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Tuesday 12 March 2013 30 Rabial II 1434 - Volume 18 Number 5636 Price: QR2

Qatari bourse Rahim leads index rises by Bangladesh 0.28 percent run-spree

Business | 22 Sport | 32

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Qatar strives for ‘China Town’ AAA credit rating DOHA: Qatar is striving to raise its credit ratings to “AAA”, two levels high on par with a selected few advanced to come up economies. Currently, the country is rated “AA” with sta- ble outlook. Opening the 7th edition of ‘Multaqa” here yesterday, the near Al Wakra Minister of Economy and Finance H E Yousuf Hussein Kamal said: “The current rating of Qatar is ‘AA’. We are working on for ‘AAA’. Plan to house 3,000 Chinese expats The history of our economy is very strong. Qatar’s economy has BY SATISH KANADY ‘China Town’ by the Group, will advanced over the past few years be managed by Qatar Dragonmart to reach internationally competi- DOHA: Qatar will soon have a Property Management Co. tive.” Full report on page 17 ‘China Town’ in Al Wukair near The ‘township’ will be Al Wakra as a large number of large enough to accommodate Qtel formally Chinese expatriates are set to 3,000 residents with all the arrive here with the opening of facilities. named Ooredoo the massive Dragon Mart at the It is expected to become Col Abdulrahman Al Malki (right), Deputy Director at the Information Systems Department of the Ministry of Interior Barwa Commercial Avenue. the largest gathering place Affairs, shows the use of Metrash2 after a press conference in Doha yesterday. Lt Abdullah Khalifa Al Muhannadi DOHA: Qtel’s new name was A leading developer is busy with for Chinese in Qatar, the (left), Technical Officer, General Directorate of Border Passport and Expatriate Affairs, and Col Abdullah Ahmed formalised yesterday with plans to build a dedicated ‘village’ executive said. Al Ansari, Head of Visa Section at the Directorate, look on. (SALIM MATRAMKOT) the company announcing the in Al Wukair for the Chinese Apart from the community launch of ‘4G LTE’ at an event community to live in, sources told town, the Qatar Dragonmart held at Katara. The Peninsula yesterday. is also developing a huge ‘logis- 4G LTE is a mobile broadband There already are some 6,000 tics village’ with a total area Metrash2 simplifies visa rules network, which is expected to Chinese expatriates based in of 200,000 square metres that appear in the market next month, BY SANAULLAH Qatar, according to sources at the would have various warehouses be bought for QR100 from the the Museum of Islamic Art and Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Chinese Embassy here. such as a common warehouse, Immigration Department at Qatar Foundation. Bin Saud Al Thani, Chairman, And an estimated 2,500 to vertical warehouse, constant DOHA: Issuing of exit per- Al Gharafa or any of the 15 Senior officials of the Ooredoo, said. 3,000 more Chinese men and temperature warehouse, cold mits and 42 other key Interior service centres of the Interior Information Systems Department Full report on page 2 women are expected to join as stores, special purpose ware- Ministry services, including Ministry. Those keen to use of the Interior Ministry held a staffers in over 200 shops and house, a large distribution cen- renewal and issue of visas, have the e-gate service at the Doha press conference yesterday to Bahrain crown prince retail outlets to be opened at the tre and a dormitory area which been made simpler with the International Airport can get explain about the services offered Barwa Commercial Avenue later could accommodate 500 workers launch of an innovative elec- the card for QR100 for a year, by Metrash2. named deputy premier this year. at a time. tronic service by the Ministry QR150 for two years and for Assistant director of the Most of them would arrive in The ‘logistics village’ will also yesterday. QR200 for three years. One can Department, Colonel Abdul DUBAI: The King of Bahrain the country with their families. have an outdoor container yard, a Now, a Qatari sponsor with a register for Metrash2 through Rahman Al Malki, Head of Visa named his son Crown Prince “A highly reputed developer separate outdoor platform which smartphone and one who is reg- self-service kiosks installed at Section at the General Directorate Salman, a reputed moderate, is already working on our plans. can accommodate more than istered for the Interior Ministry’s 10 locations in Doha and out- of Borders Passports and as deputy premier, yesterday, The proposed ‘township’ will 100 engineers, parking facilities new service (Metrash2) can issue side, including at the Qatar Expatriates Affairs (GDBPEA), as a promised national dia- have Chinese restaurants, super- for heavy vehicles, equipment an exit permit for his foreign Post headquarters, Landmark Colonel Abdullah Ahmed Al logue stalled between the coun- markets, playgrounds, recrea- repair centre and a distribution employee here from anywhere in Shopping Mall, Villaggio Mall, Ansari, and an official from the try’s Sunni regime and its Shia tion clubs and salons,” a senior processing centre, in addition to the world in seconds. To register Royal Plaza, passport department technical division of GDBPEA, majority. Prince Salman has executive of Qatar Dragon Mart a huge ‘supply chain facility’ to for Metrash2, one must have a at the airport (visa section), Lulu Lt Abdullah Al Muhannadi, were repeatedly called for dialogue to Group said. support the Dragonmart’s regular smartphone and provide his Qtel Hypermarket (airport branch), present at the briefing. resolve the political deadlock in The Qatar Dragonmart customers. — Ooredoo — mobile number Traffic Department in Madinat THE PENINSULA the kingdom. Chinese Community, described as THE PENINSULA using a smart ID card that can Khalifa, Al Meera (Al Wakra), Continued on page 6 Full report on page 10 TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Ooredoo comes alive with 4G LTE launch Media campaign begins today BY AZMAT HAROON

DOHA: Qtel’s new brand iden- tity was formalised yesterday with the company announcing The circles in the launch of ‘4G LTE’ at an the unique logo event at Katara. 4G LTE is a mobile broadband represent the network, which is expected to communities. appear in the market next month, The red colour Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani, Chairman of represents warmth, Ooredoo, said. energy and youth. The Minister of Economy and Finance H E Yousuf Hussein Kamal launched Ooredoo in the presence of ministers, ambassa- country in Ooredoo’s international dors and other dignitaries. network to integrate with the new More than 2,000 people, a global brand,” he added. Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani, Chairman of Ooredoo Group, along with other VIPs cutting a cake during the official re-branding majority of them staff members Al Kuwari said re-branding has ceremony at Katara yesterday. BELOW: Artists presenting a theatrical show at the function. ( SHAIVAL DALAL) of Ooredoo, attended the event, had more positive reactions than which was broadcast live on Qatar negative ones. customers. In 1994, it was the first TV. The new brand name had company in the region to intro- The new brand name is mixed reactions in Qatar with duce GSM services and in 2007 it expected to appear on all Ooredoo many people expressing their launched Mozaic TV, the pioneer- services and products in a roll-out opinions on social networking ing IPTV service. phase, which began last evening. sites earlier. “People usually have In 2012, Ooredoo rolled out “Qtel has thousands of assets different reactions and it’s not the Ooredoo Fibre network and and it will take time before the easy to change their minds but launched business services like new brand name begins to appear we have had more constructive the Cloud and Mobile Money. on all of them,” Fatima Al Kuwari, feedback,” she said. Concluding the ceremony, a Director of Public Relations at “The circles in the unique logo large group of children holding Ooredoo, said. represent the communities. The red balloons entered the amphi- A nation-wide media campaign red colour represents warmth, theatre, with an amazing ballet of the new brand name is set to energy and youth, and is recog- performance. begin today. The launch of the nisable in both advertising and Each of Ooredoo’s operating new brand was celebrated by a retail shops. Altogether these ele- companies in the Middle East, multimedia and theatrical show. ments reflect confidence, energy North Africa and Southeast Asia “We have always put our cus- and empathy,” the company said will adopt the new brand during tomers at the heart of our busi- in a statement. 2013 and 2014. These companies, ness, and this new name shows Since the first telephone in which Ooredoo has a control- that we want to be closer to our exchange was installed in Qatar ling interest, include brands such customers and engage with them in 1949, the organisation has been as Indosat in Indonesia, Wataniya in everything that we do,” Saud a community-based Qatari com- in Kuwait, Nawras in Oman, Al Thani said. pany that provides life-enhanc- Tunisiana in Tunisia, and Nedjma “We are proud that Qatar, where ing communications products in Algeria. the business was born, is the first and services to a wide range of THE PENINSULA

TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME ‘Made in Qatar’ coach unveiled by Mowasalat Firm plans bus assembly unit in Oman

DOHA: Mowasalat launched its assembling and manufacturing first bus that was fully assem- unit in Oman,” Jassim Saif Al bled in Qatar by the company’s Sulaiti, Mowasalat’s Chairman technicians. and Managing Director, said in a The technical team at the press conference yesterday. Karwa Services Unit (KSU) “We will develop two or three assembled the 41-seat “Made in new models every year but we Qatar” coach from a complete set have no plans to assemble buses of imported spare parts. locally on a large scale,” he added. This is the first of a series of He said that the proposed prototypes being developed by facility in Oman once ready will Mowasalat as part of its plans to assemble 2,000 buses every year enter bus assembling and manu- to meet the requirements of the facturing industry in a big way. local and GCC markets. The company is working on a “We are in the final phase of project to establish a large-scale preparations to establish the Mowasalat officials during the launch of the ‘Made in Qatar’ coach (background). facility in Oman to assemble buses facility. We have also plans to for the Arab and GCC markets. enter bus manufacturing industry has joined the fleet of Mowasalat features, stylish looks and versa- and company staff, feeder services The CKD-assembled bus passed “This marks a major achieve- in a later phase,” said Al Sulaiti. buses that are available for pri- tile body of the imported Karwa and for tour and travel. test conditions successfully and ment for us in terms of tech- He said the locally assembled vate hire. buses. The bus took shape in-house, was rolled out as a new in-house- nology transfer. We will develop buses are more cost-effective Assembled from Complete The bus is designed to meet with strict inspection and quality built coach bus in December last more bus models locally as compared to the imported ones. Knockdown (CKD) units, the bus various requirements such as checks during assembly, ensuring year. we prepare to establish our The first “Made in Qatar” bus offers the same comfort, safety transportation of schoolchildren stability. THE PENINSULA

Greeting cables Qatar University forum to discuss transformation in societies sent to Czech DOHA: Qatar University will The conference will take place at Survey. ‘Qataris’ attitudes towards for- the public in these countries — to President host an international conference the university’s library from March Experts will present findings of eign workers’, ‘What does the find out what they think about on transformations taking place 18 to 20. a range of new surveys on issues, Arab public think about democ- these changes and document how DOHA: The Emir H in societies around the world and The three-day conference — including identity, democracy and racy’, ‘Does economic satisfaction they impact all areas of life — to H Sheikh Hamad bin how these are recorded, par- The Rise in Public Engagement: governance, economic development really breed political apathy among help shape public policy. Khalifa Al Thani sent a ticularly in the Gulf and Middle The Region and The World — is and cultural change, women and Gulf citizens?’ and ‘Qatari attitudes SESRI regularly conducts cable of congratulations East. organised by QU’s Social and gender issues and religion. towards gender role’. research on issues related to the to President Milos Zeman Economic Survey The conference will be opened Al Emadi, who will talk on topics social, economic and cultural devel- of the Czech Republic on Research Institute by QU President Professor Sheikha including ‘Why we need surveys in opment of society in Qatar, which his inauguration. (SESRI) in collab- Al Misnad and SESRI Director Dr the Gulf’, said: “Society is chang- is used to inform decision-maker The Heir Apparent H H oration with Arab Darwish Al Emadi. ing fast, particularly in the Middle for guiding policy planning and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Barometer and Topics which are particularly East since the Arab Spring. formulation. Al Thani and the Prime the World Values relevant to local society include “It is vital that we engage with THE PENINSULA Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Advisory Council Jabor Al Thani also sent A Werewolf Boy screening similar cables to Milos holds meeting Zeman on the occasion.

DOHA: The Advisory Minister leaves Council held its weekly session under for Saudi its Deputy Speaker Issa bin Rabiah Al DOHA: The Minister Kuwari yesterday. of Culture, Arts and The council reviewed Heritage H E Dr Hamad a draft law amending bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari some provisions of the left here yesterday after- Layers Law issued by noon for Saudi Arabia at Law No. 23 of 2006 and the invitation of Saudi decided to refer it to the Minister of Culture and Legal and Legislative Information Dr Abdul Affairs Committee to Aziz bin Mohieddin Khoja study it and furnish a to participate in the report. opening ceremony of Al QNA Madina Al Munawarah Capital of Islamic Culture for 2013. The Minister said this event is important and should receive our atten- tion in Qatar due to the status of the City of the The Korean embassy and the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Korea organised a screening of A Werewolf Messenger of Allah (peace Boy, the most successful Korean melodrama of all time, at the Qatar National Convention Centre yesterday. be upon him) and its (ABDUL BASIT) Islamic history. He also pointed out endeavours of the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage to organise cultural events in Doha on the occasion, in coordina- tion with officials of the Saudi Ministry of Culture and Information. Arab health ministers’ meet

DOHA: Qatar will par- ticipate in the 39th ses- sion of the Council of Arab Health Ministers at the headquarters of the Arab League in Cairo tomorrow and Thursday. Minister of Health and Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) H E Abdullah bin Khalid Al Qahtani will chair the Qatari delegation in the session. The council will discuss health conditions of Syrian refugees and the condition of the health sector in Palestine. The meeting will also look into a potential uni- fication of health-related legislation in the Arab world. QNA TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Qatar Rail bags Visionary Project of the Year Award

Saad Al Muhannadi receiving the award.

DOHA: Qatar Railways Company, the organisa- tion overseeing the construction of an integrated railway network, received the ‘Visionary Project of the Year Award’ at the 6th Global Infrastructure Leadership Forum in New York City recently, a press statement said yesterday. Organised by CG/LA Infrastructure, the forum focuses on infrastructure projects locally, regionally, and globally and identifies real opportunities in the dynamic global infrastructure market. “Qatar Rail is one of a number of transformational projects that aim to continue the progress of Qatar through the National Vision 2030, the Qatar National Strategy, the Qatar National Development Framework 2012-2032 and the Transport Master Plan for Qatar,” Saad Al Muhannadi, CEO of Qatar Rail, said. He added: “The State of Qatar has a very clear vision and strategy for the future of the country; at Qatar Rail, we support the four pillars of this national vision: Economic, social, human and environmental development, including the significant benefits of reducing congestion and emissions and leading to more efficient movement of people and goods.” He said the integrated rail system will be an essen- tial part of Qatar’s urban infrastructure and will be recognised as one of the most successful, safe and environmentally-friendly railway systems in the world. THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Heart Hospital IKEA ‘cuts the introduces cryoballoon log’ to open ablation DOHA: The Heart Hospital has introduced a new technology- cryoballoon ablation- for treat- ment of atrial fibrillation, the Doha store most common type of irregular heart beat. The hospital conducted the Ambassador sees bilateral trade boost first successful surgery using this technique, in what is said to be a BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB acronym comprising the initials first in the region. of Ingvar Kamprad (the founder’s Atrial fibrillation (AF) causes DOHA: The Swedish home name), Elmtaryd (the farm where the upper chambers of the heart furnishing giant, IKEA’s first he grew up) and Agunnaryd (his to beat too fast, inhibiting the store in Qatar attracted an hometown in Smaland, South movement of blood in and out of overwhelming response from Sweden). the heart. It diminishes a person’s visitors on the first day of its Despite being a working day, a overall quality of life with symp- opening. The multi-million dol- large number of people came to toms like fatigue, shortness of lar commercial complex at the view the vast product range of breath and chest pain, while also Doha’s Festival City formally innovative ideas and smart solu- significantly increasing their risk opened yesterday. tions, drawing inspiration for of stroke and heart failure. To mark the occasion, Omar their home furnishing needs. AF is often treated with drug Al Futtaim, Vice-Chairman, Al Families enjoyed Swedish therapy, but for many patients Futtaim Group, the representa- delicacies at the 550-seat IKEA Swedish Ambassador Max Bjuhr, IKEA Doha Store Manager Adosh Sharma and Managing Director John Kersten drugs alone are not sufficient to tive of IKEA in the UAE, Qatar restaurant. during the log cutting ceremony yesterday. ease the suffering. and Egypt, led the traditional IKEA’s trademark Smaland During this minimally invasive ‘log-cutting ceremony’ in the children’s play area provided country is looking forward to percent,” he said. Qatar, Egypt and Oman. procedure, doctors insert a bal- presence of Sheikh Khalifa bin fun activities to keep youngsters enhancing its trade relations with The spacious self-serve area “The opening of this store is a loon catheter into a blood ves- Jassim Al Thani, Chairman of entertained. Qatar, Ambassador Bjuhr said in optimises the overall customer major milestone in IKEA’s his- sel in the upper leg and snake it Qatar Chamber. With the opening of the store at his address on the occasion. experience providing a pleas- tory in the Middle East and coin- through the circulatory system The Swedish Ambassador to Doha Festival City, IKEA boasts “Qatar, the host of upcoming ant environment. Customer cides with the 70th anniversary until it reaches the heart. Once the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain, of its presence in 41 countries ICC WCF 8th World Chamber waiting time is kept to the of the brand’s inception. Qatar’s in place, the balloon is inflated Max Bjuhr; Qatar Islamic Bank across the globe. Congress with the theme minimum, thanks to the store’s impressive economic achieve- and extremely cold energy flows Chairman Sheikh Jassem bin The store is the largest in ‘Opportunities for All’, is one of 33 cash tills. Other facilities ments, development outlook and through the catheter, freezing the Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al the Middle East, which fea- the fastest growing economies include a dedicated parking are rapid population growth, coupled heart tissue that is causing the Thani; Qatar Airways CEO Akbar tures showrooms of bed, chairs, in the world. Swedish companies which can accommodate 1,300 with IKEA’s unique offering, are irregular heart beat. Al Baker and many other digni- sofa sets and an exhaustive list see exciting opportunities in the vehicles. the pillars that assure our com- In cryoablation, the balloon taries from Qatar and the UAE of other household items and country and want to be part of “Visiting an IKEA store is a mercial success. IKEA is set to freezes the whole vein at once were present. kitchen appliances. it. The trade figures for 2012 are great day out for the whole fam- change the furniture retail land- rather than burning several IKEA was founded in Sweden Meanwhile, Sweden’s exports to a proof in itself. Exports from ily, an experience which is lived by scape in Qatar the same way it points of the vein, as is done in 1943 by 17-year-old Ingvar Qatar surged 40 percent in 2012 Sweden to Qatar increased 40 nearly 780 million people who visit has done in each of the 40 coun- during radiofrequency ablation, Kamprad, who later became one compared to the previous year, percent compared to the pre- our 340 stores across 40 countries tries it is present around the another common treatment for of the richest people in the world. and with the opening of IKEA’s vious year, and exports from every year,” said John Kersten, world,” he said. AF. The company’s name is an store in Qatar, the Scandinavian Qatar to Sweden increased 29 Managing Director, IKEA-UAE, THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA

Access MoI Katara to present immersive 3D experience at Cannes expo services from DOHA: The Katara Cultural ICube mobile solution at the leading event MIPIM. This high- This marks the first time that made in a more informed way. home, office Village stand will offer an four-day property market event tech interactive 3D solution the unique EON ICube mobile In 2008, Katara, the Cultural immersive 3D experience to to reveal the next phase of the allows our future customers, part- system is used for a large prop- Village, opened phase one of the Continued from page 1 visitors as they tour its site and Cultural Village. ners and investors to visit Katara, erty market event. development, which consists of new aspects of the development, The complete development site the Cultural Village, virtually and The system will offer visitors an Opera House, Drama Theatre, Now, one can avail of most at the MIPIM, the largest prop- will include commercial and pri- experience it in its entirety. the ability to virtually visit the open air Amphitheatre, several of the ministry’s services using erty market event in Cannes vate properties, and a large area “We are proud to unveil new area, interactively in a 3D plat- art galleries, restaurants and Metrash2 from the home or office. which opens today. of cultural facilities such as thea- aspects of this exciting develop- form, and walk through existing cafes. The next phases will include More than 6,000 people have reg- Katara, the Cultural Village, in tres, concert halls and exhibition ment which include residential, and new developments, includ- a commercial complex, residential istered for the Metrash2 service collaboration with Aspire Katara galleries. commercial and retail units. ing exteriors and interiors. This villas, hotels, and several other till now and more than 12,000 exit Investment (AKI) yesterday Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, Katara has quickly become the offers a unique way of experienc- retail and hospitality facilities. permits have been issued through announced the partnership with General Manager of Katara, said: metropolis for arts and culture ing property development projects The development is expected to the service. Most users have been EON Reality, the world’s leading “We are thrilled to collaborate in the GCC and we look forward months and years before comple- be fully operational and complete companies, Al Malky said. interactive 3D software provider. with AKI to use the EON ICube to seeing visitors enjoy our other tion, enabling crucial planning by 2018. The smart ID card can be Katara will use the unique mobile system at the world’s facilities,” he added. and investment decisions to be THE PENINSULA bought from Al Gharaffa head- quarters of the immigration department or from one of the service centres at Mesaimeer, Al Wakra, Industrial Area, HMC, Q-Post, Shahhaniyya, Souq Veteran drivers honoured Waqif, Al Khor, Shamal, Zubara, Mesaieed and Umm Sulal. Issuing of exit permits for those at Traffic Week celebration under personal and company sponsorships and exit permit for DOHA: Under the patronage of “In March every year, the min- ‘visit visa’ holders under personal the Director General of Public istry honours veteran drivers con- and company sponsorships can be Security, Staff Major General sidering them as exemplary drivers done through Metrash2. Saad bin Jassim Al Khulaifi, for the new generation, who adhere Renewal of residence permits the Traffic Department of the to traffic rules and regulations, fol- (RPs) under personal and corpo- Ministry of Interior (MoI) hon- low road discipline and protect the rate sponsorships, cancellation oured veteran drivers as part of lives of people and the properties.” of RPs, changing entries in the GCC Traffic Week celebrations Staff Major General Al passport of expatriates and sepa- at a tent in the Darb Al Sai Khulaifi honoured the veteran ration of dependants’ names from ground. drivers. They are: Muhammed expatriates’ passports can also be Directors of several departments Saif Muftah, Hamad Abdullah availed of using Metrash2. of the ministry, GCC delegates par- Ahmed Al Baker, Muhammed Other services include renewal ticipating in Qatar’s Traffic Week Ali Al Ahbabi, Muhammed Omer of driver’s licence, issuing of celebrations, officers and section Al Kubaisi, Sultan Saadoon Al replacement for a lost driver’s heads at the Traffic Department Hajeri, Rashid Muhammed Rashid licence and vehicle permit, issu- and veteran drivers were present. Al Murri, Jaber Ahmed Eisa Al ing of exit permits for vehicles, The programme started with Kuwari, Ahmed Yousuf Al Suwaidi, transfer of vehicle ownership, the recitation of verses from the Ali Muhammed Al Kuwari, Ali transfer of easy-to-remember Holy Quran followed by a speech by Muhammed Al Buraidi, Ali number plates, issuing of vehicle Major Muhammed Raadhi Al Hajri Salih Al Murri, Hamad Saqr Al clearance certificate, certificate on behalf of the Director of Traffic Muraikhi and Fares Jassim Al of cancelled vehicles, certifi- Department Brigadier Mohammed Muhanndi. cate of exported vehicles as well One of the veteran drivers honoured at the event. Saad Al Kharji. THE PENINSULA as certificate for pre-owned vehicles. Registered traffic violations can Mowasalat showcases be viewed using Metrash2 and fines for traffic violations can be paid through it. Services related to seat belt simulators ‘visit visa’ under personal and corporate sponsorships can be DOHA: Mowasalat is par- Training and Development completed through ‘Metrash2’ ticipating in the GCC Traffic Centre (KTTDC) is showcasing and follow up of applications and Week under the theme ‘Your its products and services to the approvals can be done. Safety is our Goal’. public and potential customers. Enquiries about the status of a Mowasalat’s pavilion is show- It is providing information on visa application, visa validity, vio- casing seat belt simulators to how to obtain a driving licence lation of visa rules, visa fees, fines educate the public on the impor- through simple steps from for delayed arrival, extending visit tance of wearing a seat belt. Karwa Driving School. visa validity (from within Qatar), Visitors get practical experi- Karwa’s role includes theo- payment of visa fee and renewal ence on the difference between retical classes and classes on of a visa which has lapsed can also using and not using a seat belt. defensive driving and provides be done using Metrash2. They see the consequences for the opportunity to apply for Besides, a Metrash2 user can themselves. training for a local or interna- locate the nearest service centres Mowasalat is providing infor- tional driving licence through of the Ministry of Interior on his mation and education on the its stand at the exhibition. smart phone and can communi- transportation of dangerous The company has also dis- cate with the Ministry through goods by road and offers bro- played its most prominent this service. chures on traffic guidelines. training tools. THE PENINSULA Karwa Transportation THE PENINSULA Visitors at Mowasalat’s stall at the Traffic Week exhibition. TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07

Assad regime EU split on arms to Syrian rebels uses militias for mass killings: UN Britain, France and Italy tipping in favour of eventual military aid for the opposition GENEVA: The Syrian gov- ernment is reportedly using BRUSSELS/DAMASCUS: with the Syrian intelligence and local militias known as Popular The European Union split over army.” Committees to commit mass kill- whether to supply arms to The minibus exploded in the ings which are at times sectar- Syrian rebels at talks yesterday buffer zone between Turkey’s ian in nature, UN human rights where UN-Arab League envoy Cilvegozu border crossing and investigators said yesterday. Lakhdar Brahimi called for a Syria’s Bab Al Hawa post on “In a disturbing and dangerous political rather than a military February 11, the latest spillover trend, mass killings allegedly per- settlement to the two-year con- of violence from Syria’s civil war. petrated by Popular Committees flict. “The military solution is The Cilvegozu crossing is one have at times taken on sectarian out of the question,” Brahimi of seven functioning border posts overtones,” the UN commission of said after meeting the EU’s 27 along Turkey’s 910km frontier inquiry on Syria, led by Brazilian foreign ministers. with Syria. Paulo Pinheiro, said in its latest “I came to ask them to use It is a major gateway into Syria, report to the UN Human Rights whatever means they have to with hundreds of trucks lining up Council in Geneva. reach a peaceful solution for this every day to take humanitarian “Some appear to have been case. I believe there is no way aid into the war-torn nation. trained and armed by the govern- except the peaceful solution,” he Turkey, a one-time Syria ment,” they said. told reporters. ally now vehemently opposed The independent investigators, As the crisis which has sent a to Assad’s regime, has taken in who cited accounts from wit- million Syrians fleeing the coun- some 190,000 refugees registered nesses and victims, said people try and left some 70,000 people in several camps along the bor- were being harassed or arrested dead goes into its third year, EU der and 100,000 more across the by government-allied militia foreign policy chief Catherine country. because they came from regions Ashton too said “the best way to Meanwhile, President Michel perceived as being supportive of stop the violence is to find a politi- Suleiman called yesterday for the revolt. cal way forward.” international action to help Popular Committees have been But ministers were sharply Lebanon cope with a deluge of documented as operating across divided, with Britain, France and refugees from the war in neigh- Syria, “where at times they are Italy tipping in favour of eventual bouring Syria which he said alleged to be participating in military aid for the opposition threatened to set his volatile house-to-house searches, identity while Germany and others see country ablaze. checks, mass arrests, looting and that as too risky. The site where a mortar shell fell in Teshrin stadium in the district of Baramke in Damascus, yesterday. Four people, In an interview with Reuters acting as informants,” they said in “I don’t think the bloodshed including a sports journalist, were wounded when the shell fell during a football match. at the presidential palace over- a 10-page report. The conflict is in Syria will decrease should we looking Beirut — and just 25 miles mired in a “destructive stalemate” engage in an arms race,” said arms embargo will be increas- Syrian National Coalition but Turkish security forces from the Syrian-Lebanese border amid heavy shelling and air raids Germany’s Guido Westerwelle. ingly on the table due to the evi- stopped short of lifting the arrested yesterday four Syrians — Suleiman compared Syria’s civil by government forces, they said. Sweden’s Carl Bildt warned that dent imbalance between Bashar embargo entirely. linked to President Bashar al- war to a conflagration breaking Both sides have committed vio- a military solution carried the Al Assad, who is being supplied The United States last week Assad’s regime over a deadly out next door. lations against civilians, the UN risk of “the devastation of the with powerful weaponry from said for the first time that it would bomb attack on the volatile bor- “When there is a fire next to investigators said. They were pur- region.” Iran and Russia, and the National provide direct but non-lethal aid der last month, the interior min- your house, you have to assume suing probes into about 20 cases France disagreed, with Foreign Coalition, which does not have to rebel fighters battling Assad, ister said. that it will spread and you have of massacres, including three in Minister Laurent Fabius saying such weapons,” Fabius said. and $60m in extra assistance. The “Our security forces arrested to try to stop it reaching you,” Homs at the start of the year, the bloc may need to rethink The EU late last month EU is the largest humanitarian four Syrian nationals and one Suleiman, a former army chief despite their lack of access to its Syria arms embargo to help amended its arms embargo on donor for the Syrian crisis, with Turkish citizen” over the minibus elected president as part of the country. The bodies of some insurgents fighting the Damascus Syria to allow member nations to more than ¤428m sent to help bombing which killed 14 people, a peace deal to end sectarian of those killed in massacres have regime. “It seems obvious to me supply “non-lethal” equipment as distressed Syrians inside and out- Muammer Guler said in televised clashes in Beirut in 2008. been burned or dumped in rivers, that the question of lifting the well as training to the opposition side the country. remarks. “We proved their links AGENCIES they said. REUTERS

