Mongolia Brief October 7, 2014



DP faction receives report from PM
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, October 7 (MONTSAME) At its regular meeting on Monday, the parliamentary faction of the Democratic Party (DP) received a report from the Prime Minister on implementation of the 100-day programme on intensifying the national economy.

They concluded that this programme has been realized well and highlighted some achievements gained in forwarding the economy, completing great construction actions, and in stabilizing currency rates by forming the currency reserves.
After this, the faction underlined that they back the changes in the government structure and composition, "it is healthy action", the faction head D.Erdenebat noted.
Regarding the so-called "Double-coat" matter (simultaneously occupying posts of MP and member of government) he said it would be regulated by laws. 

Prosecutor-General to participate in Attorneys General Meeting
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, October 7 (MONTSAME) The State Prosecutor-General D.Dorligjav left Ulaanbaatar on Tuesday to attend the Attorneys General Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
His participation in the meeting, which will run in Tashkent of Uzbekistan on October 8-10, is coinciding with his official visit to this country. He has been invited by his Uzbekistan colleague Mr Rashidzhon Kodirov. They are supposed to hold professional talks during the above meeting and to sign a document on cooperation between their offices.
Mr Dorligjav is accompanied by his assistant and director of assessment division O.Chuluunbaatar and by a prosecutor responsible for legal assistance and foreign relations of the office G.Ganzorig.

Thirteen year-old girl becomes champion at Eagle Festival
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, October 7 (MONTSAME) A thirteen year-old N.Aisholpan, a girl from Altantsugts soum of Bayan-Ulgii aimag, has won the Cup in a category of "Eagle-hunter with the best eagle and horse accessories" at the "Khyran 2014 Eagle Festival", which took place October 4-5 in Sayat Tolgoi of this province.
The festival was held for the 15th time. It has become a regular Tourism event, co-organized by the office of the governor of Bayan-Ulgii, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Mongolian Eagle hunters Association. The festival consisted of various kinds of tournaments, such as “Best eagle and horse accessories”, “Stuffed animal catching”, “Kokbar–leather bag winning”, “Khyz Khuar–Girl chasing”, “Coin catching”, “Uriankhai archery”, and “Best dressed couple in Kazakh national costumes”.
It was the first time that women eagle-hunters have participated in the tournaments.

First Mongolia-Kyrgyzstan Consular Department Consultative Meeting Held in Bishkek
October 7 (infomongolia.com) The First Mongolia-Kyrgyzstan Consultative Meeting at Consular Department-level between the Foreign Ministries of Mongolia and the Kyrgyz Republic to enhance bilateral activities was held in Bishkek on October 06, 2014.
During the consular consultations a wide range of matters were discussed including the exchange of information between the Departments and a Protocol on further works to carry out was also inked.
The Protocol was signed by Head of Consular Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Mr. Shirchin SUKHBAATAR and the other side by Director of the Department of Consular Service of the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry Mr. Arslanbek Umetaliev.
Following the First Consultative Meeting parties agreed to:
- Adhere the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963;
- Exchange of information on Consular activities;
- Study Mongolia’s experience on collecting citizens' biometric data (e-ID);
- Conduct Consular Department Consultative Meeting once in two years.
Related:

Summary from Ulaanbaatar’s Dialogue on Northeast Asian Security released
October 7 (news.mn) The city of Ulaanbaatar successfully hosted the first international conference on Northeast Asian Security titled “Ulaanbaatar Dialogue” on June 17-18th in 2014. In collaboration with the Mongolian Institute for Strategic Studies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia published a summary of speeches delivered during the conference in English. Key speakers of the Ulaanbaatar Dialogue gave 21 speeches during four different panel sessions. The conference represented 35 participants from 10 countries including Mongolia, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea and North Korea, in Northeast Asia, as well as the USA, Great Britain, Germany, and Netherlands. All of which have strong influence on the region.  Participating countries at the conference applauded Mongolia as a competent country in the region of Northeast Asia who was successful in holding a dialogue on these challenging issues.

