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Monday 19 November 2012 5 Muharram 1434 - Volume 17 Number 5523 Price: QR2

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Emir meets Erdogan Qatar to invest Israel should $13.1bn in power DOHA: Qatar is set to invest an estimated $13.1bn in the power sector in the next eight years. Most of the investments lift siege of will be in transmission and dis- tribution. Qatar is one of the countries in the Gulf, where power generation has grown considerably in the last decade. Gaza: Emir Driven by high GDP growth rates and population explosion, power consumption in Qatar 11 Palestinians killed in Israel strike has increased by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of ABU DHABI: The Emir trying to broker a ceasefire and 9.3 percent between 2001 and H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Israeli media said a delegation 2011. See also page 17 Al Thani, who visited Gaza ear- from Israel had been to Cairo lier this month, said in com- for talks on ending the fighting, Qatar to get ‘passive ments broadcast yesterday that although a government spokes- Israel should lift its siege of the man declined to comment on the house’ next year Gaza Strip. matter. In an interview with Aljazeera, Egyptian President Mohammed the Emir also said that Israel Mursi met Hamas political leader DOHA: Qatar is expected to would not halt its offensive Khaled Meshaal and Islamic have its first energy-efficient in Gaza unless it met strong Jihad’s head Ramadan Shallah as ‘passive house’ early next year, resistance. part of the mediation efforts, but with the Qatar Green Building “The nature of Israel means a presidency statement did not Council partnering with that it will not stop its aggression say if they were conclusive. Barwa Real Estate company unless there is firm resistance like Izzat Risheq, a close aide to and Kahramaa to launch this what happened in Gaza and with Meshaal, wrote in a Facebook groundbreaking experiment Lebanon’s Hezbollah in the south,” message that Hamas would in the region’s green build- he said. agree to a ceasefire only after ing industry. A passive house The offensive that started Israel “stops its aggression, ends (Passivhaus in German) boasts last Wednesday has killed 69 its policy of targeted assassina- The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Cairo an ultra low energy, airtight Palestinians, 11 of them yesterday tions and lifts the blockade of yesterday. They discussed bilateral relations and the latest developments in the region, especially the Israeli building design that requires lit- when an Israeli missile flattened Gaza”. aggression on the Gaza Strip and the Syria crisis. tle energy for space cooling. the home of one family. More Israel’s terms for ceasing fire, See also page 4 than 500 rockets fired from Gaza Moshe Yaalon, a deputy to the have hit Israel, killing three civil- prime minister, wrote on Twitter: ians and wounding dozens. “If there is quiet in the south and The Emir was in Cairo on no rockets and missiles are fired Saturday and yesterday where at Israel’s citizens, nor terrorist Ministry cracks down on fake ‘sales’ he held talks about Gaza with attacks engineered from the Gaza Egyptian President Mohammed Strip, we will not attack.” DOHA: The consumer rights aimed at cheating customers. inspectors to run checks on credit cards. “No outlet is allowed Mursi and Turkish Premier Gaza health officials said 72 watchdog has launched a mas- The CPD has been under the beauty salons and see if they com- to charge more than one percent Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Qatar Palestinians , 21 of them children sive crackdown on shopping public scanner for quite a while ply with rules regarding display of on a purchase made using a credit has carved a role for itself as a and several women have been centres amid complaints that and is widely accused of not doing prices for their various services card,” said a knowledgeable source. major player in both the Israeli- killed in Gaza since Israel’s offen- many businesses are taking cus- enough to prevent retail outlets and if so, whether they are fol- There are some who even Palestinian conflict and the sive began. Hundreds have been tomers for a ride by announcing from preying on customers. lowing the tariff list. claim that outlets at times Syrian civil war. wounded. false promotions. A major public complaint is that The CPD move apparently fol- charge one percent commission An Israeli missile attack that Israel gave off signs of a pos- The clampdown is also aimed at some outlets increase the prices lows customer complaints that on purchases they make using an killed at least 11 Palestinian civil- sible ground invasion of the making sure that no retail outlet of certain products and then some salons do not stick to the ATM card, which is illegal. ians included four children was Hamas-run enclave as the next launches a promotion without a announce ‘special offers’ which price lists they display in their According to CPD rules, apparently an attack on a top mil- stage in its offensive, billed as a nod from the Ministry of Business ensures sales without the cus- premises to comply with govern- no outlet can offer discounts itant that brought a three-storey bid to stop Palestinian rocket fire and Trade. Inspectors of the tomer realising that he has been ment rules. on products and services and home crashing down. into the Jewish state. It also spelt Consumer Protection Department a victim of price manipulation. The municipal ministry has what can only be offered in a International pressure for out its conditions for a truce. (CPD) affiliated to the trade min- These are misleading promo- women inspectors who regu- promotion (special offer) is a ceasefire seemed certain to US President Barack Obama istry have been given orders to tions and one can produce pur- larly visit beauty salons but their ‘buy-one-and-get-one-free’. mount in response to the dead- said that while Israel had a right raid major outlets indiscreetly. chase vouchers at the CPD with brief is to check compliance with In other words, outlets are not liest single incident in five days to defend itself against the sal- The CPD is in a belligerent a complaint if there is a suspi- health and safety rules. alowwed to give price discounts as of Palestinian rocket attacks on voes, it would be “preferable” to mood as an increasing number of cion of fleecing, say knowledgeable There have also been com- part of a ‘special offer.’ Israel and Israeli air strikes on avoid a military thrust into the people have been complaining that sources. plaints that some outlets charge a They can offer another item or the Gaza Strip. Gaza Strip. REUTERS many major outlets are launching And, arguably for the first time, two percent commission instead a different product free. Egypt has taken the lead in See also page 7 promotions which are basically the CPD is deploying women of one, on purchases made using THE PENINSULA

Doha Tribeca Film Festival Kuwait detains Twitter users for Judges outnumber insulting ruler lawyers in Qatar KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait’s DOHA: There are more judges number of cases (23,422) were public prosecution yesterday in Qatar than lawyers. filed — as against only 11,578 such ordered the detention of four Official statistics reflect that disputes having gone to court in Twitter users for 10 days for there were 202 judges here last 2010. allegedly insulting the ruler of year as opposed to only 177 legal It is interesting to note that in the oil-rich Gulf state, a rights practitioners. 2009 not a single bad cheque com- group said. In fact, the number of judges plaint was taken to court, QSA The four were arrested on almost doubled last year from a statistics reflect. Wednesday and remanded in mere 105 in 2010 due, possibly, Traffic violations accounted for police custody pending further to an ever-increasing number of the third largest number of court investigation before the prosecu- court cases. cases last year, but their number tion issued its detention order, Qatari courts heard more than was only 3,096 as opposed to more Kuwait Human Rights News 38,000 cases last year, up from than 5,400 cases registered in Centre said on its Twitter account. 22,709 in 2010, with the yearly 2010. Three other Twitter users, jump in the number being over Crimes to do with breach of including a woman, who were 15,000. residency and immigration laws arrested with them were each Figures released by the national accounted for the second highest freed on bail of $3,550. office of statistics, Qatar Statistics number of cases after bad cheque The seven, described as oppo- Authority (QSA), suggest that litigations, totaling 7,514. sition sympathisers, were inter- court cases totalled barely 11,729 As regards lawyers, they rogated on allegations of tweets in the year 2009. totalled 167 in 2010, 16 of them deemed offensive and critical of In other words, the cases have women, whereas only two of the the Emir H H Sheikh Sabah Al more than trebled over a span 202 judges were females in 2011. Ahmad Al Sabah. of just three years — from 2009 Out of 177 lawyers, 117 were The clampdown on users of the until last year. A vast majority of Qatari in 2011, four from other social network was strongly criti- the cases in 2011 pertained to bad GCC states, 43 Arab and 13 from cised by opposition figures with cheques (cheques that were issued non-Arab countries. There were a member of the scrapped 2012 without sufficient balance in bank an additional eight trainee coun- parliament saying that Kuwait Egyptian actresses Yusra (centre) and Nelly Karim (right) at the Doha Tribeca Film Festival yesterday. accounts). The problem of bad sels—two of them women. was becoming a “police state”. See also page 5 cheques seemed to have peaked THE PENINSULA AFP last year as a worrisomely large Continued on page 6 MONDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2012 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Attack on Gaza media centres condemned DOHA: The Doha Center for Media Freedom (DCMF) has strongly con- demned the Israeli attack on two media centres in Gaza yesterday that Qatar UK 2013 launched injured at least eight journalists. “We strongly condemn the Israeli bomb- ing of media offices in Gaza which resulted in injuring several journalists. We demand the Israeli army to stop targeting journalists, media organisa- tions and innocent civilians,” DCMF said in a statement yesterday. Year-long celebration to mark long-lasting friendship between two countries “The presence of media is essential for reporting the truth. Therefore, we urge the Israeli authorities to stop attacking journalists deliberately as it DOHA: Following the success violates basic human rights principles,” it added. of Qatar Japan 2012, Qatar DCMF said, it will provide through its associate office in Gaza all possible Museums Authority (QMA) assistance to journalists in Gaza to be able to perform their duties. yesterday launched Qatar UK One of the media buildings that came under the Israeli attack houses foreign 2013 – a year-long celebration news outlets and the other is used by the media operations unit of Hamas. of the long-lasting friendship THE PENINSULA between Qatar and the UK. Qatar UK 2013 is being held in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the British Council, the British Embassy in Doha, and the Qatari Embassy in London. The official launch of Qatar UK 2013 at the Museum of Islamic Arts was attended by H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, Chairperson of the Qatar Museum Authority, Ed Dolman, QMA Executive Director, Ed Vaizey MP, Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries for the United Kingdom, and H E Dr Hamad bin Abulaziz Al Kuwari, Minister for Culture, Arts and Heritage for Qatar. H E Michael O’Neill, British Ambassador to Qatar, Graham Sheffield, Director Arts, British Council, and Martin Hope, British Council Director in Qatar were also in attendance. H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, Chairperson of the Qatar Museum Authority, during the official Inspired by the Qatar launch of Qatar UK 2013 at the Museum of Islamic Arts. National Vision for 2030, Qatar UK 2013 aims to forge new part- Qatar UK 2013 will kick off success achieved with Qatar culture, art, sport and educa- nerships in education, sports, at the Cultural Village, Katara, Japan 2012, and we hope next tion while looking to the excit- creative industries, and science, with the opening of Encounter: year will give us the opportu- ing new opportunities for the while promoting an awareness The Royal Academy in the nity to further promote cultural future.” and appreciation of each oth- Middle East on December 6, dialogue and programmes that Graham Sheffield, Director er’s culture, achievements and 2012. The exhibition aims build bridges between nations. Arts, British Council, said: heritage. to spark a dialogue between We are looking forward to a “Qatar is a dynamic sup- World-class events will take Royal Academy members and year of valuable cooperation and porter of arts and culture, and place in Qatar and across the Middle Eastern artists, foster- exchange, which will celebrate I am delighted that the British UK, showcasing the quality, ing cultural exchange and better our cultures and friendship.” Council is a partner in this diversity, breadth and inno- understanding of one another’s Commenting on the Qatar exciting programme alongside vation of creative Britain and artistic practices. The exhibition UK 2013, Ed Vaizey said: “I am the UK sector and key Qatari Qatar. Art exhibitions organ- is the result of a combined effort very excited by this initiative institutions. Sharing innovative ised by QMA, cultural events by the Royal Academy, Fortune and welcome the opportunity ideas and practices from both at Katara and the screening of Cookie Projects and Katara. to build on the already strong sides, building new audiences for a British cinema series by the Commenting on the impor- relationship the UK shares the arts, and developing creative Doha Film Institute are only a tance of the Cultural Diplomacy with Qatar. Qatar UK 2013 will talent across society are at the small portion of the rich calen- Programme, H E Sheikha Al celebrate the best of our two heart of Qatar-UK 2013 Year of dar of events that both nations Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani nations, showcasing the finest Culture”. will host throughout 2013. stated: “We are proud of the we have to offer in the fields of THE PENINSULA MONDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2012 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser applauds as University of Calgary-Qatar (UCQ) graduates receive nursing degrees during the convocation ceremony at the St Regis Hotel yesterday. AISHA AL MUSALLAM UCQ graduates 12 nurses H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser attends convocation ceremony

DOHA: The University of awarded with a gold medal for her increased during the five years Calgary–Qatar (UCQ), yester- academic excellence. since University of Calgary- Qatar day held its third convocation of “We are proud of the contribu- admitted its first student. Bachelor of Nursing graduates tions the University of Calgary is Hamad Medical Corporation in the presence of H H Sheikha making to healthcare and educa- has worked closely with the Moza bint Nasser. tion in Qatar: of graduating excep- University of Calgary in Qatar The convocation ceremony held tional students, and training them to deliver accredited Diploma at the St Regis Hotel, saw twelve to become researchers and future and Bachelor Degree courses in students receive their Bachelor of nursing leaders in this coun- nursing. In previous years, many Nursing degree to join the coun- try,” said Dr Elizabeth Cannon, students have graduated from try’s healthcare sector. President, University of Calgary the university and joined HMC The nursing professionals addressing the convocation. full-time. “Nurses working at graduated this year as Qatar “You are well-prepared for the the Hamad Medical Cooperation Foundation together with the challenges ahead, to meet the can be a multi disciplinary role,” University of Calgary-Qatar, has healthcare demands of one the said Dr Hanan Al Kuwari, man- taken a new initiative to attract fastest-growing countries in the aging Director, Hamad Medical more Qataris to the nursing pro- world. You are critical think- Cooperation, addressing the con- fession and change the society’s ers, evidence-based learners and vocation as the guest speaker. attitude toward nursing. developing researchers,” she said. “University of Calgary-Qatar The 2012 class were presented She further announced that a has been a strong partner in with grandaunts and conferral masters programme will be intro- promoting the nursing profes- of degrees from Jim Dinning, duced at the Qatar campus next sion in the country,” Dr Al Kuwari Chancellor University of Calgary year. University of Calgary- Qatar further said. The University of and Dr Carolyn Byrne, Dean and has graduated 40 nursing profes- Calgary - Qatar currently has CEO University of Calgary, soon sionals, educators and research- about 300 nursing students with after making their graduation ers during it three convocations. a 25 percent of Qataris. pledge. Munachiso Bob-Ume, was Student enrolment too has THE PENINSULA MONDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2012 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME First energy-efficient house likely next year Groundbreaking experiment in green building industry

BY FAZEENA SALEEM Two houses will be built side implement in their daily lives and by side near the Barwa Village raise Qatar’s profile in the field of DOHA: Qatar is expected to in Mesaimer under the project- sustainable and green building,” have its first energy-efficient a passivhaus villa and a con- said Ahmad Abdullah, Deputy ‘passive house’ early next year, ventional villa to compare their Group CEO, Barwa Real Estate, with the Qatar Green Building energy usage and environmental presenting the project. Council partnering with footprint. “Qatar Green Building Council Barwa Real Estate company The conventional villa will be is extending great support to this and Kahramaa to launch this built to one-star rating of the initiative which is a main pillar groundbreaking experiment Global Sustainability Assessment of the energy saving campaign in the region’s green building System (GSAS) developed in in Qatar, along with a number of industry. Qatar while the country’s first other consultancy firms, research- A passive house (Passivhaus passivhaus will bear all the com- ers and contractors whom we Essa Al Mohannadi, Chairman, Qatar Green Building Council; Essa Hilal Al Kuwari, Chairman, Kahramaa and in German) boasts an ultra low forts of modern dwelling and wouldn’t have been able to achieve Abdullah Abdul Aziz T Al Subaidi, CEO, signing a Memorandum of Understanding to develop the Qatar Case energy, airtight building design consume at least 50 per cent less current progress,” he added. Study Passivhaus project at the Four Seasons Hotel, yesterday. ABDUL BASIT that requires little energy for energy, water and operational Testing and commissioning of space cooling, reducing its envi- carbon dioxide. Construction of the houses are expected to end how to minimise energy and water The project will work to obtain remains the same for all of the ronmental footprint. the 225 sqm villas is expected to by March 2013. Energy, potable consumption and with no prior Passivhaus Building Certification world’s climates. A building ful- The three partners yester- complete by January next year water and solid waste will be education about the environmen- and GSAS Certificate and estab- filling the passive house standard day jointly announced the first and the two houses will be occu- monitored for six months before tal principles that underline the lish the benchmark for all future will look much different from area Passivhaus project in the coun- pied by similarly-sized families, occupation, and the two families development of the experiment. buildings in Qatar. Texas A&M to area. The number of Passivhaus try, named Baytna (our home) with at least one child. are expected to move into the After a period of monitoring to University in Qatar, Siemens, buildings around the world as of in Arabic. A Memorandum of “The project aims at educating three-bed room villas by mid- establish a regular base for energy AECOM, Global Sustainability August 2010 was approximately Understanding was also signed the public about the concept of a 2013. At a later stage, the project and water consumption patterns, System and EPS Qatar also has 25,000. The vast majority of pas- to develop the Qatar Case Study Passivhaus. It will foster discus- will be handed over to Kahramaa. an intense educational and oper- joined the project as scientific sive structures have been built in Passivhaus project at the Four sions about green living and sus- Occupants will inhabit the ational training package will be partners. German-speaking countries and Seasons Hotel. tainable practices for the public to houses with no prior training of delivered to both families. The passive house concept Scandinavia. THE PENINSULA

Deputy Emir greets Doha to host Excellence in Paediatrics meet in 2013 leaders of Oman,

BY ISABEL OVALLE the developing world to participate in pre- Morocco and Latvia conference workshop and attend the con- DOHA: Qatar will hold the Excellence in gress, among other activities. DOHA: The Deputy Emir and Paediatrics Conference from December The EIPI emerged from the Excellence Heir Apparent H H Sheikh 4 to 7, 2013. Over 3,000 health pro- in Paediatrics Conference to attend pediat- Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani fessionals from 98 different countries ric academics and healthcare professionals. has sent a cable of greetings to will gather for this meeting hosted by Operating on a nonprofit basis, EIPI pro- H M Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Sidra Medical and Research Center. Dr vides medical education to a global network Oman, the King Mohammed VI Edward Ogata, Chief Medical Officer of over 60,000 providers. The fourth edition of Morocco and the President at Sidra, and Dr Dimitri Christakis, a of the Excellence in Paediatrics Conference of the Republic of Latvia on US-based pediatrician and Chairman will take place this year in Madrid. When the occasion of their Countries of Excellence in Paediatrics, signed the this event is closed, organisers will start National Day. agreement yesterday to organise the planning Doha event which will address event, that will take place at the Qatar the particular issues that affect this region. National Convention Center. Ogata, who took over as CMO of Sidra PM receives phone The CMO of Sidra said: “We are very in July, added that the construction of the proud to be hosting this event in 2013 building that will house this new hospital is call from Clinton and look forward to working with the “in active mode”, while the recruitment of DOHA: The Prime Minister Dr Edward Ogata (centre), Chief Medical Officer, Sidra Medical and Research Centre; Dr Excellence in Paediatrics Institute (EIPI) the senior medical staff is being finalised. and Foreign Minister H E Dimitri Christakis (second left), Chairman, Excellence in Paediatrics (EiP) after signing an to make it an outstanding success. We Sidra will have seven clinical departments: Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin are particularly excited about sharing our agreement for Sidra to host Excellence in Paediatrics Conference, at a function held at the Sidra Paediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, sur- Jabor Al Thani received a tel- vision for Sidra with those visiting Qatar, headquarters in Doha yesterday. Kyrakos Griveas (left), of EI Congresses and Communications gery, anesthesia, radiology, pathology and ephone call from US Secretary and having the opportunity to showcase UK; Irette Ferreira (second right), Sales Manager, Qatar National Convention Centre; and Khalid psychiatry. According to Doctor Ogata, of State Hillary Clinton. During some of the innovations that will help to Al Mohannadi (right), Communications Project Director, Sidra are also seen. SALIM MATRAMKOT Sidra is doing especially well in the recruit- the phone call, they discussed make Sidra a beacon of excellence in pedi- ment of staff for three of these seven depart- the latest developments in the atric care”. About the partnership with make the Qatar conference one of the most part as speakers in this event. In addition, ments. So far, over 100 professionals have region, particularly the Israeli Sidra, the chairman of EIPI said : In 2013, exciting and innovative in the world”. there will be 10 workshops-interactive case participated in the screening process after aggression on the Gaza Strip. the Excellence in Paediatrics Institute will More than 90 top academics will take studies and 80 bursaries for clinicians from applying for a position. THE PENINSULA QNA

Spanish naval ship OPV Relampago concludes Doha visit today DOHA: The Spanish Navy The Spanish Embassy organ- country. Navantia has recently Forces’ future requirements. OPV ‘Relámpago’, designed ized a reception on board, opened a permanent office in This area is especially interest- and built by Navantia, to leave inviting the most representa- Doha for the purpose of sup- ing for Navantia. Doha today. tive military authorities in the porting Qatar Emiri Naval THE PENINSULA

Police officers attending the leadership training course. Leadership training for police officers DOHA: The 32nd leadership training course for top- level officers started yesterday at Leaders’ Training Centre at the Police Training Institute. The course will continue till December 13, 2012 which is being atttended by 20 officers from different department of the Ministry of Interior. It is conducted in cooperation with British International College. The course is held with the aim of providing the offic- ers modern techniques in their field and skills need to mould them as ideal policeman who can deal with rapid changes and keep pace with them combating all forms of crime. As well, it contributes in achieving one of the objectives of the strategy of the Ministry of Interior that is to prepare and qualify human resources to address present and future challenges. The sessions will cover security concepts needed to raise strategic awareness and qualification of officers to become leaders eligible for the future. The topics wills be covered under three basic themes - self-development, development of others, and leadership and development of teams. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2012 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Mira Nair looks to support I don’t see myself stopping: De Niro BY RAYNALD C RIVERA more local filmmakers DOHA: Hundreds of fans of multi-awarded actor Robert De Niro relished some of the best moments of the Hollywood ‘Made in Qatar’ segment screens 19 local films icon’s lauded career during an intimate conversation with BY FAZEENA SALEEM Tribeca Enterprises Chief Creative Officer Geoff Gilmore DOHA: Doha Tribeca Film yesterday at the Doha Tribeca Festival’s ‘Made in Qatar’ seg- Film Festival’s Doha Talks ment is seen by renowned film- event at Al Rayyan Theatre in maker Mira Nair as a perfect Souq Waqif. venue to look for local talents It was a nostalgic moment for as she look to support training the fans as a montage of films more filmmakers from Doha. from De Niro’s decades-long “Made in Qatar’ is exciting, career was flashed on the wide it’s a perfect place to look out for screen before and during the local filmmakers,” said Mira Nair, hour-long event. From his first speaking to the media yesterday major film Mean Streets in 1973 at the Al Najada boutique hotel and other earlier movies like The US Actor Robert De Niro (right), and Vice President of Studio Relations in Souq Waqif. Godfather II and Taxi Driver to “Doha Film Institute’s intention his 1995 film Casino and his direc- & Special Project TFF Patty Newburger on the red carpet for the gala of training Qatari Youth remark- torial debut A Bronx Tale, the screening of ‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’ during the 2012 Doha able. If we don’t tell our stories, films depicted some of the most Tribeca Film Festival in Doha. who will tell? These are the ways memorable performances by the to teach the fire,” said Mira, who actor in his illustrious career. sensitive to everyone when he the film to be released interna- had been with the DTFF since its Having started in theatre, he started as a director because tionally this week will be shown launch in 2009. attributed his approach to act- “you need the support of every tonight at 8pm at Al Rayyan Number of films screened in ing to plays though he said he one as you work as a team.” Theatre and will be shown the ‘Made in Qatar’ section has found film more complicated as it Looking forward to the future, again on Friday, 6pm at the increased significantly this year involves a complex process. he said “I don’t see myself stop- same venue. He considers Silver reflecting the growth in the local Recalling his longtime col- ping. I’m looking into everything Lining, which won the People’s film industry. laborations with director Martin I’ve done until now and see what Choice Awards at the Toronto Presenting talents of the local Scorsese who directed his first else I can do-something that you International Film Festival, as community 19 short and fea- Renowned filmmaker Mira Nair and author of The Reluctant Fundamentalist major film Mean Streets, he said have not seen before.” one of his favourite movies with ture films are screened in this Mohsin Hamid at the roundtable discussion at the Al Najada Boutique Hotel Scorsese was easy to work with On his advice to young actors, its multi-layered characters and section. in Souq Waqif, yesterday. giving him the freedom to do he said, “Don’t expect to be genre. DFI has been collaborating what he wanted to give his best famous. It’s great if it happens. A film in collaboration with with Mira Nair on her educa- referring to how she adopt the many military attacks take place in every role he played. You just have to do what you love Al Pacino is in the works, he tional initiative, Maisha Film Lab, novel by Mohsin Hamid about around the world the film is sig- “Giving the actor the chance doing,” he said adding among the revealed. Doha Film Institute which was established to foster a Pakistani man working on nificant in its making. to try everything he wants is the most admirable young actors CEO Abdulaziz Al Khater East African, South Asian, and Wall Street and finds himself “Making the film is part of the most important thing. When a for him include Matt Damon, praised De Niro as an award Arab filmmaking. embroiled in a conflict between world; it gives a powerful univer- director gives his guidance and Leonardo Di Caprio and Bradley winning actor, director, pro- In 2011, six Qatari students his American Dream, a hostage sal message.” trust, he encourages him to Cooper whom he worked with ducer and Doha Tribeca co- were selected to represent Qatar crisis, and the enduring call of According to Hamid the book deliver what he could for the in his latest film Silver Lining founder, whose performances in two screenwriting and film- his family’s homeland. written by a Pakistani, film role,” he said. Playbook. have inspired generations. making workshops. Making a special reference to directed by an Indian filmmaker, He said he became more Directed by David O Russel, THE PENINSULA Also four interns have been Riz Ahmad, the British Pakistani with North American cinephotog- working in the film The Reluctant actor who played the lead role of rapher, British, Pakistani, Indian Fundamentalist, which opened The Reluctant Fundamentalist, and American artistes, as well as this year’s DTFF. Mira said, “he is as focused and the film shot in Delhi, Istanbul, Speaking about the making deeply intelligent.” New York City, Atlanta, and of the political thriller Mira Sharing his experience of The Lahore, give the world a stronger said, “it was a long journey Reluctant Fundamentalist author message on co-existence. to make it a human thriller,” Hamid also joined saying as THE PENINSULA

