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Sunday 10 February 2013 29 Rabial I 1434 - Volume 17 Number 5606 Price: QR2
Venezuela QFA, Qatar Shell devalues urge public to currency break world record
Business | 26 Sport | 36
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Four killed in US blizzard National Sport New panel to Day is a holiday
DOHA: The Emiri Diwan has announced that the National Sport Day, which falls on monitor sports February 12 this year, shall be a public holiday for ministries, other government depart- ments, public institutions and authorities, Qatar Central clubs in Qatar Bank and banks operating under its supervision, Qatar Financial Markets Authority and Qatar Securities Company. Committee to issue licences QNA
DOHA: Qatar has set up a on grievances related to the clubs. Higher education panel new committee with wide The committee has been powers to organise and moni- authorised to decide on the gets new director tor Qatari sports clubs to merger of sports clubs or to dis- improve their performance and solve a club and set up a tempo- DOHA: The Minister of professionalism. rary board of directors. Education, Higher Education The decision has been viewed It also has the powers to dis- and Secretary General of the as an important step in Qatar’s band the board of directors of any Supreme Education Council preparations to host the FIFA sports club and appoint a tem- (SEC), H E Saad bin Ibrahim World Cup in 2022 and Doha’s porary board of directors, in line Al Mahmoud has issued a min- plans to make a fresh bid for the with the provisions of the law. isterial decision appointing Olympic Games in 2024. The committee can exclude Dr Khaled Mohammad The new committee has been members of the board of direc- Youssef Isa Al Horr as direc- set up under the directive of the tors who are found responsible tor of the Higher Education Heir Apparent and President of for any irregularities that led to Committee. the Qatar Olympic Committee, the merger or dissolving of a club A police officer shovels snow around his car in Boston, Massachusetts, yesterday, after a blizzard Before this, Dr Al Horr served H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al from a ban on having been nomi- dumped more than two feet of snow in the area. Up to three feet of snow fell in some parts of north- as the assistant director of SEC’s Thani. The panel has been given nated to the boards of directors of eastern United States as a winter storm stranded motorists and knocked out power to thousands. Higher Education Committee. judicial powers to investigate other clubs from the period speci- QNA Full report on page 18 complaints related to sports clubs, fied in Article (45) of the sports monitoring their performance and clubs law. The committee’s terms to take decisions even to dissolve a of reference also include taking club and close down its headquar- a decision to close a club head- ters. The panel will be chaired by quarters and its affiliates while Outlets selling counterfeit printer ink fined Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman deciding on the grievances. Al Thani, Secretary-General of The staff of the committee will the Qatar Olympic Committee, enjoy judicial powers to monitor DOHA: The Consumer selling counterfeit printer ink CPD recently seized about product on the case or the box in and Meshaal Nasser Al Khalifa is the clubs and issue necessary Protection Department (CPD) as a branded product. The 50,000 substandard and counter- a visible manner, the Department the vice-chairman. Khalil Ibrahim decisions to implement the pro- of the Ministry of Business fraud was detected during sur- feit electronics products from a said in a statement yesterday. Al Jaber, Mohammad Saad visions of the sports clubs law. and Trade has slapped fines on prise raids conducted by the warehouse in the Industrial Area Information regarding the Al Moghaisab and Ali Mohammad This will be subject to the deci- several computer shops that Department recently. The erring belonging to a leading company. possible health risks of using Al Tamimi are the other members. sion of the Public Prosecutor in were found selling counterfeit traders were referred to the secu- According to the consumer the product must be printed on The committee will be respon- agreement with the committee printer ink. rity departments concerned for protection law No 8 of 2008, sup- the case to protect the consum- sible for licensing and relocation chairman. The Department said yes- further action. pliers are required to display ers. The law also forbids false of sports clubs. It will also decide THE PENINSULA terday that the shops were In a similar crackdown, the the brand and components of a advertising. THE PENINSULA Horsemeat scandal widens LONDON: A Europe-wide food “This is a conspiracy against The Netherlands. Romania’s agri- fraud scandal over horsemeat the public. Selling a product culture ministry said yesterday sold as beef deepened yester- as beef and including a lot of that it would launch an inquiry day as Romania announced an horse in it is fraud,” said Owen into shipments of meat to France inquiry into the origin of the Paterson, the environment, food after French authorities said two meat and suspicions of criminal and rural affairs secretary after Romanian abattoirs were impli- activity mounted. the meeting. cated in the horsemeat scandal. Frozen foods giant Findus initi- British authorities have said “If it finds that the meat came ated legal action and said the con- they are testing to see whether from Romania and that the law tamination appeared to be “not the horsemeat contains a veteri- has been broken, the culprits will accidental”, while a French meat- nary drug that can be dangerous be punished,” the Romanian min- processing firm at the centre of to humans. Beef lasagne sold by istry said in a statement to AFP, the outrage also said it would sue Findus and two own brand meals adding however that the origin of its Romanian supplier. sold by pan-European supermar- the meat had not yet been proven. British authorities announced ket Aldi were found this week to Spanghero said it would sue the this week that Findus frozen beef contain up to 100 percent horse- Romanian supplier on the grounds lasagne was up to 100 percent meat. The meals were assembled that it mislabelled the horsemeat horsemeat, and equine meat has by French company Comigel using but refused to identify the sup- subsequently been found on the meat provided by Spanghero, a plier or any intermediaries. shelves in France and Sweden too. meat-processing company also Findus also initiated legal The consumption of horsemeat based in France. proceedings yesterday but did is particularly taboo in Britain, Spanghero in turn is said to not identify an alleged culprit whose food minister yesterday have obtained the meat from in a criminal complaint lodged hosted a crisis meeting of retail- an abattoir in Romania, via a against persons unknown with ers and officials amid growing Cypriot dealer who had subcon- the authorities in France. AFP public concern. tracted the deal to a trader in Photograph on page 18
Tunisian premier Protests as Indian Assad rejigs cabinet threatens to quit separatist is hanged as unrest continues
TUNIS: Tunisia’s prime min- NEW DELHI: A Kashmiri DAMASCUS: Syrian war- ister threatened to quit yester- separatist convicted of involve- planes raided rebel-held areas day and warned of chaos unless ment in a deadly 2001 attack on on the outskirts of Damascus key ministries held by fellow the Indian parliament was exe- yesterday in a bid to end a stale- Islamists go to independents in cuted yesterday in New Delhi mate in the country’s bloody a new government of non-parti- — triggering protests on both civil conflict, as President san technocrats. sides of the border in disputed Bashar Al Assad reshuffled his Hamadi Jebali said he would Kashmir. Hundreds of demon- cabinet. resign within days if he failed to strators rallied near the family The violence came as efforts form the new government, even home of Mohammed Afzal Guru for a political solution appeared as his Ennahda party rejected in northern Kashmir hours to founder, hours after Damascus a planned new cabinet and sev- after authorities said he had offered talks without precon- eral thousand party supporters been hanged. Similar protests ditions. The opposition had took to the streets to oppose were held across the frontier on demanded that Assad’s departure his plans. the Pakistani side. be the focus of any talks. See also page 15 See also page 21 See also page 15
SUNDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2013 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME
Qatar Rail takes part in Middle East Rail meet DOHA: The Qatar Railways Development Company has participated in the 7th annual Middle East Rail 2013 Conference, held at Dubai World Trade Centre. Speaking at the conference, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Rail Engineer Saad Al Muhannadi gave a comprehensive presentation about Qatar Rail and the progress of the project. He said the integrated rail system, to be developed and managed by Qatar Rail, will be an essential part of Qatar’s urban infrastruc- ture and to be recognised as one of the most success- ful, safe and environmen- tally-friendly railways in the world. Al Muhannadi said the system will meet the increasing demand of growing population, and will give a huge momentum to the country’s modernisa- tion drive. On the progress of the project he said, “The delivery of the Qatar Rail Development Programme is progressing at a fast pace. It will not only provide the people of Qatar with an efficient and environmentally- friendly travel option but it will bring greater rec- ognition to Qatar within the global transportation industry.” He added that the project will be a catalyst of growth across the nation’s economic segments and will create countless investment and economic opportunities, in addition to becoming a platform for exchange of knowledge and development of expertise in manufacturing of loco- motives and other related fields. Topics being discussed include: creating revolu- tionary rail networks in the Middle East, how the Middle East operators increase ridership andin- novative ICT solutions for GCC railway projects. QNA SUNDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 VCU-Q launches Graduate Incubator
DOHA: Virginia corporate social responsibility CSR programme, which aligns Commonwealth University (CSR) programmes. with the Qatar National Vision in Qatar (VCU-Q) recently “Our aim is to build a cul- 2030. Faisal Al Medaihki, Associate launched its Graduate Incubator ture around entrepreneurship,” Communication Manager at – the first industry sponsored explains Roger Griffiths, Director Maersk Oil Qatar, said that the design incubator in Qatar. of Entrepreneurship at VCU-Q. company is committed to support- The Incubator is part of “The Graduate Incubator will bring ing opportunities in which talent VCUQatar’s Young Entrepreneur local businesses and aspiring young and skills can be built locally. Series and fosters collaboration designers together to produce The Incubator provides a ded- between VCU-Q and Qatar’s lead- exceptional creative work and help icated space for students and ing businesses to build an entrepre- the graduates to develop the skills alumni to support and mentor neurial sector delivering real-world they need to eventually establish their entrepreneurial ambitions. design challenges within a world- their own businesses in design.” During their sponsorship, excep- class educational environment. One such industry partner is tional design graduates receive Housed at the Centre Maersk Oil Qatar. In the first mentorship, business planning for Research, Design and agreement under the initiative, guidance and technical training. Entrepreneurship, the Incubator Maersk has provided 12-month Sponsors provide real world is sponsored by companies that sponsorships to graphic design design projects and a starting commission design services and graduates Haneen Al Sharif and salary for the graduates who wish to help build local design Lama Abu Dheays. undergo a rigorous selection pro- capacity and seek to support The graduates will work on a cess to join the incubator. education, often through their variety of projects under Maersk’s THE PENINSULA UNITED DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (P.S.C.)
Note: Based on the Board of Directors’ latest resolutions Invitation to attend the Annual Ordinary and General Assembly Meeting Distinguished Shareholders,
The Board of Directors of United Development Company (P.S.C.) is pleased to invite you to attend the Company’s Annual Ordinary General Assembly Meeting, which will be held on Sunday 24th of February 2013 at 6:00 PM, at Al Wosail Ballroom, Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Doha. The Ordinary General Assembly will look into the below agenda.
In the event a quorum is not achieved, a second meeting will be held on Sunday the 3rd of March 2013 at 6:00 PM at the aforementioned location.
Hussain Ibrahim Alfardan Chairman
Agenda for the Annual Ordinary General Assembly Meeting
!" ! " " # $ % ! " & " Board of Directors regarding the dividends and approve it. ' * + & " / ! 57 !" !" 6. Election of members of the Board of Directors. 7. Governance report for the year 2012.
Notes:
1. On the date of the meeting, the shareholders are requested to present their invitation 3. Only Company shareholders can be nominated as representative through proxies. No letter and proxies at least two (2) hours before the start of the scheduled meeting, member of the Board of Directors shall be nominated as representative. to enable proper registration of attendees and preparation of attendees list with their 4. The total number of shares possessed by the representative cannot exceed 5% of the relevant number of shares. Company shares. ! 7 ? @ " 5. Representatives of companies are requested to present an authorization letter appointing them as representatives of said companies to attend the Annual Ordinary General Assembly Meeting.
UDC Chairman’s Message
Dear Fellow Shareholders,
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! ? " " ? K @ & ? 7 9" particularly based on our success at sustaining the key partnerships and strategic investments we have set out right from the start. They have transformed us into the leading company we are today. And they continue to drive our performance and our prospects.
Z [ $ \K " " @ @ & " ? in the company’s business activity and its solid results emanate from our continuing pursuit of the initial vision and mission the company’s founders have set, as well as from honouring the values and objectives they had conceived.
Z < " a & ? ? " K & " maximizing returns for partners and shareholders. This vision has been captured in our motto: “Creating Partnerships for Progress.”
; ? ^ ^ 5 # K & # @ ^ _ ! \[ & ^ ^ ! & ^ ^ # @ [ ^ ! \[ & ? K 7 " " " Z " operating in a rapidly developing country and are, therefore, able to report solid operating results in 2012.
" " & ? @ ? " Z " " " ? " ! [ dynamic, new management remains committed to operating United Development Company’s investments and interests in a responsible, transparent and sustainable manner, laying the cornerstone for the many new plans we’d like to charter for our future.
In closing, and on behalf of the Board, I wish to extend my appreciation to our shareholders for their support, to the management and employees for their dedication and hard work and to our partners, clients and suppliers for everything they did to make 2012 a result-oriented year. Together, we look forward to another rewarding year ahead.
Hussain Ibrahim Alfardan Chairman CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL 31 STATEMENTS Dec. 2012
Independent auditors’ report to the shareholders of United Development Company (P.S.C.) Z " < =$ # > = T U>& " = TQ " U> ? & & & " a ? & & " " 7 [ ? ; * # " & ? " " Auditors’ responsibility 9" 7 " " Z " " " ? ; # !" [ " ? ? " " " " ? ! " " " " " " [ " " " & " @ & ? " " ; @ @ & " " " " & " " 7 ! " " " " " " & ? " Z " ? " " " Opinion ; " & & & Q " & a ? ? ; * # Other Matter [ Q " & ? " " & ? / " & & 7 " " " Report on Legal and Other Regulatory Matters " & " @ " @ Q " & " " ? ? K % ? / ! ! Z " " ! " * ? @ Q " Z 7 ? " " " " & ? ? ! ! " " ? " Q "
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Consolidated statement of income For the year ended 31 December, 2012 In Qatari Ryals ‘000s Consolidated statement of changes in equity 2011 For the year ended 31 December, 2012 In Qatari Ryals ‘000s Note 2012 =* > * " 2,730,925 1,906,678 Attributable to the owners of the Company " (1,652,983) (1,123,070) Non- Gross profit 1,077,942 783,608 Share Legal reserve Other reserves Retained Total controlling Total equity Capital (Note 21) earnings interest " " - 3,057,235 10 Balance at 1 January 2012 1,608,750 804,375 1,547,197 4,185,343 8,145,665 706,306 8,851,971 26,222 28,013 Prior Year Adjustment (note 35) - - 69,285 (69,285) --- 9 6 95,200 144,944 Balance 1 January 2012 1,608,750 804,375 1,616,482 4,116,058 8,145,665 706,306 8,851,971 ; \ \ Total comprehensive income for the year (33,633) (69,285) $ - - - 730,290 730,290 119,598 849,888 # @ 7 (54,650) (48,522) Other comprehensive income Q 7 7 (209,960) (184,716) " -- Results from operating activities 901,121 3,711,277 \ (27,315) - (27,315) - (27,315) a ? (7,833) (7,833) (7,833) Finance income 40,800 14,200 [ - - (35,148) - (35,148) - (35,148) Finance costs (83,383) (43,061) [ - - (35,148) 730,290 695,142 119,598 814,740 Net finance income cost (42,583) (28,861) " " 643,500 - - (643,500) - - - ; " 1,120,000 - - - 1,120,000 - 1,120,000 " (8,650) 19,825 # " - 480,000 - - 480,000 - 480,000 Profit for the year 849,888 3,702,241 [ - 73,029 - (73,029) - - - " " = > - - - (18,257) (18,257) - (18,257) Profit attributable to: " \ - - - - - 1,245 1,245 5" 730,290 3,677,319 [ ? ? 1,763,500 553,029 - (734,786) 1,581,743 1,245 1,582,988 \ 119,598 24,922 Profit for the year 849,888 3,702,241 3,372,250 1,357,404 1,581,334 4,111,562 10,422,550 827,149 11,249,699
Earnings per share " 8 2.17 Y Attributable to the owners of the Company Legal Other reserves Retained Non-controlling Share Capital reserve (Note 21) earnings Total interest Total equity Consolidated statement of comprehensive income For the year ended 31 December 2012 In Qatari Riyals ‘000s Balance at 1 January 2012 1,340,625 772,946 441,526 831,958 3,387,055 575,031 3,962,086 2011 Note 2012 =* > Total comprehensive income for the year 3,702,241 Profit for the year 849,888 3,702,241 $ =* > - - - 3,677,319 3,677,319 24,922 3,702,241 Other comprehensive income " \ \ Other comprehensive income - - 10,221 - 10,221 - 10,221 a ? - - (4,532) - (4,532) - (4,532) * " & " 1,169,267 * " " " - - 1,169,267 - 1,169,267 - 1,169,267 " \ \ [ - - 1,174,956 - 1,174,956 - 1,174,956 (27,315) 10,221 21 [ - - 1,174,956 3,677,319 4,852,275 24,922 4,877,197 a ? 21 (7,833) (4,532) " " 268,125 - - (268,125) - - - Total comprehensive income for the year 814,740 4,877,197 [ - 31,429 - (31,429) - - - " " = > - - - (93,665) (93,665) - (93,665) " \ -- - - - 106,353 106,353 Total comprehensive income attributable [ ? ? 268,125 31,429 (393,219) (93,665) 106,353 12,688 to: Balance at 31 December 2011 (Restated) 1,608,750 804,375 1,616,482 4,116,058 8,145,665 706,306 8,851,971 5" 695,142 4,852,275 1 CORPORATE INFORMATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES \ 119,598 24,922 For the year ended 31 December 2012 < =$ # > = T U> ? K Note 2012 2011 =* > # ? 5 " = > " XXX [ " & # K [ Total comprehensive income for the year 814,740 4,877,197 " = TQ " U $ 849,888 3,702,241 " TQ " U> Q " Adjustments for: As at 31 December 2012 In Qatari Riyals ‘000s " 8,650 (19,825) [ Q " " " " " & 2011 & " & " & Note 2012 9 &11 78,914 56,208 =* > & & " & " & & $ ? 1,241 2,525 Assets " & 5\ & $ " 5,366 (703) Non-current assets " ; % \ \ 28,386 69,285 $ & " 9 4,027,647 4,033,134 % 299 138 $" " 5 L '& ? ; 10 6,401,173 6,318,835 3,688 1,163 K [ ; 11 11,055 11,625 * " 10 - (3,057,235) @ ? T$ K ; 12 619,955 676,439 42,583 28,861 U [ $ K XV/ % 13 - 2,406 =' " > (26,222) (28,013) ! \ \ 14 348,683 404,384 " " & ? & "7" & $ 26 10,397 8,256 Total non-current assets 11,408,513 11,446,823 7& " & & ? " " " [ 1,003,190 762,901 7 " ? " Current assets Working capital changes ; 15 2,342,024 2,803,570 % 2,406 3,566 [ ? Z @ 16 1,540,874 2,316,832 ; 480,464 (863,521) " " ? " Y " ! " & 17 1,770,005 1468,120 Z @ 775,958 (1,473,734) " 18 2,404,756 1,020,414 ! " (298,702) (584,996) Total current assets 8,057,659 7,608,936 2 BASIS OF PREPARATION ! " (1,003,897) 1,557,146 * (190,684) 39,505 Total assets 19,466,172 19,055,759 [ Q " ? ; * # =;*#> " ; ! " =" > 768,735 (559,133) # =;!# > " K % ? Equity and liabilities / Equity 5 26 (6,074) (1,969) # 19 3,372,250 1,608,750 [ & (90,105) (59,196) % 20 1,357,404 804,375 7 & \ \ 9 21 1,581,334 1,616,482 " ? ;*# Net cash from (used in) operating activities 672,556 (620,298) * 4,111,562 4,116,058 Equity attributable to equity holders [ K * & ? Q " 10,422,550 8,145,665 of the parent " " ! K * " ! & " (118,306) (237,836) " " ? \ 827,149 706,306 $ & " 710 29,793 [ ? " Judgments Total equity 11,249,699 8,851,971 (78,913) (15,000) ; Q " " & ? " & & ? ! " (2,484) (3,155) Liabilities " ! (82,338) (325,606) Non-current liabilities ; 35,049 14,200 Term loans 24 3,222,172 4,541,646 Impairment of available-for-sale equity investments Dividend received from associates 40,000 44,800 * 25 232,504 393,663 [ Q " \ \ " ? 26,222 28,013 " ? ? 5 26 26,925 22,602 7 [ ? T U T U Total non-current liabilities 3,481,601 4,957,911 Net cash used in investing activities (180,060) (464,791) " "
Current liabilities ! " 27 2,407,200 3,422,829 [ Q " ? $ " 1,600,000 - Term loans 24 2,128,959 1,594,810 $ 4,566 1,775,691 * 25 198,713 228,238 ' ; " ? " & * (792,878) (163,994) Total current liabilities 4,734,872 5,245,877 " " & " \ 1,245 106,353 Total liabilities 8,216,473 10,203,788 812,933 1,718,050 ' ; & " & " " & " Total equity and liabilities 19,466,172 19,055,759 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 1,305,429 632,961 ' [ ? ? ? Y " " " 960,414 327,453 ' ; " " $ Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 18 2,265,843 960,414 " ^" ; ! 5 +" @ ! #" " 57 " 9 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL 31 STATEMENTS Dec. 2012
Estimates and assumptions & ! " ? The key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty Q " " " & @ " " " ? ;!# X \ ; " * " ? 7 " ? Basis of consolidation + " & " " ? " [ < ; Impairment of goodwill $ # " [ " " " " [ Q " ? ? " [ " " ? " " V " " \ " ? & " " ? 5 " " " " @ Investment in associates 7 " " a ? \ " [ " < " " " " a ? $ # " ? ! ? Q " a" & " & # a" " 7 ? Q " ? J / J ? Sale of properties (Land) Country of % equity interest ! " [ Q " " " " " " incorporation 2012 " K K # Qatar 51 / " [ < " & * " 100 " " + ; " " Q " Turkey & " * " + 5 9 + Qatar 100 " =% " [ $ K 9 + Qatar 100 [ a Q " " property) ^ 9 + Qatar 100 " " ? Q " & [ " < 9 + Qatar 100 a" " a" " 7 " " " [ " + 9 + Qatar 100 [ Q " + " ? + ; & " ! K" 9 + Qatar 100 " " Q " @ ? " Q " [ $ K * 5 " ; 53 / < + 9 + Qatar 100 < " ? Q " 3 CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND DISCLOSURES # + " 7 9 + Qatar 100 New and amended standards and interpretations $ 9 + Qatar 100 Z Q " 7 & " [ " ? " & Q @@ %% Qatar 50 / & " \ & " & 7 ? ;*# " Q 9 + Qatar 100 " " 7 7 Q " * " 5 100 IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures — Enhanced Derecognition Disclosure Turkey Requirements < a" & " " ; " $ " 9 + Qatar 100 \ R [ " " " + ; 9 + Qatar 100 " " Q " ? " [ $ 9? 9 + Qatar 100 " ? a" < ; ; 100 ; & " " " Transactions eliminated on consolidation " " " " < # " + 9 + Qatar 100 ; \ " & " 7 arising & @ ? & " [ " $ ! * ; 100 \ " " [ Q " ? 100 % " * 9 + Qatar < ? " \ " 7 Q " K K # " & ? < ? " & " 7 Standards issued but not yet effective ; ; Y Z % % [ " & " & " =/ J> [ K Z % % =/ J> " Q " ? [ Q " Revenue recognition & & ? + ; ? ? " " ! " Revenue from sale of completed properties (Land, townhouses, apartments and villas) [ Q " " ? ;*# & Q " " \ ' J Y 9 X& ? ? ? " Y J J [ Q " [ Q " ;!# V " " " ? " IAS 1 Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income – Amendments to IAS 1 * " + 5 9 + & > " @ ? [ ;!# " " " V& * " + 5 9 + ? =9 ;> ; " = V > " " ? K* [ ? " = 7 " " > ? " Q " & ? " Y J VVJ " X& > " ? = 7 & 7 Q " " \ * " + 5 9 + & ? " " ? ? & a ? \ " VVJ J \ > [ > " " " Q " [ [ $ K 9 + & " " & ? $ K > ? ? a ? Q " " ^ 9 + =^ > > " " IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures (as revised in 2011) " & " " ! " ? ;*# ! & ;*# " " ^ % * " ; 9 5 & ;!# V ; ! & ;!# V %% =V'J>& #" %% =V J>& + 7 %% =X J>& + Sales of property under development ; ! " & " % % * " %% =X J>& [ * #" %% =X/ YVJ> < * " Z " " " [ %% =X J> " & ? " & Q " ? " " ? K* V / K* / < 9 + =< > [ IAS 32 Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Amendments to IAS 32 " + ' A contract to construct a property, or [ T " 5 < ^ =/ J> * " =Y J> \ U [ ;!# " & ? K* ' ! = " " > ? V / K* V " " [ 7 Z " " & " Q " " + 9 + " " " ' ! K" 9 + Z " & " IFRS 7 Disclosures — Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — ? @ ? ? Amendments to IFRS 7 [ $ K * 5 " " ; & ? & " [ " " \ $ K [ " " ? =? 7 " " " ? @ " & = & > [ " ? " " ? > [ " " ? 7 \ \ " " ? " " " ? ? 7 X " ? @ [ ? " " " Revenue from sale of goods and chilled water ? ;!# ; " $ [ [ $ + 9 9 + ? < * " ? @ ? " " " + ? " " " & ? # + " 9 + " ? ;!# [ ? Q " " " $ [ 9 + " ? & " " " " & ? % " ? IFRS 9 Q @@ %% 5\ Service charges and expense recoverable from tenants ;*# X& " & a ;!# ? @ ;!# X ; 7 ? " Q 9 + ;!# X [ ? " " & " ! ;*# X + 5 ;*# 5 Revenue from services * " X [ " & " & ; " $ " 9 + " " / ; " " & ;!# ? " ? " [ ;*# X ? ; ; 9 + ? + ; 9 + [ " Q " & " ? " $ K " [ Q " ? " " ? & ? " [ $ 9? " 9 \ \ & ? " " " > > " " < ; " " IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements, IAS 27 Separate Financial Statements < # " + 9 + " ? Interest income ; " & " ? ;*# ;!# L # # " " 7 " & " " " 7 " ; $ ! * " " #; \ S # $" 5 % " * 9 + " ? Dividend income ;*# " ? " [ " ;*# ? " 7 " ? " ! \ " & & 7 Fee income & ? " ? ;!# L [ " \ " & " ? 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" & " = > & " " " " " [ " ! " " " " ; " " " & 7 7 " IAS 16 Property Plant and Equipment & " " " " & ? [ " " " " & " ! " Q ? " & 7 & 7 " " " IAS 32 Financial Instruments, Presentation " \ " " " [ 7 " " " " ; " " ! & " " ? " " " ? ;!# ; [ 7 7 & 7 " Q ! & ? " " " & " IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting " & ? " " ? " & " & [ " " ? & " & Q " \ " ? Z " & [ " 7 & ? " " " " ? " " [ " " Z ? " " \ " ? " & ? " " " " " "
? " " " ? Q ? " 4. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES " " \ " Z " ? \ " & [ " " ? " " $ CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL 31 STATEMENTS Dec. 2012
" " " " " " ! ! " @ " " 7 " " & ? Z @ & " " " ! \ " " & " ? " @ & " " " " & " " @ " 7 " 7 " " " " #" " \ " " " a ? ; ? " " & ? ? " Available-for-sale investments Trade and other receivables Subsequent costs [ Q " " " \ \ [ " & 7 " " ? @ & [ & " ! & ? T \ \ R " " " a ? & " @ " " " " U " " & & ? ? a ? Q " & " [ 7 \ \ = >& " [ \ \ " & " " " & ? " " & " 9 " " " " " " " a ? & " @ Depreciation " " " & ? & " " " & " " " " a ? Q " " " & Investment property " " " & [ Q " " [ " \ & & @ " & " ? " " " & " & 7 " ? ? " ? a 7 " " " ! \ \ " & @ ? % ? Q " " @ ? ? " [ " " " ? ; " @ & " Accounts and other receivables " ! @ " & R / ! " ? 7 " " Z " " R L " @ #" " " & " a " " " & 7 " & " " R L " " #" " + / " " & " a & ? & " " @ " & " " " " ? \ & " ? " Cash and cash equivalents Q " & Z ? " & @ ? ? & " Intangible assets ? " " " & ? " \ & ? [ Q " & @ " & " Q " ? " & \ @ ?\ ? " ? [ ; " " " " " " #" " " " " & " " #" " 7 " ! ? Q " " & ? " " " " 5. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT ? ! 7 " & " 7 " " ? & " ? & ? & Q " " [ " ? ? ? [ Q " ? & " " / Q " " " $ [ " Q " " " [ Q " \ & " & \ " " V Q " @ ?\ ? " " / [ Q " 7 " ? @ " " Q " #" " " " #" " " ' @ ! & " " " " ? " " ' " @ ' @ @ [ " ? " & Capital work–in-progress ' @ 7 [ ? @\ \ " & " K" " " " " Share capital [ 9 " ; " " [ ? @\ \ ? \ " " " Q " @ ? @ ? ? @ " [ " ? @ ? ? Inventories Credit risk " " ; " ; " ? " [ @ @ Q " " " 7 ? " 7 " & ? & " 7 " " " " " & Q " ? ? " " 7 " " " " Investment properties " & 7 ! " ; " " [ Q " 7 " @ a" " \ Work-in-progress " [ Q " " & " " @ & " " " & " " " [ ? @\ \ " & " " & ? " & a" " ; " & ? " ? " @ [ " " " " " " & Q " [ " " & " & Q" " # " & " " " ? [ @ " " Term loans " 7 " " " ! " " Q " " & \ [ \ " " " Q " " [ Q " " " & " " ? @ " ! ! & " " " = " ? " ! " " " > Z " " ! " " ? " ? " & " & " " ? ? " " [ Q " [ " & " " & " " K Z " " & Liquidity risk " & " " " % " % ? " [ 7 " % " @ @ Q " ? " " [ Q " " " & & [ ? ? & " & Accounts payable and accruals ? ? " " ? " & " ? " % " " " & & ? " " " @ [ [ ? " Q " " ? ? & " & ? " ? ? Provisions [ Q " " \ " & ? $ ? Q " = " > a ? " " & [ Q " " " 7 Borrowing costs " 7 Y & " [ Q " ? " " & " 7 " 7 " " " " Foreign currency translation & " " & ? 5 " ? " " " " ? Market risk " " " " [ + @ @ @ @ & " 7 & [ ? ? " " " " " " ? Q " " ! + " " " " 7 " ! Impairment ? 7 Currency risk " ? [ [ Q " 7 " @ & " ? Financial assets @ " " & ? " " " Q " ! ? " [ " " " ! " " 7 Q " " ? 7 7 " " " & " " a ? " " " " Equity price risk [ Q " " " @ + 7 ? " ? ! ? [ Q " " " " " Q " " " ! " ! " [ " " " " " " " ; Q " " " & Discontinued operations Interest rate risk " " & " " [ Q " " 7 " ? " ? " " " @ ! " Q " " " Operational risk " " " ? 9 @ @ ? " ! " " \ \ ? Q " & & " " & ? " & " 7 & @ " @ " " " a ? " ! ! " " " " " \ \ ; \ \ " " 9 @ Q " \ " ! " [ Q " @ ? " [ " " ? Q " " Q " " ? \ \ [ & " " " ? " " Z " & [ \ " @ ? " " [ " Q " \ [ " Q " ? ? @ ? ; " 7 " ! & ? ' " " & " " 7 " " ' " ! " \ ! ? ' ? " " " 7 " ; ' a ? 7 ' " " ; \ " ' " @ & " " ? " ' Q " a ? " " @ " " " = " " > " ' " ! ? ; & a ? " ? " " V " ' 7 ! ' " " ' " ! 7 " ' " @ ? & ' @ & " " ? 7 " ? " & & " @ ? & " ? Q " " ? Financial instruments " @ ; !" [ " ; !" ? " ? Financial liabilities " " ? & ? " " ! ? " Q " [ Q " " 7 Z 7 ! " & 7 Capital management ? Q " " " " & " 7 [ & ? & @ " " " " [ \ " " & " " @ ? " ? & " ? " " Determination of fair values " [ " " ? " 7 [ " ? ? & ? & Q " " " ? ? " ? ? " @ ? & " ' [ " " " & " " ? " " " " @ & [ " ? " a ? Available-for-sale investments ' [ " " " 7 & " a ? @ & " " ? @ ? " @ ? CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL 31 STATEMENTS Dec. 2012
6. OTHER INCOME 11. INTANGIBLE ASSETS 15. INVENTORIES QR’000 QR’000 2012 2011 Operating QR’000 2012 2011 Fee income 31,362 13,776 Branding Goodwill software Others Total Cost: Miscellaneous 63,838 131,168 Land and properties held for sale 90,933 Balance at 1 January 2011 4,413 8,867 5,656 2,790 21,726 2,276,175 95,200 144,944 Additions during the year 1,762 - 1,393 - 3,155 Spare parts 4,148 2,349 Construction work in progress – equipment 19,831 51,300 6,175 8,867 7,049 2,790 24,881 Boat stock 27,679 55,250 7. GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES Balance at 31 December 2011 Fashion items 5,161 7,577 Balance at 1 January 2012 6,175 8,867 7,049 2,790 24,881 Food, beverage and consumables 7,785 1,420 QR’000 Additions during the year 1,159 - 1,301 24 2,484 2012 2011 Material and chemical items 1,136 93 Goods in transit 109 339 Staff costs 76,191 73,767 Balance at 31 December 2012 7,334 8,867 8,350 2,814 27,365 Depreciation ( Note 9) 28,839 8,058 2,803,570 209,261 Rent 7,528 10,560 Amortisation Operating QR’000 16. WORK IN PROGRESS and impairment losses Branding Goodwill software Others Total Professional charges 2,092 3,292 2012 2011 Qanat Quartier / The Pearl Qatar Directors remuneration (Note a.) 22,586 39,286 Balance at 1 January 2011 1,031 8,867 1,848 46 11,792 1,540,874 2,316,832 69 - 837 558 1,464 Other general and administrative expenses 72,724 49,753 Amortisation for the year The work in progress for the current year consists of the costs incurred for the development 209,960 184,716 1,100 8,867 2,685 604 13,256 Balance at 31 December 2011 of Qanat Quartier project in the Pearl Qatar. The work in progress primarily represents costs Note (a) incurred for the development which are not billed as of 31 December 2012 or transferred Balance at 1 January 2012 1,100 8,867 2,685 604 13,256 to inventories. The Directors’ remuneration for the year 2011 includes QR 17,911 thousands paid relating Amortisation for the year 732 - 1,751 571 3,054 17. ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES to the year 2010. Balance at 31 December 2012 1,832 8,867 4,436 1,175 16,310 QR’000 8. BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE 2012 2011 Carrying amounts: Accounts receivable 136,089 158,531 " " 5,502 - 3,914 1,639 11,055 to ordinary shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of shares At 31 December 2012 Accrued income 5,752 1,981 outstanding during the year. At 31 December 2011 5,075 - 4,364 2,186 11,625 Advances to contractors 72,863 109,482 Amounts due from customers 972,400 697,934 QR’000 2011 Amounts due from related parties 23,188 16,442 2012 (Restated) 12. INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES Prepaid expenses and other assets 559,713 483,750 $ " ? 730,290 3,677,319 [ Q " ? 1,770,005 1,468,120 Weighted average number of shares 337,225 225,225 QR’000 outstanding during the year 2012 Country of 2011 As at 31 December 2012, accounts receivable amounting to QR 5,366 " = Basic and diluted earnings per share (QR) 2.17 16.32 Shareholding Carrying incorporation Carrying nil) were impaired and fully provided for. Value Value ; " " " ? During the year, the Company has increased the share capital by issuing bonus shares of Middle East Dredging Qatar 45.9% 263,823 321,227 64,350,000 (QR 643.5 million), accordingly the previously reported earnings per share have Company Q.S.C. been restated for the bonus share issue made during the year. QR’000 Al-Seef Limited Q.S.C. Qatar 20% 317,225 315,973 2012 2011 During the year, the Company’s share capital was increased by QR 1.12 billion by way United Readymix W.L.L. Qatar 32% 36,942 36,924 of a private placement of 112 million shares allotted to the Pension and Social Insurance Authority. ASTECO Qatar Qatar 30% 1,965 2,315 United Readymix W.L.L. 7,259 3,747 619,955 676,439 China Square LLC 3,945 3,945 There were no potentially dilutive shares outstanding at any time during the year. Therefore, 3,200 3,200 the diluted earnings per share are equal to the basic earnings per share. Lebanese Restaurants Development LLC Middle East Dredging Company Q.S.C. 2,739 2,037 Flavors of Mexico LLC 1,264 1,264 9. Property, plant and equipment Urban Restaurant Development LLC 1,116 - Lavantine SAS 1,105 1,105 Furniture, Food Scope America 1,097 1,097 equipment, ASTECO 679 - instruments Capital QR’000 Resorts Development Co LLC 536 - Plant and building Motor work in Total Total National Central Cooling Company P.J.S.C 147 - Land Building Boats facilities improvements vehicles progress 2012 2011 Installation Integrity Cooling Co 98 - Cost or revaluation: Cooltech Energy Water Treatment Co 3 47 At 1 January 1,928,858 211,636 17,786 457,630 403,201 32,151 1,209,657 4,260,919 3,215,976 23,188 16,442 Additions - 20,343 - 1,546 20,303 3,074 73,040 118,306 238,145 Transfers - (52,372) 28,393 45 3,643 (1,116) (9,232) (30,639) (284,491) As at 31 December 2012, the analysis of accounts receivables and amounts due from " ? " " " ? Revaluation ------1,169,267 - - - - (1,238) (2,643) (473) (4,354) (77,978) Disposals Neither Past due Total QR’000 At 31 December 1,928,858 179,607 46,179 459,221 425,909 31,466 1,272.992 4,344,232 4,260,919 past but not 2012 Total due nor impaired 2011 impaired 2012 Depreciation: 2012 QR’000 At 1 January - 28,205 9,854 61,397 79,502 17,198 31,629 227,785 166,273 Accounts receivable 69,719 66,370 136,089 158,531 Depreciation charge for the year - 10,637 4,165 18,406 44,584 5,913 16,120 99,825 83,085 Amounts due from 557,395 415,005 972,400 697,934 Transfers - (3,820) - - (2,763) (1,097) - (7,680) (5,156) customers Disposals - - - - (810) (2,535) - (3,345) (16,417) 627,114 481,375 1,108,489 856,465
- 35,022 14,019 79,803 120,513 19,479 47,749 316,585 227,785 At 31 December 18. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS QR’000 2012 2011 Net carrying amount: 1,928,858 144,585 32,160 379,418 305,396 11,987 1,225,243 4,027,647 At 31 December 2011 Cash on hand and bank balances 1,041,404 308,961 Time deposits 1,363,352 711,453 At 31 December 2011 1,928,858 183,431 7,366 396,233 323,699 14,953 1,178,028 4,033,134 Total cash and cash equivalents % * [ " 2,404,756 1,020,414 [ 90 days (138,913) (60,000) ? Cash and cash equivalents as per statement of Notes: 2,265,843 372,453 QR’000 a ? 2012 2011 1. Middle East Dredging Company Q.S.C. is involved in project related dredging Time deposits carry interest at commercial rates. Cost of sales 45,182 44,730 and reclamation activities in the Gulf States and other neighbouring countries. General and administrative 28,839 8,058 2. Al-Seef Limited Q.S.C. is engaged in production and selling of Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB), downstream petrochemical products and essential feedstock 19. SHARE CAPITAL Sales and marketing expenses 1,839 1,956 to the worldwide detergent manufacturing industries. QR’000 Capital work in progress 1,553 309 2012 2011 22,412 28,032 3. United Readymix W.L.L. is engaged in the production and sale of readymix Authorised, issued and fully paid up capital: Others concrete and other building materials. 337,225,000 ordinary shares of QR 10 each 99,825 83,085 4. ASTECO Qatar is involved in property management activity. (2011 : 160,875,000 shares of QR 10 each) 3,372,250 1,608,750 1. The District Cooling System plant and related facilities are being constructed on the freehold land owned Number of shares 2012 2011 by the Group. " belonging to the Group. On issue at 1 January 160,875 160,875 2. The revaluation of the lands in west bay area and Pearl Qatar was carried out by an On issue at 31 December 337,225 160,875 independent external valuer. The cost of the land which was subject to revaluation amounted [ ? " Q " to QR 109,500 thousands. The Group believes that the carrying value of revalued assets investments in associates. as at 31 December 2012 approximates its fair value. # At 31 December 2012, the authorised share capital comprised 337,225,000 ordinary = Y &VL/& >& " K* ! 3. ? @ " ? QR’000 issued shares are fully paid. The holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividend, QR’000 2012 2011 as declared from time to time and are entitled to one vote per share at meetings of the Company. All shares rank equally with regard to the Group’s residual assets. 2012 2011 Non-current asse ts 617,666 554,168 Cooling plants – Qatar Cool 836,817 823,374 Current assets 856,334 463,248 During the year, the authorised, issued and fully paid up capital was increased by QR 1.7635 billion by way of an issue of 64,350,000 bonus shares worth QR 643.5 million and Non-current liabilities Properties under development 301,698 283,864 (152,760) (128,294) a private placement of 112,000,000 shares worth QR 1.12 billion allotted to the Pension Current liabilities (701,285) (212,683) and Social Insurance Authority. Others 86,728 70,790 Net assets 619,955 676,439 20. LEGAL RESERVE 1,178,028 1,178,028 Share of associates' revenue and " ; ? K % ? / & J Revenue 664,937 442,651 for the year have to be transferred to a legal reserve. Transfers may cease when the reserve The above capital work in progress as of 31 December 2012 includes capitalised borrowing Results (8,650) 19,825 totals 50% of the paid up share capital. The reserve is not available for distribution, except " K* V'&VY " = K* LL&/Y " > [ in the circumstances stipulated by the Qatar Commercial Companies’ Law No. 5 of 2002. was charged on the estimated operational portion of the construction work in progress. In 2006, the Company capitalized QR 57,280 thousands from legal reserve in order to issue bonus shares for 2005. During the year an amount of QR 553,029 thousands were 10. INVESTMENT PROPERTIES 13. LONG TERM RECEIVABLES transferred to the legal reserve including an amount of QR 480,000 thousands received as QR’000 QR’000 " " = &' X " > 2012 2011 2012 2011 21. OTHER RESERVES 1,346,528 Balance at 1 January 6,318,835 Long term receivables - 3,745 Fair Asset QR’000 Additions - development costs incurred during the year 82,338 325,606 % < - (1,339) value hedge revaluation Total Total Transfers - 1,589,466 reserve reserve reserve 2012 2011 - 2,406 Fair value gain on valuation - 3,057,235 Balance at 1 January 17,144 (4,532) 1,603,870 1,616,482 441,526 These represent the amounts receivable from customers over a period of 2-7 years on sale - 1,346,528 of equipment. Increase/decrease (27,315) (7,833) - (35,148) 1,105,671 Prior year adjustment - - - 69,285 6,318,835 Balance at 31 December 6,401,173 (Note 35) Balance at 31 (10,171 (12,365) 1,603,870 1,581,334 1,616,48 The cost of investment properties as of 31 December 2012 includes capitalised borrowing 14. Available-for-sale investments December " K* &L' " = K* Y& / " > QR’000 The investment properties, which include properties under development, located in The 2012 2011 Fair value reserve Pearl Qatar were revalued by independent professional valuers and the resulting gain Available for sale investments – quoted shares 344,683 400,384 The fair value reserve is used to record the changes, other than impairment losses in the fair value of available-for-sale investments. " K* & /L& / " Available for sale investments – unquoted shares 4,000 4,000 year 2011. The Group believes that the carrying value of investment properties as at 31 December 2012 approximates its fair value. 348,683 404,384 The asset revaluation reserve is used to record increases in the fair value of property, plant CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL 31 STATEMENTS Dec. 2012