Opening ceremony for the Ulaanbaatar International Film Festival at Tengis cinema
October 7 (news.mn) The Ulaanbaatar International Film Festival will kick off with an opening ceremony at Tengis movie theatre on Wednesday, October 8th. The opening ceremony will feature the Mongolian film Khuden by director L.Tavanbayar.
The festival aims to promote the world’s best screen productions and strength cooperation between film industries. Directors, producers and artists from over 10 different countries will be represented. Featured programs will include Mongolian film days, Turkish film days, International film days and World Cinema Fund Program.
The Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism and the Arts Council of Mongolia are the organizers of this festival.
Ulaanbaatar International Film Festival Scheduled Program
Wednesday: Opening day
18.00 - 18.30 Opening ceremony at Tengis movie theatre
18.30 - 19.50 Khuden (Mist) a Mongolian film directed by L.Tavanbayar
Thursday: Turkish film day
13.30 - 14.00 Opening for Turkish film day
14.00 - 16.20 Butterfly`s Dream, Turkey 138 directed by Yılmaz Erdoğan
16.20 - 16.50 Interview and Discussion
17.20 - 20.40 Winter Sleep, Turkey, 196 directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan
20.40 - 21.10 Interview and Discussion
21.30 - 23.00 The Lamb, Turkey, 87 directed by KutluÄŸ Ataman
23.00 - 23.30 Interview and discussion with director KutluÄŸ Ataman
Friday: International film day
16.00 - 16.10 Preview
16.10 - 17.50 Giraffada, France and Palestine, 86` directed by Rani Massalha
18.20 - 20.00 La Belle Vie (The Good Life), France, 93`, directed by Jean Deniso
20.00 - 20.30 Interview and discussion with Jean Deniso
21.00 - 22.00 Of Horses and Men, Iceland, 81`, directed by Benedict Erlingsson
Saturday:
Mongolian films
10.30 - 11.00 Opening for Mongolian film day
11.00 - 12.40 Mommy, Marry me, Mongolia, 96`, Directed by L.Lkhagvajargal
12.40 - 13.10 Interview and discussion with film team
13.40 - 15.20 The Infinity, Mongolia, 100` directed by I.Nyamgavaa
15.20 - 15.50 Interview and discussion with film team
16.20 - 18.00 Tsen Togoruu, Mongolia, 98`, directed by M.Iveel
18.00 - 18.30 Interview and discussion with film team
International films:
16.00 - 16.10 Preview
16.10 - 17.50 Love at First Fight, France, 98`, directed by Thomas Cailley
18.20 - 18.30 Preview
18.30 - 20.50 Leviathan, Russia, 140`, directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev.
21.20 - 21.30 Macondo, Austria, 90` directed by Sudabeh Mortezai.
Sunday: World Cinema Fund Program
15.00 - 15.30 Opening for World Cinema Fund Program
15.30 - 17.30 Harmony Lessons, Kazakhstan, 120` directed by Emir Baigazin
18.00 - 18.10 Preview
18.10 - 20.10 Workers, Mexico, 120` directed by Josй Luis Valle
20.30 - 21.00 Preview
21.00 - 23.00 Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, Thailand, 113` directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul

MPRP declines reports about former president N.Enkhbayar
October 7 (news.mn) Reports published in several South Korean media and local sources claim former president of Mongolia and head of the Mongolian People`s Revolutionary Party (MPRP) N.Enkhbayar  and his family seek political asylum from the South Korea. These reports have caused a heated debate in social media. MPRP declined the reports about former president seeking political asylum during a press conference on Monday. MPRP officials wanted precise information about the source of those claims and approached the South Korean Embassy in Mongolia to comment on the matter.
MPRP member MP O Baasankhuu commented on the matter stating, “In the case of changing citizenship, a citizen would first apply for this request in his own country. Reports about former president seeking political asylum are suspected to have a political motive.  We will focus on the issue.” The former president himself has yet to comment on the reports.

