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UDC third Rea on cusp quarter revenues of second rise to QR1.3bn WSBK title

WEDNESDAY 26 OCTOBER 2016 • 25 MOHARRAM 1438 • Volume 21 • Number 6961 2 Riyals thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Condolences pour in as nation mourns and Father Emir receive heads of states and foreign dignitaries

LEFT: Emir H H with Emir of Kuwait H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah. CENTRE: The Emir with Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior of the Kingdom of , Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. RIGHT: Father Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani receives UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid , and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, BELOW: Father Emir with Yemen President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi.

The Peninsula Commander of the UAE Armed Khaimah Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Forces, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Qasimi, Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Al Nahyan, President of of Yemen Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al of Presidential Affairs Sheikh Mansour : Emir H H Sheikh Tamim Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi, Ruler of Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who offered their bin Hamad Al Thani and Father Ajman Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid UAE Minister of Finance Sheikh Ham- condolences on the death of the Grand- Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Kha- , Ruler of Fujairah Sheikh dan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy father Emir Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad lifa Al Thani yesterday received Hamad bin Mohammed , Prime Minister and Minister of Inte- Al Thani. at Al Wajba Palace more heads Ruler of Umm Al Qaiwain Sheikh Saud rior Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, → Continued on page 4 of states and foreign dignitaries bin Rashid Al Mu’alla, Ruler of Ras Al National Security Adviser Sheikh → See also page 16 who arrived here to pay tributes to the departed H H Grandfather Emir Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani. Emir and Father Emir received condolences from Emir of Kuwait H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Minister of Inte- rior of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minis- ter and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Mak- toum, and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme HMC in biggest recruitment drive

The Peninsula for specialised clinical and non-clin- HMC said it is collaborating with ical staff to work in the new hospitals the Ministry of Administrative Devel- and healthcare facilities, which are opment, Labour and Social Affairs in due to open this year and next year this unprecedented recruitment drive DOHA: The Hamad Medical Cor- at Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City, and it will support HMC in meeting its poration (HMC) has launched the HMC said yesterday. workforce needs by recruiting a large biggest recruitment drive in its his- “HMC currently has a total of number of staff into medical, nursing tory to fill as many as 2,690 existing 2,690 vacancies, and the drive is and allied healthcare roles. vacancies by the end of this year. expected to fill all these vacancies The drive aims to meet the need by end of this year,” said a statement. → Continued on page 6

Qatar tops region in gender equality

WEDNESDAY 26 OCTOBER 2016 SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT GMC leads industry with new rear seat reminder DOHA: has been ranked progress towards equality between 2017 Acadia is an all-new design that mainly backseat, so it is alwaysways important too checkchehecckk All-new 2017 GMC Acadia caters to families and active individuals. This the rear seat prior too exiting thethe vehicle.vehhiclee. unique feature helps protect any precious The 2017 GMC AcadiaAcadia aalsolso iincludesncluddees a introduces industry- cargo the driver might have left in the back number of active safetyafety features ddesignedeessiiggnneed first feature to help seat. And in our region, , it could prove crit- to help make driverss more aware of ttheirhheir ssur-uurr- ical if anything is forgotten in the back seat, roundings avoid potentialotential crash situationssiituuaatiioonnss busy drivers. Contains especially in the summer heat, where cabin even in base trim. Theyhey are availablavailablee ddedepend-ppeenndd- top in the Arab world for mak- men and women in four areas: Edu- an expanded range of temperatures can quickly rise to over 70 ing on the model andnd include: degrees centigrade in a matter of minutes.” • New Front Pedestriandestrian BrakiBrakingngg available active safety Said Mohsen Kassem, Regional Marketing • New Low Speedeed ForwarForwardd AuAutomaticutommaattiic features, including Front and Sales Manager, GMC Middle East. Braking (standard oonn SLT-2 and Denali)Deennallii)) He added: “Over the past few years, we • New Forward AAutomaticutomatic BrakingBrakinng (avail-((aavvaaiill- Pedestrian Braking and have witnessed local authorities in the region, able on Denali) Surround Vision Camera. as well as child protection groups, with the • New Followingg Distance IndicatorIndiccaattoorr support of the media, take this issue to heart • New IntelliBeamam automatic heheadlampeaaddllaammpp and raise awareness. Therefore, we sincerely high-beam control ing progress to remove gender gap cational attainment, health and hope that this feature could help minimize • New Surroundd Vision camera systemsyysstteem the occurrence and avoid unnecessary trage- • New Safety Alertert SeatSeat he all-new 2017 Acadia – a reimag- dies in the new Acadia, and all our cars once • Forward Collisionsion AlertAlert ined crossover aimed at the heart this technology proliferates.” • Lane Keep Assistsist with Lane DepartureDeeppaarrtuturree of the midsize segment pioneers The Rear Seat Reminder works by moni- Warning a much needed safety feature in toring the Acadia’s rear doors. The feature is • Lane Change AAlertlert with Side BlBlindinnd ZZoZoneonnee the Middle East. The Rear Seat intended to activate when either rear door is Alert ReminderT is an innovation that aims to opened and closed within 10 minutes before • Front and Rearr Parking Assist.Assist. at work in the World Economic survival, economic opportunity and reduce incidents of forgotten items left in the vehicle is started, or if they are opened The new Acadiaa offers a more-efficientmore--eeffffiiccieienntt the rear seat, and is standard on every MY17 and closed while the vehicle is running. powertrain, while ccontinuingontinuing to ofofferfffeer tththreehree Acadia Under these circumstances, the next time rows of seating on most momodels.dels. TThThehe pprpre-ree-- The technology acts as a reminder to look the vehicle is turned off after a door acti- mium Acadia Denaliali returns, alongalonng withwwiitthh a in the rear seat once the Acadia is switched vation, the Acadia is designed to sound five new All Terrain modeldel offeringoffering enhancedenhanncceed off-ooffff-- off. audible chimes and display a message in the road capability. “Rear Seat Reminder speaks volumes of driver information center that reads, “Rear The new 2017 Acadiacadia goes on sasalealee iinn thtthehe the intention of GMC to provide innovations Seat Reminder / Look in Rear Seat.” Middle East in the fall,all, almost a decadedecaddee afteraffteerr Forum’s “Global Gender Gap Report political empowerment. that are useful to our core customers. The The feature cannot detect items in the its original introduction.ction.

CHAIRMAN ACTING MANAGING EDITOR SUPPLEMENT EDITOR DESIGN IMAGE PROCESSING Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani Mohammed Salim Mohamed Pramod Prabhakaran Abraham Augusthy Mohd Sajad Sahir

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ADVERTISING MANAGER Advertising Coordinator PRODUCTION Dr. Khalid Mubarak Al-Shafi ALI WAHBA Muhammad Shammas Viswanath Sarma 2016”. Other Arab countries which In the report, Qatar stands first stand near but below Qatar are in the Arab world and placed in the Algeria at number 120, U.A.E 124, Included with today’s 119 position globally for measures Tunisia 126, Kuwait 128, Mauritania being taken for closing the gender 129, Bahrain 131, Egypt 132, Oman edition is a 8-page gap at work. 133 and Jordan 134. supplement The report is an annual bench marking exercise that measures → Full report on page 5

HOME WEDNESDAY 26 OCTOBER 2016 03

Flag lowered during mourning

Qatari flag flying at half-staff on the Ministry of Interior headquarters on the second day of national mourning for H H Grandfather Emir Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani who passed away on Sunday. Pic: Baher Amin / The Peninsula Ministry of Municipality to construct 2,000 houses

(CMC) recommended to the Minis- and Environment to study the pos- try of Municipality and Environment sibility of increasing residential CMC urges Ministry that it study the possibility of building to three floors beside the to allow three-storey increasing residential building penthouse. buildings. height to three floors beside the The Council urged the minis- penthouse. try to consider exceptional cases of The Council has also asked the some families who need to increase same Ministry to restore the former the height of their homes up to three The Peninsula system of building houses for wid- floors and penthouse. ows and divorcees in collaboration The recommendation also urged with Ministry of Administrative the Ministry to revive previous rec- Development, Labour and Social ommendation passed by the council DOHA: The Ministry of Municipal- Affairs. CMC yesterday discussed a to provide government accommo- ity and Environment is working on report prepared by its legal commit- dations for Qataris employees who implementation of the Emiri initia- tee on increasing building height in are holders of secondary school tive to build 2,000 residential units some areas. certificates. out of which some buildings will be The recommendation passed by The recommendation is based on allowed to go up to three floors, said the Council upon the report of the suggestion made by Mohammed bin senior officials. committee included recommenda- Saleh Al Khayareen, representative The Central Municipal Council tion to the Ministry of Municipality of constituency 16. 04 WEDNESDAY 26 OCTOBER 2016 HOME More condolences pour in

Continued from page 1

UAE Vice-President conveyed the condolences of President H H Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the Emir, the Father Emir, the and the Qatari people on the death of the Grandfather Emir. Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud offered condolences on the death of the Grandfather Emir. The Saudi crown prince was accompanied by Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Prince Nawaf bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Prince Al Waleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, also offered condolences on the death of the Grandfather Emir. Emir and Father Emir also received Adviser to H M Sultan Qaboos bin Said of the Sultanate of Oman, Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said, Representative of H M King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco Prince Moulay Rachid, and former president of the Republic of Sudan Field Marshal Abdel Rahman Swar Al Dahab, Eng. Ibrahim Mohamed Hamid, assistant of President of Sudan Field Marshal Omer Hassan Ahmed Al Bashir and President of Afghanistan Dr Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and GCC Secretary-General Dr Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani who expressed their condolences. Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, son of Venezuelan President Nicolas Ernesto Maduro, Head of Tunisia’s Ennahda Movement Rashid Ghannouchi and Prince Sultan Bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, President and Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, also offered condolences. The Emir of Kuwait was accompanied by Sheikh Jaber Al Abdullah Al Jaber Al Sabah, Sheikh Faisal Al Saud Al Mohammad Al Sabah, Kuwait National Guard’s (KNG) Deputy Chief Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Sheikh Nasser Al Mohammad Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Minister of Emiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah and First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah. Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani was also present along with H E Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Khalifa Al Thani, Personal Representative of the Emir H H Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, H H Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa Al Thani, H E Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa Al Thani, and a number of Their Excellencies sons of the Father Emir. HOME WEDNESDAY 26 OCTOBER 2016 05

Food on wheels RAF lecture to Qatar tops the schoolchildren Arab region in The Peninsula DOHA: The Center for New Life at Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah Foun- dation for Humanitarian Services (RAF) has organised a programme gender equality to educate students on “keep- ing away from misbehaviour” at Primary Independent School. the gap is 75 per cent closed, and Naser Al Shammari, Head of East Asia and the Pacific, which has the Center, delivered a lecture Qatar is followed by closed 68 per cent of its gender gap. on the topic. He urged students Algeria, UAE, Tunisia, The report says that the Arab to adopt good-behaviour and world is facing an “acute misuse of be useful to themselves and the Kuwait and Bahrain. talent” by not acting faster to tackle community. gender inequality, which could put economic growth at risk and deprive economies of the oppor- Indian shrimp By Amna Pervaiz Rao tunity to develop. The Peninsula In this latest edition, the report safe to eat A Burgeri food truck parked near the Qatar Stock Exchange building in West Bay yesterday. The first finds that progress towards equal- food truck in Doha, Burgeri is a Qatari brand inspired by the vintage American diner offering burgers, ity in the Middle East and North The Peninsula Africa is now at 60 per cent, com- hotdogs and fries among others. Pic: Kammutty VP / The Peninsula DOHA: Qatar has been ranked pared to a global average of 68 per top in the Arab world for making cent. Progress in the key economic DOHA: Indian shrimp sold in the progress to remove gender gap pillar has also slowed dramatically local market is safe for human at work in the World Economic with the global gap, which stands at consumption, the Joint Food Con- Forum’s “Global Gender Gap Report 59 per cent and is now larger than Study shows salivary protein may trol Committee at the Ministry of 2016”. at any point since 2008. Public Health said yesterday, fol- In the report, Qatar stands first The number of factors behind lowing reports that a particular in the Arab world and is placed in this decline is salary, with women type of shrimp imported from the 119th position globally for meas- around the world on average earn- be key to metabolic disorders some Indian cities was affected ures being taken for closing the ing just over half of what men earn with white spot syndrome. gender gap at work. despite, on average, working longer Tests conducted at the Central The report is an annual bench- hours taking paid and unpaid work Food Laboratory have shown that marking exercise that measures into account. Another persistent The Peninsula low levels of a specific salivary protein, alpha-amylase, imported Indian shrimp availa- progress towards equality between challenge is stagnant labour force which is produced by the salivary glands and is released ble in the local market is free from men and women in four areas: edu- participation, with the global aver- in saliva, may cause the body’s energy production sources this syndrome or other diseases cational attainment, health and age for women standing at 54per DOHA: A group of scientists from the Diabetes Research to switch from sugars to fatty acids. and is fit for human consumption, survival, economic opportunity and cent, compared to 81 per cent for Center at the Qatar Biomedical Research Institute The research group at Diabetes Research Center was the ministry said yesterday. political empowerment. men. (QBRI), a research institute of Hamad bin Khalifa Uni- led by Dr Abdelilah Arredouani together with Dr Mario Other Arab countries which The number of women in senior versity (HBKU), has conducted a study that could aid in Falchi from the Department of Twin Research at Kings stand near but below Qatar are positions also remains stubbornly the early prevention of the development of metabolic College in London. Eatery shut over Algeria at number 120, UAE 124, low, with only four countries in the disorders. The study was conducted by carefully selecting two Tunisia 126, Kuwait 128, Mauritania world having equal numbers of Metabolism is the process body uses to get or make groups of healthy women for the research project: one poor hygiene 129, Bahrain 131, Egypt 132, Oman male and female legislators, senior energy from the food a person eats. A metabolic disor- group of women with a low level of the salivary protein 133 and Jordan 134. officials and managers, despite the der occurs when abnormal chemical reactions in the and one with a high level. The Peninsula WEF has noted that ‘world sees fact that 95 countries now have as body disrupt this process. Dr Arredouani said, “Interestingly, the differ- dramatic slowdown in closing the many women educated at univer- The research offers insight into the biological mech- ence between the two groups studied seems to be gender gap at work.” The report sity level. anisms behind metabolic differences and may have an due mainly to differences in the use of fatty acids. DOHA: Al Wakra Municipality finds only 60 per cent of the gen- The leading four nations in the impact in helping identify predictive markers of insulin The results suggest that low levels of salivary alpha- yesterday shut down a restau- der gap closed in the Middle East report are Iceland at first position resistance, diabetes, and obesity, making preventative amylase somehow reduces the uptake of glucose, the rant for sixty days for preparing and North Africa (MENA) region. followed by Finland, Norway and care possible in Qatar and beyond. primary source of energy for the cells, and therefore and storing food inside a store The gender gap in MENA is Sweden, in the second, third and The research was recently featured in the prestigious the body shifts towards fatty acids usage to derive at a labour accommodation in wider compared to Europe, where fourth positions, respectively. journal ‘Diabetes’ and concluded that individuals with energy.” unhealthy conditions. 06 WEDNESDAY 26 OCTOBER 2016 HOME

