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Wednesday 5 December 2012 21 Muharram 1434 - Volume 17 Number 5539 Price: QR2

Qatar Holding India hope raises stake in to restore QE to 88pc pride

Business | 25 Sport | 34

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Take on climate change: Emir HMC official grilled over Developing nations called on to honour commitments alleged medical errors BY MOHAMED IQBAL & Al Maslamani rejected the BY SATISH KANADY MOHAMMED OSMAN criticism saying, “I am heading this committee and I can say it DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh DOHA: A senior Qatari offi- is functioning with full neutrality Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani cial of the Hamad Medical and without any bias”. “There is has called for urgent need for Corporation (HMC) was grilled no clear-cut definition for medi- international cooperation and by citizens at a popular pro- cal errors. Only a specialised multilateral global action to gramme on Qatar Radio yes- committee can take decision on counter the risk of climate terday, who raised doubts about such complaints. We also have change. Negotiating process the neutrality of the HMC com- to differentiate between medical on climate change convention mittee investigating medical mistakes and side effects of the should emanate from a sense of errors and narrated more sto- medicines,” the official said, in his global unity and collective ini- ries of alleged medical mistakes introductory remarks. tiative, he said while address- committed by HMC doctors. Surgical procedures also have ing the opening ceremony of the Dr Yousuf Al Maslamani, head medical complications which high-level segment of COP18/ of the Medical Complications can lead to death. “However, CMP8 here yesterday. Committee at the HMC that any unnatural development in The session was attended by is responsible for investigat- patient’s situation is subject to H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, ing complaints about medical investigation even if there are the Heir Apparent H H Sheikh errors was hosted by Watanee no complaints. Once we receive a Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Al Habeeb- Sabah Al Khair complaint, we set up an investi- the Prime Minister and Foreign (Good Morning My Beloved gating committee,” he added. Minister H E Sheikh Hamad Country) programme of Qatar The committee can take sup- bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani, Radio, after it a received a volley port from technicians, engineers COP18/CMP8 President H E of complaints from citizens and and specialists and if the issue Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah, residents over the past few days is related to medicines it would UN Secretary-General Ban related to medical mistakes at seek support from pharmacy Ki-moon, UNFCCC Executive the HMC hospitals. specialists. Secretary Christiana Figueres, “The committee you have is not “Investigation results are and Kuwait Emir H H Sheikh The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser with UN Secretary-General neutral and all its members are always transferred to the Medical Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Ban Ki-moon at the COP18 Gala Dinner held at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha yesterday. MAHER ATTAR from the same hospital. So you Complication Committee which Sabah, and Vuk Jeremic, President don’t come out with the right I am heading and this commit- of the UN General Assembly. planet earth. The responsibility developing countries. He also acceptable to decide solutions for results. That is why I propose tee will decide whether the issue Addressing the session that for reaching a practical and effec- called for finding a solution that it at the expense of development… to set up a neutral committee in question is a medical mistake, saw leaders highlighting the tive agreement is a collective obli- balances between the energy therefore no country would be headed by foreigners and expert medical complication or a normal risk from climate change in a sin- gation that falls on the shoulders needs of countries, and the neces- able to find a haven in the past professors. Those who make mis- error,” said Al Maslamani. gle voice, the Emir underscored of all of us, he said. sity of reducing global warming. theories of ‘isolationism’ because takes should be punished. It is “We have found that 90 percent the need for reaching the right The Emir encouraged the “The negative effects of climate the causes of environmental dam- not enough to issue a warning to of the cases are medical complica- equilibrium between the develop- developed countries to honour change are extremely grave on the age have no borders,” he said. someone who has caused a death,” tions. The medical errors are only ment goals of the countries and their commitments, in terms tracks of sustainable development Continued on page 9 said a caller, who introduced him- 10 percent,” he added. their commitment to protect the of providing support to the aspired by all, and it would not be See also pages 8 & 9 self as Abu Mohammed. Continued on page 4 Egypt president Expats remit QR47.5bn in 2011 leaves palace BY MOBIN PANDIT This is, arguably, the first time the banking as protests rage regulator has released remittance figures in some DOHA: Remittances routed by foreign work- detail — in its 35th Annual Report made public ers overseas stood at an incredible QR47.5bn last week. As expected, the main destination of CAIRO: Egyptian police battled ($13bn) in 2011, with India topping the list of remittance outflows was the Asian region account- thousands of protesters outside 10 largest recipient countries, official figures ing for more than half (53.7 percent) of the total. President Mohammed Mursi’s suggest. The Arab world had a share of barely 28.3 percent palace here yesterday, prompting Remittance volumes grew almost 27 percent in the total. the Islamist leader to leave the last year, from QR37.4bn ($10.24bn) in 2010, The Americas, with a regional share of 7.6 per- building, presidency sources said. Qatar Central Bank (QCB) statistics for 2011 cent in the total money outflows, stood third, Officers fired teargas at up to released recently reflect. The Philippines, with elbowing Europe, for the first time, behind with 10,000 demonstrators angered by a large number of expatriates, trailed India on a 7.4 percent share. India and the Philippines Mursi’s drive to hold a referendum the list as the second largest recipient of money together received more than 72 percent of the on a new constitution on December transfers made from here. total workers’ remittances. 15. Some broke through police lines Interestingly, on the third spot was the US, Citing the national statistics office — Qatar around his palace and protested while Egypt and the neighbouring UAE ranked Statistics Authority (QSA ) — the banking regu- next to the perimeter wall. fourth and fifth, respectively. Nepal, Bangladesh, lator said in its 2011 annual report that foreign The crowds had gathered nearby the UK, Pakistan and Sri Lanka were the other workers’ population reached 1.2 million last year. in what organisers had dubbed “last countries figuring on the list. Continued on page 4 warning” protests against Mursi, who infuriated opponents with a November 22 decree that expanded his powers. “The people want the downfall of the regime,” the dem- onstrators chanted. “The president Justice Ministry launches website left the palace,” a presidential source told Reuters. A security source at the presidency also said DOHA: The Ministry of Justice yesterday access to laws and legal amendments. the president had departed. launched a website in English and Arabic and He said talks are underway between Qatar Riot police at the palace faced posted on it, among other things, all the laws and and the Library of US Congress for the transfer off against activists chant- court verdicts passed in the country since 1961. of Global Legal Information Network (GLIN) ing “leave, leave” and holding Expatriates, especially, would find the website noting that its executive office has found that Egyptian flags with “no to the valuable as all Qatari laws, including the one that Qatar is one of the strongest candidates for the constitution” written on them. regulates rent, are translated into English and link. The US officials are currently here for talks. Protesters later surrounded the posted there. The portal also aims to implement the policy palace. Egypt’s most widely-read H E Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanem, the of open access to the public, increasing gov- independent newspapers did not Minister of Justice, told reporters after formally ernment organs’ transparency, indexing and publish yesterday in protest at launching the website at the ministry premises, publishing of all legal information in the state Mursi’s “dictatorship”. Banks the website is titled ‘Al Mizan’ (Scale). and making them available to a large number of closed early to let staff go home It is a sophisticated website which differs from citizens and residents, government institutions safely in case of trouble. the previous sites as it is user-friendly, particu- and foreign investors. Full story on page 17 larly, for researchers as well as provides easy Continued on page 5

WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2012 HOME 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Emir, Heir Apparent perform Istisqaa Prayer Heir Apparent meets Ethiopian PM

DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani joined the faithful worshippers in performing the Istisqaa prayer (rain-seeking prayer) at Al Wajbah prayer ground yes- terday, in line with the Sunnah of the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him). The Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the Special Adviser to the Emir, H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani also took part in the prayer. A number of Their Excellencies Sheikhs and Ministers also performed the prayer. In a sermon after the prayer, Dr Sheikh Thaqeel bin Sayer Al Shammari, the Judge at the Cassation Court and The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and the Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani member of the Supreme Judicial with other dignitaries performing the Istisqaa prayer at Al Wajbah prayer ground yesterday. Council, urged the worshippers to repent, pray for Allah for- Meanwhile, thousands of country in special prayers seek- were held under instructions The Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with the giveness and ask for rain in line Muslim students from private ing rains (Salat Al Istisqaa) held from the Supreme Education Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegne at the Emiri Diwan with the Sunnah of the Prophet and Independent schools joined in their premises yesterday Council. yesterday. The Ethiopian Premier is in Doha to take part in the UN Mohammad (PBUH). worshippers from all over the morning. The prayers at schools THE PENINSULA/QNA Climate Change Conference (COP18). Money transferred to 190 countries: QCB Continued from page 1 percent in 2011. Some 85 percent remittance business, with a two- Erring doctors will not “Remittances are part of sav- of the remittances were routed in thirds market share. ings of the expatriate populations the national currency of the final QCB figures show that remit- and continuous growth in their destination. tances have been growing steadily numbers reflects positive in the The QCB said it started a por- over the past several years, more rise in money transfer volumes,” tal system last year and it noticed than doubling since 2007, when the be named: HMC official the QCB said. that money was transferred to as volumes totalled only QR20.59bn The ratio of the money outflow many as 190 destinations across ($5.64bn). But foreign workers’ Continued from page 1 told me they will investigate the to Qatar’s gross domestic prod- the world by 2011-end. Exchange population was also low at 768,000 He said, in many cases, it is dif- issue. uct (GDP) stood at a high of 7.5 firms continue to dominate the in that year. THE PENINSULA ficult to identify who is responsi- “He took my telephone number ble for the mistake. For example, and promised to call me back. I a doctor who wrote the right didn’t receive any call and I went prescription may make a mistake again to meet Maslamani but his in the dose of the medicine. But secretary told me that he was in a this should be corrected by the meeting. After that I didn’t hear pharmacist and then there is the anything about it from the HMC,” nurse. said Abdul Aziz. “In such cases, who you would At one point the presenter hold responsible,” asked Al intervened and told the official Maslamani, adding that errors in that “ we don’t hear any reports prescriptions form only one per about doctors in Qatar punished cent of the total medical errors. for medical errors or the patients His comments were followed compensated.” by a question- answer session, in Dr Yousuf Al Maslamani, Chief of “ We are ready to do what the which many callers sought clari- Medical Staff at the Hamad General people want. But let us know fication over what they had expe- Hospital. what they want. Should we work rienced from some HMC doctors. according to the system in the A woman, who identified her- US or in Qatar… In the US, if self as Umm Raneen said she had blockage before it got complicated there is a medical error, the hos- a repeated miscarriage and the “I told the doctor several times pital will be responsible, not the doctors at HMC conducted many about the urine blockage but doctor. You have to differentiate tests but they could not identify they left him for three days since between compensation, punish- the reason. a simple operation could have ment and corrective measures,” “All the doctors told me that solved the problem. After three said Maslamani, responding to his they were not finding any prob- days, his liver and kidneys were comments. lem. Where will I go now and damaged he died because of that,” He clarified that as a policy where can I get treatment,” she said Abdullah. matter, HMC will not announce asked. Reacting to this, Al Maslamani the names of the doctors who are Al Maslamani said the doctors said this was a serious complaint found to be responsible for medi- can not be blamed in this case and and if what the caller narrated cal errors. if the caller is a Qatari, she can was true, it should be investigated. At the end of the programme have further examination abroad Another caller - Abdul Aziz the presenter announced that under government support. - said he had lodged a com- another session on the same Another caller - Abu Abdullah plaint with Maslamani follow- issue will take place in January - levelled a serious allegation say- ing the death of his father who next year and the programme will ing his father died of liver and was treated at Hamad General be aired directly from the Hamad kidney failure, after the doctor Hospital but no action was taken. General Hospital. failed to treat a normal urine “I met Dr Maslamani and he THE PENINSULA HMC to get software to detect prescription errors DOHA: The Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is planning to introduce a new software that will auto- matically detect errors in medical prescriptions, a senior HMC official said yesterday. Data about the patient will be stored in the software and this will help detect the errors in prescriptions. “This programme will be in use in one year and will be introduced in all hospitals in the next two years,” said Dr Yousuf Al Maslamani talking at a programme on Qatar Radio. THE PENINSULA HOME WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2012 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05

PM meets UN chief HMC conducts Jurists get access to international legal database Continued from page 1 successful The Minister said the portal has been launched thanks to a strate- spousal kidney gic partnership between his min- istry and the Supreme Council for Communications and Information transplant Technology (ictQatar). By enjoying the membership of DOHA: The wife of an Indian GLIN jurists in Qatar will have expatriate donated her kidney access to an international legal to her husband in a successful database. GLIN was initiated by the transplant operation conducted legal library of Congress in 1991. It recently at Hamad General is a public database of official texts Hospital. of laws, regulations, judicial deci- The patient, 50-year-old sions, and other complementary Abraham Thomas has been dia- legal sources contributed by govern- betic for 22 years and has been mental agencies and international under the care of Dr Muhammad organisations. Asim, Nephrology Consultant at The Ministry of Justice has signed HMC, for the past eight years. a Memorandum of Understanding Thomas had been referred from (MoU) with GLIN regional office in the Diabetes Clinic when labora- Kuwait, before signing the charter tory tests showed that his kidneys The Minister of Justice H E Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim launching with the network headquarters in had quite advanced dysfunction. the website at the ministry premises yesterday. ABDUL BASIT Washington. THE PENINSULA “Kidneys have a large reserve of function and therefore many people do not have symptoms until extensive kidney damage has occurred. The kidneys become progressively weak with time, though the treatment provided The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem slows down the deterioration,” bin Jabor Al Thani with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon he said. in Doha yesterday. Moon is in Doha to take part in the UN Climate Two-and-a-half years ago, the Change Conference (COP18) held at Qatar National Convention Center patient began receiving perito- (QNCC). neal dialysis treatment at HMC. Thomas’ wife, Aleyamma Thomas, is a staff nurse at HMC, and she and her husband were aware that spousal kidney transplant was QU honours top achievers an option as they had compatible blood groups, said Asim. DOHA: The achievements of successful students while College The couple also thanked HMC some 159 distinguished Qatar of Education and College of Sharia for the excellent care that they University students were hon- and Islamic Studies each boasted were given, and said that after oured in a ceremony held at one outstanding student. this event, their children are Katara on Monday. Students congratulated for also considering becoming organ A total of 150 students were their non-academic achievements donors. All the expenses for the celebrated for their outstanding included three from the College patient’s dialysis, investigative academic performance, while 11 of Business and Economics, three work-up, transplant surgery, of those received the Award of from the College of Engineering medications after the surgery Excellence, each having scored a and one from each of the College and follow-up clinic visits were GPA of 3.94 or more. of Arts and Sciences, College of shouldered by HMC. A further nine students were Education and College of Law. The operation was performed congratulated for their exem- Two students in particular using laparoscopy by the trans- plary non-academic achieve- were praised for their leadership plant team composed of Dr Al ments. Of the top academic achievements during the academic Maslamani, Dr Riadh Fadhil, Dr achievers, four were students year 2011/12. They were Faisal Abdulla Al Ansari, Dr Henrik at the College of Engineering Mohammed Shafeea (College of Gjertsen, Dr Mohammed El and three from College of Engineering) and Aysha Nasser Masry, Dr Hassan Al Thani, Dr Business and Economics. College Al-Nassr (College of Business and Omar Isam and Dr Abdel Kader of Arts & Sciences had two Economics). QNA Al Obeidy. THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2012 HOME 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PHCC raises awareness of diabetes among school kids

DOHA: The Primary Situation worsening Health Care Corporation (PHCC) recently organ- ised a lecture for 50 stu- dents of Ali Bin Abi Taleb Independent School for for Syrian refugees Boys, to raise awareness about control and preven- tion of diabetes. Harsh weather, conflict taking toll on the displaced Salama Al Sulaiti, PHCC’s Social Worker said, BY FAZEENA SALEEM “diabetes is a very common disease in Qatar, so our aim DOHA: A fresh call was made Hama refugee seeks to PHCC officials conducting the lecture at the school. is to inform students how in Doha yesterday for immedi- to, on the first place, pre- ate action to support Syrian vent it by changing some refugees as their situation is help family back home bad eating habits while worsening due to the ongoing encouraging them to do violence and the harsh weather. DOHA: Ghada Ghazal is sports, and secondly, how Humanitarian and politi- a Syrian refugee who sur- to deal with diabetes.” cal activists at a discussion on vived the Hama massacres, Dr Enaam Abdulraziq, ‘The Syrian Refugee Crisis: The and arrived one month ago in a dietician at PHCC while International Community’s Moral Doha. She has lived all her life giving tips on diabetic diet Responsibility,’ urged the inter- under suppression, fear and explained the importance national community to act more oppression. of staying away from large effectively to help Syrian refugees. Her father was taken away by quantities of sugar and “I know the UN and others the military of the then regime. highly processed carbohy- are trying to help, but Syrians Her uncle was killed. drates such as cakes, pies have lost confidence because of “We were brought up just to and pastries; and including continued suffering,” said Ghada be silent. We were told not to in diet a plenty of dietary Ghazal, a Syrian refugee, speaking talk,” said young Ghada speaking fibre such as brown rice, at the discussion, organised by the at a discussion held on Syrian oats, and raw fruits, vege- Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies, refugee crisis in Doha yesterday. tables and legumes; cutting the Centre for the Study of “The fear is not a personal down on the fat intake with Contemporary Muslim Societies, psychology but a common prob- less butter, margarine, oil and the Centre for the Study of lem,” she said. However, Ghada and mayonnaise; and using Governance and Public Policy at was smart enough to break the Ghada Ghazal during the panel herbs and spices instead the LAS building in Education barriers. She worked in her discussion at the Education City of salt. “It is important City. home town Hama to help the yesterday. SHAIVAL DALAL to recognise some of the “Not all donations reach people refugees in need. She, with a symptoms of diabetes such really,” said Ghada, a refugee from group of other women, collected as frequency of urination, Hama in Syria. She is living here money to help the refugees with “It’s a common fear among thirst and hunger, extreme for the past one month seeking a medicine. “We had to work in parents, we can’t blame them, it tiredness, unexplained job to help her family back home. a very secret way or we would is because what they have seen,” weight loss, slow healing In August 2012, the United have been in trouble,” she said. Ghada said. Her home in Hama wounds and blurred vision’, Nations High Commissioner for Ghada and four others arrived was near a military airport, said Abdulraziq. Refugees (UNHCR) reported in Doha and is now seeking a where explosions were always Dr Mustafa Abdel that the number of registered part time job to send money to heard. She finds the atmosphere Moniem El Zorka, PHCC’s Syrian refugees had reached over her family and others in need. quiet here, but not her mind. specialist in the treat- 200,000, exceeding the UNHCR “It’s difficult to live within our “During nights we have beds ment and process of diabe- estimate of 185,000 for the entire own country without dignity. I but we can’t sleep,” says Ghada, tes, explained the clinical year. never wanted to leave Syria, but who has even consulted a psy- background of diabetes Save the Children, in a recent now have a better chance to help chologist soon after her arrival and elaborated on different report, revealed that interna- my family,” she said. here. Ghada who always wish for types of diabetes. tional aid efforts to alleviate the “There is no electricity for a better Syria than the one she “Type I diabetes develops Syrian crises had raised only half more than 12 hours, and we grew up, however, feels that even when the body is unable the money needed to help the don’t have enough fuel,” she the post-regime period in Syria to produce any insulin. It estimated 366,000 refugees. The said explaining the situation in is going to be tough. can develop at any age but funding has been “startlingly low” Hama. Many parents prevent “I’m against revenge. But usually appears before the and leaves a shortfall of $200m. their sons and daughters going when their brothers, fathers or age of 40, and especially in The prevailing cold weather has out for protests due to the fear, children were killed, we can’t childhood”, said Moniem. worsened the situation, especially that their children would be expect people to be calm,” she THE PENINSULA for the children. arrested or killed by the regime. said. THE PENINSULA “The international commu- nity faces two key challenges in grow, temperatures drop and aid Mohamed Habash, a former response to the current situa- falters. About 200,000 children member of the Syrian parliament, tion. Bringing about an end to across the region are out in the stressed the need for immediate the violence and helping the vic- cold as temperatures plummet, action to help the refugees shield tims,” said Tamer Kirolos, Jordan according to Save the Children. against the weather. He also said Director, Save the Children “The situation in Syria has dis- that as a long-term plan there speaking on Humanitarian Crisis: proportionately affected children should be more efforts to educate Life in Refugee Camps. inside and outside the country. the children. “Qatar Foundation Children are suffering and Immediate and long-term support as a major education institution parents are taking increasingly must be provided,” said Kirolos. should lead a campaign in the desperate measures to keep them Speaking about the challenges field of education,” said Habash. alive as their needs continue to in solving the Syrian crisis, Dr THE PENINSULA

WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2012 HOME 08 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

Qatar joins project to map renewable energy resources

DOHA: The Ministry of Energy support decision-making, espe- Global Atlas for Solar and Wind and Industry, in partnership cially in areas where existing Energy will range from policy- with the Qatar National Food information is insufficient. makers and government author- Security Programme (QNFSP), The idea for the Global Atlas ities, investors and developers, yesterday signed a Letter of first took shape in a series of academics and the interested Interest (LoI) signifying Qatar’s international workshops in 2010. public. participation in the Global Atlas The project is an initiative of the Fahad said the existing maps for Solar and Wind Energy Clean Energy Ministerial’s Solar and data collections of renewable project of the International and Wind Working Group, which energy resources are often nar- Renewable Energy Agency is backed by ministers from 24 rowly focused, inconsistent and (IRENA). countries and aims to acceler- limited. Data consistency is cru- Issa Shahin Issa Al Ghanim, ate the global transition to clean cial to compare and develop strat- Director of Qatar Petroleum’s energy. IRENA is playing a lead egies and to take joint decisions. Strategic Planning & Policy role in the creation of the atlas by “As of now, there is no single reli- Directorate, signed the LOI in the working with other international able source that would give an presence of Adnan Amin, Director- institutions. idea to the investors where to put General of IRENA, and Fahad bin Once completed, the Global their money in the renewable sec- Mohammed Al Attiya, Executive Atlas for Solar and Wind Energy tor.. The mapping would give an Chairman of the QNFSP. The sign- will enable users to conduct a opportunity for both the domes- ing ceremony was held at the Qatar technical analysis of the renew- tic and international investors National Convention Centre on the able energy potential at any geo- how to exploit Qatar’s renewable sidelines of the United Nations Issa Shahin Issa Al Ghanim, Director of Qatar Petroleum’s Strategic Planning & Policy Directorate, and Adnan graphic scale, such as globally, per sources in a sustainable manner”. Climate Change Conference Amin, Director-General of IRENA, exchange signed documents in the presence of Fahad bin Mohammed Al Attiya, continent, by region, or country. He hoped the mapping would (COP18/CMP8), which is being Executive Chairman of QNFSP. In addition, it will also allow real- accelerate progress towards har- held in Doha. time calculation of specific indi- nessing Qatar’s vast solar and other Under the terms of the LoI, such data. The sharing of data will The Global Atlas for Solar and system (GIS) for wind and solar cators, including CO2 reductions, renewable sources, in order to meet Qatar will share solar data with be coordinated by the New Energy Wind Energy project aims to resources that can direct and total investment, market volumes its growing domestic demand and IRENA in partnership with the Department of QP’s Strategic create a collaborative internet- enhance cooperation on global and employment volumes. to promote sustainable energy use. QNFSP, which is the custodian of Planning and Policy Directorate. based geographic information scenarios and strategies and The potential end-users of the THE PENINSULA UN chief hopes for five key deliverables by governments Ban Ki-moon addresses the opening session of high-level segment

DOHA: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on COP18/CMP8 member countries to take up collective responsibilities in delivering the key five-point commitments at the Doha summit. Addressing the opening session of the high-level segment at COP18/CMP8 here yesterday, the UN chief said the Kyoto Protocol must continue. It is a foundation to build on. Its continuation on January 1, 2013 would show that governments remain committed to a more robust cli- mate regime. The UN chief said: “This week, I hope for five key deliverables by governments: First, the adoption of a rectifiable second com- H E Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah, President of the UN Climate Change mitment period of the Kyoto protocol. The Conference (COP18), addressing the session. Kyoto Protocol remains the closest we have to a global, binding climate agreement. It must continue. It is a foundation to build on. It has important institutions, includ- Qatar fights food security ing accounting and legal systems, and the framework that markets sorely need. Its continuation on January 1, 2013 would challenges: Al Attiyah show that governments remain commit- ted to a more robust climate regime.” DOHA: The Chairman of the Administrative Control and Transparency “Second, progress on long-term climate Authority H E Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah, who is also President finance. This is critical to a meaningful of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP18), has affirmed the impor- climate agreement. Fast-start finance tance of the issue of dry lands, as around a billion people live in these expires soon. Developed countries must areas and face food, water and security challenges. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon addressing the opening session of the COP18/CMP8 give clear indication that scaled-up cli- Qatar is fighting these challenges on national and international level, Al Plenary Session of High-Level Segment at the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha mate financing will flow after 2012, and Attiyah asserted. “On national level we have established the Qatar National that it will be commensurate to the goal yesterday. PICTURES: SALIM MATRAMKOT Food Security Programme (QNFSP) to advance food production using green of $100bn a year by 2020 from public and energy. It is our means to achieve sustainable development. private funding.” have a role to play in solving the climate mercy of the slightest climate shock. Al Attiyah indicated that Qatar has demonstrated its leadership on inter- “Third, We must ensure that the insti- crisis.“Let us be under no illusion. This is “No-one is immune to climate change national level with the launch of the Global Dry Land Alliance (GDLA), tutions set up in Cancun and Durban to a crisis. A threat to us all. Our economies, — rich or poor. It is an existential chal- assuring that this new global challenge requires new procedures and working support mitigation and adaptation by security and the well-being of our children lenge for the whole human race — our side by side with specialised UN agencies to stand against it. He expressed developing countries- including the Green and those who will come after. The danger way of life, our plans for the future. We hope that the COP18 would build its decrees and recommendations on Climate Fund and the Climate Technology signs are all around”, he said. must take ownership. We, collectively, are successes achieved regarding water and food challenges for discussions to Center and Network are fully equipped and One third of the world’s population lives the problem.” The UN Chief said we are move forward. effective. in countries with moderate to high water in a race against time to stay below the Al Attiyah warned that the water and food sectors are the most affected Fourth, I expected governments to dem- stress. Land degradation affects 1.5bn peo- agreed threshold of 2 degrees centigrade by climate change, which threatens the lives of millions and needs to be onstrate, with no ambiguity, that nego- ple. Icecaps are showing unprecedented above pre-industrial levels that will avoid taken into account. QNA tiations on a global and legally binding melting; permafrost is thawing; sea levels the worst impacts of climate change. instrument remain on track. And Fifth, are rising. Every delay means greater future effort governments need to show how they; From the United States to India, — or greater future harm. But we have intend to act on the gap between mitigation from Ukraine to Brazil, drought deci- the resources — financial and technologi- We have a responsibility here in Doha and act even as negotiations continue pledges and what is required to achieve the mated essential global crops. Across cal — to rise to the challenge. Acting to sustain the momentum for change toward a more robust climate regime. 2 degrees target. The gap can be bridged, the Sahel, from Mali to the Horn of now makes better economic sense than so painstakingly built in Bali, Poznan, Let us abandon apathy and embrace But time is not on our side.” Africa, tens of millions of people endured allowing further delay. But the pace and Copenhagen, Cancun and Durban. We ambition..., he said. The secretary-general noted all regions another year of vulnerability, at the scale of action are still not yet enough. need to speed up the transformation THE PENINSULA Fighting climate change must head priorities of all UN members: Top official

DOHA: Addressing the prob- change and environmental deg- a high-level thematic debate on first and foremost with sustain- exclaim that we failed to act in lem of climate change must radation are destroying our path the subject of climate change, able development and return time. become a core national interest to sustainability, Vuk said while green energy and water sustain- to prosperity-not financial sac- “Let them not have to suffer of every UN member country. It addressing the opening cere- ability during the resumed part rifice and privation. One of the the consequences of the inability should become embedded in the mony of the high-level segment of the 67th Session. It will aim strongest supporters of such an to answer the clarion call to act worldview of all who formulate of COP18/CMP8 here yesterday. to increase political awareness approach is the newly established with conscientious foresight. I’m and execute foreign policy, Vuk The increased support by the and support for the benefits of United Nations.” afraid that we cannot say-as those Jeremic (pictured), President, General Assembly for the great embracing the paradigm shift Vuk wished the Parties to the who came before us could-that we UN General Assembly, has said. efforts of the delegations to suc- to renewable, low-carbon energy Convention success in their did not know the extent of the Here, in Doha, we are dealing cessive COPs can help spur the systems. negotiations. The window of damage we were causing”. with a threat to the future of our world to more rapid and con- “This may help sharpen the opportunity to prevent the It is our urgent duty-both as planet that is unrivalled in its certed action. I am ready to do lens through which diplomats effects of climate change from individuals and nations, to achieve cataclysmic effects. I applaud my best to engage the General look at the underlying challenges. spiraling out of our control is the breakthrough that allows us UN Secretary-General Ban Assembly so we can act more in I hope that the “new normal” that closing. When future genera- to leave the world in a better Ki-moon’s leadership in deliv- concert with one another, he said. the Secretary-General and others tions look upon the choices we shape than we found it in. ering the message that climate Vuk said he intend to schedule talk about can become associated made, let them not be forced to THE PENINSULA HOME WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2012 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09

Deep divisions remain over key issues

DOHA: With the climate talks in commit to more ambitious green- their second week, deep divisions house gases emission reductions or remain in key areas of the unprec- to even have decisions adopted on edented seven tracks of negotia- adaptation, finance, technology and tions under the UN Framework capacity building, all of which are Convention on Climate Change crucial for an effective and meaning- and its Kyoto Protocol, according ful conclusion of the Bali Roadmap to civil society groups and NGOs. (the second commitment period Given the wide divergences, many of the Kyoto Protocol and the Bali of the issues, especially those under Action Plan). the Adhoc Working Groups under The issues forwarded to the COP the Kyoto Protocol and the UNFCCC, for further guidance include devel- are expected to be forwarded to min- opment and transfer of technology, isters for further political guidance. and methodological issues under dif- The President of the Conference ferent Protocol Articles. The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani addressing the opening ceremony of the high-level segment of COP18/CMP8, yesterday. of Parties (COP), H E Abdullah On issues related to agriculture, bin Hamad Al Attiyah, convened there was no consensus amongst an informal stocktake on Monday Parties to refer this matter to the evening on the status of work of COP for further consideration at the the negotiations. In his opening next 38th SBSTA session. On the Qatar focusing on clean energy: Emir remarks, he said the 37th session implications of the establishment of the Subsidiary Bodies closed on of new hydrochlorofluorocarbon-22 Continued from page 1 of waste materials and recycling buildings projects that use solar them to include our major Saturday. Although many items (HCFC-22) facilities seeking to Qatar is among the countries them, safeguarding biodiversity energy. companies, both in the govern- were resolved, the Chairs of the obtain certified emission reductions that are susceptible to the nega- and enhancing knowledge and The Qatar General Electricity ment and private sectors. Al Subsidiary Bodies had informed for the destruction of hydrofluoro- tive impacts of climate change deepening national commitment and Water Corporation Shaheen Project is considered him that there were still some carbon-23 (HFC-23). and needs to work on reducing towards the environment issues. (Kahramaa) has plans to as one of the major exemplary issues that needed further work The Parties were able to suc- greenhouse gas emissions. Hence Elaborating on Qatar’s com- generate at least 2 percent clean development projects that and several of these were for- cessfully close many items for the it has paid great attention to the mitment to sustainable devel- of Qatar’s total generation of aim at reducing carbon dioxide warded for consideration and COP and CMP to adopt. Some environmental issues and made opment, the Emir said the power through solar by 2020. emissions. finalisation under the Conference issues might need more attention them one of the mainstays of its country is increasingly focus- “Qatar is open and welcome The ceremony began with a of Parties and the COP acting as and there is need to make political National Vision 2030. ing on clean energy. Tapping of any assistance that could help documentary presented by a Meeting of Parties to the Kyoto choices, including national adapta- To achieve the long-term envi- renewable energy has been ini- us find eh ebst ways to cut young Qatari medical student, Protocol (CMP), Third World tion plans and finalisation of imple- ronmental goal, Qatar National tiated through the construction greenhouse gas emissions, he who reminded the world of its Network (TWN) noted yesterday. mentation of MRV for non-Annex Strategy 2011-2016 included of solar industry infrastructure,. said. responsibility to take urgent Developing countries expressed I Parties related to international a set of measurable goals like The country has launched a fac- These efforts are not confined steps to face climate change strong concerns that developed consultation and analysis. enhancing efficient use of gas tory to produce pure silicon to the Ministries and govern- challenges. countries are still not willing to THE PENINSULA and energy, restricting the use as well as adopting the green mental organs but transcend THE PENINSULA We’re committed to fight against climate change: Kuwait Emir

DOHA: H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait, has said his country is committed to fight against cli- mate change and taken innovative steps to support the UN efforts. Addressing the opening session of COP18/CMP8 high level meet- ing here yesterday, Sheikh Sabah said the Doha Summit is in a cru- cial stage and requires concrete decisions that pave the way for the next phase beyond 2012 with- out imposing new obligations on developing countries, except for those voluntary actions in terms of technology transfer and capac- ity building. “The State of Kuwait hopes that the developed countries abide by their leading role in reducing emissions and helping developing countries adapt to the H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait, addressing adverse effects of climate change, the opening session of COP18/CMP8 high level meeting. SALIM MATRAMKOT and the negative effects resulting from the measures of respond- big way in terms of its emission development of clean industry. ing to mitigating the effects of reduction. The oil sector adopted In the field of renewable energy, climate change, especially those a new strategy based on scientific the concerned entities have whose economies rely on the use and economic grounds that aim to launched ambitious plan for using of fossil fuels as a major and sole reduce emissions, as well as set- wind and solar energy aimed to source of income, and this can be ting mechanisms for improving increase the contribution of this achieved through the transfer of energy efficiency, and the use of renewable energies to one percent technology and the diversification clean technology for fossil energy, of the total energy usage in Kuwait of income sources”, he said. without prejudice to its fundamental in 2015, and up to 15 percent in Kuwait has contributed in a interests and obligations in its the 2030. THE PENINSULA

