Falcon(TM) airborne gravity gradiometer survey over the Falcon Gobi Project. BHP Billiton's follow-up geological and geophysical program has now completed work on approximately 3,500 square kilometres of the Falcon Gobi Project. IP geophysical surveys have been successfully employed at Oyu Tolgoi and elsewhere in Mongolia's Southern Gobi region as a geological prospecting tool to help delineate zones of sulphide mineralization that are covered by unconsolidated sediments or volcanics.

To read the complete news release: http://www.ivanhoe-mines.com/i/pdf/2006-09-14_NR.pdf

Globe and Mail newspaper fails again to tell the whole story about mining-related events and policies in Mongolia

2006-09-14T09:28:00.000+02:00

Statement by John Macken, President and CEO, Ivanhoe Mines

A story published in the Toronto-based Globe and Mail newspaper today fails again to provide readers with the whole story, in an accurate and balanced manner, arising from a two-day mining conference in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

The alarmist and misleading story headline claims that "Mongolia is ready to grab stake in Ivanhoe Mine," with the secondary headline: "New law could see state owning 34%."

Even the seriously flawed story fails to support the obsessively negative headline. Neither the story, nor any representative of the Mongolian government, has said that the government is about to seize interests in any mining projects in the country. An implication of a grab, or seizure, is that such action could be taken without consent or fair compensation. But that is not the case.

In fact, the newspaper story beneath the headline reports that the government of Mongolia will not confiscate interests in any projects, including Ivanhoe's Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold mine development project, and will indeed ensure that any interest is acquired on a "commercial basis." The story also makes it clear that if the government actually does decide to acquire an interest in Oyu Tolgoi, for example, the interest could be anywhere from 1% up to a maximum of 34% - an important qualification ignored by the headline, which can only create confusion and concern among investors. Ivanhoe previously addressed the issue of potential state participation in a news release issued more than two months ago.

Beyond the headline, the story's principal failings include the following:

- There is nothing in the story to indicate that the government of Mongolia has decided to exercise its recently approved legislative option to acquire a stake in the Oyu Tolgoi project. The newspaper quotes only the view of a single cabinet minister, who is not even a member of the governing majority MPR party.

- There is nothing in the story to show that the government might attempt to negotiate a stake in the project before there is a clear mechanism to ensure that the company receives a fair price for any such interest. The newspaper once again is indulging in alarmist, harmful speculation.

- The newspaper failed to report that the leader of the MPRP caucus in the national parliament, D. Idevkhen, emphatically told the conference today that the government has the option to acquire up to 34% of strategic mineral deposits discovered without the use of state funds - "not 34%; up to 34%." Mr. Idevkhen declared that if the government decides to exercise its option, "rest assured that the government...will invest...through equity participation by purchasing their shares or maybe even through tax negotiations and preferential tax treatment." The issue, he said, will be addressed by the parliament.

- The newspaper also failed to report that Mr. Idevkhen told investors: "Your investment wishes and desires will be met by the Mongolian government and state. The Mongolian government will remain committed to securing stability of the investment environment."

- The newspaper failed to report that several prominent government and opposition members of Parliament told the mining conference that the windfall profits tax adopted by the Mongolian parliament in May will either be rescinded, or substantially modified to reduce its potential financial impact on mining companies. Mr. Idevkhen, leader of the governing MPRP caucus in Parliament, said earlier today: "I am convinced that this law will not live long." Mr.Idevkhen's comments have been widely reported in a more fair and balanced context earlier today by Reuters and Bloomberg international news services. Some opposition members of parliament were more scathing in their criticism of the windfall-profits tax law.

- As government representatives have previously stated, the tax on higher-priced copper concentrates will not apply if the concentrates are processed in a smelter in Mongolia. Ivanhoe has previously stated that it will work with the government of Mongolia to establish smelting capacity in Mongolia, which could handle Oyu Tolgoi concentrates. Ivanhoe has been approached by several parties with proposals to finance a smelter.

- The newspaper failed to report that demonstrators supporting foreign investment and development of Mongolia's mineral resources lined the entrance to the conference hall carrying signs with messages for delegates that included: "Mining is the future of Mongolia," and "Foreign investment in the mining sector creates jobs."

MSU, Mongolian paleontologists find 67 dinosaurs in one week

2006-09-14T06:57:00.000+02:00

One recent week in the Gobi Desert produced 67 dinosaur skeletons for a team of paleontologists from Montana and Mongolia who want to flesh out the developmental biology of dinosaurs.

Montana State University paleontologist Jack Horner said Wednesday that the same area yielded 30 skeletons last year, so researchers at MSU and Mongolia's Science and Technology University now have about 100 Psittacosaurus skeletons. The skeletons ranged in length from one to five feet and stood about two feet tall.

"That's what I was there for -- getting as many of those as we could possibly get," Horner said as he waited for the rest of the MSU team to return to Bozeman.

He was specifically looking for Psittacosaurus fossils because it was a very common dinosaur and would give him lots of specimens, Horner said. It would also keep away poachers and commercial fossil hunters who work in the area, but prefer rare fossils. Horner wants a large number of fossils so he can compare variations between skeletons and changes during growth.

The Psittacosaurus dinosaur, also known as a "parrot lizard," was a plant-eater that lived about 120 million years ago in the Early Cretaceous Period, Horner said. It was an ancestor of horned dinosaurs like the triceratops.

"The reason I went after Psittacosaurus was because I figured I could get more of those dinosaurs in the shortest period of time than any other dinosaur," Horner added.

Horner and his group left near the end of August for Mongolia. Joined there by Bolortsetseg Minjin and her team of Mongolian students, the paleontologists drove two days out of Ulan Bator. There, in a few square miles of badlands, they worked from sun-up to sundown and collected dozens of fossils.

