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Wednesday 19 June 2013 10 Shaaban 1434 - Volume 18 Number 5735 Price: QR2

Qatar Exchange Uzbekistan win but to trade govt miss automatic bonds spot for Brazil

Business | 17 Sport | 28

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Qatar University graduation New York Police Three Nepalese sued over Muslim surveillance workers die in NEW YORK: The New York Civil Liberties Union filed a law- suit yesterday against the New York Police Department over its surveillance of Muslim com- minivan crash munities, accusing the police of trampling on religious freedoms and constitutional guarantees of equality. Driver loses control after tyre bursts The surveillance by the NYPD’s intelligence division has extended DOHA: Three Nepalese con- Dhamal and Brijnath Pandit, all beyond New York City’s five bor- struction workers were killed between 35 and 40. oughs into neighboring New and 13 injured when a minivan “We were returning from our Jersey and other nearby states. carrying them hit a side wall worksite in Bin Mahmoud around The lawsuit is the latest skirmish after a tyre burst on Salwa 4.30pm. After we entered the in an ongoing battle between the Road yesterday. tunnel, a tyre burst and the driver NYPD and civil liberties advocates The incident happened in the lost control of the van, which then over the department’s aggressive afternoon in a newly-opened tun- broke a steel divider on the road policing tactics — including its nel on the road, it was learnt. The and hit the wall,” said the worker, stop-and-frisk practices, which vehicle was carrying 16 workers. who suffered minor injuries. are the subject of a separate fed- The driver was an Egyptian, The van took several turns on eral lawsuit. The lawsuit, filed in and all other workers travelling the highway, before hitting the US District Court for the Eastern in the van were Nepalese. They wall. One of the dead was tossed District of New York, in Brooklyn, were returning from their work- out of the van and was probably seeks to put an end to the NYPD’s site in Doha to their accommo- run over by it. The other two died surveillance of Muslims and the dation in Al Sailiya, one of the apparently after hitting the steel The Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani honouring a student at Qatar University Graduation destruction of all records on indi- injured Nepalese workers told The body and the bars of the van with Ceremony — Class of 2013 at Qatar National Convention Center yesterday. Also present is University President viduals created as a result of the Peninsula last evening. severe force. Prof Sheikha Abdulla Al Misnad. See also page 5 programme. REUTERS The dead have been identified All the others in the van were as Krishna Raj Banshi, Paspal injured, at least five of them seri- ously. The victims included a fore- man, besides the Egyptian driver. “The ambulance team arrived in 10 minutes and we were all taken Putin blocks G8 push for Assad’s ouster to the Emergency Department (of the Hamad Medical Corporation). ENNISKILLEN, had been hoping for, Putin fumed and resisted pressure to agree to Washington, which was supposed Six workers including me were NORTHERN IRELAND: against Western moves to supply anything that would imply Assad to take place next month but now discharged later and we are Russia’s Vladimir Putin weapons to rebels while defending should step down. In the end, a G8 appears to be on hold, after the expecting another two to leave derailed Barack Obama’s efforts his own supplies of arms for Assad. communique did not even men- United States announced last the hospital by tonight,” said the to win backing for the down- “We are supplying weapons tion Assad’s name. week that it would arm the rebels. worker. fall of Syrian leader Bashar under legal contracts to the legal The summit in a secluded golf A source at the summit said He was speaking from his Al Assad at a G8 summit yes- government. That is the govern- resort in Northern Ireland ended the peace conference would now accommodation in Al Sailiya, terday, warning the West that ment of President Assad. And if with G8 leaders calling for peace be put off at least until August. where he was staying with some arms supplied to the rebels we are going to sign such con- talks to be held as soon as pos- Obama and his allies want other workers involved in the could be used for attacks on tracts, we are going to deliver,” sible to resolve the Syrian civil Assad to cede power while Putin accident. He came to Qatar last European soil. the Russian president said. war. This has broadly been their believes that would be disastrous month to work as a mason with After two days of intense talks Putin, isolated at the summit, position for months. No date at a time when no clear transition The wall against which the mini van the company. that fell far short of what Obama repeatedly clashed with other was mentioned for a peace con- plan exists. REUTERS crashed on Salwa Road. THE PENINSULA and Prime Minister David Cameron leaders over the fate of Assad ference called by Moscow and See also page 8

Police detain dozens in Turkey US officials to hold talks

ANKARA/ISTANBUL: Police across Turkey yesterday with Taliban in Doha detained dozens of people in an operation linked to three weeks WASHINGTON/KABUL: towards reconciliation; although solution, but said no dates had of often violent protests against The United States will meet the it’s a very early step,” Obama said been agreed for talks. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Taliban this week in Doha for after a G8 meeting in Enniskillen, Taliban representative Erdogan. talks aimed at achieving peace Northern Ireland. Mohammed Naeem told a news Overnight in Ankara, riot in Afghanistan, US officials said “We anticipate there will be a briefing the group wanted good police used tear gas and water yesterday. lot of bumps in the road.” relations with “all of the world cannon to disperse hundreds of The Taliban opened an office US officials say they hope the countries.” protesters who had gathered in in Doha yesterday to help restart meeting will open the way for the “But the Islamic emirate and around the government quar- talks and said it wanted a political first official peace talks between (Taliban) sees the independence ter of Kizilay. solution that would bring about a the government of Afghan of the nation from the current Interior Minister Muammer just government and end foreign President Hamid Karzai and occupation as a national and reli- Guler said 62 people had been occupation of Afghanistan. the Taliban, which has waged a gious obligation,” he said. detained in Turkey’s biggest city A senior US official said the 12-year campaign to oust him and US officials said that in the Istanbul and 23 in the capital talks would start in Doha tomor- foreign troops. talks in Doha, the United States Ankara. State broadcaster TRT row, but President Barack Obama The Taliban have until now said would stick to its insistence that also said a further 13 had been cautioned against expectations of they would not countenance talks the Taliban break ties with Al held in Eskisehir. A police source quick progress, saying the peace with the government, which they Qaeda, end violence, and accept confirmed the operation and said: process would not be easy or consider a stooge of the United the Afghan constitution, includ- “For now, only provocateurs will quick. States and other Western states ing protection for women and be taken for questioning.” US officials said the process in the Nato coalition fighting in minorities. Karzai said yester- See also page 7 could take many years and be Afghanistan. day his government would send a Qatar’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs H E Ali bin Fahad Al Hajri with subject to reversals. In opening the Qatar office, the team to Qatar. Kuwait hangs two Taliban officials at the opening of the group’s Doha office yesterday. “This is an important first step Taliban said it sought a political REUTERS for murder, rape

KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait hanged two Egyptian men yes- terday, one for murder and Young Pakistanis struggle to find jobs in Qatar the other for abduction and rape, state news agency Kuna BY AZMAT HAROON themselves here after having gone above 25 cannot be under his to hire them. A senior official of 100,000 Pakistanis here, of which reported, in the second set of through the job-hunt for as long father’s sponsorship. a Pakistani construction and con- some 15 to 25 percent live with e x e c u t i o n s i n t h e G u l f A r a b s t a t e DOHA: An increasing number as two years. Work visas for Pakistanis, on tracting company, who requested their families. this year. Ahmad Abdulsalam of young Pakistanis are find- Despite being born and raised the other hand, cost QR60,000 in anonymity, said that even their There is no official data avail- Al Beili was sentenced to death ing it hard to find jobs in Qatar, in Qatar, many said they may the black market here, making it firm was not very keen to employ able on how many of them are for the premeditated murder of with many alleging discrimina- have to leave the country soon one of the most expensive ‘free Pakistanis because people with employed, an official of the two people and Hajjaj Al Saeedi tion while applying for jobs. because the sponsorship system visas’ for any nationality. similar qualifications among Pakistan embassy said. was found guilty of raping five Pakistanis with professional does not allow them to continue Some claim that Pakistanis other nationalities could be hired Sohail Ismail sat through innu- children, Kuna said, adding that degrees, most of who did not want living here unless a company hires demand higher salaries compared at lower salaries. merable interviews before landing 29 people remain on Kuwait’s to be identified, told this newspa- them and offers them a work visa. with others, which is why even According to official estimates, a job recently. THE PENINSULA death row. See also page 8 per that they see ‘no future’ for According to law, any man Pakistani companies do not want there are approximately 95,000 to Continued on page 6 WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2013 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Qatar to be region’s top Eid destination QTA lines up more festivities this year

DOHA: Qatar Tourism Abdul Wahab mosque as well as class tourism hub for business, Authority (QTA) has expanded field trips to Al Maha Sanctuary leisure, culture, education and the scope of this year’s Eid fes- and the Sheikh Faisal Al Thani sport,” said Al Muhannadi. tivities with more activities and Museum. He said this will be followed by venues, aimed at positioning For cultural and heritage additional stages to execute the Qatar as the next Eid destina- activities, QTA has collaborated national strategy 2030 related to tion in the region. with all concerned parties such tourism, and thus implement such The “Eid Festivals” will include as the Private Engineering Office, in QTA’s new strategy to develop family-friendly edutainment Souq Waqif, Katara, Ministry of the tourism industry, and encour- activities, world-class shows and Culture, Arts and Heritage and age the workforce in fuelling the exciting international perform- Sawat Al Rayyan, for a pro- engine of national tourism. ances taking place throughout gramme catered to both residents “We will aim to promote Qatar Doha and all the way to Al Khor. and visitors. as the destination for family and QTA has extended the celebra- This year, all the malls in Qatar leisure with emphasis on engaging tions paths to reach The Pearl, will be part of the festival offer- with residents and the region as where the children can enjoy ing visitors entertaining activities a whole, as well as to base a plat- the face painting and the magic while they enjoy shopping. form for future plans to develop balloon. “There is now much more to this strategy,” he added. QTA Chairman, Issa bin Mohammed Al Muhannadi, (left) with QTA Tourism Director, Abdullah Al Badr, at the press The Lusail International see and do in Qatar than ever QTA will later announce the conference yesterday. ABDUL BASIT Circuit for Shooting, Racing Club, before,” said QTA Chairman, Issa detailed programme that will and Equestrian Club will open to bin Mohammed Al Muhannadi, at accompany the celebrations so visitors to enjoy the celebrations. a press conference yesterday to that the residents and visitors The aim behind this is to focus special is the participation of companies are organising as part At Al Shaqqab air sports will announce the event. will have a chance to plan their on QTA’s role in promoting Qatar the private sector. This is imple- of Eid festivals are kayaking/ be organised by Qatar Air Sports “It is our task at Qatar Tourism holidays accordingly. as the destination for family and mented to promote Qatar as canoeing, wakeboarding, sail- Committee (QASC) and air tours Authority to offer residents and The “Eid Festivals” will be leisure with emphasis on engag- leader in tourism in the region,” ing lesson tour, parasailing tour, in helicopters in collaboration tourists alike a wide range of announced throughout a cam- ing with residents and the region said QTA Tourism Director, scuba diving tour and sky diving with Gulf Helicopters. There will events and attractions, in addition paign to include all media as well as a whole. Abdullah Al Badr. tour, added Al Badr. also be visits to Mohamad bin to positioning Qatar as a world as Internet and social media. “What makes “Eid Festivals” Among the activities private THE PENINSULA Occupancy rate up despite increase in hotels: QTA

BY RAYNALD C RIVERA rate increased by 15.5 percent increased by 10 percent last Eid Al Adha festivities here. The prelude to other stages to launch other services such as booking compared to the same month year. Eighty-one hotels in 2012 said festivals along with the past related sites and advanced a flight and a hotel. DOHA: Despite a rise in the last year, despite the increase offered a total of 13,407 rooms, and upcoming world class events applications on smartphones, Al Muhannadi said QTA’s number of hotels, Qatar has in the number of hotels to 87 achieving 60 percent occupancy are part of the QTA’s strategy to that will help visitors and resi- new strategy, which will serve seen an increase in hotel occu- from 81 last year. rates,” said QTA Chairman, Issa further increase tourist arrivals, dents while browsing the tour- as the road map for develop- pancy rate, it was revealed “It is worth mentioning, that bin Mohammed Al Muhannadi. said Al Muhannadi. ism products in Qatar and the ing national tourism, will be yesterday. Qatar has witnessed an increase He was speaking at a press Also, QTA’s recent launch of activities and events throughout launched soon. During the first quarter of in the number of tourists visit- conference yesterday to the new website is aligned with the year,” he said. Human resources develop- this year, hotel occupancy was ing from the region. The figures announce the “Eid Festivals” QTA’s vision to provide the most The new website, which is ment, sustainability and pro- 68 percent, even though there show that the total number of aimed at making Qatar an up-to-date services and to pro- easy to navigate, provides poten- viding business opportunities was an increase in the number tourists from GCC countries Eid destination in the region mote Qatar as the world’s enter- tial tourists information about to the private sector are among of hotels in Doha. grew by 13 percent and that through the wide array of activi- tainment hub. Qatar and the things to do and the focus of the strategy. In May this year, occupancy tourists from the world have ties and venues Eid Al Fitr and “This phase comes as a places to visit, in addition to THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 Qatar Airways bags three awards Airline recognised for Best Business Class, Best Business Class Lounge, and Mideast’s Best Airline Staff Service

PARIS AIR SHOW, France: year in the world’s largest airline carrier in every capacity.” In “I am extremely proud of the “The airline goes to great just 16 years of operations, flying Qatar Airways took home three passenger satisfaction survey to 2010, Qatar Airways took home people behind these awards — our lengths to consider passenger a modern fleet of 125 aircraft to honours at the annual Skytrax decide the award winners. the Best Business Class In The highly service-oriented staff that convenience and comfort at every 128 key business and leisure des- 2013 World Airline Awards held “These awards are highly World title for the first time, fol- takes each passenger experience step of their journey, and we are tinations across Europe, Middle during the Paris Air Show at Le rewarding as they are judiciously lowed by the coveted Airline of as their own, and redefine travel pleased that these efforts have not East, Africa, Asia Pacific and The Bourget yesterday. voted by passengers — a true the Year award in 2011 and 2012. as the art form that it is, a mem- gone unnoticed.” Americas. The airline was awarded account of the overall experience The airline’s exclusive Premium orable experience to be remem- Coinciding with the air show, It has orders worth over $50bn World’s Best Business Class, felt by customers who have trav- Terminal dedicated to its First bered and treasured,” he added. Qatar Airways recently increased for more than 250 aircraft, includ- World’s Best Business Class elled with the airline,” said Qatar and Business Class passengers “We would like to thank our its service frequency to Paris to ing Boeing 787s, 777s, Airbus Lounge and, for the second con- Airways Chief Executive Officer at Doha International Airport passengers for their continued triple daily from the beginning of A350s, A380s and A320 Family secutive year, Best Airline Staff Akbar Al Baker. continues to excel in the inter- support for choosing to fly with this month. Additional capacity of aircraft. In October 2012, Qatar Service in the Middle East. “A notable highlight is that national arena since opening in Qatar Airways. Amid the fierce upgrades for the remainder of the Airways became the first of the The World Airline Awards are these accolades reflect every 2006. With excellent features, the competition that is out there glo- network will also be introduced major Gulf carriers to officially a global benchmark of airline touch point for our premium and terminal is the world’s first stand- bally; we recognise that you count soon. announce plans to join a global excellence. Skytrax is the only economy class passengers through alone airport facility dedicated to on us to deliver on our Five Star The Doha-based airline, one alliance having been invited into global independent passenger sur- our ground service and inflight premium travellers. promise each and every time you of the fastest growing in the the “OneWorld” group. vey monitoring airline standards experience,” he said. Al Baker said that employees fly with us. world, has seen rapid growth in THE PENINSULA and is considered the ultimate “The recognition for end-to- were the true heroes behind the testament for excellence in the end superior service quality is awards, with their dedication and airline industry. Travellers from a reflection of Qatar Airways’ commitment taking the airline to over 160 countries take part each commitment to being a Five Star its winning status today.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker is presented with the Skytrax 2013 Best Business Class In The World award by CNN International anchor Richard Quest, flanked by cabin crew, at the Paris Air Show yesterday. WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2013 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME New lease of life for the disabled Rumailah Hospital and Mada join hands to provide access to life-changing technology

DOHA: Rumailah Hospital and The MoU was signed yesterday by Mada (Qatar Assistive Technology Chief of the Continuing Care Group Center) are helping to connect at Hamad Medical Corporation patients with a disability and those (HMC) Mahmoud Al Raisi and undergoing rehabilitation through Chief Executive Officer of Mada an innovative partnership which David Banes. “The MoU will provide will give them access to life-chang- Assistive Technology (AT) services ing technology. for patients at Rumailah Hospital Mada, founded by ictQatar, and and across HMC’s inpatient and Rumailah Hospital yesterday signed outpatient facilities who meet the a Memorandum of Understanding criteria,” said Al Raisi. “This agree- (MoU) which will provide a wide ment also provides for our staff who range of services around the effec- work in rehabilitation services to be tive use of Assistive Technology to trained to use and teach how to use patients to enhance their quality of these technologies. Access to assistive life and move them closer to inde- technologies is a vital part of reha- pendent living. bilitation and patient care.” Under the agreement, patients will Patients who may benefit from have easier access to assessment and AT will be evaluated by both the training services from Mada, which Rumailah rehabilitation team and a form the cornerstone of the provision group of AT specialists at Mada to process for technologies that support ensure they have access to the tech- the needs of people with different nology that can best assist them. types of disabilities. “Through the use of Assistive Around 60 patients — both pae- Technology, people with different diatric and adults — are already needs and abilities will be able to con- benefiting from the agreement and nect to the digital world and enjoy the services have also been extended a world of opportunities offered by to the patients at Rumailah’s ICT in a way that is accessible and The Chief of Continuing Care Group at Hamad Medical Corporation, Mahmoud Al Raisi, and Chief Executive Officer of Mada, David Banes, with Community-Based Rehabilitation comfortable,” said Banes. other officials of HMC and Mada at the signing ceremony. Programme. THE PENINSULA

Pakistan mission Free service to connect clients, media agencies to hold Open DOHA: The twofour54 Briefing Room, a creative agencies. Giving instant access to management are just some of the special- free online service for matching and con- over 200 local, regional and international isms available with leading names, such House on June 21 necting clients with media agencies and media, entertainment and communications as advertising companies, M+C Saatchi, specialists from the hundreds of expert agencies within twofour54, the twofour54 TBWA and Omnia. Each creative company DOHA: The Pakistan service providers available at twofour54, Briefing Room operates in both Arabic and comes with the endorsement oftwofour54. embassy will hold Open is now available across the GCC. English. Noura Al Kaabi, Chief Executive of House on June 21 to dis- This first-of-its-kind service allows Whether the requirement is to design a twofour54 Abu Dhabi said, “The Briefing cuss issues concerning the users to post their marketing and com- brochure, produce a TV advertisement or Room has become an invaluable tool for Pakistani community. The munication briefs create a marketing campaign, the Briefing organisations in Abu Dhabi, so making event will take place at 7pm digitally, mak- Room has helped companies find the right it available to the wider GCC region is a at the Pakistan Education ing it simple for agencies and specialists to fulfil their needs. natural next step. It allows users to cherry- Centre, embassy officials any company to It has become a tried and tested option for pick the very best brand, design or com- said. This is the first time put out briefs finding the best service providers quickly munications expertise, streamlining the the embassy is holding and procure and easily. layers of administration and the expense Open House to provide the services Advertising, web development, corporate of traditional procurement.” community members with of world-class film production, public relations and event THE PENINSULA a platform to discuss their concerns. Minister hosts farewell party for envoys DOHA: The Assistant Foreign Minister Ali bin Fahd Al Hajri yes- terday hosted a farewell party at the Diplomatic Club for the outgoing ambassadors Cornelis Johannes Groeneveld (the Netherlands) and Michael O’Neill (the UK). The function was attended by the Director of the Protocols Department, Ibrahim Youssuf Fakhro, heads of diplomatic mis- sions and offices accred- ited to Qatar and several department directors at the Foreign Ministry.

Chief of Staff meets Mali Defence Minister

DOHA: The Chief of Staff of the Qatari Armed Forces H E Major General Hamad bin Ali Al Attiyah yesterday met Mali’s Minister of Defence and Veterans General Yamoussa Camara in Doha. Discussions cov- ered military coopera- tion. The meeting was attended by senior offic- ers of the armed forces.

Qatar and Egypt review legal ties

DOHA: The Attorney General H E Dr Ali bin Fetais Al Marri met Egypt’s Assistant Attorney General Hassan Yassin Hassan in Doha yesterday. They exchanged views on issues, including funds looted from Arab Spring countries, ways to boost judicial and legal coop- eration, cooperation and exchange of expertise and training. QNA/THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05

The Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Qatar University President, Professor Sheikha Al Misnad, with some of the Class of 2013 graduates at the Qatar National Convention Centre yesterday. QU celebrates 36th annual convocation Years of hard work, dedication and commitment have paid off and exciting new life now begins: QU president

DOHA: Qatar University yes- were Fadi Sharafeldin Mohamed, their student lives and achieve- much as you have done and will 83 BSc and eight Masters stu- mission today, however, it is not terday celebrated its 36th Mohammed A Mushtaha, Khalid ments at the university. continue to do so. dents; College of Business and the end of the road — it is only annual convocation ceremony Saleh Al Shamari, Firas Amer Presenting the students with “The education and skills you Economics 74 undergradu- the beginning. Step by step we with 226 male graduates, at Abdulrazak Alkadour, Ammar their graduation certificates, QU have gained at QU will stand you ate students and six MBA will go on our journey to success. the Qatar National Convention Al Ismail, Abdullrahman Ahmad President Professor Sheikha Al in great stead for the lives ahead and MAC students; College of “I take the opportunity to Centre. Al Sayed, Kenan Ali Al Hussien, Misnad said: “This day is a proud of you. You are the future lead- Education two undergraduates, thank everyone who walked A total of 203 undergraduate, Khalid Abdallah Aboumaali, day for you, your families and all ers of Qatar — you will play an three Masters and six Diploma along with us on our academic 17 Masters and six Diploma stu- Usman Bin Abid and Mohamed the QU community. Your years of important role in the develop- students; College of Law seven journey and supported us and dents graduated at a ceremony Hamed Elrentisy. hard work, dedication and com- ment of our State for many years students and College of Shariah encouraged us to reach where graced by the Heir Apparent Master of Ceremonies was mitment have paid off and you to come. I have every confidence and Islamic Studies four under- we are today.” H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad College of Sharia and Islamic stand here now, on the threshold that you will take these oppor- graduate students. The graduation of 845 female Al Thani. Studies student Abdulrahman of a new and exciting life. tunities and responsibilities and Valedictorian Khaled Al Qatar University students will Some 60 students overall grad- Al Shemari, who formally opened “As QU alumni, you are the run with them. We all wish you Shemari, from the College of take place later today, in a cere- uated with honours — being in the graduation with the national faces of the university and the every success.” Law, spoke on behalf of all gradu- mony at the QNCC presided over the top five percent of the gradu- anthem and recitations from the future of Qatar and we hope you The breakdown of the graduat- ates when he gave thanks to QU by the President of Hamad bin ating class for 2013 and with a Holy Quran before the assembled will relish the opportunity to ing male students was: College of faculty and staff for the support Khalifa University H E Sheikh minimum GPA of 3.5. graduates and guests watched a act as ambassadors and help the Arts and Sciences graduated 33 given to the students. Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani. The male honours students short documentary film about coming graduates to achieve as students; College of Engineering He said: “We accomplished our THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2013 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Malls join to make people ‘walk more’ Al Khor Mall and Hyatt Plaza latest additions to Aspire’s initiative to encourage active and healthy lifestyles

DOHA: Al Khor Mall and joined and have demonstrated Hyatt Plaza are the latest facil- AZF’s attempt to reach out to ities to sign up to Aspire Zone communities outside Doha. Foundation’s (AZF) new ‘Walk In addition, each circuit will More…Walk in Malls’ initia- be clearly marked by compre- tive, which encourage people to hensive signs and maps, and fly- lead active, healthy lifestyles by ers will be handed out containing exercising in shopping malls. further information about the The partnership with Al programme. Khor Mall and Hyatt Plaza was Al Khor Mall and Hyatt Plaza announced at a signing ceremony will launch ‘Walk More…Walk in recently. Malls’ on June 22. Due to kick Regional Director of Lulu off at 8am, the events will feature Hypermarket and Al Khor Mall an array of activities designed for in Qatar and Egypt, Mohamed the whole family. Althaf, said: “We commend At Villaggio, the ‘Walk More… Aspire Zone Foundation’s com- Walk in Malls’ programme saw mitment to helping the people an overwhelming success, with of Qatar adopt healthy lifestyles, hundreds of participants attend- and its attempt to find ways to ing the event to learn more about overcome obstacles that prevent the initiative. exercise, like the heat and time During the launch, as an incen- limitations.” tive, participants were entered “We are delighted to extend into a prize draw to win a selec- all our support to Aspire Zone tion of covetable items including Foundation’s mall walk initia- iPhones, Samsung Galaxies, iPad tive. With our close proximity Minis and vouchers. to Aspire Zone, participants can The first 100 participants to now consider us as a part of their complete the circuit received favourite aspire park and extend free pedometers from AZF, their walk to the interior com- while members of Aspetar were The Regional Director of Lulu Hypermarket and Al Khor Mall in Qatar and Egypt, Mohamed Althaf (left) and General Manager of Hyatt Plaza Shopping fort of Hyatt Plaza,” said General also available to give free medi- Mall, Feroz Moideen, exchanging agreements with the Director of Healthy Lifestyle Programme at Aspetar, Dr Mohammed Ghaith Al Kuwari. Manager of Hyatt Plaza Shopping cal checks to participants. The Mall, Feroz Moideen. track is designed to take approxi- The initiative, which will ena- mately 30 minutes, burn around Mahmoud Mohamed Saeed, and United States where I noticed determined to get involved with encourage members of the com- ble people to continue exercis- 150 calories, and includes an Alaa Mostafa Khalaf. people regularly walk to main- other programmes developed by munity to walk to fitness, the aim ing during the summer, kicked estimated 3,000 steps. Prize Mohamed Saad, a Qatari tain physical fitness. I’d like to the organisation.” of the programme is for partici- off at Villaggio and Landmark, winners included Atef Mohamed participant, said: “I don’t exer- thank Aspire Zone for its effort ‘Walk More…Walk in Malls’ pants to walk at least 10,000 steps the first malls to sign up to the Mansoor, Binod Kumar, Ayman cise often, but the initiative in publicising this initiative. This has been created as part of AZF’s a day in a non-competitive, rec- programme. Since then, Al Khor Mostafa, Isahaq Ibrahim Isahaq, has encouraged me to take up is the first Aspire programme I self-managed lifelong programme, reational and social way. Mall and Hyatt Plaza have also Mahmoud Abd el Salam Ahmed, walking. I recently visited the have participated in, but I’m step into health. Designed to THE PENINSULA

Diplomacy Syria takes centre stage at QRC meeting

DOHA: Representatives of Norwegian and German Red Cross societies have recently visited Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) to discuss ways of coop- eration and access to QRC’s humanitarian efforts in Syria. The meeting was attended by QRC’s Director of Relief and International Development Dr Khaled Diab, who gave a review of QRC’s humanitarian programmes that are implemented inside Syria and on the Syrian borders which came as a result of the traumatic events experienced by Syrians for nearly three years. The two sides discussed the situation of refugees and displaced Syrians, where the total number of Syrian refugees registered and awaiting registration with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was estimated to be more than 1,611,904, with the expectation of the continuous increase in those numbers due to the deteriorating situation. Qatar Red Crescent officials with delegates of Norwegian and German Red Cross societies. The representatives were briefed on efforts by QRC to serve refugees and displaced programmes, drinking water pro- field hospitals and medical units, Cross to identify the most impor- Syrians, whether in Turkey, vision and sanitation projects. The and providing psychological sup- tant needs of the Syrians. Jordan, Lebanon or inside Syria in most important activities carried port to the victims. Due to the distinct role that addition to the programmes and out through these relief pro- Since the start of the Syrian QRC has been playing to aid projects implemented in several grammes are the mobilisation of crisis QRC was keen on com- Syrian refugees and displaced areas to alleviate the sufferings resources and volunteers accord- municating with multiple part- Syrians, several associations were The Belgian Minister of Brussels Capital Regional Government and of refugees and displaced Syrians. ing to the severity of the situation, ners from within and outside keen on benefiting from the expe- Minister for Finance, Employment, Scientific Research and Foreign QRC has several programmes distribution of relief materials, Qatar such as the International rience of QRC and their approach Trade, Celine Fremault, with Qatar’s Ambassador Sheikh Ali bin Jassim and projects in several areas to providing shelter, emergency and Federation of Red Crosses in implementing these relief pro- Al Thani in Brussels yesterday. They discussed issues of common help Syrian refugees, such as transitional housing, healthcare and Red Crescents and the grammes in Syria. concern and ways of enhancing relations, especially in the areas of healthcare programmes, relief services, schools, construction of International Committee of Red QNA economy and investment. Polymer filters can boost Discrimination in job market alleged environment: QNRF study DOHA: Scientists backed by a Qatar National Research Fund Continued from page 1 top management of the organi- contracts to recruitment firms. Khalid landed in a job with an (QNRF) grant have joined forces to develop the next generation He said a majority of Pakistanis sation. If it’s an Egyptian man- It’s a fact that people hired architectural firm. of filters. The group’s work in generating polymer materials that born and schooled in Qatar seek agement, you will see a push to locally do not have the required “I was the first Pakistani act as high-performance gas filters was recently published in admissions in universities in hire Egyptians, if it’s an Indian qualification.” employed by this firm in the last Nature Communications. other countries because they management, you will find a large He also said that because of 15 years,” she said. These filters will have the potential to capture carbon dioxide cannot afford higher education majority of Indians working in a big push for Qatarisation in Another Pakistani girl, a grad- emitted from power stations and, in turn, prevent possible con- here. the organisation,” Ismail said. banks, many expatriate commu- uate of Stenden University Qatar, tamination of the environment. Initial findings suggest that it is “Once they come back to their He said, unfortunately, there nities were naturally affected. who did not want to be identified, possible to create membranes that filter a range of substances on families after completing a bach- are a very few Pakistanis on Maham Khalid, a gradu- said she was considering apply- a ‘nano’, or microscopic scale. Filters are a part of our everyday elor or masters level degree, they managerial positions in Qatar. ate of Virginia Commonwealth ing for a Masters degree because lives, they are utilised in everything from a spaghetti strainer to do not find jobs. Companies tell Some also say there is discrim- University Qatar (VCU-Q), even after a year, she still had no screens on windows. In their simplest form, filters keep debris out them they have no experience.” ination, which was evident from said she did not leave a stone job in sight. of air and water. Yet as filter technology advances, so does the level Ismail said that this was, in job advertisements in newspapers unturned during her hunt for a For hundreds of young of precision around what they can help keep out. fact, not the real reason for not that specified the nationality of job in Qatar. Pakistan men, the only reason- The investigating team of this QNRF-facilitated research is hiring Pakistanis because he employees companies sought. “I applied for more than a able option left was to join the led by Dr Shaheen Al Muhtaseb, Associate Professor in Chemical often saw others being offered Incidentally, such advertisements dozen jobs, sat through sev- police or army. Engineering at Qatar University, and Dr Easan Sivaniah, Advanced higher salary packages even never specify jobs for Pakistanis. eral interviews, apart from the “You only need to be Qatar- Research Fellow in the Cavendish Laboratory and soon-to-be asso- without any experience. Asked about the company walk-in ones, but I never got a born and know some Arabic. ciate professor at Kyoto University. The two parties have success- Truth was, in most cases, policy on hiring individuals, an response from anywhere,” Khalid Pakistanis can still very easily fully collaborated on a series of high-impact research observations CVs of Pakistanis didn’t even official from a prominent bank said, adding that she had high find a job in one of the security in the last two years, including widely publicised research in Nature reach the right people in most seeking anonymity said: “Banks expectations after studying at forces departments here,” Ruman Materials last year, on the discovery of a new nanoporation mecha- organisations. now prefer to hire people from the Education City. Rathore said. nism called Collective Osmotic Shock. QNA “It really just depends on the abroad, which is why they give After over a year’s struggle, THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2013 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Dozens held; Erdogan defends police EU Parliament has no right to take decisions against Turkey, says prime minister