Kuwait coast guards shoot dead suspected Slain Tunisian leader’s party to ask for UN probe Iranian smuggler KUWAIT CITY: Kuwaiti TUNIS: The party of assas- the Democratic Patriots Party, that it was involved in the as each article must be approved others are demanding that the coast guards shot dead yester- sinated Tunisian politician said. “We believe that the inves- assassination. by an absolute majority of MPs president retain key powers. day a suspected drugs smug- Chokri Belaid will ask the tigation was not serious and there Meanwhile, Tunisia’s parlia- before the entire text is put to Assembly speaker Mustapha gler as they chased a boat in UN Human Rights Council to is a lot of ambiguity and doubts,” ment started debating on plans a vote. Unless it is approved by Ben Jaafar has called for an end the emirate’s territorial waters, investigate his killing because he added. to set April 27 as the deadline for a two-thirds majority, it must to the tug-of-war, with the politi- the interior ministry said. The it lacks confidence in the judi- Mohamed Jmour, another the finalisation of the new consti- be put to a referendum. Several cal uncertainty in Tunisia exac- ministry did not reveal the iden- ciary’s handling of the case, its leader in the party, said the tution and October 27 as the date political timetables drawn up erbated by social tensions and tity of the dead man but a secu- leaders said yesterday. Tunisian office of the UN High for the next elections, as part of since Ennahda’s sweeping election the growing influence of militant rity official said that he was an The secular opposition leader’s Commissioner for Human Rights efforts to resolve a political crisis. victory in the first post-revolution Islamist groups. Iranian. The ministry said that assassination on February 6 pro- had already been informed of The deputy speaker of the poll have not been respected. “We must abandon narrow at dawn a Kuwaiti coast guards voked the biggest street protests the group’s concerns. Tunisian National Constituent Assembly, More than two years after party interests even if that means patrol spotted a boat inside the in Tunisia since the overthrow of authorities say they have arrested Mehrezia Labidi, gave the dates mass protests that toppled former making sacrifices, retreating. It is emirate’s territorial waters and strongman Zine Al Abidine Ben four hardline Salafi Islamists in in a posting on her Facebook page, dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in the interests of Tunisians,” Ben ordered it to stop by “firing Ali two years ago. connection with the killing, but as deputies met to draw up a cal- and inspired revolutions in other Jaafar, whose secular Ettakatol is warning shots”. After a brief “We agreed ... to go to the that the gunman who fired the endar for the adoption of the con- Arab Spring countries, Tunisia is one of Ennahda’s partners in the chase, the boat stopped and the Human Rights Council in Geneva fatal bullets is still on the run. stitution, as well as for elections. still without a fixed political sys- outgoing three-party coalition, coast guards found that one of to request an investigation into Tunisia’s moderate Islamist Labidi, who belongs to the rul- tem due to a lack of consensus said at the weekend. “Our people the two men onboard had died the killing of Belaid because we ruling party Ennahda has denied ing Islamist party Ennahda, did between the main parties. are patient but their patience has of gunshots, the ministry said. have doubts in the Tunisian judi- accusations by some of its oppo- not give a precise timetable for Ennahda is pushing for a pure its limits, we must attend to their The coast guards arrested a sec- ciary,” Zied Lakhdar a leader in nents, including Belaid’s brother, the adoption of the constitution parliamentary system while problems,” he added. AGENCIES ond man. Bahrain court acquits Gul in Stockholm Shia rights activist DUBAI: A Bahrain court yesterday acquitted leading Shia rights activist Yousif Al Muhafda who was on trial for spreading false news, his lawyer Mohammed Al Jishi wrote on his Twitter account. Muhafda, who is the acting deputy head of the local non-governmental organisation, the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, was last month released on bail of BD100 ($265/¤198). He was arrested on December 17 in Manama for tweeting a picture of an injured FROM LEFT: Sweden’s Princess Madeleine, Prince Carl Philip, Queen Silvia, Turkey’s First Lady Hayrunnisa protester after he clicked photo- Gul, Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul, King Carl XVI Gustaf, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel graphs of clashes between police at the Stockholm Palace, yesterday. and demonstrators.

Iraq attacks kill seven, wound 165 Mubarak wants Egyptians to KIRKUK, IRAQ: A suicide bomber killed three people and wounded 165 in northern Iraq rally around Mursi: Lawyer yesterday, while four people were killed in shootings else- CAIRO: Toppled presi- “Mubarak is sad and frus- have the right to peaceful dem- where in the country, security dent Hosni Mubarak, await- trated” by recurring violent onstrations, Deeb said. and medical officials said. The ing trial over his role in the protests around the country “He still considers those who bomber struck at a police sta- deaths of protesters, believes targeting the Islamist presi- attacked police stations in 2011 tion in the town of Dibis, north- Egyptians should rally around dent, Deeb said. were thugs and criminals,” Deeb west of the ethnically mixed oil his Islamist successor and The 84-year-old had been added, referring to protesters city of Kirkuk, district official end violent protests, his law- sentenced to life in prison for who torched police stations Abdullah Al Salehi said. Many yer said yesterday. President his role in the deaths of pro- across the country during the of the wounded were pupils at Mohamed Mursi, twice jailed testers during the 18-day upris- 2011 revolt. Roughly 850 people an adjacent Kurdish girls’ sec- by Mubarak before he himself ing in 2011 that ended his three were killed in the uprising. ondary school, Salehi added. was overthrown on February decade reign. But a court over- Mubarak has suffered a Sadiq Omar Rasul, the head of 11, 2011, is the “elected presi- threw that verdict and ordered number of health scares in the Kirkuk health department, dent, people should rally a new trial which is set to start prison that prompted his trans- said the bombing killed three around him,” the former on April 13. Mubarak also spoke fer to a military hospital. Deeb people and wounded 165. strongman told his lawyer out against violent protests, said his health has “improved.” AGENCIES Farid A Deeb yesterday. although he believed Egyptians AFP TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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A tense transition Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

HE latest verbal skirmishes between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and US officials illustrate the new depth in relations between the two sides. How US public was defrauded TKarzai leveled a harsh accusation at the US on Sunday – that it’s trying to destabilize his country. Coming from the leader of a country which the US has helped liberate from the Taliban, the statement is surprising. Not because the by the hidden cost of Iraq war statement is true, or false, but because it comes at a difficult juncture in Afghanistan’s history. BY MICHAEL BOYLE All eyes are on the Nato pullout from Afghanistan Pentagon’s budget from the cuts other- Ackerman has pointed out, Iraqi offi- scheduled for next year. As the US is busy preparing for an wise needed to finance the war, to keep cials cannot point to a single completed exit, questions are being asked about the future of Afghanistan HEN the US invaded Iraq the Pentagon’s pet programs intact and project that the US managed dur- – whether the government of Karzai will be able to govern in March 2003, the Bush to escape the scrutiny that Congress ing the course of the occupation. The Wadministration estimated gives to its normal annual regular hundreds of ill thought-out projects the country on his own, whether the Taliban will wreak havoc that it would cost $50-60bn to over- appropriations. and half-baked ideas that marred the and undo the gains the US and Nato forces have made, and throw Saddam Hussein and establish a With the Iraq war treated as an “off American reconstruction effort pro- whether Afghan forces are capable of taking on the insurgents. functioning government. This estimate the books” expense, the Pentagon was vides a powerful explanation for why Karzai has been very critical about what he sees as was catastrophically wrong: the war in allowed to keep spending on high-end the US campaign for “hearts and minds” doomsday reports his country’s future. The president sees it Iraq has cost $823.2bn between 2003 military equipment and cutting-edge never worked, and why Iraq is hardly and 2011. Some estimates suggesting technology. In fiscal terms, it was as if a pro-American bastion in the Middle as pure propaganda, spread by the Western media and picked that it may eventually cost as much as the messy wars in Afghanistan and Iraq East today. up by the rest of the media with the goal of undermining $3.7tn when factoring in the long-term were never happening. An occupation conducted through the confidence of Afghan people and undermine faith in his costs of caring for the wounded and the More fundamentally, the Bush under-scrutinized emergency appro- government. Karzai’s accusations need to be taken seriously. families of those killed. administration masked the cost of the priations enabled dozens, if not hun- Even if there are serious doubts about the ability of the The most striking fact about the war with deficit spending to ensure that dreds, of private companies to act like government to face the Taliban cost of the war in Iraq has been the the American people would not face up pigs at the trough – wasting taxpayer extent to which it has been kept “off the to its costs while President Bush was dollars on frivolous expenses while the threat after 2014, there is no need books” of the government’s ledgers and in office. Despite their recent discov- insurgency raged around them. These As Karzai- for leveling such allegations as if it’s hidden from the ery of outrage over the national debt, private companies were able to behave a certainty. What Karzai needs is American people. the Republicans followed the advice so rapaciously because they were so des- US relations words of support, measures which This was done by of Vice-President Dick Cheney that perately needed by the US government remain strained, will boost his confidence. design. A funda- “deficits don’t matter” and spent freely to run the Iraq war without revealing Karzai accused Americans of George Bush sold mental assump- on domestic programs throughout the its true cost to the American public. Taliban could tion of the Bush Bush years. The Bush administration Another factor that was kept hidden sending contradictory messages the war as quick administration’s encouraged the American people to from the American public was the sky- emerge as the about the Taliban: on the one hand and cheap; it was approach to the keep spending and “enjoy life”, while the rocketing costs of deploying US troops winner. claiming to see them as enemy and war was that it government paid for the occupation of abroad. According to a Congressional on the other reaching out to them long and costly. was only politi- Iraq on a credit card they hoped never Research Service estimate, the average for negotiations. The opening of a Even now, the US cally sustainable to have to repay. annual operational cost per US soldier if it was portrayed Most Americans were not asked to in Iraq was $462,000 between 2005 and Taliban office in Doha is meant for bringing the two sides is paying billions to as near-costless make any sacrifice for the Iraq war, 2009. To control costs and avoid impos- together, and comes from the realization that a negotiated private contractors. to the American while its real costs were confined to ing a draft, the US resorted to a parallel settlement with the Taliban is easier than victory in the public and to key the 1% of the population who fought army of private contractors, numbering battlefield. There is nothing wrong with talking with the constituencies in and died there. As a result, the aver- 100,000 people or more at the height of Taliban, but if Karzai accuses Washington of double standards, Washington. The dirty little secret of age American was never forced to con- the war. Yet, this policy backfired, as it’s because he has been left out of the negotiation process. the Iraq war – one that both Bush and front whether pouring money borrowed private contractors cost nearly as much the war hawks in the Democratic party from China into the corrupt Iraqi secu- and wasted millions – by one estimate, A peace deal with the insurgents is impossible without the knew, but would never admit – was that rity services was worth it, or whether losing $12m a day between the wars in cooperation of the government in Kabul. the American people would only support it made more sense to rebuild infra- Iraq and Afghanistan. The only advan- Karzai-US relations have been strained for some time and a war to get rid of Saddam Hussein if structure in Diyala, rather than, say, tage they had was that they allowed the are showing no signs of an improvement. Both are divided on they could be assured that they would Philadelphia. American people to be lulled into think- a number of issues, like the civilian deaths in US airstrikes, pay almost nothing for it. One consequence of the way that ing that the Iraq war had cost them accusations of abuses by American forces, and most recently, The most obvious way in which the the true costs of the Iraq war was nothing. true cost of this war was kept hidden hidden from the American people The extent to which the US hid the the refusal of American forces to fully hand over the Bagram was with the use of supplemental appro- was an explosion of fraud, waste and costs of the war by relying on private Prison to Afghan control due to differences over American priations to fund the occupation. By abuse. The recent final report of the contractors has left a disastrous legacy role. one estimate, 70 percent of the costs of Special Inspector General for Iraq within Iraq itself. Many of these con- Kabul and Washington are engaged in tense negotiations wars in Iraq and Afghanistan between Reconstruction (Sigir) estimates that tractors behaved recklessly; sometimes, over the role of US forces after 2014. But the current war 2003 and 2008 were funded with sup- the US lost to corruption or waste they even shot at crowds when they felt plemental or emergency appropriations at least $8bn of the $60bn devoted to trapped or threatened. Thus private of words will only help Taliban. Or, by accusing the US and approved outside the Pentagon’s annual reconstructing Iraq. military contracting help to turn the Taliban of being in collusion, Karzai could be trying to win the budget. These appropriations allowed Much of the reconstruction expense population even more against the US confidence of Afghans • the Bush administration to shield the had no useful political effect: as Spencer and the occupation. THE GUARDIAN The other side Quote of Children also need ‘restoration’ after disaster (Tokyo) the day

HILDREN are the future of the their hometowns. Educating them on Fukushima Prefecture, has moved its town of Hirono, Fukushima Prefecture, Tohoku region, which was the places they hail from is expected administrative functions to the city of resumed classes at its old school build- devastated by the Great East to deepen the children’s love for their Nihonmatsu in another part of the pre- ing in August. But only 20 percent of CJapan Earthquake. We hope communities and have a long-term fecture. Namie Primary School has con- its previous student body has returned their educational needs will be restored effect in helping restore devastated tinued classes in a building of a defunct to the school. Municipal governments as quickly as possible in disaster-hit areas. The government should continue school in Nihonmatsu. apparently want to maintain the foun- This gas pipeline areas. offering support through the dispatch However, many of the school’s chil- dation of their communities and retain After the March 11, 2011, disaster, of teachers and other school staff. It dren have transferred to other schools. bonds with their residents by keeping (linking Pakistan the government has dispatched a rela- also should improve educational con- Namie Primary School had more than local schools operating. tively generous number of teachers to tent and further develop the education 500 students before the earthquake However, parents tend to be anx- and Iran) is a support children at schools in the three system. and tsunami, but the number has ious about having their children return sign of show of disaster-hit prefectures in the Tohoku However, many schools have seen a dropped to only 30. No new students with them to their own homes in areas region. decrease in students. This is most seri- will enroll in the school in April. where radiation is still too high for them resistance against In the classrooms, special pro- ous in municipalities around the crippled Even if residents who evacuated to to do so in the foreseeable future or grams have been launched to have Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant other areas returned to their home- where the foundations for their liveli- domination. children learn traditional crafts of the operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co. towns, the situation would remain dif- hood have not yet been fully restored. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad areas and think about the future of For instance, the town of Namie, ficult. Hirono Primary School, run by the THE WASHINGTON POST Iranian President TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 What went right in Afghanistan after Taliban

BY PETER BERGEN off in stealth helicopters from an airfield the IMF, they were “largely inactive.” $2bn — about the size of Burkina Faso’s. is the Soviet-style dictatorship of Islam in Jalalabad, in eastern Afghanistan. And There was virtually no phone system. In a decade, GDP has gone up to $20bn Karimov in Uzbekistan, where dissi- hich Asian country has the drones that have inflicted heavy losses Once-bustling Kabul was a city of ghosts, (though much of it is attributable to for- dents have been boiled alive. To his east seen its life expectancy on other Al Qaeda leaders continue to its population down to half a million. eign aid). Today, one in two Afghans has is Pakistan, where four military coups go up an astounding deploy from Afghan bases. Businesses were shuttered, just a few a cell phone, which they use for every- have taken place since the country’s inde- 18 years in just one Forget what you hear from some of cars drove on the streets, and the 9pm thing from getting their salaries wired to pendence six and a half decades ago. decade, while turning the more vocal critics of US President curfew was rigorously enforced by young them to making utility payments. There Karzai should also be judged by his Wfrom one of the world’s most rural coun- Barack Obama’s drawdown plans — the Taliban foot soldiers wearing distinctive are also now dozens of newspapers and immediate predecessors. Let’s recall tries into one of its fastest-urbanising? chances of the Taliban coming back to black turbans, their eyes rimmed with TV channels. Where once Kabul’s streets Taliban leader Mullah Omar, a dimwitted Oh, and the country’s GDP increased run Afghanistan are now vanishingly black kohl eyeliner, which gave them were largely silent, they are now a bedlam religious fanatic who turned his country tenfold in that same period. small. Favourable views of the Taliban a look that was both feline and fierce. of traffic and thriving small businesses. into an international pariah; the war- No, this isn’t Japan in the 1960s, in polling across Afghanistan over the Radio Voice of Sharia was one of the only Yes, a good deal of aid to Afghanistan lords who preceded him; and before them Singapore in the 1970s, South Korea past several years are consistently no sources of Afghan news, and it blared has ended up lining the pockets of corrupt Mohammad Najibullah, the communist in the 1980s or India in the 1990s. It is more than 10 percent. There is nothing Taliban propaganda. Taliban cabinet Afghan officials or gone back west in the puppet who replaced the Soviet occupiers Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban. like experiencing life under the Taliban ministers huddled around stoves in their form of large salaries and perks for expa- when they retreated in 1989 and ended What went wrong in Afghanistan since to convince Afghans that the group can- offices during the bitter Afghan winters, triates. Less well known is that one of the up being hanged from a Kabul lamppost the American invasion is painfully clear, not deliver on its promises of an Islamist lecturing visitors like myself about that world’s most successful aid programmes seven years later. from the grotesque levels of official cor- utopia here on Earth. And if the Taliban great Muslim leader, Osama bin Laden. has been implemented in Afghanistan, By both regional and Afghan historical ruption to the worrisome rise of insider have scant chance of returning to power, funded by organisations such as the US standards, Karzai is a reasonably com- attacks against Nato forces by Afghan their Al Qaeda buddies have even less Agency for International Development and petent leader who — despite his feckless soldiers and police. Nobody is claiming chance of returning to Afghanistan in any Kabul is now rebuilt, the World Bank. Known as the National image in the West and despite being in all is coming up roses in a country dev- meaningful way. Few Muslim countries Solidarity Program, the cost-efficient and office for 11 years — retains consider- astated by decades of conflict. But not harbour a more hostile view of Al Qaeda popular program gives modest grants to able popular appeal. In the last Afghan everything has gone wrong, either. So and its Arab leaders than Afghanistan. villagers are back, local self-elected village councils to do with presidential election, when the votes were perhaps the more interesting question Afghans have good reasons to fear the as they will. Around 30,000 councils have finally correctly tallied, Karzai had received — and certainly a more underexplored Taliban. The group imprisoned half the the once-ubiquitous been set up, and they have disbursed some 49 percent of the vote against dozens of one — is this: What went right? population inside their homes, preventing $1bn for some 60,000 specific projects since challengers. By contrast, Obama prevailed Afghanistan just after the November women from having jobs and girls from 2003. As a result, thousands of schools and in the 2012 election against one challenger 2001 fall of the Taliban resembled attending school. Although Afghanistan de-miners have all countless irrigation networks have been with 51 percent of the vote. And Britain’s Germany after the Second World War: today remains a deeply conservative built, positively affecting the lives of some David Cameron leads Britain despite his The country had been utterly destroyed, Muslim society, proportionately more but disappeared and two-thirds of the rural population. Conservative Party only receiving 36 per- around a third of the population had fled, women are now serving in the Afghan Or consider this: At the time of the cent of the vote in the 2010 election that and more than one in 10 of its citizens had parliament than in the US Congress. And Taliban, only a tenth of the popula- made him prime minister. been killed in the previous two decades of while only fewer than one million chil- millions of Afghans tion had access to basic health care, a Many Westerners have a skewed war. Much of Kabul resembled postwar dren, almost entirely boys, were in school situation made more complicated by the assessment of the scope of the war in Dresden, so utter was the destruction of under the Taliban, now more than eight have voted with their Taliban’s medieval view of women. Now, Afghanistan, bracketing it with the war in the capital. million children are in school, more than almost all Afghans have access to more Iraq. But the conflicts in the two countries When you flew into Kabul’s airport, a third of whom are girls. feet. and better health care. As a result, in just are quite different. At the height of the you were greeted by the disquieting sight One of the most common questions one decade Afghan life expectancy has Iraq war in 2006, 100 civilians were dying of teams of de-miners clearing the air- pollsters ask is, “Is your country going in When I visited Kabul in the winter of gone from 45 years to 62 years for men every day. Today in Afghanistan, around field. This scene was repeated all over the right direction?” A poll by Rasmussen 1999, I was the sole guest at the Inter- and 64 for women. This kind of dramatic six civilians are dying daily in a war in Afghanistan, which was then one of the at the end of December found that 33 Continental, the only hotel where the increase in longevity took four decades to a country that has a population roughly world’s most heavily mined countries. percent of American voters believed their Taliban would allow foreigners to stay. accomplish in the US between 1900 and on par with Iraq’s. And who is causing Those few visitors who travelled would country was going in the right direc- What once passed for a glamorous hotel the beginning of the Second World War. most of those casualties? The Taliban. US find village after village empty. What tion. By contrast, a poll of some 6,000 in 1970s Kabul was now not much more In the West, the general hopelessness and other Nato forces have taken care were once houses now lay in fallen-down Afghans conducted by the well-regarded than a bombed-out shell. As the sole of Afghan President Hamid Karzai is a to ensure that their soldiers do not con- baked-mud ruins, like the remnants Asia Foundation found that in 2012, 52 guest, I was lucky to get one of the few staple of news stories that rightly decry tribute to the civilian death toll. Indeed, of some long-gone civilisation. Many percent of Afghans thought their country rooms with still-intact windows to ward his tolerance for his rapacious family and some American cities are today more vio- Afghans had fled for Pakistan and Iran was on the right track. off the frigid Afghan winter. The staff cronies who feed at the public trough. But lent than Afghanistan. In New Orleans, during the 1980s and 1990s — some six This finding isn’t so surprising when at the hotel besieged me with requests let’s judge Karzai not against the mayor residents are now around six times more million out of a population of 15 million. you consider what remained of the for money, which was understandable as of a Scandinavian city, but rather the likely to be murdered than Afghan civil- As a result of the US-led occupation of Afghan economy under the Taliban. the economy was then so bad that even leaders in his immediate neighbourhood. ians are to be killed in the war. Afghanistan and the enterprising spirit There were just six commercial banks doctors were earning only $6 a month. To Karzai’s west is the Holocaust-denying That war is not going as badly as of the Afghans themselves, Kabul is now in the entire country, and, according to Afghanistan’s GDP in 2001 was some theocratic autocracy of Iran. To his north you think, either: In 2012, for instance, rebuilt, villagers are back, the once-ubiq- Taliban attacks dropped as much as a uitous de-miners have all but disappeared third compared with the year before. Is and millions of Afghans have voted with this just Nato cooking the books? Nope: their feet. Since the fall of the Taliban, These figures come from the Afghanistan more than five million have returned NGO Safety Office (ANSO), an organi- home. By way of contrast, some two mil- sation that has collected data about vio- lion Iraqis left their country during the lence in Afghanistan for many years and recent war there. Only a tiny fraction of is far from a cheerleader for the military. those refugees has gone back. In a 2012 report, ANSO stated that the The country to which those millions of sharp drop in violence is “the first reliable Afghans have returned is in fundamental indicator that the conflict may be enter- respects very different from the one it ing a period of regression after years of was before the 9/11 attacks. Let’s start sustained, and compounded, growth by with the most obvious point: The Taliban all actors in the field.” In January, three are removed from power. This was a US soldiers died in Afghanistan — the movement that gave sanctuary not only lowest monthly American casualty count to Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda, but in four years. In short, the war is wind- also to pretty much every jihadi militant ing down, and the “surge” of 30,000 US group from around the Muslim world. soldiers into Afghanistan that was com- Thanks to the US invasion of pleted in September has indeed blunted Afghanistan, Al Qaeda (“the base” in the Taliban’s momentum. Arabic) lost the best base it ever had: The US and Afghanistan have negoti- a country in which it ran something of ated the Enduring Strategic Partnership a parallel state, with training camps Agreement, which ensures America will churning out thousands of recruits and continue to play a supporting role there from which bin Laden and his hench- until 2024. The exact details of what that men conducted their own foreign policy, agreement means in practice are still attacking US embassies and warships, being hammered out, but they are likely and planned the deadliest mass murder to include not only significant US aid but in American history. also several thousand American soldiers Al Qaeda has never recovered from stationed in Afghanistan for many years the loss of its Afghan base. Its last suc- into the future as a guarantor for the cessful strike in the West was the July country’s stability. Other countries are 2005 series of suicide attacks on London’s also likely to continue to work with the transportation system. Meanwhile, the Afghans in areas like training the army war against Al Qaeda continues to be and police well past the end of the Nato fought from Afghanistan. The SEAL An Afghan national interpreter and a US soldier talk to an Afghan boy during a patrol at a bazaar in the Zabul Province, Afghanistan. combat mission in December 2014. team that killed bin Laden in 2011 took WP-BLOOMBERG Cameron may last even as he leads his MPs to their doom

BY GABY HINSLIFF bad as 1997 again.” Tick, tick, tick. prime minister, surely? says a bright young minister, con- that sounds familiar. close friends, but is the kind The idea of a Labour landslide One of the hardest things to vinced Labour will blow it at the The truth is that a party of sober, industrious and long- here is a giant clock in 2015 may stretch credulity to understand about politics is why last minute. losing faith in its leader often suffering individual Johnson hanging at Tory head- breaking point, but the grow- it doesn’t quite work like this. Some in Labour, it should be resembles not so much a gang has needed as his deputy in any quarters, installed by the ing consensus at Westminster is What looks screamingly obvi- said, fear the same. “We need to of crazed assassins as a bunch job he’s done. All this creates a Tparty Chairman, Grant that the writing’s on the wall for ous from the outside is almost actually go out and win it, not just of embarrassed commuters on growing risk that Cameron could Shapps, in more optimistic times, David Cameron. The Conservative always less clear-cut from the assume everything’s falling into a late-night train, all studiously be challenged before 2015. counting down the minutes to the Cassandra, Lord Ashcroft, pre- inside, which is one reason why place,” says a shadow cabinet min- not looking at the drunk squar- But if he isn’t, that will have next election. It was designed to dicts a bloodbath if the election ousting any leader tends to be a ister worried his party’s poll lead ing up to his unfortunate neigh- less to do with numbers and plots focus minds on the campaign, but were tomorrow. Only 7 percent maddeningly slow process. You’d is far softer than it looks. bour, silently praying someone and reading of runes from the lately it’s taken on a more omi- of Tory voters think they can surely be mad to bet on David But the biggest obstacle to else will do something so they spring’s council elections than nous meaning: Rather like the win outright, according to a poll Cameron lasting. But you might regime change is psychological, don’t have to. with two simple human factors. timer ticking away on a bomb. ConservativeHome presented to also be right. not psephological. The old cliche It’s true that the camp around The first is that hope springs Recently, a Tory MP with deep its optimistically titled “Victory It’s the rebels who naturally that lingering guilt about ditching Adam Afriyie is if nothing else eternal: Politicians like to believe pockets hired a leading pollster 2015” conference. hog the media limelight, but Margaret Thatcher holds Tories pushing the pace, forcing May something will turn up to save to conduct a strictly private No wonder Liam Fox, who is the boring truth is that large back from regicide is outdated, and others to advance what had them, and surprisingly often it bespoke survey on his chances of to leadership crises as cuckoos numbers of Conservative MPs with much of the new intake too been relatively vague prepara- does — as with Nick Clegg, mirac- keeping his seat. The verdict: His are to spring, was tub-thumping remain either resolutely loyal to young to remember that collec- tions for any post-2015 contest. ulously resurrected by Eastleigh. 1,500 majority would vanish in a about tax in yesterday’s papers. Cameron or fairly easily bought. tive trauma. It’s more that some- And there is intriguing talk of But the second is that most MPs landslide, leaving Labour 7,000 More interestingly, Theresa May Some want a lurch to the right, times the knowledge of impending Boris Johnson finally moving to are natural bystanders, rubber- votes ahead. When he shared is now openly limbering up in the some to the left — easing up on doom doesn’t galvanise a party tackle his key perceived weak- necking the crash as they pass but the figures with a gaggle of col- wings, boldly unveiling her own austerity, doing more for the low- into action, but makes it curl ness, the perception that he’s too convincing themselves someone leagues, reports one rebel Tory, personal growth strategy at the paid — and some would frankly up into a ball. Those Tories who erratic and too lazy for the top else is best placed to help. And “one of them pointed to himself weekend and pitching herself as settle for a lurch to competence. have discreetly swapped notes job, by seeking to form a joint managing not to see the oncom- and about four others and said a champion of unloved blue-col- “I was feeling pretty down but with Labour friends about the ticket with Michael Gove. The ing juggernaut on their side of the they were doomed. I’m starting lar Conservatives. Tumbrils roll, more and more now, this feels grim creeping paralysis of Gordon education secretary is not only road until it’s too late. to wonder now if this could be as knitting needles click. Taxi for the like it’s going to be another 1992,” Brown’s final years hear much one of Boris’s surprisingly few THE GUARDIAN TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST

Women Shura members Saudi Arabia Bahrain names frees women protesters RIYADH: Saudi authorities crown prince have freed all but two of a group of women arrested early this month while staging a sit-in to demand the release of Islamist prisoners in the city of Buraida, as deputy PM police said yesterday. “All women arrested have been freed, with the exception of two of them who refused to leave Move raises hopes on crisis talks even after all procedures for their release were completed,” a ABU DHABI: Bahrain police spokesman in the northern appointed moderate Crown Qassim province said in a state- Prince Salman Al Khalifa as ment carried by the SPA news first deputy prime minister yes- agency. terday, a sign the government “Contacts are ongoing with could be softening its stance as their families to convince them it holds talks with the opposi- to implement the judicial order,” tion to end two years of political said the spokesman. SPA had pre- unrest. viously reported that Saudi police The kingdom, the base for the arrested 176 people on March 1 US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, has been for holding a protest. in turmoil since protests erupted Authorities have accused the there in 2011, led by major- protesters of acting on behalf of ity Shias demanding an end to Saudi women members attending the Shura Council in Riyadh, yesterday. Thirty women took seats in the “deviant groups” — a term they the Sunni monarchy’s political council for the first time in the kingdom’s history, after being sworn in before the Custodian of the Two Holy usually use to refer to the Al domination and full powers for Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, at his Palace in Riyadh on February 19. Qaeda jihadist network. parliament. During a Thursday tour of The appointment would allow Buraida, Qassim’s main city, inte- the crown prince “to develop the rior ministry spokesman Mansur performance of the apparatus of Al Turki said that all prison- the executive branch”, the state ers had been released “with the news agency BNA reported, citing exception of 19 women, 55 Saudis, Crown Prince Salman Al Khalifa Sudan, South start pulling a royal decree. and an Egyptian who had imper- The addition of Prince Salman sonated a Saudi.” to the Bahraini cabinet will be last month, was also seen as Small groups of women have seen as a part of efforts to bal- largely due to his efforts. gathered almost daily in Buraida, ance the influence of figures the “This is pushing new blood into troops from tense border north of Riyadh, to demand the Shias see as hardliners, such the cabinet, the new generation. I release of imprisoned Islamist as his great uncle, the prime am very happy with the appoint- JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN: The In Sudan, a statement yes- turn says Khartoum backs insur- relatives, and dozens of protest- minister. ment. I think it is good for strong armies of South Sudan and terday from Defence Minister gents on its soil. ers held a rare sit-in outside the “This is the beginning of change progress and change in Bahrain,” Sudan yesterday said they were Abdelrahim Mohammed Hussein “It’s very difficult to monitor, to Buraida prison in September. in the executive authority to said Sameera Rajab, Bahrain’s pulling troops from contested said his forces were committed verify,” a regional political expert implement Bahrain’s commit- information minister. border areas, in the latest to the timetable signed under said of the demilitarised zone, ments on the political and legal Bahrain remains bitterly attempt to set up a buffer zone African Union mediation last which is supposed to be monitored Court hears Islamists front,” said Abdul Jaleel Khalil divided and there are still almost after fighting last year. Friday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. by observers from Sudan, South Ebrahim, a leader of the Shia-led daily demonstrations on the small Defence ministers from Juba “From yesterday our troops Sudan and abroad. accused of plot in UAE opposition bloc Al Wefaq. island that often end in violent and Khartoum agreed last Friday started withdrawing from the The expert, who asked not to be ABU DHABI: The Federal He was referring to recommen- confrontations between police on steps to implement the demil- buffer zone,” he said. named, said the pact is vague on Supreme Court of Abu Dhabi dations made by an international who fire birdshot pellets and tear itarised zone, which was never President Omar Hasan Al some points including who would yesterday heard the lawyers of inquiry that investigated the gov- gas at stone and petrol bomb- put into effect despite commit- Bashir and his South Sudanese provide a battalion of troops to 94 Islamists accused of plotting ernment’s handling of protests throwing youths. ments by their presidents last counterpart Salva Kiir committed protect the monitors. to seize power in the United mainly by the country’s Shia Rights and political activists September. A regional political in September to “immediately” “This agreement is very bad,” Arab Emirates before schedul- majority in 2011, and to demands accuse the government of persist- expert expressed doubt that the implement the demilitarised area he said, adding that some people ing the next sessions to March by the opposition for a constitu- ent police brutality. The authori- latest effort will succeed, calling as part of key agreements they in both Sudan and South Sudan 18 and 19. tional monarchy in which govern- ties point to what they describe the deal poorly drafted and dif- hailed as ending conflict, after have no interest in a troop pullout. Eighty-five Islamists including ments are chosen by an elected as “terrorist” attacks on security ficult to monitor. battles along their undemarcated “This process will stop, for 12 women appeared in court, for parliament. patrols. South Sudan’s army spokes- frontier in March and April. sure,” the expert said. “This cur- the second hearing in the largest Crown Prince Salman was The government says 35 people man, Philip Aguer, said soldiers The September pacts also called rent position between peace and trial in the history of the UAE, instrumental in pushing for a first died during the unrest in 2011 and would take around two weeks for an opening of the frontier for war is suitable for them.” state news agency Wa m reported round of talks between the gov- two months of martial law that to withdraw southwards from a trade and passage, and a resump- Troops are to be withdrawn to quoting the justice ministry. ernment and the opposition after followed, although the opposition series of flashpoint border areas. tion of South Sudanese oil exports their respective sides of the buffer It said the session was held pro-democracy protests erupted puts the toll at more than 80. Troops must “start moving to through northern pipelines. by March 24. in the absence of international in Bahrain in February 2011, at At least two protesters and one the designated areas, 10km away None of those measures took South Sudan won independence media and human rights groups, the height of the Arab Spring that policeman have died in the past from the buffer zone,” Aguer told effect because of Khartoum’s in July 2011 after a referendum adding that 21 local journalists ended in failure. few weeks as the unrest has taken reporters, reading a letter with accusations that South Sudan set up under a 2005 peace agree- and six representatives of pro- This latest attempt at a a more violent turn. orders from the army chief of supports rebels north of the bor- ment that ended more than two government NGOs were present national dialogue, launched just REUTERS staff. der. Juba denies the charge and in decades of civil war. AFP in court. AFP

Egypt sacks Cairo market rush Misr Petroleum head over fuel shortages CAIRO: Egypt’s oil minister Osama Kamal has dismissed the head of state-owned Misr Petroleum and another top official due to a crisis in distributing fuel used by buses and trucks, state news agency Mena said. He also ordered the supply of an additional one million litres of die- sel to military-run filling stations to ease shortages which have been dragging on for months. Kamal appointed Saeed Mostafa, head of state- owned refiner and distrib- utor Petrotrade, to replace Nasr Abu Al Saud as Misr Petroleum chief on Sunday, Mena reported. People are seen at a market amidst traffic jam in downtown Cairo, yesterday. He also dismissed Egyptian General Petroleum Co’s head Amro Mostafa, and appointed deputy chief executive Homemade alcohol kills 51 in Libya Tarek Al Mallaat in his place. Egypt, which has endured two years of TRIPOLI: At least 51 peo- to stop consuming alcoholic Sunday that “preliminary tests political instability since ple have died in Libya since beverages. revealed the symptoms of poi- the overthrow of President Saturday after drinking home- Interior Ministry spokes- soning from the consumption of Hosni Mubarak, is trying made alcohol, with another 378 man Houssine Al Ameri said an homemade alcohol containing to control a soaring budget suffering from alcohol poison- investigation had been launched ethanol.” deficit and secure a $4.8bn ing, the Libyan health ministry to determine who was responsible Wafi said the health risks loan from the IMF. said yesterday. for the killer booze. included kidney failure, blindness, It is working on an eco- It said 38 people died in Tripoli A security official, who declined seizures and possible death, with nomic programme where hospitals while 13 others per- to be named, added that the those thought to have consumed it plans to cut back on ished on their way to neighbour- authorities were preparing to the toxic drink ranging in age subsidies of fuel. Last year ing Tunisia, where their families crackdown on suppliers and traf- from 19 to 50. it eliminated subsidies on were hoping to provide them with fickers of alcohol, whose sale and With its porous borders, Libya 95-octane gasoline, the medical care. consumption is banned in Libya has seen a significant increase in highest grade available, At least 378 people were poi- although it can be found on the drug and alcohol trafficking since and it raised fuel prices in soned after drinking homemade black market. the now-slain dictator Moamer many sectors last month. alcohol containing methanol, the Tripoli medical centre’s health Gaddafi’s regime was ousted in REUTERS ministry said, urging Libyans chief Youssef Al Wafi said on 2011. AFP TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Falkland Islanders vote on last day of referendum Rivals exchange barbs ahead of Venezuela vote Official mourning for Chavez ends today

CARACAS: Presidential can- the opposition was hoping to stir up didates Nicolas Maduro and violence. “His aim is to provoke the Henrique Capriles have begun Venezuelan people.” Venezuela’s election race with At stake in the election is not scathing personal attacks even as only the future of Chavez’s socialist mourners were still filing past the “revolution,” but the continuation of late Hugo Chavez’s corpse. Venezuelan oil subsidies and other aid Maduro, who was sworn in as crucial to the economies of left-wing acting president after Chavez suc- allies around Latin America, from cumbed to cancer last week, is seen Cuba to Bolivia. as the favourite to win the April 14 Venezuela, a member of Opec, election, bolstered by an oil-financed boasts the world’s largest oil reserves. state apparatus and a wave of public Both Maduro and Capriles were to sympathy over Chavez’s death. formally register their candidacies Chavez made it clear before his with Venezuela’s election authority fourth and last cancer operation in yesterday. December that he wanted Maduro Shaken by Chavez’s death and to be his Socialist Party’s candidate now immersed in the ugly election A vehicle decorated with a Falkland Islands flag and the Union Jack passes by in Stanley, yesterday. Falkland Islanders voted yesterday on to succeed him if he died. campaign, Venezuelans saw some the final day of a two-day referendum to make clear their desire to remain British despite Argentina’s increasingly bellicose sovereignty claims. Maduro promises to continue the semblance of normality return yes- socialist policies of Chavez’s 14-year terday as most schools and shops reo- rule, including the popular use of pened after being closed for most of Venezuela’s vast oil revenues to last week. finance social programmes. The official mourning period for Queen misses Commonwealth Day service But Capriles is promising a tough Chavez ends today. fight. “Nicolas, I’m not going to give Several million have paid their you a free passage ... you are not respects at his coffin at a military LONDON: Britain’s Queen statement. Her 91-year-old hus- Commonwealth charter, a doc- engagements after she was hos- Chavez,” Capriles said in a combat- academy in a dramatic outpouring Elizabeth II missed yesterday’s band Prince Philip represented ument that includes commit- pitalised with the stomach bug. ive speech late on Sunday. He also of grief. Commonwealth Day service in her at the service, which was ments to rights of the “queer” The queen celebrated her dia- accused Maduro of lying to minimise Though criticised by many for his London as she is still recov- attended by Commonwealth among other issues. mond jubilee marking 60 years Chavez’s medical condition while he authoritarian tendencies and han- ering from the symptoms of ambassadors, or high commis- She also hopes to undertake on the throne last year and prepared his candidacy. dling of the economy, Chavez was gastroenteritis, Buckingham sioners, from around the world some other official engage- has been known for enjoying “Nicolas lied to this country for loved by millions, especially the poor, Palace said. and featured an address from ments planned later this week, robust health and rarely miss- months,” Capriles said. “You are because of his own humble back- The 86-year-old was admitted Virgin tycoon Richard Branson. Buckingham Palace added. ing engagements. exploiting someone who is no longer ground, plain language, attacks on to hospital for the first time in “This time last week she was The BBC, Britain’s publicly- The 16-point charter being here because you have nothing else global “imperialists” and the domes- 10 years last week due to the in hospital but she’s in great funded national broadcaster, signed by the Commonwealth to offer the country ... I don’t play tic “elite,” as well as his welfare poli- illness. She was discharged last spirits and apart from this is in reported that doctors had rec- later yesterday was adopted in with death, I don’t play with suffer- cies in Venezuela’s slums. Monday after an overnight stay good health and will be going to ommended it would be best for December by all nations in the ing, like that.” In death, he is fast earning a near- in a private London hospital. the reception in the evening,” the queen not to sit through an group. It aims to protect democ- Within minutes, in a late-night religious status among supporters, The monarch, who is a Buckingham Palace spokes- hour-long church service. racy, the rule of law, interna- address to the nation, Maduro perhaps akin to that of Argentina’s the head of the 54-member woman said. “It’s just the tail It is the first time the queen tional security and free speech. said his rival was playing with fire, former populist ruler Juan Peron and Commonwealth of Nations, was end of the symptoms, her con- has missed a Commonwealth “We are implacably opposed offending Chavez’s family and risking his deeply loved wife Eva Peron. “regrettably” unable to attend dition has not worsened at all.” Day Observance service for 20 to all forms of discrimination, legal action. State television has been playing the service at Westminster At the evening recep- years, the last occasion being whether rooted in gender, race, “You can see the disgusting face speeches and appearances by Chavez Abbey, “as she continues to tion at the organisation’s when she had flu in 1993. colour, creed, political belief or of the fascist that he is,” a visibly over and over, next to a banner say- recover following her recent Marlborough House headquar- Last week the queen had to other grounds,” the document furious Maduro said, alleging that ing “Chavez lives forever.” REUTERS illness,” the palace said in a ters, the queen will sign the new cancel a visit to Rome and other reads. AFP Ex-UK minister jailed for eight months LONDON: Disgraced former of the Liberal Democrats, junior Judges order British energy minister Chris partners of the Conservatives in Nigeria Islamists post video Huhne was jailed for eight months Britain’s ruling coalition govern- medical tests yesterday for lying to police about ment. The pair falsely informed a speeding offence in a bizarre police that Vicky Pryce was driv- on Berlusconi tale of adultery and revenge that ing Huhne’s car when it was caught of killed foreign hostages gripped the British public. by a speed camera, so that he could Huhne’s ex-wife Vicky Pryce, avoid a driving ban. LAGOS: A Nigerian Islamist who intelligence officials say yesterday there was no confir- MILAN: Italian judges ordered a prominent economist, also was The incident remained a family group that killed seven for- have forged ties with Al Qaeda- mation the hostages were dead. checks to be made on former jailed for eight months for her role secret for years but came back to eign hostages it had been linked groups in the Sahara “As long as it remains uncon- prime minister Silvio Berlusconi in the deception. haunt Huhne after he left Pryce for holding since February has desert. firmed, efforts will be made to yesterday to verify his claim Prior to the scandal, Huhne, 58, his mistress, Carina Trimingham, posted a video of what it Attacks by Islamists in ensure their rescue and secu- that health problems meant he had been seen as a potential leader in 2010. REUTERS said were their bodies on the northern Nigeria, most promi- rity,” he said. was unable to attend his trial on Internet. nently Boko Haram, have A spokesman for Nigeria’s charges of paying for sleeping Italian and Greek authori- become the main threat to Ministry of Defence said that with a minor. ties confirmed on Sunday that the stability of Africa’s top oil since this was a diplomatic The 76-year-old media bil- a Briton, an Italian, a Greek producer after militants in the incident, the presidency would lionaire, who faces a series of and four Lebanese construction southeastern oil fields agreed have to make a statement on court hearings in separate trials workers abducted in northern to silence their guns under a it. The official spokesman of this month, has been in hospital Nigeria’s Bauchi state last 2009 amnesty. President Goodluck Jonathan since Friday because of an eye month had been killed by their British Foreign Secretary was not immediately reachable. problem that he says has forced captors. William Hague said it was The silent video published him to cancel a number of public The killings — the deadliest “likely” the hostages were by the Al Qaeda-linked group appointments. single attack on foreigners in dead, calling it “an act of cold Ansaru and dated March 9 However, prosecutors believe Nigeria since the 1960s Biafra blooded murder”. Nigerian shows a gunman standing next that his stay in hospital, which war — underscored the grow- police declined to comment and to a pile of bodies, then close- falls in the middle of a politi- ing risks to Western interests Interior Minister Aba Moro ups of their faces lit up by cal crisis caused by last month’s posed by Islamists in Nigeria, told the BBC Hausa service a torch. REUTERS inconclusive elections, may only be a delaying tactic. REUTERS Kerry with Sultan of Brunei Iceland government Cyber threat from survives trust vote China a challenge REYKJAVIK: Iceland’s cen- tre-left government survived to ties: Obama aide a no-confidence vote in parlia- ment yesterday, with a close NEW YORK: Cyber security vote underlining the weakness has become a growing challenge of the coalition as it faces an to the economic relationship election next month. between China and the United Parliament voted 32 to 29 States and Beijing should rec- against the motion of no confi- ognise the scope of the problem, dence with one lawmaker abstain- White House national secu- ing and one absent. rity adviser Tom Donilon said “I am very pleased with this out- yesterday. come,” Prime Minister Johanna US businesses have been Sigurdardottir told Reuters. “It is increasingly concerned about the very valuable for the government targetted theft of confidential to get this statement of trust as business information and propri- we still have to conclude some etary technologies through cyber important matters.” intrusions emanating from China, The vote was called by an Donilon said in a speech to The opposition member, Thor Saari, Asia Society. to protest at the government “The international community postponing constitutional reform, cannot afford to tolerate such even though a referendum backed activity from any country,” he changes last year. “I am disap- said, noting that President Barack US Secretary of State John Kerry (right) with Sultan of Brunei, pointed,” Saari said. “The nation Obama had vowed last month to Hassanal Bolkiah, addresses the media before a private bilateral wanted a new constitution and a protect the US economy against meeting at the State Department in Washington, DC, yesterday. small section of MPs has worked cyber threats. REUTERS against that.” REUTERS TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES

Software tycoon to Malaysia clears standoff-hit village contest by-election SEOUL: South Korean soft- ware mogul Ahn Cheol-Soo, 51, whose candidacy enli- Remaining followers of self-styled sultan still being searched in neighbouring town vened last year’s presidential election, yesterday vowed to KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian police were pursuing the remaining fighters in run for parliament in a by- said yesterday they had cleared a remote the village of Tanjung Batu and surround- election on April 24. He ran village at the heart of a month-long incur- ing areas. He added that another gunman as an independent, champi- sion by Filipino Islamists as another gun- was shot in Tanjung Batu on Sunday, bring- oning political and economic man was killed, raising the toll in the crisis ing to 54 the number of militants killed in reform but dropped out weeks to 63. Malaysia’s worst security crisis in years. before the December 19 vot- But the remaining followers of a self-styled Eight police officers were killed in earlier ing day to support the main Philippine Sultan were still being hunted in a shoot outs and security forces also shot dead opposition party candidate. neighbouring village and surrounding farm- a teenager at the weekend. It has not been Ahn said he would run on the land a week after Malaysia sent in the army made clear whether the teen was a local or same platform of “new poli- to root them out. one of the militants. tics” he promoted last time. The armed group landed on the coast of the Supporters of Manila-based Jamalul Kiram Malaysian state of Sabah on Borneo island III, whose supporters call him the heir to Balloon crash bodies early last month in a bizarre bid to assert the defunct southern Philippine sultanate of the “sultan’s” historical claim to the areas. Sulu, have said about 235 people took part arrive in Hong Kong Surrounded by security forces, they dug in in the mission. HONG KONG: The bodies for a standoff in the sleepy village of Tanduo The incursion has created a delicate situ- of nine Hong Kong people — amid vast palm oil plantations until a deadly ation for the two neighbours, with Manila five women and four men — shoot out prompted a military attack that under pressure to prevent the deaths of the who were among the 19 killed scattered the militants. Philippine nationals, while Malaysian public in a hot air balloon tragedy Sabah state police chief Hamza Taib said sentiment has strongly back the tough army Policemen check woman’s papers in an outpost in Lahad Datu yesterday. in Egypt last month, arrived security forces had now secured Tanduo but action. AFP in Hong Kong yesterday and will be transferred to mor- tuary, officials said. The bal- loon was carrying 21 people at an altitude of 300 metres (1,000 feet) during a sunrise flight over Luxor on February 136 Rohingyas aboard Freed Filipinos back on UN duty 26 when it caught fire. The other victims include MANILA: The 21 Filipino Burgos said the peacekeepers the custody of the Jordanian Japanese, British, French and leaking boat rescued peacekeepers seized in the were then turned over to the border patrol headquarters. The Hungarian nationals, while Golan Heights and later freed Philippine embassy in Jordan Philippine ambassador is coor- two people jumped out of the by Syrian rebels will return early morning and were brought dinating directly with Jordanian basket before the balloon hit KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Among them were 10 children to duty as members of the to a hotel in Amman. authorities and is ready to receive the ground. authorities have rescued at least less than a year old, including a United Nations Disengagement Officials said the soldiers even the 21 peacekeepers,” he said. 136 people believed to be ethnic two-month-old infant. They will Observer Force (UNDOF) had a “boodle fight” in the hotel to Burgos said the group’s com- Bangladesh cracks Rohingya Muslims fleeing strife be sent to an immigration deten- today, officials said. celebrate their release. A boodle mander had already met with the in Myanmar aboard a leaking tion centre. Armed Forces of the Philippines fight is a communal way of eating freed men, adding that they would down on opposition boat with no food or water, an A wave of violence in Myanmar’s (AFP) spokesman Col Arnulfo using the hands. be staying in a hotel in Amman DHAKA: The deputy head official said yesterday. western state of Rakhine last year Burgos last Sunday said the 21 “They (peacekeepers) are prop- for two days before being trans- of Bangladesh’s main oppo- The rescue brings the number has accelerated an already steady Filipino soldiers would complete erly accounted for and they are in ferred back to the UNDOF. sition party and top officials of boats intercepted this year to 11, flow of refugees, typically Rohingya their tour of duty as UN peace- good shape,” Burgos said. The 21 Filipino troops had been were detained in a crackdown marking a “big increase” in refugee who increasingly have sought haven keepers despite being held hos- “The release of the 21 Filipino on duty under UNDOF since after clashes rocked the capi- arrivals, said Tan Kok Kwee of the in Muslim-majority Malaysia. tage by rebels for three days. peacekeepers is a big sigh of relief November. They have until May tal yesterday. The arrests Malaysian Maritime Enforcement The Rohingya have been Burgos said the incident would for their families,” he added. to complete their six-month tour came after police fired rub- Agency, following deadly sectarian described by the United Nation not discourage the 21 from per- The Philippine government before sent home. ber bullets to disperse violence in Myanmar. as one of the world’s most perse- forming their duties as UN and the UN welcomed the release The Department of Foreign opposition demonstrators, The boats have typically car- cuted minorities. About 800,000 peacekeepers. and expressed appreciation to the Affairs (DFA) also stressed the turning the streets of central ried at least 120-240 people, added are estimated to live in Myanmar, “This is a global commitment. Jordanian government. impartiality of the UNDOF the Dhaka into a battleground Tan, the agency’s northern region which denies them citizenship, However, there would be adjust- “The Philippine government men were serving with and called for nearly an hour. Police enforcement chief, but could not rendering them stateless. ments in the light of what hap- and its people express deep appre- on all parties to respect their stormed the headquarters of provide a total figure for the year The United Nation said in pened,” Burgos said. ciation to the Jordanian govern- freedom of movement and safety. the Bangladesh Nationalist so far. The latest boat was inter- January that about 13,000 boat The Filipino peacekeepers, ment and military officials on “The Philippines stresses Party and took into custody cepted off the northern state of people, including many Rohingya, members of a UN force moni- the successful safe passing over the impartiality of UNDOF Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, act- Penang on Sunday with at least 96 fled Myanmar and neighbouring toring a 1974 ceasefire between to the Jordanian side of all our 21 and its mandate to monitor ing secretary general, and adults and 40 children aboard, he Bangladesh last year with hun- Syria and Israel, were freed last Filipino peacekeepers,” a state- the Disengagement of Forces dozens of officials and activ- said, adding that he was awaiting dreds dying at sea. Saturday, three days after they ment said. Agreement between Israel and ists. “They attacked police a final tally. Malaysia does not grant were taken hostage by Syrian Burgos said the peacekeepers’ Syria and strongly reiterates its and created panic and anar- The passengers said they were Rohingya refugee status but has rebels in the Golan Heights. battalion commander and one of call on all parties to respect the chy,” police said. at sea for 25 days in the rickety turned a blind eye to the steady The Filipino troops were the freed officers had personally freedom of movement and safety and overcrowded wooden ves- arrivals in recent years, allowing handed over by the rebels to confirmed by telephone that they and security of peacekeepers in Hun Sen a coward: sel and had run out of food and them to stay. Jordanian officials in Tabarbour were in Jordanian custody. UNDOF,” the DFA said. water, Tan said. AFP who waited to receive them. “The 21 peacekeepers are in THE PHILIPPINE STAR Opposition chief PHNOM PENH: Cambodia’s opposition leader Sam Rainsy yesterday branded Prime Minister Hun Sen a “coward” for barring him from run- Pyongyang cuts hotline ning in a key general election later this year. Rainsy, Hun Sen’s main rival, lives in self- imposed exile in France to with South as drills start avoid prison for convictions critics contend are politically SEOUL: North Korea yester- Fatherland earlier said the link motivated. In November, the day cut off the inter-Korean will be cut along with all channels 63-year-old was told he could communication hotline that of communication. The North had not take part in polls because runs through the truce village also severed the hotline in 2008 of his convictions by the of Panmunjom following its and 2010. National Election Committee threat to do so last week, South Meanwhile, South Korea and he says is a tool of the pre- Korea’s Unification Ministry the US launched joint drills mier. He accused Hun Sen of said. involving thousands of troops, using the panel to block his The ministry said the North defying North Korea’s apocalyptic election bid, which the pre- seems to have disconnected the threat to repudiate the 60-year- mier has repeatedly denied. emergency link set up to ensure old Korean War armistice in prompt two-way communication retaliation. The start of the two- S Korean generals to deal with any developments week ‘Key Resolve’ exercise fol- along the demilitarised zone that lows a week of escalating tensions face golf probe separates the two Koreas. It said on the Korean peninsula, with SEOUL: South Korea is attempts to contact the North by North Korea also threatening probing reports that top telephone failed. nuclear war over UN sanctions military officials played golf Pyongyang’s Committee for adopted after its third atomic test last weekend instead of tend- the Peaceful Reunification of the last month. AGENCIES ing to surging tensions with People light candles during the commemoration and marking of the second anniversary of the earthquake and North Korea, a presidential tsunami which killed and left missing about 20,000 people in northern Japan, at Arahama in Sendai, Miyagi spokesman said yesterday. Prefecture, northern Japan, yesterday. Newspapers reported that a military golf course in Seoul was crowded with senior Defector’s kin elected officers, including generals, ‘Japan quake was heard from space’ on Saturday and Sunday. The office of the senior civil affairs WASHINGTON/TOKYO: density and vertical acceleration coastline. “We haven’t found any to top China committee secretary has launched a The earthquake that sent a of the GOCE platform,” said a bodies for a year,” they said. probe to find out what hap- devastating tsunami barrelling report in the US-published jour- “But there are still 1,300 miss- pened regarding the reports,” into Japan two years ago on nal Geophysical Research Letters. ing people in Miyagi alone and BEIJING: A senior Chinese politician whose brother defected to Yoon Chang-Jung said. Monday was so big it could be In Ishinomaki, people all over the feelings of families haven’t the US in a spy scandal was yesterday elected as chairman of the heard from space, a study has Japan bowed their heads in silence changed. That’s why the police country’s highest-profile advisory organisation, state media said. Govt, Kachin rebels said. as they remembered the victims. need to keep looking for remains.” Yu Zhengsheng, No. 4 in the Communist Party’s ruling seven-mem- A specially fitted satellite cir- Ceremonies were held in towns Meanwhile, hundreds of peo- ber Politburo Standing Committee, was made head of the Chinese renew peace talks cling the Earth was able to detect and cities throughout the disas- ple affected by the Fukushima People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the official Xinhua YANGON: Myanmar’s gov- the ultra-low frequency sound ter zone and in Tokyo, where nuclear crisis filed a class action news agency said. He is regarded as one of the party’s “princelings” ernment met Kachin rebels waves generated by the massive Emperor Akihito and Empress lawsuit, demanding greater but has had to overcome major setbacks during his career. for renewed peace talks in shift in the planet’s crust, when Michiko led tributes to the efforts to clean up the contami- As well as the 1985 defection of his brother Yu Qiangsheng, an China yesterday, an ana- the 9.0-magnitude quake struck. victims. nated region. intelligence official, his father Yu Qiwei was also once married to Mao lyst said, as both sides seek Nearly 19,000 people died Akihito said: “I am always Some 800 plaintiffs filed the Zedong’s fourth wife, Jiang Qing, who was blamed for many of the to resolve a festering eth- because of the tsunami it caused, deeply moved by seeing how so case with the Fukushima District horrors of the Cultural Revolution. nic conflict that has under- which crushed settlements and many people lead their daily lives Court, demanding 50,000 yen A 700-word biography of Yu put out by Xinhua mentioned neither his mined reforms. Officials swamped the Fukushima Daiichi without complaining... and hope.... ($520) a month each from the father nor his brother, but said he graduated from the Harbin Military from Kachin Independence nuclear plant, sparking melt- to be able to share their suffering, government and Tokyo Electric Engineering Institute and specialised in ballistic missile control sys- Organisation and its armed downs that displaced tens of thou- if only a little.” Power Co until the area is tems. The CPPCC is holding its annual meeting in Beijing, in parallel wing KIA met a government sands of people. Police in Miyagi prefecture restored. The plaintiffs are mostly with the National People’s Congress, China’s rubberstamp parliament. team, led by President’s Office “The atmospheric infrasounds were continuing their search for from Fukushima, but include The CPPCC is an advisory body but is given a high profile as part of Minister Aung Min. following the great Tohoku earth- those still listed as missing, with some residents of neighbouring the ruling party’s efforts to appear consultative and democratic rather AGENCIES quake... induced variations of air a 50-strong team scouring the prefectures. AGENCIES than hierarchical. AFP TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