This summer's fossils have all been excavated and are now at the Mongolian university, Horner said. Jamie Cornish, marketing director at MSU's Museum of the Rockies, said the bones belong to Mongolia, but Horner may obtain casts of them. Horner added that he will be able to study some of the fossils in Montana, but they will be returned to Mongolia.

"We can bring specimens here for a little while, but the Museum of the Rockies is not the place for bones from other countries," Horner said. "We have enough stuff."

The Mongolian dig is funded by Nathan Myhrvold and will continue next summer, Horner said. Myhrvold is a member of the Museum of the Rockies National Advisory Board and a major supporter of paleontology research in Eastern Montana. The Mongolian project is a joint research project with Mongolia's Science and Technology University. It's also designed to help the Mongolian university develop its paleontology program for students. It will include the construction of a preparation lab and a small museum in Mongolia.

"This project is primarily for the benefit of Mongolia, looking for specimens for them to put in a museum we're going to encourage them to build," Horner said. He added that the museum project is similar to an effort at Rudyard in northern Montana.

The paleontologists found two meat-eating fossils in Mongolia in addition to the Psittacosaurus, Horner said. One of them looked like a raptor and may be a new species, but Horner said, "We find new species all the time. ... A hundred Psittacosauruses are a lot more interesting to me than new species."

Little boy with a big heart

2006-09-14T06:53:00.000+02:00

He went to school with a plastic bag full of coins for The New Paper's Be Yourself Day on 31 Aug.

Initially it upset his teacher, who thought he was being cheeky.

But it turned out that Chua Jin Chou, 7, had emptied the contents of his piggy bank into the bag and was donating all his savings to the President's Challenge.

The Primary 1 pupil at Maha Bodhi School is already a charity veteran.

Besides helping in many community projects, Jin Chou has paid for a year's school fees and living expenses of a needy child in Mongolia.

While many of his peers may have just started understanding the word charity, for him it is already a part of life.

He is accustomed to spending his free time helping others.

Of course, his parents - who started exposing him to charitable deeds from the age of 2 - played a key role in this.

Three years ago, the family paid a visit to a Cambodian orphanage.

It opened the boy's eyes and heart.

'I know I am fortunate because my parents can support me. Other people may not be as lucky as me so I want to help them if I can,' said Jin Chou, when The New Paper met him at his school on Monday.

The school is one of 88 celebrating The New Paper's Be Yourself Day in aid of the President's Challenge. It too has emphasised charity as a value to its pupils.

Jin Chou saw the day as yet another opportunity to help and cleared out his elephant-shaped piggy bank. He took in the coins, which totalled $34.86, and handed them to his form teacher.

He said: 'Every day my mother gives me $1. So I try to save 40 cents a day if I can.

'Sometimes, my mother or father gives me the extra coins they have in their pockets and I save those also.'

His form teacher, Miss Regina Gan, had noticed the kindness in the boy in more ways.

She said: 'Jin Chou has always been actively participating whenever the school has charity drives.

'Even when he is in class, he's always willing to help his classmates, especially the weaker ones. I'm very impressed with his willingness to help others.'

This is not the first time that Jin Chou has happily parted with his savings.

'I don't think about it when I donate my money to others who need it more. When I think of others, I don't feel sad about it,' said Jin Chou.

Earlier this year, his school handed out a letter to pupils appealing to them to help the elderly.

Jin Chou raced home, gave the letter to his mother and told her that he wanted to buy some daily necessities like rice and sugar.

Said Mrs Chua, 37, a housewife: 'He was telling me he wanted to purchase a lot of things for the elderly. So I asked him where he was going to get the money and he said he would get it from me.

'I told him that I won't be paying for it because I wanted him to learn how to put his savings to good use.

'So he decided to empty his savings - about $50. We then went shopping and I told him he had to buy things which were within his budget.'

Added the boy: 'I'm very happy when I'm able to help other people.'

Mrs Chua and her husband, a senior manager, are also active in charity work and are part of a charitable organisation, Tzu Chi.

They decided it was best to start their son in charity work when he is young.

'Whenever I do volunteer work, I hear some parents saying that their children don't have time to join them because they'd rather watch a movie.

'I want Jin Chou to know how to set his priorities and learn to help others when he can,' said Mrs Chua.

She also encouraged him to use part of the money that he received during Chinese New Year to sponsor an underprivileged boy in Mongolia, through World Vision.

The $420 which he parted with was enough to support the Mongolian boy's living and studying expenses for a year.

While other children go for holidays and visit attractions like Disneyland, Jin Chou's parents have taken him to visit orphanages and hospitals for people who are bedridden, in Cambodia and Thailand.

When his school started collecting school bags for needy students in Cambodia, Jin Chou was not satisfied with the couple he had at home.

He went around knocking on doors in his neighbourhood and asking friends and relatives to donate bags too. He managed to collect as many as 80 bags.

Jin Chou also participates in beach clean-ups and willingly accompanies his father when he goes for home visits to help the elderly.

'He is very close to this 96-year-old lady he visits at an old folks' home. He enjoys going for these visits and talks to them and hugs them,' said Mrs Chua.

When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, Jin Chou's 'I want to be a doctor' sounds typical of a boy his age.

But when asked why, he said: 'I can help more people if I'm a doctor. And if people cannot afford to pay me, then I will tell them that it's okay and that it is for free.'

Calligraphy

2006-09-13T21:54:00.000+02:00

When I was in Mongolia on vacation I had the great pleasure of seeing a tremendous amount of superb calligraphy work from some of the finest artists of Mongolia. Sumiya, too, was very much impressed. We bought some ink, a brush and paper for her to try her hand at calligraphy. She knows what she's doing with the writing but neither of us have much of a clue about the techniques and possibilities of Mongolian, Chinese and Japanese calligraphy. We are in need of some guidance. Can someone point us to good websites, books, magazines or what-have-you to set us off on the right way?

