http://www.mongoliaonline.com Your Source for Mongolian News and Networking Sun, 24 May 2009 22:20:39 -0400 en http://www.mongoliaonline.com//the-winner-is-democracy/ http://www.mongoliaonline.com//the-winner-is-democracy/ Sun, 24 May 2009 22:20:39 -0400 guido http://www.mongoliaonline.com//the-winner-is-democracy/ Regardless of every ones standing, it is clearly a win for democracy when a fairly run open election shows its results and their is a peaceful transition in the presidency.

4 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.mongoliaonline.com/Politics/the-citizen-polls-open-in-mongolia-presidential-election/ http://www.mongoliaonline.com/Politics/the-citizen-polls-open-in-mongolia-presidential-election/ Sat, 23 May 2009 23:37:37 -0400 guido Politics http://www.mongoliaonline.com/Politics/the-citizen-polls-open-in-mongolia-presidential-election/ "He did a great job in the past four years and he needs time to finish what he started," he said.
But for Tseren, a 32-year-old businesswoman, unrest was a strong possibility.
"I think we should have riots if Enkhbayar wins because he plays a dirty game," she said on her way to a polling booth in the centre of Ulan Bator to vote for Elbegdorj
"I hate Elbegdorj, but we have to have change," she added.

4 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.mongoliaonline.com/Mining/bcm-newswire-ivanhoe-official-dispels-misgivings-based-on-misperception/ http://www.mongoliaonline.com/Mining/bcm-newswire-ivanhoe-official-dispels-misgivings-based-on-misperception/ Fri, 22 May 2009 13:54:20 -0400 guido Mining http://www.mongoliaonline.com/Mining/bcm-newswire-ivanhoe-official-dispels-misgivings-based-on-misperception/
Many MP's want the draft agreement to be signed with the parent company, Ivanhoe Mines Ltd., and not with Ivanhoe Mines Mongolia Inc. What do you think of the suggestion?

The original idea, as agreed on in the draft of the agreement prepared in 2007, was to conclude the investment agreement with three companies - Rio Tinto, Ivanhoe Mines Limited, and Ivanhoe Mines Mongolia Inc. However, the current Minerals Law says that the investment agreement has to be made with a license holder and that is why only Ivanhoe Mines Mongolia was chosen. This was to preempt any criticism that the laws were being violated. I think the investors will have no problem accepting any Mongolian suggestion that the parent company be involved. The Minerals Law would also not be breached if three companies from the investor's side, and not just the license holder, sign the agreement. This was, in any case, the original idea.

MPs have expressed concern that Ivanhoe Mines Mongolia Inc is an off-shore company. Are they right to worry?

This should not cause any worry among Mongolians. The company is properly registered in Mongolia to develop a deposit located in the territory of Mongolia. It will pay all taxes and fulfill all obligations in compliance with Mongolian laws. Being off-shore is a kind of protection to reduce the tax burden on the parent company -- that is registered in another country -- after it has paid all taxes and fees to Mongolia. The intention is not to evade tax, but to claim tax benefits in a perfectly legal manner. The Mongolian side need have no fear that we shall not pay taxes and disregard legal obligations here. All it means is that the parent company gets some tax benefits abroad. Mongolia does not lose anything because we are an offshore company.

2 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.mongoliaonline.com/Business/miat-mongolia-post-will-be-privatized--mongolia-business-and-mongolian-daily-business-news/ http://www.mongoliaonline.com/Business/miat-mongolia-post-will-be-privatized--mongolia-business-and-mongolian-daily-business-news/ Fri, 22 May 2009 02:03:57 -0400 guido Business http://www.mongoliaonline.com/Business/miat-mongolia-post-will-be-privatized--mongolia-business-and-mongolian-daily-business-news/
In doing so, they will be privatised through tender bid, international selection, the result of the management and if necessary, additional shares will be issued for the companies which require additional investment via domestic and foreign stock exchanges.

1 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.mongoliaonline.com/Politics/presidential-election-debate/ http://www.mongoliaonline.com/Politics/presidential-election-debate/ Fri, 22 May 2009 01:49:53 -0400 guido Politics http://www.mongoliaonline.com/Politics/presidential-election-debate/
The two presidential candidates answered 18 questions, two more than initially decided, at their much-awaited television debate yesterday. The debate started at 9 pm and continued for one hour and 30 minutes. Both wore a dark suit and red tie, Elbegdorj's with white stripes, while Enkhbayar's had white dots.

We give below some of the questions and a summary of the two candidates' answers.

How do you evaluate the current economic situation of Mongolia?

Ts.Elbegdorj: The economic situation can best be understood by looking at people's life. Wherever I ask people "How is your life?" they answer it is becoming worse day by day. Almost everybody is in debt. There can be no change in people's life or in the economy if we cannot build a fair society. There must be more equitable distribution of wealth. At the moment, those who wield power are cornering all privileges. We are among the first 10 resource-rich countries in the world but our standard of living is ranked 150. This has dropped 40 percent in the last four years. Many think we have been made poor by the global crisis, but I think the crisis is more at home, and is not the result of shortage of money and resources so much as of lack of social justice, and absence of a sense of responsibility among those in power. We have to give more rights to the people, extend our welfare net and work for a fair society.

N.Enkhbayar: Life can never be the same for everybody. Some people are satisfied with what they have, some are not. If we recall 1990 our life has certainly improved. At that time Mongolian shops had only salt. But we have a long way to go. I respect Ts.Elbegdorj as a person and as a candidate. He did a lot to take Mongolia out of the old system and build a democratic society. When I was Speaker I supported him as Prime Minister both times he was nominated. We are capable of taking right and good decisions and have to be positive in our outlook.

What do you think of the July 1 events?

Elbegdorj: I am still seeking answers to many questions relating to that day's events. Why has nobody claimed compensation for their burnt car? With so many protesters getting restive, why didn't a single Government leader come to them and say, "Remain peaceful, and let's talk"? Many are saying the protesters went wild as they did not have enough food. If that was so why did they not go to Ulaanbaatar Hotel and why did they go to the Cultural Palace? Why has nobody been charged with arson and destruction? Police found so many people who, they say, threw stones, but why couldn't they find who fired the shots that killed people? We have not been told who gave the orders to shoot. Mongolia has learnt a big lesson from July 1. To make sure such incidents are not repeated, we have to adopt a proper election law and see that it is not violated. We cannot allow people's votes to be stolen so that some leaders can stick to power and position.

Enkhbayar: It is a black spot in Mongolian history. I pray this is never repeated. Things went out of control because of irresponsible provocations by some politicians. I proclaimed a state of emergency to impose calm. The young people sentenced for their role in the violence should be forgiven. So also the women.

What will you do with the land issue and canceling mining licenses?

Enkhbayar: These are both major issues. That we have not been able to regulate either is largely because of our lack of experience and failure to pass the right laws. In our rush to secure foreign investment we issued mining licenses without proper care. That was a mistake that we have to correct. I have sat with those who held licenses in Tavantolgoi, the Government has held extensive negotiations with them and some licenses were returned. Now the important thing is to start work on the big mining deposits while ensuring that the profits go to the people.

Elbegdorj: The land issue is directly related to Mongolian welfare. It cannot be resolved unless local administrations are given economic and political power and rights. Land ownership should be a matter for local administrations to grant.


4 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.mongoliaonline.com/Culture/feeling-the-magic-of-felt---columbian-com/ http://www.mongoliaonline.com/Culture/feeling-the-magic-of-felt---columbian-com/ Fri, 22 May 2009 01:40:44 -0400 guido Culture http://www.mongoliaonline.com/Culture/feeling-the-magic-of-felt---columbian-com/
"Seventy percent of Mongols still live in yurts. When you get out of Ulan Bator" - the nation's capital - Arnold said, "It's a whole other world."

That's where Arnold got a first-hand look at the process she'd seen 20 years earlier in the National Geographic photograph: a Mongol herdsman on horseback making felt. Pulling a roll of wet wool behind a horse (camels work tool) provides the agitation and pressure required to mat it into felt.

The yurt still represents traditional values to Mongols, not just traditional shelter. There are rituals to be observed in making felt.

"Sheep are blessed before they're shorn," she said, and Mongol felt-makers follow a seasonal routine established thousands of years ago.

The biggest yurts still are places for celebrations, ceremonies and epic poems. And that was Arnold's inspiration. Her palace yurt measures 26 feet long by 15 feet wide by 20 feet high. She assembled it from 42 pieces of fabric created in her Centralia-area studio.

The biggest panels had to be felted outside in the middle of winter. The yurt's biggest panel is 10 feet long and 9½ feet wide. But since wet wool shrinks, "It was 30 feet by 12 feet when we started," Arnold said.

"It was 20 degrees when we were slapping and rolling these huge pieces in the snow. And you can't wear gloves because you have to feel it as it changes form."


3 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.mongoliaonline.com/Politics/elbegdorj-or-enkhbayar---the-ub-post/ http://www.mongoliaonline.com/Politics/elbegdorj-or-enkhbayar---the-ub-post/ Thu, 21 May 2009 16:09:54 -0400 guido Politics http://www.mongoliaonline.com/Politics/elbegdorj-or-enkhbayar---the-ub-post/ Public opinion polls through media have consistently given a lead to Elbegdorj, who is hoping to become Mongolia's first democratic president. If elected, Elbegdorj would be the fourth president of Mongolia.
By law, election campaign should stop on Saturday. Voters go to the polls on Sunday.

3 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.mongoliaonline.com/Sports/riders-announced-for-the-mongol-derby---ub-post/ http://www.mongoliaonline.com/Sports/riders-announced-for-the-mongol-derby---ub-post/ Thu, 21 May 2009 15:26:50 -0400 guido Sports http://www.mongoliaonline.com/Sports/riders-announced-for-the-mongol-derby---ub-post/ After a worldwide search and a painstaking selection process the 26 riders for the first ever Mongol Derby, the world's longest, toughest horse race have been announced. The riders, ranging in age from 24 to 65, hail from nine countries and come from numerous equestrian and adventure backgrounds.
Among the selected 26 are TV presenter and well known adventurer Ben Fogle, and former Champion jockey Richard Dunwoody. The Mongol Derby will be an extra feather in both of their adventuring bows: whilst Ben, amongst his other exploits, has raced to the South Pole and rowed across the Atlantic in 49 days, Richard has ridden 1900 winners over jumps, also raced to the South Pole and is currently doing an 1000 mile walk for charity. The other riders - amongst them hardened adventurers, polo players and eventers - are from New Zealand, Australia, Sweden, South Africa, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Scotland, USA and the UK.

3 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.mongoliaonline.com/Environment/nasa-image-of-fires-in-mongolia-and-russia/ http://www.mongoliaonline.com/Environment/nasa-image-of-fires-in-mongolia-and-russia/ Thu, 21 May 2009 13:55:35 -0400 guido Environment http://www.mongoliaonline.com/Environment/nasa-image-of-fires-in-mongolia-and-russia/
Large fires were burning in the forested mountains of Russia's Buryatia region and Mongolia's Belenge Province on May 21, 2009, when the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA's Aqua satellite captured this image. Brisk winds must have been blowing, as the smoke plumes from the fires were all streaming nearly due east. Places where MODIS detected actively burning fires are outlined in red. According to the May 20 fire situation report of the Aerial Forest Fire Protection Service of Russia (translation provided by the Global Fire Monitoring Center), 12 large fires were burning in Buryatia, affecting a combined 2,670 hectares (about 6,600 acres).


3 Vote(s) ]]>