and equipment that were subject to fair valuation and decreases to the extent that such This note provides information about the contractual terms of the Group’s term loans, which [ 7 " 7 " @ " decrease relates to an increase on the same asset previously recognised in equity. " " Q " 7 " date by geographic region was equal to accounts receivable amount disclosed in the " @& Asset revaluation reserve The asset revaluation reserve is used to record increases in the fair value of property, plant @ & Q " " " ? 25. RETENTION PAYABLE and equipment that were subject to fair valuation and decreases to the extent that such " ; " Q " decrease relates to an increase on the same asset previously recognised in equity. The retention payable represents the amounts withheld from the payments to contractors. customer balances which are past due but not impaired at the end of the reporting date (see 22. PROPOSED DIVIDENDS These amounts will be settled upon completion of the maintenance period subject to L> ? ? ? satisfactory discharge of the obligations of the contractors. This has been disclosed in the the credit quality of the customers and the amounts are still considered recoverable. The Board of Directors proposed a cash dividend of 10% of share capital amounting to QR ? 337,225 thousands for the year 2012 which will be subject to the approval of shareholders Impairment losses at the Annual General Meeting (2011: 40% of share capital amounting to QR 643,500 57 L & QR’000 thousands as bonus shares) assessment and historic default rates, the Group believes that no impairment allowance is 2012 2011 necessary in respect of accounts receivables and amounts due from customers. 23. SOCIAL AND SPORTS FUND " 198,713 228,238 Qatar Law No. 13 of 2008 requires all Qatari listed shareholding companies to pay 2.5% of Non-current portion 232,504 393,663 Liquidity risk " ; " " % ? " [ ? " " & " the Law issued in 2010, the Group has made an appropriation of QR 18,257 thousands payments and excluding term loans and the impact of netting agreements: /J " ? 431,217 621,901 31 December 2012 (2011: QR 93,665 thousands). 26. EMPLOYEES’ END OF SERVICE BENEFITS 24. Term loans QR’000 QR’000 Carrying Contractual Less than 1 – 2 More than 2012 2011 [ 31 December 2012 amount 12 months years 2- 5 years 5 years position are as follows: Loan 1 799,236 887,464 Non derivative Loan 2 23,550 47,106 QR’000 2012 2011 Loan 3 855,988 855,988 Retention payable 431,217 (431,217) (198,713) (123,586) (108,918) - $ " 22,602 16,315 Loan 4 909,389 1,091,514 5 Provided during the year 26,925 (26,925) - - - (26,925) Loan 5 881,623 881,623 10,397 8,256 5 Accounts and other Loan 6 - 149,969 (6,074) (1,969) 965,000 965,000 965,000 - - - payables Loan 7 - 285,000 Loan 8 728,000 728,000 Provision at 31 December 26,925 22,602 1,423,142 (1,423,142) (1,163,713) (123,586) (108,918) (26,925) Loan 9 - 64,000 Loan 10 350,000 350,000 27. ACCOUNTS AND OTHER PAYABLES QR’000 Loan 11 780,000 780,000 31 December 2011 Carrying Contractual Less than 12 1 – 2 2- 5 More than Loan 12 60,834 56,267 QR’000 amount cash flows months years years 5 years 2012 2011 5,388,620 6,176,931 Non derivative % < ? Accounts payable 124,606 157,820 Retention payable 621,901 (621,901) (228,238) (222,631) (171,032) - (37,489) (40,475) Accrued contract costs 1,276,653 1,908,158 5 Balance at 31 December 5,351,131 6,136,456 22,602 (22,602) - - - (22,602) Advances received from customers 455,241 796,002
$ Amounts due to related parties - 420 Due to related parties 420 (420) (420) - - - position as: 9 " 7 165,547 270,766 Accounts and other " 2,128,959 1,594,810 1,243,485 1,243,485 1,243,485 - - - 9 385,153 289,663 payables Non-current liability 3,222,172 4,541,646 2,407,200 3,422,829 5,351,131 6,136,456 1,888,408 (1,888,408) (1,472,143) (222,631) (171,032) (22,602) Notes: ; " " " ? [ K @ %; 9* " QR’000 Market risk [ ? " & 2012 2011 agency and participation fees. Interest rate risk = > % ; + L& " & K !#[5 9 - 420 ! Q " \ ? " @ [ instruments was: loan agreement grants a total facility of US$ 285 million available for drawdown - 420 to repay the existing debt facility in full, fund the completion of the Carrying Amount construction of the existing and new project facilities and to pay the interest, 28. RELATED PARTIES 7 " " [ QR’000 repayable in nineteen semi-annual instalments commencing 36 months after A. Related party transactions 2012 2011 the agreement date i.e. May 2010 and ending on May 2019. The loan is During the year, certain transactions have occurred with related parties on the same Fixed rate instruments secured against the project assets and other tangible of the chilling plants of commercial basis and conditions as other non-related parties. Pricing policies and terms of ? @ 1,363,352 711,453 the company. Additionally, all revenues from the chilling plants and insurance these transactions are approved by the Group’s management. proceeds have been assigned in favour of the lenders. Term loans - (149,969) Transactions with related parties included in the consolidated statement of income are as = > % [ 1,363,352 561,484 follows: <# V V + Y [ ? " ? ? Y ; Variable rate instruments repayable in six annual instalments commencing from April 2008 and ending in QR’000 Term loans (5,388,620) (6,026,962) April 2013. 2012 2011 = > % ; # Y& Other related parties: <# / ? " & @ 102,588 60,414 " / ; !" " & Revenue " Associates: ! ? " <# [ ? " ? available for three additional years from August 2011. The facility was amended Management fee received 43 36 = > " " ? ? [ " ' <# / @ Rent income 2,214 2,180 that all other variables remain constant. the loan balance to be US $ 210 million. The partial settlement is intended to be made in 2013. Amounts due from and to related parties are disclosed in notes 17 and 27 respectively. 31 December 2012 = > % ' ; " V& [ $ K * 5 " B. Compensation of key management personnel +" @ <# " [ " @ ? QR’000 Qanat Quartier precinct at the Pearl Qatar project. The loan is available for Change in variable Impact on equity 3 years and renewable for two more additional years. The facility was renewed QR’000 ? ? 7 X " [ loan was amended during the year stating a partial settlement of US$ 50 2012 2011 +100 basis points (53,886) (53,886) @ <# / [ # 23,698 15,850 -100 basis points 53,886 53,886 December 2012 represents the outstanding amount of the facility. 5 1,267 1,106 = > % / ; !" " V& " & + a syndicated loan agreement of QR. 940 million and US$ 27.4 million with 24,965 16,956 31 December 2010 " & @ " + $ K [ X ; ; " as revolving facility. The loan was amended and restated on 30 December 2012 K* 'V / & @ [ " " +100 basis points (60,269) (60,269) QR 22,586 thousands which is subject to the approval by the shareholders at the Annual K* LY/ @ <# [ -100 basis points 60,269 60,269 is intended to be made in 2013. The repayment of this loan commences from General Meeting. August 2014. The outstanding balance as of 31 December 2012 represents the drawn amount of such corporate facility. 29. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES Currency risk " @ @ " " ? a" " " = > % Y ; " V& " * " + 5 QR’000 on foreign exchange rates. All time deposits are designated in Qatar Riyals and United signed a loan agreement for the construction of the Pearl Marina. The initial 2012 2011 States Dollar (USD) which is pegged against the Qatari Riyal, therefore the Group’s exposure K* / ? 7,600 6,802 ? " @ " ? " & K* V @ " [ ? " " 7 7 ? " " [ ? " " " [ " @ " 10,282 10,693 Letters of credit = > % L [ @ Equity price risk K* V/ ! X [ ? " ? 5" @ @ " " " a ? " ? and is a revolving facility repayable over a period of 3 years. The loan was fully The Group anticipates that no material liability will arise from the above guarantees and letter settled during the year. of credits, which are issued in the ordinary course of business. a" " " @ = @ " @>& ? " " = > % V [ @ 30. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS " " & " + K* L V [ ? " ? QR’000 @ This facility is repayable over a period of 3 years. 2012 2011 " 156,643 244,275 [ " ? " [ ? @ ? other variables held constant, showing the impact on equity of the Group. QR’000 31. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT 31 December 2012 1 year 2-5 years Over 5 years Total QR’000 Impact on equity Loan 1 93,418 627,972 77,846 799,236 ! " " " Changes in variables 2012 2011 Loan 2 23,550 - - 23,550 enterprise. Loan 3 91,062 764,926 - 855,988 K @ +10% 24,368 28,236 Loan 4 909,389 - - 909,389 ! " " ' ; @ +10% 10,100 11,802 Loan 5 148,349 733,274 - 881,623 " @ & & Loan 6 - - - - " & & " K @ -10% (24,368) (28,236) Loan 7 - - - - accounts and other payables. ; @ -10% (10,100) (11,802) Loan 8 728,000 - - 728,000 Loan 9 - - - - Credit risk [ " Loan 10 52,500 227,500 70,000 350,000 @ @ " ? from the previous period. Loan 11 86,658 346,632 346,710 780,000 " " [ Q " 7 " @ Loan 12 - 60,834 - 60,834 " ? " 32. FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS " 2,132,926 2,761,138 494,556 5,388,620 & " " " & " @ Accounts receivable, amounts due from customers and due from related parties are shown " " @ ? " @ @ & \ \ QR’000 & & " 7 31 December 2011 1 year 2-5 years Over 5 years Total ! & ? @ [ Q " 7 " @ [ " " & ? 7 \ \ investments carried at cost, are not materially different from their carrying values. Loan 1 88,227 441,137 358,100 887,464 Loan 2 23,556 23,550 - 47,106 Exposure to credit risk Change in fair value recognised directly in equity Loan 3 - 855,988 - 855,988 QR’000 [ " 7 " 7 " [ 2011 Loan 4 1,091,514 - - 1,091,514 7 " 7 " @ ? 2012 (Restated) Loan 5 46,419 835,204 - 881,623 (27,315) Loan 6 41,400 108,569 - 149,969 Net change in fair value of available-for-sale investments 10,221 Loan 7 285,000 - - 285,000 Carrying amount Loan 8 - 728,000 - 728,000 QR’000 Loan 9 20,000 44,000 - 64,000 2012 2011 [ ? " " & " [ Loan 10 - 280,000 70,000 350,000 ? Accounts and other receivables Loan 11 - 433,290 346,710 780,000 1,204,540 982,389 @ 2,404,240 1,019,951 % " =" " > @ Loan 12 - 56,267 - 56,267 Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the 1,596,116 3,806,00 774,810 6,176,931 asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices). 3,608,780 2,002,340 % " @ (unobservable inputs). SUNDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2013 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Al Asmakh adds to support for Silatech Charity commits $150,000 to Kiva
DOHA: Strengthening a part- success of the Kiva Arab nership Al Asmakh Charity Youth, Silatech and Afif see a Foundation has agreed to con- clear opportunity for the crea- tinue support for microen- tion of a broader online plat- terprises and youth training form that connects charities, solutions launched by Silatech, lenders and donors (in Arab a Doha-based social initiative countries and globally), includ- focused on youth employment ing Islamic charitable giving to and entrepreneurship for the young men and women from Arab world. disadvantaged backgrounds to The two organisations signed support their economic and a memorandum of understand- social needs. ing recently in which Afif, a Over the coming months, both non-profit Qatari development partners will be carrying out programme launched by Al research into the feasibility of Asmakh Charity, will build on its such a broader solution. initial investment of $150,000 in Ibrahim Al Asmakh, Officials of Sokook Mega Company and Servair during the launch of Servair Qatar yesterday. (SALIM MATRAMKOT) Silatech’s Kiva Arab Youth ini- Chairman of Al Asmakh Charity tiative by committing another said: “Our aim at Afif is to con- $150,000 to the fund. tribute toward the economic Sokook signs partnership pact with Servair Kiva Arab Youth is a partner- and intellectual transforma- ship between Silatech and Kiva, tion of Arab and Islamic soci- BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB in which visitors to www.kiva.org/ eties, and Silatech’s Kiva Arab expertise with Servair’s inter- ancillary services.” He added: “I have every faith arabyouth can lend as little as $25 Youth initiative has proven to continental reach, marks the “Introducing Servair to Qatar that our venture will bear fruits to young Arab entrepreneurs of be an effective, sustainable and DOHA: Aiming to tap the hospitality organisation’s foray brings in a notable name to the to the benefit of both of our their choice. worthwhile programme for growing business opportunities into the catering business on an state’s thriving investments in companies, as well as maximise The funds invested by Afif young entrepreneurs. We look in Qatar’s hospitality industry, unprecedented scale with gilt- this flourishing market. It will both SMC and Qatar’s goals in through a Shariah-compliant forward to exploring these addi- Sokook Mega Company (SMC), edged services at the core. expand Qatar’s ability to satisfy the hospitality industry. We are mechanism operational in tional areas of partnership with a Doha-based hospitality man- Sheikh Nasser bin Jassim diverse needs in catering, aircraft particularly happy that Servair Palestine and Yemen are used Silatech.” agement firm, has signed a Al Thani, Chairman of SMC, cabin and airport services as well Qatar starts its operations at such to match online loans from Tarik M Yousef, CEO of partnership agreement with addressed a gathering of guests, as engineering and innovative fortuitous times, and will contrib- individuals. Silatech, highlighted the impor- France’s airline catering giant, comprising government officials, solutions,” Zain Al Shaker, mem- ute to the state’s national devel- Since its inception in March tance of sustainable social invest- Servair. The joint venture, corporate and individual clients ber of the board and Managing opment strategy which promises 2012, Kiva Arab Youth has raised ment, asserting that “Kiva Arab named as Servair Qatar, will and associates, as well as repre- Director of SMC said. to make Qatar a world travel and close to $2.5m from more than Youth represents a new mode of bring Servair’s contemporary sentatives of the local and inter- Zain added: “Servair Qatar also tourism hub.” 55,000 individuals, financing over charitable giving, one which val- catering services to Qatar. national media. He said: “SMC is complements a number of impor- Al Shaker also announced 2,000 youth-run businesses in the ues sustainability and return on Servair, a subsidiary of Air proud to bring the distinguished tant developments in the hospi- acquisition of sole representative/ Arab world. investment. France, is the first catering com- and renowned Servair brand to tality industry in Qatar and the agent status of German company, Beyond support to Kiva “By renewing their support for pany in Europe and one of the Qatar, to complement an ever extensive Doha events’ calendar, Palux. Palux is a renowned brand Arab Youth, Silatech and Afif the program, Al Asmakh Charity largest in the world. With 56 stop- growing national hospitality crowned with the much-awaited that hosts state-of-the-art food have agreed to work together and Afif again demonstrate their overs spanning five continents infrastructure. FIFA World Cup in 2022.” technology. to support programmes in commitment to youth in the and a myriad of destinations, the “SMC offers hospitality, food, Servair Vice-President, Denis Palux CEO and Chairman, Al Egypt and Yemen which aid region, as well as to innovative firm also provides aircraft cabin and beverages services in part- Hasdenteufel, said: “On behalf Shaker said that SMC has become youth enterprise through and effective social investment cleaning and airport services as nership with some of the globe’s of Servair, I would like to thank the exclusive agent of Palux which Shariah-compliant investment strategies.” well as engineering solutions. most famous names. Its port- Sheikh Nasser Al Thani and will host a showroom inside the mechanisms. THE PENINSULA The partnership, which folio includes hotels, concept Al Shaker for their trust and Kitchen of Servair Qatar. Building on the proven merges SMC’s local and regional restaurants, health centres, and outreach.” THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Qatar likely to have novel renal test lab Non-invasive test of transplant rejection BY FAZEENA SALEEM good substitute for allograft nee- dle biopsy, it could be done repeat- DOHA: Hamad Medical edly without any inconvenience Corporation (HMC) together to the patient, it’s easy and safer with its partners is likely to than the traditional invasive nee- start a research laboratory to dle biopsy of the allograft,” said examine a new, non-invasive Dr Manikkam Suthanthiran, who method to detect early signs of is the chief researcher of the team acute renal transplant rejection which developed the non-inva- using genetic analysis of urine sive method at the Nephrology samples. Division at Weill Cornell. Currently, the standard method He is a guest speaker at the for detecting acute rejection is conference and also the head of an invasive needle biopsy of the Department for Transplantation allograft. Medicine at New York- Researches at the Weill Cornell Presbyterian Hospital (NewYork Medical College in New York with Weill Cornell Medical Centre). the support of Qatar National Acute rejection is a serious and Research Fund and HMC have frequent complication of renal developed the new urine test. transplantation, and its diagno- Dr Hassan Al Malki, Chairman of the First Qatar Nephrology Conference in Qatar and head of the Nephrology Department at HMC (third left) and Dr It has been developed over the sis is contingent on the invasive Award Rashed, Senior Consultant, Nephrology Department at HMC (right) with other dignitaries during the opening of the conference. past 20 years and tested on 500 procedure of allograft biopsy. A patients. non-invasive diagnostic test for to five years of work,” he said. Meanwhile, HMC is also plan- The conference was held 500 chronic cases are added to The research laboratory in rejection could improve the out- The laboratory would be an ning to start a study on whether as part of HMC’s efforts to the list every year. Qatar would be established in come of transplantation, said Dr advantage with the advanc- vitamin D may help prevent kid- upgrade services and exchange Around 15 nephrology experts three to five years, said experts Suthanthiran. ing cases of dialysis patients or ney diseases in people with high expertise on providing better from several countries shared at theNephrology Conference held “We are working with the organ transplant, said Dr Hassan risk. treatment to patients as about their experience and expertise by the HMC yesterday at Hilton Hamad Medical Corporation to Al Malki, Chairman of confer- “We are planning to test 300 500 patients suffering from kid- at the two-day conference, which Hotel. set up a research laboratory in ence and Head of Nephrology Qatari and non-Qatari patients,” ney failure are undergoing dial- concluded yesterday. “This non-invasive test is a Qatar. It will need another three Department at HMC. said Dr Al Malki. ysis at the HMC and another THE PENINSULA
Qatar becomes main tourist destination for GCC families
DOHA: Qatar has become one during the first quarter of 2012, coming from the GCC. of the main tourist destinations according to the Qatar Tourism “It is good to see Qatar putting for families in the GCC, many of Authority. up a strong competition in the whom like to spend their week- The number of overseas tour- tourism industry of the GCC,” he ends here. ists, especially from Asia, is also said. Public venues such as Katara on the rise. Asian tourists visit- Meanwhile, the number of and Souq Waqif have been ing Qatar registered the highest tourists coming to Qatar is likely attracting many tourists, par- growth rate with a total of 36,385 to increase by 1.9 percent annu- ticularly because of the pleasant visitors in the first quarter of ally until 2022, according to a sur- weather at this time of the year. 2012, followed by European tour- vey by Reed Exhibitions, a leading Ahmed Abdullah, a Qatari, ists with a total of 10,456. event organising company in the says the Sea Line beach become Abdullah, however, says that world increasingly popular in the the local restaurants and hotels The on-going infrastructure region. should not look at the rising projects as well as the focus on “I see many families coming number of tourists as an oppor- tourism industry, will give impe- here on the weekends from the tunity to increase prices. tus to the hospitality business in neighbouring countries,” he said. “Tourists should not be Qatar, the study reveals. The total number of tourists exploited by anyone,” he said. “The number of tourists in coming to Qatar increased up to Another national, Mohammad Qatar is going to increase up to 60 percent in 2012. In terms of Abdullah, argues that most of the 3.7 million by 2022,” the company GCC tourists visiting Qatar, the hotels are fully booked this time said in a statement. Artistes performing at Souq Waqif as part of Spring Festival 2013, yesterday. (ABDUL BASIT) growth rate was over 22 percent of the year primarily by people THE PENINSULA
Private, govt institutions line up National Sport Day activities
DOHA: Private and govern- and highlights the heroic efforts twisting. ment institutions have lined up of the firefighters, as well as Al Shaqab, Qatar Foundation’s several events for the National strengthens ties between fire- equestrian venue, will host sev- Sport Day to be held on Tuesday. fighters and the community. eral presentations including a Different tournaments and Khalifa Al Kubaisi, Safety and pure-bred Arabian horse show, games are scheduled to be held Security Director at AZF, said: an impressive tour of its world- throughout the day at different “The foundation seeks through class facilities, and pony rides for venues. its co-operation with various youngsters. state entities to spread a culture “By building top-notch, sport- AZF and MoI of safety and security, not only ing facilities on campus, Qatar The Aspire Zone Foundation among its staff but also among Foundation is motivating its stu- (AZF), in collaboration with the the general public. Security is dents, faculty and staff to incor- Civil Defence Department of the one of the pillars of work car- porate exercise and fitness into Ministry of Interior (MoI), will ried out by AZF, especially in their daily routines,” said Ali celebrate the day with the second its organisation of international Al Muftah, Executive Director Firefighter Challenge. sports events and we work hard of Support Services at Qatar Set to take place at Aspire to ensure these world-class events Foundation. Al Khalij Commercial Bank (al khaliji), in a build up to the second National Sport Day, organised a run yesterday at Zone, the tournament is the ulti- are secured with the appropriate Aspire Park. The run is the beginning of a series of activities planned under the bank’s new initiative ‘Generation mate test of speed, endurance, safety measures.” Qatargas Fit’, aimed at promoting healthy lifestyle and its benefits. Picture shows the participants of the run. strength and concentration. Qatargas will participate in “The Civil Defence Authority Qatar Foundation the events by organising a wide many popular events such as foot- boxes will also be provided for all programme the day. Intended is organising the Firefighter Qatar Foundation for range of sports activities for its ball, beach volleyball, basketball, participants. to engage all Barwa Bank Group Challenge for the second year Education, Science and employees and families at various table tennis and cricket. There (BBG) employees in year round running after its overwhelming Community Development is host- locations. will also be a special area for RasGas sports and physical activity, the success last year,” said Captain ing a variety of fun-filled sport Teams comprising employees children with several attractions RasGas Company Limited initiative will carry on the spirit of Hussein Aman Al Ali on behalf activities on its campus. Entry is from different departments of like bouncy castles, slides and face (RasGas), will be hosting a full day National Sport Day; encouraging of the General Directorate of Civil free and open to the public. the company have been formed to painting. of sporting activities for RasGas regular physical activity and help- Defence. “Without doubt civic Throughout the day, a number take care various arrangements Qatargas medical and secu- employees and families at the AZF ing to promote a healthier life-style. defence is a physically demand- of competitions and tournaments relating to sports activities, logis- rity support services will also be Warm-Up Track and Field. Steve Troop, CEO, Barwa Bank ing field and requires great effort will take place across five main tics, volunteers, medical, security deployed, to ensure the safety RasGas has partnered with the Group said, “National Sports and concentration. Preparing our sites at Qatar Foundation. Events and media. and security of all participants. A AZF to host several outdoor sports Day offers Barwa Bank a won- men is in line with preparing our include running , cycling, football The Al Gharrafa Sports Club dedicated health-check area will and recreational activities that cater derful opportunity both to build society to combat dangers that and cricket matches, golf lessons will be the main venue for the be set by the Qatargas Medical to the different age groups. The employee spirit and to make a face both the individual and the and karate classes among oth- activities for employees living in Department, for people to have activities range from Zumba classes contribution to the nation’s well community.” ers. Specific competitions will be Doha. The day will be kicked off their blood sugar levels, blood to football matches and will include being. That is why we didn’t want The aim of the tournament is organised for those with special with a Walkathon led by the com- pressure and body mass index ladies-only activities, a children’s these efforts to simply stop after to enhance the mental and physi- needs. pany’s senior management. checked. cycling challenge and much more. the day ends, and have taken the cal skills of the firefighters to per- Entertainment will also be Following the walkathon, peo- A traditional Arabian tent opportunity to launch a full fitness form to the best of their abilities. available for children of all ages, ple will move to the different will also be set up, where Arabic Barwa Bank programme to engage our staff in In addition, it raises awareness through activities such as mini areas to engage in their favourite coffee and dates will be served. Barwa Bank, prepares to launch year round exercise and sports.” of the risks involved in industries tennis, face painting and balloon sport. The activities will include Refreshments and light lunch a comprehensive staff fitness THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2013 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME
Premier gets phone call from Saudi MoI service Foreign Minister DOHA: The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin for the deaf Jabor Al Thani received a tele- phone call from Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Saud Al Faisal yesterday. They dis- cussed bilateral relations and bags award a number of issues of common concern. AOSR recognises emergency service Culture Minister arrives in Amman DOHA: The Ministry of the ministry in communicating Interior (MoI) has won the with all segments of the soci- for WTO meeting Arab Organisation for Social ety including those with special Responsibility (AOSR) award needs, especially the deaf. AMMAN: The Minister of for its ‘Emergency Service for “This service has helped the Culture, Arts and Heritage the Deaf’. deaf to communicate by them- H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al The MoI bagged the ‘Golden selves with the emergency serv- Kuwari, who is the President of Excellence Shield for Smart ice of the ministry whenever they Unctad XIII, arrived in Amman Services’ along with the face any kind of emergency situ- yesterday to participate in the ‘Certificate of Patent’ for its emer- ation and to report us in detail World Trade Organization’s gency service to help deaf peo- about the incident,” Brigadier Al Arab Consultation Forum, to be ple. The organisation described Suawaidi said stressing that it will held tomorrow. this service as ‘highest and top help the department to extend A policeman interacting with a deaf via the system. He is scheduled to address the smart service’ in the field of social required humanitarian service forum on the organisation’s role responsibility. and respond immediately and to The ministry has a database It is one of the services launched AOSR is an independent Arab through the Doha conference and Director General of Civil deal with the situation as soon as of people with hearing disability by the ministry that will benefit organisation with numerous its declarations. Defence and head of National possible. and it strives to provide them more than 500 people with hear- objectives including dealing with The minister will also highlight Command Centre (NCC) “The Ministry of Interior’s con- more services to make sure their ing disability and is the first of the concept of social responsi- the role of the Unctad through which manages the Operations cern for the people with special integration in the community, he its kind in the Middle East. The bility at the local level and con- Qatar’s presidency in contribut- Department that provides needs stems from the strategy of added. service is provided through 3G verting it to strategic level in the ing to global efforts that aim to ‘Emergency Service for the Deaf’, the ministry on its social respon- The MoI had launched the facility where the deaf people can work of the municipalities, the address today’s challenges, which Brigadier Abdullah Mohammed sibility towards community mem- service through 992 in September interact with trained personnel at Arab governments and official directly affects the future. Al Suwaidi, said that the achieve- bers and its institution without last year as part of implementing emergency services for the deaf in institutions. ment emphasises the success of any exception,” he said. its strategy and future plans. the sign language. THE PENINSULA Public hospitals, health centres to go digital Kashmiri expatriates critical of Afzal Guru’s hanging DOHA: The first experimen- tal phase of the project to digi- tise all the public hospitals DOHA: Kashmiris residing in Pranab Mukherjee on February 3. the past,” he said, adding that the waiting for the right kind of and primary health centres in Qatar were highly critical of the “Why wasn’t there an open Indian court’s statement that the leadership and things will blow the country is expected to be hanging of Mohammed Afzal trial? We should be given access collective conscience of the society up. This could very well be one launched shortly. Guru by the Indian government to the evidence against Afzal will be satisfied only if the death of the causes for more hostility,” The proposed Clinical yesterday for his alleged role in Guru,” one Kashmiri, who did not penalty is awarded to Afzal Guru he said. Information System, once fully the 2001 attack on the country’s want his name in print, told this also gives the impression that the Dr Chak, who has roots in both implemented, will allow citizens parliament. newspaper yesterday. court was influenced by the street Pakistani and Indian adminis- and residents to have a personal While condemning the execu- “There was an open admission sentiments. “If you speak to any tered Kashmir, categorically said health record and better access to tion of Guru, they said the move by the Supreme Court of India Kashmiri today, they will tell you India will have to eventually come the health care providers. was ‘unjust’ and ‘tragic’. that there was no direct evi- that an innocent man has been to accept that Kashmiris want to In January last year, the In 2005, Guru was handed dence that links Afzal Guru to the killed. The people of Kashmir will have their own voice. Hamad Medical Corporation and down death sentence by India’s attack on the parliament,” said Dr not forget this,” he said. “What Pakistan should also Primary Health Care Corporation Supreme Court for his alleged Farhan Mujahid Chak (pictured). There is a three-day shutdown do is openly come out and say signed an agreement with Cerner involvement in the terror attack. Dr Chak, a Canadian of Kashmiri in Kashmir, and according to Dr they accept whatever the will of Corporation, an international Guru’s wife and several human origin, is part of Qatar University’s completely civilian life. Chak, the death penalty can give the people of Kashmir is,” said body specialising in electronic rights groups had appealed to the faculty of International Affairs. He “This gives us Kashmiris the impetus to more violence in the Dr Chak, who is active in the services for hospitals and other government for mercy. The mercy stressed that Guru had forsaken impression that the Indian gov- valley. Kashmiri freedom movement. medical organisations to deliver petition was rejected by President weapons and had retired to a ernment is not willing to let go of “Ultimately, Kashmiris are THE PENINSULA the technology. The public health system in the entire country will be connected in a single computing platform, which is said to be a first in the region. The project is planned to Work on Pearl-Qatar be completed in five years. The electronic system will help provide a lifetime clinical record for all citizens and residents. fire station begins Whether an individual is treated in the ambulatory setting, inpa- DOHA: The Pearl-Qatar, at The Pearl-Qatar,” Ebrahim Al tient setting, or even at home, the United Development Company’s Sulaiti, Chief Executive Officer of information will be captured and (UDC) flagship island develop- the company, said. “Along with stored in the individual’s lifetime ment, broke ground for its first reducing the demands on the sta- clinical record. fire station on Wednesday. tions now serving the areas closer Individuals will be able to The event was attended by Civil to the island, adding an additional schedule appointments, send mes- Defence officials, UDC chief exec- fire station would reduce response sages to their doctor and create utive officer and a group of UDC time and therefore bolster security a personal health record to bet- senior executives. measures and safety at The Pearl.” ter manage their health. It will The station will service the While current response times also help reduce the chances for island and its current residen- for areas in the West Bay District transcription errors: Illegible, tial and commercial occupancies, and its vicinity range from five to handwritten orders which will be presently served by a station 10 minutes. The new station will reduced through the use of elec- temporarily set. Its service area reduce the time to less than three tronic order entry. will cover all precincts of The minutes, meeting the highest of Clinicians have immediate Pearl-Qatar. international time standards. access to a unified patient elec- Construction of the fire sta- The 2,000sqm station will fea- tronic health record (EHR) that tion started in December 2012 ture three apparatus bays, 4-5 fire has up-to-the-minute information and is expected to be completed engines, four ambulances,central about the patient including past in January 2014, with a projected command room, multi-purpose visits, medical test and results cost of QR25m. room for seminars and staff and medical devices connected “This is an extremely important training. directly to the EHR. Officials from United Development Company and Civil Defence Department during the ceremony. development for the community THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA/QNA
QFBA honours AFS graduates