HMC observes Infection Control Week DOHA: The Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is observing Infection Control Week to raise awareness among HMC staff about cre- ating an infection-free environment. The activities are organised by the Infection Prevention and Control Department in collabo- ration with Women’s Hospital. The activities include a wall photo gallery at the main entrance of Women’s Hospital to highlight meth- ods to prevent the spread of infection. Infection Control Week is usually celebrated on October 17 every year, however HMC is observ- ing the week in November this year to coincide with the launch of its Academic Program for Infection Prevention. Infection Control Week focuses on methods and practices to prevent contracting infec- tions due to the spread of blood and other body fluids. Visits are conducted by infection control staff to dif- ferent hospital departments to directly communicate with staff and answer their queries regarding infection control measures. An exhi- bition on the latest medi- cal equipments took place, which provided information on the purposes of these equipments and on how to control infections while using them. The Academic Program me for Infection Prevention is also holding lectures to update the knowledge of healthcare teams on how to protect themselves and procedures that should be taken in case of the spread of infections. Meanwhile, HMC marked the World Radiographers Day by recognizing the work radi- ographers do in a clinical setting. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2012 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME HMC campaign to raise Syrian rebel alliance a positive step, awareness on pain in kids says ex-Chinese foreign minister DOHA: Yan Fuchang, the former Chinese foreign min- ister, currently visiting Qatar Children’s Hospital Project team leading the initiative has described the formation of the new Syrian opposition alli- DOHA: Hamad Medical Awareness symposium will be multidisciplinary teams who care ance in Doha as a positive step Corporation (HMC) is conduct- held later this month to close the for children use the best available towards dialogue and negotia- ing paediatric pain awareness event. methods to assess and manage tion to find a peaceful solution month for the first time in the Speaking on the programme for pain. We are also aiming to edu- to the Syrian crisis. Gulf region in order to raise pain awareness month, Dr Abdulla cate families so that they know Fuchang is heading a del- staff and public awareness and Al Kaabi, Project Director for the how to recognise pain in children, egation from the China-Arab enhance pain management for Children’s Hospital Project, said: especially in babies who cannot Cooperation Forum, which is in infants, children and adoles- “We have been working for many talk to express their pain.” Doha on the first leg of a tour to cents. The Children’s Hospital years with SickKids to improve Dr Mansour Ahmed Ali, Head of the Arab region. Addressing a Project team at HMC is lead- the level of care that children Paediatric Surgery at HMC, said: press conference at Ritz-Carlton ing this major initiative as part in Qatar receive, part of which “Being aware of pain in children yesterday, Fuchang said the China of HMC’s partnership with is pain management in children can also improve the outcome of didn’t support any government in SickKids Hospital Canada. from birth until adolescence. We treatment. For example, when a the Arab Spring countries includ- The event builds on Qatar’s started this campaign to raise the child experiences pain after an ing Syria. capacity to keep pace with glo- level of awareness among health operation and this is not prop- “This is because we don’t inter- bal strategies for the manage- care staff as well as families about erly managed, it can affect the fere in the internal affairs of any ment of pain in infants, children recognising and managing pain in success of the operation and can other country. Political change in Yan Fuchang addresssing a press conference at Ritz-Carlton yesterday. and adolescents. As part of the children of different ages.” cause complications in the form any Arab country is the people’s awareness campaign, educational Dr Al Kaabi explained: “It can of infection. This can be easily choice. China gives its support to who should decide that, he added. establishment of a transitional workshops are being conducted be challenging to recognize pain avoided if there is proper manage- international decisions to achieve “We have already recognised entity comprising different politi- to enhance the knowledge of 240 in young children, and pain is ment from the beginning, and the political solutions. China sup- the Syrain National Council cal parties and reaching a con- health care professionals in using sometimes underestimated by patient’s treatment will have a bet- ported the Syrian mission of both and we invited them to visit sensus on how to manage the evidence-based tools to assess and people. Awareness is always the ter outcome.” Kofi Annan and Lakdar Brahimi,” China before. We tried to medi- situation during the provisional manage pain in children. Public first step – if we cannot recognize Dr Mohammed Janahi, said Fuchang. ate between the regime and the period,” he added. educational activities will also be it, we cannot treat it or refer it to Chairman of Paediatrics at HMC, He said China never added “fire opposition but the officials have “We agreed with him that the conducted in HMC hospitals, as the right people. We are involving said paediatric specialists are par- to the fuel” but it called to stop vio- not responded until now,” said solution must be political not well as through newspaper and people from different disciplines ticipating along with other health lence and war. The UN does not Fuchang. military,” said Fuchang. He said television broadcasts. A Pain in this course to make sure that care professionals in the work- have the mandate to take a deci- Lakdar Brahimi visited China the Arab-Chinese relations were shops to enhance their knowledge sion to change the regime of any and “we discussed with him historical and remained stable. on assessing and managing pain country because it is for the people a number of issues including THE PENINSULA in their patients. Pointing out that the campaign is part of efforts to change the culture of pain being suppressed, Dr Janahi said: “In our culture 197,000 students men and boys are discouraged Qatar starts receiving from complaining if they are feeling any pain, but this is not in Independent, right because we need to be aware if children are feeling pain. patent applications private schools The purpose of holding pain awareness month is to educate DOHA: In a significant move, are: International Cooperation DOHA: The total number of our people that children should Qatar has begun receiving and Agreement unit, Copyright students in Independent and be encouraged to express their applications for patent reg- and Neighboring Rights unit and private schools in Qatar stood pain, and people who are caring istration and the first such Patent and Design of Integrated at 197,000 during the 2010-2011 for children should not ignore request it received was on circuits unit. academic year, according to lat- this, as it could indicate a serious August 8 this year. The Intellectual Property est data released by the Qatar condition which we can better Qatar has joined the Patent Center is competent in main- Statistical Authority (QSA). diagnose if we are aware of the Cooperation Treaty (PCT) taining and implementing the fol- Girls constitute nearly half (49 Members of the Children’s Hospital Project team at HMC. pain that the child is feeling.” which allows filling International lowing intellectual property laws: percent) of all the school students THE PENINSULA patent applications that are Law No. (7) for the year 2002 on in the country, QSA said in state- valid in all member states of the Copyright and Neighboring ment issued on the occasion of the this treaty. The director of the Rights; Law No. (5) for the year International Student’s Day that Intellectual Property (IP) center 2005 on the Protection of Trade fell on November 17. The number at the Ministry of Justice, Abdulla Secrets; Law No. (6) for the year of students in government and Ahmed Qayed, said in a statement 2005 on the Protection of Design private universities in the country yesterday that the first applica- of Integrated circuits; and Law during the year was put at 15,000, tion to register a patent was No. (30) for the year 2006 for of whom the majority - 64 percent received on August 8. Patents . - were women. The IP center has received a The Government of Qatar has Majority of the students - 64 total of 41 patent applications the intention to further develop percent - were in government uni- so far, 30 of them for the PCT. the legal and technical infra- versities. The total number of uni- Nevertheless, the director of the structure in the field of intellec- versity graduates was more than IP center is expecting an increase tual property rights protection in 2,000, of whom 59 percent were in PCT applications which will order to ensure a better integra- women. The number of admin- indicate that International com- tion in the global economy. The istrative and teaching staff at the panies want to protect their state’s vision 2030, in the field schools stood at 25,000, with women inventions in Qatar. of Intellectual Property, plans to forming the majority - 78 percent. The IP center was first estab- extend the area of cooperation The universities have a total of 2,600 lished by Amir Decree number with international and national administrative and teaching staff, of 53 for the year 2005, aiming to organizations and agencies via whom 45 percent were women. promote innovation and creativity joining several agreements and A total of 4,600 people joined the in all intellectual property rights treaties. Qatar also aims to put adult education and literacy pro- topics, and promote a culture of intellectual property into practice gramme during the year, of whom intellectual property among the to achieve more welfare to the 85 percent were men. The figure public and the education sector. society by establishing a National shows a 6.5 percent increase com- The main departments of the Strategy of Intellectual Property pared to the previous year. IP center under the umbrella of under one umbrella in order to THE PENINSULA the Ministry of Justice, according save resources and effort. to the organizational structure, THE PENINSULA Internet experts to attend Doha meet DOHA: Nearly 400 global, regional and local Internet Law graduates prefer other jobs experts will attend - iNET Qatar: ‘The Rise of the Arab Continued from page 1 who didn’t want to be named, Information Society’ – at Contacted for comment, lawyer only 20 percent of fellow Qatari Education City on November Mohsin Thiyab Al Suwaidi told professionals (lawyers) attend 27 from 10am to 4pm. The this newspaper that not many court and many of them do not one-day conference is being law graduates preferred to take even depute any representative organised by ISOC Qatar in up legal practice since it called to pursue a case. partnership with the Internet for high competence. As for judges, the maximum Society (ISOC), ictQATAR Most law graduates preferred number was in the courts of and Carnegie Mellon Qatar. employment, he said. Al Suwaidi First Instance (66), followed by This is the first iNET confer- insisted that the fact that there presidents (heads of three-judge ence that ISOC has run in the were more judges in the country panels) of these courts (45). The region, following recent events than lawyers showed that Qatar Courts of Appeal had 42 judges like INET Madrid, INET Tallinn had a very efficient judiciary. in 2011. and INET Bangalore. According to another lawyer THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA

Greek PM to visit Doha on November 26 BY ISABEL OVALLE and Notis Mitarachi, respec- During the visit, the Greek del- tively, the Deputy Minister of egation will address various issues DOHA: Facing a severe debt Environment, Energy and Climate and approach potential investors, crisis, Greece will have its Change, Asimakis Papageorgiou, in areas like infrastructure, trans- Prime Minister on an official the Secretary General for port and real estate, among others. visit to Qatar from November International Economic Relations There have recently been major 26 to 28. An official from the and Development Assistance at investments in Greece by Qatari Greek Embassy told this news- the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, companies, such as Qatar Holding, paper yesterday that Antonis Panagiotis G Mihalos, and a busi- which bought shares in a company Samaras, the premier, will be ness mission comprising of the that owns a gold mine. There’s also here at the invitation of Qatar. largest Greek companies. Qatari participation in a tender He will be accompanied by the Samaras, in office since June to build a residential area 10km Minister and the Deputy Minister 2012, will be meeting with the away from the old Athens airport of Development, Kostas Hatzidakis Emir and his Qatari counterpart. of Hellenikon. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2012 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07

Israel facing Israel bombs ‘millions’ of cyber-attacks media houses over Gaza JERUSALEM: Israel admitted yesterday it has been targeted in a mass cyber-warfare cam- in Gaza City paign that has witnessed mil- lions of attempts to hack state websites since the start of its Gaza offensive four days ago. Eight journalists injured Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz told reporters the government GAZA CITY: Israeli jets yes- station. The Gaza reporter with had been forced to wage war on “a terday bombed two Gaza City Russia’s RT was separated by only second front” — of cyber attacks media buildings, injuring at a “thin wall” from the Palestinian against Israel. least eight journalists, with the station’s office and was damaged “This is an unprecedented Israeli army saying it had hit in the attack. attack,” Steinitz said, indicating Hamas communications sites. “We were not directly hit,” cor- that Israel had “deflected 44 mil- Russia’s state-run RT global respondent Saed Swerky said. lion cyber attacks on government television broadcaster said its “The Israelis fired four rockets websites” since it began a wide- office was badly damaged in the and destroyed the office of the spread air campaign over Gaza incident, adding that none of its (Palestinian) channel. Our office on Wednesday. staff were hurt. was next door and so we could not “All the attacks were thwarted The military defended the work any more.” except for one, which targeted a strike, which left one Palestinian The station had earlier issued specific website that was down for journalist without a leg, saying it a statement reading: “RT’s office six or seven minutes,” he said. had targeted Hamas operational in Gaza destroyed after Israeli The comments from Israel’s communications and had sought attack.” overseer of Internet security A Palestinian student from Birzeit University pushes a burning tyre during clashes with Israeli soldiers for the to minimise civilian casualties. Imad Efranji, director of the came a day after the Anonymous But the local Foreign Press Al Quds TV office, slammed the second consecutive day as they protest against the Israeli offensive on Gaza Strip yesterday. online activist group claimed Association expressed its concern. incident as “a new crime against downing dozens of websites of The first Israeli strike on a the media.” state agencies and a top bank in media building came around 2am The Israeli military in a state- Obama hopes for no ramping up of crisis protest over the Jewish state’s (0000 GMT), as Israeli navy ships ment said it had “targeted two deadly air assault. fired a barrage at the Gaza shore Hamas operational communica- It also coincides with both elsewhere. tion sites that were identified by BANGKOK: US President the Gaza Strip, sparking fears of in areas that are populated.” Israeli and Palestinian attempts “At least six journalists were precise intelligence.” Barack Obama yesterday said a new invasion. “There is no country on earth to exploit the social networks to wounded, with minor and mod- “The first site... was an infrastruc- it was “preferable” for the Gaza The US president said the that would tolerate missiles rain- win over public opinion amid the erate injuries, when Israeli war- ture of Hamas’ operational commu- crisis to be ended without a “precipitating event” of the ing down on its citizens from out- worst outbreak of Middle East planes hit the Al Quds TV office nications, located inside a civilian “ramping up” of Israeli military Gaza crisis was a string of side its borders.” violence in four years. in the Showa and Housari build- building,” the statement said. action, as fears mounted of a extremist rocket attacks on Obama has spoken to Steinitz did not say who was ing in the Rimal neighbourhood “As a result, and in order to new invasion of the Hamas-run Israeli territory, which he said Netanyahu, with whom he has responsible. of Gaza City,” said health ministry minimise the damage to non- territory. no nation in the world would had a tense relationship, several But he said the government had spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra. involved persons, the IDF (army) “Israel has every right to expect tolerate. times since the start of the crisis, fended off almost every attack, Witnesses reported extensive only targeted the communication that it does not have missiles fired He also backed the Jewish most recently on Friday. with analysts pointing out that damage to the building, and said devices which were located on the into its territory,” Obama said, state’s right to self-defence on Netanyahu has expressed deep the Jewish state has sophisticated journalists had evacuated after an roof of the building, and not the adding, “if that can be accom- a day in which the crisis deep- appreciation for US investment in protection that shields its online initial strike, which was followed operations room of Hamas... on plished without a ramping up of ened, with two rockets shot down the Iron Dome rocket and mor- assets. by at least two more on the site. one of the floors.” military activity in Gaza, that is over Tel Aviv and the Palestinian tar defence system, which he said Anonymous on Saturday The wounded were taken to The military said the second preferable”. death toll from retaliatory strikes has stopped hundreds of incoming claimed it had downed or erased Gaza City’s Shifa hospital. One strike, on the Shuruq building, also “That is not just preferable reaching 56. rockets from Gaza. the databases of nearly 700 Israeli journalist lost his leg in the targeted “part of Hamas’ opera- for the people of Gaza, it is also Obama, who visited Israeli Netanyahu said Israel was sites that included the powerful attack, Qudra said. tional communications that was preferable for Israelis because if border areas around the town of ready to “significantly expand” Bank of Jerusalem finance house. A second raid hit a different, deliberately located on the roof of Israeli troops are in Gaza, they Sderot when he was a candidate its operation against militants in It also claimed to have briefly nearby media building at around the building, in which several inter- are much more at risk of incur- for president in 2008, said it was the Gaza Strip. downed the foreign ministry web- 7am (0500 GMT). national media bureaus reside.” ring fatalities or being wounded,” clear what had caused the latest “We are extracting a heavy site in protest over an alleged “We have two journalists The statement called on “inter- he said. crisis over Gaza. price from Hamas and the ter- Israeli threat to cut Gaza’s injured in the Shuruq building, national journalists... to stay clear Obama spoke, in Thailand, after “Let’s understand what the pre- ror organisations,” he said at the Internet access. which houses Al Aqsa TV, where of Hamas’ bases and facilities, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin cipitating event here was... that weekly cabinet meeting. “The “For far too long, Anonymous there has been an air strike,” which serve them in their activ- Netanyahu said Israel was ready was an ever-escalating number army is prepared to significantly has stood by with the rest of the Qudra said. Al Aqsa TV is another ity against the citizens of Israel.” to “significantly expand” its of missiles that were landing expand the operation.” world and watched in despair Hamas-affiliated television AFP operation against militants in not just in Israeli territory but AFP the barbaric, brutal and despica- ble treatment of the Palestinian people in the so called ‘Occupied Children in Gaza struggle to cope with life under fire Territories’ by the Israel Defence Force,” it said in a statement. “But when the government GAZA: Barefoot boys chase populations in the world, over half of nightmares, flashbacks, and fear freedom. “Of course we’re happy!” gushing down his face from his of Israel publicly threatened to each other in circles around the Gaza’s 1.7 million residents are aged of going out in public. squealed one boy, drawing out gig- owns wounds, rushed them to hos- sever all Internet and other tel- street, pointing pretend guns under 18 and they have little to com- “Part of this is related to our gles from his mates. pital, where they were pronounced ecommunications into and out made out of rubber pipes up fort them beside the heady local cul- culture and religion, which values Looking more serious, Sharif dead. of Gaza they crossed a line in at the Gaza sky, which is thick ture of armed struggle against Israel. sacrifice and duty. The other part shook his head. “No, it’s no good. We Male relatives stared on in tears, the sand.” with Israeli F-16s and surveil- The Jewish state pulled its is a kind of denial. It’s normal to be want to learn. It’s boring, and our women cried out and swooned while Steinitz made no direct refer- lance drones. troops and settlers out of the scared, but in the messages they’ve parents try to make us stay inside. the little bodies were swaddled in ence to Anonymous, but stressed “We’re not afraid of the Jews’ coastal territory in 2005 but ever watched and heard, they’re taught But we’re not scared,” he insisted. white cloth and gauze was placed in the Israeli government had a bombs!” said Sharif Al Ewad, since has come under regular just to show strength,” said Zeyada, On the other side of the fence, their nostrils to keep still-flowing backup plan for “essential web- whose plump cheeks make him rocket fire from Islamist group manager of the Gaza Community Israeli schools are also shuttered blood from staining their faces. sites” should they be taken down. look younger than his 15 years. Hamas and its allies in the Gaza Mental Health Programme. within a 40-km radius of Gaza REUTERS AFP “Al Qassam (Hamas’ armed wing) Strip, which refuse to recognise “When there’s no safe place to because of an incessant rain has raised its head high, and is Israel’s right to exist. go, they respond naturally with of incoming rockets, with really beating them up this time!” Israel launched its latest wides- denial. In a situation like Gaza’s, children confined to their he smiled. cale operation last Wednesday the best families and the com- homes. Tragically, some But beneath the swagger and with the stated aim of putting a munity can do for children is to young Gazans will never bravado there is also a yearning halt to the attacks. keep them close and go about life get to see school. for peace and quiet after five days Psychiatrist Hasan Zeyada as normally as possible,” he said. Tamer, 1, and Joumana of Israeli air strikes that killed at says the constant exposure to That isn’t very easy. Abu Sefan, 3, were blasted least 65 Palestinians, including 20 shocking violence has left many With schools shut while the from their beds by an Israeli children. children suffering trauma and fighting rages, some children strike early on Sunday. With one of the youngest all that it entails — bed-wetting, express delight at their newfound Their father Salama, blood Bahrain bans pro-Gaza demonstration DUBAI: Bahrain rejected requests by sev- eral groups to organise a pro-Gaza march yester- day, after a protest ban announced last month, but instead allowed sit- ins in office buildings, the interior ministry said. “Several political asso- ciations asked that they be allowed to organise a march to the UN offices in Manama this afternoon (Sunday) under the slogan ‘Save Gaza’,” a ministry statement said. Bahrain’s interior min- istry “told the organisers that their requests for a march have been rejected in order to preserve security in implementation of the deci- sion to ban demonstrations and gatherings,” it said. Instead, it “suggested holding solidarity sit-ins in the headquarters” of these groups, it said. AFP MONDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2012 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

Editorial

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN: SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI A historic visit EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: KHALID AL SAYED E-MAIL: [email protected] ACTING MANAGING EDITOR: HUSSAIN AHMAD Obama must use his visit to Myanmar to E-MAIL: [email protected] persuade its leaders to stop discrimination EDITORIAL: TEL: 44557741 / 44557743 FAX: 44557746 / 44557758 P. O. BOX: 3488, DOHA, QATAR. against Rohingya Muslims. E-MAIL: [email protected] S President Barack Obama is visiting Myanmar today. It has has changed on the ground. Such is the division and hatred between ADVERTISING: TEL: 44557837 / 780 FAX: 44557870 been called historic because he is the first US head of state Buddhists and Rohingyas that leaders have expressed their helplessness Uto travel to Myanmar. He will meet President Thein Sein, to solve the problem. Even Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel laureate, has been CLASSIFIED: 44557857 E-MAIL: [email protected] a former junta member who has spearheaded reforms since taking reluctant to intervene fearing reprisals from her own people. In such a SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY office in March 2011, and famed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, scenario, intervention of Obama can help immensely to force leaders to who led the struggle against military rule. Obama’s trip to Myanmar address the problem and his statements can help create public aware- TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 is meant to highlight what Washington has called a major foreign ness about the need for reconciliation and tolerance. E-MAIL: [email protected] policy achievement -- its success in pushing the country’s generals to International pressure is the only way to solve the Rohingya issue. embrace reforms that have unfolded with great speed over the past Recently, Thein Sein said that the crisis in the west is tarnishing SUBSCRIPTION RATES year. But there is an equally important and urgent task he needs to do: the country’s image abroad, as foreign media has been assiduously ANNUAL QR 675 persuade Myanmar’s authorities to stop ethnic cleansing and ensure exposing the atrocities on Rohingyas. The crisis has also affected the 6 MONTHS QR 340 the protection of minority Rohingya Muslims. President’s aides have country’s reforms and economic development. This realisation and promised that he would address the issue directly with Myanmar’s public admission is a positive step towards addressing the problem. leaders and he needs to take up the issue with equal vigour and force. The visit will help Myanmar speed up reforms and the transition Violence between the majority Buddhist population and the Rohingya to democracy, though there has been criticism the visit is too early Muslim minority in western Myanmar has been a subject of interna- and will amount to rewarding the former military regime. Speaking tional concern. At least 167 people were killed in two periods of violence in Thailand on the eve of his visit, Obama denied he was going there in Rakhine state in June and October this year, and 111,000 people were to offer his “endorsement” or that his trip was premature, as many PUBLICATION made homeless. Myanmar leaders have been under intense interna- international human rights advocates have charged. He insisted his tional pressure, especially from Muslim countries, to take measure to intention was to acknowledge that Myanmar had opened the door to stop the bloodshed and ensure the rehabilitation of Rohingyas, but little democratic change but there was still much more to do.

The other side The goal of the operation is to send Gaza back to the Middle Ages. Quote of Recognition is the key Eli Yishai the day Israel’s Interior Minister ITHIN 48 hours of Syrian opposition groups agreeing a new coalition, after six days of tough negotiations in Doha, France Wjoined the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council in recognizing the new body, the Syrian National Coalition, as being the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people. Other countries, most notably the United States and Britain, while warmly welcoming the new organization, have held back from echoing the unreserved endorsement of French President François Hollande. It must be wondered why. Behind the scenes, diplomats from Washington and London were briefing journalists that the new SNC needed first to demonstrate that its 60 members, not all of whom have yet been named, could form a cohesive political body that would speak with a unified voice. More darkly, one briefer said that the failure of the opposition groups to reach a substantive deal in Doha had been key. The inability to place the need for unity above individual political interests, had sug- gested that Syria’s would-be political leaders had learned nothing from their past failure to present a genuine coalition platform. Thus, to give immediate formal recognition would run the risk of severe embarrass- ment, if the coalition fell apart or indeed, failed even to come together properly in the first place. This is, however, a deeply cynical and unhelpful view. It seems clear that little thought has been given to the degree to which the failure to recognize the SNC, could undermine the still-delicate process of completing its membership, and then forming a Free Syrian govern- ment, to administer liberated areas. Moreover, the Americans and their British cousins ignore the reality that immediate recognition by a large number of states, would have empowered the new body, not least in terms of the way its members behave toward one other. Now Washington sitting on the sidelines, invites fresh discord. Some SNC members may start insisting that it was the recalcitrance of rivals, that caused the Americans to pull back from unreserved recognition. There is another issue as well. Washington was exerting almost constant pressure on opposition participants during the Doha meet- ing. There were quiet meetings in coffee bars, corridors and delegates’ hotel rooms. There was, according to one Syrian, a succession of ‘phone calls’, some of them from people high up in the State Department, all seeking to coax and persuade those involved to reach a full agreement, on personnel, policy and procedures, before the Doha meeting ended. ARAB NEWS Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Stop pretending US is uninvolved in Israeli assault on Gaza

BY GLENN GREENWALD Literally each day since the odds with key nations such as than excessive fealty - to the self-delusion, total fiction. It has the screen while Palestinian latest attacks began, the Obama Turkey (whose prime minister Israeli government). That the long been the case that the cen- voices are exceedingly rare; the CENTRAL premise of administration has expressed its accused Israel of being moti- Netanyahu government knows tral enabling fact in Israeli law- fact of the 45-year-old brutal US media coverage of the unqualified support for Israel’s vated by elections and demanded that any attempt to condemn lessness and aggression is blind occupation and ongoing Israeli AIsraeli attack on Gaza - behavior. Just two days before that Israel be “held to account” Israel at the UN would be US support, and that continues, dominion over Gaza is barely beyond the claim that Israel is the latest Israeli air attacks for mounting civilians deaths), instantly blocked by the US is more than ever, to be the case mentioned; meanwhile, every justifiably “defending itself” - is began, Obama told Palestinian Egypt (which denounced Israeli a major factor enabling them under the presidency of the 2009 primitive rocket that falls harm- that this is some endless con- Prime Minister Mahmud Abbas attacks as “aggression against to continue however they wish. Nobel Peace Prize winner. lessly near Israeli soil is trum- flict between two foreign enti- “that his administration opposes humanity”), and Tunisia (which And, of course, the bombs, The US is not some neutral, peted with screaming headlines tles, and Americans can simply a Palestinian bid for non-state called on the world to “stop the planes and tanks they are using uninvolved party. Whatever while the carnage and terror in sit by helplessly and lament membership of the UN”. Both blatant aggression” of Israel). are subsidized, in substantial side of this conflict you want to Gaza is mentioned, if at all, as the tragedy of it all. The real- the US Senate and House By rather stark contrast, part, by the US taxpayer. defend - or if you’re one of those an afterthought. Two cartoons ity is precisely the opposite: have already passed resolu- Obama continues to defend If one wants to defend US people who love to announce perfectly summarize this cover- Israeli aggression is possible tions unequivocally supporting Israel’s free hand in Gaza, caus- support for Israel on the merits that you just wish the whole age: here and here. only because of direct, affirma- Israel, thus earning the ulti- ing commentators like Jeffrey - on the ground that this esca- thing would go away - it’s still On a related note, the Nation’s tive, unstinting US diplomatic, mate DC reward: the head-pat Goldberg to gloat, not inaccu- lating Israeli aggression against necessary to take responsibility Jeremy Scahill was inter- financial and military support from Aipac, which “praised the rately: “Barack Obama hasn’t a helpless population is just and for the key role played by the viewed on Tuesday night after for Israel and everything it does. extraordinary show of support turned against Israel. This is warranted - then one should do American government and this a Sundance Institute panel on This self-flattering depiction of by the Senate for Israel’s strug- a big surprise to everyone who so. As I wrote on Thursday, it’s administration in enabling eve- political documentaries which I the US as uninvolved, neutral gle against terrorist attacks on has not paid attention for the very difficult to see how those rything that is taking place. moderated. party is the worst media fic- its citizens”. last four years” (indeed, there who have cheered for Obama’s Due to extensive travel the Scahill, who is working on a tion since TV news personali- More bipartisan Congressional are few more compelling signs foreign policy could do anything past few days, I’ve been sub- documentary entitled “Dirty ties covered the Arab Spring by cheerleading is certain to come of how dumb and misleading US but cheer for Israeli militarism, jected to far more television Wars” about the US violence in pretending that the US is and as the attacks continue, no mat- elections are than the fact that as they are grounded in the news coverage than is prob- Yemen and other parts of the long has been on the side of the ter how much more brutal they the only criticism of Obama on same premises. ably healthy, and it’s just been Muslim world, spoke for 12 min- heroic democratic protesters, become. Israel heard over the last year But pretending that the US staggering to see how tilted US utes to We Are Change about rather than the key force that In reflexive defense of Israel, in the two-party debate was the - and the Obama administra- media discourse is: Israeli offi- Obama’s terrorism and foreign spent decades propping up the the US government thus once grievance that Obama evinces tion - bear no responsibility for cials and pro-Israel “experts” policies; I highly recommend it: tyrannies they were fighting. against put itself squarely at insufficient fealty - rather what is taking place is sheer are endlessly paraded across THE GUARDIAN MONDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2012 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Monti pressed to run in polls Tourism hit by

