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Wednesday 23 January 2013 11 Rabial I 1434 - Volume 17 Number 5588 Price: QR2

QIIB nets Paul Lawrie QR679m profit eyes Doha in 2012 hat-trick

Business | 17 Sport | 28

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Emir at 10 Downing Street Bahrain opposition Qatari families welcomes talks offer with caution DUBAI: Bahrain opposition keen to take groups demanding a parliamen- tary democracy in the country gave a cautious welcome yes- terday to an invitation from the king to talks aimed at break- care of orphans ing nearly two years of political deadlock. H M King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa made the reconcili- New law on orphan care soon: Official ation gesture late on Monday, authorising the Justice Ministry to invite “political societies and DOHA: There is a long wait- establish legal grounds for the independent members of the ing list of Qatari families keen guardianship of children of political community” to try to to provide guardianship to unknown parentage and to cre- revive discussions that ended orphans in accordance with ate awareness in society about the inconclusively in July 2011. Islamic laws, says the head issue,” Kamal said. Bahrain, where the US Fifth of the state-run organisation “There are many Qatari fami- Fleet is based as a bulwark against devoted to the care of parent- lies in the waiting list who wish to Iran, has been in political ferment less children. Adoption, as it adopt children from the founda- since protests led by majority Shia is defined in the West, is not tion,” he added. Muslims demanding democratic allowed in Islam. He said the media could play a change in the country erupted Qatar hopes to have a new law major role in influencing public in early 2011. Khalil Al Marzouq, in place soon for the care and opinion, and through the media a senior official from Bahrain’s protection of orphans, particu- Dhreima wished to end negative main opposition group Wefaq, larly those of unknown parent- stereotypes about orphans. said five opposition associations age, said Khalid Kamal, director Dr Khalifa Al Mohrezi, a spe- had met in the island State’s of Dhreima (Qatar Orphans’ cialist in family training and capital, Manama, to discuss the Foundation). human resource development, invitation. The Foundation, he said, said that as compared to Western “The opposition is inclined to was a temporary shelter for communities, Arabs had a nega- participate and to have repre- orphans, and the only way they tive image of children of unknown sentatives in this dialogue, hoping could become a part of the social parentage. that this dialogue will be a serious mainstream was if families “According to the statistics one,” Marzouq, a political assist- became their guardians as per available, we have about 44 mil- ant to Wefaq Secretary-General Islamic laws. lion children in the Arab world The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani with British Prime Minister David Cameron at 10 Downing Ali Salman, said by telephone Islam allows adoption of who are orphans,” Dr Al Mohrezi Street yesterday. The two leaders reviewed regional and international issues with emphasis on the develop- yesterday. orphans, but only for the pur- said, adding that these children ments in the region, including those in Syria and Mali. REUTERS pose of raising them and provid- felt inferior as society refused to ing them education and social accept them. security. They cannot be given the Qatari laws allow for orphans name of the family that adopts to acquire the nationality of them because of the issue of Qatar, Ali Ahmed Al Khinji, a Arab leaders vow free trade zone this year inheritance. legal expert, told this newspaper. Dhreima, Kamal said, was However, he said, because Islam coordinating with the judiciary so did not allow adoption as in the RIYADH: Arab leaders pledged Economic and Social Summit. from Arab countries and the per- affairs, Mohammed Al Tuwaijri, that adopting families could give West, regulations were needed to remove obstacles to finalis- The leaders, he added, were centage of foreign components,” had described investment laws in suitable first names to children on giving the family name to ing a free trade zone this year determined to clear obstacles to he told reporters. Arab countries as a “repellent for left in its custody for upbringing. adopted children, irrespective of and agreed to facilitate capital “achieve the Arab customs union The regulations of the customs investments”. Speaking on the sidelines of a their parentage. “Adoption is not flows, as they wrapped up an fully by 2015.” Saudi Finance union stipulate that exempted He also highlighted “significant workshop on “Media and social allowed in Islam. You can adopt a economic summit in Riyadh Minister Ibrahim Al Assaf said goods should have at least 40 per- deficiencies” in the 1980 common stigma attached with orphans and child to raise him, but giving him yesterday. officials working to facilitate a cent local components. agreement over capital move- children of unknown parentage” your name is not allowed. This is “We stress our determination customs union were struggling Meanwhile, Arab leaders ment. Foreign direct investment here yesterday, Kamal said the where the law needs regulation,” to complete all the prerequisites to sort out rules on the origin of agreed amendments proposed to inflow dropped from $68.7bn in government provided full support Al Khinji said. of (forming) the free trade area goods. strengthen the flow of capital and 2010 to $43bn in 2011, a year that for the protection of children of Islam promises the highest before the end of this year,” Arab “We still have problems with investments between countries, saw a wave of Arab Spring upris- unknown parentage. rewards to those who support League chief Nabil Al Arabi said the issue of country of origin... in Arabi said. The Arab League ings hitting several Arab nations. “The role of Dhreima is to orphans. THE PENINSULA at the end of the third Arab order to establish which goods are leader’s assistant for economic AFP Falcon prices Campus shooting in US keep soaring, Old airport to be in touch QR1m service till year-end DOHA: The prices of fal- cons have been soaring BY SATISH KANADY in the local market to an operating simultaneously for a extent that a species of the few months. Qatar Airways said bird is available for a whop- DOHA: When the New Doha it will move its entire operations ping QR1m. International Airport opens on to Hamad International Airport The price range of falcons April 1 this year it will operate in the second half of the year. in the local market is between simultaneously with the exist- The cargo operations and cater- QR100,000 and QR400,000. ing airport for a few months, a ing facilities at the new airport The craze and demand for senior civil aviation official said will be ready for operations within falcons among the locals has yesterday. a few weeks. Starting this sum- increased after a month-long The existing airport would mer, cargo flights are expected to falconry festival opened in function in at least the second begin their operations from the the Sealine area recently. half of 2013 when the new one, new facility. The demand for a species Hamad International, is expected “The next few months will see of falcon known as Hur in the to become fully operational. the new catering facility open in local language is so high that From March, freight forward- phases at Hamad International, each bird costs around a mil- ers and agents in Qatar will initially handling meals for air- lion riyals. process import and export con- lines operating from the new Qatari citizens mostly pre- signments at Hamad International airport. The catering facilities at fer the Hur falcon due to its Law enforcement secure the area near Lone Star College in Houston, Texas, US, yesterday as the campus Airport. Cargo uplift and arrivals the new airport would handling power and capability to hunt. was closed following reports of a shooter on campus. At least three people — including a gunman — will remain at the existing Doha 90,000 meals per day and serve Moreover, it is also a favour- were shot at the college following a dispute, officials said as details trickled out from the chaotic campus. International Airport from where all flights operating from both the ite of pet lovers and of those See also page 11 cargo will be transported by road airports”, Qatar’s Civil Aviation who have falcon breeding to the new facility. Authority Chairman, Abdul Aziz hobbies, said a salesman at a On April 1, at least a thousand Al Noiami, said yesterday. bird shop at Souq Waqif. passengers would commute from The trials of various facilities Falcons become expensive Kuwait protest dispersed Netanyahu’s party leads Qatar’s iconic airport and not involving passengers and cargo in this season when several less than half-a-dozen airlines, have been in place for over six falconry contests are held. KUWAIT: Kuwaiti police used smoke and stun TEL AVIV: Benjamin Netanyahu’s rightwing which do not want lounge facili- months now. The mass trials The falcons have been in grenades to scatter hundreds of protesters out- Likud-Beitenu list won a narrow majority in yes- ties, will be operating from the involving hundreds of passengers high demand for the past side the capital yesterday after they gathered to terday’s election but was weakened by an unex- new facility. But all other Doha- at a time will soon begin at the three years, said the sales- demand the dissolution of parliament and fresh pectedly strong showing by the centrist Yesh connected airlines will continue passenger terminal complex of man. THE PENINSULA elections, witnesses said. Kuwait bans public gath- Atid, according to exit polls. Polls have consist- to operate from the existing Doha Hamad International ahead of the erings of more than 20 people without a permit. ently predicted Netanyahu’s reelection. AFP International Airport, meaning April opening. THE PENINSULA REUTERS Full report on page 10 that both the airports will be Continued on page 3 WEDNESDAY 23 JANUARY 2013 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME US mission celebrates Obama’s inauguration Envoy hosts over 150 Qatari alumni from US universities BY FAZEENA SALEEM inauguration for a second term. Day, encouraging Americans to “The US marks its transition volunteer in civic and commu- DOHA: The US embassy of government with a day of nity-based organisations across here on Monday celebrated events that have developed over the US. Guests watched the live ‘Presidential Inauguration,’ held time to become our modern day telecast as Obama was sworn in a day after Barack Obama offi- inauguration. We are honoured by Chief Justice John G Roberts, cially affirmed duties in a pri- to share this special tradition as the 44th president of the US. vate ceremony at the White with our friends and colleagues The theme of the 2013 House. from Qatar. Today we mark 57 Inauguration of President Barack Monday’s ceremony was hosted peaceful transitions of power Obama was ‘Faith in America’s by Ambassador Susan L Ziadeh and a time for our leadership to Future,’ which recalled the instal- at her residence in Doha, and acknowledge the voices and aspi- lation of the Statue of Freedom on coincided with events that took rations of the American people,” the Capitol Dome 150 years ago place in Washington DC, as the said Ambassador Ziadeh, in her in 1863. public swearing-in ceremony was address to the guests. The US presidential inaugura- held on the west front of the US “Our citizens not only have tion happens every four years and Capitol. rights, but responsibilities to con- invites a spectacular number of Ambassador Ziadeh hosted tribute to our country and society events. The new president gets his over 150 Qatari alumni from at large,” she said, as President own day of feasting, procession, US Ambassador Susan L Ziadeh speaks to guests at her Doha residence during the live telecast of President US universities and dignitaries Obama dedicated the Inaugural statesmanship, and celebration. Barack Obama’s public swearing-in ceremony on Monday. to celebrate President Obama’s Ceremony to National Service THE PENINSULA QF Radio to mark anniversary with new exciting plans, quiz DOHA: QF Radio will air a entertained during a two-hour Nou. The second prize winner will special anniversary segment live show by asking them a series be given a full professional diving today that will offer the chance of amusing questions, and sharing suit with all necessary equipment, for listeners to win several fab- interesting insights and reports. as well as a voucher for an Open ulous prizes. English listeners are encour- Water Diver Course provided by The programme will also aged to call in from 6pm to 8pm PADI (Professional Association include an exciting announcement and try their luck at answering of Diving Instructors). The about the station’s future plans. one of the 60 multiple choice third prize winner will receive a Qatar Foundation’s Media questions in less than 10 seconds. voucher for the same course. Center Manager Saad Al Hudaifi, Those who answer correctly For social media enthusi- and presenter Fatima Al Dosari, will have their name and phone asts, three additional scuba div- will kick off the station’s anniver- number entered into a raffle draw. ing courses will be up for grabs. sary celebrations at 3pm with a At the end of the competition, Participants can answer any of the live two-hour broadcast in Arabic. three names will be randomly questions posted on QF Radio’s Both the Arabic and English selected from the winners. Facebook and Twitter pages to segments will take on a similar The first prize winner will qualify for a chance to win. format, with the same prizes pre- receive a round-trip business class The station’s social media pro- sented to six winners. ticket to Barcelona that includes file is steadily rising, with almost Popular hosts Scott Boyes and accommodation at a five-star 20,000 ‘likes’ on Facebook and Laura Finnerty will then keep hotel, as well as a VIP ticket to around 2,700 followers on Twitter. Qatar University President Prof Sheikha Abdulla Al Misnad taking part in a QF Radio programme. the English-speaking audience watch a Barcelona game at Camp THE PENINSULA

QF-Oxford school launch leadership programme for top managers DOHA: Qatar Foundation Director of the Human Resources discussions being the main focus. for Education, Science and Directorate at Qatar Foundation, Trainees will also receive support Community Development (QF) told participants that he was con- through extensive one-to-one has launched an exclusive train- fident the six-month programme coaching.” ing programme to enhance would improve synergy between Participants will be required expertise of top tier managers the foundation’s numerous to attend four module sessions and improve efficiency across departments and provide plenty that are split between the UK organisations. of opportunities for individuals to and Doha. In partnership with the work together. Each segment will last four to University of Oxford’s prestigious “We chose Oxford University five days, giving trainees sufficient Saïd Business School, the lead- after evaluating four other exec- time to attend to their busy work ership development programme utive development programmes schedules. has been carefully tailored to suit and found that Saïd Business During the orientation ses- QF’s strategic goals. School was the most responsive to sion, trainees were divided into The programme was unveiled the needs and requirements of our groups of five and each team was at a launch event at Qatar organisation,” said Al Hammadi. assigned a coach from the busi- National Convention Centre yes- “Our aim was to bring senior ness school. terday, where the primary objec- management together so they John Denton, lead coach and tives of the course were presented could speak one language, have co-programme director, explained to 25 senior managers. one vision, and deliver towards that the format of the modules Participants come from vari- the strategic objectives of Qatar would not involve tutors giving ous sectors across QF, includ- Foundation. long lectures, but rather work- ing science, research, education, “We developed a course that ing alongside every member of community development, capital suits the needs of all partici- the group to help them find their projects, and administration. pants and is primarily activity- own solutions. Hassan Al Hammadi, Executive based with group projects and THE PENINSULA

DFI Cinema to screen award-winning film

DOHA: Katara DFI Cinema will launch its 2013 screenings with the showing of award-win- ning film Beasts of the Southern Wild from tomorrow to January 30 at Katara Drama Theatre, Building 16. The film takes the viewer to an isolated bayou community where, a six-year-old girl exists on the brink of orphanhood. Buoyed by the extraordinary imagination of childhood, she believes the universe is in balance, but when a fierce storm comes, she must learn to survive catastrophe. Beasts of the Southern Wild won over 15 international awards and nominated for four Academy Awards, including, Best Picture, Best Director, Best Writing- Adapted Screenplay and Best Actress in a Leading Role for A scene from Beasts of the Southern Wild Quvenzhan Wallis — the youngest actress ever to receive an Oscar nomination for the category. ticket sale visit www.dohafilm- Office Outlet in Katara, Building For screening timings and institute.com or the DFI Box 26. THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 23 JANUARY 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

Prime Minister to open third edition of motor show on January 28

DOHA: The third Qatar “With the country working on automotive world,” said organis- first-time high-profile partici- sports cars, to concept vehicles. Events, and GL Events. It will Motor Show expects to break fulfilling the goals of the Qatar ers. Visitors of the Motor Show pants such as McLaren, Brabus, Visitors can also expect dem- open its doors on January 29 last year’s record of 120,000 National Vision 2030, and the will have the opportunity to test Bertone, and W Motors — who onstrations and other shows, and run until February 2 at the attendees. Qatar Motor Show contribut- drive the most fancy and mod- will showcase the first Arab- highly interactive and hands- Doha Exhibition Center. This year’s event will be inau- ing to the national economy ern SUVs and cars. designed hypercar — visitor on experiences, including driv- More details are available gurated by the Prime Minister and the country’s regional and Additionally, motor sports numbers are expected to break ing simulators, sports relays, a at www.qatarmotorshow.gov. and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh international image, the pre- fans will have a chance to listen last year’s record of 120,000. classic car show, drifting, and qa, Facebook at www.facebook. Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al mier’s patronage and presence to and learn from international In addition, all types of cars more. com/qatarmotorshow, or at Thani, who will cut the ribbon is a testament to how impor- professional drivers during test of a wide variety of brands This year’s event will be co- the event’s Twitter feed at @ on January 28, a day before the tant this event is, not only to drives and stunt shows. will be exhibited at the show, hosted by the Qatar Tourism qatarmotorshow. public opening. Qatar, but to the region and the With more exhibitors, and from SUVs, luxury vehicles, Authority (QTA), q.media THE PENINSULA Battle against human trafficking in top gear Doha Forum on Combating Human Trafficking opens

DOHA: Qatar is ready to “The Arab League strategy has “Some international and non- sponsor the Arab initiative laid down the general framework governmental organisations put for building national cadres to for combating human trafficking the estimate at a much higher fight human trafficking and to in the area and left the choice number. The trade is still grow- implement it in partnership for individual countries to imple- ing, and added to this are the with the United Nations and ment it according to national pol- unspecified numbers of those the Arab League. icies and work plans,” Al Saehi who are trafficked within each This was disclosed by Dr said. country,” the minister said. Abdulllah Al Mal, Director of The Minister of Justice H E The UN estimates that inter- Qatar Foundation for Combating Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim national criminal organisations Human Trafficking, during the said in his inaugural speech that involved in human trafficking Third Doha Forum on Combating Qatar continues its efforts to make the third highest income Human Trafficking, which address human trafficking by in organised crime, after drugs opened here yesterday under the building bridges of international and arms trafficking, said the theme “Contemporary Trends in and regional cooperation in this minister. Combating Human Trafficking”. area. Noting the 2012 report on Some 350 consultants and The latest national initiative Human Trafficking issued by the experts from all over the world in this regard is the establish- United Nations Office on Drugs are participating. ment of Qatar’s National Alliance and Crime, Nassir Abdulaziz Al Dr Al Mal said that imple- against Human Trafficking to Nasser, the High-Representative mentation of the programme achieve partnership between for the UN Alliance of for the 2013 will be on the level the public and non-governmen- Civilisations and President of the of Gulf countries and Qatar will tal sectors to combat human 66th session of the UN General correspond with the inter-Gulf trafficking. Assembly, said that between 2007 cooperation that involves both The minister pointed to the and 2010, 27 percent of the vic- government and non-govern- alarming fact that human traf- tims of this crime were children The Minister of Justice H E Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim addressing the third Doha Forum on Combating Human ment organisations. ficking is still on the rise despite – most of them girls. Trafficking, which began at the Hilton Hotel, yesterday. KAMMUTTY VP The Arab League representa- all efforts made by the interna- According to the same report, tive to the UN, Suad Al Saehi, tional community, whether coun- 68 percent of the victims were Asia. Of these between 50 per- to the plan, the UN Voluntary Al Nasser highlighted the said the League has laid down tries or organisations, adding from Africa and the Middle East, cent and 60 percent were women. Trust Fund for the victims of important role played by Qatar a comprehensive strategy for that every year around 600,000 39 percent from South East Asia In 2010, the United Nations Human Trafficking, especially in supporting the Trust Fund combating human trafficking, to 800,000 men, women and chil- and the Pacific, 27 percent from General Assembly adopted a women and children, was estab- during his tenure as President endorsed by the Arab ministe- dren are trafficked across inter- North and South America and 16 Global Action Plan to Combat lished. Qatar was the first and of the 66th session of the General rial council. national borders. percent from Europe and Central Trafficking in Persons. According biggest donor to the Trust Fund. Assembly. THE PENINSULA

Qatar Airways announces India biggest winners of kids’ art contest vegetable DOHA: Qatar Airways has and send their ideas that reflect announced the five winners the theme of ‘Future of Travel’. exporter in of the recently held ‘Future of The entries were judged by Travel’ children’s drawing com- a jury composed of renowned December petition which attracted over Qatari artists Fatma Al Shebani 400 entries from across Qatar. and Badrya Khalifa Ghanem Al DOHA: India was the big- They are Shahad Ali Al Ali, Kubaisi, together with Qatar gest exporter of vegetables to Sahal Rahman Vadakandathil, Airways senior management. Qatar in December last year, Anis Ariena Idora Nazrie, Qatar Airways will be upload- followed by Saudi Arabia, Aisha Fahad Kafood and Sanjay ing all drawing submissions in according to a report released Kandaswamy, who will get the its Facebook page (facebook. by the Consumer Protection opportunity to visit Kindercity, a com/qatarairways) and all par- Department (CPD) at the well-known tourist spot in Zurich ticipants, including the winners Ministry of Business and providing entertainment with an will, be given Qatar Airways Trade. educational element for children. backpacks and colouring kits as The monthly report on vegeta- Qatar Airways invited children a token of appreciation. bles arrived in the central mar- aged between 5 and 12 to draw THE PENINSULA ket in Doha showed a 26 percent increase in supply in December compared to the annual average. However, the market received the biggest quantity of vegetables in July — 18,056 tonnes — because the month coincided with the holy month of Ramadan, when demand for fruit and vegetables was at its peak. The second highest quan- tity was received in December, amounting to 18,004 tonnes. Supply fell in November (16,386 tonnes) compared to October (17,675 tonnes). The annual supply average has been put at 14,260 tonnes. Winter being the harvest sea- son in Qatar, locally produced vegetables flooded the market Judges of the children’s drawing competition reviewing entries. in December, but stood only in the fifth position compared to imported consignments. India stood first as far as exports were concerned, with items such as onion and chilly, NDIA to handle 30 million passengers annually among others. Saudi Arabia came second with supply includ- Continued from page 1 Gogna said the government is ing tomato, caulisflower, cucum- Once the new airport becomes working on the idea of develop- ber, egg plant, etc. fully operational, facilities at ing a second terminal at the new Jordan was in the third posi- the existing Doha International airport. Once the second terminal tion and its exports mainly Airport would be used by vari- becomes operational, Terminal comprised tomato, lettuce and ous government entities, includ- No. 1 would be exclusively dedi- chilly, followed by Pakistan in ing Qatar’s defence and the Civil cated to Qatar Airways. the fourth position, with prod- Aviation College, Al Noaimi told The construction of Emiri ucts including mainly onion and reporters. Royal Terminal and ramp facili- potato. Bernardo Gogna, Director, ties have been almost completed. Local products stood fifth, Steering Committee of the New Work on the main terminal build- with a variety of items such Doha International Airport ing, East, West and North con- as cucumber, koosa, egg plant, (NDIA) said the new airport will courses, arrivals and departures tomato and chilly, among others. have two runways and a capac- roadway, terminals, East and Iran claimed the sixth position ity to carry 30 million passengers West, and security checkpoints followed by China in the seventh, and 1.4 million tonnes of cargo is 99.50 percent completed. according to the report. annually. THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 23 JANUARY 2013 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME German, French kids get lessons from Elysée pact Youth vow to learn from ancestors

BY ISABEL OVALLE on January 22, 1963. During the event, both ambassadors DOHA: Students at the answered questions from stu- German and French schools in dents about current relations Doha have commemorated the between the two countries and 50th anniversary of the Elysée Qatar. The diplomats explained Treaty with an open discussion to the attendees that this occa- with Ambassadors Angelika sion is very meaningful and gives Storz-Chakarji and Jean an example that historical differ- Christophe Peaucelle. ences can be overcome with cou- After the event, youngsters rageous leaders. encouraged other countries to In Qatar, both countries often follow the example set by France compete in the business field but and Germany 50 years ago. continue to collaborate daily and Ten children from the German will hold a meeting of French school and over 80 from the and German entrepreneurs on French school Lycée Francais Tuesday. German Ambassador, Angelika Storz-Chakarji (right), and French Ambassador, Jean Christophe Peaucelle, writing notes for schoolchildren during the Bonaparte, mostly teenagers, “France and Germany have a event at the French school, Lycée Francais Bonaparte, yesterday. KAMMUTTY VP attended the event at the French very good relationship with Qatar school. and, whenever you want to cel- These youth vowed to learn ebrate something happy, you want “the future is in your hands; it will whole society”. Robert Weilack, at war”. To strengthen this com- the Youth Exchange Programme from their ancestors and con- to share it with your friends,” said be what you make of it”. a ninth grade student of the mitment, the two countries have for Young People from France tinue on the path of peace and French Ambassador, Christophe German Ambassador, Angelika German School of Doha, empha- over 300 associations and 2,200 and Germany through the understanding paved by French Peaucelle. Storz-Chakarji, said that “apart sised that “it’s very important to partnerships between French and DFJW (Deutsch-Franzosisches President General Charles de “Today is a milestone, but not from the political decision of revo- keep the connection between the German cities. Jugendwerk or German-French Gaulle and German Federal the end of the story,” he added, lutionary characters, there also two countries so that we can set In addition, over eight million Youth Works). Chancellor Konrad Adenauer while reminding the students that needs to be an engagement of the an example for others who are youngsters have participated in THE PENINSULA

Qtel, Akamai partner for cloud services Global Art Forum draws 40 contributors DOHA: Global Art Forum, editor HG Masters, and commis- Mannes-Abbott; artists Tarek DOHA: Qtel expects strong to small and medium-sized through Qtel’s dedicated sales which features more than 40 sioned by writer/curator Shumon Atoui, Manal Al Dowayan, Shuruq demand from its business cus- enterprises. team. By serving content from a local and international contrib- Basar. Harb, Hassan Khan, Anri Sala, tomers for enhanced corporate Businesses can enhance their geographical location much closer utors, will start its 2013 events Entitled ‘It Means This’, the Payam Sharifi, Ala Younis, writers services, thanks to a new part- communications capabilities using to the end user, the content can at Mathaf: Arab Museum of forum explores the concept of Elif Batuman, Maryam Monalisa nership with Akamai that will the Qtel Cloud, by leasing corpo- be delivered more efficiently and Modern Art on March 17. ‘definitionism’: Investigating the Gharavi, Oscar Guardiola-Rivera; enable robust and secure cloud- rate applications for e-mail, col- faster,” Mohammed Saleh H Al Bringing together artists, musi- words, terms, clichés and mis- Lagos-based writer-editor Tolu based delivery services for vid- laborative content and document Marri, Qtel’s Chief Sales and cians, museum directors, strate- understandings that prolifer- Ogunlesi, writer/urbanist Keller eos, applications and websites, a management and videoconfer- Service Officer, said. gists, writers and thinkers; Global ate in the art world and beyond. Easterling, curator-translator, press release said yesterday. encing. With Akamai’s technol- “Akamai makes it easier for Art Forum_7 will highlight com- The forum will attempt to (re) and Dar Al Ma’mun founder, Using Akamai’s Intelligent ogy, end users for Qtel’s corporate companies to be successful online missioned projects and research, define words, phrases and ideas Omar Berrada, curators Reem Platform, Qtel will provide clients will find faster access to by ensuring better performance, as well as hold six days of live talks we think we know, and those we Fadda, Koyo Kouoh, Bisi Silva and business customers — particu- multimedia content, both online greater scale, and multi-layered on the theme ‘Definitionism’. need to know, to navigate the 21st Tirdad Zolghadr; New York-based larly in the media, banking and and on mobile devices. security. We are glad to be work- Global Art Forum is presented century. anthropologist Uzma Z Rizvi, E-Commerce markets — with The cloud-based content can ing with a forward thinking com- by the Dubai Culture and Arts Each session of the forum will composer and musician Andre faster delivery of secure, cloud- be sourced from the nearest of pany like Qtel. Customers trust Authority (Dubai Culture), and is take on a keyword; some are Vida, and Doha-based analyst and based solutions such as cutting- Akamai’s 100,000 servers on more our cloud platform, and we are held in partnership with Mathaf. terms used every day — such as commentator Tarik Yousef. edge video, web-acceleration and than 1,100 networks in 80 coun- confident that together, we can Artists and contributors Heritage, Biography, Freezone, The Global Art Forum_7 will mobile applications, the release tries around the world. offer a high-performing user include poet and author Mourid Score and Place (looking partic- include a range of commissioned said. “The partnership between the experience,” Soeren Lindkvist, Barghouti (I Saw Ramallah, ularly at how the cities of Lagos projects and publications, includ- The Qtel Cloud is the leading- two companies is intended to Vice President Strategic Sales among other books), artist and and Ramallah have been shaped ing a series of “advert breaks” by edge virtual computing platform provide Qatari corporations with and Head of Emerging Markets former REM lead singer Michael by writers and artists). artists Lantian Xie and Abdullah in Qatar, providing cost-effective access to Akamai’s optimisation for Akamai technologies, said. Stipe and writer and artist Other terms may be less Al Mutairi. IT infrastructure, especially and acceleration technologies THE PENINSULA Douglas Coupland. familiar — including Academese, Forum visitors are also invited Launched by Art Dubai in 2007, Advert Adverts, Drone Fiction, to a special lecture by archi- the forum has become the region’s MENA (Middle East Nervous tect Rem Koolhaas at Virginia leading annual platform for cul- Anxiety), or Neologism. Commonwealth University’s bian- tural discourse, with a particular Among the new participants nual art and design conference, emphasis on issues prevalent in to the forum are political scien- Tasmeem Doha 2013 – Hybrid the Middle East and Asia. tist Dr Abdulkhaleq Abdullah, Making, on March 17 following This year Global Art Forum is writer-editors Charles Arsene- the Global Art Forum sessions at directed by Istanbul-based writer/ Henry, Brian Kuan Wood and Guy Mathaf. THE PENINSULA

