Mongolia Brief February 5, 2015 Part I
Resolution
will be submitted on "Measures for overcoming economic difficulties"
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
February 5 (MONTSAME) The Cabinet of Ministers held an irregular meeting on
Wednesday in regard to the completion of the public poll to choose Mongolia’s
developmental way.
The Ministers
discussed a parliamentary draft resolution on "Measures required for
overcoming economic difficulties" and decided to submit it to parliament.
After the meeting, The Premier Ch.Saikhanbileg made a statement and thanked the
people for actively taking part in the poll. A total of 365,841 citizens
participated in the poll that took place between 10 am of January 31 and 10 pm
of February 3.
The first
option about forwarding Oyu Tolgoi and other large construction projects to
revive the national economy was preferred by 56.1 percent of the poll
participants, the second one about minimizing expenses and putting discipline
over the economy was chosen by 43.9 percent. "Therefore, the Government
will pursue a forwarding of the construction projects and straightening
budgetary and financial policies and reducing budget deficit,” said the PM and
hoped that parliament will support the cabinet’s actions.
This draft will
be submitted to parliament along with the action plan for stabilizing the
macroeconomic conditions and ensuring realistic economic growth, he said.
"The time has come to prioritize our country’s interests and to lessen
politics," he added.
Cabinet
offers amendments to Law on Mineral Resources
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
February 5 (MONTSAME) The irregular meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday
resolved to submit to parliament these draft amendments regarding the matters
of royalties and State ownerships in the deposits of strategic importance.
According to
the Law on Mineral Resources, 15 sites were identified as the deposits of
strategic importance pursuant to resolution No.27 of 2007. A defining of the
percentages of state ownership is regulated by agreements on site exploitation.
Today, the state ownership has been realized through state-owned companies at
mines such as Oyu Tolgoi, Tavan tolgoi, Shivee Ovoo, Baganuur and Erdenet. In
times of nowadays economic situation, it is required to earn the yield from
these deposits and increase the state profit according to current rates in
order to ease the financial pressure on the state budget and to boost the
projects' implementation. To do so, the draft initiators want to create a legal
environment that allows to collect a certain amount of payment from
license-owners for keeping percentages of state ownership, and to charge
royalties on the exploitation of minerals for specific use. Amounts of the
payment will be set up by the Government upon agreements with license-owners
and in view of feasibility studies, effectiveness, investments, resources and
commercial revenue from the sites.
School
buildings to be renovated with Japanese aid
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
February 5 (MONTSAME) Buildings of seven secondary schools in localities will
be renewed this year under non-refundable aid from the government of Japan in
frames of the Grassroots-Ensuring Human Safety programme.
A related
cooperation memorandum was signed Wednesday by the co-implementers of the
project. Accordingly, some USD 630 thous. will go to the schools located in
Khovd, Khentii, Selenge, Arkhangai, Dundgobi, Darkhan-Uul and Uvs aimags.
Implemented by
the government of Japan, the Grassroots programme launched in 1989 with a key
purpose of ensuring multilateral needs of developing countries. The programme’s
aid is granted for small-sized projects on education, health and local
governance through the Embassies of Japan.
The programme
started in Mongolia in 1990, its aid has reached all our provinces, mainly
focusing on the education. For the time being, 454 projects have been realized
within this programme, over 60% of them have been dedicated to the expansion of
schools and kindergartens' buildings.
Mongolian
script billboards to express Ulaanbaatar
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
February 5 (MONTSAME) The Municipality Department for General Planning
commenced Tuesday in the UB city a project on replacing nameplates and
billboards of entities with their copies written in the Mongolian script.
This action is
reflected in the Government resolution No.37 named "Measures for improving
Mongolian language and script education" and the Mayor’s direction on
"Implementation of Smart Ulaanbaatar Program". The resolution
obligates the governors of all administrative units to have the private and
public entities written their nameplates and billboards in both Mongolian
script and Cyrillic. In frames of the Smart Ulaanbaatar Program, a Brand book
of the city, that allows every corner of Ulaanbaatar can be identified easily
through unique style and image, is to be developed.
State
organizations will begin business hours at 8:30
February 5
(news.mn) A decision to change the business hours of state organizations,
universities, secondary schools, and kindergartens of the capital has been
officially resolved.
Under the new
hours of operation:
Universities
and Institutes will start classes at 7:40 a.m.
Secondary
school and kindergartens will start classes at 8:00 a.m.
State
organizations, ministries, government agencies and subordinate organizations,
capital city
organizations and implementing agencies will start business hours at 8:30 a.m.