DOHA: Qatar Finance and The academy asserted its commit- of Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Business Academy (QFBA) ment to the local financial services Authority, said: “The ‘Aspiration held a graduation ceremony for industry by awarding the graduates for Success’ programme is the the first batch of eight Qatari with graduation certificates along next logical step for participants executives who completed the with recognition certificates from who are looking to sharpen their ‘Aspiration for Success’ (AFS), world renowned financial industry skill sets as well as for those look- Qatari leadership development players such as HSBC London, RBS ing to capitalise on the opportuni- programme, a press statement London, and LSE London where the ties that are offered within Qatar.” issued by QFBA said yesterday. students had interned during the Ahmad Al Anqar, one of the pro- This programme was designed three-month programme. gramme participants, said: “The and implemented by QFBA to Dr Abdulaziz Al Horr, QFBA AFS programme is unique to Qatar. assist financial institutions to CEO, said: “This course was Through the course I was able to develop a sustainable competitive designed to be a challenging plat- have the opportunity to advance my advantage in an increasingly chal- form for high calibre candidates own learning, skills and experience. lenging business environment. to develop their skills and help The course offered a clearly defined The AFS leadership programme drive their organisations forward. methodology, excellent learning was designed to develop emergent Through the course, the group of tools and the opportunity to be Qataris garner various industry candidates and their local organi- involved in London-based intern- related competencies and expe- sations will be able to have a ship programmes, making the riences to facilitate their career direct and positive impact on their transition from theory to practice paths in becoming the country’s business and on the society as a exceptionally easy and productive.” future business leaders. whole.” Shashank Srivastava, CEO THE PENINSULA Some of the graduates with officials during the graduation ceremony. SUNDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2013 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Tunisia tensions rise as PM threatens to quit Jebali to present new team this week; Ennahda rejects planned new cabinet; party supporters rally in Tunis
TUNIS: Tunisia’s prime minis- critic Chokri Belaid that sparked days Islamist-dominated cabinet remain Belaid, who accused the Islamist party the middle of next week,” he told Tunisian ter threatened to quit yesterday and of unrest and political uncertainty in untouched, deepening a crisis gripping of stealing the revolution, was gunned media yesterday. warned of chaos unless key ministries Tunisia as tensions fray. the government just over two years after down outside his home, with his support- “If it is accepted... I will continue held by fellow Islamists go to independ- “All the ministries will be independent, the revolution. ers and family openly blaming Ennahda to carry out my duties as head of the ents in a new government of non-parti- including the interior, justice and for- “If the initiative fails, what would you for eliminating him, charges it has denied. government. Otherwise, I will ask the san technocrats. eign affairs ministries,” Jebali told France suggest to the Tunisian people, what Ennahda supporters chanted anti- president of the republic to find another Hamadi Jebali said he would resign 24, in an interview that threw down the alternative? The law of the jungle?” Jebali French slogans after French Interior candidate to form a new government.” within days if he failed to form the new gauntlet to those within his party who asked, addressing the country’s political Minister Manuel Valls denounced what Yesterday’s protest was called to government, even as his Ennahda party are refusing to relinquish power. class. he said was “Islamist fascism” in Tunisia. “defend the legitimacy of the national rejected a planned new cabinet and sev- “I had to take the decision without “The people want to protect the legit- Jebali, who is considered a moderate constituent assembly,” in which the eral thousand party supporters took to consulting the political parties, the day imacy of the ballot,” the pro-Ennahda within his party, first announced his plan Ennahda-dominated coalition holds a the streets to oppose his plans. of the assassination, fearing that the protesters shouted yesterday as they to form a non-political government of majority, but whose support Jebali has Jebali said he took the decision to form country would slide into chaos,” he said. gathered on Habib Bourguiba Avenue, technocrats in the immediate aftermath said he doesn’t need to form a new a technocrat government after the mur- Ennahda supporters rallied in epicentre of the 2011 uprising that ousted of Belaid’s murder. cabinet. der on Wednesday of leading government Tunis to press their demands that the ex-dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. “I will present the team no later than AFP
Oman raises wage Assad reshuffles to avert protests MUSCAT: Oman’s parliament, the Shura Council, approved a cabinet; warplanes much higher minimum wage and curbs on the employment of foreigners yesterday, aim- ing to prevent joblessness again raid Damascus becoming a source of anger for Omani citizens. DAMASCUS: President Bashar with its political foes so long as The private sector minimum Al Assad reshuffled his cabinet they set no preconditions. wage for Omani citizens will be yesterday as regime warplanes “The door is open, the negoti- raised by more than 60 percent to raided rebel areas in a bid to end ating table is there, welcome to 325 rials ($844) a month effective the stalemate in Syria’s deadly any Syrian who wants to have from July 1, state television said. civil war and hopes for a politi- dialogue with us,” he said. The council also approved cal solution appeared to founder. “When you speak of dialogue, restricting the number of foreign Syria is in the depths of an it means dialogue without con- workers in Oman to 33 percent of unprecedented economic reces- ditions, which excludes no one... the country’s total population “to sion because of the violence grip- There must be no preconditions.” create an employment balance”, ping the country for nearly two In the latest fighting, regime but without giving a time frame. years, and the latest government warplanes launched air strikes Expatriates are now thought reshuffle focused on finance and within the Menegh military air- to represent about 39 percent of social affairs portfolios. base in the northern province Oman’s population. The World Bank says the coun- of Aleppo after rebels stormed try’s gross domestic product has parts of the garrison, the Syrian Khartoum-backed shrunk by 20 percent. Observatory for Human Rights Assad changed seven ministers, said. militias kill 17 civilians the official SANA news agency Clashes in Aleppo city killed at KHARTOUM: Khartoum- reported. least six soldiers and a Kurdish Israeli soldiers and Border Police evict and arrest some Palestinians and foreign activists at a tent ‘settlement’ backed militias in Sudan’s South He split the labour and social militant, the Observatory said, they tried to set up south of the West Bank city of Hebron, yesterday. Kordofan state have killed 17 affairs ministry into two, bring- while pro-regime gunmen civilians, rebels said yesterday, ing in a woman, Kinda Shmat, attacked Kurdish militia check- adding to tensions with South to head the latter. Hassan Hijazi points in another area of the Sudan over a failure to imple- became labour minister. northern metropolis. Peace accord impossible: Lieberman ment security agreements. Ismail Ismail got the finance Air raids also targeted north- The rebels accused a group portfolio and Sleiman Abbas the ern and eastern areas outlying JERUSALEM: Israel has no centre of this socio-diplomatic of ethnic South Sudanese of oil and mineral resources job. The Damascus and jets hit the town chance of signing a perma- Obama visit could see ocean, this tsunami which is jar- ambushing a civilian lorry on housing and urban development, of Sabineh south of the capital nent peace accord with the ring the Arab world, it is possible Friday at Abu Nuwara, about 80 agriculture and public works min- as rebels and troops clashed in Palestinians and should instead three-way summit to arrive at the magic solution of kilometres from the border with isters also changed. the nearby town of Daraya, the seek a long-term interim deal, JERUSALEM: Prime a comprehensive peace with the South Sudan’s Upper Nile state. Assad has reshuffled the gov- watchdog said. the most powerful political part- Minister Benjamin Palestinians does not under- “They clashed with the civilians ernment several times since the The British-based Observatory ner of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian stand,” Lieberman told Israel’s there and there’s a lot of casu- uprising against his rule began said at least 90 people were killed Netanyahu said yesterday. leader Mahmoud Abbas and Channel Two. alties,” said Arnu Ngutulu Lodi, in March 2011, most recently in in violence nationwide yesterday. The remarks by Avigdor Barack Obama could hold a “This is impossible. It is not spokesman for the Sudan People’s August 2012 following the defec- Maronite Patriarch Beshara Lieberman, an ultranational- three-way summit during possible to solve the conflict here. Liberation Movement-North tion of former premier Riad Hijab. Rai of Lebanon, meanwhile, ist whose joint party list with the US president’s upcoming The conflict can be managed and which has been fighting govern- Efforts to find a political solution arrived in Damascus for today’s Netanyahu narrowly won a visit, Israel’s deputy foreign it is important to manage the ment forces in South Kordofan to the conflict, which the UN says enthronement of Syria’s Greek January 22 election while cen- minister Danny Ayalon said conflict ... to negotiate on a long- since June 2011. has killed more than 60,000 peo- Orthodox leader Yuhanna X trist challengers made surprise yesterday. term interim agreement.” ple, appeared deadlocked yester- Yazigi, in a show of support for gains, seemed designed to dampen AFP Netanyahu’s spokesman Mark Egypt to try 26 for day, hours after Damascus offered the country’s minority Christian expectations at home and abroad Regev noted that Lieberman, in talks without preconditions. community. of fresh peacemaking. state. These include Hamas, the Channel Two interview, had plotting attacks The opposition has demanded “We are here in solidarity with In a television interview, ex- rivals of US-backed Palestinian said he was expressing his own CAIRO: Twenty-six alleged the talks focus on Assad’s all the people who are suffering in foreign minister Lieberman President Mahmoud Abbas, who opinion. Islamist militants, including departure. Syria,” Rai said at Saint Anthony’s linked the more than two-year- control the Gaza Strip and spurn Lieberman’s role in the next two former military officers, Information Minister Omran Cathedral in the Christian dis- old impasse to pan-Arab politi- coexistence with Israel though coalition government is unclear will stand trial on terrorism Al Zohbi said on Friday that the trict of Bab Tuma. cal upheaval that has boosted they have mooted extended truces. as he faces trial for corruption. charges, accused of planning regime was prepared to have talks AFP Islamists hostile to the Jewish “Anyone who thinks that in the REUTERS attacks against the Egyptian state, the official news agency MENA said yesterday. The state security prosecutor said they had formed an extrem- Egypt court suspends YouTube over anti-Islam film ist organisation that advocated CAIRO: An Egyptian court state news agency MENA. without going into further detail. Mali on edge after suicide sedition against public authori- ordered the suspension of The 13-minute video, billed as YouTube had “insisted on ties and called for jihad against online video service YouTube a film trailer and made in the broadcasting the film insulting public servants employed at state for a month yesterday for United States, provoked a tor- Islam and the Prophet, disre- attack claimed by Islamists institutions. broadcasting a film insult- rent of anti-American unrest in specting the beliefs of millions of GAO: Malian troops bol- he was carrying, an officer said. “Investigation by national ing the Prophet Mohammad Egypt, Libya and dozens of other Egyptians and disregarding the stered security at army check- The Movement for Oneness and security revealed the defendants (PBUH), state media reported. Muslim countries in September. anger of all Muslims” the court points and villagers detained Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) planned to carry out terrorist The country’s administra- The video depicts the Prophet said, according to MENA. two youths allegedly strapped claimed the attack and vowed attacks inside Egypt during Eid tive court ordered the minis- in a negative light. For most Egypt’s National with explosives yesterday after to carry out more against “the al Adha,” MENA reported, refer- tries of communication and Muslims, any portrayal of the Telecommunication Regulatory Islamists claimed responsibil- Malian soldiers who chose the ring to the Muslim festival which investment to block YouTube, Prophet is blasphemous. Authority said it would abide by ity for the country’s first suicide side of the miscreants, the ene- falls in October. owned by Google, inside Egypt The court said it was rul- the ruling as soon as it received attack. mies of Islam”. because it had carried the film ing on a case brought about a copy of the verdict. Residents of a village near MUJAO is one of a trio of Iran ‘damaging’ “Innocence of Muslims”, said the film several months ago, REUTERS Gao, the largest city in the north, Islamist groups that occupied detained two youths they said northern Mali for 10 months Yemen: security chief were wearing explosive-rigged before France sent in fighter SANAA: Yemen’s national belts and travelling on the same jets, attack helicopters and 4,000 security chief yesterday accused road where the suicide bombing troops to drive them out. Iran of “damaging Yemen” as Mortar attacks on Friday wounded a soldier at a The French-led operation, the interior ministry said it was checkpoint. launched on January 11 as the pursuing a probe into an Iran- kill five at Iranian “We arrested two young men insurgents advanced toward the linked arms shipment which early this morning. They had capital Bamako, has succeeded was seized last month. exile camp in Iraq explosive belts and they were in forcing the Islamists from the “Such a shipment cannot be riding on two donkeys,” Oumar towns under their control. made by traders or smugglers... BAGHDAD: Assailants fired Maiga, the son of the local village But they are thought to retain Only an official power stands dozens of mortars and rockets at chief, said. a presence in the vast desert behind it,” national security a camp of Iranian exiles in Iraq He said the pair, an Arab and spaces of the country’s north, chief Ali Hassan Al Ahmadi told in a dawn attack that killed five a Tuareg, were detained some 20 and France is now anxious to reporters in Sanaa. people yesterday, the first deaths kilometres north of Gao. hand over the operation to United “We have repeatedly urged our from violence since they reset- Soldiers and paramilitary police Nations peacekeepers amid fears brothers in Iran to reassess their tled near Baghdad last year. guarding checkpoints in Gao cut of a prolonged insurgency. stances towards Yemen. They had It was not immediately clear down trees to increase visibil- Two Malian soldiers and four always denied any interference, who was behind the assault ity, dragged sandbags in front of civilians have already been killed but this shipment sadly affirms on Camp Liberty, a former US their positions and set up heavy by landmines, and French troops that they insist on damaging military base on the western Bodies are seen on stretchers after a rocket attack on a camp belonging machine guns in an effort to pro- are still fighting off what Paris Yemen,” Ahmadi said. outskirts of the capital hous- tect themselves from attacks. called “residual jihadists” in The coastguard, in coordination to Iranian dissident group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq in Baghdad yesterday. ing about 3,000 members of the In Friday’s blast, a young reclaimed territory. with the US navy, on January 23 People’s Mujahedeen of Iran, or Tuareg dressed as a paramili- Some villages around Gao, intercepted in the Arabian Sea a the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq. The MEK, whose leadership One Iraqi security official said tary officer rode a motorcycle 1,200km northeast of Bamako, ship carrying rockets and explo- The attack also wounded at is based in Paris, said in a state- about 40 rockets and mortar up to a checkpoint and deto- continue to support the Islamists, sives which the Sanaa authorities least 40 members of the group ment that six people were killed rounds were fired into the camp. nated an explosive belt, but French and Malian sources say. say came from Iran. and three Iraqi policemen. and more than 100 wounded. AFP failed to detonate a larger bomb AFP AGENCIES SUNDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2013 16 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com
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No horsemeat, please Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate
HE SCANDAL surrounding horsemeat in Europe shows the food industry in bad light. The stunning revelations that customers were served horsemeat in Want to change America? Tthe name of beef have caused both shock and scare in Europe. Those who are behind this act have committed a serious breach of trust and the damage it has done will take months to be repaired, or may not be repaired at all, Talk about it prompting customers to always doubt what they are eating. A trickle of discoveries of horse meat in hamburgers, BY GEORGE LAKOFF Obama’s health-care plan in moral terms proposals. And Obama’s recent inaugural starting in Ireland last month, has snowballed into a steady as a violation of freedom (“government address was a masterpiece of framing stream of revelations. On Friday came the stunning news NOTHER State of the Union takeover!”) and life (“death panels!”). deep truths. that lasagna labelled as beef from a leading international address by President Obama These ideas are placed into public dis- Perhaps the deepest was this: “You and distributor of frozen food, Findus, was in some cases hundred — and another chance for course via a sophisticated conservative I, as citizens,” the president said, “have percent horsemeat. The growing scandal has affected his critics to say that he is communications machine: think tanks, the obligation to shape the debates of our producers and millions of customers in five countries: Ireland, merely a talented speaker, messaging experts, Grover Norquist’s time — not only with the votes we cast but Athat there is more to leadership than weekly meetings at Americans for Tax with the voices we lift in defence of our Britain, Poland, France and Sweden. giving good speeches, that the business Reform and across the country, train- most ancient values and enduring ideals.” A British newspaper reported that organised criminal of governing means you must tackle our ing institutes, booking agencies, talk This means Obama can take the first gangs operating on an international scale are suspected of most difficult challenges, not just talk radio, Fox News, Rupert Murdoch’s step, framing public discourse, but all of playing a major role in the scandal. Experts within the horse about them. media empire, chambers of commerce, us as citizens must do the heavy lifting. slaughter industry were quoted as saying that both Polish and Yes, there is a difference between bloggers and the rest. This network puts We can also do it by using words that political speech and political action, those words and their frames, both politi- have vital meaning — among our families, Italian mafia gangs are running international, multimillion between talking to the public and win- cal and moral, into the brains of a huge co-workers and communities. dollar scams to substitute horsemeat for beef during the food ning elections, between passing laws and number of our citizens. The more we repeat the language of production process. enforcing them. As Obama himself put it, The results can be remarkable. For equality, freedom and social responsibil- Britain has been affected the most because horsemeat while our fundamental political truths example, although many key provisions of ity, the more those ideas come to domi- consumption is a taboo in the country, “may be self-evident, they’ve never been the Obama health-care bill had majority nate the public conversation. In turn, the whose food minister yesterday self-executing.” backing across the country, overall sup- character of public discourse determines The horsemeat But political speech is not simply a feel- port for the plan was less than 50 per- what the news media promote and criti- scandal in hosted a crisis meeting of retailers good addition to our politics; it is in fact cent. Particular provisions — such as the cize, and what the candidates for public and officials amid growing public central to political action. In many ways, rule that no one can be denied insurance office must pay attention to. In this way, Europe has raised concern. speech is action. When Obama speaks coverage because of pre-existing medical speech is political action. questions of The scandal raises serious forcefully, as he did in his second inau- conditions — could be dismissed as small What are some other deep truths we food safety and questions of fraud in the food gural address, he enables action to follow. details, meaningless in the face of the sup- can promote through words? That indi- industry, of food safety, oversight Changing the public political discourse posed threat posed by the plan as a whole. vidual initiative is possible only with the governmental also changes public understanding, lead- This viewpoint was achieved through infrastructure and human capital the oversight. by various governmental agencies, ing to new demands for political action. repetition of conservative moral lan- American public has provided for all of and the nexus between officials and Words are not mere words. As the lin- guage, ad infinitum, which strengthened us. That health care is inseparable from the industry, all of which beg urgent guist Charles Fillmore discovered, words conservative morality not just among the life. That education is far more than tak- attention and need immediate remedial action. make sense only within certain concep- Republican faithful but also among mod- ing tests or competing in the global econ- The scandal will have huge consequences for the food tual frames — the mental structures that erates, independents and swing voters. omy; it is what makes us free and equal. determine how we understand the world. It is important to understand this That the environment is not just outside; industry. As British farmers have said, the scandal could affect When we hear political language, partic- mechanism. After all, most people are it is inside us, with polluted air and water consumer confidence in beef. ular circuitry is activated in our brains. morally complex, holding both pro- and pesticides destroying our health, now The Gulf region has so far remained free from horsemeat The more often we hear the words, the gressive and conservative moral views, and tomorrow. That women’s rights are contamination and international fast food outlets operating stronger that circuitry gets, until the depending on the issue. There is no single human rights. That great disparities in here have assured that there is no reason to worry. They were frames become embedded in our thinking. ideology of the moderate, just combina- wealth destroy opportunity. forced to issue clarifications after customers began to get When it comes to politics, these frames tions of conservative and liberal opin- From such speech, political action can are about morality, because in the end, all ions. In an individual brain, the activation flow. The State of the Union on Tuesday suspicious and the issue became a subject of hot discussion in politics is moral. Political leaders make of one worldview can inhibit the other, is an opportunity for Obama to make the social media networks. proposals because they think they are depending on the context — and the con- the link, to show how particular policies But the scandal can serve as an eye opener. It highlights right. Conflicting policies, for all their text is determined by public discourse, by emerge from general truths, to move us the need for extra vigilance on food imports and more tests political implications, usually come out the language we hear every day. from hope to responsibility. to prevent fraud. It also shows that even established global of conflicting moral views. In 2012, extreme conservatives did But in the end, only we as citizens can brands are not above suspicion because of the risks involved in That’s where American politics stands not just lose the election; they lost con- force the president and Congress to act. today. The ascent of extreme conserv- trol of the political discourse. That was How? By speaking out. outsourcing. atism and the gridlock so apparent in clear at the parties’ conventions, where George Lakoff, a professor of cognitive Food is not like computers and steel. For the same reason, Washington have everything to do with the Democrats did a better job framing science and linguistics at the University producers and governments need to place health above profit. divergent moralities, as reflected in lan- their speeches to reveal recognizable of California at Berkeley, is the author of Governments in Europe must take punitive measures against guage and its framing. The conservative truths, offering more than propaganda “The Political Mind” and “The Little Blue companies involved in the current scandal and must enact new call for “tax relief” assumes that taxation and spin. Just contrast the GOP’s obses- Book: The Essential Guide to Thinking is harmful and immoral, an affliction to sion with “we built it” with Bill Clinton’s and Talking Democratic.” laws, if necessary, to prevent a repetition of such incidents. • be relieved. Tea party supporters framed deft moral dissection of specific policy WP-BLOOMBERG The other side Quote of Hope of peace in Syria the day
HE chances of a peaceful because in the past, it had demanded Nations warned the world of the dete- While it is essential that a united resolution to the Syrian crisis nothing less than Assad’s resignation as riorating humanitarian situation in Syria. Syrian opposition seek talks, it is equally have increased after the a precondition for talks. According to UN estimates, 60,000 peo- important that the international commu- Tcountry’s main opposition leader Two factors may have prompted the ple have died in the conflict and more nity honor the principles and objectives We have been Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib made a surprise opposition to change its stance: the set- than 700,000 have fled to neighbor- set forth in the Geneva Communiqu, paying and paying ... offer of talks to the government last backs it has suffered recently against ing countries as refugees. Should the issued by the Action Group for Syria in week. It is now up to the international government troops amid dwindling situation worsen further, about 4 million June 2012, to resolve the crisis. A reso- Right now the debt community to seize the opportunity military support from foreign countries, Syrians would need humanitarian aid lution that has the support of the majority and step up diplomatic efforts to hold and the circumspection with which the this year. of Syrians will achieve solid results. stands at $860m. negotiations between the two sides in West now sees the faction-ridden and Last month, NATO’s deployment of Relevant parties in Syria need to Syria to restore peace in the country as extremist-infiltrated opposition. Patriot missiles along the Turkey-Syria take a pragmatic approach, respect the When we pay the early as possible. Nevertheless, the change in the border and an Israeli air strike inside wishes of the Syrian people and enter last slice in May, On Feb 5, al-Khatib reiterated that opposition’s stance has rekindled hopes Syria further complicated the Syrian cri- the political transition process with flex- he was ready for talks with President of an end to the bloodshed in the Middle sis. The world knows that Syria is at a ibility to end the mayhem and bloodshed we will zero out the Bashar al-Assad’s government provided East country, where violence has con- critical juncture and pushing for an early that have turned life in the country into a debt and make a it released 160,000 detainees. This is a tinued for almost two years. political resolution to the crisis remains living nightmare. Recep Tayyip Erdogan comedown in the opposition’s stance Earlier this month, the United an urgent task. CHINA DAILY clean break. Turkish Prime Minister SUNDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2013 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 17 The most lethal enemy in Mali is poverty
babies — a painful echo of the famines of Aid organisations the mid-1980s, when a million skeletal people wasted away on this hardscrabble, expect 660,000 laterite savanna. The creeping systemic healthcare crisis that allows Malians like Ganou children under five to perish daily is harder to capture in made-for-TV snippets. Aid workers to suffer from acute agree: War notwithstanding, the country is in no outward emergency. There are no throngs of matchstick-limbed children malnutrition this with protruding stomachs, no AIDS vic- tims scooped into shallow graves. Simple year, one of the poverty makes the problem as endemic as it is routine. aftershocks of Most Malians cannot afford to seek even perfunctory healthcare in the coun- try’s limited medical facilities, which, like last year’s severe so much infrastructure in this impover- ished country, are propped up by inter- food crisis. national development organisations and relief groups whose budgets now are stretched extra-thin by the needs of BY ANNA BADKHEN more than 300,000 people who have fled the fighting in the north. Even in peace- ast Saturday, Albert Ganou, an time, the country has the second-highest unemployed tour guide with infant mortality rate in the world, after an ailing heart, prostrated on Afghanistan, and thirteenth-highest a thin cotton blanket in his death rate overall. One in three children musty room and refused to under five suffer from chronic malnutri- Leat. His limbs swelled. His breath grew tion. Relief workers in Bamako, Mali’s shallow. When his pregnant wife and four capital, told me this is normal, a habitual, daughters spoke to him he could barely unabated catastrophe. whisper back. The calamities fold onto one another, Friends pooled money and helped double and triple up, mostly unexamined Ganou through the sewage-sluiced snarl and unassisted, invisible to the rest of of narrow adobe alleys to Djenné dis- the world. For example, no one can guess trict hospital, which employs a handful how many people will be hungrier, sicker Schoolchildren gather around their Quran teacher in Djenne, Mali. of general practitioners and some nurses. and more destitute than usual because The doctor prescribed painkillers and a they have welcomed into their homes salt-free diet. Then night fell and the families of relatives who have run away medicine and painkillers prescribed by of kidnappings by Mali’s Islamists. Now “I have a giant class, how can I remem- spongy, low sky dribbled a billion stars from the war in the north. Aid organisa- the same district hospital that could offer much of adult Djenné sits under thatch ber?” he said. “But every morning before over the millennial town, and Ganou died. tions expect 660,000 children under five no succour to Albert Ganou. awnings, stringing together beaded neck- class I take attendance. . . . If someone Men buried him quietly at daybreak in to suffer from acute malnutrition this Ganou had been ill for a year. His laces no one will buy, smoking cigarettes, doesn’t respond for one, two, three days the town’s walled cemetery by the Bani year, one of the aftershocks of last year’s friends say he had a weak heart, but how drinking tea and waiting for better times. in a row I ask the class what happened. River, where tamarind trees contort their severe food crisis. Since Mali’s impov- weak exactly no one can say. It is possible They are the parents of perpetually hun- Sometimes the classmates say, ‘he’s dead,’ baroque trunks over generations of the erished, putschist government is bogged that last February he had a heart attack; gry children. They are the adults wasting or ‘she’s sick.’” dead, and Djenné’s world-celebrated down in its own stalled political process, but then he got slightly better, even got away invisibly from sickness, like Ganou. How does a teacher cope, emotionally, Sudanic skyline gives way to the immense the burden of providing healthcare for his wife pregnant. It is possible he had a “Everybody here,” said the town mayor, with such a loss? Kanitoo couldn’t say. pale horizons of thorny and flat Sahelian them will fall on international NGOs. second heart attack last month, when he Bomoye Traoré, “is very, very poor.” How does he explain it to the rest of his wilderness. And what about men like Ganou, who suddenly became too frail to move. There The teacher and I drank hot hibis- class? He doesn’t. Instead, he told me that Ganou was in his early forties. In the could not afford even an electrocardio- was no one in Djenné to diagnose him, no cus tea from shot glasses. His name was after school some of the boys he teaches post-mortem the doctors stated the gram, because the clinic in Djenné has no one to recommend treatment, let alone Cheik Kanitoo. He was 32 years old. From come to his house asking for sugar. cause of his death as “heart failure.” They ECG machines and to reach the nearest perform surgery. time to time, children in tatters flitted “You know what they do with the should have written “neglect.” one that does, in Mopti, would have cost For the last week of his life, Ganou just under the shade of the pleated awn- sugar? They have one meal a day, millet, From time to time, humanitarian cri- an unaffordable $150? lay in the stuffy room of his oblique clay ing and stood there, mucoid and stunted for breakfast. So in the afternoon if they ses push Mali into the world’s distracted Of course, the people of the Sahel have house. When friends visited he whispered, and coughing the terrible cough of the get some sugar they just eat it. Out of a eye. The latest example is the French been navigating attenuated resources for- sometimes in the English he had learned condemned. Kanitoo told me that at least plastic bag. They dip their fingers into it intervention to force out of Mali’s north ever. The 15 million Malians are persever- to guide Western tourists: “I really don’t a third of his class of 120 seven-year-olds and lick it off.” a hodgepodge of radical Salafis, Tuareg ing, bantering in the shade of mosques, want to eat,” and “God knows best.” is always sick. One of Kanitoo’s friends tipped a tin rebels and drug traffickers linked to Al watching the Africa Cup of Nations on The day Ganou died, I sat with a pri- “They have rheumy eyes. They are cup full of water, and a lizard sidled up to Qaeda, who had established there a puni- television sets outside shabby commercial mary school teacher of French under a malnourished. They have respiratory the drip and with a quick tongue caught tive and grotesque theocracy reminiscent establishments at dusk. In Djenné, they thatch awning in the square before the problems. They have malaria,” Kanitoo the drops before they fell and curdled of Hieronymous Bosch paintings, keeping share dinner leftovers with neighbours. Grande Mosque of Djenné. The awning said. “Parents don’t have the opportunity like mercury balls in the dust. The loud- order through amputations and lashings. They parcel out their children among belonged to a goldsmith who, like many to take them to the doctor. They have a speaker at the Grande Mosque crackled The day Ganou died, French and Malian various relatives to avoid starvation. My men here, has been unemployed for two choice, either to buy food or medicine — like distant bursts of gunfire and a muez- troops wrested free of the Islamists’ con- host here has taken in two. years. Once, Djenné was a centre of trade sometimes they can’t afford either.” zin began his summons to the afternoon trol Kidal, the last insurgent-held city After Ganou’s widow and children com- and Islamic learning, and an important Since this school year started in prayer. The Harmattan, the dry north- in Mali’s north. Months earlier, three plete the 40 days of mourning, she prob- resting point for trans-Saharan caravans September, one of Kanitoo’s students easterly wind of winter, blew particles of successive coups and counter-coups in ably will move into her parents’ crowded of salt, slaves and gold. After the great died, a girl. He doesn’t know of what, but straw, the smell of manure and motor- Bamako and the simultaneous insurgent and beggared house, and my host proba- famine of the 1980s, Unesco designated it suggests a combination of malaria and cycle exhaust, cigarette smoke, wisps of expansion in the north briefly grabbed bly will take in two of Ganou’s daughters, a World Heritage Site. Since then, much malnutrition. He doesn’t remember the prayer, dreams of food. A small boy in a international attention. The year before, as well. But doctors haven’t been able to of the town’s economy has depended on student’s name, or what she looked like. ripped orange shirt stood at the edge of drought and famine throttled Mali, and tell him why his own 22-month-old son tourism. But tourists stopped coming two Nor does he remember the five or six of the awning and looked at us awhile. He networks broadcast the stereotypical has been cranky and feverish for more years ago, kept away by the combination his students who died last year, or the five said nothing. Then he left. images of Sahel’s dying, bloat-bellied than a week now, despite the malaria of the global financial crisis and the fear or six who died the year before. WP-BLOOMBERG John Brennan really said: I’m keeping drones in the dark