Ooredoo to US and Canadian display security muscle at firms to vie for conference deals at Milipol The Peninsula DOHA: Ooredoo will promote its next generation Security Opera- RTN) to privately held small-and- tions Centre (SOC) services at the Exhibitors to display medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) upcoming Information Security with fewer than 250 employees, Conference for the Financial Sec- range of security and Pavilion exhibitors are looking to tor, set to take place in Doha next Doctors who are being trained by WHO EMRO on occupational and environmental health. defence products. initiate or strengthen international week. partnerships that will generate new ICT security has risen on the business and create more jobs back corporate agenda after a series home. of high profile attacks in 2016, The Peninsula “When North American com- 50 doctors trained by WHO including a recent distributed panies commit to exhibit at Milipol denial of service (DDoS) attack Qatar, we’re saying we believe in the that slowed or knocked offline power of this event to attract real some of the world’s most high- DOHA: With solutions ranging from business prospects and customers,” on occupational health profile websites this month. large-scale homeland security strat- said Kallman Worldwide President To help companies keep their egies to risk-specific equipment, and CEO, Tom Kallman. services accessible and secure, products and services, leading sup- “As the dynamics of life in the Ooredoo has invested in the wid- pliers from the United States and Middle East inspire new strategies The Peninsula Dr Sheikh Mohammed bin MoPH is planning to conduct three est portfolio of security services Canada will compete for defence for defence and security, we’re Hamad Al Thani, Director of Pub- other training workshops by 2017. available in Qatar. As a sponsor and security business at Milipol proud to work with the Milipol lic Health Department, MoPH, in his The workshop aims to increase of the Information Security Con- Qatar. organisers to help our exhibitors speech, delivered on his behalf by Dr the number of occupational health ference for the Financial Sector, The centerpiece of the effort succeed in Qatar, whether as prime DOHA: Ministry of Public Health Mohammed Ali Mohammed Al Haj- specialists, here, by training phy- the company will strive to raise will be the North American contractors or subcontractors in (MoPH) in collaboration with the jaj, head of occupational health at sicians in primary healthcare, and awareness of the range of cyber Pavilion, organised by Kallman support of regional manufacturers, Eastern Mediterranean Regional MoPH, praised WHO-EMRO which develop the concept of maintaining security solutions now available Worldwide, Inc, the show’s official service partners and their end-user Office (EMRO) of the World Health sent five occupational health doc- the highest quality standards for for companies. representative to the continent, in customers.” Organisation (WHO) began a five- tors and consultants to implement health and safety in the workplace. The conference, which is in coordination with numerous gov- Kallman pointed to two com- day training programme for health the training programme. He stressed It also focuses on stressing the role its third year, promotes dialogue ernment agencies, including the panies that exemplify the wide practitioners on occupational and that health sector in Qatar aspires of the doctor in the results manage- around information security in US Departments of Commerce, range of solutions presented at the environmental health. The work- for an effective and strong partner- ment and prevention of occupational Qatar, the ICT challenges fac- Defence and State and their Cana- Pavilion: shops by experts from WHO EMRO ship with WHO. diseases and worksite accidents. ing financial institutions and the dian counterparts, said a press Passport Systems (Booth office will train the second batch of Meanwhile, Dr Al Hajjaj, said that The growing international inter- solutions available to tackle these release yesterday. K-030) develops advanced active practitioners consisting of 50 doctors the programme is being conducted est in occupational health comes due challenges. The event is organised The Pavilion will be a primary and passive solutions to rapidly of HMC and primary healthcare cen- with videos and studies of clinical to extensive use of manufacturing by Qatar Central Bank under the destination for buyers looking to and automatically detect, localise tres and Qatari Red Crescent. cases. It will also provide partici- materials, modern production meth- patronage of H E Sheikh Abdulla meet industry leaders, an on-site and identify concealed threats and Workers in various places have pants a chance to visit worksites to ods, and the impact these have on bin Saoud Al Thani, Governor of business hub for North American contraband for a broad range of to deal with hazardous materials study and identify potential prob- human health and the environment. Qatar Central Bank. exhibitors looking to maximise their applications, including pedestrian-, while at work and hence there is lems and working conditions. They The workshop is part of the Yousuf Abdulla Al Kubaisi, exposure and impact at the event, vehicle-, and fixed-facility-based an urgent need to lessen the risks will also look into preventing occu- MoPH’s plans to provide better Chief Operating Officer, Ooredoo and a forum for all to share indus- approaches. associated. A number of countries pational errors, reporting worksite health care for workers in industrial, Qatar, said: “Ooredoo is investing try information and insights. The company was recently are moving to revise health system injuries and feeding these data on construction and economic sectors in a range of solutions designed to Ranging from publicly-traded presented with the Massachusetts to be based on primary healthcare to to MoPH website. These efforts are in order to improve the health of provide the highest level of secu- stalwarts such as General Dynam- Port Authority (Massport) Security deliver services and achieve maxi- aimed at supporting MoPH’s efforts workers. The initiative is in tune with rity and protection against a full ics (NYSE: GD) Land Systems Innovation Award from US Senator mum benefit at lower cost while to make the workplace free of occu- the occupational health project of range of threats. We look forward Canada and Raytheon (NYSE: Edward Markey. ensuring high quality. pational injuries, hazards and death. the National Health Strategy. to profiling our next generation Security Operations Centre solu- tion at the Information Security Conference and highlighting the range of monitoring and protec- tion services it provides.” Administrative posts only for Qataris Continued from page 1

Clinical roles are available to both Qatari and non-Qatari nationals, while administrative posts are open to Qatari nation- als only and will be filled in coordination with the Ministry of Administrative Development Japanese Ambassador Shingo Tsuda (left) donating a book to Ibrahim and Labour and Social Affairs. Al Sayed, Director of Public Libraries & Heritage Department (centre) Those interested in a career and Abdul Rahman Al Hatmi, Director of Supply Department, Qatar with HMC can apply directly Public library. through its website: https://www. hamad.qa/EN/Join-Us/HR/Apply- Online/Pages/default.aspx Japan Embassy donates books Qatari nationals who are interested in applying for the administrative posts can apply The Peninsula through the Ministry of Admin- istrative Development and Labour and Social Affairs. HMC will be DOHA: The Embassy of Japan in Qatar, in cooperation with the Japan Foun- coordinating with the ministry dation, donated a variety of books to Qatar Public Library (Dar Al-Kutub). to process these applications. The donation took place at the Ministry of Culture and Sports on October 23. HMC had earlier announced The Embassy has a long history of cooperation with the Qatar Pub- that seven new public hospitals lic Library. The first book donation was made in 1987, and over almost 30 will be opened in Qatar by the end years, the total number of books presented to the Public Library reached of next year including three hospi- almost 1,000. Delivering the books to Ibrahim Al-Sayed, Director of Pub- tals exclusively for expatriate male lic Libraries & Heritage Department, Ambassador Shingo Tsuda expressed single workers. The biggest expan- his hope that the books donated over the years have contributed to enrich sion plan undertaken by the HMC knowledge on Japan among Qatari readers, stressing the importance of in more than a decade is expected cultural exchange forging the bridge between the two nations. to create 1,100 new hospital beds.

Falconers gear up as hunting season looms

The Peninsula registration is open to Qatari fal- of Intangible Cultural Heritage of coners from October 29 to 31 from Humanity, falconry has been a pas- 6pm till 9pm at Al Gannas society sion for many Qataris as an art and DOHA: Al Gannas Society marks headquarters located in Katara. sport. Al Gannas Society has been the beginning of the hunting season The championships will be held at the forefront of preserving vital with the third edition of the annual at Sabkhat Al Dakhira from Novem- aspects of Qatari tradition through Isfiri Qatar Falconry Champion- ber 3 to 5 and will include two heritage activities and festivals it ships next week. categories. A falconer is allowed to organises annually including fal- For falconers “Isfiri” means the take part with several of his falcons. conry championships at the local start of the hunting season, during Cash prizes are at stake for the and international levels. which they hunt small birds which winners of the annual competition. Highlighting the Society’s abound through the month of Octo- First place will receive QR35,000; annual calendar is the Qatar Inter- ber. The hunting season is eagerly second place will win QR25,000, national Falcons and Hunting anticipated by falconers in Qatar third QR15,000 and fourth and fifth Festival which witnesses hundreds and around the region. finishers will be awarded QR5,000 of falconers from around the region Khalid bin Saeed Al Sulaiti, each. competing for big prizes in various chairman of the championship, said Inscribed on the Unesco List categories. MIDDLE EAST WEDNESDAY 26 OCTOBER 2016 07

Co-mayors of Turkish city held Russia extends AFP moratorium on DIYARBAKIR, TURKEY: The two co-mayors of Diyarbakir, a Kurdish-majority city in south- east Turkey, have been arrested as part of a “terrorism” enquiry, Aleppo air strikes security officials said. There was a heavy police presence around the town hall had resumed since the lull in fight- following the arrests of Gul- Syrian Observatory for ing ended on Saturday, focusing on tan Kisanak and Firat Anli, who major front lines, including in the together lead Diyarbakir, the Human Rights said air city’s southwest. There had been no capital of southeastern Turkey strikes had resumed civilian deaths from air strikes inside which has been rocked by clashes eastern Aleppo, however, the moni- between Turkish security forces since the lull in fighting tor said. Ibrahim Abu Al Laith, a civil and members of the outlawed ended on Saturday, defence official in eastern Aleppo, Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). focusing on major also said air strikes and shelling had hit the rebel-held half of the city near front lines, including in front lines in the past week. Coalition denies the city’s southwest. “There was artillery shelling... Iraqi special forces soldiers look at a destroyed (IS) vehicle in a village near Mosul, Iraq, and there were planes, the city was Yemen blockade yesterday. hit by several strikes,” he said. On Tuesday, districts outside Reuters the city to the west were hit by Iraqi forces inch towards Mosul air strikes, the Observatory said. DUBAI: The Saudi-led coalition Air strikes had continued outside denied yesterday it had imposed Aleppo during the ceasefire. a “blockade” on Yemen, saying AFP of Mosul. “On our front, we have preparing for a push to the west of MOSCOW/BEIRUT: Russia said yes- Russia has been the Syrian instead that it was controlling advanced to within five or six kil- mainly Sunni Mosul. terday it would extend a moratorium government’s most powerful ally access to the country to prevent ometres (three to four miles) of The Hashed’s mission will be to on air strikes on Syria’s Aleppo into against rebels in a civil war now pro-Iran rebels from obtaining Mosul,” their commander, General “cut off and prevent the escape of a ninth day, but a monitor and a civil well into its sixth year. arms. QARAQOSH, IRAQ: Iraqi forces Abdelghani al-Assadi, said. (IS) towards Syria and fully isolate defence official said that rebel-held Aleppo, Syria’s most populous “No, there is no blockade,” were inching to within striking dis- “We must now coordinate with Mosul from Syria”, said Jawwad al- parts of the divided city had been city before the war erupted, is now coalition spokesman Major Gen- tance of eastern Mosul yesterday as forces on other fronts to launch a Tulaibawi, spokesman for the Asaib struck in recent days. divided into government- and rebel- eral Ahmed Assiri said. “There is coalition defence chiefs gathered coordinated” attack on Mosul, he Ahl Al Haq militia. Defence ministry spokesman held areas. Intense bombardment control based on international in Paris agreed to also take on the said, speaking from the Christian “We expect that it will be a diffi- Major-General Igor Konashenkov by Syrian and Russian warplanes has law... Control is different from jihadists’ Syrian bastion of Raqa. town of Bartalla. cult and fierce battle,” he said. said Russian and Syrian planes reduced the rebel-controlled east to blockade, which means that With the Mosul battle in its sec- Kurdish peshmerga forces are Iraqi Kurds and Sunni Arab pol- had not even approached, let alone ruins. Russia has accused rebels of nobody can enter or leave” the ond week, French President Francois making gains on the northeastern iticians have opposed the Hashed’s bombed, the devastated city since thwarting its efforts to evacuate country, he said. Assiri also spoke Hollande called for the US-led coali- front, but federal forces advancing participation in the operation, as has last Tuesday when Russia suspended civilians, saying they open fire on of “restriction” and “controlled tion against the Islamic State group from the south have some way to go Turkey, which has a military pres- air strikes ahead of a pause in hos- those wanting to leave, but rebel freedom of movement”. to prepare for the aftermath and the before reaching the outskirts. ence east of Mosul despite repeated tilities. That moratorium on air groups say Syrian government “If a boat leaves from Djibouti, next stages of the campaign against “All axes of advance have made demands by Baghdad to withdraw strikes was being extended, Sergei forces and allies have been shelling before reaching Hodeida (port in the jihadists. The United Nations the progress we expected at this stage its forces. Rudskoi, a defence ministry official, and sniping around the corridors. western Yemen), our forces board said it had received reports of a new of the operation, some are ahead of Tensions have risen between said separately on Tuesday, without Rebels did not accept the cease- the vessel to ensure the cargo is series of atrocities by the jihadists schedule,” said Brett McGurk, the US Baghdad and Ankara, whose for- specifying for how long. fire, which they said did nothing to legal and complies with Resolution as troops close in on its last major envoy to the coalition. eign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, Rudskoi said that meant Russian alleviate the situation of those who 2216,” adopted by the UN Security urban stronghold in Iraq. Meanwhile, thousands of men warned Tuesday that if there is a and Syrian planes would continue chose to remain in eastern Aleppo, Council in April 2015 and prohib- Forces from the elite coun- from the Hashed al-Shaabi paramil- threat to Turkey, “we are ready to to stay out of a 10km zone around and was part of a government iting the delivery of arms to the ter-terrorism service (CTS) retook itary umbrella group dominated by use all our resources including a Aleppo. But the Syrian Observatory policy to purge cities of political rebels in Yemen, he said. areas close to the eastern outskirts Tehran-backed Shiite militias were ground operation”. for Human Rights said air strikes opponents. Israeli forces could have avoided killings: Report