The change has
been implemented according to a decree by the Governor of Ulaanbaatar and will
be effective starting February 16.
Related:
New
schedule of working hours set – Montsame,
February 5
Working schedule will be changed from
Feb, 16 – gogo.mn, February 5
Parliament
prolongs its autumn session
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar,
February 5 (MONTSAME) The parliamentary autumn session has been prolonged until
February 18 in order to manage to discuss a programme submitted by the cabinet
on overcoming the current economic difficulties, said the Speaker of parliament
Z.Enkhbold Thursday.
Now the plenary
meeting is discussing a parliamentary draft resolution on agendas to be
discussed by the spring session, The draft, presented by a head of the Standing
committee on state structure A.Bakei, received 11 proposals from the President
of Mongolia, 13--from the Standing committee on security and foreign policy,
one--from the Standing committee on environment, food and agriculture,
five--from the Standing committee on social policy, education, culture and
science, six--from the Standing committee on state structure, eight--from the
Standing committee on budget, seven--from the Standing committee on economy,
six--from the Standing committee on justice, 35--from the DP faction, 12--from
the faction of the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP), 25--from the faction of the
“Justice” coalition; and some 60--from the cabinet. Eight proposals have been
given by S.Oyun, D.Ganbat and Kh.Bolorchuluun MPs.
In addition,
the agendas have bills--on movable and non-material properties pledge, on
public hearing, on future heritage, on family (new wording), on media freedom
(new wording), on general election of Mongolia, on political party, and on financing
of political party; also draft resolutions of parliament on approving a
long-term policy document on development of Mongolia, as well as a state policy
on sciences and technologies.
The plenary
meeting is continuing.
"Morin
Khuur for beginners" DVD lessons released
By B.
Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar,
February 5 (MONTSAME) A "Cultural Heritage of Mongol Nation and
Nomads" NGO has published a book and created DVD lessons dedicated to
Morin Khuur (horse-head fiddle, the Mongolian national musical instrument).
The lessons
teach everything that relates to playing the instrument, for example, a
structure of the instrument, a correct position, easy tones, even a simple
maintenance.
The lessons are
conducted by the professor of the University of Arts and Culture P.Temuujin, a
winner of President’s award and a national and international Grand Prix prize
winner.
GoM
to take on 25 million USD loan from Asian Development Bank
February 5
(news.mn) The Government of Mongolia has decided to take out a loan of 25
million USD from Asian Development Bank.
At the joint
plenary meeting of the Standing Committee on Budget and Economy today, it was
decided that this loan should be pursued and the issue should be discussed at
the general session of the Parliament. The terms of the loan are as follows:
Repayment term
of 25 years
Interest rate
of 2 percent
Total loan of
25 million USD
The loan's
funds will be allocated to 20 professional training and production centers and
30 secondary schools for buying equipment.
Students at
higher education institutes and vocational schools need equipment for practice
and training in classroom environments. For example, students studying to
pursue careers as hairstylists and in food service need equipment and materials
to learn the skills required for such careers.
MP S.Ganbaatar
mentioned, “To take out loans for the education sector is the right thing to
do. But it needs to be clarified what percentage of the loan is going to be
spent on buying equipment, because most expenses are used for salaries for foreign
advisors. Moreover, there is always somebody who causes confusion and gaps by
buying equipment at a total cost of 30 million MNT and reporting that the cost
of the equipment was 300 million MNT."
Minister of
Labor S.Chinzorig answered the MP, stating, “Seventy-three percent of the loan
will be dedicated to buying equipment, three percent for advisory services, and
24 percent for operational costs.”
Twenty-two
members out of 35 participated in the standing committee meeting, and the loan
proposal was encouraged and approved with 100 percent of the vote.
Mongolian
Television Forum organized
February 5
(news.mn) The Mongolian Television Forum has been initiated and organized for the
second time by Mongol TV, this year under the slogan “Stable Development of
Mongolian Television”, starting today at Blue Sky Hotel.
Representatives
from foreign studios, distributors, and television broadcaster such as
Bomanbridge, ITV, Deutsche Welle, Sony, IMG, Groton Media, and Asia SAT are
participating to introduce their content, image, and graphic formats at the
forum.
Discussion of
the following topics will take place:
The stable
development of Mongolian television
Ethics of TV
journalism
How to create
broadcasting that meets international standards
HR and future
perspectives for Mongolian televisions
Content trends
in television around the world
An exhibition
of foreign content, graphics, and image formats will be organized within the
framework of the forum. During the exhibition, a competition will be held to
select the best concept for a television show with the possibility of
concluding a contract with the management of one of several televisions
stations in attendance.
