Bloomberg commodity price 2012/04/26

Price

GOLD USD/t oz. 1,653.100

COPPER USD/lb. 373.500

SILVER USD/t oz 30.895

BRENT CRUDE

USD/bbl. 119.220

SUGAR USd/lb. 21.840

WHEAT USd/bu 629.000

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Friday, April 27, 2012No. 17 (1086)

B.Ooluun

On April 17, the court of the Bayanzurkh district issued a decision for the repayment of Tgs 1.3 billion for environmental damages caused by the ‘PetroChina Daqing Tamsag” Co., Ltd when the company was engaged in mining activity in the territory of Buyan-Undur bagh, in Matad Soum in Dornod Aimag. The NGO ‘Civil Movements Alliance of the Mongolian Environmental Protection’ sued, holding the Chinese company liable for damages in the amount of Tgs 1.3 billion to be paid to Matad Soum’s local budget. The damage caused by illegal activity of this company to the local ecosystem was enormous and the danger to the life and health of local people was serious. Petro China Daqing Tamsag Co., Ltd. continued activities ignoring repeated demands of the government and professional supervising organizations of petroleum and local authorities. Under these circumstances, the local population and the environmental NGOs issued an official claim on September 5, 2011 addressing the court “to identify the damage caused to nature and the environment, carry on mining and reclamation activities according to the environmental protection plan, pay for the environmental damages caused by PetroChina Daqing Tamsag Co., Ltd. to Matad Soum in Dornod Aimag in the amount of Tgs 1,356,622,460 to Matad Soum’s budget.

PetroChina Daqing Tamsag Company was initially sued in 2010 for causing environmental damage. The Civil Movements Alliance of the Mongolian Environmental Protection, the Movement to Protect Buir Nuur, Khalh Gol and Nomrogiin River basin conducted the advocacy and was financed by the Open Society Forum. The civil case against this company was related to relevant claims of five citizens of Buyan-Undur bagh of Matad Soum in Dornod Aimag, as NGOs were not allowed to issue claims

‘PetroChina Daqing’ held liable for Tgs 1�3 billionEnvironmental damages to be paid to local soum

Continued on page 3

Construction begins on new airportBudget of 28 billion JPY established with Japan

Construction work for a new international airport was launched in Khoshig Valley where Mongolia’s first civil aviation service was conducted. On April 22, a ground-breaking ceremony for the new international airport was held in Khoshig Valley in Tov Aimag, about 60km from Ulaanbaatar. At the ceremony, Prime Minister S. Batbold, Deputy Prime Minister M. Enkhbold and Japan’s Ambassador Takuo Kidokoro delivered opening speeches.

Prime Minister S.Batbold said

that this work was planned in the 2008-2012 government’s action plan. “To realize the action plan, a soft loan agreement on establishing a new international airport with a budget of 28.2 billion JPY was established between the Government and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) in 2008. This new international airport is vital to bring Mongolia’s air transport service up to international standards and satisfy sustainable development of civil aviation,” the PM emphasized.

Near the airport, a big center for auto roads, railway and freight will be established and a satellite residential town with a population of over 100,000 people will be founded. It will be linked with Ulaanbaatar’s infrastructure. Moreover, this airport will provide the opportunity for transit flights to Western Europe, North America and Southeast Asia, creating favorable conditions for economic development for both Mongolia and the region.

Construction has started on flood

resistant dam, and 110 kilowatt electric transition lines and installment of a fiber optics. The airport terminal is estimated to have the capacity to serve 1,100 passengers hourly with a total of 30 facilities to be built.

Present at the ceremony were M.Enkhbold, Deputy Prime Minister; MPs N.Enkhbold, Su.Batbold, and D.Dondog; Takenori Shimizu, Ambassador of Japan to Mongolia; Toshinori Isogai, Chief of the JICA Representative Office to Mongolia, and other officials.

B. Ooluun

The elections for Parliament and Ulaanbaatar City Council (CCU) will run together in June and other elections for citizens’ representatives of aimags, soums and districts will run in October. The DP Group in the parliament held a strict position that parliamentary and local elections must be conducted at the same time while the MPP Group in parliament considered it impossible to conduct the elections together due to some law clauses and organizational issues. The disagreement of the parties caused the parliamentary plenary meetings to stalemate. Eventually, the two groups compromised and reached an agreement on the abovementioned mutual version. It will be finally resolved by the relevant standing committee and plenary meeting of parliament.

“We have no way but to make an agreement due to time demands. It is possible to conduct the elections together by combining different clauses in the laws of parliamentary and local elections,” said O.

Enkhtuvshin, head of the MPP Group. The differences in the law are: a voting day for local elections occurs on a day off while parliamentary elections run on a working day and the closing hours for voting are different. Moreover, they are different according to the electoral system. DP group considers that the election for the City Council of Ulaanbaatar needs to be adjusted with basic principles of the new parliamentary election law. For instance, when an election for the CCU is conducted, two-thirds of the CCU seats have to be elected according to the majority system and one-third has to be elected according to a proportional system, like the parliamentary election. Therefore, 15 representatives of the CCU’s 45 representatives will be chosen through a proportional system while 30 will be chosen by a majority election system.

It was planned to discuss draft parliamentary resolutions on announcing the date of the parliamentary election and on approving the election expenditures on April 26 at relevant standing

committees and the plenary parliament meeting because the two parties’ groups have reached an agreement.

The voting day for the parliamentary election is scheduled for June 28. The General Electoral Committee submitted a proposal for running the election on that day and parliament approved it. The parliamentary election law says, “A voting day for the regular election shall be on any working day in the last week of June in an electoral year” and the “parliamentary election date will be announced more than 60 days before the voting day.” Beginning with this election, votes of Mongolians staying abroad will be taken. It was preliminarily planned to organize voting on June 10 through Consulate Offices of Mongolia abroad. According to statistics provided by the General Electoral Committee, 1,834,461 citizens will vote this year. A total of over 10,000 people will work at electoral commissions, sub-commissions and units during the election. Also, information technology workers will work because votes will

be counted by an automated electoral system. According to estimations of GEC, the 2012 parliamentary election will require Tgs16.8 billion.

Voters will use their current identity card for voting, but not the previously planned smart ID card. On April 20, N. Bayasgalan, State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Internal Affairs, and L. Amarsanaa, Chief of the General Authority for State Registration, reported that it was impossible to print new e-IDs and distribute them to citizens before the election. The supply of blank identity cards is behind schedule and the facility for reading e-card information has problems; therefore, they can’t succeed in printing and distributing e-cards before the election.

Parties that intend to participate in the parliamentary election must show their election platform and names of candidates. For two parties with most seats in the parliament, MPP plans to organize its Conference on May 1 while DP has not yet scheduled organizing its Consultative Committee Meeting.

Parliament and UB City Council elections to run together

PM S.Batbold and Ambassador Takuo Kidokoro delivered the opening speeches

Friday, April 27, 20122 THE MONGOL MESSENGER

N E W S-IN-B R I E F–From The MONTSAME AGENCY

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n ulaanbaatar and Central aimags: night temps between 2oC and -3oC. day time temps between 11o and 16oC. snow on april 29.n Eastern aimags:night temps between -30C and 20C. day time temps between 13oC and 18oC. snow on april 30nwestern aimags:night temps between -2oC and 3oC. day time temps between 13oC and 18oC.. snow on april 29.ngobi aimags:night temps between 1oC and 6oC. day time temps between 16oC and 21oC. snow on april 30.