ANKARA/ISTANBUL: punctuated by loud applause and barracks on Gezi Park adjoin- Police across Turkey yesterday cheers. ing Taksim Park, one of the few detained dozens of people in an Erdogan strongly criticised a green spaces in the teeming city operation linked to three weeks European Parliament resolution of Istanbul. The unrest has eased of often violent protests against that expressed concern at what it off since Istanbul saw some of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip called “the disproportionate and the worst clashes so far over the Erdogan. excessive use of force by Turkish weekend, following the pattern Overnight in Ankara, riot police to break up peaceful and of the last three weeks when vio- police used tear gas and water legitimate protests”. lence flared up at the weekends cannon to disperse hundreds of The prime minister ques- before calming during the week. protesters who had gathered in tioned the European Parliament’s The unrest has left four people and around the government quar- authority to pass a resolution on dead overall, including one police- ter of Kizilay. his country, and said it ignored man, and about 7,500 injured, Interior Minister Muammer what’s happening in Greece, the according to the Turkish Medical Guler said 62 people had been UK, France, and Germany, and Association. Yesterday, Cem detained in Turkey’s biggest city instead only focus on a host of Oezdemir, co-chair of Germany’s Istanbul and 23 in the capital “anti-democratic” demonstra- opposition Greens party who is of Ankara. State broadcaster TRT tions in Turkey, according to Turkish origin, joined the interna- also said a further 13 had been Anadolu news agency. tional chorus of condemnation of held in Eskisehir. A police source Officials have sought to distin- Erdogan’s handling of the unrest. confirmed the operation and said: guish between those they consid- “Erdogan will no longer be able to “For now, only provocateurs will Ruling Justice and Development Party deputies cheer as they listen to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ered legitimate protesters and travel the world presenting himself be taken for questioning.” Erdogan during a meeting at parliament in Ankara, yesterday. others described variously as as a reformer and a moderniser,” Protests have frequently turned “riff-raff” and “terrorists”. he said in an interview published into fierce clashes between police “In the face of a comprehen- and successfully passed the test of represented as using violence. The unrest began as a small in Germany’s Die Welt newspaper. firing teargas and water can- sive and systematic movement of democracy,” he told members of Who used violence? All of the action by environmentalists “He won’t be able to shake off the non and masked demonstrators violence, the police displayed an his ruling AK Party in parliament. terrorists, the anarchists, the opposed to government plans images of brutal violence.” throwing bottles and other mis- unprecedented democratic stance “The police have been rioters,” he said in a speech to build replica Ottoman-era REUTERS siles, images that have dented Turkey’s reputation for stability in a volatile Middle East. Western countries have ‘Standing man’ inspires silent protests expressed concern about police treatment of protests against ISTANBUL: Performance art- stability in the volatile Middle Centre which was draped in Erdogan, whose authority rests ist Erdem Gunduz became the East. “Maybe the media and peo- Turkish flags and a portrait of on three successive election vic- new symbol of anti-government ple will learn something from this Turkey’s founder Mustafa Kemal tories, the last achieved with 50 protests in Turkey yesterday silent standing, this resistance,” Ataturk. percent support. after his eight-hour vigil on Gunduz said in an interview with While Gunduz’s intentions Critics accuse him of disre- Taksim Square earned him the Hurriyet TV. were not clear, some protesters garding the half of the population nickname “the Standing Man”. “Maybe they will feel some have accused Erdogan of pursu- who did not vote for him, some Images of Gunduz standing empathy. I am just an ordinary ing a new order based on reli- of whom accuse him of conniving quietly in the large, open square, citizen of this country. We want gious principles - something he to subvert the secular constitu- the cradle of three weeks of our voices to be heard.” denies. By 2am yesterday, when tion and create an order based on often violent unrest, have struck Gunduz said he was protesting the police moved in, about 300 religious principles - something a chord with sympathisers more in solidarity with demonstrators people had joined Gunduz. Ten Erdogan denies. used to witnessing stone-throw- who were evicted at the weekend people, who refused to be moved Erdogan has struck a defi- ing youths battling police tear gas from Gezi Park adjoining Taksim, on by police, were detained. Turkish choreographer Erdem Gunduz (centre) stands on Taksim Square ant tone throughout the unrest, and water cannon. an intervention by police that Hundreds more men and during a duranadam or standing man protest in Istanbul, yesterday. which poses the greatest public Twitter lit up with messages triggered some of the most vio- women staged copycat protests challenge yet to a 10-year rule of support, although Gunduz lent clashes to date. in Istanbul, the capital Ankara there would be no police swoop life generally, we will not inter- marked by economic boom and sought to play down his impor- From the early evening on and the city of Izmir on the against similar “standing man” vene in such protests,” he told a concerted drive to extend eco- tance in demonstrations that Monday, Gunduz stood silently, Aegean coast. Interior Minister protests. “If this protest does not reporters in parliament. nomic and diplomatic influence have shaken Turkey’s image of facing the Ataturk Cultural Muammer Guler indicated that harm public order or influence REUTERS beyond Turkish frontiers.

Twin suicide bombs kill 29 in Baghdad

BAGHDAD: Two coordinated suicide bombings at a Shia mosque in Baghdad killed at least 29 worshippers at noon prayers yesterday, medics said. The first bomber detonated his charge at a checkpoint about 100 metres away from the mosque in Al Qahira district of northern Baghdad. He was followed min- utes later by a second who blew himself up inside the building. A woman looks at the punctured tyres of her family’s car in the Israeli-Arab “The (second) suicide bomber village of Abu Ghosh, near Jerusalem, yesterday. detonated himself among the worshippers, who were gather- ing after the call to prayer,” said policeman Furat Faleh, who was Jewish extremists near the site of the blast. More than 1,000 people were killed in militant attacks in Iraq vandalise Arab town in May, according to the United Nations, making it the deadliest month since the sectarian war of JERUSALEM: Suspected and have included arson attacks 2006-2007. Jewish extremists punctured on cars, mosques and olive trees, Ten years after the US-led the tyres of 28 cars in an Arab but also target Christian sites and invasion that toppled former Israeli town and scrawled graf- have even reached Israeli army president Saddam Hussein in fiti nearby in a likely “price tag” bases. Economy Minister Naftali 2003, a stable power-sharing attack overnight, a correspond- Bennett condemned the attack, compromise between Iraq’s Sunni, ent said yesterday. calling such acts “immoral and Shia and ethnic Kurdish factions On a wall near the vandalised un-Jewish”. remains elusive. cars in Abu Ghosh, a town west Bennett also mentioned the Sectarian relations in Iraq have of Jerusalem, the perpetrators security cabinet’s decision on come under strain from the con- wrote in Hebrew “Arabs out” and Sunday to “significantly expand flict in neighbouring Syria, where “Racism or assimilation,” the cor- the legal and investigative tools of mainly Sunni rebels are fighting respondent reported from the security forces, in a bid to miti- to overthrow a leader backed by scene. Police were investigating gate the phenomenon”. Shia Iran. the attack, said spokesman Micky The cabinet decided to define Iraqi Sunnis and Shias have Rosenfeld, noting the crime had suspects as part of “unlawful crossed into Syria to fight on “strong indications” of being organisations”, stopping short opposing sides, heightening con- “nationalistically motivated”. of the original justice ministry cerns they are bringing the the Abu Ghosh has since Israel’s proposal to call their acts “ter- conflict back home, where both inception maintained good ties rorism”. Last week, two vehicles sects have been targeted by vio- with the state’s Jewish majority, were burnt in an east Jerusalem lence since the beginning of the and attracts hordes of Israelis to neighbourhood, with the words year. its restaurants. “price tag” graffitied nearby. The wave of attacks has coin- The use of the word assimila- A police official recently told cided with protests by Iraq’s tion is a negative reference to a parliamentary committee that Sunnis, who accuse the Shia-led Jews and non-Jews mixing, and the in 2012 they had opened 623 files government of marginalising term “price tag” is given to Jewish on price tag attacks, arrested 200 their minority sect and being a extremist hate crimes that gener- people and served 123 indictments stooge of Iran. ally target Arabs. in connection with such acts. Sunni Islamist insurgent groups Initially carried out against This year, the official said, appear to be feeding on Sunni dis- Palestinians in retaliation for police had opened 165 files on content and gaining recruits. It state moves to dismantle unau- attacks, arrested 76 suspects and is not clear who exactly is behind thorised settler outposts, price served 31 indictments, stressing the attacks but a number of Sunni tag attacks have become a much these crimes were considered ide- Islamist insurgent groups operate broader phenomenon with racist ologically motivated “nationalistic in Iraq, including an affiliate of and xenophobic traits. crimes” and were a “top priority” Al Qaeda. They tend to involve the van- for police. REUTERS dalism or destruction of property AFP WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2013 08 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST

Lebanese minister West’s failure in Syria accuses Syria of ethnic cleansing will have consequences of Sunnis BEIRUT: Syrian President Bashar Al Assad’s forces have begun ethnically cleansing Assad allies rushing to complete regime’s victory Sunni Muslims and deliber- ately pushing refugees across DAMASCUS: Russian Coalition, is formally committed G8 agreement impossible, which the border into Lebanon, the President Vladimir Putin’s to the establishment of a “demo- was probably their intention. Lebanese caretaker minister refusal to back a process lead- cratic and pluralistic civil state” Behind the fig leaf of the pursuit for social affairs said yesterday. ing to a Syrian peace conference and is recognised by Britain, the of “negotiations” and “interna- Assad is battling a Sunni-led that would involve President US, the EU and the Arab League tional agreement”, Assad’s allies revolt in Syria, which he and his Assad stepping down placed as legitimately representing the are rushing to complete his vic- father before him have ruled for him at loggerheads with the Syrian people. But in the eyes tory before the west gets its act four decades. He belongs to the other seven leaders at the G8 of British anti-interventionists, together. Iran is reportedly send- minority Alawite sect, an offshoot summit. anyone resisting Assad automati- ing 4,000 Revolutionary Guards to of Shia. So far, international deadlock cally becomes an Islamic extrem- fight for Assad; Russia recently Wael Abu Faour said that dur- over Syria has resulted in 93,000 ist: according to London mayor announced it would supply anti- ing the 27-month-old conflict dead. Yet there is no reason why Boris Johnson, arming the Syrian aircraft missiles; Hezbollah’s mili- Syrian forces had committed Putin should feel troubled. As opposition would mean “putting tary intervention was decisive in what was “tantamount to ethnic the US and its allies struggle to arms into the hands of Al Qaeda- enabling his recapture of Qusair. cleansing next to the Syrian- achieve international consensus affiliated thugs”. While western anti-interven- Lebanese border”. and get the peace process mov- Yet it is the west’s failure to tionists smear the FSA, they are “(Assad) is trying to displace all ing, Russia and Assad’s other support the FSA that strength- blind to the far-greater Islamist the Sunnis to Lebanon and this backers, Iran and Hezbollah, are ens Al Qaeda’s hand. Demoralised menace facing Syria: the Shia is why I expect to have more dis- intervening in Syria with weapons by their arms shortage, FSA extremism promoted by Iran and placed people,” he said. and troops, driving their protege soldiers have been defecting to embodied in its proxy, Hezbollah. The revolt turned into a civil towards complete military victory. the Al Qaeda-affiliated Jabhat The latter is an organisation war after a crackdown on anti- Unlike the US, the Russian and Al Nusra — reportedly Syria’s whose military wing the UK and Assad protesters. It has taken on Iranian regimes are not vacillat- best-equipped rebel force. The others designate as terrorist, and a sectarian hue, with Shi’ite Iran ing in their efforts to ensure their double-headed monster tradition- whose founding manifesto calls and Lebanon’s Shi’ite Hezbollah side wins. But then, they are unre- ally oppressing the Arab world for holy war. militants backing Assad, while strained by the domestic resist- — brutal dictatorships in power Hezbollah and Iran continue Russia’s President Vladimir Putin gestures during a media conference after Sunni powers, such as Saudi ance to intervention that hobbles and opposition channelled into to stoke their long-running con- Arabia, support the rebels. The a G8 summit in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, yesterday. democratically elected govern- Islamist terrorism — looks set to frontation with Israel. The con- conflict has sharpened sectarian ments. British prime minister be resuscitated, as western inac- sequences for regional peace and rifts in Lebanon. David Cameron has struggled to tion undermines the only viable stability of a victory for them are subsequent Libyan free elections, Turkey and the Arab League. In The United Nations says 93,000 reconcile his pursuit of an agree- alternative. not something about which Putin the liberals defeated the Islamists. these circumstances, the cynicism people have been killed in Syria ment with Russia with his com- The Russians promise to bring appears concerned. Unlike the misguided 2003 adven- of the Russians appears all the and 1.6 million Syrians have fled mitment to arm the mainstream the Syrian regime to the nego- The failure of western leader- ture in Iraq, an intervention in more understandable; the ostrich- abroad. Lebanon, the smallest of Syrian resistance, the Free Syrian tiating table, but not if the pre- ship over Syria is surprising, com- Syria — arms supplies to the FSA like stance of the anti-interven- Syria’s neighbours with 4 million Army (FSA). The latter’s civilian condition is Assad stepping down. ing as it does after the successful and a no-fly zone — would enjoy tionists all the more bizarre. people, has taken in more than counterpart, the Syrian National Their stance made a meaningful 2011 intervention in Libya. In the broad support, including from GUARDIAN NEWS half a million Syrian refugees. “What began was a wave of people fleeing from violence to Lebanon, but what is happen- ing now is a completely differ- ent matter. What is happening Ahmadinejad now is organised displacement of the Syrian people - organised based on sectarian and political motives,” said Abu Faour, a fre- meets successor quent critic of Assad. He made his comments after TEHRAN: Iran’s outgo- government. Rowhani has vowed meeting UN High Commissioner ing President Mahmoud to mend Iran’s strained ties with for Refugees Antonio Guterres, Ahmadinejad met his successor the international community over who said that refugees in Lebanon Hassan Rowhani yesterday for its nuclear programme which the and their local hosts directly the first time since the moder- West fears is aimed at develop- needed support from world pow- ate conservative was elected, in ing the bomb, despite Tehran’s ers. “My very strong appeal is for talks centred on political and repeated denials. massive support not only to refu- economic issues. Reinforced by UN Security gees, not only to local communi- Rowhani, a 64-year-old cleric Council sanctions, punitive meas- ties but to Lebanon itself in order who is scheduled to take office on ures have cost Iran’s economy to be able to respond to this chal- August 3, won an outright victory billions in vital oil revenues and lenge,” Guterres said, adding that in Friday’s presidential election, foreign investment, leaving the the Lebanese education, health, ending Ahmadinejad’s eight years country struggling with raging and social affairs ministries need of hardline leadership. inflation, high unemployment and finiancial aid. “The two discussed the coun- a depreciated currency. The United Nations has asked try’s political and economic Some analysts believe the for some $5bn in humanitarian issues,” Iranian state television Ahmadinejad administration’s aid for Syrians and for Syria’s reported. “mismanagement” is partly to neighbours before the end of The Iranian presidency issued blame for the country’s economic the year, its biggest emergency pictures of the pair, smiling problems. appeal to date. “Lebanon needs broadly and firmly shaking hands. Ahmadinejad, whose close aide to formulate a mechanism to cre- Ahmadinejad, whose tenure Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei was ate confidence and trust in the was marked by fiery rhetoric and barred from standing in Friday’s government so that donors can international isolation, said his presidential election, has already increase their funding,” said the administration was ready to make congratulated Rowhani on his vic- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad greeting President-elect Hassan Rowhani in Tehran, yesterday. Swedish ambassador to Beirut, the transition easier for the new tory. AFP Niklas Kebbon. REUTERS

Camel race Tunisian court Kuwait hangs two Egyptian jails Salafists for men for murder, rape burning shrine KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait the crimes took place. TUNIS: A Tunisian court has hanged two Egyptian men The authorities said Saadi sentenced six radical Islamists yesterday, one for murder and had confessed to raping 17 boys to five years in prison for burn- the other for abduction and and girls after luring them onto ing a Sufi Muslim shrine in one rape, state news agency Kuna rooftops in Hawalli, an area of a spate of attacks that have reported, in the second set of mainly inhabited by foreigners highlighted rising militancy in executions in the Gulf Arab 12km south of the capital. the country that ignited the state this year. Another Egyptian man was Arab Spring. Ahmad Abdulsalam Al Beili executed at the same time after Last October, Salafist was sentenced to death for the he was found guilty of killing an Muslims descended upon Saida premeditated murder of two Asian couple by setting their Manouba, a famous Sufi shrine people and Hajjaj Al Saeedi was home ablaze and attempting to in Tunis, setting it alight and found guilty of raping five chil- murder another couple from attacking visitors. Salafists, dren, Kuna said, adding that 29 Egypt the same way, said the whose ultraconservative ideol- people remain on Kuwait’s death prosecution. ogy is followed by Al Qaeda, con- row. Ahmad Abdulsalam Al Beili sider Sufism, a mystical form of Authorities yesterday hanged poured an inflammable material Islam, as heretical. a 33-year-old Egyptian man in the apartment of the Asian Camel jockeys race at the starting point during an annual event organised for desert dwellers, in the desert Tunisia was the first country dubbed a “monster” for the pair and set it on fire in April of Aleghan in Tabuk, north of Saudi Arabia, yesterday. to be rocked by an Arab Spring abduction and rape of 17 chil- 2008, causing their deaths, it said uprising in 2011, ending the dren under the age of 10, the in a statement. Later he tried to authoritarian rule of President public prosecution said. kill an Egyptian couple the same Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and Hajjaj Saadi, who was handed way. They survived despite suf- Egypt, Ethiopia agree to further talks inspiring similar revolutions in five death sentences, complained fering injuries. Egypt and Libya. shortly before his execution that The hangings were the second ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopia and Addis Ababa with his Ethiopian construction. But Amr and Tedros Since then, the struggle over he had not been given any assist- set of executions in Kuwait since Egypt have agreed to hold fur- counterpart Tedros Adhanom. said that relations between the the role of Islam in government ance from the Egyptian govern- it reintroduced the death penalty ther talks on the impact of an The countries have been countries remain “brotherly” and and society has emerged as the ment, a witness said. following a six-year moratorium. Ethiopian dam to quell tensions embroiled in a heated row after that they will continue talks on most divisive issue in politics, Saadi strongly denied in court In April, the authorities in the between the two countries, Ethiopia began diverting the Blue the impact of the dam. regularly erupting into violent that he had committed any of oil-rich Gulf state executed a the foreign ministers of both Nile River last month for the con- Amr said that previous state- clashes. the crimes, which shocked the Saudi, a Pakistani and a stateless nations said yesterday. struction of the 6000 MW Grand ments had been made “in the heat Sufi leaders have said around 40 Kuwaiti public, and insisted his Arab who were convicted of mur- “We agreed that we will start Renaissance Dam. of the moment.” sites were ransacked by Salafists confessions were extracted under der. The authorities postponed immediately on consultations at Concerned over how the “Both ministers stressed the in recent months, prompting the duress. Arrested in July 2007 as the execution of two Sri Lankans both the technical level... and the dam could impact downstream need to continue the dialogue and government to promise emergency he prepared to board a flight to and a Pakistani, who were also political level,” Egyptian Foreign water levels, Egyptian President communication with each other,” measures to protect mausoleums Luxor in Egypt, he became known supposed to be hanged yesterday, Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr Mohammed Mursi warned that they said in a joint statement. and shrines. as “the Hawalli monster” for the without explaining why. told reporters, after meetings in “all options are open” over its AFP REUTERS district near Kuwait City where AGENCIES

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Afghan progress Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

ESTERDAY was a day of action on the Afghan front. Not that everything is dormant in Afghanistan, where not a day passes without a US military intervention in Syria Yblast or some fighting causing casualties. But peace efforts are a rarity; and those involving Taliban are rarer still. For every step forward, there have been many in reverse. But in a major milestone in the 12-year-old war in the likely to result in failure country, the US yesterday announced that it’s open to direct talks with with Taliban leaders within days, after agreeing BY JONATHAN POWER to drop a series of preconditions that have previously held In neither state has democracy of the Indeed, foreign intervention in heter- back negotiations over the future of Afghanistan. The US kind that most of us interpret it to be ogeneous states is likely to set off strug- announcement didn’t come as a complete surprise. Serious HE fog of war in Syria descends. arrived. gles for power by contending groups. and painstaking efforts were made to bring Taliban to the Alliances on the ground come Is force-induced regime change by Even if the insurgents in Syria were Tand go. America wobbles. Europe outsiders an effective means of spread- successful, the struggle for power among negotiating table. With the US pullout from Afghanistan wrings its hands. Russia ups its mili- ing democracy? their factions would be terrifying to approaching fast and questions being raised about the ability tary commitment, fearful of an arc of Optimists point to Germany and behold. Civil war would continue. Even of Afghan troops to take complete charge of security after Sunni militancy that will make common Japan at the conclusion of the Second more civilians would be killed. the pullout, there is an urgency to negotiate peace. cause with Moscow’s fundamentalists in World War. In the last century, there are only two The first step towards talks has been the opening of Chechnya and Dagestan. Much of the Yet Germany had by far the highest instances of successful foreign-imposed rest of the world looks on with half- number of US troops per capita of any regime, other than Germany and Japan. Taliban office in Doha. The talk of Taliban office starting shut eyes. US nation-building effort in the last 60 They were Panama and Haiti, both tiny its work has been going on for some time, long enough The debate swirls. Can the West have years. countries with a monolithic population. for many to suspect that it would just remain a talk. But any profound impact on the Syrian Germany also received the largest (Haiti later regressed.) the start of the office is a milestone because it indicates a civil war? Can it help depose the Assad total amount of aid ever given. Japan In the early part of the century, the willingness of both sides – Taliban on one side and the US regime? Does it really think it can influ- too, thanks to the US occupation, was US attempted to democratise nearby and Afghan government on the ence the making of a democratic, multi- in many ways revamped, a process eased Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. ethnic, multi-religion Syria? by massive amounts of aid. It intervened with troops five times other – to begin the negotiation Is President Barack Obama, after Often overlooked was the strength without success. It overthrew three In a major process. Reports say political months of resist- and sophistication of German and Dominican governments in 1912, 1914 representatives of the Taliban are ing the sirens Japanese institutions, the high number and 1916. milestone in the expected to shortly meet Afghan calling for mili- of well-educated bureaucrats, teach- In Nicaragua in 1910 and 1926, the US 12-year-old war and US officials in Doha to discuss tary support for ers and professionals and a tradition overthrew the government twice with the agenda for future talks. On its With the direct the rebels, begin- of constitutional rule (although not no beneficial result. Afghan war, the ning to think it democracy). From Washington or London’s per- part, the Taliban has made a small provision of can play a more Neither country was riven by ethnic spective, the Assad regime looks vulner- US and Taliban step towards building confidence. important part nor religious fractionalisation. able and one that can be toppled with In a statement announcing their American (and than hitherto? Optimists also argue that Western just an extra bit of armed push. officials have plans for peace talks and an With the intervention ended the civil wars in ex- But looks are deceiving. Any inter- office in Qatar, its officials said British and direct provi- Yugoslavia — that the Dayton Accords vention, even just giving the rebels seri- sion of American installed democratic institutions. ous military hardware or imposing a agreed to talk. they would not allow anyone to French) arms is (and British and But overlooked on the one hand no-fly zone, would likely result in failure. threaten or harm other countries French) arms is that since the fall of communism, Intervention by the US is always a from Afghan soil – a move US officials described as an Obama coming is he coming to Yugoslavia had been to some degree slippery slope, and each failure would important first step to the insurgent group severing ties with to believe that believe that this democratic. And today on the other become an argument by the hawks for Al Qaeda. will tilt the bal- hand, 18 years after Dayton, democracy a greater application of force. While expectations are high about Doha talks, those ance in the insur- remains dysfunctional in Bosnia which Where does that end? this will tilt the gents’ favour? was the part of ex-Yugoslavia most hit I rather like the idea of Professor watching Afghanistan are likely to temper them with caution. balance in the The US spent by the fighting. David Scheffer, the former US ambas- Past experiences have shown that talking with the Taliban is $3 trillion in an According to Professors Alexander sador at large for war crimes. as tough as negotiating the rugged and treacherous terrain of insurgents’ attempt to bring Downs and Jonathan Monten, writ- The UN Security Council should Afghanistan. democracy to ing in the current issue of Harvard’s be asked to refer the situation to the Though the US is participating in the talks, the Afghan favour? Iraq after presi- International Security, studies that have International Criminal Court. government is expected to take the lead role later. Afghan dent George W examined in more than 1,000 cases of Both the Assad regime and some Bush and his aco- intervention over many years show that of the rebels would be charged with President Hamid Karzai said in Kabul that he wanted the lyte, British prime minister Tony Blair, the successful removal of foreign lead- crimes against humanity if fighting talks to be shifted to Afghanistan soon. “We hope that our promised that democratising the coun- ers by outsiders has been “exceedingly continues. brothers the Taliban also understand that the process will try could be done quickly. rare”. At the least it could be a serious fac- move to our country soon,” he told a news conference. Indeed, they boasted that democratis- Few scholars, they argue, point to tor in making both sides more amenable The challenges ahead are huge, but both sides have ing Iraq would initiate a wave of liber- the success of intervention in achiev- to a ceasefire and peace talks. alisation in the surrounding countries. ing democracy. There is no reason of realpolitik that overcome the biggest challenge by agreeing to sit across the In Afghanistan, the longest war in Neither Iraq nor Afghanistan nor should stop the US and Russia from table. A willingness to make compromises and shed mutual two centuries, the same promise was Syria has the positives of Germany and vetoing such a resolution. hatred can help overcome the remaining challenges • made, also at huge cost. Japan. THE PENINSULA The other side Quote of A new beginning: Iran elects Rowhani the day ITH the election of the backing of the reformists and so key government posts in the past, military establishment let him pursue Hojatoleslam Hassan can perhaps be best described as a including deputy speaker of parlia- independent policies remains to be Rowhani to the centrist with conservative leanings. ment, while on the international front seen. What is certain at this point is Brazil woke up Wpresidency, Iranians Yet his election — Rowhani beat his he has considerable diplomatic expe- that Rowhani will have his plate full have made clear their desire for closest rival by a wide margin — is rience, having served as Iran’s main dealing with Iran’s numerous internal stronger today. The change at the top after eight a clear message from Iranian voters nuclear negotiator. and external issues when he moves years of conservative rule under in favour of increased reform and The cleric-politician can also work into the presidency in August. size of yesterday’s the stewardship of Mahmoud openness in the Islamic Republic. But to reduce Iran’s internal polarisation, These include reviving a moribund demonstrations Ahmadinejad. Though the Guardian Hassan Rowhani will have to move which increased after Ahmadinejad’s national economy partly battered by Council had limited the field of carefully, balancing the hopes of his disputed 2009 election: he enjoys Western nuclear sanctions, resolving shows the energy of contenders to six men adhering to reformist and centrist supporters with good relations with Supreme Leader the nuclear issue itself satisfactorily our democracy, the varying degrees of conservatism, the realities of having to work with the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei while his as well as carefully managing Iran’s Rowhani seemed closest to the powerful players that make up the candidacy was backed by reform- foreign policy in a combustible neigh- strength of the voice reformist camp. Variously labelled as Iranian establishment. ist former president Mohammad bourhood at a time when sectarian of the streets and “reform-minded” and “moderate”, the Rowhani is a man familiar with the Khatami. To what extent the con- tensions are on the boil and geopoliti- president-elect had nevertheless won Iranian political system. He has held servative clergy and the powerful cal uncertainty is rife. DAWN the civility of our Dilma Rousseff population. Brazilian President WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2013 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Azerbaijan: Bridging the divide Baku, with its role of a geographical bridge, can also serve as an intercultural bridge. BY HUSSAIN AHMAD