The
Business Council of Mongolia Statement on court verdict on case related to
former employees of SouthGobi Sands LLC
February 5
(gogo.mn) The Business Council of Mongolia (BCM) aims to make constructive
contributions to enhancing the business environment in Mongolia and works to
foster trade and business relations by providing a networking forum for its
members.
BCM would like
to make following statement in regards to the court verdict following the investigation that
lasted nearly 3 years into alleged violations of Mongolian taxation law
against three former employees of SouthGobi Sands LLC (SGS) and against SGS as
“civil defendant”. SGS's parent company, SouthGobi Resources Ltd., is a
BCM member.
According to
practices in many other countries as well as clearly defined articles in
Mongolian taxation laws, tax dispute can be and usually solved through civil
proceedings. BCM regrets that this case has been considered as a criminal case
against above legislations and the defendants received very harsh sentences of
sentences ranging from 5 years and 6 months to 5 years and 10 months of
imprisonment in the correctional facilities of strict regimen in Mongolia.
Additionally,
as noted by officials from embassies of foreign countries who attended the
trial, there were interpretation problems during the trial which may have
resulted in the defendants not understand the interpretation, nor could they
express themselves clearly. BCM believes anyone must have right to a fair
trial including right to express themselves fully and correctly.
The people and
the Government of Mongolia understand the importance of and are working hard to
overcome the economic difficulties and restore foreign direct investment that
has dropped 85% in recent years. At a time like this, the process of court
hearing and the verdict represents how basic legal rights of foreign invested
companies and foreign nationals who are working and living here can be abused
and undermines all of that hard work. This has sent shockwaves across the
Mongolian and international investment community who now not only investing
into Mongolia but cancelling their trips to Mongolia. . One of the fundamentals
of a good investment climate is certainty and the Court’s verdict has left
investors with many questions about transparency, governance and the rule of
law, not only for companies but also for individuals. We, as a country, should
not underestimate how damaging this verdict is for the Mongolian investment
outlook.
As democratic
country, independent judicial system is a basis for human rights in Mongolia.
However instigating a criminal case into what is considered as a usual business
matter, investigating for long period of time, subjecting to travel bans and
giving harsh sentences without enough supporting evidences is contrary to
democracy and creates suspicion of political motivation amongst investors.
BCM believes
that effective cooperation between public and private sectors, equal legal
rights, fairness accountability regardless of nationality are key to
development and prosperity of Mongolia.
BCM hopes that
the judicial organizations of Mongolia will pay attention to this case at the
appeal level and provide fair and equal access to the trial for the participants
within their legal rights.
THE BUSINESS COUNCIL OF MONGOLIA
Contact:
The Business
Council of Mongolia
Express Tower, 12-th floor
Peace Avenue, Ulaanbaatar, 15160, Mongolia
Express Tower, 12-th floor
Peace Avenue, Ulaanbaatar, 15160, Mongolia
Phone/Fax:
976-11-317027
Related:
BCM releases statement on
the sentencing of former SGS management – news.mn, February 5
PM
Ch.Saikhanbileg: 365.000 votes were unexpected high attendance
By U.
Badamtsetseg
February 5
(gogo.mn) "These days, I had asked the nation which route Mongolia is
to choose for its Development Path for Mongolia 2015-2016 and 365.000 residents
attended to the poll by texting.
Comparing to
the attendance of the parliamentary election, almost half of the electors were
polled. Even, residents were not responsible for voting, they involved with
their heart. For me, 365.000 votes were unexpected high attendance.
The Government
considered that 56,1% of residents chose the development of bigger projects
such as OT while remained 43,9% of residents obliged the Government to save on
its expenditures and stabilize the exchange rates.
Therefore,
I would like to say that the Government will support the biggest
construction projects, arrange economic and financial policies, and decrease
the budget deficit in further.
I hope that
Parliament will support the Government on this process. Cabinet meeting had
discussed on measurements to cope with economic difficulty and decided to
submit the draft resolution to the Parliament.
Moreover, the
Government initiated key working plans to overcome economic challenges by
stabilizing the macro economy and providing real economic growth. The working
plans will be submitted to the Parliament with draft resolution. Thus,
I highly recommend to protect the national interest and set aside the
politic." he said.
Mummified
monk believed to be Geser Lama
February 5 (UB
Post) News spread all over the world about the recent discovery of a mummified
monk in the lotus position that was found in Ulaanbaatar. Police are
investigating the man who hid the mummified monk within his fenced property in
11th khoroo of Songinokhairkhan District.
The mummy has
been moved to the National Center of Forensic Expertise.