Calligraphy.
Epson R-D1
Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50/2 ZM
film, shutter time & aperture unknown

Calligraphy (detail).
Epson R-D1
Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50/2 ZM
film, shutter time & aperture unknown

Technorati Tags : Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Ulan Bator
Shards of Mongolia http://shardsofmongolia.blogspot.com/

Government affirms pursuit for mineral stakes

2006-09-13T14:05:00.000+02:00

The new minerals law and windfall profits tax became central points of discussion today in Ulaanbaatar, where investors and government officials publicly debated Mongolia’s mining and mineral development.

"The Mongolian citizens want the government to intervene; these are Mongolian laws, and companies working here must work under them. There are many other countries in the world where they can invest," said B. Jargalsaikhan, Minister of Industry and Trade, this morning in a discussion with press and industry officials.

Mongolia's new mineral law allows for the government to invest up to 50 percent in state found strategic mineral deposits, or up to 34 percent in deposits found with private funding. However, the mechanisms for government investment have yet to be determined.

"The government of Mongolia has to pay through some sort of equity ownership," said Ts. Monkh-orgil, MP and chairman of the standing committee on law. "But, it is not clear how exactly the system will work."

Government officials continually referred to Oyu Tolgoi, the enormous copper-gold deposit in the southern Gobi, which has become the flagship project for Canadian Ivanhoe Mines Ltd.

"We, and the Mongolian government, has always said that after the new tax package and minerals law were finished, it would be time to move forward with Oyu Tolgoi. We are keen to do this now," said Ivanhoe's Executive Vice President for Corporate Affairs, Layton Croft.

Minister Jargalsaikhan stressed the fact that moving forward with projects the size of Oyu Tolgoi would involve government participation.

"There is no more secure partner to invest with than the government, we will never go bankrupt and don't have to rely on loans," he said.

Further discussions centered on producing more downstream products in Mongolia, such as coking coal and smelted copper. But definite, specific discussions have yet to determine where and when future developments would happen.

Officials from the Mongolian tax authority also said that recommendations for amendments to the windfall profits tax have been made to relevant ministries, but didn't specify the nature of the recommendations

U.S. Congressional delegation discusses MCA

2006-09-13T14:01:00.000+02:00

A U.S. Congressional delegation led by Congressman Jim Kolbe, one of the key figures for the Millenium Challenge Account (MCA), held talks with Mongolian President N. Enkhbayar and Prime Minister M. Enkhbold in order to assist Mongolia in finalizing MCA proposals, said a spokesman at the U.S. Embassy in Ulaanbaatar Wednesday.

"Some of Mongolia’s first MCA proposals were very broad and covered numerous sectors," said Alexei Kral, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy.

"Having this congressional delegation, who is actually involved in the MCA, has helped show Mongolia what needs to be done in terms of proposal work for the government to receive eligible funds."

In a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, Enkhbold said he hopes that a compact for assistance can be signed between the MCA and Mongolia in early 2007, since the 2006 fiscal year will end later this month.

"Some sectors may have to be cut out of the previous proposals due to exceedingly general plans," stated Kral.

"Also, proposals must show no leeway or room for corruption or misappropriation of funds."

Anti-corruption and anti-money laundering legislation has been a substantial talking point for MCA discussions, capped by the final passing of Mongolia's first anti-corruption law in July, set to be implemented from November 1, 2006.

The Congressional delegation's visit marks the end of U.S. Ambassador Slutz's period in office. The Ambassador is set to leave Mongolia on Friday with the new ambassador arriving late next week, the U.S. Embassy said.

Dalai Lama's travel plans to Mongolia kept secret

2006-09-12T15:55:00.000+02:00

The Chinese government doesn't really like the current Dalai Lama, and I can understand why. I can also understand the stance the Dalai Lama takes on the independence of Tibet. But what can one man do against a formidable opponent like the Chinese government. Perhaps not much but I admire his tenacity. :)

Anyway, one of my goals in life is to meet the Dalai Lama at least once, and this year I had a chance though I didn't know it at the time. I was in UB during the Dalai Lama's visit and we actually crossed paths: he was on his way to Gandan in a VIP's escort, I was in the bus on my way to downtown UB. :) That's as close I've ever been to the Dalai Lama. It's a start, isn't it. :) There were some large billboards in UB proclaiming the Dalai Lama would be life on TV but we had no idea he was going to be in UB. The Dalai Lama's stay was kept secret for a long time and I had no way of finding out before coming to Mongolia. Maybe next year I'll meet the Dalai Lama, in Hamburg, if I can find the money and the time; maybe some other time.

Cast of epic Japanese film on Genghis Khan includes nearly 1% of Mongolia's population

2006-09-12T15:43:00.000+02:00

When you see huge crowd scenes in most movies these days, you're usually looking at digital people created on a computer screen. But the crowd in Aoki Okami (The Blue Wolf), a Japanese epic about the legendary Mongolian leader Genghis Khan, is made of flesh and blood. In the scene in which people in colorful traditional costumes called their leader's name in a thunderous voice, there were actually 20,000 extras on the set.

Genghis Khan, founder of the Mongolian Empire, took the throne in 1206. Aoki Okami, a movie adapted from a novel by Seiichi Morimura, covers Genghis' life, his battles and his relationships with women. The movie stars Takashi Sorimachi as Genghis and is directed by Shinichiro Sawai. The 3 billion yen movie is set to open on March 3, 2007.

The climax of the movie is the enthronement ceremony in which Genghis declares in front of the Mongolians that he has become Khan, the official leader of the Mongolian tribes. The sequence was shot over two days last month in the grasslands about 50 kilometers south of Ulan Bator. It was the second day of the location shooting in which the 20,000 extras took part.

It was an approach that almost sounds like a gamble. After all, the total population of Mongolia is only about 2.5 million, so nearly one in every 100 Mongolians had to come out.

But executive producer Haruki Kadokawa was committed to the plan.