WEATHERsunrise: 05.57sunset: 20.03

NEWS

lOn April 25, Minister of Foreign Affairs G.Zandanshatar received a delegation led by Mr. Kinzang Dorji, former Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bhutan and a special envoy of Bhutan’s current Premier.The sides underlined that the similarity of culture and religion of the two countries laid a basis for widening bilateral relations and cooperation. They noted the mutual willingness of the countries to collaborate in the tourism and agricultural sectors and the Mongolian side confirmed that Bhutan’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry has been invited to visit Mongolia.Bhutan’s delegation is visiting Mongolia with aims to convey a letter to Mongolia’s President from Jigme Thinley, Prime Minister of Bhutan, and to share views with Mongolia on expanding bilateral relations and cooperation.On January 18 this year, Mongolia and the Kingdom of Bhutan established diplomatic relations. Mr. Dorji has become Bhutan’s very first official representative to visit Mongolia.lOn April 25, a one-day training-seminar ran in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Mongolia’s recently appointed Ambassadors.B.Batkhishig, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the opening remarks. Obligations and directives were given to the ambassadors by Ya.Batsuuri MP, a member of the Standing committee on Security and Foreign Policy; and by L.Purevsuren, advisor to the President on foreign policy.Reports on the government’s action program and developmental goals of the country were given by T.Gandi, Minister of Social Welfare and Labor; N.Tumendemberel, State Secretary of the Ministry of Health; Ts.Togoo, State Secretary of the Defense Ministry; G.Bayasgalan, State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Internal Affairs; D.Dalaijargal, State Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science; D.Battor, State Secretary of the Ministry of Finance; D.Moron, Head of the Office of Immigration, Naturalization and Foreign Citizens; and department heads of some Ministries.The training brought together Ch.Battomor, the Ambassador appointed to the Kingdom of Thailand, R.Bold—to Australia, A.Ganbaatar—to the Republic of Poland, T.Gandi—to the Republic of Hungary, M.Ganbold—to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Sh.Odonbaatar—to the Republic of Italy, B.Odonjil—to the Arab Republic of Egypt, D.Enkhbat—to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and O.Och, the Permanent Representative to the UN Headquarters.lOn April 20, the 5th meeting of the Mongolia-China intergovernmental commission on border waters kicked off in the ‘Ikh Tenger’ complex in Ulaanbaatar.The meeting was opened by Ch.Jargalsaikhan, Vice Minister of Tourism and Environment and representative of the Mongolia’s side of the commission, and by Jiao Yong, China’s Vice Minister of Water Resources and representative of China’s side.The two sides discussed works done until this meeting, put forward proposals on cooperation for 2012, and released a protocol on the action plan of the joint commission for 2012-2013. Moreover, the sides discussed the implementation course of a project on geological measurement of Buir Lake, setting up a guard of border waters hydrology, and exchanging of information on hydrology.lOn April 23, by decree of the President, the ‘Polar Star’ Order was given to B.Baasanjav, an actor of the Inner Mongolia’s Film Group.He was awarded by the Mongolian leader for his “significant contribution to friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries and boosting cultural ties”.B.Baasanjav arrived here to take part in the premiere of a feature film ‘Aravt’ co-made by Mongolian and Inner Mongolian artists. He became popular in Mongolia thanks to starring in a serial movie ‘Chingis Khaan’.lParliament Speaker D.Demberel expressed satisfaction with cooperation between Mongolia and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). He said it on April 23, at a meeting with a delegation, led by Mr. Robert Wihtol, Director-General of the ADB East Asia Department,.Thanking the ADB delegation for visiting Mongolia, the Speaker said Mongolians are always grateful to the ADB for all its assistance and investments which have supported some important sectors of Mongolia such as infrastructure and health.The Speaker said the experience and high-level cooperation between Mongolia and the ADB should be adhered to in further activities, and added that he supports the partnership program for 2012-2016.In turn, Mr. Wihtol thanked the Speaker for the audience and congratulated Mongolia on its intensive economic development and opportunities to flourish. He said the ADB is ready to assist Mongolia in solving urgent problems with its private sector.Mr. Wihtol said the ADB board of directors approved a partnership program to be implemented with Mongolia for four years. He then sounded his opinions about some issues and expressed hope that the ADB’s investments would be used fruitfully in Mongolia.lOn April 21, a delegation headed by L.Orgil,

Permanent Representative of Mongolia to the United Nations (UN) Office at Geneva, expressed the position of Mongolia at plenary and sub-sessions of the 13th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) conference which kicked off in Doha, Qatar.The Mongolian delegation is also participating in the UNCTAD meetings of the Group of 77, the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries, and is sharing views and experience with delegates of other countries at a round-table meeting on investments for governmental reserve funds and a conference on supporting investments.Themed ‘Development-centered globalization: Towards inclusive and sustainable growth and development’, this year’s UNCTAD conference aims to conclude the present situation of the world’s trade and development, to seek ways of overcoming financial and economic crisis, and to determine necessary measures related to a policy of sustainable development.Within the conference, the 3rd World Investment Forum is also running, discussing issues of strengthening investments for sustainable development and of fruitful investments ensuring economic growth.lAn international seminar titled ‘Multi-lateral cooperation in combating trans-boundary infectious diseases’ was held in Ulaanbaatar at the initiative of the Department of Veterinary and Animal Breeding under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.Participants heard six reports about the present situation of foot-and-mouth disease in Mongolia, Russia and China, a strategy of fighting the diseases, related measures and projects, programs. Then they reached agreements on further works.The seminar brought together vet experts from Russia, China, New Zealand, the FAO and the World Veterinary Association. It also attracted delegates and officials from the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry, vet agencies and services of Dornod, Dornogobi, Sukhbaatar and Khenti aimags, and donor organizations.lOn April 23, D.Odbayar, Head of the parliamentary Standing committee on justice; and MP G.Temuujin, received a delegation led by Mr. Arman Danielyan, a member of the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture that is visiting Mongolia at the invitation of the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR).They shared information on torture and then discussed the matter of running a training themed “Creating a national mechanism for fruitful prevention” dedicated to experts of the NCHR and related NGOs.Apart from Mr. Danielyan, the delegation comprised Matthew Pringle, the Europe and Central Asia Program Officer at the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT); Ulugbek Azimov, legal expert at the Independent Human Rights Protection Group at the UN Human Right High Commission, and Suraina Pasha, Regional Training Manager at the Asia Pacific Forum (APF). Their visit lasted until April 26.lSenior diplomat Ms. L.Ider was awarded the title of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia and its Golden Gerege (paiza).On April 23, she was granted the title in the Foreign Ministry by G.Tenger, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Red Flag Order of Labor Merit was bestowed upon her as well.Ms. Ider graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 1963, and has worked some 30 years in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in diplomatic missions of Mongolia abroad. She has become the very first woman in Mongolia to be awarded the highest diplomatic title.lAs of 2011, the poverty rate in Mongolia declined to 29.8 percent, 9.4 percent lower than the year 2010.On April 25, S.Mendsaikhan, head of the National Statistical Committee (NSC) announced the data at a news conference. The poverty rate was measured using statistical figures based on the socio-economic indicates of families of 2011, together with the World Bank (WB).Family income of rural areas and the city, augmenting of pension, salaries, and cash money of the Human Development Fund for citizens were the main factors for reducing the country’s poverty rate.lOn April 21, the 2nd Nationwide English Language Olympiad was organized by Foreign Language Center of the Agriculture University with a purpose to arouse the curiosity of youth to learn English and expand social needs and scope of English usage. Students and school children from 22 universities and 15 general educational schools of Ulaanbaatar, Tov, Darkhan-Uul and Orkhon aimags participated in the Olympiad.In the category of children of general educational schools, B. Ariunzaya of general educational school #6 in Ulaanbaatar took first place. She was followed by runner-up B. Anudari of Mongeni School of Tov Aimag. The winners were awarded with a certificate to enter the Agriculture University.In the category of university students, M. Tergel of the Medical Science University and E. Anudari of the Agriculture University took the first two places.During the Olympiads, quizzes, singing contests, and cultural performance were run.

President Ts. Elbegdorj and the Minister of Foreign Affairs G. Zandanshatar have sent congratulatory messages to the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.

In the messages, the top officials congratulated

their counterparts on the 20th anniversaries of establishing diplomatic relations.

Mongolia established diplomatic relations with Kyrgyzstan on April 22, 1992 with Turkmenistan on April 23, 1992, and with Tajikistan on April 24 of the same year.

By an initiative of Mongolia’s Government, the United Nations proclaimed this year as the International Year of Cooperatives. On April 15-22, within measures of the year, a Mongolian delegation headed by P.Bayanmonkh, Deputy Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry paid a visit to Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany.

On April 18, Mr. Bayanmonkh held an official meeting with Mr. Dirk J. Lehnhoff,

Vice President of the German Cooperative and Raiffeisen Confederation.

The sides shared information on co-operatives for the food, agriculture and light industrial sectors, structural reform and prospects, and exchanged views on intensifying collaboration in the co-operative sphere. They reached an agreement to jointly determine the specific form of cooperation in the nearest future.

On April 19, President Ts. Elbegdorj received Mr. Johannes D. Rey, Konrad-Adenauer Foundation (KAF) Country Director. At the meeting, Mr. Rey introduced President Ts.Elbegdorj to projects being implemented in Mongolia.

He expressed satisfaction with the recent fruitful visit of Mongolia’s President to the Federal Republic of Germany and spoke about certain works initiated by the KAF on strengthening local governance and decentralization.

The President noted that the KAF is one of the funds that rendered valuable assistance and aid to Mongolia during the period of democratic revolution and said a Mongolia-Germany forum was held in Berlin under the auspices of the Presidential Offices of the two countries.

“I was glad to meet the new President of Germany. Our cooperation is entering a new level. I think the process of establishing a democratic system is unlimited, but it is important to

strengthen it,” Ts.Elbegdorj said. He emphasized the importance of cooperation with the KAF in increasing local authority, reforming the laws on political parties, establishing political funds, and on some specific works aimed at reforming public service.

President receives KAF Country Director

20th Anniversary of diplomatic relations marked

UN Proclaims International Year of Cooperatives

Mongolian Ambassador presented credentials

On April 19, President Ts. Elbegdorj called on Kinzang Dorji, former Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bhutan and special envoy of Bhutan’s current Prime Minister.

To begin the meeting, Mr. Kinzang Dorji introduced his country’s current political and socio-economic situation and democratic changes and said that Bhutan is willing to study the experience of Mongolia in the development of democracy.