N THESE times of sectarian and racial strife and conflict, nations are struggling to preserve the har- mony built over decades. But some pernicious influences are too hard toI resist as the world is rattled by con- flicts at various levels: between the East and the West, Christians and Muslims, Sunnis and Shias, other ethnic groups and between numerous sections which had lived in harmony for centuries. The Muslim world, especially, is in a state of turmoil. And the Arab Spring, which was supposed to usher in a new era of free- dom and harmony, has unleashed new demons which can’t be contained, at least now. Amid this confusion and chaos, Azerbaijan stands out as a model the rest of the world can emulate. Seeing the regions around it being shaken by sec- Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev tarianism, terrorism and all kinds of dis- inaugurating the Second World Forum on trust, the government of President Ilham Intercultural Dialogue in Baku recently. Aliyev has been working on preserving and strengthening the love and harmony among the various sectarian, ethnic and played a role in the successful develop- religious groups in the country. The objec- ment of Azerbaijan,” said President Ilham tives are two-fold: first, ensure a continu- Aliyev, recently inaugurating a forum in ation of the past, because Azerbaijan’s Baku titled ‘Living Together Peacefully past tells the story of diversity and unity in a Diverse World’, held as part of the which had never been ruptured; second, second United Nations World Forum on set an example for the world making use Intercultural Dialogue. of Azerbaijan’s strategic location on the A day before the Forum, which was world map. The country is a link between held early this month, the government the West and the East as it straddles launched a new initiative to foster rela- Azerbaijani students presenting a cultural dance before the delegates at the Heydar Aliyev Centre. both these worlds, which broadly means tions: the opening of a National Tolerance a link between Islam and Christianity, Centre in Baku. The main aim of the proportions, the people of Azerbaijan took place in Baku. That Baku was cho- Delegates from close to a hundred and therefore it’s in a position to inter- Tolerance Centre is to support and pro- have been able to stick to the ideals sen as the venue for such a prestigious countries participated in the Second act with both at an equal level, not from mote tolerance and to provide for mutual their national leaders have espoused. In event is an acknowledgement of the faith Forum on Intercultural Dialogue (the the point of view of the other. In other respect. The representatives of all eth- a sense, the emergence of fundamental- of Europe in the country’s leadership and first forum too was held in Baku) and words, Baku, with its role of a geographi- nic and religious groups in Azerbaijan ism and extremism represents the failure secular values. the partners of the forum included cal bridge, also serves as an intercultural were present at the inauguration cer- of a government, and for the same reason, Very few countries in the world can Unesco, the United Nations Alliance and inter-religious bridge. emony, where they shared their expe- the absence of these harmful forces in claim the religious and ethnic diversity of of Civilizations, the Council of Europe, The government has taken a number riences of living as a single community Azerbaijan is a testament to the robust, Azerbaijan at a time when the presence ISESCO and the UN World Tourism of steps to foster harmony among groups in the country, supported by a govern- peaceful policies of its government. of more religious, sectarian and ethnic Organisation. Another important event and send a message to those who might ment that doesn’t discriminate between Under Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan is con- groups is seen as a recipe for violence took place in Baku in 2010, the World be trying to divide people taking advan- groups. Azerbaijan, which is a Muslim solidating its preeminent position in the and mistrust. Luckily for the country, it Summit of Religious Leaders. tage of sectarian and religious hatred country, has huge Shia and Sunni and region, the foundation for which was laid has been a place of religious tolerance at The Azerbaijan government wants to spreading in the Middle East and across populations, and is also home to vari- by his father Heydar Aliyev. Azerbaijan all times. “I am very pleased that in the enhance its role in promoting dialogue. the world. “Azerbaijan has been home to ous groups of Christians, Jews and the is an energy-exporting country and the period of independence, we have been able “There are conflicts on religious and representatives of all religions for centu- Baha’is etc. “We consider the construc- government has been using its resources not only to protect but also to maintain ethnic grounds in different parts of the ries. We are proud that today Azerbaijan tion of mosques and synagogues as posi- sensibly for the welfare of the people and the positive trends. I believe that we have world, there are civil wars and tenden- is an independent, multi-ethnic and tive secularism,” said Elshad Iskandarov, enhance its status abroad. It has a foreign intensified them even more and we do cies of misunderstanding are growing. multi-faith country. Representatives of Chairman of the State Committee for policy that is vibrant and pro-active, and not limit our activity by the margins of And I think that the discussion of these all religions, all nations live as one fam- Work with Religious Organisations. enjoys excellent relations with both East the country,” Aliyev said at the UN meet. important issues in this format will con- ily in peace, friendship and understand- When sectarian divisions are ripping and the West. For example, last year the Hosting the UN Intercultural Forum tribute to our cause, to our cooperation,” ing. This is our great wealth and great apart several Muslim countries, and reli- most grandiose song contest of Europe, was part of the country’s strategy of Aliyev said. advantage and I believe that this factor gious extremism has assumed dangerous and perhaps of the world, Eurovision, becoming an intercultural bridge. THE PENINSULA Republicans need immigration reset Johnson for arming

BY ALBERT R HUNT criteria for citizenship that includes paying back-taxes, learning English, understanding rebels in Syria epublicans have an opportunity for civics and keeping a job, said, “Hell, half my a get-out-of-jail moment with the family wouldn’t qualify.” BY MARKO ATTILA HOARE as Johnson and other conserva- fastest-growing slice of the elector- Only a handful of Democrats will defect. If tives do their best to undermine Rate, Hispanics. these Republican senators hold and generally ot his actual words, Western support for the only An immigration bill is likely to pass the back a middle ground on votes over the next “I’d prefer Assad to viable alternative. Senate by the end of the month. The size week or so, the bill will muster the necessary win.” — but that is the Johnson suggests that instead and shape of the measure and the tone of the 60 votes, even in the unlikely event Rubio Nonly conclusion to be of arming the resistance, the debate will be framed by Republicans in the peels off. derived from Boris Johnson’s sug- solution lies in a “total ceasefire”. next 10 days. That may have a small effect on Conservatives: Immigration reform appeals gestion that arming the Syrian Similarly, Ed Miliband argues recalcitrant House Republicans. It will have a to some on the right such as Arizona freshman opposition would lead to British that “we all support the idea larger impact on reinforcing or modifying the Sen. Jeff Flake and House Budget Committee weapons in the hands of “Al that we should focus on the peace hostility of Hispanics to Republicans. Chairman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. If support- Qaeda-affiliated thugs”. conference and making the peace Party leaders don’t expect to win the ers can get an additional half-dozen staunch With 93,000 of Syria’s citizens conference in Geneva happen … Hispanic vote — they’ve put themselves in Senate conservatives — such as Tom Coburn dead, a kill rate in the country But the problem is the govern- such a hole that it may take a generation or of Oklahoma, John Hoeven of North Dakota, higher than in post-invasion Iraq, ment has put its energy into the two to do that — but to clear the deck and Georgia’s Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson and one of the world’s most mur- lifting of the arms embargo, not begin a conversation with these voters on or Utah’s Orrin Hatch — they could approach derous and tyrannical regimes into the peace conference.” other issues. 70 votes on final passage and create momen- poised to win a historic victory The crowning irony is that There are three Republican blocs to tum as the measure moves to the House. thanks to Western inaction, the fixation of Johnson et al on watch in the Senate this week and next: The Hatch, a consummate dealmaker before the London’s mayor can only fret Sunni extremism is blinding Presidential Aspirants: Marco Rubio of Florida tea party made him fear for his political life about hypothetical dangers. them to the far-greater Islamist is an architect of the bill before the Senate, in his re-election bid last year, backed the bill It is the West’s failure militarily menace facing Syria: The Shia and is simultaneously trying to assuage the Republican US Senator Marco Rubio. in committee after winning concessions to to support the Syrian National extremism promoted by Iran and party’s right-wing base. This balancing act bring in more high-technology workers. Now Coalition and its principal mili- embodied in its proxy, Hezbollah. must keep him awake at night. the Senate, liberal-moderate Republicans he’s part of a group that is trying to restrict tary counterpart, the Free Syrian The latter is an organisation He had been pulling it off until this past are dinosaurs. There are, however, as many public benefits for immigrants with ideas that Army (FSA), that is strengthen- whose military wing the UK week, when he began playing more games as a dozen Republicans who are periodically are harsher than most Democrats can accept. ing the hand of Al Qaeda in Syria. and others designate as terror- that infuriated John McCain of Arizona interested in bipartisan consensus and want When the bill passes the Senate it will put The SNC is formally committed ist, and whose founding mani- and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, his to support an immigration bill. enormous pressure — more than most now to the establishment of a “demo- festo calls for “holy war” and Republican partners on the measure. These include Susan Collins of Maine and realise — on House Republicans. Speaker John cratic and pluralistic civil state” “Islamic government”. It was Whatever the rhetoric and however he Lisa Murkowski of Alaska; Bob Corker and Boehner, Ryan and possibly the House whip, and is recognised by Britain, the probably the perpetrator of a votes on some amendments, Rubio still is likely Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Rob Portman Kevin McCarthy, whose California district is US, the EU and the Arab League bomb attack in Bulgaria last to support the bill in the end. of Ohio, Dean Heller of Nevada and Kelly one-third Hispanic, want to pass legislation as legitimately representing the year that killed five Israelis and That won’t be the case with Senators Ayotte of New Hampshire. that’s acceptable to the Hispanic community. Syrian people. one Bulgarian, though it denies Rand Paul and Ted Cruz. Paul, the fresh- This group generally is sensitive to find- A large majority of the House Republican cau- Yet demoralised by their short- any involvement. man Kentucky conservative libertarian, does ing compromises that aren’t deal killers cus doesn’t. age of arms, soldiers of the FSA Hezbollah and Iran are pro- remarkably well in some of the hypothetical for Hispanics, and that can win broader Conservatives insist on applying the so- have been defecting to the Al moting sectarian hatred against polls on the 2016 race. He’s trying to carve out Republican support. “We’re not there, but I called “Hastert rule,” which only allows con- Qaeda-affiliated Jabhat Al Nusra Sunnis in Syria while continu- a role as a bridge with House Republicans on think we can find the sweet spot,” says Corker, sideration of bills that have a majority of the militia, which is, according to ing to stoke their long-running immigration. That won’t work; it suggests he declaring that he very much wants to vote for Republican caucus. If this is irreconcilable, some sources, the best-equipped confrontation with Israel. The won’t want to make a big deal of the issue. the legislation. here is a prediction, based more on instinct rebel force in Syria. consequences for regional peace Cruz, a Texas freshman who is the most Now the important negotiations are over a than reporting: Boehner, if necessary, will sac- The double-headed monster and stability of a victory for Iran natural tea party candidate for 2016, has no tougher border-security measure that, unlike rifice his speakership instead of being party to traditionally oppressing the Arab and Hezbollah are not something such inhibitions, and seems to relish making the proposal by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, the death of immigration reform. world — brutal dictatorships in that Johnson and Miliband are his fellow Cuban-American, Rubio, squirm. wouldn’t impede the creation of a path to citi- The Ohio Republican realises that, even power and opposition channelled apparently giving much thought. He has called the path to citizenship — for zenship for undocumented immigrants who though it may not much affect next year’s con- into Islamist extremism and ter- The West’s inaction in the face Hispanics, the sine qua non element of any already are in the US. gressional elections, his party can’t continue rorism; the very combination that of the pending Ba’athist and Shia measure — “the most divisive aspect” of the A mischievous Rubio proposal would require to lose 70 percent of the Hispanic vote and be spawned Al Qaeda and the 9/11 Islamist victory amounts to a legislation, and says he is proud to be called immigrants to be proficient in English before competitive nationally. attacks in the first place — looks colossal failure of leadership. “Obamaphobic.” Governing Lawmakers: In becoming citizens. Graham, noting a list of WP-BLOOMBERG set to be resuscitated in Syria, THE GUARDIAN WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2013 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL

Ready for Obama Nigeria drops NY bourse was charges against 8 Russian sailors

LAGOS: A Nigerian court terror target, yesterday dismissed charges against eight of 15 Russian sea- men arrested in October for alleged illegal arms possession, says NSA head but set a trial date later this week for the others. The sailors’ vessel, the MV Myre Seadiver, was seized in October Surveillance foiled 50 attack plots off the coast of Lagos by a naval patrol which also detained its 15 WASHINGTON: The director cartoon depictions of the Prophet crew members. The vessel belongs of the National Security Agency Mohammad (PBUH). Alexander to Moscow-based Moran Group, said yesterday the govern- and Sean Joyce, deputy direc- a private security firm. ment’s sweeping surveillance tor of the Federal Bureau of Weapons found on the vessel programmes have foiled some Investigation, offered additional included 14 AK-47 rifles with 50 terrorist plots worldwide, details on two other foiled plots, 3,643 rounds of ammunition as including one directed at the including one targeting Wall well as 22 Benelli MR1 rifles with New York Stock Exchange, in Street. 4,955 rounds of ammunition. a forceful defence of spy opera- Under questioning, Joyce said The defence has argued that tions that was echoed by the the NSA was able to identify the suspects were innocent and leaders of the House Intelligence an extremist in Yemen who was the ship was contracted to pro- Committee. in touch with an individual in vide security to vessels in the Army Gen Keith Alexander Kansas City, Mo. They were able region, which sees repeated pirate said the two recently disclosed to identify co-conspirators and attacks. programmes — one that gathers thwart a plot to bomb the New Their lawyer also said per- US phone records and another York Stock Exchange. mission was sought and secured that is designed to track the use Joyce also said a terrorist fin- Protesters hold a banner reading, “Yes, We Scan,” and posters reading “Stasi 2.0” depicting US President before the vessel entered Nigeria’s of US-based Internet servers by ancier inside the US was identi- Barack Obama wearing headphones, in allusion to a film poster of the movie The Lives of Others, territorial waters. foreigners with possible links to fied and arrested in October 2007, yesterday in Berlin. Obama arrived in the German capital yesterday with the US surveillance controversy still AFP terrorism — are critical in the thanks to a phone record pro- fresh, and talk of him having to face questions over snooping. terrorism fight. vided by the NSA. The individ- Intelligence officials last week ual was making phone calls to a disclosed some details on two known designated terrorist group thwarted attacks — one target- overseas. Rep Mac Thornberry, ing the New York subway system, R-Texas, asked if that country one to bomb a Danish newspa- was Somalia, which Joyce con- Tymoshenko may be treated in Germany per office that had published the firmed though he said that US counterterrorist activities in that KIEV: Yulia Tymoshenko, the been involved in her treatment. we’ll see,” Alexander Kwasniewski, of the 2015 presidential elections. country are classified. erstwhile Orange Revolution Renat Kuzmin, Ukraine’s first the European parliament’s envoy Insiders claim that The programmes “assist the co-leader jailed for abuse of deputy prosecutor general, said and a former Polish president, Tymoshenko has been reluctant intelligence community to con- office, could be released from Tymoshenko could be sent to told Polish Radio. to leave Ukraine for treatment nect the dots,” Alexander told the prison this autumn and allowed Germany for further treatment. Tymoshenko shot to promi- because she does not want to committee in a rare, open Capitol to travel to Germany for medi- “Such a possibility is not prohib- nence during the Orange desert her power base. They now Hill hearing. He said the intelli- cal treatment under a deal ited by law,” Kuzmin said at his Revolution, the Ukrainian peo- say she may be about to change gence community would provide being thrashed out between Kiev office. “If certain political ple’s uprising against fraudu- her mind. the committees with more specif- the authorities in Kiev and and legal decisions are taken, it’s lent elections that ultimately Tymoshenko’s daughter, ics on the 50 cases as well as the European intermediaries. possible.” prevented Viktor Yanukovych Eugenia, said she liked the idea of exact numbers on foiled plots in The EU has made the solution Kuzmin refused to specify the from assuming the presidency sending her mother for treatment Europe. Alexander got no disa- of the dispute a prerequisite of terms under which she could stay in 2004. Yanukovych defeated abroad, although she did not know greement from the leaders of the closer ties with the former Soviet in Germany. Tymoshenko in the 2010 elec- her mother’s exact thoughts. panel, who have been outspoken republic. European officials have been tion by three percentage points “This decision depends not on in backing the programmes since Tymoshenko is serving a seven- quietly pushing for a solution, to become president. Criminal us. It depends only on one person Edward Snowden, a 29-year-old year term for abuse of power con- with the affair severely testing cases against her were opened — Yanukovych,” she said. “But if former contractor with Booz cerning past energy deals with relations between Brussels and later that year. this decision is made, it doesn’t Allen Hamilton, disclosed infor- Russia. She has been in hospital Kiev. Tymoshenko was jailed in 2011 make sense for her to refuse this, NSA Director General Keith mation to The Washington Post since May 2012, suffering from a “There are some plans, certain for abuse of power. The case was because she definitely needs this Alexander prepares to testify at the and the Guardian newspapers. spinal hernia. Doctors from the proposals have been made. Now widely seen as an attempt by treatment. This is what I think as Capitol in Washington, DC. AP Berlin-based Charite clinic have we are waiting for a response, and Yanukovych to keep his rival out a daughter.” GUARDIAN NEWS

Bolivia paper brings out Che’s letters New Bulgarian govt pledges election law reform LA PAZ: Che Guevara’s per- SOFIA: Bulgaria’s Socialists, national security. More protests protesters’ demands for electoral either corrupt or soft on cor- without public trust and shaky sonal letters and a slew of in power for only three weeks were to be held yesterday. reform that would bring in new ruption, protesters are demand- parliamentary support, it will unpublished photographs were at the head of a fragile govern- Prime Minister Plamen lawmakers and make them more ing a law that makes it easier be hard for it to manage,” said published by a Bolivian news- ment, promised yesterday to Oresharki has already said the accountable. for smaller citizens’ groups to Tsvetozar Tomov, a political ana- paper Monday, nearly half a reform the electoral law in a appointment of Delyan Peevski “We will work to speed up get into parliament. They also lyst at the independent pollster century after the Argentine- bid to defuse the street protests will be reversed — a decision that changes ... as having fair elections want individual lawmakers to be Skala. born Cuban revolution hero’s that have resumed with new parliament is due to formalise is a cause not only for the citizens more personally accountable to “The government might hold death. momentum despite last month’s today — but said his own resig- but also for the democratic par- constituents. on until the spring at the latest, La Razon ran a 20-page sup- election. nation would only destabilise the ties,” senior Socialist legislator Analysts say the government, and I think we could have fresh plement on the items that the Thousands of Bulgarians have economy. Maya Manolova told non-govern- which has to rely on the passive polls this year,” he said. military had secretly kept under been demonstrating in Sofia and With the frustrations over cor- ment organisations in parliament. support of a small nationalist Otilia Simkova of the politi- lock since 1967. other cities since Friday demand- ruption and poverty that felled Bulgaria is the poorest member party, is unlikely to serve out its cal risk consultancy Eurasia said The release included black- ing the resignation of the new the last government already of the European Union. term, but that it is unlikely to the protests had shown that last and-white photographs, as well government after it squandered boiling up again, the Socialists, With its mainstream par- crumble just yet. month’s snap election had failed as information about the items its credibility by hurriedly naming in a precarious position in par- ties discredited in public eyes “I don’t expect an immediate to mollify the street: provided by retired military staff. a powerful media figure as head of liament, offered to take account of by the perception that they are resignation but it’s clear that, REUTERS 98-year-old charged with WWII crimes Mayor’s fashion BUDAPEST: Hungarian pros- ecutors yesterday charged Court says Knox Laszlo Csatary, 98, with war crimes committed during World War Two, saying he helped deport Jews to Auschwitz. trial was faulty “He is charged with the unlaw- ful execution and torturing of ROME: Italy’s top court said people thus committing war yesterday it had ordered a re- crimes partly as a culprit, partly run of the Meredith Kercher as an accomplice,” Bettina Bagoly, murder trial because the acquit- a spokeswoman for the Budapest tal of American Amanda Knox Chief Prosecutor’s Office said. She (pictured) and her ex-boyfriend said Csatary’s case would go to contained “shortcomings, con- trial within three months. tradictions and inconsistencies”. Nazi-hunters from the Simon Knox and Italian Raffaele Wiesenthal Center had named Sollecito were initially found Csatary their most wanted war guilty of killing the 21-year-old crimes suspect last year. Leeds University student in 2007 would need to be re-examined, the during a drug-fuelled sexual Court of Cassation said. Ammo blasts hit assault, but both were cleared on Knox, now 25 and living back in appeal in 2011. the United States after four years Russia military zone In March this year, Italy’s top in an Italian jail, has consistently appeals court overturned that denied involvement in her room- MOSCOW: Some 6,000 peo- acquittal and ordered a retrial. mate’s death. Sollecito’s lawyer, ple were evacuated in Russia’s Explaining its reasons yester- Giulio Bongiorno, said: “If there southwestern Samara region day, the Court of Cassation said was an erotic game then there yesterday after ammunition the judges in the appeals case needs to be a search for the explosions shook a military had underestimated the evidence other people involved, who are training area, the Emergencies against the two accused, assessing certainly not Raffaele Sollecito Ministry said. The minis- clues one by one and not stepping and Amanda Knox,” news agency try said five explosions ini- back to view the big picture. Ansa reported. Kercher’s body tially took place at the site last The one person still in jail for was found with more than 40 evening, triggering a fire that the murder, Ivory Coast-born wounds, including a deep gash in was still causing blasts hours Rudy Guede who is serving a the throat, in the apartment she later. Footage on state television 16-year sentence, may not have shared with Knox in Perugia, cen- showed plumes of dark smoke London Mayor Boris Johnson (third left) with models in Savile Row, London, yesterday. Johnson launched committed the crime alone, and tral Italy, where both were study- rising from the site. the London: Home of Menswear heritage map on the final day of the London Collections Men fashion event. the possibility that Kercher was ing during a year abroad. AGENCIES killed during a group sex game REUTERS WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2013 ASIA/PHILIPPINES www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 N Korea denounces US Tropical storm Leepi over spying revelations Pyongyang says Washington ‘kingpin’ of rights abuses

SEOUL: North Korea, one of the world under its watch net- argued that Snowden’s revela- the world’s most repressive work and has conducted espio- tions had exposed the hypoc- societies, branded the United nage against mankind,” said the risy of the US position and States a “kingpin” of human commentary as reported by the said Washington would have to rights abuses yesterday, follow- official Korean Central News reflect before mentioning “such ing revelations of the United Agency. sacred words as human rights” States government’s Internet North Korea is widely recog- in the future. surveillance programme. nised as one of the most world’s The article echoed criticism in A bylined commentary in the most tightly-controlled societies the official Chinese media government’s official Minju Joson where daily life is monitored and China’s official army news- newspaper said US National regulated at almost every level. paper on Sunday branded the Security Agency whistleblower Washington has repeatedly United States National Security Edward Snowden had exposed sought to censure Pyongyang Agency’s surveillance pro- the global nature of the NSA’s over its human rights record gramme as “frightening”, and intrusive monitoring activities. in fora like the United Nation’s accused the United States of “This clearly proves once Human Rights Council in being a “habitual offender” when again that the US is a kingpin Geneva. it comes to network monitoring. of human rights abuses as it put The Minju Joson commentary AFP Residents hang on to a destroyed makeshift bridge as water rises in Paranaque city, South of Manila, yesterday. The Philippines weather bureau is monitoring tropical storm Leepi which has intensified into a cyclone.

Filipina detained for five Ban arrives in China for talks President Xi to clean up party years without charges BEIJING: United Nations views over international and inter- United Nations diplomats also BEIJING: President Xi Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon nal issues of common interest,” she said that the worsening Syrian Jinping is to launch a “thor- MANILA: The Philippine justice secretary yesterday demanded arrived in Beijing yesterday for said. conflict and North Korea would ough clean-up” of the rul- an investigation after a woman was detained in a police prison for high-level talks with Chinese “China’s position on the Korean top Ban’s list of discussion topics ing Communist Party, state more than five years without charge. officials on North Korea, Syria peninsula nuclear issue is consist- in Beijing. “Ban has taken a hard media reported yesterday. Joanne Urbina was arrested along with a male suspect after police and other issues, his spokesman ent and clear,” Hua said. “China is line on Syria, where China has The “upcoming year-long found 150 grammes of banned stimulants and marijuana at her Manila said. committed to peace and stability sided with Russia. campaign” will target what home on December 14, 2007, court records show. Ban will meet with Chinese on the Korean peninsula, as well as But North Korea is also an the Xinhua news agency The justice department decided not to press charges against the President Xi Jinping, Premier Li the settlement of the issue through urgent problem for everyone,” a described as “undesirable man, who was later freed, and failed to charge Urbina, who was 25 at Keqiang and senior foreign policy dialogue and consultation.” United Nations Security Council work styles such as formal- the time and was released on June 11. officials during his stay, spokes- United States President Barack diplomat, who spoke on condition ism, bureaucracy, laxity and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who supervises the prison system, man Martin Nesirky said. Obama said China was taking a of anonymity, said. extravagance”. A high-profile said she learnt of the case when Urbina was freed. She ordered a probe Ban “expects to discuss a wide tougher line against North Korea’s The United Nations has spoken campaign against govern- to determine if any official was criminally liable for the “inordinate and range of matters pertaining to nuclear programme as he credited out against China’s treatment of ment waste and corruption inexcusable delay in resolving the automatic review of the Urbina case”. peace and security, such as the new President Xi Jinping with North Korean refugees, but North was launched after Xi and A ruling by the court of appeal drew comparisons with the US mili- situation on the Korean Peninsula, taking more responsibility in the Korea’s nuclear programme is also others took over the party tary jail Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, which holds “indefinite detainees”, Mali and Syria,” Nesirky said in world. a major United Nations concern. last November. terror suspects considered too dangerous to transfer from prison who an e-mail. “We’ve seen the Chinese take China has sided with Russia cannot be tried in court. “More than five years of detention, without Ban will also meet China’s more seriously the problem of three times in using a veto against Landslides kill valid information filed in court, is unreasonable; it is intolerable; it is Foreign Minister Wang Yi and constant provocation and state- Western-proposed United Nations shockingly unimaginable. It smacks of persecution rather than pros- Cabinet member Yang Jiechi, ments from the North Koreans Security Council resolutions that 12 in Nepal ecution,” the ruling read. “It conjures up images of Guantanamo Bay Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua -- rejecting the nuclearisation,” would increase pressure on Syria’s detainees who have never been allowed a speedy and fair trial, a civil Chunying confirmed yesterday. Obama said on “The Charlie Rose President Bashar Al-Assad. KATHMANDU: At least 12 right granted to all by the constitution.” AFP “The two sides will exchange Show,” broadcast Monday. AFP people were killed in land- slides triggered by three days of heavy monsoon rain in Caved in remote parts of Nepal, offi- cials said yesterday. Seven members of a family, includ- Yudhoyono defends fuel ing five children, and four others were killed after land- slides buried their homes in a price hike after protests village in the northwest. JAKARTA: Indonesian macro economy,” he said dur- Store robber President Susilo Bambang ing a speech in Jakarta. “This is Yudhoyono yesterday defended important -- it concerns us all.” returns coin his government’s plan to hike Yudhoyono, who is expected fuel prices for the first time to announce a hike in the com- BANGKOK: A robber made since 2008, a day after police ing days after parliament voted off with 2,200 baht from a battled demonstrators outside through a revised budget, also convenience store in Phuket parliament. insisted that the government province yesterday, but min- Thousands protesting the plan was “being forced into hiking utes later returned a 10-baht to reduce fuel subsidies fought fuel prices to cope with rising coin before escaping a second running battles with police fir- crude oil prices”. time. Clerks Wanna Ketkaew ing tear gas and water cannon Protesters took to the streets and Fontip Rakrit at Family Monday, as lawmakers approved again yesterday but fewer than Mart in Thalang district told measures paving the way to the previous day, when thou- police that the robber was lower the payouts in Southeast sands demonstrated in the wearing a pink raincoat, a Asia’s top economy. capital Jakarta and across the pair of shorts, a helmet and But Yudhoyono insisted country. a sanitary mask. Police found escalating public anger at an The price of fuel is expected his fingerprints at the store expected price increase of more to increase on average 33 per- and on the coin. than 30 percent would not deter cent, with petrol jumping from his government from push- from 4,500 rupiah ($0.46) a litre 18 Vietnamese ing through the sorely-needed to 6,500 rupiah, and diesel from measure. 4,500 rupiah to 5,500. crew detained “We want to protect our AFP A rescue team works in a caved-in area on a road in Loudi, Hunan province, China, yesterday. The road sank MANILA: Eighteen after a truck drove past. A motorcyclist behind the truck was injured, according to reports. Vietnamese crew members of a cargo ship were detained after it ploughed into a coral reef in the central Philippines, Obama: China getting the coastguard said yester- Workers sued over violence day. The Unicorn Logger, a Panama-flagged freighter, PHNOM PENH: Sixteen “The court has denied our the company had not met their ran aground at a marine tougher on North Korea Cambodian garment workers request for bail for the eight,” demands. sanctuary off the tiny island and union representatives have he said. The Free Trade Union FTU President Chea Mony said of Sambawan. “The crew are PYONGYANG: US President by carrying out its third nuclear been charged with inciting vio- (FTU), which is active at the those who had stayed away did so detained aboard their vessel Barack Obama said that China weapons test in February. lence and damaging property Sabrina plant, said last week that because they feared they would as the damage to the reef is was taking a tougher line China took the rare step of during a strike for higher pay 288 workers had been fired on be implicated in the violence. assessed,” an official said. against North Korea’s nuclear cracking down on North Korean at a factory making clothes for June 6 and 7 for going on strike. Members of the rival Coalition programme as he credited new bank accounts as part of new US sportswear company Nike, a Sabrina said in a statement on of Cambodian Apparel Workers’ Rebels abduct President Xi Jinping with tak- UN-led sanctions, although many lawyer said yesterday. Tuesday that only 62 employees Democratic Union did not take ing more responsibility in the experts doubt Beijing would go Low-cost labour has attracted had been dismissed and that was part in the strike. five soldiers world. so far as to risk a collapse of the Western brands to Cambodia and for violent conduct during the The International Labour “We’ve seen the Chinese take impoverished state separating it garments now account for around stoppage, not for just going on Organisation (ILO) monitors DAVAO: Communist insur- more seriously the problem of from US ally South Korea. 75 percent of exports from the strike. pay and working conditions at gents wearing military uni- constant provocation and state- Obama said that he saw a grad- Southeast Asian country, but “Sabrina (Cambodia) Garment many factories in Cambodia but forms abducted five soldiers ments from the North Koreans ual movement by China to take strikes over pay and working Manufacturing Co. regrets hav- strikes and sometimes violent in the southern Philippines, -- rejecting the nuclearisation,” more responsibility in global affairs conditions have become common. ing to take this action but feels protests have been on the rise as in the latest violent act fol- Obama told “The Charlie Rose since Xi assumed power in March. Up to 4,000 workers at strongly that threats to our work- unions emboldened by a shortage lowing the collapse of peace Show.” Obama held two days of informal Sabrina (Cambodia) Garment ers’ safety, property damage and of skilled workers push for higher talks, authorities said yester- “They kind of pushed those talks with Xi on June 7-8 at a Manufacturing Co, which employs violence cannot be ignored,” it wages and improved safety. day. The New People’s Army problems aside. We’re seeing, I California desert resort. more than 5,000 people, went on said. The strikers wanted Sabrina Strikes by the more than guerrillas set up a roadblock think, an interest and a willing- “My impression of President Xi strike on May 21. Police inter- to give them $14 a month to 300,000 garment workers in on the outskirts of Davao City ness to engage with us in a stra- is that he has consolidated his posi- vened to end protests on May 27 help pay for transport, rent and the country nearly quadrupled and seized the soldiers pass- tegic conversation around those tion fairly rapidly inside of China, and on June 3, when some strikers healthcare on top of their $74 last year to 134, industry body ing through on motorcycles. things,” he said. that he is younger and more force- rampaged through the factory. minimum wage. Sabrina says the Garment Manufacturers’ The rebels also attacked a China is the main economic ful and more robust and more con- Lawyer Kuch Ratha said that it already pays more than the Association of Cambodia says. tree plantation on the island and diplomatic supporter of Kim fident, perhaps, than some leaders eight workers were in custody and minimum. The 48 strikes this year already of Mindanao and killed five Jong-Un’s isolated regime, which in the past,” Obama said. the other people charged were in The FTU said about 300 exceed those in the whole of 2010 workers. AGENCIES brazenly defied Beijing’s warnings AFP hiding. members remained on strike as or 2011. REUTERS WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2013 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN Afghan forces take over security role President Karzai says High Peace Council team will go to Qatar to try to open negotiations with Taliban