bankers and business leaders even as Gaza offensive The 69-year-old disapproval of his budget rigor rose premier will need among the general electorate. Public BY ARI RABINOVITCH support for the anti-austerity cam- a new political paign of Beppe Grillo has surged, ith fighting in the Gaza Strip entering vehicle if he while Monti’s biggest parliamentary its fifth day and Palestinian rockets backer, former Prime Minister Silvio landing deeper into Israel than ever chooses to seek a Berlusconi, on Friday disavowed the Wbefore, travelers who had hoped to visit government’s record as “disastrous.” the holy land are starting to think twice. second term, given Monti defended his record of budget A number of hotels in Israel, along with flagship that his biggest rigor, telling an audience in Milan carrier El Al, have already seen some cancellations on Saturday that it restored Italy’s and believe the number will grow if the violence rages allies in parliament prestige abroad. Deficit reduction into a second week. “The continued firing on the south are opposed to a also helped save the 17-nation euro ... is expected to exact a heavy price on the tourism area from dissolution, Monti said in a industry which is one of the central anchors in the renewed mandate. statement of policy principles posted region,” said Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov said. to the government’s website. Israel unleashed an intensive air campaign against “Maybe today, without the aus- the Gaza Strip on Wednesday with the stated inten- BY ANDREW FRYE terity measures put in place by the tion of stemming Islamist-militant rocket fire out government, we wouldn’t have the of the coastal enclave. Since the start of the con- upporters of Italian Prime euro zone,” Monti’s office said in the flagration, hundreds of missiles have been launched Minister Mario Monti, document, which highlighted achieve- into Israel, with several speeding towards the com- whose non-elected govern- ments of the premier’s first 12 months. mercial hub of Tel Aviv, which had previously been ment is nearing the end of Monti declined to specify his plans for out of range from Gazan militants. its stipulated time in office, after the term ends. Air raid sirens even sounded in Jerusalem on Sstarted a political party to push for a Opinion polls show a fragmented Friday for the first time in decades before a rocket continuation of the premier’s policies electorate that may make it diffi- landed nearby, in the occupied West Bank. at home and abroad. cult for any candidate to muster the Three Israelis were killed by a direct hit on their “Monti can do the job of reconstruc- majority of seats needed to form a apartment building in a small southern town on tion on Italy and Europe better than government. Monti, a senator for life, Thursday, but none of the longer-ranged salvoes anyone else,” Ferrari Chairman Luca has said in recent months that, while struck populated areas or caused any injuries. Cordero di Montezemolo said at a he won’t run for election, he would be However, the threat alone is taking a toll. Saturday rally in Rome called to inau- open to serving again after the vote It was still too soon to assess just how badly the gurate the movement, named Toward if asked. tourism industry will be hurt, said the ministry, the Third Republic. “Admitting it isn’t “It will be up to him to decide which has set up its own situation room to mitigate a sign of weakness, it’s an assumption in what way to continue,” Andrea damages. There have already been a few registered of responsibility.” Olivero, president of the Italian cancellations and trips cut short, coming mostly Monti will need a new political Christian workers association known from the region closest to Gaza. vehicle if he chooses to seek a second as Acli and one of the leaders of A spokeswoman for Fattal, Israel’s biggest hotel term, given that his biggest allies in Toward the Third Republic, said in chain, said a few bookings have already been can- parliament are opposed to a renewed an interview with Sky TG24. celled. “We see the start of a trend, but only in a mandate. The 69-year-old premier, The movement headed by few days will we be able to see where the overall who appeals to Italians weary of Montezemolo, who is the former trend is headed,” she said, declining to give numbers. recurrent government scandals and head of business lobby Confindustria, Likewise, Jerusalem’s American Colony hotel instability, will have to defend his tax adds weight to initiatives by Pier reported that some clients had pulled out of visits increases and spending cuts if he opts Ferdinando Casini, the top Christian at the last minute. An El Al spokeswoman said to run. He would also have to convince Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti (left) and Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al Democrat lawmaker, and Gianfranco there have been a few cancellations “here and there” voters he can end a recession that has Mubarak Al Sabah arriving at the Al Bayan Palace, in Kuwait City, yesterday. Fini, the speaker of Italy’s lower house though nothing significant, while Delta and US only deepened on his watch. of parliament, who also head two sep- Airways said some families of Israelis called up by Italy needs “stability as far as the arate parties. The two politicians have the army had decided to stay home. government is concerned,” Francesco March 10. He said he would consider the poll said they opposed a second said they will run on a platform of The slowdown was not limited to Israel . Tourism Trapani, president of LVMH Moet holding the national ballot the same Monti term, against 22 percent in returning Monti to power. represents 12 percent of gross domestic product Hennessy Louis Vuitton’s watch and day, if parliament completes its leg- favour. “We’re not asking the prime The SWG poll yesterday indi- f or the Palestinian Authority and it could bear jewelry division, said yesterday in a islative agenda by passing the budget minister to take the leadership of this cated that Montezemolo’s new party the brunt of the damage, Israel’s Tourism Ministry Bloomberg Television interview. “If plan and new voting rules. movement today,” said Montezemolo, would have 8.5 percent support, while said. In comparison, tourism accounts for only 2-3 the Monti government could go on Public confidence in Monti as pre- whose group includes union leader Casini’s UDC party and Fini’s Future percent of Israel’s GDP, the ministry noted. The for a few years, it would be great news mier rose one percentage point this Raffaele Bonanni and International and Liberty for Italy bloc would Palestinian West Bank city of Bethlehem, where for us.” week to 36 percent, according to a poll Cooperation Minister Andrea attract a combined 6.9 percent. That the Church of the Nativity attracts Christian pil- Elections are due in April, though released by SWG Institute yesterday. Riccardi. “That would prejudice his compares with 25 percent for the grims from around the world, had lost nearly half may be held sooner. President Giorgio That’s down from 59 percent in work, and this is something we can’t Democratic Party and 14.8 percent its reservations due to the Gaza violence. Napolitano said last night that March and up from 33 percent in June. permit,” Montezemolo said. for Berlusconi’s PDL. REUTERS regional voting should be held on Sixty-two percent of respondents in Monti has won the support of WP-BLOOMBERG ‘Little Hu’ eyed as potential top leader in 10 years

BY WILLIAM WAN subtle mixture of appeasement and force. He severely tightened or the past week, the security, but he also visited the focus in China has been area of unrest and closed some on the country’s outgoing coal mines at the heart of the Fleaders and their replace- controversy. ments, who were announced on Asked after the recent party Thursday in a once-a-decade congress meeting about this mix- transition. ture of hard and soft, Hu scoffed But those looking further down at such characterizations. the line have been studying a sub- “The media tends to try to label set of attendees — the likely suc- us officials,” he said. “But we will cessors to this year’s new leaders. act tough when it is needed and Just as Vice President Xi shift to soft when it is needed.” Jinping, 59, was named at the just- Even in the way he answered ended Communist Party congress questions from reporters — allow- to replace President Hu Jintao, ing a free-for-all and often reply- someone in the next generation ing off the cuff — Hu distinguished of officials will probably replace himself from most party officials Xi 10 years from now. And lead- at the congress, who gave stiff, ing the pack, according to some bland responses to questions that party insiders and experts, is a were often screened or scripted. man widely known as “Little Hu.” His hair also set him apart — The party chief of Inner unusual for its grayness amid a Mongolia, Hu Chunhua, acquired sea of dyed jet-black pompadours, the nickname Xiao Hu (shee-ow the tradition among China’s party hoo) years ago, when it became officials. LEFT: China’s newly elected President Xi Jinping talks to the media at clear that he had been singled out Despite his meteoric rise, Little the end of the 18th Communist Party Congress (CPC) in Beijing. TOP: Hu by Hu Jintao as a rising star and Hu’s trajectory is not assured. was being groomed for the higher Chunhua, the party secretary of Inner Mongolia and slated to be a next Much will depend on how much echelons of power. generation Chinese leader. power the elder Hu retains once Another frequently mentioned Chinese media. During a rare identified the younger Hu more he retires from the presidency in standout in the next generation is party congress meeting that was than two decades ago and begun young age of 16, becoming the first top level,” said Li Datong, who March. Some speculate that Hu Sun Zhengcai, party chief in the open to journalists, camera crews moving him up the ranks. from his home town of Wufeng worked under Little Hu at the Jintao will become a more forceful northeastern province of Jilin. On crowded into a small room Nov. “How do you describe Hu to be admitted to the prestigious Communist Youth League during player in personnel decisions after Thursday, Hu and Sun, both 49, 9 to capture footage of Little Hu Chunhua? You look at Hu Peking University. the 1980s and 1990s as an editor his predecessor, Jiang Zemin, dies. were promoted to the Politburo, chairing a relatively inconsequen- Jintao and imagine him a little After graduation, he turned of its newspaper. Others think he may find him- making them the youngest mem- tial session. younger,” said Cheng Li, a China down a job in Beijing and chose Hu escaped relatively self struggling against other party bers of that body and propelling When he got up suddenly, the politics expert at the Brookings to work in the rougher, more unscathed from a 2008 scandal elders as well as Xi, all eager to them into contention for one of media scrum dashed to follow him Institution. “He’s an exact copy.” challenging region of Tibet. He in Hebei over contaminated milk. advance their proteges. China’s top leadership positions out the door, afraid it might lose Both built their careers from became fluent in the Tibetan But he has encountered more But throughout the past week, in coming years. Little Hu is its prey. The stampede stopped humble beginnings — a sharp con- language and culture, and met controversy during his posting in even as the party prepared to rumored to be transferring soon only when guards and officials trast to many current officials, and worked with Hu Jintao, who Inner Mongolia. unveil its new leaders, it was obvi- to lead the important province of pushed the journalists back in including China’s new leader, Xi, became Tibet’s party secretary in Ethnic tensions resulted in ous that the jockeying and position- Guangdong, which would position place. who were born into prominent 1988. As a young official, Little Hu large demonstrations last year ing for the next round had already him well for the future. “Please, everyone, he’s just Communist families. Both were moved through a series of impor- amid complaints that Han begun.When asked about such Many experts point out that going to the bathroom,” one shaped by long stints in Tibet and tant jobs, including governor of Chinese were reaping huge prof- rumors, Little Hu was wry, dip- such speculation is premature, official shouted in exasperation. a network of allies they cultivated Hebei province. its from environmentally dam- lomatic and tight-lipped. given the unpredictable power “He’ll be back, I promise.” while at the Communist Youth “He was parachuted into aging mining operations, while “I’d like to express my thanks of competing factions within the The two Hus are not related League. Hebei province, staying there much-poorer Mongolians did not to the attention the media has party, the secretive nature of such by blood, but they share strik- Like Hu Jintao, who is only a year and a half to get his benefit. paid to me, but right now I am internal decisions and the many ingly similar backgrounds, renowned for a photographic credentials and then moving on. While the traditional gov- still working in Inner Mongolia, years remaining before any selec- career paths, early achievements memory, Little Hu distinguished It’s those kinds of assignments ernment reflex is to respond to so I will only answer questions tion is made. and strong pragmatic streaks — himself early in academics. He along the way that made it obvi- such protests by cracking down, related to Inner Mongolia.” But that has not dissuaded the reasons the elder Hu may have began college at the unusually ous he was being groomed by the Hu Chunhua deployed a more WP-BLOOMBERG MONDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2012 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Syria slams hostile France; fighting rages Al Hajar Al Aswad bombarded

DAMASCUS: Syria yesterday fears of the conflict spreading. slammed as “hostile” a French Israeli artillery responded early decision to host an ambassador yesterday after gunfire from Syria from the opposition National hit an army vehicle but caused no Coalition, as regime forces casualties, Israel’s military said, bombarded southern districts in the latest spillover of violence of the capital and clashes raged across the ceasefire line. nationwide. “Shots were fired at IDF France on Saturday invited the (Israeli army) soldiers ... in the group to send an envoy to Paris, central Golan Heights,” an army after President Francois Hollande spokeswoman said, adding that met National Coalition leader the Syrian fire hit “a vehicle.” Ahmed Moaz Al Khatib. “Soldiers responded with artillery “France is acting like a hostile fire towards the source of the shoot- nation,” National Reconciliation ing... a direct hit was identified,” she Minister Ali Haidar said in key said. Israel has complained repeat- ally Tehran. “It’s as if it wants to edly to the United Nations after sev- go back to the time of the occu- eral such incidents. pation,” he added, of the French In Damascus, government mandate in Syria after the First artillery bombarded the southern World War. district of Al Hajar Al Aswad, the Haidar was speaking as Iran Syrian Observatory for Human prepared to host talks between Rights said. Syrian officials and opposition The Britain-based watchdog, groups tolerated by President which relies on a network of Demonstrators hold opposition flags during a protest against Syria’s President Bashar Al Assad at Houla near Homs. Bashar Al Assad’s regime. activists and medics in civilian No National Coalition repre- and military hospitals to com- sentatives were invited to the talks. pile its tolls, said one civilian was “Invitations were extended to all killed and several wounded. Iran warns against arming Syrian rebels those who accept dialogue, not to Several mortar rounds also hit those who refuse to talk as a mat- the mainly Alawite regime heart- TEHRAN: Iran yesterday sending “defensive” weapons to “It will spread insecurity, the risk meeting, Moscow’s Foreign ter of principle,” Haidar said. land of Mazzeh in west Damascus, warned against sending weap- the Syrian opposition. of terrorism and organised violence Minister Sergei Lavrov said Opening the meeting, Iranian which state television blamed on ons to Syrian rebels battling its France on Tuesday became the in all of the region,” he said. Russia and Iran “shared a com- Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi “terrorist groups.” ally in Damascus, saying that first Western power to recognise Syrian President Bashar Al mon position on the crisis in warned against sending weapons Aleppo and its environs in the this would threaten regional the opposition coalition as the Assad’s regime and its main allies, Syria,” the official IRNA news to Syrian rebels, saying that this north too saw heavy combat, stability and increase the “risk sole representative of the Syrian Iran and Russia, accuse some agency reported. would threaten regional stability the Observatory said, reporting of terrorism.” people. Arab and Western countries of Lavrov also warned against and increase the “risk of terrorism.” fierce clashes at regime Base 46 “Some countries envisage arm- Turkey and the Gulf Arab having secretly provided weapons the risk of weapons ending up in The opposition coalition, in the province, which has been ing the opposition with heavy and states have also officially rec- to Syrian rebels for months. the hands of “Al Qaeda and other formed in Doha on November 11, besieged for weeks. Artillery fire semi-heavy weaponry,” Foreign ognised it, and Britain’s foreign The opposition National extremist groups” which he said says it is committed to building a also hit the provinces of Daraa in Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said in minister William Hague said on Coalition, recognised by France, were seeking to seize Syria. provisional government composed the south and Deir Ezzor in the a speech to open an inter-Syria Friday London was considering Turkey and Gulf countries, has No representative from the of representatives of all ethnic east, where rebels on Saturday dialogue in Tehran. following suit. asked for weapons to bring down Syrian opposition coalition and religious groups in conflict- said they seized Hamdan airport, “In reality, they seek to legiti- The initiative would allow the the regime and hasten the end of attended the Tehran meeting, as ridden Syria. a helicopter gunship base. mise publicly what they have been arming of the National Coalition a conflict which has killed more it rejects dialogue for as long as But it refuses to engage with Yesterday’s fighting came a doing in secret,” Salehi said, with- of opposition groups formed in than 39,000 people since mid- Assad remains in power. the Damascus regime before day after at least 146 people were out naming any country. Doha on November 11. March last year. Iranian media said the meeting Assad’s departure. killed nationwide, according to the Today, EU foreign ministers at Salehi said such arms deliver- Russia has warned that pro- brought together some 200 rep- Despite the French offer to Observatory, which has put the talks in Brussels are due to dis- ies would set a “dangerous prec- viding the coalition with weap- resentatives of the Syrian gov- host an envoy, Paris remained death toll in more than 20 months cuss lifting a strict embargo on edent” and constitute “a clear ons would be a “gross violation” ernment and different political, cautious on the issue of supply- of conflict at upwards of 39,000. arms deliveries to Syria. France interference in the affairs of an of international law. religious and ethnic groups. ing weapons to Syrian rebels amid AFP has publicly said it favours independent country.” In a message to the Tehran AFP

Saudi king has Kurd militants end hunger strike in Turkey jails; deal seen ‘successful’ ISTANBUL/DIYARBAKIR: years and Turkish Prime Minister militants, was quoted as saying A newspaper said yesterday of arming the PKK. Hundreds of Kurdish mili- Tayyip Erdogan said in September in a statement by an associa- talks between Ocalan and Turkish In the latest violence, five back surgery tants ended a hunger strike in more talks were possible. tion representing the inmates’ intelligence officials over the last Turkish soldiers were killed in jails across Turkey yesterday More than 40,000 people have families. two months had paved the way clashes with PKK fighters in RIYADH: The Custodian of in response to an appeal from been killed in 28 years of fighting The announcement was wel- for his appeal to end the protest, Hakkari province near the bor- the Two Holy Mosques King their leader, fuelling hopes a between Turkey and the PKK — comed by the government, which which lasted 68 days. der with Iraq on Sunday, the local Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi deal had been struck that could designated a terrorist group by had been increasingly worried any “A delegation went to Imrali governor’s office said. Four PKK Arabia, 89, has “successfully” revive talks to end a decades- Ankara, the United States and deaths during the hunger strike on three occasions. A senior MIT militants were killed, two surren- undergone a new operation old conflict. the European Union. might provoke more violence. official joined one of these visits dered and one wounded militant on his back, the royal cabinet Kurdistan Workers Party Ocalan’s call for an end to the “I hope we will not face such and Ocalan’s intervention was was captured. announced yesterday. (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan hunger strike, which militants protests from now on. Turkey is sought to end the hunger strike,” Ocalan, imprisoned on Imrali The operation, to correct “a lig- called on his supporters to end staged to demand an end to his a democratic country,” Deputy the liberal daily Radikal said. It island in the Marmara Sea south amentary slackening in the upper their protest after holding a isolation in an island prison south Prime Minister Bulent Arinc did not identify its sources. of Istanbul since his capture in back” of the elderly monarch, series of discussions with Turkish of Istanbul, was announced by his was quoted as telling reporters by Fighting between the PKK and 1999, has significant support ended at dawn yesterday, said a MIT intelligence agency officials, brother on Saturday. state-run Anatolian news agency. Turkish forces surged over the among Kurds but is widely reviled statement quoted by the official according to one media report. “On the basis of our leader’s “Whatever demands the people summer. Ankara has linked the by Turks who hold him responsi- SPA news agency. The king had Top MIT officials have held call ... we end our protest as of have, the government and politi- renewed hostilities to the conflict ble for the conflict since the PKK already undergone a similar oper- secret meetings with senior PKK November 18, 2012,” Deniz Kaya, cians can air them in parliament,” in neighbouring Syria and accused took up arms in 1984. ation in October last year. representatives in Oslo in recent a spokesman for the jailed PKK he added. Syrian President Bashar Al Assad REUTERS In November 2010 he was oper- ated on in New York for a slipped disc complicated by a blood clot that put pressure on his spine, and Training exercise in Basra underwent a further operation the following month before convalesc- Insurgents shell near ing for a month in Morocco. The king’s age and his frequent hospitalisations regularly feed rumours about the future leader- North Darfur capital ship of the kingdom, a key player in the Middle East and the world’s KHARTOUM: Insurgents bombing in East Jebel Marra,” a top oil exporter. have shelled near the capital of mountainous area about 100km Sudan’s troubled North Darfur southwest of El Fasher, said Three killed as state for the second time in less Hussain Minnawi, a member of than a month in an attempt to the rebels’ political bureau. The Egyptian soldiers, disrupt government air raids, a airport remained open yesterday. senior rebel said yesterday. Sawarmi Khaled Saad, the residents clash Residents of El Fasher con- Sudanese army spokesman, said firmed they heard explosions for the clash occurred 25km from El CAIRO: Three people were about one hour around midnight Fasher as Minnawi’s forces were killed and 12 injured in a firefight on Friday but the army described on their way to attack the town’s between soldiers and armed resi- the incident as a clash between its defences. dents over a disputed island in forces and rebels outside the town. “Our troops defeated them. the Nile west of Egypt’s capital “Basically it sounded like mor- They ran away, leaving huge Cairo, a security source said. tar fire,” with eight or 10 intermit- quantities of ammunition,” and An army statement said the tent explosions which appeared to were targeted by army artillery as authorities were clearing the be coming from just west of the they fled, the official SUNA news island, which the army says it town, one resident said, asking agency quoted him as saying. owns and is a centrepoint for its not to be identified. El Fasher is the headquarters operations to keep Cairo secure, The Sudan Liberation Army’s of the African Union-UN Mission after armed-residents raided it on Minni Minnawi faction said it in Darfur (UNAMID), the world’s Friday night forcing guards out. targeted a military facility on the largest peacekeeping opera- Residents exchanged fire with edge of El Fasher airport, where tion, which last week expressed security forces from buildings Members of Iraq’s anti-terrorism unit for oil facility protection take their positions during a training exercise in air force planes are based. “grave concern” about escalating overlooking the island, at Giza, Basra, 420km southeast of Baghdad, yesterday. “We want to stop these air- violence. injuring four soldiers. planes which are escalating AFP AGENCIES MONDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2012 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Video shows Seven killed in Kenya explosion Nigeria troops killing captives Army doubts authenticity of footage

KADUNA, NIGERIA: A video saying the only times they kill sus- obtained by Reuters shows pected militants is during combat. Nigerian troops shooting unarmed Those captured are questioned or captives in broad daylight by the freed, they say. roadside in the northeastern city US Assistant Secretary of State of Maiduguri, the bastion of an for Democracy, Human Rights and Islamist insurgency. Labour Michael Posner said on Nigeria’s military has long been Friday that the United States was accused of human rights abuses, seriously concerned by reported including summary executions, in the abuses committed by Nigerian secu- troubled north but there has been no rity forces in their efforts to quell the video proof since the first crackdown insurgency. on the Islamist sect Boko Haram Such alleged abuses usually occur in 2009. shortly after members of the security A spokesman for the army said it forces have been killed or wounded was “impossible” for Nigerian troops in an attack by the sect. The killings to do such a thing. in this video happened after a bomb Boko Haram is fighting to carve an attack on a military patrol further Islamic state out of Nigeria, and its up the road, the soldier who provided fighters have killed hundreds in bomb the footage said. and gun attacks, many of them from Another video from the same the security forces, since beginning source, which he said was taken the uprising three years ago. after the executions, shows soldiers A woman runs past a policeman as residents disperse during a rampage near the wreckage of a passenger mini-bus (matatu) after it was hit The video was taken by a soldier piling up about two dozen bodies in by an explosion in the Eastleigh neighbourhood of Kenya’s capital Nairobi, yesterday. Seven people were killed in the explosion. who said he was present while the two bloody heaps on the ground from shootings took place two weeks ago. the back of a military truck. The soldier, who requested anonym- The videos could spur renewed ity, passed it to Reuters yesterday. calls for Nigeria’s security forces to In the grainy footage, a man sits change their approach to the insur- Two killed in South down next to three or four corpses gency, which critics say is prompting Spanish vessels made 178 piled together on the roadside. He desperate, angry youths to join Boko Africa protests pleads for his life while soldiers shout Haram and encouraging the north- at him and a crowd looks on a few ern population to shelter them. illegal incursions, says UK CAPE TOWN: Violent protests metres away. “Please don’t fire,” the That uprising was sparked by a by South African farm work- man says in pidgin English. military crackdown on the sect in ers demanding wage hikes have He tries to stand up and get onto which hundreds were killed, includ- LONDON: Spanish state ves- ceded to Britain in perpetu- territorial waters and we back left two people dead this week, the back of a pick up truck to the left. ing its founder and spiritual leader sels have made what Britain ity under the 1713 Treaty of this up through formal diplo- police said yesterday, after the A Nigerian soldier shouts “come out”, Mohammed Yusuf, who died in police terms illegal incursions into Utrecht. matic protests to the Spanish body of a seasonal worker was and drags him off it, shoving him on custody. Gibraltar’s territorial waters Britain’s Ministry of Defence government about all unlawful discovered. the ground. President Goodluck Jonathan has 178 times in the past 12 said its navy had responded incursions.” “The body of 40-year-old One of them kicks him in the head. been accused of treating the conflict months — a sharp increase to 178 incursions between The ministry said no live Bongile Ndleni was found in his Then he and another soldier aim as a security problem that can be from previous years, figures November 1 last year and ammunition had been dis- residence on Saturday morning. assault rifles at him. Four gunshots solved with force alone, rather than released yesterday showed. October 31 this year — with 40 charged by British ships in any Indications are that he was shot are heard and the man lies still next addressing the root causes of the The figures come during incidents in July alone. of the incidents. on Wednesday... on a farm in the to the others. Nigerian army spokes- insurgency. Amnesty International a rise in diplomatic tensions There were only 23 such inci- Andrew Rosindell, chairman Prince Alfred Hamlet area,” about man Colonel Mohammed Yerima said issued a report this month in which between London and Madrid dents in 2011, 67 in 2010 and of parliament’s all-party group 150km northeast of Cape Town, he had not seen the video but that the it said human rights abuses commit- over Gibraltar, with each coun- 26 in 2009. “So far as marine on the British overseas terri- said regional police spokesman events must have been staged. ted by security forces were fuelling try summoning the other’s incursions are concerned we tories, said it was time to start Andre Traut. “We have reason to “How can they do that? It is not the conflict they were meant to end. ambassador on Thursday to are absolutely confident of the detaining Spanish ships. “These believe that his death was caused possible. This is the Boko Haram The report said a “significant protest about naval face-offs United Kingdom’s sovereignty figures show it is a growing by... gunshot wound, and therefore tactics,” he said. “They will do the number” of people accused of links in disputed waters. over British Gibraltar territorial problem. The Spanish are get- a murder case was registered.” killing, say it’s the military and then with Boko Haram had been executed London and Madrid have waters,” said Europe Minister ting bolder and bolder in enter- The unrest shaking the Amnesty International and so on after arrest without due process, already been embroiled in David Lidington. “That is why ing British sovereign waters. Western Cape farming heartland will blame us. It’s not possible for while hundreds were detained with- testy exchanges this year over the Royal Navy challenges... It’s another way for them to started earlier this month in De Nigerian troops to act in this way.” out charge or trial and many of those fishing rights around the tiny Spanish state vessels whenever try to assert their sovereignty Doorns, a grape farming town Nigerian forces have repeatedly arrested disappeared or were later peninsula at the mouth of the they make unlawful maritime claim, which obviously we com- outside Cape Town, where vine- denied accusations of such abuses, found dead. REUTERS Mediterranean, which Spain incursions into British Gibraltar pletely oppose,” he said. AFP yards were set alight. AFP German Greens reshaping their ideology

HANOVER, GERMANY: At their unusually harmoni- renewing a government which hope that the makeover will Germany’s Greens have gone ous three-day party congress in ruled Germany from 1998 to attract conservative voters. grey. The world’s most suc- Hanover that ended yesterday, 2005. But Greens are quietly “If you want to run the coun- cessful pro-environment Greens leaders were applauded thinking the unthinkable and try, if you want policies that party has turned deadly seri- for hailing their party’s “con- opening up to a possible alliance add up, then you’ve got to be ous about gaining power by servative values” and una- with Merkel’s conservatives, serious about it,” she said. “It’s stealing votes from Chancellor bashedly trying to appeal to long their political arch enemy. not something you can do with Angela Merkel — and perhaps center-right voters, using lan- Greens express distaste for smoke and mirrors.” by joining her. guage that a decade ago would an alliance with Merkel and her The problem for the Greens The muesli, woolly sweaters, have had them booed off the Christian Democrats (CDU), is that their preferred partners, thick beards and endless debates stage. but interest in her supporters. the Social Democrats (SPD), about abstract issues that were Pollsters put support for the “We don’t want the CDU, we are languishing at 30 percent once part of any Greens con- Greens at 13 percent, enough want only your voters,” Katrin support in opinion polls. This gress are largely gone. In their if the electoral arithmetic goes Goering-Eckart, a newly-elected may not be enough for the two place is a more mature party of their way to make them king- party leader, told the Congress. parties to win a parliamentary smartly dressed professionals makers after Germans vote in Goering-Eckart, a Lutheran majority and oust Merkel, whose with one clear aim: getting back September, 2013. church leader, expresses the conservatives are polling about into government after federal The party would prefer a coa- Greens’ pride in their weighti- 39 percent. elections next year. lition with the Social Democrats, ness, openly admitting their REUTERS