In turn, the President said that Mongolia and Bhutan have similar traditions of culture and religion, and appreciated Bhutan choosing the democratic system and aiming at forming a society that cherishes human rights and freedom. He added that Mongolia has been developing its democracy for 22 years and we can share this experience rather than teach the principles of democracy.

Mongolia to share experience with Bhutan

On April 21, the Niigata-Mongolia Friendship Society and Honorary Consulate of Mongolia

to Niigata organized a Forum in honor of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Japan.

The forum entitled ‘Like you, Mongolia!’ brought together more than 70 people and Niigata University’s Prof Ya.Kuchiya, the prefecture’s Deputy Mayor T. Sekine, Honorary Consul T. Nakayama. Sh. Hasegawa, Head of presidiums of the Niigata-Mongolia Friendship Society delivered reports on historical path of

Mongolia’s development, the present situation of politics, economy and society, Japan-Mongolia relations, and ways of expanding Niigata-Mongolia cooperation. Participants also shared views on these issues. It was decided to send 120 members of the society to Mongolia for a visit in August by renting a MIAT Company airplane receive 10 Mongolian children in Gosen city of Niigata prefecture, and send 10 children to travel to Mongolia.

S. Khurelbaatar, Mongolia’s Ambassador to Japan attended the forum and met with the Prefecture’s Governor and Gosen City Mayor.

‘Like you, Mongolia!’ Forum marks anniversary with Japan

On April 24, S. Bayaraa, Mongolia’s Ambassador to the Republic of India presented his Letter of Credence to Ms. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, the President of India,.

Following the ceremony, the Indian President received Ambassador S. Bayaraa and shared views on bilateral relations, cooperation, and international relations.

The Ambassador said he will pay much attention on developing bilateral relations through comprehensive partnership principles and enriching it with economic content.

On April 23, B.Batkhishig, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on Mr. Amos Nadai, non-resident Ambassador of Israel to Mongolia.

During the meeting, the sides shared views on implementing a visit of the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs to Mongolia in 2012, and organizing a political consultative meeting of the ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries.

They also expressed willingness to intensify Mongolia-Israel cooperation in renewable energy, agriculture, mining, education and other sectors.

Meeting aims to increase cooperation with Israel

B.Batkhishig and Amos Nadai meet

Ts.Elbegdorj (c) and Johnannes D. Rey

President Ts.Elbegdorj (r) and Kinzang Dorji

S. Bayaraa with India’s President P. Patil

THE MONGOL MESSENGER 3Friday, April 27, 2012 NEWS

To Mr. Ganbold, Head of the Civil Council for Mongolia’s Environment:

Response to inquiryPrime Minister S. Batbold got au

fait with the demands given to the Government by participants of the demonstration ‘Mongolia without nuclear danger’ and non-government organizations for the environment. The following is the Prime Minister’s response to their inquiry.

1. We expect the government to publicly open the secret agreement of cooperation in the nuclear energy sector created during the official visit of Prime Minister S. Batbold to Japan on March 10-13:

Prime Minister S. Batbold paid an official visit to Japan on March 11-15 at the invitation of Japanese government. The visit was paid within frames of celebration activities for the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Japan. During the visit, no agreement regarding nuclear energy sector was established.

2. We want the government to expose previous attempts and secret talks made to bury nuclear waste in Mongolia, taking legal actions on guilty people. Prime Minister S. Batbold should individually confirm that “There has not been any talks or agreements at all” to the people if there truly has been no attempt:

The Government of Mongolia, relevant ministries and organizations have not established any agreement on storing and burying nuclear waste with other countries. It is legally prohibited to bury any spent nuclear fuel of any foreign country in any form on Mongolia’s territory. The Nuclear Energy Agency—Regulatory Agency of Government has not conducted any talks on burying nuclear waste in Mongolia’s territory with any country. It has frequently provided relevant explanations and statements that no agreement has been made. For instance, the NEA authority and specialists gave interviews to press and media and gave explanations for the false information. Also, an official statement was published in the Undesnii Shuudan Daily and Uls Toriin Toim, on April 5, 2011. The NEA provided information about it through television and newspapers on May 11 and expressed its position. An official statement that denied information on burying spent nuclear fuels of foreign countries in Mongolia was placed on its webpage.

Mongolia has not established an agreement on burying nuclear waste

with any foreign country and earlier, Prime Minister S. Batbold declared responsibly that establishment of the agreement on this issue will not be further permitted at all. Even during his official visit to Japan on March 11-15, Prime Minister S. Batbold asserted the government’s position.

3. Immediately annul clauses on issuing license, exploring uranium, mining and concentrating uranium raw materials, establishing an Atomic Power Plant and burying nuclear waste from the Law on Nuclear Energy adopted in 2009 with a purpose to support exploitation only:

The Parliament of Mongolia adopted the Law on Nuclear Energy with a purpose to regulate relations concerning the exploitation of radioactive materials and nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, ensure nuclear and radiation safety and protect the population, society and environment from negative effects of ionizing radiation. The law accords with the Constitution of Mongolia and other effective laws. The Government of Mongolia is implementing the Constitution of Mongolia and laws on nuclear weapon free status, import of dangerous waste, banning trans-boundary transportation, export and nuclear energy.

The regulations in the laws stated the prohibition of burying nuclear waste of foreign countries in Mongolian territory. According to the regulations in the laws, radioactive waste of foreign countries is prohibited to be imported to Mongolia by any means or transport through the state border. But the issue to bury nuclear waste, disposed by its own plant, in case Mongolia itself builds an atomic power plant that suits the country’s

features, is regulated under the law in accordance with the State Policy on radioactive materials and nuclear energy.

The Government of Mongolia is strictly obeying effective laws, regulations and rules being enforced in activities to exploit radioactive materials and nuclear energy and will further enforce the law.

4. What actions of responsibility are taken on authorities of the NEA, that was founded with the purpose to issue exploration and mining licenses, and liquidating the organization:

According to Article 11.1 of the law on Nuclear Energy, the Nuclear Energy Agency is a state administrative organization that functions to realize the state policy on exploiting radioactive materials and nuclear energy, introducing nuclear technology and developing nuclear study, ensure nuclear and radiation safety and have specialized control. It is a professional organization directly connected with national security.

Worldwide, nuclear technology is being widely used in agriculture, mining, energy, health and other sectors under international rules, regulations, standards and legislations. It shows the necessity to train specialists of the sector, develop policy and resolution, improve controls and facilities and take certain measures to prevent danger.

Therefore, it is impossible to liquidate the NEA and it is considered necessary to resolve the issue to strengthen the organization, provide with skilled, experienced and ethical staff, develop a legal environment for operations, rules, regulations and standards, and equip it with modern reliable high-tech facilities.

To intensify its operation and strengthen its management, coordination and control, the Government has recently made a resolution to take actions of responsibility on authorities of the NEA.

5. Explain the cancelling of all licenses for exploring and mining uranium and no longer issuing licenses:

During the period since approval of the State Policy on radioactive materials and nuclear energy, and the Law on Nuclear Energy, a total of 44 entities were holding 220 radioactive exploration and mining licenses. Under the law, measures were taken to cancel 119 licenses possessed by 28 entities in the past period.

As of April 16, 2012 there were 99 exploration licenses possessed

by 14 entities and 2 mining licenses possessed by 2 entities. A total of 101 radioactive exploration and mining licenses are valid.

Under Presidential decree #181 dated September 9, it was resolved that the National Security Council discuss when licenses for radioactive materials are issued. Special licenses on exploring and mining radioactive materials will be issued, suspended and invalidated only under the relevant law.

6. Why not immediately issue a resolution for halting extracting and concentrating operations by companies such as Areva from France, and on banning operations of foreign companies that prepare to conduct operations in this field?:

France’s state-owned company ‘Areva’ started operating in Mongolia in November of 1996 through the Areva Mongolia LLC and conducts activities within conditions and requirements stated in the Nuclear Energy Law and other relevant legislations.

Corporate operations being conducted by any individual or legal bodies shall be halted in accordance with grounds and regulations stated in laws only. Currently, there are no legal grounds to halt radioactive materials’ exploration activity of the company.

7. If the government considers it impossible to provide energy needs without exploiting nuclear energy, it needs to explain to people what grounds it has and resolve the issue by conducting a referendum:

Article 5.3.2 of the Millennium Development Goals-based National Development Strategy, approved by parliamentary resolution #12 in 2008, states “to implement a policy to exploit atomic energy stage by stage and work for a goal to establish an atomic power plant”.

The National Development Strategy is an important policy document that contained synthesized people’s opinion and political parties’ concepts and positions on development outlook and strategy of Mongolia.

Also, Article 2.2.4 of the Action Plan of the Government for 2008-2012 says, “Uranium deposits such as Mardai will start being exploited in collaboration with a strategic investor that has an interest to invest in extraction by establishing a legal environment to conduct uranium prospecting, exploration, extraction and concentration and by increasing a confirmed reserve”.