KABUL: Afghan forces took troops and police, a formidable Stephen Biddle, professor of control of security across the force,” he said. “We will con- international affairs at George country yesterday, marking a tinue to help Afghan troops in Washington University, said. major milestone as US-led com- operations if needed, but we will “My guess is they will be able to bat troops prepare to withdraw no longer plan, execute or lead maintain the stalemate, provided after 12 years of fighting the those operations, and by the end the US pays their bills.” Taliban. of 2014 our combat mission will On Tuesday last week, a suicide Speaking at a military academy be completed.” car bomb killed 15 civilians out- outside Kabul, President Hamid Karzai used his speech to give a side the Supreme Court in Kabul. Karzai said the police and army boost to peace efforts, saying that The previous day, gunmen fired were ready to take on insurgents. government envoys would travel grenades at the city airport and “Our security and defence to Qatar to try to open negotia- late last month an international forces will now be in the lead,” tions with the Taliban. “Our High aid group’s compound was tar- Karzai told Afghan and Nato offi- Peace Council will go to Qatar, geted in a seven-hour battle. cials at the event, the timing and they will talk to the Taliban. Despite the attacks penetrating location of which had been kept “We hope that with the open- the capital’s defences, the effective secret due to fears of a militant ing (of a Taliban office in Qatar)... response of elite Afghan security attack. peace talks between HPC and units has been widely hailed as a “From here, all security respon- the Taliban will start as soon as sign of increasing professionalism. sibility and all security leadership possible.” Concerns over the Afghan will be taken by our brave forces,” “We hope that our brothers the forces’ capacity have been fuelled he said. Taliban also understand that the by high rates of desertion and Doubts remain over the abil- process will move to our country fears for the future of foreign aid ity of Afghan forces to beat the soon,” he said. post-2014. Taliban, and the Nato military There was no immediate com- On Friday, the US com- coalition will retain an impor- ment from the Afghan Taliban. mander of the Nato mission in tant function in logistics and The handover of the last 95 dis- Afghanistan warned that gains air support as well as in combat tricts from Nato to Afghan con- secured over the last 12 years emergencies. trol includes areas in the south would be lost if donour nations Nato chief Anders Fogh and east where the Taliban have Afghan President Hamid Karzai (right) addressing the security handover ceremony, in the presence of Nato Secretary cut back support after the foreign Rasmussen said that by taking concentrated their bloody insur- General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, near Kabul yesterday. withdrawal. the lead in security, Afghan forces gency since 2001. “We are not where we need were completing a five-stage The transfer of security protected by the Afghan state. As Afghan soldiers and police strike at Kabul as the country to be yet,” US General Joseph transition process that began in responsibility began in July 2011 Yesterday’s tranche com- take over the fight against the prepares for presidential elec- Dunford told foreign journalists. March 2011. with a handover by ISAF of the prises restive eastern and south- militants, who were ousted from tions next year and the Nato “The continued presence of “They are doing so with most peaceful province, Bamiyan. eastern provinces bordering power after the 9/11 attacks, the withdrawal by 2014. the international community — remarkable resolve,” he said. There have been three more Pakistan. They include Helmand, 100,000 Nato troops will focus on “The reality is Afghan forces politically, in development and in “Ten years ago, there were no rounds since, taking to 87 per- Kandahar, Paktika, Paktia, Khost, training and mentoring roles. are not dreadful, but they’re security — is necessary to sustain Afghan national security forces... cent by last December the pro- Nangarhar, Kunar, Laghman, Recent attacks have demon- probably not sufficiently capable the progress that we have made.” now you have 350,000 Afghan portion of the Afghan population Logar and Nuristan. strated the Taliban’s ability to to drive the war to a conclusion,” AFP

Push to stop Legislator among 10 drone attacks Three die in Kabul suicide blast ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister’s Foreign killed by funeral bomb KABUL: A bomb targeted a senior “It was a suicide attack, in front Many Afghan leaders say Pakistan Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz Shia cleric in the west of Kabul yes- of the Independent Human Rights is helping the militants in Afghanistan said the government will PESHAWAR: A bomb attack at a funeral killed 10 terday, police said, shortly before Commission office,” a senior aide said. to counter India’s influence. Known as adopt a new policy to halt people, including provincial legislator Imran Khan the international military coalition Mohaqiq, who is likely to play a key the Tehreek-e-Taliban, the Pakistani drone strikes in the coun- Mohmand, and wounded 46 in northwestern Pakistan marked its final handover of secu- role in April’s presidential vote, said: Taliban is a separate entity though try. Addressing the National yesterday, police said. rity to national forces. “Four of my guards are wounded and allied with the Afghan Taliban. Assembly yesterday, he said The attack took place in Shergarh town in Mardan dis- At least three civilians were killed are in hospital,” he said. Spokesman Ihsanullah Ihsansaid Pakistan had earlier informed trict, 145km northwest of Islamabad, during funeral prayers and 24 wounded in the blast which “I heard a big explosion on the side said the Pakistani group would sup- the US about its concerns for the owner of a local fuel station. happened as Mohammad Mohaqiq, of the car. Only my cloak is a little port peace talks, and respect a peace and will continue to raise the Mohmand was elected to the assembly in northwest- a prominent Hazara politician and burned, other than that I’m fine.” agreement by not carrying out cross- issue at international fora. He ern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province as an independent last cleric, passed by in a convoy, interior Mohammad Zahir, police investiga- border attacks. But he said such an said Pakistan considers drone month. Police said the precise target was not immediately ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi tions chief in Kabul, said at the scene agreement would not apply to the attacks as a violation of its clear and that Mohmand as a close friend of the fuel station said. that an improvised explosive device Pakistani Taliban at home. “We are sovereignty. He said that there owner. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is on the frontline of a seven- Mohaqiq was also a senior mem- was detonated. The blast occurred independent from the Afghan Taliban were 115 attacks in 2010, 62 year Taliban insurgency and abuts the semi-autonomous ber of High Peace Council set up about 90 minutes before hundreds and are fighting for the implementa- in 2011, 45 in 2012, and 13 so tribal belt, where US drone strikes target Taliban and Al by President Hamid Karzai in 2010 of local and international officials tion of Sharia Law in Pakistan,” he far this year. Mounting pres- Qaeda operatives. The attack comes three days after 25 to help broker a peace pact with watched a ceremony on the outskirts said. “We will continue to fight against sure on the new government, people died when militants blew up a bus carrying female the Taliban. He escaped unscathed, of the capital to mark the security drone attacks and the Pakistan army Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf students in the southwestern city of Quetta and stormed a though several of his bodyguards were handover of the final tranche of 95 and government, who are under US has submitted a resolution in hospital where survivors were taken. AGENCIES wounded, police said. districts to Afghan control. influence.” REUTERS the National Assembly, ask- ing the government to take steps to stop drone strikes inside Pakistan. It also says the Nawaz Sharif government should ask the Obama admin- istration to stop strikes inside US senator blocks Afghan aid, seeks payment details Pakistan and bind it to pay compensation to the families WASHINGTON: A US lawmaker said response to these requests, its apparent 65, relating to USAID programs in Soviet occupation in the 1980s and Taliban of victims of drone attacks on Monday he is blocking $75m in aid to decision to flout the Foreign Relations Afghanistan.” regime retain huge influence, and many for casualties and damage to war-torn Afghanistan until President Committee’s oversight, and its inability (or Karzai acknowledged in April that his have close links to Karzai’s government their properties and livestock. Barack Obama’s administration provides unwillingness) to explain such a policy is office received money from the CIA, as that came to power after the Taliban were information on alleged “secret cash pay- unacceptable,” Corker wrote in a Monday reported by The New York Times which said ousted in 2001. With the Nato-led mission Kerry postpones ments” to President Hamid Karzai. letter to Secretary of State John Kerry and the secret funds amounted to tens of mil- winding down, the warlords look set to renew Senator Bob Corker, the ranking US Agency for International Development lions of dollars over the last decade. But he their battle for power in Afghanistan and Islamabad visit Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations chief Rajiv Shah. later denied that the CIA cash was used to the weak central government faces a tough Committee, has written a fourth letter “As a consequence, I have determined buy the support of warlords who could tip challenge to impose stability. ISLAMABAD: US to the Obama administration complain- that the further commitment of taxpayer the country back into civil war, saying it Corker said the blocked funding was for Secretary of State John ing about the policy, saying his previous funds at this time toward such an incoher- instead was used to pay wages for govern- electoral programmes in Afghanistan, and Kerry has delayed his visit requests for briefings, in a classified setting ent governance strategy would not be in ment employees, as well as health care and that the hold “will remain in place until to Pakistan because of the if needed, have been ignored. our national interest, and I am placing a scholarships. such time as I receive sufficient informa- Syrian crisis, Pakistani offi- “The administration’s lack of any formal hold on Congressional Notification Warlords who fought against both the tion on these matters.” AFP cials said yesterday. The for- eign ministry said last week that Kerry would arrive in Child labour the last week of June for talks on issues including the S i x p o l i c e m e n fight against militants in the UK probes Pakistani northwest and Nato’s exit from Afghanistan. But no join Taliban announcement of the trip KABUL: Six Afghan was made by Washington and local police officers joined politician’s murder yesterday officials said it had the Taliban in western been postponed. Badghis province of the LONDON: British counter-terror police yesterday country. searched two residential properties in London as part of World’s ‘most A security official said an investigation into the murder of Pakistani politician the officers stationed in Imran Farooq almost three years ago. expensive suit’ Panirak village at Bala The 50-year-old, a founding member of the Muttahida Murghab district joined Qaumi Movement (MQM), was attacked as he returned ISLAMABAD: British- the militants on Sunday home from work in September 2010. He died from multiple Pakistani Master Tailor night. stab wounds and blunt trauma to the head, a post-mortem Arshad Mahmood has pro- He said the commander examination found. duced a suit he claims to be of the police officers who The searches represent the first public sign of progress one of the world’s most expen- was a former Taliban group in the case in more than a year, although London’s sive, at $129,000. Mahmood, member had also joined the Metropolitan Police Service insisted the investigation who has offices in London and militants. remained “active”. Hong Kong, is from Mirpur in The official said the “The searches are continuing. There have been no Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, and officers also took weapons arrests,” the police said in a statement. learnt tailoring in Karachi and other military equip- In September 2011, one year after Farooq’s murder, police in the 1980s. He recently ment with them. An inves- offered a reward of £20,000 ($31,000, 23,000 euros) for infor- showcased his talent at the tigation has been launched. mation that helps lead to a prosecution, and this still stands. launch of his ‘million dollar According to reports, “We remain committed to finding those responsible,” a suit’ in Hong Kong. It is made over 20 local police offic- police spokesman said. of 22-carat gold stitching, a ers have joined Taliban A young Afghan boy sorts popcorn at a factory on the outskirts of Jalalabad. Some nine Detectives had previously said that while they were open- gold waistcoat and diamond- militants in the west of the million Afghans or 36 percent of the population are living in “absolute poverty” while another minded about the motive, the attack would have required encrusted gold and diamond country in recent months. 37 percent are barely above the poverty line, according to a UN report. careful planning and that Farooq’s killers may have had buttons. AGENCIES help. AFP AGENCIES WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2013 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Death toll in rains up; rescue efforts on Helicopters deployed for relief; more rains forecast NEW DELHI/HARIDWAR: been sent for rescue work in the the irrigation requirements of Swollen mountain rivers fed by two northern states where huge Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. heavy rains destroyed homes sections of mountain roads have In Haryana, especially and property in many areas in caved in in many areas, leaving Yamunanagar and Karnal dis- north India even as the monsoon people stranded and posing prob- tricts, rains eased yesterday. downpour continued. The death lems for rescuers. Ten helicopters were pressed count in floods reached 60, and Himachal Pradesh Chief into rescue operations in 60,000 tourists and pilgrims Minister Virbhadra Singh, who Uttarakhand and Himachal were stranded at various places was stranded in tribal Kinnaur Pradesh, as the weather improved. due to floods and landslides. district for nearly 60 hours due to “We are likely to get more More than a dozen helicopters landslides triggered by incessant private choppers for the rescue, were deployed in Uttarakhand rains, was rescued last morning. A but it is based on the weather,” and Himachal Pradesh — the helicopter hired by the Congress M Shashidhar Reddy, vice presi- two states worst affected by flash airlifted the chief minister as the dent of the National Disaster floods — for relief and rescue weather cleared last morning. Management Authority (NDMA), operations and all stranded people Uttar Pradesh irrigation said. are expected to be evacuated soon. department officials said the He said NDRF officials will Army personnel carried out Yamuna could touch the dan- be setting up a base camp in relief operations in flood-hit ger mark in Agra, Mathura and Gaurikund, 14km from Kedarnath. Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Vrindavan in a few days as more Prime Minister Manmohan The river Ganga was in than 800,000 cusecs of water had Singh yesterday directed all cen- Soldiers gather stranded tourists and villagers who were rescued in the state of Uttarakhand yesterday. full spate in Haridwar and been released from a barrage in tral government agencies to assist many highways linking Delhi, Haryana. in rescue and relief operations in Haridwar, Rishikesh Yamunotri Heavy rainfall has alarm- Uttarakhand and assured Chief Gandhi asked the central and state tourists, said a party statement. the situation in their states. and Gangotri, and the Badrinath ingly increased water levels Minister Vijay Bahuguna of all governments to provide quick She spoke to union Home The meteorological department National Highway, were flooded. in Himachal Pradesh’s Pong help, a statement said. relief and rehabilitation to the Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, has predicted more rains over the Teams of the National Disaster and Bhakra dams, officials Condoling the deaths in the affected people and ensure travel Bahuguna and Virbhadra next two days in northern India. Response Force (NDRF) have said yesterday. The dams serve floods, Congress president Sonia arrangements for the stranded Singh, and enquired about IANS Modi meets Advani Mamata faces backlash over outburst KOLKATA: People protested and school students held ral- a second-year college student who protesters, as “CPI-M people”. on the streets of Kolkata, lies and processions, and leading was abducted, gang-raped and At the state secretariat, which to patch up ties women government staff took lights of the civil society, includ- killed by a group of youths on June houses the chief minister’s office, out a march at Chief Minister ing Magsaysay award winner 7 when she was returning home women employees yesterday Mamata Banerjee’s seat of Mahasweta Devi and film-maker after appearing in an examination. marched down the corridors in NEW DELHI: Gujarat Chief developments, including the power, and web users poured Mrinal Sen urged the masses to However, the visit turned sour silence, holding placards that said Minister Narendra Modi yes- split in the BJP-led National scorn on her yesterday, a day take part in a proposed march after a group of women asked her “We want justice” and “Shame”. terday met LK Advani to get Democratic Alliance (NDA). after she shouted back at dem- on June 21 demanding justice for to talk to them and shouted slo- Angry netizens assailed the BJP patriarch’s backing for The Janata Dal-United quit the onstrators in a village while on the Barasat gang rape victim and gans about lack of security. Banerjee for her behaviour at his new role as head of the BJP’s NDA following Modi’s elevation a visit to the house of a gang against crimes against women. The chief minister lost her cool Kamduni village, with the user of campaign committee, an eleva- and dumped the BJP from the rape-murder victim. Banerjee had on Monday gone and told the villagers to “shut up”. a social networking site telling her tion that has split the NDA. coalition government in Bihar. Joining angry women, youths, to North 24 Parganas district’s She also branded the perpetra- to “shut up and do some work”. He also discussed with senior According to BJP sources, Modi rights organisations and college Kamduni village, the residence of tors of the crime, as well as the IANS leaders the strategy for the five is understood to have told Advani assembly elections scheduled this that the veteran leader remained year-end as well as the 2014 Lok the patriarch of the BJP and Sabha battle, party sources said expressed optimism about the yesterday. party’s performance in the 2014 Modi also visited ailing former general election. Plan panel finds prime minister Atal Bihari Modi yesterday spent about an Vajpayee and met senior party hour at the residence of Vajpayee. holes in Gujarat leader Murli Manohar Joshi. All In his first meeting with the three — Advani, Vajpayee and party’s general secretaries after growth model Joshi — have been presidents of being named the head of BJP elec- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). tion campaign committee, Modi NEW DELHI: Gujarat con- A source close to Advani, who asked them to come up with ideas tinues to be one of the fastest quit party posts a day after Modi to improve the party’s electoral growing states in India, but its was chosen as BJP’s face in the prospects. The strategy session growth may not be as as inclu- next Lok Sabha election, before lasted over two hours. sive as Chief Minister Narendra relenting, described the meeting Indicating his special interest Modi claims. as “good” and said it ended “on a in Uttar Pradesh, Modi held a The Planning Commission notes positive note”. separate meeting with his con- that the state is one of the biggest But there was no official word fidant and state in charge Amit contributors to the country’s gross on the 45-minute Advani-Modi Shah to discuss the seats where domestic product. It states that meeting at the former’s residence. the party could emerge stronger, in agriculture and allied activities, Party sources said Modi report- said the sources. the average growth performance edly discussed recent political IANS in the 11th Plan period was higher than what was achieved by the country as a whole. But its performance in lift- Half a dozen hurt, trains ing people above the poverty line is not as good as other states. Gujarat saw 8.6 percent reduction stopped in Bihar shutdown in poverty while Odisha recorded 20 percent reduction in poverty in PATNA: Nearly half-a-dozen placards, party flags and banners the same period. And the rate at people were injured here in a in their hands, joined the protest which poverty is reduced among clash, several trains stopped, during the shutdown,” a district Scheduled Tribes and Muslims is roads blocked and top BJP lead- police official said here. among the lowest in Gujarat. ers taken into custody across Bihar BJP president Mangal During a meeting to finalise the Bihar during the party’s state- Pandey, however, told media per- state’s annual plan for 2013-14, the wide shutdown yesterday to sons here that it was a near-total Commission noted that Gujarat’s protest what it called betrayal shutdown. “People have supported performance in the social sec- by the JD-U. the shutdown,” he asserted. tor lagged behind what could be The Bharatiya Janata Party Nearly half a dozen workers of expected of a high growth state. (BJP) claimed that the shut- BJP and JD-U were injured when Of particular concern in this con- down was near total, but police they attacked each other with text was the child sex ratio, infant said normal life was not hit by the bamboo sticks and iron rods in mortality rate, maternal mortal- stir. Top BJP leaders and more Patna during the shutdown. ity rate and malnutrition. than 500 workers were taken into The BJP workers and leaders Between 2001 and 2011, the custody during the shutdown. were protesting “betrayal” by the child sex ratio improved, but this According to police, hundreds ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U), included deterioration in about of BJP workers led by party lead- which ended its 17-year-old alli- half of the districts offset by gains ers took to the streets across the ance with BJP on Sunday over the in others. As for malnutrition, state but failed to receive support BJP’s decision to make Modi its evidence suggests its levels were from the people. public face for the 2014 Lok Sabha higher than what the economic “Only BJP workers, leaders and elections. level of the state would warrant. some of their supporters with IANS IANS

Free cellphones for 5,000 Odisha farmers BHUBANESWAR: Odisha function organised by the govern- credit cards are eligible to get free Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ment. The farmers would receive cellphones from the government. yesterday distributed free mobile agriculture-related information The government would provide phones to thousands of farmers from the government via SMS such phones to 15,000 more farm- here as part of his government’s and voice calls, an official said. ers in next few days, he said. efforts to empower the farming The government will also send The opposition Congress and community with latest technol- farmers prices of agriculture the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ogy, an official said. products, weather updates and in the state separately described The chief minister distributed other information, he said. the move as political. cellphones to 5,000 farmers at a Farmers who have Kishan IANS WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2013 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Ascend P6: News in Numbers SCH ANNUAL REPORT China’s answer 2012CHART: 1 4 Fajr (Dawn) 3:14 to iPhone Shorook (Sunrise) 4:44 Zuhr (Noon) 11:35 BEIJING: The world’s thin- Asr (Afternoon) 2:58 nest smartphone, with a touch screen so sensitive it responds to Maghrib (Sunset) 6:27 gloved hands, has been unveiled Isha (Night) 7:57 by rising Chinese manufacturer Huawei in the latest challenge to the iPhone. The Ascend P6 is just over WEATHER 6mm thick, and in language usually associated with skin creams rather than computer Today Thursday Friday Weather Conditions: technology, its maker claims Parly cloudy Clear Clear the camera’s “instant facial • SCH continued the design phase of two MC units/ centres, to be integrated Slightly dusty. beauty support” software reduces wrinkles and blends within the new PHC centres. skin tone. High: 43° High: 38° High: 40° The phone capitalises on the • SCH completed the design phase of four centres, collocated and/or Low: 32° Low: 30° Low: 31° growing popularity of the self por- adjacent to the three planned SCH hospitals. Construction will begin in 2013. trait or “selfie”, examples of which now litter the Internet, with • PHCC developed an Enhancement Plan for ten new PHC centres, expected celebrities from Justin Bieber to to open between 2014 and 2015. Prototypes were developed for health DOHA - SUN & SEA Rihanna as likely to photograph themselves as their friends and centres, community health centres, and health and wellness centres. Health SUN TIDE SEA family. and wellness centres will be the largest, at around 25,000 square metres SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND While smartphone front-fac- ing cameras have tended to be each. Aside from traditional services, they will also offer poidiatry, 04:44 18:27 14:15 & 00:00 07:00 & 19:45 08-16 / 25 KT low resolution, the P6 has 5 meg- diatry and gymnasium services apixels, compared with 1.2 for the THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW iPhone 5. Its rear camera has 8 • SCH is conducting a study for a new PHCC primary health care and HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER megapixels, equivalent to Apple’s paediatric urgent care centre, in Doha’s Al Sadd area. The design phase phone. MUSCAT 37/30 Partly cloudy 35/30 Partly cloudy On sale from July, and with for the 10,000 square metre land plot will be conducted in 2013. MAKKAH 41/28 Clear 41/28 Partly cloudy a recommended price of ¤449, KUWAIT 42/33 Clear 40/33 Clear or £21 a month with a contract, BAHRAIN 35/30 Clear 36/30 Clear it is cheaper than the latest SANAA 28/16 Partly cloudy 30/18 Partly cloudy iPhone, which costs £529 in Planned Primary RIYADH 43/27 Clear 43/27 Clear the UK. DUBAI 40/29 Clear 38/29 Clear The P6 is made with metal Health Care Facilities BAGHDAD 40/28 Clear 40/28 Clear and glass and less plastic than previous Huawei models, but THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW the current version lacks the iPhone’s ability to run on 4G HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER networks. With Apple and Samsung tak- ATHENS 29/23 Clear 30/23 Clear ing the lion’s share of profits WASHINGTON 27/18 Showers 27/19 Partly cloudy to be made from smartphones, SYDNEY 16/08 Chance of rain 16/07 Chance of rain operators and retailers are keen LONDON 26/15 T-storm 18/14 Chance of rain to redress the balance of power PARIS 28/18 T-storms 23/15 Chance of storm away from the duopoly. ISTANBUL 27/20 Clear 27/19 Clear Carphone Warehouse chair- MANILA 32/25 T-storms 28/25 T-storms man Sir Charles Dunstone DHAKA 32/27 Chance of storm 33/27 Chance of storm described Huawei as “the most fantastic partner”. DELHI 39/26 Partly cloudy 39/29 Partly cloudy Source : http://www.sch.gov.qa/ ISLAMABAD 40/25 Clear 41/27 Clear GUARDIAN NEWS Japan railway offers wedding in train

TOKYO: A rail company is necessarily be rail fans.” been painted yellow-green. offering one lucky couple the Guests will have exclusive The ceremony has to be held on chance to get married aboard use of the 11-car train, which October 14, the 141st anniversary one of Tokyo’s busiest com- normally carries around 1,000 of Japan’s railways coming into muter trains as it encircles tightly-packed commuters. operation. the Japanese capital, it said The train will take an hour JR East is accepting applica- yesterday. to travel the around the 35km tions for the next three weeks. East Japan Railway (JR East) Yamanote line, stopping at all 29 The winning couple can said it wanted to find a couple who stations but not opening its doors. arrange the ceremony as they would like to tie the knot aboard The nature of the journey will wish but must host and pay for the usually heaving Yamanote pose one possible challenge — the ensuing wedding reception at Line, in the company of up to 120 there is no toilet aboard. a hotel run by the firm. friends and family. “The guests will be warned well The sight of train enthusiasts “We expect applications from in advance. I think this is all the swarming platforms to take pic- couples who are somewhat same for ordinary weddings,” said tures of even the most regular- attached to the Yamanote line, Suzuki. looking locomotives is not unusual including those who live nearby,” The event has officially been in Japan, a country where hobbies said JR East spokesman Yoichi planned to mark the 50th year are taken very seriously. Suzuki. “But they need not that Yamanote line trains have AFP

A train of Yamanote Line of East Japan Railway runs in Tokyo. The rail company is offering one lucky couple the chance to get married aboard one of Tokyo’s busiest commuter trains as it encircles the capital. Wednesday 19 June 2013 10 Shaaban 1434 Volume 18 Number 5735 Price: QR2

RMB likely to replace dollar in global trade

Business | 18

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Turkish central Qatar Exchange to trade govt bonds bank keeps rates on hold Move to herald corporate bond market; Qatar Exchange to hold seminars for investors ISTANBUL: Turkey’s central bank kept interest rates on DOHA: The Qatar Exchange the bourse’s chief executive officer would provide a wider range of Qatar Exchange will host semi- in the bond market will be in the hold yesterday but said capital (QE) yesterday announced its Rashid Bin Ali Al Mansoori said investors with various types of nars and educational meetings for interest of the local financial com- inflows had fallen and hinted decision to introduce trading yesterday. investment choices. The bonds investors and interested parties to munity in the first place. it could act again to support of government bonds issued Initially, four government can provide investors with fixed familiarise them with bonds, their The QE is seeking to occupy a the lira, under pressure from by the central bank commenc- bonds will be available for trad- regular income. investment advantages, pricing leading position, it has been able domestic unrest and uncertain ing on Thursday. The decision ing and future quarterly issues The bonds will be traded in mechanism, and yield calculations. to achieve a number of initiatives global liquidity conditions. is part of measures to deepen are expected to be listed. The QE the market through the exist- The investment in bonds has such as the diversification of prod- Turkish assets have been Qatar’s debt market and diver- launched trading of government ing licensed brokerage firms and become a popular investment ucts and applying the best inter- volatile since the end of May as sify investment tools for banks Treasury bills in December 2011. using the existing trading system among major financial institutions, national standards in the trading anti-government protests flared, and other institutions. Al Mansoori explained that currently used for stock trading. large and small investors all over and post trading environments, unnerving investors already wor- The listing of government the bonds trading entails various Information about the bonds the world and the demand for bond in line with the development of ried by an expected slowdown in bonds is a step towards launch- investment benefits and advan- and the trading in bonds will investments has increased recently the Qatari economy and the pros- the flow of cheap money from ing a market for corporate bonds tages on the grounds that they be available on the QE website due to the advantages generated pects for future growth outlined major economies including the which would help companies constitute an important source and through regular information for both the issuer and the inves- by Qatar National Vision 2030. United States. finance their expansion plans, of diversification of securities that channels. tor. Therefore, any development THE PENINSULA The bank kept its main policy rate, the one-week repo rate, at 4.50 percent, its borrowing rate at 3.5 percent and overnight lending Kabel takeover bid rate at 6.5 percent. “Ongoing uncertainties regard- ing the global economy and the vol- QCB move draws atility in capital flows necessitate monetary policy to remain flex- ible in both directions,” the bank said in a statement after its policy flak from investors meeting yesterday. It said it would make adjustments in its provision DOHA: Qatar Central Bank’s of the companies listed on Qatar of lira liquidity as needed. (QCB) decision to tighten cap Exchange. The bank has already moved to on local banks’ investment in He added: The banking sector ease pressure on the currency, sell- stocks and bonds, has drawn will not be the only segment that ing foreign exchange at auctions flak from a section of investors would be hit by the decision. The last week and pledging to keep and market analysts. decision will also have its bear- monetary policy tight if need be. The central bank’s directives to ing on the earnings of individual The protests, which spiralled the banks to restrict their total investors. out of a campaign against plans investment in equities and debt Mansouri felt the QCB should to build on an Istanbul park, instruments to 25 percent of their have studied the possible impact pose no immediate threat to capital and reserves is “untimely” of such a decision before slap- Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s and would seriously upset Qatar’s ping it on banks and the financial government, but they have tar- ambitious development agenda, institutions. nished Turkey’s image as a stable they cautioned. Taha Abdul Ghani, a senior oasis on the fringe of the volatile The QCB’s decision to set new executive with a financial advi- F ibre optic cables of Germany’s biggest cable operator, Kabel Deutschland, at the Kabel Deutschland play- Middle East. limits for investment in indi- sory company said the central out centre in Frankfurt, yesterday. Kabel confirmed that they have received a preliminary approach from US REUTERS vidual companies and unlisted bank’s decision is tend to decel- media group Liberty Global Plc. securities is also tend to derail erate the projected growth of Qatar’s development ambitions, Qatar’s financial and banking they feared. sector. “I am afraid that it is not a “The MSCI’s decision to elevate well-thought out decision. The Qatar to emerging market sta- central bank’s decision will have tus was a great boost to the mar- G8 leaders pledge action on tax evasion a serious bearing on the top ket senitments. But the Central lines of Qatari banks and finan- Bank’s decision has shaken that ENNISKILLEN, Northern contain a firm pledge to create Under pressure from auster- governments would draw up cial institutions,” commented confidence,” he said. Ireland: The world’s rich econ- registers of the “beneficial” — or ity-weary voters, lawmakers action plans for collecting and Nasser Al Mansouri, CEO of However, Qasim Muhammad omies said they would take a true — owners of companies that have focused increasingly on tax sharing information on who Qatar and Oman Investment Qasim, a local economist, hoped tougher stance on fighting money would be available to tax authori- dodges. More than 50 countries really owns companies, making Company. the QCB’s decision is meant for laundering and tax evasion but ties and law enforcement. have agreed to a new protocol on it harder to set up Russian-doll Ideally an increasing invest- better regulating the market. The promised little in the way of spe- That was something Britain tax data sharing since 2011. type structures. The US pledged ment in the equity portfolios is decision will bring in an improved cific new action at the end of a committed to on Saturday and Cameron said his proposal that to keep on pressing for legislation expected to revive Qatar’s fledg- discipline in Qatar’s financial two-day summit yesterday. campaigners had hoped other G8 firms report profits on a coun- to cut down on the criminal use ling financial market. As the market, he said. The Group of Eight leaders countries would follow suit. try-by-country basis could help of shell companies. “The credibil- country has lined up multi-bil- As per the new decision, the signed up for a string of aims “If all of these promises become expose corporate profit shifting ity of this depends on the ability lion-dollar projects in its run up central bank has set new lim- including improved transparency reality, this could have an enor- into low-tax states. of the White House to advance to the World Cup, liquidity is key its for investment in individual about who owns shell companies mous impact on tackling one of US Senator Carl Levin, a long- legislation,” said Gavin Hayman, for the country companies and introduced a 15 and more information-sharing the greatest scandals of our time. time critic of such activities, director of campaigns at anti- Mansouri said that the state is percent ceiling for total securi- between tax authorities. But there is a long way to go,” said welcomed the proposal. Business corruption group Global Witness. not in need of funds from banks. ties investment outside Qatar. British Prime Minister David Murray Worthy, tax campaigner groups said they could support it The US pointed out it was plan- The state budget has projected According to market analysts, Cameron has sought to clamp at the British anti-poverty char- providing the amount of infor- ning to require banks to under- huge surplus. four leading banks in Qatar down on secret flows of money, ity War on Want. Campaigners say mation they were forced to give stand who their customers actually QCB’s decision came on a would be most affected by the making it a centrepiece of his illicit money flows out of developing authorities was not too detailed. are and provide information for law wrong time. The decision will new rules. presidency of the G8 this year. countries are double the amount of The G8 leaders, meeting in enforcement and tax authorities. adversely affect the balance sheet THE PENINSULA But the communique did not development aid going in. Northern Ireland, said their REUTERS