EU offers observers for Islamabad vote Gas pipeline project launched BRUSSELS: The European Union yesterday offered to send observers to Pakistan’s historic elections in May to Presidents of Iran, Pakistan unveil plaque; work to continue despite US pressure ensure a “peaceful, credible” vote that will be “accept- CHABAHAR: The presidents cooperating, then they should able” to all. The vote for the of Iran and Pakistan yesterday not get in the way.” Although the first time would enable the inaugurated the construction pipeline on the Iranian side has transition of power from of a much-delayed section of a almost been completed, Pakistan one elected government to $7.5bn gas pipeline linking the has run into repeated difficulties, another, marking the first two neighbours, Iranian media both in financing the project and time a democratically elected reported. over the threat of US sanctions. government would have seen The project was launched at a Like the European Union, out a full term. “The EU ceremony on the Iran-Pakistan Washington has slapped crippling looks forward to upcoming border attended by President unilateral sanctions on Iran over elections that are peaceful, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his and above UN sanctions imposed credible, transparent, inclu- Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali over its refusal to suspend ura- sive and acceptable to the Zardari, the reports said. nium enrichment. Pakistani people,” EU foreign The two leaders jointly unveiled Iran agreed to finance a third ministers said in a statement a plaque before shaking hands and of the costs of the Pakistani part after talks. The ministers offering prayers for the successful of the pipeline, with the work to said they looked forward to conclusion of the project, which be carried out by an Iranian com- re-energising ties with the involves the laying of a 780km pany. Pakistan says it plans to gen- next government and hoped section of the pipeline on the erate 20 percent of its electricity quick contacts could lead to Pakistani side, expected to cost using Iranian gas from the pipeline. a third EU-Pakistan summit. some $1.5bn. The visit was Zardari’s second “The completion of the pipe- to Iran in a fortnight and came Nato chief responds line is in the interests of peace, after officials said a consortium security and progress of the two would start work on the pipeline to Karzai’s remarks countries... it will also consolidate on Pakistani territory despite the KABUL: The commander the economic, political and secu- US sanctions threat. of the Nato-led forces in rity ties of the two nations,” they Analysts said Zardari’s Pakistan Afghanistan, General Joseph said in a joint statement. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari during the ceremony People’s Party was likely to seek to Dunford, has taken exception Qatar was represented, on marking the start of work on the pipeline as Qatar’s Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh exploit its defiance of Washington to Afghan President Hamid behalf of the Emir H H Sheikh Al Sada (right) and other officials look on. over the pipeline to boost its popu- Karzai’s remarks hinting Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, at larity ahead of a general election that Washington has ben- the ceremony by the Minister bilateral relations continuous “This gas pipeline is a sign of “This pipeline has nothing to in May. Iran has promised $500m efited from Taliban attacks. of Energy and Industry H E Dr progress and prosperity. show of resistance against domi- do with the nuclear issue, you can to help Pakistan with the cost of “We have fought too hard over Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada. Ahmadinejad hailed the fact nation,” Ahmadinejad said. not build a nuclear bomb with building its side of the pipeline, the past 12 years. We have The Minister conveyed the that work on the new section of “There are some nations who natural gas,” he said, speaking but it is unclear where Islamabad shed too much blood over the greetings of the Emir to his pipeline was going ahead despite are against the progress of people, alongside Zardari in comments — grappling with a weak economy past 12 years. We have done brother the Iranian President, US sanctions against Iran’s oil and so they are using the nuclear broadcast live on state television. — will find the remaining $1bn it too much to help the Afghan and his best wishes for lasting and gas sector imposed over its issue as a pretext to hinder the “This pipeline is peacemaker, needs to complete the work. security forces grow over the health and safety, and for the controversial nuclear programme. progress of the nations.” he said. so if those countries are not AGENCIES last 12 years to ever think that violence or instability would be to our advantage,” he said. On Sunday, after a week- end bombing in Kabul that Imran Khan begins killed nine people, Karzai said there are “ongoing daily talks election campaign between Taliban, American Christians close schools over riots and foreigners in Europe and PESHAWAR: Pakistan in the Gulf states.” Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) launched LAHORE: Pakistani Christians all missionary schools in the prov- its election campaign yesterday closed missionary schools yes- ince, including those in Karachi, Roadside bomb kills with a violation of law and elec- terday in protest after a Muslim would be closed. tion code of conduct by putting mob torched more than 100 In Southern Punjab, where three in Kurram up hoardings much larger than Christian homes following alle- many Christians live in the main PESHAWAR: A roadside legally permitted in different gations of blasphemy. city Multan and many others bomb attack yesterday in parts of the provincial capital of The schools are considered are settled in villages to work in northwest Pakistan’s res- Peshawar. among the best in Pakistan and are agriculture, the local bishop also tive tribal region killed three While other major political extremely popular with wealthy announced the closure of mission- soldiers and wounded two parties have been flagrantly vio- Muslim families, with pupils taught ary schools. others, officials said. A cap- lating the code by displaying huge in English in a disciplined and “All educational institutions tain was killed along with billboards on major roads, the PTI effective learning environment. of Christian community remain two soldiers when their vehi- proved to be no different despite More than 3,000 Muslims ram- edclosed yesterday to express soli- cle hit an improvised bomb its slogan of change. paged through Joseph Colony, a darity with the affectees of Joseph in Masuzai area of Kurram Party chief Imran Khan had Christian area of the eastern Colony,” Bishop Leo Rodrick Paul tribal district. The troops had engagements in Peshawar for two city of Lahore, on Saturday after said. Police in central Multan city been patrolling around 30km consecutive days, with supporters, allegations that a Christian had said they have deployed officers to (18 miles) east of Parachinar, mainly aspirants for party ticket, made derogatory remarks about protect sensitive Christian places, a major town in Kurram dis- put up hoardings on major roads the Prophet Mohammed (Peace including churches and schools. trict. Kurram also suffers through which he was scheduled to be Upon Him) three days earlier. Authorities in Lahore arrested from sectarian violence. travel, to catch his attention. No one was killed but the inci- 150 people on charges of riots and Khan laid the foundation stone dent triggered protests around arson over the rampage, which Monastery, rare of Shaukat Khanum Cancer Pakistan from Christians, a tiny was triggered by allegations that Hospital in Hayatabad Township minority in overwhelmingly a Christian sanitary worker had coins excavated A Christian woman, Anzila Semeul, cries while sitting with her daughter in on Saturday and his supporters Muslim Pakistan, demanding bet- made derogatory remarks about ISLAMABAD: A team of had put up big hoardings on the ter protection. “Missionary schools the Prophet Mohammed. front of their home, after it was burnt by a mob two days earlier, in Badami scholars and students from University Road, the route lead- of Lahore will remain closed on Rights campaigners argue the Bagh, Lahore. the Taxila Institute of Asian ing to the venue. account of massacre in Joseph country’s strict blasphemy laws, Civilization (TIAC) discov- Most hoardings on that road colony,” Bishop Sebastian Shaw, which include the death penalty, Muslim friend lay at the root of Already this year more than ered rare objects, including are displayed by activists who chairman of the Catholic board, are often abused to settle personal Saturday’s violence, which high- 250 people have been killed in a coins and a monastery, dur- hope to get the party ticket for told reporters. scores and should be reformed. lights the religious tensions affect- spate of bloody attacks on the ing excavations near Taxila. provincial assembly constituency Sadiq Daniel, Bshop of the Police and locals said a drunken ing Pakistan as it prepares for a minority Shia Muslim community. “The discovery of the mon- of PK-5. INTERNEWS Church of Pakistan in Sindh said row between the Christian and his general election in May. AFP astery dating the 3rd to early 4th century would add a new chapter to the archaeologi- Polio vaccine cal history of the site and the Gandhara civilisation,” said Delay feared in Prof Dr Mohammad Ashraf Khan, Director of TIAC. The caretaker set-up Two US soldiers die in team also recovered a head- less Buddha in mediation, ISLAMABAD: Constitutional made of stucco; 10 pots, pot- experts in Pakistan fear delay Wardak insider attack tery items, iron nails, animal in the selection of caretaker bones, knives, iron pieces and premier if Prime Minister Raja KABUL: Two American sol- US forces have denied involve- bangle pieces. The materials Pervez Ashraf and Leader of diers were killed in a so-called ment in any abuses in the area of bring to the fore fresh facts Opposition in the National insider attack when a person Wardak. relating to the Gandhara cul- Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali in an Afghan military uniform Hagel sounded hopeful that a ture, necessitating to rewrite Khan don’t agree on a name. turned his weapon on US and deal could be reached on their the history of Taxila, officials They argue that if both fail Afghan forces at a joint base continued deployment, but said. to reach an agreement on the in the restive east of the coun- acknowledged no breakthroughs caretaker prime minister, some- try, coalition forces said on were made in his talks with Dismissed chief one may seek intervention of the yesterday. Karzai. Supreme Court for interpretation Three policemen and two Afghans are divided over their minister to return of Articles 224 and 224-A of the Afghan army officers were also expulsion, saying the departure of ISLAMABAD: Two months Constitution. killed in the attack, said a senior the US special forces could leave after being booted out, Under Article 224, after police official. a vacuum for insurgents to fill, Nawab Aslam Raisani’s gov- the dissolution of the National The attack took place as a which would pose a security risk ernment is likely to return Assembly the prime minister and deadline expired for US special for nearby Kabul. to Baluchistan this week. the leader of opposition will have forces to quit the eastern prov- Officials data said that inci- According to officials in the three days to conclude consulta- ince of Wardak, after Afghan dents involving Afghan security Presidency, the restoration of tions on the caretaker prime min- President Hamid Karzai accused forces turning their weapons on Raisani’s government seems ister. In case of an agreement, one them and Afghans working for the Nato-led forces who train certain, given that President name will be sent to the president them of overseeing torture and them and fight Taliban insurgents Asif Ali Zardari’s proclama- for appointment. But in case of killings in the area. have increased sharply over the tion of governor’s rule in the disagreement, Article 224-A will An Afghan interior ministry past year. province expires on Thursday. come into play. official said the attack occurred The insider, or green-on-blue, “Baluchistan’s emergency will Under it, an eight-member in Jalriz district of Wardak. It attacks have seriously eroded automatically end when its parliamentary committee will was not immediately clear if trust between coalition and legality expire on Thursday,” be constituted by the National it was directed at US special Afghan forces. said an official. The decision Assembly Speaker. It will com- forces. Nato troops are under mount- not to put the matter before An Afghan health worker gives polio drops to a child in Herat, prise four members each from the US Secretary of Defence Chuck ing pressure to contain the the joint sitting of parliament Afghanistan, yesterday. Hundreds of thousands of Afghan children treasury and opposition benches Hagel, who left Afghanistan insurgency before most foreign was taken by the president, under five years are given drops as part of the government’s drive to to be nominated by the leaders early yesterday after a three-day troops leave by the end of next he added. eradicate the disease. of the house and the opposition. visit, raised the sensitive issue of year. AGENCIES INTERNEWS Wardak when he met Karzai. REUTERS TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA

Marines won’t Selling candy return to face BJP puts up murder trial brave face over ROME: Two Italian marines charged in India with killing two fishermen while on anti- piracy duty will not return there from a home visit election rout granted to allow them to vote in last month’s election, the Italian Foreign Ministry said yesterday. Congress wins in Karnataka The ministry said India had not responded to Italian BANGALORE: Karnataka’s Karnataka unit. The party fared requests to seek a diplomatic ruling BJP yesterday put up a poorly in coastal Karnataka, solution to the case and there brave face over its rout in the considered its stronghold as well was now a formal dispute urban local bodies polls held on as in north Karnataka town of between the two countries Thursday. Dharwad, the home district of over the terms of the UN The Bharatiya Janata Party Shettar. Convention of the Law of the was far behind the Congress by Three main contenders for Sea. winning over 900 of the 4,900 the state BJP president’s post, “Italy has informed the seats of 207 urban local bodies. to succeed K S Eshwarappa who Indian government that, given The Congress bagged more quit on Thursday, are from these the formal initiation of an than 1,900 seats. The Janata Dal- two areas. They are Sadananda international dispute between Secular was locked in a neck-and- Gowda and Lok Sabha member the two states, the marines neck race with BJP for the second Nalin Kumar Kateel from the Massimiliano Latorre and place. coastal part and another Lok Salvatore Girone will not The BJP’s performance was Sabha member Pralhad Joshi return to India at the end of A vendor selling candy floss crosses a road in Kolkata yesterday. worse than in 2007 when it won from Dharwad. their home leave,” the ministry over 1,100 seats. At that time, the The Congress emerged a said in a statement. party was not ruling Karnataka. clear winner in the 60-member Italy was ready to seek a set- A consolation for the party, Mangalore City Corporation tlement of the dispute through perhaps, is that the JD-S too bagging 35 seats while BJP got arbitration or an international fared badly this time. 20 seas. The rest were taken by court decision, it said. Apex court questions Punjab The Congress was the major JD-S, Communist Party of India- The two sailors, part of a gainer. In 2007, it won around Marxist and independents. military security team pro- 1,600 seats. Mangalore is the main town in tecting the tanker Enrica Lexie Chief Minister Jagadish the coastal Karnataka. from pirates, were accused police on woman’s beating Shettar, leading the party in any In the 67-member Hubli- of shooting the two fisher- election since taking office in July Dharwad city corporation, the men after mistaking them for NEW DELHI: The Supreme The court asked Bihar police While asking Attorney General last year, told reporters here that BJP bagged 33 seats while the pirates off the southern Indian Court yesterday issued notice chief and police commissioner of G E Vahanvati to assist the court, the results were “satisfactory”. Congress took 22, the JD-S 9, KJP state of Kerala in February last to the central and state gov- Patna to explain the rationale for the judges March 6 appointed He pointed out that the results one and independents two. year. ernments asking them about beating women teachers partici- senior counsel Harish Salve and should be seen in the context of Hubli and Dharwad are twin The incident has caused steps taken to bring about pating in protests seeking a pay U U Lalit as amicus curiae in the the infighting and formation of cities, 20 km apart. Dharwad is a serious diplomatic dispute police reforms and questioned hike. matter. two rival outfits by two former the administrative headquarters between Italy and India, which Punjab Police for beating a Dalit Fixing April 1 as the next date Describing the woman in BJP men. while Hubli is a major commercial have traditionally had good woman. of hearing, the court wondered Tarn Taran who suffered police One of the outfits, Karnataka centre. relations. The court also issued notice what had happened to the sensi- lathis as “brave heart”, Justice Janata Party (KJP), is led by The BJP also fared badly in An Indian foreign ministry to former Uttar Pradesh police bility of the people who witnessed Singhvi mocked at the “judicial BJP’s first chief minister in the Eshwarappa’s home district of spokesman said the govern- chief Prakash Singh, on whose the beating of the Dalit woman in inquiry” instituted by the Punjab state, B S Yeddyurappa, who quit Shimoga, about 280 km north of ment would study the message petition it issued in 2006 direc- Tarn Taran, but remained mute government. the party in November. Another is Bangalore, coming fourth. from Italy’s ambassador in New tion for effecting police reforms. spectators. “If government was sincere it headed by B Sriramulu, a former Shimoga is also political base of Delhi before commenting. The apex court bench of Referring to the “we the peo- should have taken prompt action BJP minister and a close asso- Yeddyurappa. India’s Supreme Court said Justice G S Singhvi and Justice ple” in the preamble of the con- within 24 hours,” Justice Singhvi ciate of jailed mining baron G Yeddyurappa gained the satis- in a long-awaited ruling in Kurien Joseph also asked the stitution, Justice Singhvi asked: said, asking Additional Advocate Janardhana Reddy. faction of doing better than BJP January that India had juris- Punjab police chief to file an affi- “What is the accountability of General of Punjab Ajay Bansal: Both parties failed to make any in Shimoga as his KJP won 34 of diction to try the marines but davit detailing the action taken the citizens who were stand- “was that lady a terrorists that impact. KJP won only around 270 the 176 seats for municipal bodies Italy has challenged that deci- against police officials for beat- ing nearby and around the place you were beating her on the high- seats and Sriramulu’s party about in the district. sion, arguing that the shoot- ing a woman in Tarn Taran near (where police was thrashing the way. What was the occasion to 80. However, Shettar’s pred- The BJP was a poor fourth with ing took place in international Amritsar March 3. women in Tarn Taran)? Where beat her?” ecessor D V Sadananda Gowda just 24 seas while the Congress waters. The court also sought details of have we come to? Have we lost “It is happening everyday in expressed shock over the rout and was a major winner with 64 The sailors arrived back in the responsibility fixed on senior everything? Have we become a different parts of the state,” the said the party had been taught a seats followed by JD-S with 40 Italy on February 23, a day police officers in the matter. The senseless society? Where are our court told Bansal. lesson for its squabbles. seats. The rest were taken by before the country’s election, police chief was given a week’s sensitivities?” “These cops will be reinstated The drubbing could not have independents. after India’s Supreme Court time to file his affidavit. The Supreme Court had last after three months. They will be come at a worse time for the BJP With such dismal performance granted their request to exer- The judges also sought an affi- week taken suo motu cognizance declared brave and awarded. This as it not only casts a shadow over in its strongholds as well as in cise their right to vote. They davit from the senior superin- of the beating by policemen of the is the story of the last 40 years,” its prospects of retaining power areas where the state unit leaders were allowed to remain in Italy tendent of police Tarn Taran on Dalit woman in Tarn Taran and Justice Singhvi said as Bansal told in the assembly elections due in hail from, the BJP is in a catch-22 for four weeks. REUTERS the beating of the woman. The of women teachers agitating for the court that guilty policemen May but complicates the ongoing situation in selecting a new state incident was captured on camera. higher salary in Patna. were suspended. IANS efforts to find a new head for the party chief. IANS

Blackouts dim prospects for ‘next Bangalore’

COIMBATORE: Crippling power cuts in Tamil Nadu are shutting factories and threat- ening an industrial debt crisis that is wrecking its second- largest city’s plan to become the country’s next business Makkah. Electricity shortages are emerging as one of the biggest brakes on India’s ambitions to rise up the ranks of the world’s major economies, and match regional rival China as a manu- facturing powerhouse. Nowhere is this clearer than in Coimbatore, a city of 3.5 mil- lion people which once seemed to offer investors looking for the ‘new Bangalore’ everything they wanted: a long history of man- ufacturing, an educated work- force and the vision to attract global firms. But bad policymaking has Workers at a small scale factory read newspapers during a power cut in Coimbatore. allowed one of the country’s most promising regions to run into a brick wall, and now they are thinking of mov- must power his horn factories Textiles Ltd, whose interna- Coimbatore businesses selling ing to one of the handful of using on-site diesel generators tional clients include Macy’s Inc, everything from car parts to Indian states that has reliable that cost him nearly three times fears it may soon join the ranks IT services are struggling with electricity. the price of grid energy. of failed projects after half a blackouts that last up to 14 K Ramasamy owns a com- “I don’t think this is going century in Coimbatore. hours every day. pany that sells car horns to to be solved in a year or two,” The lights flickered off as Failure to invest in genera- Mercedes-Benz. Coimbatore Ramasamy said, noting he was VTX Chairman and Managing tion and distribution meant that is his hometown and, with its “seriously considering” offers Director A L Ramachandra when growth hit double digits agreeable climate and cheap from officials in Gujarat who sat in his plush office explain- and drove up demand during land, was a natural location for guarantee 24/7 electricity. ing how his energy costs have the booming Noughties, the grid his first factory 43 years ago. “We can’t be waiting all the doubled. was pushed beyond its limit. On For years Ramasamy flour- time, we need to make a move.” Downstairs, in one of his four average India suffers a 9 percent ished as Coimbatore grew, open- Last year, though the number factories, the power stayed on peak-time power deficit, but in ing eight subsidiaries. In keeping of new investment projects because VTX has spent close to Tamil Nadu state the average is with the hill town’s casual char- begun in Coimbatore and nearby $90,000 on battery systems to twice as bad, at 18 percent. acter, he founded a yoga centre. district Dharmapuri increased ensure a seamless transition to The grid’s inadequacy is forc- Now he is thinking of leaving marginally, the figure for aban- generators at his plants when ing firms to rely on expensive for distant western states like doned projects rose five-fold, the grid gives out. back-up power that drives up Gujarat and Maharashtra. according to data provided by Even with this makeshift export costs at a time they Every day for 15 months, elec- the Centre for Monitoring the solution, blackouts have cost the should be reaping the benefits tricity cuts lasting many hours Indian Economy (CMIE), an company a tenth of its custom- of a weaker rupee currency. have hit Ramasamy’s Roots independent research group. ers and pushed it to restructure Many business owners say Group, so to keep working he Fabric manufacturer VTX its debt. REUTERS TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15

Policemen stand guard as an ambulance leaves the main entrance of Tihar Jail yesterday. RIGHT: Mange Lal Singh (left) and Ram Bai, parents of Ram Singh, sit inside their house at Ravi Das camp in New Delhi. Family cries foul over death of rape accused Alleged mastermind of Delhi gang-rape found hanging in Tihar Jail; Shinde says death ‘a major security lapse’

NEW DELHI: Ram Singh, the on a bucket. Home Minister told reporters outside Tihar Jail. boarded on December 16 night in alleged mastermind of the Delhi Sushilkumar Shinde called the V K Anand, his lawyer, also a south Delhi neighbourhood. Did Ram Singh really kill himself? gang-rape that shook India, death “a major security lapse” alleged foul play and demanded While the woman was brutally reportedly committed suicide but refrained from using the word an impartial inquiry. He said that raped, her friend was thrashed. NEW DELHI: The suicide by prime Delhi gang-rape accused in the Tihar Jail here yesterday “suicide”. Delhi Police made no Ram Singh was not depressed as Both were flung out of the bus, Ram Singh, as alleged by police, sprung a spate of questions morning. His family alleged he comment. was being made out by prison bleeding and without clothes. yesterday, such as how he got hold of the accessories for com- was murdered. The rape victim’s 20-year-old officials. The woman died 13 days later in mitting the act and the ignorance of his cell mates, with the According to jail officials who brother expressed shock. Ram Singh’s death led to sev- Singapore. silence of the authorities fuelling further doubt and speculation. refused to speak on record, Ram “Ram Singh should have faced eral versions until the home The incident sparked off wide- Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said: “I can’t come to a Singh, 35, was seen hanging at the gallows. He should have been minister spoke to the media. An spread protests in India. conclusion now... Let us wait... The details would come (out) in the 5.45am by a Tamil Nadu police- hanged publicly. Ram Singh was earlier report claimed he hung Tihar officials had earlier said magisterial inquiry”. man in the prison’s Jail No. 3 aware that there was strong evi- himself from a window using his that Ram Singh was on “sui- What has raised doubts is whether a “rug” — or a durri in Hindi — 84 days after the horrendous dence against him and he could pyjama. cide watch”, after he and the — can be used to commit suicide by hanging. Are not rugs a bit too gang-rape. get the death penalty,” the brother Shinde said Ram Singh used other accused reportedly became thick for making a noose. Else, did Ram Singh shred the rug to Ram Singh, who drove the bus said. a ‘durri” (rug) to hang. He said depressed. The watch was lifted make a rope? This would have taken him a few days at least and in which the 23-year-old was bru- The Tihar Jail put out a brief a magisterial inquiry had been later, they said. it would have been difficult to hide it. tally raped, used a part of a bed statement. ordered. Ram Singh, who had confessed The fundamental question dogging the public mind is how could linen to hang from an iron grille “The matter is being inquired Jail officials refused to identify to the crime, had been charged on his three cell mates sleep through the entire incident, which came eight feet high in his 15x12 rec- into by the judicial officer. The the three men who shared his cell. 13 counts. One of the five accused to light at 5.45am, Tihar Jail officials said tangular cell, official sources said. exact cause of death would be Ram Singh was arrested from is his younger brother Mukesh. The authorities refused to identify his fellow prisoners. While three others in his cell known after (the) report which a Delhi slum where he lived on All are being tried in fast-track Also, police sources said they got a call about the hanging at 7am. were asleep in the rear portion, also includes post-mortem exami- December 17 — a day after he and court. The question is why was the police called so late when the inci- Ram Singh apparently killed him- nation,” it said. five others, including a juvenile, Lawyers said Ram Sing’s death dent occurred at 5.45am — the time given by the Tihar officials in self nearer to the entrance where Ram Singh’s father alleged he raped the physiotherapist trainee, would not affect the trial. He was a statement. the ceiling is only eight feet high. was murdered and demanded a a crime that shook the collective supposed to go to court yesterday. According to the jail schedule, the daily prayer is at around The rear of the cell is 10 feet high. Central Bureau of Investigation conscience of the country and The others accused in the case 6.30am and breakfast is served at around 7.30am. This enclosure has a transpar- (CBI) inquiry. made for shocking news across are Pawan, 19, and Akshay, 29, If the morning prayer is at around 6.30am how come no one ent asbestos sheet on the roof — “He was killed and hanged in the world. who are held in Tihar Jail No. 4, noticed Ram Singh was missing as that’s the time when the inmates to let in natural light. Underneath the jail. He told us several times Ram Singh, known to suffer Vinay, 20, and Mukesh, 26, both get up and ready for the morning chores. it was the iron grille. that he was threatened in the jail. from deformity in his left hand, in Jail No. 7. The sixth accused is Police sources said Ram Singh’s body was hanging till then. Why Ram Singh reportedly reached We lodged a complaint... It was was the bus driver which the a juvenile, lodged and being tried the delay? IANS the iron bars by standing not suicide,” a stunned Mange Lal young woman and her male friend separately. IANS

Long winter break IPS officer and aide get 13 years jail for pilfering drugs

CHANDIGARH: A court here yester- day sentenced a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and his aide to 13 years in jail in a case of pilfering seized contraband. The IPS officer, Saji Mohan, 44, who was arrested with 12kg her- oin in January 2009 in Mumbai’s Oshiwara sub- urb, was also slapped a fine of `300,000 by the court. A 1995 cadre IPS officer and a former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) zonal director in Chandigarh, Saji Mohan was accused of pilfering Kashmiri students greet each other as schools and colleges in the valley re-opened yesterday after days of contraband, seized from protests and shutdowns against the February 9 hanging of Parliament attack convict Mohammed Afzal Guru in various places in Punjab Delhi’s Tihar Jail. With at least four protesters killed and hundreds injured in street violence, educational institu- and Jammu, with the tions scheduled to re-open on March 1 following the winter vacation, remained closed for a further 10 days. help of his subordinate Balwinder Singh during his tenure in the region. Balwinder Kumar, a constable with the NCB Lawyers join strike paralysing Delhi HC here and in-charge of the store, was also sentenced NEW DELHI: Work was para- the unwarranted lathi-charge by Jaipur while they were protesting to 13 years’ rigorous lysed at the Delhi High Court police on lawyers in Chandigarh March 6 outside the Rajasthan imprisonment and a fine yesterday after lawyers joined and Jaipur who were protesting assembly demanding better pay of `300,000. a strike to protest against peacefully in support of their and cheaper homes. Nearly 30 The duo were booked police action against colleagues demands,” said Rajiv Khosla, lawyers were injured in the inci- by Chandigarh police in in Jaipur and registration of a spokesperson of the Bar Council dent. In Chandigarh, an FIR March 2009, subsequent first information report (FIR) of Delhi. was registered against former to Saji’s arrest by the against 20 others in Chandigarh The strike was also observed in additional advocate general of Mumbai police January earlier this month. the city’s six district courts. In the Punjab Rupinder Singh Khosla that year. “Work in all courts including high court, only proxy counsels and 19 other high court lawyers Two others were also high courts will remain para- appeared before the court to get for thrashing a police constable sentenced by the court lysed on March 11, as lawyers next hearing dates in their cases. and ransacking a security room of additional district and throughout the country have Police used batons and lobbed inside the court premises March sessions judge Shalini decided to observe strike against teargas shells against lawyers in 4. IANS Nagapal. IANS TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME News in Numbers LITERACY RATE 2 Fajr (Dawn) 4:31 Shorook (Sunrise) 5:47 Zuhr (Noon) 11:44 Asr (Afternoon) 3:08 Maghrib (Sunset) 5:42 Akshay Kumar in a scene from Keemat Isha (Night) 7:12 the 1998 movie .