"What I feel from movies in recent years is the thinness of computer graphic images. They can never replace real people," he said.

In fact, he was so committed that he personally directed the two days of big scenes. Director Sawai was beside him giving advice.

Kadokawa said: "When I directed Ten to Chi to [Heaven and Earth, a historical epic about battling warlords in Japan] in 1990, I dealt with 3,500 extras. From experience, I know that such a scene requires not only cinematographic skills, but also mental toughness. Extras may lose patience at any time and start booing us. So we have to shoot with good timing. I was probably the only one who could do it."

To realize the plan, Genghis' military system of dividing people into units headed by chieftains and requesting each of them to mobilize their personnel was used. In Ulan Bator, 170 community leaders were requested to gather 100 or so people each. Meanwhile, a consulting firm that liaised between Japanese and Mongolian staff distributed flyers to let local residents know about the filming and urging them to "make a movie with Japanese people."

As a result, 16,000 people from Ulan Bator participated in the project. They were joined by 2,000 from other areas and another 2,000 from the army.

On the day of the shoot, participants from Ulan Bator left the city at 7 a.m. on 600 buses. They arrived at the location in an hour and changed into traditional costumes they had brought from home. Two hundred mounted police officers, a shaman, drummers and players of matouqin stringed instruments also got ready.

Shortly past noon, Sorimachi's Genghis appeared on the hill of the grassland. He rose from the throne as the shaman, played by Masahiko Tsugawa, gave him a message from a god. Then the shaman said, "Oh God, look at the blue wolf who set out on the dawn of Mongolia!" At this point everyone stood up and cheered.

When the shoot was over, Sorimachi said, "I saw the 20,000-member crowd and felt the greatness of Genghis Khan."

"Sorimachi appeared to be possessed by Genghis Khan, and so was I," Kadokawa said. "Genghis Khan is a warlord who embodied humanity's eternal joy and sorrow. I want to show his life like that of King Lear and Oedipus Rex. Of course, the life of a hero is much bigger than that of an actor, but I'm looking forward to seeing how Sorimachi rises to the challenge of transforming himself [into the character]."

Mongol Rally

2006-09-12T15:08:00.001+02:00

I never heard of the Mongol Ralley before but I'm positive I saw one of the teams, team Marco's Polo, on 21/8 just a outside UB when I was on my way to Khujirt.

It must be fun to take on such a challenge, expand your horizon, have a ton of fun (and bad times), and raise some money for a charity. Good luck on all the participants who haven't made it to Mongolia yet. I hope you all arrive before the snows set in. Bad luck the nights are already freezing cold. :)

UNESCO Practical Guide for media practitioners in Mongolia

2006-09-12T14:03:00.000+02:00

"A biased comment that knowingly distorts the truth harms the spirit and dignity of the journalist profession", states one of the principles of the Nihon Shimbun Kyokai journalists’ charter. Many journalists in Mongolia agree with this principle. But what if pursuing the noble goal of telling the truth, the journalist himself or herself runs a high risk of being hurt?

Read the full story here.

Religion in Mongolia

2006-09-12T14:01:00.000+02:00

I'm not a huge fan of religious mission in general and especially not to Mongolia. I can't stand the missionary zeal many of these churches display, and most are Christian. Religion is a personal experience IMO and people don't need any missionaries knocking on their doors telling them about the "holy" word of this or that god. One of the finer point in Mongolia is that most Mongolians only join a church or sect because of the parties, the food and drink or (in some cases) the money that are offered. Many Mongolians are looking for spiritual guidance and most don't find it in the church in the end. In the meantime they have had a good time at the aprties. :) Sounds cynical? It's the truth.

Those were my thoughts when I read the following:

Engineer David Miller of Spring Lake is leaving Saturday for a third mission trip to Mongolia in four years.

He was asked to lead a team of three Spring Lake Wesleyan churchmen. The other two men are outreach Pastor Dave Horne and Mick Bricker, who will be going to the northern China city of Shenyang first.

Miller plans taking a 12-hour train ride after arrival in Mongolia and spending two days with a new church group before joining Horne and Bricker for a week of visiting and helping new Wesleyan churches. The Spring Lake congregation has started six small churches in Mongolia.

Great trips, and nice if you can do it for your "work". I do hope they have a good time. Mongolia is a terrific country.

He explained, "While in Mongolia, a country of 2.7 million in east-central Asia — with Russia a neighbor on the north and China on the east, west and south — we worked to renovate a church building in Gachuurt. There, 22 nationals accepted the Christian faith at the first worship service in the new small church.

22 people isn't really a huge congregation, and I'm curious to find out how many of them are still active in that congregation.

"On the second trip in 2003, I was asked to give the sermon on a Sunday morning and baptized new believers in the Tuul River. This was an amazing, humbling experience to be used by God in such a way, and I'm excited to see how God will use the three of us to accomplish His plan in Mongolia this month," said Dave.

He added, "With strong prayer support on two earlier trips, Karen and I were able to bring more than $7,000 in medical supplies and purchase Mongolian Bibles for new believers. Customs simply waived us through and didn't even check our bags on the earlier trips. This was just one of many 'God things' that took place."

The medical supplies will certainly have been useful in the countryside but I'm diubtful about the bibles. Mongolians read anything and even Adolph Hitler's Mein Kampf is available for sale. More interesting is IMO the newly translated works of Danzanravjaa by Simon Wickham-Smith. Contact me if you want more information on this book.

Scythian mummy shown in Germany

2006-09-12T13:07:00.000+02:00

An international group of archaeologists has shown photos of a well-preserved 2,500-year-old mummy of a Scythian warrior found in Mongolia.

The mummy was hailed as a "fabulous find" at a news conference in Berlin.

It was unearthed at a height of 2,600m (8,500ft) in an intact burial mound in the Altai Mountains this summer.