Japanese growth More Russian oil flows to China

MOSCOW: Russia is steeply Nesterov, analyst from Sberbank China came from state oil major ramping up oil deliveries to CIB, said. Rosneft. China, with Asia now import- The speed of changes in export The Kremlin oil major raised ing almost a fifth of oil exports patterns has aroused widespread tens of billions of dollars from from the world’s largest crude surprise as it took Russia only five Beijing by pre-selling its oil producer in a strategic shift years to re-route huge volumes, under long-term deals in order meant by the Kremlin to end previously destined for European to finance its growth and acquisi- reliance on weak and saturated markets. tion drive. European markets. Russia first started supplying The shift in export route has Russia will increase oil supplies China by railway and then by also led to a gradual strengthening to China by 13 percent in July- a new pipeline while opening a of Russian oil prices for European September from the previous Pacific port, Kozmino, in 2009. consumers, who had been used for three months, a shipping schedule The projects cost pipeline decades to buying Russia’s export showed yesterday. monopoly Transneft dozens of blend Urals at a steep discount to Together with supplies to the billions of dollars and spurred benchmark Brent prices. Pacific port of Kozmino, Russia criticism from some private Over the past few years, Urals will export around 750,000 barrels Russian producers who said they has repeatedly traded at a pre- per day to Asia, or 17 percent of its all had to pay higher tariffs to mium to Brent, including on overall exports of 4.4 million b/d. Transneft so it could build the Tuesday, as traders said Russian “Russia has been losing its pipelines. supplies to Europe looked thin, Workers construct scaffolds, with skyscrapers in the background, at a construction site in Tokyo yesterday. interest in Europe where oil con- Private producers also said they especially to northern countries Japan’s industrial output rose 0.9 percent in April. sumption is stagnant. It’s looking benefited little from the projects from Russia’s Baltic ports. increasingly to the East,” Valery as the main volumes supplied to REUTERS WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2013 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS RMB likely to replace dollar in global trade Cliff phase for dollar: HSBC expert

DOHA: Chinese currency programme to internationalise Renminbi or RMB is set to its currency by allowing the RMB emerge as the anchoring cur- to be used to settle cross-border rency of global economy in trade. Since then, China’s trading longer-term. As the world econ- partners have increasingly been omy continue to change, the able to use the RMB when paying role of dollar will diminish and for imports or receiving payments the RMB will improve, Simon for exports. Williams, Chief Economist for This process of the growth of HSBC in Mena said yesterday. the RMB has been accelerat- “Of course, dollar is still the ing principally from the growth most liquid currency. But this in trade settlement. In 2012, 12 is a cliff phase for dollar… and percent of China’s total trade Renminbi will be the anchor- (imports and exports) was paid ing currency of global economy”, for in RMB, up from three per- Simon said while speaking on the cent in 2010. By 2015, HSBC Simon Williams (right) addressing the audience yesterday. (SALIM MATRAMKOT) rising importance of the RMB expects that around 30 percent as a trade currency to a select of China’s total trade — equivalent are opening up all around the Middle East, the region is becom- global growth is no longer led by perception that financial crisis is audience. to around $2 trillion — will be set- world — supported by thriving ing a leading beneficiary of that the West but East and noted what nearly over and global equity mar- Customers in Qatar, as well tled in RMB. offshore markets that are expand- growth. Trade between China and we are seeing in China is not a ket has become stronger at the pre- as in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait There are more than 30 mar- ing offshore hedging, fundraising 16 of the largest Arab states grew cyclical growth but a structural 2008 crisis level. It betrays reality. and Lebanon are able to conduct kets worldwide conducting over and other financing needs denom- from $13.5bn in 2001 to $182bn in shift in terms of growth. “This “There is improvement in the RMB cross-border payments for 10 percent of their business with inated in RMB. 2011.The longer-term perspective is the start of a permanent shift US economic data. But what we settlement of trade transactions, China in RMB, and the RMB The RMB internationalisa- is that in five years’ time, using the of investment and market opera- are seeing in the US is just a cycli- and to place remunerative Term cross-border capital flows have tion trend reflects China’s status RMB is going to be a requirement tions. Its clear that the global cal pick-up. The improved num- Deposits in RMB. also taken off. RMB FDI almost as a global economic power, and for any Middle East firm serious economy is not led by the US but bers must be seen in context. The Globally, the use of RMB tripled in 2012, and RMB ODI will support its growing trade about developing its trading links China”, he said recovery is much weaker. It is not has been increasing since 2009, surged by 50 percent. In parallel, and investment relationships with China. There is a whiff of optimism business as usual in the US.” when China launched a pilot RMB investment opportunities around the world. Here in the Simon reassured that the in the global economy and a THE PENINSULA

Zain eyes IT Boeing’s new Dreamliner steps up big jet battle acquisitions PARIS: Boeing launched a industry’s showcase event. Chief Executive Jim McNerney 2011, was grounded worldwide in “I forgot to bring my check- larger version of its flagship The two announcements — said at a signing ceremony January after its lithium-ion bat- book,” Udvar-Hazy quipped. “I’ll to boost Dreamliner aircraft at the Paris both confirming details reported yesterday. teries overheated on two jets in give you an IOU.” Air show yesterday, intensify- by Reuters — epitomise the bat- The buyers of the new 787-10 about a week. It resumed com- Boeing said it was already data services ing the battle with rival Airbus tle between US group Boeing and are Air Lease Corp and Singapore mercial service in May after designing the new jet and that it in the booming market for fuel- its European rival Airbus as they Airlines with 30 planes each, Boeing installed a redesigned expected to begin final assembly DUBAI: Kuwait mobile opera- efficient, long-haul jets. slug it out for the lion’s share United Airlines with 20, British battery system on the 50 jets in in 2017, with the first delivery tor Zain will make acquisitions The hotly anticipated of the $100bn a year global jet Airways with 12, and GE Capital service. scheduled for 2018. and partnerships in computer- announcement of the 787-10 market. Services with 10. The plane “will be one of the United said it expected to based industries this year to Dreamliner, with 102 firm orders In the past couple of years, the The third variant of the most powerful wide-body aircraft receive its first 787-10 in 2018, exploit rising demand for data worth nearly $30bn at list prices, fight has centred on the market Dreamliner family will have a for decades ahead”, Air Lease while Udvar-Hazy said Air Lease and help offset falling conven- is a vote of support for the light- for popular smaller models. But range of 7,000 nautical miles, with chief executive Steven Udvar- would take first delivery in the tional call and text income, its weight, carbon-composite jet just the focus has shifted in recent seating for up to 330 passengers, Hazy said at the ceremony. “We spring of 2019. United’s order chief executive said. months after the first version was months to the next generation of and is partly designed to serve believe it will be very profitable includes 10 new planes and 10 However Scott Gegenheimer, grounded by battery problems. larger planes, with Airbus suc- fast-growing routes within Asia. for us.” conversions from the earlier 787-9 who became CEO in December It came shortly after Airbus cessfully completing a test flight It will be 25 percent more In a moment of levity, Conner model, due for first flight later having previously held the clinched an order worth about of its answer to the Dreamliner efficient to operate than cur- introduced Chief Executive this year. Air Lease also ordered same position at domestic rival $11.5 billion at list prices from — the A350 — on the eve of the rent comparable planes, Boeing McNerney to speak before the an additional three 787-9s for a Wataniya, said Zain had no British budget airline easyJet Paris show. Commercial Airplanes Chief ceremonial contracts had been total of 33 new aircraft. It already immediate plans to expand into for 135 of its A320 and A320neo “We promised a strong launch Executive Ray Conner said. signed and then said: “I think we had 12 787-9s on order. any new nations. planes on day two of the aerospace and we have achieved it,” Boeing The 787-8, introduced in late forgot to do the contract.” REUTERS That is in contrast to other Gulf former monopolies, which continue to pursue stakes in for- eign operators. United Arab Emirates’ Etisalat and Ooredoo (Qatar Iraq excludes Telecom) both bid for Vivendi’s Adnoc, Lulu sign pact for operating Ruwais Mall 53 percent stake in Maroc Telecom before Ooredoo with- Kurds from DOHA: Abu Dhabi National drew its offer last week. Bahrain Oil Company (Adnoc) and Line Telecommunications acquired 2014 oil Investment & Property, a subsid- most of Cable & Wireless iary of Lulu Group International, Communications’ Islands divi- have signed an agreement that sion earlier this year. output target would make the latter assumes Yet for Gegenheimer, Zain’s LONDON: Iraq aims to ramp the operations and manage- future lies in diversifying its rev- up oil production by nearly 45 ment service responsibilities of enue streams, rather than plant- percent by the end of next year the Ruwais Shopping Mall in ing flags in new territories. He — without any input from its Gharbia, UAE. Line Investment does not plan to sell any of the autonomous Kurdistan region & Property is expected to pro- company’s foreign units, which — which suggests a lasting com- vide maximum effectiveness and include operators in Saudi Arabia, promise in their long-running deliver efficiency in the opera- Sudan and Iraq. oil feud may be a way off. tion of the Mall. Baghdad’s ambitious 4.5 million An agreement to this effect was UK charges ex-UBS barrels per day (b/d) target spe- signed by Saeed Said Al Qamzi cifically excludes output from the Director of Administration, trader over Libor northern Kurdish region, senior Adnoc and Yusuffali M A, Iraqi officials said, and relies on Managing Director of Lulu rate scandal new oil pumped from southern Group International at Adnoc oilfields and higher flows from headquarters yesterday. On LONDON: British officials ones already producing. behalf of Abdulla Nasser Al charged former UBS trader Thamir Ghadhban, energy Suwaidi, Adnoc Director General, Tom Hayes yesterday, mark- adviser to Iraq’s prime minister, Mohammed S Al Qubaisi, Human ing the first prosecution over said Baghdad had lost confidence Resources Director at Adnoc, the Libor rate-rigging scandal in Kurdistan after the region witnessed the signing ceremony which rocked the banking sec- stopped exporting oil through the held in the presence of Saifee T tor last year with repercussions federal pipeline system. Rupawala CEO, Ashraf Ali M across the world. “The 4.5 million barrels a day A, Executive Director of Lulu “Tom Hayes, a former trader is based on the development of Group International and Raja at UBS and Citigroup, has today the resources within the 15 gov- Abdulkader, Director of Line Officials of Lulu Group and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company during the signing ceremony. been charged with offences of ernorates excluding Kurdistan Investments. conspiracy to defraud in con- because of this issue,” Ghadhban, The Mall will serve residents of of government and private schools, meters on built-up areas. staff through developed housing nection with the investigation by a former oil minister of Iraq, the Ruwais Residential Complex in addition to various services and Al Qubaisi said Adnoc & its facilities standards, which take the Serious Fraud Office into the said at an energy conference in (RRC), operated by Adnoc, and recreational facilities. Group of Companies conducts into consideration residents’ daily manipulation of Libor,” the SFO London yesterday. population in the Ruwais area The Ruwais Shopping Mall a significant role in supporting needs to sustain good performance said in a statement. Kurdistan says it is owed more where the number of inhabit- covers an area of 31,254 square Gharbia through exploiting all of employees and their families. It said that Hayes had been than 4 trillion Iraqi dinars, or $3.5 ants is expected to reach 20,000 metres where it is considered the possible capabilities and provid- Yusuffali said: “We are charged by City of London Police billion, by Baghdad to cover the by the year 2015. RRC has been biggest shopping mall in Gharbia ing further job vacancies, training delighted to be chosen by Adnoc at Bishopsgate police station in costs accumulated by oil compa- witnessing continuous develop- comprising 32 shops as retail out- and developing Gharbia national to manage and operate this pres- London with eight counts of con- nies operating there, while the ment and growth due to mega lets divided between two floors. residents in Adnoc Group of tigious project in Ruwais. It is in spiracy to defraud. It was not clear central government rejects those projects and developments, which The mall includes 416 car park- Companies. He pointed at Adnoc sync with our group’s commit- whether the charges related to his contracts as illegal. The northern are executed by Adnoc in the Oil ing spaces, four restaurants, five keenness to contributing in the ment to expand further into the time at Swiss bank UBS and/or region used to ship crude through and Gas Sector, in Gharbia. Adnoc cafes and seven fast food outlets, development and prosperity that western regions of Abu Dhabi US rival Citigroup. In December, a pipeline network controlled by continues to work on increasing in addition to a number of rec- is been witnessed in Gharbia. so that the residents there don’t British, Swiss and US regulators Baghdad, but exports via that the accommodation capacity for reational facilities including ice Al Qamzi said signing the have to travel long distance to get fined UBS a total of 1.4bn Swiss channel stopped last December the complex through the buildup rinks, bowling tracks, cinema agreement comes within the world class shopping and leisure francs for having manipulated the due to the payments row. of further residential units. The halls and services facilities that framework of Adnoc care in pro- activities.” Libor Interbank lending rate. REUTERS complex comprises large number cover an area of 13,522 square viding comfortable lifestyle for THE PENINSULA AGENCIES WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2013 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19

Spain emerging Oman central bank or fiscal reforms from recession, Reforms should be priority as continued growth in public spending may be unsustainable says minister SANTANDER, Spain: DUBAI: Oman should con- Last year, actual budget The central bank’s warning per barrel in 2012 from $62 in state finances on a sustainable Spain, the eurozone’s fourth- sider fiscal reforms as a prior- expenditure jumped 26 percent echoed a report last week by the 2008; it is expected to surge to footing without changing subsi- largest economy, started to ity because continued growth in to RO13.6bn, the most recent International Monetary Fund, $120 per barrel by 2018, above dies, mainly on fuel, adding that emerge from recession during public spending may be unsus- finance ministry data show, leav- which said Oman needed to projected oil prices, the IMF domestic fuel prices should be the second quarter, Economy tainable in the long run, its cen- ing the sultanate with a small contain state spending and raise said. Brent crude oil currently raised gradually. Minister Luis de Guindos said tral bank said yesterday. deficit of RO80.6m, or 0.3 percent non-oil revenue in the medium floats around $106. “An effort is under way to yesterday. “Fiscal policy reforms aimed of gross domestic product. term to keep its finances sustain- “There is substantial scope to minimise this expenditure item “We don’t have all the data at diversifying, broadening, and That deficit was smaller than able. The IMF predicted Oman’s enhance non-hydrocarbon rev- within the framework of broad- regarding this quarter” but “it rationalising the sources of gov- a shortfall of RO113.2m in 2011. fiscal deficit could widen to as enues which could be explored,” ening government sources of rev- is much less bad than the pre- ernment revenues need to be But it is a sharp adjustment from much as 6.8 percent of GDP in the central bank said. “There enues and rationalising existing vious one,” he told an economic considered as a matter of prior- the 2012 surplus of RO3.2bn 2018. could be a case for reviewing the government expenditure trend,” gathering in Santander, northern ity,” the central bank said in its which the ministry originally The share of oil income in exemptions in various taxes and the central bank said of fuel Spain. annual report, published on its announced. total fiscal revenue increased to the new sources of revenue for the subsidies. Spain has been in recession website. “Continued expansionary fiscal 74.1 percent last year, from 73.4 Government.” It did not elaborate on how the since 2011 in the second such The small non-Opec oil policy could lead to sustainability percent in 2011, the central bank Oman’s tax system allows a subsidies would be minimised. downturn since the collapse of exporter has raised its planned challenges in the long run given report said, citing finance minis- five-year exemption for profits, Subsidies on petroleum products a housing boom in 2008 that has budget spending for 2013 by the finite nature of the resources,” try figures. renewable for a further five years rose 5.5 percent to RO1.0bn in driven the unemployment rate to nearly 29 percent compared the central bank said. Oman’s oil reserves are not for certain sectors. Like other 2012, accounting for 53 percent a record 27 percent. to last year’s plan, to RO12.9bn “Increases in current expendi- as vast and cheap to exploit as Gulf oil exporters, Oman has no of the overall RO1.9bn of state And in contrast to the ($33.5bn), partly to secure social ture are harder to reverse, which those of its wealthy neighbours. personal income tax. support for the private sector, announced signs of growth, peace after 2011 protests demand- could lead to fiscal vulnerability The oil price which Oman needs The IMF said that it would the central bank report showed. Spain paid sharply higher prices ing jobs and an end to corruption. when the oil prices fall.” to balance its budget rose to $80 be difficult for Oman to put its REUTERS for short-term debt on Tuesday reflecting persistent investor con- cern that the country’s problems are far from over. Microlight in Bangalore Last year Spanish gross domes- tic product contracted by 1.4 percent, the second worst yearly Adidas sets new slump since 1970, and the govern- ment forecasts it will shrink again by 1.3 percent this year. In the first three months of the soccer sales goal year, Spain shrank by 0.5 percent on a quarterly basis, its seventh HERZOGENAURACH, Nike sponsors the host nation straight quarterly decline. Germany: German sportswear Brazil, the five-times world cham- But De Guindos said the second maker Adidas AG forecast pions and one of the most popular quarter “marks a turning point, record sales for its soccer busi- national teams around the globe. with quarterly growth that should ness in 2014, aiming to retain Nike, the world’s largest sports- be closer to zero...” market leadership in the sport wear group, has recently agreed “This turning point may indi- ahead of US rival Nike Inc in a kit supply deals with France and cate that we were leaving the soccer World Cup year. England, two former World Cup recession behind us,” he said. Adidas and Nike dominate a winners. Adidas has contracts De Guindos’ comments ech- market for soccer kit — replica with World Cup holders Spain oed those of Budget Minister shirts, balls and boots — esti- and former champions Germany Cristobal Montoro who said mated to be worth around ¤5bn and Argentina. Monday Spain may be heading ($6.7bn) annually. “Tradition is on the side of for a “turning point” thanks to “It is a battle between us and Adidas, but Nike is making more strengthened public finances that Nike, not only in Brazil but the and more progress,” said Peter The low-cost manned microlight aircraft (MAQH 13), developed by Mohammed Muzakkir Sharieff and narrowly avoided needing a full- whole football world,” Adidas CEO Rohlmann of German consul- his project teammates of the Mechanical Engineering Department, on the HKBK College of Engineering scale EU bailout last year. Herbert Hainer told reporters at tancy PR Marketing. “They are premises in Bangalore yesterday. The microlight aircraft, made to fly a payload of 200kg, was designed AFP a news conference at the com- very close together in terms and developed by a four-member team. pany’s headquarters in southern of market share.” Adidas said Germany. Setting out its targets it expected “double-digit sales a year before the World Cup kicks growth” in Latin America in com- off in Brazil, Adidas said sales ing years, boosted by the interest from its soccer division would generated by the World Cup. France plans fund to ease municipal loans break the ¤2bn barrier for the CEO Hainer played down the first time in 2014. impact of protests in Brazil which Sales from its soccer business have swept the country as it hosts PARIS: The French govern- bank loans in a way that would Dozens of towns and cities municipal lender Dexia, raising surpassed ¤1.7bn in 2012 and are the Confederations Cup, an eight- ment will set up a special fund be acceptable for all parties, the across France are fighting risky the hopes of other local authori- expected to remain around that team tournament seen as a test to help the numerous local ministry said in a statement. structured loans that went sour ties they could do the same. level this year, despite no World event for the World Cup. authorities that are strug- It would have “significant after the financial crisis, saddling The towns accuse banks such Cup or European championships Such protests tend to fade once gling with the burden of “toxic” resources” and would be partly them with double-digit repayment as Dexia of having missold them to stimulate demand. the action begins on the field, loans, the finance ministry said financed by the banking sector, rates and in some cases pushing the loans, which were indexed to Adidas is official sponsor of the Hainer added, citing previous yesterday. the ministry said without giving a mayors to go on debtors’ strikes. everything from foreign curren- 2014 World Cup and will supply competitions in Germany in 2006 The fund is to be set up with specific figure. Les Echos newspa- The northern Paris suburb of cies to US loans. The bank says it the match balls, referees’ kit and and South Africa in 2010. local authorities to help them per reported that the sum could Seine-Saint-Denis recently won acted lawfully. clothing for volunteers at venues. REUTERS wind down such structured be close to ¤1bn ($1.33bn). a court case against bailed-out REUTERS Kia provides 198 cars for FIFA Investment inflow into Arab Confederations Cup transport states rises SEOUL: Kia Motors Corporation announced preparation for the FIFA Confederations Cup that it will provide 198 passenger cars to 2013 and we are pleased to have such a glo- despite unrest ensure efficient smooth transportation during bally recognised automotive brand provide us the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil, with stylish, reliable and comfortable vehicles to KUWAIT CITY: Foreign and to fulfil its role as a FIFA Partner and offi- safely transport our FIFA officials, VIPs and oth- direct investment into Arab cial automobile of 2013 FIFA Confederations ers,” said Jay Neuhaus, Head of FIFA Marketing states rose by 9.8 percent last Cup in conjunction with its sister company Brazil. year despite unrest in some of Hyundai Motor Company. Kia is supplying Yong-Kew Park, president of Kia Motors’ them but remained well below numerous models as official tournament vehi- Central & South America regional headquar- its level in 2010, when the Arab cles, such as its Cadenza and Optima passen- ters, said, “Kia Motors is a proud supporter of Spring erupted, a report said ger sedans; Sportage, Sorento and Mohave football and we are excited to play an integral yesterday. sport utility vehicles; and Carnival (known role in the successful coordination of 2013 FIFA Arab states attracted FDI as ‘Sedona’ in some markets) multipurpose Confederations Cup. We believe that connecting worth $47.1bn in 2012 compared vehicle. with the world through its most watched sport with $42.9bn the previous year, The 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup kicked off will not only raise the profile of the Kia brand, the Arab Investment and Export on Saturday in Brasilia, with the champion to be but also demonstrate its vibrant, distinctive and Credit Guarantee Corp said in its crowned on June 30 in Rio de Janeiro. reliable identity and attributes.” annual report. “The vehicle handover is a vital part of the THE PENINSULA But that was 28.5 percent lower than the figure of $66.2bn in 2010, said the Kuwaiti-based organisation. The report covered 20 out of the 22 Arab League states, excluding war-torn Syria and the tiny Comoros. FDI rose in 15 of them, includ- ing four countries — Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen — that witnessed violent unrest during the past three years. Opec kingpin Saudi Arabia topped the list of inflows with $12.2bn, representing 25.8 percent of the total even though its share dropped by 25 percent from the previous year. Inflows to the United Arab Emirates rose 25 percent to $9.6 billion, or 20.8 percent of the total. Lebanon came third with $7.8bn followed by Algeria with $6.2bn, the report said. In Egypt, the value of FDI rose from a negative $483m in 2011 to $2.8bn last year. In Tunisia it increased by 68 percent to $1.95bn. Some of the Kia vehicles for Confederations Cup transport. AFP WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2013 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Qatari bourse Star Alliance index dips by 68.65 points Saudi real estate extends rally

DOHA: Qatar Exchange index investment officer at NCB Capital. was down yesterday 68.65 “The dynamics for residential real points or 0.73 percent to 9,361.05 estate are quite positive given low points from the previous closing home ownership and improving of 9,429.70 points. disposable incomes.” The volume of shares traded A strong macro story for the fell to 8,847,383 from 11,209,972 on kingdom boosts a bullish overall Monday, and the value of shares view for the market, he added. decreased to QR339,141,717.12 Petrochemical and banking from QR402,164,018.13 on shares support the market, with Monday. their respective indices and each Among the top losers were up 0.9 percent. Qatar National Bank whose share In the United Arab Emirates, dropped 1.43 percent to QR151.70, markets were mixed with Dubai’s Industries Qatar lost 0.98 percent index easing 0.1 percent to cut to QR162.40, Commercial Bank of 2013 gains to 46.7 percent. The Qatar fell 0.14 percent to QR71.00 market has traded within a range and Doha Bank was down 1.04 of 135 points for the last two weeks percent to QR47.40. as investors await fresh catalysts The banking and financial — which may come in the form of Mark Schwab (second left), Star Alliance CEO, and Austin Cheng (left), President of EVA Air, hold aircraft models during a ceremony in Taoyuan, sector fell 0.88 points while the second-quarter earnings. northern Taiwan, yesterday when the Taiwanese air carrier joined the world’s biggest airline grouping. insurance sector lost 0.27 points. Shares in Dubai Financial The industrial sector dropped Market, the Gulf’s only listed 0.54 points and the services sec- bourse, rose initially after sources tor was down 0.79 points. said that a long-standing proposal Meanwhile, a real estate stock for a merger with the Abu Dhabi Russia backs weaker rouble to boost growth rally extended in Saudi Arabia on exchange has been revived. Tuesday, helping lift the bourse The stock closed flat as inves- for a third consecutive session, tors booked profits to keep 2013 MOSCOW: Russia’s Finance earlier. “The Finance Ministry economy is running at full capac- revenues. The rouble has fallen while foreign investors bought gains to 92.2 percent. Minister said yesterday he would accept a certain weakening ity. A weaker rouble will not boost by more than 5 percent this year Egyptian bluechips battered by “Investors are pricing in the would welcome a weaker rou- of the rouble’s exchange rate, but the economy.” to 36.92 against the dollar-euro recent political turbulence. valuation of Abu Dhabi exchange,” ble to revive flagging economic only as long as it is driven by the Moscow has made scant currency basket targeted by the The Saudi index rose 0.8 per- said Ali Adou, portfolio manager growth, but while the approach market and not by administrative progress in developing a manufac- central bank. It weakened further cent. Saturday’s sharp drop, that at The National Investor, adding may boost fiscal revenues there methods,” Siluanov said. turing base to diversify away from after Siluanov’s comments. wiped out nearly all the gains of that the merger would bring more is a risk that inflation could “A small weakening of the relying on its mineral wealth, The government last year the past four weeks on regional clarity to the market, especially become entrenched. rouble can play a positive role weighed down by a nominal introduced a so-called fiscal rule, political tension, has brought back for foreign investors. Anton Siluanov’s call for a for budget revenues and for the exchange rate that has remained capping new borrowing at 1 per- fresh buyers. Contractor Arabtec rose 2.4 weaker currency follows a series economy as a whole”, he added. stable while wages and the cost of cent of gross domestic product, Real estate stocks outper- percent, the most actively traded of meetings chaired by President The International Monetary living rise faster than elsewhere. making it hard to ramp up spend- formed the market, extend- stock. It gained for a second ses- Vladimir Putin, who has pressed Fund, however, urged Russia to Weakening the rouble would ing in an increasingly desperate ing a rally driven by upbeat sion since Abu Dhabi’s Aldar the government to meet spending keep spending in check, fight help exporters in that battle while struggle to revive growth. sentiment towards the sector; Properties awarded a Dh4bn promises made on his return to inflation and accelerate reforms also encouraging domestic pro- The central bank has held off Makkah Construction and Taiba ($1.1bn) contract to a joint ven- the Kremlin in May 2012 in the aimed at putting the economy ducers in the vast, resource-rich from easing monetary policy Holding jump 7.1 and 2.9 percent ture led by the Dubai builder for a search for more growth. on a broader footing rather than country to compete on price with because inflation, at 7.4 percent, respectively. mixed-use development project in The $2 trillion economy, the manipulating demand or the imports. remains above its 5-6 percent The sector’s index climbed 2.4 Kazakhstan. Abu Dhabi’s index world’s ninth largest, grew by 1.6 currency. It would also benefit the budget target range. Putin’s dovish eco- percent, up 38.4 percent year-to- climbed 0.5 percent, taking gains percent year-on-year in the first “There is no point in monetary through the higher return from nomic adviser Elvira Nabiullina date and outperforming the main to 39.1 percent in 2013. quarter of this year — its slow- or fiscal stimulus,” the IMF’s mis- oil exports, with a one-rouble takes the helm next week, pos- index’s 10.7 percent gain in 2013. In Egypt, the main benchmark est since 2009. Weakness ran into sion chief for Russia, Antonio decline in the exchange rate to the sibly heralding interest rate Current gains in real estate climbed 1.1 percent, its third gain May, with industry output shrink- Spilimbergo, told a news confer- dollar overall worth an estimated cuts. stocks reflect a pricing in of the in the last four sessions since it ing by 1.4 percent from a year ence after an annual visit. “The 190bn roubles ($6bn) in annual REUTERS positive sentiment towards the plunged to a near one-year low. sector, said Faysal Badran, chief AGENCIES