Colombia negotiators leave for Farc talks Obama may have known about BOGOTA: Colombian gov- ernment negotiators left for Petraeus affair before elections Havana yesterday, heading to peace talks with leftist Farc WASHINGTON: The head He noted that the FBI inves- president, but we don’t know if rebels aimed at ending Latin of the House Intelligence tigation of the communications the attorney general...(notified America’s longest-running Committee suggested yes- between Petraeus and his biog- him),” Rogers said. insurgency. Rebel delegates, terday that President Barack rapher Paula Broadwell arose He said Holder should including Tanja Nijmeijer, Obama might have known due to concern over a coun- come before the intelligence a Dutch woman who fights about former CIA Director ter-intelligence threat. Both committees to discuss it. “We alongside the Farc rebels, are David Petraeus’ extra-marital Petraeus and Broadwell have could resolve this very quickly already in Cuba awaiting talks affair before the November said they did not share any with a conversation in the delayed since Thursday over a election, and said Attorney security secrets, and investiga- intelligence spaces if he did lack of clarity over the role of General Eric Holder should tors have said they have found have that conversation with civilian representatives. “This address this question soon no security breach. the president.” will be a rapid and effective before Congress. “It probably should have Senate Intelligence process. A process of months, US Representative Mike been brought forward earlier Committee Chairwoman not years,” lead government Rogers, a Republican, said as a national security threat,” Dianne Feinstein disagreed, negotiator Humberto de la Calle Holder’s statement that the Rogers said. saying Holder had explained told reporters in Bogota before Justice Department had not “I’m not sure that the to the intelligence commit- boarding the plane for Havana. informed the president before president was not told before tees there was no notification Latin America’s largest rebel the election implied that Election Day. The attorney gen- while the investigation was group may be ready for a truce Holder might have told Obama eral said that the Department under way. after many setbacks. AFP privately. of Justice did not notify the REUTERS MONDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2012 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES Southeast Asia Myanmar trip leaders sign controversial not to endorse rights pact PHNOM PENH: Southeast Asian leaders endorsed a con- troversial human rights pact regime: Obama yesterday at an annual sum- mit in which they also sought to step up pressure on China over a bruising territorial dispute. US president to visit Myanmar today Heads of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian BANGKOK: US President in Myanmar said 66 more prison- Nations (Asean) hailed their Barack Obama denied yes- ers would be released on Monday, declaration on human rights as a terday his upcoming trip to bringing to 518 the number landmark agreement that would Myanmar was an endorsement released over the past week. help protect the region’s 600 mil- of the government there, call- The previous batch did not lion people. ing it an acknowledgement of appear to include any political “It’s a legacy for our children,” the progress made in shaking prisoners, but a senior prison Philippine Foreign Secretary off decades of military rule department official, who declined Albert del Rosario told reporters and encouragement for it go to be identified, said that Myint after the signing ceremony. further. Aye, a prominent human rights But critics said it allowed too Today, Obama will become the activist, would be among those many loopholes for Asean, which first serving US president to visit freed on Monday. groups a diverse range of political Myanmar, also called Burma, part It was not clear if other politi- systems ranging from authoritar- of a three-country Asian tour cal detainees would be included. ian regimes in Laos and Vietnam to that, as his first post-election trek Obama has made the freeing of freewheeling democracies such as abroad, will show he is serious all political prisoners one of the the Philippines. “Our worst fears in about shifting the US strategic conditions for the full lifting of this process have now come to pass,” focus eastwards. sanctions imposed on Myanmar US President Barack Obama and Thailand’s Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at a dinner at Government House said Human Rights Watch deputy Some human rights groups for rights abuses under the in Bangkok yesterday. Asia director Phil Robertson. object to the Myanmar visit, junta. On the day the pact was signed, saying Obama is rewarding the Obama will meet President sees as the best means to continue commitments to counter China’s Obama, Thai Prime Minister leaders were having to discuss the country’s quasi-civilian govern- Thein Sein, a former junta mem- the development and progress influence at a time when America Yingluck Shinawatra announced ethnic violence in Asean mem- ment before democratic reforms ber who has spearheaded politi- that’s being made there.” is disentangling itself from wars Thailand would join talks on deeper ber Myanmar, where clashes in are complete. But he told a news cal and economic reforms since White House officials have said in Iraq and Afghanistan. trade ties with the United States Rakhine state between Muslim conference in Thailand he knew taking office in March 2011, and Obama would press Myanmar’s But his attention will be divided and other countries under the and Buddhists have left 180 people there was much still to do. opposition leader Aung San Suu leaders to restore calm to the during his travels as he faces a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). dead since June. “I don’t think anybody is under Kyi, who led the struggle against western part of their country simmering crisis in the Gaza Strip The TPP is a trade pact being Asean Secretary-General Surin the illusion that Burma’s arrived, military rule and, like Obama, is and bring instigators of ethnic pitting Israel against Hamas mili- negotiated between the United Pitsuwan said yesterday that that they’re where they need to a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. She violence there to justice. tants, plus economic problems at States and Australia, New Zealand, the violence was disturbing and be,” he said. is now a lawmaker. After a recent meeting with home. Chile, Peru, Vietnam, Singapore, risked destabilising the region. “On the other hand, if we “I’m not somebody who thinks senior Obama aides, rights activ- Obama, who was born in Malaysia and Brunei plus, more He said leaders would discuss waited to engage until they had that the United States should ists left satisfied that Obama Hawaii and spent part of his recently, Canada and Mexico. the bloodshed and potentially achieved a perfect democracy, my stand on the sidelines and not wanted to push hard on human youth in Indonesia, has called It aims to tear down barri- include a statement referring suspicion is we’d be waiting an want to get its hands dirty when rights and political and economic himself America’s first “Pacific ers to trade, going further than to it in their end-of-summit awful long time,” he added. “One there’s an opportunity for us to reform in closed-door talks with president”. existing bilateral and other pacts, communique. of the goals of this trip is to high- encourage the better impulses Thein Sein and in his public The US administration regards although some in Thailand worry The Asean event will be light the progress that has been inside a country,” Obama said. remarks, including a speech. Thailand as a key ally for advanc- that its provisions could conflict expanded into a two-day East made and give voice to the much “And, in part, I’m taking my After Myanmar, Obama will ing the “Asia pivot” that Obama with rules governing a Southeast Asia Summit starting today that greater progress that needs to be guidance from what Aung San attend an East Asia summit in announced last year with an eye Asian economic community to be includes the leaders of the United made in the future.” Suu Kyi, who I think knows quite Cambodia as he seeks to recali- to an increasingly assertive China. established in 2015. States, China, Japan, India, South Late yesterday, state television a bit about repression in Burma, brate US economic and security At a joint news conference with REUTERS Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Russia. US President Barack Obama is due to arrive in Phnom Penh today after making an his- toric visit to Myanmar. Obama decided to make the Asean unites against China’s sweeping maritime claims trip to Myanmar, the first by a sitting US president, to reward and further encourage political PHNOM PENH: Southeast arrived in Cambodia for meet- Cambodia’s Prime Minister PM of China tonight and deliv- the South China Sea have sown developments by the new reform- Asian nations displayed a rare ings with Southeast Asian lead- Hun Sen will tell Wen that ering this consensus on the Asean deep divisions within the bloc at ist government there. show of unity yesterday against ers, the 10-member Association of Asean wants to begin talks on a side,” Surin said. a time when military spending However, the Organisation of China’s sweeping maritime Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) binding Code of Conduct, aimed “They would like to see the in the region is surging and the Islamic Cooperation, which on claims, calling for the first for- appeared determined to avoid a at reducing the chance of naval commencement of the discussion United States refocuses attention Saturday described the Muslim mal talks with Beijing over a sea repeat of an embarrassing break- flashpoints, as soon as possible, as soon as possible because this on Asia — a “pivot” that President Rohingya minority as victims of dispute that has raised tensions down of talks in July over com- Asean Secretary General Surin is an issue of interest, concern Barack Obama will reinforce on “genocide”, has urged Obama to and exposed deep divisions in peting claims in the mineral-rich Pitsuwan told reporters. and worry of the international his visit to the summit today in pressure Myanmar’s government the region. South China Sea, its biggest secu- “Prime Minister Hun Sen him- community.” Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. to stop the bloodshed. As Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao rity challenge. self will be discussing with the China’s assertive claims in REUTERS AFP Skin cream factory sealed off Sri Lanka army recruits Tamil women in Bangladesh COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s military has but we focused the enlisting in Kilinochchi recruited 100 women soldiers in the big- where we have set up a training camp DHAKA: Authorities in gest single intake of ethnic Tamils from the and the local population there is Tamil,” Bangladesh said yesterday they island’s former war zone, a spokesman said Wanigasooriya said. had sealed off a cosmetics fac- yesterday. The new recruits will initially be asked to tory in Dhaka for using harmful The women, who come from the northern “assist civil-military coordination work” in chemicals including mercury in district of Kilinochchi where Tamil Tiger the region, according to the Sri Lanka army skin-lightening creams. rebels had their political headquarters before website. A mobile court that disperses they were defeated in 2009, were enlisted on The number of minority Tamils joining the instant sentences sentenced the Saturday. military declined during the height of fighting owner of the Botanic Aroma com- “These women soldiers will be deployed in between troops and Tamil rebels, who cam- pany to two years in prison and the same area after completing a four-month paigned for an independent homeland in the ordered the seizure of all of its training,” Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya told island’s northeast. products. AFP. “There are no former Tiger combatants The guerrillas were crushed by security forces “They were putting the health among the new recruits.” in a massive offensive in May 2009 after decades of many young people under He said the Sri Lankan army already had of fighting that claimed more than 100,000 lives, threat by luring them with claims nearly 4,000 women soldiers. “We have not according to UN estimates. about the magical skin-lightening discriminated on ethnic lines in recruitment, AFP power of their products,” magis- trate Anwar Pasha said. He said the raid on the factory followed extensive laboratory Crocodile hunters tests on four types of creams that the company produced. Bangladesh banned the use of mercury in skin care products in 2006. Slum fire in Dhaka kills 11

DHAKA: At least 11 people, all women and children, died in Bangladesh as a fire swept through one of the biggest slums in the capital Dhaka early yes- terday, police said. Officials said the blaze started in a rickshaw garage as thousands of residents in the Boubazaar shanty town were sleeping. “The victims were five women and six children. They were burnt to death,” local police chief Rafiqul Islam said from the scene. “The fire service and the locals have brought the blaze under con- Filipinos crowd around a crocodile measuring 13 feet caught in Suba Datuh Indanan, Sulu province, trol. Scores of people were also southern Philippines, yesterday. Residents claim that children initially saw two crocodiles in water in seriously injured,” Islam said. the area. AGENCIES MONDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2012 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Govt decides Preparation for D-8 group meeting to put on hold two bills Accountability, fair trial bills frozen

ISLAMABAD: The ruling phone calls and intercept other Pakistan Peoples’ Party gov- private communication in order ernment will not present two to capture terrorists. expected bills — the National The government claims that Accountability Commission “existing laws neither compre- Act and Investigation for Fair hensively provide for nor specifi- Trial Act — till the next session cally regulate use of advanced and of parliament though it earlier modern investigative techniques was keen to get them adopted such as covert surveillance and during the ongoing session. human intelligence, property The reason cited by sources in the interference, wire tapping and law ministry is a request by former communication interception prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s that are used extensively in other Pakistan Muslim League-N for countries, including the US, UK time to study the Investigation for and India and are an indispensa- Fair Trial Act and to finalise notes ble aid to law enforcement and of dissent on the proposed account- administration of justice”. ability law that has already been Under the proposed law, e-mails, passed by a standing committee of SMSs, phone calls and audio-visual the National Assembly. recordings will become admissible “The decision has been made evidence, while suspects will be Pakistani commuters travel past a portrait of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, ahead of a D-8 group of developing nations conference in to defer the bills till the next ses- held for six months after a war- Islamabad yesterday. The summit of the D-8 group of developing nations Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria and Turkey is scheduled to begin sion scheduled for December on rant issued by a sessions and dis- in Islamabad today. PML-N’s request,” a minister said. trict judge in his chambers. The sources said the government A day earlier, the commit- had taken the decision in order to tee approved the National reciprocate the PML-N’s positive Accountability Commission (NAC) response to the two bills during Bill with minor amendments meetings of the National Assembly’s through a majority vote despite the Steep hike in CNG prices likely soon Standing Committee on Law and opposition’s reservations. Justice where it had agreed to the Hamid said the law minis- need for the “fair trial act”. ter had promised that the bill ISLAMABAD: The reprieve Subsequently many stations Sources said that Ogra had rec- margin formula, sources added. The committee will meet today would not be put to the vote in provided to Pakistani energy shut down due to the lower prices, ommended the increase in a bid Ogra had awarded a contract to review the act on which the the assembly till the opposition customers by the slash in CNG saying that they were not even to keep CNG stations open and to a chartered firm, Avais Hyder PML-N has raised some minor members submitted their notes of prices might be coming to an able to pay gas utility bills. prevent consumers from facing Liaquat Nauman, to conduct an reservations. dissent. He said the ruling party end. In its report submitted to the hardship. According to the report, audit of 11 CNG stations regard- According to PML-N’s member had rejected almost all of their The Oil and Gas Regulatory Supreme Court on Saturday, Ogra also proposed to reduce the ing how much profit they earn to of the committee Zahid Hamid, it proposals, leaving no choice for Authority (Ogra) has proposed a in line with the final forensic profit margins of CNG dealers by determine the new pricing formula. has completed the first reading of them but to oppose the bill when hike in CNG prices of up to Rs13 report conducted by a consult- revising the margins formula. The audit firm was asked to the draft and the opposition has told it would be presented before the per kilogramme to keep CNG sta- ant, Ogra recommended the price CNG dealers have been receiv- submit its findings to Ogra within the government that it wants cer- National Assembly. tions operating in the country. increase of up to Rs13 per kg for ing margins following the present four days. Sources said the recom- tain amendments to the bill so that The proposed law, which will The Supreme Court will con- Region-1 comprising Khyber- formula that ensures a 20 per cent mendations of the audit firm are the law could not be misused. “We repeal the Musharraf-era National sider the proposed CNG prices Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and rate of return on the total cost of close to the proposed increase in need further safeguards to minimise Accountability Ordinance of 1999, plan in its hearing scheduled on the Potohar Region (Rawalpindi, gas, including operating expenses. CNG prices by Ogra. chances for the misuse of law and we provides for the establishment of a Monday. In its orders issued on Islamabad and Gujjar Khan) But the regulatory authority has According to the break-up have already made a number of sug- three-member NAC to be headed October 25, the Supreme Court and Rs11.56 per kg increase said that it will be delinked with of the current CNG prices, gestions, some of which are accept- by a chairman who has been a directed CNG prices to be cut in Region-2 Sindh and Punjab the cost. According to the report, the government?s tax share in able to the government,” he said. judge of the Supreme Court or after declaring the mechanism of (excluding Potohar Region) to let it has proposed to link the mar- Region-1 is Rs35.89 per kg, which The federal cabinet approved a federal government officer in basing CNG prices on the price of CNG stations remain operational. gin for dealers with investment by breaks down into the act in September, arguing basic pay scale BPS-22, a deputy petrol as illegal. Presently, consumers are investors to set up CNG stations. Rs11.57 per kg of cross subsidy, that it would allow investiga- chairman who has been a judge Ogra subsequently placed a being charged Rs61.64 per kg According to the price slash on Rs7.77 per kg sales tax at a rate of tion through ‘modern techniques of a high court or a federal gov- price cut of Rs30 per kg, ending in Region-1 and Rs54.16 per kg October 25, the margin of CNG 25 per cent, Rs13.24 per kg for and devices’. The bill has become ernment officer in BPS-21 and a a memorandum of understand- in Region-2. After the proposed has already been reduced from Gas Infrastructure Development controversial amid criticism from prosecutor general who is qualified ing between the government and increase, the price of CNG in Rs11 to Rs6.22 per kg. This mar- Cess (GIDC) and a sales tax on certain quarters that it will pose a to be appointed as a judge of the the CNG Association on a formula Region-1 will rise to Rs74.64 per gin will be further slashed from GIDC at a rate of 25 per cent, serious threat to people’s privacy Supreme Court. for the operating cost of CNG kg. In Region-2, the price will rise the existing Rs6.22 to Rs3.50 amounting to Rs3.31 per kg. by authorising the state to tap IANS stations. to Rs65.72 per kg. per kg following the new profit INTERNEWS Roadside bombs kill five near Afghan border

MIRANSHAH: Roadside bombs killed a to 15 vehicles in the convoy were severely used to plot attacks across the border in total of five people and wounded 10 yes- damaged. Afghanistan. The Al Qaeda-linked Haqqani terday in two separate blasts in Pakistan’s In the Shin Qamar area of the Khyber network in North Waziristan, blamed for lawless tribal zone near the Afghan bor- tribal region, at least three labourers were some of the deadliest attacks in Afghanistan, der, officials said. killed and three wounded Sunday in an is one of the thorniest issues in relations One of the improvised explosive devices explosion caused by a roadside bomb, said between Islamabad and Washington. was planted along the route of an army senior local official Nasir Khan. Washington has long demanded that convoy in the Mir Ali area 35km east of He said the bomb went off as the Pakistan take action against the Haqqanis, Miranshah, the main town in the North labourers, who were carrying construc- which the then-top US military officer, Waziristan district, they said. tion materials on mules, passed by. Local Admiral Mike Mullen, last year described “The explosion killed at least two sol- intelligence officials also confirmed the as a “veritable arm” of the Pakistani intel- diers and injured seven others,” a security incident. ligence service. official in Miranshah said on condition of Pakistan’s semi-autonomous tribal belt Pakistan says it will act according to its anonymity. is made up of seven districts. In North own needs and priorities and not on the Another local security official con- Waziristan, Taliban and Al Qaeda-linked wishes of a foreign government. firmed the attack and said two of some 10 militants have carved out strongholds AFP

Islamabad, Quetta Asghar case lands leaders in hot water most expensive cities in Pakistan LAHORE: While the opposition Pakistan government in 2009,” PML-N Senator Pervaiz Muslim League-N of former prime minis- Rashid said. KARACHI: The cities of ter Nawaz Sharif alleges the government He said PPP believed that the Federal Islamabad and Quetta are turn- has ‘virtually dropped’ its plan to launch an Investigations Agency would not be able to estab- ing out to be the most expensive in investigation into the Asghar Khan case after lish anything against the PML-N leadership in Pakistan as they witnessed high- moving the court for a review, a leader of the the Asghar Khan case and seeking a review est rate of inflation in October, ruling Pakistan People’s Party of President meant it had almost dropped the idea of hand- while it was lower in Peshawar as Asif Zardari has claimed that the two parties ing the case to the agency. compared to the average inflation have reached an ‘understanding’ and decided “The PPP’s decision to move the court against pace among the five major cities to challenge the Supreme Court’s decision for the decision in fact vindicates us,” Rashid said, during the same month, accord- their ‘mutual benefit’. speculating the People’s Party might have reached ing to the State Bank of Pakistan’s The verdict in the Asghar Khan case had ‘some understanding’ with Imran Khan’s Pakistan (SBP) latest inflation figures. landed the leaders of both the parties in hot Tehrik Insaf as its leader Javed Hashmi was fac- The consumer price index (CPI), water, he said. ing ‘banking transaction evidence’ of receiving benchmark for inflation measure, PPP chief Asif Zardari faces a dilemma money in the case. was recorded at eight percent in whether to continue with his political activities A Punjab PPP leader, however, said that his party Islamabad and Quetta, whereas as the country’s president, while PML-N’s Sharif and PML-N had reached an understanding that it was at 5.3 percent in Peshawar. and his brother Shahbaz are facing charges of none of them would benefit at the end of the day However, CPI inflation in Karachi receiving money from the ISI to stop the PPP if an inquiry was initiated against some generals and Lahore stood at 7.5 percent. from coming to power in the 1990 elections. and politicians on the directive of the Supreme A report released by the cen- “The PPP did not consult us before going for Court. “The PML-N knows the implications of tral bank on city-wise inflation a review. In fact the PPP is doing so to save its FIA’s probe which the PPP may start, but some- indices showed that CPI infla- own skin. The party is perturbed over the impli- one else (interim set-up) would conclude. By the tion on year-on-year basis in the cation of the verdict on the President’s political time the court decides about the review petition in federal and provincial capitals activities and also it does not want a probe into the Asghar Khan case, the tenure of the PPP-led showed mix trend during October. withdrawal of Rs270m from the secret fund of government may be nearing completion,” he said. INTERNEWS the Intelligence Bureau to topple Shahbaz’ Punjab INTERNEWS MONDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2012 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA

Thackeray had Teeming crowds strong bond with his Muslim bid farewell to physician

MUMBAI: He was consid- ered a right-wing Hindu leader Bal Thackeray — but Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray, who died on Saturday, had full faith in a Shops close for Shraddhanjali Day today Muslim doctor, who was treat- ing him for the last four years. MUMBAI: A sea of human- of a leader, who had never con- One might never to able to solve ity poured into the streets here tested an election, been out of the mystery as to why Thackeray yesterday to bid adieu to Shiv Maharashtra only twice in his trusted his family’s health on Jalil Sena chief Bal Thackeray in political career and yet was one Parkar, but the meticulous chest an unprecedented and historic of the most powerful politicians physician ensured that the trust show of idolatry for a regional in the state. was never broken. leader who was for five dec- The public cremation, telecast In 2009, when Thackeray had ades the torchbearer of militant live nationwide, is also a first for severe breathing difficulty, it was Marathi chauvinism and Hindu Mumbai. His body was wrapped this doctor, trained in the United supremacism. in the tricolour and he was cre- States, who came to his aid and India’s entertainment and mated with full state honours, over a period of time became a financial capital ground to a a gesture that did not go do permanent visitor to Matoshri — halt as 86-year-old Thackeray’s well with liberal intellectuals as the Thackeray residence. cortege slowly wound its way Thackeray was not seen to be a Even as Thackeray headed a through jostling crowds from his national leader deserving of such party known for its right-wing home Matoshri in Bandra East to an honour. Hindu nationalist views, Parkar Shivaji Park, the venue of his large Thackeray’s death after months never complained of any religious rallies, where the mortal remains of liver and pancreatic ailments biases. He in fact said Thackeray of the demagogic leader were con- came at 3.33pm on Saturday. His was one of the kindest souls he signed to the flames. son and political heir Uddhav Uddhav Thackeray (left) performs the last rites of his father Bal Thackeray during the funeral in Mumbai yesterday. had interacted with. All shops and businesses Thackeray performed the last It was evident from the fact that remained closed for the second rites at 6.17pm — even as the sun final rites, Uddhav led Raj by his Jalil Parkar was amongst the Business tycoon Anil Ambani Parkar was choked up and had consecutive day yesterday. The set on Mumbai’s skyline in the hand, implying they be together first people to offer flowers fol- was also present. The glamour visibly damp eyes while he, and shops had shut down voluntar- background — to the chanting of during the sad moment. lowing which a stream of politi- world, with which Thackeray not a party member, announced ily after Thackeray was declared Hindu hymns, a picture of stoic But the future of the Shiv cians, industrialists and showbiz had an enduring connection, the death of the 86-year-old Shiv dead Saturday afternoon. Shops calm. Sena and its extreme, often personalities also paid tribute. was represented by old friends Sena founder. and educational institutes across He had broken down at the violent and coercive, politics The gathering was reflective Lata Mangeshkar and Amitabh Party workers also acknowl- the state would also remain closed beginning of the funeral proces- that often took anti-minority of the power of the posterboy Bachchan, Nana Patekar, Sanjay edged Parkar’s required presence today — which shall be observed sion but thereafter maintained turns and staunchly supported of radical Hindu nationalism Dutt and others. at Matoshri. He was even seen as ‘Shraddhanjali Day’. composure as he acknowledged a sons-of-the soil policy that and regional chauvinism. Senior Thackeray never hesitated to sitting behind a frail Thackeray But the rest of India remained the condolences of the mourn- turned local Maharashtrians, or Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) take to the streets or resort to as he addressed the party’s sig- virtually unmoved and there was ers. His cousin and political rival Marathis, against people from leaders like L K Advani, Nitin mob violence. But, contrary to nature Dussehra rally at Shivaji business as usual with most peo- Raj Thackeray, who had split other states who worked there, Gadkari, Sushma Swaraj and apprehensions, the funeral pro- Park in central Mumbai last year. ple watching the funeral’s daylong from the Shiv Sena to form the could not be determined by the Arun Jaitley were there of cession was orderly and Mumbai Such was the faith Thackeray live coverage on TV as another Maharashtra Navnirman Sena emotional scene, cautioned ana- course but so were several union remained calm but tense. Reports had in Parkar that even party public spectacle. (MNS), stood by his side. lysts. It was too early to tell what ministers. said over 50,000 policemen, spokesperson Sanjay Raut pub- “There were an estimated 15 to When Mumbai police played this would translate into. The Congress’ Rajeev Shukla including rapid action forces, licly acknowledged it and praised 20 lakh (about two million) peo- the final march, Raj could be seen Thackeray’s estranged son was there as was close friend and were out on the streets. Thackeray and Parkar for the ple on the roads today and about crying. The two cousins hugged, Jaidev was also present at Shivaji political rival Sharad Pawar of the Thackeray’s legacy has been a bond that they shared. three to four lakh people were fuelling speculation about whether Park — the historic venue of ral- Nationalist Congress Party. divisive one, his party all about Raut had said Thackeray never present in Shivaji Park,” a senior the two could resolve their dif- lies during the freedom struggle Besides, the chief ministers of practicing anti-migrant and anti- had any problems with a Muslim police official said. ferences and come together — as and of many a Shiv Sena gath- Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, minority, mostly anti-Muslim, doctor leading a team of doctors The short distance of seven Balasaheb, the name Thackeray ering that Thackeray called Shiv the BJP’s Narendra Modi and politics. With him gone, maybe treating him. “He had immense kilometres to Shivaji Park took was known by, would have wished. teerth, or pilgrim spot. Shivraj Singh Chauhan, as well as things might change in this faith in Dr. Parkar,” Raut had said about seven hours as mourners Amidst the chanting of holy Before lighting the funeral Maharashtra’s Prithviraj Chavan Maximum City. earlier. surged forward for a last glimpse mantras, while conducting the Thackeray’s personal physician were there too. THE PENINSULA IANS

Delhi calls for CPM undecided over Trinamool’s no-confidence move direct talks NEW DELHI: The CPM India-Marxist (CPM) leader in “(We) do not know if SP, BSP move and said party leader Sudip be implemented,” Acharia said. between Israel, has yet not decided on the the Lok Sabha Basudeb Acharia will do it (vote against govern- Bandopadhyay would move the The government had taken the Trinamool Congress’s move to said. ment),” he said. no-confidence motion on the decision to allow FDI in multi- bring a no-confidence motion The winter session of parlia- Trinamool Congress chief opening day of the session. brand retail in September this Palestine against the UPA government ment begins on November 22. Mamata Banerjee had Saturday Acharia said voting on the gov- year. in the winter session of parlia- Acharia, however, said the out- announced that her party will ernment decision to bring foreign The CPI-M has given notice in NEW DELHI: India yesterday ment but it will push for voting come of a no-confidence motion bring a no-confidence motion direct investment (FDI) in multi- both houses of parliament - the conveyed its deep concern over on the issue of FDI in multi- was likely to depend on the stance against the UPA government in brand retail was a must to pre- Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha escalation of violence between brand retail, a party leader said of the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the winter session of parliament. vent its implementation. — for discussion on the govern- Israel and the Palestinians in yesterday. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) — She asked all political par- “We have given notice (for ment’s decision to allow FDI in the Gaza strip and called for “We have not decided yet ... two of the parties supporting the ties, including the Bharatiya discussion) under rule 184. multi-brand retail under rules “direct talks” to end the ongo- It has not been discussed in United Progressive Alliance gov- Janata Party (BJP) and her Voting is essential. If the reso- which entail voting. ing conflict. the party,” Communist Party of ernment from outside. bete noire CPM, to support her lution is adopted, FDI will not IANS India asked Israel and the Palestinian Authority to find a com- prehensive solution to the conflict which broke anew on Wednesday. Martyrdom Day observance “We are deeply concerned at the steep escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine, focused around Aviation growth to Gaza, that threatens the peace and security of that region,” a spokes- person of the ministry of external affairs said. benefit small cities He said there was urgent need to de-escalate the situation as the NEW DELHI: Despite the the Indian Institute of Technology region was already undergoing current turbulence in India’s at Kharagpur. “For this, we will “turmoil”. “We urge both sides to commercial aviation space, the soon announce a major policy for exercise maximum restraint and government sees robust growth regional airlines. We have already avoid taking any action that may ahead if airlines reduce tariff, hired a consultant for this,” said further exacerbate the situation,” induct small aircraft and con- Singh, who also has a masters of the spokesperson said. nect cities beyond metros — for science degree from the Illinois He said an emergency meeting on which a policy will be announced Institute of Technology. the Palestinian issue was held at the soon. The minister, who represents UN Security Council on November “We need more connectivity to the Baghpat constituency in Uttar 14 under India’s presidency to send a smaller cities. There is also the need Pradesh in the Lok Sabha, said strong message from the council on to build low-cost airports at these airlines must induct small air- the need to de-escalate the situation places. This will surely encourage a craft that can land on short run- and to immediately stop the violence. growth in passenger traffic,” Civil ways, as only 90 runways in the “It is also necessary that direct Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said in country can handle jet operations. talks begin without any further delay an exclusive interview. “In fact, many out of those 90 between Israel and the Palestinian “Tier-II and Tier-III cities are the runways are non-operational. This Authority leading to a comprehen- ones that are showing rapid eco- leaves a gap — how to connect sive resolution of the situation.” nomic growth. These are the places places which have shorter runways. IANS Sikh devotees pay their respects at the Golden Temple in Amritsar yesterday on the occasion of Martyrdom where the aviation service must Airlines are in touch with the manu- Day — Jyoti Jot Divas — of Guru Gobind Singh and Sikh warrior, Shaheed Baba Deep Singh. improve,” said Singh, who completes facturers of small aircraft that can one year at the helm at Rajiv Gandhi land there,” Ajit Singh said. Bhavan here next month. The minister’s mantra for the According to the minister, even aviation industry comes at a time though India’s overall economic when passenger traffic slipped 8.03 Kerala diaspora makes beeline to citizen’s call centre growth slumped to around seven percent for the fifth straight month percent in the past few years, in September, due to slowing econ- KOCHI: More than 30 per- State IT Mission (KSITM), which to clear doubts of people who who address the queries of the the domestic commercial avia- omy and high operating costs. cent of the calls arriving at manages the centre. wish to know the formalities citizens round-the-clock. tion business continued to log a Singh said he has already started the Citizen’s Call Centre (CCC) Envisaged as a Government to for obtaining a ration card, an The call centre is available at robust growth of over 15 percent, taking steps required to address facility introduced by the state Citizen (G2C) interface, the call electricity connection, a building 155300 (mobile users may pre- notwithstanding a dip in the past such issues. “High price of aviation government are from the Kerala centre enables quick delivery of permit, correction of the date of fix 0471). Networks other than eight months. turbine fuel is the biggest issue. I diaspora, and mostly from the critical information to citizens. birth or registering one’s name BSNL may use 0471-2335523, “As a result of this growth, have already written to the petro- Middle East, according to offi- According to the director of the in an employment exchange, for 0471-2115054 or 0471-2115098. India’s metros are now well con- leum minister and I will also meet cial data. KSITM S Jayasankar Prasad, the instance,” Prasad said. The State Consumer Helpline nected. The need now is to pro- him in a couple of weeks,” said The facility has processed 6.5 diaspora calls are increasing and The call centre is equipped can also be accessed through a toll mote this kind of growth in smaller Singh, referring to a proposal to lakhs calls this year (January- has crossed more than 30 percent. with 30 lines and a team of highly free number 1800-425-1550. cities, and that will be our main notify this fuel as a declared good. November 2012), said the Kerala “The call centre is meant experienced and skilled executives IANS focus,” said Singh, an alumnus of IANS

MONDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2012 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Britain lost MANNAI CORPORATION News in Numbers Chairman: H E Sh. Hamad bin Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani 44 million CEO: Alekh Grewat Fajr (Dawn) 4:29 Shorook (Sunrise) 5:53 breeding birds Zuhr (Noon) 11:19 in 50 years A 16.07% Asr (Afternoon) 2:23 increase in revenues has led to a rise in the gross Maghrib (Sunset) 4:45 LONDON: The UK has lost profit figure to $130.51m in 2010 to Isha (Night) 6:15 more than 44 million breeding birds in less than half a century, including an average of 50 house sparrows every hour, according 135.83m WEATHER to a report. Scientists estimate the number in 2011. Weather of nesting birds has plummeted Today Tuesday Wednesday from 210 million in 1966 to 166 Conditions: million today. The shocking sta- Mostly sunny Chance of Mostly sunny tistics are contained in the State storms Humid and hazy of the UK’s Birds 2012 report, at first becoming published yesterday, and charting moderate in the ups and downs of the nation’s High: 29° High: 28° High: 27° temperature and Low: 22° Low: 23° Low: 22° bird populations. partly cloudy One of the biggest losers is the to cloudy by house sparrow, with a population afternoon. of around 10 million — 20 million DOHA - SUN & SEA fewer than in 1966, when the first Key Finacial Highlights MANNAI INTERIORS SUN TIDE SEA reliable all-species bird moni- toring scheme was conducted (All figures in US$m) MANWEIR WLL SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND — despite numbers starting to   GULF LABORATORIES WLL 05:53 | 16:45 09:00 & 21:15 01:00 & 17:00 05-14 KT increase in the last 10 years. There has been a steep decline Gross Premiums QATAR LOGISTICS WLL in willow tits, especially since the THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW   1990s, with the species all but TECHSIGNIA SOLUTIONS HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER disappearing from most of the  UK, and only the Midlands and PRIVATE LIMITED MUSCAT 29/22 Clear 29/21 Mostly sunny Yorkshire boasting sizeable popu- Net Profit MAKKAH 34/24 Mostly sunny 35/23 Clear lations. Lesser spotted woodpeck-      TRANSFIELD MANNAI KUWAIT 26/17 Thunderstorms 24/16 Mostly sunny ers are now too few to monitor  FACILITIES MANAGEMENT BAHRAIN 28/23 Partly sunny 27/22 Chance of rain properly, as are arctic skuas. The report estimates there could be SANAA 26/08 Mostly sunny 26/09 Mostly sunny SERVICES WLL as few as 1,500 pairs each of the Shareholders’ Equity RIYADH 27/18 Chance of rain 25/13 Partly sunny three species left in the UK.    DUBAI 29/23 Chance of storms 28/22 Clear MANNAI MCMULLEN The populations of farmland BAGHDAD 17/11 Chance of rain 20/12 Mostly sunny bird species is now less than half ENGINEERING what it was in 1970, according THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW to the report, which draws on Total Assets TRANSFIELD SERVICES data from leading organisations     HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER including the RSPB, the British MANNAI OIL & GAS WLL Trust for Ornithology (BTO), 2011: Trading Statistics GULF GEOTECHNICAL ATHENS 20/14 Rain 19/13 Chance of storms the Wildfowl and Wetlands WASHINGTON 14/05 Mostly sunny 13/07 Mostly sunny Trust (WWT) and Birdlife Ticker/Symbol (Exchange) MCCS ( QE ) SERVICES & MATERIAL SYDNEY 19/13 Chance of rain 22/16 Mostly sunny International, as well as govern- Total Volume (No of shares) 935.736 LONDON 10/11 Partly sunny 12/07 Chance of rain ment agencies. TESTING LLC PARIS 12/06 Fog 12/07 Partly sunny Experts say breeding birds Total Value (QR) 86,180.458 have vanished from the British ISTANBUL 18/12 Mostly sunny 20/13 Partly sunny UTILITY NETWORKS countryside at an average rate of Year High Close Price (08 Feb 2011) QR,114.24 MANILA 33/25 Mostly sunny 32/25 Partly sunny INFORMATION SYSTEMS one pair every minute. Changes Year Low Close Price (09 Aug 2011) QR,92.62 DHAKA 30/20 Mostly sunny 20/17 Partly sunny in land use and management of DELHI 26/15 Clear 25/14 Clear the coastal waters are believed Closing Price (29 Dec 2011) QR,99.00 CONSULTANTS (UtilNet) ISLAMABAD 25/09 Clear 25/10 Mostly sunny to have contributed to the losses. Source : GCC Achievers League 2012 GUARDIAN NEWS

Bond takes troops Rocky duo in Afghanistan Did the shift make by surprise Petraeus vulnerable?

LONDON: James Bond actor WASHINGTON: The head of the military to make long Daniel Craig yesterday sur- of the Senate Intelligence and repeated tours of duty prised British servicemen Committee wondered yes- away from home need to be at the Camp Bastion base in terday whether the transi- examined. Afghanistan when he dropped tion from four-star general to “Whether you are a private in for a visit shortly before civilian intelligence chief may or a four-star, coming back into a screening of his new film have thrown ex-CIA Director civilian society is difficult,” she “Skyfall”. David Petraeus off his game said, adding “this is not an Craig introduced the film to and into an adulterous affair. excuse.” the 800 troops and then toured “You see the medals he has, Petraeus surprised the camp, met soldiers and hos- you see the stars. One day he Washington with his resig- pital patients before firing off takes all of that off. He’s in a nation over an extra-marital some machine-gun rounds at the plain blue suit. ... There’s no affair days after President heavy weapons range, a Ministry entourage. There’s no driver. Barack Obama won a sec- of Defence statement said. He gives an order at the CIA, ond term on November 6. “We get quite a lot of visitors there’s discussion, there’s flak ... Subsequent reports revealed here, but having James Bond was and then he goes home to wash the other woman was the special,” said soldier Rob Ingham. dishes,” US Senator Dianne retired general’s biographer, The critically-acclaimed Feinstein said on NBC’s “Meet Paula Broadwell. new Bond movie swept North the Press.” Attorney General Eric American box offices last week, The interviewer cautioned Holder last week defended taking in $88.4m in its first Feinstein that she was close his decision to wait to inform weekend of release, according to giving the former top com- the White House because he to box office tracker Exhibitor mander in Afghanistan a “men had felt secure there was no Relations. behaving badly” defence. national security threat. “It was great morale and the While Feinstein said the Law enforcement officials atmosphere in the tent when we resignation of “one of our have said that they believe the were watching the film was buzz- best and our brightest,” was a investigation into the affair is ing,” said soldier Shane Awbery. “heartbreak,” she agreed the likely to end without criminal “The film was really good too.” decision was the right one. But charges. AFP German singer Udo Lindenberg (left) and his partner Tine Acke arrive for the premiere of the musical ‘Rocky’ at TUI she said current expectations REUTERS opera house in Hamburg, Germany, yesterday. Occupied: Italy school students lock themselves in

ROME: At dawn before lessons could shields painted to look like the covers of paving and its broken roofs. “There are rate is 35 percent. Italy has repeatedly start last week, high school pupils famous books led a march of thousands toilets that haven’t worked for months. cut education spending in recent years, at the Nomentano Science School in through Rome. The demonstration ended When it rains, in some classrooms the despite allocating just 4.9 percent of gross a northern suburb of Rome slipped in violent clashes, with riot police chasing water comes in,” Giordano said. “We domestic product to education accord- chains around the gates and blocked protesters down the banks of the Tiber want to show the government that this ing the most recent OECD figures, from the doors with chairs taken from under clouds of teargas. is unacceptable.” 2009. Of the 31 members of the group classrooms. In a speech this week at Milan’s Students have been camping inside the of rich countries for which it had data, Between the ragged European Union Bocconi University, where he was an school in sleeping bags since Monday, and only the Czech Republic, Hungary and flag and Italian tricolour over the entry economics professor before becoming said their occupation would last at least Slovakia spent less. they hung a new banner: a white sheet prime minister, Monti expressed sym- through the week. Concern increased last week when spray painted with the word “Occupied”. pathy, saying young people were paying Proposals which the CGIL union the head of the association representing With youth unemployment more than for “serious errors accumulated over the says will shave ¤182m ($232.81m) from local governments said planned cuts to three times the national average and past decades”. schools’ annual budgets have become a regional spending would force schools to Prime Minister Mario Monti’s austerity Nomentano is one of more than a rallying point for groups that oppose extend Christmas holidays. policies biting into education spending, dozen schools around Rome to be seized Monti from across the political spectrum, “We do not have the money to pay high school and university students have by students in a revolt against reforms from neo-fascists to the far left. to heat the classrooms,” Antonio Saitta moved to the front of anti-government and economic crisis cuts imposed by Italy’s young people are among the told a conference. For those who do find A student holds the chain used to close the protests. Monti’s technocrat government. hardest hit by an economy that has work after graduation, university has not main gate of Nomentano Science School As strikes swept Europe on Wednesday, Student Nicholas Giordano, 18, pointed been dipping in and out of recession always led to skilled jobs. in Rome. teenagers armed with makeshift riot to gaping holes in the school’s outdoor since 2008. The youth unemployment REUTERS Monday 19 November 2012 5 Muharram 1434 Volume 17 Number 5523 Price: QR2

QInvest signs Top honours $106.7m for Qatar agreement Executive

Business | 18 Business | 19

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Vodafone Rayyan Bank Industries NakilatQatar Islamic Barwa Gulf HoldingComm. Bank Int. Islamic Qatar Bank of Qatar Bank

268,509 8.60 707,768 26.15 104,696 148.90115,195 15.16 33,065 75.90 142,954 27.60 30,594 23.40 133,967 72.50 21,647 52.00 PM to open Euromoney meet Qatar to invest $13.1bn in power sector

DOHA: Euromoney Qatar Conference, the Malaysia; Marek Belka, the President of BY SATISH KANADY early stages, various viability tests and of 9 percent. The last few years saw major event set for Qatar in December, has the National Bank of Poland; Chedly Ayari, studies were conducted, however, none a massive increase in capacity as sev- announced its opening day line-up of finan- Governor of the Central Bank of Tunisia; and DOHA: Qatar is set to invest an have so far been converted into a live eral plants in Qatar and Saudi Arabia cial experts from around the world. Murat Çetinkaya, the Deputy Governor of estimated $13.1bn in power sector project. Though, Qatar has plans to started operations. Currently, the The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey. during the next eight years. Most of utilise solar technologies for cooling GCC operates with a reserve margin H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Richard Banks, Euromoney’s Regional the investments will be in the trans- its stadia for 2022 FIFA World Cup. of about 19 percent-mainly in Qatar Thani is opening the conference. H E Yousuf Director, said: “We’re working hard to make mission and distribution segments. According to the report, more than and Abu Dhabi-43 percent and 30 per- Hussein Kamal, Minister of Economy and this conference and its associated projects Qatar is one of the countries in the a dozen projects are under execution cent respectively. Finance, will also address the audience. meaningful to our audience and our partners Gulf, where power generation has in the transmission and distribution The report said with the linking of Prominent figures from Qatar will partici- in Doha.” Euromoney’s editorial teams will also grown considerably in the last decade. sector of Qatar. These projects will Oman to GCC power grid, the inter- pate in interactive roundtables at the event. be speaking, in addition to participants such Driven by high GDP growth rates and bring a total investment around $4bn connection grid is expected to bring Attendees include H E Sheikh Abdullah Saoud as Ibrahim Dabdoub, CEO of National Bank population explosion, power consump- in Qatar by 2015. in substantial cost savings. Saudi Al-Thani, Governor of Qatar Central Bank; of Kuwait Group; Roger Jenkins, Managing tion in Qatar has increased by a com- The GCC countries have been mak- Arabia and Qatar are expected to be Ali Shareef Al Emadi, CEO of Qatar National Partner of BTG Pactual; Charlie Mc Creevy, pound annual growth rate (CAGR) ing concerted efforts toward enhanc- major players in selling power and has Bank Group; and Shashank Srivastava, CEO the former EU Commissioner for Internal of 9.3 percent between 2001 and 2011. ing their power generation capacity to begun studying the possibility of link- of Qatar Financial Centre Authority. Market and Services and former Ireland To keep pace with the demand, satiate the rising demand due to the ing the grid to North Africa and even Topics to be addressed include the new Minister for Finance; and Lado Gurgenidze, Qatar saw its total installed power growing population and economy. The to Europe. The GCC states have also global economic paradigm in the wake of the CEO of Liberty Capital and former Prime capacity getting doubled in a span power consumption across the GCC begun exploring alternative sources of the global financial crisis, the role of capital- Minister of Georgia. of just two years, from 2009 to 2011. has grown at an annual rate of about energy including solar power, nuclear exporting nations like Qatar, Islamic finance “Global Finance: Re-Designed,” is being As a result of this, reserve margin of 9 percent from 2002; Saudi Arabia and and natural gas to boost capacity and and if it could have prevented the financial co-hosted by QCB, and is being sponsored by electricity in Qatar stands at 40 per- the UAE account for the combined 75 diversify the energy mix. crisis, the role of the financial sector in Qatar’s QNB; Commercial Bank; International Bank cent despite the tremendous growth percent of the total GCC consumption. Power demand is expected to grow National Vision 2030, and adapting the cur- of Qatar, J P Morgan, Masraf Al Rayan, QFC, in demand. Qatar is expected to have The major power projects, com- at between 7 percent and 8 percent rent real estate financing model. QIB, Saxo Bank, and QFIB. The conference is sufficient capacity to meet the peak pleted across the GCC during the past annually over the coming years, and the International speakers will come from the first part of a three-year programme to demand till 2017, “GCC Power 2012” decade, have now commenced opera- GCC countries are expected to spend countries in the Middle East, North Africa chart the role of nations such as Qatar in the released by Markaz Infrastructure tions; installed capacity has doubled $46.22bn until 2015 in order to add an and Southeast Asia. The speakers include emerging global financial system. Research noted. from nearly 53,823MW in 2002 to additional 24,395MW of capacity. Zeti Akhtar Aziz, Governor, Bank Negara THE PENINSULA Renewable energy in Qatar is in almost 112,722MW in 2011-a CAGR THE PENINSULA MONDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2012 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Qatari bourse index down 0.84 percent Most regional markets fall

DOHA: Qatar Exchange index September 30. Dubai’s Drake Officials at the signing ceremony. was down 71.17 points or 0.84 & Scull dropped 5.1 percent. The percent to 8,377.32 points yes- contracting firm reported a 93 terday from the previous closing percent plunge in third-quarter of 8,448.49 points. Among the profit, widely missing analysts’ QInvest signs $106.7m co-financing pact top losers were Qatar Insurance forecasts. Dubai Islamic Bank whose share dropped 1.49 per- slipped 1 percent, while builder cent to QR66, Qatar Electricity Arabtec and Dubai Financial DOHA: Mazaya Qatar Real and Water lost 1.21 percent to Market each fell 2.5 percent. Estate Development Company QR130.80, Qatar Navigation fell Shares in Dubai-based Islamic QSC has signed a dual-cur- 2.68 percent to QR61.70 and mortgage provider Tamweel rency, $106.7m 8-year syn- Vodafone Qatar was down 1.59 dropped 3.9 percent, underper- dicated facility to finance percent to QR8.68. forming the property sector after the development of the Sidra The banking and financial fire damaged parts of the 34-sto- Village Residential Project. sector dropped 17.33 points, rey, mixed-use Tamweel Tower QInvest acted as Financial the Insurance sector lost 19.73 in Dubai. Tamweel said it would Advisor to Mazaya Qatar Real points, the industrial sector was provide hotel accommodation to Estate Development Company down 7.60 points, while the serv- residents who needed it. There and Sole Bookrunner for the ices sector added 5.52 points. were no reports of casualties. facility. Qatar Islamic Bank Analysts had been expecting “UAE... is not at a point where took the Investment Agent and Doha’s market to rally as the bargain hunters will return. Mandated Lead Arranger roles year-end nears, with investors Bluechips will have to fall before and was joined in the facility at positioning for dividend payouts. people will buy on valuations,” MLA level by a group of regional But banks raising capital may said Khan. Abu Dhabi’s bench- financial institutions comprising deter the tradition. Doha Bank mark shed 0.4 percent, down for ABC (Arab Banking Corporation announced plans in October to a third session since Monday’s and ABC Islamic Bank), National increase its share capital by 50 16-month high. Bank of Abu Dhabi, and First percent in the first quarter of Elsewhere, Saudi Arabia’s Gulf Bank, with Ahli United Bank next year, raising about $1.6bn. bourse fell to a near four-week taking a Lead Arranger role. Meanwhile, regional mar- low as banks extended losses and Mazaya Qatar Real Estate kets lost ground as investors insurance stocks dipped. “Local Development Company, through reduced risk across the board investors have been and will be its wholly owned subsidiary after Israel bombed Palestinian mainly following renewed politi- Qortuba Real Estate Investment militant targets in the Gaza cal escalations in the Middle East LLC, is developing the Sidra Strip for a fifth day. as tensions rise and oil soars,” a Village, for the purpose of pro- Egypt’s benchmark, amongst Riyadh-based trader said. viding quality accommodation the world’s best performing Banks fell with Samba facilities to the employees of markets this year, tumbled 3.3 Financial Group and Alinma the Sidra Medical and Research percent to its lowest close since Bank closing 2.2 and 1.2 per- Center. Sidra Village Residential November 5. Egypt’s Palm Hills cent lower. The sector’s index Project will consist of two-storey dropped 5.8 percent after the lost 0.7 percent, while the buildings, green spaces and a developer posted a net loss of petrochemical index shed 0.2 community club. Each building 83.3m Egyptian pounds in the percent. Insurance stocks will host one-bedroom and two- first nine months of the year. dominated trade and the sec- bedroom units. Upon comple- Mazaya Qatar Real Estate Development Company, QInvest and banking officials in talks prior to the signing Citadel Capital declined 5.4 tor’s index fell 1.1 percent. The tion, the project will offer 1,165 ceremony in Doha yesterday. percent and Orascom Telecom kingdom’s benchmark slipped residential units. slipped 3.8 percent. 0.4 percent to 6,765 points, its Speaking on the occasion of to establish solid relationships Company as a valued client”. strength of the QInvest financing “The regional picture looks lowest close since October 23. the signing ceremony, Seraj Al with a wide group of renowned Shahzad Shahbaz, Chief franchise and ability to leverage bleak — unless we get some clarity “The index found some resist- Baker, Chief Executive Officer financial institutions”. Executive Officer of QInvest, said: its relationships with regional on the regional political tension, ance at 6,950 points,” said of Mazaya Qatar Real Estate Ahmad Meshari, Acting “QInvest is honoured to have financial institutions to support as well as economic policy future Mohabeldeen Agena, head of tech- Development Company, com- Chief Executive Officer of Qatar advised Mazaya Qatar Real Estate Qatari clients and projects. The in US, I don’t think we’ll see much nical analysis at Cairo’s Beltone mented: “We are pleased to Islamic Bank, commented: “We Development Company on this strong market reception of this buying momentum,” said Amer Financial. He said the market sign this transaction as it are pleased to be part of such a prestigious transaction and further transaction is demonstrated by Khan, fund manager, Shuaa Asset will move sideways between 6,700 represents a milestone agree- landmark transaction, reflect- the QIB Group’s solid relationship the diverse group of regional Management. and 6,950 in coming sessions as ment towards the financing of ing our strong commitment with Mazaya Qatar Real Estate banks that are participating, as UAE markets also fell with bulls absorb the selling pressure one of our landmark projects, to the State of Qatar, and the Development Company. well as the continued interest in Dubai’s index slumping 1 per- from the 7,200-7,500 points range. and allows Mazaya Qatar Real confidence we have in Mazaya “The success of this trans- participating in Qatar’s story”. cent to its lowest close since QNA/REUTERS Estate Development Company Qatar Real Estate Development action is a testament to the THE PENINSULA Emaar’s apartment sales Mahmoud Malkawi is jump in third quarter Ahli Bank Acting CEO DOHA: The Board of Directors DUBAI: Emaar Properties’, among property companies in of Ahli Bank recently appointed revenue from apartments sales Dubai as the sector recovers from Mahmoud Malkawi as Acting more than tripled in the third a roughly 60 percent drop in real CEO. Malkawi was previously the quarter, helping Dubai’s larg- estate prices from their peak in Deputy CEO - Corporate Banking, est developer overcome a sharp 2008. The builder of the world’s Investment and Treasury. Before decline in the sale of commer- tallest tower, reported a 4.7 per- joining Ahli Bank he served Arab cial units. cent drop in third-quarter rev- Banking Corporation in the capac- Revenue from sales of condo- enue in October, missing analyst’s ity of Executive Manager for miniums in the third-quarter more forecasts. Large Companies and Head of than tripled to Dh567m ($154.4m) Emaar launched three new Business Development. He joined from Dh183m in the same period real estate projects this year, Ahli Bank in January 2001 as in 2011, a detailed earnings state- with residential units generat- Executive Manager of Corporate ment released yesterday showed. ing strong interest. The report & Retail Credit. Sheikh Faisal bin Abdul-Aziz However, revenue from sale of vil- also showed that Emaar is owed Malkawi started his profes- Al Thani las dropped slightly to Dh123m Dh242m by troubled mortgage sional career in 1978 and holds a from Dh126m a year-ago. affiliate Amlak, down from Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting Income from sale of commer- Dh595m in 2011. This amount and a Diploma in Business cial properties and plot sales earns an average interest of 1.45 Administration from Jordan took a major hit, generating only percent per annum compared University. Commenting on the Dh109m compared with Dh798.4m with 3.13 percent to 4 percent appointment, Sheikh Faisal bin in the prior-year period. Emaar last year, Emaar said. Abdul-Aziz Al Thani, Chairman of is one of the better performers REUTERS Ahli Bank, said: “Malkawi’s expe- rience and deep knowledge in the banking industry will be a substan- tial added-value to the Bank. Ahli Bank has been performing strongly in the past and the Board and I are confident that this progress • Bullion - Mumbai will continue under his leadership”. Mahmoud Malkawi Gold (10 gm) Standard Rs. 31200.00 Mahmoud Malkawi said after Silver (1 kg) Rs. 60290.00 assuming the position of Acting CEO: “I am very grateful to the Board of Directors for the • Indian Rupees QR1 = 14.95 confidence they have placed in me and this appointment is a • Sensex great honour. We will continue to provide clients with superior BSE 18618.87 services and products. With the continuous support of our NSE 5666.95 shareholders, customers and employees and the guidance of • LIC (International) launches New Gold Investment Plan ‘GOLD PLUS’ – Qatar Central Bank we hope to pursue this successful journey”. which provides an opportunity to invest in GOLD ETF & GOLD SPOT, PAN Ahli Bank has a credit rating of A- (Stable) by Capital Card/Demat Account not required. Intelligence. Fitch Ratings, the international credit rating • Short-term investment plan from LIC International upto 6.4 percent return agency, has also affirmed Ahli Bank’s long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘A-’ with ‘Stable Outlook’. Fitch Ratings has p.a. (in dollar) also confirmed a ‘BBB-’ rating in respect of the Bank’s financial • Housing loan from HDFC LTD strength and ‘F2’ for its short-term IDR. • Mutual Fund: Buy & Sell: SBI MF, HDFC MF, UTI MF, Birla Sun Life MF, Recently the bank was awarded the coveted “Best Commercial Tata MF, Reliance MF etc. Bank in Qatar” by leading international finance magazine World Contact: Investec, Tel: 44325060/44365060 email: [email protected] Finance and also by Arabian Business at the prestigious Arabian Business Qatar Awards. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2012 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Tunisia needs Aviation Business honours Qatar Executive $4.4bn in loans, Qatar Airways’ corporate jet arm bags Best Business Aviation Operator of the Year 2012 award aid next year,

