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MongoliaIncidence of Crime
In the late 1980s, the most common crimes were theft and
embezzlement of state property, black-marketing, juvenile
delinquency, misappropriation of materials (food and drugs, for
example), and speculation (such as selling automobiles). To
combat these crimes, the authorities called for better
enforcement of laws, harsher punishment for criminals, and
additional public involvement in fighting crime.
Hooliganism and vandalism by juvenile delinquents in the
towns and cities also caused the authorities grave concern. Much
of this activity was attributed to the rising rate of divorce and
to broken homes. To combat this situation, the authorities called
for efforts to strengthen the family structure; to ensure better
compliance with family and marriage laws; to improve the laws on
family, marriage, child adoption, and guardianship; and to better
integrate schools with the job market, in order to discourage
idleness among students more effectively.
In 1989 Mongolian government and party leaders, now less
fearful of foreign threat, were taking steps to reduce the size
of the armed forces and to make further use of the skills of
demobilized military personnel in support of the civilian
economy. The leaders were more concerned with the threats of
corruption and of incompetence in law enforcement that allowed
for an increase in crime, especially economic crimes. To remedy
this situation, the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party called
for renewed efforts to reform law-enforcement organizations by
enhancing the role of the Ministry of Justice, to ensure the
independence of prosecutors, and to improve the training and
evaluation of judicial cadre.
* * *
Little has been published on the Mongolian armed forces. What
is available is mainly historical, such as the discussion of the
great Mongol conquests of the thirteenth century in History of
the Mongolian People's Republic, published by the Soviet
Akademia Nauk, and an account of the exploits of the Mongolian
People's Army in World War II in the History of the Mongolian
People's Republic, available in William A. Brown's and
Urgunge Onon's English translation. William R. Heaton's and
Kenneth Jarrett's articles in Asian Survey provide insight
into the evolving Mongolian perception of the military threat
from China. Military Balance [London] each year provides
an up-to-date table of organization and equipment for the
Mongolian armed forces. Albert P. Blaustein and Gisbert H.
Flanz's Constitutions of the Countries of the World and
William E. Butler's The Mongolian Legal System provide
indispensable information on the legal system. (For further
information and complete citations,
see
Bibliography.)
Data as of June 1989
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