QATARI MARKET Sipchem picks Bond Coupon Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P Russian coal miner Sibanthracite Qatar Govt 5.15% 4/9/2014 USD 103.69 0.52 % Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 3.125% 1/20/2017 USD 104.69 1.77 % Aa2 AA HSBC as Qatar Govt 6.55% 4/9/2019 USD 122.38 2.40 % Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 5.25% 1/20/2020 USD 115.38 2.69 % Aa2 AA plans to list shares in London adviser for Qatar Govt 4.5% 1/20/2022 USD 110.25 3.13 % Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 9.75% 6/15/2030 USD 162.50 4.46 % Aa2 AA MOSCOW: Russian niche coal Generale analyst Sergey Donskoy. that they are a niche coal pro- Sahara merger Qatar Govt 6.4% 1/20/2040 USD 123.75 4.81 % Aa2 AA miner Siberian Anthracite Sibanthracite mines a rare ducer,” Renaissance Capital ana- Qatar Govt 5.75% 1/20/2042 USD 114.50 4.81 % Aa2 AA (Sibanthracite) plans to list form of coal in the central lyst Boris Krasnojenov said. DUBAI: Saudi International its shares in London and could Siberian region of Novosibirsk “But the question is whether Petrochemical Co (Sipchem) has Qatari Diar 3.5% 7/21/2015 USD 104.25 1.43 % Aa2 AA raise up to $200m, two market — ultra high grade anthracite anthracite is going to hold this picked HSBC Holdings to advise Qatari Diar 5% 7/21/2020 USD 112.38 3.05 % Aa2 AA sources said, but it may struggle (UHG), which can be used as a year at the same high level if there on the firm’s proposed merger Comqat 5% 11/18/2014 USD 105.00 1.40 % A1 A- to attract investors at a chal- substitute in steelmaking for coke is no recovery in regular coking with Sahara Petrochemical, three Comqat 3.375% 4/11/2017 USD 102.88 2.58 % A1 A- lenging time for coal producers. made from baked coking coal. coal prices,” he said, estimating banking sources said yesterday. QIB 3.856% 10/7/2015 USD 104.75 1.74 % NR NR Sibanthracite did not disclose Sibanthracite Chief Executive that anthracite was trading at a Mergers between two listed QNB 3.125% 11/16/2015 USD 103.50 1.64 % Aa3 A+ how much it was planning to raise Dmitry Shatokhin said the firm, 3,000 rouble ($94.44) premium to Saudi entities are rare: consoli- QNB 3.375% 2/22/2017 USD 103.75 2.31 % Aa3 A+ through the offering of 25 percent which exports 90 percent of its high-grade coking coal. dation in the Gulf is often scup- of its shares, but based on the esti- output, was “well positioned to The miner’s 2012 net profit was pered by major shareholders who Doha Bank 3.5% 3/14/2017 USD 104.00 2.37 % A2 A- mate from the sources, the initial benefit from rising demand for $117m, a 22 percent increase from are unwilling to cede control of Qtel 3.375% 10/14/2016 USD 105.00 1.82 % A2 A /*- public offering would value the high-quality anthracite”. the previous year, with a net profit businesses except for very high Qtel 7.875% 6/10/2019 USD 126.00 3.08 % A2 A /*- company as high as $800 million. The firm plans to increase its margin of 23 percent, according price tags. Qtel 4.75% 2/16/2021 USD 107.38 3.64 % A2 A /*- Russian coking and thermal share of the global anthracite to a statement. Revenue for 2012 However, both Sipchem and Qtel 5% 10/19/2025 USD 105.63 4.40 % A2 A /*- coal exporters have come under market to 17 percent this year was $508m. After a slow start Sahara have Zamil Holding Rasgas 5.5% 9/30/2014 USD 105.00 1.52 % Aa3 A pressure in 2013 as a drop in coal from 15 percent in 2012, focuss- to the year for equity offerings, Company Group, one of the king- Rasgas 5.832% 9/30/2016 USD 107.25 3.47 % Aa3 A prices to over four-year lows and ing on Asia-Pacific markets and a number of Russian companies dom’s most prominent family Rasgas 5.298% 9/30/2020 USD 108.38 3.96 % Aa3 A high transport costs have under- China in particular, Shatokhin are planning IPOs, including VTB businesses, as a key stakeholder. mined their competitiveness. said in an interview last week. Capital, Tinkoff Credit Systems The two companies had said SOVEREIGNS “The timing is a bit awkward The selling shareholder is GLG (TCS) and hypermarket chain earlier this month that they were Bond PDA* Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P now that international coal prices Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Lenta, according to sources. in initial talks for a tie-up. Abu Dhabi Govt 5.5% 4/8/2014 USD 104.13 0.31 % Aa2 AA are hitting their lowest level for the company said in yesterday’s JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Sahara has yet to select an Abu Dhabi Govt 6.75% 4/8/2019 USD 125.13 2.13 % Aa2 AA several years. Everything depends statement. Of the 25 percent Raiffeisen Bank and Sberbank are adviser while Sipchem has chosen on how realistic the firm’s expec- being offered, 20 percent is being acting as joint coordinators and HSBC, which has advised the firm Dubai Govt 6.7% 10/5/2015 USD 109.25 2.53 % NR NR tations are on the valuation. They reserved for existing shareholders bookrunners for the Sibanthracite on projects in the past, two of the Dubai Govt 4.9% 5/2/2017 USD 106.25 3.17 % NR NR will need to be willing to give some of GLG Emerging Markets Fund. offering. bankers said. Dubai Govt 7.75% 10/5/2020 USD 121.38 4.30 % NR NR upside to investors,” said Societe “They will need to emphasise REUTERS REUTERS Dubai Govt 6.45% 5/2/2022 USD 112.88 4.66 % NR NR Qatar Govt 4% 1/20/2015 USD 104.44 1.17 % Aa2 AA Bahrain Govt 6.273% 11/22/2018 USD 113.50 3.52 % NR BBB Slovenia ‘bad bank’ to begin operations Bahrain Govt 5.5% 3/31/2020 USD 105.00 4.63 % NR BBB LJUBLJANA: Slovenia’s new “bad bank”, a key part of efforts to Egypt Govt 5.75% 4/29/2020 USD 86.50 8.37 % Caa1 CCC+ avoid becoming the next eurozone member to need a bailout, will Morocco Govt 4.5% 10/5/2020 EUR 105.00 3.71 % NR BBB- receive its first transfer of toxic assets at the end of the month, its *Periodic Distribution Amount • Bullion - Mumbai head said yesterday. IMPORTANT NOTE: Gold (10 gm) Standard Rs. 28050 The crisis measure come after banks in Slovenia went on a major Published by HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, P O Box 57, Doha, Qatar which Silver (1 kg) Rs. 46147 is licensed and regulated by Qatar Central Bank and Jersey Financial Services lending spree following the country joining the European Union as a • Indian Rupees QR1 = 16.03 Commission. Information quoted is from publicly available sources or proprietary model newcomer in 2004 and the eurozone three years later. data and subject to change. HSBC accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising • Sensex But the global financial crisis of 2008-9 found the former Yugoslav econ- out of the use of all or part of this material. This information is general and does not BSE 19223.28 omy badly exposed and many of these loans went toxic as the economy con- take into account individual circumstances, objectives or needs. The price of bonds NSE 5813.60 can and does fluctuate. The secondary market for bonds may not provide significant tracted sharply and firms went bust. “We are building the organisation and liquidity or may trade based on prevailing market conditions. Past performance is not • Short-term investment plan from LIC International upto 6.4 percent making sure we can deliver taking the first assets by the end of this month,” a reliable indicator of future performance. You should consider these matters and return p.a. (in dollar) said Torbjorn Mansson, Chairman of the Bank Asset Management Company. consult your financial advisor prior to making any investment decisions. • Housing loan from HDFC LTD The transfer from Slovenia’s biggest bank Nova Ljubljanska Banka • Mutual Fund: Buy & Sell: SBI MF, HDFC MF, UTI MF, Birla Sun Life MF, (NLB) would be followed by others “in the weeks to come”, he added. Tata MF, Reliance MF etc. Slovenia’s biggest banks have been recapitalised several times and • Advise on Indian Income Tax matters for NRIs. the dire situation has sparked concerns in recent months that the Contact: Investec, Tel: 44325060/44365060 email: [email protected] country might become the sixth eurozone member to need outside help. AFP WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2013 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

What lies behind Economic worries, global power price hike elite and capitalism

BY CHRYSTIA FREELAND “It’s no wonder many political leaders, and I Mazzucato, a professor of economics at the in Australia? don’t exclude myself, have lost the trust of our University of Sussex, in England. Her gripe ere’s one sign the global elite people,” Papandreou said, in the most affect- was with the familiar characterisation of BY JOHN QUIGGIN is starting to get worried that ing passage of his talk. “When riot police the private sector as the sole source of inno- capitalism isn’t working for have to protect parliaments, a scene that is vation and creative thinking and of the state ueenslanders have just received the news of another the Western middle class. At increasingly common around the world, there sector as a Kafkaesque world of inefficiency, round of big increases in the price of electricity averag- the TED Global gathering in is something wrong with our democracies.” bureaucracy and frustration. ing 20 percent. HScotland’s elegant capital city this week, For the chosen few inside the TED hall, Disclosure alert: I was a speaker, too. I Q This was a particularly bitter pill for a government much of the spotlight was on what’s going Papandreou also inadvertently served as a talked about my chief obsession, soaring glo- that came to power promising to cut the cost of living, and par- wrong with the 21st century economy. physical reminder of how bitterly felt the rage bal income inequality, particularly at the ticularly for a treasurer keen to persuade an already hostile public That matters because the TED confer- is among some of the masses on the outside. very top of the pyramid, and the uncom- that selling electricity assets is a good idea. ences are one of the obligatory stops on Gray, rainy Scotland is a long way from Greece, fortable fact that the same forces that are There’s nothing unusual about Queensland’s experience. the itinerary of any self-regarding pluto- but even here, Papandreou was greeted by enriching the global super-elite are hol- Average Australian electricity prices for households have risen crat, and in the past that constituency has protesters incensed at the pain his austerity lowing out the middle class in the Western by around 80 percent over the past decade, even after adjusting often preferred its vision of the economic measures imposed on his country. The city’s developed economies. for general inflation. Discussion of the price increases has lined future served sunny-side up. The gloom gracious, granite streets were plastered with Making capitalism work for everyone, up an impressive list of potential culprits, including the carbon started with former prime minister George posters calling on Papandreou to go home and and not just the plutocrats, I argued, is our price, “gold-plating” of distribution networks, excessive dividends Papandreou of Greece. In a remarkably attack austerity across Europe. most pressing political and economic prob- demanded by governments from state-owned enterprises, exces- candid and introspective talk, Papandreou That was just a start. A session devoted to lem. Taken together, and given the gilded sive profits demanded by private investors and the the impact of offered a mea culpa for his own mistakes “Money” offered more critiques. Didier Sornette, venue, all of these comments amount to a renewable energy such as rooftop solar PV. and those of the European political elite. a professor of risk at the Swiss Federal Institute significant shift in tone. Charlie Robertson, There is some validity to most of these claims. To take the Small Greece, he argued, had been made of Technology, took the world’s financiers to the global chief economist for Renaissance most contentious example, the introduction of the carbon price the scapegoat for a larger political and eco- task for being so bad at anticipating asset bub- Capital, the Russian-based investment bank, implied an increase of around 2 cents per kilowatt-hour, or 10 nomic failure. As Papandreou mockingly put bles. Booms and busts, he asserted, are predict- was moved to post on Twitter, in reaction percent of the retail price of electricity. But taken together, they it, Europe chose to point the finger at “those able and often controllable, and he offered his to the TED line-up, that the “intellectual do not amount to anything like an explanation of the huge price profligate, idle, ouzo-swilling, Zorba-dancing own technique for spotting them. ascendancy of neo-liberalism since 70s may increases we have experienced. The central problem with all Greeks.” Instead of addressing the harder, “The sector needs a complete overhaul, not be in retreat.” these arguments is that they take for granted the structure of underlying issues, the impulse was to say: just a trimming around the edges,” Heuser That is probably going too far. But we the electricity industry and the pricing system that goes with it. “They are the problem! Punish them!” said. “We’ve left the major financial players do seem to be at a turning point, or the But these structures aren’t the result of inexorable market forces. Papandreou is a son of privilege but, in a alone for too long.” beginning of one. Judging by this week in Before the reforms, the electricity supply industry consisted of sign of the times, he inveighed against “plu- The credit ratings of countries, she Edinburgh, even the winners in the global a set of integrated public systems, one for each state. Most of the tocrats hiding their assets in tax havens” and argued, need to be redefined from a profit- economy are beginning to realise that there enterprises involved were statutory authorities, which were expected “powerful lobbies protecting the powerful few.” making business to a public good, and she are a lot of losers, too, and that that’s a to charge enough their own investments and return modest profits to His comments made an impact partly because outlined her effort to create an international problem. You might see that as too little the government. They were also charged with a vaguely defined pub- he was so open in declaring his own short- not-for-profit organisation that could chal- too late; you might also see it as, at long lic service objective, which included requirements to ensure a reliable comings. Nor did he shy away from how angry lenge the oligopoly of the ratings agencies. last, a start. supply. With the exception of a period of blackouts in NSW in the a lot of people are about them. Most passionate of all was Mariana REUTERS early 1980s, this system worked well and reliably. Electricity, still an urban luxury in the first half of the 20th century, was extended to the entire population. Costs declined slowly but steadily in real terms. Mostly the states worked separately, and the Commonwealth was not involved. The major exception was one of the great successes of Australian nationbuilding. The changes began in the 1990s, when enthusiasm for micro- economic reform was at its peak. The trigger for reform was the creation of a national grid, linking the eastern states into a single network through the construction of new transmission links. At the same time, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) was developing a National Competition Policy, aimed at replacing public monopolies like the electricity industry with competitive markets in which private firms would first compete with, and then replace, government enterprises. Ironically, in the light of subsequent events, two of the key complaints about the public monopolies were overstaff- ing and excessive investment in system reliability. Private entrants and corporatised public firms slashed the number of payrolls and capital investments in network infrastructure. But the blue-collar workers and technicians laid off in the 1990s were replaced by even larger numbers of managers and marketing staff, needed to operate in the new competitive environment. Skimping on infrastructure investments led to a wave of blackouts, and a costly crash programme aimed at restoring reliability. Some of these mistakes might have been avoided. The free market assumptions of the reformers were simply inapplicable to a network industry like electricity, where every participant interact with one another through a distribution and transmission system that has all the characteristics of a natural monopoly. The assumption that a combination of profit-driven investment and regulation in the public interest could resolve these contradic- tions has proved unfounded. Equally importantly, even though the COAG reforms coincided with the emergence of global concerns about climate change, the reform process took no account of the possibility of carbon pricing, and made no provision for renewable energy. In particular, the assumption that households could be regarded purely as consumers failed to consider the possibility of solar rooftops, or of any interactions between households and energy suppliers to promote energy conservation. Fixing this mess will take many years. But the first step is to admit that electricity reform has been a failure, and to re-examine the whole system without any ideological preconceptions. THE GUARDIAN Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Forget the excuses, here’s how UK can tax the rich BY POLLY TOYNBEE country-by-country reporting on what we’re trying to do.” Non- and bonuses early. They paid more Even raising tax thresholds sees make every UK passport holder, the unlikely grounds that it risks dom foreign oligarchs awash with into pensions, gaining undeserved most gain go to the top half, not wherever they are in the world, ax is the root of all poli- “swamping people with highly funny money benefit from our lax higher tax relief. Or they used to low earners. pay UK tax. We could make non- tics. What parties think complex data”. rules. trusts, or took income as capi- Would Cameron have taken up dom residents pay after, say, four about tax defines them. Before the G8, Cameron had The influential Free Enterprise tal gains. (That can be stopped, tax avoidance but for the brilliant years’ stay. TTories are always low-tax to be seen putting Britain’s own Group of 40 new Tory MPs wants by fixing capital gains, as Nigel UK Uncut short, sharp, witty Why let private equity strip the by nature, by creed and by greed, shameless tax havens in order. corporation tax cut to 10 percent, Lawson did, at the same rate as invasions of Top Shop, Starbucks, public purse? Boots, bought up by eager to brand Labour the high- But as Richard Murphy of the racing to undercut Irish rates. income tax, as the Institute for Vodafone and Barclays? Had the private equity, was loaded with tax party. Tax Justice campaign says, noth- Vince Cable agrees, writing in Fiscal Studies advocates.) redoubtable Margaret Hodge not debt and moved to low-tax Zug. In office Labour ducked and ing was signed: Bermuda and the the Observer: “In truth, taxing Once Osborne announced the shamed avoiders with forensic and Overnight, its tax bill fell from weaved, adopting Tory language rest still deny they are havens. company profits is not ideal. All top rate would fall to 45 percent, pithy contempt, would govern- £606m to £74m. where all tax is a “burden”, and all We’ve been here before: in 2009 taxes are ultimately paid by peo- high earners gamed it again. ment have acted? Campaigning Why did Labour and this gov- tax cuts good. But at least in the- a list of black, grey and white tax ple. We should tax people when Incomes Data Services reports works. ernment permit such drainage of ory, all parties agree tax should be countries was drawn up, warn- they receive the benefits of prof- a massive delay in bonuses until Doubts remain: Would a gov- national resources? collected. David Cameron strikes ing only white-listers would be itable companies.” If tax is out of after 6 April, when they leapt ernment serious about tax col- In power Labour was timid on a bold stance at the G8. Though tolerated. favour, how hard will this govern- up by 107 percent in the finance lection reduce HMRC staff by tax. Ed Miliband’s recent good nothing concrete may be agreed, What happened? Within weeks, ment really try to collect it? sector to catch the new 45 per- 10,000, when the EU puts UK tax speech on Google came late, acknowledging a global tax avoid- all tax havens on the black and Cutting the 50 percent top rate cent rate. That could have been evasion at £70bn? after Cameron made the running. ance crisis is a step forward. grey lists manoeuvred themselves suggests no great enthusiasm for forestalled. Tireless campaigner Richard Tax cheating should be Labour’s Good news, too, that Cameron on to the white list with virtually rigorous taxing. To Osborne it proved there’s no Murphy’s report on Companies chance to tell honest political will make shell companies no change in their habits. Last week’s ONS figures point in taxing the rich. But the House shows a shocking derelic- truths: you get what you pay for, declare their true beneficiar- In a tax dispute General de revealed gigantic avoidance of IFS says Denmark successfully tion by this government and the you can’t have Swedish services ies to HMRC, but it’s regretta- Gaulle once surrounded Monaco the 50 percent top rate. It could collects its high top rate because last. on US tax ideology. ble this won’t be public. Only if with troops and turned off its have been collected but George it has no dodges: The rich can be A third of firms fail to file Tax is the price we pay for civi- every country goes public, says water supply: could we turn off Osborne needed to prove it didn’t taxed if reliefs are blocked. returns and £16bn in tax goes lisation. At elections, all parties Cameron — global agreement banking connections with recal- work. But this government never missing, with little inquiry and promise the impossible, more with yet again an excuse for inaction citrant dependencies? The Treasury estimated rais- worried over income being sucked low risk of penalty. less and cuts in “bureaucracy” to as G8 leaders drag their heels Britain could collect far more ing the rate to 50 percent should up from middle to top, with the And now its staff are cut too. pay for everything. on making companies declare tax, but is the government genu- bring in £6.2bn, but the actual share of national income taken Forcing shell companies to regis- Treating the public like chil- profits in each country. Though inely determined? return was a puny £100m. by the top 1 percent now hav- ter owners might not work with- dren on tax does nothing for trust Cameron suggests it should be Francis Maude last year In year one, before its official ing risen to 14 percent, as GDP out the risk of penalties. in politics. The door has opened voluntary, the Confederation boasted that he wanted Britain start date, high earners gamed the shifts from pay to profits. Osborne Britain can do plenty alone: for that conversation. for British Industry opposes to be a tax haven: “That is exactly tax by rushing to take dividends redistributes taxes the wrong way. we could adopt US tax laws that THE GUARDIAN WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2013 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Index 9,361.05 0.73 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 13,374.79 0.73 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 2,844.67 0.98 % RATE QE All Share Index 2,367 0.73 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 2,210.97 0.88 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 4794.613 -10.391 -0.22 5229.8 4650 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 5,548.96 0.79 % QR161.2842 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Services Cac 40 Index/D 3856.52 -7.14 -0.18 4072.24 3584.38 QE All Share Industrials 3,165.41 0.54 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.6563 QR 5.7355 QE All Share Insurance 2,298.18 0.27 % Dj Indu Average 15179.85 109.67 0.73 15542.4 12450.2 QR 2.5550 Euro ...... QR 4.8436 QR 4.9112 QE All Share Real Estate 1,900.83 2.00 % CA$ ...... QR 3.5382 QR 3.6078 QE All Share Telecoms 1,313.08 0.48 % Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.9326 QR 3.9874 QE All Share Transportation 1,684.04 0.93 % Hang Seng Inde/D 21225.88 -0.02 0 23944.74 20652.75 Yen ...... QR 0.0378 QR 0.0387 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.4692 QR 3.5386 Iseq Overall/D 3918.6 0.68 0.02 4118.68 3396.67 CRUDE OIL Today Previous day Ind Re ...... QR 0.0614 QR 0.0627 18-06-2013 17-06-2013 Karachi 100 In/D 21919.62 -296.84 -1.34 22833.2 16036.31 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0366 QR 0.0373 Index 9,361.05 9,429.70 BRENT Change 68.65 5.29 Nikkei 225 Index 13007.28 -25.84 -0.2 15942.6 10398.61 Peso ...... QR 0.0834 QR 0.0850 % 0.73 0.06 $ 105.26 SL Re ...... QR 0.0281 QR 0.0286 YTD% 11.99 12.81 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 1687.18 1309.27 Taka ...... QR 0.0464 QR 0.0473 Volume 8,847,383 11,209,972 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0386 QR 0.0393 Value (QAR) 339,141,717.12 402,164,018.13 Straits Times/D 3229.55 46.11 1.45 3464.79 3094.86 Trades 4,248 4,108 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3592 QR 0.3675 Straits Times/D 2971.47 22.7 0.77 3035.78 2657.77 $ 102.71 Up -- | Down -- | Unchanged --

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 18-06-2013

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 36 0 12758 Cipla-A/D 380 -0.15 81742 Hind Unilever-/D 595.6 0.1 496602 Lloydsfin.-B/D 0.67 0.03 15002 Tanfac Indust-/D 8.12 0 3215 Legal & Genera/D 172.607 2 3470726 A C C-A/D 1210.95 4.35 12237 City Union Bk-/D 55.85 -0.4 27172 Hind Motors-B/D 8 -0.11 45011 Lok.Hous&Con-B/D 11.65 0.07 8665 Tanfac Indust-/D 8.12 0 3215 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 62.512 1.2 49411208 Aarti Drugs-B/D 211 3 1444 Colgate-A/D 1307.3 -15.9 11147 Hind Org Chem-/D 9.7 -0.02 14720 Lupin-A/D 790.2 2.1 61361 Timexgroup-B/D 9.71 -0.27 18642 Marks & Sp./D 449 -0.4 1379063 Aban Offs-B/D 274.4 -0.05 35551 Dhampur Sugar-/D 38.05 0.3 8558 Hind.Petrol-A/D 258.45 -1.35 42576 Lyka Labs-B/D 10.85 0.62 13110 Tinplate-B/D 39.4 0.95 47345 Next/D 4574 -11 76827 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 108.75 2.25 742254 Dr. Reddy-A/D 2130.5 -16.05 9643 Hindalco-A/D 101.5 -0.5 803307 Mah.Seamless-B/D 225.4 -0.6 3421 Ub Engineer-B/D 13.8 0.65 11947 Pearson/D 1213.579 14 473794 Alembic-B/D 19.6 -0.3 23875 E I H-B/D 53.5 0.25 10649 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 833.9 -10.6 82325 Mastek-B/D 127.95 -0.8 1862 Ucal Fuel-B/D 44 -0.05 1685 Prudential/D 1100.64 26 2369807 Alkyl Amines-B/D 140 0 1567 E.I.D Parry-B/D 133 -2 4322 I F C I-A/D 24.05 0 1152223 Max India L-A/D 203.75 4.15 17292 Ultramarine-B/D 50.35 -1.65 3250 Rank Group/D 155 1.1 12915 Alok Indus-B/D 7.39 -0.13 5189430 Eicher Motor-A/D 3590 38.7 2742 Idbi-A/D 76.2 -1.5 330034 Mrpl-A/D 38.9 -0.4 34414 Unitech P -A/D 21.95 -0.05 4973733 Rentokil Initi/D 91.05 0.45 1546186 Andhra Paper-B/D 291 0.9 79813 Electrosteel-B/D 13.95 -0.3 60965 Ifb Agro-B/D 153.55 -6.4 10144 Nahar Spg.-B/D 72.65 0.9 5143 Univcable-B/D 24 -1 15464 Rolls Royce Pl/D 1182.32 15 1507159 Apollo Tyre-A/D 62.6 -1.35 4974781 Emco-B/D 18.05 -0.15 6344 India Cement-B/D 63.2 -0.7 59415 Nation Alum -A/D 29.3 0 37409 Uppergsugar-B/D 33.3 0 6526 Rsa Insrance G/D 121 3.2 10090054 Asahi I Glass-/D 42.5 -1.9 1322 Escorts-B/D 71.4 1.15 309238 India Glycol-B/D 120.5 -0.35 4733 Navneet Pub.-B/D 61 0.6 4939 Sainsbury(J)/D 375.1 -0.4 1698768 Ashok Leyland-/D 22.1 -0.2 178027 Essar Oil-A/D 67.65 -2.2 350143 Indian Hotel-A/D 48.35 0.45 134608 Nepc India-B/D 1.86 0.01 2857 LONDON Schroders/D 2215 35 89523 Bajaj Hold-A/D 798.25 8 1714 Eveready Indu-/D 17.05 -0.15 43744 Indo-Bcount-B/D 14.6 -1.25 1355 Neuland Lab-B/D 90.5 -2.5 1581 Severn Trent/D 1769.8035 15 472388 Ballarpur In-B/D 13.95 -0.05 41019 F D C-B/D 92.95 0.1 11316 Indusind-A/D 477.7 -7.7 93244 Nrb Bearings-B/D 37.55 -0.4 2632 3i Group/D 334.8 2.9 445621 Smith&Nephew/D 764.5 6.5 402156 Bata India-A/D 820.8 1.45 42013 Federal Bank-A/D 435.05 3.45 39840 J.B.Chemical-B/D 78.45 -0.2 22604 O N G C-A/D 307.95 -4.6 120780 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 1731 -1 391024 Smiths Group/D 1296 -10 296093 Bayer Crop-B/D 1408.2 40.8 11631 Ferro Alloys-B/D 4.8 -0.14 12881 Jagson Phar-B/D 9.32 0.02 3914 Ocl India-B/D 144.65 0.15 3758 B Sky B/D 788.5 4.5 1669409 Standrd Chart /D 1474 30 2103042 Beml Ltd-B/D 163.45 4.8 34146 Finolex-B/D 133.65 1.25 41984 Jbf Indu-B/D 100.2 1.5 19972 Oil Country-B/D 37.95 -0.05 1075 Barclays/D 303.118 6.6 14068745 Tate & Lyle/D 829 9.5 281968 Bharat Bijle-B/D 401.15 4.55 2785 Forbes-B/D 620.35 0 29660 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.33 -0.01 2900 Orchid Chem-B/D 56.45 3.8 408118 Bg Group/D 1192.8033 -1 1324640 Tesco/D 336.0395 -0.5 6522543 Bhartiya Int-B/D 208.45 -0.55 5086 Gail-A/D 294.35 -4.75 81429 Jct Ltd-B/D 0.71 -0.06 157935 Orient Hotel-B/D 16.95 -0.25 2005 Bp/D 460.514 2.4 5915430 Unilever/D 2659 4 597145 Bhel-A/D 180.65 -1.7 305825 Galada Power-B/D 4.14 0 3610 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 2.74 0.04 3528 Orient.Carb.-B/D 103 4.5 1870 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3471.5 4 860055 United Util Gr/D 728.5 4 756750 Bom.Burmah-B/D 113.2 -3.95 13493 Gammon India-B/D 16.8 0.55 7703 Jik Indust-B/D 0.86 0.02 11213 Punjab Chem.-B/D 46.55 -0.4 14656 Bt Group/D 319 7 4576096 Vodafone Group/D 185.05 2.35 32140039 Bombay Dyeing-/D 64.75 0.6 124686 Gangotri Tex-B/D 1.24 0 1000 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 110.9 -1.55 9972 Radico Khait-B/D 108.75 -0.2 63798 Centrica/D 374.115 2.2 2086649 Whitbread/D 2993 68 911442 Cable Corp.-B/D 19 0 15384 Goodricke-B/D 119.45 -3.05 2715 Kajaria Cer-B/D 241 -4.1 1553 Rallis India-B/D 140.5 -1.15 26273 Gkn/D 306.37 3.3 1400577 Castrol Ind-A/D 335.8 -3.2 11175 Goodyear I -B/D 298.8 -3.75 1497 Kalpat Power-B/D 69.7 -0.25 2613 Reliance Indus/D 358.85 4.75 99685 Hsbc Holdings/D 697.9 16.4 11866439 Century Enka-B/D 108.25 -0.6 9035 Hcl Infosys-B/D 33.25 0 16813 Kalyani Stel-B/D 38.55 1.45 20484 Ruchi Soya-B/D 67.05 -2.35 3068 Imperial Tobac/D 2359 -7 557473 Century Text-A/D 286.15 -2.95 71297 Him.Fut.Comm-B/D 7.46 -0.04 99960 Kg Denim-B/D 13.65 -0.35 28852 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 425 1.25 1818 Kingfisher/D 353.1 -0.6 2211190 Chambal Fert-B/D 41.6 0.2 181816 Himat Seide-B/D 33.65 0 18427 Kopran-B/D 13.65 -0.04 6566 Saur.Cem-B/D 23.4 0 2459 Land Secs Grou/D 905.5 5.5 459192 WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23