leaked Department of Justice branch who can make the deci- fact that there is no consensus Obama’s administration has clearly built a drones memorandum articulates a sion to kill. No one asked how the for what their defeat would look rationale for drone use which is administration defines an “asso- like, this interpretation is effec- programme that it uses as a first, not last resort. completely at odds with the idea ciated movement” of Al Qaeda. tively a mandate for the president that drones are a last resort. No one asked how the adminis- (or any future president) to wage The DoJ memo suggests that tration determines whether it unlimited war anywhere across BY MICHAEL BOYLE few hours. While depressing, the drone strikes may be used when has the consent of another gov- the globe without authorisation Brennan hearing offered a pow- the threat is “imminent” and ernment to launch strikes on its from Congress, in clear violation ohn Brennan offered a erful illustration of the adminis- when capture of the suspect is territory. No one asked how the of the War Powers Act. master class in how to get tration’s obfuscation of the drone “infeasible”. Yet both words have administration assesses whether The fact that the Senate through a meeting without programme and of the dangerous been emptied of their normal someone is a civilian or a militant, Intelligence Committee managed Jsaying anything of sub- accretion of power in the execu- meaning. According to the Obama which is especially important now to let Brennan get away with so stance at his Senate Intelligence tive branch. administration, imminence “does that it has been revealed that the many non-answers — and even Committee confirmation hearing In the hearing, Brennan’s chief not require that the United States administration assumes without helped him, as Senator Dianne on Thursday. argument was that the drones to have clear evidence of attack evidence that any military-age Feinstein encouraged him to He flattered the committee by were used only as a “last resort” … in the immediate future.” male in a strike zone must be a remind Americans that Anwar promising that he would never and that the public should not Similarly, capture of suspects is combatant. Al Awlaki was a very bad man — keep them “in the dark” about underestimate the “agony” that not feasible if “it could not be Even the contents of the emerg- shows how enfeebled and deferen- the drones programme, when he members of the administration physically effectuated during the ing “drone rulebook” were never tial to the president the Congress has done precisely that during feel when deciding to kill a per- window of opportunity or if the addressed publicly by the com- has become. his four years as the president’s son overseas. The record, how- relevant country were to decline mittee, even though these secret The Democratic party shouldn’t chief counterterrorism advisor. ever, does not square with this to consent to a capture opera- guidelines will set the foundations be happy about any of this. It’s a He avoided the dreaded “torture” portrayal. tion.” This means that capture for drone use for the foreseeable precedent that will doubtlessly word, and managed to get away There is evidence that the could be deemed “infeasible” at future. empower a future president, per- with only saying that techniques Obama administration has any point in which the US faces Perhaps most alarmingly, no haps with fewer scruples than such as water boarding were “rep- knowingly embraced a “kill, not a risk of a target escaping or a one pressed Brennan on why the Obama, to use the drones pro- rehensible”. He put on the cloak John Brennan capture,” approach to counterter- government possibly saying no. administration had the right to gramme recklessly. It will also of virtue and signalled that he rorism that employs drone strikes The result is an Orwellian launch drone strikes in countries change the nature of the US privately disapproved of torture, place. The Obama administration to avoid the legal headaches asso- inversion of the meaning of words like Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia government itself, corroding the even though he did nothing to must have celebrated as Brennan ciated with detaining and trying that enables the administration where the United States is not restraints that have stopped its stop it and was on record saying will almost certainly be confirmed terrorist suspects. As Senator to pursue drone strikes whenever formally at war. worst abuses and enabling a sense it worked. He made no firm com- without having made a binding Saxby Chambliss (Republican it sees an advantage in doing so, In his written statement, of all-encompassing executive mitments and gave little away, commitment to limit the drones from Georgia) noted, the Obama often as a first resort. Brennan argues the administra- power that will gradually threaten and managed to waltz out of the programme. administration has captured only With some important excep- tion’s line that the Authorisation the civil liberties of its citizens. room without most members of Nothing will change as a one Al Qaeda suspect in the last tions, most members of the for the Use of Military Force in It is incumbent upon the sen- Congress even landing a punch. result of this testimony, even if four years, while killing hundreds. Senate Intelligence Committee 2001 provided a blanket legal basis ate — and all those inclined to To some, none of this is surpris- Obama had to briefly allow mem- It is hard to believe that an let this revelation — and indeed for US operations anywhere, at give President Obama a free ing. It is rare for presidential nom- bers of the Senate Intelligence administration which holds the entire question of due process any time, for the indefinite future. pass on the drones programme inees to be forthcoming in their Committee, but not their staffs weekly meetings glibly called in drones — slide in the confirma- According to Brennan, no “addi- — to remember James Madison’s confirmation hearing, and even or the public, to view the full “Terror Tuesdays” to finalise the tion hearing. tional legislation along these lines warning that “no nation can pre- rarer for future CIA directors to Department of Justice memo- targets of drone strikes is doing No one asked who outside is necessary”. serve its freedom in the midst of offer more than bland statements randum authorising targeting so only as a painful last resort. constitutes an “informed, high- Given the protean nature of continual warfare.” that the world is a dangerous US citizens with drones for a Moreover, the administration’s level” official in the executive Al Qaeda as an enemy, and the THE GUARDIAN SUNDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2013 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL Blizzard hammers US Northeast, four dead 700,000 without power; nearly 2,200 flights cancelled, record snow in Maine; mail delivery suspended
BOSTON/NEW YORK: breaking a 1979 record. Winds A record-breaking blizzard gusted to 83 miles an hour at packing hurricane-force winds Cuttyhunk, New York, and hammered the northeastern brought down trees across the United States yesterday, cut- region. The storm contributed ting power to 700,000 homes to three deaths in Connecticut, and businesses, shutting down Governor Dannel Malloy said. travel and leaving at least four An 80-year-old woman was people dead. killed by a hit-and-run driver The mammoth storm that while clearing her driveway, and stretched from the Great Lakes a 40-year-old man collapsed while to the Atlantic dumped more shoveling snow. One man, 73, than 3 feet of snow across the slipped outside his home and was Northeast, the National Weather found dead yesterday, Malloy said. Service said. Coastal blizzard and In Poughkeepsie, New York, a flood warnings were in effect as man in his 70s was struck and killed the storm moved slowly eastward on a snowy roadway, local media out to sea. reported. A 30-year-old motorist Stratford, Connecticut, Mayor in Auburn, New Hampshire, also John Harkins said he had never died when his car went off the seen such a heavy snowfall, with road, but the man’s health might rates reaching 6 inches an hour. have been a factor in the accident, “Even the plows are getting state authorities said. stuck,” Harkins said. Police in New York’s Suffolk The storm centered its fury on County, some using snowmobiles, Connecticut, Rhode Island and rescued hundreds of motorists Massachusetts, with the most stuck overnight on the Long snowfall, 38 inches, in Milford, Island Expressway, said police Connecticut. spokesman Rich Glanzer. Some Authorities ordered non-essen- spent the night in their cars. tial vehicles to stay off roads to Utility companies reported allow snow plow crews to clear about 700,000 customers without them. The ban left normally busy electricity across nine states as arteries such as Interstate 93 in the wet, heavy snow brought down Massachusetts nearly deserted. tree branches and power lines. About 2,200 flights were can- The Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant celled yesterday, according to in Plymouth, Massachusetts, lost FlightAware, which tracks air- power and shut down automati- People start to dig out in Boston, Massachusetts, yesterday, after a blizzard dumped more than two feet of snow in the area. Up to three feet of snow line delays. Boston’s Logan cally late on Friday, but there was fell in some parts of New England as a winter storm stranded motorists and knocked out power to thousands. International Airport and Bradley no threat to the public, the Nuclear International Airport in Windsor Regulatory Commission said. snowblowers and shoveling. Kevin Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Ruffian and LaCoste. The snow delighted New Locks, Connecticut, were shut A storm surge combined with Tierney, 41, struggled with a Connecticut, New York and Maine Andrea Daney, a digital market- England’s ski industry. Greg down. Massachusetts Governor a high tide led to isolated coastal snowblower to carve out a parking declared a state of emergency ing senior manager for LaCoste, Kwasnick, a spokesman for Deval Patrick told a Boston radio flooding. US Route 1A was closed space in more than 2 feet (60 cm) before the storm. The US Postal said she was trying to be discreet Loon Mountain in Lincoln, New station he would re-evaluate a in New Hampshire because of of snow. “I had this all planned Service suspended mail delivery as she changed from snow boots Hampshire, said business was vehicle travel ban he introduced debris and rocks that washed out, and I don’t know who said in the six New England states. to high-heeled crushed blue vel- slightly slower than normal but on Friday, but would lift it only ashore, police said. it, but everybody goes into a box- Although New York was hit by vet ankle boots. “I’m calling it the likely would pick up in coming “when it’s safe to do so”. As the storm tapered off, streets ing match with a plan until they a foot of snow, Fashion Week went shoe storm of the century,” she days. “Snow is what it’s all about,” The storm dumped 29.3 inches in Cambridge, Massachusetts, get punched in the mouth,” said on unfazed as crowds arrived to said. “You have to make adjust- he said. of snow on Portland, Maine, were largely quiet except for Tierney, an attorney. watch the morning’s shows by ments to your outfit.” REUTERS
Horse meat scare spreads Assange urges leak of US drone rules Strong 7.0 LOS ANGELES: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange urged US officials on Friday to leak secret documents on drone strikes, saying that the broad discretion to kill citizens showed a “col- quake rattles lapse” in the American system. Assange, who has angered US officials by releasing thousands of secret memos, used a rare US buildings in television appearance to condemn President Barack Obama’s controversial green light to kill American citizens who conspire with Al Qaeda. “I can’t see a greater collapse when the executive Colombia can kill its own citizens arbitrarily, at will, in secret, without any of the decision-making becoming public,” Assange told the HBO BOGOTA: A powerful 7.0-mag- talk show “Real Time with Bill Maher”. “That’s why we need nitude earthquake rumbled organisations like WikiLeaks. I encourage anyone in the White across southern Colombia yes- House who has access to those rules and procedures, work them terday, injuring at least eight on over to us. We’ll keep you secret and reveal it to the public.” people and damaging more than Assange spoke to host Bill Maher, a supporter of WikiLeaks, by 140 buildings, authorities said. video link from Ecuador’s embassy in London, where he has been The quake was felt as far away holed up since June to avoid extradition to Sweden. Britain has as Quito, Ecuador and Bogota, refused him safe passage to Ecuador. where buildings swayed under the force of the tremor, which the US Plane crash kills five in Belgium Geological Survey said measured a strong 7.0 on the moment mag- BRUSSELS: A small passenger plane crashed at Belgium’s nitude scale. Charleroi airport yesterday, killing five people and closing the Authorities said the quake international hub used by Ryanair for six hours just as thousands struck at a depth of 129km at 1416 of people were due to go away on holiday. The aircraft, a Cessna, GMT, 11km southwest of Pasto, had problems on takeoff and tried to return to Charleroi to make Colombia, a city of 400,000 people an emergency landing but crashed on the side of the runway, air- that lies at the foot of the Galeras port officials said. Firefighters sprayed water on the plane that volcano. was reduced to a wreck of twisted metal, with only the tail still Eight people were injured and visible, TV images showed. Airport officials said the five killed a total of 143 buildings were dam- were three young children, their mother and grandfather — who A recall notice for frozen meals which had tested positive for horse meat is seen at an Aldi supermarket in aged, with the destruction con- was also the pilot of the private aircraft — and were all Belgian northwest London, yesterday. The French government promised to punish those found responsible for selling centrated in 17 municipalities nationals. horse meat in beef products at the heart of a growing scandal that started in Britain but is quickly spreading in southwestern Colombia, the to France. national disaster risk manage- Spanish PM publishes tax returns ment unit said via Twitter. However, “there are no deaths, MADRID: Spain’s prime minister published his tax returns no missing and no reports of seri- yesterday in a bid to quell reports he and other conservative ous damage,” its director, Carlos politicians received secret cash payments but the opposition said Blow for Merkel as close ally resigns Ivan Marquez, told reporters. many questions remain unanswered. The government’s web- One of the wounded was a child site posted tax authority documents detailing Mariano Rajoy’s BERLIN: German Chancellor Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, a “Her performance in this very who fell from the second floor of a income and tax payments from 2004 to 2012. The published Angela Merkel suffered a major popular defence minister some- important post has been extraor- building and broke a leg, he said. documents showed Rajoy earned up to 147,620 euros ($197,500) political blow less than eight times tipped as a future chancel- dinary. Education and research in In Cali, Ecuador’s third largest per year 2004 to 2012 as a parliamentarian over the period plus months before elections when lor, resigned in 2011. Germany... owe a lot to her.” city, a clinic was evacuated. In income from investments. He paid 870,292 euros in tax over the her education minister, a close The extent of Schavan’s alleged “She has put her own personal the town of San Pedro a church eight-year period, the documents showed. ally, stepped down yesterday plagiarism is thought to be less interests behind the interests of collapsed, apparently without over plagiarism allegations. than that of zu Guttenberg’s, the greater good,” said Merkel, causing any casualties, accord- Mali hit by first suicide bombing Merkel said she had accepted whose actions earned the aristo- visibly shaken. Mass circulation ing to officials. the resignation of Annette Schavan crat the nicknames “Baron Cut- daily Bild noted: “The departure Bogota’s mayor, Gustavo Petro, GAO: An Islamist suicide bomber blew himself up in northern “with a heavy heart” after her And-Paste” and “zu Googleberg”. was difficult for both of them ... tweeted that there were “no Mali, the first such attack in the country, while rival factions of former university stripped her of Nevertheless, Schavan’s mis- the chancellor has seldom seemed reports of injuries or damage.” the Malian army clashed in the capital Bamako. The bomber rode her doctorate, saying she had pla- takes were seen as indefensible so moved as in these few minutes. But he said some tall buildings a motorcycle up to an army checkpoint in Gao, the largest town giarised parts of her thesis “Person given her position as education Her eyes seemed to be welling up.” were evacuated. in the north and only recently recaptured from the Islamists. He and Conscience” 33 years ago. and research minister in a coun- Schavan thanked her “dear In Ecuador, firefighters took to detonated an explosive belt, wounding one soldier, an officer said. Schavan vowed to fight the alle- try where academic titles are Angela” and said their friendship Twitter to urge residents of the gations but said she did not want taken extremely seriously. would extend beyond this profes- capital Quito to remain calm and Russian oppn activist under house arrest the scandal to damage the office, There was also an element of sional break. “I will not accept take necessary precautions. the party or the federal govern- schadenfreude given her reaction this decision (from the univer- Local media said a transformer MOSCOW: A Russian court yesterday put prominent opposition ment. “I think today is the right to zu Guttenberg’s downfall, when sity) and will fight against it. I exploded, knocking out power to leader Sergei Udaltsov under house arrest amid accusations he day to leave my ministerial post she said she was “ashamed” of her neither copied my dissertation the center of the Ecuadoran city incited mass disorder to overthrow President Vladimir Putin, local and to concentrate on my duties former cabinet colleague. “As some- nor cheated. The accusations... of Esmeralda, near the border media reported. The Basmanny court in Moscow was responding as a member of parliament,” said one who was herself awarded a affect me deeply,” said Schavan. with Colombia. to a request by investigators who said Udaltsov was not showing an emotional Schavan. doctorate 31 years ago and who has However, she acknowledged The quake was situated 199km good behaviour and not cooperating with the authorities. The judge Merkel said she had suggested supervised several doctoral candi- that there were consequences to northeast of Quito and 168km said that Udaltsov could flee abroad or “try to carry out his crimi- to the country’s president that dates, I am ashamed and not just be drawn when an education and southwest of the Colombian city nal intentions”. The 35-year-old leader of the Left Front, who until Johanna Wanka, a minister in behind closed doors,” she told the research minister takes up a legal of Popayan, the USGS said. The now has remained under travel restrictions that prevented him the state of Lower Saxony, should Sueddeutsche Zeitung at the time. battle with her former university Pacific Tsunami Warning Center from leaving Moscow, faces 10 years in prison if a probe leads to a succeed her. Schavan, 57, became Merkel paid tribute to Schavan, and said she was resigning as “the in Hawaii said the event did not conviction. Udaltsov denies the accusations. the second close ally of Merkel to seen as a close personal friend as office should not be damaged”. generate a destructive tsunami. AGENCIES step down over plagiarism after well as a strong political ally, saying: AFP AFP SUNDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2013 ASIA / PHILIPPINES www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19
MNLF overruns New Year revelry two major Abu Sayyaf camps No word on captive Jordanian scribe
MANILA: Two main camps Colonel Orlando de Leon, com- of the Abu Sayyaf group were mander of the 2nd Marine overrun by forces of the Moro Brigade based in Sulu. National Liberation Front De Leon, however, was evasive (MNLF) in its latest offensive when asked whether Atyani was in Patikul, Sulu yesterday. still with the Abu Sayyaf. MNLF commander Ustadz “When it comes to the kidnap Habier Malik said his forces were victims, the primary unit involved able to overrun two camps of the in the tracking is the anti-kid- Abu Sayyaf but were not able to napping group so they are in the recover the Jordanian journal- position to give you the data,” he ist taken hostage by the bandit said. group. Asked to confirm reports that Malik said the MNLF fight- a 100m pesos ransom was paid to ers overran Kuta Masarin camp secure Atyani’s freedom, De Leon under Abu Sayyaf leader Habib said: “I do not have any way to Hajan Sawajaan and the second know whether the 100m pesos camp fell on the fourth day of was paid.” their offensive against the ban- Malik, on the other hand, said dit group believed to be holding the Abu Sayyaf suffered 18 fatal- Jordanian Baker Abdulla Atyani. ities with three others severely “We have occupied their wounded from their attack, bring- stronghold,” Malik said. “But we ing the total Abu Sayyaf casual- were not able to find Atyani or ties to 21. anyone from the group holding “The confirmation came from Performers take part in a dragon dance on the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Snake, in China town in Manila, yesterday. The dance is him hostage.” the Abu Sayyaf themselves,” he usually performed during the Chinese New Year to bring in good luck and prosperity. Malik said they have no idea on said. the whereabouts of Atyani. Malik said the fighting ceased “There were reports that he as the Abu Sayyaf have split into was allowed to go home to Jordan, smaller groups to escape. but these are speculations,” he Malik said his forces are now Police shoot dead Philippine massacre suspect said. monitoring the whereabouts of There were reports circulat- the Abu Sayyaf gunmen who fig- ing in Sulu that a day before the ured in the encounter. COTABATO, Philippines: forgot to pull the grenade’s pin. victims to... the massacre site,” members are now being tried encounter last Sunday, a speed- Malik also asked his leaders to Philippine police said yesterday “He must have gotten flustered. said Mina, citing eyewitnesses. for the crime, more than three boat with six gunmen on board coordinate with the relatives of they had shot dead a suspect He did not pull out the pin before The killing of members of the years later, dozens of other sus- landed on a beach in Sitio Parang- slain Abu Sayyaf members and in the 2009 killings of 58 peo- he threw it at the policemen,” said rival clan, lawyers, journalists and pects remain at large, raising Parang in Barangay Maglibak, explain the circumstances of their ple, the country’s worst political Jocson. even by-standers, was apparently fears they will intimidate wit- Patikul. operation. massacre, after he hurled a gre- Elsewhere in Maguindanao on intended to prevent a rival can- nesses while protecting the clan’s Sources said the gunmen “We will explain it to them why nade and fired a pistol at them. Friday, another suspect, Nasser didate from running against an interests. handed over bags believed to be this happened. We will discuss Maguid Amil resisted arrest Guia, was arrested by police act- Ampatuan in elections in May The trial is seen as a test of loaded with cash to another group with them why we have to stop after being approached by police- ing on a tip-off, Mina said. 2010. whether the Philippines can abol- and left with a foreigner. their illegal activities,” he said. men in the strife-torn southern Both Guia and Amil were alleg- The massacre shocked the ish the “culture of impunity” sur- It was not clear, according to Malik appealed to the relatives province of Maguindanao on edly part of the private army of nation, forcing then president rounding powerful figures who the source, if the foreigner was and families of the Abu Sayyaf in Friday, Senior Superintendent the powerful Ampatuan clan who Gloria Arroyo to crack down on feel they can commit crimes with- Atyani. Sulu not to condone their crimi- Melecio Mina said. stopped a rival political group’s her former allies, the Ampatuans. out fear of punishment. Malik said they would not spec- nal activity. The grenade did not explode convoy and herded dozens to an Originally, only 57 people were Government lawyers and ulate on the information. Malik also clarified the offen- but officers fired back, killing isolated hillside where they were listed as victims of the massacre human rights advocates warn The military also said they have sive was not to occupy the camps Amil, he added. murdered. but a 58th person was confirmed that the trial could take years not received any information that of the Abu Sayyaf but to negotiate Maguindanao police chief “Both Amil and Guia were by authorities last year to be due to delaying tactics by some Atyani had been released. with them to convince them stop Senior Superintendent Rodelio among those who flagged down among the fatalities even if his of the wealthy defendants and the “We have not seen reports their kidnapping activity. Jocson said the policemen sur- the convoy in November, 2009 and body was never recovered. overburdened legal system. that he (Atyani) has been freed,” THE PHILIPPINE STAR vived because Amil apparently were among those who herded the Although key Ampatuan clan AFP
Death toll in Bangla ferry disaster rises to 14 Japan may release China
DHAKA: Rescue divers yes- for, according to officials involved 40 people feared missing. colliding with a cargo ship. terday pulled out 12 more bod- in the rescue effort. Nasir Hossain, who partici- Ferries are the main form of radar incident data ies from a ferry that sank near “Divers have pulled 12 more pated in the rescue operation on transport in Bangladesh, a low- the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka dead bodies from the sunken Friday using his own boat, said lying country that is subject to TOKYO: Japan may release had intended to tarnish China’s with around 100 people aboard, vessel,” District Police Chief that he and others helped pull 13 frequent flooding and where the data it says will prove a Chinese image so as to gain sympathy and raising the death toll from the Mohammad Shahabuddin said, people out of the water. road network is rudimentary. naval vessel directed its fire support, but a lie does not help,” latest boat disaster to 14. adding that the ferry had been “I heard a bang as a sand-laden However many of the vessels control radar at a Japanese it said in an English language The small vessel was ferry- recovered and would be searched barge hit the boat in the middle of that plough the 230 or so riv- destroyer near disputed islands commentary. “China has been ing passengers on Friday on the for more bodies. “The death toll the river and saw the overcrowded ers that traverse the country in the East China Sea, local exercising maximum restraint Meghna river, close to the town of is now 14.” boat sink quickly,” Hossain told a date back to before independ- media reported. and stayed committed to solving Gazaria in the central Munshiganj The exact number of people local television channel. ence in 1971 and overcrowding is Japan has said a Chinese frigate the dispute through dialogue and district, when it collided with a aboard the ferry was uncer- Bangladesh has a history of frequent. on January 30 locked its targeting consultation.” barge laden with sand to be used tain as passenger lists are often boat disasters as a result of poor Naval officials have said more radar on a Japanese destroyer — Japan and China have been for construction. not maintained properly in safety standards and frequent than 95 percent of Bangladesh’s a step that usually precedes the involved in a series of incidents in While some passengers man- Bangladesh and many travellers overloading of vessels. hundreds of thousands of small firing of weapons — but China recent months in the East China aged to swim to safety as the buy tickets on board. Last March 147 people were and medium-sized boats do not insists that its vessel used only Sea where Chinese and Japanese wooden boat went down rapidly, Police said that the ferry was killed when a passenger vessel meet minimum safety regulations. ordinary surveillance radar. naval vessels regularly shadow many others remain unaccounted carrying around 100 people, with sank in the Meghna river after AFP The incident has added to ten- each others movements. sions between the two nations Both countries claim a small over the disputed islands. clusters of islands, known as Japan will consider how much Diaoyu in China and Senkaku Rally against war criminals normally classified data it can in Japan, believed to be rich in US welcomes release, the media reports said, oil and gas. Controlled by Japan, citing comments by Japan Defence possession of the uninhabited out- Myanmar panel Minister Itsunori Onodera on crops and the sea surrounding local television. them would provide China with on dissidents “The government is consid- easier access to the Pacific. ering the extent of what can be Hopes had been rising for an WASHINGTON: The United disclosed,” Kyodo news agency easing in tensions, including a States welcomed the creation quoted Onodera as saying. possible summit between Japanese of a committee to review and Meanwhile, Japan has sug- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and release Myanmar’s last remain- gested setting up a military hot- Chinese Communist Party chief ing political prisoners. line with China to avoid clashes Xi Jinping. But the radar issue After long denying their exis- between the two countries, which has seen China and Japan engage tence, the Myanmar regime are at loggerheads over a group of in a fresh round of invective. has freed hundreds of political disputed islands, Tokyo’s defence China’s Defence Ministry on detainees since President Thein minister said yesterday. Thursday said Japan’s complaints Sein took power in March 2011, “What’s important is to cre- did not “match the facts”. The and announced a review of all ate a hotline, so that we would Chinese ship’s radar, it said, had “politically concerned” cases in be able to communicate swiftly maintained regular alerting and November. when this kind of incident hap- surveillance operations and the On Thursday, state media said pens,” Onodera told reporters. ship “did not use fire control radar”. Thein Sein had established a com- He said Tokyo told Beijing on Japan’s position against China mittee to review political prisoner Thursday through its embassy has hardened since Abe led his con- cases “to grant them liberty.” in China that it wants to resume servative party to a landslide elec- “By establishing an inclusive, talks on creating a “seaborne com- tion victory in December, promising transparent review mechanism to munication mechanism” between to beef up the military and stand ensure the release of all remain- military officials of both countries. tough in territorial disputes. ing political prisoners, the govern- China has accused Japan of The commander of US forces in ment has taken an important step smearing its name with the the Asia-Pacific said the squabble toward national reconciliation,” Bangladeshi social activists create a map of Bangladesh as they participate in a rally demanding death sentence accusations, and on Saturday, between Japan and China under- US State Department spokes- for the country’s war criminals in Dhaka yesterday. Tens of thousands of people rallied on Friday in Dhaka and the official Xinhua news agency lined the need for rules to prevent woman Victoria Nuland said in continued the war of words. such incidents turning into seri- other cities to demand a ban on Bangladesh’s largest Islamic party and the execution of its leaders who are a statement. “By spreading false accusations ous conflict. on trial for war crimes. AFP and posing as a poor victim, Japan AGENCIES SUNDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2013 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN Sufficient US troops to remain in Afghanistan Top general plays down talk of ‘zero option’; Afghan forces expected to take over lead role for security this spring
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, on the management of forces in for the International Security leaving no troops behind after Dempsey said the only circum- agreement that would provide GERMANY: The top US mili- 2013 “has to come fairly soon, Assistance Force. Marine Corps 2014 was an option. stance under which a zero option immunity and other protections tary officer said yesterday he simply because we’re two months General John Allen will hand over “The military at this point is was likely to come into play was for US forces were better in was confident enough US troops in(to)” the year. Officials have command of the international confident that the number will if the two sides failed to negotiate Afghanistan than in Iraq, where would remain in Afghanistan said a decision on the size of the coalition to Marine Corps General match the mission,” Dempsey a bilateral security agreement, as the United States failed to reach after 2014 to accomplish the post-2014 US force would be made Joseph Dunford, expected to be said. “Let me put it this way: I happened in Iraq. a deal. three-part mission agreed to by before any announcement of the the force’s last commander. will not at any point ask 10,000 “This is why the bilateral secu- “Using the lessons of Iraq we allies at last year’s Nato summit speed of the 2013 drawdown. Dempsey played down a sugges- troops to do 20,000 troops’ rity agreement is so important, started this process sooner,” he in Chicago. Afghan forces are expected to tion by some White House offi- work.” because if we get this agreement said, adding that it gave them Army General Martin take over the lead role for secu- cials that the United States might At a Nato heads of state sum- in place soon, then it takes away more time to deal with internal Dempsey, chairman of the US rity in Afghanistan this spring. consider a “zero option” and leave mit in Chicago last year, the lead- all of the anxieties related to our domestic political issues. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he did The international force plans to no troops behind in Afghanistan. ers agreed that the post-2014 enduring presence there,” he said. He also noted that Afghanistan’s not know whether President hand over full responsibility for Dempsey said no one had sug- mission in Afghanistan would He noted that Karzai and economy was considerably weaker Barack Obama would announce security to the Afghans by the end gested that to him, “and I would focus on counterterrorism opera- Obama had agreed they wanted than Iraq’s, which led Afghans to the size of the post-2014 US of 2014, with most international never recommend zero.” tions against Al Qaeda, training to complete a bilateral security recognise they would need inter- force for Afghanistan during his combat forces being withdrawn. White House officials told and assisting Afghan forces and agreement this year, if possible by national support for the long upcoming State of the Union Dempsey spoke to reporters reporters last month ahead of a supporting other US govern- the spring. term, an issue that did not con- address. while en route to Afghanistan for visit by Afghan President Hamid ment diplomatic and development Dempsey said he thought the front oil-rich Iraq. But he said an announcement a change of command ceremony Karzai that the possibility of operations. chances of reaching a security REUTERS
Pakistan to showcase submarine at UAE Hanging of Kashmiri separatist sparks protests in Pakistan MUZAFFARABAD: Ghazali condemned the hanging defence expo Hundreds of protesters ral- and announced that his support- ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will, lied in Muzaffarabad, the capi- ers would stage a sit-in in front for the first time, showcase tal of Pakistan-administered of the United Nations office in its indigenously-modified and Kashmir, to condemn the exe- Muzaffarabad tomorrow. upgraded submarine called cution of a Kashmiri separatist The government of Pakistan- ‘Khalid’ at the IDEX 2013 in India yesterday. administered Kashmir announced exhibition in the United Arab Mohammed Afzal Guru, a one- three days of mourning across the Emirates. time fruit merchant, was hanged state to mark Guru’s hanging. Besides the submarine, a Multi- at New Delhi’s Tihar Jail early “The state’s flag will fly half- Purpose Auxiliary Craft called yesterday over his role in a deadly mast during the mourning, which Jurrat, fabricated in Pakistan attack on the Indian parliament started from today,” Murtaza with full integration of weaponry, in 2001, after President Pranab Durrani, a state government and destroyer Shah Jahan, modi- Mukherjee rejected a mercy plea. adviser, said. fied as per Pakistan’s require- Some 400 protesters gath- He said Guru was hanged under ments, will be on display. ered in Muzaffarabad, burning “draconian laws” and claimed that Some of the companies partici- Indian flags and chanting slogans “courts in India are not free and pating in the exhibition include the including “down with India, down independent”. Pakistan Ordnance Factories with with India’s farce democracy, we Guru was found guilty of con- three auxiliary companies, Defence will continue Guru’s mission”, a spiring with and sheltering the Export Promotion Organisation, reporter said. militants who attacked the Indian Global Industries and Defence The rally was organised by parliament in December 2001. Solutions, with seven auxiliary Pasban-e-Hurriyat, an organisa- He was also held guilty of being companies, Heavy Industries tion representing Kashmiris who a member of the banned Islamist Taxila, Embroidery Export migrated to Pakistani Kashmir group Jaish-e-Mohammed, which Corp, and Karachi Shipyard and from the Indian-administered part fights against Indian rule in the Engineering Works. of the disputed Himalayan region. divided region of Kashmir. Activists of banned charity Jamaat-ud-Dawa shout anti-India slogans during a protest in Karachi against the INTERNEWS Hurriyat chief Uzair Ahmad AFP execution of Kashmiri separatist Mohammed Afzal Guru in the Indian capital New Delhi, yesterday.