“Investigation
process as well as the full examination of the mummy is still underway. A team
was assigned to the case recently, which includes researchers, scientists, and
the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education, Culture and Science staff. The
team will work on the issue and an official announcement will be made by them,”
said the Director of the public relations at the General Police Department,
Colonel B.Baatarkhuu.
The police have
opened a criminal case against citizen “E” (name redacted) who hid the mummy
and attempted to sell it.
The discovery
of the mummy and issues revolving around it has cause much stir and alarm among
many foreign researchers and scientists. Several foreign sources speculated
that the mummy might be famous Lama Dashi-DorzhoItigilov. Mongolian researchers
believe that the mummy is a burial of a holy person who went into the Samadhi
state.
Buddhist monk
G.Purevbat said, “The mummy might be a 70 to 80-year-old man from its
appearance. Since the mummy was in a humid condition, its back is crooked.”
Since it’s
placement at the National Center of Forensic Expertise, several visitors
reportedly visited the center to pray to the mummy believing it to be a holy
deity.
A man who saw
the mummy said, “It looked like it was alive. There was no cold aura about it.
It is wonderful that the mummy has hair, beard, hands, fingers and ears. The
overall color was grey and brownish.”
Patriarch Lama
of Gandantegchinlen Monastery D.Choijamtssaid that the mummy should be
worshipped secretly.
“The mummy is a
burial of a lama, according to its appearance, hands and the ultimate act of
religious discipline. If something negative happens in a certain area, for
example, a natural disaster, the burial of a person who has a high level of
energy is placed at the land in order to stop the negativity. People can’t even
touch this kind of burial. Instead, they must worship the mummy secretly. So
the mummy might be the relic of the land where it came from,” he said.
The mummy is
believed to be Geser Lama or his disciple, according to sources close to the
issue. Geser Lama was buried in Tsahirsoum of Arkhangai Province. Over a year
ago, there was an incident where Geser Lama’s burial was burgled.
Unfortunately, related researchers didn’t fully examine the issue. Some said
that the mummy might originally have been buried in Khovd Province.
The following is an interview with
S.Batchuluun, believed to be a descendant of Geser Lama.
Could you please tell us about Geser Lama?
Geser Lama
lived over two hundred years ago. He was one of the biggest lamas. I am the
descendant of Geser Lama. The things that were used by him are placed at my
home.
After he passed away, how was he buried?
Some say that he was mummified.
He lived near Khukh
Nuur Lake. He called all his disciples and told them to bury him in
Sodnomdarjaa Mountain.
He passed away
while meditating. So the disciples took him to the top of Sodnomdarjaa Mountain
by camel, and buried him there in the rituals of that time.
How far is the mountain from the center of
the soum?
The mountain is
over 50 km away from the center of the soum. It isn’t possible to get there by
a car in winter.
How do you know that Geser Lama was buried
there?
I know by word
of mouth. Every year many people from different soums and provinces visit the
mountain to pray to the burial of Geser Lama.
How is the lama’s burial kept currently?
Holy monks used
to pass away seated in the lotus position while meditating. Geser Lama was
mummified in his last position and placed in a wooden box. The kurgan was
filled with stones around the wooden box. Geser Lama’s disciple was buried in
the same way.
A two hundred year old mummy was found in
Ulaanbaatar recently. Some say that it might be the mummy of Geser Lama. What
is your thought on this?
In January 28,
police and intelligence agency people came to my house. They asked me to take
them to the burial of Geser Lama and his disciple. They took many photographs
and videos of the burial.
Did they touch the burial?
I told them not
to touch the burial. If they really want to do it, they must come with
researchers and related monks.
Is there any painting of Geser Lama? Did
you see the photograph of the mummy that was found recently?
Yes. There is a
painting of Geser Lama that I keep at home. I didn’t show that to the public. I
saw the photograph of the mummy that was found. It looks familiar in some ways.
Buddhist monk G.Purevbat visited the burial of Geser Lama over two years ago.
At that time, I showed the portrait of Geser Lama to him. Recently, I heard
that G.Purevbat said that the mummy looked similar toGeser Lama.
Does this mean that the burial of Geser
Lama was touched?
I don’t know.
It wasn’t changed the last time I saw it. It might be that the burial of his
disciple was opened.
Can you explain why?
In the
beginning of 2000, when I visited the mountain, the burial of Tsorj Sanjjav
Lama was opened. His head and shoulders was left in the open.
Did it look like the mummy that was found
recently?
The mummy
looked very similar to the burial I saw in the mountain. But researchers and
scientist will make an official statement.
Source:Unuudur
sonin
Related:
Is mummy
still alive? – gogo.mn, February
5
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