Baseball Results Philadelphia 5 Washington 4 St Louis 5 Chicago Cubs 2 Kansas City 2 Cleveland 1 Members of the Chicago Blackhawks Toronto 2 Colorado 0 and the Boston Bruins fight towards the Detroit 5 Baltimore 1 end of the third period during Game Three Atlanta 2 NY Mets 1 of the Stanley Cup finals at TD Garden Cincinnati 4 Pittsburgh 1 in Boston, Massachusetts, yesterday. Texas 8 Oakland 7 BELOW: Brad Marchand (63) of the Boston Bruins and Andrew Shaw of the Chicago White Sox 4 Houston 2 Chicago Blackhawks go airborne while Miami 3 Arizona 2 fighting. LA Angels 11 Seattle 3 San Diego 5 San Francisco 3 Scherzer leads Tigers to big win over Orioles DETROIT: Max Scherzer maintained his perfect start to the season by securing a 10th straight victory in pitching the Detroit Tigers to a 5-1 triumph against the Baltimore Orioles yesterday. Scherzer blew through the Orioles line-up with 10 strikeouts, allowing one run in six innings, as he drew level with St Louis pitcher Adam Wainright (10-3) on 10 wins for the campaign. He is, however, the first starter to open a season 10-0 since Roger Clemens completed the feat for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1997. Clemens added one more victory Bruins sink Blackhawks to that tally before losing his first decision of the season against Seattle. NHL Stanley Cup finals: Boston blank Chicago to take 2-1 series lead “You have to savour this a lit- tle bit because of the history of this organisation,” Scherzer told BOSTON, forecheck them, tried to force reporters. MASSACHUSETTS: Tuukka turnovers. “It’s special to be 10-0 but at Rask stopped 28 shots yester- “It was, I think from both the end of the day, I don’t measure day to lead the Boston Bruins to teams, a pretty slow start, a little my success on being 10-0. I meas- a 2-0 victory over the Chicago tentative maybe. But we slowly ure my success on everything else Blackhawks and into the lead in got it going and started skating I do on the mound.” the NHL Stanley Cup finals. better once the game started, Baltimore slugger Chris Davis The Bruins took a 2-1 lead in found our game eventually.” blasted his Major League-leading the best-of-seven championship Early in the second, Paille 24th home run against Scherzer series thanks to second-period scored his second goal of the in the second inning, but that was goals from Daniel Paille and series to put the Bruins ahead. the only blemish on the pitcher’s Patrice Bergeron. He kept the puck in the Chicago report card. In the third, the Bruins relied zone along the left wall and found Detroit’s reigning American on Rask to preserve the lead and Tyler Seguin for a great chance League MVP Miguel Cabrera once again he came through with in the slot that Crawford got a struck a two-run homer of his his third shutout of the play-offs. piece of. own, his 19th of the season, The Bruins host game four Chicago’s Dave Bolland tried to and finished 3-for-4 to push his today, trying to cement their lead clear it, but Paille corralled the league-leading batting average to in a series that marks the first puck, turned and fired at 2:13 of .358. time two of the NHL’s Original the second. In Arizona, Patrick Corbin’s Six franchises have met in the The Bruins got their first power quest to join the 10-win club fell Stanley Cup Finals since 1979, play of the game 12 minutes into just short as the Diamondbacks when Montreal beat the New the second period after Bolland lost to the Miami Marlins 3-2. York Rangers in five games. was called for cross-checking in The 23-year-old Corbin (9-0) The Blackhawks have now lost bringing Chris Kelly down. had to settle for a no-decision two straight after their triple- Boston had a chance when after allowing two runs in eight extra-time triumph in the series Paille came flying through the innings and leaving with the con- opener. neutral zone and tried to get a test tied 2-2. Chicago goalie Corey Crawford shot on net from the left wing, He watched helplessly as stopped 33 shots, but he was but he was upended by Niklas Miami’s Giancarlo Stanton backed by little offense as the Hjalmarsson, who was whistled pounded a game-winning home Blackhawks went 0-for-4 on the for tripping to give the Bruins a run in the ninth against los- power play. 5-on-3 advantage. Boston Bruins’ centre Chris Kelly (in black) is checked off the puck by Chicago Blackhawks’ centre Dave Bolland ing reliever Heath Bell. It was The Blackhawks were hindered The two-man advantage was left) as he comes in on goalie Corey Crawford in the second period during Game Three of their NHL Stanley Stanton’s second homer of the by the absence of Marian Hossa, only for 10 seconds and the first Cup finals series in Boston, Massachusetts, yesterday. night. who was scratched after the pre- penalty expired before Boston In Texas, Nelson Cruz launched game warm-ups. could capitalise, but Bolland was a pair of home runs to help the Hossa, who was tied for the just coming out of the box when possession of fifth place on the tough for them to score in our constantly. Just to control the Rangers beat Oakland 8-7 and team lead in play-off points with the Bruins made it 2-0. NHL’s all-time list, one ahead of end. puck or make passess was tough. gain ground in the AL West. 15, was replaced by forward Ben Zdeno Chara had the puck at Paul Coffey. “We did a good job, kept play- It wasn’t pretty.” The first-place Athletics led 6-3 Smith, who was playing his first the right point as the Bolland Seidenberg said he and his ing our style, kept putting pucks Once again, Seidenberg was a in the fourth inning, where Cruz game in this post-season. infraction ticked away, and passed team-mates were determined to deep, except the last couple of work-horse for the Bruins, his hit a solo blast, before adding a After coming out flat in the it down low to the right side of keep pressing, after twice letting minutes actually. They threw eve- 25:04 minutes on ice second only two-run shot in the fifth that put first period of game two, Boston the net. two-goal leads evaporate in the rything at us ... They got quite a to the 25:47 of Chara. the home team ahead. controlled play for much of the From there, Jaromir Jagr fired game one defeat. few chances. For the most part we “I don’t know how easy I handle Cruz, who now has 18 homers first period on this one, with it across the goal mouth and “We told ourselves when we did a decent job.” it, I maybe try to hide it a little on the year, finished 3-for-4 with Crawford called on to make 11 Bergeron gathered the puck and came into the locker room, we Seidenberg said less than ideal bit but it’s pretty tough playing three RBIs and the Rangers (39- saves. fired it home with 5:55 remaining said, ‘We’ve been in this posi- ice conditions made things diffi- against those guys,” Seidenberg 31) pulled within two games of the “I think we came out pretty in the period. tion and we gave up the two-goal cult for both teams. said. “They’ve got a lot of speed, A’s (42-30). REUTERS solid,” Boston’s German defence- The point for an assist was lead, so let’s do it better today, “It was very tough,” he said. “If just going up and down the ice man Dennis Seidenberg said. “We 197th for Jagr in his post-season keep attacking,’ he said. you look at the ice, it was really and hitting all the time -- it’s tried to get pucks deep, tried to career, moving him into sole He added: “If you attack, it’s rough, the puck was bouncing exhausting.” AFP Spurs aim to finish off Heat MIAMI: The San Antonio Spurs are mak- for the most three pointers in the NBA finals. effective but not enough to allow Miami to ing a habit of winning bounce back games “I hope he doesn’t wake up and keeps play- ever take the lead in game five. in the 2013 National Basketball Association ing this way,” said Spurs Tim Duncan of Miami is at home and on the brink of elimi- play-offs. Green, who scored 24 points and now has 25 nation for the second time in three NBA finals. The Spurs have lost four games in the post- three pointers in the 2013 finals. “We are going to see if we are a better ball- season and each time they have rebounded “We are asking him to defend LeBron James, club and if we are prepared for the moment,” with an impressive victory. Dwyane Wade and all these guys. He has got Wade said. In the NBA finals, they were blown out 103- a lot on his shoulders and he has stepped up Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets named Tim 84 by the Heat in game two, but bounced back and answered the bell.” Connelly as their new general manager yes- to win by 36 in game three, 113-77. They lost Ginobili, who was starting his first game of terday after Masai Ujiri joined the Toronto 109-93 in game four, then jumped out to an the post-season, had a season-best 24 points Raptors last month. early lead and never trailed in a 114-104 win and 10 assists. The first task for 36-year-old Connelly, who Sunday in game five. “He has confidence in himself and he should spent the last three years as the assistant gen- The series now shifts to Miami, where the just continue to compete,” Spurs coach Gregg eral manager in New Orleans, will be finding Spurs can clinch their fifth title in franchise Popovich said of Ginobili. “That’s what he has a new head coach to replace George Karl, who history with a win at American Airlines arena. done his whole career.” was sacked at the end of the season. Tony Parker (9) and Danny Green “It is going to take everything we’ve got,” Ginobili finished with 20 points and 10 “We have a lot to do,” Connelly told report- Atlanta Braves’ Evan Gattis breaks (4) of the San Antonio Spurs said Spurs game four hero Danny Green. assists just once previously in the playoffs and ers. “The draft (is approaching), then we’ll hit his bat on the pop foul out against celebrate in the fourth quarter All five of San Antonio Spurs starters that came in 2007 in the semi-finals against free agency. the New York Mets during the against the Miami Heat on June finished in double figures Sunday, including Utah. “I’m hoping collectively as a staff we can fourth inning at Turner Field in 16. Manu Ginobili and Green, who had six three The Heat’s marquee trio of James (25 keep this progressing to where we all want to Atlanta, yesterday. pointers to break Ray Allen’s all-time record points), Wade (25) and Chris Bosh (16) were be.” REUTERS WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2013 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Badminton: Singapore Rose’s victory at US Open Open hit by late pull-outs

SINGAPORE: A large-scale withdrawal on the eve of com- inspires English golfers petition has robbed badmin- ton’s Singapore Open of several seeded players after superstars Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei This will be a great week for Justin and for England, says Luke Donald also chose to skip the event. Eleven players pulled out on Monday, citing fatigue and injury, ARDMORE, Pennsylvania: though many may be keen to avoid Justin Rose’s breakthrough win exerting themselves in what is the at the US Open could open the last Super Series event before the door for England’s golden gen- world championships in August. eration of golfers to finally make Players who withdraw late their collective mark in the from tournaments receive a small record books. fine from the Badminton World Rose, Luke Donald, Ian Poulter, England’s Justin Federation, according to reports. Paul Casey and Lee Westwood Rose (right) after Singapore experienced similar have long starred on the Ryder winning the 2013 US problems last year in the run-up Cup stage and Donald and Open at the Merion to the London Olympics. Westwood have risen to top the Golf Club in Ardmore, With Olympic champion Lin world rankings. Pennsylvania, and world number one Lee opt- But until Merion Golf Club on on Sunday. Rose ing out, and former Olympic gold- Sunday, none of them had been ended a 42-year medallist Taufik Hidayat retiring able to lift one of the sports’s four title drought by from the sport at last week’s major titles - the US and British Indonesian Open, star power will English players at Opens, the Masters and the PGA be in short supply at the $200,000 the US Open with his Championship. tournament. The pressure on one of them two-shot victory at Men’s third seed Sony Dwi to finally deliver on the biggest of Merion on Sunday. Kuncoro was among the late pull- stages was cranking up with each outs, as well as women’s doubles passing major. top seeds Wang Xiaoli and Yu Ulstermen Rory McIlroy, Yang, the Chinese pair who were Graeme McDowell and Darren among eight players disqualified Clarke joined the club of major from last year’s Olympics for not winners as did young Americans trying. Keegan Bradley and Webb The last-minute withdrawals Simpson and South Africans also include China’s mixed dou- Louis Oosthuizen and Charl himself, and the country Rose But I really hoped that it sort of of the workers who was walking “It’s going to mean a lot. It’s bles top seeds Xu Chen and Ma Schwartzel. said. “There’s been a very strong has broken the spell and guys can the course with another group. been too long really,” he said. Jin, and women’s singles fifth seed Still the English trophy cup- crop of English players for quite continue to sort of match up some After the mishap, Donald took “I think we’ve had a lot of tal- Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand. board remained empty and, some time now, with myself, obvi- for themselves.” a bogey at the third to start a run ent coming out of England and “Some players may need a prior to Merion, no Englishman ously Westwood and then Poulter Donald was paired with Rose of three bogeys in a row, then a hopefully we’ve broken our bad break after playing other tourna- had won a US Open since Tony as well, Paul Casey was up there for the last round at Merion double bogey at six and, after a period. ments back to back,” said India’s Jacklin in 1970 and none had won for a good while and is probably and would have gained first- birdie at seven, made two more “This will be a great week for Saina Nehwal, the women’s sec- a major since Nick Faldo at the going to make a comeback, I hand knowledge of how his close bogeys to end any chance at vic- Justin and for England.” ond seed. 1996 Masters. think,” he said. friend managed to keep his game tory after starting the day, like Next up is the British Open at “And with the world champion- All that came to a glorious end “I really hope it does inspire together as Mickelson charged Rose two adrift. Muirfield, eastern Scotland in a ships in Guangzhou just a month- on Sunday when 32-year-old Rose them And I think it was always and the rain pelted down just as Had the roles been reversed month’s time and there is another and-a-half away, you have to held his nerve down a gripping going to be a matter of time before Rose was entering the tough last would the final outcome have been target to aim at there for English prepare well. You should do what’s home stretch to stave off a late one of us broke through. five holes of the course. different? golfers as the country’s last win- best for yourself. You don’t want challenge from crowd favourite “It was just going to be who. He had his own problems to No-one can tell, But Donald ner in that tournament was Faldo to push yourself too hard and get Phil Mickelson. And I always hoped it was going deal with after an errant drive at believes that the win by Rose is in 1992 at, of all places, Muirfield. injured. So it’s better to check It was about time, for to be me to be the first, obviously. the third struck and laid out one a door opener. REUTERS your body and see how you feel.” Singapore badminton chief Bobby Lee put a brave face on Northern Irish the no-shows, saying ticket sales golfer Rory remained strong. But he said next McIlroy watches Merion stands year’s event will be held earlier his girlfriend in the year in an effort to draw a Denmark’s stronger field. Caroline China’s Du Pengyu, shocked by Wozniacki play test of time in Indonesian unknown Dionysius against Austria’s Hayom Rumbaka in Jakarta last Tamira Paszek week, is the men’s top seed, while during their Olympic champion Li Xuerui women’s singles hosting US Open leads the women’s seedings. match against on the fourth day South Korea of the AEGON ARDMORE: Like a vintage Merion had certainly stood the International bottle of wine brought out of the test of time in staging its first asks North to tennis tournament cellar after gathering dust for 32 US Open since Australian David in Eastbourne, years, Merion Golf Club’s iconic Graham triumphed by three shots attend 2014 southern England, East Course made a welcome in the 1981 edition. yesterday. return as host of the US Open - “I don’t think anybody expected and did so in classic style. this golf course to hold up the way Asian Games The challenging par-70 layout it did,” Rose told reporters on SEOUL: South Korea has with its brutally difficult finish Sunday after clinching his first invited North Korea to attend had long been regarded as too major crown, and his fifth victory next year’s Asian Games in short to stage one of golf’s four on the US PGA Tour. Incheon and expects its com- Expect more majors by major championships, many feel- “I certainly didn’t buy into the munist neighbour to appear at ing that it had become obsolete (predicted) 62s and 14-under, but the multi-sports event, an offi- due to the power and technology I figured that maybe four, five, six cial from Seoul’s sports ministry in the modern game. under par would be the winning said yesterday. Torrential rain during the total. But it surprised everybody. North Korea attended the 2002 Rose, says Jacklin tournament build-up had sof- I’m just glad I was kind of the last Asian Games in Busan but boy- tened the 6,996-yard East Course, man standing.” cotted the 1986 Games in Seoul, ARDMORE: Justin Rose ended a 42-year title prompting some to predict a Ernie Els, a twice former US as well as the 1988 Olympics in drought by English players at the US Open with birdie binge with the possibility Open champion, gave Merion a the South’s capital. his two-shot victory at Merion on Sunday and has of the major record score of 63 ringing endorsement. The 1950-53 conflict between been tipped by his predecessor, Tony Jacklin, to being threatened. “It’s been an unbelievable venue the two countries ended in an win several more majors. However, those suggestions this week,” the big South African armistice rather than a per- Jacklin, who clinched the 1970 US Open at were consigned to the scrap said after finishing with a 69 to manent peace treaty. Relations Hazeltine, applauded Rose’s strength of character heap as the 113th US Open slowly share fourth place, four strokes between Seoul and Pyongyang are and ice-cool finish, and has marked him out as one unfolded at Merion before Justin behind Rose. “The course defi- tense and talks aimed at mending of the favourites for the July 18-21 British Open at Rose ending a marathon week of nitely held up. ties were recently called off. Muirfield in Scotland. weather-delayed rounds and, at “Started the week with peo- “We have requested the par- “He’s a great champion now and he’s got it all times, harsh conditions for the ple saying there could be record ticipation of North Korea at the together,” Jacklin, 68, told by telephone yesterday. players with a two-shot victory. scores. I totally disagreed with Incheon Asian Games through “It was a supreme test at Merion and he came Englishman Rose, remarkably that. It was a great setup. The the OCA (Olympic Council of through it with flying colours. poised despite all his challenges rough was tough. Asia) a couple of months ago,” “He’s only 32 years old and he’s got 10 years ahead in the final round, revived memo- “Everything about it was Park Jong-gil, a vice minister at of him where he can look forward to more great ries of Ben Hogan’s victory at the just wonderful, and the fans the culture, sports and tourism performances and more major championship wins, 1950 US Open staged here as he were unbelievable. It definitely ministry, told reporters. I have got no doubt about it. parred the daunting 511-yard 18th shouldn’t wait another 32 years.” Earlier this year, North Korea “He will certainly be one of the favourites at in champion fashion. Ireland’s triple major champion threatened nuclear and missile Muirfield in a few weeks’ time.” Justin Rose of England poses after winning the Rose closed with a level-par 70 Padraig Harrington, who tied for strikes against the South and Rose landed his first major title after card- 113th US Open at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, on a breezy day at Merion where 21st after signing off with a 72, the United States after it was hit ing a level-par 70 in challenging conditions at Pennsylvania, on Sunday. the narrow, tilting fairways, thick also praised Merion’s virtues. with UN sanctions for a nuclear breezy Merion, overhauling the 54-hole leader Phil rough and fast, sloping greens “The course is great. It was a weapons test in February. Mickelson and shrugging off two bogeys during the English golf has enjoyed something of a renais- posed all sorts of problems for big test with massive greens. Real North Korea’s 30-year-old brutal five-hole closing stretch. sance in recent years with Luke Donald and Lee the players, all of them knowing difficult. I’m glad they weren’t leader, Kim Jong-un, took power Asked what he regarded as Rose’s greatest Westwood both reaching the number one spot in the that just one bad swing could end firm and fast,” smiled Harrington. in December 2011 and has since attributes as a player, Jacklin replied: “First of all world rankings and players such as Ian Poulter and a title bid. “The golf course played super as carried out two long-range rocket he had a tough start to his professional career. He Paul Casey winning on both sides of the Atlantic. Add to that tough pin positions it was this week. I, for one, would launches and a nuclear weapons dealt with a lot of adversity and dealing with that Yet, just like six-times major champion Nick Faldo and the number of blind or semi- come back.” test, as well as a campaign of has given him a great foundation, it has toughened before them, none had managed to emulate Jacklin blind shots so often required to American Jim Furyk, who won threats against South Korea and him up.” by winning the US Open until Rose’s breakthrough. be hit on the East Course, it is no his only major title at the 2003 the United States. He added: “And he has worked hard on his swing “I am quite surprised and 43 years is a long time surprise that the average score US Open but missed the cut at Threats have waned in the past technique. He has got a beautiful ball swing now, a but only a few players in my opinion have been really during last week’s championship Merion after battling to scores of month, showing signs of easing swing that’s proven this week it will stand to up to capable of doing it,” Jacklin said of England’s lengthy ended up being 74.54. 77 and 79, said the difficulty of the tensions such as proposing talks whatever they throw at him, pressure-wise. The way title drought at the major widely considered the The winning total of one- East Course hinged on its set-up. with South Korea in early June. that he played that 18th hole was just spectacular.” most grueling to win. REUTERS over 281 offered clear proof that REUTERS AGENCIES WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Ethiopia admit error, Revenge not on Brazil’s face points deduction agenda, says Marcelo ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopia soccer officials have admitted fielding an ineligible player in a World Cup qualifier and are The hosts can secure a berth in the semis with victory over Mexico resigned to being stripped of three points, potentially hand- ing South Africa and Botswana FORTALEZA, Brazil: Brazil were already waiting for us in the a 2014 lifeline. left-back Marcelo (pictured) final, but we’ve barely started the “We have evaluated the situ- says his side will not be seek- competition,” he said. ation and we came across the ing revenge when they renew “If we have to play them in the issue that we made a mistake,” acquaintance with Mexico final, very good, it’ll be a great Ethiopian Football Federation in their second game of the match. But we still have to play president Sahilu Gebremariam Confederations Cup in Fortaleza Mexico and Italy. said. today. “Any adversary could then World governing body FIFA The last encounter between fall into our path -- even Tahiti. announced on Sunday it was teams representing the two It’s not up to us to pick our investigating allegations that countries saw Mexico shock the opponents.” Ethiopia had fielded an ineligi- five-time world champions with As well as the Olympic final ble player in a qualifier against a 2-1 victory in the final of the victory, Mexico prevailed 2-0 Botswana on June 8. men’s football competition at the when the sides last met in a The announcement came hours London Olympics last year. friendly in Texas last year, and after a 2-1 win over South Africa It was a crushing defeat for Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari in Addis Ababa secured them Brazil, who have never claimed has also warned his players not to top place in Group A and a place Olympic gold, but take them lightly. in the final phase of the African Marcelo said those “We must be wary qualifiers for the 2014 finals in involved had quickly of Mexico and get over Brazil. put it behind them. that hurdle,” he said. That win also appeared to have “The Mexico defeat “Mexico have been ended the hopes of 2010 World didn’t stick in my making life compli- Cup hosts South Africa and throat. I don’t see this cated for us for a few Botswana reaching next year’s match as a chance for years now.” finals as Ethiopia had opened up revenge,” said the Real Having lost 2-1 to what was an unassailable five- Madrid defender, who Italy in their opening point lead in the group. was one of three per- game at the Maracana However, a place in the final mitted players aged on Sunday, Mexico round of qualifying will once again over 23 in Brazil’s know that they will be up for grabs from Group A if, Olympic squad. be eliminated if they as expected, Ethiopia are docked “Of course, I lose to Brazil and the three points for including a sus- remember it. It was Italians avoid defeat Members of the Spanish team celebrate with the trophy after they defeated Italy to win the European Under-21 pended player on June 8. a very sad day for the against Japan. Championship final match at Teddy Kollek Stadium in Jerusalem, yesterday. Spain won 4-2. If the points are redistributed, players and the whole Coach Jose Manuel Ethiopia will have 10 points, of Brazil. It’s difficult to say why de la Torre claimed “individual South Africa will be on eight and we weren’t able to pierce their actions” were responsible for the Botswana on seven with each defence. loss to Italy, and in the Brazil of Thiago hits hat-trick as team having one match left to “We know that Mexico have Neymar, Oscar and Hulk, he must play in Round 2. great players, but we’re Brazil confront another adversary brim- Ethiopia should not have fielded and we have some, too. We can ming with individual talent. Minyahile Beyene in their 2-1 think that the match will be dif- “We produced some great win in Botswana on June 8 as the ficult, but they have to think that football, but there are things Spain retain U-21 title midfielder was suspended for the as well.” to correct and we now have to match after picking up two yellow Brazil enjoyed an ideal start concentrate on the next match JERUSALEM: Captain Thiago Alcantara Spain’s Isco of Malaga added a fourth Spanish cards in previous qualifiers. to the Confederations Cup on against Brazil,” he said. scored a first-half hat-trick to inspire Spain to goal from another penalty in the 66th minute when He was yellow carded in the 1-1 Saturday, with a stunning goal The defeat by Italy means a 4-2 win over Italy in the European Under-21 he sent Italy goalkeeper Francesco Bardi the wrong draw with South Africa last June, from poster boy Neymar setting Mexico have now won just once in championship final yesterday. way. and then again in a 1-0 win over them on the way to a breezy 3-0 10 games in 2013, and with their The defending champions had little difficulty in Striker Fabio Borini added a second Italian goal Botswana in March. win over Group A rivals Japan in World Cup qualifying hopes also breaking down Italy’s unusually hesitant defence in the 80th minute with a powerful low strike from World Cup rules dictate that the national capital Brasilia. in the balance, a positive display as Barcelona’s Thiago scored with an easy header the edge of the area after a deft one-two with once a player has received two Brazil will secure a place in against Brazil would represent a in the sixth minute, a close-range drive in the 31st Lorenzo Insigne but it was too little, too late against cautions in the qualifying cam- the semi-finals if they overcome timely fillip. and a penalty in the 38th. the superior Spaniards. paign, he has an automatic one- Mexico at Estadio Castelao, Estadio Castelao, home Italy briefly lived in hope when Genoa forward Meanwhile, Thiago’s Barcelona team-mate Carles match ban. but Marcelo was bewildered by to Brazilian sides Ceara and Ciro Immobile chipped calmly over Spain goalkeeper Puyol is to have surgery on his right knee to remove “We accepted the allegation, reporters’ questions about the Fortaleza, has undergone exten- David De Gea in the ninth minute to equalise at 1-1. a cyst which will keep him sidelined for three to that this was inappropriate. There possibility of a final showdown sive renovation in preparation for It was the first goal the Manchester United keeper four weeks, the Spanish champions said in a state- won’t be an appeal from us being with world champions Spain. the Confederations Cup and next had conceded in the tournament. ment. REUTERS lodged,” added Gebremariam yes- “You talk about Spain as if they year’s World Cup. AFP terday. REUTERS

Former England captain David Hearts fans Tahiti capture Olympic spirit Beckham plays football with kids eye takeover BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil: heart, I thought I was going to in Nanjing, Jiangsu Tahiti coach Eddy Etaeta cry I was so proud. “ embraced some of the old The cheers were loudest for province yesterday. LONDON: A fans’ group yes- Olympic spirit of just taking Tahiti’s only professional, Marama According to local terday said it was looking for part after his side made their Vahirua and for Jonathan Tehau, media, Beckham support for a possible takeover debut in a major international who scored Tahiti’s goal from a arrived in China on of financially troubled Scottish tournament with a 6-1 loss to header early in the second half. Monday to start Premier League club Hearts, Nigeria at the Confederations Tehau, who works as a delivery his second trip as which has signalled its intention Cup on Monday. driver, said he was staggered by China’s football to go into administration. There was never much doubt the crowd cheering for his team. envoy. The former The Edinburgh club, whose the African champions would “The Brazilian fans were amaz- Manchester United, entire squad is up for sale in a beat the South Pacific amateurs ing, and of course I was delighted Real Madrid, LA desperate bid to raise much- who qualified as Oceania cham- to score, but the goal was not just Galaxy, AC Milan needed cash, announced on pions and did their confederation because of me, it was because of and PSG player Monday that it had served a court proud by playing well, scoring a team work,” Tehau said. captained England notice of its intention to appoint goal and winning the hearts of the Tahiti were exposed in defence 59 times, the fourth an administrator. Brazilian crowd. and Etaeta said they would need highest after Bobby Local lawmaker Ian Murray, “We may be amateurs but we to be “more mature and stronger” Moore (90), Billy who heads the Foundation of have approached this like profes- when they play world champions Wright (90) and Hearts group, described the move sionals, we have worked like pro- Spain tomorrow. as “the darkest day in the history fessionals and just to take part “No matter what happens Bryan Robson (65). of Heart of Midlothian Football and be here today was something against Spain and Uruguay we Club” but vowed that they would very special,” Etaeta said. are here,” Etaeta said. survive. “Normally we just watch big “When we left Tahiti to be hon- “A club with a history as rich events like the World Cup and est it was not such a big deal for Japan look to avoid early exit and proud as any in the world, the Olympic Games on TV but the public. now only us, the supporters can today we were here, actors on the “But I have just heard the RECIFE, Brazil: The task facing both Asian side Inter Milan, said he and his team-mates would ensure Hearts has a future, and stage in an important match in an Government stopped a cabinet champions Japan and three-time world champions have to get to grips with Mario Balotelli, who proved not just a future, but a future we important tournament. meeting to watch the match on Italy is clear cut in Recife at the Confederations a handful for Mexico and who scored the winner in can be proud of,” Murray, who “When the national anthem TV and now everyone is talking Cup. that game to see the Italians join Brazil on three represents the Edinburgh South was played I just felt it in my about us.” REUTERS An Italian win, on the heels of Sunday’s success points. constituency said late Monday. over Olympic champions Mexico should propel the And Nagatomo said slyly that he figures there is “There has been speculation Azzurri into the semi-finals, while also ending the one way to do so - niggle the temperamental striker. upon speculation as to potential Blue Samurais’ interest in this summer’s event. Balotelli is already carrying a needless booking bidders for the club but that is all The pressure is off Japan to a large extent in that, into the match having taken off his shirt after his that it has been. aside from World Cup and Confederations hosts goal Sunday. “The only real and cred- Brazil they are the only side competing here who And Nagatomo says that “while he is very quick ible buffers at this stage are the have already booked their tickets for next summer’s and physical we must mark him tightly and above Foundation of Hearts and that is jamboree. all get under his skin. He is always in the thick of why we are asking every Hearts In going down 3-0 to the Brazilians in the opening things but he has a short fuse. It will be a mental fan for their support.” match, Alberto Zaccheroni’s Japanese showed the battle for him.” Murray, said they had the sup- effects of a long, yet successful, qualifying World Cup Japan earlier arrived in Recife from Brasilia and port of every fan group, former campaign - they only arrived 72 hours after seeing had no injuries to report. Keisuke Honda got over players and business leaders. off Iraq in the Gulf. a hip problem that saw him miss a Saturday train- Hearts were last week served They also showed - AS Zaccheroni tacitly admit- ing session and skipper Makoto Hasebe shook off a with a winding-up order over an ted - that they are at this stage a work in progress sore ankle. unpaid £100,000 (118,000 euro, with 12 months to plan next year’s assault. Italy, the 2006 FIFA World Cup winners which $157,000) tax bill, despite the “What we must not do is repeat the mistakes of was held in Germany, enjoyed a beach volleyball ses- majority of the sum being repaid Tahiti’s players celebrate scoring a goal against Nigeria during their the Brazil game,” said midfielder Yasuhito Endo. sion earlier after their win over Mexico although and were hit with a transfer ban Confederations Cup Group B match at the Estadio Mineirao in Belo “But don’t judge us on that game.” Balotelli, criticised by coach Cesare Prandelli for his after failing to pay players’ sala- Horizonte on Monday. Defender Yuto Nagatomo, who plays for Serie A booking, did not show. AFP ries on time. AFP WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2013 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Carter likely Hosts Brumbies secure to return for France game