Article 2.2.9 of the action plan also says, “A detailed study on exploiting nuclear energy will be conducted and the Feasibility Study will be drawn

up. Radiation control and safety will be improved”.

Mongolia’s energy needs will tend to grow 4-fold by 2025. Ensuring energy safety and reliability is very important for the country and developing a national energy system in combination with some energy sources will be a main way to prevent energy deficiency and shortage.

If Mongolia has an Atomic Power Plant, there will be a condition to provide growing energy needs reliably and the study shows that there will be potential to reduce carbon emissions to an acceptable level.

Relevant professional organizations are conducting a detailed study on determining Mongolia’s energy needs. For instance, the Nuclear Study Center of NUM plans to conduct a nationwide study to review public opinion about nuclear energy exploitation in Mongolia.

It is considered necessary to study suggestions you made on conducting a referendum on Mongolia’s exploiting nuclear energy and satisfying energy needs.

8. Organize a discussion at the Citizens’ Hall under the President’s Office with involvement of government and non-government organizations on exploiting nuclear energy, extracting and concentrating uranium and establishing an Atomic Power Plant:

We are supporting an initiative on organizing a decision and sharing views on exploiting nuclear energy for peaceful purposes with involvement of government and non-government organizations.

9. How is the government providing citizens with information about radioactive material, nuclear threat and waste and nuclear terrorism, making their aware of dangers, improving the law on nuclear energy into the law on protecting people, nature and environment from nuclear negative effects?:

The Nuclear Energy Agency takes relevant measures to collaborate with government and non-government organizations and citizens for providing citizens with information on exploiting nuclear energy for peaceful purpose, ensuring nuclear and radiation safety and dangers of radioactive and nuclear, terrorism and preventing them. The government is willing to collaborate with relevant non-government organizations to develop nuclear energy law.

MP Ch. Khurelbaatar, Minister and Head of the Cabinet Office of Government

Government answers inquiry demandsMining and environmental issues emphasized

Ch. Khurelbaatar

Continued from page 1

to court according to the previous law.Hence, five citizens refused from the claim and on September 2, 2011 the Bayanzurkh district court annulled the case.

In order to approve the damage caused by PetroChina Daqing Tamsag Company to nature and the environment, the claimants investigated and calculated the damage by the branched roads which caused soil pollution. They also considered the company’s reclamation was insufficient as great amount of liquid production waste had been accumulated when the company completed its so-called reclamation activity.

The claimants considered the case was unique. “- The mining companies completely ignored road and pasture damages and a great amount of land was destroyed by transport vehicles. In connection, serious problems arose related to dust storms and unbalanced ecological situations for plants and the animal kingdom. It was calculated that 1130 hectors of land were damaged by transport vehicles. The soil damage was calculated in accordance with the methodology by the Ministry of Nature, Environment and Tourism and it reached Tgs 3.1 billion. In 2008-2010, the PetroChina Daqing Tamsag Company planned

to spend Tgs 5-7 billion per year for environmental protection. The sum of money is significant but not the result” said PhD professor T.Mendsaikhan, member of the Strategy Advocates Committee under the Mongolian Advocates Association.

The alliance consider that this would be the first vivid example of advocacy when a local budget is compensated with Tgs 1.3 billion from such a big company as the Petro China Daichin Tamsag Co.,Ltd for environmental protection and reclamation.

‘PetroChina Daqing’ held liable for Tgs 1�3 billionEnvironmental damages to be paid to local soum

On April 25, a ceremony was held to transfer 28 garbage trucks made by the S. Korean Hyundai Corporation. The trucks were given to nine districts of Ulaanbaatar by the ‘Clean Air’ foundation of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.

In a speech made at the event, Prime Minister S.Batbold noted that the cabinet is working on building a comfortable living environment for citizens and expressed his hope that these trucks will contribute to that objective.

He added, “To live in a clean environment, we need to resolve many problems. In the first turn, all disposal sites need to function throughout a day and illuminations need to be completely installed”. The PM instructed the Minister of Environment and Tourism and authorities of the city to improve the city’s garbage management, establish a garbage processing plant that meets international standards, and introduce state-of-the-art standards.

Ulaanbaatar gets 28 new garbage trucks

Garbage trucks and processing plant will contribute to a healthier environment

Environmental damages far exceed Petro China’s reclamation attempt

Friday, April 27, 20124 THE MONGOL MESSENGER NEWS

At its regular meeting on April 25, the Cabinet discussed the

following issues:

Next year’s economic growth predicted to be 15.2 percent

At the cabinet meeting, it was reported that the economic growth of Mongolia is predicted to be at 15.2 percent by next year due to increases in the mining sector and its influence on other sectors, new vacancies, and favorable conditions for foreign investment and even animal husbandry.

The government considers that the mining sector’s growth may show an increase of 24.8 percent whilse non-mining sectors will have a 3.3 percent of increase by 2013.

As the economic growth is expected to increase in the next years, inflation is forecasted to reach 13.1 percent.

Moreover, the Mongolian Togrog’s rate may appreciate next year due to continuation of foreign investments in the mining sector and capital flow connected with implementation of the biggest projects and programs, as well as the demand for and price of gold and copper in the world market, according to the forecast.

The cabinet discussed the budget framework for the 2013 master budget, a Bill on budget assumption for 2014-2015, and related bills, and decided to submit them to parliament.

Government activity for last month

Ch.Khurelbaatar, Head of the Cabinet Office of Government, introduced government’s performance for March, 2012. In March, the government worked hard and made influential resolutions for the socio-economy of the country. The Government resolved to end disbursements of Tgs21,000 to citizens in June. It was also decided to give Tgs1 million to men aged 60 and above and women aged 55 and above as well as disabled citizens within the second quarter of this year.

Moreover, a list of apartments to be constructed within frames of housing program ‘Apartments for 100,000 families’ was approved. With a purpose to intensify implementation of ‘State Policy on railway transportation’, the government discussed issues on signing a loan agreement for the ‘First Project of Investment Program to develop vertical axis road in the western region’ and ‘Some Actions for the Railway Sector’.

In March, the Cabinet held its meeting 6 times, discussed 55 issues and heard 16 issues.

Draft loan agreement supported

The cabinet supported a Bill on ratifying a loan agreement for the 2nd phase of the ‘Supporting social sector’ program established between Mongolia’s government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The program’s 2nd phase ensures Mongolia to receive JPY 1 billion, 550 million (about USD 20 million). The money is to be spent for implementing a program on stabilizing the macro economy, improving results of social welfare to reform care for low-income people, expanding the scope of discounted medicines, financing health insurance deductions, sponsoring textbooks for pupils, and for preventing children’s nutritional deficiency.

In addition, the money will be spent on comprehensive activities, including establishing a system of supplying necessary vaccines and medicine in case of a wide shortage, and developing ger areas.

The Bill on the loan agreement will be submitted to parliament.

A progress of ‘National Program for Air Transportation Facilitation’ introduced

Ts. Dashdorj, Minister of Road, Transportation, Construction and

Urban Development, reported the progress of the national program. In connection with the introduction, relevant ministers were obliged to establish coordination and take organizational measures to perform border control in case of an emergency landing of aircraft at an airport that does not have international border check-points. Moreover, it was instructed to improve the software of unified identity control network of General Authority for State Registration, General Authority of Border Protection, and the Office of Immigration, Naturalization and Foreign Citizens, and urgently resolve the required financing.

Also it was decided to assess how activities regarding air transportation facilitation influence the development of tourism and international trade. The ‘National Program for Air Transportation Facilitation’ has 181 clauses and as of 2011, 154 clauses have been completely realized.

In brief-At its regular meeting, the cabinet

supported a Bill in principle on exempting VAT and customs tax, and decided to submit it to parliament. The bill was initiated by D.Odkhuu, MP.

- The cabinet also supported a Bill on development policy and planning, and decided to submit it to parliament. The Bill has 28 clauses in seven articles and regulates long-term forecasting of socio-economic development, development policy, drawing up and approving documents on planning, and implementation works.

- A report was given to the cabinet on the implementation of 73 national programs based on Mongolia’s National Development Strategy and the Millennium Developmental Goals (MDGs). Accordingly, 75.4 percent of the programs have been realized so far, and the implementation of 129 projects within the budget and foreign soft-loan and non-refundable aid was at 85.5 percent.

- The cabinet discussed issues of approving the ratio of pensions and salaries granted from the social insurance fund, and fixing the minimum size of pensions.

- Tgs 5.1 billion will be reflected in a Bill to amend the law on the budget for 2012 in order to buy necessary facilities and equipment for construction of a new building and pipelines for the National Central Archives and the Hospital for State Special Servants. These works will also be financed with foreign loans and assistance in accordance with the Bill. In addition, Tgs4.5 billion will be reflected in next year’s budget for buying equipment for the archives.

- The cabinet approved rules on exempting entities of raw coal extraction from the fee for air pollution.