Mongolia to Broaden Cooperation with International Atomic Energy Agency and European Organization for Nuclear Research
October 7 (infomongolia.com) At the Cabinet meeting held on October 04, 2014, a Medium-Term Program of Technical Cooperation between the Government of Mongolia and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was authorized to sign by Head of the Nuclear Energy Agency N.Tegshbayar.
In the scope of the Program, the implementation of technical cooperation for 2015-2019 anticipates to improve techniques and equipment of public and academic and research institutions operating in health, nuclear and radiation monitoring, food and agriculture, the environment, geo-ecological and nuclear physics, geology, mining and industrial sectors as well as to prepare staff in human resources. Programs will be implementing funded by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Mongolia joined the International Atomic Energy Agency as a member-state in 1973 and since then over 63 projects in above sectors have been carried out with funding of 13.2 million USD provided by the IAEA.
Moreover, it was also agreed at the Cabinet meeting to sign the Agreement of Cooperation in Sciences and Technical Development in the Frames of High Energy Physics between the Government of Mongolia and the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) authorized by Minister of Education and Science L.Gantumur.
By establishing this Agreement, it enables to conduct basic researches on high-energy physics and significantly important to the development of Mongolia’s scientific and technological progress. Besides, Mongolian scientists, engineers and technical experts will be provided with opportunities to participate in the organization's long-term research projects.

Mongolia-Australia Development Forum to Take Place in Brisbane to Enhance Relations and Cooperation
October 7 (infomongolia.com) The Mongolia-Australia Development Forum themed “Mining, Sustainable Development and Partnerships” is scheduled to take place in the May Hancock Auditorium of the University of Queensland, St Lucia in Brisbane, Australia on October 31, 2014.
At the Forum is focused on enhancing Mongolia-Australia relations and cooperation as well as managing the impacts and benefits of mining for sustainable growth.
Moreover, during the Symposium topics will be discussed on Mongolia`s development challenges, Mongolia-Australia relations and cooperation, Resource governance and policy issues, Environmental, social and gender issues, Managing regional and local impacts and benefits, and Knowledge transfer and Australia`s contribution.
At the Forum, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary from Mongolia to the Commonwealth of Australia Mr. Ravdan BOLD, Deputy Director of the Sustainable Minerals Institute Prof. David Brereton, Director of Centre Social Responsibility in Mining Prof. David Mulligan as well as many other speakers, panelists and moderators will deliver opening and keynote speeches.

Independent MPs back changes in government
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, October 7 (MONTSAME) Independently-elected three parliamentarians have backed new structure and composition of the cabinet, about which has been proposed by the PM.
They expressed this position during a press conference on Monday and pointed out that even more ministries could be merged.
Appointments of new members of the cabinet should be scrutinized, meaning the new Ministers must be professionals closely related to relevant Ministries, they said, "the reason is that those from any political parties or factions may worsen the potential of the state works". The current election and political party laws should be altered in order to abolish a system by which Ministers are appointed in view of their political parties, they added.
S.Ganbaatar said an increase in the Oyu Tolgoi project's budget "is causing a pressure on the state budget, while the 'Erdenet' Mining Corporation still makes 80% of the national budget, so we must receive a report from the related officials."
"We expected that, after Mongolian leaders signed the OT treaty five years ago, Mongolia would earn much revenue in a foreign currency from the OT mine," he stressed and added nowadays management of the Bank of Mongolia (BoM) "deserves a criticism, it is necessary to hear a report from the BoM president". A struggle will be co-organized with the Trade Unions "to protest the cause of a poor life of majority of people", he stressed. 
Kh.Bolorchuluun said they oppose a policy on minimizing a number of strategic mineral deposits "because it could lead to a bad exploitation of deposits".  

MPRP denies political exile of former president N.Enkhbayar
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, October 7 (MONTSAME) Leaders of the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party (MPRP) Monday called a news conference to deny rumors that a former president N.Enkhbayar is seeking an asylum in the Republic of Korea.
Present at the conference were D.Terbishdagva, the Deputy PM and deputy chairman of the MPRP; G.Shiilegdamba, the MPRP secretary-general; O.Baasankhuu MP; and Ts.Sharavdorj, the MPRP secretary for the party office.
“The information about the MPRP's chairman N.Enkhbayar's becoming a citizen of the South Korea or his seeking a political asylum there was published a month ago, and we promptly denied it in our statement, but some South Korean media published it again. So we officially confirm that a former President N.Enkhbayar does not intend to seek any political refuge in this country, this is complete nonsense," G.Shiilegdamba said and promised to send an official note to the Embassy of Mongolia in the Republic of Korea to have it find out an official source of the report. "Delivering such information about Mr Enkhbayar is just an attempt to damage his reputation," he added.
The party authorities will also turn into a related body "to refresh Mr Enkhbayar’s reputation", O.Baasankhuu said. Ts.Sharavdorj claimed that he had had a phone talk with Enkhbayar after the rumors spread. "Mr Enkhbayar denied it the report, and said that the current political leaders even use foreign media to slander people, and that he will stop it," he commented. 
N.Enkhbayar was sentenced in 2012 to two-and-a half year in prison, but was pardoned later by the President Ts.Elbegdorj.