700 seek to volunteer for Sport Day DOHA: Over 700 people have already submitted applications to volunteer for the National Sport Day, 20 days before the celebrations. Thousands of people have also visited the National Sport Day Facebook and Twitter accounts and reg- istered at the National Sport Day website. The country’s top Paralympian, Abdulrahman Abdulqader Abdulrahman, has been recently announced as the first official National Sport Day Ambassador, and other elite athletes from various sports will be named soon. The sport day, which enhances the objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030, is central to the coun- try’s commitment to sport, in addition to the ‘Schools Olympic Programme’, which encourages school- children to practice in sport as an integral part of their daily life. Events at the Corniche, Aspire, the Museum of Islamic Art and the Olympic parks will demonstrate the impor- tance of sport in daily life to maintain a healthy life- style. THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 23 JANUARY 2013 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Clashes in Homs; Russians flee Over 12,000 Syrians, mostly women and children, escape to Jordan

DAMASCUS: A fresh outbreak died, but the actual number may reducing its territorial ambitions Assad to quit but has insisted it of fierce fighting has gripped the be higher,” said the Observatory’s to focus on Damascus, central is up to Syrians to decide their strategic Syrian city of Homs, Rami Abdel Rahman. Syria and Alawite bastions, as it own fate. a watchdog said yesterday, as The troops were killed in heavy digs in for a long war, analysts say. Yesterday, the Russian authori- Russia warned of a protracted clashes in western Homs, which Homs lies on a key battlefront ties helped up to 150 of their citi- civil war and helped its citizens Abdel Rahman said was crucial between the army and rebels, zens escape Syria via neighbouring flee the violence. as it lies on a “strategic fault who have seized large swathes Lebanon, a diplomat said, insist- A day after Arab League chief line” both for the rebels and the of northern and eastern Syria, ing the airlift was not the start of Nabil Al Arabi said a UN-backed pro-Assad forces. “The area is according to activists. an operation to evacuate Russians peace mission has yet to yield next to the main highway linking “The army and security forces from the war-torn country. even a “glimmer of hope,” the Damascus to the sea. Its impor- have focused their troops in areas “There are thousands of Russian 22-month conflict pitting rebels tance has to do with access not they aim to take back, while aban- citizens in Syria. The issue is that against forces loyal to President only to the capital, but also to doning other areas nearby,” said the Russian airline is no longer fly- Bashar Al Assad showed no signs trade and arms coming into Syria Shakir. “Homs is the key to the ing to Damascus, so we are help- of abating. from the Mediterranean,” he said. regime’s partition plan.” ing some 100, maximum 150 people At least 23 troops and pro- Activists on the ground said Meanwhile, key Assad backer to leave Syria via Beirut, which is Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (second left) stands next to Palestinian regime fighters were killed and the city and province of the same Moscow said the conflict may very close,” the diplomat said on Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyah (left) as he receives an honorary dozens wounded in Homs, dubbed name have returned to the fore- become a drawn-out battle with no the condition of anonymity. As well doctorate during a visit to the Al Aqsa University in Khan Yunis, in the “the capital of the revolution” by front of conflict that the United clear outcome. “You know at first as claiming tens of thousands of southern Gaza, yesterday. the opposition, said the Syrian Nations estimates has already the forecasts were two to three lives, the conflict has forced some Observatory for Human Rights. cost more than 60,000 lives. months, four, and it is already 600,000 people to flee Syria, mainly “We have reports from the mil- “Nowhere in Syria has the vio- two years,” said Deputy Foreign to neighbouring countries, accord- Malaysian premier pledges itary hospital in Homs of up to lence of the regime’s onslaught Minister Mikhail Bodganov. ing to the UN. 130 soldiers and pro-regime fight- against rebels been so intense as “So the situation can develop More than 12,000 Syrians, ers killed or wounded in the past in Homs city,” anti-regime activist in different ways. I think it could mostly women and children, have solidarity with Palestinians three days,” the Britain-based Omar Shakir said. become protracted in nature.” sought refuge in Jordan in the watchdog said. “So far, we have Bowled over by an increasingly Russia has come under repeated past six days alone, Amman said. GAZA CITY: Malaysian Prime of the Israeli elections suggests confirmed 23 of the men have daring rebellion, Assad’s regime is pressure from the West to call on AFP Minister Najib Razak pledged a move from an extremist gov- solidarity with the Palestinians ernment to a more extreme on his first trip to Gaza yes- government”. “This requires us terday, throwing his support as Palestinians, and Arabs, and behind reconciliation efforts Muslims, to build a unified strat- between Hamas and Fatah. egy to confront rising Zionist UN laments Iran Najib, who entered via the extremism.” Algeria hostage-takers aided Rafah crossing from Egypt with But Najib’s visit drew criti- execution of Foreign Minister Anifah Aman cism from the office of Palestinian and other officials, was met by President Mahmoud Abbas, who juvenile offender Hamas prime minister Ismail heads the Fatah movement. “The by Libyan Islamists: Report Haniyah. Speaking shortly after Palestinian presidency announces GENEVA: The UN rights body his arrival, Najib said his visit was its rejection and condemnation of TRIPOLI: Militants who captured in the siege, which “Signatories in Blood” which yesterday harshly criticised intended “to show solidarity and the Malaysian prime minister’s seized an Algerian gas plant ended in a final showdown on led the four-day siege of the gas Iran for reportedly executing a our support for the struggle of the visit to Gaza,” a statement car- before they were killed in a Saturday when Algerian special complex. man who was only 17 at the time Palestinian people.” ried on the official WAFA news bloodbath received logistical forces stormed the sprawling gas The group is led by one-eyed of his alleged crime. “We may come from thousands agency said. aid from Islamists in Libya, a complex. Algeria has said its spe- Mokhtar Belmokhtar, one of “The death penalty cannot be of miles away ... but we are one “It undermines Palestinian well-informed source told AFP cial forces managed to free 685 the founders of Al Qaeda in the imposed for crimes committed Umma (Muslim nation) and we representation and reinforces yesterday Algerian and 107 foreign hostages, Islamic Maghreb. Belmokhtar left by persons below 18 years of age,” believe in the struggle of the the division and does not serve “Logistical support was pro- most of them on Thursday, during Al Qaeda in October to create his insisted Cecile Pouilly, a spokes- Palestinian people,” he said. Palestinian interests,” it con- vided from Libya,” said the source their first rescue operation. own group. woman for the Office of the High Najib also expressed support tinued, saying Abbas’s bureau close to hardline Islamist groups During the deadly standoff, Jaber Al Abidi, an analyst, has Commissioner for Human Rights. for renewed reconciliation efforts would ask Kuala Lumpur “for in Libya, which has seen a rise several media outlets had talked no doubt Libyans were involved. The UN agency was “deeply between the Islamist movement clarification”. Najib also visited in extremism since the fall of of a “Libyan connection” to the “It is clear that there is a link dismayed” to learn of the reported Hamas and the rival Fatah party, Gaza City’s Shifa hospital and the Muammar Gaddafi. The source siege. Algerian website TSA cited between Libyan extremist groups execution of 21-year-old Ali including attempts to form a con- parliament building, and laid the did not specify the exact nature a security source saying the kid- and those who led the In Amenas Naderi last Wednesday for his sensus government to pave the first stone at a Malaysian-funded of such aid but acknowledged that nappers had entered Algeria from operation,” said Jaber Al Obeidi, alleged role in the murder of a way for new elections. school before leaving for Egypt. Libyan Islamists were responsible Libya in official Libyan vehicles, an analyst and political activist. woman when he was 17, she said. Amid criticism of his visit from His visit is the latest in a string for establishing contacts between while other outlets argued that “Libyan extremists are present in She underscored that Iran was Fatah, he said a unity government of high-profile trips to Gaza, fol- the captors and the media. the weapons the kidnappers used northern Mali and helped carry a party to several international would be a good “response” to lowing a landmark trip last International media groups, came from Libya. weapons from Libya after the fall treaties that “impose an absolute Israeli elections which were under October by Qatar’s Emir H H including AFP, were able to get When questioned by AFP, of the regime” of Gaddafi, he added. ban on the death sentence against way and seen ushering in a more Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al from Islamist circles based in Libyan officials simply reiterated The “Signatories in Blood” persons below the age of 18 at the hardline rightwing government. Thani, who became the first head eastern Libya telephone num- the words of their prime minister, group had said that its attack on time when the offence was com- “We believe in this unity gov- of state to visit the strip since bers of the kidnappers as they Ali Zeidan, who denied that the the gas complex was in retalia- mitted.” Last week’s execution ernment and we pray to Allah Hamas took control in 2007. last Wednesday overran the In kidnappers entered Algeria from tion for French intervention in was the first of a juvenile offender that the talks will be success- During the November conflict, Amenas gas plant in the deep Libya, saying the Libyan territory northern Mali. Algeria’s Sellal in the country since September ful and a united government a delegation of Arab foreign min- Algerian desert. was not being used for launching dismissed this, saying the assault 2011, she said, acknowledging that will become a reality in the near isters, along with Turkish Foreign Thirty-seven foreigners were operations that threaten security had been planned for nearly two it appeared authorities had “made future,” Najib said. Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, vis- killed in the four-day siege of the of neighbouring countries. months, long before France inter- efforts to prevent such cases.” Haniyah commented on the ited Gaza on a solidarity mission. remote desert gas plant, some Algerian premier Sellal on vened in northern Mali. Since the AFP vote, warning that “the trend AFP of them executed with a bullet Monday that the militants had fall of Gaddafi’s regime, Libyan to the head, Algerian premier crossed from northern Mali. Islamists have gained influence Abdelmalek Sellal said. The Libyan source said that and inherited a large military He said that a total of 29 mili- Libyan Islamists had no organi- arsenal from the conflict that tants were also killed and three sational link with the group, ousted and killed him. AFP

Egypt opposition leader aims to break Islamist dominance CAIRO: A coalition of Egyptian opposition groups is forging a com- mon electoral platform as it seeks to capitalise on setbacks for Islamists who have dominated the country’s politics since an Arab Spring uprising. Hamdeen Sabahy, a fire- brand politician who ran for president last year, said the opposition National Salvation Front coalition could win a parliamentary majority in April if it rises above differences that split its ranks in past elections. The well-organised Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamists could take most seats in the vote but liberals and other oppo- nents look likely to pose a much bigger challenge this time. They could be aided by growing frustration at the failure of President Mohammed Mursi and his Muslim Brotherhood allies to steady an economy ham- mered by two years of tur- moil since autocratic leader Hosni Mubarak was ousted almost two years ago. “The Front will set aside its differences now in favour of the national goal it is heading for,” Sabahy said in an interview. REUTERS WEDNESDAY 23 JANUARY 2013 06 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Prince’s mistake Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

RINCE Harry’s reportedly bold statement that he has killed Taliban fighters during his tour of duty in Afghanistan might have won him plaudits in Britain, Wars like Afghanistan should Pwhere he is revered. But coming from a celebrity like him, it won’t help the cause of peace in Afghanistan. Not that his statement could make all the difference in a country where peacemaking with Taliban still remains a mirage, but it’s a never be a theatre for celebrity plain fact that leaders in responsible positions can help peace by refraining from making mistakes that will ruffle feathers. BY SIMON JENKINS The 28-year-old Captain Wales, as he is called by his explicit in references to the “rubbish” the British monarchy from a constitu- military colleagues, recently revealed in interviews conducted press. Prince Harry seemed a red- tional device to a “royal family” seemed in Afghanistan he killed Taliban fighters on his latest mission PRINCE appears to have killed blooded, “non-grad” – non-graduate – progressive at the time. It turned an as part of the crew on an Apache attack helicopter. The British an enemy in battle. When Prince officer, often “more soldier than prince”. anthropomorphic headship of state AHarry was asked on television The performance was a good advertise- into a bizarre collective of celebrities, newspapers had screaming headlines about Harry’s exploits whether “if called upon, you will fire, ment for himself and his profession. at times almost a parody of soap opera. in Afghanistan. “I’ve killed Taliban fighters, says Harry”, the and presumably you have and will kill The prince clearly indicated that the It put family members in the spotlight, Daily Telegraph said; “Harry on his call of duty: how I killed the enemy?” Prince Harry said: “Yeah, interview was not his idea. He was far and consequently under stress. Being Taleban”, said The Times and “Harry: I have killed” (Daily so lots of people have … everyone’s fired from home, tired and on operational duty. “in line to the throne” acquired an aura, Mail). But Taliban was quick to respond. A spokesman of the a certain amount.” Question and answer It is hard to see why it was a deal worth and commanded a security, that seemed might seem ambiguous, but the tabloids risking. Camp Bastion is a wholly pro- pointless. The essence of a line is substi- insurgent group called him insane and challenged his claims. went berserk. The remark was no more tected military environment, unlike being tutability. No other European monarchy “I think he has a mental problem, that’s why he is saying it is than a confirmation of what the co-pilot on patrol. The episode looks suspiciously followed suit. a game,” Zabiullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman. “These kind of an attack helicopter is required to do. like an effort by the army to dab glamour The result was a dozen or so young roy- of people live like diplomats in Afghanistan, they can’t risk But was it wise even to hint at killing? on its ailing Helmand campaign, and by als with nothing in particular to do. The themselves by standing against the mujahideen.” The now ritualised skirmish between the prince’s minders for an antidote to services offered a rare solution. Business, Harry has now completed two the media and the royal family took a last year’s Las Vegas debacle. It may have banking and diplomacy were thought too new twist with the staged documentary worked in the short term, but in the long? controversial. The Prince of Wales was tours in one of Afghanistan’s about “Captain Wales” at Helmand’s Glorifying “wars of choice” as reruns ridiculed even for dabbling in organic Prince Harry’s roughest provinces. On a four- Camp Bastion, of great 20th-century combats has been farming. The princes were almost all month deployment in the southern broadcast on a depressing, and ominous, feature of expected to serve in the armed forces, statement Helmand province, Harry flew on Monday. It had the end of the cold war. As the threat of not for presumed martial efficiency but about killing many missions as a co-pilot gunner been conceded if nuclear disaster retreats, old ambitions for their symbolic role as collective heads with the trigger to rockets, missiles The danger it was kept secret and fantasies, interests and bravados of state. In the peaceful last half of the in knee-jerk until he was on surface in western democracies, nota- 20th century, a military career seemed Taliban in and cannons at his fingertips. his way home. bly Britain and America. The politics of harmless, and politically safe. Afghanistan What has riled insurgents is his interventionism Whether the risk fear fuel a craving for conflict. The global However, hard it may seem on the comparison of killing militants is that it so easily was worth taking policeman’s megaphone is brought down young people involved, the essence of the will not help with playing games. And coming depends on what from the attic, and embattled politicians headship of state is not just its impartial- from a prince, that is a rudely morphs into neo- was the gain. dress up as statesmen, their opponents ity but its impersonality. Prince Harry peace. imperialism, with Drone attacks in shamed to silence. may shine as a soldier and as an articu- impolite statement. The prince Afghanistan and The danger in knee-jerk intervention- late spokesman for his cause, but he can- could have talked about his other its attendant Pakistan have ism is that it so easily morphs into neo- not avoid the political significance of his exploits, if he had any, to win public praise for his mission. “To glamour and created a genera- imperialism, with its attendant glamour role. He was right to say he preferred describe the war in Afghanistan as a game demeans anyone tion of Pashtuns, and ceremony. In Iraq and Afghanistan, reticence. — especially a prince, who is supposed to be made of better ceremony. In Iraq inflamed with a regime-toppling became conquest and Britain’s new belligerence has made things,” the Taliban spokesman said. and Afghanistan, desire for revenge then occupation. In came a baggage royal service less safe, but that in turn against Nato and train of nation-builders, aid-hawkers, has made it seem heroic and glamorous. Harry insisted that killing people was not the reason he regime-toppling its members. Why peace-enforcers and counter-insur- And that has led the princes William and wanted to become a helicopter pilot. However, while the British became conquest the Ministry of gency experts. There followed armies. Harry – both are in this bind - into the tabloids were generally full of praise for Harry’s war exploits, Defence should A police operation became a state cru- realm of controversy. They are serving other commentators were more critical of his latest candid and then encourage the sade. Crusades need glory and heroes. officers whose freedom to “serve” is in admissions. occupation. prince to put him- For a while Afghanistan has had only its some degree compromised by security. Harry, third in line to the British throne, has put his life self so blatantly in wounded. Now it has a prince. They are also pawns in a serious politi- those sights is a There is long tradition of swash- cal game. at risk with his confession and his words have also given mystery, having so fastidiously protected buckling royals, from the Black Prince, Harry has been used to dust with ammunition to his enemies world over. him from duty in 2007. Prince Rupert and George II to the rela- celebrity a wretched and senseless war of What raises serious concerns is not just that the Prince is The prince came across as a plausible tive safety on board ship of the sailors choice, one that should never have been boasting about his adventures in Afghanistan and killing people and committed young man, but shaking William IV and George V. They mostly fought. Even were it necessary, modern in the line of his duty, but the fact that this could very well the bars of his gilded cage in frustration. date from times when it was the mon- conflict should be a strictly professional He wants to pursue his chosen career out archy that needed a bit of glamour from affair, never a theatre for personal celeb- strain ties between foreign troops and locals in Afghanistan, of the public eye, and is infuriated by the war, rather than war needing glamour rity. War is the grimmest and most banal with even more dire consequences for the withdrawal process. “rubbish” media. There were frequent from monarchy, as now. remedy for the world’s ill. It should be flashes of his mother in the interview, The decision in the 1960s to convert kept as such. THE GUARDIAN The Other side Quote of Obama’s opportunity the day

S President Barack Obama and major concerns, Obama has failed role in the region. Yet the US’ actions Proper handling of the ties not only began his second term on to enhance the strategic trust between have been the opposite. Obama needs caters to the interests of the two coun- Sunday, with daunting tasks the two nations, which has led to more to match words with deeds. Good tries but also has a significant bearing facing him both at home and Only through direct U strategic distrust. Washington’s stra- bilateral ties are not just in China’s on the world as a whole. abroad. Some believe Obama, now tegic rebalancing to the Asia-Pacific interests. Washington should know it China has proposed to build a new negotiations between more confident, may be emboldened has considerably complicated the ter- has nothing to win if ties go sour. For type of relationship between Beijing the parties can the to take a harder line on foreign policies. ritorial disputes in both the East and the ultimate good of his own country, and Washington, based on win-win However, when it comes to Sino-US Palestinians and South China seas, resulting in clear and Obama should take a long-term and cooperation, mutual trust and mean- relations, caution and a win-win present threats to China’s core national global perspective on bilateral ties and ingful interaction. It has called for both Israelis address strategy would be more pertinent. interests. refrain from making hotheaded remarks sides to inject positive energy into their all the permanent During his first presidential term, With the US’ backing, countries and unilateral moves that may choke cooperation. This indicates Beijing is status issues that economic and people-to-people ties like Japan and the Philippines have the favorable atmosphere for bilateral determined to keep bilateral ties on between China and the United States resorted to one reckless move after interaction. stable terrain and transform the histori- need to be addressed deepened thanks to the efforts from another to challenge Chinese maritime It has become an international con- cal pattern in which conflict between a and achieve the both sides. But owing to his adminis- sovereignty, raising tensions in the sensus that Sino-US ties are now the rising power and an established one tration’s penchant for unilateral actions region. China has made clear it wel- most important and complicated pair appeared inevitable. peace that they both Jay Carney and disregard of China’s core interests comes the US playing a constructive of nation-to-nation ties in the world. CHINA DAILY deserve. White House Spokesman WEDNESDAY 23 JANUARY 2013 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Obama shifts to high ground Iran wants a nuclear agreement, not war BY HOSSEIN MOUSAVIAN in call for collective action Russia, China and Germany) and the IAEA, the UN watchdog. The o stop Iran achiev- latest round of talks in January The president’s second ing “critical capabil- between the watchdog and Iran ity” to produce nuclear have not resulted in a deal. The Tweapons in the com- IAEA and the P5+1 have a number address was a better ing months, President Obama of major demands, including the must impose “maximal” sanc- implementation of the additional speech than his first tions — that is the message of a protocol to the non-proliferation new report issued in Washington treaty, which mandates greater by five senior non-proliferation access for inspectors; co-oper- — and it showed him specialists. ation on issues related to the They call on Obama to imple- “possible military dimension” of at his most combative ment a de facto international Iran’s nuclear activities; capping embargo on all investments in, uranium enrichment at 5 percent; and trade with, Iran, declaring: and exporting enriched uranium and idealistic. “A successful outcome in any not consumed domestically. negotiations with Iran depends on The demands on capping and BY GARY YOUNGE the immediate implementation of exporting go beyond the treaty, these sanctions, along with simul- and even the additional proto- f presidents campaign in poetry and taneously reinforcing the credibil- col. More than 70 countries have govern in prose, then their second inau- ity of President Obama’s threat not yet signed up to the proto- gural address is generally delivered in to use military force, if necessary, col; and certain member states of PowerPoint — a less utopian, more busi- to prevent Iran from acquiring the IAEA enrich uranium to 96%, nesslike rollout of what they have not nuclear weapons.” with tonnes of uranium stockpiled Iyet done. The first time they take the oath is a Although the report is the work beyond domestic needs. moment of promise, announced in Technicolor. of The Project on US Middle East Moreover, the IAEA requires The second is for posterity, offered in sepia. Nonproliferation Strategy — and Iran to give access beyond that With expectations for the future tempered by is supposedly about nonprolif- required by the additional proto- experience and lowered by familiarity after eration — its authors have con- col in order to address the “pos- re-election, they crane their necks to history. US President Barack Obama waves to the crowd after delivering his address during the presidential centrated on punitive measures sible military dimension”. Iran This time was different. Obama’s second inauguration on the West Front of the US Capitol in Washington. against Iran, and none against cannot accept such demands for inauguration address was far more idealistic, Israel. free, and the IAEA is not in posi- strident, combative and determined both than However, Iran has been tion to negotiate reciprocations. his first and than most. If his first term was — especially second ones — are crafted in par- energised to fight for those views the way their fairly compliant: it has ratified That is why it was a mistake to characterised by compromise, in his second agraphs of intention that omit sub-clauses of opponents do. With his election victory behind the Nuclear Non-Proliferation have the IAEA’s visit to Tehran he seems determined to do battle. Explicitly justification, let alone calculation. And this him, Obama now understands that any legacy Treaty (NPT) and has given the take place prior to the meeting championing gay rights, immigration and was no different. beyond being the first black president will International Atomic Energy between P5+1 and Iran. healthcare reform, and implicitly endorsing Circling back to the constitutional refrain hinge on his ability to bring pressure to bear Agency (IAEA) more than 4,000 Nevertheless, those familiar tighter gun laws and wealth redistribution, “we the people” (a phrase he used five times), on Congress from the outside. man-days’ worth of inspections in with the realities of nuclear he sought not to articulate the consensus but it was a call for collective action to enable the So the second audience was Congress in recent years. According to the US negotiations know very well that to fashion a new one. country to live up to its founding creed. general and Republicans in particular. There National Intelligence Estimate’s Iran has both publicly and in His decision not to shroud matters of prin- “For history tells us that while these truths were scathing lines for them. “We cannot mis- assessment in 2007 and 2011, Iran private meetings with the P5+1 ciple and conviction in the rhetoric of unity may be self-evident, they have never been self- take absolutism for principle, or substitute does not have an active nuclear- indicated its readiness to accept and bipartisanship marks a difference in both executing; that while freedom is a gift from spectacle for politics, or treat name-calling weapons programme. all the above major demands. In tone and strategy. With his search for com- God, it must be secured by His people here on as reasoned debate. “ There is no conclusive evidence return Iran expects recognition mon ground not bearing fruit, he has shifted earth… We have always understood that when His mocking revealed a shift in the bal- that Iran has made any effort to of its legitimate right to enrich- instead to the high ground. times change, so must we; that fidelity to our ance of power between the executive and the build the bomb since 2003, and ment under the NPT and the “Our journey is not complete until our gay founding principles requires new responses to legislature as the public has tired of gridlock Iran’s leadership has not yet made lifting of sanctions — but unfor- brothers and sisters are treated like anyone new challenges; that preserving our individual and inaction. It was a shift reflected in the a political decision to do so. In tunately the Western powers else under the law — for if we are truly created freedoms ultimately requires collective action.” Republicans’ decision last week to concede contrast, Israel is not a signatory among the P5+1 have not signed equal, then surely the love we commit to one There were two audiences for this speech. the next debt ceiling battle and cave on higher to the NPT, has not permitted up to such a deal. another must be equal as well? Our journey is The first was the American public. If today’s taxes. Throughout, the clarion call was for the IAEA even a single inspec- The art of negotiation is to not complete until no citizen is forced to wait ceremony, with its celebrations of democracy, Congress not to perform but to act — a rec- tion and possesses hundreds of frame such a package with a for hours to exercise the right to vote. Our jour- marked a ritual veneration of the office of the ognition with the broad, deep frustration with nuclear weapons. The reasons specific timetable, and imple- ney is not complete until we find a better way presidency, the last four years have shown the the nation’s polarised political culture. that international efforts to real- mented by a step-by-step plan to welcome the striving, hopeful immigrants limitations of that office. Four years that have “Being true to our founding documents does ise a “nuclear-weapon-free zone with appropriate reciprocations who still see America as a land of opportunity. seen the US teeter close to a fiscal cliff and not require us to agree on every contour of life; in the Middle East” have made at each stage. It would be pru- “Our journey is not complete until all almost bash its head on a debt ceiling illustrate it does not mean we will all define liberty in no progress since Iran proposed dent for President Obama and the our children, from the streets of Detroit to Obama’s naivety in believing he could simply exactly the same way, or follow the same pre- the idea almost 40 years ago must world powers to advance such a the hills of Appalachia to the quiet lanes of rise above partisan divide. cise path to happiness. Progress does not com- therefore be clear. fair deal in upcoming talks and Newtown, know that they are cared for, and His speech was an appeal to civic engage- pel us to settle centuries-long debates about Nevertheless, the report states ignore attempts by warmongers cherished, and always safe from harm.” ment that might goad the political class out the role of government for all time — but it that the US “should offer nuclear to target advocates of a diplomatic For almost every lofty sentiment there is, of of its dysfunction. “For we, the people, under- does require us to act in our time.” sanctions relief to Iran only in solution. course, a caveat. Obama’s record now includes stand that our country cannot succeed when If the speech was better, the event was flat- response to meaningful conces- Promoters of further sanctions, everything from drone attacks to healthcare a shrinking few do very well and a growing ter. The crowds were smaller than last time sions by the Iranians that are isolation and other punitive meas- reform; the bombing of Libya to the with- many barely make it… We, the people, still and, even though it was Martin Luther King consistent with the multiple rel- ures aim to make war with Iran drawal of troops from Iraq. Those who seek believe that every citizen deserves a basic Day, the nature of the event was more low- evant UN security council resolu- inevitable. But such a war would to assert parallels with Martin Luther King, measure of security and dignity… We, the peo- key. A second inauguration is like a renewal tions, IAEA board of governors make the US war in Iraq look whose birthday was celebrated on Monday, ple, still believe that enduring security and of vows, and, in the words of Sade: “It’s never resolutions, and US laws”. like a walk in a park. Instead we must remember that this is a president with lasting peace do not require perpetual war.” as good as the first time”. Nonetheless, the In order to develop a more real- should take the opportunity for a ‘kill list’. His position on gay rights evolved On most key issues — wealth distribution, energy in the crowd still, at times, came off istic approach, we need to assess diplomacy to prevail and devote just in time for the election, and in his first gun control, gay marriage — the public (we- more like a campaign rally than a state event. the status quo in nuclear nego- the necessary political will to term he deported far more people than George the-people) are closer to Obama’s positions The romance may have gone. But the love is tiations between Iran, the P5+1 make it succeed. W Bush did in his. But inauguration speeches than Congress, but have yet to feel sufficiently still there. THE GUARDIAN group (the US, the UK, France, THE GUARDIAN Algeria’s response to hostage crisis raises serious questions

the British position clearly: that The security forces’ priority our response to this kind of ter- rorism should be “tough but appears to have been intelligent”. Leads to knowing where the AQIM splinter group (loosely to kill the jihadists, with securing translated as “the signatories in blood”) was based, where it got the kidnapped coming a its money from, and whether it did have English-speaking mem- bers, died with those men. The poor second and gathering latest news is that the authori- ties caught three jihadists who intelligence nowhere. had been hiding, so the ratio of dead jihadists to injured is 32:3, BY JOHN SWEENEY first announced that 32 jihadists and that again feels wrong. On had been killed in their success- the evidence, the priority of the he price of gas has just ful counter-terrorism operation. Algerian security forces seems become horribly more There were no survivors. There to have been to kill the jihadists, expensive, not in treas- is something immediately and with securing the hostages com- Ture but in blood. The obviously wrong about that sta- ing a poor second and gathering death toll of captives killed in tistic. Wars, battles and counter- intelligence nowhere. the jihadist atrocity at the In insurgency operations are always Algeria is nothing like a Amenas gas plant in eastern messy. Not every shot fired is a Western democracy. In the 90s Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal speaks during a press conference in Algiers. He warned other nations Algeria has jumped from 23 to clean kill; not every blast from a a democratic uprising, fuelled by to prepare for a higher body count after a four-day siege of a gas plant by Islamist militants ended in a bloodbath, 48. Everything about this story is grenade is fatal. On an ordinary frustration over corruption, lack amid fears as many as 50 hostages may have died. bleak: the loss of life; the hatred battlefield you expect the injured of equity and, in some quarters, jihadists from a splinter group of to outnumber the dead by three Islamist leanings, was crushed in Al Qaeda in the Islamic Magreb to one. In Iraq and Afghanistan, a civil war that left 100,000 dead, of civilians which happened very hostage crisis: “it is the terror- in this part of the world bites. have for Westerners; the ferocity the Americans are now so good at including many of the country’s close to army barracks and were ists that bear the sole responsibil- Muslims across North Africa of the attack; the ferocity of the emergency first aid that the ratio bravest journalists. Today, the blamed on the security forces. The ity for it”. True, but the Algerian and the Middle East can hear counter-attack by Algerian spe- of dead to wounded is something security establishment still calls evidence that the state tortured security forces and their com- Western politicians attack Assad cial forces; the reported presence like one to six. the shots, relying on gas and oil dissidents was overwhelming. manders bear some responsibility for mass murder and torture; if of jihadists who spoke excellent But the “ninjas” — the balacl- for about 98 percent of the coun- Even now, Algeria will not allow for the scale of the loss of life. If, they observe them silent about English; the consequences for the ava-clad Algerian special forces try’s income; that wealth is appar- the UN special rapporteur for as reported, Hind helicopters blew the abuses of, say, the Algerian fight against Islamist extremism — killed 32 kidnappers. There is a ently controlled by a small clique. torture to visit the country. up a convoy of jihadists and hos- state then this may undermine in Mali, the Sahel and across the grim tradition in Algeria’s history The rule of law and civil authority So great care is needed before tages as they left the gas facility, the war for hearts and minds world; the bewildering lack of of civil wars of killing the other are sickly — and some critics go Western politicians assume eve- the actions of the security forces against Al Qaeda. And no one information; and the death toll side’s wounded so that there are further, saying the regime is more rything the Algerian state does fail the PM’s test of “tough but who believes in free speech, of the jihadists. no witnesses. You can debate the akin to Assad’s Syria. against the jihadists is for the intelligent” action. democracy, and civil rights could Stay with me on the last point. rights and wrongs of this policy, In the 90s I went to Algeria and best. The UK Defence Secretary, This matters because since possibly want that. Officially the Algerian regime but David Cameron has set out reported on a series of massacres Philip Hammond, said of the the Arab spring, public opinion THE GUARDIAN