DUBAI: Qatar Airways’ cor- programme provider Flexjet and there is a great honour and testa- says Minister porate jet division Qatar the appointment by Bombardier ment to the hard work we have Executive has been honoured as an Authorised Service Facility put into our corporate jet division TUNIS: Tunisia’s government with the Best Business Aviation in the Middle East. in such a short space of time. It will need about 7bn dinars Operator of the Year 2012 award Qatar Executive’s Executive also clearly shows that our prod- ($4.4bn) of loans and aid next by the prestigious Middle East Vice President Tilmann Gabriel ucts and services are fully recog- year as it proceeds with a costly industry publication Aviation received the award on behalf of nised, demonstrating we are truly plan to compensate former Business. Qatar Airways Chief Executive a cut above the rest.” political prisoners freed by Qatar Executive beat stiff com- Officer Akbar Al Baker. Qatar Airways is one of the the 2011 revolution, Finance petition to pick up the coveted Qatar Executive will be few airlines in the world to pro- Minister Slim Besbes said. accolade at an awards evening in exhibiting at the Middle vide a private jet service as part His comments, made in an Dubai attended by leading figures East Business Aviation Show of its premium product portfo- interview at the Reuters Middle from across the regional travel (MEBA) in Dubai where it will lio and, since its inception three East Investment Summit, illus- and aviation industry. showcase its products and serv- years ago, Qatar Executive has trated the financial pressures The Best Business Aviation ices to aviation brokers and key evolved into a leader in exclu- Tunisia faces as its post-revo- Operator of the Year award is tra- industry players. sive air charter services not just lution government, led by the ditionally given to the company Al Baker said: “Being awarded regionally, but worldwide. moderate Islamist Ennahda that consistently delivers world- Best Business Aviation Operator The company operates six movement, rebuilds the economy. class service and excels through of the Year is a significant wholly-owned all-Bombardier Industrial production and tour- key achievements and solid busi- achievement and proud moment private jets – the youngest fleet ism earnings were hit hard by last ness strategies. for the national airline’s corporate of its kind in the Gulf. These year’s political turmoil, driving the Qatar Executive was recog- jet arm that has been flying for include three Challenger 605s, state budget deep into deficit. At the nised for its strong commit- just three years. two Global 5000s and a Global same time, the government cannot ment towards offering a superior “We operate in a competitive Express XRS – all featuring ignore demands for support from inflight experience and achieving business aviation market with spacious cabins, the latter in a the poor, thousands of former politi- major accomplishments such as impressive players across the two-cabin configuration accom- cal prisoners and other groups that the recent new partnership with region, so winning this award modating up to 13 passengers. Qatar Executive’s Tilmann Gabriel receiving the award. suffered under ousted president Zine the North American fractional jet amid the quality competition out THE PENINSULA Al Abidine Ben Ali. “The government is also com- mitted to restoring many of the former prisoners to work, and this will cost the state a lot of money,” said Besbes, a former academic Asia-Pacific to launch talks who previously served as deputy finance minister. “The state will carry out its on giant free trade zone responsibility to provide imme- diate compensation to former PHNOM PENH: Southeast EU and US export markets and prisoners who are in difficult situ- Asian nations will launch talks boosting trade amongst Asian ations because of their ideology,” this week for a giant free trade developing countries.” he added, without specifying the pact with China, Japan, India Cambodian Prime Minister amount of aid required. and other neighbours aimed at Hun Sen will launch the start Besbes’ predecessor as finance easing the region’s reliance on of negotiations for the Regional minister, Hussein Dimassi, resigned the struggling West. Comprehensive Economic in July, complaining about the cost The planned zone would would Partnership (RCEP) tomorrow of the compensation scheme and span across 16 countries of in Phnom Penh on the final day accusing the government of being the Asia-Pacific that currently of a regional summit. more concerned about winning account for a third of global trade The RCEP would bring together votes than about the health of and economic output, making it the 10 members of the Association public finances. “The draft law for the biggest free trade area outside of Southeast Asian Nations with the compensation of beneficiaries Qatar Chamber and ICC Qatar Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani (centre) with other the World Trade Organization. China, India, Japan, South Korea, of the general amnesty is the most officials in Doha. Rajiv Biswas, Asia-Pacific chief Australia and New Zealand. serious of all; it was the straw that economist at IHS Global Insight, Asean secretary-general Surin broke the camel’s back,” a state- described the initiative as stra- Pitsuwan said a successful RCEP ment from Dimassi’s office read Doha meet provides Mena input tegically very important to the would further cement a shift in when he resigned. Asia-Pacific as it would help offset global economic power from the “It will result in a very heavy weaknesses in the United States West towards Asia. “The trend is expenditure for the state’s budget, and the European Union. already here. It’s how to consoli- considering the high number of on Business World Trade Agenda “Fast growth in trade within date. This one is going to be a big beneficiaries and the amount of the Asia Pacific region could leap forward if we can make it,” the compensation.” Tunisian news- DOHA: Business leaders from “The ICC Business World Carrier. “In the context of the significantly mitigate the weak he said yesterday. papers said the plan might cost the Middle East and North Trade Agenda has great poten- economic crisis, trade and invest- growth prospects in Asia’s tradi- Diplomats and analysts said the as much as 750m dinars. Besbes Africa (Mena) gathered in Doha tial benefits for economies in the ment could unleash a debt-free tional growth markets in the EU RCEP could also serve as a “coun- said that next year’s state budget yesterday to provide regional Middle East and North Africa,” stimulus to the global economy.” and US,” he said. terbalance” to the Trans-Pacific could not escape pressures from input on the recommendations said Qatar Chamber and ICC ICC Business World Trade “The (pact) could provide Partnership (TPP), another the compensation program, as well of the Business World Trade Qatar Chairman, Sheikh Khalifa Agenda recommendations include the framework for accelerating planned free-trade grouping cur- as projects to develop less affluent Agenda, an initiative launched bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al a call on governments to conclude regional trade and investment rently being negotiated by the regions of the country and spend- by the International Chamber Thani. “As economies in this a stand-alone trade facilitation flows, reducing the dependence United States and 10 other coun- ing on social welfare for the poor. of Commerce (ICC) in partner- region continue to grow, it is agreement,“multilateralise” trade of East Asia on the traditional tries. AFP REUTERS ship with Qatar Chamber of becoming increasingly important liberalization, liberalise trade in Commerce and Industry. for countries to diversify their services, lower barriers to trade in The aim of this initiative is export of goods and services and information technology products ultimately to drive World Trade to further integrate themselves and services and work towards a Zuari plans fertiliser Organization (WTO) multilat- into the global economy.” multilateral framework on inter- plant in the UAE eral trade talks out of an 11-year Business in the region is national investment. deadlock and “beyond Doha”. ICC uniquely placed to recognize These recommendations will ABU DHABI: Indian and Qatar Chamber launched the and identify areas where WTO be developed and further refined fertiliser maker Zuari initial trade recommendations in rules have been overtaken by in preparation for the World Industries has signed a Beijing in September 2012, and 21st century trading realities. Business Summit, being hosted by memorandum of under- are carrying out a series of glo- The current economic crisis has Qatar Chamber on 22 April 2013, standing to set up an bal consultations to seek feedback only intensified the urgency to the first day of the ICC World $800m manufacturing from business leaders from all redefine trade rules and to har- Chambers Federation 8th World facility in the UAE. The regions of the world. ness the potential of new multi- Chambers Congress. plant in Ras Al Khaimah ICC and Qatar Chamber are lateral agreements, with a “Doha “Qatar Chamber is proud will produce one million mobilising international business victory”. to support the ICC Business tonnes of di-ammonium – representing small, medium and “Governments must unblock World Trade Agenda initiative,” phosphate fertiliser a year large enterprises that produce the current trade negotiations to said Sheikh Khalifa. “Business when it comes on stream, goods and services traded daily increase international trade strongly believes that advancing Zuari’s adviser on the deal, throughout the world – to define and investment, which are great global trade negotiations is crucial Alpen Capital, said. The a practical and forward-looking potential engines of economic for further economic development plant will be Zuari’s first multilateral agenda for stimulat- growth and job creation,” said in this region.” manufacturing facility out- ing the global economy. ICC Secretary General Jean-Guy THE PENINSULA side India. REUTERS

Google’s Android is eating Apple’s lunch

SAN FRANCISCO: Smartphones and Stephen Baker. “Variety is strength when designers,” Dulaney said. “At Apple, as tablets powered by Google’s Android soft- it comes to moving units.” long as they have a great vision internally ware are devouring the mobile gadget Android smartphones shipments surged it is fine but they don’t have the feedback market, eating into Apple’s turf by feed- to 136 million, topping those in the same Android does.” ing appetites for innovation and low three-month period last year by slightly Having thousands of different Android prices, analysts say. more than 90 percent, IDC reported. devices vying for consumers’ cash is a The Android operating system powered Samsung’s Galaxy S3 overtook Apple’s strength when it comes to market share but nearly three out of four smartphones shipped iPhone 4S in the third quarter to give the puts hardware makers into a fiercely com- worldwide in the recently ended quarter as South Korean firm the world’s best-selling petitive arena, Baker noted. “Other than the mobile platform dominated the market, smartphone model for the first time ever, Samsung, I don’t know if other Android according to industry trackers at IDC. according to research firm Strategy Analytics. guys are making money,” the analyst said. “Android has been one of the primary “The pace of innovation in Android is Google gives Android away free, but the growth engines of the smartphone market faster than Apple,” said Gartner vice pres- platform is crafted to make it easy for peo- since it was launched in 2008,” said IDC’s ident of mobile computing Ken Dulaney. ple to use the California Internet titan’s mobile phones research manager Ramon “They are just trying harder; Apple is way money-making services such as search and Llamas. “In every year since then, Android behind in that area.” Android is benefit- maps, and get content at its online Google has effectively outpaced the market and ing from being an “open-source” platform Play shop. taken market share from the competition.” that gadget makers use free of charge and Forrester analyst Charles Golvin said that In tablets, Apple’s market share has fallen improve as they deem fit, providing Google forces powering Android momentum include to just over 50 percent from 65 percent in with insights along the way. changing demographics of smartphone buy- the second quarter as Android devices gain Apple tightly controls its products from ers. Early adopters of smartphones focused ground, according to IDC figures. the software to the hardware and even more on new technology than on price, but “Having a lot of people building a lot of the online shop for music, books, games or the devices have gone mainstream with cost things covering a lot of price points with other content. “What you get with Android increasingly important to shoppers, accord- multiple brands in multiple places makes is this incredible feedback loop with devel- ing to Golvin. a big difference,” said NPD Group analyst opers, equipment makers, customers, and AFP MONDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2012 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS VIEWS

Bulls, not bears, go Fiscal cliff worries markets

INCE the end of the US elec- the ongoing euro zone debt crisis and slow- into hibernation tion, the US dollar index failed ing growth in emerging economies in Asia to make news highs despite the and Latin America. BY MIKE DOLAN sharp drop in stocks. The weak- Bank of England: In its quarterly infla- ness in currencies last week was tion report, the Bank of England lowered HE longest losing streak on world markets since the dark- in commodity currencies and the its growth forecast but raised its inflation est days of the euro crisis in late 2011 shows how reluctant SYen. Indeed, equity markets sold off heavily outlook. The bank projected annual growth investors are to trust in any sustained recovery after during the week on worries that the US pol- Weekly Money Market Review of around 2 percent in two years. It also Tyears of crisis. Global equity indices on Friday flirted iticians would not be able to solve the fiscal indicated that inflation is likely to be around with a record eight consecutive days in the red for the first time cliff. The main game in the US remains the reported a drop in business. If service sta- 1.8 percent in two years’ time, slightly above in a year. Do a sweep of all related risky assets around the world ongoing painfully slow negotiations between tions were omitted, retail sales fell a sharper Augusts’ 1.7 percent forecast. Additionally, and there’s been a similar pattern of pullback. both parties while the end of the year is 0.5 percent in October. the Bank of England governor, Mervyn King And given those are the eight trading days since the U.S. elec- approaching quickly and investors continue stated that the UK faces an ‘unappealing tion results on November 7, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out their profit taking. Europe & UK combination’ of a subdued economic recov- the dominant market concern of the moment. As European headlines took a backseat ery and above-target inflation. Investors of all hues just seemed to have downed tools for the this week, the Euro remained resilient as Greece’s fate: With Greece at the center year as they await the outcome of the battle between re-elected European politicians continue to negoti- of attention again this week, the European Asia Democrat President Barack Obama and Republican-dominated ate another Greek debt relief program and Finance ministers praised reforms taken House of Representatives over how to avert the “fiscal cliff”. announced that they agreed to give Greece by the country and gave them two more Japan election: Japan’s finance minister If there were any doubt about the shift in dominant risks over two more years to meet their budget deficit years to make budget cuts; a concession Koriki Jojima said it was up to the Bank the year, Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s latest investment funds targets. The Euro range traded this week that is expected to require additional fund- of Japan to decide whether to implement poll this week showed 54 percent citing the impending threat of started Monday at a low of 1.2714, reaching ing of nearly ¤33bn. A German newspaper unlimited monetary easing, as the oppo- automatic US tax rises and spending cuts as the biggest global a high of 1.2802 after the Greek decision reported that Germany’s finance minister sition leader Shinzo Abe called for on risk - more than twice those citing the euro crisis. however could not maintain gains to end Juncker implied that the troika report Thursday. Meanwhile, Abe said in sepa- For the record, they swapped places in the September poll after the week at 1.2743 on Greece was largely “positive” in tone. rate comments that a change to the BoJ 17 months in which euro angst was seen as the top threat. But the After starting the week on a positive note, However, no final decision has yet been law was a possibility in order to implement result of the election was exactly as most people had forecast for The sterling pound dropped after Bank of made on the payout. bold easing steps. Other news reports sug- months, the nature of the cliff hasn’t changed an iota and the big England Mervin King mentioned that they Merkel added on Thursday that she gested that Abe was prepared to establish a funds nearly all expect some resolution anyhow. So, it might seem had decided to freeze their main stimulus expected next week’s Eurogroup/ECOFIN foreign bond-buying fund composed of the just a little odd why people waited until after the election to dump program due to the higher inflation in the meeting to decide on the next steps for Bank of Japan, the government and private stocks. At the very least it begs yet another question about how UK. The pound ended the week at 1.5883. Greece in terms of a disbursement and investors. This move would be a significant efficient markets really are in discounting future risks. Some US housing market: In a speech delivered debt sustainability. Greece also issued on step as it would translate in JPY weakness, strategists, such as Barclays, say it was important to wait for on Thursday in Atlanta, Federal Reserve Thursday an additional ¤937m of one and and the market was currently pricing little post-election negotiating positions to be laid out and, on that Chairman Ben Bernanke, said the improv- three-month T-bills, bringing the pro- chance of it happening. basis, reckon the chances of hitting the cliff are now “non-trivial.” ing housing market is “far from being ceeds from the past week’s auction to ¤5bn. On Friday, Japan’s government cut its But maybe the sudden funk is less rooted in Washington than it is out of the woods.” and “Although there Tensions however continue between Jean economic forecasts for the fourth straight in the edginess of year-end markets - markets that have been tossed are good reasons to be encouraged by the Claude Juncker of the EU and IMF presi- month in its monthly economic report. around for two years now on a welter of crises and crisis-manage- recent direction of the housing market, we dent Lagarde on Greece’s debt-sustainabil- Japan’s economy ‘shows weakness recently ment but making about as much net headway as their “zig-zagging” should not be satisfied with the progress ity target, with Juncker saying that Greece due to the deceleration of the world econ- underlying economies, to borrow this week’s phrase from Bank of we have seen so far.” He also noted that should be given until 2022 to cut debt to omy,’ while exports to Asian and European England chief Mervyn King. What looked like a pretty impressive tighter credit standards were an appropri- 120 percent of GDP while Lagarde said that economies will remain sluggish year for virtually all asset classes up to November is now in danger ate response to the peak in house prices and target should be by 2020. of wimping out as funds bank profits on their winning 2012 trades. Americans remain worried over the labor Spain inflation: The Spanish annual infla- Commodities With a little over a month to go, Wall Street’s once double- market, housing prices, and the economy in tion reached 3.5 percent in October, high- digit year-to-date rises have shrunk to less than 8 percent, while general, which in turn is keeping potential est rate since May 2011. The increase was Global gold demand subdued: Global gold German equity gains of more than 25 percent have slipped into homebuyers on the sideline. attributed to the increasing prices in educa- demand dropped 11 percent in the three the teens. Emerging market equities, which were up almost 20 Expect QE3 to continue in 2013: tion, personal care services, leisure and cul- months to September from record levels percent by February, have pared back to 10 percent. According to Federal Reserve Bank of San ture, food and soft drinks, many affected by seen in the same period last year. Main rea- Francisco President John Williams, the the sales tax increase from 18 to 21 percent sons cited were fading Chinese demand as RUMP GAINS Central Bank will continue its WE3 pro- in September. If the November rate remains its economy slowed, with Indian demand With the rump gains still relatively punchy given the economic gram well into 2013 even if the economic high, the government could face a shortfall experiencing a larger fall according to the backdrop, then it’s easy to see persistent temptation to cash in outlook improves, as employment growth of around ¤5bn more in order to maintain world gold council. Chinese gold consump- without any breakthrough stateside. Hard currency emerging mar- remains fragile. Additionally, Richmond pensioners’ purchasing power. tion fell 8 percent in the July to September ket debt and global high-yield bonds, for example, are still up over Fed president reiterated similar comments German sentiment: German ZEW period, while bar and coin investment 15 percent each. In fact, in a year driven by central bank monetary this week as he mentioned that the uncer- Survey, a gauge of the economic sentiment dropped 12 percent. Gold prices however stimuli it was hard to lose money anywhere beyond a near 20 percent tainty over the US fiscal policy is hold- fell to -15.7 points in November, from -11.5 were supported over the $1,700 level on drop in soft commodities. So-called safe-havens are up alongside the ing back business investment and hiring, points registered in October. Analysts had prospect that the Fed would continue its riskier plays, with gold still up 10 percent and 10-year US Treasuries though he expects “meaningful progress” on expected an increase to -7 points, making quantitative easing program well into 2013. up more than 5 percent. But with the global economy still slowing and budget issues now that the election is over. investors worried that Germany is starting Oil markets: Although tensions have been major economies in Europe and Japan flatlining or in recession, are Retail sales in the US hit: US Retail sales to feel the effect from the ongoing crisis. escalating in the Middle East, with reports these market moves all just monetary smoke and mirrors? fell in October by the most since June, hurt Additionally, the country’s gross domes- that Israeli government may imminently A quick check of net asset moves over the two years of both euro by the effects of Hurricane Sandy. Retail tic product (GDP) rose 0.2 percent in the begin ground operations in Gaza to neutral- sovereign debt and US fiscal anxiety offers perspective. Since the sales dropped 0.3 percent last month, while third quarter, beating economists’ estimates ize the threat of further rocket attacks, oil end of 2010, developed market equities have actually done very economists had expected a smaller 0.1 per- of 0.1 percent gain. The figure, however, is prices remain subdued as investors continue little, with total returns just 3 percent. Ditto for the US dollar. cent decline. The data released also showed slightly lower than the 0.3 percent increase to fear the repercussion from the US econ- Emerging market equities have done even worse, with net losses a weak consumer demand in a number of posted in the second quarter, which add to omy falling off the Fiscal Cliff. Oil remained over the two years still at more than 10 percent. areas as retail segments, and auto dealers the concerns that the country’s activities below the $90 level for a second week. The big winners are all monetary-policy sensitive or safety where sales sank 1.5 percent in October, has slowed down in the third quarter. The KUWAIT: Kuwaiti Dinar at 0.28230. plays - with some 15-25 percent gains in gold, oil, US Treasuries, marking the biggest drop in more than a government also cut its growth forecast The USDKWD opened at 0.28230 yester- German bunds, corporate and emerging market debt. Gold and year. Excluding the auto sector, retail sales next year to 1 percent from 1.6 percent last day morning. oil aside, other demand-driven commodities such as copper and were unchanged even though most segments month. Main reasons for the changes were THE PENINSULA soft commodities have been hammered by 10-30 percent. So, how important then is the cliff or even the euro crisis if the monetary taps keep coming on at every critical juncture? Well, one way to look at this year’s moves is to watch the jump in Previous Week Levels This Week’s Expected Range 3-Month positive surprises on U.S. economic data - as captured by Citi’s economic surprise index - even as equivalent European measures Currencies Open Low High Close Minimum Maximum Forward have turned down again. But Wall Street has not followed this leading signal yet as it EUR 1.2714 1.2662 1.2802 1.2743 1.2560 1.2960 1.2760 appears to have done routinely in the past - in fact it’s gone the opposite direction over the past fortnight. Is this then the fiscal cliff factor? Will macro data roll over if the cliff is hit? Or has a dour GBP 1.5984 1.5829 1.6019 1.5883 1.5700 1.6000 1.5910 earnings season been swamped by all the tax uncertainty that means at least some pent-up demand will be seen come an eventual deal? JPY 79.47 79.08 81.46 81.32 79.60 82.60 81.20 With the bulls rather than bears setting up for hibernation this winter, maybe the long-term pessimists have an answer. CHF 0.9458 0.9403 0.9513 0.9455 0.9300 0.9600 0.9440 REUTERS Wall Street: Going off ‘cliff’ with a bungee cord BY RODRIGO CAMPOS dealing with mandated tax hikes Day have been the worst perform- In the end a deal was announced after a time of hand wringing, no agreement on the fiscal cliff is AND JONATHAN SPICER and spending cuts that could take ers since, according to Bespoke that raised the ceiling and put off recover from the concerns with reached in Congress. Alongside the US economy back into reces- Investment Group of Harrison, longer-term fiscal decisions until a renewed sense of optimism.” comes opportunity for those with HE 1987 crash. The Y2K sion. Some see the market’s move New York. Jan. 1, 2013, setting the stage for The recent selling took the high risk tolerance. bug. The debt ceiling as an overreaction to hyperbolic “I think it’s a good opportunity today’s “fiscal cliff” crisis. After S&P 500’s relative strength “Recently, volatility has debacle of 2011. All these headlines about policy gridlock to be long stocks at these levels,” staying flat through September index - a technical measure of increased in the market overall. Tevents, in the end, turned in Washington, believing stocks said Kumar. Hikes on capital 2011, the S&P 500 jumped 31 per- internal strength - below 30 You can’t really pick it up in the out to be buying opportunities for may start to rebound in what gains and dividend taxes are on cent between its October low and this week, indicating the bench- VIX yet, but I think as we get stocks. So will the “fiscal cliff,” should be a quiet few days ahead the line, and Obama has dug in his the end of March. mark is oversold and due for a through November, I think you’re some investors say as they watch of the Thanksgiving holiday next heels on what he sees as a man- rebound. likely to see the VIX be at a rela- favorite stocks tumble during the Thursday. date to make the tax code more BUY THE DIP? The RSI in four of the 10 S&P tively higher level,” said Bruce political give-and-take happening “It just doesn’t seem to make progressive. Gridlock in Washington and sectors - utilities, telecoms, con- Zaro, chief technical strategist at in Washington. any sense that you suddenly wake He seems to have the upper all that could possibly go wrong sumer staples and technology - Delta Global Asset Management The first round of talks aimed up the day after the election and hand in dealings with Congress with the economy if a deal is is below 30 and the highest RSI in Boston. at avoiding the “fiscal cliff” caused realize we’ve got a fiscal cliff,” said because Republican lawmak- not reached have grabbed the reading, for the consumer dis- In 2011, the VIX averaged 19.2 a temporary rise in equities on Krishna Kumar, partner at New ers don’t want to see tax rates headlines, but the negotiations cretionary sector, is below 40, in July and 35 in August. So far Friday, signalling Wall Street’s York hedge fund Goose Hollow increase, which is what will hap- leave room for stock market suggesting a bounce is in store. this month the average is 17.8 and recent declines could be a buying Alpha Advisors. pen if no solution is found by the gains. Congressional leaders said “What I want to do is what it is expected to spike if negotia- opportunity. The gains were small Not long ago the S&P was on beginning of 2013. Republicans on Friday that they will work we did during the decline fol- tions on the cliff drag into late and sentiment remains weak, but target for its second-best year in don’t want to take the blame for through the Thanksgiving holiday lowing the budget negotiations next month. it suggests hope for market bulls. the last 10, riding a 17 percent driving the economy over the cliff. recess to find a solution. in the summer of 2011: The “Looking at the range of pos- Though shares ended mod- advance in 2012. That’s been The current crisis is similar to “The debate over how to solve lower the stock market goes, sibilities, I would say any of them erately higher on Friday, it was halved to about 8 percent, which last year’s fight to raise the US debt (the fiscal cliff) may be more the more I want to own stock,” would be better than sitting not enough to offset losses for isn’t bad but disappointing com- ceiling, which led to the downgrade productive than is commonly said Brian Reynolds, chief mar- here waiting. I would even put the week. The S&P was down 1.5 pared with just a month ago. of the United States’ top credit rat- recognized,” said Brad Lipsig, ket strategist at New York-based going off the fiscal cliff in that percent, while both the Dow and Investors have been selling the ing in early August 2011. During senior portfolio manager at UBS Rosenblatt Securities. “If we go category,” said Jill Cuniff, presi- the Nasdaq fell 1.8 percent. year’s winners. Apple is down 25 the dealings, the S&P 500 lost 18.8 Financial Services in New York. off the cliff it will be with a bun- dent of Seattle-based Edge Asset The S&P 500 is down more percent from its peak above $700. percent between its peak in July “The US is facing a major gee cord attached,” he said. Management Inc, which manages than 5 percent in the seven ses- General Electric is down 14 per- 2011 and its bottom in August. As debt overhang, and serious steps about $20bn. “But we don’t believe sions that followed President cent; Google has lost 16 percent. the market slid, the political stand- toward addressing it might ulti- KEEP CALM AND HEDGE Congress will let that happen; Barack Obama’s re-election. Overall, the stocks that make up off badly hurt investors’ confidence mately be viewed as a positive Volatility is expected to rise there’s going to be some middle Uncertainty arose as attention the top 10 percent of performers in Washington, setting off a spike for future growth,” he said. “The through the end of November ground here.” turned to Washington’s task of in the month prior to Election in volatility. market may recognise this and, and to spike in late December if REUTERS MONDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2012 MARKET www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

QE Indices Summary QE Index 8,377.32 71.17 WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 11,337.54 96.32 QE All Share Index 2,020.97 14.57 RATE INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial Services 1,987.05 17.33 GOLD Buying Selling QE All Share Industrials 2,582.32 7.60 All Ordinaries 4370.612 -40.058 -0.91 4602.5 4033.4 QR202.3285 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 1,329.95 19.49 Cac 40 Index/D 3389.17 -10.85 -0.32 3600.48 2922.26 QE All Share Real Estate 1,608.22 21.84 SILVER UK ...... QR 5.7491 QR 5.8162 QE All Share Insurance 1,879.93 19.73 Dj Indu Average 12570.95 -185.23 -1.45 13661.87 11231.56 QR 3.8366 Euro ...... QR 4.5987 QR 4.6848 QE All Share Telecoms 1,075.62 7.01 CA$ ...... QR 3.6044 QR 3.6737 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 4,739.71 5.52 Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 Services Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.8129 QR 3.8863 Hang Seng Inde/D 21108.93 -333.06 -1.55 22149.7 18056.4 Yen ...... QR 0.0451 QR 0.0460 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.7225 QR 3.8170 Iseq Overall/D 3212.44 -20.88 -0.65 3382.77 2882.71 CRUDE OIL Today Previous day Ind Re ...... QR 0.0651 QR 0.0666 18-11-2012 15-11-2012 Karachi 100 In/D 16144.92 24.4 0.15 16292.45 10771.13 Index 8,377.32 8,448.49 BRENT Pak Re ...... QR 0.0377 QR 0.0384 Change 71.17 17.57 Nikkei 225 Index 8829.72 164.99 1.9 10255.15 8238.96 Peso ...... QR 0.0867 QR 0.0893 % 0.84 0.21 $ 110.15 SL Re ...... QR 0.0276 QR 0.0282 YTD% 4.58 3.77 S&P 500 Index/D 1355.49 -19.04 -1.39 1474.51 1158.66 DUBAI Taka ...... QR 0.0442 QR 0.0450 Volume 3,287,577 2,021,678 Straits Times/D 2945.92 -32.11 -1.08 3110.86 2657.77 Nep Re ...... QR 0.0414 QR 0.0422 Value (QAR) 144,281,763.38 78,323,159.30 $ 107.34 Trades 2,345 1,745 SA Rand ...... QR 0.4049 QR 0.4130 Straits Times/D 2989.31 24.69 0.83 3035.78 2657.77 Up 10 | Down 28 | Unchanged 03