Until now remains of the Scythians - who were Iranian nomadic peoples - had only been found on the Russian side of the Altai, the scientists said.

The mummy was found in the snow-capped mountains by the team of scientists from Germany, Russia and Mongolia.

Presenting the find, the president of the German Archaeological Institute, Hermann Parzinger, said the ice had helped to preserve the mummy.

"We just had to sweep away some dust and could begin," Mr Parzinger said.

Skin on the warrior's upper body was virtually intact, revealing tattoos.

The man - who the archaeologists believe was a nobleman - was dressed in a fur coat and wrapped into sheep's wool lining that was in remarkably good condition.

Two horses with saddles and weapons and also vessels were also found in the burial mound, or kurgan.

The archaeologists say they were placed in the tomb to accompany the warrior into the next life.

The recovered items are currently in storage in Mongolia's capital, Ulan Bator.

Arkhangai aimag quarantined

2006-09-12T13:02:00.000+02:00

Are you going to Arkhangai aimag one of these days? Then you might want to read this.

From yesterday center of Arkhangai aimag has been quarantined. A 20 years old young lady who just enrolled college locates in Tsetserleg (center of Arkhangai aimag) had high fever for 4-5 days and said she ate marmot meat recently. Doctors diagnosed it might be plague. Today the results of the test will become available.

The results are in by now and the lad was indeed diagnosed with bubonic plague. He's currently struggling for his life. So, be prepapred.

Train schedules from Moscow-UB or Beijing-UB

2006-09-12T12:58:00.000+02:00

You can find the train schedules from Moscow-UB or Beijing-UB on Mongolia Web News.

Indian food spices up Mongolian food scene

2006-09-12T12:54:00.000+02:00

The Indian food took its time to tickle the taste buds of Mongols, but once it did, it completely spiced up the food scene here.

From Tandoori kebabs to lassi, Hyderabadi biryani to Mango kulfi, just about everything that is available in India can be found here in any Indian restaurant.

The Mongol capital has a fair share of Indian restaurants and they are doing brisk business, with the President and Prime Minister of the country being some of their more famous clients.

"When I came here nine years ago, not many liked the spicy nature of Indian food, but today the scene is different," says K J Babu, manager of the Taj Mahal Restaurant in the heart of the capital.

Babu attributes this change to Mongolia's liberalised economy. "After the liberalisation in the nineties, many Mongols started going abroad and they came in touch with Indian food and Korean "Kimchi". Now a middle class family visits an Indian restaurant at least once a week," he says.

The Indian food is so popular that some restaurants conduct cooking classes also which are well attended.

"Initially I was scared of Indian food, even the Indian snacks I felt were very spicy, but I am used to them now," says Jargalan, a lawyer. However her favourite is a dessert- gulab jamun.

Hazara Restaurant, which has been named the best Indian restaurant in Ulan Bator, is known for its Mughalai specialities. Each table in the restaurant is covered in a 'shamiana' to give it an authentic Indian look.

"For the mongols who mostly eat boiled meat, taking to Indian food was not easy, but now they even import Indian masalas to spice up their food ," says Ahmed Khan, the manager of Hazara.

Prices in the Indian restaurants are high even by Ulan Bator standards, where the standard of living fairly good. "We import almost everything, even the rice and vegetables," says Babu citing the reason for high prices.

Geraltuya, a banker who also has taken Indian cooking classes says that she cooks an Indian dish atleast once in a fortnight. "We Mongols digest almost anything -- beef, camel and horse, but we stayed away from chicken and mutton, but Indian food has changed that," she says.

As more and more Mongolians take to Indian food, with some first gulping the spicy food with tears in their eyes, it is the Indian restaurateurs who are laughing all the way to the bank.

Mongolian film "Khadak" wins prize in Venice

2006-09-12T12:40:00.000+02:00

Khadak receives the Luigi de Laurentiis Prize for first fiction film in Venice

Khadak was awarded the Lion Of The Future - Premio Venezia Opera Prima "Luigi De Laurentiis" prize at the the 63rd Venice Film Festival.

World premiere in Venice

KHADAK will have its world premiere on August 31st in the Giornate degli Autori/Venice Days section of the festival. KHADAK is competing for the festival's Luigi de Laurentiis prize for first fiction film.

Press and industry screening : August 29, 17h00, Sala Perla, Lido
Official Screening : August 31, 16h15, Sala Perla, Lido
Public Screening : September 3, midnight, Sala Perla, Lido

North American premiere in Toronto

KHADAK will be screened at the Toronto International Film Festival taking place September 7th-16th.

Press and industry screening : September 7th, 12:45, Varsity 7
2nd Press and industry screening : September 11th, 16:45, Varsity 5
1st public screening : September 8, 18h30, Cumberland 3
2nd public screening : September 11, 12:30, Varsity 8
3rd public screening : September 15, 20h30, Cumberland 1

South American premiere in Sao Paulo

KHADAK will be presented at the 30th Sao Paulo International Film Festival taking place between October 20th and November 2nd, 2006.

New title

The film carried the working title 'The Colour of Water' throughout the production. At the very end of the sound mix KHADAK became the natural choice of title for the film. The word KHADAK means a sacred blue ceremonial scarf, an element which appears at key moments in the story.

Time Magazine covers 'Mine-golia'

An August, 2006 issue of Time magazine included a 7-page spread about Mongolia and mining entitled 'The New El Dorado' written by Michael Schuman. KHADAK is an indirect reflection of the anxieties and turbulence produced by controversial mining policies.

Fuel price has just increased

2006-09-12T08:35:00.000+02:00

I just wrote about them and already the fuel prices are being increased. I thought petrol was expensive in Holland (it seems everyone is complaining about it here) but in Mongolia things are much worse considering the difference in wealth and income.

Russian Federation petroleum supplier RosNeft has increased the price of some oil products this month.