WEDNESDAY 23 JANUARY 2013 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Two-state Netanyahu tops Israel vote: Exit polls solution PM’s grouping biggest bloc despite losses; far-right, religious nationalist groups seen in coalition almost dead, JERUSALEM: Prime Minister the failing education system. Benjamin Netanyahu emerged The once dominant Labour says Britain the bruised winner of Israel’s party led by Shelly Yachimovich election yesterday, with his was projected to take third place LONDON: , Britain said yester- hawkish bloc unexpectedly losing with 17 seats. A stream of opinion day that prospects for a two-state ground to resurgent centre-left polls before the election had pre- solution to the Israeli-Palestinian challengers, exit polls showed. dicted an easy win for Netanyahu. conflict are almost dead because They suggested the Israeli lead- The final opinion polls on Friday of expanding Jewish settlement er’s Likud party, yoked with the showed his Likud-Beitenu group in occupied territory, and warned ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beitenu still on top, but losing some ground Israel it was losing international group, would still be the biggest to the Jewish Home party, which support. bloc in the 120-member assembly opposes a Palestinian state and Foreign Secretary William with 31 of the 120 seats, 11 fewer advocates annexing chunks of the Hague spoke as Israelis voted in than the 42 they had in the previ- occupied West Bank. Jewish Home an election likely to yield a hard- ous parliament. was projected to take 12 seats. line rightist government keener If the exit polls compiled by Full election results are due by to thicken settlement on land three Israeli television channels today morning and official ones where Palestinians want to estab- prove correct, Netanyahu would will be announced on January lish statehood than seek peace. be on course to secure a third 30. After that, President Shimon “I hope that whatever Israeli term in office, perhaps leading Peres is likely to ask Netanyahu, government emerges .... that a hardline coalition that would as leader of the biggest bloc it will recognise that we are promote Jewish settlement on in parliament, to try to form a approaching the last chance to occupied land. government. bring about such a solution,” But his weakened showing in The former commando has Hague told parliament. an election he himself called ear- traditionally looked to religious, “I condemn recent Israeli deci- lier than necessary could com- conservative parties for backing sions to expand settlements. I plicate the struggle to forge an and is widely expected to seek speak regularly to Israeli leaders alliance with a stable majority out self-made millionaire Naftali stressing our profound concern in parliament. The projections Bennett, who heads the Jewish Supporters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party celebrate after the exit polls were announced at that Israel’s settlement policy is showed right-wing parties with a Home party and stole much of the the party’s headquarters in Tel Aviv, yesterday. losing it the support of the inter- combined strength of 61-62 seats limelight during the campaign. national community and will against 58-59 for the centre-left. Political sources said before the make a two-state solution impos- The 63-year-old Israeli leader election that Netanyahu might Palestinians see no hope for peace sible,” he said. promised during his election cam- approach centre-left parties in Asked whether the European paign to focus on tackling Iran’s an effort to broaden his coalition Union should tie trade with Israel nuclear ambitions if he won, and present a more moderate face RAMALLAH/GAZA: Palest- nationalist pro-settler par- has not allowed elections in six to progress on peace talks, Hague shunting Palestinian peacemak- to worried allies. inians evinced weary indiffer- ties which give short shrift to years and expelled an election said the bloc still had work to do, ing well down the agenda despite Yesterday’s vote is the first in ence yesterday as Israelis voted US-backed peace efforts. “We committee meant to pave the way in conjunction with the United Western concern to keep the Israel since Arab uprisings swept in an election set to produce a hope this election will lead to for new polls as part of a stalled States, to establish “incentives quest for a solution alive. the region two years ago, reshap- hardline government keener to peace, to the recognition of the unity plan in 2012. and disincentives” regarding fur- After a lacklustre campaign, ing the Middle East. Netanyahu expand Jewish settlements on Palestinian state and to the Fatah held local polls in the ther negotiations. Israelis voted in droves on a has said the turbulence, which occupied land than seek peace. rights of the Palestinian peo- West Bank which Hamas boy- “...There is a clock ticking sunny winter day, registering the has brought Islamist govern- “Regardless of who wins, the ple,” said Gaza physician Hussein cotted, leading to a disappointing with potentially disastrous con- highest projected turnout since ments to power in several coun- result is the same: Israelis want Ekelan. “But all indications say turnout. Palestinian President sequences for the peace proc- 1999 when Netanyahu, serving his tries long ruled by secularist this land but not the people,” said Netanyahu will win, and this will Mahmoud Abbas, who is also ess,” he added. first term as prime minister, was autocrats, including neighbouring Ahmed Amro, a professor at Al be a big disaster,” he said. Fatah’s leader, has outstayed his Hague said 2013 was a cru- defeated by then-Labour Party Egypt, shows the importance of Quds Open University in Ramallah, Direct peace talks between term by three years since he was cial year for the moribund peace leader Ehud Barak. strengthening national security. the West Bank’s capital. Israel and the Palestinians broke elected in 2005. process given Israeli elections for The strong turnout buoyed He views Iran’s nuclear pro- “The Palestinians should have down in 2010 over the building While Palestinians are united in a new government and the start centre-left parties which had gramme as a mortal threat to the a plan to face this situation we’re of settlements in the West Bank, dismissing Israel’s elections, their of US President Barack Obama’s pinned their hopes on energiz- Jewish state and has vowed not to in, and not put much stock in who which Palestinians say deny them internal political rifts remain deep. second term. ing an army of undecided vot- let Tehran enrich enough uranium wins,” he said of the four million a viable future state. Hamas rejects Israel’s right to exist “If we do not make progress ers against Netanyahu and his to make a single nuclear bomb — people under Israeli occupation Palestinians themselves have and opposes US-sponsored nego- in the coming year, people will nationalist-religious allies. a threshold Israeli experts say or blockade. struggled to elect a national gov- tiations, advocating armed strug- increasingly conclude that a two- The centrist Yesh Atid (There could arrive as early as mid-2013. Israel has occupied the West ernment that present a united gle instead. Abbas has put his faith state solution has become impos- is a Future) party, led by former Iran denies it is planning to build Bank since capturing it in the front against Israel’s policies and in diplomacy, but neither strategy sible,” said Hague. Both Israelis television talk show host Yair the bomb, and says Israel, widely 1967 Middle East War, along with further their decades-long quest has brought Palestinians much and Palestinians should return Lapid, came second with 18 or 19 believed to have the only nuclear east Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip for independence. closer to achieving their national to talks without preconditions, seats, exit polls showed — a stun- arsenal in the Middle East, is the and the Golan Heights. Gaza has Parliamentary polls in 2006 aspirations. he said. ning result for a fledgling new- biggest threat to the region. remained under tight curbs on gave the Islamist Hamas group a Asked of their hopes for Israel’s Hague said he would make comer to Israeli politics. Lapid The issue barely registered dur- movement since Israeli soldiers surprise win, shocking Israel and polls, three grocers in a Ramallah peace talks and efforts towards won support amongst middle- ing the election campaign, with a and settlers withdrew in 2005. Western countries who consider store all mumbled: “What does it a two-state solution — the basis class, secular voters by promis- poll in Haaretz newspaper saying Opinion polls predict that it a terrorist organisation, and matter?” “Labour, Likud, there’s no of a US-backed peace process ing to resolve a growing housing 47 percent of Israelis thought Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin leading to a brief civil war with difference,” Mohammad Zaid said, for almost 20 years — “top of the shortage, abolish military draft social and economic issues were Netanyahu will return to power its secular Fatah rivals in Gaza mentioning the main leftwing and agenda” during a planned visit to exemptions for Jewish seminary the most pressing concern. at the head of a coalition domi- the following year. rightwing Israeli parties. Washington next week. students and seek an overhaul of REUTERS nated by hardline religious and Entrenched in Gaza, Hamas REUTERS REUTERS

Ethnic Kurd UN seeks $716m for Yemen charged with humanitarian crisis

DUBAI: United Nations aid shortfalls in the cabinet’s recon- Paris murders organisations working in Yemen struction plan over the next 18 asked international donors months. PARIS: The driver of a yesterday for $716m to fund Officials from a number of UN Kurdistan Workers’ Party urgent humanitarian aid for organisations said yesterday that (PKK) leader shot dead in Paris a state where nearly a million they were hoping to tap into these with two other female activists children under five are acutely pledges for this year’s urgent has been charged with their malnourished. humanitarian needs. murder, a French prosecutor A new UN report also said that Restoring stability is important announced on Monday. 10.5 million of Yemen’s 24 million to Washington and Gulf countries Omer Guney, 30, was one of people lacked sufficient food sup- because of Yemen’s location on the two ethnic Kurds detained last plies, and 13 million had no access important Red Sea oil shipment week by a specialist anti-ter- to safe water and basic sanitation. route and the threat that Al Qaeda rorist unit in connection with Poverty was one of the factors will use it as a base for attacks on the January 9 slayings. After an behind a popular uprising that Gulf states or the West. indictment hearing on Monday, forced out president Ali Abdullah The UN report presented in he was charged with carrying Saleh last year. Dubai yesterday, titled “Yemen: out the murders as part of a With much international atten- Humanitarian Response Plan terrorist group and conspiracy tion now focused on Syria’s civil 2013”, said more than 431,000 Residents gather at the site of a car bomb attack in the Shuala district in Baghdad, yesterday. to commit murder as part of a war, the current administration is people were internally displaced terrorist group. still grappling with the threat of in Yemen, and that it was also “We believe he is likely to have violence from Al Qaeda, secession- sheltering 269,000 refugees from been the killer or one of the kill- ist sentiment in southern Yemen, abroad, mostly from the Horn of 26 die in spate of Iraq attacks ers,” Paris Prosecutor Francois and Shia Muslim Houthi rebels Africa. Molins said. Guney was placed who control swathes of the north. Tens of thousands of Yemenis BAGHDAD: A wave of attacks but Sunni militants often launch five people were killed and 14 in provisional detention at pros- “It is an extremely fragile sit- fled several towns in the south in and around Baghdad and in attacks in a bid to destabilise the wounded by a suicide car bomb, ecutors’ request, meaning he uation, people are suffering and in 2011 after Ansar Al Sharia northern Iraq killed 26 peo- government and push Iraq back officials said. will remain locked up while the we want to make sure that the (Partisan of Islamic Law), an ple and wounded dozens more towards the sectarian violence A car bomb near a market in investigation continues. The other global community are aware of armed group linked to Al Qaeda, yesterday, shattering a relative that blighted it from 2005 to 2008. the north Baghdad neighbourhood man detained last week was ear- this,” said Trond Jensen, head captured them, taking advantage calm after a spate of deadly vio- “One of my friends was hurt in of Shuala killed five people and lier freed without charge. Judicial of office of the UN Office for of months of unrest that followed lence last week. his head, and another was seri- wounded 12, while gunmen killed sources said Guney was an occa- Coordination of Humanitarian the uprising against Saleh. The unrest comes amid a politi- ously wounded in his chest,” said five officials who were transport- sional driver for one of the victims, Affairs in Yemen. President Abd-Rabbu Mansour cal crisis that has pitted Prime 41-year-old mechanic Ali Jassim ing salaries between oil refineries 55-year-old Sakine Cansiz, a co- “More than half of the popula- Hadi’s government drove them Minister Nouri Al Maliki against at the site of the Baghdad blast, near the town of Baiji. founder of the outlawed PKK. He tion in Yemen are in need in some out last year with military help several of his erstwhile govern- before angrily shouting: “The Pieces of metal were littered has told police he has been a PKK form ... of humanitarian assist- from the United States. “In 2013 ment partners and with more politicians are busy with keeping across the scene of the Baghdad member for the last two years. ance.” The Friends of Yemen, ... the situation continues to be than four weeks of anti-govern- their posts, and we are suffering attack, with several cars badly Cansiz and two other women who include Yemen’s rich Gulf very fragile,” Jensen said in his ment protests in Sunni major- from these explosions!” damaged or completely burned, a were found dead on the morning neighbours and the five perma- presentation. ity areas hardening opposition In the bloodiest attack, six peo- witness said. The insurgents who of January 10 at a Kurdish cen- nent members states of the UN “We expect to see a continua- against the Shia leader’s rule. ple were killed when a car bomb carried out the latter attack fled, tre in the French capital. The Security Council, made pledges of tion of localised conflicts; we also Yesterday’s bloodiest blasts was detonated near an army camp and the funds were recovered, prosecutor added however that $7.9bn in September to address expect to see that the population struck an army checkpoint south in the town of Taji, 25km north of officials said. Meanwhile, eight DNA samples taken from one of the humanitarian and budget cri- will have limited access to basic of Baghdad, a military base north Baghdad, an army officer and a different shootings and bomb- the bullets used in the killings did sis and upgrade infrastructure. services.” He said that other of the capital, and a mostly Shia medical official said. At least 20 ings in Diyala, Nineveh and not match up with Guney’s and It was short of the $12bn sought regional conflicts, particularly neighbourhood in the city’s north, other people were wounded. Salaheddin provinces north of stressed that the investigation by the government, but the World the crisis in Syria, had diverted security and medical officials said. South of the capital in the Baghdad killed five people and remained at an early stage. Bank said at the time the pledges attention away from Yemen. No group claimed responsibility, town of Mahmudiyah, at least wounded 12. AFP AFP should be enough to meet budget REUTERS WEDNESDAY 23 JANUARY 2013 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Britain to make 50 years of Elysee Treaty 5,300 army jobs redundant Opposition questions defence cuts

LONDON: The British gov- vowed to show “iron resolve” in ernment said yesterday that it fighting Islamist terrorism. was making up to 5,300 army “The threats have increased personnel redundant as part of and yet the army has been cut to cuts that will see troop num- just 82,000,” Murphy told parlia- bers reduced to the lowest since ment. “There will be a growing the early 19th century. sense in the country that minis- The Ministry of Defence said ters are unprepared for events in soldiers returning from or head- North Africa and beyond.” ing to Afghanistan would be Francois insisted that reserv- exempt from the cuts, the third ists would be able to fill the gap. such round under a programme “We are reconfiguring our armed that will see the army reduced forces,” he told MPs. from 102,000 regular troops to “While we are reducing the 82,000 by 2020. number of regulars over time “Whilst we need to make up to we are increasing the number of 5,300 army personnel redundant, reservists and I believe we can FROM LEFT: German President Joachim Gauck, French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French Prime Minister Jean- the programme will not adversely achieve that balance in good time.” Marc Ayrault, and President of the German Constitutional Court Andreas Vosskuhle stand during a meeting of German and French parliamentarians in the affect operations in Afghanistan,” Britain’s navy and air force are German Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, yesterday. They met for the 50th anniversary celebrations of the signing of the Elysee Treaty of January 22, 1963. Junior Defence Minister Mark also shedding 5,000 posts each Francois insisted in a statement under the Strategic Defence and to parliament. Security Review announced in Britain still has about 9,000 2010, while the Ministry of troops in Afghanistan ahead of Defence is losing 25,000 civilian French ‘rotten egg’ stench invades England a scheduled withdrawal in 2014. jobs. The Conservative-led coalition Francois warned that further government of Prime Minister army redundancies were “likely” PARIS: The stench of rotten But France’s Ecology Minister “South Kent residents are being alerts people to gas leaks. The David Cameron, which is try- along with job cuts among the eggs wafted across Paris and Delphine Batho, who cut short an asked to keep doors and windows Lubrizol plant, which makes addi- ing to shrink Britain’s massive medical and dental personnel northern France yesterday, official trip to Berlin to rush to closed due to a gas cloud that is tives for industrial lubricants and deficit, has already announced working with the navy and air even reaching across the sea to the site of the leak at a chemical believed to have come across from paint, shut down production as that reservist numbers will be force. England, after a gas leak that plant in the picturesque city of France,” the fire and rescue serv- workers battled to plug the leak. doubled to 30,000 by 2018 to help Cameron acknowledged on authorities said was very smelly Rouen in Normandy, said there ice in the southeastern English Regional authorities ordered the fill the shortfall. Monday that, “of course, there but entirely harmless. was no health risk. region said. postponement of a French Cup But the opposition Labour are always challenges about the Headaches, sore throats and The leak began early on Monday Katherine Shook, an artist who tie match in Rouen between the party has questioned the fresh level of resources — even in times nausea were nevertheless among at a plant run by Lubrizol, a firm lives in the 11th district of Paris, city’s football team and Olympique defence cuts in the wake of the when money is plentiful, and it the complaints listed in calls made that is part of billionaire US said she was woken by her cry- Marseille yesterday. “We didn’t want hostage crisis at a Algerian gas isn’t plentiful today.” overnight to emergency lines in investor Warren Buffett’s empire, ing baby. “It was about 4am and to be in a situation where we have plant, where at least 37 foreign- But he added: “If you look at Paris by more than 10,000 peo- and within a day its odour had I got up and noticed there was a 10,000 spectators 2km away from ers were killed, and the French- the defence and security budget, ple worried by the stink that had reached millions of people across gas smell all through the house. the plant without any capacity for led assault against Islamist it is actually in cash terms stable invaded their streets and homes. northern France. I smelled outside the front door, confining or evacuating them if that rebels in Mali. at £33bn ($52bn). One Paris suburban resident, Winds carried the invisible gas and it was stronger, so realised were necessary,” said senior local Labour’s defence spokes- “What we have tried to do as a who asked not to be named, said around 100km down the densely it was coming from outside the official Florence Gouache. man Jim Murphy accused the government, and perhaps we need he and his wife smelt gas when populated Seine river valley to apartment,” she said. The offend- French social media were government of implementing a to look again and go even further, they woke early yesterday with Paris, and later northwards over ing odour came from a gas called awash with people in the affected “carry on regardless” strategy by is to focus on those threats to our searing headaches: “I opened the the Channel and into England, mercaptan, which, among other regions complaining of headaches announcing thousands of redun- security we face today.” windows and then realised the where it even reached as far as uses, is added to municipal gas and nausea from the gas that dancies a day after Cameron AFP same smell was outside.” south London. because its sulphurous smell smelled like rotten eggs. AFP

Red alert in Spanish region Eritrea mutiny At least two people reported over Asmara shot at Texas college CHICAGO: At least two people were reportedly shot at a Texas reported calm college yesterday, US media reported but few details were avail- able. Television footage showed people lying on the ground and at NAIROBI: Armed Eritrean least one person being loaded into an ambulance on the campus mutineers have left the infor- of Lone Star College near Houston. A spokesman for the Harris mation ministry that they county sheriff’s department — which is handling the event — seized on Monday, with the said she was not immediately able to provide any information. capital Asmara reported to be The college posted a warning to students on its Facebook page to calm, diplomats and opposition “SHELTER IN PLACE if you are on campus. IF YOU ARE NOT members yesterday. ON CAMPUS DON’T GO TO CAMPUS”. One person has report- “The situation today is very, edly been detained but it was not clear if it was the shooter, or if very quiet. There is no visible more than one shooter was involved. military presence in the city, the tanks have gone,” a European Sun reporter charged in police payments probe diplomat in the city said. “The information ministry is back to LONDON: A journalist from Rupert Murdoch’s Sun tabloid who business as usual,” the diplomat allegedly paid police for tip-offs has become the latest person to be added, noting that Asmara was charged as part of Britain’s wider phone-hacking scandal. Virginia back “to normal”, with banks and Wheeler, the paper’s Defence Editor, is accused of paying a police Huge waves crash against the rocks which surround the Finisterrae Aquarium in A Coruna, Galicia, northwest- public buildings open. officer at least £6,450 ($10,200), for information about suspects and ern Spain, yesterday. Authorities have declared the red alert in the region. A spell of snow and cold weather Opposition website Awate. victims of accidents and crimes including in the case of the death is affecting the country, that has raised the alarms for snow in the north and central parts of the peninsula. com, based in the United States of a 15-year-old girl. The tip-offs included information about high but with close connections inside profile individuals and people associated with them, the Crown Eritrea, said that the commander Prosecution Service (CPS) said. Wheeler and former Metropolitan of around 100 rebel soldiers had Police Service constable Paul Flattley will be charged with conspir- agreed to leave the ministry, acy to commit misconduct in a public office, the CPS said. They will Mali army sets sights on Gao, Timbuktu something believed to have hap- appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court at a date to be fixed. pened late on Monday. DIABALY, MALI: Mali’s surveillance and transport assist- The Al Qaeda-linked Islamists “The face-off was ‘solved’ Russia allows some US adoptions to go ahead army chief yesterday said that ance London could provide, as the have subjected these towns to strict when the government ‘accepted his French-backed forces could European Union announced ¤20m Shariah, whipping smokers and his terms’” Awate said, although MOSCOW: A number of American couples whose adoptions of reclaim the northern towns of of extra humanitarian aid. drinkers, banning music, forcing there were no further details as Russian children were in the final stages of approval before Moscow Gao and fabled Timbuktu from Belgium, Britain, Canada, women to wear veils and long robes, to what will happen next. imposed a ban breathed a sigh of relief yesterday when a court said Islamists in a month, as the Denmark, Netherlands, Spain amputating the limbs of thieves “All is calm today, as it was their adoptions could go ahead. The precise number that will be United States began airlifting and the United Arab Emirates are and stoning adulterers to death. A indeed yesterday,” read a mes- allowed is unclear. President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman said last French troops to Mali. also providing transport planes or fabled caravan town on the edge sage from Yemane Gebremeskel, month that six adoptions that had been approved by Russian courts French planes bombed a major helicopters required to help move of the Sahara desert, Timbuktu the director of Eritrean President would go through, while another 46 that were still under way would base of the Al Qaeda in Islamic the African and French troops was for centuries a key centre of Issaias Afeworki’s office, although not. Rebecca and Brian Preece from Idaho, who hope to fly home with Maghreb (AQIM) near Timbuktu, around Mali’s vast expanses. Islamic learning and has become officials have otherwise remained four-year-old Gabriel, a boy with Downs Syndrome, said Tuesday’s a defence ministry official said. France began its military a byword for exotic remoteness in tightlipped over the events. ruling was “the news that our judge has been waiting for”. Defence ministry spokesman operation on January 11 and has the Western imagination. It was not possible to confirm Colonel Thierry Burkhard had said it could deploy upwards of Today it is a battlefield, overrun the reports independently. Bolshoi names new acting chief earlier confirmed there were 2,500 troops which would even- by Islamist militants who have Amanuel Ghirmai, an Eritrean bombings “on the outskirts” of tually hand over control to a been razing its world-heritage journalist in Paris for independ- MOSCOW: Russia’s Bolshoi ballet named a top ballerina as acting the town. International moves UN-sanctioned African force. religious sites in a destructive ent Radio Erena, said the army chief yesterday after its artistic director underwent surgery to treat to aid the operations revved up General Ibrahima Dahirou rampage that the UN cultural mutineers stormed the hill-top severe burns to his face from a horrific acid attack. The temporary with the US military airlifting Dembele said the French-backed agency has deplored as “tragic”. ministry — which towers over shift in command at one of Russia’s most venerable institutions follows French troops and equipment army was forging ahead for Dembele said troops from the capital of the Red Sea state a still-unsolved incident that left 42-year-old Sergei Filin at risk of from France into Mali. “the total liberation of north- Niger and Chad were expected to — early on Monday morning. losing his eyesight. The Bolshoi said its board of directors and Russia’s “We expect the mission to last ern Mali,” in an interview with come through Niger, which bor- They reportedly ordered news culture ministry agreed to tap 46-year-old veteran ballerina Galina for the next several days,” an French radio station RFI, a day ders Mali on the east, and head readers at the government-run Stepanenko as its acting artistic director. Stepanenko is a stalwart of AFRICOM spokesman, Chuck after it rolled into two central to Gao, a key Islamist strong- television and radio station— the Bolshoi who has danced all the great ballerina roles in the clas- Prichard, said in Germany. “As of towns held by Islamists. hold which has been pounded by the only source of media for the sical repertoire since first joining the company in 1990. “We are all yet we’ve had two flights that have “If the support remains con- French airstrikes. authoritarian state — to read shattered by what happened and it is not easy for us. We need to landed and we anticipate more in sistent, it won’t take more than a A major boost to the regional a statement that they would be together and keep working,” Stepanenko said after the announce- the coming days.” month to free Gao and Timbuktu,” force is a pledge by Mali’s neigh- implement the country’s con- ment of her appointment — recommended by Filin himself. She is to British Prime Minister David he said, referring to two of three bour Chad to deploy 2,000 sol- stitution enacting democratic remain in the post until Filin is well enough to return to work. The Cameron was to chair a meeting main cities along with Kidal, in diers there, whcih would bring principles and stopping arbi- theatre has blamed the Thursday evening attack on internal conflicts of the National Security Council the vast, semi-arid north which the number of African soldiers trary arrests. although investigators have yet to make any conclusions or arrests. to consider what additional has been occupied for 10 months. to around 6,000. AFP AFP AGENCIES WEDNESDAY 23 JANUARY 2013 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES Philippines drags China to UN over sea row Beijing referred to arbitration panel over South China Sea dispute; 1982 treaty invoked