AFP junction in the northern West Bank. been looked at as part of routine Four officers then fired more procedure. than 30 rounds at her, said the “It was an operational review to report. Video footage that emerged inspect and improve our perform- JERUSALEM: Reviews of shoot- of the shooting appeared to show ance on the ground,” spokesman ings in which Israeli security forces four officers firing after she was Arye Shalicar said. He would not killed a knife-wielding Palestinian already on the ground. confirm the review›s reported find- and another throwing stones found Another case reviewed was that ings but said military police the use of deadly violence could have of the fatal shooting of 15-year-old automatically investigate fatalities been avoided, public radio reported Palestinian stone thrower Khaled and it was for them to decide if there yesterday. Bahar the following day near the had been improper behaviour. An Israeli military spokesman southern West Bank city of Hebron. Israeli security forces have confirmed the cases had been looked Public radio said the army been accused of using dispropor- into as part of routine procedure, review reported that the shoot- tionate force in a number of cases but was unable to comment on the ing occurred after a patrol pursued over the past year. An Israeli sol- reported findings. young Palestinians who had stoned dier is on trial for manslaughter after It was unclear if the officers a passing Israeli bus. video emerged showing him shoot involved would face further action. “One of the youths tried to throw a wounded Palestinian attacker in Citing an internal army docu- a stone at short range at the force the head in March as he lay on the ment, the radio said border police commander who shot and killed ground without seeming to pose any under the command of the military him,” the report said. further threat. fired a hail of bullets when they “According to the enquiry there Police were also criticised for the killed a knife-wielding Palestinian was no danger to life (to the com- shooting of a Palestinian teenage girl woman on October 19. They initially mander). He should not have fired involved in a stabbing attack with followed regulations, firing warning at the central body mass in order scissors in November 2015. shots into the air followed by a sin- to kill.” An army spokesman con- Footage appeared to show an gle round at the 19-year-old’s legs firmed that those and other recent officer shoot the girl again as she when she failed to stop at the Tapuah cases not resulting in fatalities had was already on the ground.

Obstacle to peace Two Saudi cops martyred

RIYADH: Unidentified gunmen killed two Saudi policemen in the mainly Shia city of Dammam early yester- day, authorities in the region said. The officers came under “heavy fire from an unknown source” as they parked their vehicle in a commercial area, the official SPA news agency quoted a police spokesman as saying. The spokesman did not say who police suspected had carried out the shooting, the latest in a series of attacks on officers in Shiite areas of the oil-rich east of the kingdom. Two policemen were killed in a similar attack in Dammam last month. The Shia minority in Sunni- dominated Saudi Arabia has long Israeli settlers start to build a new illegal outpost north of the West complained of discrimination and Bank village of Ain Al Baida, yesterday. More than 400,000 Israelis there has been sporadic unrest since live in settlements in the occupied West Bank, considered by the the suppression of a Shiite-led upris- international community as one of the largest obstacles to peace. ing in neighbouring Bahrain sparked a wave of protests in 2011. 08 WEDNESDAY 26 OCTOBER 2016 VIEWS

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected]

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DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR HUSSAIN AHMAD [email protected]

EDITORIAL Filling the vacuum Two-state solution impossible

pain is at last likely to get a government -- after a ten- month deadlock. The prolonged vacuum in Madrid if Israel continues settlements has caused much interest lately, with the international media writing extensively about how Spaniards were getting used to an absence of government, with some The point is clear: Almost a Palestinian Christian and Muslim evenS praising the deadlock, as the leading political parties century after the Balfour Decla- A sovereign villages and the ongoing process failed to garner enough votes in the two past elections to form ration, the symbolic beginning of state must have of forcible displacement in occu- a government. The country went through two inconclusive the denial of our rights, we are pied territory, has accused us of not asking for statements or for control over its “ethnic cleansing” for advocat- elections in ten months in which the caretaker Prime Minister the usual warnings about the ing to respect UN resolutions and Mariano Rajoy’s Popular Party (PP) won both times, but without end of the two-state solution. territory and international law that call upon enough seats to rule alone. By refusing to give any party the We are reminding the world natural resources, Israel to withdraw to the 1967 majority, the voters expressed their frustration with corruption of its responsibility. The Pal- something border. scandals and austerity. estinian people were violently If Israel is willing to announce But things look rosier now as the popular support for Rajoy dispossessed from their homes impossible with a new settlement just a few days and exiled from their homeland after receiving the historic pack- is rising. The king yesterday tasked Rajoy with forming a new more than 200 By Saeb Erekat in 1948, endured the occupation age of $38 billion in military aid government. “I accepted the task,” Rajoy told reporters. The The Washington Post in 1967, only to be forced into the illegal foreign from US taxpayers, it is only parliament is today scheduled to begin historic compromise recognising settlements. Today, because Netanyahu knows that a debate on whether to back Rajoy’s the 1967 border as the borders of there will be no consequences bid for a second term. All indications the state of Palestine. We rec- there are more than to such actions. A “strong con- A ten-month are that the country could have a he strong international ognised Israel over 78 percent 600,000 illegal demnation” is not something political new government by the weekend that statements on the issue of historic Palestine in what has that the right-wing Israeli gov- of Israel’s settlements, been the most significant con- Israeli settlers in the ernment fears. What is needed deadlock would bring to an end the ten-month particularly from the cession made by any party in occupied state of are actions, including those con- in Spain is uncertainty. The Socialist party has US State Department, the context of Middle East peace. Palestine. ducted by civil society, to totally agreed to abstain in the vote, allowing Tare an indication of the lack To embrace the two-state solu- cut ties between Israeli settle- likely to end Rajoy to lead a minority government of of international recognition of tion on the 1967 border was the ments in occupied Palestine and as Rajoy his conservative People’s Party (PP). Israel’s settlement enterprise in Palestinian adoption of an inter- the rest of the world, including However, several challenges remain occupied Palestine. However, for national position. process,” we ended up having an recognition of the state of Pales- will seek the Palestinians, who have con- This was part of a discrete US- eternal process with no major tine on the 1967 border as well as for the new minority government. With parliament’s tinuously suffered from Israeli Palestinian dialogue that began results other than the destruction to allow the UN Security Council just 137 of the 350 seats in parliament, backing to settlements and its associated in the 1970s, including renowned of hope in the hearts and minds of to fulfill its mandate for Palestine. he will be faced with a huge opposition regime for more than half a cen- Palestinian American intellec- millions of Palestinians. The statements delivered by form a new and other parties have promised to tury, those statements are nothing tuals such as Edward Said and A two-state solution is impos- several US officials about Israeli government. make things difficult for him. The new else than a repetition of recycled Ibrahim Abu Lughod. The two- sible with the presence of Israeli settlements are not something government’s biggest challenge will positions, lacking any genuine state solution and a full rejection settlements. A sovereign state new. However, US President be to get the 2017 budget approved, action on the ground. of Israeli settlements were pre- must have control over its ter- Barack Obama has the oppor- The last statement by the State sented to be the official US policy. ritory and natural resources, tunity not to be remembered as especially because the budget will have Department, openly questioning It was ratified with American something impossible with the US president who allowed to accommodate some unpopular and tough measures to reduce Israel’s willingness to achieve a abstention in several UN Security more than 200 illegal foreign the two-state solution to dis- deficit. Acting Economy Minister Luis de Guindos said that $5.4bn two-state solution, is not only a Council resolutions that referred settlements. appear. Rather than a new set in budget cuts will be needed, a proposal that is likely to face stiff reminder of Israel’s active sabo- to the illegality of Israeli settle- Today, there are more than of parameters, what’s needed opposition from opposition parties who are against austerity tage of US policies for peace in the ments and the “null and void” 600,000 illegal Israeli settlers in is decisive action for the imple- measures. The Socialists’ interim head, Javier Fernandez, has region but also raises questions status of Israel’s illegal annexa- the occupied state of Palestine. mentation of the internationally about whether the United States is tion of occupied East Jerusalem. This includes East Jerusalem, our endorsed vision: free Palestine said his party would not approve any budgets proposed by an willing to take any action after the However, after the Palestinian capital and an integral part of the from the occupation that began incoming centre-right government. November election in America. endorsement of that internation- state of Palestine. Our demand for in 1967, hold Israel accountable Rajoy must make use of the new opportunities to win the Next June will mark 50 years ally endorsed vision, successive full sovereignty in our territory is to its commitments under inter- trust of the people, which will translate into more votes when since the Israeli military occupa- US administrations, as well as the not directed against the Jewish national law and implement the elections are held again. He counts as his achievements the tion began in 1967. I was 12 years European Union, viewed the pol- people, as Israeli Prime Minister Arab Peace Initiative as a regional anti-corruption measures and the return to growth and drop old when the occupation came to icy of impunity for Israeli crimes Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has framework for peace. “Strong in unemployment in the country, which, though at 20 percent, Jericho, my hometown. The long- as an encouragement for Israel to cynically portrayed, but against statements” are not going to move est ongoing military occupation remain engaged in the “process,” the illegality of a foreign colonial us toward that direction. is still the second highest in the eurozone. Spain needs a strong in modern history is one of two while concurrently rewarding enterprise. Neyanyahu, the prime The writer is Secretary-Gen- government as the European Union is going through a period experiences that generations of Israel to continue to build set- minister of a country responsible eral of the Palestine Liberation of crisis after the Brexit vote. Also, the separatist regional Palestinians share. tlements. Rather than a “peace for the destruction of hundreds of Organisation. government in Catalonia has pledged to hold an independence The other shared experience referendum in 2017 despite fierce opposition from Madrid. of Palestinians is exile, with mil- lions of Palestinians not allowed to return to live in their home- land because they are not Jewish. This is not only the case of Pales- tinians in the Yarmouk refugee Quote of the day camp in Syria and the Shatila refugee camp in Lebanon, but After decades of delay also of thousands of Palestinian we are showing that we Americans. Though honouring the inal- will take the big decisions ienable rights of the Palestinian when they’re the right people, including self-determina- decisions for Britain. tion, has been a stated goal of the international community, Israel Theresa May has been able to continue vio- lating international law and UN British Prime Minister resolutions with full impunity. The United States has played a pivotal role in allowing the con- tinuation of Israel’s systematic violations of Palestinian rights. The West Bank Jewish settlement of Ofra, the Palestinian village of Silwad, is seen in the background.

EDITORIAL TEL: 44557741 / 44557743 FAX: 44557746 / 44557758 P. O. BOX: 3488, DOHA, QATAR E-MAIL: [email protected] ADVERTISING TEL: 44557837 / 780 FAX: 44557870 CLASSIFIED: 44557857 E-MAIL: [email protected] SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 E-MAIL: [email protected] OPINION WEDNESDAY 26 OCTOBER 2016 09 Decline of Centre-Left behind Europe’s mess