Speaker receives MPs of Uganda and Vietnam
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, October 7 (MONTSAME) The Speaker of parliament Z.Enkhbold received Tuesday the delegates headed by Henry Banyenzaki, a member of Uganda’s parliament and State Minister for Economic Monitoring, and Nguyen Duk Tu, a member of Vietnamese National Assembly.
The Speaker wished a pleasant stay here to the guests who are taking part in the international discussion themed “Legal environment and financial sustainability for immunization”, being co-organized by the Standing committee for social policy, education and science and a “Sabin” international institute.
In response, Mr Banyenzaki thanked the Speaker for the audience and said that a primary objective of the "Decade of Vaccines–Global Vaccine Action Plan 2011-2020 is the termination of vaccine-preventable diseases among people". The action plan was endorsed by the 65th World Health Assembly. In a scope of implementation of the above objective, the Ugandan MP presented to the Speaker an appeal for the policy-makers in parliaments, ministries of health and finance, general tax authorities of Mongolia, Uganda and Vietnam, as well as for the health and immunization NGOs.
Present at the meeting were also D.Battsogt MP, the head of the parliamentary Standing committee on social policy, education and sciences, Okot Jon Amos, an Ugandan MP, and Aure Anne, an Ugandan MP and chair of women group in parliament.

Standing committees’ heads meet ADB country-director
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, October 7 (MONTSAME) Asian Development Bank's (ADB) Country-Director for Mongolia Mr Robert Schoellhammer introduced "Skills for Employment" and a "Darkhan Waste water Management" projects to Ts.Davaasuren, the head of the Standing committee on budget, on Monday.
Mr Davaasuren underlined an importance of implementing health and education spheres--oriented projects and programmes and asked the guest to focus on realizing them. “It is urgent to improve professional skills of our medical doctors, and it is even vital to educate people in order to reduce poverty in our country," he emphasized.
In response, Mr Schoellhammer said the education and health issues are the priorities of any country and added that he would reflect these matters in further plans.
The same day, Mr Schoellhammer was received by Ts.Oyunbaatar, the head of the Standing committee on security and foreign policy. The sides exchanged views on projects to be implemented with soft loans of the ADB.
The MP said his Standing committee should pay more attention to monitoring of an exploitation of any loans and assistance, and added the Standing committee will support the projects. 

Procurement Office reports at weekly meeting
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, October 7 (MONTSAME) The Procurement Office has made some works to make the purchasing actions more online-accessible since its establishment by the cabinet two years ago with a key purpose to abolish tender confusions and corruption.
The Procurement Office (PO) authorities said it at the “Hours of great construction” weekly meeting on Monday.
All processes of tenders have been transmitted into online system, related information data has been posted in the e-tender.mn website, the PO authorities said. Thanks to time and expenses saving and  the competitiveness support, the organization of online tenders has saved 450-550 million Togrog, all the tenders, organized in aimags in 2013-2014, have saved 34.4 billion Togrog, said D.Enkhjargal, the PO head.
A service will be introduced soon to allow people to obtain information on purchasing actions through cellular phones. Furthermore, E-contract and payment system will be drilled by 2016, the PO reported. 

General Consul of Russia receives exequatur
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, October 7 (MONTSAME) The Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia D.Gankhuyag Tuesday granted the exequatur to Mr R.R.Rakshaev, the General Consul of the Russian Federation to our Erdenet city.
After the presentation, the Vice Minister received the General Consul to share views on the Mongolia-Russia relations and cooperation.
Born in 1955, Mr Rakshaev graduated from the Mongolian State University (MSU) in 1978 and Diplomatic Academy at Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2003. He served as a diplomat in Russia’s General Consulate in Erdenet in 1996-1997, in the Russian Embassy in Mongolia in 2003-2007 and 2009-2013, and as the councillor of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2013. 