Anti-aircraft gun No party enjoys Malala discharged from clear lead in voter support: Survey hospital after surgery ISLAMABAD: Pakistani vot- ers appear divided on who to vote for in the upcoming elec- LONDON: Malala Yousafzai, drew worldwide condemnation. She spoke clearly in English, tions and which issues are most the Pakistani schoolgirl shot The bullet shattered parts of her but displayed a lack of movement critical for the country, accord- by the Taliban for campaign- skull and left her deaf in one ear. on the left side of her face. She ing to the Political Barometer, ing for girls’ education, has She has since become a global also recorded a message in Urdu. an opinion survey conducted by been discharged from hospital symbol of the campaign for girls’ Surgeons in Pakistan saved the Herald in partnership with in Britain following success- right to an education and has Malala’s life after the attack with the Sustainable Development ful surgery, her doctors said on been nominated for this year’s an operation to relieve the pres- Policy Institute (SDPI). Friday. Nobel Peace Prize. sure on her brain before she was The survey involved 1,283 The Queen Elizabeth Hospital During five hours of surgery airlifted to Britain. respondents in 54 districts across in the central English city of last Saturday, the schoolgirl had The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Pakistan. Birmingham said the 15-year- a custom-made piece of tita- has extensive experience of treat- Of those who said they had reg- old has been making “a good nium fitted to her skull and sur- ing gunshot wounds suffered by istered for the upcoming elections recovery” following surgery last geons also inserted an electronic British soldiers in Afghanistan. and indicated a party preference, weekend to fix a titanium plate to implant to help restore hearing Malala first rose to prominence 29 percent said they would vote cover a missing piece of her skull. to her left ear. aged 11 with a blog for the BBC’s for the PPP. Twenty-five percent “Her medical team decided she Malala released a video mes- Urdu-language service charting support the PML-N and 20 per- was well enough to be discharged sage on Monday in which she her life under the Taliban. cent plan to vote for the Pakistan as an inpatient” the hospital said thanked supporters for their Millions of people have signed Tehrik-i-Insaaf (PTI). in a statement. prayers and vowed to continue petitions supporting her cause Dispelling the notion that the “She will now continue her with her campaign. since her attempted murder PTI’s votes are concentrated rehabilitation at her family’s tem- “Today you can see that I am and the UN announced a global among young voters, the survey’s porary home in Birmingham and alive. I can speak, I can see you, “Malala Day” in November. findings indicate that the party will visit the hospital occasionally I can see everyone and I am get- Malala’s family have temporar- derives support from people of for outpatient appointments.” ting better day by day,” she said. ily moved to Birmingham, a city all ages. Malala was shot at point- “God has given me this new with a large Pakistani population, While 23 percent of those in blank range by a Taliban gun- life — a second life. And I want to and her father has been given a the 18-to-35 age group said they man as her school bus travelled serve. I want to serve the people. job with the Pakistani consulate would vote for PTI, approximately through Pakistan’s Swat Valley I want every girl, every child, to there as an education attache. 19 percent of those aged between A soldier mans an anti-aircraft gun as Afghan border forces take part on October 9, in an attack that be educated.” AGENCIES 36 and 70 also said the same. in a military exercise on the outskirts of Herat, Afghanistan, yesterday. Thirty-three percent of those aged 36 to 50 support PPP. Forty- six percent of those over 70 prefer PML-N. UN recovery programme worth $222m gets nod Bomb kills family of six in Kandahar PESHAWAR: The federal had jointly developed the pro- The programme would be programme. He said the UN and that donors would give a positive KANDAHAR: A landmine government of Pakistan has gramme to ensure rehabilitation implemented under the supervi- its partners would implement the response to the UN. explosion ripped through a given the go-ahead to the esti- of hundreds of thousands of dis- sion of the UN and its partners programme and local communities An early recovery needs assess- civilian vehicle in southern mated $222m multi-sectoral placed families. through local communities in all would identify all schemes. ment survey was conducted in the Afghanistan and killed six Early Recovery Assistance The UNDP and other UN agen- agencies of Fata with special focus “There will be no interference affected areas in 2011. The pro- members of a family, provincial Framework programme for cies have completed a field survey on Orakzai, Bajaur and Mohmand. from the government, and the UN gramme would be implemented authorities said yesterday. economic rehabilitation of mil- in the affected areas and the doc- Initially, it was planned that the has been given the lead role in the in eight different sectors, includ- “Six people, all on board — two itancy-stricken communities ument is awaiting approval by the programme would be completed in programme to ensure transparent ing farm-to-market roads, reha- elderly men, two women and two in the Federally Administered EAD for the past one year. a single phase, but the EAD did utilisation of resources for reha- bilitation of irrigation channels, men — were killed in a landmine Tribal Areas, it is learnt. “The federal ministry had not agree with that. bilitation of local communities,” drinking water supply schemes, explosion in Nad Ali district of Official sources said the raised some observations which Under the revised plan, the pro- he said, adding that the UN was revitalisation of agriculture lands, Helmand province,” Ahmad Economic Affairs Division (EAD) caused the delay,” said an official, gramme would be implemented in ready to approach international provision of seeds, livestock, and Zirak, the provincial governor’s — a part of the federal ministry adding that all irritants had been three phases. For the first phase, donors to get funds for the plan. recovery of education and health spokesman, said. of finance — had approved the removed. the UN would ask donors to pro- He said preparations for the facilities. The blast at around 7pm on programme about two weeks ago. The sources said that now the vide $75m. first phase of the project would The programme was designed Friday took place as they were The Fata Disaster Management UN would negotiate with donors The official said the govern- be completed soon, following to reintegrate hundreds of thou- travelling from one village to Authority and United Nations for provision of funds for the pro- ment and other agencies, including which the UN would negoti- sands of families who fled Fata another in the district, Zirak Development Programme, in col- gramme, which would be com- the political administration, had ate with donors for mobilisation owing to militancy and violence. added. laboration with 13 UN agencies, pleted in three phases. no role in implementation of the of resources. He was optimistic INTERNEWS AGENCIES SUNDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2013 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21 Parliament attack plotter hanged Thirty-six hurt in protests; Amnesty International criticises trial; separatists slam execution
NEW DELHI: A Kashmiri separatist convicted of involvement in a deadly Jurists accuse 2001 attack on the Indian parliament was executed yesterday in New Delhi — triggering protests on both sides of govt of buckling the border in disputed Kashmir. Hundreds of demonstrators rallied near the family home of Mohammed under pressure Afzal Guru in northern Kashmir hours NEW DELHI: The government after authorities said he had been hanged. yesterday was accused by some Similar protests were held across jurists of hanging Afzal Guru on the frontier on the Pakistani side with account of political expediency as it demonstrators burning Indian flags and was finding itself on the backfoot on shouting “Down with India”. issues of national security and law Some 36 people, including many police, and order. were hurt in protests near Guru’s home “He (Afzal Guru) was hanged not and across Kashmir as police fired into for his role in parliament attack but the air to disperse demonstrators but because the BJP has put the govern- none were seriously injured, the Press ment on the backfoot on the question Trust of India news agency reported. of national security and crime situa- Guru, 43, was hanged at Tihar Jail after tion,” said Yug Mohit Chaudhary, sen- President Pranab Mukherjee rejected a ior counsel at the Bombay High Court. mercy appeal. He had been convicted of Delivering the Second Shahid Azmi waging war against India and conspiring Memorial Lecture at the Indian Law with the Islamist militants who attacked Institute, Chaudhary wondered why the parliament — an event that brought Guru was hanged just before the nuclear-armed India and Pakistan to the budget session of Parliament quite brink of war. like Ajmal Kasab, a Pakistani terror- “Afzal Guru was hanged at 8.00am. ist held guilty in the Mumbai terror All legal procedures were followed,” attack, who was hanged before the Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde told winter session of the House. reporters after the execution. “Afzal Guru was hanged on the eve The main opposition party welcomed of the budget session of parliament. the hanging, but one of Guru’s co-accused Same had happened in the case of who was later cleared called it a travesty Kasab”, Yug Mohit Chaudhary said, of justice. Human rights group Amnesty pointing to the manner in which the International said Guru’s trial fell “con- government allegedly flouted all statu- siderably short” of international fair tory provisions in his hanging. standards. Speaking on the subject ‘Capital Guru had always insisted he was inno- Punishment: An Agenda for Abolition’, cent and said he wanted to see his teen- Chaudhary said there has to be a gap age son grow up. between informing the death convict Fearing a backlash over the execu- Kashmiri Muslims offer funeral prayers in absentia for Mohammed Afzal Guru on a road in the outskirts of Srinagar, yesterday. of the rejection of his mercy petition tion of the one-time fruit merchant, and actual carrying out of the sen- authorities imposed a tight curfew in tence so that he could exercise the major populated areas of Indian Kashmir. intelligence, creating a tense eight-month Farooq announced a four-day shutdown not informed that his execution was option of seeking any available judi- A separatist conflict in the disputed standoff as the neighbours deployed an of the scenic region in protest. imminent but the government said they cial remedy. Himalayan region has claimed up to estimated one million troops on their “This execution will definitely had been notified by express mail. Claiming that Guru was not given 100,000 lives. borders. India’s main opposition party, strengthen our resolve and add a new Supreme Court advocate Kamini an opportunity to meet his wife and Authorities also cut off cable televi- the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata chapter to the freedom struggle,” Jaiswal told local television the execu- child and his family too was not sion and mobile Internet lines in Kashmir Party, said while the execution had been said Farooq, chief priest at Kashmir’s tion was driven by the government’s informed about the decision to hang while the Home Ministry issued an advi- delayed too long, the world now “could main mosque. desire to appear tough on militancy him, Chaudhary wondered if we were sory to state police across the country to see India is committed to the fight Guru had been “framed”, Farooq added. with 2014 polls looming and said Guru’s living in a police state. be on guard against any violence following against terror”. Farooq and another leading separatist conviction was based “on circumstantial He said every person has a right to the hanging. India says the death penalty is reserved leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani were taken evidence”. judicial remedy till his last breath. He Guru was arrested after five militants for the “rarest of rare” cases and the into preventive custody, a form of deten- Guru’s family said they were asking cited instances in the past when just a stormed the parliament in New Delhi on execution came after the government tion used frequently by Indian authorities authorities to be allowed to perform his day before their hanging convicts got December 13, 2001, killing eight police- hanged the sole surviving gunman from to maintain law and order. last rites inside the prison and also to be reprieve from the top court. men and a gardener before security the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Pakistan-born One of Guru’s co-accused, SAR given the body. Opposing the death penalty, the forces shot them dead. A journalist who Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, last November. Geelani, a college teacher, who was also “We have written a letter to the dep- senior counsel said: “Judiciary is was wounded died months later. But the hanging drew bitter criticism sentenced to death but later cleared, said uty commissioner of Baramulla district error prone as any other institution in India alleged the militants behind from Muslim-majority Kashmir where Guru never received a fair trial. demanding Afzal’s body,” his cousin, Yasin the country.” IANS the attack were supported by Pakistani leading separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar He told AFP that Guru’s family were Guru, told AFP. AFP
French president Omar was told of execution plan on Friday evening SRINAGAR: Jammu and “We were informed to take had been decided that Afzal Guru among us who would try to Left-ruled state, a party leader to start two-day Kashmir Chief Minister Omar steps to control the situation would be hanged at 8am tomor- vitiate the prevailing peace in said. Abdullah yesterday said he in (Jammu and Kashmir),” row),” Abdullah said. the Kashmir Valley using the The prime minister postponed visit on Feb 14 was told about Afzal Guru’s Abdullah said. He said the state government development.” his election campaign tour to imminent hanging the previ- “In contrast to (JKLF chair- had conveyed to the central gov- The chief minister accompa- Nagaland too due to some work NEW DELHI: France’s ous evening and told “to take man) Maqbool Bhat, there was ernment its apprehensions about nied by minister Sajjad Kichloo related to Afzal Guru’s execution, President Francois Hollande steps to control the situation” in no case against Afzal Guru in the the possible fallout of the hanging and Director General of Police a party leader here said. will be on a two-day state the state. state and as such the chief min- in Jammu and Kashmir. Ashok Prasad reached here yes- “We have received a message visit to India from February Home Minister Sushilkumar ister or the government did not “Curfew has been imposed as terday to supervise the law and from the Union Home Ministry 14 along with his compan- Shinde had on Friday evening told have to sign his ... death warrant,” a preventive measure. The army order situation in the valley. that Congress president Sonia ion Valerie Trierweiler at the the state government about the Abdullah said. has not been called out anywhere. Meanwhile, in a blow to the Gandhi cancelled her visit to invitation of Prime Minister decision to hang the parliament Bhat was hanged in 1984 in the The police and the CRPF are campaign of opposition Congress Tripura to campaign for the Manmohan Singh. attack convict, the chief minis- Tihar Jail. maintaining law and order,” he for the February 14 assembly February 14 elections. She was Hollande will also be accompa- ter told the media, and appealed “Yesterday (Friday) at around said. polls in Tripura, Prime Minister scheduled to address two public nied by a high-level delegation, for calm. 8pm, Union Home Minister The chief minister appealed to Manmohan Singh and Congress meetings here and Kumarghat in including several key cabinet Afzal Guru was hanged yester- informed me that all legal formal- stay calm and control their emo- supremo Sonia Gandhi yester- northern Tripura on Sunday,” a ministers, senior officials, busi- day at New Delhi’s Tihar Jail. ities had been completed and it tions. “There are some elements day cancelled their trips to the government official said. IANS ness-persons and media, a state- ment said yesterday. The French president will arrive in New Delhi on the Trouble in the hills morning of February 14. He Gurgaon executive will hold delegation level talks Rajapaksa prays at with the prime minister, while External Affairs Minister Salman booked for Khurshid will pay a call on him. raping colleague United Progressive Alliance Tirupati before return chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in the Lok GURGAON: An executive TIRUPATI: Sri Lankan “What can I do” This is a dem- Sabha Sushma Swaraj will also working with a private firm President Mahinda Rajapaksa ocratic country,” he said, when call on the French president, said here was booked for raping his returned to Colombo yester- asked about his reaction to the the statement. colleague, police said yesterday. day after praying at the Lord protests. On February 15, Hollande will Abhishek Sharma, 34, a man- Venkateswara Temple here. Asked about alleged right viola- deliver a lecture at the Nehru ager with a private company based A few hours after praying at tions in Sri Lanka, he said: “Come Memorial Museum and Library, on Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road, was the temple, Rajapaksa, his family and see for yourself what is hap- Teen Murti House. He is to hon- booked for sexually harassing a and members of the Sri Lankan pening there.” our Nobel laureate Amartya Sen woman working in the same firm. delegation flew to Colombo amid The president left the temple with Commandeur de la Legion The woman, 32, also an execu- tight security. for Renigunta airport in a motor- d’Honneur. tive, resident of Delhi’s Dwarka, His two-day visit had been cade amid tight security and took He will then visit Mumbai alleged that on the pretext of marred by protests by Tamil off for Colombo in a special air- where he will participate in a marriage the accused had been groups who denounced the presi- craft. The road from Tirumala business conference, the state- sexually exploiting her for the last dent for not granting autonomy to Hills to the airport was closed ment said. four years, police said. Tamil areas and for human rights for traffic. Security was beefed India-France ties have been In her complaint, she said she violations. up along the route. laid on strong historical founda- was first raped in 2008 when she Rajapaksa, his wife Shiranthi The president arrived in this tions and shared values. With worked in the same company as and other family members temple town on Friday evening. upgradation to strategic partner- that of the accused. The victim had a ‘darshan’ of the resident There were no protests in the ship in 1998, the relationship has now works in a company at Udyog deity early yesterday. They also temple town yesterday unlike become multifaceted and symbi- Activists from the Bangla O Bangla Bhasa Bachao Committee burn Vihar. “On the order of court, we took part in the ‘Suprabhatha Friday when a large number of otic in areas such as defence, civil effigies of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJMM) Supremo Bimal Gurung have registered a case against the Seva’, a pre-dawn ritual, temple Tamil activists from neighbour- nuclear energy, space and coun- in Siliguri yesterday, during a 12-hour strike in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, accused under section 376 (rape) officials said. ing Tamil Nadu tried to stall ter terrorism. Khurshid visited Mirik and the nearby hills. The GJMM is demanding a separate state of IPC,” Prem Chand, Additional After visiting the temple, he Rajapaksa’s visit. Earlier, priests France last month to hold talks within India for the Gorkha people in northern West Bengal which Station House Officer of Sushant told the media that India was a offered ‘prasadam’ and the silk with his counterpart Laurent affects the tea and tourism industries. Lok police station, told IANS. democratic country and everyone ‘vastram’ of the presiding deity Fabius. IANS IANS had a right to protest. to Rajapaksa. IANS SUNDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2013 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA UK move to stop aid is political, says report Change of course from 2015
LONDON: The decision by But the ringfenced aid budget has the UK’s Secretary of State become increasingly controversial for International Development, with rightwing backbenchers, at a Justine Greening, to end British time when many other departments aid to India was based on placating are facing deep cuts. Conservative (Tory) party back- Greening, who replaced Andrew benchers, instead of combating Mitchell at DfID, had been regarded poverty, according to a damning as a sceptic on the issue of spend- report from the Institute for Public ing on aid before she took the job, Policy Research thinktank. and her decision to change Britain’s Will Straw, the associate director relationship with India was her of the IPPR, said that the British first key policy announcement. coalition government’s announce- Max Lawson, the head of policy at ment in November 2012 that aid to charity Oxfam, said there was, “no India would be halted in 2015, was development case to be made for “a tactic for winning votes at home stopping aid to India”. rather than tackling poverty abroad”. “Three hundred thousand women India has achieved impressive eco- a year die in childbirth,” he said. “It’s nomic growth in the past 10 years, completely inexcusable that the rich as the shift in power to emerging in India allow that to happen — but economies has accelerated, but the that’s just as true in Nigeria or in country remains home to one-third Angola, and no one says we shouldn’t of the world’s poorest people — help poor people in those places.” Devotees gather at the confluence of the Ganga and the Yamuna in Allahabad, yesterday. Today is the most auspicious day to take a dip. measured as those who live on less Ivan Lewis, the shadow develop- than 79p a day. ment minister, said that politics, The UK spent just over £300m on not economics, had guided the development in the country in 2012, announcement. 30 million to take holy dip today with the most channelled through “The timing was not about con- the Department for International sistent UK development policy, or ALLAHABAD: Tens of mil- from London, taking part in sin and frees them of the cycle considered the holiest and Development (DfID); but after 2015 our relationship with India, it was a lions of Hindu pilgrims pre- the festivities for the first time. of birth and rebirth. Many most auspicious, is “the most that will fall to just £30m of “techni- beleaguered secretary of state trying pared to cleanse their sins The Maha Kumbh Mela, believe some three billion Hindu crucial day for the pilgrims and cal assistance”. Straw said: “The UK to get a few brownie points from the with a plunge into the sacred which began last month, deities will also take a dip in the for police”, Ajit Tyagi, a police should not give aid to India for ever, ‘no-aid’ brigade.” river Ganga, ahead of the most takes place every 12 years in sacred river to bless mankind officer in Allahabad, told AFP. but withdrawing now is premature A spokesperson for DfID said: auspicious day of the world’s Allahabad in northern Uttar today. “We have to make sure everyone given India’s development challenges. “This report fails to recognise that largest religious festival. Pradesh state, with smaller but The festival, which draws ash- is safe.” DfID should instead focus on areas the decision to change the UK’s Some 30 million Hindu similar events every three years covered holy men, a smatter- Over 7,000 policemen have that are not benefiting from India’s development relationship with India saints, devotees and visitors in other locations around India. ing of international celebrities been deployed to oversee today’s growth, and key issues like health, was an agreement between the UK were expected to take part in It has its origins in Hindu as well as millions of ordinary bathing ritual, along with 30,000 HIV and good governance in the and the Indian government. the Maha Kumbh Mela today tradition, which tells how a few Indians, yesterday welcomed volunteers, he said. poorest states.” The Indian government has made — considered the holiest of the drops of the nectar of immortal- new waves of devotees. Nude The “safety of women and British prime minister clear that what it values most about 55-day festival — in north India, ity fell on the four places that ash-smeared mystics, known as children is our first priority”, David Cameron committed the the relationship is technical assist- police said. host the festival — Allahabad, sadhus, and swamis and gurus said Tyagi, adding that over 10 Conservatives to fulfil Labour’s ance to make its own welfare spend- “One dip in the river has the Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar. clad in flowing robes streamed million women were expected pledge to lift overseas aid spending ing more effective.” power to change life forever,” Devotees believe entering the into the festival grounds. to participate in the big to 0.7 percent of GDP by this year. GUARDIAN NEWS said 65-year-old Malti Devi mighty river cleanses them of Today, when the water is bathing day. AFP Judge’s remarks on Kerala rape victim trigger outrage KOCHI: A retired judge’s com- however, reacted sharply to his get together and slap Basant ments on the Suryanelli sex comments and walked out of the for his derogatory remarks,” scandal victim recorded on venue while the activists of youth Achuthanandan said. video during a sting operation wings of the Communist Party The victim’s father too con- by a news channel here have of India-Marxist and Bharatiya demned the retired judge. sparked protests in Kerala. Janata Party started shouting slo- The activists of the women’s Justice (retd) R Basant, who gans against him. wing of the CPI-M demanded that was in 2005 member of the Kerala They also burnt an effigy of a case be registered against him High Court’s division bench that the former judge, who is now with the police and he should be acquitted all but one of the 35 practising law at the Supreme arrested. accused in the Suryanelli sex Court, in front of the Kerala state The sex scandal in Suryanelli in scandal, was shown admonishing secretariat. Kerala’s Idukki district took place the victim and speaking ill about On the acquittal of the accused, in January 1996 when a 16-year- her character when she was a the retired judge was shown on old was threatened, abducted and teenager, during a conversation the video clip asking the reporter abused by a bus conductor. She with the TV reporter. to read the judgment. was later sexually assaulted for Later, Basant, speaking at a Reacting to the remarks 45 days by 42 men. function near Kannur, said: “It made by Basant, Leader of The case is back in the spot- was a private conversation and no Opposition inthe state assembly light after the Supreme Court on permission was given to record it. V S Achuthanandan said that he January 31 ordered a retrial, set- This is unethical journalism.” should be condemned. ting aside the acquittal order of A section of the audience, “Ten smart girls should the Kerala High Court. IANS
Mud Rush Vishwaroopam-2 to be released this year BANGALORE: Actor and director Kamal Haasan said yesterday his next produc- tion “Vishwaroopam-2” will be launched in a few days and release this year. Speaking to reporters here at a meet organised by Raj Kamal Enterprises, along with film dis- tributor H D Gangaraj, Kamal Haasan said he would ensure that there will be no delay in the release of the new film as he has been making preparations in right earnestness. The actor said that many Tamil film personalities advised him to continue making films at least once a year. Haasan also announced that he has also been involved in another script titled “Moo”. The A competitor crawls through a mud trap under razor wire during the actor’s latest espionage thriller inaugural Mud Rush race in Kolad, 117km from Mumbai, yesterday. The “Vishwaroopam” ran into trouble first event of its kind in Asia challenges competitors by making them after some Muslim groups sought negotiate a 7 km course with obstacles including mud traps, barbed certain modifications. The actor wire, streams and fire pits. agreed for the changes before its release on February 7. IANS
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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Qatar is fourth largest Car sales in Russia rise Arab market for US Imports grow by 27.8 percent to $3.58bn in 2012
DOHA: Qatar has moved up to Saudi Arabia, which together machinery ($3.29bn), and chemi- become the fourth largest Arab accounted for more than half of cals ($1.21bn). market for US goods. Qatar’s all US merchandise exports to Exports to Egypt, the third imports of the US goods have the Arab world (61.74 percent). largest Arab import market reached over $3.58bn in 2012, a Egypt retained its position as for US goods, declined from 27.8 percent increase over 2011. the third largest Arab market $6.22bn in 2011 to $5.49bn in The top three sectors were for US goods, despite a drop in 2012. This represents an 11.8 transportation equipment sales of nearly 12 percent, prob- percent decrease. Top imports ($2.35bn), non-electrical machin- ably attributable to political included agricultural products ery ($342m), and computer & unrest in that nation. ($1.12bn), transportation equip- electronic products ($168m). Qatar and Kuwait filled out ment ($743m), and non-electrical A new data analysed by the the top five importing nations. machinery ($732m). National US-Arab Chamber of The GCC continues to drive US Kuwait moved up one position Commerce (NUSACC) noted that exports to the region, accounting to round out the “Top Five Arab 2012 was an excellent year for US for 75.7 percent of total sales of Markets” for 2012, despite a 1.6 exports to the Arab world. The goods to the 22 countries of the percent decrease in goods imports US goods exports to the 22 nations Arab world. from the USA. With total imports of the Arab world increased from In 2012, the UAE was the top from the US reaching $2.68bn in $56.18bn in 2011 to $65.91bn in US export partner in the Arab 2012, Kuwait’s top three import 2012, an increase of 17.3 percent world, importing $22.57bn in sectors included transportation and the highest single-year sales goods from the United States, a equipment ($1.24bn), non-elec- volume ever. By comparison, total 41.9 percent increase over 2011. trical machinery ($274m), and US merchandise exports to the The top three import sectors computer and electronic products world increased by only 4.5 per- were transportation equipment ($185m). cent, from $1.48 trillion in 2011 to ($10.51bn), computer & electronic Other ‘Top Ten Export Partners’ $1.55 trillion, in 2012. products ($2.58bn), and non-elec- included Morocco ($2.26bn, down “Qatar is hosting the FIFA trical machinery ($1.86bn). 20 percent from 2011), Iraq World Cup in the year 2022, and Saudi Arabia was the second ($2.04bn, down 15.4 percent from a number of infrastructure mega largest market for US goods, 2011), Oman ($1.75bn, up 21.8 per- projects are now under way”, the importing $18.12bn in 2012, a 31 cent from 2011), Jordan ($1.71bn, NUSACC report said. percent increase since 2011 data up 17.7 percent from 2011), and People walk through the 777 open air automobile market where mainly used cars are sold, in a The Arab importing coun- were made available. Top import Algeria ($1.36bn, down 14.6 percent tries were led by GCC nations, sectors included transportation from 2011). surburb of Russia’s Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk. Russian car sales grew 5 percent year-on-year in particularly the UAE and equipment ($7.69bn), non-electrical THE PENINSULA January, picking up in response to shorter delivery times and better price offers, the Association of European Businesses said.
