Ulaanbaatar,/MONTSAME/ The 66 members of the 20th class of Mongolian Peace Corps Volunteers were sworn in by Mark C.Minton, the US Ambassador Wednesday in a moving and lively ceremony at the Mongol Tuurgatan Theater, Zuun Mod, Tov Aimag. The news was reported at the website of the US Embassy in Mongolia.
The 66 new Peace Corps Volunteers represent the largest incoming class of Volunteers in Mongolia's history.
As benefited the occasion and its historic significance, the Mongolia's Foreign Minister S. Batbold broke from the special session of Parliament in order to make the hour trip to the neighboring province. He thanked the Peace Corps Volunteers for their contribution to Mongolia and for being in Mongolia.
                Ambassador Mr Minton also made brief remarks to the Volunteers, putting their service into the broader context of the expanding U.S. commitment to foreign affairs. Mongolia Peace Corps Director Jim Carl spoke of the opportunity to contribute to society in general and Mongolia specifically. Then several of the new Peace Corps Volunteers addressed the audience in Mongolian. Others gave spirited performances of traditional Mongolian songs and dances. These were all extremely well received by the 200-plus audience, which clapped and sang along.
                PAS bused 12 members of the media and a video grapher from Ulaanbaatar and arranged interviews for Ambassador Minton and Peace Corps Director Carl immediately following the ceremony.
                Around 800 Volunteers have served in Mongolia under a country agreement signed by the Mongolian and U.S. Governments in 1991. Volunteers presently work in the majority of provinces, serving in a variety of jobs. Volunteers learn Mongolian languages and customs and share in the daily life of their communities.
B.Khuder