MANILA: The Philippines has grounds around the Scarborough taken China to a UN tribunal to Shoal, a formation much closer challenge its claim to most of the to the Philippine coast than to Manila fines US ship South China Sea, including ter- China’s shores. ritory belonging to the archipel- The Philippines in its sub- MANILA: Philippine authori- A board statement issued by ago, Foreign Secretary Albert mission says Beijing’s so-called ties said yesterday they had Tan said the US Navy would also del Rosario said yesterday. “nine-dash line” outlining its ter- fined the US Navy for “unau- be fined for “non-payment of Del Rosario told reporters that ritorial claims over most of the thorised entry” after an conservation fee” and “obstruc- Manila had referred Beijing to sea, including waters and islands American minesweeper went tion of law enforcement officer”. an arbitration panel under the close to its neighbours, is illegal, aground on a World Heritage- The Tubbataha marine park United Nations Convention on the according to del Rosario. listed coral reef. superintendent, Angelique Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) — a It also demands that China Manila announced the ini- Songco, said on Monday that 1982 treaty signed by both coun- “desist from unlawful activities tial penalty amid growing park rangers had warned the tries — and would ask it to declare that violate the sovereign rights anger in the Philippines over USS Guardian by radio that it Chinese claims in the area invalid. and jurisdiction of the Philippines the January 17 stranding of the was nearing the reef, but the “The Philippines has exhausted under the 1982 UNCLOS”, he USS Guardian on the Tubbataha ship captain insisted they raise almost all political and diplomatic added. Reef, for which the US Navy has their complaint with the US avenues for a peaceful negotiated A briefing paper provided by apologised. embassy. settlement of its maritime dispute the foreign department alleged A government-led board that Fines for “damage to the with China,” he said. that within the nine-dash line, manages the reef served for- reef” and “destroying resources” “On numerous occasions, dat- “China has also laid claim to, mal notice yesterday initially would be assessed after the ves- ing back to 1995, the Philippines occupied and built structures citing the US Navy for “unau- sel is retrieved, the board added. has been exchanging views with on certain submerged banks, thorised entry”, Jose Lorenzo The US embassy declined China to peacefully settle these reefs and low tide elevations that Tan, a member of the board, comment on the alleged disputes. To this day, a solution do not qualify as islands under told AFP. violations. is still elusive. UNCLOS, but are parts of the The site is protected by Tubbataha is a Unesco World “We hope that the arbitral pro- Philippine continental shelf, or Philippine law, and is off-limits Heritage Site on the Sulu Sea ceedings shall bring this dispute the international seabed”. Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario delivers a statement to navigation except for research about 130km off the western to a durable solution.” China swiftly dismissed the on territorial disputes in the South China Sea, at a news briefing in Manila, or tourism approved by the island of Palawan. China’s territorial claims over- submission with Ambassador yesterday. marine park superintendent. The commander of the US lap those of the Philippines as well Ma Keqing repeating her coun- The law prescribes a maxi- Navy’s 7th Fleet, Vice Admiral as Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and try’s stance to an official in the parties concerned through nego- De La Salle University, said the mum penalty of up to a year Scott Swift, apologised for the Taiwan. Philippines foreign office. tiations,” it added. Philippines’ submission was a last in prison plus a fine of up to incident in a statement from Over the past two years the “Ambassador Ma reiterated the UNCLOS generally requires throw of the dice and unlikely to 300,000 pesos (about $7,300) for Japan on Sunday. Philippines and Vietnam have principled position of the Chinese both parties to undergo arbitra- force Beijing’s hand. unauthorised entry, but Tan said The US Navy said the complained at China’s increasing side, and stressed that China has tion and it was unclear if and “I don’t think China will bite the penalty agreed by the board 68-metre vessel, which remained assertiveness in enforcing those indisputable sovereignty over when the UN would act given the bait. It has been consistent does not include the jail option. stranded above the reef yes- claims, particularly around areas the islands in (the) South China China’s stance. However, a source with its position that territorial “We initially decided to fine terday, had been en route believed rich in oil and natural gas Sea and its adjacent waters,” a told AFP there were examples disputes ought to be solved bilat- them,” said Tan, also the country to Indonesia after visiting a reserves. Chinese embassy statement said. where cases had been heard with erally,” de Castro said. president of the World Wildlife Philippine port north of Manila Manila says the Chinese stance “The Chinese side strongly only one side present. “We have exhausted all our Fund. He declined to disclose the when the accident happened. led to a standoff last year with holds the disputes on (the) South Rene de Castro, a political options and we’re scraping the amount. AFP the Philippines over rich fishing China Sea should be settled by science professor at Manila’s barrel really.” AFP

Canadian shoots dead two, himself in courtroom

CEBU, PHILIPPINES: A “The shootings lasted 10 min- “The officers shot him on the person. He said Pope was being Canadian involved in legal dis- utes as he walked from the fourth hand and thigh, after which he tried in Cebu courts in at least putes with his neighbours shot floor to the ground floor,” the fell and turned his gun on him- eight cases arising from various dead two people yesterday in a police chief added. self,” Natuel said. disputes with several of his neigh- courtroom rampage in the cen- After the first shootings, Pope Pope was later pronounced bours, including the murdered tral Philippines before killing proceeded to another courtroom dead at a hospital with a gunshot doctor. himself, police said. on the second floor of the gov- wound to the temple as well as “Neighbours have petitioned John Pope, 66, a former jour- ernment building and shot and to his left wrist and both thighs. the government to have him nalist, arrived with two hid- wounded a government prosecu- “We have witnesses saying he deported, including (the doctor) den pistols at a courtroom that tor, Natuel said. hid one gun in his armpit,” Natuel who is the president of the home- was hearing a case against He then walked to the offices of said of the suspect, adding that owners’ association,” Natuel said. him for “mischief”, said Senior state prosecutors on the ground police later recovered a second He said Pope had been in the Superintendent Mariano Natuel, floor looking for another person. handgun on his body. country for 14 years, but police police chief of Cebu city. The person was not inside so he Natuel said the wounded pros- did not immediately know his He then shot the complainant, rushed out into the hallway where ecutor was handling a separate Canadian home town or the name The body of Canadian national John Pope who killed two persons in court a Cebu physician, and the victim’s he encountered two police offic- case filed against Pope for making of his previous employers. being carried outside a courtroom in Cebu city, yesterday. lawyer, Natuel told reporters. ers, the police chief added. “grave threats” against another AFP British granny UN Security Council to impose sentenced to death in new sanctions on North Korea UNITED NATIONS: The UN condemnation of the launch, on condition of anonymity because Indonesia Security Council will order China has sought to shield its the measure has not yet been sanctions against North Korea’s ally against major new action. made public. DENPASAR, space agency in a resolution to The United States, supported It “imposes new sanctions on INDONESIA: A be passed this week condemn- by South Korea and Japan, had North Korean companies, and 56-year-old British ing the secretive state’s ballistic sought tough new punishment of government agencies, includ- grandmother was sen- launch, a diplomat said. the North Korean government. ing North Korea’s space agency tenced to death yesterday The resolution, which also Under a compromise between responsible for the launch, and for smuggling cocaine targets other government enti- the two, the new sanctions desig- several individuals,” the source into the Indonesian ties and individuals linked to nations are expected to be added added on Monday. North Korea island of Bali, in a shock North Korea’s nuclear weapons to existing measures imposed denied accusations by the United verdict after prosecutors programme, could be passed by after North Korea staged nuclear Nations and the international recommended 15 years the 15-member council as early weapons tests in 2006 and 2009. powers that the rocket was a bal- imprisonment. as today. “The resolution condemns the listic test. Pyongyang said it was Lindsay Sandiford The United States and China launch and reiterates the Security launching an observation satellite. sobbed as the court in have been negotiating the new Council’s previous demands that The proposed resolution Bali’s capital Denpasar measures since North Korea North Korea abandon its nuclear updates lists of nuclear and handed down the sen- staged its missile launch on weapons programme and not pro- ballistic missile technology tence, over a drugs haul December 12. ceed with further launches,” the banned for transfer to and from worth $2.4m found in her Despite near universal diplomatic source said, speaking North Korea. AFP suitcase as she arrived on a flight from Bangkok last May. One killed in Indonesia quake “We found Lindsay Sandiford convincingly and legally guilty for importing narcotics... and sentenced the defendant to death,” judge Amser Simanjuntak told Denpasar district court. Indonesian police said she was at the centre of a drugs importing ring involving three other Britons and an Indian who have also been arrested. Sandiford argued that she was forced into trans- porting the 4.79kg of cocaine in order to protect her children whose safety was at stake, and the pros- ecution had recommended a lenient sentence. Villagers wounded in an earthquake receive treatment at a local hospital in Pidie district, Aceh province of The court rejected the Indonesia, yesterday. One person was killed and 15 were injured in temblor. argument. AFP WEDNESDAY 23 JANUARY 2013 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Prince Harry has mental problem: Taliban Shooting insurgents compared to playing video games

KABUL: Britain’s Prince “This is a serious war, a historic an insurgency in Afghanistan for Harry, who compared shooting war, resistance for us, for our peo- 11 years since being ousted from insurgents in Afghanistan to ple,” Mujahid said by telephone power for harbouring Al Qaeda playing video games, has proba- from an undisclosed location. chief Osama bin Laden after the bly developed a mental problem, “But we don’t take his com- 9/11 attacks on the United States. the Taliban said yesterday. ments very seriously, as we have During the war, they have faced “There are 49 countries with all seen and heard that many for- more than 140,000 troops from their powerful military failing in eign soldiers, occupiers who come over 50 countries but remain a the fight against the mujahideen, to Afghanistan, develop some serious threat to the Western- and now this prince comes and kind of mental problems on their backed government with Nato compares this war with his games, way out.” troops due to withdraw in 2014. PlayStation or whatever he calls Asked by Britain’s Press “We have always wanted to it,” Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Association if he had killed from capture or kill this prince, but he Mujahid said. the cockpit, Harry said: “Yeah, so was mostly kept inside, safe, and Harry, third in line to the lots of people have. in guarded places underground,” throne, said he had killed Taliban “Take a life to save a life,” he said Mujahid. insurgents during a 20-week post- shrugged. “At one point when our muja- ing flying scores of missions over “If there’s people trying to do hideen attacked the airport, we the restive southern province of bad stuff to our guys, then we’ll were aware of his presence there Helmand in an Apache attack take them out of the game.” but he was hastily flown away.” helicopter. The last time the Taliban This was a reference to a major As co-pilot, Harry was in charge suggested a foreign fighter had Taliban attack on Camp Bastion of the weapons systems in a two- mental problems was when an in Helmand last September when man cockpit, firing Hellfire air- American soldier was arrested on Britain’s defence minister admit- to-surface missiles, rockets and suspicion of killing 16 villagers in ted that Harry had been moved to a 30mm gun. He described the their homes during a lone night a secure location. weapons systems as a joy. rampage in March 2012. Taliban commandos, armed Britain’s Prince Harry speaks during an interview with media at Camp Bastion, southern Afghanistan, on December “It’s a joy for me because I’m Staff Sergeant Robert Bales is with suicide vests, guns and 12, 2012. one of those people who loves on trial in the US, facing 16 mur- rockets, and wearing US uni- playing PlayStation and Xbox, so der charges. Seventeen of the 22 forms, breached the outer wall of with my thumbs I like to think people killed or wounded were Camp Bastion and destroyed six aircraft, part of Nato’s uncon- machine guns and rocket-pro- which cause most of the casual- I’m probably quite useful,” he said women or children and almost US fighter jets in unprecedented tested air power in Afghanistan pelled grenades. ties among both foreign troops in interviews released on Monday all were shot in the head. damage in the war. where the Taliban are armed The Islamists also use suicide and civilians in the Afghan war. after the end of his posting. The Taliban have been waging The prince flies a £45m($71m) mainly with assault rifles, attacks and homemade bombs AFP

Violence claims Cold weather kills 17 in Afghan refugee camps six in Karachi KABUL: Severe cold weather Deputy Asia Pacific Director Polly displacement camps across the apparently blocked after pres- UN refugee agency estimates it sweeping through camps Truscott said in a statement. country,” Truscott said. sure from the provincial gover- at 450,000 but Amnesty said the ISLAMABAD: Six people were for people displaced by the Last winter about 100 people, “The fact that children and nor’s office, Amnesty said. actual number is likely to be much killed in firing and violence Afghan war has killed 17 peo- mostly children and the elderly, the elderly are among the dead The local authorities were said higher. across Karachi, while police ple, mostly children, Amnesty lost their lives in the camps and highlights the need to protect to be concerned that offering aid “There is a desperate need arrested two suspects during International said yesterday. the Afghan government and those groups that are most to displaced people would encour- to act now to prevent further an operation. The deaths occurred in the first international donors had been vulnerable to the harsh winter age them to stay in camps per- deaths this winter. Afghanistan One person was killed in firing two weeks of January in Kabul urged to prevent a repeat of the conditions.” manently instead of returning to and its donor partners should in the Old Golimar area. Two bod- and Herat provinces, which host tragedy. In the western province of their home provinces. remember that safeguarding lives ies bearing torture marks were most of the country’s half a mil- The latest deaths show “the Herat, assistance reached refu- Decades of conflict have left in these settlements is an obli- found in Baldia Town No. 2. One lion internally displaced people. inadequate co-ordination of gees returning to Afghanistan Afghanistan with one of the gation under international law,” had been beheaded and the head “These deaths were a pre- winter assistance to hundreds from abroad, but aid to those highest internally displaced Truscott said. was found at Dalda Mor in the ventable tragedy,” Amnesty’s of thousands of people living in internally displaced was populations in the world. The AFP Shershah area. Another body bearing torture marks was found in the Old Haji Recyclable trash Camp area. A man was gunned down by unknown attackers in the ‘400 Pakistanis still Khairabad area of Orangi Town, while another was killed when gunmen opened fire on him in the Khokhrapar area of Malir. held in five countries’ Police conducted an opera- tion in Chanesar Goth in the ISLAMABAD: More than 400 Pakistanis are detained Mehmoodabad area and detained in five countries across Europe, the Middle East and two suspects. No weapons were South Asia, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said recovered. Sources said drug deal- in a written reply to National Assembly yesterday. ers had been hiding in the area The Special Cell on Overseas Pakistanis, in coordination and fled before police arrived. with Pakistani missions abroad, is providing assistance to QNA the detainees charged in cases of illegal immigration, theft and drug smuggling, the minister added. Spy suspects held Providing a breakdown, Khar said that there were 314 detainees in Kuwait, 60 in Hungary, 22 in Nepal, eight in ISLAMABAD: Five people, Turkey and only one in Egypt. including two Indians, were She spoke about the release of 11 Pakistani detainees by arrested in Lahore on charges Bangladesh and 471 Bangladeshi citizens by Pakistan in the of spying in the cantonment last four years, charged for unauthorised entry. area, sources said. Military During the same period, the Afghan government freed Intelligence arrested the Indians 240 Pakistanis from the custody of its intelligence agencies near the Pakistan Rangers and police, while seven were released from the Bagram headquarters a week ago. prison, the foreign minister said. “During interrogation, they Since March 2008, Pakistan released 1,636 Indian fisher- revealed that three Pakistanis man and civilian prisoners, while India freed 767 Pakistanis, had helped them cross the bor- the foreign minister added. der. Today, police arrested the However, when inquired about ‘alarmingly high’ number Pakistanis in Hudiara village and of detainees in Kuwait, the Parliamentary Secretary for took to an undisclosed place for Foreign Affairs Palwasha Behram Khan, could not provide interrogation,” a source said. details. She instead referred to 92 prisoners and said their The Indian High Commission freedom was secured by Pakistani missions in 2010-11. said it had not been intimated by INTERNEWS Pakistani authorities about the A Pakistani scavenger searches for recyclable materials at a landfill in Lahore, yesterday. arrest of any Indian. QNA Khar to review drone strikes with US Pakistan may record first online case over Twitter ISLAMABAD: Speaking on the floor of the parliament KARACHI: A Twitter dispute ‘expose’ the cleric, his views on minister, Shahbaz Bhatti”. government, a cyber crime bill spaces, he said. yesterday Pakistan’s Foreign has turned into what could be Shias, Sunnis, Ahmadis, Sunni Subsequently, the PUC chief, has yet to clear the assemblies. Dad added that exceptions to Minister Hina Rabbani Khar a first for the legal and online Barelvis as well as his support for who is active on Twitter, accused In the absence of specific laws, Article 19 of the Constitution have said that Pakistan considers community in Pakistan, after Lashkar-e-Jhangvi leader Malik LUBP of being loyal to Iran, with prosecution of cyber crimes is also been used by the Pakistan drone strikes in the tribal areas the head of the Pakistan Ulema Ishaq. directions to spread anarchy in confusing. Telecommunication Authority to as violation of its sovereignty. Council (PUC), Tahir Ashrafi, They also ran a social media- Pakistan. “Irani(an) loyalists Technology activist, lawyer and block obscene and objectionable She said we repeatedly have announced that he would be based campaign urging television (LUBP) have been directed to the Digital Rights Foundation content on the Internet. raised our concerns on the drone initiating legal proceedings channels not to invite the cleric spread lies to incite conflict in Executive Director Nighat Dad Given that the blog also attacks strikes which are proving coun- against a blog for ‘inciting sec- to offer his views, as well as for Pakistan,” he tweeted. said that existing laws that cover Ashrafi’s character and seeks ter-productive. She said opinion tarian violence’. foreign countries to ban his entry. On January 13, Ashrafi tweeted a hate speech, incitement to vio- to discredit his reputation, the is emerging in the entire world Ashrafi announced his inten- “Given the blatant hate-speech cartoon which depicted the LUBP lence and slander also extend to cleric can also seek prosecution including the US against the tions after the feud between by him, we ask Pakistani media, as agents turning Shias against websites, blogs, emails and social of LUBP for slander and libel. drone attacks. The world is also him and the blog, Let Us Build activists, NGOs and foreign gov- Sunnis and Sunnis against Shias. media, even though there are no These two forms of defamation raising concerns on the civilian Pakistan (LUBP), raged online. ernments to ban Ashrafi from A subsequent conversation specific laws to address them. are included in the Defamation casualties in the drone strikes. “LUBP supporters are worried appearing in the media, speaking between tweeter @ZainabBinte_ Given Ashrafi’s accusations that Ordinance of 2002. About reports that Washington that they have been exposed. We to sectarian harmony conferences, Ali then descended into allega- LUBP is trying to spread hatred, Under the ordinance, Dad says, has prepared a new drone policy, will now pursue them legally,” he or visiting foreign countries.” tions and counter allegations Dad says laws prescribed under an aggrieved party can file a civil the Foreign Minister said we have said. The blog went on to call over the cleric’s political views sections 295-A, 295-C, 298, 298-A suit (not a criminal one) against no clarification from the US in Ashrafi accuses LUBP of Ashrafi a “bigoted Deobandi and allegiances and accusations mentioned under the Pakistan the publisher of the content in this regard. These are just media spreading sectarian hatred and mullah” who “spews hate against of the LUBP being an arm of penal code may be applicable. which the action can be taken reports but we will take up this deepening fissures in society Ahmadis, Shias, Sunni Barelvis Iran. “If we talk about hate speech against the blogger, owner of the issue with Washington and its after the former published a 24/7,” and alleged that the cleric Pakistan’s cyber crimes ordi- particularly against religion then site and any organisation who Ambassador to Pakistan. blog on January 10, authored by “played a key role in the murder nance expired in 2009. Since we have anti-blasphemy provisions owns the related website. INTERNEWS Abdul Nishapuri, which sought to of Pakistan’s minority affairs then, despite attempts by the which can also apply to online INTERNEW WEDNESDAY 23 JANUARY 2013 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Kashmir police publish nuclear war survival tips Notice part of regular civil defence preparedness

SRINAGAR: Pol ic e i n K a s h m i r Response Force, which is part of The notice is part of regular have warned residents to build the police. They vividly describe a year-round civil defence prepar- underground bunkers to pre- nuclear war scenario to prepare edness, Mubarak Ganai, Deputy pare for a possible nuclear war residents to deal with “the initial Inspector General of Civil Defence in the disputed region, which is shock wave”. of Kashmir police said. on edge after a string of deadly The notice tells them to “wait A counter-terrorism expert border clashes. for the winds to die down and criticised the warning as value- The warning comes despite debris to stop falling”. less for Kashmiris, who could be a ceasefire which took hold last “Blast wind will generally end forgiven for imagining war was week in the scenic Himalayan in one or two minutes after burst an imminent prospect. region, after the Indian and and burns, cuts and bruises are no “There can be no conceiv- Pakistani armies agreed to halt different than conventional inju- able motive for issuing a notice cross-border firing that had ries. (The) dazzle is temporary like this,” Ajay Sahni, Executive threatened to unravel a fragile and vision should return in few Director of the Institute for peace process. seconds,” it says. Conflict Management in New “If the blast wave does not It tells residents to build toi- Delhi, said. arrive within five seconds of let-equipped basement shelters “Such information collected the flash you were far enough “where the whole family can stay from here and there is not worth from the ground zero,” says the for a fortnight”, and says that the paper it is printed on,” he said, notice, headed “Protection against they should be stocked with non- adding that “there can be no pre- Kashmiri men read a notice published in a newspaper with instructions concerning a response to nuclear weapons Nuclear, Biological and Chemical perishable food. paredness for such an eventual- in Srinagar, yesterday. (NBC) Weapons”. Nuclear-armed India and ity”. There has been calm along It warns of “initial disorienta- Pakistan have fought three wars the de facto border in Kashmir Pakistan’s leading hockey players participation of Pakistani authors Satanic Verses author Salman tion” from a nuclear attack, say- since partition in 1947, two of since commanders of the two have been forced to pull out of a in an international literary festi- Rushdie stayed away in the face ing the blast may “carry away them over the Kashmir region sides agreed last Thursday to halt new money-spinning competition val in Rajasthan. of threats by Islamic activists. many prominent and familiar that both nations claim. the cross-border firing. while its women cricketers have “The arts are always a high- Now Hindu nationalists are features”. Police confirmed they issued Although the two armies had to rewrite their World Cup visibility and low-cost target,” threatening to disrupt this year’s The instructions were issued the notice but said it “should not agreed a ceasefire on January 16, plans. A Lahore-based theatre said Sanjoy Roy, one of the organ- event to protest the presence of on Monday in a local English- be connected with anything else”, the impact of the violence is being group had to scrap a perform- isers of this weekend’s Jaipur Pakistani authors such as Nadeem language Greater Kashmir news- in an apparent reference to bor- felt far away from the front line. ance at a prestigious Delhi venue Literature Festival. Last year’s Aslam and Mohammad Hanif paper by the State Disaster der tension. In the last few days, some of and a row has broken out over the festival made headlines when the AFP

Protest Etihad to finalise Job scam: Chautala, agreement with son jailed for 10 years Jet Airways NEW DELHI: Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways will finalise a NEW DELHI: A Delhi court deal to buy a stake in India’s Jet yesterday handed down 10 years Airways on Friday, CNBC TV18 in jail to former Haryana chief reported, in what would be the minister and Indian National first such investment by a for- Lok Dal chief Om Prakash eign carrier in an Indian airline Chautala (pictured), and his since rules were relaxed last son Ajay Chautala in a teacher- year. recruitment scam. A deal may be announced as Special CBI Judge Vinod early as Friday or by the first Kumar sentenced the Chautalas week of February, the TV chan- and eight others to 10 years in nel said, citing unnamed sources. jail, while one convict was sen- The Gulf carrier could pay up tenced to five years and 45 oth- to $330m for a 24 percent stake in ers four years. Of the 62 people Jet, India’s second-biggest carrier, accused in the junior basic train- a senior government source said ing (JBT) teacher hiring scam, earlier this month. Etihad and Jet six died during the trial and one did not immediately respond to was discharged during framing of requests for comment. charges. The Indian government allowed Besides the Chautalas, Sanjiv foreign carriers to buy stakes of Kumar, the then director of such a large number of candidates Police detain a supporter of a left-wing party during a protest against the hike in power tariff in Hyderabad, up to 49 percent in local carriers primary education, Chautala’s of their constitutional rights, I do yesterday. in September 2012, a move seen former officer on special duty not find any reason for leniency in as a boon for India’s debt-laden Vidya Dhar and his political sentencing those convicts who were airlines. adviser Sher Singh Badshami masterminding the entire conspir- Jet has previously said it was in were also handed down the acy or assisting them in execution of talks with Etihad, but the terms 10-year jail terms. the same,” the court said. Owaisi brothers to stay behind bars of the deal were not finalised. Madan Lal Kalra, the then dis- It also refused to take a lenient Etihad and Jet have a code- trict primary education officer, view of Sanjiv Kumar, the whis- HYDERABAD: An Andhra court, however, dismissed his plea paramilitary forces were deployed sharing agreement, and a tie-up Durga Dutt Pradhan, the then tle-blower who was later found Pradesh court yesterday dis- and sent him to judicial custody in the communally sensitive areas could make Jet a more formida- principal of a girls’ government involved in the scam, awarding missed the bail petition of for two weeks. The MP was later to prevent any untoward incident. ble competitor to state-owned school, Ram Singh, the then him a 10-year sentence too, on MIM chief and Hyderabad MP shifted to a jail in Sangareddy. The shutdown was partial in Air India, while strengthening deputy district education officer, parity with other convicts. Asaduddin Owaisi in a seven- Asaduddin Owaisi and other Sangareddy and other towns Etihad’s position against Dubai- and Bani Saini, the then princi- However, the court noted that year-old case and another court Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen of Medak district, Karimnagar, based Emirates Airline, which pal of a government school, were “these convicts had been truthful extended the judicial custody of (MIM) leaders were booked by Adilabad and other districts in carries a big chunk of the traf- also among those sentenced to during the trial”. his brother Akbaruddin Owaisi police when they tried to prevent Telangana and also in Anantapur fic between India and the Middle 10 years in jail along with Daya “They were aware they had in a hate speech case. officials from demolishing a place in Rayalaseema region. East. Jet shares, which have Saini, the then assistant director committed a serious mistake in Akbaruddin Owaisi is a mem- of worship for expanding a road MIM General Secretary gained 180 percent over the of primary education. their life, but their conscience ber of the Andhra Pradesh state at Mutangi village in the same Ahmed Pasha Khadri said the past year on hopes of a potential Shortly after the sentence was did not permit them to speak legislative assembly. district. Shops, business estab- party has not called for a shut- fund raising, were up 2 percent pronounced, Chautala’s support- falsehood before the court, their The MP received another set- lishments and educational institu- down but people were voluntarily at 617.25 rupees on the National ers threw stones at the court moral values like guiding lamp for back when a court in Sangareddy tions remained closed yesterday, keeping their shops and business Stock Exchange. REUTERS complex. The judge refused to them.” town in Medak district near while buses of State-owned Road establishments closed to show take a lenient approach while “During the entire trial, they Hyderabad dismissed his bail plea. Transport Corporation and auto- solidarity with the Owaisis. awarding the sentence as pleaded were truthful and courageous Asaduddin Owaisi had on rickshaws were off the roads in In another blow to the party, a Two suspected Hizbul by the accused on health grounds. despite the fact that they knew Monday appeared before the the old city and other Muslim- court in Nirmal town of Adilabad “Considering the enormity that by being truthful, they were court, seeking recall of a non- majority areas in Hyderabad. district yesterday extended Akbar Mujahideen men held of the offences and the manner inviting their conviction which bailable warrant pending against The usually busy markets Owaisi’s judicial custody until in which politician-bureaucrat may entail a long term.” him in connection with a case around historic Charminar February 5 in a hate speech case. MUMBAI: Two men, allegedly nexus has resulted in depriving IANS booked against him in 2005. The wore a deserted look. Police and IANS belonging to Hizbul Mujahideen, were arrested here for circulat- ing fake currency notes in the country and conducting a recce of important spots in Jammu and Kashmir, a Mumbai Police official said yesterday. Khurshid backs Shinde on ‘Hindu terror’ remarks “The duo — Farooq Naiku, 37, and Mohammed Talukdar, 32 — NEW DELHI: External Affairs violence that is propagated by promoting Hindu terrorism. This “irresponsible” and India indeed is “Remarkable achievement of were arrested from a guest house Minister Salman Khurshid yes- extremists of any kind, irrespec- is a matter of concern. We are a victim of terror sponsored from our foreign policy over the years in south Mumbai. They have been terday backed Home Minister tive of religion, is what is danger- keeping a strict eye on it,” Shinde across the border. in exposing Pakistan internation- remanded in police custody until Sushilkumar Shinde’s “Hindu ous for the country, terror does had said in his speech. “It is a serious issue. Now the ally is not to be compromised by today,” Joint Commissioner of terror” comments, saying what not have a religion,” he added. The minister later clarified external affairs minister of India these types of utterly irresponsi- Police (Crime Branch) Himanshu he had said was “based on facts” He also said that “religion that he had only stated what is supporting the home minister ble statements by home minister Roy told reporters here. Roy said as revealed by investigative should not be associated with had been appearing in the media in the most irresponsible way. and external affairs minister,” he that police are trying to ascertain agencies. terror, it is terror that we are and his reference was to “saffron The BJP takes serious objection said. Reiterating its demand for if either or both of the arrested “Our stated position is based fighting and those are the facts terrorism”. to utterances of senior ministers,” the removal of Shinde, The BJP men played any role in the Azad entirely on facts as the investiga- available... We should not be dis- The BJP has reacted very Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said his statement has favoured Maidan riots here on August 11 tive agencies have made available tracted by a phrase, the determi- strongly to Shinde’s statement leader Ravi Shankar Prasad told Pakistan and terrorists. last year. to the government... Attempts nation is what that matters”. and demanded he be sacked and reporters here. He said Pakistan “The home minister’s state- According to Roy, it was to divert attention and to push Shinde had referred to “Hindu an apology from Prime Minister has been the epicentre of terrorism. ment has worked in favour of revealed during interrogation that it in a particular and premedi- terrorism” and “saffron terror- Manmohan Singh and Congress “The BJP is deeply pained and Pakistan and terrorists. We had Naiku was a member of the ter- tated direction by some people ism” during the Congress con- chief Sonia Gandhi. stressed as to the line Salman cornered Pakistan on the inter- ror outfit and has been operating is repudiated by the information clave in Jaipur on Sunday. The BJP yesterday condemned Khurshid has taken. He is sup- national stage on terror, but mostly from Jammu and Kashmir. that is available,” Khurshid told “After investigations, we have External Affairs Minister posed to weigh his words. India Shinde has now given voice to Originally from Baramulla, Naiku reporters. seen that be it the BJP or the Salman Khurshid for backing is indeed a victim of terror and them,” said BJP spokesperson had, however, been living in Navi “We have categorically said RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Home Minister Sushilkumar terror is sponsored from across Syed Shahnawaz Hussain. Mumbai disguised as a dry fruit many times that any form of Sangh), their training camps are Shinde’s comments, saying it was the border,” said Prasad. IANS vendor. IANS WEDNESDAY 23 JANUARY 2013 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Ensure equality for Tamils, India tells Lanka Three agreements signed in Joint Commission meeting

NEW DELHI: India has asked that the two sides have discussed “I have referred to the need for Sri Lanka to continue dialogue building of a special economic continued dialogue between the with the Tamil community to partnership. government of Sri Lanka and ensure a future for them that The two countries are planning the representatives of the Sri is marked by “equality, dignity to set up a Special Economic Zone Lankan Tamil community, with and justice”, and also expressed in Trincomalee and a pharmaceu- a view towards ensuring a future hope for early progress on tical and a textiles cluster in Sri for the Tamil community that is “meaningful devolution” of pow- Lanka. marked by equality, dignity, justice ers to Tamil majority areas. The Joint Commission agreed and self-respect all of which are Addressing a joint media con- on the need “to extend humane respected by Sri Lanka. We hope ference with visiting Sri Lanka treatment and to abjure violence that there will be early progress Foreign Minister G L Peiris, against fishermen of our two coun- on meaningful devolution building External Affairs Minister Salman tries”. Both sides also emphasised upon the 13th Amendment and Khurshid also emphasised on the need to “continue to ensure leading to national reconciliation,” the safety of fishermen of both that violence is not resorted to Khurshid said. countries. under any circumstances”. Peiris called for elevating bilat- The two countries yesterday India also committed itself to eral ties “to a higher frame” and held the eighth meeting of the the reconstruction and rehabilita- termed the Joint Commission India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission tion efforts of Internally Displaced meeting as a “significant mile- and also inked three agreements, Persons in Sri Lanka. stone in their continuing evolving including on avoidance of double “Projects of bilateral develop- relationship”. taxation and combating interna- ment assistance have progressed Both sides have also agreed to tional terrorism and illicit drug well, including construction of double bilateral trade to $10bn in trafficking. 50,000 houses for IDPs, with the the next three years. India’s com- “Given the vast untapped fullest cooperation of the gov- merce secretary and Sri Lanka’s potential, we have stressed the ernment of Sri Lanka,” the Joint finance and economic develop- need for intensive consultations Commission said. ment secretary are to meet soon towards a more comprehensive Khurshid said India also raised to evolve a framework for special framework for economic cooper- the issue of Tamils in the island economic partnership between The Minister for External Affairs, Salman Khurshid (left) with his Sri Lankan counterpart G L Peiris in New Delhi, ation,” said Khurshid and added nation. the two. IANS yesterday.

Apex court notice on Muslim cop’s Gadkari resigns; Rajnath likely to be next BJP chief plea to grow beard NEW DELHI: Bharatiya he will not seek a second term as wrong or any impropriety either therefore, decided not to seek a companies allegedly owned by Janata Party (BJP) leader the party chief and accused the directly or indirectly. Yet the UPA second term as the president of Gadkari, official sources said. NEW DELHI: The Supreme Rajnath Singh yesterday United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government has been making an the BJP,” Gadkari said. Expressing The party called the move ven- Court yesterday issued appeared likely to be made the government of spreading disinfor- effort to spread disinformation his gratitude to party colleagues detta politics by the central notices to the central and next party chief with top lead- mation about him. In a statement, about me in order to hurt me and and the cadres of the BJP who government. Maharashtra governments on ers reaching a consensus over he said that he had committed no my party.” have cooperated with him during As part of the procedure, IT a petition by a Muslim consta- his candidature, sources from wrong or any impropriety either “I have always said that I his term as a president, Gadkari sleuths went about verifying the ble asking if he was entitled to the party said. directly or indirectly and will am willing for any independent said he shall continue to serve names, addresses, nature of busi- grow a beard as a matter of The source also said Nitin legally and politically fight efforts enquiry. I shall fight these efforts BJP as a committed worker. “I nesses and other details to con- religious belief and practice. Gadkari has submitted his resig- to malign him. of this government both politi- have conveyed my decision to my firm their existence and other Zahroodin Shamsaddin, a nation. Singh was former Uttar Gadkari is facing probe in cases cally and legally,” he said. colleagues,” he said. information related to the Purti constable in the Maharashtra Pradesh chief minister and held related to alleged financial wrong- “I do not wish that this should The Income Tax Department group (not the Kolkata-based State Reserve Police Force, the reins of the party twice. doing by the Purti Group linked in any way adversely affect the yesterday conducted surveys of Purti Group), the sources said. contended that the believers Earlier Gadkari announced that to him. “I have committed no interest of the BJP. I, have, around nine locations into shell IANS and followers of Islam had been commanded by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to “keep their beard and Legends meet cut the mustache short”. The apex court bench of Justice P Sathasivsam and Justice J S Khehar issued the notices after it was told that the state police order with- drawing permission to grow beard was against the tenets of Islam. The court also stayed the departmental disciplinary pro- ceedings against Shamsaddin. Shamsaddin challenged the December 12, 2012 order of the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court which said that the order withdrawing the permission to grow beard did not interfere with or violate the fundamental rights. By a May 7, 2012 order Shamsaddin was permitted to grow a beard but the same was rescinded on October 9, 2012. Shamsaddin contended that he was not afforded an oppor- tunity before orders cancel- ling the earlier orders were issued by the high court. The petition faulted the high court order contending that it was in breach of the right to equality Bollywood singing legend Asha Bhonsle presents cricketer Sachin guaranteed under Article 14 of Tendulkar with photographs from his childhood during the launch of the the constitution. IANS music of her debut film Mai (Mother) in Mumbai, yesterday. Bhonsle’s maiden film conveys a strong social message to take care of the elderly suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Kingfisher must get banks’ India to explore oil and gas in Niger permission to fly: Minister NEW DELHI: India will soon send oil and gas experts to NEW DELHI: India’s aviation Singh said the company needs Niger to explore hydrocarbon minister warned grounded air- at least `10bn ($186m). resources in the West African line Kingfisher yesterday that Kingfisher must obtain state- nation. the debt-laden carrier will need ments from creditors, includ- Minister of State for Petroleum to get clearance from its bank- ing banks, airport operators P Lakshmi told the visiting ers to fly again. and employees that they do not Minister of Energy and Petroleum The airline, which analysts esti- object to a resumption of flights, of Niger, Foumakore Gado, at mate owes $2.5bn to employees, he added. a meeting here yesterday that banks, airports, back taxes and His comments came after the Indian companies are interested other items, has been grounded airline’s Chief Executive Sanjay in exploring oil and gas blocks and since October. Aggarwal met Civil Aviation investing in the country’s oil mar- Kingfisher says it aims to be Secretary K N Srivastava to keting infrastructure. ready to resume operations in discuss a $120m plan to resume According to an official release, April but the government claims operations. Gado welcomed Indian companies the airline’s recovery plan is Salaries and allowances of to invest in the country. He also inadequate. The company, “has Kingfisher employees, including sought Indian technical expertise no concrete funding plan,” Civil pilots and engineers, have been in the sector. Aviation Minister Ajit Singh told overdue for eight months. In response, Lakshmi said reporters in New Delhi. Kingfisher told a Supreme Indian state-owned units like “Kingfisher cannot be allowed Court hearing yesterday that it ONGC, GAIL and IOC could to fly without settling its dues,” he was in “serious negotiations” with provide technical training to the said. “The bankers have to give go- unnamed investors to raise funds. Niger’s hydrocarbon sector per- ahead to restart the operations.” AFP sonnel. IANS

Wednesday 23 January 2013 11 Rabial I 1434 Volume 17 Number 5588 Price: QR2

Qatari bourse index rises by 0.18 percent

Business | 18

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Qatar Insurance QIIB nets QR679m profit in 2012 Company to float rights issue Assets rise to QR28.6bn; earnings per share amounted to QR4.49 last year DOHA: The country’s pre- mier risk underwriter, Qatar DOHA: International Islamic Insurance Company (QIC), says (Qatar International Islamic it hopes to give away both cash Bank) recorded a strong growth and stock dividends for 2012, across all portfolios for the year and also plans to float a rights 2012. Announcing the bank’s issue priced at QR45 after dis- full year results , after the tributing the bonus shares. Board of Directors’ meeting, The QIC said yesterday its the Chairman and Managing board of directors has recom- Director Sheikh Dr Khalid bin mended distribution of 25 percent Thani Al Thani said yesterday. cash dividend (QR2.5 per share) International Islamic has once and 20 percent bonus shares (one again consolidated its strong share for each five held) to its position in Shariah-based bank- shareholders on the back of 2012 ing activities and achieved strong profits (QR610m, or $167.1m). growth with total assets increas- The distribution of bonus ing by 22.3 percent from 2011 to shares would raise the company’s 2012. capital to slightly over QR1bn. The results showed The company said it would there- International Islamic achieved after launch a rights issue (the total revenue of QR1.18bn, up 5 size being 21.4m shares) priced at percent, in the year ending on QR45 — QR 10 being the face or December 31, 2012. The Bank’s nominal value of the share and net profit in 2012 recorded QR35, premium. QR679m, up four percent com- Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani Al Thani Abdulbasit Al Shaibei The rights issue, according pared with 2011.The earnings per to the company, would further share (EPS) amounted to QR4.49 Banks’ success has been driven the country. “We take care of our enhance its capital to beyond in 2012 as against QR4.38 in 2011. by Qatar’s overall success in small businesses; we will continue QR1.28bn. The company said in The Board of Directors recom- various economic spheres as the to assist them. We will also make a statement its board of directors mended to the General Assembly nation continues the pursuit of optimum use of our opportunities, met here yesterday and reviewed of shareholders to approve a cash its 2030 vision, he said. if they are good for the Bank, par- the company’s performance in 2012 dividend of 35 percent of the bank Sheikh Khalid hoped the ticularly from the risk manage- and its financials for the year and capital i.e. QR3.5 per share. future would present even bet- ment perspective.” made the above recommendations. Sheikh Khalid said ter opportunities for the Bank. On the Bank’s s successful The board has also recom- International Islamic’s results International Islamic has a lot Sukuk issuance last year, Sheikh mended amending article 7 of the were good and they clearly of productive work at hand that Khalid said it was oversubscribed company’s Articles of Association mean that the Bank is on the need to be completed in view of by more than 7 times. It shows to facilitate various Qatari gov- right path, implementing the Qatar undertaking many signifi- strong investor interest in both ernment institutions to own up desired strategy that focuses on cant new projects as well as the International Islamic and the to more than five percent of the growth and capitalises on oppor- development of the Small and sound platform on which the company’s shares. tunities, both locally and abroad. Medium Enterprises (SME) seg- Bank has been built. The board also agreed to The 2012 financial results also ment in the country. He stressed International Islamic’s CEO increase the company’s author- reflect the Bank’s sound poli- the Bank’s commitment to sup- Abdulbasit Al Shaibei said the ized capital through a special cies in risk management. The porting and developing SMEs in Bank maintained growth in all share allotment to Qatar Holding, areas in 2012. The Bank’s depos- the investment arm of the Qatar its totalled QR19.6bn in 2012, an Investment Authority, the coun- increase of 18.6 percent. try’s sovereign wealth fund. The assets totalled QR28.6bn The recommendations are to in 2012, up 22.3 percent with be tabled at the annual general total financing assets increas- meeting of the company’s share- ing by 38.6 percent over the holders scheduled for February 17 same period. The shareholder for their approval. equity amounted to QR5bn in THE PENINSULA 2012.The impressive results are an indication of the growth Contractors want achieved by the national econ- omy last year, which presented price of steel rods a lot of opportunities for the Bank, he said. reduced further Al Shaibei said Qatari banks are the leaders in the region. economic and financial situation. new products and services by the DOHA: While some Qatari con- The local banks are in good International Islamic has seen Bank as well as new opportuni- tractors see the recent decrease financial position, particularly its customer numbers grow last ties for SMEs. in the price of steel rods in the taking into account the global year with the creation of a lot of THE PENINSULA local market encouraging, oth- ers were not contented with the QR100 per tonne price reduction. “In the past few months, the prices of steel rods have increased much and the current reduc- Qtel close to clinching Egypt pound UAE central bank not to tion of QR100 is not enough. We want the price to be reduced to QR2,000 or QR2,200 per tonne,” drops further Khalid Al Naimi, a contractor, $1bn loan facility impose mortgage caps told Al Sharq daily. CAIRO: Egypt’s pound extended He said there was no reason DUBAI: Qatar Telecom (Qtel) is close to clinching a $1bn loan losses yesterday at a central DUBAI: The United Arab value for a first purchase of a for prices of building materials facility that will help to finance its general business operations, bank forex auction, leaving it 6.8 Emirates central bank has con- home, and 40 percent for subse- to increase because there was no banking sources told Reuters yesterday. percent weaker than when the firmed that it will not impose quent homes. Caps for UAE citi- rush in the construction sector The deal, which will run for four years, is in the documentation sales were launched at the end of limits on mortgage loans with- zens were set at 70 percent and and the government was giving stage and will be signed once all lenders have completed this proc- December to safeguard foreign out consulting commercial 60 percent. attention to infrastructure devel- ess, the three sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity. currency reserves. banks, after an attempt to But UAE state news agency opment. Another contractor Saud State-owned Qtel, Qatar’s largest telecoms operator, has been The central bank set a cut- introduce such rules triggered WAM yesterday quoted central Al Shammary was optimistic the on an acquisition drive in recent months, raising stakes in its sub- off price at the currency sale of fierce protests from the banks. bank governor Sultan Nasser Al reduction in price of steel rods would sidiaries as it takes advantage of the gas-rich Gulf state’s healthy 6.6025 pounds to the dollar, and It is the third time in the past Suweidi as saying the circular encourage more nationals to start financial position at a time when other large telecoms companies the pound weakened further year that the central bank has would not be enforced and was construction of houses. He said, are shying away from deals. still to 6.6354 on the interbank introduced regulations designed merely intended to help banks however, the construction sector was Everyone likes Qtel as a business, one of the sources said, adding: market. The central bank limits to reduce risk in the banking sec- prepare for eventual rule changes currently facing a huge challenge in “And they weren’t trying to raise too much cash either, so the deal trades there to a 0.5 percent band tor, only to back off from enforc- which would reflect their feedback. recruiting skilled workers. proved to be very popular.” above or below the weighted aver- ing them after meeting opposition “There is no such system reg- “The problem is there is lack of Qtel declined to comment. age of bids at the most recent cur- in the business community. ulating real estate financing for skilled workers since the govern- More than a dozen banks have pledged to back the loan, despite its rency auction. The incident raises questions individuals. This is now a pro- ment is limiting the recruitment extremely low pricing. The margin is said to be below 100 basis points, Egypt’s foreign reserves have over authorities’ regulation of posed system to be issued after of workers to specific countries so two other sources said. tumbled during two years of domes- banks as the UAE recovers from consultation with the banks,” we are getting visas for workers Reuters LPC reported in November that Qtel had approached banks tic turmoil. They stood at $36bn Dubai’s corporate debt crisis of WAM quoted Suweidi as telling we don’t want and this is one of about securing the facility, its first major syndicated loan since May before the uprising and have now 2008-2010 and seeks to avoid the Abu Dhabi television. the major problems facing con- 2010. fallen to $15bn, covering roughly boom-and-bust cycle that plagued The central bank intends to tractors,” said Al Shammary. Qtel increased its stake in Iraqi telco Asiacell and Kuwaiti affiliate three months of imports. The cen- its real estate market in the past introduce regulations covering While there was decrease in Wataniya in 2012 and bought an additional 15 percent in Tunisia’s tral bank has said reserves are now decade. the mortgage market but only price of steel rods, other build- Tunisiana at the beginning of this year. at a critical level, though they have A circular sent to commercial after six to nine months, and ing materials saw price increase The operator is also said to be in talks to acquire Vivendi’s 53 per- held steady for months with the banks by the central bank late there are no current discussions including concrete blocks which cent stake in Maroc Telecom, though it faces competition from others help of billions of dollars of sup- last month , said mortgage loans on possible percentages for mort- increased by 10 to 30 dirhams and including the United Arab Emirates’ Etisalat. port from donors, particularly Gulf for foreign individuals should not gage caps, he added. aggregates by QR20. REUTERS states. REUTERS exceed 50 percent of property REUTERS THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 23 JANUARY 2013 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Iran rial slips amid row over central bank chief Bank Governor Mahmoud Bahmani faces criticism as the rial loses 40 percent of its value

DUBAI: The Iranian rial has yesterday, little changed from currency crisis. Legislators accuse transfers have crippled businesses affected by the weakening rial. involvement in a March 2012 dropped sharply on the open Monday but down some 8 per- the bank of economic mismanage- that import goods from abroad Mohammad, an Iranian busi- incident known in Tehran as the market since Sunday, following cent from Sunday, when reports ment and failing to provide the because of slackening demand. nessman in Isfahan, said the price “midnight withdrawals”, when the speculation the central bank of Bahmani’s possible departure market with enough dollars to “Sales are dropping. My cus- of a Nissan Maxima in Iran had central bank withdrew several chief could be sacked in a row first emerged. meet demand, helping to drive tomers are waiting until the nearly quadrupled in the last 10 billion dollars from commercial over his performance which “The Iranian currency had down the rial. exchange rate is better before months to around 1.2bn Iranian banks without authorisation. has exposed Iran’s political weakened a bit in December but Sunday’s moves were followed buying,” a Tehran-based IT rials ($35,000). “These are blood Monday’s Supreme Audit faultlines. this (latest) slump was fuelled a day later by a Supreme Audit trader said. “It’s been like this prices,” he said. “No matter how Court ruling was issued because Bank Governor Mahmoud by uncertainty over the situation Court ruling that Bahmani should for months.” hard we work, there’s no money of Bahmani’s failure to attend a Bahmani — appointed by of the central bank,” said Scott be dismissed. While the order is The economy has taken a bat- in it for us.” hearing and explain the reasoning President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Lucas, an Iran expert at EA non-binding, it appeared to send tering since the introduction of Some analysts see the law- behind the March 2012 withdraw- in September 2008 — has faced Worldview, a website that moni- the rial into a new dip. Neither US banking sanctions a year ago makers’ criticism of Bahmani as als, Mehr news agency reported. strong criticism by MPs since the tors Iranian media. Bahmani nor Ahmadinejad have that virtually severed the coun- an indication of Ahmadinejad’s The central bank has said no rial lost 40 percent of its value in Bahmani offered to resign made any public comment about try’s links to the global finan- faltering influence within Iran’s such ruling was issued by the a matter of days during a slump on Sunday saying he wanted to the future of the central bank cial system. As a result Iranians multi-tiered political structure, court — whose members are last September. retire, but Ahmadinejad refused chief since the weekend, and it is have seen the price of food and following a public spat with appointed by parliament — add- Reuters contacted currency to accept it. The same day parlia- not clear who might replace him goods rocket and their spending Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali ing to the uncertainty. The bank traders who offered the rate ment voted to investigate the cen- were he to go. The volatility in power slump, especially regard- Khamenei in 2011. denies any wrongdoing over the of 35,400-36,250 to the dollar tral bank’s response to last year’s rates and difficulties in making ing imports which are directly Bahmani also faces claims of withdrawals. REUTERS

Qatari bourse index up 0.18pc European stocks sag LONDON: European share giving up 0.15 percent and the DOHA: Qatar Exchange ended prices slid for the most part yes- tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite off in in green yesterday adding terday, despite soaring investor by 0.30 percent. 15.10 points (or 0.18 percent) to confidence in eurozone power- In foreign exchange activity, the advance to 8,623.15 points from house Germany, with Frankfurt European single currency edged 8,608.05 on Monday. Among stocks wobbling on rumours that lower to $1.3296 from $1.3313 the top gainers were Qatar focused on the country’s vener- late on Monday in New York. On National Bank which was up able central bank, dealers said. the London Bullion Market, gold 0.07 percent to QR134.40, Qatar Equities also fell after a sub- prices rose to $1,690.50 an ounce Insurance rose 1.99 percent dued session in Asia, as the Bank from $1,687.50. to QR69, Commercial Bank of of Japan’s plan to boost the econ- On sovereign debt markets, Qatar gained 0.13 percent to omy disappointed many investors. Portuguese 10-year bonds traded QR76.50 and Qatar Navigation As stock markets shut down with a yield of 5.9 percent, the was up by 0.76 percent to QR65. for the day, London’s FTSE 100 first time they were below 6.0 per- The banking and financial sec- index of top companies had edged cent since December 2010, a sign tor index was up 0.32 points, the slightly lower, down by 0.03 per- of rising confidence in debt issued consumer goods and services cent to 6,179.17 points. Frankfurt’s by weaker eurozone countries. sector index lost 0.11 points, the DAX 30 index lost 0.68 percent to In another upbeat development, industrial sector gained 0.39 7,696.21 points and in Paris, the German investor sentiment has points while the insurance sec- CAC 40 index declined by 0.59 struck the highest levels since the tor dropped 1.52 points. percent to 3,741.01. start of the eurozone debt crisis in A spokeswoman for the German 2010 as the outlook for Europe’s top Dlala Holding elects financial markets watchdog BaFin economy continues to brighten, a said: “We will look to determine if survey found. The investor confi- Bart Cahir, President and General Manager of ExxonMobil Qatar Inc. speaking at the Offshore Middle East Board Chairman there was an attempt to manipu- dence index calculated by the ZEW Conference and Exhibition at QNCC. late markets,” after rumours cir- economic institute soared to 31.5 DOHA: Qatar Exchange listed culated via social media regarding points in January from 6.9 points company Dlala Holding (DBIS) a possible resignation of central in December. has elected a new chairman bank governor Jens Weidmann. Asian markets traded mixed, Energy demand in developing for its board of directors at its The Bundesbank firmly denied with Tokyo’s Nikkei falling and the meeting held here. Dr Mohamed the speculation, with a spokesman yen strengthening as the Bank of Nasser Al Qahtani has been saying: “It is completely false.” Japan’s plan to boost the economy nations to rise by 65pc: Cahir elected as the chairman while the US markets were also mostly fell flat. The Tokyo stock mar- resignation of Rashid Ahmed Al softer in midday deals meanwhile ket finished 0.35 percent lower, Mannai as chairman and mem- as traders came back from a three- Hong Kong gained 0.29 percent DOHA: Energy demand in Qatar Petroleum, Cahir shared 80 percent. ber of board of Dlala Holding has day weekend, with the Dow Jones and Seoul won 0.49 percent, while developing nations will rise 65 his insights on operators’ per- Cahir said oil will remain the been accepted, a Qatar Exchange Industrial Average up a slight 0.03 Sydney was flat and Shanghai fell percent by 2040. And efficiency spectives, especially stressing the No. 1 global fuel, while natural gas notification said yesterday. percent, the broad-based S&P 500 0.56 percent in value. AFP will continue to play a key role importance of managing risks. will overtake coal for the No. 2 Nasser Hamad Al Saulaiti has in solving the world’s energy “In ExxonMobil’s activities, spot. “This outlook demonstrates been elected as vice-chairman challenges, said a senior official we pursue the concept of under- a bright future for us, but it also of the board. At its meeting, the QATARI MARKET of ExxonMobil Qatar Inc in a standing and managing operating shows the enormous duty we have company also passed the resolu- Bond Coupon Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P conference here yesterday. risks with a relentless ‘focus on as an industry,” said Cahir. tion to call for electing a board Qatar Govt 5.15% 4/9/2014 USD 105.25 0.77 % Aa2 AA “Energy demand in develop- the fundamentals’ of safety, reli- He explained that ExxonMobil member for the vacant seat to Qatar Govt 3.125% 1/20/2017 USD 106.13 1.54 % Aa2 AA ing nations will rise 65 percent by ability, operational integrity, and puts safety, environmental completed the term of the cur- 2040, reflecting growing prosperity efficiency,” said Cahir. “And we do stewardship, and integrity into rent board member in the next Qatar Govt 6.55% 4/9/2019 USD 126.63 1.97 % Aa2 AA and expanding economies. Overall, so recognizing that making daily- practice through its Operations Annual General Meeting. Qatar Govt 5.25% 1/20/2020 USD 120.38 2.10 % Aa2 AA global energy demand will grow 35 decisions, grounded in a founda- Integrity Management System Qatar Govt 4.5% 1/20/2022 USD 115.38 2.57 % Aa2 AA percent, even with significant effi- tion of prudent risk management, (OIMS). This system guides the Oil tops $112 Qatar Govt 9.75% 6/15/2030 USD 180.50 3.52 % Aa2 AA ciency gains, as the world’s popula- is essential to deliver results that activities of more than 160,000 Qatar Govt 6.4% 1/20/2040 USD 139.00 4.02 % Aa2 AA LONDON: tion expands from about 7 billion host governments, our partners, employees and third-party con- Oil rose above $112 Qatar Govt 5.75% 1/20/2042 USD 128.75 4.05 % Aa2 AA people today to nearly 9 billion and society demands and expects tractors who work on ExxonMobil a barrel yesterday after Japan Qatari Diar 3.5% 7/21/2015 USD 105.00 1.45 % Aa2 AA people by 2040,” said Bart Cahir, from us.” assets around the world. pledged to pump more money President and General Manager ExxonMobil’s newly released “In short, OIMS is a common into its economy, adding to pos- Qatari Diar 5% 7/21/2020 USD 117.13 2.48 % Aa2 AA of ExxonMobil Qatar Inc. at the global Energy Outlook states that language that binds our work- itive growth signals from the Comqat 5% 11/18/2014 USD 105.88 1.71 % A1 A- Offshore Middle East Conference efficiency will continue to play a force together, no matter where in United States and China, the Comqat 3.375% 4/11/2017 USD 104.38 2.28 % A1 A- and Exhibition here at QNCC. key role in solving the world’s ExxonMobil you are working,” he world’s top oil consumers. QIB 3.856% 10/7/2015 USD 104.75 2.04 % NR NR Following opening remarks energy challenges. Energy- said. Cahir said the unique aspect Brent crude climbed 33 cents QNB 3.125% 11/16/2015 USD 103.50 1.84 % Aa3 A+ from H E Dr Mohammed bin saving practices and technologies of OIMS is the degree to which to $112.04 a barrel by 1500 GMT, QNB 3.375% 2/22/2017 USD 104.38 2.25 % Aa3 A+ Saleh Al Sada, Minister of Energy will help OECD countries keep the system is integrated into the while U.S. crude was up 33 cents Doha Bank 3.5% 3/14/2017 USD 104.38 2.38 % A2 A- and Industry and Managing energy use essentially flat, even company’s day-to-day operations. from Friday at $95.89. Qtel 3.375% 10/14/2016 USD 105.63 1.81 % A2 A Director of conference host as their economic output grows THE PENINSULA QNA/REUTERS Qtel 7.875% 6/10/2019 USD 131.50 2.50 % A2 A Qtel 4.75% 2/16/2021 USD 112.50 2.99 % A2 A Qtel 5% 10/19/2025 USD 111.50 3.85 % A2 A Rasgas 5.5% 9/30/2014 USD 106.88 1.36 % Aa3 A Rasgas 5.832% 9/30/2016 USD 109.38 3.12 % Aa3 A EU states get nod for financial trading tax Rasgas 5.298% 9/30/2020 USD 112.88 3.38 % Aa3 A SOVEREIGNS BRUSSELS: Eleven eurozone of tax policy, told reporters, say- the levy can be imposed regard- the 17 eurozone states failed. Bond PDA* Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P countries won approval yester- ing the levy could be imposed from less of where the transaction Sweden, which experimented Abu Dhabi Govt 5.5% 4/8/2014 USD 105.88 0.59 % Aa2 AA day for a tax on financial trans- January next year if governments takes place. with and then abandoned its own Abu Dhabi Govt 6.75% 4/8/2019 USD 129.13 1.78 % Aa2 AA actions aimed at shifting more agree on its design quickly. Under Although critics say such a transactions tax, has repeat- Dubai Govt 6.7% 10/5/2015 USD 110.88 2.51 % NR NR responsibility for the region’s EU rules, a minimum of nine coun- tax cannot work properly unless edly cautioned that the levy crisis onto banks despite fears tries can cooperate on legislation applied worldwide or at least would push trading elsewhere Dubai Govt 4.9% 5/2/2017 USD 107.75 2.96 % NR NR it could drive business out of using a process called enhanced Europe-wide, some countries and found some support for its Dubai Govt 7.75% 10/5/2020 USD 128.00 3.56 % NR NR Europe. cooperation as long as a majority are already banking on the extra reservations from Denmark, Dubai Govt 6.45% 5/2/2022 USD 118.88 3.99 % NR NR European Union finance min- of the EU’s 27 countries give their income from next year, which one Portugal, Hungary and Romania Qatar Govt 4% 1/20/2015 USD 105.63 1.14 % Aa2 AA isters gave their approval at permission. EU official said could be as much on Tuesday, although they did not Bahrain Govt 6.273% 11/22/2018 USD 116.31 3.19 % NR BBB a meeting in Brussels, allow- Britain, which has its own duty as ¤35bn annually. block the process. Bahrain Govt 5.5% 3/31/2020 USD 111.88 3.61 % NR BBB ing the states — Germany and on the trading of shares, regis- Economy Minister Vittorio Germany has argued that banks, Egypt Govt 5.75% 4/29/2020 USD 101.75 5.45 % B2 /*- B- France plus Italy, Spain, Austria, tered its protest by abstaining in Grilli said Italy expects revenues hedge funds and high-frequency Morocco Govt 4.5% 10/5/2020 EUR 105.00 3.75 % NR BBB- Portugal, Belgium, Estonia, the vote, along with Luxembourg, of ¤1bn a year at the national level, traders should pay for a financial *Periodic Distribution Amount Greece, Slovakia and Slovenia — the Czech Republic and Malta, EU while French finance ministry crisis that began in mid-2007 and IMPORTANT NOTE: to pursue the contested scheme. officials said. official Benoit Hamon said Paris spread across the world, forcing Published by HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, P O Box 57, Doha, Qatar which The levy, based on an idea pro- Following yesterday’s deci- was among those keen to have the euro zone countries to bail out is licensed and regulated by Qatar Central Bank and Jersey Financial Services posed by US economist James sion, Semeta said the European levy in place quickly and hoped peers such as Portugal and Greece. Commission. Information quoted is from publicly available sources or proprietary Tobin more than 40 years ago but Commission would likely put other countries would eventually “The financial sector should share data and subject to change. HSBC accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising out of the use of all or part of this material. This information is general and does not little considered since, is symboli- forward a blueprint for the tax join up. The Netherlands has the burden of costs of the finan- take into account individual circumstances, objectives or needs. The price of bonds cally important in showing that in February. Other EU countries expressed an interest in join- cial crisis in an appropriate way,” can and does fluctuate. The secondary market for bonds may not provide significant politicians, who have fumbled could still join the scheme. ing the 11, German and French said German Finance Minister liquidity or may trade based on prevailing market conditions. Past performance is not their way through five years of Even if Britain and others are officials said, and non-euro zone Wolfgang Schaeuble, who was a reliable indicator of future performance. You should consider these matters and financial crisis, are getting to out, however, they could still be countries have also registered attending a celebration in Berlin consult your financial advisor prior to making any investment decisions. grips with the banks often blamed affected, which is a major con- interest in signing up. Germany marking half a century of post-war for causing it. cern for London, Europe’s big- and France decided to push partnership between France and “This is a major milestone in gest financial centre. If either the ahead with a smaller group after Germany. “We have come a good tax history,” Algirdas Semeta, the buyer or seller is based in one of efforts to impose a tax across the way closer to this goal.” European Commissioner in charge the countries imposing the tax, whole EU and later among just REUTERS WEDNESDAY 23 JANUARY 2013 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Gold’s bull run World Economic Forum seen topping out in 2013/14 Silver set to recover this year

LONDON: Gold could see Federal Reserve, analysts said. record average highs this year “The improving U.S. growth and next, but its 12-year long outlook will outweigh further Fed bull run may be reaching a balance sheet expansion and the plateau as gains get smaller cycle in gold prices will likely turn on expectations for monetary in 2013,” broker Goldman Sachs policy to stabilise in the United said. The US Federal Reserve States and other key economies, announced in December it was a Reuters poll showed. extending monthly purchases of Silver is expected to recover $40bn in mortgage securities and in 2013 from last year’s decline also buying $45bn in Treasuries in average prices, before picking each month. up again next year. They are still Some expect further price expected to fall short of 2011’s consolidation this year, although average $35.25 an ounce, however. see the bull-run fundamentally The survey of 37 analysts car- still in place. “Our view for gold ried out by Reuters in January pre- in 2013 is that unfortunately it dicted an average spot gold price of will rather look like 2012 with The congress centre at the Swiss resort of Davos, yesterday. The World Economic Forum starts today and ends on January 27. $1,775 an ounce in 2013, 6.4 percent periods of consolidation that will higher than last year’s average of test the patience of the gold bugs $1,668, based on the Reuters nomi- and investors,” Ross Norman, nal spot closing price. Chief Executive of bullion broker The average gold price is fore- Sharps Pixley, said. Dubai returns to debt market with $1.25bn sale cast to be broadly flat in 2014, at “But the fundamental story $1,780 an ounce. behind gold remains good and all Several banks and brokers said we are concerned about is US dol- DUBAI: Dubai used its first big Dubai to get longer-dated money its prospectus will be Dubai’s 211 basis points on Monday. gold would find strong support lar strength and declining Indian debt sale of 2013 yesterday to and extend its debt maturity only 2023-dated bond, will help to Dubai expects its economy to from continued US debt negotia- demand being a drag on gold show the world that state had profile. It takes significant inves- lengthen the average maturity of grow by more than 4 percent in tions in the first half of the year, prices,” he added. Gold demand in well recovered from its credit tor appetite to print such a long the government’s debt. 2013, slightly more than is fore- but a brighter outlook for the India, the world’s largest consumer crisis of four years ago, as inves- tenor,” said one regional banker, “Long-dated dollar swap rates cast for last year. world’s economy should cap gains of metal, fell 11 percent in 2012 to tors scrambled to get a piece of declining to be identified. have started to climb in the Its direct government debt from the second half onwards. 593 tonnes, according to data from the $1.25bn deal. “Dubai’s whole problem back last two months, while Dubai’s as at December 31, 2012, was Sovereign risk concerns in the consultancy GFMS. The unrated emirate launched in 2009 and 2010 was long-term 10-year credit spread has fallen, Dh122bn ($33.21bn), according euro zone dominated in 2012, as The latest decision of the Indian a $750m 10-year Islamic bond, or projects and investments funded so it looks like this issue seeks to to the sukuk prospectus. In 2013, did the possibility of a euro break- finance ministry to raise import sukuk, as well as a $500m 30-year by short-term debt, a cash flow lock in a low long-term cost of this said Dubai faces public debt up and a hard economic landing tax on gold to 6 percent from 4 per- conventional bond, as it seeks to problem. Such longer-dated fund- financing before the window of maturities of Dh6.5bn ($1.77bn). for commodity consuming giant cent will increase the cost of bring- lock in longer-term funding at ing is exactly what they need.” opportunity may close,” said Paul The total portfolio value of China. But gold failed to behave ing metal into the country and may among the lowest borrowing costs Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB), Bateman, senior risk manager at Dubai’s main investment fund, in classic safe-haven mode, often leave trade subdued despite wed- available to it. Emirates NBD, HSBC Holdings, Bank of London and the Middle the Investment Corporation of moving lock-step with other so- ding and festival seasons. The sukuk launched at 3.875 National Bank of Abu Dhabi and East, in London. Dubai, stood at Dh20.7bn for called risk assets instead. As Silver prices, meanwhile, are percent, well inside guidance of Standard Chartered are arrang- “Demand for dollar sukuk listed companies, including stakes a result, expectations for gold seen at an average $32.85 an 4 percent released earlier in the ing the sukuk, while the same remains strong and the economic in Emirates NBD and Emaar to achieve a record $2,000 per ounce this year against 2012’s day, owing to strong demand with banks, minus DIB, are bookrun- outlook continues to improve Properties, and Dh87.7bn for ounce didn’t materialise last year $31.13, based on the average nomi- order books estimated at over ners on the 30-year bond. in the UAE, so the transaction unlisted companies, which include after the market hit an historic nal closing price on the Reuters $9bn. This propelled the emirate The emirate last tapped markets is likely to be well received by Emirates airline. $1,920.30 in September 2011. system. to add a longer-dated 30-year in April with a $1.25bn sukuk sold investors despite the absence of Dubai Inc entities including Stronger-than-expected US eco- The analysts polled see silver conventional portion to the deal in two tranches, its first Islamic a credit rating.” state utility Dubai Electricity and nomic performance and success- rising to $33.50 an ounce in 2014, after order books for the sukuk bond sale since a debt crisis in The cost of insuring its debt Water Authority are expected to ful talks to avert a “fiscal cliff” of with improving global economic had closed. The 30-year bond 2009 that undermined investor against default, a measure of tap debt markets after the sov- spending cuts and tax hikes, off- conditions likely to bolster indus- launched at 5.375 percent, at the confidence. Dubai also issued dol- investor confidence, has fallen to ereign to take advantage of low set the announcement of further trial usage of the metal. tighter end of initial guidance. lar bonds in 2010 and 2011. The multi-year lows, with five-year borrowing costs. balance sheet expansion by the REUTERS “The 30-year portion will allow new sukuk, which according to credit default swaps trading at REUTERS

Saudi Aramco Batelco profit slumps plans record rig DUBAI: Bahrain Telecomm- sale price — $175m — and the unications Co reported a 10th book value of S Tel on Batelco’s count for gas profit drop in 11 quarters yes- accounts as of September 30. terday as domestic competition Batelco is now suing its India KHOBAR: Saudi Aramco plans and one-off charges from a cost- partner for non-payment. use a record number of rigs this cutting programme hurt the Accounting rules would allow year, more than 170, to search for bottom line. the firm to book the sale gain in unconventional gas while drill- The former monopoly, com- the fourth quarter as a receiv- ing for oil needed to maintain the monly known as Batelco, made able item. However, the company world’s biggest spare capacity a net profit of 17.75m dinars declined to comment on whether cushion, three industry sources ($47.1m) in the three months it had done this. S Tel was one in Saudi Arabia said. to December 31, down from of eight Indian mobile operators The world’s biggest oil producer 23.5m dinars in the year-earlier stripped of licences in February is to deploy an additional 30 rigs period, according to Reuters cal- 2012 as part of a corruption probe. this year, taking its total to over culations. Two analysts polled Batelco’s fourth-quarter rev- 170, the sources said, to search for by Reuters forecast Batelco enue was 77.16m dinars, it said gas to meet rapidly rising demand would make a quarterly profit in a statement. This compares at home while maintaining its oil of 38.05m dinars. with 81.5m dinars a year ago. production capacity at 12.5 mil- These estimates included an “Beyond aggressive competition lion barrels per day (b/d) as flows expected gain from the agreed in the Bahrain market and else- A view of the Qatalum smelter plant. from some older fields decline. sale of Batelco’s 43 percent where in the region, our results “The rigs will be for gas explo- stake in Indian affiliate S Tel for 2012 were also impacted by a ration and development and oil to its Indian partner, which the number of one off charges includ- Qatalum sponsors downstream investment meet development,” an industry source Bahraini firm had expected to be ing expenses associated with an said. Saudi oil officials say they completed in the fourth quarter. extensive restructuring and cost DOHA: In its efforts to facili- Opportunities Conference spon- most important manufacturing do not see any need to raise the Prior to the results announce- rationalisation programme at tate the downstream indus- sorship is a real opportunity to industries dependant on Qatar’s country’s oil production capac- ment, Nishit Lakhotia, a telecoms our Bahrain operations,” said tries in Qatar, Qatalum has review the reality of manufac- basic aluminium industries. ity beyond the current 12.5m b/d analyst Securities & Investment Chairman Sheikh Hamad Al announced its sponsorship of turing industries related to the The volume of investment as they have never come close to Co in Bahrain, estimated this gain Khalifa in the company’s results the ‘Downstream Investment aluminium industry in the State in the sum of these projects is testing those levels and see oil would be 19.3m dinars based on statement. Opportunities Conference’ to be of Qatar. It opens the door to around QR1.2bn with a total production rising elsewhere. the difference between the agreed REUTERS held here on March 26, said a explore real opportunities in this production capacity of approxi- Saudi Arabia has rarely needed press statement yesterday important and vital sector as well mately 260,000 tonnes per year to pump more than 10m b/d, even The conference, organised by as to strengthen the relations for a variety of products related while making up for supply losses Azem Project Development Co, between Qatalum and parties to the aluminium industry noting from Libya and Iran over the will be held under the patronage from the various manufacturing that the demand volume for these last two years. A surge in North of H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh industries.” products exceeds 2.8m tonnes per American and Iraqi production Al Sada, Minister of Energy and “We are pleased to be able year in the Middle East alone. has also taken pressure off Riyadh • Bullion - Mumbai Industry. to contribute to this landmark It’s worth mentioning that to spend billions of dollars more Gold (10 gm) Standard Rs. 30550 In light of the growing impor- event, and we hope that there Qatalum is the only aluminium on boosting its capacity further. Silver (1 kg) Rs. 59265 tance of aluminium downstream will be other events within the smelter in Qatar with a produc- Saudi Aramco declined to com- • Indian Rupees QR1 = 14.64 sector, which forms one of the most manufacturing industry sector, tion capacity of over 600,000 ment on its rigs plans. But industry • Sensex important strategic options for which will aid in supplying the tonnes per year of primary alu- sources in Saudi Arabia said the the development of the industrial industrial sector in the State of minium. It exports its prod- additional rigs would be deployed BSE 19981.57 sector in Qatar, the sponsorship Qatar in particular and the GCC ucts to 350 customers spread mostly in northwestern parts of NSE 6048.50 enhances Qatalum’s commitment region in general. In accordance over 45 countries across all the the country where Aramco plans • LIC (International) launches New Gold Investment Plan ‘GOLD PLUS’ – to supporting this vital sector. This with its future plans, Qatalum continents, including the Gulf to explore for unconventional gas, which provides an opportunity to invest in GOLD ETF & GOLD SPOT, PAN is especially pertinent at this point seeks to support local markets by Cooperation Council (GCC). The drill deep offshore in the Red Sea, Card/Demat Account not required. in time as the state possesses the supplying its high quality primary Turkish market is one of the most and develop oil prospects. • Short-term investment plan from LIC International upto 6.4 percent return most essential elements for the aluminium products”. important and largest markets for Some of the additional rigs will p.a. (in dollar) development of highly competitive Gathering the major technology Qatalum, being the entrance to be used for maintenance, or drilling • Housing loan from HDFC LTD projects and thus increasing the providers and funders, the confer- Europe and acquired to approxi- for water to reinject into oilfields private sector’s GDP contribution ence aims to provide a number of mately 22 percent of the factory’s to boost production and because oil • Mutual Fund: Buy & Sell: SBI MF, HDFC MF, UTI MF, Birla Sun Life MF, as well as achieving the industrial economically viable investment products during the year 2012, fields need to be repeatedly drilled Tata MF, Reliance MF etc. strategic goals of the state. opportunities for the both the pri- followed by the Asian market. to maintain healthy production Contact: Investec, Tel: 44325060/44365060 email: [email protected] “The Downstream Investment vate sector and investors of the THE PENINSULA levels. REUTERS WEDNESDAY 23 JANUARY 2013 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS VIEWS

Davos leaders uneasy No respite for eurozone over glut of easy money BY PAUL TAYLOR in long rebalancing slog he world is awash in easy money, with consequences that are starting to worry some central bankers and business BY ALAN WHEATLEY leaders at the Davos World Economic Forum (WEF), putting in place the right policies but they’re rather than wage moderation. Ireland is a Tthough so far inflation fears seem overdone. not quite bearing fruit. So it’s a question notable exception — as is Britain outside With developed world government finances constrained by huge he eurozone crisis is entering of managing public expectations,” Barnes, the eurozone — and Barnes said there were debts and deficits, central banks have pumped trillions of dollars a new, treacherous phase for adviser to the rich-country forum’s chief encouraging signs elsewhere, for example into the system to try to revive sluggish economies, combat defla- governments, which can only economist, added. in Spain. Italy, however, has barely touched tion and prop up weak banks. cross their fingers that slow- Berenberg Bank said all forward-looking its wage bargaining system. “The problem The Fed, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan and to a burn reforms will pay off before indicators point to a resumption of growth there is that wages have run ahead of pro- lesser extent the European Central Bank have strayed far from Tvoters get fed up with austerity and high this spring, which should further reduce the ductivity,” he said. traditional inflation fighting to take into account objectives such unemployment. eurozone’s aggregate fiscal deficit to below Gilles Moec, an economist with Deutsche as reducing unemployment, raising nominal GDP, and ensuring On the face of it, 2013 should be a much 2.5 percent of GDP in 2013. It stood around Bank in London, also frets about Italy. Italy the smooth functioning of the sovereign bond market. less traumatic year than 2012 for the 3.4 percent last year, down from 4.1 percent has its government deficit under control, In pursuit of these goals, they have taken unconventional steps 17-nation single-currency area. in 2011. but Moec sees signs of a growing ‘employ- such as keeping interest rates well below the inflation rate, buying Financial conditions have improved enor- What’s more, Italy, Spain, Portugal, ment overhang’, linked to what he says is government bonds and mortgage-backed securities and providing mously since the European Central Bank Ireland and Greece shrank their combined extremely slow financial rebalancing by the long-term liquidity to banks at near zero rates. promised to do whatever it takes to pre- current account deficit to an estimated 1.5 private sector since the onset of the crisis. Indeed, the Japanese central bank is now actively trying to serve the euro. Yields on the bonds of highly percent of GDP in 2012 from 7 percent in This is reflected in a rise in employee create more inflation because prices are obstinately stagnant. indebted peripheral countries have fallen 2008 and look set to balance their external compensation in Italy as a percentage of The BOJ yesterday announced its most radical effort yet to end sharply, bank funding strains have eased accounts this year. But Holger Schmieding, corporate value-added to 57.7 percent from years of economic stagnation, after weeks of relentless pressure and stock markets have rallied. the bank’s chief economist, said the single 52.5 percent in 2007. from new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for a greater push to lift Countries on the southern rim of the currency was not out of the woods yet. By contrast, in Spain, where unemploy- the economy out of recession. eurozone have made big strides in reducing “Despite impressive progress, serious ment of 25 percent is more than twice as In a joint statement with the government, the BoJ said it would their budget and trade deficits. They are risks remain. The eurozone needs growth high as Italy’s, the wage share dropped over switch to an open-ended commitment to buying assets next year no longer living way beyond their means. in its major markets abroad and the politi- the same period to 55.9 percent from 64.7 and double its inflation target to 2 percent. They have also introduced politically touchy cal patience to stay the course at home,” he percent. Rebalancing, in short, is far from Central banking purists, especially in Germany, with its history structural reforms, notably to make their said in a note. complete. That is true for creditor coun- scarred by hyper-inflation, worry that the guardians of sound labour markets more flexible. A nagging worry is that the euro zone is tries, too. Germany’s current account sur- money are losing their independence to governments and will But demand is likely to remain weak, making up for its economic mistakes through plus is stuck at a stubbornly high 6 percent find it hard to get the genie back into the bottle. while unemployment, already at a record what Barnes calls “bad rebalancing”. of GDP, reflecting weak investment and The leading hawk on the ECB’s Governing Council, German 11.8 percent, is forecast to rise further So, while rising exports have played a role, consumption. Bundesbank chief Jens Weidmann, who cancelled his appearance before it comes down. Recovery will be slow. the improvement in the periphery’s current Goldman Sachs has attempted to meas- at Davos, warned on Monday that central banks were being bullied “They’ve taken the medicine, but they’re account has been achieved mainly by slash- ure the progress being made in ironing out by governments and it could lead to currency wars. not going to jump out of bed straight away,” ing imports. And the reduction in relative the imbalances by updating its estimates “Already alarming violations can be observed, for example in said Sebastian Barnes at the Organisation wage costs needed to bring about ‘internal of the real exchange rate changes needed Hungary or Japan, where the new government is interfering mas- for Economic Cooperation and Development devaluation’ — the only devaluation availa- to bring countries’ net debt positions — sively in the business of the central bank with pressure for a more in Paris. ble in the absence of exchange rate flexibility the result of accumulated annual current aggressive monetary policy and threatening an end to central “The problem is bridging the gap over — has so far been engineered dispropor- account deficits and surpluses — back into bank autonomy,” he said in a speech in Frankfurt. the next two or three years when you’re tionately through a rise in unemployment broad equilibrium. REUTERS “A consequence, whether intentional or uninentional, could moreover be an increased politicisation of exchange rates.” Within the Federal Reserve, dissident Richmond Fed president Jeffrey Lacker has been warning for months that the US central bank’s stimulus actions risk a surge in inflation after this year. Management consultancy Bain & Co said in a report that the most immediate effect of a world awash with capital has been “to paralyse, confuse and distort investment decisions”. Large financial flows were creating dangerous pockets of excess capital in some places, while simultaneously cutting off access in other places. At the same time, big institutional investors like pension funds face large gaps between the returns they will need to meet payouts and what markets will generate. “Capital superabundance will increase the frequency, intensity, size and longevity of asset bubbles,” it said, pointing to big risks for economies and businesses closely linked to commodities. The US central bank embarked on a third round of asset pur- chases in December that are meant to spur growth and pledged to keep rates near zero until the unemployment rate drops to 6.5 percent, as long as inflation expectations remain in check. US unemployment was 7.8 percent last month, and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke made clear last week he is in no rush to tighten monetary policy. Speaking on Jan. 14 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, he said “the worst thing the Fed could do would be to raise interest rates prematurely”. A survey of 1,000 business leaders and academics conducted by the WEF ahead of the Davos meeting found they continue to fear a possible “systemic financial failure”, largely due to unsustain- able government finances. “Will the massive quantitative easing undertaken by key central banks to stave off deflation inevitably lead to destabilising hyper-inflation?” the WEF’s annual Global Risks survey asked, noting that some of the current extraordinary monetary policies were “essentially experimental”. In a sign of the times, one Davos panel discussion on Friday is billed as “No growth, easy money — the new norm?” Ultra-low interest rates and printing money have combined to fuel a race for weakness among currencies. This raises the risk of a mispricing of assets in the developed world, and of capital controls and trade protectionism in emerging economies. Tied by its own rules and German resistance, the European Central Bank cannot join the downward currency race, raising the risk that an overvalued euro chokes off any economic recovery. REUTERS Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Boeing should heed Comet’s cautionary tale BY SAM HOWE serious flaw, and one that needs But talk of the Dreamliner as and Airbus made modifications. crop up or compound. But the led the development of Britain’s VERHOVEK to be fixed. At least two of the a debacle — a “Nightmareliner,” In 1997, after Cathay Pacific strong odds remain that the jet- postwar aviation industry, was Japanese-made lithium-ion bat- as some headlines put it — is far launched a new version of the liner will be what Boeing intends in defending the Comet before a ver the past week or teries that supply electrical more overheated than the plane’s smaller Airbus A330, a gear- it to be: a triumph, a next-gener- British board of inquiry. so, I’ve had a surprising power have malfunctioned. bum batteries. box malfunction started causing ation, fuel-efficient, ultracomfort- “Of course we gave hostages to number of emails and One of the batteries caught So far, the 50 787s delivered engines to shut down in flight; the able airliner that passengers will fate,” Moore-Brabazon said. “But Ocalls asking roughly the fire in a parked Japan Airlines have experienced problems, airline’s entire fleet was grounded seek out, not seek to avoid. I cannot believe that this Court, same question: Is the 787 another Co Dreamliner at Boston’s Logan including one fuel-line leak, a for almost two weeks. With the tragic Comet, hubris or our country, will censure us Comet? Airport; another set off a smoke crack in a cockpit window and The point is, problems with prevented a more rational inves- because we have ventured. You The short answer is no. The alarm on an All Nippon Airways a minor wiring flaw along with a new airliner are a matter of tigation of its deadly flaw. British would not have the aeronautical Dreamliner, as Boeing calls its Co. 787 over southwestern Japan. the battery issue, that are hardly degree and, of course, of redun- aviation authorities variously people in this country trail behind cutting-edge, now-grounded 787, That Dreamliner made an emer- unprecedented for a major new dancy and safeguards. A battery pointed to freak weather, sabo- the world in craven fear lest they isn’t the de Havilland Comet. gency landing. The offending airliner. fire aboard a Dreamliner is unac- tage and pilot error as possible be censured in such a Court as The Comet, about which I battery — about the size of a Airlines that go first with a ceptable. But that does not mean reasons for Comet crashes; any- this for trying to lead the world. wrote a book a few years ago, was breadbox, as it happens — turned new model, whether for the pres- an incident would be catastrophic: thing to spare blaming the plane Everything within the realm of the world’s first jetliner, a spec- up swollen, charred and leaking tige or to leverage technological The Dreamliner is designed to itself. human knowledge and wisdom tacularly conceived and tragically flammable chemicals. advances such as fuel savings, survive such a fire, by containing It wasn’t until the third cata- was put into this machine.” doomed technological leap into No passenger should be allowed often pay a price for the novelty it to a specific area and venting strophic mid-air explosion that The recklessly beautiful and the future. aboard a Dreamliner until this as problems crop up requiring the smoke outside while the cabin the first-generation Comets were futuristic Comet never ruled the The British-made Comet problem is solved, which it will be. a fix that takes the plane out of air-pressure system protects pas- taken out of service for good and skies. amazed the world when it started Whether Boeing has handled the service, usually for only a week sengers and crew. an industrial detective job of epic Instead, a US manufacturer, carrying passengers in 1952, fly- controversy well is debatable: I’m or two. By this measure, the scope revealed the true culprit: previously an also-ran in the ing almost twice as fast and twice not sure they hit the right mark In 2007, shortly after Boeing’s Dreamliner’s woes are within metal fatigue. civilian airliner field with less as high as any propeller-driven when executives said of the 787 main competitor, Airbus SAS, reason. Regulators have done In the early 1950s, a plane like than 1 percent of the market airliner. But not long after it that, “we stand behind its overall introduced the mammoth dou- the right thing by grounding the the Comet could be allowed to share in 1950, found an opening — entered service, and in a span of integrity”. ble-decker A380 into passenger fleet. Boeing and its battery sup- fly again even after the cause of and Boeing’s 707 “Jet Stratoliner” less than a year, three Comets People can have “overall integ- service, the fleet was beset with plier need to take steps to assure its first crash remained officially became the iconic airliner of the blew apart in the sky, killing eve- rity” along with a range of human minor problems, including wing the public that these batteries undetermined. That wouldn’t new Jet Age. ryone aboard. flaws; airliners can’t have “overall cracks and improper cabin wir- are safe. happen today. Nor is it imagina- WP-BLOOMBERG The Dreamliner, which is an integrity” if their batteries can ing. An engine blew apart on a The Dreamliner project could ble that any aircraft builder now Sam Howe Verhovek is the author of Jet advanced though hardly revo- leak, smoke, catch fire or even Qantas Airways A380 shortly still turn into a fiasco or, God for- would be as bold or as brazen Age: The Comet, the 707, and the Race lutionary new aeroplane, has a explode. after takeoff; no one was injured, bid, a disaster, if more problems as John Moore-Brabazon, who to Shrink the World. WEDNESDAY 23 JANUARY 2013 MARKET www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

QE Indices Summary WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Index 8,623.15 0.18 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 2,517.02 0.41 % RATE QE Total Return Index 11,670.24 0.18 % QE All Share Index 2,076.66 0.21 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 2,004.08 0.32 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 4802.912 0.706 0.01 4808.9 4664.6 QE All Share Industrials 2,742.69 0.39 % QR198.5565 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 1,382.15 0.12 % Cac 40 Index/D 3756.65 -6.38 -0.17 3763.42 3680.61 UK ...... QR 5.7460 QR 5.8261 QE All Share Real Estate 1,622.99 0.23 % SILVER Euro ...... QR 4.8298 QR 4.8969 QE All Share Insurance 1,920.43 1.52 % Dj Indu Average 13649.7 53.68 0.39 13661.9 12035.1 QR 3.7521 QE All Share Telecoms 1,112.67 0.42 % CA$ ...... QR 3.6601 QR 3.7319 QE All Share Consumer Goods & Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 4,810.76 0.11 % Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.8958 QR 3.9501 Services Hang Seng Inde/D 23658.99 68.08 0.29 23639.63 22860.25 Yen ...... QR 0.0407 QR 0.0415 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.8129 QR 3.8887 Iseq Overall/D 3483.08 5.36 0.15 3526.74 3396.67 CRUDE OIL Today Previous day Ind Re ...... QR 0.0672 QR 0.0685 22-01-2013 21-01-2013 Karachi 100 In/D 16894.09 253.28 1.52 16935.52 16036.31 Index 8,623.15 8,608.05 BRENT Pak Re ...... QR 0.0369 QR 0.0377 Change 15.10 17.28 Nikkei 225 Index 10709.93 -37.81 -0.35 10952.31 10398.61 Peso ...... QR 0.0887 QR 0.0906 % 0.18 0.20 $ 111.96 SL Re ...... QR 0.0285 QR 0.0291 YTD% 3.18 2.98 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 1485.98 1266.74 DUBAI Taka ...... QR 0.0451 QR 0.0463 Volume 3,218,075 6,054,840 Straits Times/D 3219.86 -1.46 -0.05 3237.78 3160.83 Nep Re ...... QR 0.0422 QR 0.0430 Value (QAR) 200,299,484.36 335,566,103.12 $ 109.15 Trades 2,745 3,858 SA Rand ...... QR 0.4076 QR 0.4159 Straits Times/D 2989.31 24.69 0.83 3035.78 2657.77 Up 15 | Down 22 | Unchanged 03

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 22-01-2013

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

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

A C C-A/D 1360.05 24.8 62601 Cipla-A/D 404.65 0.7 81711 Hind Org Chem-/D 18.5 -0.45 18528 Kin.Motor-B/D 10.67 0 10608 Orient.Carb.-B/D 127 0.9 1664 Imperial Tobac/D 2380.795 -13 380163 Aarti Drugs-T/D 233 -1.45 1505 City Union Bk-/D 61.15 0.9 93183 Hind Unilever-/D 481.55 -14.3 1019471 Kinetic Eng-T/D 102.4 1.05 3258 Radico Khait-B/D 144.15 -1.75 41782 Kingfisher/D 274 5.1 3414043 Aban Offs-B/D 375.1 -2.05 79775 Cmc Ltd-B/D 1330.2 2.6 1464 Hind.Petrol-A/D 364.6 -8.05 481250 Klg Systel-T/D 18.05 -0.85 2735 Rallis India-B/D 139.3 -1.55 75546 Land Secs Grou/D 803.8946 -9 693826 Ador Welding-B/D 140.95 -1.25 2699 Colgate-A/D 1482.05 -13.7 6789 Hindalco-A/D 119.75 -3 664716 Kopran-B/D 19.5 -0.4 8480 Rallis India-B/D 139.3 -1.55 75546 Legal & Genera/D 150.3887 -1.5 2718691 Aegis Logis-B/D 173.15 -5.2 14068 Dai-Bichi Kar-/D 42.5 -1.05 2873 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 813.3 -1.2 106562 Lakshmi Elec-B/D 202.6 -0.95 1154 Reliance Indus/D 462.45 -11.3 99960 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 53.18 -0.02 35372464 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 138.7 -2.7 10032 Dcm Financia-B/D 1.55 -0.05 5730 I F C I-A/D 36.65 -1.1 2895779 Laxmi Prcisn-B/D 37.85 -0.15 6272 Ruchi Soya-B/D 70.5 0.7 7936 Marks & Sp./D 367.1 0.6 1845253 Alembic-B/D 16.25 -0.45 13238 Dcm Shram Ind-/D 42.85 -0.15 6511 Idbi-A/D 109.9 -2.2 252255 Lgb Broth-B/D 247.1 -1.9 1477 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 462.4 -2.35 12594 Next/D 4020 50 162944 Alok Indus-B/D 11.26 -0.15 819262 Dhampur Sugar-/D 48.65 -1.55 8274 Ifb Agro-B/D 203.65 -5.2 3844 Lloyd Metal-B/D 14.45 0.15 3149 Saur.Cem-B/D 26 0.35 3369 Pearson/D 1187 -15 1461723 Andhra Paper-B/D 280.85 -0.9 12130 Dr. Reddy-A/D 1913.1 -8.6 128550 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 107.1 0.15 8929 Lloyd Steel-B/D 15.52 1.84 1460537 Thirumalai-B/D 136 0.3 43272 Prudential/D 927 -6 910045 Apollo Tyre-A/D 85.85 -1 147318 E I H-B/D 72 -1.4 23497 India Cement-B/D 86.55 0.3 233827 Lloydsfin.-T/D 1.31 -0.06 6850 Til Ltd.-B/D 210.3 -1.35 1137 Rank Group/D 152.22 0 27872 Asahi I Glass-/D 50.75 -0.45 3349 E.I.D Parry-B/D 185.1 2.4 9017 India Glycol-B/D 161.15 -5.7 14691 Lok.Hous&Con-T/D 25.1 -0.5 2163 Timexgroup-T/D 22.4 -0.1 50231 Rentokil Initi/D 90.2 -0.6 792335 Ashok Leyland-/D 25.6 -0.7 5580000 Eicher Motor-A/D 2683.8 -5.85 1384 Indian Card-B/D 122.85 -0.1 2253 Lupin-A/D 585.35 -8.35 131182 Tinplate-B/D 51.05 -0.35 15598 Rolls Royce Pl/D 925 -0.5 1342755 Bajaj Hold-A/D 975.25 -4.5 1703 Electrosteel-B/D 25.25 -0.4 104854 Indian Hotel-A/D 64.1 0.15 102455 Lyka Labs-B/D 11 -0.33 5359 Ub Engineer-B/D 32.5 -0.85 12425 Rsa Insrance G/D 128.148 0.8 3307589 Ballarpur In-B/D 22.6 0.05 102005 Emco-B/D 29.35 0.35 52802 Indo-Tcount-T/D 14.34 0.09 9174 Mafatlal Ind-T/D 124.95 -4.9 2204 Ub Engineer-B/D 32.5 -0.85 12425 Sainsbury(J)/D 328.7 0.2 838898 Banaras Bead-T/D 54.7 -2.85 7879 Escorts-B/D 69.9 -0.85 112897 Indusind-A/D 417.9 4.6 230758 Mah.Seamless-B/D 253.75 -4.05 1397 Ucal Fuel-B/D 67.85 0.25 4784 Schroders/D 1889 -4 190621 Bata India-A/D 807.75 -12.4 39746 Essar Oil-A/D 77.5 -2.05 612789 J.B.Chemical-B/D 85.9 -0.65 12934 Maha Scooter-B/D 516.8 -1.95 1267 Ultramarine-B/D 54.25 -0.75 13809 Severn Trent/D 1600 13 225232 Bayer Crop-A/D 1202 -3.2 1356 Eveready Indu-/D 22.4 -0.35 172690 Jagatjit Ind-B/D 66.45 0 2392 Mangalam Cem-B/D 158.8 2.3 6104 Unitech P -A/D 37.1 -1.1 6169169 Smith&Nephew/D 713.155 3.5 377557 Beml Ltd-B/D 276.65 -0.95 14014 F D C-B/D 92.6 -0.5 13891 Jbf Indu-B/D 125.4 0.05 94649 Maral Overs-B/D 15 -0.19 4695 Smiths Group/D 1231 14 243288 Bharatgears-B/D 54.45 -0.55 1243 Federal Bank-A/D 503.2 1.95 24632 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.71 -0.02 45271 Mastek-B/D 151.1 -2.55 12952 LONDON Standrd Chart /D 1648.5 -15.5 1025342 Tate Bhartiya Int-T/D 185.9 -0.6 2010 Ferro Alloys-B/D 6.66 0.12 26411 Jct Ltd-B/D 1.4 -0.03 25283 Max India L-A/D 246.3 2 32011 & Lyle/D 806.5 6.5 532355 Bhel-A/D 230.55 -1.1 301514 Fgp Ltd-B/D 2.52 -0.02 8054 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 3.67 -0.03 11119 Mrpl-A/D 65.2 -1.6 129663 3I Group/D 249 -0.6 732925 Tesco/D 349.912 -0.7 2241098 Bhuwalka Stl-B/D 16.3 0.4 11114 Finolex-B/D 73.15 1.9 1243757 Jik Indust-B/D 2.27 -0.11 100295 Nagreeka Ex-B/D 23.2 3.85 9446 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 1645 16 396506 Tomkins/D 0 0 0 Bom.Burmah-B/D 138.45 -1.55 63516 Gail-A/D 370.8 -17.35 90554 Jindal Drill-B/D 244.15 -0.1 1401 Nahar Spg.-B/D 80.25 -2.1 4762 B Sky B/D 793.5 1.5 636409 Unilever/D 2446 6 724460 Bombay Dyeing-/D 125.45 -1.5 100275 Galada Power-B/D 3.95 0.11 1201 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 121.2 -0.9 3942 Nath Seeds-B/D 6.58 -0.04 4074 Barclays/D 298.95 1.55 26366754 United Util Gr/D 717 -3.5 1012833 Cable Corp.-B/D 21.8 -0.3 1612 Gammon India-B/D 38.25 -0.2 7454 Jmc Projects-B/D 110.85 0.35 3289 Nation Alum -A/D 48.7 -0.05 17187 Bg Group/D 1129.375 9.5 2193568 Vodafone Group/D 160.45 -1.8 33409891 Canfin Homes-T/D 166.05 -4.55 45157 Garden P -B/D 62.5 -0.55 2537 Kajaria Cer-B/D 213.95 3.7 22870 Navneet Pub.-B/D 64.1 0 27001 Bp/D 458.45 -0.55 5005473 Whitbread/D 2503 10 195589 Castrol Ind-A/D 300.65 -1.45 18769 Goodricke-B/D 153.65 -1.55 4153 Kakatiya Cem-B/D 83.15 0.6 1551 Nepc India-B/D 2.51 -0.1 11003 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3209.5 -14 623348 Century Enka-B/D 126.65 -2.35 4975 Goodyear I -B/D 321.95 2.2 2237 Kalpat Power-B/D 102.7 1.55 67970 O N G C-A/D 336.8 0.2 516588 British Airway/D 276.4574 0 0 Bt Century Text-A/D 413.35 -8.15 91192 Hcl Infosys-B/D 38.9 -0.8 48508 Kalyani Stel-B/D 57.2 -0.35 121700 Ocl India-B/D 147.1 0.4 2545 Group/D 250.1 1.4 8067946 Chambal Fert-B/D 68.65 -2.2 273917 Him.Fut.Comm-B/D 9.99 0.05 482813 Kanoria Chem-B/D 39 0 1492 Oil Country-B/D 50.65 -0.9 13981 Centrica/D 343.2 0.4 1450616 Chola Invest-B/D 283.55 -1.2 11952 Himat Seide-B/D 39.5 -0.6 11533 Kg Denim-T/D 14.04 -0.26 15717 Orchid Chem-B/D 97.5 -0.65 276398 Gkn/D 244 -4 2852457 Chowgule St-B/D 16.7 -0.75 12888 Hind Motors-B/D 10.77 -0.07 104188 Kilburnengg-B/D 19.5 0.35 29439 Orient.Carb.-B/D 127 0.9 1664 Hsbc Holdings/D 693.5 -2 3879804 WEDNESDAY 23 JANUARY 2013 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Rockets end Pochettino debut skid with win over Bobcats CHARLOTTE, North Carolina: James Harden scored ends in stalemate 29 points yesterday to lead Houston to a 100-94 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats that Fergie facing FA action over linesman rant ended the Rockets’ NBA losing streak at seven games. The Rockets overcame a SOUTHAMPTON, UNITED half but failed to score. Jason An FA statement yesterday 35-point effort from Charlotte’s KINGDOM:Mauricio Puncheon’s low shot was deflected said the governing body had Kemba Walker, whose career- Pochettino’s first match as man- just wide of the post, before “contacted Manchester United high scoring performance wasn’t ager of Southampton ended in a Ramirez forced a smart save from manager Sir Alex Ferguson to enough to prevent the Bobcats goalless draw at home to Everton Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard ask him for his observations in from enduring a club record 15th at St Mary’s on Monday night. in the 13th minute. relation to comments he made in straight home defeat. The result moved Southampton Rickie Lambert beat Howard the media following Manchester Harden scored 12 of his points four points clear of the bottom with a 25-yard free-kick only for United’s draw against Tottenham in the fourth quarter, when three in the English Premier the ball to hit the keeper’s right yesterday (Sunday).” Houston out-scored Charlotte by League and left Everton three post and later on the striker’s After the match, Ferguson hit a 26-13 margin. points adrift of the top four and a header was cleared off the line out at assistant referee Simon Houston’s bench came up big, place in next season’s Champions by Nikica Jelavic and Leighton Beck, who kept his flag down with Marcus Morris delivering 21 League. Baines. despite Steven Caulker appearing points and eight rebounds and fel- Pochettino was appointed after Lambert then powered another to trip United substitute Wayne low reserve Carlos Delfino adding Southampton, once a byword for header just wide. Rooney inside the Spurs 18-yard 16 points. AFP managerial stability sacked Nigel Everton came into the match box in the 63rd minute. Adkins on Friday just two days in the second half with Marouane “It was a clear penalty kick on NBA results after the Englishman had over- Fellaini twice denied by Saints Wayne Rooney, but in no way was Indiana 82 Memphis 81 seen a draw away to European keeper Artur Boruc in quick the linesman going to give that,” New Orleans 114 Sacramento 105 champions Chelsea. succession. Ferguson told the BBC. Adkins joined Southampton Toffees substitute Victor “He gave them (Tottenham) Houston 100 Charlotte 94 from Scunthorpe in 2010 and took Anichebe made his presence everything else. We have not had Atlanta 104 Minnesota 96 the Saints, then a third-tier club, felt after replacing the injured a good record with this linesman Brooklyn 88 NY Knicks 85 into the Premier League with Seamus Coleman just before the -- against Chelsea a few years ago Golden State 106 LA Clippers 99 back-to-back promotions. hour. he gave onside to Didier Drogba, San Antonio 90 Philadelphia 85 His exit as manager came with Anichebe powered through who was three yards offside. You Chicago 95 LA Lakers 83 Southampton, who struggled at the Saints defence and squared remember those things.” Washington 98 Portland 95 the start of the season, in the the ball to Jelavic only for the In March 2011 Ferguson middle of an encouraging run of Croatian to miss his kick from received a five-match touchline results which had seen them lose just a few yards out. ban from the FA and a £30,000 just twice in their last 12 league Nigeria forward Anichebe was fine for questioning the integrity NHL: Home loss matches. then denied from close range by a of referee Martin Atkinson after Pochettino, who does not fine one-handed save from Boruc. a match at Chelsea. fails to dampen speak English, was brought in by Meanwhile, Manchester United However, he avoided discipli- Saints executive chairman Nicola manager Alex Ferguson is facing nary action earlier this season Toronto spirits Cortese despite having been disciplinary action by the Football despite confronting Mike Dean, sacked by Espanyol in November Association (FA) after criticising assistant referee Jake Collin and Southampton’s Argentinian manager Mauricio Pochettino (left) talks to with the Spanish side bottom of a linesman for denying his side a fourth official Neil Swarbrick dur- English striker Rickie Lambert before their English Premier League football TORONTO: It may have been La Liga. penalty in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at ing the Red Devils’ game against match against Everton at St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton, England, on Blue Monday, the day identi- Saints dominated the first Tottenham. Newcastle. AGENCIES Monday. fied as the most depressing of the year, but in hockey-mad Toronto it was party-time as the Maple Leafs played their first home game since the end of a bitter lockout. With Christmas bills coming Middle East drivers ready for Qatar test in and New Year’s resolutions going out of the window, Welsh DOHA: The Middle East’s fin- such a short space of time,” said new team line-up in a pair of researcher Dr Cliff Arnall calcu- est rally drivers have completed Al Attiyah. Subaru Imprezas. John Higgins lated the day marked the low ebb day one of their reconnaissance “But now it’s back to the and Nicolas Klinger debut as co- of the calendar for many people. of the new special stages in the business of the Middle East drivers in Qatar. Hockey fans in Toronto seemed Qatar desert that will become Championship and making sure Burcu Cetinkaya burst on to oblivious to the doom and gloom, the battleground for this week- that I start the season with a win the regional rallying scene two however, and the jolt of euphoria end’s Qatar International Rally, here. The entry is strong and it years ago and stunned the local from the return of the NHL to round one of the FIA Middle will not be easy.” fraternity last season with a fine its biggest market was not even East Rally Championship The UAE’s Sheikh Khalid Al fourth overall in the Qatar Rally dampened by a 2-1 loss to the (MERC), organised by the Qassimi won the regional rally with co-driver Cicek Guney in Buffalo Sabres. Qatar Motor and Motorcycle series in 2004 and has won seven a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. “I thought the fans were very Federation (QMMF). MERC rallies but never the Ranked in the top three female energetic, they were loud even on Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah is now event in Qatar. At the helm of rally drivers in the world in a a night where we didn’t provide a back from his recent foray on the a new Abu Dhabi Racing Team recent survey, Cetinkaya will be lot of offense,” Maple Leafs coach Dakar Rally in South America this season, and with the expe- hard-pushed to better last sea- Randy Carlyle told reporters. and keen to continue his tremen- rienced Scott Martin as his new son’s tremendous finish, but she New Year’s resolutions among dous run of form in the MERC co-driver, Khalid is relishing the returns to Qatar action with a disgruntled NHL fans was that that has seen him win the regional start of his 2013 season and his Mitsubishi and new co-driver they would make greedy owners title eight times in the last 10 new association with the Citroën Ozlem Akguc on the notes. and players pay for dragging them seasons and the Qatar Rally nine team. Al-Qassimi will drive one of Germany’s Edith Weiss has through a 113-day labour dispute. times in the same period. three Citroën DS3s entered in the been competing in the MERC But on a biting cold winter Al Attiyah will run one of a Qatar International Rally. since 1992 and fondly recalls her night in Toronto, all seemed for- fleet of Ford Fiesta RRCs looked The other two cars from the first Qatar outing 21 years ago. given as Leafs fans were quick to after on the event by Autotek French manufacturers’ stable will This year she teams up with Rony open their wallets. REUTERS Motorsport and several of the rally be in the hands of other members Maroun in a Subaru Impreza. technicians who supported him of the Abu Dhabi Racing Team. Today teams will carry out a for those nine thrilling stages of Young Emiratis Mohammed second full day of reconnaissance NHL Results the recent Dakar where he pushed Al Matawaa and Mohamed Al in the desert before the custom- Boston 2 Winnipeg 1 Mini’s Stéphane Peterhansel Sahlawai drive the new machines ary administration checks are Ny Islanders 4 Tampa Bay 3 all the way and secured three and have the experienced Ulster finalised at the QMMF. The Rally St. Louis 4 Nashville 3 stage wins in a virtually new co-drivers Stephen McAuley and gets underway from the QMMF Buffalo 2 Toronto 1 Californian-built-Buggy. Allan Harryman alongside. at 08.00hrs on Friday and finishes Ottawa 4 Florida 0 “The Dakar was a fantas- Former Abu Dhabi Junior at 16.20hrs on Saturday after 12 Detroit 4 Columbus 3 Eight-time MERC champion Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah will be aiming for a tic experience for me and I am Team members Majid Al-Shamsi timed desert special stages. ninth title this year. proud of what we achieved in and Bader Al Jabri complete the THE PENINSULA Anaheim 5 Calgary 4 Cycling: Devastating sprint gives Greipel stage win

Germany’s Andre Greipel of Team Lotto Belisol reacts after finishing in first place during the Tour Down Under, Stage One, Prospect to Lobethal, near Adelaide Australia, yesterday. The two-time champion launched a devastating sprint with 300 metres to go to easily win the opening stage of the WorldTour season-opening Tour Down Under. Greipel powered home by a bike length from Frenchman Arnaud Demare and Mark Renshaw of Australia and claim a record-equalling 12th stage win at the Tour Down Under. WEDNESDAY 23 JANUARY 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Djokovic powers into semi-finals The world number one to meet Ferrer; Sharapova and Na to clash in Melbourne