Qafac’s annual Construction costs likely to rise in Qatar sales cross DOHA: Qatar’s construction 2013 onwards, reaching a peak of Supported by Qatar Petroleum, Meed Events, organisers of Qatar steady supplies of basic materi- industry will have to deal with $40bn in 2017. Qatar Chamber and the Public Projects 2013. als for the construction indus- $1bn in 2012 soaring construction costs as Projects industry stakehold- Works Authority (Ashghal), the Challenges in the supply and try is Qatar Primary Materials the country gears up for the ers not just in Qatar but across conference will take place at the demand chain for construction Company (QPMC), which has DOHA: The Qatar Fuel staging of its biggest event yet, the region and beyond will be Grand Hyatt Hotel in Doha from materials will be thoroughly dis- already secured imports by Additives Company’s (Qafac) the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a given a comprehensive overview February 17-20. cussed in Qatar Projects 2013, signing supply contracts with annual sales have crossed $1bn in press statement said yesterday. of the country’s infrastructure “Qatar Projects presents an with recommendations and solu- quarries in the UAE and Oman. 2012. The company is looking for According to the Tender Price developments at the forthcom- unrivalled opportunity to under- tions presented by experts in the The report further stated that a better performance in 2013. Index for Qatar, prepared by ing Qatar Projects 2013, held stand the full spectrum of Qatar’s field. Emil Rademayer, General with supplies secured and a port It is the better prices and MEED Cost Indices, construc- under the patronage of H E Dr projects market and to leverage Manager, Meed Cost Indices, capable of handling and process- demand that contributed to the tion costs in 2017 will be 18 per Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, the insights gained to not only will lead the panel discussion ing them, Qatar should be able company’s stellar performance cent higher than current price Minister of Energy and Industry take full advantage of opportuni- on Discussing the Effects of to ensure that the contractors in year 2012. The company is levels. and Chairman and Managing ties but also to effectively mitigate Inflationary Pressure and Impacts working to deliver the infra- set to launch an aggressive mar- The rise in costs will put a Director of Qatar Petroleum, risks, such as a projected increase on the Project Market. structure for the 2022 World keting strategy covering China, strain on Qatar’s supply chain and who will also deliver a key- in construction costs and ulti- According to Meed’s special Cup do not experience shortages Japan, South Korea, Singapore will ultimately have an impact on note speech at the opening on mately higher project values,” said report on Qatar, the organi- or drastic price increases. and Malaysia this year, Nasser the value of contract awards from February 18. Edmund O’ Sullivan, Chairman, sation charged with ensuring THE PENINSULA bin Jaham Al Kuwari, General Manager, Qafac, told Al Sharq Qafac, a subsidiary of Industries Qatar, has plans to implement Eurovegas complex new projects and the expansion of existing projects. It is all gear- Al Meera net ing up to commission one of the world’s largest commercial scale profit rises carbon dioxide recovery projects, enabling it to enhance the pro- duction capacity of methanol. to QR105.75m The petrochemical company will recover 500 tonnes per day DOHA: Al Meera Consumer (tpd) of carbon dioxide, a green- Goods Company has recorded house gas, from its methanol QR105.75m net profit for the reformer stack and will inject it full year 2012, up 36.8 percent back into its existing process to compared to the year 2011. The enhance the production capacity company’s revenue reached of methanol. QR1.50bn, 29.2 percent higher With the initiation of this than the previous year. project, Qafac has demonstrated The Board of Directors yester- its strong desire to be a leader in day recommended distributing reducing industrial greenhouse cash dividend of QR8 per share, gases and to play a front line role which is equivalent to 80 percent as an environmentally conscious of the nominal share value. company. About 500 tpd of car- The meeting, chaired by bon dioxide will be separated and Al Meera Chairman Abdulla recovered from the flue gas using bin Khalid Al Qahtani, took Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ pro- a number of decisions includ- prietary process. ing endorsement of the con- Al Kuwari said the project will solidated financial statements put Qatar in the ranks of great for the financial year ending interest environmental matters December 31, 2012, and recom- has Qafac cooperation with Qatar mended presenting the finan- Petroleum to apply on behalf of cial results to the General An artist’s impression of the future ‘Eurovegas’ casino and leisure complex in Alcorcon, on the outskirts of Madrid, central Spain, yesterday. The Qatar to the United Nations to Assembly meeting to be held first stone will be laid towards the end of 2013, and the first of three stages of construction will be completed in 2017. put this project in the list of the on February 27, 2013. UN’s top Green projects. THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2013 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS
Second Mideast Venezuela devalues currency by 32pc Turbomachinery Bid to trim bloated budget deficit Symposium
CARACAS: Venezuela said it Maduro, who visited Chavez from March 18 was devaluing its currency by this week, said at the same 32 percent against the dollar on press conference on Friday that DOHA: The Second Middle East the orders of cancer-stricken Chavez was concerned about the Turbomachinery Symposium President Hugo Chavez, in part Venezuelan economy and called (METS 2) will be held at the to trim a bloated budget deficit. for a “major effort” to maintain Qatar National Convention The bolivar will go from 4.3 to the its pace of growth. Centre (QNCC) from March dollar to 6.3 at the official exchange Chavez established currency 18-20, with short courses to be rate. The move was announced on controls in 2003 and the govern- conducted on March 17 in con- Friday at a press conference by ment sets the rate to curb capi- junction with the symposium, Planning and Finance Minister tal flight. But the existence of a said a press statement yesterday. Jorge Giordani. He said it will take strong black market for the dollar The three-day event will be effect on Wednesday. shows the continuing desire for held under the patronage of H E The goal is to “minimise hard currency. Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, expenditure and maximise Economist Jesus Casique Minister of Energy and Industry results.” One effect of a devalua- warned the devaluation would and Chairman and Managing tion is to make a country’s exports have a major inflationary side Director of Qatar Petroleum (QP). cheaper and thus more enticing effect and the government should Organised by Turbomachinery to buyers. But another effect is to not see it as the main tool for Laboratory at Texas A&M cut the deficit, which in Venezuela trimming the deficit. University, METS 2 is supported last year was estimated to be Rather, it should take other by QP as the host and tita- nearly 10 percent of GDP. steps such as clearing away red nium sponsor. The symposium’s The economy grew 5.5 percent tape that makes it hard for busi- other major sponsors include last year and inflation was 20 per- ness to obtain dollars and encour- ExxonMobil and RasGas as plat- cent. That was down seven points aging Venezuelan non-oil exports. inum sponsors, Qatargas as the from the previous year and hit the “The measure should come gold sponsor, and Dolphin Energy government target, but was still hand in hand with others,” as the silver sponsor. the highest official inflation rate Casique said. Out on the street, The inaugural edition of METS in Latin America. there was little enthusiasm for debuted in Doha in February 2011 Venezuela is South America’s the devaluation. A cashier counts notes at a supermarket in Caracas. with over 1,000 attendees and 60 largest oil exporter and has the “This is bad news,” said busi- exhibiting companies. Following world’s largest proven reserves. nessman Jorge Martinez, walk- presence in state-run media. The measure was announced popular among Venezuela’s poor. this successful launch, METS 2 is Its oil transactions are dollar- ing past the Venezuelan central Opposition leaders derided before a four-day weekend for He said the devaluation was also a primed to be the premier turboma- denominated, so the bolivar- bank with his wife. “We have been another currency devaluation Venezuela’s Carnival holiday to response to attacks on the bolivar chinery event in the Middle East. value of those sales will now be number-crunching because in a as evidence of economic incom- minimise political or market by capitalist “speculators,” add- The METS Technical Advisory higher, boosting state revenues month we are going to travel to petence, while some anxious repercussions. Raising the rate ing that more economic meas- Committee (MTAC), a group on paper. Spain, and now we do not have Venezuelans hit shops yesterday to 6.3 bolivars will boost state ures would be announced in the comprised of renowned engi- The change had been widely enough money.” in fear of price increases. finances by providing more local days ahead, in line with Chavez’s neers from both regional and expected by analysts and business The devaluation comes amid “The Maduro-Cabello duo are currency for each dollar of oil instructions to ministers who vis- international companies in the leaders since last year. This is growing uncertainty in Venezuela finishing off our Venezuela, we export revenue. But it also hikes ited Havana. industry, is overseeing the devel- Venezuela’s fifth currency devalu- over the future of Chavez, who is must not allow it!” said opposition prices for imports crucial to the “Our commander-president opment of the technical pro- ation in a decade. But a side effect convalescing in Cuba, where he leader Henrique Capriles, accusing oil-dependent economy, potentially has decided them with full gram for this year’s symposium. of the new one will be higher underwent a fourth round of can- Vice President Nicolas Maduro and fueling inflation - though the state consciousness and clarity ... Dr Dara Childs, Director of the inflation, economists warned. cer surgery on December 11. Congress head Diosdado Cabello of will seek to brake that using price to guarantee economic growth Turbomachinery Laboratory Giordani said the government But since his operation, the squandering revenue from high oil controls. and diversification this year,” at Texas A&M University, and would honour dollar purchase flamboyant leftist leader has nei- prices. “They spent the money on Maduro said the move was Maduro said. “We will push Abdulaziz Al Naimi, Manager requests made before January 15 ther been seen nor heard from, a (election) campaigning, corruption needed to optimise revenues, ahead with the perfect plan for (Joint Interest) at RasGas, jointly requests at the old exchange rate. dramatic departure for a president and gifts abroad. What a lying gov- including to fund flagship the people’s victory.” serve as MTAC Co-Chairs. Vice President Nicolas who had been a near-constant ernment!” Capriles said on Twitter. social programs that are wildly AGENCIES PROGRAMME The technical programme has been developed with end users Powership in mind, particularly users from oil and gas, petrochemical, and EU budget deal power-generation industries. Delegates can choose to attend likely to face and engage in a combination of eight short courses, 12 lectures, rough ride in eight tutorials, eight discussion groups and 21 sessions of case parliament studies, led by 133 accomplished speakers from around the world. BRUSSELS: EU leaders may The topics that will be covered think they have settled the include compressors, steam and bloc’s 2014-20 budget but it is the gas turbines, expanders, pumps European Parliament, angry at and drivers including motors, and the first ever cut, that now has auxiliary equipment such as cou- the final say and early signs plings, bearings, gear boxes, dry point to tough talks ahead. gas seals, and annular seals. Stung by the agreed three per- The METS 2 exhibition, on the cent reduction in EU spending other hand, will feature 63 leading over the next seven years, par- companies from the oil and gas, liamentary leaders were quick petrochemical, power, pumping on Friday to reject the hard-won and turbomachinery industries. deal, saying it would undermine The exhibitors will display full-size Europe’s future and could even equipment, cutting-edge technol- be illegal if it resulted in Brussels ogy, and emerging industry trends. running a budget deficit. Online registration for the sym- Under the core 2009 Lisbon posium will close on 18 February Treaty, parliament is now a party 2013, after which delegates must to the EU budget process, with register on-site at the QNCC. lawmakers required to sign off on In addition to the symposium, the figures EU leaders agree. delegates also have the option to In the heat of the moment, register for a tour of Ras Laffan however, that aspect tends to get Port The registration deadline for overlooked and the tone of the The Karadeniz Powership Fatmagul Sultan departs from Tuzla Sedef shipyard in Istanbul. A member of Karadeniz Holding’s powership fleet, the the tour is March 1, 2013. press commentary Saturday too Karadeniz departed from Istanbul to Beirut to supply electricity to Lebanon. THE PENINSULA was very much as if the deal had been done and that was it. But Parliament has to vote on the 2014-20 budget in July and significantly, EU President Herman Van Rompuy was care- US housing data spurs investor optimism: QNB Group ful when he announced the accord after marathon talks on Thursday and Friday to note that the hard- DOHA: It is hard to gain a clear picture unemployment rate has trended down consumer spending, fell sharply from 67 perceived risks for the US economy. Data won deal still needed lawmakers’ of the current state of the US economy, from an October 2009 peak of 10 percent in December 2012 to 59 in January 2013, from China, the second largest world econ- approval. according to QNB Group. While some to 7.8 percent in September 2012. However, probably dented by the increase in payroll omy, has improved with real GDP growth It was “perhaps nobody’s per- recent data releases have been disap- it ticked up again slightly to 7.9 percent in taxes at the beginning of the year. Going rebounding to 7.9 percent in Q4 2012 from fect budget,” Van Rompuy con- pointing, a closer look suggests any January. forward, consumers will face a drag from 7.4 percent in Q3, alleviating fears that the ceded, but “there is a lot in it for soft patch could be temporary with the Despite these weak data releases, US higher taxes. Nonetheless, real disposable country was heading for a sharp slowdown. everybody” and he urged MEPs recovery expected to gain further trac- equity benchmarks are at five-year highs income is growing and will be temporar- Sovereign debt tensions within the euro- to do their duty towards Europe. tion later this year. and not far from all-time highs. Some ily boosted in Q1 2013 by the acceleration zone have also eased with sovereign bond The budget was not “an account- The latest real GDP growth data, investor optimism may be attributable to a of year-end bonuses and dividends ahead yields falling in the countries at the centre ing exercise” and before rejecting released at the end of January, showed recovering US housing sector, according to of the January 1st cut-off date when tax of the crisis. it, lawmakers should think “very an annualised contraction of 0.1 percent QNB Group. In the year to December 2012, increases became effective. However, from a fundamental longer- carefully” about the potentially for the final quarter of 2012. This was the sales of existing homes rose by 13 percent, On the corporate side, investment growth term perspective, many global economic huge implications for the economy, first quarterly decline in real GDP since sales of new homes by 9 percent and new was strong in Q4 2012 at an annualised rate risks remain. In Europe, sovereigns are still jobs and future prosperity. Q2 2009. The poor performance was mainly housing starts by 37 percent. of 8.4 percent. Additionally, the purchasing heavily indebted, economic growth is weak “I hope that the European put down to transitory factors such as a Since the financial crisis, a weak hous- manager’s index, a lead indicator for manu- and another year of recession is expected Parliament will meet its (respon- reversal in business inventories, a 22 per- ing sector has created concerns about the facturing activity, has risen steadily from 49.9 in 2013, and the political response remains sibilities),” he added, in the same cent drop in federal defence spending and spending power of the US consumer, the in November to 53.1 in January (a reading slow. This leaves the currency area exposed way the 27 EU leaders had met weather-related disruptions, mainly from main driver of the economy. A crash in US above 50 indicates expansion). to the risk that sovereign debt issues could theirs by agreeing to compromise hurricane Sandy. The IMF expects full- property values in 2007-08 created a nega- As recent data releases have been unre- re-emerge. Finally, a sharp slowdown in on their differences. Parliament year growth of 2 percent in 2013 (compared tive wealth effect for consumers, prompting markable, the strong equity market can China remains a risk, especially in con- head Martin Schulz had repeat- with 2.3 percent in 2012), picking up to 3 them to cut spending and increase sav- be attributed to lower perceived downside nection with its oversupplied and highly edly insisted that the cuts were percent in 2014. ings. The recovery in the housing sector risks. The much discussed “fiscal cliff” has indebted property sector. unacceptable to most lawmakers. In the labour market, job creation picked should reverse this effect as well as create been largely sidestepped through the scal- It is likely that the FOMC, the monetary Schulz made his position clear up in the second half of 2012 with 87,000 construction jobs and support gains across ing back of tax hikes and the postpone- policy board of the US Federal Reserve, had to EU leaders as they began the non-farm jobs created in June 2012 ris- housing-related sectors such as real estate, ment of most automatic spending cuts until many of these considerations in mind when talks and then warned even more ing to 247,000 in November, but, this rate trade and manufacturing. March 1. Furthermore, the US Congress it decided to leave policy unchanged at its bluntly afterwards that he could not slowed to 157,000 in January 2013. The Consumer spending rose at an annu- has agreed to temporarily suspend the debt last meeting at the end of January, main- go along with a budget which would latest weekly initial jobless claims report alised rate of 2.2 percent in Q4 2012 up ceiling until May, alleviating short-term taining asset purchases (quantitative eas- likely result in a deficit — barred also pointed to weakening jobs growth with from 1.6 percent in Q3, a positive for the concerns that Federal spending cuts could ing through open market policy) of $85bn under EU law, but familiar territory first-time claimants rising by 12 percent US consumer. However, the Consumer drive the US economy back into recession. per month and not adjusting interest rates. for most member states. AFP to 368,000 in January. As a result, the Confidence Index, a leading indicator for External factors have also lowered THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2013 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Airbus may drop lithium-ion battery for A350 Outcome of Boeing 787 probe awaited
PARIS/NEW YORK: Airbus their use in passenger transport is considering whether to drop to support an increasing array of lithium-ion batteries and switch electrical systems. back to traditional ones on its Airbus said last week it had a A350 passenger jet as investi- plan B for its battery and time to gators probe Boeing 787 safety respond to any rule changes. incidents, several people famil- However, industry sources said iar with the matter said. that following the NTSB’s latest The move comes amid a wider comments, the odds are short- rethink in the aerospace industry ening that Airbus will switch to on whether the powerful but deli- nickel-cadmium technology used cate backup energy systems are on jets like the A380. technically “mature”, or predict- “It is a classic risk-manage- able, they said. ment problem. If you don’t know Industry executives, insurers the cause of something you can’t and safety officials said that the quantify the risk that it will technology’s predictability was happen again,” an international being questioned at senior levels safety official said. “In that case, as investigators struggle to find you have little choice but to take the cause of incidents that led a temporary step back and rely to the grounding of Boeing’s 787 on something better understood.” Dreamliner. “There is an increasing doubt INSURERS CAUTIOUS over the technology,” said a per- Experts say that if the 787 son familiar with industry-wide probe fails to provide clear discussions on the issue. “It may answers soon, pressure may build well be the future but for now it is for Airbus to pre-empt the find- a question of maturity. The infor- ings and switch solutions to head mation on the two incidents is not off development risk. reassuring.” Airbus plans an A350 maiden The US National Transport- flight in mid-year, followed by a ation Safety Board, which is year of flight trials and certifica- examining a fire on a 787 at tion, during which the distraction Boston airport a month ago, said of re-engineering could increase on Thursday that it had identified the risk of delays. The A350 is due where the fire broke out but not to be delivered in the second half the cause. A similar investigation of 2014, around two years behind Damaged batteries are seen on a screen during a news conference recently on an investigation into the January 7 fire that occurred on a Japan Airlines is under way in Japan. its original schedule. Boeing 787 at Logan International Airport in Boston, in Washington. Airbus is considering whether to drop lithium-ion batteries and switch back to A spokesman for EADS unit Reverting to nickel-cadmium traditional ones on its new A350 as investigators probe Boeing 787 battery problems. Airbus said it would study the out- would mean sacrificing the lighter come of the US probe: “Let’s not weight of lithium-ion, equivalent authorities,” a spokesman said. safe but recognise it is in the early London-based pool that acts At least two major insurers are get ahead of ourselves. There are on the A350 to one adult male Boeing said the US planemaker stages of use in commercial flying. as Boeing’s lead insurer, has communicating with staff about no conclusions by the NTSB yet passenger out of between 270 and had selected lithium-ion batteries Cunningham said Airbus and already said the plane maker the science behind lithium-ion, and the investigation is still ongo- 350 passengers. “The penalty in because they best met the per- Boeing had learned from past has coverage for groundings and the risks associated with its use ing.” All options are open, he added. weight compared with the risks formance and design objectives development snags that it pays compensation. and the caution they should take France’s Saft, which makes associated with ‘li-ion’ is mini- of the 787. “Nothing we learned to tackle problems early rather The question is what it will cost in writing policies. both the new and old batter- mal,” said Nick Cunningham, during the design of the 787 or than having to embark on costly others in the future to get the same Lithium-ion batteries have ies for Airbus, did not respond an aerospace analyst at Agency since has led us to change our refits that burn up cash. kind of coverage, or any coverage been on the insurance industry’s to requests for comment. Last Partners in London. fundamental assessment of the Insurers too are taking a more for that matter where the volatile radar for quite some time. The month it insisted lithium-ion Boeing declined to say whether technology,” the company said. cautious approach to lithium-ion battery technology is involved. industry’s biggest fear has been was safe. The A350 would be it was looking at making the same Because of its highly electric batteries, warning underwriters A senior US insurance execu- the costs when batteries are the second large passenger jet switch to restore its fleet to service. design, replacing many hydraulic to consider the risks more closely tive, asked how the Boeing 787 stored in bulk and one catches to fly on lithium-ion batteries “We’re simply focused on resolv- systems, the 787 consumes more in a way that could mean higher incidents would affect the ability fire, leading to a conflagration for backup electrical power after ing the issue, working closely power than the A350. Plane and prices for airlines. of others to be insured, said: “it’s that destroys inventories. the Dreamliner, which pioneered with regulatory and investigative battery makers say lithium-ion is Global Aerospace, the just a question of price.” REUTERS
Petrobras chief warns govt Turkey not to halt over rising gold flow to Iran debt levels ISTANBUL: Turkey will not We are not subject to these sanc- SAO PAULO: The chief execu- be swayed by US sanctions tions until July anyway, but there tive of Brazil’s state-led oil com- pressure to halt gold exports may be a decline in demand from pany Petroleo Brasileiro SA to Iran but Tehran’s demand Iran,” he said. Caglayan declined warned the government about for the metal may fall this to say why he anticipated Iranian rising debt levels that may jeop- year, Economy Minister Zafer demand might fall. ardize the firm’s investment Caglayan said. Turkey, Iran’s biggest natural grade credit rating, a Sao Paulo US officials are concerned that gas customer, has been paying newspaper reported yesterday. Turkey’s gold sales, which allow the Islamic Republic for oil and Without higher fuel prices in Iran to export natural gas, pro- gas imports with Turkish liras, Brazil, Petrobras’ debt will rise vides a financial lifeline to Tehran, because sanctions prevent it from well above its internal target, which is largely frozen out of the paying in dollars or euros. Chief Executive Maria das Graças global banking system by Western Iranians then buy gold in Foster said in a meeting with sanctions imposed over its nuclear Turkey, and couriers carry bul- Brazil’s Finance Minister Guido programme. Trade in Turkish lion worth millions of dollars in Mantega, according to Estado de gold bars to Iran via Dubai is hand luggage to Dubai, where it Sao Paulo newspaper. drying up as banks and dealers can be sold for foreign currency She told him last week that increasingly refuse to buy the bul- or shipped to Iran. debt could reach 3.5 times lion to avoid sanctions risks asso- Caglayan, who has repeatedly earnings before interest, taxes, ciated with the trade. said that Turkey’s gold trade with The inscription at the entrance of Monte dei Paschi di Siena bank. depreciation and amortisation, Turkey has a six-month US Iran is carried out by private firms or EBITDA, by the fourth quar- waiver exempting it from finan- and is not subject to US sanctions, ter of this year, according to an cial sanctions against Iran, which said other firms, including US and Bank of Italy seeks more powers in anonymous source cited by the is due to expire in July. “We will European companies, were con- paper. continue to make our gold exports tinuing their exports to Tehran. Petrobras did not immedi- this year to whoever seeks them. “Turkey is doing whatever is ately respond to phone calls We have no restrictions and are required by international obli- the wake of Monte Paschi troubles and an emailed request for not bound by restrictions imposed gations. The companies of those confirmation. The firm’s debt by others,” the Turkish minister imposing an embargo on Iran BERGAMO, ITALY: Bank of had run into trouble through the Chairman Giuseppe Mussari has already risen to 2.77 times told reporters. today, forbidding product exports Italy Governor Ignazio Visco fault of its management. stepped down in April 2012. EBITDA, above its internal limit “There may be a decline in to Iran, are exporting to Iran called yesterday for more pow- Monte dei Paschi, Italy’s third The central bank has repeat- of 2.5 times core profit. Moody’s demand for gold exports. This under different guises,” he said. ers for bank regulators to step largest bank, has been at the edly defended its handling of the Investors service put Petrobras is nothing to do with sanctions. REUTERS in and dismiss bad managers centre of a financial and political case and detailed a series of steps debt on watch for a possible but defended his institution’s storm over a series of problematic it took, including inspections of downgrade on December 18. oversight of the troubled Monte derivatives contracts which has Monte dei Paschi in 2010 and 2011 A credit rating below invest- dei Paschi di Siena. widened into a probe by magis- but it says it has no police-style ment grade would oblige interna- Responding to criticism about trates into suspected bribery and powers. Both regulators and the tional funds to abandon Petrobras banking oversight in the case of the false accounting. bank’s new management said key when Graças Foster has promised Tuscan lender, Visco repeated that The Bank of Italy has defended evidence of problems with one of to find savings of more than $15bn • Bullion - Mumbai central bank supervisors had acted its handling of the scandal, which the opaque derivatives and struc- to prevent a $237bn five-year Gold (10 gm) Standard Rs. 30410 appropriately but asked for more emerged in the wake of Monte dei tured finance trades at the heart investment plan from ballooning. Silver (1 kg) Rs. 58940 scope to act in exceptional cases. Paschi’s ¤9bn ($12.04bn) acquisi- of the case was not uncovered Petrobras cash generation has • Indian Rupees QR1 = 14.58 “The supervisor should have tion of smaller rival Antonveneta until last year. been squeezed in recent years • Sensex the power to intervene when just before the global financial cri- After spending the past two as the government, which owns — based on solid evidence — it sis erupted in 2008. weeks scrambling to deal with the a majority of voting shares, pre- BSE 19484.77 believes it is necessary to oppose It has already launched discipli- scandal, the lender’s executives and vented the company from rais- NSE 5903.50 the appointment of (bank) execu- nary proceedings against former Italy’s central bank are now try- ing fuel prices in line with world • LIC (International) launches New Gold Investment Plan ‘GOLD PLUS’ – tives or to remove them,” Visco, management of the bank and ing to exit the crisis management prices. The government has held which provides an opportunity to invest in GOLD ETF & GOLD SPOT, PAN who also sits on the European could impose fines by next month, phase and expect to clear the way prices in check to help limit Card/Demat Account not required. Central Bank governing council, Bank of Italy director general for a ¤3.9bn state loan package. inflation. • Short-term investment plan from LIC International upto 6.4 percent return said in a speech to the Assiom- Fabrizio Saccomanni said. The so-called “Monti Bonds”, Finance Minister Mantega, p.a. (in dollar) Forex conference in Bergamo. Monte dei Paschi’s former chief the special instruments through who is also chairman of the • Housing loan from HDFC LTD The comments echoed remarks executive Antonio Vigni, who which the loans will be made, are Petrobras board, ruled out from ECB President Mario was questioned by magistrates expected to be signed “in a very higher fuel prices for the time • Mutual Fund: Buy & Sell: SBI MF, HDFC MF, UTI MF, Birla Sun Life MF, Draghi, who also called for regu- this week, was forced to resign short time”, Monte dei Paschi being since the government Tata MF, Reliance MF etc. lators to be able to force out top in January 2012 after pressure Chairman Alessandro Profumo raised prices on January 30. Contact: Investec, Tel: 44325060/44365060 email: [email protected] executives in cases where a bank from the Bank of Italy and former told reporters. REUTERS REUTERS SUNDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2013 28 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS VIEWS
Location, new rules may aid Fiscal muscle gives Saudis Dubai’s Islamic business push BY ANDREW TORCHIA and BERNARDO VIZCAINO oil output policy options F Dubai has its way, the world’s biggest Islamic bond issues BY ANGUS MCDOWALL will be designed under its rules and traded in its market. reading of market forces, a lesson it learned 2011, introduced an unemployment ben- Muslims around the world will use Dubai’s standards to pre- after damaging boom-and-bust cycles in the efit and pledged more low-interest loans Ipare food, and take disputes to Dubai for Islamic arbitration. combination of massive cur- 1970s and 1980s that followed the 1974 oil for home purchases. The International As it recovers from a crippling property market crash in 2009- rency reserves and a 2013 embargo. However, local political analysts Monetary Fund warned last year that Saudi 2010, the emirate has set its sights on becoming a global centre for spending plan based on a say Saudi leaders are always very aware of Arabia could slip into fiscal deficit by 2016. Islamic business — activity conducted under religious principles, conservative oil price pro- the impact of oil on foreign policy. But Finance Minister Ibrahim Al Assaf in areas from banking and insurance to food production, educa- jection means Saudi Arabia “In general they have not used oil as an has described the warning as a “doomsday tion, tourism and contract negotiation. has considerable flexibility in instrument of political pressure. But in the scenario” which the country will avoid, and Better known for its freewheeling commercial culture, cos- Adeciding its oil output policy this year. real world, I don’t think a country that has he said last month that Riyadh could sus- mopolitan lifestyles and glitzy shopping malls than for Islamic The world’s top oil exporter has boosted such a strategic commodity can divorce its tain current spending levels in the medium scholarship, the emirate may seem an unlikely entrant to the state spending sharply in the past couple of foreign policy from that fact,” said political term and beyond. So far, the figures bear field. In Islamic finance, the state of about 2 million people faces years, adding hundreds of thousands of public science professor Asaad Al Shamlan. him out. Saudi Arabia reaped record state tough competition from more established centres such as Kuala sector jobs, introducing new social entitle- revenue of more than $331bn last year, lead- Lumpur, Bahrain and even London. ments and starting big infrastructure projects. HIGH SPENDING ing to a huge budget surplus of $103bn. But as it seeks to diversify its economy beyond the volatile Many economists agree this largesse will At the height of Arab Spring unrest Its budget plan for this year aims for property market, Dubai’s strengths as a vibrant trading economy pose fiscal challenges for Riyadh in future. around the Middle East in February 2011, revenue of $221bn and spending of $219bn. could help its push into Islamic finance, which has been plagued by But for now, the government’s strong budget Riyadh announced a package of spending Spending will almost certainly be much doctrinal disputes and uncertainty over regulation. “This initiative position means it can opt either to cut oil that amounted to about $110bn, on top of higher than targeted; the government has can put Dubai on the map versus other centres like Bahrain and output in support of prices, or withstand an already expansionary budget. overshot its spending plans by an average of Malaysia,” said Greg Rung, Dubai-based partner at management a fall in prices to maintain market share Government spending growth has aver- more than 20 percent a year over the past consultancy Oliver Wyman. “One thing Dubai is well-known for is versus rival producers. aged about 14 percent a year over the past decade. But because of high oil prices, this connectivity to the rest of the world. I am not sure other financial “It gives them a little bit of comfort in decade. Even so, historically high oil prices year’s revenue also looks set to be much centres have managed to build bridges beyond their home region.” their policies,” said Alexander Poegl, busi- have allowed Saudi Arabia to effectively higher than the target; Jadwa Investment ness development manager at JBC Energy wipe out government debt and build a cush- estimated this year’s budget plan was based GROWTH in Vienna, which does consulting work for ion of foreign reserves worth $648bn by the on a conservative oil price projection of only Dubai’s Ruler H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Saudi oil sector. He said Saudi Arabia’s end of last year. about $65 a barrel. announced the Islamic business drive in a statement last month. priority was to pursue a middle way in the What concerns some economists is that So another big budget surplus is in pros- He did not give details but government departments are now energy market, trying to maintain stability although a lot of the extra expenditure has pect. And even if Saudi Arabia does slip into working out how to translate the plan into action. The emirate’s of prices and supply. been on infrastructure projects aimed at a moderate deficit — perhaps to the tune main motive appears to be practical rather than political or ideo- Analysts’ estimates for Saudi Arabia’s making the Saudi economy more produc- of several tens of billions of dollars — its logical — it sees a way to boost foreign investment. break-even oil price this year — the price tive, there have also been major additions reserves could easily cover a deficit of that New issues of sukuk (Islamic bonds), which under religious princi- it needs to balance the state budget — vary to current spending. size, for years to come. ples are structured to avoid the payment of interest, jumped to about from around $65 a barrel to $85, depending The kingdom is on an unsustainable Saudi Arabia appears most comfort- $121bn worldwide in 2012, according to Thomson Reuters data, from on projections for its spending. Those levels long-term fiscal trajectory, Steffen Hertog, able with a global oil price of around $100 around $85bn in 2011. More growth is expected as high oil prices are well below the current market price of author of Princes, Brokers and Bureaucrats, or moderately above; Oil Minister Ali bin leave Islamic funds in the Gulf flush with cash. Islamic banking is Arab Light, the country’s main type of crude a book about Saudi Arabia’s economy and Ibrahim Al Nuaimi has said $100 suits both growing; Gulf-based Islamic banks now have about $450bn in assets, oil for export, which is now at about $115. politics, wrote in a paper that he delivered producers and consumers by facilitating oil around 30 percent of the region’s total banking assets. The flexibility which that gap provides at a seminar in Riyadh. “The welfare and exploration without hurting global growth. Political shifts are likely to boost the industry elsewhere in the may prove important for Saudi Arabia as a employment decrees indicate a return to From that perspective, Riyadh’s budget Middle East; Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco among other countries dispute with Iran threatens to destabilise oil the distributional policies of the 1970s oil and market positions look favourable, with now have Islamist-led governments which have said they want markets and with Iraq likely to rebuff Saudi boom period - but on a much larger and the oil price well above $100 after the king- to promote Islamic finance. Dubai could profit by selling services calls to moderate its crude output. less sustainable scale,” he added. dom cut its output by around 700,000 bar- and expertise to these countries. The emirate is expected to focus Saudi officials have always insisted the The government has financed hundreds rels per day to 9.02m b/d in the last two initially on banking and securities issuance, though it aims to kingdom’s energy policy is based solely on its of thousands of new public sector jobs since months of 2012. REUTERS cover many areas of Islamic business. Dubai Financial Market (DFM), which runs the emirate’s securities market, took a big step last month by publishing new draft standards for how sukuk can be structured, and inviting the financial industry to comment. DFM hopes its standards will eventually be adopted by sukuk issuers in other countries, which would encourage them to list their sukuk on the Dubai securities market and bring their legal and underwriting busi- ness to the emirate. “In this manner, Dubai and DFM will set the tone for financial instruments’ standards all over the world,” said Mabid Ali Al Jarhi, a member of the board overseeing Islamic business at DFM.