By Sheri Berman The Washington Post

urope today is a mess. The strongest countries face lackluster economic growth, while the weakest, like Greece, are struggling to recover Efrom depression-like downturns. Politically, things are even worse, as disillusionment with European and domestic institutions and elites is at record levels, and support for Far-Left and far-right parties is grow- ing, creating political instability. What’s to blame for this mess? Some blame neoliberalism - the adoption of pro- market policies - saying that it caused the crisis and left democratically elected gov- ernments unable to respond. Others blame the European Union, which they say is undemocratic and undermines national sovereignty. Under this explanation, the Britain’s Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn standing with campaigners outside the Houses of Parliament in central London during a protest calling for an EU weakened voters’ faith in their dem- inquiry into the ‘Battle of Orgreave’ and the policing of the miners’ strikes. ocratically elected governments and led them to support Far-Left and -right parties. Corbyn its leader, only to be convulsed a time in its history - to combine economic created space for political alternatives. social and cultural change. These explanations aren’t wrong, but year later by efforts to oust him. The French growth, well-functioning democracy and First is the neoliberal right, which sees These approaches offer very differ- they don’t provide the full picture. One Socialists are in government but in disar- social stability. the solution to Europe’s economic prob- ent understandings of the problems faced key cause for Europe’s current crisis is the ray, led by the colourless President François By the 1970s, however, this order had lems as involving more cuts to the welfare by European states today and have led to decline of the Centre-Left. As I argue in a Hollande, whose prospects of reelection are begun to fray and, after the 2008 finan- state, more leeway for markets and more centrifugal tendencies that make it more new article for the Journal of Democracy, dismal. Even the once-dominant Scandi- cial crisis, it was in full-fledged meltdown. limits on state regulation of the economy. difficult to reach political compromise or even people who aren’t on the Centre-Left navian Centre-Left has been reduced to The Centre-Left was unprepared to offer Whatever the absolute merits or defects engage in effective government. themselves should recognize the role that vote shares of 30 percent or less. new ideas for promoting growth while pro- of these proposals, they offer little new to Particularly worrisome is a tendency it played in underpinning stability. From The decline of the Centre-Left has con- tecting citizens from the harsher aspects those suffering from inequality, stagnat- we also see here in the United States of World War II onward, the Centre-Left tributed to Europe’s contemporary economic of free markets. Instead, it kept on trying ing incomes and job loss and ignore the white, disaffected and poorly educated vot- either ran the government or provided the and political problems and hindered find- to defend outdated policies or proposed anger and sense of alienation character- ers to flee the Centre-Left for the populist loyal opposition in nearly every European ing viable solutions to them. The left is no watered-down versions of neoliberalism izing significant swaths of European and right. During the recent Brexit referendum, democracy. No longer. Centre-Left par- longer able to play its historic stabilizing that barely differentiated it from the cen- American society. many traditional Labour supporters voted ties have dwindled into shadows of their role. After World War II, European socie- tre-right. The Centre-Left has also been The second alternative is the popu- to leave the EU, but this political shift, in former might. ties were built on principles that owed a challenged by increased diversity. The post- list right. Unlike neoliberals, the populist Europe by the working class in particular, Germany’s Social Democratic Party lot to Centre-Left ideas. war order rested on and helped cement a right takes seriously the downsides of glo- has been a prominent feature of European (SPD), once the most powerful party of the There was widespread agreement sense of social solidarity, where strong balization and forthrightly addresses the politics for many years. left in Europe, currently gets support in the after the war that the political chaos and welfare states gave citizens a sense that economic fears of those who see themselves More broadly, the rivalry between low 20s in opinion polls. The British Labour social upheaval associated with the Great their governments were looking after them as losing out to forces beyond their con- the Centre-Left and centre-right helped Party, the author of the post-World War II Depression had been the consequence of and the gains from economic growth were trol. In addition, the populist right favours to build the foundations of popular democ- British welfare state, is a mess. It reacted unregulated markets, so the idea that they distributed reasonably fairly. maintaining the social safety net and an racy in Europe. Now that the Centre-Left to a disappointing 2015 election outcome should be left unregulated again was an By the last decades of the 20th cen- activist state. It pairs this, however, with is in decline, it is difficult to build common by making Far-Left backbencher Jeremy anathema. And so, when European polit- tury, however, diversity had significantly anti-liberal, if not antidemocratic, posi- ground with other established parties or ical economies were rebuilt, they were undermined social solidarity. And here tions, including a penchant for economic to organize democratic politics in a rea- designed to ensure that capitalism was the left found itself split between its tra- autarky, a scapegoating of immigrants and sonably stable way. In addition, the decline reined in by governments. This postwar ditional emphasis on solidarity and the hostility toward minority groups. of the Centre-Left has reflected and fur- order worked remarkably well: The three voices of multiculturalism, which often The third choice is the far left, repre- thered the decline of the postwar order. decades after 1945 remain Europe’s period emphasized differences among, rather sented by Corbyn’s Labour, Syriza, Podemos This order generated unprecedented The decline of the Centre-Left of fastest growth ever. than commonalities among, different and various anti-globalization movements. prosperity, diminished class conflict and has contributed to Europe’s Politically, this order’s effects were social groups. This fragmented the left, Like the populist right, these groups take undercut support for extremism. Europe’s equally important. Workers and employ- leaving it unable to deal coherently with seriously the downsides of globalisationm Centre-Left was an architect and mainstay contemporary economic and political ers became more willing to cooperate, and new issues such as mass immigration, but see little upside. Indeed, these groups of this order, and it is hard to imagine it problems and hindered finding in place of the centrifugal dynamics of the making it harder to build majority coali- often paint capitalism as the source of all being revived or a replacement for it being interwar years, when tough times drove tions, win elections or generate the social current problems. Like the populist right, constructed without a strong Centre-Left. viable solutions to them. The left is voters to the extremes, good times dur- solidarity necessary to support the rest of these groups have been very good at mobi- And without broad-based agreements to no longer able to play its historic ing the postwar years drove voters back the Centre-Left agenda or healthy democ- lizing discontent with trenchant criticisms reform European economies, welfare states, to the centre. Thanks to a new relation- racy more generally. but have offered few viable solutions to eco- immigration and integration policies, and stabilising role. ship between democratic governments and This decline has implications that go nomic problems and are not well placed the European Union, Europe’s current mess capitalism, Europe was able - for the first far beyond the Centre-Left itself. It has to make appeals to voters worried about is likely to be long-lasting indeed. US weighs options to answer Venezuela crisis

campaigns in the Middle East. But the response to the nixed referendum, Law- told Congress this summer. She said that announced on Monday. Past dialogues the table the kind of assistance a new challenge for Washington, according makers passed a resolution Sunday the recall referendum, since blocked between the two bitterly-opposed government might get if democracy is to a senior State Department official, declaring “the breakdown of con- by Maduro, would be the best way for sides have repeatedly ended without reestablished.” is how to strike the right balance in a stitutional order” and “ a coup d’etat Venezuelans to “express their politi- progress, and on Tuesday, major fac- But the risk, especially given country whose leaders have long viewed committed by the Nicolas Maduro cal will.” tions of Venezuela’s opposition ruled Maduro’s repeated claims of US involve- the US as a malevolent outside force regime.” But Maduro has dismissed his oppo- out participation in the government- ment in plots to topple him, is that too and who routinely exploit that senti- The International Monetary Fund nents as power-hungry coup plotters proposed talks. prominent an American role could ment for political gain. expects Venezuela’s economic output and refused to step down. “These devils want to use the good boomerang. “We have to be very mindful of the to shrink by 10 percent in 2016, and “The revolution will continue to faith of Pope Francis to buy more time,” “I am convinced that any public tone and tenor we take, lest the point inflation to rise above 700 percent. win despite the constant pretensions said Henrique Capriles, a two-time statement coming from the US gov- we’re trying to make actually ends up Basic foodstuffs have vanished from of the right which is trying to take over presidential candidate. “No dialogue ernment will not help the opposition,” in the opposite result,” the official told store shelves; parents have to ransack power by unconstitutional means,” has begun in Venezuela,” he said. said Miguel Santos, a Latin America By John Hudson Foreign Policy. the black market in search of life-sav- Maduro said in a video message. He has The question for Washington is scholar at Harvard University. Instead, The Washington Post But some critics of Washington’s ing medicines. The Maduro regime, its repeatedly insinuated that the oppo- whether to get out in front of the cri- he encouraged the US to play a more subdued response are urging the US to critics say, has used its control over sition has links to the United States, sis or play a behind-the-scenes role. low-profile role that involved coor- ignore Maduro’s anti-imperial broad- state industries to rob the country. US which he says wants to pillage Vene- Piccone of Brookings said the dinating closely with other countries sides and take more assertive action. prosecutors are preparing charges zuela’s “oil riches.” United States should take its cue from in the region. he United States is trying to “Given the dire events on the against officials at the state oil com- Maduro met Pope Francis at the Venezuela’s national assembly lead- “The US should use their sphere of figure out how best to respond ground, the time is past to worry about pany for allegedly siphoning some $11 Vatican on Monday, and the Catholic ers and “activate mechanisms at the influence to try to bring other coun- Tto a deepening crisis in Vene- that,” said Ted Piccone, a senior fel- billion out of the country, Bloomb- leader reportedly urged him to end Organization of American States” that tries in Latin America along to exert zuela after President Nicolas Maduro low at the Brookings Institution. He erg reported. the people’s suffering by resolving the are designed for such political crises. direct pressure on Venezuela,” he said; rejected demands for his recall by oppo- said the United States should take a Like many Venezuelans, US dip- crisis. Meanwhile, several hundred stu- The OAS can censure regional govern- Colombia, Chile, and Uruguay, in par- sition lawmakers. The constitutional leading role in shaping the interna- lomats say that since congressional dents burned trash cans and erected ments who are no longer functional ticular, he noted, have been leery of impasse comes as Venezuela suffers tional response to the crisis, including elections in December 2015 - in which roadblocks in the restive border city democracies, as it has done in the case criticizing Maduro. an economic meltdown, with food and offering humanitarian aid to the Ven- the opposition won a two-thirds major- of San Cristobal. “We want freedom!” of Cuba. The State Department hasn’t been medicine in short supply and gangs ezuelan people. ity - Maduro has sought to muzzle yelled the demonstrators. Ricardo Hausmann, a Latin Amer- completely aloof. Tom Shannon, the and guns in abundance. The current standoff erupted lawmakers. “We have witnessed how The opposition is calling for nation- ica expert at the Harvard Kennedy State Department’s under secretary for The stakes of a protracted standoff after Maduro’s electoral council sus- the executive and judicial branches wide rallies on Wednesday dubbed School, noted that the OAS could acti- political affairs and a longtime Latin are high as concerns mount that the pended a referendum last week aimed have stripped away, undermined, and “The Takeover of Venezuela.” vate its Democratic Charter in response America hand, has made at least two country of 30 million could further at removing him from office. Opposi- diluted the National Assembly’s con- The best hope for a peaceful res- to Maduro’s actions. That could get trips to Venezuela this year. A senior unravel amid the tanking economy tion lawmakers, who control Congress, stitutionally guaranteed functions and olution of the standoff is a new round the ball rolling on “individualized State Department official said Mon- and endemic crime, even as American accuse Maduro of driving the country’s responsibilities,” Annie Pforzheimer, of talks slated for Sunday between the sanctions on people who violate the day that Shannon is “very engaged” attention is divided by the presiden- economy into the ground and steam- the acting Deputy Assistant Secretary socialist Venezuelan government and constitution, human rights or launder in the current crisis and is taking the tial election and ongoing military rolling its democratic institutions. In of State for the Western Hemisphere, the opposition, the Vatican’s envoy money,” he said. “It could also put on lead for the department.

All thoughts and views expressed in these columns are those of the writers, not of the newspaper. All correspondence regarding Views and Opinion pages should be mailed to the Editor-in-Chief. 10 WEDNESDAY 26 OCTOBER 2016 ASIA / AFRICA Congolese oppose Kabila’s mandate extension

Reuters in face-to-face interviews between based on socio-economic status, three years in prison for real estate May and September. gender and religion, show a marked fraud. Over 81 percent of Over 81% of the respondents drop in support for Kabila, who offi- Tshisekedi, the 83-year-old pres- the respondents oppose changing the constitution to cially won 48.9% of the vote in 2011, ident of Congo’s largest opposition KINSHASA: Congolese over- oppose changing the allow Kabila to stand for a third term. a consequence of a lack of economic party, finished runner-up to Kabila whelmingly oppose changing the Seventy-four percent say he development and poor security. in the 2011 election, which observers constitution to allow President Joseph constitution to allow should leave office this year. Exhaustive surveys are almost said was marred by fraud. Kabila (pictured) to stand for a third Kabila to stand for a If the presidential election were non-existent in Congo, where poor Congo is Africa’s largest copper term and believe he should step down held today, 33% said they would roads and little electricity make poll- producer but ranks 176 out of 188 at the end of his mandate in Decem- third term. vote for former provincial governor ing difficult or unreliable. The Congo countries on the UN Human Devel- ber, according to a opinion poll Moise Katumbi, 18% for opposi- Research Group said its poll had a opment Index. published yesterday. tion leader Etienne Tshisekedi and margin of error of 5%. Over 48% of respondents said DR Congo’s ruling coalition and But the main opposition bloc 7.8% for Kabila. Kabila registered a Katumbi, the multi-millionaire they would participate in protests part of the opposition have agreed to rejects the accord, saying it allows Research Group at New York Univer- 44% approval rating. Katumbi and former governor of Congo’s cop- if elections were rigged or delayed. delay the vote from this November to Kabila to cling to power and remove sity in collaboration with a Congolese Tshisekedi received 85.8 and 65.3 per-mining region, declared his Congo has not experienced a April 2018, citing difficulties enroll- constitutional term limits. polling institute, sampled 7,545 percent ratings respectively. candidacy for president in May but peaceful transition of power since ing millions of voters The poll, conducted by the Congo respondents in Congo’s 26 provinces The results, which varied little was then sentenced in absentia to independence in 1960. Junta seeks extradition 12 dead in Shabaab bomb attack in Kenya of royal insult suspects AFP

Reuters Pramudwinai said letters had been sent to the countries where the sus- NAIROBI: A bomb blast at a guest- pects live. “There may be a problem house in northeast Kenya killed at because if these crimes aren’t illegal least 12 people yesterday, in an attack BANGKOK: Thailand’s military in the other countries, it will make claimed by Shabaab militants who government has requested the extradition difficult. However, we last hit the area earlier this month. extradition of several people sus- can still ask for cooperation.” “We have found 12 bodies so pected of insulting the monarchy Thailand’s government has been far after we managed to access the after the death of King Bhumibol criticised by the international com- building,” a senior police officer said. Adulyadej, the foreign minister said munity over prison sentences for “We are still combing the area yesterday. civilians found guilty of violating with the help of anti-terrorism Sensitivities are running high in the lese-majeste law. No country police and sniffer dogs in the ongo- the Southeast Asian country follow- has openly indicated readiness to ing search and rescue.” ing the death of the revered king on extradite any suspect to Thailand. Eleven men and one woman October 13, after seven decades on “First, the extradition requests were killed in the 3:30am blast at the the throne. are part of scare tactics to curb the Bisharo lodge, a police source said. It has also led to the rise of ultra- so-called violations, and second, to The toll was confirmed in a govern- royalist vigilante groups who say appease the powerful elite factions ment statement that said part of the they will punish anyone perceived whose interests rely on ultra-royal- building was collapsed by the blast. to have insulted the monarchy ism,” Verapat Pariyawong, a visiting Kenyan media reported that during a highly sensitive time for scholar at London’s SOAS School of some of the dead were members of Thailand. Law said. a theatre group due to perform for Known by the French term The government has urged school children in Mandera. lese majeste, the crime can carry a citizens to report cases of lese The Al Qaeda-linked Shabaab jail term of up to 15 years for each majeste to authorities. It has also militant group claimed the attack offence. asked internet service providers in a message broadcast by its Radio Kenya Red Cross workers and police officers stand near the scene of the destruction following an attack The law has curtailed public dis- to monitor and block inappropri- Andalus media organisation, claim- at the Bisharo lodging by Islamist militants from the Somali group Shabaab in Mandera, Kenya, yesterday. cussion about the monarchy’s role ate material. ing 15 were killed. and its future following the death of “These laws are not meant to “This attack is part of a series of King Bhumibol, who was seen as a repress citizens but to protect the attacks in which the Mujahideen are one on October 6 killed six people at a Also on Tuesday, a Shabaab sui- It is not known how many were unifying figure. royal institution,” Prime Minister hunting down infidels” in northeast gated residential building that mainly cide bomber attacked an African killed in that attack which comes as Foreign Minister Don Prayuth Chan-ocha said. Kenya, the group said. housed non-Muslims, less than a kil- Union military base housing Dji- Somalia is in the process of selecting It is the second Shabaab strike in ometre from the volatile Somalia boutian soldiers in the central Somali parliamentarians, and a new presi- Mandera in three weeks. The previous border town of Beled Hawa. city of Beledweyne. dent, due by the end of November. Zuma backs minister over graft charges