QP, World Bank an energy leader that provides critically extend ties to needed lower emission and environmentally reduce emissions friendly LNG to all cor- ners of the globe, while DOHA: Qatar Petroleum (QP) maintaining economic and the World Bank-led Global diversification and envi- Gas Flaring Reduction (GGFR) ronmental stewardship. partnership yesterday agreed I am confident that this to extend their cooperation in phase of the partner- reducing the flaring of gas asso- H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, Minister ship will deliver meas- ciated with oil and gas produc- of Energy and Industry, and Rachel Kyte, urable GHG reductions tion as a concrete contribution World Bank Vice President for Sustainable and I look forward to to improving energy efficiency Development, during the signing of a our continuous and and mitigating climate change. partnership agreement. productive coopera- High-level representatives tion with the World from QP and the World Bank, Bank,” said H E Dr who are also participating in the Qatar’s participation in phase 4 Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, United Nations Climate Change of the GGFR partnership, cover- Minister of Energy and Industry Conference, signed the respec- ing the period 2013-2015. “This and Chairman & Managing tive documents, including the partnership agreement supports Director of QP. Administrative Agreement for Qatar’s ambition of becoming THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2012 EVENTS 2013 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

atar reaffirms its place as a world- Persons with Disabilities, Second World class business and sports tourism Conference of High-level Geospatial Qdestination with a rich line-up of Information, WISE Summit and Doha Forum XIII international conferences, exhibitions and are only some of the 55 conferences for 2013. Doha Events 2013 sporting events this coming year. Various sports federations have also lined up Some 165 expos, national events, their own events for the year further boosting conferences and sports tournaments are set sports tourism and reasserting the country’s to be organised next year, according to Qatar’s role as an internationally recognised sporting calendar of events compared to close to 100 hub. events last year. Sports highlights include AFC Football With a total of 41 exhibitions in various Festival, the 10th International Men’s Fencing sectors, the country expects a very busy year Grand Prix, 5th Men & Women Artistic 2013. Some of the big exhibitions scheduled Gymnastics World Cup, Nine-Ball International for the first quarter according to the Qatar Billiard Championship and Asian Men and Tourism Authority (QTA) are the Doha Trade Women Weightlifting Championships. Qatar Fair, the 10th Doha, Jewellery and Watches Women’s Sports Committee is also hosting the Exhibition and Qatar International Automobiles First GCC Women’s Handball Championship Show. in September. In terms of conferences, the Eighth World More than 20 national and international Congress of Chambers of Commerce, the celebrations to be observed during the year are CONFERENCES International Convention for the Rights of set to add more vibrancy in the coming year. JANUARY APRIL No. From To Event Organizer Location Qatar Environment Discourse and debate and Doha Carbon and Energy Forum and Energy Research Qatar National 1 4/2/2013 4/4/2013 dialogue - about rooting Debates Qatar - Qatar 2013 Institute In coordination Convention Center 1 1/4/2013 1/6/2013 methodology of empowerment in Foundation with Texas University our educational institutions Eighth World Congress of Qatar Chamber of General Corporation for 2 4/23/2013 4/25/2013 Fourth General Conference of the Chambers of Commerce Commerce & Industry 2 1/7/2013 1/9/2013 Electricity and Water Electricity and Exhibition Corporation Anniversary meeting of the Hamad Medical 34/12/20134/14/2013 Sheraton Hotel Qatar Environment Istanbul Declaration Corporation Engineering Education and Energy Research Conference on Health Care Accreditation Canada 3 1/7/2013 1/9/2013 Texas University 4 4/14/2013 4/15/2013 Marriott Hotel Conference Institute In coordination Quality and Patient Safety International with Texas University Conference Qatar to the Security Business and Investment Forum Minstry of Foreign 4 1/13/2013 1/13/2013 ICT QATAR 54/15/20134/16/2013 of GovernmentInformation in Qatar - Berlin (Proposed) Affairs ( PCOC ) International Forum on Converting Tenth Doha Conference of Ministry of Foreign 5 1/13/2013 3/15/2013 Qatar Petroleum 6 4/23/2013 4/25/2013 Gas to Liquids 2013 Interfaith Dialogue Affairs ( PCOC) Qatar National 6 1/13/2013 3/15/2013 World GTL Congress Qatar Petroleum MAY Convention Center Financial Services Taxes Qatar General Electricity Qatar Financial Centre 1 5/8/2013 5/9/2013 Workshop Customer Services 71/14/20131/14/2013Conference & Water Corporation Rights of Persons with family National Human rights Seminar of the International 25/14/20135/15/2013in the Composition of the National Human rights Committee 81/14/20131/15/2013Convention for the Rights of Convention and the Fact Committee Persons with Disabilities Strategic Management Prevent Use of Non-Profit National Anti Money Conference and Measuring 91/15/20131/17/2013Organizations for the Purposes of Laundering & Terrorism 35/14/20135/15/2013Institutional Performance Access Center the Financing of Terrorism Finacing Committee Titled “Successful Practical Fifth Conference of Transfer of Hamad Medical 10 1/17/2013 1/18/2013 Experiences” Organs Corporation Conference Qatar First Hamad Medical Middle East Forum to Improve the Hamad Medical Qatar National 11 1/17/2013 1/18/2013 45/17/20135/23/2013 Orthodontic Corporation Quality of Health Care Corporation Convention Center Conference and Exhibition, Conference and Exhibition, Society of Petroleum 12 1/21/2013 1/23/2013 the Middle East to Offshore 5May Qatar Telecom and Information ICT QATAR Engineers Companies 2013 Technology - Qitcom 2013 Qatar Foundation for The Third Doha Forum on Ministry of Foreign 13 1/22/2013 1/23/2013 Combating Human Hilton Hotel 6 May Doha Forum XIII Combating Human Trafficking Affairs ( PCOC) Trafficking Conference to Enrich the Economic Ministry of Foreign 14 1/31/2013 2/1/2013 Forum Mobile Phone ICT QATAR 7May Future of the Middle East Affairs ( PCOC) Workshop Police Department Police Department 15 January Juveniles juveniles JUNE Seminar of the National National Committee for 16 January Annual Meeting of the Board of Committee for Traffic Safety Traffic Safety Ministry of Economy & 16/13/21036/14/2013Governors of the OPEC Fund for finance FEBRUARY International Development Second World Conference of the 1 2/4/2013 2/6/2013 Statistics Authority September Events High-Level Geospatial Information The Status of Islamic Studies in Al Qaradawi Center - Qatar National Conference Qatar to the security 29/9/20139/11/2013 2 2/7/2013 2/7/2013 ICT QATAR the West QFIS Convention Center of Financial Information - ( bank ) Qatar First Conference of the Hamad Medical 3 2/7/2013 2/9/2013 Hilton Hotels OCTOBER Kidneys Corporation National Human rights Training Workshop to Urge the 1 10/1/2013 10/1/2013 Rights of Older People National Human rights Committee 42/10/20132/11/2013State to join the International Committee Conference on Information Conventions 210/3/201310/3/2013 ICT QATAR Conference Rays Musculoskeletal Hamad Medical Security in the Energy Sector 52/14/20132/17/2013 Asian Second Gulf Corporation Use International Agreements in Youth and Leadership in the Arab General and the Convention on 62/15/20132/15/2013 Silatech National Human rights World 3 10/14/2013 10/14/2013 the Elimination of All Forms of Committee Hamad Medical Discrimination against Women 7 2/28/2013 3/3/2013 Conference Nerves Children RitzCarlton Hotel Corporation Specifically the Courts of Qatar 8 February Week of the GCC Ministry of Interior Supreme Education 4 October Annual Meeting MARCH Council Seminar on “Convert Natural Council to convert 1 3/2/2013 3/5/2013 Ritz Carlton Doha NOVEMBER Gas” natural gas 1 11/3/2013 11/3/2013 WISE Conference Qatar Foundation First Scientific Conference of Hamad Medical 23/7/20133/10/2013 General Retirement Internal Medicine Coporation Global Forum for Social Security Aljazeera Media 2 11/10/2013 11/15/2013 & Social Insurance 3 3/16/2013 3/18/2013 AlJazeera Media Forum VII (WSSF) Network Authority Second Symposium Turbine 43/17/20133/21/2103 Qatar Petroleum 2nd Annual “Teaching Students Machines Middle East 3 11/17/2013 11/17/2013 with Learning Challenges” Awsaj Academy Awsaj Academy The First Meeting of the Hamad Medical Conference Association of Academic Health Corporation + World 53/18/20133/19/2013 Ritz Carlton Doha Seventh Conference of the Centers for the Middle East and Association of Academic Institute of Electrical and Qatar Society of 4 11/17/2013 11/20/2013 North Africa Health Centers Electronic Engineers Branches Engineers Qatar Aeronautical 6 3/20/2013 3/21/2013 IATA Conferences GCC College 5 11/23/2013 11/23/2013 QF Annual Research Forum Qatar Foundation Seminar on Push-Ups and High 7 3/24/2013 3/25/2013 ASPETAR Fourth Conference of the Performance Sports Teams Hamad Medical Association of Surgeons Nerves Education Conference in State of Supreme Education 6 11/28/2013 11/30/2013 Corporation 8March of the GCC Qatar Council Conference Office of Professional Supreme Education 9March Licenses Council DECEMBER Qatar Diabetes Qatar National 10 March Workshop of Human Rights Ministry of Interior 1 12/13/2013 12/15/2013 International Diabetes Conference Associatiojn Convention Center Regular session of the Twenty- Ministry of Foreign 2 December Waterworld Conference Pennwell - KAHRAMAA 11 March Fourth of the Council of Arab Affairs ( PCOC) League at Summit Level 3 December Forum Continues to Work ICT QATAR Energy Forum “ Fourth Gulf Ministry of Foreign 12 March Gulf Intelligence 4December GCC Summit Intelligence” Affairs ( PCOC) EVENTS 2013 WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2012 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11

Doha Events 2013 Exhibitions Other Events JANUARY JANUARY No. From To The Event The Organiser No. From To Event Organiser Location Qatar Fourth International Festival of the Qatar International Falcon and Sealine - Sabkhat 1 1/1/2013 2/2/2013 1 12/2/2012 2/20/2013 Entertainment City Doha exhibition center Falcons and Hunting Hunting Committee Marma 2 1/1/2013 1/10/2013 Doha Trade Fair Doha exhibition center 2 January Long Service Award Ceremony Qatar Foundation Made in Qatar Qatar Chamber Of Commerce & FEBRUARY 31/16/20131/18/2013 Industry 1 2/16/2013 2/22/2013 Albawasil Diabetic Camp Qatar Diabetes Associatiojn ASPIRE Academy 2 2/26/2013 2/26/2013 SDC Gala Dinner Social Development Center Qatar International Automobiles 3 February Heels& Wheels Rota 4 1/28/2013 2/3/2013 Show Q – Media MARCH 1 3/1/2013 3/1/2013 International Day of Civil Defence Civil Defence FEBRUARY Award Martyr Ali Al Jaber Day and the Arab National Human rights 23/17/20133/17/2013 The 10th Doha Jewellery and Human Rights Committee 1 2/26/2013 3/3/2013 Doha Exhibition Center Watches Exhibition 3 March Student Photo Shoot with Her Highness Qatar Foundation 4 March Education Excellence Day Supreme Education Council MARCH 5 March Week Traffic to the GCC Traffic Department 1 3/7/2013 3/10/2013 Food Festival (External Tent) Doha Exhibition Center 6 March Camp Communication Traffic Department APRIL 2 3/10/2013 3/13/2013 Productive Families Exhibition Social Development The Annual Closing Ceremony of Permanent 1April Permanent Committee on Drugs The Special Needs Supporting Committee on Drugs 3 3/12/2013 3/13/2013 Infinite Events 9th Al Jazeera International Documentary Tools Exhibition 2April Al Jazeera International Net Film Festival Middle East Exhibition and MAY 4 3/19/2013 3/21/2013 Conference of Aviation and Oceans Aviation 1 5/8/2013 5/8/2013 SC 2013 Qatar Foundation Aircraft Equipment JUNE APRIL 1 June World Day to Combat Drugs Permanent Committee on Drugs 1 4/1/2013 4/5/2013 Qatar Career Fair Supreme Education Council SEPTEMBER 1 9/1/2013 9/7/2013 Event Back to School Suprem Education Counceil 2 4/1/2013 4/7/2013 The Carpets Maraya Public Relation NOVEMBER National Human rights 3 4/14/2013 4/16/2013 Environmental festival Qatar Petroleum 1 11/11/2013 11/11/2013 National Day of Human Rights Committee Qatar International Exhibition DECEMBER 4 4/23/2013 4/25/2013 For Information Technology and ICT Qatar 1 12/12/2013 12/12/2013 ROTA Gala Dinner Rota Communication 2 12/18/2013 12/18/2013 Arab Police Day Ministry of Interior & Lekhwiya National Gallery of Research Government departments in 5 4/28/2013 4/30/2013 Supreme Education Council 3 12/18/2013 12/18/2013 National Day Students Qatar MAY Sports 1 5/6/2013 5/9/2013 Project Qatar IFP Qatar JANUARY 2 5/16/2013 5/18/2013 Mothers, Baby & kids Show Glitter Diamonds to Organise No. From To Event Organiser 3 5/16/2013 5/19/2013 Made in Japan Doha Enterprise 1 1/1/2013 1/10/2013 International Friendship Football Tournament Qatar Football Association 2 1/1/2013 1/10/2013 AFC Football Festival Qatar Football Associaition 4 5/16/2013 5/19/2013 Wedding Exhibition Qatar Expo 3 1/10/2013 1/12/2013 International Amateurs Golf Championships Qatar Golf Federation 5 5/27/2013 5/29/2013 Cityscape Q – Media 4 1/10/2013 1/12/2013 World Championship for Unlimited Hyderoblin Boats Qatar Marine Sports Federation 5 1/24/2013 1/27/2013 Qatar CBQ Golf Masters Championships Qatar Golf Federation JUNE 6 1/24/2013 1/27/2013 10th International Men’s Fencing Grand Prix Qatar Fincing Federation International Conference & Heights Exhibitions and FEBRUARY 1 6/4/2013 6/6/2013 Exhibition for Industrial Cooling & Conferences 1 2/1/2013 2/3/2013 Qatar Women’s International Cycling Tour Qatar Cycling Federation Heating Systems & Insulation 2 2/5/2013 2/12/2013 Qatar Men’s International Cycling Tour Qatar Cycling Federation 2 6/4/2013 6/9/2013 Abaya Exhibition Doha Exhibition center 3 2/11/2013 2/17/2013 Qatar WTA Ladies Open Qatar Tennis Federation 3 6/5/2013 6/8/2013 Leather Doha Enterprise 4 2/12/2013 2/12/2013 Sports Day All Organizations in Qatar 5 2/12/2013 2/12/2013 Sports Day Qatar Foundation 4 6/16/2013 6/19/2013 Made in America Doha Enterprise 6 2/12/2013 2/16/2013 Qatar International Sailing Championships Qatar Sailing Federation 5 6/27/2013 7/6/2013 Doha Fair Trade Doha Exhibition Center 7 2/15/2013 2/15/2013 GCC Qatar Cup For Girl’s Endurance Qatar Endurance Committee 17th Qatar International Professional and Juniors Table 8 2/20/2013 2/24/2013 Qatar Table tennis Federation AUGUST Tennis Tournaments 1 8/29/2013 9/3/2013 Abaya Exhibition Doha Exhibition Center 9 2/24/2013 2/24/2013 Qatar International Endurance Race Endurance Committee MARCH SEPTEMBER 1 3/1/2013 3/10/2013 Asian Juniors Squash Championships Qatar Squash Federation Ibhar For Conferences & 1 9/3/2013 9/6/2013 E-Week Entertainment 2 3/2/2013 3/9/2013 GCC Paralympics Qatar Paralympics Federation Exhibitions 3 3/4/2013 3/4/2013 SOP Paralympics Day Qatar Paralympics Federation The 4th Tower Technology Qatar Olympic Committee-Qatar School Sports 4 3/14/2013 3/15/2013 Schools Olympic Program 2 9/10/2013 9/13/2013 Exhibition Economic Group Federation 5 3/20/2013 3/24/2013 2nd International Women’s Handball Tournament Qatar Women’s Sport Committee 6 3/27/2013 3/29/2013 5th Men & Women Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Qatar Gymnastics Federation QGF 3 9/10/2013 9/13/2013 Small & Med Industries Exhibition Economic Group APRIL 4 9/12/2013 9/15/2013 Made in China Al Dourani Media 1 4/5/2013 4/7/2013 Qatar Int. CSIB Equestrian Championship Equestrian Fed. Doha Furniture and Decoration 2 4/5/2013 4/9/2013 Qatar Int. Sailing Match Race Sailing Fed 5 9/19/2013 9/22/2013 Qatar Expo Exhibition 3 4/5/2013 4/13/2013 Arab Billiard 8 and 9 Balls Tournament Billiard Fed 4 April April Match Racing International (Regatta) Sailing Fed. 6 9/22/2013 9/25/2013 Made in Finland Qatar Expo 5 April April Qatar International Chess Masters Chess Fed Doha Transportation And Rails 6 April April GCC Junior Athletics Championship Athletics Fed. 7 9/29/2013 10/1/2013 Road Exhibition Al Baida 7 April April GCC Cycling Championship Cycling Fed. MAY OCTOBER 1 5/7/2013 5/10/2013 Arab Technical Gymnastic Championship Gymnastic Fed. Ibhar For Conferences & 2 5/10/2013 5/10/2013 Athletics Diamond League Athletics Fed. 1 10/1/2013 10/4/2013 Gallery Lighting Exhibitions 3 5/15/2013 5/17/2013 Arab Karate Championship Karate Fed. 4 May May West Asian Chess Championship (World Cup Qualification) Chess Fed Conference and Exhibition, the 2 10/7/2013 10/10/2013 Qatar Expo JUNE eighth Doha Natural Gas 1 6/22/2013 6/29/2013 9-Ball Int. Billiard Championship Billiard Fed. Eco-q Products and Technologies 2 6/24/2013 6/30/2013 Qater (3) Int. Youth Handball Championship Handball Fed. 3 10/28/2013 10/30/2013 Environmental Protection Stallion Advertising 3 June June Arab Wrestling Fed. Exceutive Wrestling Fed. 4 June June 2013 Youth World Championships Weightlifting Fed JULY ((Beautex)) Beauty and Fitness 4 10/28/2013 10/31/2013 Vision international 1 7/1/2013 7/5/2013 Asian Table Tennis Championship Table Tennis Fed Expo 2 7/1/2013 7/5/2013 Asia Junior U16 Table Tennis Championship Tbale Tennis Fed. NOVEMBER 3 July July Asia Men and Women Weghtlifting Tournament Weight Lifting Fed SPA and Pool Exhibition Heights Exhibitions and 111/6/201311/8/2013 AUGUST conferences 1 8/1/2013 8/10/2013 GCC Volleyball Championship (U 14) Volleyball Fed 2 8/27/2013 9/1/2013 Global Handball Champion Clubs Tournament ( Super Globe) Handball Fed. 2 11/6/2013 11/9/2013 Made in Italy Doha Enterprise 3 August August GCC Junior Football Championship Football Fed. 3 11/18/2013 11/20/2013 Civil Defence Dar Al- Sharq 4 August August International Basketball Championship Basketball Fed SEPTEMBER Qatar International Exhibition of 1 9/1/2013 9/9/2013 1st Women GCC Handball Championship Qatar Women’s Sport Committee 4November Universities and the Open Meeting Supreme Education Council for Students 2 9/25/2013 9/28/2013 GCC Table Tennis Club Champions Tournament Table Tennis DECEMBER OCTOBER 1 10/18/2013 10/21/2013 IHF Congress Handball Fed. The Ministry of Culture, Arts and NOVEMBER 1 12/4/2013 12/14/2013 Doha 24th Int. Book Fair Heritage 1 11/12/2013 11/15/2013 ASPIRE 4 SPORT Qatar Foundation WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2012 POLAND www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 12-13 Qatar-Poland economic ties Poland witnesses explosive to grow: Polish ambassador growth in foreign investment

‘New Qatar Airways service to Warsaw a great convenience for Poles’ he number of projects assisted by multilingual call/contact centers in Poland. the corporation particularly susceptible to Polish Information and Foreign This comes as a surprising change as com- cost-cutting measures. That makes the idea , Polish Ambassador Investment Agency steadily pared to the previous years. At that time, of nearshoring popular. Robert Rostek Tremains high. In October 2012 Agency had been receiving no more than two What definitely helps is a quality of Polish there were 135 projects in the pipeline which requests for assistance in those projects. We employees who – thanks to the level of serv- to Qatar, talks about the advantages of represented over €4.7bn in value. Predicted also noticed significant change in the profile ice – gain respect and confidence. Employees the new Qatar Airways flight to Warsaw number of new jobs thanks to these projects and scope of services to be provided. Before, of the center represent the company and was over 28 thousand. The majority of the aim was to focus predominately on tele- are responsible for the brand perception and the growing economic cooperation projects come from the US – as much as 33 marketing and sales support. At present, amongst the consumers. This is why the serviced ones with total value of over €683m the center gravity is shifted to customer proficiency in speaking languages is a must. between Qatar and Poland. and 5,916 new workplaces. The rank is also support, mostly in financial services and No wonder that big, multinational cor- led by the German investors – 18 projects, telecommunication. porations locate their centers in cities pro- On 5 December this year Qatar Airways is launching its new €567m and 3,869 new jobs. Other significant Consumers and clients of multinational viding the best access to talented, skillful service to Warsaw. What is the significance of this connection? contributors are China, UK, France, Belgium corporations quickly get used to increas- people, with sufficient number of students Well, we believe both Poland and Qatar may take advantage of and Finland. ing standards of service. Time of reaction, and graduates. Client-driven demand for this new route. Attractiveness of Poland as the destina- accuracy in identifying problems, conven- the language skills spoken by natives results First of all it is necessary to remember that Poland is the big- tion for Business Services Sector projects ience of being remotedly supported – all of in successful attempts to recruit foreign gest country of Central-Eastern Europe belonging to the European increases year by year. Currently there those factors induce the need to grow and nationals. Interestingly, on the costs end, Union. We are the regional leader with stable and strong economy are 49 projects from business support sec- develop contact center departments on the their employment contracts quite rarely and huge internal market, a nation of 38 million people and vast tor, including IT and R&D ones totalling company’s end. include premium for being a foreigner. area. By means of this direct flight between Doha and Warsaw, busi- €311m. Only from January 2012, 15 out of The next reason for this surely are labour We are proud to have Qatar Airways as nessmen as well as tourists from Qatar get easy access to Poland. 41 completed projects were from business costs, which in Poland are still lower than one of our foreign investors in business sup- For Poles it is also a great convenience since the new Qatar The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin support sector and added 2,176 new jobs for in other EU countries. Call/contact cent- port sector. Soon the city of Wroclaw will get Airways service will shorten the travel time between Warsaw and Khalifa Al Thani and President of the specialists. ers in a nearshore model are almost always a well-established household name company Doha significantly. Poland Bronislaw Komorowski dur- Recently there was an increasing interest cost-generating units, which – from mana- which has made the decision to locate their What is more, we expect many Polish tourists to use Doha as ing Emir’s visit to Poland. amongst the foreign companies in setting up gerial point of view – makes this part of customer service centre in Poland. a hub for their East and South-East Asia travels now that they have this opportunity. And I must say that Qatar Airways’ offers for these routes are very competitive. I think it will contribute to the development of new relations in virgin areas, as well as give a significant boost to the existing ties. Never has distance between Poland and Qatar been shorter than now thanks to Qatar Airways’ decision to launch these flights. Robert Rostek And here I must express my special gratitude to the airline’s CEO, ‘While many economies shrink, ours is developing’ Akbar Al Baker.

What would you say if you were to describe in a nutshell the overall condition of Polish-Qatari relations? Maciej Kubicki, Deputy Head will be reinforced by the shares of state-owned joint sectors. Well-educated human resources is another Instead of talking in general terms I prefer to present some stock companies thus making it possible for the asset appreciated by entrepreneurs. Investor praise facts and numbers. of Mission, Embassy of the company to gain more capital using credit as a lever- low labour costs and incentives offered both by cen- We established Polish Embassy in Doha in 2006. Since that time few events with aim to activate entrepreneurs from both countries. age tool. The projects combining public and private tral government and by regional authorities. One we have had 60 high- and medium-level contacts including Emir’s Second of all, we have managed to secure excellent relations Republic of Poland in Doha, capital will create jobs and income. may find in Poland many Special Economic Zones visit to Poland in 2011. During this period we managed to develop among our nations’ leaders. And I am not talking only about politi- talks about how his country This is Polish response to the crisis and we are offering tax-free activity and science and technologi- excellent cooperation in energy sector which resulted in signing cal relations but also about personal ones, which are extremely convinced it will help us maintain long-term posi- cal parks combining business and science success- contract for deliveries of Qatari LNG to Poland in 2009. important. Within these years of many mutual contacts and visits came through the global tive development. fully. With all responsibility I may say Polish offer for The shipments are planned to start in 2014 after concluding we were able to gain reciprocal trust and to find out that we share foreign investors is very attractive and our ultimate of our first new LNG terminal in Swnoujscie. We also witnessed many common values. This obviously makes communication easier financial crisis without any Could you brief us on Polish-Qatari economic objective is to secure the best business-friendly envi- activity in many other fields, especially in culture and sports. and dialogue becomes more efficient. relations? ronment one may think of. Recently we observe increased Qatari investment activity in Third, one must remember that Poland also takes advantage major harm. They still do not really reflect big potential of And all this is not just words but is proved by facts. Poland. Some of them are strictly financial but there is one that of being an EU member state, a NATO member and a signatory the two markets yet. However, we have witnessed Poland has been chosen as the destination country satisfies us most since it will create jobs. It is Qatar Airways’ to Schengen Agreement which means that a part of our partner- t the embassy you are responsible for eco- many positive changes recently and believe it is a for their investments by renowned international Customers Contact Centre, which is being developed at the moment ship with Doha is being built upon the overall Qatar-European nomic affairs. Could you please describe good sign of revival. The most important thing is to companies from all over the world. Although our in the Polish city of Wroclaw. and Gulf-Atlantic relations. And they are well-established, strong, Athe current condition of Polish economy? build mutual confidence and convince entrepreneurs main investors come from Europe, more and more Thanks to the growing mutual trust, which is reflected in excel- bright and far-reaching. Poland is in a group of just a few European Union to start their activities abroad. I think years of the businesses from Asia want to locate in Poland. They lent political relations, we were able to convince Qatari authorities countries that have been going through the times of work of the Embassy, dozens of visits and thousands are aware of the potential of our domestic economy, to include Poles in a group of countries whose citizens have right You are currently completing your tour of duty in Doha. the crisis without major harms. Wise monetary, fis- of contacts resulted in successful tightening of eco- consider our country as a trustworthy partner and to obtain Qatari visa directly at the airport on arrival. It is a great What is your personal experience, what could you say about cal, budgetary and banking policies made it possible nomic ties. simply know their needs will be met here. convenience for our community and for sure will bring Polish tour- living in Qatar? for us to protect our economy against the destruc- Trade turnover is rising year by year. The growth ists to Qatar. Qatar Airways’ decision to launch this direct flight It has been a fantastic and very important time in my life. I am tive effects of global recession. While many econo- is not enormous but noticeable. What makes us If there are any Qatari entrepreneurs who want to Warsaw is also a good example of how our relations look like. proud to be the first Polish resident ambassador to Qatar. Since mies shrink, ours is developing. Polish Government satisfied is the increasing engagement of Qatari to start business cooperation with Polish part- the very beginning I have been personally involved in establishing applied a package of reforms aiming at limiting investors in Polish market. Last year we observed ners, where should they go or whom they should So we know the current relations. How about prospects for our diplomatic representation here and developing mutual ties. budgetary deficit in order not to overspend and con- a huge Qatari real estate investment in Warsaw. contact to get reliable business information? the future? This job is very intense and demanding but also very rewarding. trol public assets. This good condition is reflected Right before holidays this year we witnessed Doha- Well, it depends on the project. Generally speaking During more than 6 years of my stay in Qatar I have always done It brings a lot of satisfaction to look back and review all that has in very favourable ratings and trust of the markets. based private investor’s purchase of a significant our Embassy is always at the service of all entities my best to lay strong foundation for the development of good rela- been done, all that contributed to building mutual relations, all the In the first phase of the crisis we benefited from a package of shares of a Polish company on Warsaw interested in any kind of cooperation with Poland tions and to create ground for positive cooperation. Looking at the ties that were created. At the same time there is a feeling of being huge-scale infrastructure development projects con- Stock Exchange. Just 2 months ago we were happy and should be regarded as the first contact point for achievements, at the results of the embassy’s day to day work for in need of doing much more. nected with the organization of UEFA EURO 2012 to find out Qatar Airways made decision to establish partners will be fully satisfied with this cooperation. such persons. However, if we talk about consider- so many years, I am confident we succeeded in generating a kind I have also made a lot of friends here. It will be difficult to say games. This was a huge boost to our economy. Now their Customer Contact Centre in the Polish city of able multi-million investments, there is a specialized of ‘positive energy’ which will stimulate further relations. goodbye to all these warm-hearted people with whom I had the that these projects are over, we needed to work out Wroclaw. This investment is particularly precious What makes Polish economy attractive to for- institution in Poland, namely Polish Information and First of all, we expect economic cooperation between Poland opportunity and pleasure to cooperate. Living in one place for more new strategy. And the strategy was announced by since it creates jobs in our country. Also the carrier’s eign entrepreneurs? Foreign Investment Agency, that provides investors and Qatar to grow. It is visible right now when we analyse trade than six years really makes your home here and Qatar has been Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in October 2012. decision to launch direct flights between Doha and I believe one of our main advantages is consider- with all possible help. At our Embassy I am person- statistics. We do count on Qatari deeper engagement in Polish a second home for me and my family and a piece of us will always It is based on a concept of establishing an investment Warsaw is a positive symptom showing our relations able internal market of 38 million consumers. Polish ally responsible for dealing with trade issues, so it is market and greater interest of Polish companies in participating in remain here. I do hope we will stay in contact with our Qatari company whose main task will be to finance national are expanding. As you see there are many initia- economy is diversified and as such it appeals to busi- best just to send e-mail or telephone us in order to projects here. This is our objective and we have already planned a friends after I leave Doha. THE PENINSULA strategic investment projects. The company’s capital tives that are a good sign and I am sure our Qatari nesses operating in production as well as in services arrange some meeting and discuss things. Warsaw City Centre

Useful Internet Poland follows Schengen resources: States Visa regulations Polish Embassy in Doha: http://doha.msz.gov.pl/en; , possible through our online system www.e- Andrzej Cieplucha konsulat.gov.pl. Once the visit is registered https://twitter.com/PLinQatar in the system and the application form filled Consul, Embassy of in properly, the applicant is obliged to come Ministry of Foreign Affairs: to the consulate with printed and signed the Republic of Poland form and all additional documents on the http://www.msz.gov.pl/en; appointed day. in Doha, talks about The list of these documents is also pub- https://twitter.com/msz_rp lished on our website. Ministry of Economy: visa regualtions and Since the day of the visit at our consulate the procedure may take from 7 up to 14 days http://www.mg.gov.pl other services his before the visa decision is made. The appointment system is quite easy to Polish Information and Foreign consulate offers. navigate and its aim is to make the visits as comfortable as they may be. It prevents Investment Agency: applicants from queuing and makes it pos- Is it difficult to obtain visa at Polish sible for them to choose the date of their http://www.paiz.gov.pl/en Embassy? appointment freely. One should understand To answer this question I must begin with that our system is equal to the systems of Official Promotional Website a reminder that Poland is a Schengen Area other Schengen states that have their con- of the Republic of Poland: country and as such we were obliged to adopt sulates in Doha. the rules of Schengen Visa Code. Our proce- http://en.poland.gov.pl dures do not differ from all other Schengen What other services does your consulate What can you say about Polish commu- states’ rules. offer? nity in Qatar? Polish Export Promotion Portal: All applicants should read information on The scope of our activities is very broad. We estimate the number of Poles living in our Embassy’s website first. Obviously there is the whole range of services Qatar to be around 450 people and it is still http://www.eksporter.gov.pl There, in sections “Visa Information” and available only for Polish citizens, e.g. issuing of rising. It consists mainly of well-educated, “Visa Application” we stipulated all condi- passports but there are also services designed high-class specialists, mostly engineers, doc- tions and documents required. The next step for business: documents legalization, signa- tors, IT and finance experts. They are cheer- Warsaw Gdansk is to make an appointment at our consulate ture confirmation, legal translations, end- ful people appreciating being Qatari residents and fill in the visa application form. It is only user certification. and enjoying their life here. WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2012 14 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

Editorial ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN: SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI As nature turns cruel EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: KHALID AL SAYED E-MAIL: [email protected] ACTING MANAGING EDITOR: HUSSAIN AHMAD E-MAIL: [email protected] Governments should try to take on EDITORIAL: TEL: 44557741 / 44557743 natural calamities with newer initiatives. FAX: 44557746 / 44557758 P. O. BOX: 3488, DOHA, QATAR. E-MAIL: [email protected] DEADLY typhoon packing winds of upto 210 kilometre per hour scorn. Examples where natural disaster have wreaked havoc on life hit the south Philippines island of Mindanao, killing dozens. In and property are aplenty. ADVERTISING: TEL: 44557837 / 780 FAX: 44557870 A the absence of final casualty figures, it is expected that the death Storm Sandy is another instance of nature’s blitzkrieg on a nation it toll due to Typhoon Bopha may be much higher than 50. About 40,000 jolted out of stupor. As the United States braced for the much-vaunted CLASSIFIED: 44557857 E-MAIL: [email protected] people have been evacuated in the impoverished east Pacific island presidential elections, Sandy struck. It threw the presidential contend- SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY nation that often falls in the path of lashing typhoons and superstorms. ers’ schedules completely off track and inspired comparisons of relief When storms arrive, they bring with them destruction like landslides, and rescue operations or the lack of them during Storm Katrina that TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 lashing rain, and floods, mounting a challenge to necessary infrastruc- proved to be George W. Bush’s nemesis. There is the belief that not E-MAIL: [email protected] ture like powerlines, roads, dams, and pipelines. A large swathe of much can be done about natural calamities. It may be largely true. Philippines has been hit by power cuts, travel disruptions, and flooding. But the US experience with Sandy sparked a debate which said that SUBSCRIPTION RATES Tragic though it is, the tragedy itself will not surprise many across natural disasters like storms and floods cannot be mitigated but their ANNUAL QR 675 the world in which natural disasters have become a matter of rule effects on life and property sometimes can. The tropical storm crippled 6 MONTHS QR 340 than the exception. A few countries, due to their unique position on the the east coast with considerable damage in New York state. About 50 globe, are more susceptible to such indiscretions of nature. Bangladesh lives were lost and the damage to houses and property was estimated is another example of a country that has braved natural calamities to be in billions. with exemplary resilience. The South Asian nation, gifted with a large Philippines, Bangladesh and even the United states have lessons to delta at the Mouth of the Ganga in the Bay of Bengal, is frequently learn from nations like the Netherlands. The west European nation, lashed by storms, heavy flooding and landslides. Nature extracts its considered the best in flood control, has built a smart system of dykes pound of flesh in the form of a large number of deaths and casualties. that can mitigate the effects of floods and reduce damage to infra- PUBLICATION One cannot forget the devastation wrought by Cyclone Nargis in structure. Moreover, a disaster-resistant electricity grid system helps Myanmar in 2008. Nargis claimed 140,000 lives and displaced 2.4 mil- keep the network active even after disaster strikes. lion others. There was a global uproar against the government as rot- Such measures need to be promoted by the United Nations and ting corpses floated in canals, drains and swamps. The inaction of the other advocacy groups working in this realm. This will go a long way military rulers to rescue citizens and provide relief invited international in crimping the loss of precious life and protecting property.