Stock exchange news for October 7
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, October 7 (MONTSAME) At the Stock Exchange trades on Tuesday, a total of 21 thousand and 825 shares of seven JSCs were traded costing MNT four million 339 thousand and 550.00.
"Genco tour bureau” /16 thousand and 225 units/, “E-trans logistics” /5,190 units/, “Mongol keramik” /208 units/, “Hermes center” /100 units/ and "Arig gal” /50 units/ were the most actively traded in terms of trading volume, in terms of trading value were "Mongol keramik” (MNT one million and 976 thousand), "Genco tour bureau” (MNT one million and 298 thousand), “E-trans logistics” (MNT 482 thousand and 670), "Gobi” (MNT 340 thousand and 380) and "Arig gal” (MNT 119 thousand and 500).
The total market capitalization was set at MNT one trillion 575 billion 588 million 453 thousand and 222. The Index of Top-20 JSCs was 15,659.09, decreasing 3.14 units or 0.02% against the previous day.

Foreign scholars to join to protect Gobi bears
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, October 7 (MONTSAME) A 23rd international conference on Bear Research and Management is running these days in Thessaloniki of Greece where Mongolia is represented by Dr. J.Batbold, the state secretary of Environment and Green Development Ministry.
Opening the conference, he said that Mazaalais (the Gobi Bears) are the biggest victims of the global warming, "you can ask a Mazaalai to know everything about climate change impacts on the Gobi region". He mentioned that some years, during springs, wild animals such as wild sheep and goats are starved to death because of lack of not only food but also of water. Due to the increasing desertification, Mazaalais have nothing to eat except for dried woods for several months after getting out of their lairs, he said.
He expressed a wish that the international organizations and scholars researching bears cooperate in conserving Mazaalais. According to a researcher T.Odbayar, the tests made on the hair samples have shown that there are 27 Gobi bears, which indicates that their number increased by five against the previous year.
The Mongolian side also has held bilateral meetings with Ms Karen Noyce, the president of the International Association for Bear Research and Management, and with member scholars of the board. The sides have agreed to jointly realize several works such as conservation and researches of Mazaalai, and establishing a Mazaalai Faith Foundation.

AF commemorates six decades of addressing Asia’s critical issues
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, October 7 (MONTSAME) In 2014, the Asia Foundation (AF) marks its 60th anniversary and its commitment to a mission of improving lives, expanding opportunities and helping societies flourish all across the region.
During this year-long celebration, the international non-profit initiated a global conversation on the critical issues facing Asia today, organized special events in the U.S. and Asia, and shared expert analysis in its InAsia blog.
Asia remains a complex, diverse, and dynamic region. The tremendous economic success obscures the critical issues and intractable challenges still deeply affecting the region.
Established and headquartered in San Francisco since 1954, the AF works through a network of offices in 18 Asian countries and in Washington to address these issues. The AF focuses on country, regional, and cross-border issues through its network of offices, creating lasting and meaningful programs that address these critical issues: poverty; lack of transparency in government; exclusion of women; ethnic and religious conflict; human rights; and disaster management.
Additionally, the AF in Mongolia marked its 20th anniversary last year. The Foundation was privileged to be one of the first international NGOs invited to Mongolia in 1990 and opened its first office in Ulaanbaatar on October 1 of 1993. Currently, the Foundation’s main programs in Mongolia focus on strengthening good governance and promoting transparency, improving urban service delivery and promoting economic development, fostering civic engagement at sub-national level, promoting environmental rehabilitation of artisanal mining, implementation of national anti-trafficking mechanisms, and promoting access to information.
The AF has been supporting emerging development leaders for many decades. This year, as part of its 60th anniversary activities, the Foundation launched the inaugural class of Asia Foundation Development Fellows to nurture the next generation of leaders in their efforts to respond to the critical issues impacting Asia.