MELBOURNE: Serbian super- over five hours like the last match. man Novak Djokovic remained “It is always going to be tough Today’s Schedule firmly on course for a third against Tomas ... but I came out Order of play for show courts at the straight Australian Open title and played my best tennis.” Australian Open today (x denotes seeding): yesterday after dismantling Sharapova crushed fellow Rod Laver Arena Tomas Berdych in four sets to Russian Makarova in just 66 11:00 am (0000 GMT) set up a last four meeting with minutes to set up a last four Victoria Azarenka (BLR x1) vs Svetlana Spanish comeback king David appointment with Li at a cost of Kuznetsova (RUS) Ferrer. just nine games conceded in the Not Before 12:30 pm Showing no signs of fatigue tournament, a record low for the Serena Williams (USA x3) vs Sloane from the grinding five-hour Australian Open. Stephens (USA x29) duel with Stanislas Wawrinka The second seed and 2008 that ended in the early hours champion relentlessly pum- Jeremy Chardy (FRA) vs of Monday morning, Djokovic melled Makarova with a barrage Andy Murray (GBR x3 defused the big Czech’s big serve of thumping serves and fierce 7:30 pm 6-1, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 to progress com- forehands, leaving the 19th seed Jo Wilfried-Tsonga (FRA x7) vs fortably to his 11th successive scrapping for dignity by the end. Roger Federer (SUI x2) Grand Slam semi-final. “She’s playing unbelievable, so Ashleigh Barty (AUS)/Casey Dellacqua (AUS) Maria Sharapova was just as aggressive, and just in the right vs Varvara Lepchenko (USA)/ impressive as she continued a spot of the court. It’s really tough Saisai Zheng (CHN) ruthless march through the wom- to play against her now,” said Margaret Court Arena en’s draw with a 6-2, 6-2 savaging Makarova. 11:00 am of Ekaterina Makarova, while Li “In the end I just was fight- Na ended Agnieszka Radwanska’s ing for the games, because I was Legends doubles followed by winning streak to continue her thinking that, yeah, it’s tough to Bob Bryan (USA)/Mike Bryan (USA x1) vs love affair with Melbourne Park. beat her.” Daniele Bracciali (ITA)/Lukas Dlouhy (CZE) Ferrer staged what he Ferrer stared defeat full in the Kveta Peschke (CZE)/Marcin Matkowski described as a miraculous come- face three times before taming (POL) vs Hsieh Su-wei (TPE)/ back from two sets down to beat Almagro after being dominated Rohan Bopanna (IND) fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro by some brilliant tennis from the Not Before 3:30 pm 4-6, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6, 6-2 but imme- 10th seed for the first two sets. Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after defeating Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic in their Men’s singles Sara Errani (ITA)/Roberta Vinci (ITA x1) vs diately said he would need some- The fourth seed looked to be quarter-final match at the Australian Open in Melbourne, yesterday. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS)/ thing even more spectacular if he heading for the exit when he faced Elena Vesnina (RUS x4) was to get to his first Grand Slam Almagro serving for the match at Show Court 2 final. 5-4 in the third set but he hustled fight and do my best but next grabbed six of them to set up a the winter training but it does 11:00 am Living up to his reputation along the baseline to claw his way round I need to play my best ten- contest against Sharapova, who seem like I’m just better at this as the fittest player on the tour, back into the contest. nis, better than today,” he said. won all three of their encounters tournament.” Juan Sebastian Cabal (COL)/Robert Farah world number one Djokovic Twice more Almagro had “Nole is a special player.” last year. Radwanska, who had not lost (COL) vs Simone Bolelli (ITA)/Fabio Fognini returned with his usual deftness chances to serve out for victory Li reached her third semi-final The former French Open a set on her way to the quarter- (ITA) and moved his 6ft 5in (1.96m) but he blew them both before suf- in four years at the Australian champion clearly likes the bright finals, said it was possible that Followed by junior singles opponent around the court. fering a leg injury and Ferrer, who Open with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over blue courts at Melbourne Park, she had paid the price for play- Followed by The 25-year-old whipped had won all 12 of their previous Radwanska in the opening match even if she will probably need ing and winning warm-up events Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ)/Denis Istomin through the first set against fifth meetings, emerged a winner after of the day. to get her unforced error count in Auckland and Sydney. (UZB) vs Nuria Llagostera Vives (ESP)/David seed Berdych quicksmart, stalled three hours and 44 minutes. Radwanska had come into the under the 40 mark if she wants The Pole also thought Li had a Marrero (ESP) only a little as he lost the second Ferrer, 30, has lost all four of contest bursting with confidence to reach a second final after 2011. good chance against Sharapova. before racing to victory in two his previous Grand Slam semi- on a run of 13 successive wins but “I really don’t know what it is “I think it’s 50/50, to be hon- and a half hours, sealing the win finals, including defeats to world looked underpowered as she was here,” Li said. “It seems whenever est,” she said. “They’re both play- with his 10th ace. number one Djokovic at the US bludgeoned into submission by Li I come down here my results are ing very well tennis this week, Australian Open “It was a great performance,” Open in 2007 and last year. in the 102-minute contest. always quite consistent, no big definitely. For sure it’s going to be Djokovic said. “I was hoping to “It was a miracle I won this There were 10 service breaks setbacks or anything. good match,” she said yesterday. Results have a shorter match and not go match,” said Ferrer. “I tried to in the 21 games and sixth seed Li “I’m not sure whether it’s REUTERS Collated results from day nine of the Australian Open yesterday: Women's Singles World’s top Quarter-Finals Navratilova backs Li Na (CHN x6) bt Agnieszka Radwanska players to get (POL x4) 7-5, 6-3 Maria Sharapova (RUS x2) bt Ekaterina Serena for historic their way on Makarova (RUS x19) 6-2, 6-2 Men's Singles doping controls Quarter-Finals David Ferrer (ESP x4) bt Nicolas Almagro Grand Slam sweep MELBOURNE: Novak (ESP x10) 4-6, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 Djokovic, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) v Tomas Berdych MELBOURNE: Martina said the Grand Slam was “defi- other leading tennis players (CZE x5) 6-1, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 Navratilova backed Serena nitely possible” this year -- as calling for increased blood test- Men's Doubles Williams to create history long as luck is on her side. ing in tennis could get their Quarter-Finals by sweeping to a calendar- “We have seen what can hap- wish in 2013 with the introduc- Marcel Granollers (ESP)/Marc Lopez (ESP year Grand Slam after she pen physically. She hurt her tion of athlete biological pass- x3) bt Thomaz Belluci (BRA)/Benoit Paire marched into the Australian ankle in her first match. She ports to the sport. (FRA) 6-3, 6-1 Open quarter-finals. hit herself in the face with her In the aftermath of Lance The tennis legend described racquet,” she said. “There is a Armstrong’s admission last week Robin Haase (NED)/Igor Sijsling (NED) bt Williams as the greatest player lot of luck involved. You can eat that he was on drugs when he won David Marrero (ESP)/Fernando Verdasco (ESP x11) 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) Serena Williams of the US (left) touches hands with her sister Venus of her generation -- and said “if some bad fish and next day, you each of his seven Tour de France Williams during their Women’s doubles match against Sara Errani and anyone can, Serena can” achieve can’t walk. titles, several top players at the Women's Doubles Roberta Vinci of Italy, yesterday. the holy grail of winning all four “It’s 28 straight matches you Australian Open have revealed Quarter-Finals major titles in the same year. have to win but I do believe that that they have received relatively Sara Errani (ITA)/Roberta Vinci (ITA x1) bt “We know that Serena at her if anybody can do it, it’s Serena. few blood tests. Serena Williams (USA)/ Venus Williams (USA best is better than anybody else The way she’s playing now, she’s World number one Djokovic x12) 3-6, 7-6 (7/1), 7-5 out there, if for no other rea- capable of it.” said last week that he had not Ashleigh Barty (AUS)/Casey Dellacqua (AUS) Consistency getting son than her serve. It sets eve- Williams recovered from been blood tested “in six or seven bt Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS)/Lucie rything up,” Navratilova said at a first-round loss at the months”. Safarova (CZE) 6-2, 6-3 Melbourne Park. French Open last year to win The biological passport is a Varvara Lepchenko (USA)/Zheng Saisai “She’s strong and she’s solid. Wimbledon and the US Open, method of monitoring selected (CHN) bt Nuria Llagostera Vives (ESP)/ easier, says Federer She very confident and very leaving her with 15 major titles biological parameters over time, Zheng Jie (CHN x7) 6-3, 5-7, 7-5 focused right now. In the past and within range of the 18 held rather than trying to detect indi- MELBOURNE: Roger Federer success Federer has achieved in there might have been times by Navratilova and Chris Evert. vidual substances, and was con- believes it’s becoming easier to his decorated career is his largely when you could catch her off- However, she remains some sidered one of the main reasons play consistently as he prepares injury-free run. guard, but not these days. way off the 24 majors won by for the success in catching cheats Serena’s ankle for his record 35th consecutive “But then, of course, you have “She’s been very focused since Margaret Court, followed by in cycling. Grand Slam quarter-final at the to stay injury-free. Whatever she lost at the French last year. Graf on 22 and Helen Wills “We’re looking very, very flares in Aussie Australian Open today. happens in a five-setter, if things She’s very motivated. She’s a Moody on 19. closely at it and I think there’s a The all-time Grand Slam leader don’t go well physically for you, dictator.” “In tennis terms, Serena is reasonably good chance that will Open doubles with 17 major titles is the epitome you’ll pay the price and then you’ll Steffi Graf was the last still very young,” Navratilova be operational probably towards of consistency after defusing the drop out of the tournament,” he woman to win the Australian said. the end of 2013,” Dr Stuart Miller, big service of Canadian Milos said. Open, French Open, US Open “At her age, I think I had the head of the International MELBOURNE: Fresh con- Raonic in Monday’s fourth round “So many times, even if I did and Wimbledon in the same sea- played twice as many matches. Tennis Federation (ITF)’s anti- cerns surrounded the fitness to take his place in the last eight. have problems, I did find a way son, way back in 1988. She has young legs at 31, which doping effort, told BBC radio. of Serena Williams at the The Swiss great takes on 2008 to come through and survive and No man has claimed the should be helpful. The way she In 2011, the most recent set of Australian Open yesterday- runner-up Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in go deep in the tournament, often Grand Slam in the Open era, plays, not many of her matches figures available, the ITF con- when she suffered a recurrence the quarters having not dropped even win it. with even Roger Federer, Rafael are too physical or go too long. ducted only 21 blood tests out of of her ankle injury while playing serve in his 57 games at the “I’m happy to be in another Nadal and Novak Djokovic all “She is physically so impos- competition and 131 in total, a doubles. tournament. one (quarter-final), but does it falling one short in their finest ing she can dominate matches. It figure well outweighed by urine Williams twisted her right Federer last missed out on drive me? I don’t know; I’m not seasons. The last male to do it does get harder after you reach tests, which numbered 2,019. ankle in the first round of the reaching a Slam quarter-final sure. It’s a nice record to have. was Australia’s Rod Laver in 30 but Serena is Serena. She has At the Paris Masters last singles but the world number when beaten in the third round Obviously as it’s ongoing, you try 1969. power and she’s taken tennis to October, US Open champion three had been untroubled while at the 2004 French Open by to keep working at it.” Williams, riding one of the another level. If she is fit and Murray led the calls for more moving through to her quarter- Brazilian Gustavo Kuerten. Federer has yet to drop a set at hottest streaks of her career, a motivated, which she clearly is blood tests in tennis, a view final appointment with Sloane He says slower court condi- the Open, while Novak Djokovic 20-match unbeaten run, admit- at the moment, it’s hard to see backed up in Melbourne by Roger Stephens, to be played today. tions have made his feat more and Andy Murray, have had their ted at the Brisbane International anyone beating her all year.” Federer and Djokovic. However, she tweaked the achievable. wobbles. a fortnight ago that the calen- Navratilova, 56, who has 31 Blood tests are more expensive ankle again as she and her sister, “Obviously times have changed. He was delighted with his form dar-year slam was on her radar. doubles and 10 mixed doubles to administer than urine tests and Venus, were defeated by the top- Conditions have slowed down. against Raonic, who has the most The closest she has come was majors along with her singles Miller admitted that they were seeded Italian duo of Sara Errani That gives you an opportunity potent serve on the Tour. in 2002-2003, when she held crowns, was described by another subject to financial constraints. and Roberta Vinci yesterday. The to be more consistent in all four Federer dismissed Raonic in all four majors consecutively former world number one, Billie The Tennis Anti-Doping 12th-seeded Americans were majors, while before we had the straight sets, without a service for the so-called ‘Serena Slam’. Jean King, as “the greatest sin- Programme, is funded by the ITF defeated 3-6, 7-6 (7/1), 7-5. clay court specialists, the fast break. Close, but not quite the feat that gles, doubles and mixed doubles along with the men’s (ATP) and Williams, who served for the court players,” Federer said. “It was a very solid night, so stands higher than any other in player who’s ever lived.” women’s (WTA) tours and the match in the second set, grimaced “Maybe I’m taking away things I’m very happy. If I can maintain tennis. Williams is regarded as the Grand Slams. at various stages of the clash and from myself a little bit, but I truly such a level of play, I give myself Ahead of Williams’ quarter- finest female singles player in Yesterday, the ITF confirmed her movement was restricted. believe things are a bit easier to a chance of going deep in this final against American teen history. Her aggressiveness blow that the total investment in the The world number three is eye- play more consistent today.” tournament, which is obviously Sloane Stephens, Navratilova most rivals off the court. AFP anti-doping programme was $2m ing the first calendar-year Grand A major part of the remarkable the goal,” he said. AFP per year. REUTERS Slam since 1988. AFP WEDNESDAY 23 JANUARY 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27

Commercial Bank Qatar Masters Draw for Rounds 1 & 2 Game Time Tee Game Time Tea Name Country Garcia hoping for a 1 06.35 1 32 10.45 10 John Parry ENG Gareth Maybin NIR Justin Walters RSA 2 06.45 1 33 10.55 10 Todd Hamilton USA Sqren Kjeldsen DEN Victor Dubuisson FRA 3 06.55 1 34 11.05 10 Brett Rumford AUS flying start in Qatar Marc Warren SCO Alejandro Cañizares ESP 4 07.05 1 35 11.15 10 Keith Horne RSA DOHA: Sergio Garcia is aware everything” over his winter break, Marcel Siem GER he faces a tough task if he wants but is reluctant to burden himself David Drysdale SCO to start his 2013 campaign with with too much expectation for the 5 07.15 1 36 11.25 10 Johan Edfors SWE a victory at the Commercial year ahead after a turbulent few Grégory Havret FRA Bank Qatar Masters. The years. Mikael Lundberg SWE 33-year-old Spaniard makes his Having started 2009 as the 6 07.25 1 37 11.35 10 Rafa Cabrera-Bello ESP first appearance on this year’s World Number Two, he suffered Mark Foster ENG Race to Dubai at the second leg a dip in form and two years later Chris Wood ENG of The European Tour’s Middle was outside the game’s top 80, East swing, where he is one of 80 before winning back-to-back titles 7 07.35 1 38 11.45 10 Romain Wattel FRA European Tour winners teeing in Spain to reignite his career. Richard Green AUS up at Doha Golf Club. “We know that there are going Damien Mcgrane IRL “The competition is going to be to be good moments and bad 8 07.45 1 39 11.55 10 Hennie Otto RSA great,” said Garcia. moments,” he said. Grégory Bourdy FRA “I’m sure that the level of play “The most important thing is Anthony Wall ENG will be great. There’s a good, to only give the bad moments the 9 07.55 1 40 12.05 10 Phillip Price WAL strong field this week.” credit they deserve, try to learn Maarten Lafeber NED Garcia has reason to be opti- from it, improve as the years go Prom Meesawat THA mistic, however. In his last six by and believe in yourself and be 10 08.05 1 41 12.15 10 Chris Lloyd ENG appearances in the event he has patient. Max Williams (Am) ENG not been outside the top 25 and “Golf is the kind of sport that Andy Sullivan ENG has amassed four top ten finishes asks you to be very, very patient, 11 08.15 1 42 12.25 10 Gary Lockerbie ENG during that time. just like in life. So I think that’s Espen Kofstad NOR Despite that impressive record, the only thing you can do; try to J B Hansen DEN the Ryder Cup star is keen to add play with the best attitude pos- 12 06.35 10 21 10.45 1 Bernard Wiesberger AUT a victory at a course he clearly sible and be as patient as you can Mikko Ilonen FIN enjoys playing. and wait for things to happen,” Peter Lawrie IRL “I guess it’s been a nice place to he said 13 06.45 10 22 10.55 1 Thomas Aiken RSA start the year for me,” he added. “Obviously I’m happy with the Joel Sjöholm SWE “I haven’t been able to win, but way things have been going the Graeme Storm ENG I had some good success here, a past couple years and I feel com- 14 06.55 10 23 11.05 1 Michael Campbell NZL good amount of top ten finishes. fortable within myself, which is Pablo Larrazábal ESP “I enjoy the course – it usually important. Then it’s just a mat- Anders Hansen DEN plays quite difficult, a little breezy, ter of trying the best you can out 15 07.05 10 24 11.15 1 Alexander Noren SWE so it’s a good week to start the there and hopefully the best is Henrik Stenson SWE year. Hopefully we’ll get it going pretty good. You’re obviously going Jeev Milkha Singh IND this year again.” to keep trying but I feel pretty 16 07.15 10 25 11.225 1 Thongchai Jaidee THA Garcia revealed that he happy where I am,” he added. Retief Goosen RSA has worked on “a little bit of THE PENINSULA Gonzalo Fdez-Castaño ESP 17 07.25 10 26 11.35 1 Peter Hanson SWE Thorbjørn Olesen DEN Thomas Björn DEN Qatar’s Al Kaabi in the spotlight at DGC 18 07.35 10 27 11.45 1 Sergio Garcia ESP Paul Lawrie SCO Ernie Els RSA DOHA: Saleh Al Kaabi had a the TV host her first golf lesson along to the course when he was Germany, believes Al Kaabi has 19 07.45 10 28 11.55 1 Stephen Gallacher SCO taste of life as a star sportsman on the practice green. The popu- five years old. the skillset to make it as a touring Ricardo Santos POR when the 18-year-old amateur lar ‘Darb Al Madina’ programme Mike Elliot, the Qatar National golfer in the future. Edoardo Molinari ITA golfer spent Monday morning previews upcoming events in Team coach, thinks his star stu- “He hits the ball extremely 20 07.55 10 29 12.05 1 Simon Dyson ENG being interviewed by Qatar TV Qatar and this week’s episode dent has a chance of finishing in long, well over 300 yards regu- Fredrik Andersson Hed SWE for a preview programme about will focus on the $2.5m golf event, the top half of the 126-player field larly,” Elliot said. “He’s up there Ricardo Gonzalez ARG this week’s Commercial Bank which features star players Justin after the second round tomorrow in distance with anyone. He’s also 21 08.05 10 30 12.15 1 Peter Whiteford SCO Qatar Masters. Rose and Louis Oosthuizen, the and so qualify for the final two a very calm and focused person Eddie Pepperell ENG Al Kaabi is one of two Qatari World Numbers Four and Five rounds on Friday and Saturday. on the course. His temperament Joshua Thornton ENG golfers, along with Ghanim Al respectively, American World “I do actually think he could always remains the same, which Kuwari, competing in the prestig- Number 11 Jason Dufner and make the cut this week,” Elliott is great. He’s the whole package.” 22 08.15 10 31 12.25 1 Dominic Foos (Am) GER ious European Tour event, which four-time Major champion Ernie said. “He trains on this course, so Al Kaabi will tee off at 12.25pm Jean-Baptiste Gonnet FRA Alessandro Tadini ITA beings today at Doha Golf Club. Els. knows it well. A while ago he was today with playing partners James The big-hitting teenager was A graduate of Aspire Sports shooting regularly in the mid to Busby of England and Peter 23 10.55 1 11 06.35 10 David Horsey ENG interviewed extensively by pre- Academy, Al Kaabi is in the first high 70s, but now he’s regularly Erofejeff of Finland. Paul Lawrie Simon Khan ENG senter Haneen Al Naqdi for the year of a sports science degree at shooting 67 and 68 on this course. (1999, 2012), who is defending his Thomas Levet FRA upcoming episode of ‘Darb Al Qatar University, while training Obviously it’s different on the title this week, and Adam Scott 24 11.05 1 12 06.45 10 Richard Finch ENG Madina’, which airs on Qatar TV almost every day with hopes of course set up for the European (2002, 2008) are the only two- Lee Slattery ENG today at 10.00pm. becoming a full-time professional Tour, but we have high hopes for time winners of the Commercial Michael Hoey NIR Al Kaabi was interviewed by Al golfer. Now a scratch golfer, he him.” Bank Qatar Masters, while other 25 11.15 1 13 06.35 10 Jorge Campillo ESP Naqdi in a car and on the grounds grew up in a family full of regular The American, who has for- champions include multiple Major Jbe Kruger RSA of the golf club, where he also gave players who started bringing him merly coached in the US and winners Ernie Els. David Howell ENG 26 11.25 1 14 07.05 10 Steve Webster ENG José María Olazábal ESP Marcus Fraser AUS 27 11.35 1 15 07.15 10 Colin Montgomerie SCO Paul Casey ENG George Coetzee RSA Afghanistan trounce Qatar in 28 11.45 1 16 07.25 10 Matteo Manassero ITA Branden Grace ITA Jason Dufner USA 29 11.55 1 17 07.35 10 Louis Oosthuizen RSA Asian Beach Soccer qualifiers Justin Rose ENG Martin Kaymer GER 30 12.05 1 18 07.45 10 Kristoffer Broberg SWE DOHA: Hosts Qatar went down Paul Mcginley IRL fighting 7-3 to Afghanistan 7-3 2013 FIFA Beach Scott Jamieson Swe in their opening match of the Soccer World Cup Asian 31 12.15 1 19 07.55 10 Richard Bland Eng 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World qualifiers Results Maximilian Kieffer GER Cup Asian qualifiers at Katara Simon Wakefield ENG Beach yesterday. UAE 6 Saudi Arabia 5 32 12.25 1 20 08.05 10 James Busby ENG The FIFA World Cup 2022 Peter Erofejeff FIN hosts now have a tough qualifi- Palestine 6 Uzbekistan 5 Salen Al Kaabi (AM) QAT cation on hand now having lost 33 10.55 10 1 06.35 1 Chris Paisley ENG their first match in the 16-nation Iran 20 Philippines 0 Tommy Fleetwood ENG tournament. Andrew Dodt AUS Lebanon 5 Bahrain 3 The Nenem coached side have 34 11.05 10 2 06.45 1 Richie Ramsay SCO to win both their group matches China 8 Iraq 3 Fabrizio Zanotti PAR to keep their slender hopes alive. Darren Fichardt RSA Today they take on Australia Australia 6 Oman 4 35 11.15 10 3 06.55 1 Matthew Baldwin ENG who stunned 2011 Asian runners- Emiliano Grillo ARG up Oman 6-4. Japan 4 Thailand 1 Garth Mulroy RSA For Qatar and Afghanistan this 36 11.25 10 4 07.05 1 Tom Lewis ENG is the first time they are taking Qatar 7 Afghanistan 3 Raphaël Jacquelin FRA part in the Beach Soccer World Christian Cévaër FRA Cup Asian qualifiers. In the other results today, 37 11.35 10 5 07.15 1 Craig Lee SCO 2013 FIFA Beach Paul Waring ENG defending champions Japan Estanislao Goya ARG overcame a tough challenge from Soccer World Cup Asian Thailand while registering a close Qualifiers 38 11.45 10 6 07.25 1 Felipe Aguilar CHI 4-1 win. S S P Chowrasia IND Oliver Fisher ENG The UAE-Saudi Arabia turned Date Matches Kick off to be a thriller with the former 39 11.55 10 7 07.35 1 Robert-Jan Derksen NED Ignacio Garrido ESP winning 6-5. Bahrain vs Thailand 14:00 Meanwhile Iran punished a Lorenzo Gagli ITA Iran vs Iraq 14:00 40 12.05 10 8 07.45 1 Niclas Fasth SWE helpless Philippines 20-0. UAE vs Palestine 15:15 In the other results, Palestine José Manuel Lara ESP Today’s Oman vs Afghanistan 15:15 Robert Coles ENG edged past Uzbekistan 6-5, while matches Uzbekistan vs KSA 16:30 41 12.15 10 9 07.55 1 Martin Wiegele AUT Lebanon managed to get full Japan vs Lebanon 17:45 points against Bahrain in a 5-3 Andreas Hartø DEN China vs Philippines 19:00 win and China trounced debu- Chris Doak SCO Qatar vs Australia 20:15 tants Iraq 8-3. Qatar’s Jafal Rashed (centre) tries to dribble past during a Group A match 42 12.25 10 10 08.05 1 Ghanim Al Kuwari (Am) QAT The action begins today at of the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Asian qualifiers at Katara Beach Alexandre Kaleka FRA VENUE: Katara Beach 2.00pm. THE PENINSULA yesterday. Afghanistan won 7-3. PICTURE BY: ABDUL BASIT Scott Henry SCO Wednesday 23 January 2013 11 Rabial I Safar 1434 Volume 17 Number 5588 Sport Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Hamilton Lawrie eyes Doha hat-trick upbeat about Mercedes’ Commercial Bank Qatar Masters: Rose relishing duel with Oosthuizen chances DOHA: Paul Lawrie will launch the favourite this week, and also his defence of the Commercial Sergio, as the last time he played, LONDON: Former world Bank Qatar Masters alongside he won in Johor,” Els said, refer- champion Lewis Hamilton has ever-popular Spaniard Sergio ring to the Spaniard’s Asian Tour insisted Mercedes could yet Garcia and Open Champion victory in December. challenge the sport’s leading Ernie Els when the first round Later in the morning, world teams when the new Formula gets under way at Doha Golf No. 4 Justin Rose and world No. 5 One season gets under way. Club here today. Louis Oosthuizen respectively tee This year will be the 28-year- Lawrie is looking to become off together at 11.55 in the $2.5m old Briton’s first season as a the first player to win the title on European Tour event. Mercedes driver after he joined three occasions – 14 years after Rose is motivated by being the team on a three-year con- first lifting the Mother of Pearl grouped with Oosthuizen – the tract worth £15m per season from Trophy in 1999. man he recently deposed as world UK F1 giants McLaren, the only The Aberdonian will tee it up No. 4. team he’s driven for in his career with Garcia at 07.35am today,– Rose, who finished second to date. making his first start of the 2013 behind Rory McIlroy in last Although renowned as one of season. year’s Race to Dubai, leapfrogged the world’s leading car manufac- The Spaniard retains an excel- Oosthuizen to fourth spot in the turers, Mercedes have struggled lent record in the event having World Ranking after finishing of late in Formula One with just finished inside the top ten in runner-up to Jamie Donaldson in one win since they returned to the four of his last five outings on the last week’s European Tour event Grand Prix grid in 2010. Championship Course. in Abu Dhabi. However, Hamilton tried to The ‘Big Easy’ is looking to win The tall Englishman, who rally workers at the German a second title in Doha, where the played a pivotal role in Europe’s firm’s Stuttgart plant in a video South African won in 2005 and Ryder Cup victory last September, released yesterday by Mercedes finished third in 2007. has cited the similarities between stressed this year did not have to The South African named himself and Oosthuizen, the 2010 be the purely “transitional” sea- compatriot Louis Oosthuizen Open Champion who won this son forecast by many pundits. and Garcia as his picks to lift year’s first European Tour event “I think this year is going to be the Mother of Pearl Trophy on in his native South Africa. an interesting year, an interest- Saturday. Former World Number One ing journey, but I think it’s going “I think all of the guys in the Martin Kaymer, a 10-time Justin Rose of England and Ernie Els of South Africa during a press conference at Doha Golf Club on the eve of to be a journey we enjoy. I live to field are quality players and any- European Tour winner, completes the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters tournament. The $2.5m European Tour event begins today. Paul Lawrie of win. That’s what I work towards body can win, but of the star play- the high-profile threeball. Scotland is aiming to complete a hat-trick in Qatar. PICTURES BY: QASSIM RAHMATULLAH every year, so that’s what we’re ers, Louis is bringing great form “My game is in great shape and going to work towards this year,” here. I think Louis is probably I’m hoping that this is another the golf course, so for me it’s a he’s got a lot of game and doesn’t The 32-year-old is viewing the Hamilton said. good week to go out and test my good draw. “It’s the same with shout about it,” said Rose, who result in a positive light as he con- Of course it’s going to be tough Commercial Bank game against a good golf course. Martin, who’s a good friend spends much of the year in the solidates his reputation as one of to compete with the guys who are Myself and Louis are Number of mine and we definitely got US. the game’s leading players. already at the front -- the Red Qatar Masters Four and Number Five in the closer at the Ryder Cup. It’ll “I think this is the kind of “I think I gained something last Bulls, the McLarens, the Ferraris Venue: Doha Golf Club world and no matter who wins be a good group.” course that will suit him. He’s week, I certainly didn’t lose any- -- but I don’t think it’s impossi- Date: Jan 23 to 26 this week, it’s going to be the guy Rose believes American star got a good, solid, low ball flight, thing,” Rose said. ble,” insisted Hamilton, world Course stats: par 72, 7412 yards who puts four steady, good rounds Jason Dufner, a two-time winner so if it gets windy, he’ll be a tough There is also a mouth-watering champion in 2008. Purse: €2,500,000; winner: €310,917 of golf together,” Rose said. on last year’s PGA Tour, could guy to beat. There’s also Ernie Els, group directly before the defend- He added: “To be back and to Defending champion: Paul Lawrie “Louis and I have essentially also be a top contender as the who always bring star power to ing champion’s marquee offering, know I’m part of the Mercedes Key hole: 18th got the same world rank- World Number 11 makes his tour- a field. He’s been doing this for a as Sweden’s Peter Hanson – tied world is a real privilege. I’m so ing, with a similar amount nament debut in Doha following long time and has a big fan base second last year as Lawrie romped grateful to be welcomed into the The 589-yard par-5 18th is reachable for of points. I also feel we have his breakthrough season. around the world.” to victory – plays alongside one team and really excited. the longest hitters, but could also pose similar games. We drive the “I see ‘Duf’ around a lot. He’s Last week, Rose led for the first of last week’s runners-up in Abu “I’ve been to Brackley in the some problems. This could well be the ball well, are good iron players a quiet lad and he works hard at three rounds in Abu Dhabi and he Dhabi, Denmark’s Thorbjørn early part of December, asking setting for some late drama, especially with and hit the ball the same dis- his game. I admire him a lot and lipped out with a birdie putt on Olesen and 2011 Qatar Masters lots of questions, trying to get as water running up the left side of the hole tance. I feel very comfortable love the way he goes about his 18 on Sunday as he tried to force champion Thomas Björn. involved as I can in the limited and flanking the putting surface working off his game out on business. He’s so understated, but a playoff with Jamie Donaldson. THE PENINSULA time that I was there.” AFP Man United training draws big turnout in Qatar BY DENZIL PINTO

DOHA: Manchester United sparked a fan-frenzy at Aspire Academy when the 19-time English Premier League (EPL) champions trained in an open session yesterday morning. The EPL leaders, who arrived in Doha early on Monday fol- lowing their 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, are in the Qatari capital for a four-day winter training camp, which concludes tomorrow. Yesterday’s session was the first time Manchester United held an open training session in Doha this week. By the time the first-team squad arrived on Pitch 3 with the club’s security guards at Aspire Academy shortly after 10:00am, the stand on the sidelines was soon filling up with fans of all ages Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic signs autographs for fans after a training session at Aspire Academy in Doha, yesterday. RIGHT: Manchester United’s players take part in a training session. eager to see their stars in action. The 19-time English Premier League champions are in Doha for a winter training camp. Manchester United will depart Doha tomorrow ahead of their fourth-round FA Cup tie against Fulham Before then, Manchester on Saturday. United coaches had set up the pitch with cones and training Meulensteen, the fans’ eyes were Ferdinand taking part in the pictures under the watchful eye of nine goals this season finished camp at Aspire Academy, with equipment for the first-team glued on the pitch taking pictures training session. the club’s security guard. his shooting drills on the pitch to first being held in January 2010. squad, who swapped the freez- with their mobile phones, cam- After a one and-a-half hour He was soon followed by greet the supporters. Coach Sir Alex Ferguson, who ing temperatures at Carrington eras and Ipads. session which consisted of a mini England midfielders Tom Cleverly Ferdinand, Wales midfielder has not travelled to Doha, will be training complex in Manchester There were no major absen- football match, drills and goal- and Michael Carrick, Japan’s Ryan Giggs, who has 649 appear- keen to see his squad come back for the warm sunshine at the tees from yesterday morning’s keeping practice for the goalkeep- Shinji Kagawa, Brazil defender ances for the club since joining to Manchester refreshed with state-of-the-art facilities in Doha. session with England striker ers, the squad players took time to Rafael and Portugal winger Nani, the club in 1990, and former his side still vying for the EPL, As the first-team squad were Wayne Rooney, Netherlands’ meet the fans after their session. who all greeted the jubilant fans. England midfielder Paul Scholes UEFA Champions League and the being put through their paces forward Robin Van Persie, who Manchester United captain With fans eager to meet also greeted fans. FA Cup. under the guidance of Manchester has bagged 18 EPL goals since his Nemanja Vidic was the first to England star striker Wayne It is the second time the three- The Red depart Doha tomor- United’s assistant coach Mike £24.5m from arch-rivals Arsenal greet fans as the Serbian defender Rooney, did not have to wait long time UEFA Champions League row before playing Fulham on Phelen, and first team coach Rene in July 2012, and defender Rio signed autographs and posed for after the 27-year-old, who has winners have held their training Saturday. THE PENINSULA