The possible use of chemical The other side weapons would be completely unacceptable for the whole Quote of international community... Wal-Mart, Sears must put out Anders Fogh Rasmussen the day Nato Secretary-General fires in Bangladesh factories

HE fire at Bangladesh’s Tazreen garment factory might not have killed more than 100 people if the facility had had half as Tmany fire escapes as there have been evasions of responsibility for the disaster. Wal-Mart Stores and Sears said they didn’t know their clothes were being made in the firetrap. Sean Combs’ clothing brand blamed a mid- dleman for choosing the factory. Tazreen Fashion’s owner, Tuba Group, pointed to a certificate of safety compliance from a nonprofit group, but the group said that document is bogus. Government officials laid blame for the deaths on arsonists supposedly out to undermine Bangladesh’s position as the second largest exporter of clothing after China. Each of these parties bears a share of responsibility for the tragedy. Among them, however, retailers from wealthy countries have the great- est wherewithal to ensure that the factories they hire don’t sacrifice safety to the bottom line. They should force change — for their own sake as well as for the workers on whom their profits depend. It would be nice to think that the government of Bangladesh might start enforcing safety standards in factories. More than 500 workers have died in fires there in the past six years. Yet Bangladesh, one of the least developed countries on earth, can’t afford the inspectors. Its government also fears that if safety improvements increase costs, retailers will abandon Bangladesh for Pakistan. It would also be convenient to think that Bangladeshi factory owners would take on the costs of such things as training staff for emergencies, building fire exits and monitoring shop floors to ensure that paths to those doors are kept clear. The reality is that given the competition for orders, these businesses generally operate on small profit margins that leave little room for such expenses. Making fire-safety improvements in a shop like Tazreen might cost $1.7 million over two years, according to an estimate by Worker Rights Consortium, an independent labor rights monitoring group. That would probably have eaten up the Tuba Group’s profit on its $35 million annual revenue from the Tazreen factory. A retailer, however, could pay a factory 2.5 percent more to cover those costs and pass on the increase to consumers, who would end up spending $20.50 for a sweatshirt instead of $20. Clothes would still be one of the great bargains of our time. THE WASHINGTON POST Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Despite climate concerns, some reasons to be hopeful

BY EDWARD DAVEY said that time was running out, continuing provision of finance. the UK’s energy sector needs. over the last decade; onshore I set out plans for working with but that 2 degrees is still within Third, we have seen seri- As a result, we are on track wind has averaged 27%. the private sector and rainforest s things stand, the world reach if we can muster the polit- ous action by many countries, to meet the milestones set by In some markets, some solar countries so that the timber and is plainly not on track ical will. including some of the big emit- the EU Renewables Directive technologies have come down foodstuffs we buy do not cause Ato keep the global tem- Second, the international ters. Globe International has and to deliver enough renewa- in price by as much as 75 per- deforestation. perature increase from cli- process may be slow, but it is reported that legislation is ble generation capacity to source cent in only three years, and are And alongside the US, Norway, mate change below two degrees delivering. Since the Copenhagen moving forward in all major 30pc of the UK’s electricity from now cheaper than fossil fuels in Germany and Australia I com- centigrade, which is generally summit in 2009, countries rep- economies. Brazil has reduced renewables by 2020. many parts of Africa and south mitted jointly to accelerating our regarded as global warming’s resenting 80 per cent of global deforestation by around two In the EU, I will continue to Asia. efforts to tackle deforestation, to danger threshold. emissions have made economy- thirds since a peak in 2004. argue next year that going from Companies such as Unilever, have a chance of staying within The UN Environment wide pledges of action. We agreed Korea is spending two percent a 20% emissions cut in 2020 Vodafone, Walmart and 2 degrees. Programme (UNEP) said last at Durban last year to work to of its GDP on the low-carbon to 30%, adopting longer term Kingfisher are setting ambi- The UK played a significant week that at best, current com- a 2015 deadline for negotiating a economy. China has embedded targets in 2030, and a renewed tious targets to make their sup- role in securing commitment in mitments would take us some- new legally binding global deal, energy efficiency and renewa- focus on the benefits of the ply chains more sustainable. Durban last year to negotiate a what short of half way towards and I believe that it is reasonable bles targets in its latest five-year Green Economy will provide the This isn’t just a marketing new legally binding deal by 2015; a climate safe trajectory; and a to aim for step-by-step progress plan, and is testing carbon mar- clarity and confidence so many ploy: rising resource scarcity and we are not letting up in our World Bank report published the towards that deal, beginning in kets in seven of its provinces. of our businesses are demand- and climate stress means that efforts. same week showed some of the Doha. In the UK, our Carbon ing of us. sustainable, resilient production Tackling dangerous climate dangers of a world warmed by In addition to agreeing a high Budgets provide a clear path- Fourth, this action is under- makes good business sense. change is a complex task, but 4°C. Anyone who engages seri- level workplan towards the 2015 way to our 2050 target of an 80 pinned by important changes in As we saw in Rio earlier this in the UK we are determined ously with the science is right global deal, I want to see some percent emissions cut. We are the real economy. According to year, businesses are now setting to rise to the challenge, work- to be concerned. concrete actions to reduce emis- acting on energy efficiency and Bloomberg, global investment the agenda for governments. ing together with all parties But I would identify four sions before that, adoption of a smarter infrastructure. And in renewables outstripped fossil I am looking to build on the at the UN towards our shared reasons to be hopeful. First, if second commitment period of I have recently introduced an fuels for the first time last year. leadership of such companies goal of limiting temperature we act we can still avert cli- the Kyoto Protocol with robust Energy Bill which will give inves- We are seeing new renewable with a major new programme rise to 2 degrees, and prevent- mate change’s worst impacts. accounting and transparency tors and industry the attractive energy technologies break into to address the drivers of ing the worst effects of climate Both the UNEP report and an arrangements for those not framework and the certainty and compete successfully in the deforestation. change. International Energy Agency in Kyoto, and to give develop- they need to deliver the huge market place. Solar PV has aver- On Thursday, at an event The writer is the British Energy report published the week before ing countries comfort on the infrastructure investment that aged 42% annual growth globally hosted by the Prince of Wales, and Climate Change Secretary. WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2012 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 America’s mindless killer must be stopped

human error, human-machine interac- The rational tion failures, malfunctions, communica- tions degradation, software coding errors, approach to the enemy cyber attacks or infiltration into the industrial supply chain, jamming, spoofing, decoys, other enemy counter- inhumanity of measures or actions, or unanticipated situations on the battlefield”. automating death These possible failures show the weak- ness of the whole enterprise, because they are mostly outside the control of by machines beyond the developers. Guidance about human operators being able to terminate engage- the control of ments is meaningless if communication is lost, not to mention that the types of supersonic and hypersonic robot craft the human handlers US are developing are far beyond human response times. is to prohibit it. There are other technical naiveties. Testing, verification and validation are BY NOEL SHARKEY stressed without acknowledging the virtual impossibility of validating that re we losing our humanity by mobile autonomous weapons will “func- automating death? Human tion as anticipated in realistic operational Rights Watch (HRW) thinks environments against adaptive adversar- so. In a new report, co-pub- ies”. How can a system be fully tested lished with Harvard Law against adaptive unpredictable enemies? ASchool’s International Human Rights The directive presents a blinkered Clinic, they argue the “case against killer US-centric outlook. It lacks under- robots”. This is not the stuff of science standing that proliferation of the tech- fiction. The killer robots they refer to are nology means US robots are likely to not Terminator-style cyborgs hellbent on encounter equal technology from other destroying the human race. There is not sophisticated powers. As anyone with even a whiff of Skynet. a computing background knows, if two These are the mindless robots I first or more machines with unknown pro- warned Guardian readers about in 2007 grams encounter one another, the out- – robots programmed to independently come is unpredictable and could create select targets and kill them. Five years on the unforeseeable harm to civilians that from that call for legislation, there is still HRW is talking about. no international discussion among state The directive tells us nothing about actors, and the proliferation of precursor how these devices will lower the bar A US remotely-controlled drone in Pakistan. technologies continues unchecked. against initiating wars, taking actions Now HRW has stepped up to recom- short of war or violating human rights by mend that all states: prohibit the devel- weapons from creating unjustifiable harm semi-autonomous functions in weapon laws are followed; and have human com- sending killing machines abroad, where opment, production and use of fully to civilian populations. systems”. But this offers no comfort. puter interfaces to abort missions. It also no US personnel can be injured or killed, autonomous weapons through an inter- By coincidence, three days after the The US forces and policymakers have repeatedly stresses the establishment of to terrify local populations with uncer- national legally binding instrument; and HRW report was published, the US been discussing the development of guidelines to minimise the probability of tainty. Autonomous killers can hover for adopt national laws and policies to pro- department of defence issued a directive autonomous weapon systems in their failures that could lead to unintended days waiting to execute someone. hibit the development, production, and on “autonomy in weapons systems” that roadmaps since 2004, and the directive engagements or loss of control. It is clear that the rational approach to use of fully autonomous weapons. “once activated, can select and engage gives developers the green light. It boils The reason for the repeated stress on the inhumanity of automating death by At the same time the Nobel peace prize targets without further intervention down to saying that the defence depart- failure becomes alarmingly clear in the machine is to prohibit it. We are on the winner Jody Williams has stressed the by a human operator”. It “establishes … ment will test everything thoroughly from definitions section, where we are told brink of a revolution in military affairs need for a pre-emptive civil society cam- policy and assigns responsibilities for the development to employment, train their that failures “can result from a number that should and must be stopped. paign to prevent these inhumane new development and use of autonomous and operators, make sure that all applicable of causes, including, but not limited to, THE GUARDIAN

The shameful state of Cut a deal with the Taliban? US immigrant detention more emphasis to winning battle- Nations to remove several key fig- If this is as meaningful as Rabbani field victories to force the Taliban ures from a list of terrorists, and to negotiate from a position of to permit them to travel outside BY SADHBH WALSHE was revoked and he has been hopes, it would be very welcome weakness than to ending hos- the country for talks. Preliminary restored to his American-born tilities through negotiations. US discussions might then take place ince mandatory detention wife and son, working again and talks with the Taliban ended last in Doha. Any eventual deal would laws were introduced paying taxes. news for President Barack Obama. March when the Taliban walked almost certainly involve a power- in 1996, the number of This is a much better situ- out, claiming that Washington sharing arrangement that could immigrants who are held ation for him – and for other BY JAMES TRAUB S the goal of reaching out to cur- kept changing its position. US give the Taliban political con- in custody as they fight deporta- taxpayers who had to fork $160 rent and former militant lead- diplomats, working with officials trol over portions of the coun- tion orders or seek asylum has per night, which comes to a total ast week, I talked to ers. He appointed Burhanuddin in Qatar, have tried to work out a try’s south and east, as well as increased from around 70,000 of $92,000, to fund Guzman’s Salahuddin Rabbani, Rabbani, a former jihadi leader deal to release five militants from impunity for the militants. That per year in the mid 1990s to a 19-month stay at CCA’s private head of Afghanistan’s and president of Afghanistan, as Guantanamo in exchange for an would be ugly — especially for record 425,000 in 2011. This has prison. (All told, the taxpayer LHigh Peace Council. its first chairman. In September American soldier believed to be any woman in Taliban-dominated been a major boost for private pays out approximately $1.7bn Rabbani was in Washington to 2011, at a time when elements of held in Pakistan. US officials made regions — but it’s a deal I think prison companies who have cap- per year to imprison people like brief administration officials the Taliban had begun talking to a new offer in June, and they are the United States could live with. tured (literally) about half of Pedro.) However, the cost to his on talks he had just held in to American envoys in Germany still waiting to hear a response And it would give the government the lucrative immigrant deten- family and the trauma inflicted Islamabad with Pakistani leaders. and Qatar, Rabbani was assassi- from the Taliban. One figure in Kabul the time and breathing tion market. Their good fortune, on his son, who was two and a Rabbani had asked the Pakistanis nated by a suicide bomber, pre- involved with administration pol- space to slowly extend its author- however, has been a disaster for half years old when he witnessed to release four senior Taliban sumably dispatched by hard-line icy in the region says that, since ity and — who knows? — maybe the mostly Latino immigrant his father’s arrest by armed Ice officials whom they had impris- elements seeking to sabotage the the US election, White House even deepen its legitimacy. population, which is being ware- agents, is inestimable. oned, apparently for the crime nascent talks. This past April, officials seem to have embraced And if it all falls apart? A senior housed in substandard facilities Unsurprisingly, Pedro has very of holding peace talks without Karzai chose Rabbani’s 41-year- the need for a political end-game. US government official I spoke to to generate it. little good to say about his $92,000 Islamabad’s approval. Security old son, Salahuddin, then serv- This may in turn effect the ongo- insisted that Afghanistan is mak- In the wake of a litany of reports stay at CCA’s taxpayer-funded officials had released one of ing as ambassador to Turkey, to ing negotiations with the Taliban. ing a transition, however haltingly, of abuse and deaths in custody in compound. He told me that they them, as well as nine lower-level replace his father. Salahuddin, American diplomats, says this towards economic self-sufficiency, 2009, Immigration and Customs kept the facility freezing cold dur- figures. Afterwards, Gen Ashraf a bespectacled, soft-spoken, figure, “may actually take yes for while the Afghan Army’s “capac- Enforcement (Ice), cheered on by ing winter (“to kill bacteria”), Kayani, Pakistani’s military chief Westernised figure, is new to this an answer.” Rabbani says that he ity to fight and defend their coun- the Obama administration, prom- that the food was inedible and of staff and ultimate authority on brutal game; when we met at his received unequivocal support for try seems increasingly provable.” ised radical reforms to the unholy made his stomach sick, that the national security issues, had flown hotel in Washington, he asked if his efforts from American officials. Though he hopes for an Afghan- mess our immigrant detention detainees would have to wait days to Kabul to conduct further talks I was the same James Traub who The real wild card is Islamabad. led peace deal, he says, the country system has become. to get medical attention and that, with Afghan President Hamid had taught his class at Columbia’s In 2010, Pakistani forces arrested should remain “politically intact” This month, the Detention for the majority of his stay, there Karzai. Rabbani told me that he School of International Public Mullah Baradar, the Taliban’s sec- even without one. But American Watch Network (DWN) launched was no doctor on staff. was “cautiously optimistic” that Affairs in 2008. (I was.) ond-in-command, who had begun optimism on Afghanistan has its new campaign “Expose and Detainees spent 23 out of 24 the Pakistanis had decided to stop Rabbani and his colleagues exploring talks with Afghans. That proved to be misplaced time and Close”, identifying ten facilities hours indoors in a small pod obstructing negotiations. have had informal contacts with sent an unmistakable message: time again. The effort to bring in the country that they believe with only a television for enter- If this is as meaningful as a range of current and former Negotiations will go forward only “good governance” to Afghans are beyond repair. According tainment. Showers and toilets Rabbani hopes, it would be very Taliban figures, and he says that on Pakistan’s terms. Pakistani and in key provinces has largely to DWN’s spokesperson, Silky in the pod had no doors or cur- welcome news for President he is convinced that most want intelligence still has deep ties with failed — which is one reason the Shah, these ten facilities – we’re tains, so the men had absolutely Barack Obama, who is ardently to stop fighting. “The reports we the Afghan Taliban, and wants to Taliban could credibly believe that not supposed to call them pris- no privacy. The only diversion in hoping to leave behind the messes have are that the Taliban leader- ensure that the country retains they will win in the long run. A ons although that is effectively the outdoor yard where the men he inherited in the Islamic world ship is now discussing the logic its influence in any reconfigured report published over the summer what they are – are “unfit for any got to spend an hour a day was a to get on with the forward-looking of continuing the military cam- Afghanistan. Pakistan has a long by the Centre for Strategic and human to live in”. The range of football to kick about. business of pivoting to Asia, pro- paign,” he says. Once the United history of pulling out the rug from International Studies predicts that complaints about the conditions The worst part of the stay, moting climate change, signing States and Afghanistan signed the negotiations, and this could prove “even under optimistic conditions, are varied, but some of the high- however, was the family visits. free-trade agreements and so on. Strategic Partnership Agreement to be yet another feint, designed insurgents will dominate impor- lights include inedible, worm-rid- Pedro’s wife and baby had to drive He has already completed Phase last May pledging a long-term US to buy time until the battlefield tant areas in the east and south.” den food; medical neglect to the 9.5 hours each way to have a one- One of this act of strategic extri- role, including an ongoing mili- odds became more favorable to If that’s true, then the argu- point where detainees have died hour, non-contact visit with him cation by removing American tary presence, Rabbani says, the the Taliban. But maybe it’s not. ment for some kind of political from treatable infections; little or through a plexiglas screen. troops from Asia. Phase Two will Taliban concluded that they could The Taliban has become almost deal that recognises this reality no outdoor recreation; overuse of No one at Ice, or seemingly be completed by the end of 2014, no longer wait for the end of 2014 as dire a menace to Pakistan as is all the stronger. The American solitary confinement on mentally anywhere, can come up with a when American and Nato troops and then march on Kabul. Of it is to Afghanistan; and Kayani imperial venture in Afghanistan ill detainees; and no contact visits satisfactory explanation as to will end their combat mission in course, that may be over-optimis- is said to have recognised that the has largely failed. The nation- with loved ones. why visits at immigrant deten- Afghanistan. Obama and his team tic. The fighting in Afghanistan country’s economy is in disastrous building effort has come to grief Pedro Guzman, a Guatemalan- tion centres, which are supposed are now deciding just how quickly shows no signs of abating. Mullah condition. Warming relations — not because such things are born immigrant, spent nearly 19 to be “civil” detention centres, are those troops should leave, and Omar, the leader of the so-called with India may also have blunted inherently impossible, but because months at the Stewart Detention non-contact. how many should be left behind to Quetta Shura, may not bless such Pakistani paranoia about Indian habits and institutions develop Centre in Georgia from 2009 If we have learned anything train and support Afghan forces talks. Hardline or rogue factions, ambitions in Central Asia. over generations, not months. to 2011, after being arrested from the recent election, however, and to carry out counterterror- like the Haqqanis, may under- Rabbani said that Pakistan Afghan reality has proved to when his paperwork went awry. it is that Latinos are a formida- ism missions. No matter what the mine any effort at negotiations. has promised to release Mullah be far more refractory than Stewart is the largest immigrant ble voting bloc. Anyone wanting outcome of that debate, Obama’s But it’s a proposition that has to Baradar and the other two America’s military and civilian prison in the country with 1,752 to court that vote in the future hopes may rest on Pakistan’s cal- be tested. And this requires US detainees; he is now waiting to planners ever understood. It has beds, and is owned and operated may wish to consider the wisdom culations — and the Taliban’s. and, of course, Pakistani support. see if they make good. Pakistani been a very expensive, and very by the for-profit Corrections of locking up their friends and Karzai established the High Meanwhile, White House pol- officials also vowed to sign a joint painful, learning process. Corporation of America (CCA). relatives. Peace Council two years ago, with icy on Afghanistan has given far statement asking the United WP-BLOOMBERG Ultimately, Pedro’s removal order THE GUARDIAN WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2012 MIDDLE EAST 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com West warns Syria against chemical weapons use Nato vows response; 28 students killed in rebel mortar attack; world must unite view on Syria: Saudi FM

BEIRUT: Nato told Syrian possibly also VX nerve agent. The school. Rebels have targeted gov- President Bashar Al Assad yes- CIA has estimated that Syria pos- ernment-held residential districts terday that any use of chemi- sesses several hundred litres of of the capital. cal weapons in his fight against chemical weapons and produces The mainly Sunni Muslim encroaching rebel forces would hundreds of tonnes of agents rebel forces have made advances be met by an immediate inter- annually. in recent weeks, seizing military national response. The fighting around Damascus bases, including some close to The warning from Nato has led foreign airlines to suspend Damascus, from forces loyal to Secretary-General Anders Fogh flights and prompted the United Assad, who is from Syria’s Alawite Rasmussen came as Syrian forces Nations and European Union minority linked to Shia Islam. bombarded rebel districts near to reduce their presence in the Faced with creeping rebel gains Damascus in a sustained counter- capital, adding to a sense that the across the north and east of the attack to stem rebel gains around fight is closing in. country, and the growing chal- Assad’s power base. The army fightback came a day lenge around the capital, Assad Syrian state media said a rebel after the Syrian foreign ministry has increasingly resorted to air mortar attack on a school had spokesman was reported to have strikes against the insurgents. killed 28 students and a teacher. defected in a potentially embar- A diplomat in the Middle East International concern over rassing blow to the government. said Syrian Foreign Ministry Syria’s intentions has been height- The Syrian Observatory for spokesman Jihad Makdissi had ened by reports that its chemical Human Rights said 200 peo- left the country and defected, weapons have been moved and ple were killed across Syria on while the British-based could be prepared for use. Monday, more than 60 of them Observatory said it had informa- “The possible use of chemical around Damascus. Assad’s forces tion that he flew from Beirut on weapons would be completely bombarded districts to the south- Monday afternoon heading for unacceptable for the whole east of the capital yesterday, near London. international community and if to the international airport, and In Beirut, a diplomat said anybody resorts to these terrible in the rebel bastion of Daraya to Lebanese officials had confirmed weapons I would expect an imme- the south-west. that Makdissi spent several diate reaction from the interna- Opposition footage posted on days in Beirut before leaving on tional community,” Rasmussen the Internet showed a multiple Monday, but could not confirm his told reporters at the start of a rocket launcher fire 20 rockets, destination. meeting of alliance foreign min- which activists said was filmed “We’re aware of reports that he isters in Brussels. at the Mezze military airport in has defected and may be coming The chemical threat made it Damascus. to the UK. We’re seeking clarifi- urgent for the alliance to send Reuters could not independ- cation,” a Foreign Office spokes- Syrians cross the border from the Syrian town of Ras Al Ain to the Turkish border town of Ceylanpinar, Sanliurfa Patriot anti-missile missiles to ently verify the footage due to woman in London said. province, yesterday. Turkey, Rasmussen said. the government’s severe report- Makdissi was the public face The French Foreign Ministry ing restrictions. to the outside world of Assad’s referred to “possible movements In central Damascus, shielded government as it battled the A spokesman for UN humani- after the departure of most towards uniting the positions and on military bases storing chemical for many months from the full 20-month-old uprising. But he tarian operations said the move Western envoys, crossed the bor- views of the international com- weapons in Syria” and said the force of a civil war in which had barely appeared in public for would not stop aid deliveries to der into Lebanon yesterday after munity in dealing with the Syrian international community would 40,000 people have been killed, several weeks before Monday’s areas which remained accessible pulling out of the Syrian capital. issue,” he added. react if the weapons were used. one resident reported hearing report of his defection. to relief convoys. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s for- The Syrian National Coalition US President Barack Obama several loud explosions. He had little influence in a sys- “UN-funded aid supplies deliv- eign minister urged yesterday the was formed in Doha on November on Monday told Assad not to use “I have heard four or five thun- tem largely run by the security ered through SARC (Syrian Arab international community to have 11 following world pressures on chemical weapons, without say- derous blows. It could be barrel apparatus and the military. But Red Crescent) and other charities a unified position over Syria after the opposition to unite. ing how the United States might bombs,” she said, referring to Assad’s opponents will see the are still moving daily where the the war-torn country’s opposition Yesterday, the Saudi foreign respond. The Foreign Ministry in makeshift bombs which activists loss of such a high profile figure, if roads are open,” Jens Laerke told formed a coalition last month. minister received a delegation Damascus said it would never use say Assad’s forces have dropped confirmed, as further evidence of Reuters in Geneva. “We see in forming the new from the coalition headed by its such weapons against Syrians. from helicopters on rebel-domi- a system crumbling from within. “We have not suspended our Syrian coalition an important chief Ahmed Moaz Al Khatib, Western military experts say nated areas. The United Nations and operation, we are reducing the positive step towards uniting state news agency SPA reported. Syria has four suspected chemical The state news agency said European Union both said they non-essential international staff.” the opposition under one ban- They discussed “developments weapons sites, and it can produce that 28 students and a teacher were reducing their presence in Three remaining international ner,” Prince Saud Al Faisal told in Syria and all ongoing interna- chemical weapons agents includ- were killed near the capital when Syria in response to the escalated staff at the European Union dele- reporters. tional efforts on this matter.” ing mustard gas and sarin, and rebels fired a mortar bomb on a violence around the capital. gation, who stayed on in Damascus “We hope to see a similar step AGENCIES Wiretaps implicate Lebanon MP in arms for Syrian rebels Snipers kill two Lebanese BEIRUT: Explosive wire- Thursday, Sakr is heard speak- MP speaks with a rebel leader Asharq Al Awsat, Sakr veri- Forces party and Sunnis of the taps implicating a Lebanese ing on the telephone with a rebel responsible for distributing arms fied the recordings but absolved Future Movement. in Syria-linked MP close to ex-premier Saad commander in the northern in central Syria. “I will give you Hariri of any wrongdoing. “The Future position is clear: Hariri in arms shipments to Syrian province of Aleppo, who instructions for the guys to max- “Yes, it is my voice and they are We oppose any intervention on Syrian rebels has stirred fresh asks urgently for weapons. imise the quality of the weapons,” my words,” Sakr said. “I’m not the ground in Syria because we clashes controversy in Lebanon, which “May God protect you. You he says. ashamed of what I did and what I reject any Syrian intervention is deeply divided over the civil must help us. I do not know what In the last conversation pub- am doing... What I do reflects my in Lebanon, regardless of what TRIPOLI, Lebanon: Snipers war raging in its powerful to tell you, but what is certain is lished on Saturday, Sakr is heard deep conviction and is in the inter- regime controls Damascus,” MP shot dead two men in the north- neighbour. that after God, there is only you,” speaking to Louay Moqdad, est of Lebanon. I am personally Ahmad Fatfat said. ern Lebanese city of Tripoli Published on Thursday in Al the rebel leader says. identified by Al Akhbar daily as responsible for everything I do.” Lebanon lived under Syrian yeserday as sectarian clashes Akhbar newspaper and broadcast In a second recording released a spokesman for the rebel Free Sakr also rushed to clear domination from 1976 until 2005, linked to the conflict in neigh- on OTV television, both consid- on Friday, Sakr is heard demand- Syrian Army (FSA) and a per- Hariri’s name: “He asked me to when Damascus was forced to bouring Syria broke out, a secu- ered pro-Damascus outlets, the ing arms from an unidentified sonal friend of Sakr. take care of only the humanitar- pull out its troops from the coun- rity official said. conversations were authenticated dealer: “We need automatic “It’s driving President Hariri ian, political and media support try under international pressure The men, both civilians, died in on Monday by the MP in question, weapons, ammunition for PKCs crazy, he wants victory so much for the Syrian people—nothing following the assassination of separate shootings in two differ- Okab Sakr. (Russian guns), anti-tank rock- he can’t even sleep. He follows the more and nothing less.” ex-premier Rafiq Hariri, Saad ent districts of Tripoli — one pop- Sakr is one of the few Shia par- ets, bombs and quality weapons situation hour by hour, minute The recordings have embar- Hariri’s father. “Okab Sakr is ulated by Alawites and the other liamentarians belonging to the for Aleppo city and province and by minute, second by second. He rassed Sakr’s political allies, acting on his own. Hariri is very by Sunni Muslims, the official said opposition Future bloc headed by Idlib province. We must meet the wants the battle to succeed. There namely the March 14 opposition clear about this.. and will take the on condition of anonymity. Sunni leader Hariri and both men demand as soon as possible.” is no room for failure.” coalition opposed to the Syrian appropriate decisions if there was Their deaths came four days currently live outside of Lebanon. And in a third record- In an interview published regime, whose members include a breach by Sakr,” Fatfat said. after Syrian forces killed 22 men In the wiretaps released on ing released the same day, the on Monday by the Saudi daily Christians from the Lebanese AFP from Tripoli who had crossed into the strife-torn country to fight alongside rebels trying to oust the regime of President Bashar Al Assad. Sectarian tensions have Tunisian Islamists mounted over the Syrian upris- ing, with intermittent clashes pitting Sunni districts of Tripoli against Alawite areas in the past attack union leaders two days. Kiosk owner Mohammed TUNIS: Tunisian police broke state had repressed Islamists and Ibrahim, 65, was killed in Jabal up a clash in Tunis yesterday promoted secularism. Mohsen district, the majority after pro-government Islamists Some 2,000 unionists gathered of whose population is Alawite, attacked labour union lead- after the clashes at the govern- the same religious community to ers they blamed for inciting ment headquarters in Tunis, which Assad belongs, according protests last week against the demonstrating against Ennahda to the security official. Islamist government. prime minister Hamadi Jebali. “The bullet that killed him was Several hundred Islamists “Ennahda will end up like Ben fired from the Qubbeh area,” most with knives and sticks charged Ali. They have not chosen their of whose residents are Sunnis a gathering of the UGTT main enemy well,” said one demonstra- and sympathise with the revolt labour union body in the capital tor who did not give his name. against Assad, he added. and broke its office windows with Ennahda accused leftists who The other man, 26-year-old stones, a witness said. Police then lost last year’s elections of foment- Abdel Rahman Nassouh, was intervened to separate the two ing the unrest in Siliana by pro- fatally shot in Bab Al Tebbaneh, groups. voking Tunisians in impoverished a Sunni neighbourhood, by sniper “UGTT, you are thieves, you areas into confrontations that fire from Jabal Mohsen, the want to destroy the country,” the would drive away foreign investors. source added. Islamists chanted. They also car- The protests, which led to at Yesterday’s violence also ried banners. least 252 injuries including some wounded 12 people — two in Jabal Hundreds of leftist union mem- cases of blinding by birdshot, began Mohsen and 10 in Bab Al Tebbaneh bers, who backed days of protests after a call by the UGTT to take to — impoverished rival neighbour- over lack of jobs and development the streets to demand jobs, invest- hoods separated by Syria Street. in the deprived town Siliana last ment and the removal of Ennahda’s According to the security week, had been chanting slo- Islamist governor of the province. A member of main labour union body UGTT is held back during a clash between UGTT and Islamists, at a gathering official, the Lebanese army has gans in the streets by the UGTT The government on Saturday where they called for a general strike and downfall of the government in Tunis yesterday. deployed in the area. “Troops have headquarters calling for a general temporarily removed the local gov- started to respond to the sources strike and downfall of the govern- ernor, promised jobs to victims of attacked the US embassy in Tunis in stop union activism. It’s the same with violent disputes between of gunfire,” he said. ment led by the Islamist Ennahda the 2010 uprising, and police stopped September over an anti-Islam film method used by Ben Ali,” said Salafis and liberals over the The rising tensions in Tripoli party. using birdshot after criticism of made in California, in violence that UGTT figure Fethi Debek. future direction of what was once were exacerbated by last week’s Ennahda came to power last “excessive force” from the UN left four people dead. The shift to slogans against a bastion of Arab secularism, and killings in Syria of 21 Lebanese year after an uprising brought Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay. The clashes yesterday did not the Islamists in Siliana seemed securing international funding to and one Palestinian from the city, down veteran ruler Zine Al The protests were the fiercest since appear to involve Salafis. “This to wrong-foot the government, meet budget targets. all of them young men. Abidine Ben Ali, whose police more conservative Salafi Islamists is a message from Ennahda to which has been absorbed so far REUTERS AFP MIDDLE EAST WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2012 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 17 Police battle protesters at Mursi’s palace President leaves building