- Areas near the seismological sub-stations located in Taishir Soum of Gobi-Altai Aimag, Erdene Soum (Dornogobi) and Kholonbuir (Dornod) have been involved in the special reserve places, in accordance with the cabinet decision.

- The cabinet decided to organize a regular agricultural census from May 26 to June 15 of 2012. It aims to create a database of the agricultural sector in localities.

- On May 29, the Day of Peacekeepers will be marked in Mongolia annually. An obligation was given to the Defense Minister to mark the 10th anniversary of participation of Mongolia’s Armed Forces in UN peacekeeping missions.

- A working group was set up in accordance with the cabinet decision to organize an international training-exercise for aviation rescue.

- Prize holders of international contest for opera singing, circus and piano were decided to be rewarded with Tgs 200 million.

C A B I N E T M E E T I N G

On April 24, a Mongolia-Czech Business Forum was run at the Kempinski Khan Palace Hotel, Ulaanbaatar within the visit of Milan Hovorka, Czech Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade. Co-organized by the FIFTA Mongolia and the Czech Chamber of Commerce, the business forum aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, publicizing Mongolia’s investment and legal environment to Czech businessmen and investors and help businessmen of the two countries to find partners and create business connections.

The business forum was opened by J. Bat-Erdene, State Secretary of the Ministry of Road, Transport, Construction and Urban Development. Also, Mr. Milan Hovorka, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic delivered a speech. He said, he was very happy to visit Mongolia. He said that arrived in Mongolia conscious of the fact that the Czech Republic and Mongolia, in spite of the geographical distance, are very close. “Our cooperation has a foundation that has been built for many years”, he said. To a considerable extent, Czech geologists have contributed to uncovering the mineral wealth of Mongolia, and Czech companies supplied facilities and machinery for industrial plants as well as hospitals in Mongolia. In addition, thousands of Mongolians have learned to speak Czech during their studies or technical internships in the Czech Republic.

Mr. Hovorka was accompanied to Mongolia by a large, fifty-person business mission who were interested in discussing how to expand future cooperation with specific projects in the commercial, industrial as well as investment sectors with Mongolian companies. This issue was the focal point of bilateral discussions with Mongolian representatives as well as the focal point of the Forth Meeting of the Czech-Mongolian Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation which takes place during their trip. Additionally, the Czech-Mongolian business forum aimed to strengthen existing contacts while creating new business linkages between the two countries’ companies and organizations.

As far as specific dimensions of cooperation are concerned, a number of opportunities were discussed covering many fields; especially: geology, mining, industrial machinery, energy (thermal and water power plants, co-generation sources of energy and heat, renewable sources of energy), technology for protection of the environment (water sources, waste management), construction, transport infrastructure, deliveries for agriculture, the food industry and for modernization of the processing industry.

Mr. Hovorka stressed that Czech relations with Mongolia not only focus on economic issues, but developing cooperation in other sectors as well. Examples of these other sectors are development cooperation, exchange of technical know-how and last but not least, tourism. He also offered to share Czech’s experience with the adoption of European norms and standards in various fields in order to contribute to the growth of Mongolia’s economy and standard of living for Mongolian people.

The Czech Deputy Minister said he was confident that their visit to Mongolia will bring a number of new impulses for future cooperation. He wished Czech and Mongolian companies much luck and success in the discussions and to

also expressed belief that the results of their meetings will be an important step towards the deepening of business and economic cooperation between the countries.

After Mr. Hovorka’s speech, reports were given by officials of the two countries, an introduction of Czech companies, and questions and answers.

From the Czech side, representatives of companies of spheres in industrial machines and equipment, coal, metallurgy, mining, road, transport, infrastructure, energy, external and internal trade, food industry, light industry, business consultancy, investment and finance attended the Business Forum. A total of over 50 representatives of Czech companies and organizations and more than 130 representatives of Mongolian companies and organization participated in the Forum.

At the end of forum, memorandums of cooperation were signed between Orkhon Aimag’s Governor Office and Hanzl and Avers of Czech Republic, between Mongolia’s Gan Khiits Company and Czech’s ‘Ecobokra’, between Mongolia’s ‘Shine Tengis’ Company and Czech’s ‘Agromont Vimperk’ Company, and between Euroline Company and Czech’s ‘Richter+Frenzel’ Company.

Mongolia-Czech Business Forum heldCooperation in business grows

On April 24-25, the 4th regular meeting of the Mongolia-Czech intergovernmental Joint Committee was held at Mongolia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The Mongolia-Czech inter-governmental Joint Committee was co-chaired by Ts.Dashdorj, Mongolia’s Minister of Road, Transportation, Construction and Urban Development, and by Milan Hovorka, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic. More than 40 business representatives arrived in Mongolia, accompanying Mr. Hovorka.

At the meeting, Minister Ts. Dashdorj and Deputy Minister Milan Hovorka made reports on the present socio-economic situations of the countries. Also, S. Javkhlanbaatar, Deputy Head of the Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Mongolia, delivered information on Mongolia’s present situation of trade and economy.

A project to modernize the State Central Clinic was introduced. Also, the sides shared views on trade and investment, energy and natural resource, infrastructure, urban development, road and transportation, food and agriculture and environmental protection.

Czech’s deputy Minister of Environment gave a report on cooperation in the natural protection sphere and some Czech companies gave brief introductions. At the end of the meeting, the sides signed the Protocol of the 4th regular meeting of the Mongolia-Czech intergovernmental joint commission.

Afterwards, Mr. Hovorka talked with the Mongol Messenger:

MM: Please tell us about your visit to Mongolia, your expectations and what was accomplished as a result of the meetings?

-You know primarily, this kind of event is about match-making, about helping companies getting together and to help Czechs better understand what is going on in Mongolia. It’s helpful to understand the priorities of authorities and to what extent those priorities match Czech businesses.

I believe that both countries can gain a lot if we join forces, invest time, and work in a more result-oriented manner. We need to keep our minds focused on

a couple of sectors that we believe are particularly promising from the point of view of strengthening and deepening bilateral relations between the Czech Republic and Mongolia. From this perspective, it has been a major success. During our visit, we held a series of talks with a number of members of Mongolia’s government such as the Minister of Natural Resources and Energy, Minister of Road and Construction, and the Minister of Environment. We will be leaving Mongolia tomorrow, reassured that here in Mongolia, the Czech Republic ranks among the high-priority options

We are very assured by companies of the two states managing to sign a number of very specific documents for expansion, rehabilitation, and modernization of your energy sector. Knowledgeable Czech companies not only have expertise in energy, but also in heat generation. They can construct apartments here and provide all the engineering services.

We also talked about infrastructure products and were told that new railways will be constructed and new roads will be laid down. One of the results of the visit is that companies can reach find

real opportunities to clarify how they can work together. As a result of those discussions, a couple of documents were signed.

Financing is always a consideration. We were approached by Czech Export Bank (CEB) established by Czech authorities to provide financing. This bank is ready to stand behind and financially sustain those projects developed by Czech companies working here in Mongolia. So, this is not just about official developmental assistance, we want to strengthen the connection between our businesses. If we are more united, it will be a good partnership and provide good results for the people in Mongolia and opportunities to create jobs in the Czech Republic.

Our objective is not just about having a presence in Mongolia; we are a wide open country with one of the most open economies in Europe. So for us, it is important to have Mongolia’s presence in the Czech Republic.

One of the messages I tried to get across was that we stand ready to welcome your companies and that your companies can be more active in the Czech market.

Czech Republic seeks mutually beneficial opportunities with MongoliaMongolia-Czech meeting focuses on trade and economics

Mongolia-Czech business forum at the Kempinski Hotel

Ministers of the two countries signing the protocol

THE MONGOL MESSENGER 5Friday, April 27, 2012 ULAANBAATAR

Sh.Erdenechimeg, MONTSAME reporter

On April 20 the Office of the President in cooperation with the National Security Council department held an open discussion on the “Redevelopment of the City”. The meeting was held in the Civil Hall where delegates focused their attention on the redevelopment of cities, in particular on the re-planning of Ulaanbaatar. Participating in the discussion were MPs elected from the capital city Lu.Bold, Ts. Batbayar, Z.Altai, E.Bat-Uul, D.Zagdjav, D.Terbishdagva; Chief of the Office of the President, D.Battulga; Secretary of the National Security Council, Ts.Enkhtuvshin; presidential advisers; Mayor G.Monkhbayar and other officials.

Opening the meeting, President Ts.Elbegdorj said that the capital city houses more than 40 percent of the Mongolian population and that almost 70 percent of them live in ger area environments. For more than 100 years, Mongolians had little understanding of having a bathroom and shower and this understanding still exists. Even today, Mongolia fails to resolve the problem of hot water and a dirty environment. The President dealt with the problems of open toilets which existed 100 years ago and still exist today including air pollution, smoke, and earthquakes. These issues have gone without resolution and it has been impossible to talk or even think about further development, the President stressed. The president urged political parties who participate in the coming election to include and address all the above matters in their election platforms.

D.Battulga, Chief of the Office of the President and Chairman of the national committee reported on alleviation of air pollution in the capital city and on the “Work, conclusion, lessons and further tasks of air pollution in the capital city”. G.Monkhbayar, Mayor and City Governor, spoke about the “Pressing issues of urban development and planning, the draft adjustment of the master plan of Ulaanbaatar to 2020, redevelopment of the capital city, and decentralization and building new settlement areas”. S.Tsahiur, Director of the Institute on City Projecting talked about “Ulaanbaatar Planning”; Ts.Enkhbold, Chief of the administration addressed pre-exploitation of the students’ campus and “Building a student campus and neutralization of Ulaanbaatar’s population density”. Yo.Jargalsaikhan, Senior officer of the National Security Council discussed the “Procedure for drafting a law to redevelop the city and proposals”.

The president was interested in the progress towards resolving coking fuel production and smokeless stoves. Responding to the question, D.Battulga said that Tgs 20 billion was invested in thermo power plant-2 which is in the experimental stage of

production. Good quality coking coal is being produced. When production is put into operation, it is expected to produce 210 thousand tons of coking coal. As a result, the use of household fuels and air pollution will decrease. Production is expected to end by November. and by that time, it is expected to reduce smoke and air pollution by 35 percent. According to a WB investigation, reducing of air pollution would be evident for the population being reduced by 35 percent against 10 percent, said D.Battulga. President Ts.Elbegdorj instructed them to discuss the air pollution problem at the standing committee meeting before parliament recesses and hold officials responsible for failing to do their jobs.

In relation to the report of the G.Monkhbayar, Ulaanbaatar Mayor and City governor proposed to resolve such questions as building an “Ulaanbaatar Aimag and Ulaanbaatar City”. Regarding the report delivered by S.Tsahiur, Director of the City Projecting Institute, the President proposed to present a package laws on city redevelopment to parliament as well as the legal status of the capital city and urbanization development. The delegates of the meeting also debated the building of a student campus which also faces some difficulties. If schools of higher education built in Khovd, Dornod and Baganuur would be classified into school complexes of social, natural and technical sciences, the universities to be build in Erdenet would be of geological and mining direction, and the university to be build in Darkhan would be in the technical direction.

These cities are expected to house almost 200 thousand people with the biggest student campus expected to be in the Baganuur district, on the right side of Kherlen River, occupying 5,000 hectares of land. Although the boundaries of this area have already been established, 30 or more business entities are planning to grow sea buckthorn and vegetables on this land. This area is planned to house 200 thousand people and city infrastructure developed. Therefore, households and other construction facilities need to relocate and the area needs to be freed-up, advised the President.

Responding to the report of Yo.Jargalsaikhan, Senior officer of the NSC Department, the President proposed to draft the above-mentioned laws on cities’ legal status, urbanization and redevelopment in combination with city planning. Included must be the regional city planning, city green belts, land valuation, city taxation, restructuring of apartment houses, privatization and financing of buildings, land reform and innovation, recalling of land back to the state, building of speed road, bus and auto stop stations, problems related to garbage recycling, classification and liquidation, to city construction, village status, water supply problems, regional development, cadastre and land payments.

New direction urged for urban developmentThe President instructed the office

of Ulaanbaatar’s mayor to concentrate their attention on all these issues starting now in cooperation with experts from the NSC and the Ministry of Justice and Homeland Affairs.

MPs E.Bat-Uul, Lu.Bold, Ts.Batbayar and D.Ochirbat proposed to radically change the city master plan.

Closing his speech, President Elbegdorj said that city planning was a deserving matter to attract the attention of everyone attending the meeting. This is a problem to be included in policy and be implemented by legal organizations and the government. The present meeting must not be a political show of companies or an election campaign. What is necessary is the support and combination of policies. The city and agency administrations must work-out legal documents and concentrate their efforts on the city. Issues related with air pollution must continue and further work must be done to manage big policy problems. I have confidence in Mongolians who live in public dormitories, ger areas, or private houses. In other words, all of them must strive to live in comfortable places on their own land, in their own houses, and with all engineering issues being resolved.

Urbanization development must attract other rural cities, aimag and soum centers. This must be a matter of our conversation that attracts the attention of people. We must resolve the housing problem of 40 square meters for low-income households. On the other hand, citizens with money must resolve their own housing problems relying on gher districts and the state must help them resolve infrastructure issues. The

President proposed to put all issues being discussed at the open meeting on paper and draft a united program in cooperation with the government and city leadership to realize it in

practice. “City development must be implemented with the participation of the citizens”, stressed Ts. Elbegdorj.

Re-development discussions at the “Citizen’s Hall”

Tall buildings now crowd downtown Ulaanbaatar

Ger areas have encroached on most of the city’s urban landscape

Ariel view of Ulaanbaatar illustrates the congested conditions

Gateway to the city exemplifies new directions for growth

Friday, April 27, 20126 THE MONGOL MESSENGER ADvERTISEMENT

C l A S S I f I E d S

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TEACHERS WANTED

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CONTACT INFORMATION:Ulaanbaatar Elite International School 2 th Khoroo, Seoul Street, Sukhbaatar District / Ulaanbaatar, MongoliaTel : (976) 70105010Postal Add. : PO Box: 28 Ulaanbaatar / MONGOLIAWeb : www.elite.edu.mnE-mail :info@elite.edu.mn

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MONTSAME News Agen cy has published the sixth edition

of “Mongolia” yearbook in English. This unique book is being issued in

an electronic version for the second time.The new CD book contains a wide range

of updated information about the country and its people, and intends to provide the readers with a wide

range of firsthand information covering the history, culture, customs, and religion of Mongolia’s people and its natural environment.

The short stories furnished with colorful photos give accurate location information on tourist resources in regional sections. The detailed information about the prompt development of the country will also promote greater awareness of the democratic changes and their impact on modern Mongolia

This book is designed to help foreign visitors, including those staying for a long time and those here for short visits, to understand the potential for Mongolia’s development and prosperity, and the values and assumptions that Mongolians live by.

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THE MONGOL MESSENGER 7Friday, April 27, 2012

The lawyer’s advice

ART&CULTURE

HannsSeidelFoundation

In cooperation with Hanns -Seidel-Foundation Project

Mongolia and its “Legal Education” Academy

Address : Sukhbaatar District, Khoroo 6, Sukhbaatar Street

11-2,Office of the Legal Education

Academy (inside the court of the Children’s Art Center, in the right

side) Tel : 321294

-I recently renovated my apartment. Unfortunately, water leaked from an upper floor apartment and caused us considerable damage. When we wanted compensation for the damage, they told us that this was not their fault. What must we do now? What legal provision concerns this situation?

-In this situation, you must submit a complaint to the housing office for your residence. You can go to court after an evaluation commission makes its conclusion on the damage caused to you.

-I have heard that the new edition of the Civil Code contains a provision on self-protection. Does this notion mean that in any case I can deter the person who caused me damage and violated my rights within the self-protection framework?

In case it is impossible to get timely assistance from competent authorities, without which it is impossible to exercise civil rights or if serious impediment to such rights may occur, respective actions taken by a participant of a civil legal relationship in order to self-help and protect you own legitimate interests, and targeted at detaining the performer who might seize, destroy or damage, escape or halt counter measures by the latter against legitimate actions taken by the competent person, shall not be deemed illegal. Legal persons that took such actions shall immediately notify the competent authority in order to seal the assets or detain the obligated person. Self-help or self-protection action shall not exceed the norms appropriate for the particular situation. A person who took action stated in the law by mistake or by exceeding norms shall be obligated to eliminate the harm.

-What are the means to protect civil rights? What is the purpose of the protection?

-The legal protection of the civil rights aims at restoration of violated rights. The legal protection of civil rights shall be executed by a court or arbitration body along with procedures and methods provided by law. Civil rights shall be protected by admitting the rights; halting acts violating the rights and restoring the pre-violation conditions; enforcing to assume duties; eliminating damages caused; liquidating non-material harms; enforcing to pay indemnities stipulated in the law or contract; invalidating decisions violating rights of others; altering or terminating civil legal relationship; self-help; and other methods stipulated by the law.

-Can employees receive any benefits if they lost their jobs due to restructuring of ministries and agencies?

-Paragraph 2.3, Article 27 of the Law on Public Service states that an employee may be transferred to another post or position consistent with his/her profession or specialisation keeping the same salary level or get retrained for a period of up to six months at the expense of public funds, or receive his/her salary for a period up to six months and get ensured a work place in accordance with procedures stated in the law, or be granted a one-time allowance equal to his/her six-month salary by the organization if the state body was liquidated or restructured, or if the employee’s post was removed for reasons not related to his/her performance.

B.Bayartsetseg, MONTSAME reporter

On April 20, the “Culture of Writing -2012” exhibition opened for the 4th time in the hall of the Union of Mongolian Artists with an aim to contribute and develop the traditional writing and culture of Mongolia. The history of the national Mongolian writing is one of the greatest heritages created by the Mongolian nation. It is a whole art of writing style composed from a variety of writing types like artistic, cursive and quick writing.

Exhibition “Culture of Writing-2012” has been organized since 2009 in cooperation with the Office of the President and the Union of Mongolian Artists and Center of Writing Culture with the aim to teach the national writing to Mongolian people, to use this writing in work and in service, and moreover succeed it to following generations, and develop an art of traditional writing in cooperation with the modern art and culture for popularization throughout the world.

Along with creative workers, children attended this exhibition. The scientists and scholars engaged in the culture of Mongolian traditional script research, art calligraphers, students and school children who participated in the exhibition have displayed an art of traditional writing in the form of artistic painting and drawing. The art of writing performed by birch brush and iron pencil, in the form of embroidery, appliqué, written on bone and marble attracted the audience. The award for the best writing of this year was given to N.Jamyansuren for his art of writing with an iron pencil; the next award went to B.Altantuya, a teacher of Mongolian State University, for her “Ulemjiin Chanar” (Outstanding Quality) work. B.Bulganchimeg and B.Oyunbileg, teachers from Darkhan-Uul Aimag, along with students, exhibited their wonderful works at this exhibition. This is what some of them said:

Engraver T.Battogtokh:- I am proud to be one of many

creative artists. I am participating in this exhibition with my two creative works. Since ancient times, people used the shoulder blade for divination, seeing the cracks appearing on it. I am participating here with my work called “I shoulder blade”. I engraved

the computer keyboard in stone with Mongolian letters on keys on which I also engraved stamps of ancient tribes. The information of an ancient tribe appears when one of the stamp keys is pressed. This is where I combined updated technology with ancient traditions. I also engraved an elephant on the shoulder blame of a camel. An elephant is the biggest creature on dry lands and the camel is the most powerful animal on Mongolia’s territory. In this sense, they are the most powerful creatures. Also engraved on the camel shoulder blade was one of the beautiful well-wishing verses where I tried to show that Mongolian traditional writing is equal to contemporary artistic drawing. The painters Battumur, Tamiraa and Galbaa, and members of the Union of Mongolian Artists, are the people who have significantly influenced the art of calligraphic writing.

B.Oyunbileg, Mongolian langua-ge and literature expert from the Education and Culture Department of Darkhan-Uul Aimag:

- Z.Battushig,, an 11th grade student of the “Oyuny Lreedui” school; N.Urantsetseg, a teacher of Mongolian language and literature at secondary educational school #15; B.Bulganchimeg, teacher at secondary school #18; Chantsaldulam, a student of the Technical Institute, and many others, presented their creative works at this exhibition. Our ancestors created the art of brush writing more than 5,000 years ago. From ancient times, Mongolia has been a country that cherished and revered the development of art with brush writing by granting the title of “Writing Bogd” to the children who are skillful in beautiful brush writing. I wish for little “Writing Bogds” to be born in every family.

N.Urantsetseg, teacher of Mon-golian language and literature at school #15 from Darkhan-Uul Aimag:

- I am participating in the exhibition with my creative work performed in image writing. In the past three to four years, my students occupied the first three places in the “Beautiful Mongolian Script” and “Calligraphic Writing” contests. They now are studying at the Educational University and Mongolia State University. We have brought 9 creative works to

Calligraphy as classic art

this exhibition performed in image writing, along with 5 calligraphic works and other works written in ornamental and in fold writing style. Visitors were attracted by the works “The Teaching of a Paper Bird” and “Four Lines of Accepting and not Accepting” performed in calligraphic writing. Have you noticed that the verse of poet P.Badarch being used in performing the camel’s image, the famous D.Natsagdorj’s poem “My Land”, in drawing the Mongolian map, and the verse “Monument” when statue of Sukhbaatar was created in the art of calligraphic writing? Some 30 creative works performed by more than 20 children in ornamental style of writing were on display. These were the works of children, the winners of the leading places in the “beautiful Mongolian Writing” competitions in

2008, 2009 and 2011.Z.Battushig, 11th grade student

of Oyuny Ireedui school in Darkhan-Uul Aimag:

- This is my debut and I am very happy. I came to this exhibition with two works called “Future of the Nation” and “My School”. I made my creative work in a week’s time. I got the silver medal “Talent” when I participated in the “National Writing” cultural exhibition in Selenge Aimag. From the Darkhan-Uul Aimag exhibition, I won the D.Natsagdorj Award and the “Talent” gold medal in 2008 from the Mongolian children’s creative art center exhibition.

The scientists and researchers assessed the present exhibition not only as exhibition of artistic and skillful writing, but as a classic art performance.

DT=Drama Theatre; MAG=Modern Art Gallery; OBT=Opera/Ballet Theatre; PT=Puppet Theatre; SPH=State Philharmonic Hall; TDAG=Tsagaan Darium Art Gallery; UMA=Union of Mongolian Artists; ZFAM=Zanabazar Fine Art Museum

Fri 27 9am-5pm Mixed Media Nestle Art exhib (MAG)9am-5pm Hobby High School exhib (MAG) 10am-7pm duo exhib (UMA)7pm The Wrong Love (DT)

Sat 28 9am-5pm Mixed Media Nestle Art exhib (MAG)9am-5pm Hobby High School exhib (MAG) 10am-7pm duo exhib (UMA)2pm Wolf and 7 Baby Goats (PT)5pm Die Fliedermaus (opera, OBT)7pm The Wrong Love (DT)8pm Oscar’s movie days (BBT)

Sun 29 9am-5pm Mixed Media Nestle Art exhib (MAG)9am-5pm Hobby High School exhib (MAG) 10am-7pm duo exhib (UMA)2pm Wolf and 7 Baby Goats (PT)5pm Sleeping Beauty (ballet, OBT)7pm The Wrong Love (DT)

Mon 30 9am-5pm Mixed Media Nestle Art exhib (MAG)10am-7pm duo exhib (UMA)7pm The Wrong Love (DT)

Tues 1 9am-5pm Mixed Media Nestle Art exhib (MAG)10am-7pm duo exhib (UMA)

Wed 2 9am-5pm Mixed Media Nestle Art exhib (MAG)10am-7pm duo exhib (UMA)

Thurs 3 10am-7pm duo exhib (UMA)

Live musicDetroit Bar (9pm): Wed UB Night; Fri UFOGrand Khan (9pm): Tues Lemons; Wed Khulan;

Thurs/Fri BeerIkh Mongol (9.30pm): Tues L-Guards; Wed Fire; Thurs Altan Urag; Fri Fire; Sat X-Vit; Sun Altan Urag Strings (10.45 nightly): Ka-24

Tengis moviesJohn Carter 3D (US); The Lorax (US); God Bless You (Mongolia); The Big Dipper Doesn’t Shoot (Mongolia); Liar Man (Mongolia); Aravt (Mongolia)

What’s on April 27-May 4

Die Fliedermaus opera

Young couple’s exhibition ‘Role’ From April 27 to May 4, a young couple, sculptor N.Sukhburen and artist Kh.Enkhnomin will present a joint exhibition of their artworks called “Role” at the Art Gallery of the Union of Mongolian Artists.

Presenting ceramic sculptures, paintings and Mongol zurag, they explore ideas of life and living. Everything is alive and unlived when they are emerging to create their responsibility and role. This is measured only by time, and we can’t negate any good or bad things on earth. Life is always continuing and connecting with us with each other. If there is no unhappiness, we can’t feel happiness. Earth and the complexity of living and nonliving things, season, time, human sense, feeling, love, forgiveness, passion, wish, sorrow–all have their own role and responsibilities and in the circle and spirit of life, life is the main role.

On Thursday April 26 a new exhibition opened at the Tsagaan Darium art gallery which is of special interest to lovers of book illustrations.

This show, entitled Library for Nomadic Children, is the fifth solo exhibition for Tumenbayar Khulan, a graphic designer who specializes in children’s books.

The show comprises over 100 selections from her last five years of production of drawings, paintings, digital works and handmade stationery.

Khulan has published nine illustrated books for children, using a Japanese style of handmade books but with stories taken from the Mongolian oral tradition of legends and fairy tales.

“Through my art,” she said, “I aim to reach the imagination of children and inspire them to love and protect our traditional heritage and culture.”

Khulan mounted a similar exhibition in Japan, and her Ulaanbaatar show will

be on display until May 16.The Tsagaan Darium gallery is in

Zaisan Bella Vista Town.

Kids love art too

Sleeping Beauty ballet

Art work

Exhibit hall of the Union of Mongolian Artists

4th Annual exhibition held in UB

Organizers and calligraphers open the exhibition

Friday, April 27, 20128 THE MONGOL MESSENGER SPORT

The Mongol Messenger is operated by the government news agency MONTSAME and is printed by the MONTSAME.Home Page: www.mongolmessenger.mn;E-mail: monmessenger@magicnet.mn (ISSN 1684-1883)

lOn April 18, Grand Sumo Champion Yokozuna D. Dagvadorj, Honorary President of Mongolia’s Wrestling Federation, attended an event in Sofia for the 80th anniversary of the Wrestling Federation at the invitation of the Bulgarian Wrestling Federation.Mongolian delegates also participated in the opening of the International Freestyle Wrestling Tournament for Olympic berth at the new Bulgarian Sports Palace where more than 350 wrestlers of 37 countries are participated.Moreover, the Mongolian delegates visited the Embassy of Mongolia in Sofia where they held discussions on cooperation for preparation and participation of Mongolian freestyle wrestlers in the London 2012 Olympic Games.lRecently, Mongolian female boxers were ranked high by the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA).The Mongolian women gained achievements with successful participation in the Women’s Boxing ASBC Asian Championships which took place last month in Ulaanbaatar. As the latest ranking shows, Asian champions T.Bolortuul and E.Uyanga were ranked 4th in the weight categories of 48 and 64 kg, respectively. Bronze medalists of the Women’s Boxing Asian Championships B.Odmaa (-81 kg) and B.Badamkhand (+81 kg) ranked in the 17th and 12th places. Other Mongolians M.Nandintsetseg (51 kg), M.Gundegmaa (54 kg), O.Suvd-Erdene (60 kg) and E.Undram (75 kg) were ranked in the 23rd to 34th positions.lJudoists of the national team left for Uzbekistan to compete in the Judo Asian Championship to run this weekend in Tashkent city.The competition is the last tournament for judoists to collect qualification points for taking part in the London 2012 Olympic Games. The Mongolia’s Judo Federation selected judoists who need to gain points for Olympic qualification.The national team comprises Ch.Boldbaatar (men’s 60), S.Miaragchaa (66 kg), S.Nyam-Ochir (73 kg), O.Uuganbaatar (81 kg), E.Enkhbat (90 kg), B.Temuulen (-100 kg), N.Batsuuri (+100 kg), M.Urantsetseg (women’s 48 kg), M.Bundmaa (52 kg), D.Sumya (57 kg), Ts.Monkhzaya (63 kg), Ts.Naranjargal (70 kg), P.Lhamdegd (-78 kg) and D.Tserenkhand (+78 kg). They are coached by O.Baljinnyam, Kh.Boldbaatar, D.Battulga, Kh.Erdenet-Od and H.Tomita.lState Honored Sportswoman O.Gundegmaa was ranked 8th in the women’s pistol category by the latest rankings of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF). She has collected 1,155 points.International master of sports Ts.Monkhzul was ranked 20th with 335 points in the same category.lLast weekend, D.Erdenebileg, State Honored Sportsman and international grand master, won the 1st and 2nd rounds of the National championships for 10x10 draughts. D.Erdenebileg was followed by international master O.Tuvshinbold. Sports master E.Mandakhnaran won the 2nd round in the women’s contest. The next rounds will take place in June, August and October.lOn April 23, a ceremony took place to open the ‘Olympics Development’ fund. It will support Mongolian athletes competing in the London 2012 Olympic Games.Deputy Prime Minister M.Enkhbold was appointed head of the fund’s board. This fund wants our sports people to show no less than the great successes shown at the Beijing 2008 Games.Present at the ceremony were O.Odbayar, advisor to the PM; G.Monkhbayar, Mayor of Ulaanbaatar; D.Zagdsuren, President of Mongolia’s National Olympic Committee (MonNOC); Ts.Damdin, MonNOC Vice President; Olympic champion E.Badar-Uugan,; Olympic silver medalist and world champion, P.Serdamba; Paralympic champion D.Baatarjav, and authorities of districts’ departments of sports and physical culture.

On April 19, President Ts. Elbegdorj visited the Central Sports Palace where he saw the training process of athletes who qualified to participate in the London 2012 Olympic Games. He first saw the training of judo wrestlers. O. Baljinnyam, coach of the state selected team of judo wrestling said that currently, 10 wrestlers qualified (13 rights in repeated counting) to take part in the London 2012 Olympic Games and they are training well.

From there, the President went to the training hall of heavy weight lifting athletes where Coach G. Enebish said that the selected team is believed to qualifiy to participate in the London 2012 Olympic Games.

When the President visited the training hall of boxing athletes, coach D. Ganzorig said that four of his boxers qualified to compete in the London 2012 Olympic Games. With their boxing skills, Mongolia was ranked 5th last year and 7th this year, he said.

For freestyle wrestlers, Coach A. Tsedensodnom said that two wrestlers qualified to participate in the Olympic games and they expect to increase the number with the pending competitions in China and Finland.

Later, the President met athletes and coaches. To begin the meeting, the coaches of all selected teams

President meets with Olympic athletes

Winners of Mongolia’s ‘Dream Team’ awardedStudents from every aimag participate

From mines in the United States and Mongolia to the necks of the world’s most elite athletes, a display at the British Museum investigates the journey of the 4,700 Olympic medals to be handed out in London this summer. Four gold medals designed for the London 2012 Games glisten on display in an exhibition which details the history of all the gold, silver and bronze medals using shavings, ancient medallions, and original moulds.

The gold medals for this summer’s Games will be the largest and most valuable ever to be handed out.

Weighing in at 400 grams and

measuring 88 mm in diameter, the 1st place medal is also the most expensive yet. But it is only made up of 1.2% gold.

The nationwide search for designers was launched three years ago, and a panel eventually whittled the names down to goldsmiths, David Watkins who designed the Olympic medal, and Lin Cheung (the brains behind the Paralympic medal).

While the design on the front is dictated by tradition — Nike, the Greek goddess of Victory, has adorned medals since the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam — the back offers a blank

canvas. Weaving the river Thames through the design, Watkins brings the medal up to date with a mixture of Greek mythology and images of London, achieving a lushly intricate feat of metal molding. But it wasn’t always plain sailing.

At the Royal Mint, last minute technical problems with the gold stamps meant that the image of Nike varies ever so slightly from its predecessor at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

“As I understand it, they had to reproduce the models for technical reasons...it was minor, just so the two

sides of the medal worked with each other,” said Philip Attwood, curator of the collection.

Source: Hindustan Times, Reuters, London, April 23, 2012

The London 2012 Olympic medals

foreign press on Mongolia This gold medal will be great value for money!

The ‘Dream Team’ basketball competition initiated by Prime Minister S. Batbold was organized over the past eight months, involving over 300,000 school children of all aimags, cities, soums and districts. On April 22, the winners of the competition were finally selected.

At the award-granting ceremony for winners, the Prime Minister said, “Every person has a dream. It is important to be healthy to fulfill your dream. As Prime Minister and a person who loves sports, I initiated this program to develop public physical culture, improve physical strength of youth and discover the talents of teens.”

Basketball players from Arkhangai, Khentii, Sukhbaatar, Umnugovi, Dornogovi, Bayankhongor and Zavkhan aimags were selected as winners, proving that there is a basis in rural areas to achieve success in this sport. During the ceremony, athletes

expressed their appreciation to the Prime Minister for continuing the Dream Team Program and organize the competition every two years.

In the competition of elementary school age boys’ category, the team from Bayandalai Soum of Umnugovi Aimag and the girls’ teams of Zavkhan Aimag took first places. In the middle school age boys’category, the team of Ulaanbaatar’s school #48 and girls’ team of Sport School of Ulaanbaatar won the first places. In the high school age boys’ category, the team of Orkhon Aimag and the girls’ team from Dornogovi Aimag took first place. The best player of the competition was also named and awarded with a certificate to see the NBA Playoffs in the USA.

Selected basketball players of the ‘Dream Team’ are currently participating in the international junior basketball competition in Ufa, Russia.

introduced how many athletes have qualified for the Olympic Games. Two archers qualified, and two athletes of light athletics and two athletes of shooting qualified. Two swimmers will participate by invitation. Also four judo wrestlers will participate in the Paralympics.

President Ts. Elbegdorj said, “There are exactly 100 days remaining until the opening of the London 2012 Olympic Games. From the day that the last Olympic Games ended, we started talking about our next Olympic Games. Our athletes showed brilliant success in the Beijing Olympic Games. Therefore, the achievement we expect from the next Olympic Games has to be higher. State organizations and sport organizations have paid much attention on preparations. I heard that a total of 27 athletes have qualified to participate in the London

2012 Olympic Games. The goal that our physical culture and sports organization submitted is 30 rights. It is likely to achieve the goal if a few rights can be taken from the remaining competitions.”

“We intend to organize a farewell ceremony for the athletes in the last week of June. We hope that more athletes qualify by then. Since the last Olympic Games, the budget for sports has increased. Further, the budget for establishing basic structures of physical culture and sports will increase.”

At the conclusion of the meeting, he said, “Why I support sports is that sport is a wonder created by humankind; it makes people strive, and being goal-oriented has a good effect on people.” He then wished success to all the athletes.

Only 100 days left for training

Students from every aimag participate in the basketball competition

President Ts.Elbegdorj offers encouragement and support for Mongolia’s top athletes

Hopes rest on wrestlers, weight lifters, boxers, archers and swimmers and shooters