Petrovis company senior sales manager R. Oyunkhishig said: "RosNeft has increased the price of oil products such as unleaded petrol Ai–93, and the export tax of oil products has increased in the Russian Federation."
The Petrovis company has increased the price of A–80 by MNT 40 to MNT 840–850; Ai-92 by MNT 80 to MNT 950 – 960; diesel fuel by MNT 60 to MNT 1010– 020; and Ai–95 by MNT 100 to MNT 1030.

J.Shishmishig, a contract officer in the Department of Petroleum Authority, said: "The authority renders assistance for importer companies by looking for exporter companies who will supply the oil products constantly and reliably for them.

"There is no expectation that fuel prices will decrease or will be changed in September. By and large there is a tendency for prices to stay the same as they are."

When asked if there were plans to find other suppliers and exporters of oil products in order to reduce Russia’s influence on importing oil, J.Shishmishig said: "Which resource the importer company wants to purchase is the issue of the company."

The Petrovis company has a contract to import oil products from Kazakstan, which R. Oyunkhishig said was not a reliable supplier."

Photos from Mongolia inserted

2006-09-10T12:26:00.000+02:00

I'm inserting some photos in my Mongolia diary posts. Check out the previous weeks' posts for those photos. Let me know what you think. :)

Family group shot.
Epson R-D1
Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50/2 ZM
film: iso800; shutter time & aperture unknown

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Photos from Mongolia

2006-09-09T21:48:00.000+02:00

Yaaaawn! I've been developing RAW files for two days now and I'm fed up with it. :) Thank god, I'm finished. I shot nearly 2000 photos in those three weeks in Mongolia and it's fair to say but I didn't do as good a job as I usually do. I think a lot has to do with my experimenting with IR photography, and with the many people shots I've been taking because of the 26th World COngress of Poets. Both of these aren't my strongest points (yet) and there were many shots that simply didn't make the grade. I'm still left with a decent bunch of photos. I have to work on them a little in PaintShop Pro to get them ready for my blogs. That will take some time but at least I've stumbled over the first hurdle. :)

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Russian visas... never again!

2006-09-06T15:39:00.000+02:00

As a BTW, if I can help it, I'm never going to travel to Mongolia via Russia ever again. Traveling with Aeroflot isn't the problem. What is is getting a transit visa for Russia if you have to wait more than 24 hours between connecting flights. It's expensive, takes a long time and is really not worth the hassle. Because we had to wait (literally!) 15 minutes more than 24 hours for our connecting flight back to Holland, we ended up spending $170 for the visa, Euro 175 for a hotel room, and extra expenses for food in Moscow. MIAT might be a bit more expensive than Aeroflot and the train tickets Berlin-Amsterdam vv will cost money, but at least I won't have to struggle three whole (wasted) days and wait a whole week to get visas for Russia.

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Back home from Mongolia

2006-09-06T15:28:00.000+02:00

We're back home!

3 weeks in Mongolia is hardly enough but, to be honest, I'm kinda glad to back home again. :) I'm glad I was able to help Mend-Ooyo with the early days of the 26th World Congress of Poets. I love Mongolia but the dust and the air pollution of the city give me headaches often, which tires me and makes me grumpy. Our week out to Khujirt was much better for me than staying in the city.

I've gotten a better idea of what it would mean to be traveling from east to west, from north to south, to Khentii, Dornod or Sukhbaatar. First of all, with a good car and a good driver things aren't as daunting as they might seem before setting off. It would also do not to travel in the height of August. Not only is August the wettest month, which could have severe effects on the dirt roads and the traversing of rivers, but it's also warm. July is similarly warm. I think the best time might be the travel in late August or early September, or between the second half of April and July. Best thing is that that way I'd also avoid the tourist season. It could be cold at night, though, especially in April and September.

The biggest problem in Mongolia is that fuel, transportation and accomodation are expensive. Nowadays, diesel fuel costs some 975 tugrug in UB but about 1000 tugrug in the countryside. 92 and 98 octane petrol cost some 100-150 tugrug less per litre, and 80 octane petrol is even cheaper. Yet, I've seen the fuel prices increase two to threefold over the past 6 years. It's getting expensive.

The tugrug-euro exchange rate is still good at some 1475-1500 tugrug per euro. And it pays to check for the best rate. Even the exchange shops near "Ard", all close by eachother, may vary a few tugrug. Drawing money on your credit card from a bank is less of a good deal. This may cost you some 25-50 tugrug on the euro compared with the exchange shops. Of course, the benefit is that you don't need to bring cash money. BTW, outside UB it's still not adviceable to rely on your credit card or on money exchangers. There aren't many (if any) ATMs or banks where you can draw money on your credit card, and exchanging money is always at a lesser rate than in UB and might simply not be possible because there isn't enough money around.

Traveling in the countryside by modern, Japanese micro bus (as we did) is a good option but I'd still prefer the old, Russian VW-style micro bus. I've never traveled by Russian Jeep but that might be another good way of traveling. As long as the driver/owner knows how to fix any mishaps and takes care of his car, there shouldn't be too many problems. Things simply break down in the countryside but most should be repairable in a short time.

I've seen enough of khangai for now. I looking forward to seeing other parts of Mongolia, like the steppes of Dornod or the forest of Khentii or Khuvsgul, or the mountainous aimag of Khovd or Bayan-Olgii. :)

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Ulaanbaatar, Boldkhuder-akh's house

2006-09-02T14:51:00.000+02:00

I'm wondering a little why there's such an emphasis on Chinggis Khaan and the Yuan period. Of course, I understand the importance of these periods in a historic sense but other periods have been just as important, and some with even further-reaching consequences. There is the period of the Hunnu, better knwon in the West as the Huns. The conquests of the Huns caused, in part, the fall of the Western Roman Empire. And the tribes and peoples that fled in the advance of the Huns caused the Germanic tribes like the Angles, the Saxons, the Germans and the Frisians to move further and further west from Central Asia. These tribes and peoples finally settled in Western Europe. They are our ancestors.