CAIRO: Egyptian police bat- decree and we won’t retract our tled thousands of protesters position until our demands are outside President Mohammed met,” said Hussein Abdel Ghany, a Mursi’s palace in Cairo yester- spokesman for an opposition coa- day, prompting the leader to lition of liberal, leftist and other leave the building, two presi- disparate factions. dential sources said. Despite the latest protests, Police fired teargas at demon- there has been only a limited strators angered by Mursi’s drive response to opposition calls for to hold a referendum on a new a mass campaign of civil disobe- constitution on December 15. dience in the Arab world’s most Some broke through police lines populous country and cultural around his palace and protested hub, where many people yearn next to the perimeter wall. for a return to stability. Several thousand people had A few hundred protesters gathered nearby in what they gathered earlier near Mursi’s dubbed “last warning” protests house in a suburb east of Cairo, against Mursi, who infuriated chanting slogans against his opponents with a Nov. 22 decree decree and against the Muslim that expanded his powers. “The Brotherhood, from which the people want the downfall of the president emerged to win a free regime,” the crowd chanted. election in June. Police closed the “The president left the pal- road to stop them from coming ace,” a presidential source, who any closer, a security official said. declined to be named, said. A Opposition groups have accused security source at the presidency Mursi of making a dictatorial Protesters gather in front of the Ittihadiyeh Presidential Palace in the Heliopolis neighbourhood of Cairo, yesterday. also said the president had left power grab to push through a con- the building. stitution drafted by an assembly After winning post-Mubarak judges for a boycott. a technocrat with Islamist sym- regards as an unrepresentative Mursi ignited a storm of unrest dominated by Islamists, with a ref- elections and pushing the Cairo stocks closed up 3.5 per- pathies, said in an interview with minority. in his bid to prevent a judici- erendum planned for December 15. Egyptian military out of the cent yesterday as investors took CNN: “We certainly hope that It is also determined to stop ary still packed with appoint- Egypt’s most widely read political driving seat it held for heart at what they saw as pros- things will quiet down after the the courts, which have already ees of ousted predecessor Hosni independent newspapers did not decades, the Islamists sense their pects for a return to stability in a referendum is completed.” dissolved the Islamist-led elected Mubarak from derailing a trou- publish on Tuesday in protest moment has come to shape the country whose divisions have only He said the constitution was lower house of parliament, from bled political transition. at Mursi’s “dictatorship”. Banks future of Egypt, a longtime US widened since a mass uprising top- “in no way a perfect text” that further obstructing their blue- Riot police at the palace faced closed early to let staff go home ally whose 1979 peace treaty pled Mubarak on February 11, 2011. everyone had agreed to, but that print for change. off against activists chant- safely in case of trouble. with Israel is a cornerstone of Mohamed Radwan, at Pharos a “majority consensus” favoured Mohamed El Baradei, coordi- ing “leave, leave” and holding Abdelrahman Mansour in Washington’s Middle East policy. Securities brokerage, said the moving forward with the refer- nator of an opposition National Egyptian flags with “no to the Cairo’s Tahrir Square, the cra- The Muslim Brotherhood and Supreme Judicial Council’s agree- endum in 11 days’ time. Salvation Front, has said Mursi constitution” written on them. dle of the anti-Mubarak revolt, its allies, who staged a huge pro- ment to supervise the referendum The Muslim Brotherhood, now must rescind his decree, drop Protesters had assembled near said: “The presidency believes the Mursi demonstration on Saturday, had generated confidence that the tasting power via the ballot box plans for the referendum and mosques in northern Cairo before opposition is too weak and tooth- are confident that enough mem- vote would happen “despite all the for the first time in eight decades agree on a new, more representa- marching towards the palace. less. Today is the day we show bers of the judiciary will be avail- noise and demonstrations that of struggle, wants to safeguard its tive constituent assembly to draft “Our marches are against tyr- them the opposition is a force to able to oversee the mid-December might take place until then”. gains and appears ready to over- a democratic constitution. anny and the void constitutional be reckoned with.” referendum, despite calls by some Prime Minister Hisham Kandil, ride street protests by what it REUTERS

Iraq bars Turkey minister’s plane Israel firm on settlements as world outcry grows from Kurd north JERUSALEM: Israel stood diplomats in the 27-nation bloc no sign it was planning to call off its measures to sanction Israel, say- always raised hackles but Friday’s firm yesterday in the face of were expected to discuss a fur- construction plans. “We’ve not had ing its foreign ministers were to proposals — seen as payback for the BAGHDAD: Iraq yester- mounting international pres- ther steps at a top-level meeting any signal or message back, for the discuss the matter on Monday at Palestinians securing the UN rank day barred Turkish Energy sure as it pushed ahead with a on Monday. time being, to indicate that this mes- a meeting in Brussels. of a non-member state — are partic- Minister Taner Yildiz’s plane swathe of settlement plans seen Egypt and Australia yesterday sage has been heard and has been But British Foreign Secretary ularly contentious as they would will from landing in Arbil, capital as threatening the viability of a joined a growing list of coun- acted upon,” he said. William Hague said there did not make the creation of a contiguous of the autonomous Kurdistan future Palestinian state. tries who have taken the rare “There have been in fact, to appear to be any “enthusiasm” in Palestinian state almost impossible. region, in the latest sign of In Jerusalem, a senior European step of summoning the Israeli the contrary, further messages the EU for any move to impose E1 is a corridor of West Bank worsening ties between the Union official said the bloc had ambassador to express a formal or announcements saying Israel economic sanctions on Israel over land which runs between the once-close neighbours. received no indication Israel was protest over plans to build new will act upon what it considers to its E1 development plans. easternmost edge of annexed east The incident highlighted chilly planning to heed calls to give up settler homes in E1, a corridor of be its strategic interests, which “I don’t believe there would be Jerusalem and the nearby Maaleh ties between Baghdad and Ankara, on plans to build 3,000 new set- land near Jerusalem where con- may suggest that if it sees more anywhere near a consensus,” he Adumim settlement. But follow- in part due to issues related to tler homes in a critical area of the struction would cleave a future measures as necessary it will take told parliament. “Nevertheless if ing four days of growing diplomatic Iraqi Kurdistan, and rows between West Bank near Jerusalem. Palestinian state in half. more measures,” he said. “This is there is no reversal... we will want pressure, Israel — which is in the the Iraqi federal government and But Britain said the EU was The EU ambassador to Israel, not what we are asking for.” to consider what further steps middle of an election campaign — the Kurds over energy contracts unlikely to punish Israel by impos- Andrew Standley, said despite grow- But he refused to say whether European countries should take.” showed no sign of backing down. and disputed territory. ing trade sanctions, although top ing international calls, Israel shown the bloc would take further Israel’s settlement plans have AFP “This flight did not obtain the necessary legal approvals, and it was therefore decided to prevent it from landing at Arbil airport,” Peshmerga power Nasser Bandar, the head of Iraq’s civil aviation authority, said. Iran claims capturing Though Kurdistan is autono- mous, Bandar said the federal government retains control over all Iraqi airspace. US drone in its airspace An official from the Kurdistan regional government confirmed DUBAI: Iran said yesterday it Middle East region. Our opera- on condition of anonymity that had captured a US intelligence tions in the Gulf are confined to Yildiz’s plane was not permitted drone in its airspace over the internationally recognised water to land, adding the minister was Gulf in the last few days, but the and air space,” Commander Jason on his way to Arbil for the com- US military quickly denied hav- Salata said. pletion of an oil and gas develop- ing lost any unmanned aircraft Iranian Foreign Minister ment deal. in the Middle East. Ali Akbar Salehi said Iran had Kurdistan government spokes- The incident highlighted ten- warned the US over its viola- man Safin Dizai said Baghdad sions in the Gulf as the Islamic tions and the drone was evidence attributed the move to a techni- Republic and the United States of American incursions which it cal problem, and that the region demonstrate their military capa- would use it to pursue its com- hoped there was no other reason bilities in the vital oil exporting plaint “via international bodies”, for barring the minister’s entry region in a stand-off over Iran’s IRIB News reported. to Kurdistan. disputed nuclear programme. The IRGC statement did Yildiz was headed for Kurdistan Iran has repeatedly threatened not specify when or where the to attend an oil and gas con- to close the Strait of Hormuz — drone was caught, or whether ference, where he was to give a through which about 40 percent the unmanned spy plane was speech, he said. Kurdish Peshmerga troops are deployed on the outskirts of Kirkuk, some 250km north of Baghdad. Iraq’s of the world’s seaborne crude oil shot down or crashed. But it AFP Kurdish region has sent reinforcements to a disputed area where its troops are involved in a stand-off with is shipped — if it comes under released what it said was video the Iraqi army, a senior Kurdish military official said. attack. US commanders have said of an apparently undamaged they will not let that happen. ScanEagle being examined by The Islamic Revolutionary uniformed officers beneath a Guards Corps (IRGC) said on sign reading “We shall trample its website that the ScanEagle on the US” in English. Amnesty slams Yemen, Qaeda for rights abuse drone had been flying over the The incident is the latest in Gulf in the last few days and was a string of complaints by Iran “captured” when it strayed into over what it says are US viola- ADEN: Insurgents and govern- The turmoil in Abyan province, abuses in the southern province (Partisans of Islamic Law) from Iranian airspace. tions of its territory in an often ment forces inflicted a “human one of the worst episodes of be examined by an inquiry southern cities and towns in June, A spokesman for US Naval clandestine conflict over Tehran’s rights catastrophe” in parts of lawlessness in a country suffering announced in September by the nearly a year after the militant Forces Central Command in nuclear programme that has fea- southern Yemen earlier this multiple internal conflicts, has government into alleged rights group captured swathes of Abyan Bahrain said no US drone had tured assassinations, espionage year in a struggle that saw an worried neighbouring oil power violations during a popular revolt after last year’s popular uprising, gone missing in the region and cyber sabotage. Al Qaeda linked group carry Saudi Arabia and is seen by the against former President Ali which eventually forced former recently. The ScanEagle is a 4-ft long out amputations and a crucifix- West as a threat to shipping lanes Abdullah Saleh in 2011. President Ali Abdullah Saleh to “The US Navy has fully “off the shelf” spy plane manu- ion, Amnesty International said in the seas off Yemen. A US-backed Yemeni military step down. accounted for all unmanned air factured by US-based Boeing. yesterday. Amnesty demanded that the offensive drove Ansar Al Sharia REUTERS vehicles (UAV) operating in the REUTERS WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2012 INTERNATIONAL 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com DR Congo rebels, govt to hold peace talks

GOMA, DR Congo: Rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo will hold peace talks with government officials in Uganda, officials said yesterday in Goma, the key mining hub that the guerrillas seized before pulling out. Negotiations will begin “in the next few days in Kampala,” Interior Minister Richard Muyej Mangez said, a day after soldiers returned to the strategic eastern city, the capital of the mineral- rich province of North Kivu. M23’s political leader Jean- Marie Runiga said the rebels were “ready” for talks, which are expected to include a raft of potential rebel demands, includ- ing major political reform for the war-weary region. The rebels’ lightning capture of Goma on November 20, eight months after the army mutineers launched an uprising against the government, had sparked fears of a wider war and major humani- tarian crisis. Their withdrawal was widely German Chancellor Angela Merkel after being re-elected as CDU Federal welcomed, although rebels still Congolese government policemen secure the runway near a United Nations armoured personnel carrier at the Chairwoman for the seventh time. remain close to the city, and have airport in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, during a visit by Congo’s Interior Minister yesterday. not yet pulled back the full 20km agreed in a regionally brokered deal. authority after 12 days of rebel “We have been, and are still in total, well over 1,000 RDF Mangez said the government rule. involved in, the search for peace (Rwandan) troops came from would send a “full team” including The regional capital was and stability in DRC,” Rwandan Rwanda to assist M23”, the report leaders of key institutions, civil slowly returning to normal life, Foreign Minister Louise read. Merkel kicks society leaders and members of with commercial banks open- Mushikiwabo told reporters in Both Kigali and Kampala have the national assembly and senate. ing Tuesday, and ferries on Lake Kigali. strongly denied involvement in However, it is not expected that Kivu, a major traffic route, due “Political talks is the next step the conflict. Britain last week President Joseph Kabila -- who to resume on Wednesday, officials after M23 withdraw from Goma.” froze $33.7m in aid to Rwanda off bid for third the rebels have demanded step said. But the report says that following what it said was “cred- down from power -- will attend At the same time, UN experts Rwanda and Uganda helped the ible and compelling reports of initial negotiations. produced what they said was new M23 stage their offensive, with Rwandan involvement with M23”. Dozens of government army evidence that “strongly upholds” more than a thousand Rwandan “Aid is not charity nor ever- trucks crammed with heavily previous accusations that Rwanda troops joining the force that took lasting,” Mushikiwabo added. term in power armed soldiers entered Goma on and Uganda had backed the M23, Goma as Uganda provided “logis- “Rwanda and Africa are getting Monday to secure the city of a although both sides rejected the tics” support. ready for the post-aid era and million people and reassert their report. “Sources estimated that, that era is coming.” AFP Chancellor re-elected as CDU chief

HANOVER, Germany: not be all smooth sailing. Her cur- BRIEFLY Chancellor Angela Merkel tri- rent coalition partner, the pro- umphantly kicked off her bid for business Free Democratic Party a third term in power yester- (FDP) has seen its political for- day, saying only she could steer tunes slump since 2009 and sur- Germany through turbulence at veys suggest it will struggle to home and abroad. cross the five-percent threshold Touting her government as the to enter parliament. best in two decades, Merkel, who Merkel has said she would has led Germany since 2005, won prefer to remain with the FDP record backing among members but told Sunday’s Bild newspaper Somali pirates jailed of her conservative party in her that “it goes without saying” she re-election to party head. would hold talks with the opposi- for attack on tanker “These are turbulent times tion Social Democrats and Greens and sometimes we even find our- if she was unable to form a tie-up ROME: Eleven Somali men selves in rough, stormy seas,” she with the FDP. who attacked an Italian told around 1,000 delegates at a In a nod to the Free Democrats oil tanker in January were party congress of her Christian however, Merkel told the congress each jailed for three and a Democratic Union (CDU) in the that the current CDU-led coali- half years yesterday after a northern city of Hanover. tion was “the most successful Rome court convicted them “But it’s Germany’s CDU which government since reunification” of piracy and attempted kid- is safely leading and steering our in 1990. napping, officials at the hear- country through this sea and with Unemployment is at its lowest ing said. a clear compass,” she said in an level since 1999 and Germany has The group opened fire on the address lasting around one hour. never had so many in work, she tanker from a dhow about 250 Buoyed in her position as said. nautical miles off the coast of Germany’s most popular politi- “While in other European Yemen, Italy’s defence ministry cian, Merkel, 58, is gearing up to countries, the economy is dramat- A group of striking farm workers march past a police armoured vehicle, through De Doorns, a fruit growing region said. The tanker’s crew man- lead her CDU to a third term in ically contracting, we are Europe’s about 120km north of Cape Town, South Africa, yesterday. aged to evade the attack. Soon power in general elections likely growth engine,” she added. after, Italian marines working to take place in September. Germany has one of the low- with Nato’s anti-piracy mis- Even after seven years at the est youth jobless rates in the sion arrived on a helicopter and helm of Europe’s top economy, European Union and is one of the Farm workers resume strike in South Africa arrested the Somalis, together Merkel still enjoys a level of few European countries where with 10 Yemeni crew, the min- domestic popularity unseen by workers have not had to accept a CAPE TOWN: Farm work- November when workers burned resolved “on the ground”. “Farm istry added. any previous post-war German loss in salaries in real terms since ers in South Africa’s pictur- vineyards, looted shops and block- workers do not normally strike. leader and is regarded as the par- 2010, she added. esque winelands resumed strike aded streets with burning tyres in They are partners in business ty’s trump card in its re-election “In times of crisis that is any- action yesterday, with tension towns close to Cape Town. and they realise what their role Italian gets 30 years bid. thing but a given.” enveloping the Western Cape Many of the farmers have since is. They sort their issues out on She was thunderously re- Merkel said that although the region but few signs of a repeat hired private security firms to the farm with the farmers.” for killing toddler elected unopposed party chief by tools for fighting the debt crisis of deadly violence. protect their property while the Adams said farmers were ROME: An Italian man who nearly 98 percent of delegates -- that has ravaged the eurozone “We have had reports or work- police have sent hundreds of addi- “reassessing their risks and killed his 16-month-old son her best result since taking over for three years had now been ers throwing stones at trucks tional officers to monitor the area. thinking about alternatives” to by throwing him off a bridge as CDU chairwoman in 2000. created, caution was still needed in the Franschhoek area,” said “We are operationally ready if using labour. The fruit industry in Rome after a custody row Under the banner of “A Strong because the troubles had built up Porschia Adams, a spokeswoman any problems arise,” Lieutenant- in the Western Cape employs with his partner was sen- Germany. Opportunities for All!”, over time. “It can’t be said often for the AgriWes-Cape, a group Colonel Andre Traut said. around 200,000 permanent work- tenced to 30 years in jail. delegates filed into the immense enough, the European state debt that represents farmers in the Workers are demanding that ers and 200,000 casual labourers. Patrizio Franceschelli, 26, exhibition hall for the two-day crisis cannot be solved in one fell Western Cape province. “But oth- their 70 rand ($8) wages be Michael Loubser, a spokes- threw his son Claudio into the congress to Stevie Wonder’s swoop, a wave of the wand, the erwise it has been peaceful so far.” increased to 150 rand ($17). man for Hex Valley Table Grape freezing waters of the Tiber upbeat “Isn’t She Lovely” played would-be magic cure,” she said, The strike, which comes at Adams said a strike was unusual Farmers Association, said no river in February after argu- by an all-female brass quartet. mentioning eurobonds and debt the start of South Africa’s grape for the farming industry, where violence had been reported early ing with the boy’s mother. But her electoral campaign will write-downs. AFP harvest season, turned violent in wage disputes were normally yesterday. AFP The toddler’s body was found over a month later after it washed up on the shore miles downstream. Kenyan leaders agree on poll alliance France calls off search for missing climbers Court orders paternity GAP, France: French rescuers from Lecco and Luca Gaggianese, NAIROBI: Kenya’s Prime made. “This is the only group Criminal Court for their alleged yesterday called off a search for a 49-year-old mountain guide from test over Dati’s child Minister Raila Odinga and Vice that will propel Kenyans towards role in 2007-8 post-election unrest two Italian heart specialists and Milan. The trio of experienced VERSAILLES, France: President Kalonzo Musyoka prosperity,” said Odinga, after a that killed at least 1,100 people a guide missing in the French climbers set out on November A French court yesterday announced a powerful alliance shuffling dance in front of cheer- and displaced more than 600,000. Alps for nearly 10 days, saying 23 and successfully completed an ordered a hotel tycoon to yesterday as running mates ing crowds. The violence shattered Kenya’s there was little chance they were extremely difficult ascent of the take a paternity test to deter- in presidential elections due in “We are the people who under- image as a beacon of stability in still alive. Barre des Ecrins, a 4,102m (13,458- mine whether he is the father March. stand unity, peace and security for east Africa when the then-opposi- “We have unfortunately given up foot) peak, before going missing on of former justice minister The former rivals, along with Kenyans,” Musyoka said along- tion leader Raila Odinga accused hope of finding the three climbers their descent. Rachida Dati’s daughter. trade minister Moses Wetangula side him. The agreement comes President Mwai Kibaki of rigging alive, given the normal survival Mountain rescuers used helicop- Dati, 46, a glamorous pro- and leaders of 10 other smaller two days after Deputy Prime his way to re-election following time and the bad weather condi- ters and sniffer dogs to try to find tege of ex-president Nicolas parties, signed an agreement in Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and his the 2007 polls. tions,” the prefect of the Hautes- the three men, but to no avail. “We Sarkozy, took a case against front of thousands of supporters deputy, ex-minister William Ruto, What began as political riots Alpes region, Jacques Quastana, never succeeded in entering into Dominique Desseigne to try to form the Coalition for Reform announced their alliance under quickly turned into ethnic killings told a press conference in the town direct contact with the climbers. to make him accept paternity and Democracy (CORD) party. the slogan Umoja Kenya (Kenya of Kenyatta’s Kikuyu tribe, which of Gap. We explored every possible and in the latest case to cast light Odinga is widely tipped to be Together). launched reprisal attacks, plung- The three men are Damiano imaginable avenue without finding on the hitherto taboo sexual the presidential candidate with Both Kenyatta and Ruto are ing Kenya into its worst wave of Barabino, a 32-year-old cardiolo- the slightest trace,” said Stephane antics of France’s political elite. Musyoka as his deputy, although charged with crimes against violence since independence in gist from Genoa, Francesco Cantu, Bozon, chief of the local PGHM AGENCIES no formal announcement was humanity by the International 1963. AFP a 41-year-old senior heart surgeon mountain rescue service. AFP INTERNATIONAL WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2012 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 McAfee seeking Internet storm welcomes #royalbaby

LONDON: From spoof Twitter IN HERE, WILL UPDATE,” Bookmakers predict that the C-section,” wrote one tweeter, accounts to feverish speculation tweeted @RoyalFoetus, which has couple will name the baby after a echoing the thoughts of many, political asylum about names, the Internet went 6,000 followers. close relative, with William’s late “does the doctor get to choose into a frenzy yesterday over the The rival @RoyalFetus, which mother Diana among the early who will be the next in line for unborn child of Prince William has 9,000 followers, added: “I front-runners if it is a girl and the throne?” and his wife Catherine as the may not have bones yet, but I’m John, George and Charles among “What if there are twins and first royal baby of the online age. already more important than eve- the favourite boys’ names. they’re born by C section at the in Guatemala News of the former Kate ryone reading this. #royalbaby But mischievous web-users same time?” wrote another. “A Middleton’s pregnancy — #sorry”. The hashtag #royalbaby have made their own helpful sug- pair of heirs?” Others have been announced by the royal family on instantly rocketed to the top of gestions about what William and revelling in the array of computer- Tech guru leaves elaborate e-trail Twitter — met with an explosion Twitter’s “trending topics” list on Catherine should call the baby. ised images, hastily put together by of posts on social networks, from the announcement. One gleefully suggested newspapers and websites, showing GUATEMALA CITY: interviews with the press yester- joyous congratulations to those Interest was so great that the “Austerity” to reflect the public what the child may look like. American anti-virus software day because of this and I apolo- pleading for the media coverage official website of the Duke and mood in Britain as it struggles to Some of the more sinister ver- pioneer John McAfee, wanted gise to all of those affected.” to end already. Duchess of Cambridge, as the cou- climb out of recession, while oth- sions transpose William’s thin- for questioning over the murder Police say Faull, 52, was dis- It is perhaps of little comfort to ple are officially known, crashed ers plumped for a down-to-earth ning hairline onto pictures of the of his neighbour last month in covered by his housekeeper Catherine, in hospital for a sec- due to high demand. name bringing the monarchy closer hypothetical toddler. One thing is Belize, is in Guatemala where with a 9-mm slug in his head ond day on Tuesday with severe Meanwhile, online topics of to the people, such as “Kevin”. clear — with Catherine believed he is seeking political asylum, lying in a pool of his own blood. morning sickness, that within royal baby-related conversation Online chatter has also turned to be less than 12 weeks pregnant his lawyer said yesterday. Prior to his murder, Faull had minutes of the announcement her have ranged from likely names and to reports that Catherine could and much more of this to come Telesforo Guerra, who met led neighbours in writing a let- baby already had a slew of spoof godparents to the probability that be expecting twins — potentially — those already tiring of #roy- yesterday with McAfee at a ter to the mayor complaining accounts “live-tweeting from the the new third-in-line to the British spelling constitutional double- albaby-talk may wish to flee the Guatemala City hotel, said, “I have that McAfee’s “vicious” dogs royal womb”. throne will inherit the famous gin- trouble for the royal family. Internet for a few months. to manage his political asylum.” and aggressive security guards “CURRENT STATUS: DARK ger locks of its uncle, Prince Harry. “So if Kate has twins and a AFP The 67-year-old McAfee, who were scaring tourists and resi- has been on the run for more dents alike. than three weeks, since US expat McAfee shot dead four of his Prince William Gregory Faull’s November 11 mur- dogs before fleeing, claiming they der, wrote on his blog: “It was not had been poisoned, possibly by visits pregnant easy to exit Belize and required Faull. Police said the dogs were many supporters in many coun- exhumed last week and ballistics Kate in hospital tries. I am in Guatemala and will experts are seeing if the slugs be meeting with Guatemalan match up with the one found in LONDON: Prince William officials. If all goes well I will do Faull’s head. visited his pregnant wife Kate a press conference tomorrow A successful Silicon Valley in hospital yesterday where (Wednesday),” wrote the fugitive, entrepreneur who cashed out she was spending a second day believed to be traveling with his to live the life of an adventure being treated for acute morn- girlfriend Sam, 20. seeker, McAfee amassed huge ing sickness, as messages of McAfee, who maintains his wealth from the antivirus soft- congratulations poured in innocence, has been posting reg- ware that bears his name. He from around the world. ularly on his blog, whoismcafee. decamped to Belize in 2009 after The announcement on Monday com, leaving a confusing trail losing an estimated $96m of his that the Duke and Duchess of for the public and the Belizean $100m fortune due to bad invest- Cambridge, both 30, are expect- authorities to follow. ments and the financial crisis. ing their first child ended fever- Before apparently fleeing Police raided McAfee’s home ish speculation about a new royal south into Guatemala, he put in April and he was briefly incar- heir that began immediately after out a false report saying he cerated after police found him their lavish wedding in April 2011. had been captured near the living with a 17-year-old girl and The child will be third in line to northern Mexican border and discovered an arsenal of seven the throne. claimed to have sent a “double” pump-action shotguns, one It will also be directly in line to with a North Korean passport to single-action shotgun, and two become the monarch regardless Mexico as another decoy. 9-mm pistols. of whether it is a girl or a boy, Internet users tracked a photo In the McAfee story, the truth after a historic agreement among from a magazine on Monday to is an enigma. Did he actually the 16 Commonwealth realms last Guatemala, but McAfee initially commit the crime? If he did, why year to end the practice of male claimed to have encrypted it to leave such an elaborate e-trail? primogeniture. St James’s Palace British newspapers shower their front pages with the news of Catherine’s pregnancy in London. throw police off the scent. If he didn’t, why go on the run said Kate was still at the “very “I apologise for all of the mis- at all? early stages” of pregnancy — as it causes severe vomiting and palace to be “delighted”, as were his wife Michelle also sent their directions over the past few McAfee was involved in a spat she is believed to be less than carries a danger of dehydration Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael congratulations on the “welcome days,” McAfee, who says he is with the deceased but maintains 12 weeks — but it is thought the and nutritional deficiencies. Middleton. William’s brother news”, the White House said. also travelling with two report- his innocence and says he fears news was released because her Kate is expected to stay in hos- Prince Harry was reportedly Australian Prime Minister Julia ers from Vice magazine, wrote for his life if he gives himself up admission to hospital would have pital for several days and will then informed by email in Afghanistan, Gillard said the news “is going in yesterday’s post. because the Belize authorities made her condition public. require a period of rest, a palace where he is deployed as an Apache to bring joy to many around the “Yesterday was chaotic due are corrupt and have it in for Kate has hyperemesis gravi- spokeswoman said, adding that attack helicopter pilot. world”, while her New Zealand to the accidental release of my him. Belize Prime Minister Dean darum, a very acute form of her public engagements have been Prime Minister David counterpart John Key said it was exact co-ordinates by an unsea- Barrow has described McAfee morning sickness which affects 3.5 cancelled for the next week. Cameron, who had his fourth “fabulous”. Commentators specu- soned technician at Vice head- as “bonkers,” saying he is only in every 1,000 pregnant women. Queen Elizabeth II, her husband child in 2010, led the congratula- lated on whether there may be two quarters,” he said. “We made it wanted for questioning, and urged Although it should not harm the Prince Philip, Charles — for whom tions by saying the royal couple babies, because hyperemesis gravi- to safety in spite of this handi- him to give himself up. baby if treated correctly, it can be this is his first grandchild — and would make “wonderful parents”. darum is apparently more common cap. I had to cancel numerous AFP highly unpleasant for the mother his wife Camilla were said by the US President Barack Obama and in mothers carrying twins. AFP

Violence in Northern Ireland Clock ticking for newspapers to act: Cameron BELFAST: Fifteen police officers were hurt in violence which flared in Northern Ireland when LONDON: Prime Minister David of the press. That infuriated press prominent apologies, and a tough inde- with Brooks at their country houses 1,000 protesters rioted after councillors voted not Cameron demanded yesterday that barons who have lobbied frantically pendent regulatory system. And they and signed off text messages with a to fly the British flag all year round. Officers were newspaper bosses urgently come against the recommendation, saying know, because I told them, the clock is friendly “LOL”, which he thought stood pelted with bricks, bottles and fireworks and dem- up with an effective system of self- any involvement of the law in press ticking for this to be sorted out.” for “lots of love”. Brooks is now facing onstrators tried to force their way into City Hall regulation following a damning regulation would amount to state con- The public was enraged when it criminal action over phone-hacking here. Trouble broke out after Belfast city coun- inquiry into the reporting practices trol and an attack on Britain’s centu- emerged that staff at Murdoch’s and other alleged illegal actions. cillors voted to remove the Union Flag from City of Britain’s scandal-hungry press. ries-old traditions of free speech. newspapers routinely hacked into peo- The inquiry gave Britain a rare Hall, meaning it will be taken down for the first The behaviour of Britain’s cut-throat Cameron is himself against statu- ple’s phones, including that of miss- glimpse into the tricks of the tabloid time since the building opened in 1906. AFP tabloid media has come under intense tory regulation, but, keen to be seen as ing schoolgirl Milly Dowler, who was trade which included stalking chil- scrutiny in recent years as journalists taking a tough stance on the excesses later found dead. Subsequent hearings dren, bullying victims and rummaging resorted to increasingly intrusive tac- of Britain’s notoriously aggressive tab- also embarrassed Cameron by expos- through celebrities’ rubbish bins. Phone tics to break salacious stories about loids, said industry bosses had to act ing his cosy ties to Murdoch execu- hacking at Murdoch’s News of the World people’s lives to shore up falling circu- fast to get their house in order. tives, including former top lieutenant subsequently led to its closure. lation figures. “They’ve got to do it in a way that Rebekah Brooks with whose husband In his report last week, Lord Justice Last week a judge who oversaw the absolutely meets the requirements Cameron went horse riding as part of Brian Leveson said statutory backing year-long inquiry triggered by a phone- of Lord Justice Leveson’s report,” their weekend gatherings in an upscale for the news regulator was needed to hacking scandal at Rupert Murdoch’s Cameron said after a meeting with English town. end a journalistic culture that had at British media empire called for a new editors and industry representatives. In a revelation which reinforced his times “wreaked havoc with the lives of legislation-backed watchdog to police “That means million-pound fines, image as a man of privilege, it emerged innocent people”. the sometimes “outrageous” behaviour proper investigation of complaints, Cameron enjoyed “kitchen suppers” REUTERS

Strauss-Kahn hearing on Dec 10 Two key conservative Republicans

NEW YORK: A hearing in the civil case of disgraced former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn has been set for December 10, after booted from US House budget panel reports he will settle with the hotel maid who accused him of sexual assault. “If the case is settled, this will be announced in open court WASHINGTON: Two of the most con- and Amash for such a compromise seemed on that day,” Bronx Supreme Court Justice Douglas McKeon said. servative Republicans in the House of an uphill battle. The hearing is set for 1900 GMT. McKeon said he expects the maid, Representatives have been kicked off the Huelskamp released a statement saying Nafissatou Diallo, to be present, and for Strauss-Kahn to skip the House Budget Committee, a rare move the Republican leadership “might think proceedings. that could make it easier for the panel to they have silenced conservatives but remov- If Strauss-Kahn, 63, and Diallo, 33, agree on the still undisclosed advance a deal with Democrats to cut fis- ing me and others from key committees only terms of the settlement, the one-time favourite for the French cal deficits. confirms our conservative convictions. presidency would put to an end his sordid 18-month legal battle Representatives Tim Huelskamp of Kansas “This is clearly a vindictive move and a in the United States. Strauss-Kahn’s attorney William Taylor and Justin Amash of Michigan - both favorites sure sign that the GOP establishment can- said on Friday that negotiations were ongoing but refused to give of the anti-tax Tea Party movement - are not handle disagreement,” he said. details of any pay-off. among those Republicans voting most often Huelskamp and Amash had said that He called a report in France’s Le Monde newspaper that Strauss- against House Speaker John Boehner. despite sweeping changes to the Medicare Kahn was ready to pay Diallo $6m if she drops her civil suit “dramati- Huelskamp and Amash, who both will and Medicaid healthcare programs, com- cally inaccurate”. Until now, Strauss-Kahn’s lawyers repeatedly said begin second terms in the House next mittee chairman Paul Ryan’s budget did they would not agree to a deal and called Diallo a gold digger. month, voted against last year’s deal to raise not make deep enough cuts to entitlement Diallo’s allegation of attempted rape in May 2011 triggered a stunning the federal debt limit and staunchly oppose programs and military spending. Boehner fall from grace for Strauss-Kahn, who had been seen as close to announc- any tax increases. Boehner has now included spokesman Michael Steel declined to be ing he would run in an upcoming French presidential election. Criminal new revenue in his latest offer to avert specific on the reasons for their ouster by charges were quickly brought, and then thrown out when Manhattan the “fiscal cliff” of year-end tax hikes and the House Republican Steering Committee, prosecutors said Diallo’s testimony wouldn’t stand up in court. automatic spending cuts. Given their voting which occurred on Monday in a closed-door AFP records, winning support from Huelskamp meeting. AFP WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2012 ASIA / PHILIPPINES 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 52 killed as typhoon Bopha hits Philippines Storm causes localised flooding, forcing more than 56,000 to seek refuge in emergency shelters