AFP a colleague’s retirement package. excessive spending by Zuma’s gov- Many analysts say he has been ernment, which has been hit by a DR Congo arrests targeted by Zuma loyalists in the series of graft scandals and slow- JOHANNESBURG: South African increasingly fractured ANC. ing economic growth. top Rwandan President Jacob Zuma said yester- The charges “against the min- Gordhan’s cause has also day he supported Finance Minister ister of finance are a concern to all attracted backing from Deputy rebel: Army Pravin Gordhan who is due in court of us, including the investor com- President Cyril Ramaphosa, some next week on criminal charges munities,” Zuma told lawmakers. ministers and scores of business widely seen as politically-moti- “As cabinet we have expressed leaders. GOMA: DR Congo’s army vated. our full support of the minister.” Zuma said he had not acted to announced the arrest of Gordhan, a respected vet- The president said that Gordhan stop the prosecution of Gordhan a senior member of the eran of the ruling ANC party, will “was innocent until found guilty”. because interfering would drive FDLR, the Rwandan Hutu Thailand’s Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn takes part in a ceremony appear in court on November 2 on The finance minister has been the country “closer to a banana rebel force accused of honouring late King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the Grand Palace in charges dating back to 2010 over a vocal opponent of corruption and republic”. regular atrocities on Con- Bangkok. golese soil. Army spokesman Major Guillaume Ndjike said that Habiarimana Mucebo Sofuni had been First repatriation of Myanmar UN calls for probe into captured in Rutshuru, in Nord-Kivu province. Sofuni served as a commander in charge of refugees in Thailand begins attacks on Rohingyas intelligence for the Dem- ocratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda. Reuters the western province of Ratchaburi. persecution at the hands of the AFP rights groups and journalists. Dozens more from Nupo Camp in Myanmar army during decades of Most of the people in the locked- Thailand’s western Tak province will military rule. down area are Rohingya -- a Muslim Four dead after follow on Wednesday (tomorrow), Ko Ko Naing, a senior official minority reviled by many in Myan- BANGKOK: The first, voluntary said Iain Hall, UNHCR’s senior field from Myanmar’s Ministry of Social YANGON: The United Nations has mar as illegal immigrants from Australia theme repatriation of 68 Myanmar refugees coordinator. Welfare, Relief and Resettlements called for a probe into allegations Bangladesh. from camps along the Thai-Myan- “This particular movement is a said Myanmar was ready to receive that Myanmar troops have killed In a statement released late park disaster mar border began yesterday with milestone”. the returnees. civilians and torched villages in Monday, the UN urged Myanmar’s the United Nations refugee agency “But it won’t be the start of a “These people want to return to northern Rakhine state, as fresh government “to undertake proper calling the movement a “milestone” large exodus,” he said. Myanmar of their own volition,” he reports emerged of forced evictions and thorough investigations of GOLD COAST: Two women while underscoring it would not lead “The Myanmar government told Reuters. in a security crackdown. alleged violations”. and two men were killed to an exodus. came over and issued certificates of Successive Thai governments Aid agencies estimate more than “Reports of homes and mosques at a theme park on Aus- The return of the refugees is the identification saying these people have raised the possibility of shut- 15,000 people have been displaced being burnt down and persons of tralia’s popular Gold Coast first to receive endorsement from the are their citizens,” said Hall, add- ting down the camps permanently. since the military took control of an a certain profile being rounded up yesterday, police said, with Thai and Myanmar governments, the ing that those who chose to return Hall said now was not the time. area close to the Bangladesh bor- and shot are alarming and unac- witnesses describing how UNHCR said. had based their decision on infor- “We’re not promoting return and der two weeks ago, a region which ceptable,” said the UN Special “everyone was scream- For tens of thousands of refugees mation given by their families in we’ve made that clear with both gov- is home to the stateless Rohingya Rapporteur on summary execu- ing” after a raft apparently living in a total of nine camps along Myanmar who said that it was safe ernments,” said Hall. minority. tions Agnes Callamard. flipped on a water ride. Thailand’s border with Myanmar a to return. “We don’t yet believe it is the Myanmar’s government says “The authorities cannot justify Police said the four return home has been a dream made There are around 103,000 refu- time to return but of course these hundreds of Rohingya fighters simply shooting suspects down on victims died on the Thun- impossible because of political and gees and internally displaced people people have the right to return if they led by a -trained jihadist the basis of the seriousness of the der River Rapids ride at economic uncertainty in Myanmar. living in the nine camps along the want to.” were behind deadly raids on sev- crime alone,” she said. the Dreamworld park, as That has somewhat changed border. Myanmar has seen sporadic eral police posts on October 9 that While details of military abuses Prime Minister Malcolm since a civilian government, led by Some residents have been living violence in recent weeks includ- sparked a major security response. are hard to verify, the UN said it has Turnbull offered prayers Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San in the camps for 30 years. ing in Muslim-majority Rakhine Since then the military has received “repeated allegations” of to their families over what Suu Kyi, took power earlier this year. Nearly 80 percent are eth- state between government forces stopped aid deliveries to tens of arbitrary arrests and extrajudicial he called a “very, very, The return began yesterday nic Karen from eastern Myanmar and what officials say are fighters thousands of people in northern killings “within the context of the sad, tragic event”. with one family leaving a camp in who fled armed conflict and often inspired by Islamists. Rakhine and blocked access to security operations”. ASIA / PHILIPPINES WEDNESDAY 26 OCTOBER 2016 11 Duterte lashes out at US before Japan visit

I do not want to see US wants to stay in Philippines: Envoy any military man of any other nation AFP of foreign militant organisations trying to increase its involvement except the Filipino. there. That’s the only thing I MANILA: The United States wants “We’ve helped the Philippines as to remain involved in the cam- it has reduced the threat over time,” want: President paign to quell Islamic militancy in Goldberg said. the southern Philippines, its ambas- “But we are concerned obvi- sador to Manila said yesterday. ously about any new intrusion of Ambassador Philip Goldberg ISIS (Islamic State group) or any Reuters said the security threat in the con- other group that wants to take flict-plagued region was “very advantage of open space in the serious”, warning the Islamic south of the Philippines. So we want State group was among a number to continue doing that.” MANILA: Philippine President Rod- rigo Duterte lashed out anew at the United States yesterday and said it could forget a bilateral defence deal The fresh broadside from Duterte about its apparent pivot towards rival if he stayed in power long enough, came as he was about to board a power China. in the latest jarring statement from plane for an official visit to fellow The volatile, crime-busting Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is welcomed by Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida prior to their Manila about the future of the alli- US ally Japan, a big investor in the Duterte had on the eve of the visit dinner meeting at the entrance of a Japanese restaurant in Tokyo, yesterday. ance. Philippines that is becoming nervous softened his remarks last week about a “separation” from Washing- ton, telling Japanese media he wasn’t The remarks were another per- Manila at the end of World War Two It is unclear where Duterte’s lat- planning to change alliances and was plexing swing from Duterte, who last to embassy officials once question- est diatribe leaves US-Philippines only seeking to build trade and com- week announced in China his “sepa- ing his intentions when he applied for ties. Russel had left Manila in con- merce with China. ration” from the United States, before a visa to visit a girlfriend. fident mood and US Secretary of But he pulled no punches yester- assuring that ties were not being sev- “You know, I did not start this State John Kerry had expressed opti- day when he said he hated having ered and he was merely pursuing an fight,” he said of the spat with mism the two countries could “work foreign troops in the Philippines. independent foreign policy. Washington. through” a period of confusion caused Commenting on a visit to Manila His latest swipe at Washington His overtures to China and hos- by Duterte’s remarks last week. on Monday by Daniel Russel, an could rattle Japanese Prime Minis- tility towards the United States have Duterte has railed against US Assistant Secretary of State, Duterte ter Shinzo Abe, who wants to keep raised questions about what Duterte’s expressions of concerns about the said Washington should forget about ties with the Philippines tight. overall goal is and the extent to which high loss of life in his campaign an Enhanced Defence Cooperation In a composed reading of a state- his actions could shake up the geo- against drugs and Washington’s calls Agreement (EDCA) with the Phil- ment prior to departure for Tokyo, political dynamic of a region wary for due process. ippines if he were to stay in charge Duterte described Japan as a true about Beijing’s growing influence and Japanese officials said Abe would longer. friend that had played a “preeminent US staying power. not overtly try to mediate between “You have the EDCA, well for- and peerless role” as a big investor Abe has sought to strengthen ties Tokyo and Washington but would get it. If I stay here long enough,” he and Philippine development partner. with the Philippines and other South- probably explain the importance of said. “I do not want to see any mili- But he quickly became vexed east Asian countries, particularly the US role in the region. tary man of any other nation except when answering questions and held Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida the Filipino. That’s the only thing I up the front page of a Philippine as a counter-balance to Beijing. met Duterte yesterday for a low- want.” newspaper which carried the head- Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary key dinner, and Abe will hold rare He did not elaborate on what line “Duterte sparking international Yoshihide Suga yesterday said both one-on-one talks with Duterte at his staying longer meant. In the Philip- distress - US”. presidents would have a meeting to residence in Tokyo tonight following Supporters shout Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s name as they pines, a president is allowed only one Duterte vented at Washington on “further the strategic partnership a larger, more formal meeting with wait for his arrival at a hotel in Tokyo, yesterday. six-year term in office. several fronts, from its bombings of with the Philippines”. senior officials.

China ‘has political promise’ from Park apologises for Abducted Vietnam sailors back home West on graft fight document leaks AFP Reuters AFP files on Choi’s computer -- retrieved HANOI: Three Vietnamese fishermen from her office after she left the held hostage for nearly five years by country as the influence-peddling Somali pirates returned home yester- BEIJING: China has been given scandal broke. day to weeping relatives, saying they a political promise by West- SEOUL: South Korean President Her present whereabouts are were “overwhelmed” with joy after ern countries that they will Park Geun-Hye was forced into a unknown. their harrowing kidnapping. not become havens for corrupt public apology yesterday for the Describing Choi as someone The men were among 26 hos- fugitives, a senior official said, leak of official documents to a fam- who helped her during “difficult tages freed Sunday who belonged though he offered no assurances ily associate involved in a growing times”, Park admitted that she to the crew of Naham 3, an Omani- to assuage concerns about mis- corruption scandal. had sought Choi’s opinion on her flagged vessel that was seized south treatment of suspects. “I deeply apologise to the peo- speeches and unspecified “PR mate- of the Seychelles in March 2012. China has vowed to pur- ple,” Park said in a televised speech, rials” for her election campaign After a long flight from Kenya, Nguyen Van Ha, one of three Vietnamese sailors freed by Somali sue an overseas search dubbed before bowing deeply to the camera. and after she took office in Febru- a stunned looking Nguyen Xuan pirates, waves as he arrives at Hanoi’s International Airport Noi Bai, Operation “Fox Hunt” for corrupt South Korean prosecutors ary 2013. Phuong was greeted by his beaming yesterday. officials and business executives, are currently investigating Park’s “I have listened to her opinion father, who shouted the 27-year-old’s and their assets, part of President longtime friend Choi Soon-Sil on certain materials for some time name as he spotted him at Hanoi’s Naham 3, but one died during the 35, embraced his tearful wife and Xi Jinping’s war on deep-seated over allegations that she used her but stopped after I had appointed Noi Bai International Airport. hijacking and two more died of ill- young children as they were reu- corruption. relationship with the president to my presidential aides,” Park said “I am overwhelmed with happi- ness during their captivity. nited at the airport, and said he It has been pushing for extradi- strong-arm conglomerates into recently. ness,” Phuong said, as he embraced Phuong’s father said the four and was stalked by terror during his long tion treaties but Western countries multi-million dollar donations to Choi is the daughter of the late his tearful dad. a half years without his son were stretch in captivity. have been reluctant to help, not two non-profit foundations. religious figure Choi Tae-Min, who The hostage takers initially cap- agonising. “I am very happy to see my fam- wanting to send people to a country Park had sought to distance her- was known to be a key mentor of tured 29 crew members from the Fellow hostage Nguyen Van Ha, ily. Thank you everyone.” where rights groups say mistreat- self from the case, but was brought the current president up to his death ment of suspects is a concern. into focus by a TV report on Monday in 1994. Canada, the United States and that Choi had been given advance The investigation into Choi and Australia are popular destinations copies of presidential speeches and the suspicion that she exerted undue Six dead in where Chinese graft suspects have may have had a hand in revising influence over Park have damaged Manila buys new frigates fled, whose governments have some of them. the president, whose popularity rat- insisted China goes through the The report was based on 200 ings have sunk to record lows. hospital fire proper legal process if it wants from South Korean firm them back. in Malaysia Speaking on the latest episode Reuters Lorenzana signed the agreement of state television’s eight-part doc- with representatives of South umentary on China’s graft fight Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries. AFP shown late Monday, Liu Jian- Duterte visited China a week chao, in charge of China’s efforts MANILA: The Philippines signed ago, seeking to normalise relations to repatriate graft suspects, said a $337m contract yesterday with a with Beijing that were soured by a KUALA LUMPUR: Six people died the corruption fight needed glo- South Korean shipyard for the sup- dispute over the South China Sea in a fire that swept through the bal efforts. ply of two navy frigates, underlining after China seized the Scarborough intensive care unit of a major hos- “Certain Western countries its intent to beef up its sea defences Shoal in 2012 and built man-made pital in Malaysia, officials said. have clearly stressed that they while pursuing closer ties with its islands in the Spratlys in 2014. Mohamad Rizal Buang, a sen- do not want to become a haven biggest maritime rival, China. The Philippines in Septem- ior fire officer in the state of Johor, for corrupt elements. This is an The acquisition of the mod- ber proposed a 14 percent rise in said the blaze at Johor Bahru’s Sul- extremely important accom- ern frigates was a big step for the defence spending next year to fund tanah Aminah Hospital, a public plishment, and is an extremely Philippine navy towards building a five-year $1.7bn military modern- facility, had been contained after important political promise”. a ‘world class and well-equipped’ isation programme to catch up with more than two hours. “Six people He made no mention of how force that could protect sovereign its neighbours in Southeast Asia. were killed in the fire.” China plans to address concerns territory, navy spokesman Captain A senior defence official said Photographs posted on Face- about its legal system, especially Lued Lincuna said. the Philippines would also buy book by the Malaysian Health mistreatment of suspects. Lincuna said the contract was eight amphibious assault vehicles Ministry’s Director-General Noor The government this month the most expensive procurement for from the United States, plus three Hisham Abdullah showed black South Korean President Park Geun-Hye bows after releasing a unveiled new plans to once again the military since President Rod- anti-submarine helicopters and two smoke billowing from the hospi- try and stop confessions through statement of apology to the public during a news conference at the rigo Duterte took office late in June. long-range patrol aircraft from a tal’s second floor and fire raging torture. Presidential Blue House in Seoul, yesterday. Defence Secretary Delfin European defence contractor. inside the building. 12 WEDNESDAY 26 OCTOBER 2016 PAKISTAN Militants attack Quetta police academy; 61 dead