Oyu Tolgoi plants 21,000 saxaul trees
October 7 (Oyu Tolgoi) - New native trees have 80 per cent survival rate –
Umnugobi, Mongolia -Oyu Tolgoi is committed to rehabilitating disturbed land to restore it back to as natural a state as possible.
In order to accelerate this process, the company plants vegetation to establish a living environment for people, livestock and animals. Recently, tree planting and rehabilitation efforts have focused on the area of land around the Gunii Khooloi underground aquifer, where all of Oyu Tolgoi’s water is sourced from.
In the autumn of 2013, Oyu Tolgoi planted 10,677 saxaul tree seedlings across 6.3 hectares of the Gunii Khooloi area. Twenty eight herders from the area around Gunii Khooloi and Khanbumbat airport took part in three days of rehabilitation work. As a result of extensive watering and maintenance work, 79.7 percent of the seedlings survived their first winter.
Increasing numbers of local residents are volunteering to participate in the ongoing rehabilitation. This year more than 100 people took part in a further eight days of rehabilitation. As of September, the total number of saxaul seedlings planted across 33 hectares of Gunii Khooloi is 21,235. Saxual rehabilitation work will continue until the end of October.
Explaining the process, B.Altantsetseg, Environmental Superintendent at Oyu Tolgoi, said: “The preparation, planting and care of saxaul tree seedlings takes a lot of time. First, we collect wild seeds from the environment, clean and separate them from other seeds, and then dry them. We prepare seed pots between November and February and then place them in the planting area to start growing. After two summers and one winter, the young seedlings are transferred from the pots and planted in the ground.”
Two local meetings have recently been held to update local people and herders on forest restoration. Fifty seven people attended these events, from organisations including the Khanbogd Governor's Office, Veterans Association, the local secondary school, and Khanbogd development radio, as well as representatives of local herders. During the meetings, more people signalled their wish to help with the process.

Postage Stamp Museum opens
Celebrating the historical 90th anniversary of Mongolian postage stamps, Mongol Post company held a meeting today titled “New postage stamp 2014.10.07” for the opening of the Postage Stamp Museum.
The Postage Stamp Museum will chronologically feature the Mongolian postage stamp history since 1924.
Related:
Postage-Stamp museum opened Montsame, October 7

Found near the coast of Japan a Mongolian boat from the XIII century
October 7 (news.mn) The remains of one of the ships sent more than 2,000 in the late thirteenth century by the Mongol Empire to the island of Kyushu in two failed invasion of Japan have been found by a group of Japanese archaeologists.
The identification of the medieval ship is preliminary , but many tests corroborate the Mongolian attribution. The discovery lies at a depth of 14 meters near Takashima Island , just east of 1700 meters in 2011 discovered another addition Mongolian ship on the seabed have been collected regarding the most dangerous invaders numerous artifacts of the time .
The visible part of the remains includes structures nearest port and the starboard bow of the boat. The planks used to build it are at least 11 meters long , divers secured cited by the newspaper Asahi Shimbun .
“I really hope it is a ship of the Mongol invaders ,” the archeology professor Yoshifumi Ikeda, “We plan to clarify details such as the structure, size and origin [ of the boat ] by further excavation. Has been preserved well, what we hope will provide us with a large shipment of pottery and weapons. “
A riddle that will probably take years to be resolved is whether or not the ship participated in one of the two expeditions that took place during the reign of the great Chinese emperor Kublai Khan and founder of the Yuan Dynasty.
The first set sail in 1274 and consisted of between 800 and 900 ships of various sizes carrying a total of 13,000 Mongol warriors , Chinese and Korean . The landing was a partial and fleeting success and the attempt was repeated in 1281, when the ruler sent more than 1,170 ships to Japan , but virtually all of them were destroyed by a typhoon while the invaders moved from one island to another .
The discovery was made possible by a scientific search Ryukyu University and the Department of Education of the City of Matsuura carried out in the area with the use of a profiling sonar to detect underwater objects.