MANILA: Typhoon Bopha Three of the victims were crushed temporary shelters. killed at least 52 people in the by falling trees. A total of 146 flights to and Philippines yesterday, officials Four fishermen were also from Mindanao and the cen- and television reports said as reported missing off Mindanao’s tral islands had been grounded the strongest storm to hit the east coast, said Freddie Bendulo, since Monday night and more country this year wreaked planning and development officer than 3,000 ferry passengers were devastation. of Davao Oriental province. stranded as vessels were ordered ABS-CBN television said 43 of By early evening a weakened to stay in port, according to the the deaths occurred in one south- Bopha was streaking across the civil defence update. ern town that was in the direct Sulu Sea, having changed course Large parts of Mindanao, which path of Bopha’s 210 kilometre (130 westward in the afternoon after is not normally hit by typhoons, mile) an hour winds soon after it briefly threatening the central were still without electricity hit land on Mindanao island’s east tourist islands of Bohol, Cebu and oyesterday night, it said. coast at dawn. Negros, the state weather service People living in the path of the “I’ve counted 43 bodies on the said. storm did what they could to pro- floor,” reporter Vina Araneta said The typhoon brought driving tect their homes and possessions. by telephone from a government rain and strong winds, toppling “We have taken our pigs and building that she said had been trees and power lines, causing chickens inside our house because converted into a temporary mor- localised flooding and forcing their shed might be destroyed,” tuary in New Bataan town. more than 56,000 to seek refuge said shopkeeper Marianita The military said a landslide in emergency shelters according Villamor, 46, from the southern destroyed a Philippine Army to a civil defence office update. farming town of San Fermin. patrol base in a mountainous area Winds blew roofs off some In Cagayan de Oro city, where of the town, while a local official buildings and residents of coastal giant waves crashed down on the said an army truck laden with and low-lying communities in shoreline, mayor Vicente Emano soldiers and civilians was swept Mindanao moved into shelters as said on ABS-CBN television that away in a flash flood. floods hit some areas, residents police rounded up all residents of Neither the civil defence office and reporters said. low-lying areas and moved them in Manila nor the armed forces Television footage showed logs to government shelters. could give official confirmation being swept down Mindanao’s In Tagum city, hotel waiter of the 43 reported deaths, saying Sumilao river, and utility workers Edgie Atilano, 23, said he and his Workers clear a road of a fallen tree after Typhoon Bopha hit the city of Tagum, Davao del Norte province, on the their rescuers were having a hard cutting up fallen trees that were family hunkered down in their southern island of Mindanao yesterday. time reaching the remote town. blocking highways. home as Bopha bore down. Officials said there were nine They also showed large num- “At 3:00 am, we were woken by confirmed deaths, all but one of bers of people lying on mats and strong rain and howling winds. father-of-two to a reporter. bit scary,” he added. people, was hit by flooding as riv- them occurring on Mindanao cardboard sheets on the con- Trees and branches started snap- “This is my first time to expe- The commercial centre of ers overflowed. island in the country’s south. crete floors of gyms turned into ping off near the house,” told the rience a strong typhoon. It was a Cagayan de Oro, a city of 600,000 AFP

South Korea, US to boost bid to stop Japan leaders start poll campaign near Fukushima IWAKI: Japan’s election cam- the country its seventh prime begun campaigns in the capi- with tasks we must tackle or will win power as anti-nuclear activ- North rocket launch paign kicked off yesterday with minister in six years. tal but at least four were in go back to old politics,” he said, ists showed up holding signs pro- SEOUL: South Korea and the party leaders making pitches But no single grouping looks Fukushima prefecture yesterday accusing the LDP of turning the claiming “It’s the LDP that built United States will “maximise” near the disaster-struck likely to secure a majority. to highlight their reconstruction clock back on social security and the nuclear plant in Fukushima”. diplomatic efforts to stop North Fukushima plant, setting the Observers say the election could credentials. nuclear policies. The DPJ pledges to phase out Korea’s planned rocket launch, tone for a poll set to be domi- lead to a feeble coalition govern- Prime Minister Yoshihiko LDP leader Shinzo Abe was in nuclear power by the 2030s while Seoul’s top nuclear envoy said nated by nuclear power and the ment at a time the resource-poor, Noda, head of the Democratic Fukushima city, 50 kilometres the business-friendly LDP says yesterday as he left for talks in sluggish economy. ageing nation needs to make key Party of Japan (DPJ), pitched (30 miles) away from Fukushima only that it will decide over the Washington. Around 1,500 candidates, decisions on its energy policy and for voter support in Iwaki, just Daiichi, the scene of the world’s coming three years whether to Lim Sung-Nam’s US trip will fielded by 12 parties or standing on measures to boost the economy south of the nuclear power plant worst atomic accident in a quar- restart reactors that were taken be dominated by Pyongyang’s as independents, are vying for the and tackle its massive public debt. crippled by the March 2011 earth- ter of a century. offline after the disaster. announcement on Saturday that 480 seats in the lower house of Japan is also embroiled in terri- quake and tsunami. Abe, who is advocating spend- The centre-left DPJ swept to it intends to launch a long-range parliament in the December 16 torial rows with South Korea and “We will make a start for ing where Noda pushes for fiscal power in 2009, bringing an end to rocket between December 10 and election. China and must decide whether Japan’s revival by affirm- restraint and tax hikes to rein in an almost half-century of unbro- 22. Opinion polls have suggested to join talks on forming a trans- ing anew that there will be no public debts, said he would aim for ken rule by the conservative LDP. The United States and its key the main opposition Liberal Pacific free trade group, a move revival of Japan without revival a society that will enjoy growing The upcoming vote will be a Asian allies South Korea and Democratic Party (LDP) is on highly unpopular with its pro- of Fukushima,” Noda said. income. verdict on the their three-year Japan have condemned the move course to come back to govern- tected farmers. “The point in question is He said the LDP and its ally, the rule. as a disguised ballistic missile test ment as the biggest party, giving Party leaders seem to have whether we will move ahead Buddhists-backed Komei, would AFP that violates UN resolutions trig- gered by Pyongyang’s two nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009. Embattled chief justice Lim told Yonhap news agency that his talks with US officials would seek to “maximise diplo- Former Indonesia top Factory fire in matic efforts and the coordination between South Korea and the US China kills 14 to block North Korea’s launch.” Lim met in Seoul on Monday cop detained for graft BEIJING: Fourteen people with ambassadors from China, were killed when an arsonist Russia and Japan to discuss a JAKARTA: Indonesia has kickbacks to favour one bidder. torched an underwear factory common response. detained a former traffic police The winner, metals company in the southern Chinese city of Pyongyang insists the launch is chief in a multi-million dollar Citra Mandiri Metalindo Abadi, is Shantou yesterday, state media a “peaceful” and purely scientific graft case, the nation’s corrup- known for producing bottle tops, reported. mission aimed at placing a satel- tion watchdog said yesterday, and had no experience or capacity A fire broke out at around 3.30 lite in orbit. in the latest scandal to hit the in simulators. pm, Guangdong province emer- A previous attempt in April notoriously corrupt police force. Rampant corruption has gency officials told Xinhua news failed when the carrier exploded The Corruption Eradication crippled the public service in agency, and was put out half shortly after take-off. Commission (KPK) said it Indonesia, where paying bribes is an hour later. One worker was During his three-day visit to detained Djoko Susilo, the former routine and half the population of injured in the blaze and was taken Washington, Lim will hold talks chief of the traffic division, “for 240m live below the poverty line. to hospital for treatment. with his US counterpart, Glyn allegedly abusing his authority” The country scored 3.0 in Police said initial investiga- Davies, and other senior officials. in a case involving a $21m tender Transparency International’s tions showed the fire had been China, the North’s closest ally, for driving simulators. Corruption Perceptions Index for started deliberately and that a has expressed “concern” at the “We will question him over the 2011, where 10 means “very clean” suspect surnamed Liu had been launch plan, with the foreign min- next 20 days and if we find suf- and zero “highly corrupt”. arrested on suspicion of torching istry urging “relevant parties (to) ficient evidence of wrongdoing, we The KPK has been given the building. act in a way that is more condu- will take his case to court,” KPK extraordinary powers to wiretap Senior officials immediately cive to the stability of the Korean spokesman Johan Budi said. suspects, probe bank accounts and ordered an inquiry into the peninsula”. Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake (right) prays before leaving the The KPK has accused Susilo of investigate the all-powerful police. incident. AFP Supreme Court for the Parliament to appear before the Parliamentary accepting more than $200,000 in AFP AFP Select Committee (PSC) appointed to look into impeachment charges against her, in Colombo yesterday. Thailand hunts for killer tiger Taiwan students want Myanmar monk who led rallies arrested right to protest freely after second deadly attack YANGON: A leader of of political prisoners freed by the His questioning by authorities Myanmar’s 2007 monk ral- regime in January. He was serv- drew sharp criticism from the TAIPEI: Student groups in lies has been arrested, an offi- ing a 68-year jail term for his United States and international Taiwan yesterday accused the BANGKOK: Terrified Thai vil- “He spent the whole night up cial said yesterday, in his latest role in the monk-led “Saffron rights campaigners. government of trying to clamp lagers were yesterday hunting a the tree. He said the tiger came brush with the law since being Revolution”, which was crushed Myanmar has released political down on their freedom to pro- tiger suspected of killing two back to eat his wife after he shot freed from jail along with hun- by the military. prisoners as part of wide-ranging test against a planned sale people in less than a week after at it, so he fired at it again and it dreds of other political prison- Daw Yay, who said her son reforms under a new quasi-civil- that they believe will make the a woman was mauled to death ran off,” Urupong said. ers this year. had stopped being a monk since ian regime that replaced outright media more Beijing-friendly. in a rubber plantation near the Last week the footprints of an The 33-year-old, known his release from prison, told a military rule last year. The students reacted angrily site of an earlier attack. adult and young tiger were seen as Gambira, was detained on reporter that Gambira’s illness The sweeping changes have after the education ministry sent a Pranee Mahasuk, 43, was near where 44-year-old Hyaya Saturday evening according to was “serious”. been hailed by Western countries, notice to 37 universities expressing slashed on the face and back in Seng was found headless with his mother Daw Yay, who raised “We are worried about him who have rolled back tough sanc- “concerns over the health of stu- front of her husband as the pair deep scratches across his body at concerns over her son’s mental because he’s not in good health,” tions against the former pariah dents” for joining street protests tapped rubber shortly before mid- another plantation in Yala near health. she said, adding that the family state while pressing for further — despite bad weather — against night on Monday, said Urupong the border with Malaysia. A government official, who had heard there would be a trial efforts on rights. Hong Kong-based Next Media’s Chanakul, deputy chief of Betong “It is likely that the same asked not to be named, confirmed on December 14. Daw Yay said she had tried to plan to sell off its Taiwanese assets. district in Thailand’s southern tiger killed the victim last week,” that Gambira had been sent to Gambira, who goes by only one explain to authorities that her son Hung Chung-yen, a student Yala province. Urupong said, adding the latest Yangon’s notorious Insein prison name, was detained briefly in did not understand the law and leader of the alliance, said: “That He said the woman’s husband incident was 10 kilometres (six and held over charges of “break- February and March and accused had not realised that the monas- notice was mindful of the period had tried to help her by shooting miles) away from the previous ing into monasteries”. He did not of illegally entering and squatting teries had been closed down dur- when Taiwan was under martial at the big cat, but had been forced one. give further details. in monasteries that were shut ing his time in prison. law.” to climb a tree for safety. AFP Gambira was one of hundreds down after the 2007 protests. AFP AFP WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2012 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21 US assures faster flow Arrested fishermen of funds to Islamabad USAID funding 30 projects in various sectors

ISLAMABAD: Ambassador achieve the desired results. consolidation of US funded Robin Raphel, Senior Adviser That stage has come and it is projects, she said USAID was to the Special Representative hoped that the disbursements will funding 30 plus projects in for Afghanistan and Pakistan, be accelerated in months ahead, Pakistan for various important yesterday hoped that the dis- she maintained. sectors of the national economy bursements under Kerry Lugar Disbursements under KLL including economic growth, gov- Law (KLL) would pick up pace have remained dismally slow ernance, health, education and as the stage was set to kick-off through government channels some others. faster development work. in the aftermath of Abbottabad Recognising that Pakistan’s “We hope that the process of operation and especially after stability and future prosperity disbursements will get pace,” was Silala incident. depend on a robust economy in her brief reply yesterday evening Now after normalising eco- which women play a key role, the about the pace of disbursements nomic and strategic relations, State Department and American in the aftermath of recently Islamabad expects that the money University have joined this ini- concluded economic and finance promised by US in shape of KLL tiative. Ambassador Raphel said working group meeting held in would be disbursed in a speedy that Secretary of State Hillary Washington DC from November manner. Clinton had agreed to remain on 29 and 30. Ambassador Raphel partici- the Advisory Board of Women She said that it took time to pated in a media roundtable to Council even after relinquishing reach a stage in development discuss challenges being faced by her charge as Secretary of State work where money could be women entrepreneurs in Pakistan. as this objective was quite close to Fishermen from India stand behind bars in a police station in Karachi yesterday, after being detained in poured on an accelerated pace to To another query about her heart. INTERNEWS Pakistani waters. Pakistani maritime authorities apprehended two boats and arrested 19 Indian fishermen for illegally venturing into Pakistan’s territorial waters, an official at the police station said.

Islamabad to Heart patients to be treated free in Peshawar appoint human rights defenders PESHAWAR: Pakistan’s north- will start in a month. It will get The number of paid patients cardiology department, which a new formula for distribution western provincial government go-ahead from the finance depart- was 2993. During the same period had been autonomous since 1997, of money, got through users” ISLAMABAD: Pakistani of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ment before approval by the chief out of the total 1,069 angioplasty, would come under the control of charges, among the staff at the Prime Minister Raja Pervez has decided to provide free minister,” said the officials associ- 858 were paid and 209 were car- LRH chief executive after imple- department,” they said. Ashraf gave a go-ahead yester- treatment to patients suffering ated with the plan. ried out free of cost. mentation of the plan. The officials said that no noti- day to the ministry of human from cardiac ailments, official They said that the plan was They said that 31,073 small and They said there was political fication was issued regarding rights to appoint human rights sources say. part of the government’s ini- large procedures were performed will behind the plan as majority of autonomy of the cardiology defenders whose job would be to They said that the plan was tiatives to develop two more at LRH and out of them 28,477 of the patients currently paid at department. help poor victims. aimed at putting in place mech- facilities for cardiac patients were paid while 2,596 were carried the department. The department had actually A government official privy to a anism under which 70 percent at Hayatabad Medical Complex out free of cost. “Next year, the grant will be been allowed to charge patients meeting between the prime min- patients would be provided free Peshawar and Ayub Teaching They added that the plan was increased and all the patients after 2pm but they were charged ister and his Adviser on human angiography, angioplasty and Hospital (ATH) Abbottabad developed after initial home will be provided free treatment,” in official working hours from 8am rights, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, other services at the cardiology besides LRH and provide free work to enhance capacity of the they said. The patients should not to 2pm, they said. said it was just a proposal to department of Lady Reading diagnostic and treatment facili- cardiology department at LRH be charged at government-owned The patients would undergo which the prime minister had Hospital. ties to them. and enable it to receive more free facilities, they added. angiography and angioplasty in agreed and now the ministry “We want to perform 5,000 ang- The officials said that govern- patients. The officials said that cardiolo- one session in LRH, which had would work on nitty-gritty of the iography and angioplasty of poor ment provided Rs40m, grant-in- “The patients will get free gists and other staff would lose got state-of-the-art machines and move. patients in the department per aid, to LRH during the last fiscal services from 8am to 2pm at the their hefty shares in the money highly-trained cardiologists and The basic idea to have human year. The government is allocating year but only 38 patients received department,” they said. received from the patients. staff, the officials said. rights defenders in the country Rs100m for the programme that free angiography there. The officials said that the “We are also hammering out INTERNEWS was to help those poor victims who could not afford to plead their cases in courts or seek Nut pickers other remedial measures against oppressors. Top Court “The number of human rights Attack injures six in Bannu defenders and their service structure will be worked out by probes 2007 PESHAWAR: A suicide suicide bomber blew up his car the ministry in collaboration bomber yesterday rammed at the checkpoint,” senior police with other ministries,” the offi- his explosive-laden car into a official Nisar Ahmad Tanoli said. cial said. mosque raid checkpoint outside a police sta- The blast damaged the outer However, critics of the govern- tion in northwestern Pakistan, wall of the police station and two ment say as elections were just a ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top wounding six people, police said. houses near the checkpoint, he few months away, new positions court yesterday appointed a The attack took place at a said. Taliban militants immedi- are being created to accommo- judge to investigate an army police station outside the restive ately claimed responsibility. date pro-PPP voters. assault on a radical mosque in town of Bannu bordering the law- “We carried out the suicide This decision was taken by the capital in 2007 that opened less tribal regions where Taliban attack on the police station... we the prime minister during a the floodgates on a Taliban and Al Qaeda linked militants are will not spare them and target presentation made by the min- uprising, a lawyer said. known to operate. them again,” Taliban spokesman istry on its working and per- Critics said the move was a fur- “Four policemen and two Ehsanullah Ehsan said on phone formance at the PM House this ther sign of the Supreme Court civilians were wounded after a from an unknown location. AFP afternoon. INTERNEWS meddling in politics and warned Labourers separate pine nuts at a market in Lahore, yesterday. it could fan tensions between the state and Islamists. “Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry observed today that police have failed to satisfy the court and ordered a Pakistani motorists hit as gas price row rages judicial commission to probe the matter,” Tariq Asad, a lawyer RAWALPINDI: Huge bottle- province, have only opened for involved in the case, said. necks of cars snaking away from three days a week. Judge Shahzad Sheikh, from filling stations have become a It is a row that observers say a federal sharia court, has been familiar sight in Pakistan as exemplifies Pakistan’s lack of long- appointed to the one-man com- a row festers between retail- term planning, particularly on mission and police have been ers and the authorities over the energy issues -- but also the will- ordered to hand him all docu- price of compressed natural gas. ingness of special interest groups ments relating to the case, Asad CNG is substantially cheaper such as CNG retailers to exploit added. than petrol in Pakistan and is public misery for their own gain. The army stormed the Red widely used by private motorists “It’s typical of the way Pakistani Mosque in Islamabad on July 10, as well as in taxis, rickshaws and administration works -- they never 2007. More than 100 people died buses. have a long-term view. They have during the operation and the army But many CNG stations have an immediate issue to deal with also demolished Jamia Hafsa, an closed their doors, declaring they and they don’t see the problem in adjacent girls’ seminary and hostel. are no longer making money fol- the longer perspective,” political After the raid, Taliban and lowing a Supreme Court hearing analyst Hasan Askari said. Al-Qaeda-linked groups went at the end of October that led to Pakistan has substantial natu- on the rampage, bombing their pump prices tumbling by a third. ral gas reserves and in the past way around the country killing As prices climbed to around the government encouraged thousands of people and the inci- 92 rupees (95 cents) per kilo, motorists to convert their cars to dent is still used by militants as Pakistan’s highest court ques- run on CNG in order to reduce a recruiting tool. tioned the linking of CNG to dependency on imported oil. Military ruler Pervez international oil prices and how But security worries in gas-rich Musharraf lost power in 2008, much retailers were charging at areas and years of under-invest- replaced by a civilian admin- the pumps. ment in exploration mean demand istration, but the war between The court queried whether has far outstripped supply and the Vehicles queue up while waiting to buy compressed natural gas (CNG) from a government-run CNG station in the government and the Taliban there was a need for the price country now suffers gas shortages Islamabad. has spread like wildfire across of CNG — produced locally — to every winter. Pakistan’s tribal belt and be pegged to petrol prices, which Factories and homes suffer northwest. reflect constantly fluctuating “load-shedding” — having their Ghayas Paracha, said his sector calculate gas prices) of taxes, but severely denting his income. Political analyst Hasan Askari worldwide oil markets. supply cut off — infuriating ordi- was being treated unfairly and the industry sector is paying only “I lost 80 percent of my business said it was unclear what the As a result the government’s nary people who cannot cook or demanded the government level 50 rupees per MMBtu.” — it’s as if I hadn’t worked at all. commission could achieve other Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority heat their homes and damaging the price playing field. Paracha said around 3.7 million How am I meant to feed my fam- than to provide militant groups (OGRA) cut the pump price to the economy by halting industrial “One solution is... every sector cars in Pakistan run on CNG and ily?” said the father-of-two. with a forum and reprimand around 61 rupees per kilo — good operations. giving the same price for the gas,” the filling station shutdown has Anger at the CNG strike is not the then government, given that news for motorists but disastrous Askari said that the CNG sta- he said. meant huge queues at the few that confined to vehicle owners. Public Musharraf is no longer in power for the CNG station owners. tion owners were seeking to stir “There is a big discrimination remain open. transport passengers too have or in Pakistan. They say they are no longer up public anger with their strike for us. We pay for instance 300 Farooq Qadri, a taxi driver in complained that drivers of taxis, “It’s their desire to be populist, making a profit and for the past to force the government’s hand. rupees per MMBtu (one mil- Rawalpindi, said the CNG “strike” buses and rickshaws have taken they know they’ll get support on two weeks many filling stations But the president of the CNG lion British thermal units -- a had forced him to leave his car advantage of the crisis to hike up this from the Islamists.” AFP across Punjab, the most populous station owners’ association, standard unit of energy used to at home for most of last week, fares. AFP WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2012 INDIA 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

GMR contract Farmers’ protest row: Maldives Don’t give visa minister calls Khurshid to Modi: US NEW DELHI: In an out- reach diplomacy aimed at pacifying India, Maldives’ Foreign Minister Abdul Samad lawmakers Abdullah yesterday rang up External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and explained his government’s view on the Gujarat CM’s rights record horrific cancellation of the airport con- tract given to Indian firm GMR. WASHINGTON: Ahead of the Noting that India is a thriving The Maldives minister Gujarat elections, a biparti- democracy, and one that is aspir- explained legal and other rea- san group of 25 lawmakers and ing to a high standard of leader- sons behind the cancellation of the Coalition Against Genocide ship and progress, they said: “It the project, said official sources. have called for a continued visa is disturbing that certain parties The sources added that ban for Gujarat Chief Minister in India are considering elevat- Abdullah sought India’s under- Narendra Modi (pictured), ing Modi, despite his tie to these standing and hoped it will not for his role in the 2002 Gujarat attacks.” hurt bilateral ties, said the riots. “Allowing him to enter the sources. The group, led by Republican United States will only serve to Sugarcane farmers shout slogans during a protest in New Delhi yesterday. The protest, organised by Rashtriya Abdullah conveyed to Khurshid House of abdicate his respon- Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan, demanded that the government reject the Rangarajan committee report on the that a detailed communication Representatives sibility for the 2002 phased decontrol of the highly regulated sugar industry, which would affect farmers in six states. on the GMR issue will be sent members Joe human rights abuses,” to Prime Minister Manmohan Pitts and Frank it said. Singh. On his part, Khurshid Wolf, will hold Observing that the conveyed India’s displeasure at a press con- Bush Administration the decision on GMR project and ference at the “rightly denied” Modi underlined that the scrapping House Triangle a visa, the lawmakers Norway court jails Indian of the biggest single Indian FDI to make the call said as he is currently in the Maldives will negatively along with fam- seeking support for impact bilateral trade ties and ily members a possible bid for the the larger relationship. of the victims office of prime minis- couple for abusing son In a move to put pressure on saying he has ter they expected that Male, India has put on hold aid to not adequately he may again request the Maldives after the Maldives pursued justice entry into the US. “We OSLO: A Norwegian court after the boy refused to get off a with their grandparents in India. government on Monday decided for victims of the riots. respectfully request that the US said yesterday it has sentenced school bus in March after wetting The case made headlines in to take control of the interna- The lawmakers have also shot government deny Modi entry an Indian couple to prison for himself. He said he was afraid his India, where a number of media tional airport despite a Singapore off a letter to Secretary of State due to numerous reports of his physically abusing their then parents would “burn my tongue”, outlets had incorrectly claimed court staying the suspension of Hillary Clinton asking her to con- involvement in horrific human six-year-old son in a case that as they had threatened to do on the parents risked prison in the contract given to India’s tinue denying Modi a US visa par- rights violations in India,” they has drawn widespread attention previous occasions. Norway for threatening to send GMR-led consortium. ticularly since Modi is now eyeing said. The lawmakers noted the in India. Police then opened an inquiry the boy back to India if his incon- The High Court of Singapore the office of the prime minister. State Department has stated that The couple, who were living in that uncovered the abuse. tinence continued. suspended the Maldives gov- “As ... Justice has yet to be fully the Gujarat government has not Norway for professional reasons The boy said he was deliber- It followed another highly- ernment’s decision last week to realised for the victims of the adequately pursued justice for the at the time, were found guilty ately burned with a hot spoon publicised case that saw Norwegian terminate the $500m contract riots, we ask that you continue victims of the 2002 riots. of burning their son, today aged on his leg in January, causing a social services remove two young awarded to the consortium for to deny Modi a visa,” they said in Meanwhile, Aam Admi Party seven, with a hot spoon and the three-by-five centimetre (one- Indian children from their parents’ developing the Ibrahim Nasir the letter released to the press (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal father was also found guilty of lash- by-two inch) scar. His parents custody due to shortcomings in International Airport at Male. yesterday ahead of the Gujarat accused Narendra Modi of giv- ing him several times with a belt. claimed it was an accident. their care. The family blamed it on The Maldives government, polls on December 13 and 17. ing undue favours to some cor- The father and mother were The child also told judges his cultural differences towards child- however, has chosen to defy the As Modi “continues to pursue porate companies and said the sentenced to prison for 18 and father had hit him on the back care, and the case escalated into a court order. a potential run for higher office, impression of him being honest 15 months respectively. The Oslo with a belt on several occasions, diplomatic row with the interven- we believe a change in policy to was wrong. He also attacked district court refused to disclose which the father denied. tion of Indian government officials. his request for a visa will only the Congress for not raising the their names, but Indian media The sentence was in line with The children were finally Court rejects embolden Modi and his govern- alleged wrongdoings of Modi, say- have identified the parents as the prosecution’s request. handed over to their uncle in ment’s efforts to obstruct further ing that the two were acting as Chandrasekhar Vallabhaneni, a According to Norwegian media India and Indian social services Jagan’s bail plea investigations to bring the perpe- “business partners” and “partners computer engineer, and his wife reports, the parents plan to have since ruled that they should trators to justice,” they said in the in loot”. Anupama. appeal the sentence. The boy and be returned to the mother’s cus- HYDERABAD: In another November 29 letter. IANS Social services were alerted his younger brother currently live tody. AFP blow to YSR Congress party leader Y S Jaganmohan Reddy in the disproportionate assets case against him, a special Tour de India race court yesterday dismissed his bail petition. Government relaxes The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special court refused to grant bail to Jagan, as tourist visa curbs the MP from Kadapa is popularly known. This was his second bail petition dismissed by the court NEW DELHI: India yesterday The restrictions were intro- in a week and the third since said it had lifted restrictions duced after a key plotter of the his arrest in May. The Supreme placed on tourist visas after the Mumbai attacks misused his Court had also dismissed his bail 2008 Mumbai attacks, which multiple-entry visa to make nine plea in October. had been blamed for putting off trips to India and prepare footage The CBI court Nov 28 dis- visitors and criticised by some of targets for the Pakistan-based missed the first petition, in which countries. militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba. Jagan sought to invoke his statu- The rule required tourists to The assault by ten gunmen left tory right to bail, claiming that wait for two months between vis- 166 people dead. the CBI had failed to complete its to India - complicating regional Even before the visa rules were the probe in his case within the trips and deterring regular visi- tightened, India had been strug- stipulated 90 days. tors to a country that is keen to gling to raise tourist numbers and The second bail petition, a boost its tourism industry. the new restrictions had drawn regular one, was dismissed by “It has been decided to lift the criticism from various countries the court on the ground that the restriction of the two-month gap including the United States. investigations into the case were on re-entry of foreign nationals India’s share of international still on. The CBI had opposed the coming to India” on a tourist visa, tourist arrivals in 2011 was just plea saying that if released on bail, the home ministry said in a state- 0.64 percent of the global total, Jagan could influence the investi- ment, adding the rule was changed official figures show. gations and tamper with evidence. following a government review. India offers visas on arrival Jagan had filed both the peti- However, the 60-day gap for citizens of a small number tions in one go on Nov 16 but the rule will still apply to nation- of countries, including Finland, court considered on priority the als from a number of countries Japan, Luxembourg and New statutory bail which can be moved The pack goes along the banks of the Dal Lake during the second stage of the Tour de India cycling race in including Afghanistan, China, Zealand and has said it is consid- only once during the entire deten- Srinagar, yesterday. Eighty cyclists are taking part in the second stage of the Tour de India international race. Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Sudan and ering expanding the list. tion period. IANS Bangladesh, the ministry said. AFP

Delhi, Dhaka to sign Mining scam: Action likely against two former CMs extradition treaty NEW DELHI: India and PANAJI: Goa’s multi-million delays in renewal of mining leases physically probe the scandal. was unavailable for comment. this while, Parrikar has only Bangladesh have agreed to rupee illegal mining scam may merited the registration of FIRs The Supreme Court, hearing The sincerity of the incumbent been running after the small fry sign an extradition treaty in cause material harm to two against them. a public interest litigation, has BJP government in bringing the like a junior government officer January during Home Minister former chief ministers. Kamat was Goa chief minister banned all mining activity in the guilty to book has been criticised (Dattatray Bhave), who commit- Sushilkumar Shinde’s expected The current BJP-led state gov- from 2007 to 2012, while Rane state from October. by civil society activists and oppo- ted suicide because of the harass- visit to Dhaka. ernment, under pressure to act was the chief minister from 1980 Rane and Kamat are responsi- sition parties. After protesting ment,” Lourenco said, cautioning A joint statement after a meet- against those responsible for Goa’s to 1989, 1994 to 1999 and from ble and have taken these decisions and campaigning against illegal Parrikar against a witch-hunt ing of Shinde with his Bangladesh mega mining scandal, has said in 2005 to 2007. Kamat was also the and therefore the state govern- mining in Goa for nearly a dec- against Congress leaders. counterpart M K Alamgir here a communication to a Supreme state’s mines minister. ment has decided to file appropri- ade as opposition leader, Manohar Vijayan’s letter to the CEC also said that both sides agreed that Court-appointed panel that it According to the Justice M B ate criminal proceedings against Parrikar, now chief minister, has follows recent critical statements the extradition treaty, which is would be filing first information Shah commission report, which them, Vijayan said. The FIRs, he gone out of his way to back the made by Justice Shah, whose volu- under consideration by both gov- reports (FIRs) against former exposed the scam, and as reflected said, would be filed under laws mining industry, his critics have minous report exposed the mining ernments, may be finalised at an chief ministers Pratapsing Rane in Vijayan’s letter, the delay in governing graft as well as under alleged. scam, that the Goa government early date. and Digambar Kamat for their renewing the mines’ leases was relevant sections of Indian Penal Congress spokesperson was giving wrong mining-related “It was agreed that Revised alleged complicity in the mining allegedly improperly condoned by Code. Rane said that he was not Reginaldo Lourenco has repeat- facts to the commission. Travel Agreement (RTA) as well scandal. Kamat and Rane in their respec- aware of any such letter and that edly accused Parrikar of attack- The chief secretary’s letter as the extradition treaty will be Drafted by Chief Secretary B tive tenures as chief ministers. all decisions taken by him as chief ing the small fry involved in the also points to a nexus among finalised and signed in January Vijayan, the 68-page letter says Vijayan’s letter is addressed minister were “legal”. mining scam and allowing the big politicians involved in the scam, 2013 during the proposed visit of decisions taken by Rane and to the Central Empowered “I have nothing more to say. fish to go scot-free. a fact underlined in the Shah Indian Home Minister to Dhaka,” Kamat - both from the Congress Committee (CEC) in New Delhi All my decisions were legal and “Has he really taken action Commission report too. it said. - in connection with condoning appointed by the apex court to above board,” he said. Kamat against any big person yet? All IANS IANS INDIA WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2012 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Opposition slams FDI in parliament debate Government allies Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party want rollback decision

NEW DELHI: Belying its con- government to roll back the policy must go down, we’ll go down fight- at the centre but we will support it loses, the government will not compulsion on states to imple- fidence of having allies on board that will see big multi-nationals ing. You must Mr. PM, but fight you, and take support from you fall but will face embarrassment. ment FDI in retail. on the issue of FDI in multi- like Wal-Mart and Carrefour set for the poor, not the rich, fight for as well.” The government has always “If you don’t want FDI in multi- brand retail, major political up shop in India. country, not multi-nationals, fight The all-round criticism of the been maintaining it “has the num- brand retail, don’t implement it. parties yesterday slammed the With the Samajwadi Party, the for small, not big.” economic policy came on a day the bers” to support it in parliament. But what about the states where economic move in parliament, BSP and the DMK speaking out The Trinamool Congress, which Election Commission censured The BSP’s Dara Singh Chauhan chief ministers want it, how can terming it anti-people and a sell against FDI in retail, this has put had walked out of the government the government for announcing echoed party chief Mayawati in you stop them? This is a new def- out to multi-nationals. The UPA a question mark on which way the in September over the move, said its “game changer” direct cash saying they oppose FDI in retail inition of federal structure that countered saying states were vote will go in parliament today. it would fight against the policy transfer scheme. The poll panel but would not side with “com- one state will tell another that I free to choose whether to imple- BJP leader Sushma Swaraj, initi- tooth and nail. “It is a matter of asked it to defer its implemen- munal forces”. Both the regional will not implement it but will not ment it and termed the debate ating the debate in the Lok Sabha, faith for us,” Trinamool leader tation in poll bound states of parties, otherwide rivals, invoked let you do it either,” Sibal said. “totally political”. said the government claim that Saugata Roy said. Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat. Mahatma Gandhi while express- “This debate is not needed at The four-hour debate saw foreign investment would benefit In a speech dripping with sar- The government has been woo- ing their reservations on FDI. all, it is a totally political debate,” leaders from the main opposi- farmers, consumers and generate casm, Samajwadi Party chief ing Mulayam Singh Yadav, who Mulayam Singh Yadav, pointing he said. tion BJP and Left, as well as employment was a myth. Mulayam Singh said: “As far as has 22 MPs in the lower house, at Sonia Gandhi, said she shares Communist Party of India- allies Samajwadi Party, Bahujan In a forceful speech that went FDI is concerned, how so ever to vote in favour of the UPA. He her surname with the Father of Marxist’s (CPI-M) Basudeb Samaj Party (BSP) and DMK, on for more than an hour, the much you explain, it is not in the has always opposed FDI in retail, the Nation and appealed to her to Acharia blamed the government and erstwhile ally the Trinamool leader of opposition in the Lok country’s favour.” but said he was against “com- shelve the move as “Gandhi would for giving “false dreams” of gen- Congress, criticise the FDI in Sabha accused the government He also said the UPA was mis- munal forces” coming to power. not have allowed FDI in retail”. erating employment with FDI retail. The SP and BSP even of having gone back on its prom- taken if it thought the move would The government wants both the Taking up the government’s in retail. “If Wal-Mart gives one invoked the name of Mahatma ise of holding consultations before fetch it electoral gains. “You will SP and the BSP, with 21 MPs, to stand in favour of the move, employment, it will snatch 17 Gandhi and love for swadeshi allowing FDI in retail. “The PM not benefit from this even in elec- vote in favour or abstain when the Communications Minister employments,” he said. to urge the Congress-led UPA makes bold statements like if we tions…We may not come to power motion is put to vote today. In case Kapil Sibal said there was no IANS

Norway princess Mock fire drill in Delhi in secret trip to aid Pakistan militants run surrogate twins NEW DELHI/OSLO: Norway’s Crown Princess 42 camps on border Mette-Marit secretly trav- elled to India in order to care NEW DELHI: India said yes- challenge to the security forces,” for infant twins born to the terday there were more than Ramachandran said. surrogate mother of a pal- 40 training camps in Pakistan Pakistan-based militants - with ace employee unable to get for militants who make regu- the support of Pakistan’s army - a travel visa, the palace said lar attempts to cross the heav- have made 249 attempts to sneak yesterday. ily fortified border between the into Indian territory so far this Armed with a diplomatic countries. year - two more than last year but passport that granted her India has identified 25 camps in far below the 489 in 2010, he said. immediate access, the future Pakistani-administered Kashmir Intelligence inputs indicate queen jumped on a plane in late and 17 in Pakistan containing “active support” of Pakistani October when the employee, around 2,500 militants, junior intelligence and security agencies who is also a friend, and his home affairs minister Mullappally to push terrorists into India, the husband were unable to travel Ramachandran told parliament. minister added. The border area to care for their newborns. “The terrorist infrastructure - particularly the Jammu region “For me, this is about two in Pakistan or Pakistan-occupied in Indian-administered Kashmir babies lying alone in a New A mock fire drill at a high-rise building in Connaught Place in New Delhi, yesterday. Authorities conducted Kashmir remains intact and infil- - “is highly vulnerable to infiltra- Delhi hospital,” Mette-Marit drills across 34 locations in Delhi to test the preparedness of its disaster and crisis management wing. tration attempts from across the tion from Pakistan side”, he said. said in a statement. “I was border still continue to pose a AFP able to travel and wanted to do what I could.” She did not alert Indian authorities and spent sev- eral days with the babies at Yeddyurappa dares BJP on the Manav Medicare Centre, where staff assumed the wife of Norway’s Crown Prince eve of assembly session Haakon was a nanny. While the princess was BELGAUM: Karnataka’s rul- of around 70 Bharatiya Janata away, her name continued to ing BJP faces a tough assembly Party (BJP) legislators, including appear in the official palace session from today as it stares several ministers. The BJP has calendar and her absence from at a split in its ranks following 119 members in the 225-member a parliamentary dinner was its former chief minister B S assembly and 44 in the 75-mem- not explained. Yeddyurappa’s decision to quit ber legislative council. A relative of the two fathers the party to lead his own outfit. On Sunday, Yeddyurappa said eventually took over from Ahead of the six-day session he expected all the 70 supporters Mette-Marit and the fathers in this north Karnataka city, to attend the Haveri meet. received a visa in November, about 500km from Bangalore, Already five assembly mem- when they brought the babies Yeddyurappa dared his former bers, four council members and back to Norway, the palace party to take action against min- two of party’s 19 Lok Sabha mem- added. isters and legislators who might bers, one of who is his son B Y Surrogacy is a hotly attend the formal launch of his Raghavendra, have been openly debated issue in Norway and party on December 9. assisting Yeddyurappa in the the government discourages “If action is taken against min- preparation for the Haveri rally. Norwegians from paying sur- isters and legislators supporting The BJP has refrained from rogate parents for children. me this (Jagadish Shettar) gov- taking action against them, par- Protestant Norway was the ernment will fall in 24 hours,” he ticularly assembly members, in second country in the world warned while talking to report- view of the session. in 1993 to register same sex ers in Holalkere in Chitradurga It wants to wait till December partnerships while same sex district, about 230km north of 9 to see how many party legisla- marriage has been legal since Bangalore. tors, including ministers, attend 2009. The former chief minister the Haveri rally and then act. The Crown Princess is to take over as president of The ruling party’s problems acknowledged the debate and the Karnataka Janata Party at would give enough ammunition insisted she is not taking a side a public meeting on December to opposition Congress and Janata and only did what a friend had 9 at Haveri, about 150km from Dal-Secular (JD-S) to hammer to do. “Sometimes life presents Belgaum and 400km from the Shettar government in the you with situations with few Bangalore. session. good solutions. This was one He has been claiming support IANS of those,” she said. REUTERS Put on hold cash transfer in Himachal, Gujarat: EC tells govt

NEW DELHI: Even as the justification sought by the com- and spirit of the Model Code Election Commission (EC) mission as to the necessity of of Conduct. “The Commission yesterday expressed its con- announcement of the scheme at directs that all follow up and cern over the government’s this juncture, when the model consequential steps towards announcement of direct cash code of conduct is in opera- implementation of the scheme transfer and asked it to put it tion in Gujarat and Himachal in respect of the four districts on hold in poll-bound Gujarat Pradesh”. in Gujarat and the two districts and Himachal Pradesh, the The EC said it was not going in Himachal Pradesh, which are Congress said it was not a snub into the merits of the policy deci- proposed to be covered in the first to the government. sion but its concern was to see phase of implementation of the The poll panel, in a strongly- if such an announcement would scheme, shall be kept in abey- worded letter to Cabinet have any impact on the elections ance till completion of the election Secretary Ajit Seth yesterday, said and “whether it will disturb the process in the two states.” it “expects that such announce- level-playing field”. Reacting to the poll panel ments during Model Code of It said that while “taking into decision, Congress spokesper- Conduct operation are avoided”. consideration the chronology of son P C Chacko dismissed sug- In its letter to the cabinet secre- milestones of the scheme, the gestions that the poll panel had tary, put on its website, the EC commission is of the consid- snubbed the government. He said said the government’s answer giv- ered opinion that the aforesaid it was not a slap, a snub or even ing details of the Aadhaar-based announcement was avoidable a negative comment. “It is not an Direct Cash Transfer scheme during the currency of the elec- adverse comment,” Chacko said . was “silent with regard to the tion process going by the letter IANS WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2012 BREAK 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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TFI signs Arabtec bags MoU QR2.3bn with Investra Msheireb deal

Business | 26 Business | 28

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780

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

107,632 8.16 446,952 26.05 270,243 151.0074,142 15.10 18,284 75.00 55,295 27.70 265,827 21.91 63,790 72.60 12,586 51.60

Qatar Holding raises stake in Iran gas not covered by US QE to 88pc; NYX holds 12pc sanctions, says Turkey

DOHA: Qatar has upped its the company was completed in deployment , resulting in conclud- ISTANBUL: Turkey does not expect tighter The new sanctions, the third round in a year stake in its bourse from 80 per- October 2012. As a result, Qatar ing the shareholders’ restructuring US sanctions to apply to its natural gas imports if passed into law, include measures aimed at cent to 88 percent, with NYSE Holding now holds 88 percent of agreement late last October and from Iran, its energy minister said yesterday, stopping the flow of gold from Turkey to Iran in Euronext holding the remain- the shares and NYSE Euronext finalizing all necessary legal relevant which would mean Tehran will continue to sup- exchange for natural gas. ing 12 percent stake. maintains a 12 percent invest- procedures”, the QE statement said. ply and get paid by its biggest gas customer. More than 90 percent of Iran’s gas exports, or According to a press statement ment in Qatar Exchange”. “This change has been reflected The US Senate resoundingly approved expanded about 10 billion cubic metres a year, go to Turkey issued by Qatar Exchange (QE) Since June 2009, Qatar Holding in the Articles of Association of the sanctions on global trade with Iran’s energy and under a 25-year supply deal. That makes Iran yesterday, Qatar Holding which and NYSE Euronext (NYX) have Company, including the number shipping sectors on Friday in its latest effort to Turkey’s second-largest gas supplier after Russia. had 80 percent stake in the bourse, been engaged in a five-year strate- of seats on the QE board allo- ratchet up economic pressure on Tehran over its Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday has bought back eight percent gic agreement to transfer knowl- cated for each of the shareholders. nuclear programme. Turkey, which is likely to that Turkey would continue to buy natural gas stake from NYSE Euronext. edge and develop Qatar Exchange. Otherwise, there are no changes overtake Britain as Europe’s third-biggest elec- from Iran and had told the relevant parties the Qatar Holding is the direct “During the last three-and-a-half to the partnership and both share- tricity consumer within a decade, depends heavily trade would continue. investment arm of Qatar’s strategic years, most of the agreements have holders and their commitment to on imported energy and could suffer if it had to Washington says Tehran is enriching uranium sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar been successfully executed, posi- the development of the exchange sharply reduce imports from Iran. to levels that could be used in nuclear weapons. Investment Authority (QIA). tively reflecting on the performance and Qatar as a financial centre.” “Iran is Turkey’s second-biggest supplier of Iran says the programme is for peaceful purposes. Euronext had bought 20 per- of the exchange and its regional “NYX remains an important natural gas, I believe (sanctions) will not cover US Ambassador to Turkey Francis Ricciardone said cent stake in the QE in 2009 as and international ranking.” partner with the QE and shall con- it ... We know that sanctions of this kind would the US authorities were “in very close touch” with the part of a five-year strategic agree- “In view of the above, Qatar tinue to provide all the technologi- not only be against Iran but would also be against Turkish government on the matter. “We are focused ment to transfer knowledge and Holding had expressed desire to cal support needed to maintain its Turkey,” Energy Minister Taner Yildiz told a news with our Turkish ally on the same strategic purpose develop the Qatari equity market. increase its stake in QE from 80 per- (QE’s) pioneering status among the conference in Istanbul. Turkey produces most of its of preventing proliferation of nuclear weapons in this The QE statement said the cent to 88 percent, consistent with financial markets of the region,” electricity from natural gas and is already strug- region,” Ricciardone told reporters in Ankara. deal was struck last October. “A the NYX strategy to obtain greater the statement concluded. gling to diversify its energy suppliers. REUTERS shareholding restructuring of flexibility for strategic capital THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2012 BUSINESS 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Qafco-6 project to be launched The First Investor, next Tuesday

DOHA: Qatar Fertilizers Company (Qafco) has announced that it will launch Investra sign MoU next Tuesday the QR2.2m Qafco-6 expansion project in Mesaieed Industrial City. Barwa Bank unit, Investra to launch fund in January Qafco Board Chairman Abdul Aziz bin Ahmed Al Malki said DOHA: The First Investor with TFI’s investment expertise Director of Investra, added: “TFI in remarks contained in a press (TFI), the investment bank- and Investra’s specialised knowl- is a professional and experienced release issued by the company ing unit of Barwa Bank Group edge of the country’s real estate investment manager and we are today that Qafco 6 which is the (BBG), announced the signing market, investors will be very sat- extremely pleased to work with sixth plant for the production of of a memorandum of under- isfied with the expected results.” them and offer our know-how urea at Qafco took 35 months to standing (MoU) with Investra The fund has been structured of the UK real estate market to build by a consortium of Italian Investments LLC (Investra), to cater for the income-gener- provide an extremely attractive Sabiam and South Korean announcing the first major fund ating needs of investors in the fund.” Hyundai companies. in the region that would invest region. The fund will offer attractive He added that Qafco 6 will in income-generating property Combining TFI and Investra’s target net yields of 7-9 percent play a significant role in push- in the distribution and logistics resources and expertise, the per annum, exposure to a special- ing forward the economic sector of the United Kingdom, a Fund will focus on distribu- ist asset class allowing for diver- development in the State of statement said yesterday. tion and logistics property with sification and subscription with Qatar, stressing that the new David J Clarke, CEO of TFI strong tenants and long lease investment as low as £250,000 Customers at one of the Gettco stores. project comes in the context said: “TFI is proud to partner with agreements. (QR1.46m). of the national income diver- Investra for what will be TFI and With attractive risk-adjusted Against the backdrop of an eco- sification for benefiting from Barwa Bank Group’s first fund target yields, the fund offers nomic slowdown in neighbouring Aamal to introduce the country’s huge natural gas in the UK. We expect to launch investors the opportunity to Europe, the UK distribution and reserves and as part of Qafco’s the fund in January 2013, and access a specialist asset class in logistics market is yielding attrac- ambitious plan of development are happy to give investors the the UK. As sponsors, TFI and tive opportunities for investment. and modernisation. opportunity to invest in a Shariah Investra, have seeded GBP five The sponsors aim to put together Gettco products It is worth mentioning that the compliant manner in the UK real million each into the proposition. a portfolio of assets that will yield initiative idea of Qafco-6 project estate sector. I am confident that Zaid Randeree, Managing attractive levels of rental income DOHA: Aamal Company QSC are currently being distributed was based on Qafco’s successful at low acquisition prices. (Aamal) has announced the through wholesalers, hypermarkets business experience in the course Investra and its affiliate Pelham expansion of its Aamal Trading and separate projects. of the last four decades, and the have considerable expertise as and Distribution business with The company will open its encouraging national vast reserve principal investors and property the introduction a new con- own first dedicated showroom by of natural gas. Having these managers in the UK market with sumer products line, Gettco early 2013 and expects to export potentials, Qafco has taken upon circa £1bn (QR5.86bn) of invest- Home Appliances, a release said Gettco Home Appliance products itself the task of drawing up an ment in UK real estate. Investra yesterday. to the GCC market in the future. ambitious future vision to ensure has therefore built a strong track- Gettco Home Appliances offers Most of Gettco home appliances further development of the com- record primarily in the UK work- a full range of Gettco branded come with energy ratings A or pany. In this context the idea of ing closely with select on ground home appliances such as: LED A+ which ensures their efficient initiating Qafco-6 project, has service providers. TV, air conditioners, refrigera- performance and eco-friendliness. come up. Mohamed Al Hasan, Head of tors, gas cookers, microwaves, THE PENINSULA QNA Real Estate Investments at TFI dishwashers, washing machines said: “With major institutional and dryers. It also offers small investors now focusing on the appliances such as kettles, food QATARI MARKET UK, it is becoming an increasingly processors and vacuum cleaners. Bond Coupon Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P attractive sector. Aamal Trading and Distribution Qatar Govt 5.15% 4/9/2014 USD 105.69 0.87 % Aa2 AA The fund offers unique oppor- created, owns and markets the Qatar Govt 3.125% 1/20/2017 USD 105.63 1.71 % Aa2 AA tunities to benefit from this Gettco brand. The Gettco name lucrative investment opportu- was first given by Aamal founders Qatar Govt 6.55% 4/9/2019 USD 126.25 2.11 % Aa2 AA nity. Distribution, warehousing in 1969 to what later became the Qatar Govt 5.25% 1/20/2020 USD 119.88 2.22 % Aa2 AA and logistical assets in the UK Trading and Distribution branch. Qatar Govt 4.5% 1/20/2022 USD 114.94 2.65 % Aa2 AA are generating particularly strong The appliances will be manufac- Qatar Govt 9.75% 6/15/2030 USD 181.00 3.52 % Aa2 AA returns, so the timing of this tured in China by a global producer Qatar Govt 6.4% 1/20/2040 USD 140.25 3.96 % Aa2 AA partnership could not be more which is one of the largest in the Qatar Govt 5.75% 1/20/2042 USD 131.00 3.95 % Aa2 AA Officials from The First Investor and Investra Investments during the sign- compelling.” world and supplies other inter- Qatari Diar 3.5% 7/21/2015 USD 105.13 1.50 % Aa2 AA ing ceremony. THE PENINSULA national brands. The Appliances Qatari Diar 5% 7/21/2020 USD 117.25 2.50 % Aa2 AA Comqat 5% 11/18/2014 USD 106.25 1.74 % A1 A- Comqat 3.375% 4/11/2017 USD 104.00 2.40 % A1 A- Qatar National QIB 3.856% 10/7/2015 USD 104.88 2.08 % NR NR QNB 3.125% 11/16/2015 USD 103.63 1.85 % Aa3 A+ Bank launches QNB 3.375% 2/22/2017 USD 104.88 2.16 % Aa3 A+ Doha Bank 3.5% 3/14/2017 USD 103.63 2.60 % A2 A- debt fund Qtel 3.375% 10/14/2016 USD 104.63 2.12 % A2 A DOHA: The Qatar National Qtel 7.875% 6/10/2019 USD 129.81 2.83 % A2 A Bank (QNB), a leading regional Qtel 4.75% 2/16/2021 USD 112.25 3.05 % A2 A lender, has launched a debt Qtel 5% 10/19/2025 USD 112.00 3.81 % A2 A (bond) fund which is open for Rasgas 5.5% 9/30/2014 USD 108.25 0.90 % Aa3 A subscription to retail as well Rasgas 5.832% 9/30/2016 USD 110.13 3.01 % Aa3 A as corporate and institutional Rasgas 5.298% 9/30/2020 USD 113.25 3.36 % Aa3 A investors with the minimum subscription amount being SOVEREIGNS QR20,000 ($5,479.4). Further Bond PDA* Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P investment can be made be in Abu Dhabi Govt 5.5% 4/8/2014 USD 106.88 0.34 % Aa2 AA multiples of QR 10,000. Abu Dhabi Govt 6.75% 4/8/2019 USD 128.00 2.02 % Aa2 AA The fund will be denominated in Dubai Govt 6.7% 10/5/2015 USD 111.00 2.65 % NR NR Qatari riyal (QR), a QNB release said yesterday adding that QNB Dubai Govt 4.9% 5/2/2017 USD 107.06 3.17 % NR NR is the first Qatari bank to float a Dubai Govt 7.75% 10/5/2020 USD 123.88 4.15 % NR NR debt fund. The unique features of Dubai Govt 6.45% 5/2/2022 USD 114.00 4.60 % NR NR the QNB Debt Fund provide an Qatar Govt 4% 1/20/2015 USD 105.69 1.28 % Aa2 AA attractive platform for subscrib- Bahrain Govt 6.273% 11/22/2018 USD 113.81 3.67 % NR BBB ers to invest in debt securities Bahrain Govt 5.5% 3/31/2020 USD 106.75 4.41 % NR BBB which are issued by GCC-based Egypt Govt 5.75% 4/29/2020 USD 104.25 5.05 % B2 B sovereign and corporate entities. Morocco Govt 4.5% 10/5/2020 EUR 99.88 4.52 % NR BBB- Amid often- challenging global *Periodic Distribution Amount market conditions, GCC bonds IMPORTANT NOTE: offer a combination of attractive Published by HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, P O Box 57, Doha, Qatar which rates of return (and superior levels is licensed and regulated by Qatar Central Bank and Jersey Financial Services of underlying credit risk) which is Commission. Information quoted is from publicly available sources or proprietary not generally available elsewhere. data and subject to change. HSBC accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising out of the use of all or part of this material. This information is general and does not The QNB debt fund is suitable take into account individual circumstances, objectives or needs. The price of bonds for investors who are seeking an can and does fluctuate. The secondary market for bonds may not provide significant enhancement to the returns which liquidity or may trade based on prevailing market conditions. Past performance is not they would otherwise receive a reliable indicator of future performance. You should consider these matters and through deposits. As such, it is consult your financial advisor prior to making any investment decisions. likely to be appropriate both for individual and corporate as well as institutional investors. “This innovative product is yet another example of QNB’s determination to remain the partner institution of choice,” said the release. QNB aims to make the appeal of the Debt Fund as broad as possible. To achieve this, it is offering a unique opportunity to subscribe to the Fund, with no monthly subscription (entry) • Bullion - Mumbai or redemption (exit) fees. Gold (10 gm) Standard Rs. 31400.00 Silver (1 kg) Rs. 63110.00 NCB Capital plans • Indian Rupees QR1 = 14.90 Islamic equity • Sensex DUBAI: NCB Capital, Saudi BSE 193348.12 Arabia’s largest asset manager, NSE 58889.25 is launching a range of Irish- • LIC (International) launches New Gold Investment Plan ‘GOLD PLUS’ – domiciled Islamic mutual funds, which provides an opportunity to invest in GOLD ETF & GOLD SPOT, PAN as it seeks to broaden its inves- Card/Demat Account not required. tor base and appeal to emerging • Short-term investment plan from LIC International upto 6.4 percent return market investors, according to p.a. (in dollar) senior executives. The Jeddah-based firm has • Housing loan from HDFC LTD launched two funds which invest • Mutual Fund: Buy & Sell: SBI MF, HDFC MF, UTI MF, Birla Sun Life MF, in Saudi Arabian and GCC Tata MF, Reliance MF etc. equities. Contact: Investec, Tel: 44325060/44365060 email: [email protected] THE PENINSULA/REUTERS

WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2012 BUSINESS 28 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Banking sector props up Qatar bourse index Cairo benchmark jumps 3.5 percent

DOHA: Qatar Exchange ended but investors outside of Egypt just its losing streak yesterday add- want things to move ahead.” ing 24.87 points or 0.30 percent Regional Arab institutional to advance to 8,353.95 points investors were net buyers on the from 8,329.08 on the previous main benchmark against Egyptian day. net sellers, bourse data shows. The volume of the shares traded All except one stock gained. up to 2,807,684 from 2,595,170 on Commercial International Bank Monday and the value of shares climbed 4.4 percent, Orascom increased to QR136,180,247.95 Construction Industries rose from QR113,831,321.11 on Monday. 5.9 percent and National Societe Among the top gainers were Generale Bank surged 7.4 percent. Qatar National Bank which Elsewhere, large-caps dragged was up 0.23 percent to QR130, Saudi Arabia’s index from a two- Industries Qatar rose 0.60 per- week high, closing 0.2 percent cent to QR151.90, Qatar Insurance lower. gained 2.26 percent to QR68.00 The bourse fell to a 10-month and Doha Bank was up by 0.79 low on November 27 as regional Officials from the Msheireb Properties and Arabtec Construction consortium during the signing ceremony. percent to QR50.90. tensions and worries over the The banking and financial sec- king’s health weighed. tor index added 50.13 points while Petrochemical and banking consumer goods and services sec- shares weighed with Saudi Basic tor index dropped 10.80 points. Industries Corp (Sabic) and Al Arabtec bags QR2.3bn Msheireb contract The industrial sector rose 8.63 Rajhi Bank each declining 0.8 points while insurance sector up percent. DOHA: Msheireb Properties, The portfolio of Arabtec 45 percent of the total retail space the US Green Building Council’s 27.96 points. Many analysts claim stock valu- Qatar’s leading sustainable real includes office towers, hotels, resi- within the Msheireb Downtown LEED rating system. Meanwhile, Egypt’s bourse ral- ations are attractive at current estate developer, announced dences and villa projects, universi- Doha project. Besides 100 stores, Msheireb Downtown Doha broke lied yesterday as regional insti- levels, but a lack of a catalyst in yesterday that it has appointed ties and airports in the Gulf and the destination will include an ground in early 2010 and its devel- tutional investors bought shares the short-term will likely keep the a consortium of Arabtec countries outside the region. anchor supermarket chain, a opment will be completed in five after the Supreme Judicial market flat until year-end. Construction LLC UAE and Hasan Ismaik, Managing food court catering to more than phases. The QR1.55bn construc- Council cleared the way for a vote “From a fundamental point of Arabtec Construction Co WLL Director of Arabtec Holding PJSC 500 diners, a cinema and a major tion contract for the Phase 1A of on a new constitution, while other view, prices are cheap,” said Alhassan Qatar as the main contractor for said: “It is an honour for us to be department store. the project was awarded to a con- Gulf markets closed mixed. Goussous, chief executive officer at Phase 2 of Msheireb Downtown involved in a project of such stat- Described as the world’s first sortium of Hyundai Engineering Cairo’s benchmark, trading Bakheet Investment Group. “There Doha, the QR20bn regeneration ure and significance. We would sustainable regeneration of a & Construction Co and HBK volatile since Mursi’s decree on are a lot of reserves for spending on of the historical commercial like to thank Msheireb Properties downtown area in a modern city, Contracting Co. Carillion was November 22 that expanded his major projects in Saudi Arabia that centre of Doha. for giving us this exciting oppor- Msheireb Downtown Doha com- appointed in March to complete powers and sparked widespread are supporting the market and will The QR2.3bn contract involves tunity and putting their trust in bines traditional local building building works on Phase 1B. protests, jumped 3.5 percent. continue to do so. But we’re coming the construction of a built-up Arabtec.” practices and design influences Brookfield Multiplex Medgulf Some judges had called for their into a quiet period of the year and I area of approximately 370,000sqm The mixed-use Msheireb with the latest technologies in WLL, a consortium of Brookfield colleagues to shun the December 15 don’t see the market moving much comprising 10 buildings between Downtown Doha Phase 2 will energy efficiency and environmen- Multiplex and Medgulf, was plebiscite, which must be supervised in either way.” two and 19 storeys high as well as have an estimated 99 residential tal management. recently appointed as the main by the judiciary like all elections in Elsewhere, UAE markets 4-5 basement levels. units, 3,102 parking spaces, as Inspired by an original architec- building contractor for the con- Egypt. But the council’s decision sug- extended gains on the first day “The pace of construction at well as commercial, retail, hotel, tural language devised by leading struction of the substructure and gests enough officials can be mobi- of trading after a long-weekend, Msheireb Downtown Doha con- hospitality and community-based architects, academics, designers superstructure works involved in lised to oversee the vote. but investors booked most of tinues to accelerate and the facilities. and engineering consultants from Phase 1C of the Msheireb project. “It seems that everyone is bet- the intraday profits on Dubai’s involvement of Arabtec further The MGallery hotel will be the Qatar and abroad, it will be the Msheireb Properties also ting the referendum is going to measure. asserts our commitment to the first in the GCC region and its world’s largest sustainable com- announced last week that it had go through and the political dis- Courier firm Aramex climbed highest standards of quality, reli- design will be inspired by Qatari munity on completion, with at awarded the contract for the con- pute will be over in the next two one percent. The stock jumped ability and sustainability,” said heritage. The phase also includes least 100 buildings certified as struction of raft foundations of Phase weeks,” said Mohamed Radwan 14.4 percent mid-session on what Mohammad Al Marri, Chief a purpose-built mall covering LEED Gold. The buildings will be 3 of Msheireb Downtown Doha to at Pharos Securities. “The draft traders say was a technical error. Officer for Design and Delivery around 42,000sqm over four levels. targeting as minimum a Gold cer- HBK Contracting Company. is not appealing to a lot of people AGENCIES at Msheireb Properties. The mall will account for almost tificate for sustainability based on THE PENINSULA

Taqa, GIB to price bonds in late-year Gulf flurry Shareholders haggle over

DUBAI: Abu Dhabi National Energy The company has $1.75bn in bond maturi- be GIB’s first dollar deal in seven years, Co (Taqa) is preparing to price a two- ties next year. It last tapped markets for a according to IFR Markets. details of Eads shake-up tranche dollar-denominated bond issue, dollar-denominated issue last December with GIB is 97.2-percent owned by the Saudi maturing 2018 and 2023, after road- a $1.5bn two-tranche bond to refinance debt. government, a level of risk international LONDON: Bankers, civil servants percent to more than 70 percent. shows concluded yesterday, arranging Taqa announced last week that it investors are likely to be more comfort- and industrialists were squeezing out France owns 15 percent but is set to banks said. bought a 53.2-percent operating interest able with. “GIB will see more Saudi inter- final concessions in talks to shake up place 3 percent of this in a non-vot- Taqa, which is 75-percent owned by in an oil block in Iraqi Kurdistan from est, but interest for Taqa will be global,” a aerospace group Eads yesterday, peo- ing Dutch foundation. Spain owns 5.5 the Abu Dhabi government, joins Gulf General Exploration Partners and ear- regional fixed income trader said, declin- ple familiar with the discussions said. percent. International Bank in pricing new issues as lier this year bought a 50 percent stake in ing to be identified. Attention focused on transactions On the industrial side, Daimler owns regional borrowers line up to get deals away Kurdish power plant Chamchamal. Earlier this year, GIB conducted inves- needed to allow the Berlin government to 15 percent but exercises votes for 22.5 before investors close books for the year. BNP Paribas, Citigroup, HSBC tor meetings in Malaysia for a possible take a stake in the Airbus parent, which percent, and Lagardere has 7.5 percent. Taqa, which is buying a number of BP’s Holdings , National Bank of Abu Dhabi Islamic bond, or sukuk, under a 3.5bn are especially complex between German The expected deal calls for Germany North Sea assets, said last week it had and Standard Chartered are mandated ringgit programme but no issue has yet partners. But barring surprise changes, to build its 12 percent stake in two stages, hired banks to arrange investor meetings to arrange the deal. materialised. the main political lines appeared to have first by buying out a consortium set up in ahead of a benchmark-sized issue, typi- Bahrain-based Gulf International Bank Other shareholders are Gulf sover- been decided. 2006 to allow Daimler to reduce its stake cally at least $500m. is a less familiar name in the global fixed eign wealth funds including Kuwait Eads shares rose over two percent for while keeping control of the votes. It would Taqa is a frequent bond issuer and income community, although it too ben- Investment Authority and Qatar Holding. a second day on hopes of a simpler struc- buy 4.5 percent from Daimler itself. familiar to international investors, in efits from strong state-ownership. GIB picked itself, JP Morgan Chase Inc, ture for Europe’s largest aerospace group, Unravelling the 7.5-percent Daedalus part due to its global profile. At the end GIB released early price talk for a five- National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Barclays which has been controlled by a maze of consortium of private and public banks of the third quarter, it had a cash position year bond yesterday at a spread of 165 to Plc, Standard Chartered Plc and Societe French and German public and private is seen as a tough part of the exercise, of BD3.5bn ($950m) as well as BD14.8bn 175 basis points over midswaps. The issue Generale to arrange the deal. interests since it was created in 2000. as is defining the precise exit conditions ($4bn) worth of unused credit facilities. size is yet to be determined, and it will REUTERS “The negotiations about a new share- for Daimler and Lagardere. holder structure are making good After plans for announcements on progress,” a spokesman for Germany’s Friday and Monday were postponed, a economics ministry said. source briefed on the talks was cautious “But there are still important details on the timing of a deal, saying it would open, so the participants are still aiming most likely come this week. to find a solution as soon as possible.” Talks to overhaul Eads accelerated The deal is expected to bring Germany after talks to merge the company with on board as a direct shareholder for the BAE Systems fell apart in September. first time, while allowing proxy indus- The new arrangement inherits some of trial shareholders — French media firm the structures devised for the merger but Lagardere and Germany carmaker without BAE — fixed blocks of minor- Daimler — to sell their stakes. ity state shareholdings marked by few Analysts say that although state special shareholder privileges for govern- shareholdings will rise as Germany ments beyond a set of Special Security takes a seat alongside France and Spain, Agreements. the risk of meddling will be reduced as Officials have ruled out a repeat of industrial proxy shareholders in France the merger attempt, at least in the near and Germany withdraw and state veto term, with Germany’s political objections powers are curbed. to the shift of focus away from Europe’s With ¤8bn of net cash on its balance centre seen still intact. sheet, the company is poised to launch a Eads has signalled a greater focus on share buyback if needed to prop up share its business from Airbus jets to Ariane prices as industrial partners exit, but a rockets and civil and military helicopters source close to the talks said no deci- while adapting to a new leaner structure. sion had yet been taken. Such a buyback, Eads Chief Executive Tom Enders which would be offered to all sharehold- ruled out a new BAE attempt at a closed ers, would if necessary be “heftier” than meeting of analysts on Monday, accord- a mere mopping-up operation, he said, ing to notes published after the first day asking not to be named. of an annual investor forum. France and Germany will be equal “On the subject of another merger in terms of voting rights at 12 per- proposal, the CEO was clear that no cent each with Spain on four percent, major M&A is on the agenda at leaving a cordon of state sharehold- this time,” wrote RBC Capital Market ings below 30 percent and allowing analyst Rob Stallard. the market float to rise from 49.5 REUTERS MARKET WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2012 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 29

QE Indices Summary QE Index 8,353.95 24.87 WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 11,305.91 33.66 QE All Share Index 2,012.19 6.03 RATE INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial Services 1,971.56 5.13 GOLD Buying Selling QE All Share Industrials 2,586.34 8.63 All Ordinaries 4511.76 -28.289 -0.62 4602.5 4033.4 QR199.9695 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 1,348.54 10.41 Cac 40 Index/D 3594.6 28.01 0.79 3603.05 2922.26 QE All Share Real Estate 1,599.75 3.33 SILVER UK ...... QR 5.8344 QR 5.9157 QE All Share Insurance 1,932.57 27.96 Dj Indu Average 0 0 0 13661.87 11735.19 QR 3.8953 Euro ...... QR 4.7386 QR 4.8051 QE All Share Telecoms 1,049.64 1.06 CA$ ...... QR 3.6318 QR 3.7033 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 4,646.69 10.80 Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 Services Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.9034 QR 3.9582 Hang Seng Inde/D 21799.97 32.12 0.15 22162.47 18056.4 Yen ...... QR 0.0440 QR 0.0448 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.7808 QR 3.8559 Iseq Overall/D 3292.22 3.64 0.11 3382.77 2882.71 CRUDE OIL Today Previous day Ind Re ...... QR 0.0660 QR 0.0673 04-12-2012 03-11-2012 Karachi 100 In/D 16650.15 112.17 0.68 16651.1 10771.13 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0374 QR 0.0381 Index 8,353.95 8,329.08 BRENT Change 24.87 29.58 Nikkei 225 Index 9432.46 -25.72 -0.27 10255.15 8238.96 Peso ...... QR 0.0883 QR 0.0901 % 0.30 0.35 $ 110.92 SL Re ...... QR 0.0281 QR 0.0287 YTD% 4.84 5.13 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 1474.51 1202.37 DUBAI Taka ...... QR 0.0441 QR 0.0453 Volume 2,807,684 2,595,170 Straits Times/D 3062.12 -3.62 -0.12 3110.86 2657.77 Nep Re ...... QR 0.0415 QR 0.0423 Value (QAR) 136,180,247.95 113,831,321.11 $ 107.13 Trades 2,147 2,082 SA Rand ...... QR 0.4079 QR 0.4181 Straits Times/D 2989.31 24.69 0.83 3035.78 2657.77 Up 25 | Down 09 | Unchanged 03

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 04-12-2012

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED

A B G Infra-B/D 120.45 1.05 3541 Chowgule St-B/D 17.8 0.6 4884 Hcl Infosys-B/D 38.75 0 103649 Kin.Motor-B/D 9.71 0.24 38243 Orient.Carb.-B/D 136.2 0.65 5950 Centrica/D 332.725 4.2 3754308 A C C-A/D 1424.25 -10 22659 Cipla-A/D 411.3 -2.2 152273 Him.Fut.Comm-B/D 10.8 0.52 2839005 Kinetic Eng-B/D 67.75 2.85 2001 Patspin India-/D 8.44 0.05 5751 Gkn/D 222.1 0.7 943412 Aarti Drugs-T/D 212.8 -2.45 4841 City Union Bk-/D 55.9 0.05 396369 Himat Seide-B/D 40.75 0.3 120082 Klg Systel-B/D 18.35 0.85 3856 Punjab Chem.-B/D 55.6 -1.25 1243 Hsbc Holdings/D 636 0.1 5114799 Aban Offs-B/D 396 3.2 203898 Cmc Ltd-B/D 1143.95 -2.15 1551 Hind Unilever-/D 532.85 -3.2 59766 Kopran-B/D 23.3 0.85 71211 Radico Khait-B/D 152 5.95 97741 Imperial Tobac/D 2521 0 308119 Ador Welding-B/D 136.15 -0.3 2627 Colgate-A/D 1472.05 9.25 12618 Hind Motors-B/D 10.13 0 183855 Lakshmi Mach-B/D 2089.85 -4.35 1978 Rallis India-B/D 164.25 -2.25 71591 Kingfisher/D 276.3 1 1575637 Aegis Logis-B/D 183.6 2.8 43052 Container Cor-/D 922.85 -6.45 1150 Hind Org Chem-/D 20.05 0.55 187969 Lakshmi Mill-B/D 0 0 0 Reliance Indus/D 460.2 22.35 575576 Land Secs Grou/D 815 0.5 489696 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 130.25 -2.5 2521 Dai-Bichi Kar-/D 43.25 1 35725 Hind.Petrol-A/D 284.3 -5.55 80194 Laxmi Prcisn-B/D 36.9 -1.1 1004 Ruchi Soya-B/D 70.25 7.45 279421 Legal & Genera/D 145.925 0.3 1925628 Alembic-B/D 16.2 -0.2 8110 Dcm Financia-B/D 1.46 -0.05 10841 Hindalco-A/D 116.9 -0.7 306814 Lgb Broth-B/D 250.9 1.9 1488 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 408.9 0.15 3436 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 46.1 0.36 32457100 Alok Indus-B/D 11.13 -0.08 3137461 Dhampur Sugar-/D 60.55 -0.3 6071 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 840.95 5.3 182557 Lloyd Metal-B/D 15.8 0.2 3534 Saur.Cem-B/D 28.75 -0.45 2160 Marks & Sp./D 390 0.3 1112461 Andhra Paper-B/D 302.4 6.5 68366 Dr. Reddy-A/D 1831.5 -0.1 57907 I F C I-A/D 33.3 1.35 5620298 Lloyd Steel-B/D 12.06 0.22 73503 Savita Oil-B/D 524 10.45 1088 Next/D 3634.25 -5 32299 Apollo Tyre-A/D 84.65 0.65 207366 E I H-B/D 73.25 0 16816 Idbi-A/D 109.2 0.55 431363 Lloydsfin.-B/D 0.69 0.03 8536 Tanfac Indust-/D 16.1 0.75 1901 Pearson/D 1204 9 485366 Asahi I Glass-/D 57.85 0.4 16212 E.I.D Parry-B/D 229.45 -2 4052 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 111.8 -0.5 10149 Lok.Hous&Con-B/D 15.15 0.15 15736 Thirumalai-B/D 114.2 0.85 21347 Prudential/D 901.2674 3.5 723958 Ashok Leyland-/D 27.35 -0.4 1857778 Eicher Motor-A/D 2841 38.35 108333 India Cement-B/D 88.55 -0.55 147296 Lupin-A/D 593.65 8.1 463199 Til Ltd.-B/D 201.45 0.3 2578 Rank Group/D 141 2 6509 Bajaj Hold-A/D 864.3 4.4 2566 Eimco Elecon-T/D 231.7 9.55 2278 India Glycol-B/D 186.7 -1.9 13420 Lyka Labs-B/D 10.5 0.21 4613 Timexgroup-B/D 18.85 0.15 90755 Rentokil Initi/D 90.75 0.75 267250 Ballarpur In-B/D 22.75 -0.7 211524 Electrosteel-B/D 24.95 -0.45 81770 Indian Hotel-A/D 65.45 -0.85 167100 Mafatlal Ind-T/D 136.15 0 14156 Tinplate-B/D 52.8 -0.2 10551 Rolls Royce Pl/D 911.55 6 1307135 Bata India-A/D 919.15 -3.6 18830 Emco-B/D 29.35 -0.05 21638 Indusind-A/D 417.4 -3.6 47368 Mangalam Cem-B/D 183.25 2.55 19654 Ub Engineer-B/D 43.55 6.1 429253 Rsa Insrance G/D 121.3 2 6760408 Bayer Crop-A/D 1248.05 -41.65 4242 Escorts Fin-B/D 4.34 0.19 1009 J.B.Chemical-B/D 87.15 1.85 79834 Maral Overs-B/D 12.7 0.01 2187 Ub Engineer-B/D 43.55 6.1 429253 Sainsbury(J)/D 335.6 -1.1 957383 Beml Ltd-B/D 292.15 2.75 17677 Escorts-B/D 68.1 -0.6 410627 Jagatjit Ind-B/D 71.55 2.95 31170 Mastek-B/D 145.05 -0.95 6034 Ucal Fuel-B/D 68.2 -0.4 3713 Schroders/D 1632 11 73889 Bh Electronic-/D 1195.65 10.95 1703 Essar Oil-A/D 71.25 -0.05 692005 Jagson Phar-B/D 14.34 0.72 5636 Max India L-A/D 246.2 3.45 38347 Ucal Fuel-B/D 68.2 -0.4 3713 Severn Trent/D 1617.75 1 167970 Bhansali Eng-B/D 15.05 -0.1 1613 Eveready Indu-/D 23.6 -0.3 117820 Jbf Indu-B/D 132.35 2.45 26006 Mrpl-A/D 63.25 -0.05 78505 Ultramarine-B/D 48.8 -0.45 10367 Smith&Nephew/D 664.655 2 588270 Bharat Bijle-B/D 560.3 -0.3 2014 F D C-B/D 87.1 -0.35 27064 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.64 0.03 15643 Nahar Spg.-B/D 68.35 0.65 5043 Unitech P -A/D 33.65 1.2 7414309 Smiths Group/D 1104 7 151574 Bharatgears-B/D 58 0.5 1251 Federal Bank-A/D 483.1 -0.3 27293 Jct Ltd-B/D 1.44 0 48027 Nath Seeds-B/D 7.5 -0.19 1012 Univcable-B/D 46.4 1.4 1502 Standrd Chart /D 1460.2574 -5.5 585282 Tate & Lyle/D 764 -6 506055 Bhartiya Int-T/D 169.35 0.7 28191 Ferro Alloys-B/D 6.96 0.01 34860 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 3.61 0.09 24344 Nation Alum -A/D 48.5 -0.2 78586 Tesco/D 325.9 3.45 7295611 Bhel-A/D 237.85 0.8 537284 Fgp Ltd-B/D 2.66 0.12 2772 Jik Indust-B/D 3.72 -0.37 37610 Navneet Pub.-B/D 57.65 0.45 19135 LONDON Unilever/D 2420 24 615464 Bhuwalka Stl-B/D 17 0 1000 Finolex-B/D 64.1 1.25 85315 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 114.65 0 6656 Nepc India-B/D 2.47 -0.08 10846 United Util Gr/D 686.5 1.5 716482 Bom.Burmah-B/D 128.5 5.65 218924 Forbes-B/D 703.55 41.2 15529 Jmc Projects-B/D 109.05 -1.95 2850 Neuland Lab-B/D 164.65 3.85 36757 Vodafone Group/D 159.5725 -1.35 25694638 Bombay Dyeing-/D 131.2 0.15 555063 Gail-A/D 351.65 3.05 34128 Kabra Extr-B/D 34.8 0.8 7240 Nrb Bearings-B/D 37.05 0.25 6517 3i Group/D 211.7 0.5 419260 Whitbread/D 2383 -21 103784 Canfin Homes-T/D 140.3 6.65 36460 Galada Power-B/D 4.7 0.21 2152 Kajaria Cer-B/D 259.05 0.1 4461 O N G C-A/D 265.1 2.55 297211 Assoc.Br.Foods/D1484.6664 3 163096 Caprihans-B/D 49.75 0 1325 Gammon India-B/D 39 0 36773 Kakatiya Cem-B/D 82.4 0.35 140 Ocl India-B/D 150.95 5.95 2028 B Sky B/D 774 2 676358 Castrol Ind-A/D 290.25 -4.85 37674 Gangotri Tex-B/D 2.7 0.14 3265 Kalpat Power-B/D 84.5 1 20640 Oil Country-B/D 52.1 -0.7 1892 Barclays/D 244.9 0.5 11829555 Century Enka-B/D 138.5 6.55 87004 Garden P -B/D 58.35 -1 5267 Kalyani Stel-B/D 57.2 0 102083 Onward Tech-T/D 46 0.1 5038 Bg Group/D 1077.845 7 1530997 Century Text-A/D 417.65 -2.35 114398 Godfrey Phil-B/D 3159.55 -2.25 110 Kanoria Chem-B/D 38.45 1.25 85234 Orchid Chem-B/D 103.55 0.7 164246 Bp/D 424.9 -5.25 7282244 Chambal Fert-B/D 69.8 1.05 333265 Goodricke-B/D 163.45 0.8 24083 Kg Denim-T/D 15 0 50405 Orient Hotel-B/D 21.75 0.15 6241 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3310.5 25.5 632084 Chola Invest-B/D 243.6 0.8 2597 Goodyear I -B/D 329.75 -0.05 17132 Kilburnengg-B/D 20.45 0.45 3100 Orient.Carb.-B/D 136.2 0.65 5950 Bt Group/D 231.2195 -1.1 1978163

WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2012 SPORT 32 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

McIlroy wins Watson against Games golf PGA Player I still think of the Olympics as track and field, says the 63-year-old of the Year award SYDNEY: Golf has no place in way of looking at the Olympics the Olympics and its inclusion as being clean and pure,” he said NEW YORK: Northern is contributing to the dilution yesterday. Ireland’s Rory McIlroy was of the importance of the sport’s “I like to trust people and trust named as the PGA Tour major championships, accord- they are doing things for the right Player of the Year yester- ing to eight-times major winner reasons. day, capping an outstanding Tom Watson. “When the professionals go season for the world number The sport will return to the to the Olympics, they go for the one. Olympics at Rio de Janeiro in wrong reasons ... I’m probably As expected, the 23-year-old 2016, after last being played in talking like a dinosaur.” was the popular choice for the 1904. Watson, who at 59 missed a annual Jack Nicklaus Award, While its return has been seven-foot putt to win the 2009 decided by a vote from eligi- lauded by players, the 63-year-old British Open before he lost a four- ble tour players, becoming the Watson was not keen on it stay- hole play-off to Stewart Cink, also youngest recipient since Tiger ing there. felt the calendar meant several Woods in 1998. “I don’t want to pour cold water end-of-year tournaments were McIlroy won four PGA on it but I don’t think it should be also being diluted. Tour titles this year, including in the Olympic Games,” Watson “Our Tour is not being serviced the PGA Championship by a told reporters yesterday ahead of enough by the top players,” added record eight strokes. Nicklaus the Australian Open at The Lakes Watson, who has been paired with held the previous record mar- Golf Club in Sydney that takes 2011 champion Greg Chalmers gin for the last major on the place this week. and promising local Jake golfing calendar, winning the “I still think of Olympics as Higginbotham for the first round 1980 PGA Championship by track and field and not golf, to be of the A$1.25m ($1.30m) tourna- seven shots. honest with you. ment that tees off tomorrow. “It’s always nice to get rec- “We have our most important “We have six or seven tourna- ognition from your peers, the championships (the four major ments at the end of the year. They guys that you’re trying to beat championships). You have golf in were designated to be there and week in, week out,” McIlroy the Olympics. You have diluted they are putting up $5 or $6m but said on a conference call. the importance, in a sense, of the they are (considered) a secondary “I guess it’s just a great way four major championships.” tournament. FROM LEFT: John Daly, Hunter Mahan, Bubba Watson, Thongchai Jaidee and Sergio Garcia pose by a ‘tuk to end what has been a great Watson said he also had an “Add the World Golf tuk’ ahead of the $1m Thailand Golf Championship in Chonburi. year and my best season so idealistic belief about what the Championships to the mix, the far.” Olympics stood for and periodic four majors, the Ryder Cup, the McIlroy also won the doping scandals and innuendo Presidents Cup and all of a sud- “You play 20 tournaments and 20 tournaments don’t get the top too many tournaments important Honda Classic, Deutsche Bank about athletes had tainted his den you have 20 tournament that you have 10 other tournaments players,” he added to reporters and other tournaments are not Championship and BMW feelings. the top players have to play every to choose. But there are 30 other yesterday. getting a representative field,” he Championship. REUTERS “I probably had a pie in the sky year. tournaments to choose from so “What I’m saying is they make said. REUTERS Al Thani confident ahead of Cup Challenge QTF partners with

DOHA: Qatar’s Abdul Rahman Al Thani aims to rise to the ExxonMobil for Qatar occasion at the stunning Yas Marina Circuit during Round 3 and 4 of the Porsche GT3 Nationals Youth event Cup Challenge Middle East on December 7. The 20-year-old finished in DOHA: The Qatar Tennis creating the stars of tomorrow.” the top 10 in Round two at the Federation (QTF) will part- As the only youth national ten- Bahrain International Circuit ner with ExxonMobil for the nis tournament in the country, and is now keen to build on his ExxonMobil Qatar Nationals 120 boys and girls from Qatar performance, as Middle East’s Youth Tournament which is will participate in the one-week most exciting and professional currently under way at the event, that ends on December 9, race series returns to the United Khalifa International Tennis & in categories including Under 10s, Arab Emirates. Squash Complex in Doha. Under 12s, Under 14s, and Under Al Thani is looking forward to Yousif Al Obaidli, Secretary 18s. his first racing experience on the General of the QTF said: “The With the continued support iconic Formula One circuit on Yas QTF is once again proud to of ExxonMobil, QTF provides Island. He will try to add valu- partner with ExxonMobil in the young Qatari tennis players able points to the overall drivers’ ExxonMobil Qatar Nationals the best resources and oppor- standing during the first of two Youth Tournament. ExxonMobil’s tunities available to reach their back to back weekend stops in Qatar’s Abdul Rahman Al Thani in action. INSET: Al Thani. Qatar’s Al Thani will take part in the third and fourth continued involvement in com- maximum potential and com- the UAE. rounds of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge in the Middle East on December 7. munity initiatives is highlighted pete in renowned tennis tour- Speaking ahead of testing at by their support of the Qatar naments locally, regionally and Yas Marina Circuit, Al Thani said: Nationals Youth Tournament.” internationally. “I was unfortunate not to finish the top six of the championship, said Al Thani. ahead of the event. tally. He will be hotly pursued by The QTF Secretary General In addition the QTF is fully my first race in Bahrain, but that especially with competition com- Walter Lechner, Manager reigning champion Abdulaziz Al added: “The future of Qatar ten- committed to elevate the level of is motor racing. Anything can ing from other newcomers, such of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Faisal, who is currently only six nis is on display during the week- tennis in the country and produce happen on the track. I was much as Zaid Ashkanani and Christina Middle East, said: “During his points behind him. long event and the QTF takes future champions. happier with my performance in Nielsen. one-off race last season in Qatar, Also former champion Salman pride in growing the game and THE PENINSULA Round 2 and now I aim to get bet- But he believes that, with more Abdul Rahman showed a lot of bin Rashid Al Khalifa with 42 ter, pick up points and move up in track time, he can mount a seri- potential. points and United Arab Emirates’ the championship standings. ous challenge to those ahead of With each race and time on the Karim Al Azhari who sits on 40 “I cannot wait to start my car’s him. track, he will gain more experi- points are serious contenders for engine on the Yas Marina Circuit. “I am very happy to race in this ence and I expect him soon to the championship title. NBA: Lopez dazzles in Some of my motor-racing heroes championship. It is everything I start challenging the top six.” With an incredible line-up of have raced on that track and to expected from the set-up to the Austrian Clemens Schmid, drivers spanning eleven nations, follow in their footsteps is a dream competitive nature of the racing. who won the opening rounds in the competition will surely be come true,” added Al Thani. There is an unbelievable amount emphatic fashion, will be look- intensified on the world-famous Hornets’ 102-81 victory The young Qatari is aware he of talent throughout the grid; it ing to make it a hat-trick of wins Abu Dhabi circuit. faces a tough task of breaking into is a great learning curve for me,” and increase his current 50 points THE PENINSULA NEW ORLEANS: New Orleans’ Robin Lopez ran off NBA Results 11 straight points in the third Portland 118 Charlotte 112 Cricket: Qatar to compete in ACC Trophy Challenge Cup 2012 quarter to spark the Hornets Detroit 89 Cleveland 79 to a much needed 102-81 victory New Orleans 102 Milwaukee 81 over the visiting Milwaukee Denver 113 Toronto 110 Bucks yesterday. LA Clippers 105 Utah 104 Seven-footer Lopez scored 21 points and his hot streak helped Orlando 102 Golden State 94 turn a two-point deficit into a 71-60 advantage as the Hornets the Bucks battled back to take a cruised to the win. brief edge in the third. “I was just in the right place at Milwaukee were coming off the right time,” Lopez told report- a quality win against Boston on ers. “(My team-mates), they all Saturday but could not find a sim- found me at the rim. That’s the ilar effort to get them over the way we’re supposed to play.” line as they were outscored 49-31 It was just the second win in in the second half and shot just 11 games for New Orleans (5-11), 38 percent for the game. who are rebuilding with a young The Bucks were led by Brandon roster and were without top over- Jennings’ 25 points but they have all draft pick Anthony Davis for now lost six of their last eight the eighth straight game due to games to fall out of first place in ankle problems. the Central standings. Lopez spent his first four sea- “It seemed like we dribbled into sons in Phoenix before being crowds tonight and had trouble traded to New Orleans in the getting out of crowds,” said Bucks off-season. coach Scott Skiles. He is off to a solid start and on “When we start dribbling too Monday made eight of 10 shots much, we get in trouble,” he from the field and all five of his added. The Qatar cricket team along with the Qatar Cricket Association (QCA) General Secretary Manzoor Ahmad (fourth right) and officials pose for a pic- free throws. Reserve Larry Sanders, who ture. Qatar will compete in the ACC Trophy Challenge Cup in Thailand. The Qatar team which consists of Parvez Khan (Captain), Mohammad Rizlan, Ryan Anderson paced the scored a career-high against the (Vice Captain), Awais Malik, Jehangir Mohammad, Sardar Badshah, Imran Ashraf , Qamar Sadiq, Faisal Noor, Rassal Akkara, Naeem Shoukat Bhatt, scoring for New Orleans with 22 Celtics and notched a triple-dou- Sheikh Muhammad Raheel, Sayed Abbas Hussain, Rusharat Ali and Zaheer Uddin Ibrahim, open their campaign against Myanmar on Friday. They points, one of six Hornets to finish ble one game earlier, had seven will also face China and Bahrain in the group stage. The final will be held on December 13. Singapore, Bahrain, Thailand, Iran, China and Myanmar in double figures. blocks against the Hornets to will be competing in the competition. New Orleans grabbed a 10-point go with eight points and seven lead in the second quarter before rebounds. REUTERS SPORT WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2012 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 33 Squash stars set for Doha action Qualifying rounds of the Qatar PSA World Squash Championship begins tomorrow

DOHA: The qualifying rounds reigning PSA World Champion of the Qatar PSA World Squash after becoming the first player for Championship will begin 15 years to successfully defend the WSF proves a from tomorrow at the Khalifa title last November in Rotterdam. International Tennis and Fellow countrymen and world no.1 point to IOC Squash Complex. Willstrop is the top seed of the HONG KONG: Wet weather The Qatar Squash Federation tournament. failed to dampen spirits at (QSF) informed yesterday that 32 But, the two Englishmen will the Hong Kong Open squash players from 11 countries will be face a fierce challenge, to the tournament at the week- vying for a place in the main draw predicted all-English final, from end and federation officials of the $325,000 event, the second the Egyptians seven of them who hope IOC representatives richest in squash’s history. feature in the top-16 rankings of saw the sport’s potential to The 16 qualifiers will join play- Professional Squash Association feature on the 2020 Olympic ers from 21 countries who will (PSA). programme. contest the 64-man main draw, Karim Darwish, RamyAshour, One sport will be added to matches which will take place Amr Shabana, Mohamed El the programme for the 2020 from December 7 to 14. Shorbagy, Omar Mosaad, Tarek Games with squash up against QSF officials informed that Momen and Hisham Ashour karate, the Chinese martial some of the top-ranked players are the top-ranked Egyptians art of wushu, baseball, soft- are already in Doha while some of who will vie for the top prize of ball, roller sports, wakeboard- them will be arriving today. $45,600. ing and sport climbing. “Most of the players have The Egyptians players have a The International Olympic arrived in Doha two or three days huge following in Qatar and most Committee (IOC) will make back to get use to the weather, of them enjoy playing in Qatar its decision on a host for the some of them came directly from which is like a second home for 2020 Games, as well as which Hong Kong, after the Hong Kong them. sport to add, at its session in Open, a PSA event. “The Egyptian players will be Argentina in September 2013. The world No.1 and No.2 James arriving today,” added Rasmi, World Squash Federation Willstrop and Nick Matthew, about the crowd favourities. (WSF) President N both of England are already here,” Besides the two top-ranked Ramachandran hoped that the said Gamal Rasmi, Technical Englishman and the Egyptians, Hong Kong Open, with its out- Secretary of QSF. others in the top-ranked 16 field door glass court on the Tsim England’s Nick Matthew (left) and Karim Darwish of Egypt are seen in action during their semi-final match at the Qatar is hosting the event for- include Laurens Jan Anjema of Sha Tsui waterfront, had left Qatar Classic squash tournament at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in this November 12, merly known as the World Open Netherlands, Gregory Gaultier a favourable impression with for the third time, having previ- of France, Daryl Selby of 2010 file picture. Darwish won the tournament defeating compatriot Amr Shabana. RIGHT: James Willstrop of the two IOC representatives. ously staged the premier champi- England, Alister Walker of England in action against Simon Rosner of Germany in this file picture of October 19, 2011. “I could not be more happy onship on the PSA World Tour in Botswana, Peter Barker and Tom with this weekend,” he said. 1998 and 2004. Richards of England and Borja The reigning PSA World Last year the 32-year-old from The world No.136 will be con- “While it is not one of our Jonathan Power of Canada won Golan of Spain. Champion won the last two Sheffield successfully defend his testing in the world champion- largest events by capacity, in 1988 and Thierry Lincou of World No.2 Matthew will be editions of the tournaments PSA World Championship. In ship for the first time having got it has been framed to bring France topped in 2004. bidding for a rare hat-trick of in Rotterdam, Holland and Al 2010, he won his first title defeat- a wild card. squash to the public, and the England’s Matthew is the titles in Qatar. Khobar, Saudi Arabia. ing compatriot Willstrop. Tamimi will take on India’s placing of the all-glass show- Should Matthew prevail, he Saurav Ghoshal in the opening court on the Avenue Of The PSA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ‘ROLL OF HONOUR’ would become only the fifth player match. Stars at the harbour certainly to win the title three times, fol- Ghosal is one of the two Indians did that. 2011 Netherlands, Nick Matthew (ENG) bt Gregory Gaultier (FRA) 1997 Malaysia, Rodney Eyles (AUS) bt Peter Nicol (SCO) lowing in the footsteps of legends in the main draw. “We hope that the inspectors 2010 Saudi Arabia, Nick Matthew (ENG) bt James Willstrop (ENG) 1996 Pakistan, Jansher Khan (PAK) bt Rodney Eyles (AUS) Geoff Hunt of Australia and Siddharth Suche is the second were happy with the staging, 2009 Kuwait, Amr Shabana (EGY) bt Ramy Ashour (EGY) 1995 Cyprus, Jansher Khan (PAK) bt Del Harris (ENG) Jahangir and Jansher Khan both one and will take on Simon Rosner presentation and broadcast of Pakistan. of France in the first round. of our sport ... and that their 2008 England, Ramy Ashour (EGY) bt Karim Darwish (EGY) 1994 Spain, Jansher Khan (PAK) bt Peter Marshall (ENG) Hunt, the current Qatar coach, Ali Bin Ali Group is the main positive impressions can be 2007 Bermuda, Amr Shabana (EGY) bt Gregory Gaultier (FRA) 1993 Pakistan, Jansher Khan (PAK) Jahangir Khan (PAK) has won the title four times in sponsor of the championship. reinforced when we present to 2006 Egypt, David Palmer (AUS) bt Gregory Gaultier (FRA) 1992 South Africa, Jansher Khan (PAK) btC Dittmar (AUS) 1976, 1978, 79 and 1980, while Qatar National Bank, Qtel, UDC, the Commission as a whole in 2005 China, Amr Shabana (EGY) bt David Palmer (AUS) 1991 Australia, Rodney Martin (AUS)bt Jahangir Khan (PAK) Jahangir Khan clinched the top Qatar Airways, Jaidah Automotive, Lausanne later this month.” 2004 Qatar, Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt Lee Beachill (ENG) 1990 France, Jansher Khan (PAK) btChris Dittmar (AUS) prize on six occasions, while, Pepsi, Doha Insurance, Aspetar, While rain forced the men’s Jansher won it eight times. Crystal, Casaflora, Ali Bin Ali & semi-finals to be played at an 2003 Pakistan, Amr Shabana (EGY) bt Thierry Lincou (FRA) 1989 Malaysia, Jansher Khan (PAK)bt C Dittmar (AUS) Among the current crop com- Partners, Ali Bin Ali Printing indoor venue, the finals went 2002 Belgium, David Palmer (AUS) bt John White (SCO) 1988 Netherlands, Jahangir Khan (PAK) bt Jansher Khan (PAK) peting in Qatar, Shabana has won Press, International Agencies, ahead as planned in the glass- 2001 & 2000 NOT HELD - - - 1987 England, Jansher Khan (PAK) bt Chris Dittmar (AUS) the title on four occasions. Qatar Quality Products, Prime walled court with Victoria 1999 Egypt, Peter Nicol (SCO) Ahmed Barada (EGY) 1986 France, Ross Norman (NZL) bt Jahangir Khan (PAK) Qatar challenge in the tourna- Consumer Products, Fauchon and Harbour in the background. ment will be lead by Abdulla Al Digitek are co-sponsors. REUTERS 1985 Egypt, Jahangir Khan (PAK) bt Ross Norman (NZL) 1998 Doha, Qatar Jonathon Power (CAN) Peter Nicol (SCO) Tamimi. THE PENINSULA Hockey: India, Dutch top pools ‘Time is ticking’ for

MELBOURNE: India finished top of Pool A despite going down Rio 2016 organisers 3-2 in their final pool game to Olympic champions Germany LAUSANNE, Switzerland: wants to bid to host the 2026 at the Champions Trophy in Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics Winter Olympics, Utah Governor Melbourne yesterday. organisers were told yesterday Gary Herbert said yesterday. World number 11 India will they needed to push ahead with Salt Lake City previously now face win-less Belgium, who their preparations because time hosted the Winter Olympics in finished fourth in Pool B, in a was an issue, the International 2002 but the Games were marred quarter-final tomorrow. Olympic Committee said. by allegations of bribery between The Netherlands, ranked Rio has not finalised its budget the successful bidders and mem- three in the world, topped Pool B Raghunath VR of for the Olympics as well as the bers of the International Olympic after defeating Belgium 5-4 and India reacts after venues for several sports, includ- Committee (IOC). will face New Zealand in their scoring a goal ing rugby, hockey and golf. “Salt Lake City and the great quarter-final. against Germany Rio organisers said last month state of Utah are ready, willing Elsewhere, England blew during their match the Sao Januario Stadium, home and able to host a future Olympic their chance to finish on top of on day three of the of soccer club Vasco da Gama, had Games,” Herbert told reporters Pool A after drawing 1-1 against Hockey Champions missed the October 31 deadline during a news conference. New Zealand and will now face and they would therefore revisit “Utah has become the winter Trophy in Melbourne, Australia in the quarter-finals plans for the Joao Havelange sports capital of the USA. By Australia, yesterday. after the Kookaburras beat Stadium to host the rugby sevens hosting another Winter Games, Pakistan 1-0 in the evening game. tournament instead. our commitment to support ongo- Germany complete the quar- “Our message remains but time ing Olympic movement initiatives ter-final lineup with a match is ticking. They (Rio organisers) will only be strengthened.” against Pakistan. need to carry on attacking this Several other American cit- A win will put India into the one with all vigour,” IOC spokes- ies have also expressed interest semi-finals and a chance for their man Mark Adams told reporters. in hosting the Games but it is first Champions Trophy medal Brazil is also hosting the 2014 up to the United States Olympic since their bronze at Amstelveen World Cup and organisers for Committee (USOC) to decide in 1982. Striker SK Uthappa said that event have also been urged whether to proceed with a bid. his team still took confidence to speed up preparations by world “At this point we are focused going forward despite the loss to soccer’s governing body FIFA. on moving forward with our bid the Germans. Adams said the IOC Executive working group that is due to make “Team morale is very high because we knew that it wouldn’t all stopped by German goalkeeper Vermeulen said despite the close Board also asked organisers about its first report to the USOC board be an easy game to play against Nicolas Jacobi. India continued on call they would take the positives the state of the country’s economy of directors on December 20th,” a Champions Trophy the Olympic gold medallists, so we with their form after half-time, heading into the quarter-finals. with new figures showing lower USOC spokesman said. Results on Day 3 were prepared for a good fight and with a deflection from Nithin “The tournament is starting than expected growth. “We are obviously appreciative that’s what happened,” he said. Thimmaiah from a penalty cor- now (with the quarter finals). Brazil’s economy posted that the Olympic movement is Pool A “It was most important that we ner retrieving the lead. We have to forget the second half extremely disappointing growth strong enough in the US to have England 1 (Gleghorne 11) New Zealand 1 finished on top and that is what India continued to play attack- and remember the first and stay in the third quarter, piling pres- cities interested in potentially (Burrows 63) we did.” ing hockey in search for another focused,” he said. sure on President Dilma Rousseff bidding, however the USOC is Germany 3 (Korn 13; Matania 56, 58) India India made the best possible goal, however the disciplined Australia, chasing a fifth to make deeper structural focused on determining when 2 (Chandi 5; Thimmaiah 40) start with Gurwinder Chandi German defence held firm. straight Champions Trophy, reforms and adding to fears that it would be the right time to Pool B finding space in the circle to This eventually paid dividends needed to win by two goals or the global slowdown is hurting big potentially bid for an Olympic Netherlands 5 (Hertzberger 25; Caspers deliver a powerful shot for the with a lapse in concentration from more against Pakistan to take emerging markets. Games.” 29; Jenniskens 35; Kemperman 41; Verga opening goal. Germany worked India allowing Germany back in top spot in Pool B away from the The economy grew just 0.6 The IOC is not due to choose 69) Belgium 4 (Boon 36, 39; Hendrickx 42; themselves back in the game min- the game with two goals to Tobias Dutch, however they could only percent from the second quar- the host site for 2026 until 2019 Reckinger 70) utes later, with Oliver Korn fol- Matania within two minutes to manage a 1-0 win. ter, government statistics agency after already awarding 2014 Australia 1 (Govers 51) Pakistan 0 lowing up his first shot which hit seal the win. The Netherlands Pakistan played well through- IBGE said on Friday. to Sochi, Russia, and 2018 to Wednesday - rest day the post to fire home the rebound secured top spot in Pool B by beat- out the matched and looked Rio, which was awarded the Pyeonchang, South Korea. and level the game. ing Belgium in a nine-goal thriller, capable of pulling off an upset, Games in 2009, is the first South The 2022 host will be decided Thursday - quarter-finals: Germany vs The match continued at a fran- but were pushed by the Belgians however a second-half penalty American city to be picked to host in 2015. The US has already ruled Pakistan, Netherlands vs New Zealand, India tic pace, with India producing who fought back from a 3-0 half- corner to Kieran Govers gave the the Olympics. out making a bid for 2022. vs Belgium, Australia vs England. several shots on goal which were time deficit. Dutch captain Klaas home team the win. AFP Meanwhile, Salt Lake City AGENCIES WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2012 SPORT 34 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com India hope to restore pride Third Test of the four-match series against England begins today