others blew themselves up. outskirts,” said Baluchistan’s chief Later in the day, conflicting minister, Sanaullah Zehri. The four-hour siege claims of responsibility emerged. There were initially also also wounded 123 The Islamic State group posted a conflicting police and military state- claim on the group’s media arm, ments about the number of attackers police trainees and the -language Aamaq news involved. About 700 cadets, train- some paramilitary agency. It said three IS fighters killed ees, instructors and other staff were troops. 60 police recruits in Quetta but the inside the academy when it was claim was not confirmed by Paki- attacked, Bugti said. stani officials and IS did not offer any Once inside the academy previously unknown details about grounds, Pakistani media said AP the assault. the gunmen headed straight to Earlier, a little-known breaka- the dorms housing the cadets and way faction of the Pakistani Taliban, trainees and opened fire, shooting known as Hakimullah group, also indiscriminately. Some of the cadets QUETTA: Militants wearing suicide issued a statement claiming respon- jumped off rooftops and through vests stormed a Pakistani police sibility for the attack. Pakistani windows to try to escape. academy in the southwestern city of officials, doubting the group’s capa- “They were rushing toward our Soldiers stand at the entrance of Police Training College in Quetta, yesterday, after an overnight militant Quetta overnight, killing 61 people, bilities in staging such a coordinated building, firing,” one cadet told Geo mostly police cadets and recruits, and spectacular assault, also could TV news channel. “We rushed for attack on the establishment. and waging a ferocious gunbattle not confirm that claim. safety toward the roof and jumped with troops that lasted into early While most of the casualties were down in the back of the building.” “This war isn’t over,” said Paki- allegations that the assault was military operations against militants hours yesterday. cadets and others from the acad- Another recruit, his face covered stani Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar planned from bases inside Afghan- in country’s lawless tribal regions The four-hour siege — one of emy, some of army personnel who in blood, told the station the gun- Ali Khan. “The enemy is weakened, istan. “Afghanistan is the biggest along Afghanistan border, including the deadliest attacks on Pakistan’s responded to the assault were also men shot at whoever they saw. “I ran but not eliminated.” victim of terrorism and denounces a major push that started mid 2014 security forces in recent years — also among those killed, said Shahzada away, just praying God might save Maj. Gen. Sher Afgan, head all terrorist attacks,” said Mohammad in North Waziristan, a militant base. wounded 123, mainly police trainees Farhat, police spokesman in Quetta. me,” he said. of Pakistani paramilitary force Haroon Chakhansuri, spokesman for The Islamic militants have killed tens but also some paramilitary troops, The attack began at 11:30 pm After the attack, Pakistani forces claimed the attackers had received Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. of thousands of people in their bid to according to Wasay Khan, a spokes- on Monday, said Baluchistan Home tightened security around the acad- instructions from commanders In a separate statement, Ghani overthrow Pakistan’s government man for elite Frontier Corps. Some Minister Sarfraz Bugti, with three emy and Quetta hospitals where the in neighbouring Afghanistan. He also condemned the attack, saying and install their own harsh brand of of the wounded were reported to be militants shooting and killing a wounded were taken. Footage aired said they were most likely from the that “terrorism is a threat through- Islamic law. in critical condition. police guard at the watch tower on local television stations showed banned Lashker-e-Jhangvi Al-Almi out the region, which is reflected in Later in the day, a roadside bomb The assault caught many of the before storming into the academy, ambulances rushing out of the main militant group affiliated with Al- the brutal act today in Quetta.” killed a police official escorting a recruits asleep in their dorms and located on the city’s outskirts. entrance of the academy as fire Qaeda and the Taliban. The Sunni For over a decade, Baluchistan polio team that was travelling in forced cadets and trainers to jump Baluchistan officials had earlier engines struggled to put out fires militant group has mainly targeted has been the scene of a low-inten- northwestern Pakistan as part of a off rooftops and run for their lives to received “intelligence reports that set off by the explosions from the minority Shiite Muslims whom its sity insurgency by nationalist and vaccination campaign, according to escape the attackers. some terrorists have entered the attackers’ suicide vests. members consider to be infidels. separatist groups demanding a big- Furqan Bilal, a police superintendent Pakistani troops responding province” but had no indications Most of those being treated at the The paramilitary chief spoke ger share in the regional resources. in Peshawar. Militant attacks on polio to the assault told reporters it was about possible targets. city hospitals had gunshot wounds, before the IS and the Hakimullah Islamic militants and Sunni sec- teams are common in Pakistan as Tal- over after all three suicide bombers “We had tightened security, although were injured jumping off group’s claims surfaced. tarian also have a presence in the iban and other extremists denounce involved in the attack were killed which is why they could not do it the rooftop of the hostel housing the Afghanistan condemned the province. such vaccination campaigns as a — one was gunned down while two in the city and chose a target on the cadets to escape the gunmen. attack and dismissed Pakistan’s Pakistan has carried out several Western conspiracy. Bilawal moves Afghan Taliban use drone to film suicide attack High Court for AFP district, triggering a mushroom cloud the base without any apparent resist- When the Taliban ruled Afghani- Taliban smartphone app from its of flames and smoke and razing the ance, causing a massive explosion. stan between 1996 and 2001, almost online store, countering the insurgent security in entire compound. The video, which could not all electronic products were outlawed group’s increasing efforts to boost its With pro-Taliban poems play- be independently verified, is the as un-Islamic. global visibility. view of threats KABUL: The Afghan Taliban have ing in the background, the video first drone footage released by the But the Taliban have avidly Afghan authorities in June released aerial footage of a suicide reported yesterday by the US-based Taliban. The Afghan defence min- embraced electronic communica- banned media companies from using car bombing in southern Helmand SITE Intelligence group shows a istry in a statement rejected it as tion and social media in recent years drone cameras, citing security con- Internews province, marking the first time the turban-clad bomber in front of a “propaganda”. as a recruitment tool and to promote cerns in a country well known for the media-savvy militant group has used Humvee, hugging fellow fighters Once seen as uneducated thugs, their propaganda. rampant use of unmanned military a drone to record an attack. before he departs. the Taliban have developed a savvy The Taliban now have a robust aircraft. KARACHI: Pakistan People’s The 23-minute video shows a The camera mounted on a drone PR team who use digital technol- social media presence and a website The United States often uses Party chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zard- suicide bomber ramming a Humvee shows a birds-eye view of the tar- ogy to reach out to audiences in five languages including English. military-grade drones to target the ari has moved the Sindh High into a military base in volatile Nawa get, tracking his Humvee as it strikes worldwide. In April, Google removed a Taliban and other insurgent groups. Court seeking adequate security and permission to travel with per- sonal guards across the country. He filed a constitutional peti- tion through his counsel, Advocate Coordinating strikes Around 100,000 refugees Akhtar Hussain, seeking court’s directives for federal and pro- vincial governments to ensure to leave for Afghanistan provision of a round-the-clock security cover as there were seri- ous threats to his life in view of by November end reports of the security agencies. Bhutto-Zardari asked the court to direct authorities to allow Internews According to the United Nations him to carry his personal security High Commissioner for Refugees guards with licenced arms while record, Pakistan has hosted 1.6 mil- travelling or addressing public lion registered Afghan refugees over meetings throughout the country. ISLAMABAD: Some 100,000 the past three decades. He stated in the petition that Afghan refugees are expected to leave Officials of Chief Commissioner being chairman of PPP he had Pakistan by the end of November, a Secretariat said over one million to travel across the country to senior Pakistani official has said. unregistered Afghan refugees are address public gatherings and dis- Already close to half a million also residing in different parts on charge public duties for welfare of Afghan refugees have been repat- the country. the people. The PPP chairman said riated to their homeland, Chief Dr Zaib said the total number security agencies had issued reports Commissioner for Afghan Refu- of registered and unregistered regarding serious threats to his life. gees Dr Imran Zaib said. refugees is decreasing with the Therefore, there was a grave con- The figure includes 270,000 repartition every day, and it is cern about his security, he added. registered and 200,000 unregis- expected that all refugees will leave He submitted that he had Afghan army tactical air controllers review coordinate points during an air strike training mission on tered refugees who have voluntarily by the end of the new deadline. apprehension about his security the outskirts of Logar province. Under pressure from the Taliban, Afghanistan’s military is increasingly returned to Afghanistan. “Another Last month, the government as he had been receiving death relying on country’s young air force, and, together with Western allies and is speeding up its training 100,000 refugees are scheduled extended the stay of the Afghan threats from terrorist organ- of pilots and ground controllers to strike the enemy. to leave the country by the end of refugees until March 2017. The isations. He also recalled that November,” he added. extension, according to Dr Zaib, has his mother, Benazir Bhutto, was Although Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa helped Afghan refugees to dispose assassinated in a public gather- is main province from where Afghan of their properties on reasonable ing in Rawalpindi, whereas his refugees are heading out, their exodus terms and conditions. father being the co-chairman covers almost all parts of the country. About blocking of fake CNIC’s of the party had been receiving Punjab criminalises child labour This year the number of return- obtained by a large number of threats from extremists. ees is much higher than last year Afghan refugees, he said many He said that the law and order when only 58,000 refugees were of those holders have willingly situation in the country was pre- Internews 15 and 18 years in hazardous occupa- advise on legislative and administra- repatriated from Pakistan, the sen- returned their fake CNICs. carious and several political tions are now crimes punishable by jail tive measures for the eradication of ior official said. He voiced concern It is unclear how many refu- leaders and important person- time as well as monetary fines. child labour and propose a minimum about Kabul’s alleged inefficiency and gees had obtained forged CNICs in alities had been assassinated in As many as 38 occupations age for purposes of employment. planning glitches in absorbing the the past but the chief commissioner the past. LAHORE: Following fierce sloga- have been identified as hazardous Other provisions for adolescents returnees and helping them resettle. claimed the number was not very The petitioner submitted that neering demanding accountability of under the law in connection with the include a mandatory day off in a week In view of the stability threats in high. According to him, the major- in view of the law and order situ- Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, oppo- employment of an adolescent. as well as working hours in a day that Afghanistan, Islamabad has urged ity of such card holders were found ation and security threats, his life sition benches in Punjab Assembly Primarily these include those should not exceed three hours, and if Kabul and relevant world bodies to in Balochistan. and property were in serious dan- walked out of the House, allowing exposing an adolescent to toxic or required to should allow for a man- extend the required assistance to NADRA, officials however ger, therefore, he needed adequate an unopposed passage of as many explosive chemicals, bangles man- datory one-hour break. the returnees, according to Dr Zaib. said stated that the Afghan refu- security. as three government bills, including ufacturing, textile processes, stone Penalties under the law include a With winter fast approaching, gees had no option but to give back He asked the court to direct the Punjab Restriction on Employ- crushing, tobacco manufacturing, jail term of a maximum of six months he said, the scale of problems faced their bogus CNICs as their bank the federal and provincial gov- ment of Children Bill, 2016. cinemas and cyber clubs. and a fine up to Rs 50,000 for employ- by returnees can only increase accounts, Pakistani passports and ernments to provide him adequate With the passage of the child The law proposes the constitu- ing or permitting a child to work or for especially if the Afghan authorities driving licences will automatically security during his visits across labour law, employing a child below 15 tion of a committee — the Provincial allowing the same for an adolescent and concerned world organisations become dysfunctional once their the country. years of age, or an adolescent between Committee on Child Labour that will in hazardous occupations. failed to devise solutions in time. forged CNICs are blocked. INDIA WEDNESDAY 26 OCTOBER 2016 13