Michelle Rodriquez Says Her Ancestors Come from Mongolia
October 7 (infomongolia.com) An American actress and screenwriter, Mayte Michelle Rodriguez, who has been acting as Leticia "Letty" Ortiz in the "The Fast and the Furious" series since 2001, moreover her most successful film starred to date which is “Avatar”, has journeyed to Mongolia on October 01-05, 2014.
Before arriving, the Hollywood actress stayed in South Korea to see the 2014 Asian Games held in Incheon and in Mongolia, Michelle Rodriguez spent her first couple days in Ulaanbaatar, after which she headed for Bayan-Ulgii Aimag to experience the Eagle Festival took place near Bugat Sum of the Aimag on October 04-05, 2014.
During the travel, she was familiarized with nomadic life and culture of Mongolia, particularly, she was amazed to witness the eagle hunting contest held during the Festival, which has been organized in Bayan-Ulgii Aimag for the consecutive 15th year.
And in her Facebook page Michelle Rodriguez noted, “That little eagle hunting girl Ashol Pan (N.Aisholpan) beat 40 of the best eagle hunters in the province at the golden eagle competition. She took 1st place, she’s only thirteen and she comes from a Kazakh Muslim eagle hunting family her dad taught her. Her and her family travelled on horseback about 40 kilometers to get to the competition. They live a nomadic lifestyle and I’m sure hunted traditional style on the way to the event. I can’t wait for this next generation to take over. Mongolia is beautiful by the way rich in culture… Not too fond of the city life there but the Step what they call the mountain wilderness is beautiful. The horses are a bit stubborn but they are amazing on the toughest terrain and they are great mountain climbers…”.
Moreover, Michelle Rodriguez was briefly interviewed during the Festival and said she was cures about the culture and couple years ago she did a DNA test at National Geographic and they told her that her ancestors are come from Mongolia from her mother's line, and she liked the way of nomadic life in Mongolia.
Eagle Festival
The Eagle Festival or Golden Eagle Festival is an annual traditional celebration held in Bayan-Ulgii Aimag of Mongolia, where the Kazakh eagle hunters (Burkitshi) celebrate their heritage and compete to catch small animals such as foxes and hares with specially trained golden eagles. Winners are selected for speed, agility and accuracy, as well as other contests including the best traditional Kazakh dress and Kazakh traditional games known as Kekbar (tug of war on horseback), Kyz Kuar (woman chase), Tenge Ilu (horse game where a rider at full gallop must swoop down to pick up coins from the ground) and Camel race are being organized.

Consul General of Russian Federation in Erdenet City of Mongolia, Rygzyn Rakshaevich Rakshaev Accredited
October 7 (infomongolia.com) On October 07, 2014, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs D.Gankhuyag received in his office the Consul General of the Russian Federation to Erdenet City, Orkhon Aimag of Mongolia, Mr. Rygzyn Rakshaevich Rakshaev.
During the meeting, parties exchanged views on bilateral cooperation and other concerning issues, afterwards, the Deputy Minister D.Gankhuyag handed over the Consular Exequatur to newly appointed envoy R.R.Rakshaev wishing him the very best in his future endeavors.
The Consul General Rygzyn Rakshaev born in 1955 graduated from the National University of Mongolia in Ulaanbaatar in 1978 and the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in Moscow in 2003.
He used to work at the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Erdenet city in 1996-1997, at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Ulaanbaatar in 1997-2000, 2003-2007, and 2009-2013 years. Since 2013, the incumbent Consul General Rygzyn Rakshaev has worked as General Consultant at the First Asia Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
Consul General Rygzyn Rakshaev was appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation following the Ordinance issued on September 24, 2014 and succeeds Aleksandr Valentinovich Fedulov.

Asian Development Bank Seeks Approvals from Government to Finance Some Projects in Mongolia
October 7 (infomongolia.com) On October 06, 2014, Chairman of the Social Policy, Education, Culture and Science’s Standing Committee, Parliamentarian Dogsom BATTSOGT received representatives from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) led by Country Director Robert Schoellhammer in the Government House.
During the meeting Country Director Robert Schoellhammer introduced the “Skills for Employment Project” and “Darkhan Wastewater Management Project”, which are proposed projects by the ADB under soft loan terms that worth 25 million USD and the latter project estimates at 18.5 million USD respectively.
Moreover, the Country Director Robert Schoellhammer noted that in order to finance these projects, the ADB is seeking approvals and notices from the Cabinet and the State Great Khural (Parliament) to attach above mentioned sums in the ADB budget for fiscal year 2014.
In response, the Chairman D.Battsogt said the Standing Committee is ready to support on implementation of these projects in Mongolia and to submit the ADB request to further level of discussion.
The proposed project of “Skills for Employment” aims to support ongoing reforms to establish a market-responsive, and competency-based Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system in Mongolia. The project will deliver employment-focused and quality TVET at all levels to rural and urban learners, including the unemployed and disadvantaged, using traditional and innovative modalities such as structured on-the-job training in teaching institutions, workplaces, and in the community.
The “Darkhan Wastewater Management” project will support environmentally sustainable urban development and improved living standards in Darkhan City, Darkhan-Uul Aimag of Mongolia. It will improve the city’s wastewater management infrastructure and service delivery through a modern wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), and improved sewer system and pumping stations, and institutional capacity development and policy dialogue.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog