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Monday 13 January 2014 12 Rabial I 1435 - Volume 18 Number 5943 Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Iraq unrest a threat to GCC security Maliki inciting sectarianism in the Gulf, says former Iraqi vice-president; experts express concern

DOHA: What is going on in Iraq poses notorious axis (Iraq’s Shia regime led militant groups among GCC citizens to directives, Nouri Al Maliki had managed openly against Sunnis (in their sermons).” a serious threat to the security of the by Nouri Al Maliki, Iran and Bashar Al destabilise the GCC states. to create the terror outfit of the ‘Islamic Izzat Al Ibrahim, the secretary-general Arab Gulf states, says a former Iraqi Assad of Syria). “This is a joint conspiracy of Al Maliki States of Iraq and Syria’ (ISIS) to provide of Baath Party in Iraq who is a former vice-president who has been based here The ploy is to turn Iraq into a threat and Iran. I informed the people con- the necessary backup to the present war- associate of Saddam Hussein and still for quite some time. to the security of the GCC states instead cerned but was disappointed with their fare in Iraq’s Al Anbar province. wanted by the US, said in an interview The goings-on in Iraq and a missile of being a frontline state dedicated to the response.” “The aim of the ISIS is to crush eve- on the phone to Egypt’s Al Ahram pub- attack by the Iraqi Shia militia group, Al region’s (GCC) defense (against Iran) “A recent statement by the commander ryone who is opposed to the hegemony of lished on January 7 (the first interview Battat, which is backed by Tehran, on a that it (Iraq) always has been. “They are of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards that they Iran in the region and the Shia control given to the media since the American wedding party in a border area of Saudi now trying to turn Iraq into a problem would at no cost abandon Syria, for it of Iraq.” invasion of Iraq) that Saudi Arabia today Arabia recently, reflect the changing bal- for the security of the whole Arab world.” was a country in the frontline of Tehran’s They want Syria to wrestle with the was the citadel of resistance against all ance of power in favour of Iran and Syria, “Today, everything is crystal-clear: defence.” tangled issue of sectarianism the way the conspiratorial efforts to demolish the said Tareq Al Hashemi. Coupled with Iranian aircraft are carrying weapons “So, my question is, what happens to Iraq has been for more than 10 years now, Arab identity. what is happening in Bahrain, clearly to Syria through Iraq.” the (historical) status of Iraq as a state said Al Musfir. “Had Saudi not been making those shows that the security of the GCC states Shia militias from Iraq loyal to Iran’s that has been on the frontline of the In his address in Karbala recently, Al efforts Iran would be having unques- is under threat, he said. supreme leader are fighting in Syria to defence of Arab Gulf countries?” said Maliki said that Karbala is Qibla (direc- tioned hegemony in the region,” said Al “This is all a game plan to divert the defend Al Assad’s forces, and making the Iraq’s former vice-president. tion which Muslims turn to in prayers). Ibrahim. attention from the true nature of the people of Syria suffer. “The GCC states should always treat “We are all Hussain’s army and we are “I appreciate the Saudi stand of sup- conflict in Iraq, which is essentially politi- Most important of all, Iraq’s wealth is Iraq as a buffer state key to their secu- fighting Yezid’s army. There is a sea porting the people of Syria and the regime cal. But it is being painted as sectarian by being used to help Iran offset the nega- rity. If Iraq collapses, the conflict therein of fire between us (Shias) and them of Bahrain and those of other GCC states, describing Sunnis as terrorists.” tive impact of the sanctions. The wealth would spill over into this region. This is (Sunnis).” and the Iraqi people and their revolu- Al Hashemi told Al Sharq in an inter- is being used to back Hezbollah. for sure.” “The imams all over the GCC should tion and the revolution in Arab Spring view conducted by its Editor-in-Chief, Al Hashemi said that recently he Famous Qatari columnist Dr Mohamed raise this issue of the axis of Iran-Iraq, countries.” Jaber Al Harami, recently that the got information from Iraq that Prime Al Musfir, meanwhile, said in one of his and Syria (in their Friday sermons),” THE PENINSULA above game-plan was a brainchild of the Minister Nouri Al Maliki was creating latest writings that, based on Iran’s said Al Musfir. “The Iranian imams talk Continued on page 4