COMPETITION Sceptics point out that while Dubai is the Gulf’s top centre for conventional finance, it is only a moderate-sized player in Islamic finance; DFM’s website lists just five sukuk, all of them issued by the Dubai government. Malaysia’s securities exchange, by contrast, lists dozens of cor- porate sukuk. Several UAE-based firms have listed their shares in Dubai but gone to the London Stock Exchange to list their sukuk because of London’s superior reputation for liquidity and regulation. “If a company has shares listed in the DFM, then intuitively you would think they would list their sukuk in the DFM. But that has not been the case - the majority of issuance has gone through European exchanges,” said Paul McViety, legal director at law firm DLA Piper in Dubai. Whether Dubai’s new sukuk standards can lure issuers away from a range of competing standards issued by national regula- tors and Islamic bodies elsewhere remains to be seen. Dubai has advantages, however. Located at the centre of the Gulf, it is the main transit point for air traffic between Europe, Asia and Africa and is a more international city than most of the other centres. Dubai says its new sukuk standards will be more detailed than other centres’ standards, potentially resolving some of the con- troversies and giving traders and investors more certainty. REUTERS Cracks appear in European banking union scheme BY JOHN O’DONNELL Spain and elsewhere coming back afterwards. Such a delay would forging a common front across all such a backstop may have far- dependent on its support. Without and EVA KUEHNEN to the fore. bode ill for the ECB, the euro 17 countries in the euro zone to reaching consequences for the a back-up scheme to cover the “It’s unrealistic to expect that zone’s bulwark against another defend their currency and banks. ECB. costs of shutting such banks, this T WAS billed as a reform we will have a resolution author- markets storm. A draft blueprint for an EU For ECB supervision to work, it will be all but impossible. that would tighten policing ity or resolution fund in time for The central bank, which is resolution law — to deal with needs to be able to, in the words “Without banking resolution, of Europe’s banks and end the new ECB bank supervision in propping up hundreds of banks failed banks such as Dexia — has of Coeure, “identify failed banks”. there is no banking union,” said their ability to suck states March 2014,” said Sharon Bowles, across Europe with cheap loans, already been produced by the Yet, without a resolution fund John Fitzgerald of the Economic into crisis. Now fears are an influential EU lawmaker who is growing nervous. European Commission. to pay for a clean-up, it would and Social Research Institute, a Igrowing that a central element of will help shape the new regime. ECB President Mario Draghi In the coming months, the be difficult if not impossible for Dublin-based think tank. banking union will be scaled back, “That means that if there stressed this week how important EU’s executive will flesh this Frankfurt to publicly name such “If you have centralised super- undermining the whole scheme. is a problem, it lands back at a move from a “purely national out with a roadmap to create a weaklings. vision, it must be for Europe and When it takes the role of the national authorities,” said to a supra-national resolution central agency to close laggard It puts the bank in an uncom- not individual countries to pay for watchdog for eurozone banks in Bowles, who chairs the European mechanism” was, because many institutions and a means to pay fortable position. Throughout the any accidents.” March next year, the European Parliament’s economic and mon- euro zone banks are operating for the costs involved. crisis, the ECB has been forced The scaling back of banking Central Bank will be confronted etary affairs committee. extensively across borders. to prop up the region’s banks union, firstly by removing a pil- with a financial system that is still The problem is simple. “A res- ECB Executive Board mem- CREDIBILITY GAP with cheap credit, lending them lar for deposit protection and limping. In some countries, such olution fund ... is the beginning ber Benoit Coeure later called EU countries want banks to more than ¤1 trillion and funnel- with a question mark now over as Cyprus and Spain, it is in criti- of (debt) mutualisation and the for EU countries to promptly pay into a fund to shoulder the ling further ‘emergency liquidity’ the means to tackle failed banks, cal condition. Germans don’t want to go there,” set up a joint bank resolution cost of collapse. But while this through national central banks means that ECB supervision may Setting up a fund and agency said one EU official, pointing to mechanism, saying “2013 will be backstop is being built, the euro — Greek and Irish banks alone be the only element left, at least that, where needed, would shut a creeping complacency among a key year for Europe to make zone’s rescue fund, the European have taken more than ¤140bn of at the outset. weak banks — known as ‘resolu- politicians since the ECB defused progress with this second leg of Stability Mechanism, may have to such aid. The resulting regulatory mess tion’ — is central to this ECB-led market tensions. the banking union”. step into the breach. To do this, the ECB loosened could undermine faith in the bank union because it would remove the “It’s a very tall order to get it The remarks underscore grow- But following the ECB’s pledge its standards on the security more broadly as an institution. onus on countries like Ireland to completed by the end of the year.” ing unease about the political to intervene to help struggling it accepts, taking on car loans, “If the ECB makes supervisory save failing banks alone, running German national elections in resolve to build on an agreement countries, markets have calmed, consumer finance and commer- mistakes or covers up the truth up bills that overwhelm the state. September exacerbate the issue. among EU finance ministers last lifting pressure on politicians to cial mortgages with a credit rat- about banks because it does not Yet the political drive to com- “Germany will not commit to December that created the ECB make good on earlier promises to ing just above ‘junk’ in return have the support of a resolution plete banking union is waning, anything before the elections,” watchdog. break the link between bank and for credit. mechanism,” warned Guntram with the reluctance of Germany said Martin Lueck, an econo- That had been intended as the state by sharing the cost of fail- As supervisor, the ECB had Wolff, an economist with think and other economically-strong mist at UBS, adding that he was first step towards a banking union ing banks. hoped to reassert order on the tank Bruegel, “then its credibility countries to put themselves on nonetheless cautiously optimis- to sever the ‘doom’ link between The reluctance of Germany, sector, by demanding, for exam- — and the currency — will suffer.” the line for bad loans made in tic that a deal could be reached nations and banks by ultimately Finland and others to agree to ple, the closure of weak banks REUTERS SUNDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2013 GECM & TENDERS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 29
GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS MAP (GECM) Every Sunday Germany’s trade surplus rises to China data to underline economic UK self-employment growth since second highest level since 1950 rebound, but holidays distort financial crisis masks employees fall BERLIN: Germany’s trade surplus has risen BEIJING: China’s economic rebound to its second highest level in more than 60 US economic data points to LONDON: The number of self-employed should show signs of strengthening on Hyundai Heavy reports 62pc years after an unexpected drop in imports in Friday when the first hard economic growth in Q4 GDP people in Britain has shot up by 367,000 December. Exports rose over 2012, pointing fall in 2012 profit numbers of the year are released, WASHINGTON: The US economy since the financial crisis, according to to the strength of Europe’s largest economy. although distortions caused by the Lunar SEOUL: South Korea’s Hyundai likely expanded slightly in the fourth official figures, becoming the fastest And in further signs of a global economic New Year holiday will make it difficult to Heavy Industries on Thursday quarter, according to data yesterday growing sector in the labour market and recovery, China’s exports and imports surged gauge momentum. said net profit tumbled 62 that suggested a surprise drop in GDP masking a fall in the number of employees, in January while inflation eased. German percent in 2012 following a imports declined by 1.3pc in December, reported by the government last week as many were forced to make their own sharp fall in orders for high-end defying expectations of a rise of 1.4%. But was overstated. The US trade deficit way because of the global downturn. ships, while its fourth quarter narrowed to its lowest point in nearly exports inched up 0.3pc from November, driving the full-year trade surplus to €188bn net loss saw a severe widening. three years in December on a drop (£160bn), the second highest since records Fourth-quarter sales fell 2.7 in oil imports and a surge in exports. began in 1950. percent year-on-year to 14.1 The country’s trade gap narrowed to trillion won, while operating $38.5bn during the month, Commerce profit plunged 94 percent to Department data showed yesterday. India cuts growth estimates as 54.3 billion won. That was a much smaller deficit than analysts polled by Reuters had Taking African growth to the next industrial output and consumption slow expected. level NEW DELHI: India has lowered its expectations for economic growth this year, JOHANNESBURG: Developments as the government yesterday issued its most in infrastructure both physical and pessimistic forecast for a decade. financial, and deeper economic Serious concerns about slowing growth Venezuela becomes eighth integration, will be key to sustained prompted the central bank last week to cut country to enter into currency war growth in Africa, according to a panel India’s benchmark interest rate to 7.75 per cent of business and political leaders Australia shares end up 0.7pc on with new devaluation from 8 per cent, the first time the bank had brought together by Brand South Africa China data, earnings optimism CARACAS: the nation of Venezuela reduced the key rate in nine months. became the 8th country to enter into the at the World Economic Forum’s (WEF’s) SYDNEY: The Australian share market jumped to a fresh 21-month high as globalcurrency war as it devalued its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland stronger-than-expected trade data for currency by 46pc in an attempt to halt on Wednesday. China boosted confidence in Australia’s inflation and rising prices. Venezuela biggest trading partner, and as the Reserve now joins Japan, Germany, the United Bank of Australia said it had scope for Kingdom, South Korea, and three further interest rate cuts. Shares were also others in the race to the bottom in an boosted as analysts grew more optimistic attempt to push up exports, and fix their about the market’s ability to withstand the recessionary economies. domestic corporate earnings season.
TENDERS
TENDER TENDER CLOSING TENDER TENDER CLOSING No. COMPANY TENDER NO. SUBJECT No. COMPANY TENDER NO. SUBJECT BOND FEES DATE BOND FEES DATE Development of operating manuals for 21 LT13100800 QR 55,000 QR 200 17/02/2013 QF/2013/ Supply & installation of research lab halul oil terminal 1 QR 67,800 QR 500 6/3/2013 B054/14415 equipment Call-off contract for annual 22 LT13100900 maintenance of cable laying for 3 yrs, QR 35,000 QR 200 17/02/2013 QPREF MES Design, supply and installing of a new Water leak inspection for underground AF/C/ environmental chamber or shifting the 23 AF/C/AL5197/13 fire, domestic irrigation and chilled QR 100,000 QR 700 17/02/2013 2 QR 200,000 QR 1,500 3/3/2013 ASP5187/12 existing environmental chamber at water piping at Aspire Zone Aspire Zone Aspetar Comprehensive Maintenance of AF/M/ 24 motorized curtains in Aspire Sports QR 30,000 QR 400 7/2/2013 AA3044/12 AF/C/ Design, supply and installation of a Hall 3 QR 100,000 QR 1,000 24/02/2013 ASP5186-R1/13 new hypoxic room at Aspetar AF/C/ Supply and delivery of gym equipment 25 QR 20,000 QR 400 7/2/2013 AA5188/12 for Aspire Academy Supply of equipment on rental basis Cleaning of QMA building and other 26 AF/C/AL5201/13 QR 100,000 QR 700 14/02/2013 4 QMA-2012-103 buildings & Locations under it, for 2 QR 700,000 QR 1,000 25/02/2013 (call-off) for Aspire Logistics years Active directory and exchange 27 AF/C/AF5204/13 QR 50,000 QR 400 17/02/2013 migration to Aspire Zone foundation Qatar Museums Consultancy for material specifications 07/03/2013 Authority Supply (30 nos.) of office boys for 3 QMA-2013-11 QR 70,000 QR 500 18/02/2013 28 GTC/529/2012 & standards of electricity distribution QR 100,000 QR 800 (before years system noon) Supply of portable insulation testers, 24/02/2012 Design, manufacture, supply, delivery, 29 LTC/660/2012 Michr-ohm resitance meters, Earth QR 11,000 QR 500 (before 12 installation, testing, commissioning 17/02/2013 testesrs, transformer test set, etc. noon) 6GT12MT0083 & training of racking equipment for QR 65,000 QR 1,000 (12:00hrs) Ministry of 90 A Two year tender for the supply of Monday Erhama bin Jaber Al Jalahma ship yard 30 QR 60,000 QR 500 Interior 2012-2013 poultry for the Coast Guard Department 25/02/2013 project phase 4A, port of Ras Laffan 14/03/2013 Call-off contract for electricity 31 GTC/513/2012 QR 3,200,000 QR 3,000 Before 12 distribution network works Epic of standby diesel generators for noon 7GT13101500sewerage pumping stations in Dukhan QR 150,000 QR 500 3/3/2013 Supply, delivery and installation of fields AF/C/ 32 renovate furniture to the CEO office at QR 10,000 QR 300 10/2/2013 ASP5200/13 Aspetar Supply & commissioning telescopic 25/02/2013 8LT12MT0011 QR 92,500 QR 500 Supply of general instrumentation folding boom wire line mast. (12:00hrs) PWA/ 33 spares for various pumping stations QR 20,000 QR 400 25/2/2013 STC/054/12-13 AA-DOM/12-13/M/1301-8A/S Stocking and supply of high end 24/02/2013 Provision and maintenance of safety 9GT13MT0076workstations on call-off basis for a QR 120,000 QR 1,000 PWA/ (12:00hrs) 34 barriers and fences throughout Qatar, QR 140,000 QR 750 24/02/2013 period of two (2) years ITC/047/12-13 contract #2 AA-R/12-13/OM/056/I Post-constract professional Provision of 17025 accreditation 10 ST12108700 QR 10,000 N/A 11/2/2013 PWA/ consultancy services for Muraikh Area auditing services 35 QR 65,000 QR 750 17/02/2013 ITC/048/12-13 Sewerage Phase 4-package A IA/12- 13/S/02/I Real Time process information MGT 11 GT13101600 QR 375,000 N/A 10/3/2013 36 LTC/631/2012 Network capacity upgrade QR 100,000 QR 500 17/02/2013 system licenses & services Reconstruction & upgrading Supply and install outdoor/health 17/02/2013 of old salwa RPS with 12 LT13MT000 QR 30,000 QR 500 fitness equipment (12:00hrs) u n d e r g r o u n d r e s e r v o i r s Designs, supply and construction of a 30MIG rectangular RC underground Provision of industrial cleaners for 13 GT13100600 QR 400,000 QR 500 10/2/2013 reservoir, pumphouse to accommodate Dukhan field 8 nos. pumps + 4 slots for future VFD 21/02.2013 335 Ips @45 meters headpumps, Time 37 GTC/518/2012 QR 2,000,000 QR 20,000 14 ST13100900 Provision of RFID maintenance service QR 9,000 QR 200 18/02/2013 control building. In addition, office before building of 1350m2/Floor, and 2 12:00 noon office buildings of 500 m2/floor, Call off contract for supply of water 15 LT13101100 QR 100,000 QR 200 24/02/2013 water operation & maintenance tankers on hire building 960 m2/floor, all comprise of basement, ground and 3 floors, lagoon, Instrument support services at chlorination building, guard houses 16 GT13100700 QR 150,000 QR 500 17/02/2013 offshore location and switch gear building. Construction of Kahramaa Trailers for transporting breathing 25/02/2013 C u s t o m e r C o n t a c t & A M I C e n t e r 17 ST12MT0377 QR 10,000 QR 100 apparatus cylinders (10 Nos.) (12:00hrs) The proposed customer contact and AMI center is located at Al Thumana 14/02/2013 GTC 38 south of Doha. The building comprises QR 3,000,000 QR 20,000 (before Mobile security forward command 17/02/2013 516/2012 18 LT12MT0136 QR 100,000 QR 500 Basement, ground and two floors and 12:00 noon) vehicle diesel engine driven (1 No.) (12:00hrs) a service area with total built up area of 18,092 m2, in addtion to external Epic for modification of power supply landscape 19 ST13100800 QR 30,000 QR 200 18/02/2013 to CID Building & Police STN in Dukhan Epic of online condition monitoring 39 GT13101300 QR 100,000 QR 500 17/03/2013 system for rotating equipment at NFA Consultancy services for Enterprise Maintenance support for repair of PWA/ 20 ST13101000 QR 30,000 QR 200 18/02/2013 40 CAD solution implementation QR 150,000 QR 750 17/02/2013 valves at contractor’s workshop ITC/043/12-13 EBSD/11-12/N/004/I SUNDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2013 32 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT
Fisher and Snedeker, Potter share lead Sterne retain joint lead at The FedExCup champion shines on day two at Pebble Beach National Joburg Open CALIFORNIA: FedExCup four starts on the 2013 PGA Tour, champion Brandt Snedeker, the collected two birdies on each nine JOHANNESBURG: South hottest player on the PGA Tour to end the day level with compa- Africans Trevor Fisher Jnr and this year, took advantage of ideal triot Ted Potter Jr., who carded Richard Sterne kept the joint scoring conditions by charg- a three-under 67 at Monterey lead in the Joburg Open yester- ing into a share of the second- Peninsula Country Club. day after they both carded 68s round lead at the Pebble Beach “I didn’t make a lot of putts in the third round. National Pro-Am yesterday. today (yesterday) but I look for- The pair go into today’s final The fast-talking American ward to going into the weekend,” round locked on 19-under-par for fired a flawless four-under-par Snedeker, 32, told reporters after the tournament, five shots clear 68 on a glorious sun-splashed sinking nothing longer than a at the top of the leaderboard. afternoon at Spyglass Hill, one five-footer for his four birdies on Sterne is a five-times European of three venues for this week’s the toughest of the three courses Tour winner, but has not claimed pro-am celebrity event, to post being used this week. a trophy since 2008, while Fisher an eight-under total of 134. “My confidence is very high is seeking his first win on the tour. Snedeker, who has recorded and, after last week, I feel like Fisher surged ahead yesterday three top-three finishes in his first my game is where I want it to be. having gone out in 33 in his first Two good days to go, it should be nine holes, but three bogies com- a lot of fun.” ing home allowed his rival to stay Pebble Beach Snedeker, a four-times winner in touch. on the PGA Tour, has finished It could have been different National Pro-Am second in his last two events - after a fine approach to the 18th four shots behind Tiger Woods at green left Fisher a 10-foot putt the Farmers Insurance Open and for eagle, while Sterne landed in Scores then four behind Phil Mickelson the greenside bunker. Leading scores yesterday after at last week’s Phoenix Open. But an excellent save out of the the second round of the US “That’s how you win out here, sand gave Sterne a birdie and, PGA Tour’s $6.5m Pebble Beach you keep putting yourself in posi- when Fisher let the eagle chance National Pro-Am on the par- tion, and the more times you do, slip, the opportunity to take the 72 Pebble Beach Golf Links, that the more success you’re overnight lead was gone. par-70 Monterey Peninsula going to have,” said Snedeker, who A quartet of players are five Country Club, par-72 Spyglass is widely regarded as one of the shots back, including twice win- Hill Country Club (USA unless best putters in the game. ner Charl Schwartzel. REUTERS noted): “I take nothing but positives 8-under away from the way I’ve played the weekend the last couple of events. Brandt Snedeker hits his tee shot on the eighth hole during the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Joburg Scores 134 Ted Potter 67-67, Brandt Snedeker I know I’ll have a lot of fun this Pro-Am at Spyglass Hill in Pebble Beach, California, yesterday. 66-68 weekend, so just try to recreate Leading scores after third 7-under that.” round of Joburg Open Royal 135 John Merrick 68-67, Hunter Mahan Swede Fredrik Jacobson, who made three early birdies to close I will put myself in position where the mid-sixties, and be ready for Johannesburg and Kensington 66-69 charged up the leaderboard in on the leaders but was left a good round on Sunday will get Sunday.” Golf Club yesterday 137 Fredrik Jacobson (SWE) 71-66, Patrick with five birdies in his first nine feeling frustrated after dropping it done.” Britain’s former world number 196 Richard Sterne 63-65-68, Trevor Fisher Reed 68-69 holes, was a further stroke back three shots after the turn for a 71 Mickelson, who clinched one Lee Westwood, playing his jnr 66-62-68 6-under at seven-under 137 after shoot- at Spyglass Hill. his 41st PGA Tour title at last first PGA Tour event of the year, ing a six-under 66 on the hosting “I had a good round going here week’s Phoenix Open, is bidding was at four under after carding a 201 Jaco van Zyl 66-68-67, Felipe Aguilar 136 Patrick Cantlay 66-70, Nick O’Hern (AUS) (CHI) 67-66-68, Charl Schwartzel Pebble Beach Golf Links. at Spyglass and I turned a 66 into for a fifth victory at Pebble Beach 70 at Monterey Peninsula. 70-66, James Hahn 71-65, Jason Day 68-65-68, George Coetzee 67-64-70 (AUS) 68-68 Also at seven-under were a 71,” world number 10 Mickelson which has long been one of his Triple major winner Padraig 5-under Americans Hunter Mahan (69) said after ending a day that began favourite venues. Harrington of Ireland was at 202 Peter Uihlein (USA) 65-69-68 and John Merrick (67), who both amid rain showers at two-under “Gosh, it’s so much fun having a one-under after a 71 at Pebble 203 Garth Mulroy 70-68-65, Thomas Aiken 137 Russell Knox (SCO) 64-73, Sean O’Hair played at Monterey Peninsula, 140, six off the pace. chance to win here,” the American Beach, a stroke better than U.S. 67-70-66, Lorenzo agli (ITA) 67-68- 70-67, Matt Every 67-70 and PGA Tour rookie Patrick “Tomorrow, I’ve got to finish off. left-hander smiled. “But I’ve got Open champion Webb Simpson 68, David Drysdale (SCO) 68-67-68, 139 Chris Kirk 71-68, Justin Hicks 71-68, Reed, after a 69 at Pebble Beach. I play a good round tomorrow, I to finish off the round tomorrow who shot a 71 at Spyglass Hill. Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 68-66-69 Retief Goosen (RSA) 71-68 Defending champion Mickelson feel like I’m not far off. Hopefully and see if I can get something in REUTERS James inspires Heat past Clippers
MIAMI: LeBron James “We try to come up with new While the Heat have had some back but it proved a difficult LeBron equalled a franchise record with superlatives every single game. He bumps on the road this year, night. James his fourth straight 30-point is the best player they are 21-3 at “Everyone knows we have not game as the Miami Heat routed in the game and the American played with that group in a long (6) of the the Los Angeles Clippers 111-89 and he is contin- Airlines Arena time but they were quicker and Miami Heat NBA Results yesterday. uing to reinvent and have won more physical than us. We also Washington 89 Brooklyn 74 rebounds James put up 30 points off 9 of himself,” said their last six at can’t turn the ball over the way during 11 shooting before sitting out all Heat head coach LA Lakers 100 Charlotte 93 home. we did - we gave them 27 points a game of the fourth quarter as Eastern Erik Spoelstra. Toronto 100 Indiana 98 The Clippers of those,” said Clippers head coach against the Conference leaders and defend- Miami’s victory New Orleans 111 Atlanta 100 had guard Chris Vinny Del Negro. Los Angeles ing champions Miami dominated was even more Detroit 119 San Antonio 109 Paul back from The Heat took control of the Clippers at a Clippers team who are placed impressive given Cleveland 119 Orlando 108 injury after miss- game in the second quarter to go American third in the West. they were with- ing nine games in 62-50 at the break and then Miami 111 LA Clippers 89 Airlines James was voted the league’s out center Chris but not surpris- they ran away with the game. Memphis 99 Golden State 93 Arena in Most Valuable Player last season Bosh and shoot- ingly he looked Miami have tended to save their Miami, but is clearly pushing himself ing guard Ray Houston 118 Portland 103 short of full form best displays for when facing Florida, to exceed even that oustanding Allen who were Oklahoma City 127 Phoenix 96 while forward potential play-off opponents as yesterday. campaign. both missing with NY Knicks 100 Minnesota 94 Blake Griffin was Spoelstra acknowledged. In his last four games James flu. Chicago 93 Utah 89 back after sitting “There is no question about it has shot at a remarkable 73 per- Dwyane Wade, out two games that when the lights are bright cent - making 43 of 59 attempts who looks to be on his way back with a hamstring injury. and the popcorn is popping, our and his performance on Friday to his best, added 20 points while With Chauncey Billups and guys come to life. That’s a great was the first time in his career he Mario Chalmers compensated for Jamal Crawford also back from quality, but it is also a quality has made 30 point on 11 or fewer Allen’s absence with 18 points, injury, the Clippers finally had that could drive me nuts,” said shots. including five three-pointers. their preferred starting line-up the Miami coach. REUTERS NHL: Stars take advantage of QCA honours B Division winners Doha Bank powerplays to beat Ducks
DALLAS: The Dallas Stars served time for roughing. Staubitz They have little time to rest, made the most of their power- was soon back in the bad books, however, continuing the road trip play opportunities to overcome ejected from the game after in St Louis on today. the Anaheim Ducks 3-1 in a spearing Brenden Dillon in the “I want them to have a long spiteful Pacific Division encoun- groin, allowing Stars left wing memory,” Boudreau said. ter yesterday. Jamie Benn to slot home from a “I want them to know they A total of 14 penalties were tricky angle during the advantage. didn’t come ready to play and dished out, including 10 in the Nick Bonino scored for what happens when you play first period, in which the Stars Anaheim (7-2-1) with an expert good hockey clubs when you’re (6-5-1) scored two unanswered deflection on a Luca Sbisa slap- not ready. goals with a man advantage to shot in the second period to halve Meanwhile, A delayed start to lay the foundations for the win. the deficit before Loui Eriksson a NHL game between the Boston “Our first periods have been restored the two-goal advantage Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning pretty good this year. We’ve come with a little more than seven min- was among a flurry of changes to out with some juice,” Stars coach utes remaining. the weekend’s sporting sched- Glen Gulutzan told reporters. “Obviously they came out ule as the northeastern United “I think it’s a little bit indica- well and we didn’t. We were in States braced for a major blizzard tive of how we practice. We want quicksand right off the bat and yesterday to come out with a lot of tempo we didn’t play very well in the The game that was originally in our practices.” first period,” Ducks coach Bruce scheduled for 1 p.m. ET (1800 Brad Staubitz was the main Boudreau said. GMT) today, will now start at 7 The Qatar Cricket Association (QCA) General Secretary Manzoor Ahmad (sixth right, back row), officials and offender for the visitors with The Ducks entered the contest p.m, the Bruins and NHL said. B Division League winners Doha Bank pose for a picture at Hotel Gulf Paradise. The QCA organised a func- Trevor Daley scoring in the on a four-game winning streak New Jersey Devils currently tion to honour Doha Bank, who defeated Kerela XI at the West Bay Grounds. Those present at the function ninth minute for the Stars with and remain top of the division but have game schedule for today included Qatar Olympic Committee’s Eisa Ali E Ghanem, QCA President M A Shahid and QCA Domestic a sizzling slap-shot from dis- allowed the Stars to pull within against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Cricket Head Gul Muhammad Khan Jadoon. tance while the Ducks winger two points. REUTERS SUNDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 33 Star-studded field descends on Doha Stage set for Qatar Total Open this week
DOHA: A star-studded field featuring 17 of the top 18 play- ers in the world has landed in Doha for this week’s $2,369,000 Qatar Total Open, currently in its 13th consecutive year on the calendar. The Qatari capital’s ultra-mod- Russia’s Maria FROM LEF: Tennis players Fatma Al Nabhani of Oman, Nadia Petrova of Russia and Tamira Paszek of Austria ern Khalifa International Tennis Sharapova poses during the draw ceremony of Qatar Total Open 2013 at Ritz Carlton hotel yesterday. PICTURE: SHAIVAL DALAL Complex has hosted the prestig- with children ious tournament since the turn of the millennium all the way back after landing in 2001. at the Doha And that’s not all - it was the International venue for the season-ending WTA Airport yesterday. Confident Petrova eyes Championships for three years Sharapova is from 2008 to 2010, as well. seeded third for The world’s top 4 - Victoria the Qatar Total Azarenka, Serena Williams, Open which another title win in Doha Maria Sharapova and Agnieszka starts tomorrow. Radwanska - are the top 4 seeds, PICTURES: SYED BY RIZWAN REHMAT and they’ll all have some tough OMAR Petrova: To stay healthy. tests en route to their projected That’s my number one priority. semi-final spots. DOHA: Former Qatar Open And win tournaments, if I can. I Azarenka is fresh off defend- champion Nadia Petrova (pic- just want to enjoy my tennis. ing her Australian Open title in tured) will be eyeing another Question: Are you happy with Melbourne and now she’ll try to title triumph in Doha this week your performances in 2012? defend her Doha title. when she joins 17 of the top Petrova: Yes, I am satisfied. It After a first round bye, the 18 players on the WTA Tour was a successful year. Maybe the No.1-seeded Belarusian will open computer. beginning wasn’t as good or the against either Tsvetana Pironkova Petrova, who won the Qatar way I wanted it to be, but after- or Romina Oprandi, with a pro- however, winning 56 of her last Barthel, potentially Kerber’s sec- Open title in 2006, said a ‘satisfy- wards I had a good season. jected third round encounter 59 matches and already winning ond-round opponent, is fresh off ing season in 2012’ would help her Question: Doing well at the against a player who has given a Premier-level title this year in her first Premier title and held hit the ground running when she Grand Slams is still the target her a lot of trouble in the past, Brisbane. match point against Radwanska takes on Andrea Hlavackova of for you in 2013 and beyond? No.14 seed Dominika Cibulkova. Seeded No.3, Sharapova opens the last time they played. the Czech Republic in their first- Petrova: Yes, definitely. That’s No.6 seed Sara Errani looms in against Anabel Medina Garrigues The only player in the top 18 round clash. why I play the sport. the quarter-finals. or a qualifier, with No.15 seed not playing in Doha is world No.5 The 30-year-old Russian also Question: Your thoughts on After suffering through a few Roberta Vinci her projected third China’s Li Na, who had to with- won the 2006 German Open, a Moscow-born Petrova admitted the draw. separate injuries during the fort- round opponent and No.7 seed draw from the event due to a left WTA Tour tournament organ- that the Doha field wouldn’t be Petrova: It’s a top draw. Have night, Williams’ Australian Open Petra Kvitova potentially await- ankle injury originally suffered in ised in Berlin by the Qatar Tennis easy to conquer. a lot of tough match-ups in the run came to an end in the quar- ing in the quarter-finals. the Australian Open final against Federation (QTF), the hosts of Q & A with Petrova: first round. It’s going to be an terfinals; she still comes into Doha The No.3-seeded Sharapova’s Azarenka. the $2.3m event this week. Question: You have been a exciting week. I am sure it is going on some very strong momentum path to the semis is scheduled And the No.1 ranking could also Petrova has her task cut out past champion here. Do you to be pretty busy for the players. to go through No.16 seed Sloane change hands in Doha. in Doha where she joins top think that holds advantage for Question: Your thoughts on a The Top Eight Seeds Stephens in the third round and Doha isn’t the only city hosting eight seeds Australian Open a player like yourself? possible clash against Serena. No.8 seed Sam Stosur or No.9 seed WTA tennis this week. champion Victoria Azarenka of Petrova: It’s a tough question. Petrova: I am looking forward Victoria Azarenka of Belraus Marion Bartoli in the quarters. Halfway across the world in Belraus, Serena Williams of the If you had asked me this question to that. It is still quite far and I Serena Williams of the US The No.4-seeded Radwanska’s Cali, Colombia, an inaugural WTA US, compatriot Maria Sharapova, five years ago, I would have said don’t want to look that far ahead. Maria Sharapova of Russia path includes No.13 seed Ana 125K Series event - the Copa Agnieska Radwanska of Poland, ‘yes’. But I feel I had a good sea- If that match happens, then I will Agnieska Radwanska of Poland Ivanovic in the third round and Bionaire - takes place on the clay Angelique Kerber of Germany, son last year. I played good tennis. be very pleased to play her. Angelique Kerber of Germany either No.5 seed Angelique Kerber courts of the Club Campestre de Sara Errani of Italy, Petrova I am going to give my best shot, Question: On a scale one to Sara Errani of Italy or No.10 seed Caroline Wozniacki Cali, a modern and spacious coun- Kvitova of the Czech Republic and try to accomplish winning a third 10, how difficult is the draw? in the quarters, though there’s try club whose history dates all Samantha Stosur of Australia. title here. Petrova: I would say 10 Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic a big unseeded threat looming the way back to 1930. During a brief chat at the Question: Your goals and (laughs). Everybody is here. It is Samantha Stosur of Australia. in her quarter as well - Mona WWW.WTA.COM draw ceremony yesterday, ambitions for the new season? a top draw. THE PENINSULA