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 18-11-2012

Brent hovers, copper stabilises and palladium shines ISK adversity caused Brent: Middle East tensions together with speculation that dissolved the government after by worries about the briefly gave crude oil a lift this Weekly Commodity Update Japan could be considering fur- it rejected a bill proposing that outlook for global week but overall the focus remains ther means of stimulating its ailing woman would have the same economic growth on the weak economic outlook and economy also helped copper to halt rights as men to head a family. continues to set the general risk adversity that is cur- BY OLE HANSEN its six-week slide. Whether this Palladium: Both platinum and Ragenda for most financial mar- rently driving most asset classes. (Head of Commodity Strategy, recent price action is a sign that palladium received a boost from kets. On-going concerns about As a result Brent crude continues Saxo Bank) we have reached a turning point a report by Johnson Matthey, a the US President’s ability to reach to trade in its now well established is still too early to say but traders world leader in platinum distri- an agreement with Congress on range between $105 and $112 a bar- will be keeping an eye on trend line bution. In their “Platinum 2012 how to avoid the now famous fis- rel, the latter being the 200 DMA. and February when gas consump- rally following the US election support at $3.40/lb. which stands Interim Review” they helped give cal cliff are very much in focus. Likewise, we see WTI crude trad- tion for heating peaks. That said, ran has run out of steam as both in the way for further losses while palladium a unilateral boost by If this issue is not resolved before ing around $85 a barrel. the price will likely remain within metals looks for a driver to move a move above $3.51/lb. will further projecting a shortfall of 915,000 the January 1 deadline it could Natural gas spikes: US natu- a $3.5 to $4.25 range as coal to the price forward. Until a driver help sentiment. ounces for 2012 due to lower mine trigger a return to recession - ral gas was another strongly gas switching would be negatively emerges, they are both back to Cocoa spikes: Cocoa is another supply, reduced Russian stock not only in the US but across the performing commodity. It rallied impacted above $4.25 because nat- being just another risky asset tak- top performing commodity sales (down to 250koz from 755koz world. During the past week the particularly before the weekly ural gas needs to remain competi- ing direction from weaker equity despite hitting some profit tak- in 2011) and record demand auto S&P 500 index dropped to a three- inventory data from the Energy tive against US coal. markets and a dollar which rose to ing towards the end of the week. catalytic manufacturers. month low and the dollar rose Information Administration Last winter was the fourth a ten-week high against a basket Two pieces of news have been Palladium, being part of the against an index of currencies. which showed the first decline of warmest on record and it helped of currencies. ETF investors are supporting the bean. Initially the platinum group metals, has a rea- These market movements cre- the season as below-normal tem- trigger the collapse in natural gas undeterred by these current head- price began to recover follow- sonable strong correlation to plati- ated a lot of headwind for com- peratures have increased demand. prices earlier this year as inven- winds and have now taken their ing reports that cocoa grinders num but also takes direction from modities with only a handful The withdrawal of 18bn cubic feet tories were not withdrawn at the total gold holding to a new record have increased production by the other precious metals such as gold managing a positive return dur- from underground storage was normal speed. This raised worries of 2,600 tonnnes (Bloomberg). largest amount in two years to and silver. Palladium is the least ing the past week. As a result, the earliest seasonal decline since that maximum storage capacity Leveraged investors continues meet record demand for choco- traded of the two and often suf- the DJ-UBS index keeps hover- 2007 compared with a five-year would be breached during this to sit on the fence waiting for a late, especially from developing fers from lack of investor interest ing near a four-month low with average injection of 17bn cubic year’s injection season from April clearer picture to emerge but will nations. Reduced supply from due to its illiquidity and ability to the agriculture sector, especially feet for this particular week. to November. As we all know, this undoubtedly be keeping a close eye West Africa could lead to the trigger sharp price moves in both grains, continuing to show weak- Forecasters are expecting the did not materialise as an unprec- on the market impact of a break first shortage of beans in three directions. It remains the worst ness. The energy and industrial coming US winter to be colder edented switch from coal to natu- out of the current range between years. The rally gathered pace performing metal this year as it is metals sectors showed small gains than last year, which should help ral gas helped stabilise prices and $1,700 and $1,740 and ounce. on Wednesday when it jumped down five percent compared with primarily driven by natural gas support prices as stockpiles will be inventory levels. Copper: A recent improvement by $70 to 2457 USD/MT after plus 10 percent on platinum. and aluminium respectively. reduced, especially during January Gold and silver up: The strong in economic data out of China the President of the Ivory Coast THE PENINSULA

MONDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2012 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Jimenez claims historic victory The 48-year-old Spaniard become the oldest player to win a European Tour title

FANLING, Hong Kong: all the way to the wire with two Miguel Angel Jimenez fired a Hong Kong Open runs of three birdies on the trot Australian Masters final round five-under 65 to as he ended the tournament with become the oldest player to Scores an impressive six-under-par final Final Round Scores record a European Tour victory round. MELBOURNE: Final round with a one-stroke triumph at HONG KONG: Leading However, there was disappoint- scores at the Australian the Hong Kong Open yesterday. final-round scores from the ment for Campbell, who had gone Masters at Kingston Heath The Spaniard completed the $2m UBS Hong Kong Open into the final round looking to (par 72) in Melbourne yester- tournament on 15 under par yesterday (par 70): end a winless streak stretching day (Australia unless stated): to edge out Sweden’s Fredrik back to 2005 when he won the 265 Miguel Angel Jimenez (ESP) 65-67- 271 Adam Scott 67-70-67-67 Andersson Hed, who had earlier 68-65 US Open and World Match Play shot a 64, and secure a hat-trick Championship. 275 Ian Poulter (ENG) 67-72-64-72 of Hong Kong titles at the age of 266 Fredrik Andersson Hed (SWE) 66- After opening with a birdie, 279 Gareth Paddison (NZL) 71-71-69-68, 48 years and 318 days. 66-70-64 Campbell’s round began to Mark Brown (NZL) 72-71-67-69 Jimenez is 284 days older 268 Marcus Fraser (AUS) 67-69-68-64 unravel when he dropped a shot 282 Adam Crawford 72-76-69-65 than Irishman Des Smyth was at the par-five third hole and his when he won the 2001 Madeira 269 Matteo Manassero (ITA) 67-70-64- misery was completed when he 284 Peter Senior 74-74-68-68, Michael Islands Open and his triumph 68, Stephen Gallacher (SCO) 68-68- made a double-bogey after driving Hendry (NZL) 67-69-79-69 comes a week after Italy’s Matteo 68-65, Peter Lawrie (IRL) 68-68- into trees at finding the water on 286 Graeme McDowell (NIR) 71-77-67-71, Manassero became the first 67-66 the 18th. David Bransdon 71-69-74-72 teenager to claim a hat-trick 271 Matt Kuchar (USA) 69-69-66-67 Third place went to Australia’s of European Tour titles at the Marcus Fraser after he matched Singapore Open. 272 Pablo Larrazabal (ESP) 69-70-65- Anderson Hed’s 64 to finish three European Tour South After also winning the Hong 68, Michael Campbell (NZL) 67-64- shots behind the leader. Kong title in 2005 and 2008, 69-72 Stephen Gallacher of Scotland, African Open Scores Jimenez saw off the chal- Peter Lawrie of Ireland and 273 Chris Wood (ENG) 72-70-68-63, Scores from the European lenge of joint-overnight leader Mark Foster (ENG) 69-68-68-68, Manassero tied for fourth place, Michael Campbell when the New a further shot adrift. Tour South African Open at Paul Lawrie (SCO) 69-69-67-68, the par-72 course yesterday in Zealander fired a disappointing As the tournament was draw- Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 72-66-67- Ekurhuleni two-over 72 to slip down into a 68, Anders Hansen (DEN) 69-64- ing to a close, the European Tour 271 Henrik Stenson (Sweden) 66 65 69 71 tie for eighth. 70-70 announced that the Hong Kong As Jimenez gleefully accepted Open would not be included in the 274 George Coetzee (South Africa) 70 70 the Hong Kong Trophy for a 2013 Race to Dubai schedule. 63 71 third time, he refused to rule out fairways, was totally suited to A change of date to December 275 Thomas Aiken (South Africa) 73 66 adding further victories to his 19 his shot-shaping golf game and next year would see it as one of 69 67; Martin Kaymer (Germany) 70 European Tour triumphs. he made only two bogeys in four the first tournaments on the 2014 70 68 67 “I hope its not the last one,” rounds. tour calendar. 277 Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) 68 68 he said at the victory ceremony. “Distance does not matter It also emerged that American 74 67 “The way I am playing and handle here,” he said. “I controlled the John Daly will face disciplinary myself I can be fit to win another ball well and gave myself many action after throwing his putter 279 Tommy Fleetwood (Britain) 70 69 71 one.” chances for birdie which you have across the 11th green following 69; Darren Fichardt (South Africa) 68 Jimenez admitted the Hong to do here.” a double-bogey there in Friday’s Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain poses with his trophy after winning the 70 68 73; Magnus Carlsson (Sweden) 68 67 68 76 Kong Golf Club, with its tree-lined Andersson Hed chased Jimenez second round. REUTERS Hong Kong Open Golf tournament, yesterday. Stenson clinches Scott holds off Poulter to win Masters MELBOURNE: Adam Scott who in the process also won his South African Open donned his first Australian first tournament of the year. Masters gold winner’s jacket “Winning is a habit but win- when he beat England’s Ian ning a Major is all I’m out here to JOHANNESBURG: Sweden’s “One of the bigger reasons was Poulter by four shots yesterday do and this is part of the process. Henrik Stenson claimed the I was 59th in The Race to Dubai and said it made up “in a small “It’s not easy to win golf tour- South African Open at the standings and I needed a good way” for his capitulation at the naments you don’t win very often. Serengeti Golf and Wildlife week,” he added after the win British Open. That (winning a Major) has been Estate yesterday, helping him yesterday. REUTERS Australia’s top-ranked golfer my focus for the last few years to qualify for the lucrative DP blew a four-shot lead over the and I’ve always said that. World Tour Championship in last four holes at Royal Lytham “Maybe I can get a set of these Dubai. in July but said after his Masters winners’ jackets. Maybe I can Heading into the event, Stenson win he had to put it quickly out make it a green one (for winning was 59th in the Race to Dubai of his mind. the Masters at Augusta) by this rankings and knew he could be in “I had to or otherwise I could time next year.” danger of missing out if he could never have come back to a golf Scott said he was thrilled to not produce a good enough result course,” Scott said after a final finally win an Australian Masters this week. round 67 gave him a tournament and an event he watched his The victory also ended a five- total of 17-under 271 around childhood hero, Greg Norman, year drought of European Tour Melbourne’s Kingston Heath. win on six occasions. wins with Stenson’s last success Scott began the day trailing “I was beaten in a playoff in coming back in 2007. He won on defending champion Poulter by 2002 and 2003 so it’s nice to the US Tour in 2009. a shot but Europe’s Ryder Cup finally win one on my favourite Stenson had to fight off South hero could only manage a final Australian golf course,” he said. African local George Coetzee to round 72. Poulter said a couple of criti- Adam Scott of Australia holds the trophy after winning the Australian lift the trophy after he pushed for Scott said he was pleased he cal errors cost him on the back Masters golf tournament played at the Kingston Heath golf course in overall honours right up until the could “blow away” any negative nine holes. Melbourne, yesterday. 15th hole of the final round. thoughts that could have crept Among them was what he A mistake from Coetzee handed in from Royal Lytham once he described as “the fatal mistake” Stenson the initiative and birdies found himself in a winning posi- of stretching over a tap-in par under pressure durign the game. rounds at Kingston Heath was on 16 and 17 secured the win by tion although he realised the putt on 17 to avoid standing on “He’s the world number five. world class. three shots, boosting his Race to Sweden’s Henrik Stenson holds the Australian Masters was a much Scott’s line. Give the guy a bit of respect,” he They had 27 birdies between Dubai ranking up to a much safer winners trophy after winning the smaller stage. He missed and Scott led by snapped at reporters. “He’s just over the weekend. 45. South African Open at Serengeti “I did not want to let another three shots as the marquee pair shot 10 under on the weekend The two highest-ranked play- “It was great that I came down Golf Club in Johannesburg, opportunity slip by. It was good to walked to the last tee. around this golf course.” ers in the tournament finished here,” Stenson told www.europe- yesterday. get back in that position and close Poulter was irritated by a sug- Scott and Poulter said the golf well clear of the rest of the field antour.com. a tournament out,” said Scott, gestion that Scott was vulnerable they played over the last two in Melbourne. AFP QBL: Al Arabi trounce Al Shamal White, Blewitt win QGL tournament

BY DANOTZKI SANTOS Qatar SC 84-75 in the other match yesterday. DOHA: Badly hurt by the deba- Al Gharafa led throughout the cle in the hands of Al Sadd match, 24-12 in the first quar- A Qatar SC last week, Abdullah Jalloh led ter, 47-29 at half-time and 68-53 player (in Al Arabi to a big 85-66 win entering the final period. white) tries against Al Shamal, in the Qatar Leslie Lamont began to hit his to score Basketball League (QBL) at stride early in the fourth quar- during his the Al Gharafa Indoor Arena, ter and ignited Qatar’s 12-2 run team’s yesterday. to come to within five points at Qatar Arabi started off with a fiery 65-70. Basketball 13-2 opening assault and went on But Al Gharafa regrouped League to finish the first period pulling and fought back hard enough to (QBL)match away at 27-16. maintain their lead until the final against Al Jalloh kept the Al Arabi jug- buzzer. Gharafa gernaut going in the next stages William Brandon had an explo- yesterday. of the game as they soared to a sive game for Al Gharafa scoring 48-32 advantage at half-time 24 and contributing to 13 assists. Al Gharafa and grabbed their biggest lead Emanuel Awako helped with 22 won 84-75. at 70-45 at the end of the third points and 13 rebounds. Lamont In the period. led Qatar with 28 points while BACK ROW, FROM LEFT: Renee Woodman, Doug Thomson, Flight B other QBL Al Shamal played harder in the Omar Seck hauled 21 rebounds winner Don Blewett, Andre Josiah, Adrian Lobley and Geoff Blewett. match, Al final quarter but could only man- and chipped in with 24 points. FRONT ROW, FROM LEFT: Valerie Dalton, Qatar Golf Lovers President Arabi beat age to cut the deficit to 19 after League hostilities resume PK Mathew, Manoj Megchiani and Albert Dalton pose for a picture Al Shamal 40 minutes of play. tomorrow as Al Gharafa return to at Doha Golf Club. Clark White and Don Blewett won Flight A and B 85-66. Nevertheless, the result gives action versus Al Ahli at 5:00 pm. respectively in the golf tournament organised by Qatar Golf Lovers at Al Arabi four wins and one loss, Elsewhere, Al Rayyan hope to the Doha Golf Club. Andre Josiah won the second prize in Flight A while while Shamal slumped to their maintain their winning streak Geoff Blewett was runner-up in Flight B of the competition which was fourth defeat this season. against a resurgent El Jaish. participated by 60 golfers. Meanwhile, Al Gharafa edged THE PENINSULA MONDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2012 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Lancaster Clippers brush aside Bulls vows England will improve The Los Angeles side records their fifth straight victory this season after loss

LOS ANGELES: The Los for a tough four-game run in five Angeles Clippers have contin- days, including contests against LONDON: England coach ued their impressive opening to the San Antonio Spurs (8-2) and Stuart Lancaster insisted a the NBA season, matching their Oklahoma City Thunder (7-3). week was long enough for his best start to a year in fran- The only other time in fran- side to up their game after a chise history by thumping the chise history the Clippers won 20-14 defeat by Australia at Chicago Bulls 101-80 at Staples seven of their opening nine games Twickenham saw them again Center yesterday. was 2005-06 where they finished fall short against one of the The victory was the fifth 47-35 on the year, and ended up world’s top sides. straight for the Clippers, who one victory short of the Western Under Lancaster, England have were led by big man Blake Conference Finals. yet to beat one of the old Tri- Griffin’s double-double and Jamal “Yeah, we’re thrilled. But it’s Nations in four matches, with this Crawford’s prolific shooting to early,” head coach Vinny Del loss following two defeats and a improve to 7-2. Negro said. draw away to South Africa earlier Griffin scored a game high 26 “We’re happy but we let a cou- this year. points and added 10 rebounds ple of games slip away. The Springboks, fresh from a while Crawford chimed in with “Against some of the top teams 21-10 victory over Scotland, arrive 22 points of his own as the home I felt we played solid basketball at Twickenham this coming side dominated. at times but we have to be more Saturday with world champions “It’s about my team mates, it’s consistent. New Zealand at ‘headquarters’ on about how they space the floor “It’s early on and guys are still December 1. and are giving me the confidence getting their feet under them a Three Toby Flood penalties throughout the game,” Griffin told little bit. and a somewhat fortunate Manu reporters. “We have a tough road trip Tuilagi try gave England, who the “It was a very important win.” coming up and we have to handle previous week had hammered Fiji Having played eight of their it right. We’ll see where we are 54-12, a scarcely deserved 14-11 opening nine games at home the after that; it will be a good test half-time lead on Saturday. Clippers must now prove their for us.” But Australia, with assured worth on the road as they head The Bulls, still playing with- full-back Berrick Barnes kicking out injured former league MVP three second-half penalties in a NBA Results Derrick Rose, trailed for the Goran Dragic (1) of the Phoenix Suns lays up a shot past Shane Battier (31) of the Miami Heat during their NBA 10 minute spell, bounced back to majority of the night and dropped game at US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona, yesterday. prevent England scoring at all Boston 107 Toronto 89 to 5-4 on the season. after the break. Utah 83 Washington 76 Carlos Boozer was the pick of And with wing Nick Cummins Memphis 94 Charlotte 87 the Bulls line-up with 22 points Toronto Raptors. Rondo, who points and Paul Pierce added 19 now with the Denver Broncos. having by then scored his first Dallas 103 Cleveland 95 and 12 assists. missed Thursday’s loss to the points and six rebounds for the “He’s picking the defense apart Test try to end a Wallaby drought Milwaukee 117 New Orleans 113 Elsewhere, Boston point guard Brooklyn Nets with a sprained Celtics, who improved to 6-4. and he’s getting the ball to guys in of more than three-and-a-half San Antonio 126 Denver 100 Rajon Rondo returned from an right ankle, had the Celtics’ “He’s Peyton Manning out the right position to score. He was hours, it was a good day all-round ankle injury and handed out 20 offense firing on all cylinders. there,” Boston’s Courtney Lee said actually mad about the 20 assists for Australia as they recovered Miami 97 Phoenix 88 assists as he piloted the Celtics Jason Terry made four three- after the match, likening Rondo -- he thought he could have gotten impressively from last week’s 33-6 LA Clippers 101 Chicago 80 to a 107-89 NBA victory over the pointers en route to scoring 20 to the master NFL quarterback 30. REUTERS thrashing by France in Paris. England’s defeat could have a long-term impact as it means Lancaster’s men, currently fifth in the world rankings, are now unlikely to earn a top four seeding Al Malki, Al Sulaiti ready to battle in last race for the 2015 World Cup on home soil. “I’m disappointed we lost but I VA LENCI A: QMMF Racing thought Australia played a smart Team riders Nasser Al Malki game and bounced back from and Saeed Al Sulaiti made sig- their defeat against France last nificant progress at the 2012 week,” said Lancaster Spanish Championship in “There were lots of positives Valencia, yesterday. from our own performance but Both riders who followed the reality is we needed to take Anthony West’s advice, have the opportunities we created. improved their times, dropping “They are the lessons we have some tenths in every lap. to learn for South Africa next In the second session the rides week.” recorded the 18th and 24th posi- Asked if a week was long tion of the grid for the race. But enough to put things right, a the race will be a challenge with confident Lancaster replied: “Of the weather conditions unknown. course it is. Every game’s a new Al Malki, who is in 18th posi- game. AFP tion, with a time of 1min 40.793 seconds said: “Last year here it wasn’t a good experience because Japan’s late of the weather. This year I could try the dry conditions win delights and I get a better feeling. This QMMF Racing Team rider Nasser Al Malki takes a bend at the 2012 Spanish Championship in Valencia, yesterday. RIGHT: Al Malki and Saeed Al Sulaiti is the last round in the Spanish (left) are seen in the pit stop before their qualifying sessions. coach Jones Championship and, I am happy because I had learned a lot and it is good for the next year.” style.” Al Malki’s team-mate, Al After giving some thoughts on setting that they achieved, also improve a lot but he must look TOKYO: Japan’s 25-22 Test win Al Malki believes he can go Sulaiti is in 24th position, having how to rectify the problems, Al thanks to Anthony for his coach- to close the gap with the front. over Georgia with a 25-metre better. recorded a time of 1min 41.913 Sulaiti was happy. He said: “I have ing. Having such a good rider When you are looking him at the last-gasp drop goal from Kosei He said: “I think I can go faster seconds was satisfied with the been thinking about it and, in the teaching me, helps me a lot.” track you think he is a fast rider.” Ono gave their Australian coach I do my best but I know I can do qualifying. second qualifying I did my best Australian rider West, who Speaking of Al Malki, he said: Eddie Jones some atonement for it better.” He said: “Today (yesterday) in to fix it. Then I did a 1:41.9 and recently claimed two back-to- “Nasser, I think that the last the Wallabies’ nightmare loss to He added: “I have to thanks the first qualifying I did 1 min, I’m very happy with the results, back podiums in Moto2, has seen qualifying was better and he has England in 2003. West because today (yesterday) 42.102 seconds and it was faster although in some turns when I improvement from Al Sualiti. to learn that it is what he should Fly-half Ono’s goal three min- he helped me to change a little bit than my best lap yesterday and was very focused I found some He said: “For sure the results do every time he is on the bike. utes into time added on in Tbilisi my style with this bike, because also in the last testing.” traffic and I lost time.” could be better, but looking at the He has to understand the bike on Saturday gave Japan their I didn’t get the feeling with this He added: “I think I dropped He added: “Despite of that, I riding not to the lap time or the quicker in order to get a better second win during their tour of bike. Today (yesterday) we had one second in the first qualify- need to go even faster to fight position.” set up, a few changes will make Europe. They beat Romania 34-23 done too much changes and know ing and, in the second qualifying with other riders.” He added: “Al Sulaiti has the bike better.” a week ago for their first-ever I feel better I can push more. I I tried to fix some problems and The rider also thanked his improved a lot from the first time He added: “Both of them are Test victory on the continent. want to thanks my team, my change some body positions, in team and West for the advice. I saw it until now, his movements going in good direction, they have “I’ve lost one big game through sponsor QMMF, for giving me order to go faster in some corners He said: “I want to thanks my in the bike is a hundred percent improved too much this year.” a drop goal but never won one till the chance to improve my riding where I had problems.” team for the hard work and the better than what it was, so he has THE PENINSULA now,” the 52-year-old Australian quipped to Kyodo News in the Georgian capital. Before a home crowd at the Badminton: Qatar coach Sahibjan passes Level 1 Course 2003 rugby World Cup final in Controversial women’s Sydney, Jones’ Wallabies bowed to England 20-17 as Jonny Wilkinson kicked a drop goal in extra-time. “We showed plenty of courage duo wins China Open with the ball in hand and then when we defended without the SHANGHAI: Chinese women’s In women’s singles, Chinese ball,” Jones said, according to doubles team Yu Yang and Wang Olympic champion Li Xuerui the Japan Rugby Football Union Xiaoli won the China Open yes- beat Ratchanok Inthanon of website. terday in their first tournament Thailand 21-12, 21-9, while in the “The mental courage was together since being booted out all Chinese men’s singles final top- shown by our desire to attack of the Olympics in a playing- seed Chen Long edged compatriot from our own goal line.” to-lose scandal that rocked the Wang Zhengming 21-19, 21-18. Ono’s decisive drop goal and London Games. In men’s doubles, top seeds Hirotoki Onozawa’s try in time The second-seeded pair bested Mathias Boe and Carsten added on in the first half both No. 6 seeds Miyuki Maeda and Mogensen of Denmark beat Ko came from quick tap penalties Satoko Suetsuna 21-19, 14-7 after Sung-Hyun and Lee Yong-Dae of close to the Japan line. the Japanese duo retired from the South Korea 21-15, 21-14. “We were physically out- match when Suetsuna indicated Ko and Lee were newly matched manned. They were better in the she could not continue due to pain after Lee’s former partner retired scrums and the line-outs but we Qatar National Badminton coach, Manoj Sahibjan (back row, fourth right), along with other coaches pose for in her back following a fall. following the Olympics. still won so it is not a bad achieve- a picture. Sahibjan is one of the ten coaches from the GCC region who have passed the Badminton World Yu called it a “good restart” for Yu and Wang were were among ment,” Jones said. “You have got Federation (BWF) Level 1 Coaching Course held in Bahrain recently. The nine-day basic training programme the pair. eight players disqualified from to admire the players.” was hosted by the Bahrain Badminton and Squash Federation (BB&SF) at Sheikh Khalifa Stadium, Bahrain. “We have won many titles the 2012 Olympics this year for After the two wins, the Brave Trainers, coaches and teachers from Qatar, Libya, Jordan and Saudi Arabia besides Bahrain took part in the before, but we’re extremely happy attempting to drop round-robin Blossoms will take on a Basque course. Sahibjan said the course will definitely help him to develop the game at the school level and at the with this one. It is a huge boost to games in a bid to secure a favour- select team next Wednesday and our confidence,” China’s Xinhua able quarter-final draw. the French Barbarians four days national level. news agency quoted her as saying. AFP later. AFP MONDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2012 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Cook and Prior come to England’s rescue again

AHMEDABAD: A brilliant first innings, England put on a 141-run partnership between Scoreboard much better show in the second. skipper Alistair Cook and Matt Pragyan Ojha (2/102) and India (I innings): ...... 521/8 decl Prior helped England wipe out Zaheer Khan (1/38) struck for England (I innings): ...... 191 the deficit and score 340 for five India in the morning session. England (II innings): at the end of play on the fourth England, who resumed the day A Cook (batting) ...... 168 day of the first cricket Test at at 111 for none, lost Nick Compton N Compton lbw Khan ...... 37 the Sardar Patel Stadium, in (37), Jonathan Trott (17) and J Trott c Dhoni b Ojha ...... 17 Motera, here yesterday. Kevin Pietersen (2). K Pietersen b Ojha ...... 2 Cook (batting 168) and Prior Compton was the first to go, I Bell lbw Yadav ...... 22 (batting 84) led England’s fight- adding only five more runs to his S Patel lbw Yadav ...... 0 back as the visitors took a 10-run overnight score. Zaheer took his M Prior (batting) ...... 84 lead. second wicket of the match and Extras (B-4, LB-6) ...... 10 England looked headed for an his first in the second innings, Total (for 5 wkts) ...... 340 innings defeat when the pair met trapping the 29-year-old plumb To bat: SCJ Broad, TT Bresnan, GP Swann, with the score on 199 for five. in front of the wicket. JM Anderson. Both batted patiently, manag- Trott was coaxed by an Ojha Fall of wickets: 1-123 , 2-156, 3-160, ing to negate any threat from ball that spun viciously and 4-199, 5-199. India’s spin twin Pragyan Ojha bounced and was caught behind Bowling: U T Yadav 19-1-60-2; P P Ojha (2/102) and Ravichandran Ashwin by India skipper Mahendra Singh 44-13-102-2; R Ashwin 41-9-104-0; V Se- (0/104) -- the later going wicket- Dhoni. Pietersen’s woeful form hwag 1-0-1-0; Z Khan 18-3-38-1; S R Ten- New Zealand’s Tim Southee (second left) celebrates with team-mates after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka’s Thilan less in the day. against the spinners continued dulkar 1-0-8-0; Yuvraj Singh 4-0-17-0. Samaraweera during the second day of their first Test match in Galle, yesterday. The pitch slowed down fur- as he once again fell to the guile ther with the ball taking very of Ojha. Pietersen walked too far slow turn and giving the batsmen The visitors lost Ian Bell (22) across the stumps and tried to ample opportunity to play late. and Samit Patel (0) in post-lunch sweep a full ball only to be castled. Ashwin was not patient enough session, both departing on suc- Ojha continued his dream run and tried too hard to get a wicket cessive balls off speedster Umesh in the Test taking his wicket-tally Southee leads New -- though the lanky spinner Yadav (2/60). to seven in the match even as bowled in good areas, beating the Following-on after India had Ashwin failed to make an impact. bat on more than one occasion. bowled them out for 191 in the IANS Zealand fightback Proteas’ bowlers must Jaya helps Sri Lanka gain slender lead do better: De Villiers GALLE, Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene cracked an Scoreboard ADELAIDE, Australia: South Villiers said. “We still created impressive 91 to lead Sri Africa have learned lessons chances... we just didn’t take Lanka’s fightback on an absorb- New Zealand (I innings): ...... 221 Total (all out) ...... 247 from the drawn first Test and them, which is a bit of a worry. ing second day of the opening Sri Lanka ( Iinnings): Fall of wickets: 1-2 2-9 3-18 4-20 5-50 are looking for their star bowl- “But at the end of the day Test against New Zealand in Paranavitana b Southee ...... 0 6-206 7-215 8-229 9-242 10-247. ers to lead the way in this week’s you’re not always going to bowl a Galle yesterday. Karunaratne lbw Southee ...... 0 Bowling: Boult 16.2-3-46-2 (nb-2), Southee Adelaide Test, wicketkeeper AB team out for 150, 200, you some- Sri Lanka were in deep trouble Randiv c Guptill b Southee ...... 9 18-4-46-4, Bracewell 16-1-67-0, Franklin 7-2- de Villiers said yesterday. times have to work hard. We beat at 50-5 following fast bowler Tim Sangakkara c McCullum b Boult ...... 5 16-1, Patel 23-7-55-3. The Proteas salvaged a draw the bat a hell of a lot... it looks Southee’s three-wicket burst in M Jayawardene c van Wyk b Patel ...... 91 New Zealand (II innings): under pressure by batting out 68 pretty but it’s not effective. the morning before posting 247 Samaraweera lbw Southee ...... 17 Guptill (batting) ...... 13 overs to finish the final day of the “For a really good bowling in their first innings in reply to Mathews c van Wyk b Franklin ...... 79 McCullum c Kulasekara b Herath ...... 13 Brisbane series-opener on 166 for attack to beat the bat that much New Zealand’s 221. P Jayawardene c Bracewell b Patel ...... 4 Williamson (batting) ...... 9 five, after trailing by 115 runs in but not get the results is disap- The tourists reached 35-1 in Kulasekara c&b Patel ...... 8 Total (for 1 wkt) ...... 35 the first innings. pointing, but what can you do, it’s their second innings at stumps Herath (not out) ...... 11 Fall of wicket: 1-18. “The bowlers can improve and millimetres we’re talking about. after losing hard-hitting opener Eranga c Bracewell b Boult ...... 4 Bowling: Kulasekara 4-0-17-0, Eranga 1-0-4- they know they can,” de Villiers “But I believe we will improve Brendon McCullum, caught by Extras (B-9, LB-8, NB-2) ...... 19 0, Herath 4-0-13-1, Randiv 1-0-1-0. told reporters. in this Test match, we have learnt Nuwan Kulasekara off left-arm “We had our chances, we had a lot of lessons.” spinner Rangana Herath who behind the game, but a brilliant Jayawardene and Mathews, for opportunities and we just didn’t De Villiers said he had no prob- was pressed into the attack after fightback by Mahela and Angelo 41 runs. take them. There were a lot of lems with his troublesome back three overs. got us right into the game,” said The tourists, who went wicket- edges and a lot of 50-50 chances which flared up before setting off The match is evenly poised at Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford. less in the afternoon, came back didn’t go our way.” on the Australian tour. this stage, with New Zealand nine “We would have been certainly strongly to take five wickets in The 78-Test veteran lamented “I felt really good in the first runs ahead with as many wickets happy for a bigger lead but again the last session, with off-spinner South Africa’s inability to press Test match, obviously I spent in hand. you can’t be greedy when you Jeetan Patel striking three times their advantage home after hav- quite a bit of time on the field,” Skipper Jayawardene and vice- are 20-4 and 50-5. Credit to New to finish with 3-55. ing Australia struggling at 40 for de Villiers said. captain Angelo Mathews (79) ear- Zealand who bowled fantastically “After a disappointing batting three in the first innings, only “They put us out in the field for lier propped up the innings with well up front, particularly with effort in the first innings, the Sri Lanka’s captain Mahela for the hosts to reach 565 for five quite a few hours and my body did a 156-run stand for the sixth the new ball.” bowlers had to step up and get us Jayawardene reacts as he walks declared. really well to go through that and wicket. The hosts looked like gaining back into the game. It’s an inexpe- off the field after his dismissal “When we had them three I think it did me extremely well, “It’s very even at the moment. a big lead when they reached rienced bowling attack and we did during the second day of the first down early on, I thought there to test it out and to see where I At one stage this morning it 206-5 but lost their last five wick- an outstanding job,” said Southee, Test against New Zealand in Galle, was an opportunity to really run am at at the moment.” looked like we were quite away ets, including those of well-set who finished with 4-46. AFP yesterday. through the batting line-up,” de AFP

Boxing: Viloria Don’t write off Nuerburgring for 2013: Owner stops Marquez FRANKFURT: The owner of Hell”, holds allure for F1 drivers to unify Germany’s Nuerburgring motor and viewers alike and it was the racing track has said the popu- scene of the 1976 fiery crash of lar Formula One venue could then reigning world champion flyweight titles still host the German Grand Niki Lauda, which almost killed Prix next year despite uncer- the Austrian. LOS ANGELES: Brian Viloria tainty linked to the track’s It is also used by automakers stopped Hernan Marquez in insolvency. including BMW and Toyota to the 10th round yesterday to The current operator NAG, test cars and amateur racers pay add Marquez’s World Boxing which has leased the facili- to take their sports cars on laps Association flyweight world ties from the owner, is in talks around the dangerous but exhila- title to his own World Boxing with F1 commercial boss Bernie rating circuit. Organisation belt. Ecclestone to secure the race and Nuerburgring managing Filipino-American Viloria keep him from awarding the July director Schmidt, who runs the knocked down Marquez with a event to Hockenheim - which company with an insolvency right late in round one and con- alternates each year with its rival. administrator, said he had met tinued to dominate the early “If the issue over whether there with Ecclestone in London, “but rounds. Mexico’s Marquez came will be a Formula One race at only to get to know one another”. alive in the fifth, unleashing a bat- Nuerburgring in 2013 is sorted out NAG, owned by hotelier Joerg tery of blows, but Viloria weath- by year-end, that would still be Lindner and real estate investor ered the storm and sent Marquez early enough,” Thomas Schmidt, Kai Richter, for now remains at to the canvas again. the managing director of track the negotiation table with the F1 “I knew it looked bad but I owner Nuerburgring GmbH, said. supremo. wasn’t hurt,” Viloria said. Nuerburgring GmbH - 90 Even though Schmidt is relying “I knew he was going to get percent owned by the German on NAG’s fortune to secure the tired.” regional state where the track is race, he is fighting for NAG’s lease When Viloria sent Marquez based - ran into financial trou- to expire by year-end. down a third time in the 10th with ble amid a dispute with operator Apart from the spat over the a left to the head, Marquez’s cor- NAG over leasing fees. lease payments, he is keen for ner threw in the towel and the The German state of NAG to cede the operating licence referee stopped the bout at 1:01 Rhineland-Palatinate has sought because NAG itself plans to bid of the round. to restructure the company for the track when it is put up for Spanish Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Scuderia Ferrari during the third training session at the Circuit “I think my left hook was too with the help of a bridge financ- auction in February or March and of the Americas, in Austin, Texas , USA, yesterday. fast for him,” said Viloria, who ing package but EU competition that could be seen as an unfair had won the WBO title with a regulators in August stepped up advantage in the bidding. victory over Julio Cesar Miranda their investigation into state aid. “We have to sell the Ring in “We have agreed with NAG for an overtaking infringement. team-mate, was handed a five in July 2011. Viloria, coming off a The state is under pressure to a pan-European, transparent to plan for 2013 regardless of Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso will place penalty that drops him from technical knockout victory over make the track pay after pouring and discrimination-free auction. our dispute. Next year is shap- start the United States Grand sixth to 11th. Mexico’s Omar Romero in the millions of euros into a racing- Otherwise the buyer could face ing up to be a good year for the Prix from seventh on the grid, The team admitted it was Philippines on May 13, stretched themed amusement park there. EU demands for repayment of Nuerburgring,” Schmidt said. and on the cleaner side of the cir- a pragmatic decision taken in his winning streak to six fights Nuerburgring, located in a subsidies,” Schmidt said. Germany’s Formula world cuit, after his Ferrari team made Alonso’s best interests because since a defeat to Carlos Tamara in rural area about 120 km north- But the two quarrelling par- champion Sebastian Vettel has a strategic decision to break the it gives him an improved chance 2010. He took his record to 32-3 west of Frankfurt, is adjacent to ties will put their differences yet to win his home grand prix seal on Felipe Massa’s gearbox. of catching Vettel, who starts the with 19 wins inside the distance, the famous Nordschleife circuit. aside when it comes to persuad- and was stripped of second As a result Brazilian Massa, race from pole position. while Marquez fell to 34-3 with 25 That track, dubbed “the Green ing Ecclestone. place at Hockenheim this year who had out-qualifed his Spanish AGENCIES knockouts. AFP MONDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2012 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Lippi seals Eljaish crush Al Arabi 3-0 league, cup double at QSL: Soria on scoresheet as Lekhwiya beat Qatar SC; Umm Salal win Guangzhou DOHA: Wagner Ribeiro scored two goals as Eljaish cruised to GUANGZHOU, China: a 3-0 victory over Al Arabi in Marcello Lippi has completed the Qatar Stars League (QSL) a league and cup double after yesterday. Guangzhou Evergrande beat In other QSL matches, Umm Guizhou Renhe yesterday to Salal beat Al Sailiyah 3-2 in a win the Chinese FA Cup. thrilling match at Ahmed Bin Ali After drawing the first leg Stadium. 1-1 in Guizhou, Chinese Super Also, defending champions League side Guangzhou won the Lekhwiya beat Qatar SC 2-0. second leg 4-2 at a packed Tianhe Eljaish’s coach Razvan Lucescu Stadium in their home city, a did not have to wait long for his result which saw Lippi win only team to score. his second honour outside his In the eighth minute, Martins native Italy. Adriano converted a penalty, Lippi opened his overseas’ hon- after being fouled by an Al Arabi ours account after winning the defender, who received a yellow Chinese domestic league title with card. Guangzhou two weeks ago, hav- The Eljaish striker calmly ing joined it as coach in a multi- struck the ball in the bottom right million dollar deal in May. hand corner, sending Al Arabi’s He coached Italy to the 2006 goalkeeper Masoud Zareie the World Cup championship. wrong way. Guangzhou opened the scoring The home side continued to in the first minute, thanks to a press forward, creating numer- stunning overhead kick by former ous chances. Borussia Dortmund striker Lucas In the 26th minute, Eljaish Barrios. midfielder Ribeiro doubled his Chinese national team defender team’s lead with a glorious right- Zhang Linpeng added a second for footed shot from the edge of the Guangzhou just before half-time. penalty area. In the second half Spanish Receiving a short pass from his striker Rafa Jorda pulled one team-mate, the Brazilian struck Mohammed Ali (left) of Lekhwiya attempts to pass the ball despite the challenge of his Qatar SC opponent during their Qatar Stars League (QSL) match back for Guizhou, but Barrios the ball which gave Zareie no at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium, yesterday. RIGHT: Sebastian Soria celebrates after scoring the first goal in the 1-0 win against Qatar SC at the same venue. again scored in the 65th minute chance of saving. Three more QSL matches take place today. Al Gharafa vs Al Khor, Al Sadd vs Al Wakrah and Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Rayyan. to make it 3-1 to Guangzhou. Al Arabi tried to get back into In an action-packed cli- the game, but Lucescu’s side was max, Dario Conca scored to winning the battle in midfield. Mossaab El Hassan, the mid- As Eljaish continued to domi- season with goals from Sebastian put Guangzhou 4-1 up in the Five minutes from half-time, fielder passed the ball to Ribeiro nate in the second half, Al Arabi Soria and Nam Tae-Hee. Soria, QSL Fixtures 90th minute, before Rao Weihui Adriano nearly got his second goal who slotted the ball past Zareie. had no answer, losing the midfield who scored the winning goal for secured a consolation goal in the of the game. The goal piled on more mis- battle. Qatar in their World Cup qualifier and Results dying seconds to make the final Beating his opponent with pace ery for Al Arabi coach Hassan In the 60th minute, Adriano against Lebanon on Wednesday, score 4-2. and strength, the striker lashed a Shehata who took over earlier nearly scored his second of the opened the proceedings in the Yesterday’s Results Guangzhou won the cup 5-3 on low shot that was was brilliantly this season. game, but Al Arabi defender first half. Eljaish 3 Al Arabi 0 aggregate. saved by Zareie. The goalkeeper In stoppage time, Ribeiro Mabolo Baba Ketia intervened to South Korea’s Tae-Hee doubled Lekhwiya 2 Qatar SC 0 Despite their defeat, Guizhou got his fingertips and deflected nearly grabbed his hat-trick, keep the score to 3-0. to lead in the second half. The Renhe -- who have been linked Umm Salal 3 Al Sailiyah 2 the ball onto the post. when Eljaish took advantage of an Despite Eljaish’s dominance, defending champions, coached by with Chelsea’s and England mid- However, three minutes later, counter attack, and the midfielder they were unable to add to their Eric Gerets have 13 points. Today’s Fixtures fielder Frank Lampard in recent Zareie had to pick up the ball slotted the ball past the Zareie. tally, thanks to the brilliant saves In other QSL action, Umm Al Gharafa vs Al Khor (4:00pm) weeks -- qualify for next year’s again from the net, as Eljaish However, his celebrations were by Zareie. Salal’s Otman Elassaras scored Asian Champion’s League by Al Sadd vs Al Wakrah (6:30pm) made it 3-0. short lived, when the lines-man Elsewhere, Lekhwiya won two goals to help his side win 3-2. virtue of finishing fourth in the With some good foot-work from raised his flag for off-side. their fourth match in QSL this THE PENINSULA AL Kharaitiyat vs Al Rayyan (6:30pm) Chinese Super League. AFP PSG are not a team yet, says Messi scores twice as coach Ancelloti

PARIS: Paris St Germain have Barcelona march on a lot of work ahead of them to play as a team rather than just MADRID: Barcelona pulled six a collection of players, coach points clear of Atletico Madrid Carlo Ancelotti said after the at the top of La Liga when Lionel Ligue 1 leaders slumped to a Messi netted his seventh double 2-1 defeat against Stade Rennes of the campaign and set up Alex late on Saturday. Song to open his account for the PSG, suffered their second club in a 3-1 success at home to straight home loss despite the Real Zaragoza late on Saturday. visitors being reduced to nine World Player of the Year Messi men early in the second half. took his league tally for the sea- The megarich capital club, who son to 17 with a pair of beautifully have not won in their last three executed finishes as unbeaten Lyon’s Argentinian forward Lisandro Lopez scores a goal during the French league games, had numerous Barca moved on to 34 points from L1 football match against Stade de Reims, at the Gerland Stadium in Lyon, chances to score but they wasted 12 matches. central-eastern France, yesterday. good positions by preferring to Atletico have 28 points ahead shoot rather than pass to team of their game at Granada, while mates. third-placed Real Madrid closed “I am here to build a team, to within two of their city rivals which we are not yet,” the Italian when they crushed visiting Lyon go top with coach told a news conference. Athletic Bilbao 5-1 in Saturday’s “It is not acceptable to play like late kickoff. we did tonight. It is not accept- After Jon Aurtenetxe’s early able to lose two home games in a own goal, Karim Benzema, Sergio victory over Reims row. Some things will change for Ramos, Mesut Ozil and Sami Barcelona’s forward Pedro Rodriguez (left) congratulates his team-mate the next games,” he added. Khedira were on target for Real Argentinian forward Lionel Messi after scoring against Real Zaragoza PARIS: Lyon moved provision- suspended Swedish striker Zlatan “It is a huge disappointment. as Jose Mourinho’s side continued at the Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona late on Saturday. ally out in front in the French Ibrahimovic but coach Carlo We are not a solid team yet, we their recovery from a poor start league title race yesterday after Ancelotti, whose side have now do not have a good attitude. Our to their title defence with a sev- a 3-0 home win over promoted dropped eight points from their problem was psychological. Some enth win in eight games. pass and clipped the ball into the over from Pep Guardiola at the Reims and after previous lead- past three games, said there could things will change.” AFP Real have now put 19 goals past bottom corner. end of last season, is the first ers Paris Saint Germain had be no excuses. Bilbao in their last four league Zaragoza, who haven’t won at to lead a side to 11 wins in their slumped Saturday to a home “It’s incredible - we didn’t meetings at the Bernabeu and the Barca in almost half a century, opening 12 La Liga matches since loss to nine-man Rennes. have a good attitude out there. Ronaldo is now big surprise of the night was that pulled a goal back eight minutes Radomir Antic achieved the feat An Anthony Weber own goal on Something will change - the atti- Cristiano Ronaldo failed to add later when a Francisco Montanes with Real in 1991-92. the stroke of half-time set Lyon, tude of the players will change. unbuyable, says to his 12 La Liga goals this term. shot took a slight deflection off “The players made a big effort who won all of their seven league I am very annoyed,” said the The former Manchester United Carles Puyol, back in central and you noticed they were tired crowns consecutively between Italian. boss Ferguson forward returned to action after defence after injury, and flew past after long trips to play with their 2002 and 2008, on their way and Yesterday, brought reports suffering a gash above his left Victor Valdes. national teams,” Vilanova told a Bafetimbi Gomis, who struck the that the capital club, may be eye in last weekend’s 2-1 win at Cameroon midfielder Song, who news conference. winner for France in midweek ready to jettison Javier Pastore, LONDON: Manchester United Levante that forced his with- joined from Arsenal in the close “Leo is decisive and the great in their friendly away to Italy, bought for 40m euros but who is manager Alex Ferguson has drawal from the Portugal squad season, thumped a Messi pullback teams have great players, but he hit the clincher with 17 minutes woefully short of form. AFP admitted he would be happy to play in Gabon midweek. through a crowd of players into doesn’t win games on his own,” he remaining. for Cristiano Ronaldo to return Messi, who also netted a hat- the net to restore Barca’s lead in added of Messi. Argentinian striker Lisandro French League Results to the club but believes the trick at Deportivo Coruna last the 28th minute and Messi curled Malaga extended their winless added the gloss with the third in Yesterday Portuguese forward is now month, opened the scoring in the in his second to kill off the game run in La Liga to three matches the final minute with his fifth goal “unbuyable”. 16th minute at the Nou Camp on the hour. when they were held to a 0-0 Nice 1 Toulouse 0 of the campaign. Ronaldo remains a popular fig- when he picked up Jordi Alba’s It was his 78th goal of 2012 for draw at struggling Osasuna. The three points moved Lyon Lyon 3 Reims 0 ure at United, but Ferguson con- club and country - 66 for Barca Manuel Pellegrini’s side, who provisionally two points clear of Saturday cedes it is unlikely the 27-year-old and 12 for Argentina - and he is are through to the last 16 of the PSG, who were lethergic in the Paris SG 1 Rennes 2 will ever return. Spanish League closing in on the record for a cal- Champions League with two extreme on Saturday in bowing Ferguson said: “I’d like to think endar year of 85 set by German games to spare, stay fourth on 19 2-1 to a Rennes side who had Ajaccio 0 Sochaux 1 it would be, but I don’t think it Results Gerd Mueller in 1972. points but Real Betis and Levante Benoit Costil and Cameroon mid- Evian 2 Saint-Etienne 2 will happen. Real Madrid 5 Athletic Bilbao 1 Barca, who play at Spartak can climb above them on Sunday fielder Jean II Makoun dismissed Troyes 3 Nancy 3 “You’re talking about incred- Barcelona 3 Real Zaragoza 1 Moscow in the Champions League with wins at Sevilla and Deportivo in quick succession but who held Brest 3 Bastia 0 ible amounts of money now. What Osasuna 0 Malaga 0 tomorrow, have dropped points Coruna respectively. on after Julien Feret’s freekick would you think his value would only once in La Liga this term, a Roberto Soldado’s 89th-minute Valenciennes 1 Montpellier 1 Valencia 2 Espanyol 1 before the reak proved to be the be? He’s definitely unbuyable,” the 2-2 draw at home to Real. penalty gave erratic Valencia a Playing today winner. Friday Manchester United coach said to Saturday’s win means new much-needed 2-1 success at home PSG were missing Lorient 2 Lille 0 reporters. AFP Real Sociedad vs Rayo Vallecano coach Tito Vilanova, who took to Espanyol. REUTERS Monday 19 November 2012 5 Muharram 1434 Volume 17 Number 5523 Sport Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Czech Republic win Davis Cup Stepanek stuns Spain’s Almagro in decisive rubber to give Czechs a rare double

PRAGUE: The Czech Republic “There are no words to say. won the Davis Cup after Radek Undescribable. This is the best Stepanek stunned Spain’s thing that can be,” said Tomas Nicolas Almagro in the decisive Berdych, his teammate. rubber of the 100th final here In yesterday’s key rubber, a wild yesterday. home crowd of more than 14,000 Stepanek, the world number fans was all that Stepanek needed 37, beat 11th-ranked Almagro 6-4, to shake off the fatigue from 7-6 (7/0), 3-6, 6-3 in three hours Friday’s singles and Saturday’s and 52 minutes in a clash of the doubles. teams’ number-two players on the His game against a rested hardcourt of Prague’s O2 Arena. Almagro went with serve until The Czech Republic lifted Stepanek capitalised on a single their first Davis Cup since gain- set point to break the Spaniard ing independence following a 1993 for a 6-4 win in the first set. split with Slovakia. The former “I came on the court with a Czechoslovakia won the trophy mindset that I have to stay calm, in 1980. hungry, motivated, concentrated, The victory has also handed the and always know what I’m doing. Czechs a rare team double after And that’s what I did,” Stepanek their women lifted the Fed Cup said. here two weeks ago -- a feat last The crowd got even louder as achieved by the United States in Stepanek, combining patience 1990. with aggressivity, pulled off a “It’s amazing, we’ve written series of winning volleys as he history here in our country,” a came back from 4-2 down in the jubilant Stepanek said after the second set. game. He failed to convert four set “I cannot describe what I’m points but then thrashed Almagro feeling right now,” added the 7-0 in the tiebreak. 33-year-old. “I played very aggressive today, I didn’t want to leave anything behind, I wanted to be the one Davis Cup Results who is active, who is controlling PRAGUE: Davis Cup final the game,” Stepanek said. results here yesterday: Almagro fought back and held on to his serve to take the third Czech Republic’s Davis Cup team (from left) Ivo Minar, Lukas Rosol, Radek Stepanek, Tomas Berdych and captain Jaroslav Navratil pose with the trophy Czech Republic 3 Spain 2 set. after winning the Davis Cup final match against Spain in Prague, yesterday. Czech Republic defeated Spain 3-2. David Ferrer (ESP) bt Tomas Berdych (CZE) 6-2, But Stepanek, red hot and pro- 6-3, 7-5 pelled by the crowd, refused to Radek Stepanek (CZE) bt Nicolas Almagro (ESP) bow and took the fourth and deci- to a slow start, losing his open- early in the second set for a 3-0 Davis Cup,” said Ferrer. Berdych In Saturday’s doubles rub- 6-4, 7-6 (7/0), 3-6, 6-3 sive set after breaking Almagro’s ing service game in the first set lead that prompted Berdych to said he was upset he had failed to ber, Berdych and Stepanek beat Played Friday serve once again. and then another to let Ferrer, take a bathroom break. decide the tie. Marcel Granollers and Marc David Ferrer (ESP) bt Radek Stepanek (CZE) In yesterday’s first match, 30, move ahead without too much But even that did not help - “In Davis Cup this year, I have Lopez 3-6, 7-5, 7-5, 6-3 for their 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 Spain’s David Ferrer beat Berdych trouble. Berdych was flat and allowed lost only one rubber and it was 12th victory in Davis Cup doubles Tomas Berdych (CZE) bt Nicolas Almagro (ESP) in straight sets. “I played very focused, very Ferrer to gain the upper hand in the last one,” he said. against a single loss. 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3. Ferrer, the world number five, aggressive, I started really good long exchanges and finally take On Friday, Ferrer beat Spain, who had won the Davis Played Saturday needed just two hours and 25 and maybe that was the key,” the second and third sets too. Stepanek 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 and Cup three times in the past five minutes to see off sixth-ranked Ferrer said, praising his first “It’s very difficult to beat Tomas Berdych then put the Czechs level years, were missing world number Tomas Berdych/Radek Stepanek (CZE) bt Marcel Berdych 6-2, 6-3, 7-5. serve and forehand. in three sets but I played one of after beating Almagro 6-3, 3-6, four Rafael Nadal, who is recover- Granollers/Marc Lopez (ESP) 3-6, 7-5, 7-5, 6-3 The 27-year-old Berdych got off Ferrer broke Berdych’s serve the best matches of my career in 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3. ing from a knee injury. AFP

Lee nominated Sunderland find scoring for Asia player touch to beat Fulham of the year KUALA LUMPUR: Ulsan LONDON: Sunderland reg- Johnson’s fine, sweeping cross Hyundai’s Lee Keun-Ho and istered their first Premier English Premier freeing Fletcher to toe the ball four others will vie for the Asian League away win since February past Mark Schwarzer. player of the year award, the and ended a run of five games League Results Petric came on for the injured Asian Football Confederation without victory by overcoming Bryan Ruiz and lifted a chance announced yesterday. 10-man Fulham 3-1 yesterday. LONDON: English Premier over the bar shortly after making Iran’s Ali Karimi, the 2004 AFC Brede Hangeland was sent off League result yesterday: his entrance, while at the other player of the year, and the Iran for Fulham after half an hour, Fulham 1 (Petric 62) Sunderland 3 (Fletcher 50, end, Schwarzer produced a full- national team’s Mohsen Bengar but although Steven Fletcher’s Cuellar 65, Sessegnon 70) stretch save to repel Johnson’s are also among those nominated, opener for the visitors was can- Playing today curler. Asian football’s governing body celled out by Mladen Petric, goals West Ham vs Stoke (2000GMT) Fulham drew level a minute said in a statement. from Carlos Cuellar and Stephane Played Saturday later, Petric steering the ball into The other two are Socceroo Sessegnon gave Sunderland the the roof of the net from inside the defender Lucas Neill of Australia Arsenal 5 (Mertesacker 24, Podolski 42, win. six-yard box after Duff drilled a and Guangzhou Evergrande’s Giroud 45, Cazorla 60, Walcott 90) Tottenham With 10 goals to their name, low cross across the face of goal defender Zheng Zhi of China. 2 (Adebayor 10, Bale 71) Martin O’Neill’s side are no from the left. Lee, a winger for South Korea’s Liverpool 3 (Suarez 47, 58, Enrique 65) Wigan 0 longer the lowest-scoring team The teams were not level for national team, helped Ulsan out of England’s 92 league clubs. Man City 5 (Silva 43, Aguero 54-pen, 67, Tevez long, however, with Spanish Hyundai win the AFC Champions Victory lifted the Black Cats 65-pen, 74) Aston Villa 0 centre-back Cuellar heading League for the first time this year. above Wigan Athletic into 15th Newcastle 1 (Ba 90) Swansea 2 (Michu 58, Sunderland back into the lead The women’s player of the year place, three points above the rele- De Guzman 87) from Johnson’s corner only three award will go to a Japanese, with gation zone, while Fulham remain Norwich 1 (Pilkington 60) Man Utd 0 minutes later to register his first all three nominees coming from ninth. QPR 1 (Hoilett 49) Southampton 3 (Lambert 23, goal for the club. the Japan national team. Dimitar Berbatov headed wide Puncheon 45, Ferdinand 83-og) Sessegnon put daylight between They are captain Homare from Damien Duff’s cross after Reading 2 (Le Fondre 51, 79-pen) Everton 1 the teams with a superb goal Sawa, last year’s winner Aya five minutes at Craven Cottage, (Naismith 10) in the 70th minute, rolling his Miyama and Nadeshiko striker but the first half was a sleepy West Brom 2 (Long 10, Odemwingie 50) marker and unleashing a glorious Yuki Ogimi. Sawa won the FIFA affair until Hangeland was sent Chelsea 1 (Hazard 39) strike from 25 yards that found Women’s World Player of the Year off by referee Lee Probert. the net via the inside of the right- award last year. The Norwegian was shown a of play tipped the balance of the hand post. For Asian international player straight red card for jumping in match in Sunderland’s favour Fletcher was denied a second of the year -- a new category -- two-footed on Lee Cattermole -- after five minutes of the second goal by the assistant referee’s flag, nominations went to Fulham’s himself no stranger to full-blooded period. while Sunderland were indebted Fulham’s Bulgarian forward Dimitar Berbatov (right) vies for the ball with goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer of challenges -- and despite Fulham Fulham left-back John Arne to goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, Sunderland’s Swedish midfielder Sebastian Larsson during the English Australia, Manchester United’s coach Martin Jol’s incredulous Riise hit the Sunderland bar with who saved brilliantly from Steve Premier League football match at Craven Cottage in London, yesterday. Japanese midfielder Shinji Kagawa reaction, the decision was correct. a deflected shot but Sunderland Sidwell and Petric to preserve the Sunderland ended a run of five games without victory by overcoming and Inter Milan’s defender Yuto A pivotal 14-second passage broke quickly, with Adam visitors’ two-goal cushion. AFP 10-man Fulham 3-1. Nagatomo, also from Japan. AFP