KOLKATA: India need to get their act together in the third Test beginning here today to Ponting simply overwhelm a spirited England, who have challenged the hosts’ the best, says traditional strengths - spin domination and home series captain Cook invincibility. With the four-match series KOLKATA: Showering lav- now level 1-1, the game at the ish praise on Ricky Ponting, iconic Eden Gardens is crucial as who retired from interna- the winner would get an unassail- tional cricket on Monday, able lead in the rubber. England skipper Alastair Having never lost a home series Cook yesterday described the in the last eight years since going former Australia skipper as down to Australia 1-2 in 2004, one of the best batsmen he India seemed on course to retain has seen. their reputation when the spin Saying that it was a privilege Pakistani Snooker player duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and to have played against Ponting, Mohammad Asif, shows his Pragyan Ojha plotted England’s Cook said: “He is an unbeliev- trophy upon his arrival at Jinnah submission in the opening match able competitor. I wish him all International Airport in Karachi, at Ahmedabad. It also raised the best in his retirement.” Pakistan, yesterday. hopes of India avenging the 0-4 Referring to the 2006 Ashes drubbing they received in the series, the England captain away series against England last said: “I can’t really sum up year. on what he has achieved. As a Pakistan hail But the 10-wicket humiliation batsman alone, he’s among the at Wankhede has completely England captain Alastair Cook and team-mates have a group discussion at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, yesterday. best batters I’ve seen. We just new snooker reversed the script. England take on hosts India in the third of the four-match Test series in Kolkata starting today. The series is tied could not get him out in 2006.” Not only did the English bats- 1-1. India won the first match in Ahmedabad and England drew level with a 10-wicket win in Mumbai. “He hits the ball as cleanly men, particularly skipper Alastair as I have ever seen a cricket champion Cook and Kevin Pietersen, sort Swann, arguably the world’s Dhoni’s performance with the innings, though he got a fine 65 ball being hit. As a player of out the Indian spinners, the best off-spinner now, and Panesar bat has also not gone unnoticed. in trying circumstances in the fast bowling, he had all the KARACHI:Pakistan’s English slow bowlers Monty between themselves skittled 19 And by notching up a paltry 40 in second innings of Mumbai Test. time in the world,” said Cook. Mohammad Asif returned home Panesar and Graeme Swann Indian wickets, making a mock- the three innings of the first two Though Dhoni did not IANS to a hero’s welcome yester- showed their superiority. ery of Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Tests, he has only courted more announce the playing XI, there is day after cueing his way to the bid to exploit the so-called home criticism. a strong chance of pacer Ishant world amateur snooker title in advantage on a square turner. Talking about the other Indian Sharma replacing the off-colour a campaign which nearly ended Stats and trivia Dhoni, however, defended his batsmen, Sachin Tendulkar, the Harbhajan Singh, who is also Teams before it began.  If Stuart Broad does miss standpoint. only surviving player of the golden down with flu and skipped prac- Pakistan has been desperately out it will be first time he has “It is not about whether you generation, has looked a mere tice Yesterday. India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), short of sporting success stories been left out for tactical rea- lose or win a game, it is about passenger in the team. Local pacer Ashok Dinda is also Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, in recent years and though the sons (as opposed to injury or playing in conditions according Now in the twilight of his in the reckoning. Cheteshwar Pujara, Sachin Tendulkar, amateur championship may not rotation) since the Chennai to your strength. That is what career, the Mumbaikar has spent For England, who last won a Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Ajinkya Rahane, have the glamour and profile of Test in 2008-09 home advantage is all about,” the last 23 months and 28 innings series in India 28 years back in the professional event, politicians,  In their last three Tests he said at the pre-match media in the crease without a single 1984, the Mumbai triumph has Ravichandran Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, fans and media have lavished at Eden Gardens, India have meet, days after his demand for three-figure knock in the longest come as a big boost. Cook and Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant praise on the country’s only cur- declared their only innings at another turner triggered a con- format. Pietersen have struck form, and Sharma, Murali Vijay, Ashok Dinda. rent world champion. scores of 631 for 7, 643 for 6 troversy with the Eden curator It is time the maestro returns would be looking to maintain the Asif held off England’s Gary and 616 for 5. hitting out at him. among runs, for otherwise, the momentum at the Eden. Seasoned England: Alastair Cook (captain), Nick Wilson 10-8 in Sunday’s low-  India and England have That apart, things definitely already increasing queue of crit- campaigner Ian Bell - who opted Compton, Joe Root, Jonathan Trott, Kevin key final in the Bulgarian capi- played nine times at the venue. are not going well for India’s cap- ics asking for his retirement plans out of the Mumbai match and Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt tal Sofia -- a far cry from the England have won once, in tain Cool. is bound to increase. And Aussie flew to England for the birth of Prior, Jonny Bairstow, Samit Patel, Graeme hallowed baizes of the Crucible 1977, while the most recent Besides the Mumbai loss, great Ricky Ponting’s decision to his child - is also back, and could where Ronnie O’Sullivan won his contest in 1993 was an eight- India’s pathetic display on foreign call time on his career is bound to replace Jonathan Bairstow. Swann, Monty Panesar, James Anderson, fourth professional world title in wicket win for India where soil (losing 0-4 to both England add to the pressure. With pacer Stuart Broad going Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, May -- but he almost never made England’s leading wicket-taker and Australia) since last year, Another worry is Gautam wicketless so far in the series, Graham Onions, Stuart Meaker, James it to the tournament. was Graeme Hick. has put his captaincy under the Gambhir, who has not scored Cook hinted at playing the fit- Tredwell. A shortage of funds meant the scanner. a hundred in the last 44 Test from-injury Steve Finn. IANS Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Federation (PBSF) had practi- cally given up hope of sending Taylor set players to the championship until a slew of personal donations Australian press blast allowed Asif to board the plane. to lose The 30-year-old from the east- ern city of Faisalabad, who had never made it beyond the last 32 of the world championship, repaid ‘monumental failure’ captaincy, the donors’ generosity with a fair- ytale win -- Pakistan’s first in the PERTH, Australia: Australian -- better on a good day and worse Test, finishing his career with tournament since 1994. media yesterday blasted the on a bad one like this,” said their 13,378 Test runs at 51.85, includ- says report “I am blessed,” Asif said amid national team’s “monumental cricket writer Peter Lalor. ing 41 centuries. loud cheers from hundreds of fans failure” in the third Test against “Never was the gap between “In the blurring of an eye, and WELLINGTON: Ross Taylor who gathered at Karachi airport South Africa while lamenting one and three writ more large 13,378 runs, it was over,” The is expected to be axed as New in the early hours to welcome the the end of former skipper Ricky than in this game.” Australian said. Zealand captain when the Black country’s new hero. Ponting’s illustrious career. The Sydney Morning Herald “Ponting might have mistimed Caps’ squad to tour South Africa “It’s destiny, I could not have South Africa thumped the said: “Proteas use momentum his final shot but not his depar- is announced this week following been there at all and here I am Australians by 309 runs in Perth to absolute advantage”, while ture,” the newspaper said. “Better a string of disappointing results, with the world trophy, it hasn’t to hold on to their number one bemoaning Australia’s “missed sweet sorrow at parting than a reports said yesterday. sunk in yet. I hope my success will Test ranking and ruin an emo- opportunity” to grab the number welcome overstayed.” Coach Mike Hesson had lost inspire youngsters and snooker tional farewell for Ponting, who one world ranking. The Herald, likewise, dedicated faith in Taylor and was set to gets the same attention as cricket bowed out after a 17-year Test The first two matches in the column inches to Ponting’s fare- replace him with opener Brendon and hockey.” career. three-Test series ended in draws. well but also looked to the future, McCullum, Wellington’s Dominion Prime Minister Raja Pervez Set an improbable 632 runs to “It was disappointing enough questioning what should now hap- Post reported. Ashraf congratulated Asif, and win, Australia were dismissed for that Ricky Ponting’s last hurrah pen to the team’s batting order. Taylor, who took over as skip- TV cameras followed him from 322 with a day to spare. Ponting, was an unremarkable scratch- “One of the most pressing per in June last year, faced heavy the moment he stepped off the the second highest runscorer ing together for eight runs,” the issues for Australia after the criticism when New Zealand plane in Karachi. in Test history, was out for just newspaper added. South Africa series is an incon- threw away a commanding posi- Almost all the major papers -- eight after he was given an hon- “For the ambitious Clarke, sistent top order that only once tion and crashed to a 10-wicket English and Urdu -- ran editorials our guard by the South Africans. though, the whole debacle will be in five innings reached 100 by defeat in the first Test against Sri hailing his achievement and urg- “Champions contemptuously viewed as a missed opportunity to the time the third wicket fell,” Lanka in Galle last month. ing the government to do more to put the Australians in their place,” crown his captaincy with a return it said. Australian captain Michael While the 28-year-old steered support cue sports. said The Australian newspaper. to the top of the Test charts.” Sydney’s Daily Telegraph also Clarke leaves the field after being the Black Caps to a series-lev- Before the tournament Asif “Perth was a monumental fail- While the team’s failure to win highlighted top order failures, dismissed on day two of the third elling win in the second Test declared it would be his last as it ure at a critical moment and a the series came in for some sting- saying: “Batting drought bad news Test against South Africa at the in Colombo, scoring 142 in the was becoming difficult to juggle timely reminder that Michael ing criticism, there was praise for Ashes,” referring to the series first innings, the New Zealand playing tournaments and running WACA ground in Perth on Saturday. Clarke’s side is number three for Ponting in his 168th and final with England next year. AFP Herald said several senior play- his snooker club to support his ers favoured a change of leader- family. ship, the report said. “I can’t continue like this, It cited a source as saying that because every time I have to ask Gibson seeks Windies improvement ongoing speculation over the cap- for money from my family and it’s taincy “makes it harder for eve- time I either play on my own or ryone -- it is almost untenable at quit,” he said. DHAKA: Coach Ottis Gibson To add to their woes, the tour- back to back World Cups (50 achieve,” said Gibson. Gibson said the moment”. As Pakistan’s number one hoped his West Indies team ists could not practise on Tuesday overs) in 1975 and 1979. a poor total in the second match McCullum was Taylor’s main player and reigning national show improvement in the cru- because of a general strike in the Gibson said his team needed to was not acceptable. rival when spinner Daniel Vettori champion, Asif gets a monthly sti- cial third one-day international Bangladeshi capital which kept show improvement. “I think it comes down now stepped down as captain last year pend from the PBSF of Rs.8,000 against Bangladesh in Dhaka the players indoors mindful of “When we looked at the games to people looking at themselves and is seen as a more attacking ($82), most of which goes on cues today. possible unrest. we have played, there is a lot of because we haven’t become a option than the incumbent. and kit. The tourists trail 0-2 in the Gibson said the two defeats room for improvement in all three bad side overnight and, from my New Zealand have lost seven Cricket is far and away the five-match series against a spir- were disappointing. disciplines. We just have not bat- perspective as coach, it’s not all of 13 Tests under Taylor’s cap- biggest sport in Pakistan, fol- ited host who won the first match “Obviously, they (defeats) were ted anywhere like we know we gloom and doom either. taincy, winning four and draw- lowed fanatically by tens of mil- by seven wickets and the second very disappointing. After we did can bat,” said Gibson. “Hopefully, the batsmen will ing two. lions, with big-money sponsorship by their biggest margin of 160 so well in the Test series, we Gibson said his players realised take the responsibility for the Two of the wins were against deals and top players appearing in runs -- both in Khulna. wanted to finish not just this tour, the flaws in their performances. bulk of the runs and try to bat lowly Zimbabwe, with the high- commercials for everything from The West Indies managed 199 but this year on a positive note,” “We had some meetings about most of the overs. To be dis- lights of his tenure a rare Test banking to shampoo. in the first match and 132 in the said Gibson whose team won the the way we have batted so far, a missed, like we were in the second victory over Australia in Hobart Other sports in which Pakistan second as none of its top order preceding two-Test series 2-0. very open and honest discussion, one-day, with 19 overs remaining in December last year and the once excelled, notably hockey batsman -- including the dashing The West Indies came into and I think everybody under- is very disappointing. 167-run victory over Sri Lanka and squash, have slumped due opener Chris Gayle -- could come the series having won the World stands that our batsmen have “Everybody is disappointed and in Colombo. to consistent government apathy to terms with the Bangladeshi Twenty20 in Sri Lanka in October to take more responsibility for so hopefully the guys will try to Over the same period, the and underinvestment in facilities. spinners on slow tracks. -- their first world title since the the totals that we are going to put it right tomorrow.” AFP Black Caps have lost one. AFP AFP SPORT WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2012 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 35

Champions League fixtures D-Day for holders Chelsea PARIS: Champions League fixtures today (all 1945 GMT kick-offs): Benitez’s side must win to have any hope of reaching last 16 stage Group E At London

PARIS: Defending champions Chelsea (ENG) vs Nordsjaelland (DEN) Chelsea face the ignominy of At Donetsk, Ukraine becoming the first title-hold- Chelsea’s Spanish Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) vs Juventus (ITA) ers to fail to advance to the midfielder Juan Group F Champions League knockout Mata looks on dur- At Munich stage as the final round of group ing a press con- fixtures takes place today. ference ahead of Bayern Munich (GER) vs BATE Borisov (BLR) A comprehensive 3-0 defeat his team’s UEFA At Lille, France at Juventus a fortnight ago left Champions League Lille vs Valencia Chelsea’s title defence hanging Group E football by a thread and the Blues’ des- Group G match against tiny out of their hands, as a draw At Barcelona FC Nordsjaelland between Group E frontrunners Barcelona (ESP) vs Benfica (POR) Shakhtar Donetsk and Juventus at Chelsea FC’s At Glasgow in Ukraine would consign Rafa training ground in Benitez’s side to the Europa Cobham, London, Celtic (SCO) vs Spartak Moscow (RUS) League. yesterday. RIGHT: Group H FC Barcelona’s The pressure is already mount- At Braga, Portugal ing on Benitez after an inauspi- Argentinian striker cious start as Chelsea manager Lionel Messi Braga (POR) vs Galatasaray (TUR) following his appointment in (right) and Spanish At Manchester the wake of Roberto di Matteo’s goalkeeper Jose Manchester United (ENG) vs CFR Cluj (ROM) dismissal, with the team yet Pinto warm up dur- to record a victory under the ing their team’s Spaniard’s tutelage and the fans training session quickly losing patience. in Sant Joan Footballer “We have to improve on the Despi, Barcelona, pitch and the fans will be happy,” Spain, yesterday. said Benitez following Chelsea’s Barcelona will face dies of viral 3-1 defeat at West Ham on Saturday, with the match against Benfica today. Denmark’s FC Nordsjaelland infection in looming. After starting the campaign in impressive fashion, Chelsea’s form a favour from Mircea Lucescu’s claim second ahead of Chelsea “Wednesday night will be a dif- candidates Reading at the Indonesia has plummeted drastically as the side who boast an unblemished should both sides finish level on ferent opposition, a different team weekend. west Londoners are without a win home record in all competitions 10 points as the Ukrainians have out and a different atmosphere,” “He has started training, which JAKARTA: Paraguayan in seven Premier League outings, this campaign. a head-to-head advantage. said Lennon. is good news,” said Ferguson. Diego Mendieta, who played their worst stretch in the top- Meanwhile Juventus mid- Celtic go into their final Group “We have to rise to the occasion. “He would be short of match for Indonesian club Persis flight in 17 years. fielder Claudio Marchisio, who G fixture against Spartak Moscow We have to win the game. It’s got practice but I wouldn’t be averse Solo last year, has died of a “The positive thing is that is suspended for the trip to east- needing to earn a better result nothing to do with (Saturday).” to playing him on Wednesday, viral infection, local media Shakhtar has a lot of good play- ern Europe, insisted the Italians than Benfica achieve at Barcelona, Manchester United are quali- (today),” added the Scot. and the world players’ union ers and everybody is talking had no intentions of just playing who are already assured of first fied as winners of Group H, with An inexperienced line-up FIFPro said. about them, so they have to show to secure the point they need to place. Alex Ferguson likely to field could play into the hands of the The 32-year-old striker, the rest of the world that they progress. The Scottish champions were another youthful side against Romanians, who must better married with two children, died are really good players,” said “A draw is not what we’re after. held to a frustrating 1-1 draw with CFR Cluj but one that may fea- Galatasaray’s result at a Braga late on Monday in a hospital in Benitez, who guided Liverpool to It’s a risk for both teams to play third-tier Arbroath in the fourth ture Nemanja Vidic. to usurp the Turkish outfit for a Solo, Central Java, the Jakarta Champions League glory in 2005. for a draw. We have to go there round of the Scottish Cup over The Serbian defender has been spot in the round of 16. Globe reported. “They might finish second and to play our own game and try to the weekend, but manager Neil sidelined since mid-September Bayern Munich and Valencia The paper said Mendieta, have to play against one of the win the match.” Lennon said Saturday’s disap- and his presence would be a are both qualified from Group F, who had also played in China top sides in Europe and it will be Victory for Juventus would pointment would have no bear- return to a porous United back- and the former can seal top spot and Malaysia, had wanted to more difficult, so I think they will see the Italians clinch top spot. ing on the midweek outcome at line that was brutally exposed in if they beat Europa League-bound return home but was unable to try to win,” he added, hopeful of However, Shakhtar would still Parkhead. the club’s 4-3 win over relegation BATE Borisov. AFP do so as the club owed him four months’ wages worth 120m rupiahs ($12,500). “He always complained Vidic to miss Manchester derby of being lonely,” Guntur Hernawan, the head of the MANCHESTER, United internal medicine division at Kingdom: Manchester United Moewardi Hospital in Solo, manager Alex Ferguson has told reporters yesterday. “He ruled captain Nemanja Vidic said he wanted to go home out of Sunday’s derby at because all of his relatives were Manchester City after putting in Paraguay.” his comeback on ice. Former Persis manager Serbia defender Vidic, 31, was Totok Supriyanto was quoted due to return after three months by the paper as saying the out- out with a serious knee injury standing debt would be paid to against Romanian champions Mendieta’s family. CFR Cluj in the Champions Solo mayor Hadi Rudyatmo League today. said would he personally pay Vidic trained with United the player’s hospital bills and yesterday morning ahead of other expenses but called on the Group H encounter at Old others to help. Newcastle United’s Senegalese striker Demba Ba (right) vies with Wigan Trafford, but Ferguson told a FIFPro described the case as Athletic’s Barbadian defender Emmerson Boyce during their English Premier news conference later in the day a disgrace. League match at St James Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, late on that the player needed more time “FIFPro demands that the Monday. before playing again. Indonesian football association “He’s not far away and he’s Manchester United’s Patrice Evra (left) smiles with his team-mates Wayne make an end to the structural training very well, but I think Rooney (centre) and Nemanja Vidic during a training session at the club’s mismanagement of count- another few days will bring him Carrington training complex in Manchester, northern England, yesterday. less football clubs,” it said in a on better,” he said. Manchester United will play Romanian side CFR Cluj in the Champions statement. Ba scores twice in “If he doesn’t play tomorrow League today. “It is a disgrace for the (today), there’s absolutely no whole of professional football in chance of him playing in the derby goals before Christmas,” he said. “When he is interrupted in a Indonesia,” added Frederique game. I wasn’t considering him on With United already through run of games, it takes him several Winia, secretary general of Newcastle’s 3-0 win Sunday anyway. to the Champions League last 16, games to get back and that’s why FIFPro’s Asia division. “Playing tomorrow would have Ferguson is expected to rest sev- he will definitely play tomorrow,” “I know countless stories NEWCASTLE: Newcastle win in nine league matches since been a bonus for us and we could eral key players ahead of a game added Ferguson. of players who are intention- climbed away from the rel- signing his new eight-year con- take it on from there, but Sunday that could see his side open up a “Wayne needs to be playing a ally not paid by their club and egation zone as Senegal striker tract with the club in September, would be too soon.” six-point lead over second-place lot of games to get his match fit- have to wait for months for Demba Ba scored twice to so this was a welcome success for Vidic’s absence is a setback and City if they win. ness. He is a strongly built lad and their salary. But I have never inspire a 3-0 win over 10-man the Magpies chief. comes at a time when United’s But Ferguson is ready to gam- when he misses games, it takes before heard a story where a Wigan at St James’ Park late on “It’s been difficult for the play- defensive performances have been ble with striker Wayne Rooney’s him several games to come back. seriously ill player has been left Monday. ers and staff and it was nice to criticised. fitness as he looks to ensure the It’s just the way he’s always been.” completely to his fate by a club. Alan Pardew’s side ended a get a break tonight,” Pardew said. They have kept just four clean England striker -- who has scored Midfielders Ryan Giggs and “I assume that both the club dismal run of four successive “I think it was a penalty. When sheets in 22 league and cup games, eight goals in 17 appearances for Tom Cleverley, as well as striker and the national football asso- Premier League defeats thanks to the defender is coming across the and conceded three goals in a 4-3 club and country this season -- Javier Hernandez, are expected ciation of Indonesia realise that Ba’s first-half double and referee striker and he’s got a goal chance win at struggling Reading last is in peak condition before the to feature against Cluj, who must they have seriously failed and Mike Jones’ controversial deci- the referee has got a tough deci- weekend. meeting between first and second better Galatasaray’s result at that they have much to explain, sion to send off Wigan defender sion. That gave us a great start “It’s a worry, it’s a concern,” at City’s Etihad Stadium. Braga if they are to join United particularly to the family and Maynor Figueroa. to the game.” admitted Ferguson. Rooney pulled out of England’s in the last 16. relatives of Diego Mendieta. Figueroa was dismissed for a Pardew’s side took the lead in “If we perform like that on recent friendly with Sweden Youngsters Scott Wootton and “The least the club can do is shoulder charge on Ba that led the 13th minute in the game’s Sunday, then God knows what’s with an ankle problem, while he Matthew Larnell could make to pay the arrears in salary to to the penalty which the former defining moment. going to happen to us. I can’t ever has also suffered from a bout of the substitutes’ bench for today’s his family.” REUTERS West Ham star converted to open Ba played a pass through for remember us conceding so many tonsillitis. match. AFP the scoring early in the first half. strike-partner Papiss Cisse and Ba added his second goal soon the Senegal international was after and teenage midfielder Gael bundled over by Figueroa. Bigirimana completed the rout as Jones awarded a penalty and Llorente says he will leave Athletic Bilbao Newcastle cruised to their first Ba made sure Newcastle took full win in eight games in all competi- advantage as he drilled a perfect MADRID: Spain striker Fernando season and said he wanted to leave, but Bilbao out on the pitch. This has encouraged me not tions and moved five points clear penalty low into the corner of Ali Llorente put Europe’s top clubs on alert refused to negotiate with interested parties. to renew my contract; this and many other of the relegation zone. Al Habsi’s goal. yesterday when he confirmed he will leave Coach Marcelo Bielsa relegated last season’s things. The only downbeat note for Newcastle pushed home their Athletic Bilbao when his contract finishes top scorer to the bench when they reached the “I took the decision when I went out for Newcastle was a hamstring injury numerical superiority just eight at the end of the season. final of the Europa League and King’s Cup and the first Europa League game at San Mames to Ba that forced the forward off minutes later when Al Habsi “I am going to leave on June 30. I want to Llorente has started only once in La Liga this (in August). in the closing minutes. could only parry Davide Santon’s develop as a player and try something new,” term and has one goal to his name. “Most of what has come out in the press Wigan have now lost four of powerful strike into the path of the 27-year-old told a news conference, ending “It isn’t about money because the offer the is lies and this has turned people against me. their last five matches and they Ba, who gleefully prodded into the any hopes the La Liga club may have had of club made was irresistible,” Llorente added. This has meant when I run out on to the pitch lie only two points above the bot- net from close-range. changing his mind. “The media have not helped with the nego- people whistle at me. There is a sector of the tom three. Bigirimana bagged the third The powerful centre forward turned down tiations and it is one of the things that has crowd who do not want me but I feel loved by Pardew had overseen just one goal for Newcastle. AFP the offer of a new contract during the closed generated the bad atmosphere around me the majority,” he said. REUTERS Wednesday 5 December 2012 21 Muharram 1434 Volume 17 Number 5539 Sport Price: QR2 LARGEST SELLING NEPALI WEEKLY SRI LANKA’S WEEKLY NEWS UPDATES NEWSPAPER IN QATAR Watson not D-Day for PUBLISHED keen on golf at holders EVERY RAJDHANI INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY WEDNESDAY BY LANKADEEPA MIDDLE EAST WEEKLY Olympics Chelsea LANKADEEPA WEEKLY DAR AL SHARQ AVAILABLE AT ALL LEADING BOOK STORES / PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY BY DAR AL SHARQ SUPERMARKETS IN QATAR FOR ADVERTISEMENTS CONTACT: TEL: 4455 7623 EMAIL: [email protected] !"#$%&'()#*#+,'-*,)# Sport | 32 Sport | 35

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 IOC bans India, elections void India officials slam the International Olympic Committee’s decision

LAUSANNE, Switzerland: country’s flag. Lalit Bhanot, The Indian Olympic Association who spent 11 months in custody has been banned and elections last year following corruption today will be “null and void”, charges that plagued the 2010 the IOC said yesterday, claim- Commonwealth Games in Delhi ing government interference and who is out on bail, was con- in a vote that could result in a firmed for the post last week after tainted official taking over as the rival faction pulled out ahead secretary-general. of today’s election. “They are not entitled to have The IOC has been angered by elections and if for some reason government interference in the they go ahead this will not be elections and had warned the IOA recognised,” said the IOC’s Pere in a letter of a possible suspension. Miro, in charge of relations with “This is wrong and com- national Olympic committees. pletely unilateral,” Abhay Singh “This is because this is part of Chautala, who is expected to a full problem. The election proc- be elected as IOA President on ess has been tarnished since the Friday, told reporters. origin. Many different interfer- “We’d go to the IOC again and ences, many governmental rules explain them of the actual situa- and their own bad interpretation tion and the details of the elec- of IOA statutes,” Miro said. tion. This ban was completely Miro, who said Kuwait escaped thrust on us. a similar ban due to an amend- “It’s a unilateral decision. The ment of its sports law, said the IOA acting president had writ- ban was triggered by both gov- ten to the IOC but they didn’t International Olympic Committee (IOC) Director of Relations with National Olympic Committee’s Pere Miro gestures during a press conference in ernment interference and bad reply. I had also written a letter Lausanne, yesterday. India has been suspended from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) because of its stance of electing tainted officials a governance by the IOA. saying we are sending two mem- source in the body confirmed. RIGHT: International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge (left) and IOC General Director Christophe “What happened in the past bers to explain the situation and De Kepper (right), both from Belgium, are seen prior to the opening of the IOC Executive board meeting. is null and if something happens requested for appointment. Again now it is the same,” Miro told there was no answer to that.” reporters. The IOA has been directed by a and the IOA for the current situ- was imposed. That’s how the our athletes don’t suffer,” he said. not surprised. “We all saw it com- The ban means an effective Delhi court to hold the elections ation. Acting IOA President VK problem started,” he said. India’s Olympic gold-medallist ing,” she said. “I hope it helps to end to funding from the IOC to adhering to the government’s Malhotra said his organisation “Now the IOC is complaining Abhinav Bindra said the IOA clean up Indian sports adminis- the national Olympic committee sports code, while the IOC wants was caught in the middle. of government interference, while deserved to be suspended. tration. But will it?” (IOA), no Indian officials attend- the governing body to abide by the “We had gone to the prime court and government want us to “Bye Bye IOA, hope to see u Woman boxer Mary Kom, ing Olympic meetings and Indian Olympic charter. minister and asked him not to go by the code. We were caught again soon, hopefully cleaner!,” who won a bronze at the London athletes banned from compet- The IOC blamed non-cooper- pass that controversial bill. The in the crossfire. We will try and Bindra tweeted. Former athlete Olympics, said she was “absolutely ing at the Olympics under their ation by the Indian government bill was not passed but the code find some reconciliation so that Ashwini Nachappa said she was shocked”. AGENCIES Three teens on manslaughter I’m open to Nadal says he is Ashes return, unlikely to be fit charges for linesman’s death says Warne

THE HAGUE: Three teen- MELBOURNE: Former age footballers are facing man- President of Australia leg-spinner Shane for Australian Open slaughter charges for allegedly Buitenboys Marcel Warne believes he still has the beating a Dutch linesman to Oost is seen at the ability to play at the highest MADRID: Spanish tennis star event, which he will try to win death, the public prosecutor football club in Almere, level and will consider coming Rafael Nadal (pictured) yes- for a record breaking eighth time said yesterday, with the foot- yesterday. Three out of retirement to play in next terday confirmed that he was in May. ball-mad Netherlands reeling teenaged players year’s Ashes series if asked by unlikely to be “I want from the shock of the brutal of the Nieuw-Sloten captain Michael Clarke. fit for the 2013 to be 100 killing. Amsterdam youth “If your best friend says, Australian percent in Dutch professional matches team will be charged ‘Mate, I want you to seriously Open. Monte Carlo are to hold a minute’s silence and with manslaughter, consider making a commitment The 26-year- and then players will wear black armbands, assault or public vio- to Australian cricket and com- old has not prepare well while all 33,000 of this weekend’s lence after the death ing back out of retirement’, (to) played since for Roland amateur matches have been can- of a linesman during make myself available for selec- June when he Garros,” said celled after Monday’s death, the a youth competition, tion, that’s a different scenario,’’ partially tore Nadal. Dutch football federation KNVB a Dutch prosecutor Warne, 43, told the Herald-Sun a tendon in “I will said. newspaper in Melbourne. said yesterday. Richard his left knee only come Police have not excluded fur- “Especially with back-to-back Nieuwenhuizen, 41, in a second back when I ther arrests after three players Ashes coming up next year, it round match at am fit and I with Amsterdam club Nieuw died on Monday after could be a 12-month thing where Wimbledon and won’t come Sloten were arrested for the kill- an incident following you take three spinners with you has been work- back wor- ing of Richard Nieuwenhuizen, 41. an Under-17 match and say, ‘Righto, work with these ing towards rying about He was taken to hospital hours in Almere on Sunday. spinners and see how you go for gaining fitness. my knee. We after the beating that followed the He was officiating for 12 months.’ That’s a different ket- The are in the final whistle in Sunday’s match the Buitenboys team, tle of fish. Mallorcan born last stage of against neighbouring Almere’s in which his son was “I’m definitely not asking for player was real- the recovery Buitenboys. playing. Michael Clarke to come out istic about his and I want “Two 15-year-olds and a and say that - that’s a different fitness pros- to recover as 16-year-old from Amsterdam scenario. pects and said soon as possi- under suspicion of seriously behaviour, there are norms and 33,000 matches and 800,000 play- “You asked me if I think I could he didn’t expect to be in condi- ble but I will not rush back and assaulting a 41-year-old linesman values that are lacking,” Justice ers in the football-mad country of still play international cricket tion to compete in the first major then have to stop again in six of the Buitenboys from Almere Minister Ivo Opstelten told Dutch 16.5 million, according to public if I wanted to just turn up, do event of the season, which is held months or a year’s time,” he said will tomorrow appear before a public television. broadcaster NOS. my bowling and if the first Test in January, Xinhua reports. Nadal was also asked about judge at the Almere court,” the “You can’t see something like But Fransen’s deputy Anton match was in three weeks, do you “My recovery is going well. the possibility of tighter anti- prosecutor’s office said. this as an isolated incident, if Binnenmars called on clubs nev- think I could play, (then) I’d have This past month I have taken doping controls in his sport and “The suspects will appear on something like this happens, then ertheless to remain open over the no hesitation in saying yes - and an important step. I feel happy said he would be in favour of charges of manslaughter, assault something isn’t right,” he said. weekend to “speak about what I think I’d do pretty well.” and the doctors are happy too,” such a move. and public violence,” a statement The alleged attackers must be must and can be done to prevent Warne, who retired from inter- he said. “I want to be 100 percent sure read. dealt with “firmly”, he said. this happening again.” national cricket in 2007, is the “Miracles do not exist and I that the person I am playing is The judge will decide whether Bernard Fransen, president “We must look in the mir- second highest test wicket-taker am unlikely to return and com- just as ‘clean’ as I am,” he said, to keep the three youths in deten- of KNVB amateur football, told ror and think about solutions ever with 708 dismissals. He was pete for the Australian Open.” adding that he didn’t enjoy the tion in Amsterdam. a press conference that he was to ensure together that this has named as one of the Wisden best Speaking on Spanish radio testing process. Nieuw Sloten’s B1 team had “very shocked”. happened for the very last time,” five cricketers of the 20th century. station, Onda Cero, Nadal said “Before the test, you have already been warned by the club “Amateur football matches will Binnenmars said. “From a purely bowling per- his main ambition was to be able to lift up your shirt, drop your after players insulted another ref- be cancelled this weekend and a The KNVB said that 74 people spective, I don’t think my form to compete in the French Open pants and turn around 360 eree earlier in the season, Dutch minute’s silence will be observed received life bans for bad conduct would be the concern, it’s just the and to hone his form in Monte degrees. I don’t really like that,” media reported. during professional football on the pitch in 2011. time and actually making that Carlo in April for his favourite he admitted. IANS “This isn’t something that matches,” he said. A silent march will be held in commitment again,” he said. happens just like that, this is The cancellations will affect Almere on Sunday. REUTERS REUTERS