1 AZARENKA, Victoria (BLR) (AUS) STOSUR, Samantha 33 2 BYE BYE 34 3 PIRONKOVA, Tsvetana (BUL) (ROU) NICULESCU, Monica 35 4 OPRANDI, Romina (SUI) (SRB) JANKOVIC, Jelena 36 5 MCHALE, Christina (USA) (RUS) KUZNETSOVA, Svetlana 37 6 JOVANOVSKI, Bojana (SRB) QUALIFIER 38 7 DANIILIDOU, Eleni (GRE) (ITA) SCHIAVONE, Francesca 39 8 CIBULKOVA, Dominika (SVK) (FRA) BARTOLI, Marion 40 9 KIRILENKO, Maria (RUS) (USA) STEPHENS, Sloane 41 10 QUALIFIER (GEO) TATISHVILI, Anna 42 11 ROBSON, Laura (GBR) (CZE) ZAKOPALOVA, Klara 43 12 HANTUCHOVA, Daniela (SVK) (USA) LEPCHENKO, Varvara 44 13 EL TABAKH, Heidi (CAN) QUALIFIER 45 Qatar Tennis 14 BABOS, Timea (HUN) (OMA) AL NABHANI, Fatma 46 Federation (QTF) 15 BYE BYE 47 officials join 16 ERRANI, Sara (ITA) (RUS) SHARAPOVA, Maria 48 representatives 17 RADWANSKA, Agnieszka (POL) (CZE) KVITOVA, Petra 49 from Total, the 18 BYE BYE 50 Qatar Open tennis 19 ZHENG, Jie (CHN) (ESP) SUAREZ NAVARRO, Carla 51 tournament title 20 QUALIFIER (RUS) MAKAROVA, Ekaterina 52 sponsors. The event starts 21 HALEP, Simona (ROU) (CZE) SAFAROVA, Lucie 53 tomorrow. Tennis 22 GOVORTSOVA, Olga (BLR) (TPE) HSIEH, Su-Wei 54 players Fatma Al 23 PASZEK, Tamira (AUT) (CZE) HLAVACKOVA, Andrea 55 Nabhani of Oman, 24 IVANOVIC, Ana (SRB) (RUS) PETROVA, Nadia 56 Nadia Petrova of 25 WOZNIACKI, Caroline (DEN) (ITA) VINCI, Roberta 57 Russia and Tamira 26 QUALIFIER (BEL) WICKMAYER, Yanina 58 Paszek of Austria 27 CIRSTEA, Sorana (ROU) (POL) RADWANSKA, Urszula 59 are also seen. 28 JABEUR, Ons (TUN) QUALIFIER 60 LEFT: Ana Ivanovic 29 BARTHEL, Mona (GER) (ESP) MEDINA GARRIGUES, Anabel 61 of Serbia arrives in Doha. RIGHT: The 30 QUALIFIER QUALIFIER 62 Qatar Total Open 31 BYE BYE 63 trophy. 32 KERBER, Angelique (GER) (USA) WILLIAMS, Serena 64 India players end Cup boycott
Nadal reaches semis in Chile MUMBAI: Disgruntled Indian tennis players made themselves available yesterday for a Davis Cup tie against Indonesia, ending VINA DEL MAR, CHILE: Rafael Nadal, a shock second-round exit from Wimbledon opponent like Dani and to reach the semi- an embarrassing row with the All India Tennis Association (AITA) playing his first event after a seven-month in June. finals after seven months,” he said. “In this over demands for better playing conditions. injury layoff, advanced to the semi-finals of A torn tendon and inflammation in his left tournament, I had a good feeling. The crowd Eleven frontline players, excluding 13-times Grand Slam doubles the $410,200 Vina del Mar ATP claycourt knee kept the former world number one out of gave me their support all the time.” champion Leander Paes, pulled out of the regional first round tie tournament with a straight-sets win Friday. the London Olympics and the 2012 US Open, Nadal broke Gimeno-Traver’s first service against South Korea in New Delhi last week, which the home squad The 11-time Grand Slam champion from and a virus delayed his return. game of the match for a 2-0 lead and again in lost 4-1. Spain ousted seventh-seeded countryman “Today, I had more confidence than the the sixth game, and held on to claim the first On Thursday, the AITA agreed to most of the players’ demands Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-1, 6-4. other days,” said Nadal, who also entered set after 33 minutes. paving the way for the players, including multiple doubles Grand Slam Top seed Nadal will face French third seed doubles here in order to gain more match In the second set, Nadal broke in the ninth champion Mahesh Bhupathi, Somdev Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna, Jeremy Chardy -- who cruised past sixth seed experience. game and then fought off four break points, to commit to play in the April 5-7 team event. Paolo Lorenzi of Italy 6-2, 6-3 -- for a place “That is positive. It gives me confidence, and the only ones he faced in the match, before The AITA agreed to demands for a new coach, a higher share of in the final. reasons to believe that I’m on the right way. holding serve in the final game to advance prize money, the players’ involvement in choice of venues for ties and Until this week, Nadal had not played since “I’m happy to win in singles against a tough after 84 minutes. REUTERS business class airfares for all members of the squad. REUTERS SUNDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2013 34 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT
Al Feroz beat Zimmerman, Brown, David Doha Club; Asia rout Bangladesh and Shane seal heat wins DOHA: Al Feroz Youngsters defeated Doha Cricket Club (DCC) by 36 runs in the first Tom Thompson sustains arm injury after spectacular heat 2A crash round of the Qatar Airways Division ‘A’ 50-overs Cricket League, organised by Qatar DOHA: Jon Zimmerman, Steve Boy! Oberto in the final turn of Cricket Association (QCA) at David, Kip Brown and Jimmy their thrilling three-lap race. West Bay recently. Shane shared a win apiece in “He hooked in, moved out, just Electing to bat, the winners the second and third pairs of clipped me and got a penalty,” said were sustained by a fortuitous race heats at the 2013 Oryx Cup David. innings of 89 by Imran Ashraf, UIM World Championship in Kip Brown confirmed his first dropped thrice by butter-fingered Doha Bay yesterday. ever heat win for the Spirit of DCC fielders, to post a competi- The racing timetable was Qatar Team with a convincing tive total of 256 for 8 from the delayed when U-11 Miss Peter & performance at the helm of U-95 precarious position of 91 for five May’s Tom Thompson suffered a in heat 3A. in the 23rd over. broken arm in a spectacular first “It is a great feeling to take my Sri Lanka left-arm seamer turn collision with Brian Perkins first heat win in the colours of the Damith, making his debut for in U-21 Snoqualmie Casino Spirit of Qatar team here in Doha DCC, dismissed the top four Al and had to be rescued from his Bay,” said a delighted Brown. Feroz batsmen while fast bowler inverted hydroplane after the first Shane exacted revenge for Talha Shah trapped the danger- turn of lap two. his second heat disappointment ous Qalandar in front of the wick- “I saw him (Thompson) com- by fending off the determined ets with one that swung in. ing towards me at speed from David challenge in heat 3B, the Noor, who conceded 10 runs the inside and there was nothing Maryland driver reaching the fin- in the first over of the match, I could do to get out of the way,” ish less than a boat length in front bowling from the Lusail Railway said an obviously shaken Perkins, of David’s flying U-1. end, was immediately replaced as both boats were eliminated It meant that each of the day’s by skipper Fawwad Ahmed with from the rest of the day’s racing. four heats had been won by a dif- Damith. Zimmerman was a convincing ferent driver. Opener Faisal welcomed him winner of the re-run of heat 2A. The Oryx Cup UIM World with two consecutive fours. “My crew chief doesn’t smile that Championship is organised by the However, the tall Sri Lankan often and it was great to put a Qatar Marine Sports Federation avenged the slight when Faisal smile on his face,” joked the U-9 (QMSF), which runs under the flicked him straight into the driver. presidency of Sheikh Hassan bin hands of Noor at deep square leg David was handed victory in 2B Jabor Al Thani, in conjunction A picture of the collision between U-11 Miss Peter & May’s boat driven by Tom Thompson and Brian Perkins on the third ball. when Shane was adjudged to have with H1 Unlimited. U-21 Snoqualine boat during heat 2 at Doha Bay, yesterday. PICTURE BY: BILL OSBORNE Damith then removed the in- made contact with David’s U-1 Oh THE PENINSULA form Boota for just 23 when the Al Feroz total was 75. Boota failed to cash in on the simple catch he had offered to Marso at backward point when he ExxonMobil, QOC sign long-term Pearl Marina to host was on seven off the luckless Noor who ultimately returned with the fine figures of 10-0-33-0. Damith then got rid of Inam deal to support National Sport Day exciting port sailing race and Mujeed, nicely caught by wicket-keeper Shahed Hussain, DOHA: Oil and gas giants DOHA: An exciting port sail- sailing interest within the local to reduce Al Feroz to 91 for five. ExxonMobil and the Qatar ing race at The Pearl Marina community.” Imran Ashraf then took charge, Olympic Committee have involving a host of world-class “EFG Bank Sailing Arabia – riding his luck with three dropped unveiled a new partnership in Sheikh crews and sailing elite from The Tour is becoming renowned catches. support of National Sport Day. Saoud bin across the Middle East will take as showpiece event and family Khalid dropped the first of his The three-year long deal Abdulrahman place on February 12. day out alongside Qatar National two ‘lollipop’ catches when he was announced at a press Al Thani (left), Organised by the EFG Bank Sports Day that is capturing the floored Ashraf’s simple offering conference by Sheikh Saoud Secretary Sailing Arabia – The Tour, the interest of the local people and off Damit. Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, General of region’s only long distance off- encourage them to rediscover DCC paid dearly for that blun- Secretary General of the Qatar Qatar Olympic shore sailing race has been one of the oldest sports in the der as Ashraf had just scored Olympic Committee (QOC), and Committee perfectly scheduled to let all region and the world. Sailing six runs. He went on to score 83 Bart Cahir, President & General (QOC) and communities in Qatar and sailing talent is definitely growing and runs more till he was run out by Manager of ExxonMobil Qatar Bart Cahir, enthusiasts celebrate the national with more challenging events that Sarmad in the 47th over. Inc. President sport day. unite the region and come to the He added 82 runs for the eighth “We thank Mr Cahir for his and General Free to attend and open to all, shores of Qatar we hope to inspire wicket with Zahid Khan whose support and leadership in making Manager of the family day let’s all specta- future sailing heroes,” added Al unbeaten 26 was liberally punc- ExxonMobil Qatar and Official ExxonMobil tors watch the magnificent fleet Sewaidi.” tuated with cross-batted heaves. Sponsor of the National Sport Qatar shake of Farr30 boats in action as they David Graham, Oman Sail Chasing an achievable target, Day” said Sheikh Saoud. battle it out in Qatari waters to CEO, said: “Now in its third year DCC were in repair mode early hands after Sheikh Saoud added: “It is an secure top points in the in-port EFG Bank Sailing Arabia – The into their innings after opener exchanging honour and a privilege to welcome racing series following the first Tour has really established itself Khalid Khatib was dismissed them on board this prestigious agreements leg of sailing between Bahrain and as part of the winter sailing cal- for zero to follow his forgettable initiative adopted by His Highness during the Qatar. endar, attracting some of the very effort of two overs for 17 runs. the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim signing Initiated and supported by best sailors from the region and Debutant Marso, who waged bin Hamad Al Thani.” ceremony the Qatar Olympic Committee, beyond to compete in the superb a lone battle with a stroke-filled Sheikh Saoud highlighted at the QOC National Sports Day includes a sailing conditions the GCC has to innings of 98, salvaged some pride the important role ExxonMobil headquarters. host of sporting events from gym- offer.” for the losers. played in sport in Qatar in the PICTURE BY: nastics and athletics to football He added: “Once again this In the other match of the day, last few years, a role that shows SHAIVAL DALAL and karate, and is designed to year we are delighted and proud centurion Khurram (128) led the commitment of the company inspire a new generation of active that the flagship sailing event for the mayhem for Asia Cricket in the country on a social level. sports fans, unite the community the region can once again call to Club (ACC) against the hapless Cahir expressed his excitement, and discover local talent. Qatar and support the interest in Bangladesh outfit who conceded on behalf of ExxonMobil, to be Khalifa M Al Sewaidi, sailing that is at an all-time high 326 off their 50 overs. able to support what he defined Cahir during the press conference. government departments, public President, Qatar Sailing and within the region.” Qamar Sadiq and Awais as an important and wide-reach- “It is about delivering sustain- and private sector organisations Rowing Federation said: “Qatar EFG Bank Sailing Arabia – joined the party by posting half ing community initiative geared able, long term benefits for local and sports clubs will be organis- National Sport Day is all about The Tour will arrive at The Pearl centuries. towards promoting an active and communities, and there is no ing sporting activities for all on giving the community the oppor- during the early hours of the In reply the ACC bowlers healthy lifestyle among Qatar more meaningful event for this February 12. tunity to explore new challenges morning on February 11 with the routed Bangladesh for a paltry residents. than the National Sport Day,” he The event aims to create aware- and encourage an active life- exciting in port sailing starting at 69 to register an embarrassingly “Energy development is more added. ness about sports and its health style. Over the past few years 11am on February 12. one-sided victory by the huge than oil and gas production” said Across the country, ministries, benefits. THE PENINSULA we have experienced a surge in THE PENINSULA margin of 257 runs. QNA Shooting: Qatar Open 2013
Runner-up Vlili Schumann (left) of Russia, winner Antinao Tresses of France, and third place Mohamed Ahmed of UAE pose for a picture after competing in the Men’s Skeet category at the Qatar Open 2013 Championship at Losail Shooting Complex yesterday. CENTRE: Tresses and Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah (right) pose for a picture. Al Attiyah won bronze medal in the Skeet category at the London 2012 Olympic Games in July 2012. RIGHT: Schumann is seen in action during a round yesterday. PICTURES BY: EBRAHIM KUTTY SUNDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 35 Broad, Wright inspire England to T20 win The visitors beat New Zealand by 40 runs in Auckland
WELLINGTON: Luke Wright overs during their innings in the shone with bat and ball while match. captain Stuart Broad took “I think we learned a lot from Podium winners pose for a picture after their rounds at the Qatar International four wickets as England eased batting on it first actually,” Broad Enduro at Sealine yesterday. to a 40-run victory over New added of being asked to bat by Zealand in their first Twenty20 New Zealand captain Brendon international in Auckland McCullum. yesterday. “We learned that we could bang Al Ansari, Al Balooshi All-rounder Wright’s 20-ball it back of a length, take the pace innings of 42 included three fours off and get the guys hitting to the and four sixes as England’s power- bigger boundaries. share wins in first packed batting line-up scored 214 “It was certainly a good toss to for seven, their highest total in a lose.” T20 international. The short boundaries straight “The freedom the guys played down the ground, which is pri- round of new season with the bat today set us up bril- marily configured for rugby, were liantly,” Broad said in a televised peppered with a total of 23 sixes interview. “To go and set our dispatched into the stands. DOHA: Kuwait’s Moaath Al quad to finish the race was record as an England batting line- The highest total for sixes in a Ansari and UAE’s Mohammed again Obaid Al Kitibe in the 5th up was fantastic. Twenty20 international was the Al Balooshi each won one race in position. “It was exciting to see the 24 hit by New Zealand and India the E2 category of the new sea- Al Kitibe riding a Honda quad cleanness with which the guys in Christchurch 2009, a feat dupli- England’s Luke Wright makes an unsuccessful appeal during their first son of the Qatar International made a total timing of 39.03.530. were hitting it.” cated by Australia and India in Twenty20 cricket match against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland, Enduro, yesterday. “I am very happy to win the The 27-year-old Wright then Bridgetown a year later. yesterday. The event organised by Qatar championship yesterday (Friday) put immense pressure on New Eoin Morgan top-scored for Motor and Motorcycle Federation and leading again the Quads cat- Zealand’s batsmen as he bowled England with 46 from 26 balls and Scoreboard (QMMF), was held at Sealine. egory even the track was a bit several dot balls that forced the combined with Jonny Bairstow As in the previous season, there hard as yesterday (Friday) track hosts to take risks, one of which (38) in a 81-run partnership off ENGLAND M Guptill c Broad b Wright ...... 44 were categories for bikes (E1, activity,” said Al Kitibe yesterday. resulted in Martin Guptill blast- 7.1 overs as England appeared set A Hales st B McCullum b Hira ...... 21 B McCullum c Morgan b Finn...... 10 E2 and E3) and quads with four Regarding the championship ing a full delivery straight to for a total in excess of 230 on the M Lumb c Rutherford b McClenaghan ...... 22 R Taylor c Bairstow b Finn ...... 13 rounds that will compose the standings, in the E1 category, Broad at mid-off for 44. bouncy, drop-in pitch until the L Wright c Hira b Ellis ...... 42 C Munro b Broad ...... 28 championship. Abdulla Al Shatti from Kuwait is Guptill’s wicket in the 13th stand was broken. J Bairstow c Guptill b Boult ...... 38 J Franklin c Buttler b Broad ...... 8 The Kuwaiti rider Moaath leading with 50 points. over was a body blow for New New Zealand did not help their E Morgan c Taylor b Hira ...... 46 N McCullum c Buttler b Wright ...... 3 Al Ansari finished first in the Mubarak Al Ali, Tariq Al Zealand as the right-hander had cause by dropping five catches. J Buttler (not out) ...... 32 A Ellis c Wright b Finn ...... 4 first race, with a total time of Hattab and Barrack Al Jasmi looked well set to be the batsmen “It was a really poor day in S Patel c B McCullum b Ellis ...... 2 R Hira (not out) ...... 20 38.53.208. The KTM rider is now have 40 points. the hosts could build their late- the field,” McCullum said. “You S Broad c B McCullum b Boult ...... 4 T Boult c Patel b Broad ...... 4 riding in the E2 category having Moaath Al Ansari and innings assault around. can’t afford to drop five catches J Tredwell not out) ...... 0 M McClenaghan (not out) ...... 6 took part in the E1 category in Mohammad Al Balooshi are lead- Broad then chipped in with two in the field in any form of cricket, Extras (W-6, NB-1) ...... 7 Extras (LB-8, W-3, NB-5) ...... 16 the previous season. But he feels ing the E2 category with 47 points wickets in the 15th over, removing particularly in 20 overs with the Total (for 7 wkts in 20 overs) ...... 214 Total (for 9 wkts in 20 overs) ...... 174 more comfortable with the E2 both of them. Ali Al Kubaisi with James Franklin (eight) and Colin power they have got. Fall of wickets: 1-29, 2-89, 3-91, 4-172, Fall of wickets: 1-31, 2-46, 3-77, 4-111, category and hopes to have a nice 40 points is in third place. Munro (28) to ensure England’s “I thought England were out- 5-194, 6-197, 7-203. 6-128, 7-134, 8-135, 9-156. battle with Al Balooshi who is also In quads, the leader of this total was well out of reach. standing and put us under pres- Bowling: McClenaghan 4-0-29-1; Boult 4-0- Bowling: Finn 4-0-39-3 (1w); Broad 4-0-24- competing in the same category. category is Obaid Al Kitibe and The England skipper finished sure. We were outplayed by a far 40-2 (1 nb, 1w); Hira 4-0-42-2; N; McCullum 4; Dernbach 4-0-33-0 (1nb); Wright 4-0-29-2; Al Balooshi finished in second Qatari Mohammed Abu Issa is with 4-24, his best T20 interna- better team on the day.” 4-0-49-0; Ellis 3-0-40-2; Franklin 1-0-14-0. Patel 2-0-17-0 (2w); Tredwell 2-0-24-0. position with a gap of 17.272secs second with 44 points. Abdulla tional figures, while Wright took The second contest of the NEW ZEALAND Result: England won by 40 runs. in the first race. Nasser Al Ali was third. 2-29 and added a catch as New three-match series is in Hamilton H Rutherford c Tredwell b Broad ...... 18 The KTM rider had a mechani- After each race, took place Zealand made 174-9 off their 20 on Tuesday. REUTERS cal problem with his bike just the podium ceremony with some minutes before the start of special awards from Alfardan the race one, but luckily he sort Automobiles to all the winners. it out riding a second bike. Trophies were presented by In the second race of the day, Rashid Al Sulaiti (QMMF Public Beckham to Al Balooshi crossed the finishing Relations Manager), Iain Black Rampant Scotland crush Italy line in first position with a time of (Clerk of Course) and Isa Al 38.01.732secs, who led race from Awadi (Steward of the meeting). LONDON: Scotland played train with the beginning to the end. After the Qatar International with aggression, discipline and “I am very happy with this Enduro races, it was the turn for attacking ambition to beat Italy result being in the first step in the new championship, QMMF 34-10 in the Six Nations yester- PSG from the podium and thank my team T3 Challenge day, their first win in this year’s for the great job in fixing the bike This new championship for off championship. Wednesday on time to achieve this result. For road buggy vehicles is formed by Tries from Tim Visser, Matt sure Al Ansari and me will have four rounds, and similar to the Scott, Stuart Hogg and Sean tough and exciting battles in the National Sprint but in the desert. Lamont as well as 14 points from PARIS: David Beckham coming rounds,” Al Balooshi said Each buggy starts individually at the boot of man-of-the-match will train for the first time after his victory. one minute intervals completing Greig Laidlaw helped Scotland with his new Paris Saint- The Kuwaiti rider Abdullah Al one round of the endure course. overwhelm an Italy team who Germain (PSG) team-mates Shatti crossed the line in second The first winner of the T3 came into the match full of con- on Wednesday next week, coach position with a gap of only 2.087 Challenge was Qatar’s Hamad Al fidence after beating France last Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday. behind Al Balooshi. Ali with 7.03 minutes. weekend. “He is coming on Wednesday, Meanwhile, Al Ansari crossed Khalid al Mohannadi and In a match often billed as the he will start work with the team the line in third place. Abdulazez Al Sada finished in sec- wooden spoon decider, Scotland, and we are going to see what his The defending champion in the ond and third place respectively. who were soundly beaten 38-18 physical condition is like for pos- quads category, Obaid Al Kitibe Trophies were given by Marwan by England on the opening week- sibly the match against Sochaux,” from UAE finished in third posi- Musabeh (Clerk of Course), end, were superior in all areas and said Ancelotti. tion overall, being the first quad Iain Black and Clive Jacobsen capitalised on a string of Italian Beckham looks likely to travel rider to cross the finishing line. (Sportive technical advisor). errors. with the squad to Spain for In the second race, the first THE PENINSULA The Italians enjoyed the early Tuesday’s Champions League territorial advantage, but this last-16, first leg clash against began to seep away as the errors Scotland’s Tim Visser scores his team’s first try during the Six Nations Rugby Valencia. crept in and they fell behind Union match against Italy at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland, “I think he’ll come and watch after 15 minutes when a Laidlaw Britain, yesterday. the game,” added Ancelotti. penalty from 30 metres soared Ancelotti’s comments came between the posts. after PSG shook off a lacklus- That lead was doubled nine prevented from going over after If the Italians hoped that would tre first half to defeat Bastia minutes later when Andrea Lo a high-speed dash down the left give them a platform to build off 3-1 on Friday and go six points Cicero, winning his 100th cap, flank thanks to a superb last- they were swiftly brought down clear at the top of Ligue 1 in a was penalised for pulling down ditch tackle from Tobias Botes. to earth after the restart as morale-boosting win ahead of the maul and Laidlaw stepped up Luciano Orquera made Italy’s Scotland extended their lead with their Champions League duty to notch another three points. first mark on the scoreboard two quick tries. next week. Scotland began to showcase with a penalty a minute before Scott took a lovely offload from PSG, moved onto 51 points, tak- their attacking fluency with Scott the break. Sean Maitland to cross before ing their recent run to 12 matches Hogg intercepted a pass from without defeat in all competitions. the forlorn Orquera to gallop 80 Jeremy Menez, Zlatan metres for his second try in con- Ibrahimovic and Ezequiel Lavezzi secutive matches. were all on target for PSG Laidlaw added the conversions although Wahbi Khazri’s 83rd- to put the hosts 27-3 up after only minute free-kick from 30 metres, eight minutes of the second half. which made the score 2-1, meant After Scott had a second try goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu’s ruled out for a forward pass, proud unbeaten record ended at Lamont added the final gloss to the 947-minute mark. Mohammed’s Al Balooshi the scoreline when he picked up Menez put PSG ahead in the a loose ball and ran 50 metres 56th minute with Ibrahimovic, is seen in action during his for another excellent individual who had started on the bench for E2 category round at the effort. the first time in his Ligue 1 career, Qatar International Enduro Italy’s Alessandro Zanni bun- making it 2-0 with a 71st-minute yesterday. BOTTOM: dled the ball over late on for a penalty. Moaath Al Ansari in action consolation try but it came too After Khazri’s thunderbolt, during his round at the late to spark a revival or dampen Lavezzi settled PSG’s nerves to same venue in the same Scottish celebrations. put the pressure back on second- category. Both riders shared Meanwhile in another match, place Lyon who welcome Lille on one win each. Wales ended an eight-match los- Sunday. ing streak with a 16-6 victory over Ancelotti insisted that French centre Mathieu Bastareaud vies with Wales’ prop Adam Jones France in their Six Nations clash Ibrahimovic had no arguments (down) during the Six Nations Rugby Union match at the Stade de France at the Stade de France yesterday over being demoted to the bench. in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, yesterday. Wales won 16-6. night. REUTERS AGENCIES Sunday 10 February 2013 29 Rabial I Safar 1434 Volume 17 Number 5606 Sport Price: QR2 &.&"&'/ .#'01#0- $#&.2 '-34"#"-+ "15.&46-$ !+/% #*#+7 LATEST NEWS UPDATES IN TAMIL Snedeker, Broad, Wright TAMIL TIMES WEEKLY NEWSPAPER Middle East Edition Potter share inspire
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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 QFA and Qatar Shell call on public to break world record
Southampton’s Jason DOHA: The Qatar Football Puncheon celebrates Association (QFA) and Qatar after scoring against Shell have called on the public Manchester City during to take part in the the larg- their English Premier est ever 5-a-side football match League match at St in celebration of the National Mary’s Stadium in Sports Day 2013 in trying to Southampton, yesterday. break the Guinness World Record, as part of the KOORA TIME initiative. The game which is open to the general public will kick off at 9.00am at Aspire Zone on Tuesday is expected to run con- tinuously for ten hours, or until the record of 464 which was set in the UK in 2012 is broken. Guinness World Records offi- Sports Day in a fun and non com- family and friends and support us cials will be in attendance to over- petitive environment.” as we strive to achieve our long- see the record attempt from start The current record stands at term goal of improving the health to finish 464 players and was set by BBC and wellbeing of Qatar’s youth.” Southampton dent Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Radio 5 Live, at the Sheffield He added: “This event demon- bin Ahmad Al Thani (pictured), United Academy, UK on 13 strates our commitment to the President, QFA, said in a stat- October 2012. Qatar National Vision 2030 and ment: “We are excited to kick Wael Sawan, Managing Qatar’s National Development off the KOORA TIME initiative Director and Chairman, Qatar Strategy 2011-2016, – which with a bang. The World Record Shell, said: “We believe that seeks to improve the health and City’s title hopes attempt will be the first of many more football will lead to health- wellbeing of Qatar’s youth, while activities under the banner of ier youth and that is why this empowering them to become KOORA TIME and is an oppor- National Sports Day we encour- advocates of a positive change in Wins for Chelsea, Arsenal; Wilshere injured tunity for the whole family to age everyone from all over Qatar the Qatari society.” get active and celebrate National to come and play, along with their THE PENINSULA
LONDON: Manchester City’s minute when Theo Walcott set Premier League title defence English Premier up Santi Cazorla and the Spanish fell apart at the seams in a 3-1 midfielder fired home. defeat at Southampton yester- League Results Wilshere hobbled off follow- day when goalkeeper Joe Hart ing a strong challenge from committed a howler and Gareth Chelsea 4 Wigan Athletic 1 Alfred N’Diaye and Arsenal were Barry scored a bizarre own goal. Norwich City 0 Fulham 0 reduced to 10 men when right- First Barry lost the ball in back Carl Jenkinson was dis- midfield after seven minutes and Southampton 3 Manchester City 1 missed for a second booking after Jason Puncheon stormed for- Stoke City 2 Reading 1 fouling Stephane Sessegnon in the ward before coolly finishing off Sunderland 0 Arsenal 1 62nd minute. a rebound after Hart’s sprawling Gareth Bale maintained his Swansea City 4 Queens P Rangers 1 stop. sublime form with a brilliant Hart, let a Rickie Lambert shot Tottenham Hotspur 2 Newcastle United 1 brace to inspire Tottenham’s 2-1 go through his legs and Steven victory over Newcastle at White Davis slid the ball in midway five matches in all competitions. Hart Lane. though the first period. Chelsea produced a sweep- Bale added to the growing Edin Dzeko replied for City ing move to open the scoring as belief that he is currently the after a quick counter attack but Fernando Torres played a fine best player in the Premier League just after the break, a weak cross first-time pass towards Ramires with a superb free-kick to open came in and Barry decided to pass and the Brazil midfielder fired the scoring early in the first half. the ball back to Hart only to send home in the 23rd minute. The Wales winger then bagged it into the corner of the net with Belgian playmaker Eden the late winner after Yoan the keeper beaten. Hazard doubled Chelsea’s lead Gouffran had equalised with his Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez with a cool finish from Cesar first Premier League goal for admitted this week that he hasn’t Azpilicueta’s cross in the 56th Newcastle. spoken to notoriously demanding minute. Reading’s hopes of avoiding rel- Blues owner Roman Abramovich Wigan replied through Shaun egation suffered a setback with a for three weeks, sparking sug- Maloney two minutes later, but 2-1 defeat at Stoke. gestions the Spaniard could be in-form England midfielder QPR rooted to the bottom of in danger of losing his job after Frank Lampard and Marko the table after a 4-1 defeat at Chelsea’s recent poor run. Marin notched late goals to seal Swansea. But the third placed Blues were the hosts’ victory. In the day’s other fixture, too strong for struggling Wigan Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger’s Norwich shared a dour 0-0 draw and cruised to their first win in team went ahead in the 35th with Fulham. AFP Celtic brush past Inverness
INVERNESS: A makeshift before cutting the ball back for Celtic side swept aside near- Scottish Premier team-mate Commons to rifle a est challengers Inverness League Results thunderous strike beyond Ryan Caledonian Thistle 3-1 here Esson and into the roof of the net. yesterday to open up a massive Aberdeen 0 St Mirren 0 Rogic then came close to open- 18-point lead at the top of the Dundee United 3 Hearts 1 ing his Celtic account as the mid- Scottish Premier League. Inverness CT 1 Celtic 3 fielder clipped an effort just over Neil Lennon made nine changes Kilmarnock 2 Motherwell 0 after being teed up by Anthony to the side that faced Raith Stokes. Rovers last weekend with debuts time in the 48th minute before Inverness appealed for a pen- for new signings Rami Gershon Miku wrapped up the scoring alty at the start of the second half and Australian international in the 82nd minute as Lennon’s when Doran’s cross appeared to Tomas Rogic. selection gamble paid off ahead hit the elbow of Marcus Fraser There were also rare starts for of their against the Italian league but referee Craig Thomson waved Paddy McCourt, Marcus Fraser leaders at Parkhead. away their protests. and Dylan McGeouch, while goal- Inverness created their first And the home fans felt further keeper Fraser Forster made his chance when Ross Draper fed aggrieved moments later when return from a neck injury. Billy McKay at the edge of the Gershon rose highest to connect However, Lennon’s decision box and he spun before sending with McGeouch’s teasing cross looked to have backfired when his curling effort wide. from the right to bullet a header Inverness, who had defeated The home fans didn’t have long past Esson as Celtic took the lead. Celtic in Glasgow earlier in the to wait to celebrate though as They came close to increasing season, took an early lead through Ross handed them the lead. their advantage on the hour Nick Ross. Forster’s weak clearance from Celtic then moved further But the Hoops hauled them- a dangerous Aaron Doran cross ahead in a quick counter-attack- selves level in the 20th minute only made it as far as the edge of ing move, as substitute Tony when Rogic set up Kris Commons the box, where Ross was on hand Watt’s cross-field pass found to hammer home the equaliser. to drill a low shot into the bottom Stokes, who squared the ball Fellow debutant Gershon left-hand corner of the net. for Miku to side-foot low under headed Celtic in front for the first Rogic broke to the byeline Esson. AFP