WELLINGTON: Flyhalf Daniel Carter is likely to return to the starting side for New historic victory over Lions Zealand in their final Test against France on Saturday with expectations he can spark The British and Irish Lions suffer first defeat on tour in Canberra the side to even higher perform- ance levels. The All Blacks produced a near CANBERRA: The British and left-hand touchline. Kuridrani perfectly executed game plan as Irish Lions suffered their first easily beat the tackles from tour they overwhelmed France 30-0 loss on tour in Australia yes- debutant Christian Wade and in Christchurch on Saturday terday when they were upset fullback Rob Kearney to score with their tactical kicking forc- 14-12 by the ACT Brumbies, wide out. ing Philippe Saint-Andre’s team who put in a tenacious defensive The tourists resorted to high back into their own territory. performance. kicks from Hogg and Ben Youngs It was a stark contrast to the Just four days out from the but they made little impression expansive approach the team took opening Test with the Wallabies, on the Brumbies, who looked the last year and in the first Test at the injury-hit Lions were unchar- better side in the opening half. Eden Park where they were rusty acteristically nervous and hesi- The Brumbies missed three in the 23-13 victory and assist- tant in the face of the Brumbies kicks at goal before Mogg landed ant coach Ian Foster said their determination. a penalty for an 8-0 lead one development was about blending It was the first win by a provin- minute from halftime. both styles. cial side against the Lions since The Lions faced going in score- “It’s not our goal just to do one Queensland beat the tourists in less at halftime for the first time or the other, it’s to do both and 1971 and they were also only the since the 1980 tour of South I was really impressed with the sixth Australian side to keep the Africa against Orange Free State decision-making of ... when to Lions try-less. before Hogg kicked a penalty on kick,” Foster said in comments The Brumbies, who have the siren. published in the New Zealand already qualified for the Super It was an uncertain opening Herald yesterday. Rugby playoffs, were without six for the Lions with several fum- “It’s exciting where we got to, Wallabies in camp but they still bles and two lineouts given away don’t get me wrong ... but we’re had enough to embarrass the on poor throws from hooker Best. fully aware that there’s still plenty Lions before 21,655 fans in chilly Welsh wing Shane Williams, of potential to get smarter and Canberra. who was summoned to Australia better at how we see that space.” They scored the only try of to help the injury depleted squad, Carter, who missed the first the match in the fifth minute almost scored with his first touch Two tests with a broken hand, through Tevita Kuridrani, while before he was bundled into touch is expected to be one of a small fullback Jesse Mogg converted and on another occasion he was in handful of changes for the third three penalties. the clear but was called back for Test in New Plymouth as coach The Lions points came from putting his foot in touch. Steve Hansen continues his two penalties each from Stuart Mogg stretched the Brumbies’ rebuilding plans for their World Hogg and his second half replace- lead to 11-3 with a 45th-minute Cup defence in 2015. ment Owen Farrell. penalty as the Lions looked clue- With the series already sealed, The Lions encountered stiff less in attack. Ben Smith, who many pundits resistance from the Brumbies Scottish prop Ryan Grant con- had suggested should be start- from the kick-off and were rocked ceded a penalty for twisting the British and Irish Lions’ player Conor Murray (in red) is tackled during his side’s rugby game against the ACT ing fullback after superb form in by some committed defence. head of Scott Sio and Mogg made Brumbies at Canberra Stadium in Canberra, yesterday. Super Rugby, could also move to The Brumbies struck first when them pay with his third penalty centre from the wing. Fijian centre Kuridrani exposed and a 11-point lead. The 27-year-old has been some weak defence to score the Hogg pulled three points back Coach Warren Gatland brough introduction of fly-half Farrell 16 minutes remaining, and the touted as a long-term successor opening try in the fifth minute. with his 57th-minute penalty, but on replacements -- Geoff Parling, got some much needed attacking England number 10 pulled the to stalwart Conrad Smith, who Mogg initiated the chance with he hit the upright with his next Richard Hibbard, Alex Corbisiero, rhythm. tourists to within two points with will miss the All Blacks’ end-of- a long pass to Andrew Smith who attempt to howls of delight from Dan Cole, and Dan Lydiate -- Farrell kicked a penalty for another kick at goal with eight year tour in Europe as part of a linked with Kuridrani on the the home crowd. to stir up the tourists and the the tourists to trail 14-9 with minutes left. AFP sabbatical clause. REUTERS

F1 driver Massa Qatar 2022 party draws learning looking ahead to Ferrari revival experience from Confederations Cup RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL: The Qatar 2022 is inextricably linked with the history of the World LONDON: Brazilian driver Supreme Committee attended the opening round Cup.” Felipe Massa is looking for- of matches at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup During the visit, Al Thawadi spoke as a panellist ward to Formula One’s in Brazil, as part of an ongoing observation proc- at the Financial Times/International Football Arena upcoming return to tradi- ess intended to draw vital learning experiences Business of Football Summit in Rio de Janeiro, as tional high-speed circuits as a from the current hosts of the tournament held a part of a session which included his counterparts boost for himself and Ferrari. year ahead of the FIFA World Cup. Ricardo Trade, CEO of the Brazil 2014 World Cup, The 32-year-old, who has Speaking of the visit, Hassan Al Thawadi, and Alexey Sorokin, CEO of the Russia 2018 Local suffered a series of crashes Secretary General of the Qatar 2022 Supreme Organising Committee. in the races in Monaco and Committee, said: “This increasingly important Discussing the topic on ‘What the Future Holds Canada, said he believed tournament is an invaluable opportunity for us to for World Football,’ they held mutually beneficial that tracks like Silverstone learn from the hosting experiences of Brazil, both discussions including ways of optimising the power and the Nurburgring would in terms of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and of the World Cup for the social and economic benefit help Ferrari close on leaders the on-going preparations for the FIFA World Cup of the host nation. Red Bull in the constructors’ here next year.” Among the ideas exchanged were how legacy con- championship. He added: “These observations will further assist siderations can be implemented into the planning FROM LEFT: Ricardo Trade, CEO of the Brazil 2014 World Cup, Jérôme “I think Silverstone can be us to deliver an outstanding tournament in Qatar in stages of the world’s greatest football tournament. Valcke, FIFA Secretary General, Alexey Sorokin, CEO of the Russia a bit better for us,” explained 2022. We have witnessed a fantastic opening game The Committee will also take part in the FIFA 2018 Local Organising Committee and Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary Massa. in the city of Brasilia and an equally memorable Observers Programme as Qatar prepares to host the General of the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee. “The car was very strong match in the historic Maracana, a stadium which same event in 2021. THE PENINSULA in Barcelona and in China. Montreal was a completely different track compared to QSL to benefit from delegation’s visit to AFC headquarters where next we are going -- to Silverstone and Nurburgring, where you have a lot of lateral KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: corners. Qatar Stars League (QSL) “There are a lot of medium recently sent a delegation to the and high-speed corners, so we Asian Football Confederation’s will see. I think will be better (AFC) headquarters in Malaysia on normal tracks.” in the aim of enhancing Qatar’s Massa rejected the idea that popular football league. Ferrari had fallen behind Red The party travelled to Kuala Bull in the season-long devel- Lumpur for the trip aimed at opment war that now charac- fostering relationships and shar- terises modern Formula One. ing knowledge with the govern- The Italian outfit are on 145 ing body of Asian body. The QSL points, 56 points behind Red delegation were greeted by Alex Bull, whose German world Soosay, Secretary General of the champion Sebastian Vettel AFC. heads the overall drivers Headed by Abdulrahman Al championship. Dosari, Chief of Commercial for Instead, he said he felt that QSL, the delegation party used the last two races in Monaco the trip to study the different and Canada were merely “blips” departments and programmes in their progress because of the operated by AFC, in order to con- nature of the circuits. tinue the progression of the QSL. “I’m not very happy for As well as learning from AFC, what’s happened to me recently the trip also provided an opportu- -- in Bahrain for the tyre, nity to inform the Asian governing Abdulrahman Al Dosari (centre), Chief of Commercial for Qatar Stars Leage (QSL) is seen with the QSL delegation and other officials during their visit Monaco for the two crashes body of the greatest achievements to the Asian Football Confederations (AFC) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. and in Canada with qualifying,” of QSL to date. he added. The AFC also used the oppor- “So, definitely I want to get tunity to show a film about the Miguel Heitor, Acting Head AFC for their informative visit. of cooperation to allow football in responsibility and community- to the next race with a lot of greatest achievements the organi- of Football Operations, Yousef He said: “We must thank the Qatar to keep developing.” based programmes. We have luck -- good luck! -- and show sation has enjoyed since their Al Hammadi, Arabic Media AFC for their warm welcome He added: “During the visit always been pro-active on these our potential every time in inception in 1954. Supervisor and Fay-Louise Smith, in Malaysia. We are extremely we discussed how to take advan- matters but it is important to find qualifying and in the race. The QSL’s delegation included International Media Supervisor. grateful for the reception our del- tage of the expertise and pro- out about the policies in the Asian AFP Ahmed Al Adsani from the foot- After the proceedings were egation received during the trip. grams offered by the AFC. They continent.” ball and competitions department, ended, Al Dosari was thankful to It’s important to open the doors do so much relating to social THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27

Injured Clarke stays put in South Africa vow to get England

LONDON: Australia said yes- terday that captain Michael Clarke will stay in London as he recovers from a back problem, rid of the ‘chokers’ tag while two of his Ashes colleagues join the country’s A side ahead of their tour match against English county Gloucestershire. De Villiers’ side hoping to turn the tide against England in the semi-finals Star batsman Clarke, who has suffered with back problems for LONDON: South Africa will captain Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, much of his career, is optimistic look to shed their big tourna- Jonathan Trott, young Joe Root he will be fit in time for the start ment ‘chokers’ tag that has and Ravi Bopara all are among of Australia’s bid to regain the haunted them for long as they runs and it won’t be a surprise to Ashes from England, starting at go into the first semi-final of the see the hosts piling up a big score Trent Bridge in Nottingham, cen- ICC Champions Trophy against in conditions which are familiar tral England, on July 10. strong contenders England yes- to them. He has earmarked a return terday in what promises to be a England, one of the strong con- in a tour match against county thrilling showdown. tenders for the trophy, had them- side Somerset at Taunton, south- England topped Group A and selves to blame as their strong west England, on June 26.But will play South Africa in the bowling attack failed to defend he will remain in London until last-four stage after Sri Lanka an imposing 293 for seven against Australia’s Ashes squad officially knocked holders Australia out Sri Lanka. assembles on June 24, Cricket of the tournament with a 20-run Bowling remains a cause of Australia said in a statement. win at The Oval on Monday. concern for England ahead of the Chris Rogers, Shane Watson, Sri Lanka, who finished second crucial match. Mitchell Starc, James Faulkner in Group A, will take on reigning The English bowling attack, and the suspended David Warner, world champions and Group B termed as the second best in the banned until the first Test follow- toppers India in the second semi- competition after Pakistan, came ing his Birmingham bar-room final at Cardiff tomorrow. a cropper against Sri Lanka. attack on England’s Joe Root, will South Africa advanced to the The pace trio of Stuart Broad, also stay in the British capital. semi-finals on superior net run- James Anderson and Tim Bresnan Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade rate after their rain-marred last have been among the wickets in and batsman Phil Hughes are Group B match against the West the tournament but leaked runs the two members of Australia’s Indies in Cardiff ended in a tie. at the same time. Champions Trophy squad who For South Africa -- often And captain Cook would be will now join the A side. dubbed ‘chokers’ for losing from hoping for a much-improved Title-holders Australia crashed promising positions -- their only performance from his bowlers out of the Champions Trophy at ICC trophy came way back in against the Proteas who have the group stage following a 20-run 1998 when they won the inaugural quite a few destructive batsmen defeat by Sri Lanka at The Oval. edition of the Champions Trophy, in their ranks. Clarke missed all three of then known as ICC Knock-Out England’s captain Alastair Cook kneels on the ground during the ICC Champions Trophy group A match against Teams (from): Australia’s matches in a tourna- Trophy, in Bangladesh. New Zealand at Cardiff Wales Stadium in Wales on Sunday. RIGHT: Dale Steyn, pace spearhead of South Africa. England: Alastair Cook ment for the world’s top eight Thereafter, the Proteas failed (Capt.), Jonny Bairstow, Ravi one-day international sides but to advance beyond the semi-final when pace spearhead Dale Steyn Lonwabo Tsotsobe and left-arm on a solid start. England, on the Bopara, Stuart Broad, Steven stand-in skipper George Bailey stages of major tournaments returned to the playing XI after spinner Robin Peterson, which other hand, made their way to the Finn, Joe Root, James Tredwell, said he was likely to be available despite having strong outfits. But missing the opening two group makes it a potent bowling outfit. semifinals by eking out a 10-run Chris Woakes, James Anderson, for Somerset. “I come today, the AB de Villiers- encounters due to a side strain. On the batting front, Hashim victory over New Zealand in a Ian Bell, Tim Bresnan, Jos Buttler, would imagine he would be fit for led side would be hoping to turn And soon after returning Steyn Amla’s form up the order remains must-win rain-hit group match. Eoin Morgan, Graeme Swann, that game,” he added. the tide. showed why he is the world’s crucial for South Africa as he Backed by a boisterous home Jonathan Trott. “There was a real chance that South Africa witnessed a mixed numero uno pacer by emerging as would be expected to play the crowd, England, one of the South Africa: AB de Villiers (Clarke) would have been fit for outing in the group stage of the the pick of the bowlers for South sheet-anchor’s role. strong contenders for the tro- (Capt.), Hashim Amla, Farhaan the Sri Lanka game but with the tournament. They lost their open- Africa with figures of two for 33 Colin Ingram’s strokeful 83-ball phy, will have a clear edge over Behardien, Jean-Paul Duminy, Faf circumstances of the game, he did ing game to India before getting against the West Indies. 73 against the West Indies was South Africa in Wednesday’s du Plessis, Colin Ingram, Rory not Albeit in a different format, the better of Pakistan, while their Apart from Steyn, South Africa a welcome value addition for encounter. Kleinveldt, Ryan McLaren, David England struck the first blow last game against the West Indies also have the likes of medium- the Proteas, while the likes of With scores of 269 and 293 in Miller, Morne Morkel, Alviro of an Ashes season when they ended in a tie. pacer Ryan McLaren, who was de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, JP their last two games, England’s Petersen, Robin Peterson, Aaron beat arch-rivals Australia by 48 However, South Africa got a destructive against Pakistan with Duminy and David Miller are the batting looks in good touch. Phangiso, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo runs in their Champions Trophy shot in the arm in their last game a four-wicket haul, Chris Morris, game changers who can cash in England’s top-order comprising Tsotsobe. AGENCIES opener at Edgbaston. AFP Whatmore eyes ICC confirm 2015 World Cup India’s batting looks umpires for redemption for semi-finals Pakistan ominous: Jayawardene LONDON: The International KARACHI: Pakistan coach LONDON: Senior Sri Lanka Sri Lanka’s Cricket Council (ICC) Dav Whatmore (pictured) said batsman Mahela Jayawardene Mahela announced yesterday the yesterday the team would be has said they need to contain umpires and match officials Jayawardene reviewed with an eye on build- the “strong Indian batting” for the Champions Trophy (left) walks off ing for the 2015 World Cup after when the two teams meet in the semi-finals. their dismal showing at the Champions Trophy semi-final the field after For hosts England’s match Champions Trophy in England. tomorrow. his innings against South Africa at The Oval Abysmal batting led to The 36-year-old led his team during the in London today, the on-field Pakistan’s defeat in all three to victory over Australia by scor- 2013 ICC umpires will be Sri Lanka’s Kumar matches as they failed to post a ing an unbeaten 84 in their last Champions Dharmasena and Australia’s Rod single total above 170 runs. Mohammad Hafeez will return group match on Monday when Trophy match Tucker, with Tucker’s compatriot Pakistan’s failure in the next week. Sri Lanka won by 33 runs, to against Bruce Oxenford the television Champions Trophy has prompted The former Australian bats- fix a date with India at Sophia Australia at umpire. calls from former players, media man turned coach rejected the Gardens, Cardiff. the Oval in Former India fast bowler and fans to overhaul the system suggestion his players lacked in “I think India are playing some London on Javagal Srinath will be the match and ditch Whatmore and under- effort. really good cricket. Their batting Monday. referee. India and Sri Lanka meet performing players. “The performance didn’t meet looks really strong, so those are in the second semi-final in Cardiff Asked about the need to over- the expectations which we, as a key areas that we need to focus tomorrow where the umpires haul the team, Whatmore said he team, wanted to put. Obviously a on,” Jayawardene was quoted as final was called off due to rain. International (ODI) history, and in the middle will be England’s will give a report on the team’s lot of people in Pakistan wanted us saying by the Champions Trophy The former skipper said that they third Sri Lankan batsman after Richard Kettleborough and performance. to do well and that’s why it is very website. India have won all their are desperate to win. Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Pakistan’s Aleem Dar. “The question of selection disappointing,” said Whatmore, three group B matches while Sri “I’ll be desperate for every Sangakkara, to cross the 11,000- England will provide both the should be directed to the selec- who took over as coach in March Lanka won two of their Group A game to win, simple as that. It’s run mark. When asked about television umpire in Nigel Llong tors but I will give my review, last year. matches. not about trophies or whatever, his feelings, Jayawardene said: and match referee in former Test both verbal and written, perhaps “But it wasn’t a case of lack of India had beaten Sri Lanka in a it’s just to win matches. So I’ll “In the middle, I didn’t feel any- batsman Chris Broad, father of (with) 2015 in mind,” Whatmore, trying, it was a case of we were warm-up game leading up to the have that same passion and same thing. Obviously, pleased when the current England seamer Stuart, 59, told reporters as he arrived unable to score enough runs in all tournament. desperation to win games, doesn’t numbers came up. I can probably for this last four clash in a tour- back in Pakistan. three matches.” “Warm-up games or whatever, matter if it’s a semifinal or final reflect more on that achievement nament that featured the world’s Whatmore accompanied Pakistan were bowled out for it doesn’t count right now. It’s a or just a group game. As long as because we won the game as well. top eight one-day international Mohammad Irfan, Imran Farhat, 170 against the West Indies, 167 big tournament. It’s the semifinal, I have that attitude and the rest So importantly the contribution sides.The ICC added the officials Kamran Akmal, Wahab Riaz, against South Africa and 165 in so looking forward to that.” of the boys, we’ll go a long way,” that I made towards the team is for Sunday’s final at Edgbaston, Saeed Ajmal, Nasir Jamshed a rain-shortened match against The 2011 World Cup finalists said Jayawardene. much more valuable for me but Birmingham, central England, and Ehsan Adil while captain arch-rivals India in the Group B were declared joint-winners of the The right-hand bat became quietly I should be able to reflect would be announced in due course. Misbah-ul Haq and vice captain matches. AFP 2002 Champions Trophy after the the eighth batsman in One-Day on that achievement.” AFP AGENCIES Coach Hesson laments Kiwis failure to grab chance

CARDIFF, United Kingdom: Oval to join tournament hosts reporters in a telephone confer- by one wicket in a low scoring But having failed in that goal, held a superb caught and bowled New Zealand coach Mike England as one of the two semi- ence call in Cardiff on Monday. thriller in Cardiff and saw their Australia -- who didn’t win a chance to dismiss McKay. Hesson was left ruing his side’s finalists out of Group A. “In the chase we got ourselves match against Australia end in a match in the tournament -- kept And that meant the end of a failure to take their chances Against England, New Zealand a long way behind. We kept on no result washout, could still have going. run which had seen New Zealand after the Black Caps’ exit from slumped to 61 for five chasing 170 losing wickets to the new ball, reached the last four. They were 192 for nine when make at least the semi-finals the Champions Trophy was con- for victory before a stand of 73 the ball seamed a little bit and They needed defending cham- the last-wicket pair of Clint of the last four International firmed on Monday. between Kane Williamson (67) we sort of struggled to cope. It pions Australia to beat Sri McKay and Xavier Doherty gave Cricket Council 50-over world The Kiwis were already on and one-day international debu- wasn’t until Corey and Kane got Lanka on Monday but by an New Zealand hope Australia events. the brink of bowing out after a tant Corey Anderson (30) got together that we gave ourselves insufficiently large margin to would achieve exactly the kind of “When Australia ended up 10-run defeat by England in a them back on course. a chance. overtake New Zealand’s superior narrow victory that would send bowling first, it was always going rain-reduced 24 overs per side However, both batsmen fell in “It’s a disappointing way to net run-rate. the Black Caps into the knockout to be difficult because Australia clash in Cardiff on Sunday. the closing stages, leaving what end. It was a big opportunity for After Sri Lanka made 253 stages by adding 41 for the last chasing, obviously they were And their fate was sealed when had looked like a gettable target us yesterday (Sunday) and we for eight batting first, Australia wicket. pretty committed to trying to Sri Lanka beat defending cham- just beyond New Zealand’s reach. couldn’t quite grab it.” had to reach their target of 254 But the trans-Tasman aid on chase it in 29 overs,” said Hesson. pions Australia by 20 runs in “I don’t know if it was lack- Despite that defeat, New in 29.1 overs to qualify for the offer at The Oval ended when “I guess you either get there or Monday’s final pool match at The ing killer instinct,” Hesson told Zealand, who beat Sri Lanka semi-finals. Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan you blow up. AFP Wednesday 19 June 2013 10 Shaaban 1434 Volume 18 Number 5735 Sport Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Uzbekistan win but miss Qatar considering winter World Cup DOHA: Qatar, an injustice to the hosts of the 2022 World Cup.” automatic spot for Brazil FIFA World Cup, Al Thawadi is committed to said: “The way I staging football’s see it, a number Qatar lose 5-1 in Tashkent; Iran and South Korea qualify showpiece event of people have in its traditional spoken about window of June- their preference TASHKENT: Uzbekistan July but a top offi- for it to move. rallied to beat Qatar 5-1 in cial has said the It would have Tashkent yesrterday but fell organisers of the to be discussed short of an automatic qualify- event would be with the football ing spot for the 2014 World Cup prepared to alter community.” finals on goal difference. the schedule. Last week, Uzbekistan were pushed into Speaking at a UEFA Secretary third place in Asian qualifying FT/IFA Business General Gianni Group A, behind Iran and South of Football Summit Infantino joined Korea, and will have to rely on the in Rio de Janeiro, calls for the tour- play-off route to make it to Brazil. Hassan Al Thawadi nament to be held Iran beat South Korea 1-0 (pictured), Secretary-General in the winter amid fears over the in Ulsan yesterday to top their of the Qatar 2022 Supreme scorching temperatures close to qualifying group, and South Korea Committee, said: “There are 50°C in the Qatari summer. also qualified automatically for significant voices in the football Concerns have been raised the finals after finishing above community who are saying win- over player safety while Qatar’s Uzbekistan on goal difference. ter would be perfect.” proposed air conditioning sys- If Uzbekistan had beaten Qatar According to a report posted tem inside the stadiums has yet by a margin of six goals they on www.qfa.com.qa, Al Thawadi to be fully tested. would have overhauled South added: “We are willing to have But Al Thawadi said: “When Korea as runners-up. that debate to decide which is we bid for the World Cup our The third-place finishers in the best time. It’s the World Cup, intention was always for it to be both Asian qualifying groups will it’s not Qatar’s cup. If we don’t in June. The weather is not very meet in a two-leg playoff, with sit down and listen to what the bad in Doha in June, it’s not so the winners taking on a South world wants, we would be doing bad.” THE PENINSULA American side in another two- leg playoff for the right to play in Brazil next year. The hosts missed a flurry of chances in the first half and paid for their profligacy when Qatar took the lead in the 37th minute through Abdulqadir Ilyas’s first international goal. Bahodir Nasimov found the Abdelkarim Fadlalla (right) of Qatar and Uzbekistan’s Farhod Tadjiyev vie for ball possession during their FIFA Uzbeks’ equaliser in the 60th 2014 World Cup, Asian Zone, Group A qualifying match in Tashkent, yesterday. Uzbekistan won 5-1. minute with his first touch after replacing Alexander Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent. box. Uzbekistan will face Jordan appearance. Angry fans, media Geynrikh. Qatar’s debutant goalkeeper, in the Asia playoff. and Iran coach Carlos Queiroz Oleg Zoteev, another substitute, Ahmed Abonora, made several Jordan kept their hopes of a took aim at departing counter- put Uzbekistan in the lead before saves in the first half to frus- maiden appearance at the World part Choi Kang-hee. Nasimov added his second. Odil trate Uzbekistan in their quest Cup alive as Ahmad Hayel’s Forward Reza Ghoochannejhad Ahmedov and Ulugbek Bakaev to improve their goal difference. header midway through the sec- was Iran’s hero, latching on to an completed the scoring. Abonora twice denied Geynrikh ond half secured a 1-0 win over error by defender Kim Young- Celebrations, though, were from close range and pulled off Group B rivals Oman. gwon to score the winner in the shortlived for both the home an acrobatic save to keep out In Ulsan, there was little cel- 60th minute with the visitors’ Iran’s Reza Ghoochannejhad (centre) celebrates with his team-mates crowd and the players as news Uzbekistan captain Server ebration after the home team only real chance of a one-sided after scoring a goal against South Korea during their World Cup qualifying of Iran’s victory reached the Djeparov’s volley from outside the booked another World Cup finals match in Ulsan. AGENCIES match in Ulsan, southeast of Seoul, yesterday. Blatter should Late winner helps Australia to qualify stay on as FIFA

SYDNEY: Australia secured of this. There’s a lot of positives their place at the 2014 World World Cup Asian but now is not the time for any president, says Cup finals in Brazil yesterday analysis. It’s too premature.” with a late strike from Josh qualifying Former Asian champions Iraq Valcke Kennedy firing them to a tense Results and standings after yesterday’s final had no chance of qualifying for 1-0 win over an under-strength round of 2014 World Cup qualifiers in Asia. Brazil and were without veteran RIO DE JANEIRO: FIFA Iraq at Stadium Australia. Group A skipper Younis Mahmoud and President Sepp Blatter’s chances It was an unconvincing victory Today’s Results midfield maestro Nashat Akram, of remaining in office after 2015 in front of a sell-out 80,000 crowd, who opted not to play, with the have increased dramatically South Korea 0 Iran 1 but ensured the Socceroos will team predominantly made up of after FIFA Secretary-General appear at their third consecutive Uzbekistan 5 Qatar 1 players who will compete at the Jerome Valcke urged him to stay World Cup, alongside Japan who P W D L F A PTS Under-20 World Cup in Turkey in the job. are already through from Asian 1. Iran 8 5 1 2 8 2 16 later in June. Valcke was asked if he would be Group B qualifying. 2. South Korea 8 4 2 2 13 7 14 Their inexperience showed and standing as FIFA president and The result put Australia on 13 they were immediately on the after laughing off that suggestion points, out of reach of Oman (nine 3. Uzbekistan 8 4 2 2 11 6 14 back foot with a left-foot strike by by saying he had a World Cup to points) and Jordan (seven points) 4. Qatar 8 2 1 5 5 13 7 Cahill in the second minute forc- organise, he said Blatter should who play later Wednesday. 5. Lebanon 8 1 2 5 3 12 5 ing a fine save from Noor Sabri, change his mind about stepping Australia wasted countless Group B one of only two survivors from down. chances in wet conditions before Iraq’s 2007 Asian Cup-winning “Why change a winning team, Today’s Results coach Holger Osieck replaced team.Sasa Ognenovski went close Australian players celebrate after Josh Kennedy scored against Iraq a good team?,” Valcke told a news a visibly angry Tim Cahill with Australia 1 Iraq 0 12 minutes later when he got his to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, at Australia Stadium in Sydney, conference. Kennedy in the 77th minute. Jordan 1 Oman 0 head on a Lucas Neill cross as the yesterday. “The current president is very But the towering Nagoya P W D L F A PTS Socceroos made good use of space good and why should he not run Grampus striker justified the on the wings, and Cahill leapt well again? Why should he not stay as 1. Japan 8 5 2 1 16 5 17 substitution when he saved the to get a header on target from a thought they’d scored after 64 Osieck said Cahill was disap- the FIFA president as he is doing day with a clinical 83rd-minute 2. Australia 8 3 4 1 12 7 13 Luke Wilkshire corner soon after. minutes when Robbie Kruse vol- pointed at being taken off but was a great job?” header that sent the crowd wild. 3. Jordan 8 3 1 4 7 16 10 Half-an-hour in and goalkeeper leyed the ball into the net, but the ecstatic at being on the plane to The 77-year-old Swiss has been “I’m proud of everybody. It’s 4. Oman 8 2 3 3 7 10 9 Mark Schwarzer had barely referee had already blown for a Brazil. president since 1998 and was been a really hard campaign but 5. Iraq 8 1 2 5 4 8 5 touched the ball as Australia foul in the penalty area. “You have to understand that given a four-year mandate in 2011, we showed our mental strength,” pressed for the opening goal. With the game heading for a no player wants to be taken off, saying at the time he intended to captain Lucas Neill said. week. But it was not the authori- Cahill again went close, twice draw, Osieck brought on Kennedy but it’s my discretion as a coach leave the post at the end of it. “I’m sorry it wasn’t pretty but tative performance that many in as many minutes, but the killer and despite Cahill petulantly to make substitutions,” he said. But in January he dropped the we beat them. were expecting and the German strike eluded them and they went swiping the air close to the coach’s “You could see after the game he first hints about staying on and “We’ve got to keep pushing our- was relieved to see his team into half-time at 0-0. head, the move paid dividends. was one of the happiest people out Valcke’s public announcement selves,” he added. scramble over the line. Iraq had their first shot on tar- And as the clocked ticked there.” at a conference linked to the “Let’s look at the positives “It was a great effort, we really get soon after the restart when down, Mark Bresciano looped in a Reaching Brazil is a dream Confederations Cup is the strong- tonight -- we’re going to Brazil!” grew together as a team and the Saif Salman forced Schwarzer cross from the right and the lanky come true for the Socceroos, est indication yet that he will. Osieck kept his faith in the reward is qualifying for the World into action as Vladimir Petrovic’s Kennedy made no mistake, climb- many of whom are 30-plus and His main rival for the position team that impressively beat Cup,” said Osieck. team upped the tempo. ing to meet the ball and heading it will have their last chance to play appears to be UEFA president Jordan 4-0 in Melbourne last “I’m very proud that I’m part Australia responded and into the right-hand corner. in a World Cup in 2014. AFP Michel Platini. AFP