WEATHER For Akshay,

Today Wednesday Thursday Weather bike stunt in Conditions: As for university education, female enrollment exceeded that Clear Partly cloudy Clear Keemat most of the males as it reached its highest level in 1999 by 259 Clear. High of female students compared to 100 male students. Although 28C. Winds memorable High: 28° High: 29° High: 29° from the NW at the ratio of female to male undergraduates declined in recent Low: 18° Low: 20° Low: 20° 35 to 40 km/h. GURGAON: Bollywood star years, it has remained high with 179 female students actor Akshay Kumar yes- terday said that he did his compared to 100 male students. best bike stunt was in Hindi movie Keemat, which was DOHA - SUN & SEA released in 1998. The current average ratio of females “I have performed too many SUN TIDE SEA action roles with motorcycles compared to males (university education) is SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND but a stunt scene in Keemat 05:47 17:42 05:15&17:30 11:45&23:30 15-10 KT will always be memorable,” Akshay told reporters 132 to 100 “It was a dangerous scene, THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW in which I had to jump the HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER bike from a height, which was almost as high as a three MUSCAT 33/22 Partly cloudy 32/22 Clear storey building. There was a Ratio of girls to boys in primary, secondary MAKKAH 36/23 Clear 34/24 Clear door near my landing point and tertiary education (1989 to 2011) KUWAIT 26/19 Clear 30/21 Partly cloudy and I was not even aware of BAHRAIN 24/19 Clear 26/19 Partly cloudy exactly where to land. I prac- SANAA 25/09 Partly cloudy 26/09 Partly cloudy ticed almost a day and finally  RIYADH 26/13 Clear 28/14 Partly cloudy the scene was done,” said the 45-year-old who recently did 259 DUBAI 27/19 Clear 28/19 Clear  244 246 BAGHDAD 25/19 Clear 28/19 Partly cloudy high voltage action in “Rowdy Rathore”. 213 Keemat THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW In , Akahay played  187 182 177 179 a petty thieve and Saif Ali 171 HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER 169 Khan was his partner. In real  ATHENS 19/11 Partly cloudy 18/13 Partly cloudy life, Akshay owns five bikes and often uses them. “Traffic WASHINGTON 15/07 Chance of rain 12/01 Partly cloudy 99 94 96 96 96 congestion and jams are big 95 96 95 95 96 94 96 94 95 95 95 95 SYDNEY 26/17 Rain 27/17 Clear  90 93 93 problems and matter of con- LONDON 03/-2 Partly cloudy 06/-3 Chance of rain cern in Mumbai. To counter PARIS 07/-2 Fog 03/-1 Cloudy that I often use my bikes while  ISTANBUL 14/11 Chance of storms 17/10 Partly cloudy going for film shootings. The MANILA 33/24 Clear 32/24 Chance of storms distance covered by car in  DHAKA 36/21 Clear 35/22 Partly cloudy one-and-a-half hour can be 1989 1994 1999 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 DELHI 32/17 Partly cloudy 32/19 Clear done in 15-20 minutes on a Source : http://www.qsa.gov.qa/ University Complementary and Secondary Primary ISLAMABAD 26/14 Partly cloudy 24/13 Rain bike,” he said. IANS App lets kids Need to embalm a world create 3D Grease sweetheart in printable dolls leader? Call Russia MOSCOW: It’s a process (1969), the Angolan president TORONTO: A new iPad app Britain after 35 years described as “not a pretty sight” Agostino Neto (1979), Guyana’s enables budding designers and that involves the extraction president Forbes Burnham artists to create their own dolls LONDON: With a range of all the blood from a corpse. (1985), and North Korean leader that are made overnight with spanning the cardigan-clad But if Venezuela needs help Kim Il-Sung (1994). 3D printing technology. sweetheart in the hit musical embalming Hugo Chavez then After the death in 2011 of the The London-based company Grease and the leotarded gym Russia has expertise stretch- latter’s son, Kim Jong-Il, the MakieLab, which also offers cus- instructor in the raunchy sin- ing back to Soviet revolutionary Moscow institute specialist Pavel tomized toys and games, said it gle Physical, no one could accuse leader Vladimir Lenin. Fomenko, described the embalm- seeks to encourage creativity and Olivia Newton-John of playing Authorities in Caracas ing procedure in detail. crafting. With the Makies Doll it safe in 40 years of singing announced last week that “It is not a pretty sight,” he Factory, children can design the country, pop and rock. Chavez’s body will be embalmed said in a rare interview to the doll’s facial features, hairstyle and The Australian, who was born “like Lenin” whose mummified Moskovsky Komsomolets daily. clothing. in England and is touring there relics have been on public dis- To begin, a team of three to “The technology means we for the first time in 35 years, play in the Moscow Red Square seven specialists “remove all can make dolls with individual admits to being terrified at some mausoleum since the Bolshevik internal organs, fill veins with a faces, or dinosaurs with unusual of the choices she made in a career Revolution leader’s death in 1924. solution, and extract blood from markings, or cars with specially- boasting four Grammy awards It is not, however, clear whether tissues,” he said. designed trims,” said Alice Taylor, and a lead role in the biggest Venezuela — which under Chavez “The body is placed in a glass the company’s founder and CEO. musical movie hit in US history. forged a close partnership with bathtub filled with the embalm- “That’s something that mass pro- “I like a challenge,” Newton-John, Vladimir Putin’s Russia — has ing solution, covered with a lid, duction can’t do, and 3D printing 64, said in an interview before sought Russian specialists’ help and wrapped in a white cloth” as can do.” When the digital version starting a six-concert tour that or will do so in future. precise temperature and humidity is finished in the app, it is sent to ends on March 17 in Manchester. Approached yesterday by AFP, conditions are maintained in the 3D printers that manufacture the “I was always afraid of these the Moscow laboratory in charge room, Fomenko explained. body parts, which are assembled changes but I did them anyway, of Lenin’s body declined to give To ensure decades-long pres- and dressed so the 10-inch (25.4 kind of ‘face your fears’ ... because any official comment on the ervation, the process requires cm) dolls can be shipped within 24 I felt you also had to challenge matter. constant upkeep, including invari- to 36 hours after ordering. yourself a little bit. But I was But a member of its team, able temperature and humidity The 3D technology prints terrified.” Yuri Denisov-Nikolsky said that regimes. objects from computer designs The 1981 release of Physical, a although no official request has Lenin’s body is also protected by adding plastic layer-upon-layer song from the album of the same been made so far by Caracas, the from bacterial threat by a glass until an object is formed. name, was banned by some radio Russian specialists were ready to sarcophagus. Twice a week it is Grease The dolls, which are manufac- stations in the US banned for Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in a scene from . help if need be. inspected and every 18 months tured in Amsterdam and London, raunchy lyrics. Another Russian specialist who it is immersed in an embalming can also feature flashing eyes and “I remember calling (manager) pursuing a career as a performer There” won her a country vocal helped preserved Lenin’s body in solution for a month. cheeks by inserting an electronic Roger Davies right after I’d fin- despite resistance from her par- Grammy. Soviet times told the ITAR-TASS Lenin’s mausoleum is cur- chip into the doll’s head. ished it ... and going ‘Oh, I’m not ents, who wanted her to finish The next gamble came with news agency on Friday that “the rently closed for restoration and The basic dolls sell for £59.99 sure we should put this out, it’s a school. Grease, the hit 1978 film adapta- Russian technologies for embalm- is covered by a huge white awning ($89). Hair, skin and clothing little too risque’. He said: ‘It’s too She comes from an academic tion of the Broadway musical that ment are absolutely first rate”. spoiling the historic view across can each be added for additional late, love, it’s gone to radio’.” background — her grandfather would turn her into a household “We never disappoint our cus- Red Square. fees ranging from £7 to £30. The “I look back now and it’s hilari- was Max Born, a German-British name. tomers,” Denisov-Nikolsky said The head of Russia’s federal company said it is working on ous, because that was so naughty Nobel Prize-winning quantum “Grease itself was a bold enough adding, however, that Venezuelan bodyguard service (FSO) Sergei iPhone and Android apps and a in its time,” she recalled. “That physicist. move — playing the second char- authorities might opt to use Devyatov which is responsible for game that will allow the dolls to was another challenge that “My grandfather apparently acter in Grease, and for that to be Cuban experts, who embalmed protecting the mausoleum told co-exist in the digital world. worked, thank goodness. It was used to play music with Einstein, so successful, I mean, who knew?” the body of the Argentinian ITAR-TASS that it would remain Taylor said with 3D printing either going to be a big success or they used to play chamber music Her character’s transforma- president Juan Peron’s wife Eva closed until April although Lenin’s toys can be manufactured locally nothing. There was no in-between together, so it (the musical gene) tion from clean-cut “Sandy 1” in 1952. body was inside and itself under- and quickly, but she doesn’t with that song. goes back,” Newton-John said. to spandex-clad “Sandy 2”, out Now called the Institute of going “precautionary work”. expect the technology to replace “It was banned in Utah and I She left Australia for Britain in to snare John Travolta’s Danny, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, According to Moskovsky traditional toy manufacturing did my television special for the the 60s to make it as a pop star. was one that she took into real the laboratory owns the method- Komsomolets, of those who were methods. Physical Tour in Utah. I remem- By the early 70s, she had featured life, ditching the safety of soft pop ology which was used to embalm embalmed by the Russian spe- “A lot of people ask, ‘Is this ber I was probably so terrified I in the charts and on television and country for an edgier image the bodies of a string of pro-Mos- cialists, only the bodies of Ho Chi going to replace injection mold- got sick right before the shoot.” before representing the United and sound. cow leaders during and after the Minh and Kim Il-Sung are now ing?’ And the answer is of course In fact, Physical proved to be Kingdom at the 1974 Eurovision The name of her next album? Cold War. preserved “in their original state,” not because injection moulding the pinnacle of Newton-John’s Song Contest, finishing fourth “Totally Hot”. These included Bulgaria’s like Lenin. is cheap and we’re always going solo career, topping the US pop behind winners ABBA. “The raunchy kind of image Communist leader Georgy According to a poll in 2012 to need mass produced stuff,” charts and becoming one of the Then came a move to the that Sandy 2 had, it gave an Dimitrov (1949), the Soviet by the FOM research group, 56 she said. Other 3D printing apps best-selling singles of the decade. United States, where Newton- opportunity to change my direc- dictator Joseph Stalin and the percent of Russians favour the include 123D Create by Autodesk, By then, Newton-John had John broke into the country music tion a little bit and do something Czechoslovak president Klement burial of Lenin’s body, 28 percent which allows users to create 3D already left her comfort zone scene despite being considered a little more fun,” she said. Gottwald (both dead in 1953), the are against and the rest remain characters. REUTERS more than once. She recalled an outsider. Her hit “Let Me Be REUTERS Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh undecided. AFP Tuesday 12 March 2013 30 Rabial II 1434 Volume 18 Number 5636 Price: QR2 Qatar eyes AAA rating Insurance sector’s contribution 0.5pc of GDP: Minister BY SATISH KANADY percent growth. Transport and communications are DOHA: Qatar is striving expected to register a 15 to raise its credit ratings percent growth rate dur- to “AAA”, two levels high ing the current year, he on par with a selected said. few advanced economies. On the insurance sec- Currently, the country tor, Yousuf Hussein said is rated “AA” with stable the industry’s contribu- outlook. tion to the country’s GDP Opening the 7th edition is just 0.5 percent, which of ‘Multaqa” here yesterday, is an indication of the the Minister of Economy and huge opportunities and Finance H E Yousuf Hussein the possibilities the future Kamal said: “The current holds for this sector. Qatar rating of Qatar is ‘AA’. We The Minister of Finance and Economy H E Yousuf believes that the insurance are working on for ‘AAA’. Hussein Kamal delivering the opening keynote speech sector can greatly con- The history of our econ- at the seventh edition of the annual Multaqa Qatar tribute to the GDP in the omy is very strong. Qatar’s Conference jointly organised by Qatar Financial light of the stability of high economy has advanced over Centre Authority and Global Reinsurance at the Ritz- average per capita income the past few years to reach Carlton Hotel in Doha, yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT and the volume of planned internationally competitive.” investments to achieve the He said Qatar would go ahead its last year’s growth rate of 9 National Vision 2030. The fact with the plans to establish the percent. “The growth of Qatar’s that the general economic outlook $1bn Regional Islamic Bank. non-hydrocarbon sector is in line for the next five years strong is Qatar will have 30 percent stake with the National Vision 2030, another positive indicator. in it. Last April, Qatar signed which aims to create a strong, Qatar’s economy has advanced a MoU with the Jeddah-based sustainable and diverse economy over the past few years up the Islamic Development Bank, a based on the reinvestment for the ranks of the world’s economies multilateral lender, and Saudi state’s wealth accumulated from to become internationally com- Arabia’s Dallah Albaraka Group the hydrocarbon sector,” he said. petitive. The country’s economic to establish the bank with initial The most significant seg- growth accelerated to teach an capital of $1bn. ments of the non-hydrocarbon average 13 percent during the Yousuf Hussein also said that sector are infrastructure, which period from 2008 to 2012. Then Al Koot would be re-launched as is expected to see investment of high international ratings given to a re-insurance company in which $140bn between now and 2019. the country’s economy confirms non-Qatari companies would be The services sector is expected to that a healthy financial climate given opportunities to make stake. contribute 60 percent of the total exists in Qatar coupled with a Qatar’s non-hydrocarbon sec- growth in the country’s economy. stable economic outlook, he noted. tor’s contribution to GDP began Building and construction sec- THE PENINSULA to rise and is expected to maintain tors are expected to register a 10 More stories & pictures on page 21

TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

The Minister of Finance and Economy H E Yousuf Hussein Kamal (second left), Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority Managing Director Abdulrahman Al Shaibi (second right), Shashank Srivastava (right), CEO and Board Member of QFC Authority, and other dignitaries at the seventh edition of the annual Multaqa Qatar Conference at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Doha, yesterday. RIGHT: A section of the audience. SALIM MATRAMKOT Mena insurance sector to grow faster: QFCA First annual Mena Insurance Barometer released

DOHA: The Mena region’s In terms of weaknesses, the insurance are viewed critically. insurance premiums will barometer confirms that the Mena Only 38 percent of respondents grow faster than the region’s insurance markets are charac- expect this market segment to gross domestic product (GDP), terised by fierce competition and outgrow total insurance premi- Dr Schanz, Alms and despite challenges arising from an abundance of (re)insurance ums. Business models for Takaful Company Chairman geo-political tensions. The capacity, putting pressure on insurance are believed to be in Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) technical results and driving up need of a thorough review. and Principal Authority’s first annual Mena acquisition costs. Furthermore Shashank Srivastava, CEO Partner Dr Kai Uwe Insurance Barometer released the region’s insurance regulations and Board Member of the Qatar Schanz addressing on the opening day of Multaqa are still perceived as inadequate Financial Centre Authority, said: dignitaries during conference here yesterday by the majority of survey partici- “The Mena region exhibits above the annual Multaqa noted that the confidence in the pants (56 percent). In particular, average GDP growth, even faster Qatar Conference future of the region’s insurance a lack of consistency in supervi- insurance premium growth, a at the Ritz-Carlton sector remains strong. sory oversight across the region young and rising population, low Hotel yesterday. In 2011, the Mena insurance is criticized. levels of insurance penetration market was worth about $42bn The Mena region’s low insur- and, in most countries, a rather in annual premiums, up from ance penetration is perceived limited natural catastrophe expo- $26bn in 2007. Non-life markets, as a major opportunity. Given sure. In sum, the Mena region is which accounted for $35bn in the average GDP per capita the an attractive emerging insurance Vibrant insurance sector key to 2011, grew at an average annual region’s penetration levels should market which any aspiring inter- growth rate of 7.5 percent, while be significantly higher. Therefore, national or regional insurer and the life markets, accounting for personal lines are expected to reinsurer should have on its stra- $6.6bn, expanded by 10.1 percent benefit most from the rising afflu- tegic agenda.” strong economy: QFCA chief per annum, adjusted for inflation. ence of the population, supported Akshay Randeva, Director Insurance markets in the Mena by compulsory schemes, for exam- Strategic Development of the DOHA: Abdulrahman Al credit by mitigating losses. claims makes the insurance region mirror the macroeconomic ple in medical insurance. In terms Qatar Financial Centre Authority, Shaibi, Managing Director Al Shaibi said insurance sector industry one of the world’s larg- dynamics of the region as well as of threats, political instability and added: “The Mena Insurance and board member of the QFC helps accumulate huge amounts est institutional investor groups. In the market’s low insurance pen- geo-political risks rank high- Barometer is our fourth regu- Authority, has said that a of capital and, therefore, is a core addition, more recently, reinsurers etration - premiums account for est with the Barometer’s inter- lar survey of the insurance and vibrant insurance sector is key element of any modern economy’s have started investing third-party just 1.3 percent of GDP, a fifth of viewees, followed by continued reinsurance markets, first cover- for a strong economy. funding system. Their usually funds in insurance-linked activi- the global average. However, this pressure on rates and a further ing the Gulf countries and now Addressing the opening session long-term investment horizon ties such as property catastrophe gap is narrowing as Mena insur- erosion of profitability. the wider Mena region. The of 7th Annual Multaqa Qatar con- makes insurers a particularly underwriting, Al Shaibi said. ance markets have outpaced GDP The barometer also found that study highlights the tremendous ference here yesterday, he noted beneficial player in financial mar- The QFC Managing Director growth recently. only a minority (36 percent) of growth dynamics as well as the this is particularly important to kets and indispensable sources of said more than 170 international In light of these strong eco- respondents expects the Mena multi-faceted opportunities and Qatar and its long-term vision long-term finance for both pri- and local companies have been nomic fundamentals, it comes insurance market to consolidate challenges presented by Mena of building a broadly diversified vate businesses and governments. awarded licences to operate in at no surprise that interviewees over the next 12 months as aver- insurance markets. It provides knowledge economy. This crucial role in financial inter and from the QFC to date. Among consider economic growth as age levels of capitalisation are some key market data and intel- Insurance can be viewed as a mediation is particularly relevant those are local, regional and global the main strength of the Mena solid and cultural reasons remain ligence and is designed to help prerequisite to effective corpo- to countries which are in the leaders such as Allianz, AIG, Aon, region. In addition, the young, a major obstacle to mergers and improve the transparency of the rate lending through the bank- process of developing broader and AXA, Daman Health Insurance, growing and increasingly more acquisitions. Further, some 50 sector and facilitate more robust ing system because it can prevent deeper domestic capital markets. Marsh,QIC International, SEIB affluent population is viewed percent of interviewees expect decision-making.” businesses from suffering life- Against this backdrop, the QFC Insurance and Reinsurance, as another key strength, along that foreign insurers will gain In all, 35 senior executives threatening liquidity and solvency Authority’s aspirations in insur- Zurich, Barclays, Credit Suisse, with the region’s low catastro- market share over the next two from international and regional problems in case of major insured ance fit well with our vision of Deutsche Bank, Emirates NBD, phe exposure, which contributes years, on the back of superior cus- insurers, reinsurers and brokers losses. The risk pooling properties Qatar becoming a leading asset EFG Hermes, Goldman Sachs, to risk diversification strategies tomer focus, distribution know- operating in the Mena region par- of insurance effectively facilitate management hub. Qatar Holding and Qatar First pursued by international insurers how and technical skills. ticipated in the study. commercial transactions and the The management of funds set Investment Bank. and reinsurers. The prospects of Takaful THE PENINSULA economically vital provision of aside to meet future policyholder THE PENINSULA QIIC to consolidate its market position this year: Chairman

DOHA: Qatar Islamic underwriting capacities, reten- Insurance Company (QIIC) tion and profit efficiency, re- Chairman Sheikh Abdulla bin engineer our motor insurance Thani Al Thani has said that operations, maximize the effi- firm would consolidate its mar- ciency of our investment assets ket position and create new diversification and profitability, business opportunities in Qatar rise the Qatarisation percent- and abroad and continue its age,” the chairman said. success in 2013 and beyond. The Board of Directors, in Addressing the ordinary co-ordination with the Shariah general assembly of the com- Supervisory Board, has decided pany on Sunday, the chairman to reimburse policyholders with said that the company recorded cash surplus equaling 20 percent good results in 2012 by generat- of the premiums written in 2012, ing a premium of QR206m and still the highest so far. aggregate net profit of QR74m, of The general assembly approved which net policyholders’ surplus the company’s nine-point agenda, amounted to QR16m.He noted including its financial statements the shareholders’ profit reached for the year 2012 and election of QR58m, constituting earnings per two people in the current QIIC share of QR3.5. Board of Directors. “The board will pursue, with The Shariah Supervisory Board Qatar Islamic Insurance Company (QIIC) Chairman Sheikh Abdullah bin Thani Al Thani (centre), Chief Coordinator Dr Sheikh Khalid bin Thani Al Thani unwavering determination, the of QIIC reviewed the practices, (second right), Vice Chairman Abdul Rahman A Abdul Ghani (second left); Chairman of Shariah Supervisory Board, Ali Moehi El Din Al Gura Daghi (left) company’s strategic plans for contracts and documents of the and Chief Executive Officer Ali Ibrahim Al Abdul Ghani at the AGM of the QIIC at Ezdan Hotels and Suites in Doha, yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT the Years 2013-2015 to ensure company executed during 2012 its continued growth and pros- and found them it total compli- approved by it in accordance with shareholders’ profits and poli- statements for the full year. and guidelines approved by the perity. Our approved three ance with the rules and principles. Shariah rules and principles. cyholders’ surplus for the year “The distribution of investment Shariah Supervisory Board,” year strategic plan and goals The board noted that the alloca- It also observed that the com- ended December 31, 2012, have profits, based on the principals of the Dr Ali Moehi El Din Al will permit us to increase our tion of profit and charging of losses pany has maintained separate been determined in accordance Mudharaba and the determina- Gura Daghi, Head of Shariah share of insurance business in relating to investment accounts accounts for the sharehold- with the approved rules a and tion of Wakala Fees are in com- Supervisory Board, said. Qatar, maximise our insurance conform to the basis that has been ers and policyholders, and the properly reflected in the financial pliance with the Shariah rules THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Al Meera sales jump