Farmers protest SC asks Mallya Yashwant Sinha to fully disclose meets Geelani assets abroad NEW DELHI: Expressing its unhappiness, the Supreme Court yesterday directed beleaguered over unrest liquor baron Vijay Mallya to dis- close in full and within four weeks all his overseas assets, including details of the $40m he got in Feb- visit to Kashmir. “Our objective was ruary from British liquor major to meet and interact and that objec- Diageo. Our objective tive has been achieved. The talks The British company made was to meet and were held in cordial atmosphere,” the payment against acquisition interact and that Sinha told reporters outside Geel- of controlling stakes in Mallya’s ani’s highly fortified house where United Spirits Ltd. objective has been he has been kept under detention “We are not happy the way achieved. The talks for over three months. disclosure was made,” Justice Sinha and his team members Kurian Joseph observed. were held in cordial later went to meet Mirwaiz Umar The bench of Justice Kurian atmosphere: Sinha Farooq at his Nigeen house, a day Joseph and Justice Rohinton Nar- after the moderate separatist was iman said Mallya will furnish the freed from a guest-house-turned- particulars of his foreign assets in jail in Srinagar and has now been a way he did regarding his assets IANS detained at his residence. in India. “We are prima facie of They are also expected to meet Farmers shouting slogans during a protest against government’s plan to allow genetically-modified the view that Vijay Mallya has not other separatist leaders, including mustard crop, in New Delhi, yesterday. made proper disclosure in terms SRINAGAR: A five-member team Jammu and Kashmir Liberation of the order of April 7, 2016. led by senior BJP leader Yashwant Front leader Yaseen Malik who was Sinha yesterday met separatist moved from jail to a Srinagar hos- leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and pital after his health deteriorated. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq here with a Sinha said they were visiting view to break a logjam after over the valley purely on a humanitar- Mulayam signals truce but Samajwadi tensions simmer three months of deadly unrest in the ian basis and their trip should not Kashmir Valley. be seen as a government effort to The team, which includes break ice with the separatist lead- IANS It was Mulayam Singh’s first news before the next election and reiter- family and the party. former bureaucrat Wajahat ers, who have been spearheading conference after Akhilesh Yadav ated that the party legislators would “Why drag him in all this? My Habibullah, who has served in the agitation since the July 8 killing sacked his uncle Shivpal Yadav and elect their leader if it retained power. family and party are united. All Jammu and Kashmir, ex-Air Vice of Hizbul Mujahideen commander LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh’s ruling three other ministers amid months Asked whether Shivpal Yadav workers are united. There are some Marshal Kapil Kak, journalist Bharat Burhan Wani. Samajwadi Party and the Yadav fam- of bitter power struggle in the party and the other sacked leaders would conspirators who do not have any Bhushan and activist Sushobha “Our motto is to share the griev- ily are both united, party supremo and the Yadav family. return to the cabinet, Mulayam mass base. There are no differences Barve, landed in Srinagar and drove ances and pain (of Kashmiri people). Mulayam Singh Yadav declared yes- Mulayam Singh was flanked by Singh said the decision was the Chief or ill feeling among our leaders,” he to Geelani’s residence in Hyderpora. I hope the state of unrest will be terday. But it became clear within Shivpal Yadav, the new state unit Minister’s. said. As soon as the press conference The delegation members made resolved soon,” the former BJP min- minutes that infighting was far from chief of the party, and three other Party sources said that Akhilesh ended, hundreds of Akhilesh Yadav it clear that they did not represent ister said, adding that they were “not over. Minutes after Mulayam Singh leaders expelled from the govern- Yadav was reluctant to reverse his supporters surrounded the party the government and were visiting here as a part of any delegation”. made his claim, hundreds of Chief ment. But the Chief Minister gave it Sunday decision. office, demanding that the Chief Min- the Kashmir Valley on their own Habibullah said the team didn’t Minister Akhilesh Yadav’s supporters a miss. The sources also said Mulayam ister be made the state party chief initiative. Geelani, who heads the represent any government or politi- laid a siege to the party office here, Mulayam Singh refused to Singh had refused to give in to his — a post he held earlier. hardline faction of the separatist cal party. “Ours is a purely personal demanding that he be given back the answer many questions over the son’s demands that Rajya Sabha Young men, wearing red caps Hurriyat Conference, agreed to meet initiative to identify with the suffer- reins of the party’s state unit ahead of deep divide but had a stern mes- member Ram Gopal Yadav, expelled and some even wearing T-shirts with and talk to the delegation. ings of the people here.” next year’s assembly election. sage for his son, saying that in 2012 from the party, be brought back and Akhilesh’s image embossed on them, The octogenarian separatist had Bhushan, a veteran journal- This was shortly after the Sama- the party won a landslide because long-time Mulayam Man on Friday climbed up on trees and demanded on September 4 shut the door on ist and editor of multimedia Catch jwadi Party chief told the media: of him (Mulayam) but still Akhilesh Amar Singh thrown out. that Shivpal Yadav be removed from Marxist leader Sitaram Yechury and News, refused to divulge details of “Our family is united, the party is Yadav was made the Chief Minister. Mulayam Singh defended Amar the post. They said the future of the three other non-BJP MPs who were the meetings. “Sorry, I cannot talk,” united... We stand united with full He, however, denied any possi- Singh, who was accused by Akhilesh party lay in the hands of the 43-year- part of an all-party delegation on a Bhushan said. strength.” bility of replacing the Chief Minister Yadav of causing differences in the old son of Mulayam Singh. 14 WEDNESDAY 26 OCTOBER 2016 EUROPE

Spain’s king UK approves Heathrow airport expansion asks Rajoy to form govt There is strong Lawmaker from environmental May’s party quits AFP opposition to the expansion and the Reuters MADRID: Spain’s king yesterday tasked Mariano Rajoy with form- approval process ing a government, taking acting could still delay conservative prime minister a LONDON: Conservative law- step closer to power again after a or even block its maker Zac Goldsmith, a vocal 10-month political deadlock. execution. opponent of expansion of “I accepted the task,” Rajoy old Heathrow Airport, yesterday reporters, saying he would now notified the government of his submit himself to a parliamen- decision to resign from parlia- tary vote of confidence which he AFP ment, the finance ministry said. is almost certain to win after the Goldsmith, who represents Socialists opted to let him govern, a constituency near the airport, meaning Spain should finally get had pledged to quit if Heathrow a government next week. LONDON: The British government was given go ahead to expand— Rajoy’s Popular Party (PP) approved a new third runway at something which happened won elections in June but without London’s Heathrow airport yester- earlier yesterday. The resigna- enough seats to govern alone, and day in a long-awaited decision that tion will prompt an election for after a first failed attempt to push has stoked divisions and follows dec- his west London seat. Goldsmith, a minority government through a ades of debate over the issue. who unsuccessfully ran for Lon- Protesters against airport expansion take part in a demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament in parliamentary vote, he will now The move was hailed by Transport don mayor, is expected to run as central London, yesterday. try again at the weekend. Secretary Chris Grayling as a “momen- an independent candidate. The 61-year-old will likely tous step” but sparked protests and granted the rare opportunity to voice The government rejected a rival runway, say London’s five existing succeed this time after the Social- threats of legal action from opponents. their dissenting views, including For- bid for a second runway at Gatwick airports are not keeping up with ris- ists voted Sunday to abstain in The government said the new next 14 years, while the airport has eign Secretary Boris Johnson. He said airport south of the capital, backed ing air travel demand. such a vote—giving him enough runway—the capital’s first new full- committed to create 5,000 appren- he would continue to fight the plans, by current London Mayor Sadiq Khan. But environmentalists are traction to get through. length runway since World War II ticeships over the same period. warning that London risked becom- “This is the wrong decision for fiercely opposed to any airport In line with post-election pro- —would “bring economic benefits to But there is strong environmen- ing the “city of planes”. London and the whole of Britain,” expansion in the British capital, parts tocol, parliamentary speaker Ana passengers and the wider economy tal opposition to expansion and the “Building a third runway slap Khan said, adding he would look into of which already routinely breach EU Pastor called two obligatory lower worth up to £61bn (€69bn, $75 bn)”. approval process could still delay bang in middle of the western sub- the possibility of legal action. air pollution limits. Campaign group house debates on a Rajoy-led gov- It said up to 77,000 local jobs or even block its execution. Minis- urb to the greatest city on earth is not Business leaders, many of whom Greenpeace said it was ready to take ernment, after which confidence are expected to be created over the ters opposed to the plans have been the right thing to do,” he said. have long campaigned for a third the government to court. votes will be held. The Socialists, who do not support the acting prime minis- ter but say they want to see an end Kosovo charges to Spain’s political blockage, have Demolition of ‘Jungle’ decided to vote against him in the first vote, which will take place president’s ally tomorrow. They will then abstain in the over land scam camp continues second and final vote, due on Saturday.

AFP AFP people have been transferred to shel- ters around France while around 600 Hungary summons unaccompanied minors have been PRISTINA: Kosovo’s state prose- moved to a container park in the Jungle Russian envoy over cutor yesterday charged an ally of CALAIS, FRANCE: Workers escorted where families had been staying, Inte- powerful President Hashim Thaci by scores of French police officers rior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said. uprising remarks with leading a criminal network moved into the “Jungle” in Calais yes- Others, including a number of responsible for a multi-million euro terday, demolishing shacks and tents Afghans, are waiting until today land scam and money laundering. emptied of migrants who were being , billed as the last day for bus AFP Azem Syla, a former mem- bussed to shelters around France. transfers. Ali Othman, a Sudanese ber of parliament and prominent The demolition work began on the 18-year-old vowed he would not politician in Thaci’s ruling Demo- second day of a massive operation to leave voluntarily. BUDAPEST: Budapest yesterday cratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), was clear the squalid settlement, where “They can detain me, jail me, summoned Moscow’s ambassa- charged along with 38 associates an estimated 6,000-8,000 migrants. throw me out on the street. I still dor after Russian state TV made in the “organised criminal group,” “The start of the clean-up oper- want to go to Britain.” he said. But what Hungary called “degrading” according to a statement from the ations sends a sign that La Lande the sprawling shantytown, one of remarks about its 1956 uprising prosecutor’s office. camp is really over,” said Fabienne Europe’s biggest slums, was rapidly against Soviet communist rule. “They have collaborated with Buccio, head of security in the region, becoming a ghost town. “We will make very clear we each other, each with a specific using the official name for the camp “It makes me sad to see the camp won’t tolerate anyone making role, to deprive Kosovo of pub- known as the Jungle. in this state,” said Marie Paule, a degrading remarks regarding lic property through criminal Finality of the operation was charity worker who started volun- 1956 uprising and its heroes,” the activities, including forged offi- driven home by demolition operation, teering at the Jungle last year. foreign affairs ministry told Hun- cial documents, fraud and corrupt as mattresses, blankets, clothes, pots “I have a heavy heart... but it’s the garian news agency MTI. practices,” the statement said. and suitcases left behind by migrants best solution for them.” Russian state TV had It said the group was led by were piled on top of the wood and The migrants face a choice described the armed rebellion Syla, who surrendered to authori- plastic sheeting used in their shacks. between requesting asylum in as “riots”, during which “thou- ties in April two days after a major Wearing hard hats and orange France or being possibly deported. sands of former Nazis were police probe and was placed overalls workers used electric saws Earlier in the day, hundreds liberated from prison”, as Hun- under house arrest. to take down wooden shelters and of anxious minors queued to be gary commemorated revolt’s 60th After his arrest, the prosecu- earth-moving equipment to clear interviewed by French and British anniversary with a large state cer- tor said Syla’s crime syndicate debris from the site. Riot police car- officials who will decide their fate. emony on Sunday. was involved in illegally acquiring rying shields sealed off the area. The Doctors Without Borders While Russian word for riots, public property in Kosovo worth Beforehand, aid workers and charity accused officials picking those “pogrom”, does not carry anti- €30m ($33m). Syla, who sub- officials had gone tent-to-tent to who will be accepted into Britain of Semitic overtones, the term is French anti-riot policemen stand next to migrants during the full sequently quit his job an as MP, ensure the area had been vacated. excluding a number of children by tainted with negative meaning labelled the investigation “unfair”. evacuation of the Calais Jungle” camp, in Calais. Since Monday, around 2,700 selecting on the basis of appearance. in Hungary.

Nato flies first AWACS surveillance Portraying the legend mission backing anti-IS coalition

AFP the aircraft were limited to flying in Russia and that the 28 alliance mem- international airspace or over Nato bers had reversed years of defence member Turkey, from where they cuts and that their spending had can look deep into Syria and Iraq. been increasing since 2015. BRUSSELS: Sophisticated Nato sur- Stoltenberg said that while he “This was not something caused veillance planes have flown their could not comment on their exact by the US election,” he said. As for first mission in support of the US-led role, the aircraft “will not be part of Nato’s all for one, one for all’ defence coalition battling the Islamic State combat operations.” commitment enshrined in Article 5 group, alliance head Jens Stoltenberg Stoltenberg said Nato’s commit- of the alliance’s founding treaty, he said yesterday. ment to defend all allies against any said this could not be subject to any Nato leaders agreed in July to threat is “unconditional” and irrespec- conditions if it was to be an effective commit the AWACS planes after tive of whether they pay their dues. deterrence to aggression and a reas- Washington had pressed hard for the Asked his view of remarks by US surance to allies—including the US. alliance to make a concrete gesture Republican presidential candidate “I would like to underline that to help the fight against IS. Donald Trump that, should he win, Nato’s security guarantees are not “Nato itself is now offering direct US commitment would depend on conditioned, they are absolute and support with our AWACS surveillance members keeping up with their con- unconditional,” he said. aircraft,” Stoltenberg told a press brief- tributions, Stoltenberg stressed first Stoltenberg recalled that the only ing in Brussels, announcing that the he did not want to get drawn into the time Article 5 had been invoked was first flight took place on October 20. US election campaign. after the 9/11 terror attacks on the US Nato was “committed to sustain- But he added, “I have clearly and that Nato’s’s largest ever military ing the coalition’s momentum so that stated that what matters for Nato’s operation in Afghanistan was fought IS can be defeated once and for all”. is that we don’t say that if you don’t on this basis to protect America. Graffiti artist James Cochran, aka Jimmy C, poses for a photograph beside his mural of William Shakespeare All 28 Nato members also belong pay, we don’t protect you”. The US is the largest military on Clink Street, near the Shakespeare’s Globe theatre in London, yesterday. Jimmy C is well known for to the anti-IS alliance but some were Stoltenberg said Nato’s leaders power in Nato’s and accounts for some his large street murals and his David Bowie piece in Brixton, London, became a focal point earlier this reluctant to see the coalition directly decided in 2014 to increase defence two-thirds of the alliance’s combined year for tributes after the singer’s death. involved in the Syrian conflict, so spending to counter a more assertive defence spending. AMERICAS WEDNESDAY 26 OCTOBER 2016 15