Other important periods have to do with Chinese history. Before and after the Yuan period, China has been ruled by many non-Chinese peoples. Most of these were nomadic people who were able to muster the power and the people to conquer China and found an empire.

One more interesting era is the period after the fall of the Manchu Qing empire, the first declaration of independence in 1911, the Revolution and the second declaration of independence in 1924, the period of Mongolia becoming the second Communist country in the world, and Mongolia turning democratic in 1989. This era (I'll call it the Socialist era, for lack of a better term) spans a mere 80 years but it's a period of immense interest and importance, not only for Mongolia but also for the insights it offers in the colonial history of Central and East Asia, the workings of the Communist world, and the struggle to throw off the Communist yoke after the fall of teh Iron Curtain.

In that respect the book Twentieth Century Mongolia by Baabar is a great resource as it addresses this Socialist eraq in depth. Reading this book gave me a much better understanding of modernday Mongolia than any other travel guide or history book ever could.

BTW, in stead of paying the high price at Amazon, I can arrange a copy of the latest print of this book for Eu 25, excluding shipping (barring any incident price hikes). Just email me.

Twentieth Century Mongolia by Baabar

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Ulaanbaatar, Boldkhuder-akh's house

2006-09-02T14:23:00.000+02:00

Sumiya came home after 3am. I'm glad I could sleep those hours. :) We had just woken up when Sumiya once again got a call. Whether she could be at the Chinggis Khaan Hotel at 11am to take Dr Yu Hsi to the Opera House. He wanted to check out the place and see whether it was possible to show a DVD there for the congress. Sumiya hastily took a shower, got dressed and put on her make-up. With 10 minutes to spare, she left. I guess she didn't arrive too late at the hotel.

While Sumiya hurriedly went out, the rest of us had breakfast. We had decided I'd take Nomin and Michelt out to the National History Museum. This is an interesting museum but it sadly still has few English explanations. Especially the rooms about the Revolution, the Socialist period and the (early) Democratic period mostly lack English explanations Yet, I find these periods of recent Mongolian history probably more interesting than anything prior to it. I'd also like to see a catlog or a guide book of this museum. It must have a wealth of information, images and such. It shouldn't be too hard to come up with a nice (small) guide book and a (large), more in-depth, more informative book.

When we left the museum, it was actually snowing. Nothing more than a snowy drizzle but still. It's September 2! :)

I found a phone and called Sumiya. She was still at the Opera House and would have lunch at the Chinggis Khaan Hotel. I took Nomin and Michelt to a guanz where we had lunch. Now we are back home. Nomin and Michelt are watching cartoons on Cartoon Network. I'll just take it easy this afternoon. Sumiya told me we'd be having dinner at the Chinggis Khaan Hotel and that Dr Maurus Young is expecting me. :)

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Ulaanbaatar, Boldkhuder-akh's house

2006-09-01T23:29:00.000+02:00

I have an idea for a calligraphy. It's an idea for a two meter long, about half a meter high calligraphy. It depicts the sacred hill in Sukhbaatar, where Eej hails from. Also, a few (or just one?) short poems decorate the calligraphy.

I have no idea if a calligraphy like this can be done by someone for us one day. I hope so. I think it depicts the essence of the sacred hill and the tranquility of the steppe, only slightly interrupted by the whisper of a poem, fluttering in the wind, before it fades and disappears.

We had a quite day today. It didn't look like that this morning. We got up by half past nine and Sumiya got a call from Mend-Ooyo only minutes later: congress matters. It seemd I would be taking some people to a few tourist attractions, were it not that the tour bus didn't show up. Today the city was one big traffic jam. It's 1 September and that means that all the schools have opening ceremonies celebrating the new school year. It also means that parents bring their cubs to school, often by car. And UB schools have two, sometimes 3, sessions per day, so the traffic never ceases during the day. Needless to say that the tour bus got stuck in traffic and couldn't make it in time to the Chinggis Khaan hotel to make it worthwhile to tour around the city. Just getting from the Chinggis Khaan hotel to the National Historic Museum would take 30 minutes because of the traffic jams. So, I was not needed. And Sumiya wasn't either. We had the day to ourselves.

A little past one in the afternoon, Boldkhuder and Altannavch came. We all dreaded this moment, and it was as bad as we had anticipated. Those fish are very dear to Boldkhuder. He loves them. He loves to watch them. He loves to take care of them. He didn't say much buthis face was distorted in a painful grimace. It must have felt as if his heart had been ripped out. This was bad.

We left Boldkhuder alone with his thoughts. He's not the type of man to sit down and sulk very long. He's a man who takes charge, takess a decision and goes out to do what he decided. Even before we left, he'd already made up his mind that he'd want to buy a new fish tank. When we came home later in the evening, we saw he had indeed bought one, and a nice one it was too. I hope this new start is giving him back his joy de vivre and his good humored nature. By the way, the carpet is most likely ruined. That's another thing we'll have to settle with him.

Ariuna.
Epson R-D1
Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50/2 ZM
film, shutter time & aperture unknown

As bad as things were, we left the house by quarter past two to meet Ariuna at the Irish Pub Grand Khaan, a kind of grand cafe-style... Irish pub. :) And an expensive place it is, too. A couple of pints, a few softdrinks, juices and milkshakes, a cheese burger and a platter of food set me back a cool 45,500 tugrug. It's a nice place but my wallet doesn't like it much.