Qatari bourse index rises by 0.28 percent

Regional markets gain Al Meera Consumer Goods Company Chairman H E Abdulla bin Khalid Al Qahtani and Vice Chairman Dr Saif Said Al Sowaidi, attending the ordinary general assembly meeting of the company in Doha, yesterday. In 2012, Al Meera’s sales jumped to more than QR1.5bn, and gross profit totalled about QR256m, compared with QR175m in the previous year, representing an increase of nearly 46 percent. Operating income increased by about DOHA: Qatar Exchange pur- market rose for a fourth con- 40 percent, and rental income rose by almost 6 percent. The company achieved a net profit of almost QR106m compared with QR77m in 2011. sued its upward trend, adding secutive session since slumping SALIM MATRAMKOT 23.47 points (or 0.28 percent) to an 11-week low last Tuesday. yesterday to advance to 8,544.41 Shares in Telecom Egypt edged points from 8,520.94 on Sunday. up 0.6 percent, despite posting a Among the top gainers were 12.8 percent drop in 2012 profit. Qatar National Bank which was Egyptians were net buyers up 0.23 percent to QR133.20, against other Arab sellers but Industries Qatar rose 0.65 investors remain concerned about Capital Intelligence affirms QNB’s ‘AA-’ ratings percent to QR171.20, Ooredoo a currency crisis and a deterio- gained 1.61 percent to QR113.40 rating economy amid a negative DOHA: Capital Intelligence (CI), increasing role as the financial the small size in terms of geogra- by H1 2013, would bring that and Qatar Navigation was up by political backdrop. the international credit rat- arm of the Qatari Government. phy and population of the Qatari ratio down noticeably including 1.85 percent to QR66. In Saudi Arabia, the index ing agency, has affirmed Qatar The Outlook on all Ratings is banking market. As is the case through the impact of goodwill. The banking and financial sec- advanced 0.2 percent, up for a National Bank (QNB)’s Financial ‘Stable’, the CI said yesterday. for most Qatari banks, there is It would also expose QNB’s opera- tor index lost 0.09 points, the third session in four, but the mar- Strength Rating at ‘AA-’. The The ratings are supported very high dependence on the tions to country risk and its capi- consumer goods and services ket is trapped in a tight trading affirmation reflects the bank’s by the bank’s fine asset quality, government sector for business, tal base to a substantially higher sector index fell 0.04 points, the range. The petrochemical sector very strong credit metrics, its comfortable capital adequacy, and which leads to high concentration level of forex translation risk. industrial sector gained 1 point supported gains with Saudi Basic dominant franchise in Qatar, its good profitability. risks. Banking system liquidity Although CI notes that at while the insurance sector rose Industries Corp up 0.5 percent growing international presence The ratings agency noted that in Qatar can be volatile, reflect- the current level, ratings would 1.77 points. and Saudi Kayan Petrochemical in Mena and Asia, as well as the QNB has demonstrated sound risk ing variations in the volume of begin to be pressured on capital Meanwhile, Dubai’s measure added 0.4 percent. The kingdom’s robust and supportive operating management and maintains a low Government deposits in accord- adequacy, CI is also of the opin- rose to a one-week high, extend- two heavyweight sectors, banks environment in Qatar. non-performing loan (NPL) ratio, ance with QIA’s foreign invest- ion that more capital would be ing gains as investors flocked to and petrochemicals, have been The Long- and Short-Term together with more than full loss ment activities. forthcoming from the Qatari property stocks while all other largely ignored by investors after Foreign Currency (FC) Ratings reserve coverage of a high quality QNB’s capital adequacy, which Government through QIA as nec- regional markets also gained. fourth-quarter earnings. are also affirmed at ‘AA-‘ and loan portfolio. Although the Bank’s improved significantly following essary. The acquisition would also Dubai’s Emaar Properties, the Elsewhere, Kuwait’s meas- ‘A1+’, respectively, at the same profitability weakened in 2012 due a substantial increase in equity represent a shift to a more bal- exchange’s largest listed stock by ure rose 0.6 percent to a fresh level as the Sovereign Ratings to pressure on net interest mar- capital in 2011, is a key source of anced business profile (in terms of market value, rose 1.6 percent to 25-month high and saw its elev- for the State of Qatar. The Bank’s gins, it is underpinned by a very balance sheet strength, underpin- a higher share of retail and com- a fresh 52-week high. enth straight gain. Small-caps Support Rating of ‘1’ (affirmed) strong cost to income ratio, which ning the Bank’s growth poten- mercial business), and a major Deyaar Development jumped dominated trade as retail inves- reflects ownership by the State of allowed it to produce the highest tial. However, the acquisition of step forward in QNB’s interna- 6.8 percent. The mid-cap is a tors look for high-liquid stocks to Qatar through Qatar Investment net profit among GCC banks. National Societe Generale Bank in tional expansion. usual target for local retail inves- trade, which are easier to enter Authority (QIA) and the Bank’s The ratings are constrained by Egypt, expected to be completed THE PENINSULA tors. Courier Aramex advanced and exit. “We expect the market 4.2 percent. The emirate’s index to continue its cautious uptrend climbed 1.1 percent to its highest rally — the market is in need of close since March 3. a healthy fundamental correction Abu Dhabi’s measure added 0.4 after the continuous increase in percent, extending gains since order for new entrants in the Thursday’s two-week low. market,” said Fouad Darwish, New identity for CBI Elsewhere, Egyptians bought head of brokerage at Global back battered shares, helping lift Investment House. DOHA/DUBAI: Commercial branches that reflect the new Cairo’s index by 0.2 percent. The QNA/REUTERS Bank International (CBI), a grow- brand and a personalised bank- ing UAE bank, has announced ing experience providing top qual- the beginning of a new chapter in ity service, advanced and secure QATARI MARKET its history, following the revela- technology, an expanded product Bond Coupon Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P tion of a new brand that reflects range and an increased interna- Qatar Govt 5.15% 4/9/2014 USD 104.63 0.80 % Aa2 AA the strategic partnership with tional reach through the associa- Qatar National Bank (QNB), the tion with QNB. Qatar Govt 3.125% 1/20/2017 USD 106.00 1.52 % Aa2 AA leading financial institution in CBI customers can now (effec- Qatar Govt 6.55% 4/9/2019 USD 124.25 2.26 % Aa2 AA Qatar and the Mena region. tive from March 10) bank at Qatar Govt 5.25% 1/20/2020 USD 117.25 2.50 % Aa2 AA “The new brand embodies our Dubai Mall, Dubai Festival City, Qatar Govt 4.5% 1/20/2022 USD 112.38 2.90 % Aa2 AA thinking into a future of growth Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Qatar Govt 9.75% 6/15/2030 USD 171.25 4.00 % Aa2 AA and prosperity as CBI, backed Boulevard, and Ras Al Khaimah’s Qatar Govt 6.4% 1/20/2040 USD 131.00 4.42 % Aa2 AA by the international reach of Julphar Towers, where they can Qatar Govt 5.75% 1/20/2042 USD 121.00 4.45 % Aa2 AA QNB Group,” said CBI Chairman see first-hand what the future Mohammad Sultan Al Qadi. CBI’s holds for them. Qatari Diar 3.5% 7/21/2015 USD 105.25 1.24 % Aa2 AA new brand would benefit from Kris Babicci, CEO of CBI, said: CEO Kris Babicci and Chairman Mohammad Sultan Al Qadi posing for a picture. Qatari Diar 5% 7/21/2020 USD 114.75 2.77 % Aa2 AA QNB’s brand profile, given that it “Our new brand stands for our Comqat 5% 11/18/2014 USD 105.63 1.60 % A1 A- ranked 120 on the list of the world’s strength going forward. Our part- Sustaining its growth and The new identity is the culmina- Comqat 3.375% 4/11/2017 USD 104.69 2.17 % A1 A- top 500 banking brands in 2013, nership with QNB, the experience development momentum, CBI tion of the efforts by the CBI team QIB 3.856% 10/7/2015 USD 104.63 2.00 % NR NR according to an annual survey car- and strength of our management plans to launch a range of prod- led by a strong and highly compe- QNB 3.125% 11/16/2015 USD 103.63 1.73 % Aa3 A+ ried out by “Brand Finance”. team and their cohesion with the ucts, including a re-launch of tent management team over the QNB 3.375% 2/22/2017 USD 104.69 2.13 % Aa3 A+ In tandem with the new brand board of directors, all supported auto loans, credit card enhance- last two years, to ensure a best-in- identity, CBI is expanding its cur- by proactive staff, are key factors ments and salary transfer cam- class service experience for retail Doha Bank 3.5% 3/14/2017 USD 104.56 2.30 % A2 A- rent branch network in the UAE to our aim of becoming a leading paigns, and more, over the coming and corporate customers. Qtel 3.375% 10/14/2016 USD 105.63 1.75 % A2 A with the addition of four new bank in the UAE.” months. THE PENINSULA Qtel 7.875% 6/10/2019 USD 130.69 2.53 % A2 A Qtel 4.75% 2/16/2021 USD 111.50 3.10 % A2 A Qtel 5% 10/19/2025 USD 110.50 3.94 % A2 A Rasgas 5.5% 9/30/2014 USD 106.88 1.00 % Aa3 A Rasgas 5.832% 9/30/2016 USD 108.13 3.38 % Aa3 A Geospatial forum Rasgas 5.298% 9/30/2020 USD 111.38 3.57 % Aa3 A SOVEREIGNS begins tomorrow Bond PDA* Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P Abu Dhabi Govt 5.5% 4/8/2014 USD 105.38 0.44 % Aa2 AA DOHA: Geospatial Media & Abu Dhabi Govt 6.75% 4/8/2019 USD 126.25 2.12 % Aa2 AA Communications, in association with the Centre for GIS, MMUP, Dubai Govt 6.7% 10/5/2015 USD 110.63 2.40 % NR NR State of Qatar, is hosting a Dubai Govt 4.9% 5/2/2017 USD 107.50 2.96 % NR NR two-day conference and exhi- Dubai Govt 7.75% 10/5/2020 USD 125.38 3.85 % NR NR bition on geospatial technology Dubai Govt 6.45% 5/2/2022 USD 118.13 4.06 % NR NR and applications. The Middle Qatar Govt 4% 1/20/2015 USD 105.75 0.87 % Aa2 AA East Geospatial Forum 2013 Bahrain Govt 6.273% 11/22/2018 USD 115.69 3.23 % NR BBB (formerly Map Middle East) Bahrain Govt 5.5% 3/31/2020 USD 110.13 3.85 % NR BBB is to be held at Qatar National Convention Centre, Exhibition Egypt Govt 5.75% 4/29/2020 USD 92.50 7.11 % B3 /*- B- Hall 1 on March 13-14. Morocco Govt 4.5% 10/5/2020 EUR 106.00 3.59 % NR BBB- To be held under the patron- *Periodic Distribution Amount IMPORTANT NOTE: age of H E Sheikh Abdul Rahman Published by HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, P O Box 57, Doha, Qatar which bin Khalifa Al Thani, Minister of is licensed and regulated by Qatar Central Bank and Jersey Financial Services Municipality and Urban Planning, Commission. Information quoted is from publicly available sources or proprietary the forum is one of the most data and subject to change. HSBC accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising anticipated events in the geospa- out of the use of all or part of this material. This information is general and does not take into account individual circumstances, objectives or needs. The price of bonds tial arena. With Trimble as its can and does fluctuate. The secondary market for bonds may not provide significant strategic sponsor, the conference the sessions will witness speak- sections of the geospatial industry Exhibition Timings: Wednesday: liquidity or may trade based on prevailing market conditions. Past performance is not boasts of Kahramaa as the gold ers from around the globe talk including defence, municipalities, 9.30am–6pm. Thursday (March a reliable indicator of future performance. You should consider these matters and sponsor; Mannai Corporation and about the application of geospatial oil & natural gas, military survey 14): 10am-5pm. For more infor- consult your financial advisor prior to making any investment decisions. Ideal Solutions as silver sponsors technologies in various spheres. agencies, civil aviation authorities, mation, visit www.megf.org. For and Qatar University as knowledge Besides, the exhibition will have electricity & water authorities, conference/exhibition related que- partners. the latest trends and technologies geological and meteorological ries, contact Abhishek Kotangale The highlight of the conference in the geospatial domain on dis- departments, planning and land at [email protected] will be its exhibition and plenary play. The conference will serve as departments, construction com- +974 30236484. sessions. Based on varied themes, an ideal meeting point for various panies, contractors and surveyors. THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Qatar’s quarterly debt issues expand policy arsenal Move will help manage liquidity, develop yield curve; excess liquidity building up among banks

DUBAI: Qatar’s plan to issue local economist for the region. “That liquid- issued every quarter, half with three-year Fund said Qatar’s central bank needed likely be held by banks as assets,” another currency government bonds every ity throughout last year has seen a very maturities and half with five-year. It did to start managing liquidity fluctuations Qatar-based commercial banker said. quarter should help it tackle three key fast growth.” not give specific dates or sizes for future more finely through more flexible open But in the long term, a deeper debt mar- issues at once: Managing liquidity in issues, saying they would be announced market operations. The central bank told ket will give the central bank additional the banking system, developing as a REGULAR PROGRAMME later. “The aim of issuing these bonds is to the IMF that its ability to engage in open options in adjusting liquidity and mar- financial centre, and financing huge On Sunday, Qatar’s central bank issued develop monetary policy and the imple- market operations was limited by a shal- ket interest rates. It will also help Qatar infrastructure projects. QR1bn ($300m) of local currency sukuk mentation of a mechanism of coordination low interbank market and the lack of an develop as a regional financial centre, pro- Managing liquidity is the most press- (Islamic bonds) and QR3bn of local cur- between monetary and fiscal policy, and active secondary market in T-bills. viding foreign financial institutions with ing need, as the $185bn economy gears up rency conventional bonds. A senior com- support the strength of the banking system more instruments to park funds. to spend about $140bn on infrastructure mercial banker said the debt was allocated and financial and market tools,” it said. OPEN MARKET OPERATIONS The central bank’s statement on projects in the run-up to Qatar’s hosting directly to local banks, comprising a three- A more active monetary policy is likely The new bond issue programme takes Sunday noted local banks could use of the 2022 World Cup soccer tournament. year tranche yielding 2.75 percent and a to be needed in coming years. In the wake a step towards remedying this deficiency the new bonds to meet Basel III bank- Big flows of project-related money five-year tranche at 3.00 percent. of the 2011 interventions in the money by providing banks with instruments that ing standards that are being phased in through the banking system could desta- Qatar had issued local currency debt market, total available liquidity dropped they could trade with each other and around the world, requiring banks to hold bilise banks and push up inflation. Qatar to drain excess money from the banking to a mere QR5.8bn at the end of that year with the central bank. minimum amounts of safe, liquid instru- is vulnerable to inflation partly because it system in the past; in January 2011, the from QR73.2bn a year earlier, the central Ultimately, the central bank could ments. A lack of such instruments is a pegs its riyal currency to the US dollar, central bank issued a QR50bn, three-year bank has said. buy and sell the bonds in short-term concern for many banks in the Gulf. limiting how much it can raise interest bond directly to local banks. But excess liquidity has begun building repurchase deals - a common way which And by developing a local currency mar- rates without attracting speculative money. In addition, the central bank launched again. Funds parked by banks at the cen- authorities use to adjust money market ket in government debt, Qatar is creating The country of 1.9 million people is no monthly auctions of 91-, 182- and 273-day tral bank’s low-yielding deposit facility liquidity in developed financial centres. a potential source of funding as it prepares stranger to economic overheating; before Treasury bills in May and August 2011 to climbed to QR151.3bn last December, the “You want these bonds to be traded to finance its infrastructure plans. With the global credit crisis struck, a boom soak up excess funds; it now drains 4 bil- highest level since April 2011; their aver- regularly to have a liquid market so that massive reserves and a big budget surplus, fuelled by expanding gas output and ris- lion riyals a month through this method. age level in May-December 2012 was dou- you can use them for repo and reverse the government is expected to be able to ing property prices drove its inflation But Sunday’s medium-term debt ble the level in the previous eight months. repo purposes, so that the central bank finance the projects comfortably, but the rate to a record 15 percent on average sale broke new ground because it was Loose liquidity pushed the average can actually carry out open market oper- local debt market could make a significant in 2008, the highest among Gulf states. designed as part of a regular programme three-month interbank lending rate down ations,” Soussa said. For now, issuance is contribution. “I see that as a very positive “It is pretty critical that Qatar does of bond issues, putting Qatar at the fore- to 0.76 percent in November, the lowest unlikely to be enough to stimulate much step forward. The economy is growing and develop the local debt market in order front of wealthy Gulf states in developing since June 2011. It rose again to 1.05 per- secondary market trade. there is a huge amount of infrastructure to deal with the local liquidity that has its local currency debt market. cent in December but is still well below the “Just one issuance at the moment on financing needed for the local economy,” been building up in the banking sector,” The central bank said in a statement March 2012 peak of 1.75 percent. a standalone basis is not enough to sup- said a Doha-based economist. said Farouk Soussa, Citigroup’s chief that local currency debt would now be In January, the International Monetary port trading, and this issuance will most REUTERS

Strong years ahead Egypt studies IMF for sukuk market, says S&P analyst bridging loan DOHA: “Investor appetite is pushing Sukuk into main- stream,” Standard & Poor’s said in a report published yester- as crisis deepens day. “Global issuance expanded for the fourth year in a row in CAIRO: Egypt is studying an following month. 2012, growing 64 percent to IMF offer of a bridging loan, a Egypt also faces political chaos. about $138bn, and we expect finance ministry source said Last month Mursi called par- another strong few years,” said yesterday, as Cairo tries to liamentary elections to start in Standard & Poor’s credit ana- weather a currency and budget April, only for a court to cancel lyst Paul-Henri Pruvost. crisis deepened by political his decree. Now no one knows Despite increased growth, the uncertainty and violence on the when voting will begin. market for sukuk, the Islamic streets of its cities. In Washington, IMF spokes- equivalent of bonds, is still a In Washington, the International woman Wafa Amr said the small segment of the global fixed- Monetary Fund said Egypt needed Rapid Financing Instrument was income world. Sukuk comply with bold and ambitious action to tackle designed to provide rapid, but Shariah law, meaning they do not its economic problems urgently limited, assistance to member technically pay interest; rather, and it could get temporary IMF countries facing urgent balance of they are structured to provide funding while it negotiated a long- payments needs. “Use of the RFI sukuk holders a profit margin. delayed full loan programme. could be an option if there is a need While still considered an alter- Egypt’s Islamist government for interim financing while a strong native investment, we believe the faces daunting problems two years medium-term policy programme is sukuk market has the potential after the fall of Hosni Mubarak. being put in place,” Amr said. Stockbrokers monitor share prices during a trading session at the Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) in Karachi, to grow and join the mainstream. Violent protests and feuding with “Ultimately, this is a decision the yesterday. Pakistan stocks slumped almost 2.5 percent on fears of possible US sanctions following the Largely dominating issuance are the opposition have ravaged eco- authorities will have to take,” she groundbreaking ceremony of a much-delayed $7.5bn gas pipeline from Iran, traders said. The benchmark KSE- sovereign and sovereign-related nomic confidence, sending its cur- said, adding: “The IMF remains 100 index shed 441.62 points, or 2.46 percent, to close at 17,522.56 points with 173.03 million shares traded. issuers from Malaysia, and, to a rency down sharply - even though fully committed to supporting lesser extent, from the countries the central bank has spent almost Egypt at this critical time.” The of the Gulf Cooperation Council. two thirds of the dollar reserves stop-gap measure could amount to “Funding needs and large infra- left by Mubarak in trying to prop about $750 million. However, the European stocks end mixed structure investments in Malaysia the Egyptian pound up. sum is dwarfed by the budget defi- and the GCC, combined with better President Mohammed Mursi cit, which is growing rapidly as a LONDON: European stock economy,” Gekko Global Markets 0.12 percent and the tech-heavy global investor sentiment, is behind has seemed reluctant to accept slide in the Egyptian pound pushes markets closed yesterday with trader Anita Paluch noted. Nasdaq Composite had slipped by today’s momentum in the sukuk reform and austerity measures up the cost of subsidising energy mixed but mainly weaker At CMC Markets, Michael a slight 0.05 percent. market,” said Pruvost. that would come with a full IMF and food, much of which has to be results as disappointing Chinese Hewson added that a “slower On Friday, the Dow topped S&P believes that GCC issu- deal before parliamentary elec- imported using scarce dollars. economic data offset positive than expected pickup in economic 14,400 points for the first time ers are likely to come to market tions. However, the budget deficit In its reform programme, the job numbers out of the United activity set against a backdrop of after the Labor Department with bigger issues that are more is also soaring and his options for government targeted a deficit States, analysts said. rising prices could well make it reported the United States gen- commensurate with the potential foreign help are narrowing. for this financial year of 189.7bn London’s FTSE 100 index of difficult for Chinese authorities erated a net 236,000 new jobs in suggested by their asset size. In Cairo, the finance ministry Egyptian pounds ($28bn) or 10.9 leading companies gained 0.31 to be as proactive at stimulating February, far more than expected. Yields in the region have been source said short-term funding percent of annual economic out- percent to 6,503.63 points while growth as they would like in the The US unemployment rate declining, and even fell under those under the IMF’s “Rapid Financing put. Even this assumes economic Frankfurt’s DAX 30 fell by a coming months.” fell to a four-year low of 7.7 per- on conventional debt. “We believe Instrument” programme was on the reforms are made, and the defi- slight 0.03 percent to 7,984.29 Back in Europe meanwhile, cent. The report reinforced views that a number of banks, particu- table. “We are studying the possibil- cit would hit 12.3 percent of GDP points and the CAC 40 edged Italy’s economy shrank by 0.9 that the US economy was now in larly, will come to market, needing ity of a temporary loan but no deci- without such action, it forecast. down by 0.10 percent to 3,836.27 percent in the fourth quarter a solid recovery, though analysts to refinance their existing debt and sion has been made yet,” he said. Tensions are rising on the points in Paris. of 2012 from the previous one, said that underlying figures and seeking larger amounts to match On Sunday, Planning Minister streets of Egyptian cities, with In Madrid the Ibex 35 was data showed, confirming a previ- upcoming spending cuts meant the credit needs of their corpo- Ashraf Al Araby said Egypt did not protests and violence frequently off by 0.85 percent and Milan’s ous estimate that underscored a the Federal Reserve was unlikely rate clients, especially in project need stop-gap funding. “The cure erupting over a variety of griev- FTSE Mib gave up 0.69 per- deeper recession in the eurozone’s to take its foot off its monetary finance,” the ratings agency said. for the budget deficit needs broad ances. Behind the immediate cent. The euro stood at $1.3016, third largest economy. easing anytime soon. THE PENINSULA structural measures and the help causes lies a general malaise as up from $1.3004 late on Friday The data came after the inter- In Asia, stock markets had also we are requesting from the IMF is Egyptians struggle with falling in New York. Gold prices eased national ratings agency Fitch on closed with mixed results, with Brent crude drops not quick fixes,” he said. living standards. Egyptians want to $1,579.00 an ounce on the Friday said it had downgraded Shanghai dipping on disappoint- Al Araby did not say explicitly Mursi’s government to be more London Bullion Market from Italy’s sovereign debt by one notch ing economic data that fuelled NEW YORK: Global oil prices whether the IMF had offered honest with its people. $1,581.75 Friday. to “BBB+” from “A-“ and added concerns about China’s economy. were mixed yesterday as sup- such funding, which would come Inflation jumped to 8.2 per- “Chinese inflation data contrib- that the outlook was negative. Chinese inflation hit a plies remained firm. In New with fewer of the unpalatable con- cent in the year to February utes to the risk-off environment, In New York, US stocks were 10-month high in February while York trade, the benchmark West ditions that would accompany a from 6.3 percent the previous at its 10-month high it sparkles mixed but mainly stronger in mid- growth in industrial production Texas Intermediate crude for full deal. Egypt agreed a $4.8bn month, with an even greater rise concerns of an upcoming tight- day trading on Monday. The Dow and retail sales slowed, official April delivery edged up to $92.06. loan in principle with the IMF in food and drink prices particu- ening that could put a break on Jones Industrial Average was up data showed, complicating policy- Brent North Sea crude for April last November but requested a larly hurting the poor. Chinese growth, impacting demand by 0.17 percent at 14,422.11, while makers’ efforts to boost recovery. dropped to $110.22 a barrel. delay during violent unrest the REUTERS from the world’s second largest the broader S&;P 500 had gained AFP AFP UK govt promotes London as Islamic finance hub DUBAI: The British govern- by facilitating Islamic financial is increasing. Kuala Lumpur is Bi, European head of Islamic • Bullion - Mumbai ment launched a campaign to business, including investment in building its credentials as a cen- finance at law firm Norton Rose Gold (10 gm) Standard Rs. 29425 promote London as a centre for British infrastructure by Islamic tre for foreign companies to issue in London, said. Islamic finance, seeking to coun- sovereign wealth funds, the sukuk outside their domestic The World Islamic Economic Silver (1 kg) Rs. 55260 ter growing competition in that Foreign Office said in a statement. markets, while Dubai announced Forum, a conference of Islamic • Indian Rupees QR1 = 14.81 industry from rising centres such Because of its status as a top in January that it would revise financiers to take place in London • Sensex as Dubai and Kuala Lumpur. global financial centre, London has regulations to attract sukuk issu- this October, will be an early BSE 19683.23 A task force including Britain’s attracted a large amount of Islamic ance and trading. opportunity for the new British NSE 5945.70 Financial Secretary to the business; more than $34bn worth Britain has introduced legisla- task force. It will be the first time • Short-term investment plan from LIC International upto 6.4 percent return Treasury Greg Clark, ministers of of sukuk, Islamic bonds which are tion facilitating Islamic finance, the forum is held outside of an p.a. (in dollar) state and private sector executives structured under religious princi- and in 2009 it came close to Islamic city or Asia. Some other will advertise London around the ples such as a ban on interest pay- issuing Europe’s first sovereign parts of Europe are also show- • Housing loan from HDFC LTD world, the British Foreign Office ments, have been issued through sukuk. The issue was ultimately ing increased interest in Islamic • Mutual Fund: Buy & Sell: SBI MF, HDFC MF, UTI MF, Birla Sun Life MF, said yesterday. the London Stock Exchange. postponed indefinitely because finance as much of the conven- Tata MF, Reliance MF etc. The group will try to attract But competition from cities the government felt it would not tional financial industry struggles. Contact: Investec, Tel: 44325060/44365060 email: [email protected] foreign investment to Britain where Islamic funds originate provide value for money, Farmida REUTERS TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Index 8,544.41 0.28 % QE Total Return Index 11,930.28 0.48 % RATE QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 2,581.69 0.31 % QE All Share Index 2,128.81 0.56 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 2,030.87 0.09 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5160.045 22.592 0.44 5160.045 4664.6 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 5,021.81 0.04 % QR185.4376 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Services Cac 40 Index/D 3824.62 -15.53 -0.4 3849.87 3600.81 UK ...... QR 5.3837 QR 5.4588 QE All Share Industrials 2,842.05 1.00 % SILVER QE All Share Insurance 1,984.46 1.77 % Dj Indu Average 14397.07 67.58 0.47 14413.2 12035.1 QR 3.3918 Euro ...... QR 4.7074 QR 4.7728 QE All Share Real Estate 1,621.11 0.44 % CA$ ...... QR 3.5093 QR 3.5784 Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 QE All Share Telecoms 1,151.47 1.53 % Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.8097 QR 3.8632 QE All Share Transportation 1,452.86 2.60 % Hang Seng Inde/D 23090.82 -1.13 0 23944.74 22445.34 Yen ...... QR 0.0376 QR 0.0383 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.6912 QR 3.7635 Iseq Overall/D 3856.86 31.46 0.82 3885.68 3396.67 CRUDE OIL Today Previous day Ind Re ...... QR 0.0664 QR 0.0677 11-03-2013 10-03-2013 Karachi 100 In/D 17522.56 -441.62 -2.46 18312.65 16036.31 Index 8,544.41 8,520.94 BRENT Pak Re ...... QR 0.0369 QR 0.0376 Change 23.47 14.72 Nikkei 225 Index 12349.05 65.43 0.53 12283.62 10398.61 Peso ...... QR 0.0887 QR 0.0905 % 0.28 0.17 $109.92 SL Re ...... QR 0.0285 QR 0.0291 YTD% 2.22 1.94 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 1552.48 1266.74 DUBAI Taka ...... QR 0.0458 QR 0.0467 Volume 7,422,018 4,589,941 Straits Times/D 3292.97 3.44 0.1 3319.19 3160.83 Nep Re ...... QR 0.0417 QR 0.0417 Value (QAR) 291,600,127.58 237,097,797.89 $107.38 Trades 3,401 3,025 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3939 QR 0.4017 Straits Times/D 2989.31 24.69 0.83 3035.78 2657.77 Up 24 | Down 10 | Unchanged 04

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 11- 03 -2013

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

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

A B G Infra-B/D 74.85 -3.3 1544 Cipla-A/D 391.3 0 62495 Hind Org Chem-/D 13.32 -0.41 23103 Kopran-B/D 16.07 0.23 199302 Rallis India-B/D 125.05 2.7 46496 Land Secs Grou/D 837.5 -10 720631 A C C-A/D 1266.45 3.7 24898 City Union Bk-/D 56.15 -0.65 11706 Hind Unilever-/D 439 0.75 160395 Lakshmi Mach-B/D 2043.8 -18 1557 Reliance Indus/D 370.65 1.8 65897 Legal & Genera/D 167.325 0.9 4028917 Aarti Drugs-B/D 193.4 1.4 7957 Colgate-A/D 1315.15 -17.1 9139 Hind.Petrol-A/D 307.15 -3.35 82804 Lloyd Steel-B/D 11.71 -0.16 30625 Ruchi Soya-B/D 60.7 -0.5 2453 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 49.4422 -0.62 54631053 Aban Offs-B/D 292.55 7.55 113742 Container Cor-/D 1058.4 8.1 19515 Hindalco-A/D 100.7 -0.5 1080286 Lloydsfin.-B/D 0.9 -0.01 5623 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 432.1 0.6 6067 Marks & Sp./D 362.3 0 1090556 Ador Welding-B/D 121.9 -0.15 1699 Dai-Bichi Kar-/D 44.85 3.1 3007 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 828.8 15.55 253309 Lok.Hous&Con-B/D 19.95 0.95 117087 Salora Inter-B/D 16.05 -0.3 2450 Next/D 4156 -17 66711 Aegis Logis-B/D 140.45 1.75 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-0.65 98167 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.45 -0.03 9000 Nation Alum -A/D 45.3 0.4 75129 3I Group/D 317.8 -5.1 765005 Smiths Group/D 1285 -5 126835 Bhartiya Int-B/D 218.2 -1.05 6555 F D C-B/D 92.6 -0.1 9126 Jct Ltd-B/D 1.13 0.01 104368 Navneet Pub.-B/D 62.8 1.3 96551 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 1876.845 8 218990 Standrd Chart /D 1796 -4 1666287 Bhel-A/D 205.4 -1.9 251847 Federal Bank-A/D 496.1 3.1 48539 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 3.65 0.55 69873 Nepc India-B/D 2.07 -0.05 2387 B Sky B/D 875.08 15 852026 Tate & Lyle/D 824 -6 259627 Bom.Burmah-B/D 122.35 3.6 31823 Ferro Alloys-B/D 6.36 0.38 170026 Jik Indust-B/D 1.41 0.05 9633 Nrb Bearings-B/D 32.85 0.75 2947 Barclays/D 310.9513 -7.6 15046511 Tesco/D 376.464 -3.55 5016943 Bombay Dyeing-/D 100.4 1 183721 Finolex-B/D 96.8 3.7 169511 Jindal Drill-B/D 225.15 -0.2 1592 O N G C-A/D 324.4 -1.3 227360 Bg Group/D 1171 2 1447363 Unilever/D 2744 0 400426 Camph.& All-B/D 181.05 29.05 18536 Gail-A/D 344.9 3.3 47794 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 105.2 -0.55 3182 Ocl India-B/D 150 0 3179 Bp/D 454.3 3.6 6928342 United Util Gr/D 722 10.5 1131291 Canfin Homes-B/D 166.25 10.35 17914 Gammon India-B/D 26.8 -0.7 20184 Jmc Projects-B/D 89.95 1.95 4463 Oil Country-B/D 43.2 1.65 4701 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3598.6392 36.5 608442 Vodafone Group/D 186.471 2.1 34177521 Caprihans-B/D 45.65 -1.55 2291 Garden P -B/D 54 0 2031 Kabra Extr-B/D 30.25 1.9 3306 Onward Tech-T/D 42.7 0.2 4041 Whitbread/D 2572.28 -7 74642 Castrol Ind-A/D 332 4.05 23210 Goodricke-B/D 137.5 0.65 5974 Kalpat Power-B/D 86.25 -0.85 25625 Orchid Chem-B/D 86.8 6.35 4416164 Bt Group/D 271.238 4.3 5611922 Century Enka-B/D 115.1 2.8 6867 Goodyear I -B/D 281.65 -3.65 3089 Kalyani Stel-B/D 44.45 -1.05 12271 Orient.Carb.-B/D 101.9 -0.1 9690 Centrica/D 353.2 1.1 3272400 Century Text-A/D 332 -0.85 112426 Hcl Infosys-B/D 38.85 2.15 312376 Kg Denim-B/D 15.62 -0.38 5972 Orient.Carb.-B/D 101.9 -0.1 9690 Gkn/D 278.97 -4.1 2959050 Chambal Fert-B/D 56.85 0 127192 Him.Fut.Comm-B/D 9.64 1.35 1816723 Kilburnengg-B/D 12.78 0.26 15170 Patspin India-/D 5.99 -0.01 36501 Hsbc Holdings/D 733.6 -3.4 3242005 Chola Invest-B/D 290.55 1.5 2308 Himat Seide-B/D 31.95 -0.6 15536 Kin.Motor-B/D 8.76 -0.46 9357 Radico Khait-B/D 135.9 -1 5244 Imperial Tobac/D 2355 0 338407 Cimmco-B/D 31.6 -1.25 2678 Hind Motors-B/D 10.31 -0.11 468762 Klg Systel-B/D 15.14 0.04 1582 Rallis India-B/D 125.05 2.7 46496 Kingfisher/D 290.4 0.6 1418049 TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Oilers hand Heat earn 18th straight win Blackhawks another loss Miami beat Indiana 105-91; Thunder and Lakers register victories CHICAGO: The combination of being shut out the last two games MIAMI: The Miami Heat and an opponent that looked extended their franchise-best like imposters rather than the winning streak to 18 games by NHL’s top team for part of the beating mistake-prone Indiana game allowed the Edmonton 105-91 yesterday, avenging two Oilers to roll to a 6-5 win over one-sided losses to the Pacers the Chicago Blackhawks yester- earlier this season. day at United Center. Dwyane Wade had 23 points Edmonton came into yester- and a half dozen steals and Chris day’ game having been shut out Bosh shot 11-of-15 from the field and outscored 9-0 in its last two and finished with 24 points for the games, suffering a 3-0 defeat at Heat, who lost by double-digits in Detroit and 6-0 at Nashville. both previous contests to Indiana But led by a pair of goals by Sam this season. Gagner, the Oilers looked like Miami’s 18-game winning world-beaters on Chicago’s home streak ties the sixth-longest run ice. in National Basketball Association The Oilers improved to history and they can match the 9-11-5 with the win, while the 2008 Boston Celtics’ 19-game win Blackhawks suffered only their streak with a victory over the second loss in regulation time this Atlanta Hawks today. season, dropping to a 21-2-3. Mario Chalmers had a game Elsewhere, the Canadiens high 26 points and nailed five- closed out their season-long five- of-six three pointers and LeBron game roadtrip with a 5-2 vic- James added 13 points and seven tory over the Panthers to remain assists in the win. atop the Eastern Conference David West scored a team-high Miami Heat forward LeBron James (left) is guarded by Indiana Pacers’ forward Paul George during their NBA game at the American Airlines Arena standings. 24 points for the Pacers, who in Miami, Florida, yesterday. RIGHT: Chicago Bulls’ Joakim Noah (left) challenges for a rebound with Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant during their Montreal (17-5-4) struck committed 18 turnovers. NBA game in Los Angeles. quickly on center David Paul George struggled, shoot- Desharnais’ eighth goal of the ing just two-of-11 from the field season just 1:46 into the game. for Indiana, which were the last Chalmers made it 15-14 by Meanwhile, sfter two huge Raptors, Los Angeles glided to the one last run. Jason Terry drained Defenceman Alexei Emelin team to defeat the Heat back in sinking three free throws in the comebacks in a week, the Los win behind a balanced offensive consecutive 3-pointers to cut lead handled the puck behind the beginning of February. opening quarter to give the Heat a Angeles Lakers lived easy in effort and the defence of Dwight to 87-79 with 2:10 on the clock. the Montreal net and found lead they would keep for the rest a 90-81 win over the visiting Howard. The Celtics (34-28) came up Desharnais, who skated into the NBA Results of the contest. Chicago Bulls. Six Lakers scored in double- with another defensive stop and Florida (7-13-6) zone. His slap Oklahoma City 91 Boston 79 Miami finished the half on a As they push toward a playoff figures, led by Kobe Bryant’s 19, set Jeff Green up for a 3-pointer. shot beat Jacob Markstrom’s 10-2 run to lead 56-46 going into berth that at one point seemed and Howard scored 16 points, But with a defender flying at him, glove side. Right winger Brendan LA Lakers 90 Chicago 81 the break. a faint possibility - moving into grabbed 21 rebounds and blocked his shot was off the mark. Gallagher also earned an assist. Toronto 100 Cleveland 96 Indiana closed out the third the Western Conference No. 8 four shots. The Thunder (47-16) got the In another game, the Penguins Orlando 99 Philadelphia 91 quarter on a 9-0 run of its own seed, a half-game better than idle Elsewhere, Kevin Durant rebound and Russell Westbrook played without star center Evgeni Miami 105 Indiana 91 to make it 79-65 going into the Utah - the Lakers could use the scored 23 points and grabbed ran the clock down to 37 sec- Malkin, but Chris Kunitz and New Orleans 98 Portland 96 fourth. relaxation. 11 rebounds as Oklahoma City onds of the match before feed- Sidney Crobsy picked up the Dallas 100 Minnesota 77 But then Miami found their Four days after a 25-point beat Boston 91-79 at Chesapeake ing Serge Ibaka for an easy layup slack, each enjoying a five-point scoring touch again in the fourth comeback in a win at New Orleans Energy Arena. that pushed the deficit back to 10 night as Pittsburgh manhandled Milwaukee 115 Sacramento 113 as the Heat cruised to its 14th win and two days after a 15-point Trailing by 14 with 2:45 left in points and sealed a Thunder vic- the New York Islanders 6-1. LA Clippers 129 Detroit 97 in a row at home. comeback against the Toronto the game, Boston tried to make tory. AGENCIES Kunitz finished with three goals and two assists, and Crosby added five assists. Crosby has recorded at least one assist in eight straight We took drugs for an ‘adventure’: Indian boxer games, one shy of his career high. REUTERS FATEHGARH SAHIB (Punjab): not habitual takers of drugs and had tried Mumbai celebrities, who were regular in Ram Singh and Vijender Singh are very Boxer Ram Singh, who is under deten- it just for adventure. We did not intend to rave parties and took drugs. Therefore close friends and they were roommates at NHL Results tion in the multi-million dollar drug improve our stamina or performance by we also tried it. However, we did not pay NIS for nearly six years. NY Rangers 4 Washington 1 racket, has said that he and Olympics taking it,” Ram Singh said over the phone anything to Kahlon for drugs,” Ram Singh Vijender Singh had allegedly promoted Columbus 3 Detroit 2 bronze medallist boxer Vijender Singh to reporters yesterday. said. Ram Singh in various platforms by using Montreal 5 Florida 2 had tried drugs, but just for the sake of The police had recovered 26 kg heroin, As Ram Singh has confessed before the his influence. “adventure”. worth Rs.130 crore in the international Punjab Police about taking drugs, officials The police maintained that they could New Jersey 3 Winnipeg 2 He has also admitted that he and market, from the possession of Kahlon and of the National Institute of Sports (NIS), summon Vijender Singh for questioning Pittsburgh 6 NY Islanders 1 Vijender Singh were in constant touch arrested him Thursday. Patiala, have expelled him from their tomorrow. Edmonton 6 Chicago 5 with drug smuggler Anoop Singh Kahlon, He had reportedly told the police that hostel. “I have nothing to do with drugs. I am Philadelphia 3 Buffalo 2 who was arrested March 7, police said. Vijender Singh and Ram Singh were his A three-member committee of coaches ready to join investigations at any point Minnesota 4 Vancouver 2 “We had taken very small quantity of “clients”. also searched his hostel room but did not of time and am also ready to undergo any Colorado 3 San Jose 2 drugs, less than two gm each. But we are “Vijender was in touch with some find anything objectionable. kind of dope test,” Vijender said. IANS Anaheim 4 St Louis 2 USA, Dominicans win WBC pools

LOS ANGELES: The United States and the Dominican Republic both posted come- from-behind victories yester- day to win their respective Adam Jones (10) pools and advance to the of USA hits a two second round of the World Baseball Classic. RBI double against Adam Jones belted the go- Canada during the ahead two-run double in the eighth inning of eighth and pitcher Heath Bell the World Baseball earned the win as the USA ral- Classic First Round lied to beat Canada 9-4 in a Group D game winner-take-all contest. at Chase Field in Robinson Cano had three hits Phoenix, Arizona, and blasted a fifth-inning home yesterday. USA run to help lift the Dominicans defeated Canada to a 4-2 win over host Puerto 9-4. Rico in a battle for first place in Pool C. “It was like a game seven and we don’t need to get pumped up for a game seven,” American outfielder Jones said. “We were just fortunate to get bigger hits.” major leagues for the Arizona six runs in the fourth inning to As opposed to the round- The USA finished first in Pool Diamondbacks, posted the win beat Spain 11-6 in a Pool C con- robin format in the first round, D and will play Pool C runner up with a scoreless seventh inning test earlier Sunday at San Juan, the next round will be double- Puerto Rico in one of two second and then pitcher Steve Cisek Puerto Rico. elimination, meaning the teams round games today in Miami. got out of a bases loaded eighth- National pride was the only to win two games each advance Pool C top seed Dominicans will inning jam by getting Canadian thing on the line Sunday as and the teams which lose twice face reigning European champi- Tim Smith to ground out to end Venezuela lost any chance of are out. ons Italy in the other. the inning. advancing to the second round The WBC semi-finals The USA fell into a 2-0 hole Prior to yesterday’s game, by losing its first two games to are March 17 and 18 at San early and trailed 3-2 after officials announced that there the Dominican Republic and Francisco’s Park. The final seven innings, but Jones’ dou- would be no further disci- Puerto Rico. game is also in San Francisco ble off Canada pitcher Jimmy pline against the Canadian Winless Spain will have to go on March 19. AFP Henderson put the Americans or Mexican players who were through the qualifying rounds to ahead to stay in front of a involved in a ninth-inning try to return to this tournament World Baseball crowd of 19,413 at Chase Field bench-clearing brawl the day the next time around in 2017. in Phoenix. before. Spain scored two runs in the Classic Results Jones finished with three Mexico, which appeared to fifth on a single by Salomon Pool C RBI for the USA who eventu- start the fight, had four players Manriquez to make it 6-5. ally broke the game open with ejected. Three Canadians were But Venezuela tackled on five Dominican Republic 4 Puerto Rico 2 another four runs in the ninth. tossed during Team Canada’s more runs -- two in the sixth Venezuela 11 Spain 6 US catcher Jonathan Lucroy 10-3 romp which resulted in and then three in the eighth Pool D had an RBI single in the final Mexico being eliminated from as Cabrera and Pablo Sandoval USA 9 Canada 4 inning before Eric Hosmer the tournament. blasted back-to-back homers Second Round cleared the bases with a double. Miguel Cabrera smacked in front of a crowd of 13,290 at Netherlands 7 Cuba 6 Bell, who plays in the four RBIs as Venezuela scored Bithorn Stadium. TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013 28 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

SOP Paralympic Day at Qatar Sports Club

Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Secretary General of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and Saad bin Ibrahim Al Mahmoud, (first right) Minister of Education speak to young students with special needs at the opening of the Paralympic Day at Qatar Sports Club yesterday. CENTRE: Sheikh Saoud greets a young student in a wheechair. RIGHT: Participants compete in a race. The Paralympic Day featured 362 students with special needs from different centres and schools. Multiple sports events took place including table tennis, athletics and shot-put. The Paralympic Day was organised by the organising committee of the Sixth Schools Programme (SOP) under the banner ‘Sport and Investment’. SOP is an annual programme jointly organised by the QOC and the Supreme Education Council with all schools taking part in sporting activities. PICTURES BY: ABDUL BASIT

WGC-Cadillac Stricker’s Dominant Woods claims Championship generosity MIAMI: Leading finishers yesterday after the fourth round of the $8.5m WGC- helps Tiger Cadillac Championship (USA unless noted, par 72): MIAMI: Steve Stricker could 17th WGC title in Miami 269 Tiger Woods 66-65-67-71 be forgiven for regretting 271 Steve Stricker 67-67-69-68 he helped Tiger Woods with his putting before the WGC- The 37-year-old registers his 76th PGA Tour victory 274 Adam Scott (AUS) 72-70-68-64, Cadillac Championship, but Sergio Garcia (ESP) 66-72-67-69, after losing to him by two shots Phil Mickelson 67-67-69-71, Graeme yesterday, Stricker said he sim- MIAMI: Tiger Woods cap- McDowell (NIR) 66-67-69-72 ply did what golfing buddies do. tured the WGC-Cadillac 276 Keegan Bradley 68-68-69-71 Woods had been unhappy with Championship at the Blue 278 Rory McIlroy (NIR) 73-69-71-65, his putting at the Honda Classic Monster course yesterday with Justin Rose (ENG) 68-72-70-68, last week, complaining of his a closing round of one-under 71 Peter Hanson (SWE) 67-71-70-70, inability to find the touch he had for a two-shot victory over fel- Michael Thompson 69-69-67-73 displayed in his January victory low American Steve Stricker. at Torrey Pines. But a 45-minute 279 Richard Sterne 70-71-71-67, Charles Woods earned his 76th career session with leading putter Howell 68-71-69-71, Jason Dufner PGA Tour win and posted his sec- Stricker put that right. ond victory of the year as he steps 69-69-69-72, Dustin Johnson 68- Asked how many strokes he up his game ahead of the upcom- 69-70-72 thought he may have saved Woods ing Masters tournament in April. Tiger Woods poses 280 Freddie Jacobson (SWE) 66-69-71- over the week, Stricker replied: Woods improved to 40-2 with with the Gene Sarazen 74, Charl Schwartzel (RSA) 71-65- “I have no idea. Who knows? He the outright lead going into the Trophy after winning 69-75 might have putted just as well final round on the PGA Tour, the 2013 WGC-Cadillac 281 Nicolas Colsaerts (BEL) 71-71-67-72, without my help. fending off a star-studded lea- Championship PGA golf Bubba Watson 66-69-71-75 “But he is happy, he feels really derboard yesterday to finish at tournament in Miami, 282 Alexander Noren (SWE) 69-70-72-71, good about what he is doing on 19-under 269. the greens and that’s a good thing, Florida, yesterday. Webb Simpson 72-67-71-72, John The 14-time major champion- even though he clipped me by a Senden (AUS) 69-69-70-74 ship winner Woods sank his final couple of shots,” he said. putt, picked up the ball and put REUTERS it in his right pocket before wav- ing his black cap to the crowd on Puerto Rico Open No. 18. Brown wins in “I played well this week,” said Scores Woods, who collected $1.5m in RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico prize money. “It was one of those weeks where I felt good about Final scores yesterday after RIO GRANDE: American the way I was playing and I made the fourth round of the $3.5m Scott Brown birdied the final some putts. I pretty much got it PGA Tour’s Puerto Rico Open hole, where his playing partner rolling.” (USA unless noted, par 72): Fabian Gomez bogeyed, to clinch The 37-year-old Woods posted play that well this entire week Graeme McDowell, of Northern American Keegan Bradley had 268 Scott Brown 68-63-67-70 his maiden PGA Tour title by his 17th career WGC victory, on a difficult set up,” Woods said. Ireland, posted a double-bogey on a 71 to end alone in seventh at 269 Jordan Spieth 69-66-67-67, Fabian one shot at the Puerto Rico though it was only his first in four “The greens got really quick out the final hole to finish at even-par 12-under 276. World number one Gomez (ARG) 69-64-65-71 Open in Rio Grande yesterday. years. He has not won a major there today. If you left the ball 72. He was joined in third place at Rory McIlroy fired a seven-under Co-leader overnight with 270 Justin Bolli 67-69-68-66, Brian title in almost five years but hopes in the correct spot, you could be minus-14 by Sergio Garcia (69), 65 to finish in a tie for eighth Argentine Gomez, Brown closed Stuard 67-69-66-68 to change that with a win in the pretty aggressive and shoot a good Phil Mickelson (71) and Adam at minus-10. He was joined by with a two-under-par 70 for 77th Masters running April 11-14. number. Scott (64). 2012 champion Justin Rose (68), 271 Andres Romero (ARG) 65-65-75-66, a 20-under total of 268 at the Woods has won a handful of “If you didn’t, boy you had to McDowell blamed his putting Peter Hanson (70) and Michael Peter Uihlein 67-65-72-67 Trump International Golf Club PGA tournaments over the past putt so defensively. The wind was for his downfall. Thompson (73). 272 David Hearn (CAN) 68-67-71-66, D.J. to claim a spot at this year’s PGA two years but this was his first in moving the balls on the greens,” “I can’t fault my ball striking McIlroy said he feels much bet- Trahan 72-65-69-66, Boo Weekley Championship. some time against an elite field he added. this weekend,” McDowell said. ter about his play after admitting 71-67-66-68 Brown, who had tied for fifth with most of the top 50 players Stricker closed with a four- “Tee to green I did everything I recently he made a mistake by 273 Dicky Pride 68-67-72-66, Robert here 12 months ago in his rookie in the world competing. under 68 to finish at 17-under-par had to do. pulling out of the Honda Classic Streb 71-65-70-67, Brendon de season on the PGA Tour, also Woods made it interesting at 271. Despite the impressive rally, “But as these greens got firmer, tournament earlier this month. Jonge (ZIM) 70-69-65-69 earned a winner’s cheque for the end by making bogey on two he couldn’t make up the differ- faster and crustier, my pace and “I was pretty down about my $630,000. 274 Cameron Percy (AUS) 65-70-71-68, of his last three holes. ence between himself and Woods my speed got slower and slower. game coming into this week,” Gomez led by a shot playing the Vaughn Taylor 69-68-69-68, Morgan He needed just 100 putts over and finished runner-up for the I wasn’t putting with the same McIlroy said. “A few days like par-five last but fell back with his Hoffmann 67-68-68-71, Matt Jones the four rounds. second time this season. authority I had on Thursday and I’ve played, it does my confidence late bogey as he signed off with a 71-69-64-70 “It feels good, especially to Woods’s playing partner Friday.” a world of good.” AFP 71. REUTERS

Cycling: Jalabert seriously injured Al Rayyan take semis series to decider BY DANOTZKI SANTOS in accident departments, patrolling the boards better with 59 rebounds DOHA: Al Rayyan thrashed Al as against Al Gharafa’s 41, and TOULOUSE: Former cyclist Gharafa 71-52, yesterday to set lording it inside the paint with 36 Laurent Jalabert was seriously Al Rayyan’s up a deciding match for a place markers versus the white shirts’ injured in a road accident yes- Jeremeo in the Heir Apparent Cup final. 12. terday morning, French police Davidson shoots Coach Brian Rowsom and the Rowsom beat his opposite said. a basket during black shirts came to the game number Al Gharafa’s coach Jalabert, who won the Tour of his side’s match wanting to extend the series and Koussay Hatem with his nine- Spain in 1995 and was world time against Al accomplished the task virtually in man rotation this time, drawing trial champion in 1997, was on Gharafa in the three quarters. 42 points from his starters and 29 his bike when he was hit by a car Heir Apparent Al Rayyan took a 56-36 advan- from the rest of his bench with travelling in the opposite direc- Cup semi-final at tage even before the final quar- each fielded dribbler chipping in tion near Montauban, a town in Gharafa Sports ter had begun in the best-of-five 4 points or more. the south of France. Hall yesterday. semi-final match. The sweet-shooting and vet- “He is not in danger,” a spokes- RIGHT: Al With their backs against the eran internationalist Ngombo man said. wall being down 1-2 following an paced Al Rayyan with 14 points. Gharafa’s Robin The vehicle suddenly turned 80-75 debacle in the hands of Al Mohammed Hassan Amoke and left, cutting across Jalabert who Gharafa in the previous match, Mohammed added nine points had the right of way, the police Omar Salem the Al Rayyan squad fought like while Mousa, Suleiman Braimoh said. try to challenge wounded warriors from opening and Malik Saleem Abdullah con- The 41-year-old suffered sev- Davidson. buzzer. tributed had with eight points eral fractures and was briefly Al Rayyan dominated the hoops each. unconscious when the emergency PICTURES BY: at every opportunity and shack- Earl Calvin Cage Al led Gharafa services arrived. KAMMUTTY VP ling their opponents with swarm- with 19 points. He was transferred to hospital ing defence on the other end. The decider will be played at to undergo surgery, a source close Relentless throughout the the Al Gharafa Indoor Arena to the former rider told French match, Targuy Ngombo and tomorrow, which will begin at radio RTL. REUTERS company led their rivals in all 7:00pm. THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 29

Indian Wells ATP Qatar’s Al Djokovic, Murray battle Masters and WTA Kuwari claims Results INDIAN WELLS, WRC 2 victory California: Results yester- LEÓN, Mexico: Qatar’s day from the fifth day of the Abdulaziz Al Kuwari was through at Indian Wells ATP Masters and WTA BNP in a class of his own in win- Paribas Open (x denotes ning the WRC 2 category in seeded player): the 10th Rally Guanajuato Tsonga, Almagro and Haas progress to the third round Men’s Second Round: Marinko Matosevic Mexico in León, yesterday. (AUS) bt Juan Monaco (ARG x14) 7-5, 6-0; The Ford Fiesta RRC driver Marin Cilic (CRO x12) bt Albert Ramos (ESP) finished 12th overall on his INDIAN WELLS, California: 7-6 (9/7), 6-2; Milos Raonic (CAN x17) bt Mexican debut and a stag- Australian Open champion Michael Llodra (FRA) walkover; Mardy Fish gering 9min 14.6sec ahead of Novak Djokovic and third seed (USA x32) bt Bobby Reynolds (USA) 6-3, Peruvian WRC 2 runner-up Andy Murray both had to work 3-6, 6-4; Andy Murray (GBR x3) bt Evgeny Nicolás Fuchs. much harder than expected to Donskoy (RUS) 5-7, 6-2, 6-2; Lu Yen-Hsun “I thought that it would be book their places in the third difficult but we started well,” (TPE) bt Martin Klizan (SVK x26) 7-6 (7/5), round of the BNP Paribas Open said Al Kuwari. 7-6 (7/5); Bjorn Phau (GER) bt Jeremy yesterday. “Thanks to Seashore and to Chardy (FRA x25) 6-2, 2-6, 6-4; Carlos Top seed Djokovic lost his M-Sport. All was okay and I Berlocq (ARG) bt Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR bearings in the second set before am very happy to do 400km beating Italy’s Fabio Fognini 6-0, x22) 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3; Juan Martin del with no mistakes.” 5-7, 6-2 while Murray had to dig Potro (ARG x7) bt Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) Elsewhere, Sébastien Ogier himself out of an early hole on the 6-3, 6-4; Nicolas Almagro (ESP x11) bt and Julien Ingrassia to record way to a 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 win against Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP) 7-5, 6-1; Tommy their second successive FIA Russian Evgeny Donskoy. Haas (GER x19) bt Pablo Andujar (ESP) 6-3, World Rally Championship “It was definitely a difficult 7-6 (7/0); Kei Nishikori (JPN x16) bt Philipp victory. challenge today (yesterday),” Petzschner (GER) 6-3, 6-2; Novak Djokovic The Frenchman’s huge win- Serbian Djokovic said courtside (SRB x1) bt Fabio Fognini (ITA) 6-0, 5-7, ning margin of 3min 28.9sec after breaking the feisty Fognini 6-2; Sam Querrey (USA x23) bt Ivo Karlovic also marked the first gravel in the fourth and eighth games (CRO) 6-3, 6-4; Grigor Dimitrov (BUL x31) bt success for Volkswagen’s new of the third set to claim victory. Matthew Ebden (AUS) 6-4, 6-4. Polo R WRC and the ninth “Fabio played very well towards Women’s Third Round: Klara Zakopalova WRC win in Ogier’s relatively the end of the second set but it (CZE x19) bt Dominika Cibulkova (SVK x12) short career – his first came was all my fault,” said the world 6-4, 7-5; Maria Kirilenko (RUS x13) bt with Citroën in Portugal in number one, who squandered one Mallory Burdette (USA) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2; Sara 2010. match point in the 10th game of Errani (ITA x6) bt Johanna Larsson (SWE) Ogier was able to slow his that set before being broken in the 6-3, 6-1; Maria Sharapova (RUS x2) bt pace through the final stages, 11th when he netted a forehand. Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP x25) 7-5, 6-3; but he did manage to claim the “I had a very bad game at 4-2, Lara Arruabarrena-Vecino (ESP) bt Roberta maximum three extra points on made a couple of unforced errors, Vinci (ITA x14) 2-6, 6-4, 6-4; Agnieszka the Power Stage to extend his got him back in the match. Next lead. THE PENINSULA Radwanska (POL x3) bt Sorana Cirstea thing you know we’re one set all Andy Murray of Britain scratches his head after he challenged a line call during his match against Evgeny Donskoy (ROM x27) 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 6-4; Petra Kvitova and a couple of tight games. I’m of Russia at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, yesterday. RIGHT: Novak Djokovic of Serbia talks to (CZE x5) bt Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) 6-2, 7-6 just happy to get through.” the chair umpire during a changeover after he was warned of a time violation while serving against Fabio Fognini (7/5); Marion Bartoli (FRA x9) bt Svetlana Djokovic, who had stormed of Italy during their match. Testing problems through the opening set in just Kuznetsova (RUS) 6-4, 6-3. 19 minutes, wrapped up his fourth no worry for win in four matches against Indian Wells, the 25-year-old struggled against the 83rd-ranked Fognini when the 36th-ranked Scotsman broke Donskoy’s serve Russian’s style of play. Raikkonen Italian netted a backhand. twice in the second set and also “I never saw him play before, Fish thrilled to make The Serb, a perfect 14-0 in the third before sealing victory so you don’t know the patterns BARCELONA: Kimi this year after winning the after two hours 17 minutes when particularly well,” he added. “He’s Raikkonen shrugged off Lotus’s Australian Open in January and his opponent sent a backhand pretty smart on the court, too. He winning ATP return pre-season testing problems the Dubai Championships last service return long. doesn’t kind of go for shots that yesterday and said his new car week, will next meet Bulgarian “I’ve struggled here the past aren’t on and doesn’t make many INDIAN WELLS, “It’s been a tough few months, felt better than last year’s going Grigor Dimitrov, a 6-4, 6-4 win- couple of years, I haven’t won a mistakes. California: Simply being for sure,” said Fish, who was into Formula One’s Australian ner against Australia’s Matthew match,” said Murray, who had not In other matches, American back on the tennis court felt embraced at the net by qualifier season-opener. Ebden. played competitively since losing Mardy Fish made a triumphant like a victory for Mardy Fish Reynolds at the Indian Wells “We had some problems in “My confidence level is high to Djokovic in the Australian return to the ATP Tour after yesterday after the American Tennis Garden after the match. testing but we still completed obviously because of the run I had Open final. being sidelined since last year’s returned to action following a “You sort of feel like it was a quite a few laps. Of course, you this year,” Djokovic said. “Game- “I was a little bit nervous in the US Open because of a heart con- lengthy recovery from a heart win just to get back out there. always want more laps, but it is wise, everything works. I feel good beginning and he started very, dition, battling past compatriot condition. There are a lot of people that what it is,” Raikkonen said in a about myself.” very well ... he came up with some Bobby Reynolds 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. The fact that he was able to have dealt with what I’ve dealt team preview for Sunday’s race US Open champion Murray, unbelievable shots. I just tried to Eighth-seeded Frenchman fight back from a break down with and not come back,” he told in Melbourne. showing signs of rust in his first hang in there and was hitting the Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beat American in the third set to seal a 6-3, reporters. “I’m not really concerned about tournament on the ATP circuit ball much better by the second wildcard James Blake 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 win against compatriot “It’s nice to just play, first and reliability or anything like that as for six weeks, lost a wildly fluc- set.” Nicolas Almagro swept past fel- Bobby Reynolds. foremost, and then you get out it was the same problem which tuating opening set, where he World number three Murray, low Spaniard Daniel Gimeno- Rhe 31-year-old Fish won the there and you want to win. I caused us the biggest problems in trailed 1-5 at one point, before a runner-up at Indian Wells in Traver 7-5, 6-1 and Germany’s last four games to book his place certainly didn’t expect to win so testing and we’re on top of that seizing control of the match. 2009 and a losing quarter-final- Tommy Haas beat Spaniard Pablo in the third round. soon. REUTERS now,” the Formula One driver In blazing desert sunshine at ist in 2010, said he had initially Andujar 6-3, 7-6. REUTERS added. REUTERS

Doha to host Emir Cup Show Jumping World 9-Ball Championship in September

DOHA: For the fourth straight year, Doha will host the Men’s World 9-Ball Championship in September. Hosted by the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation, the tournament will be held from September 2 to 13. Great Britain’s Darren Appleton is the defending cham- A participant takes pion, after the Briton beat China’s part in the Emir Li Hei Wen, to claim his first Cup Show Jumping World 9-Ball crown. competition in THE PENINSULA New Al Rayyan yesterday. BELOW: WPA sanctioned Qatar Equestrian Federation events for 2013 President Hamad bin Abdulrahman World 8-Ball Championship - May 5 to 11 Dubai - UAE al Attiyah (right) along with an official China Open - May 13 to 19, Shanghai - China watch the action. World 10-Ball Championship - 8 to 15 June, The competition Oslo - Norway concludes today. Ultimate 10-Ball - 17 to 20 June, Mississippi, USA PICTURES BY: JUHAIM World Artistic Championship - 18 to 21 July, USA World 9-Ball Championship - 2 to 13 September, Doha - Qatar World Cup of Pool - 17 to 22 September, Venue TBA Nicaragua Open - 1 to 6 October, Managua - Nicaragua International Challenge of Champions - 15 to 18 October, Connecticut - USA World Pool Masters - 25 to 27 October, Venue TBA All Japan Championship - 18 to 24 November, Tokyo - Japan Mosconi Cup - 2 to 5 December, Las Vegas - USA TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013 30 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Zimbabwe Australia sack four players hope to Vice-captain Watson and three others dropped for breach of discipline make up for lost time in CHANDIGARH: Australia Test in Delhi. Arthur said after yesterday dumped four crick- the defeat in Hyderabad that he eters, including vice-captain had asked the players to give an Test arena Shane Watson, for a breach of individual presentation. team discipline thus leaving “I asked them to give me three them out of reckoning for the points from each of them techni- BRIDGETOWN: Zimbabwe’s third Test against India starting cally, mentally and team as to how stuttering return to Test March 14. we were going to bounce back in cricket continues in Barbados The decision was announced the next couple of games,” Arthur today when they start their first here by coach Mickey Arthur and said. series in more than seven years team manager Gavin Dovey as The coach said though the against West Indies. Australia continued their prepa- incident may seem very small in Zimbabwe ended a six-year hia- rations for the third Test starting isolation, but “this is a line in the tus from Test cricket two years here March 14. Australia trail the sand moment for us”. ago but have played just four sin- four-match series 0-2. “We have given these guys gle Tests over the last 19 months, All the four cricketers -- vice- absolute clarity, we have given leaving them with sparse experi- captain Shane Watson, James this team a huge amount of time ence ahead of the Caribbean trip. Pattinson, Usman Khawaja and to buy in with what we want to do The two-Test series against the Mitchell Johnson-- had a strong for the Australian cricket team. Windies is their first since India chance of featuring among the We have given a vision to these toured Zimbabwe in September eleven in the third Test. guys, we’ve given an expectation 2005 after which a player dispute Arthur said the players were that is spelt out,” he said. over political interference led to sideline from selection because Arthur said it was the tough- a rapid decline in their fortunes. they failed to deliver a presenta- est decision for him, manager The opening encounter in tion, which the management had Gavin Dovey and captain Michael Bridgetown is followed by a sec- asked all the players to do fol- Clarke. ond Test in Dominica, starting lowing the team’s heavy defeats “It’s a tough, tough decision. on March 20. It is the last for in the first two Tests in Chennai The message that it sends to all Zimbabwe under coach Alan and Hyderabad. involved in Australian cricket is Butcher, who departs his post The players were given five days that we are pretty serious about after the trip, leaving the team’s to submit three points on what where we want to take this team,” future direction unclear. they bring in the team either he said. Captain Brendan Taylor was by mail or in person. But the Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-bats- critical last month of a decision four players failed to meet the man Brad Haddin could replace to leave home several key support deadline. Wade in the Australia squad in Australian batsman David Warner and Shane Watson in action in the first Test match of the four-match Test staff from the tour party, includ- Arthur said the team manage- the upcoming third Test match series against India in Chennai in this file picture of February 22, 2013. ing batting coach Grant Flower ment took the harsh decision to at Mohali against India. and bowling coach Heath Streak. maintain high standards in team Cricket Australia (CA) The West Indies will not be eas- discipline. announced that Wade’s scans Watson contemplating retirement ing up on Zimbabwe despite their “We pride ourselves on atti- have confirmed a sprained right relatively easy success in the pre- tude. We did give the players a ankle. Given the uncertainty of CHANDIGARH: Sacked of discipline. The players were cricket in general to be honest. ceding limited overs series, head huge amount of latitude to get Wade’s availability, Haddin will fly from the team for breach of given five days to submit three I do love playing, there is no coach Ottis Gibson has warned. culture and attitude right. Be we from Australia to Mohali to join discipline, Australian vice-cap- points on what they bring in the doubt about that but I’m going to The regional side encoun- believe that those behaviours are the squad. tain Shane Watson said he was team either by mail or in per- spend the next few weeks with tered little resistance as they not consistent with what we want Australian team physiothera- contemplating retiring from son. But the four players failed my family and just weigh up blew away the Zimbabweans 2-0 to do with this team and how we pist Alex Kountouris said: “Matt Test cricket. An angry Watson to meet the deadline. my options of just exactly what in the Twenty20 series and also want to make this team the best has a complex ankle injury which said he was shattered with the The Australian vice-captain direction I want to go. swept the three-match One-Day in the world again,” Arthur told has been confirmed by the scans team management’s decision. packed up his bag and left for “There are a lot more impor- International series. reporters here. and at this stage is in doubt for the “Any time you’re suspended home, saying he needed to be tant things in life - I certainly With the first Test of the two- The South African said the four third Test starting on Thursday. for a Test match unless you do with his pregnant wife Lee. do love playing cricket and that match series bowling off in a players didn’t meet the require- A final decision on whether something unbelievably wrong, Watson and his wife are expect- passion is still there and I feel matter of days, Gibson said he ments and won’t be available for he will be available for the third and obviously everyone knows ing their first child later this like I’m in the prime years of my expected his side to take fresh selection. Test will be made closer to the what those rules are - I think month. cricket career. guard. “We believe that these four match. it is very harsh,” Watson told Watson, 31, said he is at the From that perspective I still “The interesting thing is we players unfortunately did not India currently lead the four- media persons here. stage of his career where he was feel like I’ve got a lot to give. But play three different formats with meet the requirements and so match Border-Gavaskar Trophy Watson, along with James weighing up his future. from a holistic perspective I’ve some new players coming in, so they are not available for selec- 2-0 with the next two matches Pattinson, Usman Khawaja and “I’m at a stage where I’m got to sit down with my family hopefully those players will bring tion for this Test match,” said to be played at Mohali (March Mitchell Johnson were dropped sort of weighing up my future and decide which directions they a new focus,” Gibson told a media Arthur, adding that the quartet 14-18) and New Delhi (March for the third Test for breach and what I want to do with my are,” he said. IANS conference yesterday. would be available for the final 22-26). IANS AGENCIES QFA, Qatar Shell launch Il’Ab We’Yana programme

DOHA: Qatar Football behavioural change towards Association (QFA) and Qatar health and fitness through foot- Shell yesterday officially ball in line with our support to launched Il’Ab We’Yana, an Qatar’s National Development extra-curricular school pro- Strategy and Qatar National gramme based on the FutbolNet Vision 2030,” said Wael Sawan, methodology created by FC Managing Director and Chairman Barcelona Foundation, which of Qatar Shell Companies. uses football as a means to “It is so great to see this pro- develop healthy habits and posi- gramme kicked off in Qatar – tive behavioural change, provid- from the immense energy we ing children with an extra four have seen on the pitch today, Il’Ab hours of non-competitive physi- We’Yana has had an extremely cal education per week. positive start. We are proud to Il’Ab We’Yana, which is part of join hands with QFA and Qatar the broader Koora Time initia- Shell for this programme, and tive announced by the QFA and look forward to transferring the Qatar Shell in February, has been positive impact that we have seen launched with three kick-off fes- with this progamme in the past tivals in Doha and Al Khor. to Qatar’s youth through this The festivals were attended by football activation,” said Ramon 1,000 children aged 7 to 12 years Cierco, FC Barcelona Foundation from 33 schools across Qatar. Vice President. Il’Ab We’Yana will run for 40 The key to FutbolNet is dia- weeks. Sessions will be two hours logue said the Barca official. Officials of Qatar Football Association (QFA), Qatar Shell, and FC Barcelona Foundation during the launch of the Il’Ab We’Yana, an extra-curricular in length and will be held twice a “Through this tool (FutbolNet), school programme based on the FutbolNet methodology created by FC Barcelona Foundation, in Doha yesterday. RIGHT: Ramon Cierco, Vice week after school at 14 different players not only enter into a rela- President of FC Barcelona Foundation, during the launch. PICTURES BY KAMMUTTY VP venues across the country ensur- tionship of mutual respect and ing sessions are easily accessible understanding, but also gain self- within each community. confidence and a sense of respon- The programme will therefore sibility,” added Cierco. provide each child with an addi- The FutbolNet project was put tional 160 hours of physical activ- into practice last season in 20 cit- ity over its 40 weeks duration. ies of Catalonia, in collaboration “Following the very success- with their councils. ful launch of Koora Time, we are The project beneficiaries are thrilled to introduce this proven groups of children and young programme Il’Ab We’Yana, as part people aged between 8 and 16 of our broader initiative. This will years, selected by regional organi- further our ultimate goal of moti- zations that collaborate in the vating, facilitating and educating implementation. Qatari youth to pursue an active “FutbolNet is also implemented and healthy lifestyle through foot- in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), and ball,” said Saoud Al Mohannadi, together with Shell in Oman, General Secretary, QFA. Qatar and Iraq,” in formed the “These are exciting times for us official. and our partner the QFA. Il’Ab Il’Ab We’Yana will provide We’Yana gives children across the participants with six teaching country access to more football modules, focusing on water and which in turn will lead to health- hydration; fruits, vegetables, and Saoud Al Mohannadi, General Secretary of QFA, during the launch of the Il’Ab We’Yana in Doha, yesterday. RIGHT: Ramon Cierco (left), Wael Sawan ier youth, and a better future for grains; harmful effects of fast food (second left), Managing Director and Chairman of Qatar Shell Company, Sheikh Thani bin Thamer Al Thani (third right), Deputy Managing Director Qatar. and snacks; fat and sugar; break- of Qatar Shell, Saoud Al Mohannadi (second right), and Rob Sherwin General Manager Corporate Affairs & Deputy Country Chairman, Qatar Shell This programme carries for- fast and sleep; and tobacco, as well Company speaking to journalists during the launch ceremony. ward the Koora Time movement, as footballing tips for a healthy through which we aim to inspire lifestyle. THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 31 Ronaldo Barca bids for comeback over double sees Madrid past Milan in Champions League Celta Vigo MADRID: Real Madrid reg- istered their sixth consecu- tive victory in all competitions Arsenal face tough task against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena as two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo led them to a 2-1 win LONDON: Barcelona face a Juventus and Paris St Germain, over Celta Vigo. crossroads in their season today who all made it through to the Despite dominating for long when they attempt to overturn quarter-finals last week, they spells in the first-half, Madrid their Round of 16 first leg defeat need to rediscover the kind of couldn’t find a way past Celta at AC Milan and stay on course football that has been the envy goalkeeper Javi Varas until for a fourth Champions League of Europe for the last six years. just after the hour mark when final in eight seasons. Many observers though, have Ronaldo swept home a loose ball Anything less than a quick written off their chances with from close range. return to form after their 2-0 the Sunday Times in London say- The lead lasted barely two defeat in the first leg in Milan on ing: “Barcelona will presumably minutes as Iago Aspas’ deflected Feb. 20 will probably see Barcelona secure the Spanish league cham- effort wrong-footed Diego Lopez follow Manchester United, who pionship... but the sense grows to bring Celta level. they beat in the 2009 and 2011 that the light has dimmed, the However, for all his good work finals, through the exit door. magic has faded and the era of in the first-half, Varas was at Arsenal, who lost to Barcelona in glory is over.” fault for the winner as he clipped the 2006 final, are also expected That obituary may be a little Kaka inside the area and Ronaldo to be eliminated unless they can premature but two defeats to Real stepped up to smash home the overturn their 3-1 defeat against Madrid, in the King’s Cup and La penalty for his 42nd goal of the German champions-elect Bayern Liga while coach Tito Vilanova season. Munich at the Allianz Arena. undergoes treatment for throat Jose Mourinho again rested a The Round of 16 will be com- cancer, has not strengthened the number of first-team regulars as pleted this week with Schalke belief that Barcelona can see off he made seven changes from the 04 going into their home leg Milan. side that defeated Manchester against Galatasaray as favour- Barca’s assistant coach Jordi United in midweek. ites to advance after drawing 1-1 Roura rested Lionel Messi and Pepe was one of those recalled in Turkey and Malaga seeking five of his Spain internationals to the line-up and he stressed to maximise home advantage in for their 2-0 win over bottom-of- that it is important for Real to their attempt to overturn their the-table Deportivo La Coruna in continue winning in the league, 1-0 defeat at Porto in the first La Liga on Saturday, but Messi even if the Champions League game. showed he had not lost his touch and Copa del Rey are now their If Barca are to join arch-rivals when he came off the bench and primary targets. Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, scored for a world record 17th Schalke’s head coach Jens Keller attends a press conference in Gelsenkirchen, western Germany, on the eve of “We missed quite a lot of successive league match. their Champions League match against Galatasaray Istanbul. RIGHT: Barcelona’s defender Gerard Pique gives chances in the first half, but the The resurgent Alexis Sanchez a press conference at the FC Barcelona Sports Center in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona, on the eve of the team knew how to get through Champions League had nodded Barca in front in the Champions League match against AC Milan. the difficult moments, fought 38th minute. hard and in the end the victory Last-16 Fixtures “The team played very well the Nou Camp. Mario Balotelli mighty Barca. “We are going to task his men face, said Arsenal was deserved,” he said. defensively,” Roura told a news is ineligible after playing for have to play better in Barcelona would have to “gamble a little “As Real Madrid players we Champions League last-16, sec- conference. Manchester City in the group than we did at home,” Milan boss bit” tomorrow. His observation are very concentrated on what ond-leg fixtures (all matches “We managed to keep a clean stage and Giampaolo Pazzini is Massimiliano Allegri told report- was something of an understate- we have to do. 1945 GMT, first-leg score in sheet and for us that’s important. out after limping off with a leg ers. Another team enjoying a two- ment as they need to score at “It will be very difficult to fight brackets). It helps us ahead of the match on injury in Friday’s 2-0 win over goal advantage going into the least three goals in order to save for the league but any player that Playing Today Tuesday.” Genoa. deciding leg are Bayern Munich, the tie. With Borussia already puts on the Madrid shirt always Schalke 04 vs Galatasaray (1-1) Milan, the seven times Stephan El Shaarawy is likely last year’s runners-up, will also through and Bayern virtu- has to be motivated and honour Barcelona vs AC Milan (0-2) European champions, are on the to lead the line for a side who carry a two-goal cushion into ally there, Schalke, who will be the jersey.” Playing tomorrow crest of a wave following their have rocketed up to third place the deciding leg after outplaying without the suspended Jermaine The changes did seem to have surprise win over Barcelona in in Serie A after a superb run of Arsenal in London. Jones, can make it three German an effect early on as Celta started Malaga vs Porto (0-1) the first leg although they are form and fancy their chances of Manager Arsene Wenger, teams in the last eight if they see the stronger, but Madrid slowly Bayern Munich vs Arsenal (3-1) stretched upfront for the trip to progressing on aggregate against recognising the enormity of the off Galatasaray. REUTERS started to take control and only a host of saves from Varas pre- vented them going into the break AFC Champions FIFA suspends with a comfortable lead. League Fixtures Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Qatar’s Eljaish looking Executive Marcelo were all denied by Varas SHANGHAI: AFC before Jose Maria Callejon also Champions League fixtures fired wastefully at the ‘keeper this week: Committee when clean through on goal and Playing Today Ronaldo hit the bar with a header for first victory in ACL Group A member from close range. At Doha Xabi Alonso was introduced DOHA: Iran Pro League El Jaish (QAT) vs Tractorsazi Tabriz (IRI) at for Sami Khedira at the break runners-up Tractorsazi will 6:30 pm (1530 GMT) Manilal and with the Spanish interna- be looking to build on their At Abu Dhabi tional orchestrating the midfield, impressive home win over Al Al Jazira (UAE) vs Al Shabab (KSA) at 7:30 PARIS: Sri Lankan Fernando Madrid finally went in front 16 Jazira last month when they pm (1530 GMT) Manilal, a member of world gov- minutes into the second-half. take on Qatar’s Eljaish in the Group B erning body FIFA’s Executive Callejon’s shot from the edge AFC Champions League (ACL) At Dubai Committee member, has been of the area after a corner had Group A match here today. Al Shabab Al Arabi (UAE) vs Pakhtakor provisionally suspended from all been punched clear by Varas was Roared on by a 70,000 crowd at (UZB) at 7:15 pm (1515 GMT) football-related activities for 90 blocked, but Ronaldo was on hand Yadegar Emam Stadium, Mehdi At Dammam days, FIFA said yesterday. to sweep the loose ball into an Seyed-Salehi, Javad Kazemeyan Al Ettifaq (KSA) vs Lekhwiya (QAT) at 7:45 Without going into details of empty net. and Masoud Ebrahimzadeh pm (1645 GMT) Manilal’s alleged transgressions, However, Celta levelled with scored as Antonio Oliveira’s side Group E FIFA said in a statement it was their next attack as Aspas spun made the ideal start to their At Buriram suspending him in the wake of an inside the area and saw his shot maiden continental campaign. Buriram United (THA) vs FC Seoul (KOR) at investigation opened in October deflect off Pepe into the net with Oliveira will be without 6:00 pm (1100 GMT) 2012 “in order to prevent inter- Lopez stranded. Mohammad Ebrahimi today after At Nanjing ference with the establishment Ronaldo came to the rescue the striker was sent-off against Jiangsu Sainty (CHN) vs Vegalta Sendai of the truth” regarding ethics again, though, with 19 minutes Al Jazira, although midfielder (JPN) at 7:40 pm (1140 GMT) proceedings. remaining as he converted his Ghasem Dehnavi is available after Group F “The proceedings relate to for- second of the evening from the missing the win in Tabriz due to At Jeonju mal ethics charges brought in a penalty spot after Kaka had been suspension. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR) vs final report filed by the chairman felled by Varas. “Our aim is to get a second vic- Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN) 7:00 pm of the investigatory chamber with Real’s win took them into sec- tory, but this doesn’t mean that (1000 GMT) the chairman of the adjudica- ond place as Atletico Madrid the match will be easy as we will At Saitama tory chamber. This report is the suffered their first home league be playing away and Eljaish will Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) vs Muangthong result of investigatory proceed- defeat of the season against Real be trying to make a good come- United (THA) at 7:30 pm (1030 GMT) ings opened in October 2012,” Sociedad. AFP back after their defeat against Al Playing Tomorrow FIFA stated. Shabab,” said Oliveira. Group C Manilal, 63, represents the “Winning against Al Jazira At Doha Asian Football Confederation Spanish La Liga gave us a lot of motivation, but the Dame Traore (left) of Qatar’s Lekhwiya fights for the ball with Hassan Safar (AFC) and has sat on FIFA’s of UAE’s Al-Shabab during their AFC Champions League match at the Al Gharafa (QAT) vs Foolad Mobarakeh match will be very hard against El Sepahan (IRI) 6:15 pm (1515 GMT) Executive Committee since Results Jaish who have good players and Abdulla Bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha, in this file picture of February 27, 2011. At Dubai MADRID: they will start the match with an 2013. Lekhwiya won 2-1. His suspension is thought to Spanish La Liga Al Nasr (UAE) vs Al Ahli (KSA) at 8:00 pm results on Sunday: attacking plan and we must be (1600 GMT) be related to the ban on scandal- ready to face such a performance.” of the competition and we must Rayyan and Al Gharafa will be hit ex-AFC chief Mohamed bin Athletic Bilbao 1 (Muniain 79) Valencia 0 Group D Eljaish head into the contest start the game well if we want to in action tomorrow. Hammam. Levante 0 Getafe 0 At Tehran after beating Al Wakra 1-0 in the get a good result,” he added. In Group C, Al Ahli embark Bin Hammam, 63, was accused Celta Vigo 1 (Aspas 63) Real Madrid 2 Esteghlal (IRI) vs Al Ain (UAE) 7:00 pm Qatar Stars League (QSL) at the Eljaish lost 2-0 to Al Shabab, on their 2013 campaign with a of trying to buy votes in FIFA’s (1530 GMT) (Cristiano Ronaldo 61, 71-pen) end of last week, although coach Saudi Arabia in their first match home match against Qatari side 2011 presidential vote as he chal- At Riyadh Atletico Madrid 0 Real Sociedad 1 (X. Prieto Razvan Lucescu will be without of the group. Al Gharafa tomorrow at King lenged Sepp Blatter to lead the 53) striker Abdulqadir Ilyas due to a In today’s other match, QSL Abdulaziz Sport City in Sharayea. Al Hilal (KSA) vs Al Rayyan (QAT) at 8:35 global body, and was banned from pm (1735 GMT) Monday hamstring injury. defending champions Lekhwiya In other match involving a football. Group G Real Zaragoza vs Grenada “We are ready for the match take on Al Ettifaq of Saudi Arabia Qatari club tomorrow, Al Rayyan The businessman formally although we are going to play in the Group B encounter in host Esteghlal in a repeat of their At Beijing resigned as AFC head in Saturday against a team who haven’t lost Dammam. opening fixture a year ago when Beijing Guoan (CHN) vs Sanfrecce December, shortly after FIFA’s Rayo Vallecano 2 (Dominguez 9, Piti 77) in their last 10 matches. Tractor The Eric Gerets coached side the Iranian side won 1-0 at the Hiroshima (JPN) at 7:30 pm (1130 GMT) ethics committee launched Espanyol 0 (sazi) have good organisation and will be looking to consolidate their Al Rayyan Stadium thanks to a At Tashkent a new probe into corruption Valladolid 1 (Manucho 41) Malaga 1 we must play very well against position in the group having won stoppage-time winner by Goran Bunyodkor (UZB) vs Pohang Steelers (KOR) claims against him and remains (Demichelis 8) at 5:00 pm (1200 GMT) them and have a better perform- the first match 2-1 against Al Jerkovic. suspended from football, despite Barcelona 2 (Sanchez 38, Messi 88) Group H ance to win the match,” said Shabab Al Arabi of UAE in the Among other fixtures this having a FIFA life ban overturned Deportivo La Coruna 0 At Kashiwa Romanian coach Lucescu. home match. week, 2006 winners Jeonbuk last year. Real Mallorca 2 (Alfaro 16, 66) Sevilla 1 Kashiwa Reysol (JPN) vs Central Coast “We have a lot of motivation to The Saudi Arabian side on the Hyundai Motors play Guangzhou Fernando accompanied (Negredo 61) Mariners (AUS) at 7:00 pm (1000 GMT) get a good result and we learnt a other hand began their campaign Evergrande in Jeonju, and 2007 Hammam on a trip to garner Friday lot from the first match against on the losing note going down 1-0 champions Urawa Reds host At Suwon support from Caribbean nations Real Betis 2 (Molina 19, Ruben Castro 79) Al Shabab (Saudi Arabia) as our to Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan. Muangthong United, both today. Suwon Bluewings (KOR) vs Guizhou Renhe ahead of FIFA’s 2011 presidential Osasuna 1 (Silva 73) players gained some experience Two other Qatari clubs, Al THE PENINSULA (CHN) at 7:30 pm (1030 GMT) poll. AFP Tuesday 12 March 2013 30 Rabial II Safar 1434 Volume 18 Number 5636 Sport Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Rahim leads Bangladesh run-spree Skipper becomes first Bangladesh player to score double ton; Sri Lanka reach 116-1

GALLE, Sri Lanka: Mushfiqur Tests, in reply to Sri Lanka’s first- lunch when he pushed pace- day with their solid batting, also Rahim yesterday became the innings total of 570-4 declared. man Nuwan Kulasekara for became only the third team after first Bangladeshi to crack a dou- The hosts reached 116-1 in their a single to the covers on a day India and Pakistan to score 600 ble-century while Nasir Hossain second innings at stumps on the when Mohammad Ashraful or more in a Test innings in Sri hit a maiden ton as the tourists penultimate day of the Test, which (190) missed out on his own Test Lanka. gained a 68-run lead in the first appears to be heading for a draw double-hundred. Rahim, 152 overnight, hit Test against Sri Lanka. in Galle. Opener Tillakaratne Wicketkeeper-batsman Rahim, one six and 22 fours in his bril- Skipper Rahim hit a solid 200 Dilshan was unbeaten on 63 and 24, was trapped leg-before by liant 321-ball knock. He put on and Hossain an impressive 100 Kumar Sangakkara 49 not out. Kulasekara in the same over, but a record 267 for the fifth wicket as Bangladesh were bowled out Rahim’s memorable moment not before helping Bangladesh with Ashraful and 106 for the for 638, their highest total in 76 came in the second over after surpass their previous highest next with Hossain. Test total of 556 against the West Bangladesh’s previous high- Scoreboard Indies in Dhaka last year. est stand for any wicket in Tests “I am feeling great,” said was 200 between Tamim Iqbal and Sri Lanka (I innings): ...... 570-4 decl 5-444, 6-550, 7-581, 8-618, 9-618, 10-638. Rahim. Junaid Siddique against India in Bangladesh (I innings): Bowling: Kulasekara 27-3-94-2 (nb1); Eranga “It was my dream to score a Dhaka in 2010. Jahurul Islam c Chandimal b Eranga ...... 20 34-4-122-2 (nb6); Herath 62-11-161-2; Test hundred and thought if I Hossain was caught at mid- Anamul Haque b Mendis ...... 13 Mendis 36-3-152-2; Mathews 9-2-18-0; get a chance to bat long I will wicket by Sangakkara off part- Mohd Ashraful c Mathews b Herath ...... 190 Dilshan 26-5-75-2; Thirimanne 2-0-13-0. probably go for a long innings. time spinner Dilshan after hitting Mominul Haque c Mathews b Kulasekara ... 55 Sri Lanka (II innings): Ashraful really batted well nine fours. Mohd Mahmudullah st Chandimal b Herath .. 0 D Karunaratne c Hasan b Hossain ...... 3 and also Nasir. We are really Ashraful, playing his first Test Mushfiqur Rahim lbw Kulasekara ...... 200 T Dilshan (batting) ...... 63 happy with our overall batting in more than a year, added just Nasir Hossain c Sangakkara b Dilshan ...... 100 K Sangakkara (batting) ...... 49 performance. one to his overnight score when Sohag Gazi c Vithanage b Mendis ...... 21 Extras (NB-1) ...... 1 “Tomorrow is day five, so he went for a rash drive off left- Abul Hasan (not out) ...... 16 Total (for 1 wkt) ...... 116 anything can happen. If we can arm spinner Rangana Herath and Elias Sunny c Chandimal b Dilshan...... 0 Fall of wicket: 1-17. manage to draw it will be a huge edged a catch to captain Angelo Shahadat Hossain b Eranga ...... 13 Bowling: Hossain 5-1-18-1 (nb1), Hasan 5-0- relief for us. Our main target in Mathews at first slip. Extras (B-2, LB-1, NB-7) ...... 10 15-0, Gazi 9-1-37-0, Sunny 5-0-14-0, Mo- Test matches is to play consistent He occupied the crease for cricket.” more than a day, hitting one six Bangladeshi captain Mushfiqur Rahim raises his bat and helmet in celebra- Total (all out) ...... 638 minul 3-0-13-0, Ashraful 1-0-10-0, Mah- tion after scoring a double century during the fourth day of the opening Fall of wickets: 1-23, 2-65, 3-170, 4-177, mudullah 2-0-9-0. Bangladesh, who dominated and 20 fours in his marathon 417- the match for a second successive ball knock. AFP Test match at the Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle, yesterday.