Obama trolls Trump & Hillary Trump over blitz Florida with ‘mean tweet’ Reuters

LOS ANGELES: US President Barack two weeks to go Obama yesterday trolled Republi- can presidential candidate Donald Trump — known for his prolific use Monday, an urgent reminder that of Twitter to settle scores — making candidates have little time left to Trump the punch line for jokes on Trump acknowledged make their case in the country’s ABC’s late-night show Jimmy Kim- that the White House third most populous state, one with mel Live. a wide mix of constituencies—reti- Obama read aloud a series of will likely elude him rees, Latinos and Bible Belt whites. “mean tweets” culminating in one if he doesn’t win No one has forgotten that 2000 from Trump: “President Obama will Florida and its 29 US presidential election turned on go down as perhaps the worst pres- Florida, where a virtual tie was ident in the history of the United electoral votes. decided in favour of George W Bush States!” “At least I will go down as a by the US Supreme Court. president,” Obama said. Poll averages show that Clinton Kimmel joked that Obama had to is ahead in the state by 3.8 percent- “take time away from helping rig the AFP age points, and nationally by 5.1 election” to appear on the show, a dig points, according to RealClearPol- at Trump, who has repeatedly said the itics. She was to make a campaign vote is rigged against him. appearance at a college in southern Obama picked up on the joke WASHINGTON: White House rivals Broward County near Fort Lauder- An employee of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump plays with his tie as he poses for photos after while describing how comedian Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump dale, before going on to a fundraiser a campaign event with his team at his Trump National Doral golf club in Miami, Florida, yesterday. Bill Murray beat him in a contest to set their sights on crucial battle- in Miami. putt golf balls into a glass in the Oval ground Florida yesterday, blitzing But Trump was first out of Office during a recent visit — a stunt the diverse state as the clock ticks the blocks yesterday, taking aim The New York billionaire’s stand- California, President Barack Obama change. They are tired of incompe- the White House designed to promote down on the tumultuous race for the at a sharp rise in health insur- ing in the polls has been hit hard, said he wants an overwhelm- tence,” he said. Obamacare health insurance. US presidency. ance premiums under President particularly among female voters, ing Clinton victory in order to send Trump pointed to what he “He won repeatedly,” Obama said. With two weeks to go before the Barack Obama’s signature health since the release of a 2005 video. the message that Americans reject described as long lines of early vot- “The glass was rigged!” November 8 election, polls showed care reform. Since then, about a dozen women Trump’s divisive rhetoric. ers in Florida as a hopeful sign. Kimmel asked Obama, “Do you Democrat Clinton —who is vying “It’s just blowing up,” Trump have come forward with allegations “We want to win big,” Obama said. “I don’t know what this means ever laugh” when watching Trump on to be America’s first female presi- said at an event with employees of of misconduct. “We don’t just want to eke it out, par- but they’re wearing Trump hats and television. “Most of the time,” Obama dent —dominating nationally and a golf course he owns in Doral, Flor- At a campaign event in New ticularly when the other guy’s already Trump buttons and Trump shirts. That said. Obama also revealed he has been looking for a resounding mandate to ida, vowing to “repeal and replace” Hampshire with Clinton on Monday, started to gripe about how the game is generally good news but you never called on a special phone by his bed govern the bitterly divided country. Obamacare if elected. fiery liberal Senator Elizabeth Warren is rigged.” know,” he said. “three or four times” in the middle of Trump, his campaign wilting He repeated that line of attack served notice on Trump that Demo- With his path to victory narrow- Despite the expressions of confi- the night during his time in office to under a barrage of controversies, in tweets, and the phone inter- crats are not turning the page on his ing, Trump has railed against the dence, a growing recognition that he deal with emergencies, including when acknowledged that the White House view with Fox News, brushing off treatment of women. “phony” polls and appealed to voters may be facing defeat has crept into the 2011 tsunami hit Japan. But he said will likely elude him if he doesn’t win a question about his recent threat “Nasty women have really had to turn out, calling it a “once-in-a- Trump’s speeches. he does not reach for his smartphone Florida and its 29 electoral votes. to sue women who have accused it with guys like you,” Warren said, lifetime opportunity” to reject the “Make sure you get out and vote, in the wee hours - another dig at the “I think that’s probably true,” the him of making objectionable quoting a disparaging remark the political elite.” or this whole thing, you know the Republican candidate. Republican nominee said in a tel- behaviour. . Republican made about Clinton at “We’re doing great in Ohio. We’re movement that they’re all talking “I don’t tweet at 3 am about people ephone interview with Fox News. “I would like to get off the sub- their last debate. doing great in Iowa. I think we’re about all over the world, it won’t be who insult me,” Obama said. “I believe Florida is must-win. I ject, everybody brings that up. The “Nasty women are tough. Nasty doing very well in New Hampshire,” the same, folks,” Trump told an enthu- “If I were able to run for a third think we’re winning it, think we’re fact is, that was a speech talk- women are smart. And nasty women he said in the Fox News interview. siastic crowd in Tampa. term, Michelle would divorce me,” winning it big,” he said. ing about Obamacare. We have to vote,” she said. “Honestly I think we’re doing “We’re not going to be able to do he said, noting his wife does not like Early voting began in Florida on repeal it and replace it,” he said. At a fundraiser in La Jolla, really well all over. People want what we wanted to do.” politics.

Lawmakers vote Rodeos protest Nurse charged in deaths of for political trial of Maduro 8 nursing home residents AP Woodstock Police said they did AFP not know whether Wettlaufer was represented yet by a lawyer. Ontario Premier Kathleen CARACAS: Venezuela’s oppo- TORONTO: A nurse has been Wynne called the alleged murders sition-majority legislature charged with the murders of eight by a nurse “extremely distressing yesterday voted to open a politi- elderly people at nursing homes in and tragic.” cal trial against President Nicolas southwestern Ontario over a seven- Ontario Health Minister Eric Maduro, who is resisting efforts to year period, police said yesterday. Hoskins called the charges “horrific remove him from power in a vol- Woodstock Police Chief William allegations” and said the safety and atile political crisis. Renton said Elizabeth Tracey Mae security of those in long-term care A majority of lawmakers in the Wettlaufer, 49, was charged with homes are his top priority. National Assembly voted in favour first-degree murder in killings that “No resident of long-term hous- of a motion to launch a “political took place between 2007 and 2014. ing needs to be concerned about and criminal trial” against Maduro “The victims were administered their safety as a result of this inves- after he blocked their drive for a a drug. We’re not in a position at this tigation,” Hoskins said. referendum on removing him. time to comment further on the spe- Wettlaufer, of Woodstock, was They voted to summon cifics of the drug as it forms part of employed by Caressant Care Nurs- Maduro to appear before the the evidence that is now before the ing and Retirement Homes, which assembly on November 1 to courts,” Ontario Provincial Police operates 15 facilities in small answer charges of “criminal and detective Dave Truax said. Ontario towns. political responsibility and of A woman on horseback joins vaqueiros (cowboys) during a protest in front of the National Congress Police said Wettlaufer appeared Police said seven of the victims abandoning his post.” in Brasilia yesterday, against the decision of Supreme Court to ban traditional “vaquejada” (rodeos). in court yesterday and remained in died at a Caressant nursing home in It is unclear what impact the Earlier this month, the court ruled that a law in state of Ceara that legalises rodeos is unconstitutional custody. The investigation is ongo- Woodstock, a community of 37,000 vote will have. The Supreme Court for considering it involves animal cruelty which violates the country’s constitution. ing and officials said more charges people about halfway between Lon- — which the opposition claims could be brought in the future. don and Hamilton, Ontario. Maduro controls — has ruled the National Assembly’s decisions invalid. The center right-domi- nated opposition blames Maduro for a dire economic crisis in the oil-rich nation. Former Uruguayan president Jorge Batlle dies The opposition called for the political trial after courts and electoral authorities last week AP journalist and was a senator and a was challenging. After an unsuc- annulled their bid to hold a recall member of lower house of Congress cessful first run in 1966, his image referendum against him. before serving as president from was dented by a financial scandal in Maduro met with Pope Francis 2000-2005. He had promised that 1968, when he was accused of using at the Vatican on Monday and said MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY: Former his presidency would be “fun,” but it privileged information on an immi- afterward that he had the pope’s president Jorge Batlle, an extroverted was overshadowed by an economic nent devaluation. The claim was blessing to launch a “dialogue” and irreverent politician who was a depression that brought Uruguay, never proven. with the opposition. force in Uruguayan politics for half close to bankruptcy. In 1971, he lost another presidential Leaders of opposition Dem- a century and led it during one of its The slump left one of every three election. During the 1973-1985 mili- ocratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) worst economic recessions, died. He Uruguayans below the poverty line tary dictatorship, he was detained on dismissed that as a ploy, insisting was 88. — a blow to a country where gen- several occasions, as were dozens of they had not agreed on terms for Batlle underwent surgery to stop a erous social benefits had for years other political leaders. After the return talks with the government. cerebral hemorrhage after he fainted assured one of the region’s highest of democracy, he was elected senator The MUD has called for and struck his head earlier this month living standards. for the Colorado Party. nationwide street protests from during an event for his Colorado Party. As president, Batlle also pursued After another unsuccessful run today to raise pressure on Maduro. But the former president never fully closer ties with the US at a time when in 1994, Batlle finally won election in The president landed back in recovered and the Sanatorio Ameri- leftists were taking power in Argentina, 1999 and took office in 2000. Venezuela yesterday after a tour cano hospital where he was interned Brazil, and Venezuela and distancing In 2001, Uruguay was hit by an to the Middle East, the Vatican announced his death early yesterday. themselves from Washington. outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and Portugal, television pictures Batlle, who was known as out- Born on October 25, 1927, Batlle that forced the country to suspend all showed. going, even politically incorrect at came from a political family. His exports of meat, a backbone of the He was expected to join his times, remained active in politics father, Luis Batlle Berres, was pres- economy. Shortly after that, Uruguay People stand in a line to pay their tribute to the late President Jorge supporters in a rally in Caracas. until the end, needling his succes- ident of Uruguay between 1947-1951 was dragged down by an economic Batlle at Uruguay’s Congress building in Montevideo, yesterday. Analysts have warned there sors through newspaper columns and 1954-1958. He was related to crisis in its neighbour and major is a risk of violent unrest in the and social media after leaving 19th century Presidents Jose Batlle trading partner, Argentina. South American country of 30 office. y Ordonez and Lorenzo Batlle. Batlle used his good relation with obtain $1.5 billion in credit to stave relations with Cuba in 2002 after a million people. He practiced law, worked as But his road to the presidency US President George W. Bush to help off default. Battle broke diplomatic war of words with Fidel Castro.

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER Minimum: 25o C Maximum: 33o C

FAJR 04.21 am ZUHR 11.18 am MAGHRIB 05.00 pm HIGH TIDE 01:45 - 13:00 Hazy to misty/foggy at places at first becomes SHOROOK 05.38 am ASR 02.33 pm ISHA 06.30 pm LOW TIDE 05:30 - 20:30 mild daytime with some local clouds.

16 WEDNESDAY 26 OCTOBER 2016 HOME

Emir and Father Emir receive condolences

Grandfather Emir gave shape to the administrative structure

QNA State. Its religion is and the Shari’a Law not interfering in the domestic affairs of other municipalities. They were , Al Wak- appointed and 11 former members main- shall be the principal source of its legislation. states, and cooperating with all peace-lov- rah, Al Khor and Al Thukhaira, tained their positions. Its political system is democratic. The Arabic ing nations. and Al Shamal. Mesaieed was added in 1990. In 1980 there was a qualitative leap in DOHA: For nearly a quarter century, Language shall be its official language. The Working on realising the goals of the con- In the first year of the rule of the Grand- terms of the number of expats and the devel- HH Grandfather Emir Sheikh Khalifa bin people of Qatar are a part of the Arab nation.” stitution which stressed the importance of father Emir, the Ministry of Municipality, opment of the state’s administrative system Hamad Al Thani managed to place Qatar In its second article, the amended Consti- education as a right of all citizens that should Ministry of Information and Qatar General which required providing different kinds among powerful nations characterised by tution said that the capital of the State of Qatar be provided free in all its stages, Qatar Uni- Petroleum Corporation ( now Qatar Petro- of education to citizens and residents. June its autonomous decision-making and aspira- is Doha City. The State shall exercise sover- versity was established in 1973. leum) were all established. The Qatari citizen 6, 1980 saw the first law that regulated the tion for a better future. During his reign from eignty on its own territorial land and waters The Grandfather Emir paid special atten- also obtained a number of benefits in wages work of private schools to deal with this 1972 to 1995, the Grandfather Emir founded located within its international boundaries, tion to study abroad missions and issued a and housing. The following years saw signs development. the country’s constitutional, administrative and may neither relinquish this sovereignty number of decisions regulating it in 1976. of the administrative reform taking shape in The Grandfather Emir also issued an and political system based on knowledge nor cede any part of its land or waters. The regulations all aimed to promote study the establishment of Qatar Monetary Agency Emiri decree establishing Qatar’s first tour- and prudent action as well as sovereignty In the third article, it said: “The Law shall abroad in scientific, artistic or practical stud- (now Qatar Central Bank), the Audit Bureau ism committee. and independent decisions. specify the flag, emblem, decorations and ies whether by obtaining a degree or training and the Civil Aviation Authority. During the following 15 years, the Grand- The Grandfather Emir, who assumed badges of the State, and the National Anthem.” to deal with any shortage that is required for In 1975, the Grandfather Emir issued father Emir issued dozens of legislations that power on February 22, 1972, began with The amendment established a new public interest. These regulations applied to Decision No. 94 establishing Qatar News aimed to improve the lives of citizens and government reorganisation process and Council, and empowered the government students or employees to help them gain the Agency (QNA) charged with the responsibil- residents. Such efforts included establishing appointed the first foreign minister in through adding new portfolios and approved necessary skills and transfer expertise from ity of broadcasting official news and being health centres and a committee for treatment the history of Qatar, the post assumed by the freedom of press and publication. abroad to the State of Qatar. a window for modern Qatar into the world. abroad among other services that aimed to HE Sheikh Suhaim bin Hamad Al Thani on The Constitution said that the foreign The Grandfather Emir issued a group of The Ministry of Defense was also estab- provide social welfare. February 23, 1972. policy of the State is based on the principles decisions in 1972 that helped regulate the lished during the reign of the Grandfather Emir, The Grandfather Emir also issued a On April 19, 1972, the Grandfather Emir of strengthening international peace and state’s administrative structure. His High- who issued Decision No. 2 of 1977. The Father number of decisions that reformed the state’s ordered the amendment of the 1970 Consti- security by means of encouraging peaceful ness issued law no. 19 establishing new Emir was Qatar’s first ever Minister of Defense. administrative structure, particularly in tution. The amended Constitution stipulated: resolution of international disputes, support- municipalities. Based on the law, Qatar A reformation of the Advisory Coun- services such as electricity, post, health and “Qatar is an independent sovereign Arab ing the right of peoples to self-determination, was administratively divided into five cil took place in 1990; 19 members were education.