Tseegi.
Epson R-D1
Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50/2 ZM
film, shutter time & aperture unknown

We had a nice afternoon with Ariuna. Tseegi also dropped by for a short while, until work called again. A couple of hours pass by so quickly but we had to drop by Mend-Ooyo's office to check our business cards. Snazzy! :)

Dinner at Zoloo's.
Epson R-D1
Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50/2 ZM
film, shutter time & aperture unknown

Sumiya was determined to meet Zoloo today too. We had to wait until she had finished work at 19.00 but she came to pick us up and her sister drove us to Zoloo's house; far, far away in 3rd and 4th district in ager district named dund naran. It took us just 45 minutes to get there. :) We ate, we talked, we saw the family album and before we knew it, it was 22.00 and really time to go.

Now Sumiya is away to the airport again with Mend-Ooyo to collect Dr Mohan, the President of the World Academy of Arts and Culture. Since I shot photos of the arrival of the 3-4 VIPs (Dr and Mrs Maurus Young, Dr and Mrs Ernesto Kahan, Dr Yu Hsi, and Ms Young, the film crew leader) I decided not to go. Besides, Dr Mohan's plane is expected to arrive by midnight. If things go as they went in the past few days then it'll be 2 or 3 in the morning before Sumiya is back home. I'll keep the bed warm for her. :)

It's really weird but my vacations in UB are always much more exciting (or at least more action packed) than my life in Amsterdam. My life in UB is almost as exciting as in a soapy. :) But I never get to do the things I had planned to do. I did not visit Xac Bank. I did not shoot any ger districts. I did not shoot any other photos for any of my other projects I have set myself. And that is the part that sucks about my soapy life. If I ever want to get those things done, I must get me a guide/ mediator/ translator/ assistent who works for me and paves the way for me. Otherwise I'll get distracted by other, domestic and personal, issues that demand attention. But (and don't tell this to anyone!) these distractions do get me in situations and places that are part of the life of the average Mongolian, and give me shooting opportunities I would otherwise not get.

It's 20 past midnight. I'm calling it a day. Saikhan amraarai!

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Ulaanbaatar, Barilgachidiin Talbai

2006-09-01T18:46:00.000+02:00

A thought occured to me. Why do writers, movie stars and other celebrities always (or, at least, very often) ignore the existence of their family? I mean, when was the last time you heard a celebrity talk freely and openly about his or her parents or siblings? Sure, the celebrity made it big and his/her parents are probably not such big names, and their siblings may not have gained wealth and fame, but who were there when it mattered? Who supported the celebrity when (s)he was not yet one? Who coughed up the money, the sweat and the tears to pave the way? Who kicked his/her arse when (s)he was in a rut? Precisely, the same people (s)he now ignores, sometimes even deying their existence.

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Ulaanbaatar, Mend-Ooyo's office

2006-09-01T17:53:00.000+02:00

Dr Yu Hsi is a bit of a character. He is reportedly wealthy, quite a poet and single. Maybe that explains the large number of young women in his retinue. Or perhaps he prefers women to men as his assistents. He also seems to be some sort of guru, if that's the right word. At least, one of the female monks told us that Dr Yu Hsi is her teacher. What to think of that?

Dr Yu Hsi, interpretor, Dr Mend-Ooyo and Dr Maurus Young.
Epson R-D1
Voigtlander 25/4
film, shutter time & aperture unknown

Picking up Dr Yu Hsi and getting him to the hotel took quite some time. Sadly, when we came home, there was no bed available because of that evening's disaster. We had to put all the furniture back in place before we could go to bed. It was after 2.00 when we turned off the light.

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Shards of Mongolia http://shardsofmongolia.blogspot.com/

Ulaanbaatar, Boldkhuder-akh's house

2006-09-01T13:08:00.000+02:00

...care of the surviving fish. I've never had such a weird and stressing situation. You live in someone's house and then you not only break his fish tank, kill his fish but also ruin his carpets. Damnedest thing that ever happened to me. :)

Anyway, we left Armageddon in the capable hands of Eej and Ganbold around 21.15. We picked up the flowers, went to the Chinggis Khaan hotel, got the flowers in the rooms and took off for the airport. We arrived nicely on time, only to find out that Dr Yu Hsi's plane was delayed. He was now to arrive close to midnight.

Dr Yu Hsi presenting a gift to Dr Mend-Ooyo.
Epson R-D1
Voigtlander 25/4
film, shutter time & aperture unknown

Who do you image when you hear the name "Dr Yu Hsi" and knwoing he's a poet from Taiwan? Whatever you imagine, I reckon it's waaaaaay off from reality. Dr Yu Hsi is a short man, wearing a mac and a flat cap all the time, who is so full of energy he can't stand still for half a second. I know that for a fact! I had to shoot at 1/15 sec to get at least some blurless shots!. :)

Dr Yu Hsi brought his own entourage. There was a photographer with a very nice digital Hasselblad shooting away, as well as a videographer and Ms Young, the leader of a film crew. This crew is going to shoot a film of the 26th World Congress of Poets. Then there were not one but 2 Mongolian girls, who live and study in Taiwan, as interpretors; a bunch of hangers-on and a few people who arrange things for the Dr. But that wasn't all. There was also a couple of female Buddhist monks, or nuns! And if you think that was all, you're mistaken. These were just the people who'd come business class. In the arrival hall for us economy class flyers, there was an even bigger retinue. I'm not sure but I think Dr Yu Hsi's entourage consists of some 40 people, including a dozen or more female Buddhist monks.

Dr Mend-Ooyo and Dr Yu Hsi.
Epson R-D1
Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50/2 ZM
film, shutter time & aperture unknown

Technorati Tags : Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Ulan Bator
Shards of Mongolia http://shardsofmongolia.blogspot.com/

Province name		2001	2002	2003	2004	2005
"B"	planned	37,610,000	38,416,000	39,987.000	40,411,000	64,174,600
	realized	34,939.300	44,026,200	105,178,800	72,296,200	84,228,900
"A"	planned	28,000,000	25,000,000	32,000,000	32,230,000	37,000,000
"A"	realized	36,978,800	43,791,300	36,088,200	36,724,900	252,634,200