PM visits rail work site School winter Ashghal signs deals for break may QR10.19bn road projects change from DOHA: The Public Works for the commercial street in Al Authority (Ashghal) yester- Khor, the first package for the next year day awarded seven contracts infrastructure development of worth QR10.19bn ($2.8bn) for the Industrial Area, the first DOHA: With the Supreme the construction and develop- package for the construction of Education Council (SEC) ment of an expressway and infrastructure for North and East instructing all private schools expansion of existing roads Al Kheesa (Rawdat Al Hamama to strictly follow the country’s under its Expressway and Local area), and the first package for unified holiday schedule, the Road Development (LRDP) the development of infrastructure winter break at Indian schools Programmes. in Rawdat Abal Heeran area. may change from the next aca- Three contracts worth about “On completion, these express- demic year. QR7.72bn were inked under the ways and roads will enhance The SEC has asked all pri- Expressway Programme. Two capacity. It will improve the vate schools to announce at least contracts were signed for Al traffic situation significantly,” Al a week’s holiday either in the Rayyan Road including one for Mawlawi told The Peninsula on the last week of January or the first the construction and develop- sidelines of the signing ceremony. week of February from the next ment of roads from west of the Work on most of these projects academic year to comply with New Rayyan Roundabout to the is expected to start in the first The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani inspecting a the two-week spring holidays of east of Bani Hajer Roundabout. quarter of this year, but have project model during a visit to a work site of the Qatar Railway Company (Rail) yesterday. Independent schools. Accordingly, Another contract was signed for different time schedule for com- most Indian schools have a holi- the construction and development pletion varying from Q3 2015 to day in the last week of this month. of roads from west of the Olympic Q1 2017. Under the road infra- For many years, these schools Roundabout to west of the New structure development strategy have been scheduling their winter Payment row hits Al Million taxi service Al Rayyan Roundabout. Qatar has plans to implement holidays in December. This year, Ashghal President Nasser bin over 200 projects over the next BY FAZEENA SALEEM the winter break has been split happy with the current system and employs more than 1,000 Ali Al Mawlawi signed the agree- five to seven years, and about 75 between two months, since most and have been telling the manage- drivers. The company operates menst with officials of companies qualified companies have been schools have already given at least DOHA: Many Al Million taxis ment to reduce the rentals. as a franchise of the state-backed awarded these projects. approved to implement these two-week holidays in December. have been off the roads since A senior official of the com- Mowasalat that runs Karwa buses The third contract was signed projects. In June 2013, Ashghal “Last year, the Indian schools Saturday with cabbies say- pany, however, said that the and taxis. Some Al Million driv- for the design and construction awarded 10 contracts of express- were exempted from the SEC ing they didn’t report for work management was not informed ers told this daily that they were of phase 1 of the New Orbital ways worth QR7.2bn, comprising rule (regarding spring holidays). because of disputes over pay- of any strike. “Many of our driv- forced to pay QR235 as rental to Highway, covering 45km of the eight design and construction This time, the SEC has asked ment terms. ers prefer to take their day off on the company (for 12 hours) daily, 180km long highway. supervision contracts for 24 us to strictly follow the unified Some protesting drivers Saturdays or Sundays. Some taxis irrespective of how much they Four contracts valuing about new expressway projects across schedule. If this continues in the returned to work last evening, were off the roads on Saturday actually earned. Those on full- QR2.47bn were signed for the the country, and a lot more coming years, Indian schools will it has been learnt. Many drivers due to continuous rains,” the offi- day rentals are required to pay construction of roads and infra- contracts are to be awarded. be forced to change their win- who have been working on a daily cial told this daily last evening. QR300. THE PENINSULA structure in local areas, including THE PENINSULA ter holidays from December to rental basis say that they are not Al Million has about 650 taxis Continued on page 4 the development of infrastructure Continued on page 4 January,” said a senior official of the Shantiniketan Indian school. He said, to adjust with the new schedule, the school had cut the Volcano ash December holidays to less than a week. “Our academic calendar is Egypt to hold referendum Iran to start implementing different from the Independent schools and international schools on constitution this week nuclear deal on Jan 20 and we would face some problems with the new schedule. We will CAIRO: Egyptians vote this week for the first GENEVA: Iran will begin eliminating its stock- bring this issue to the notice of the time since Mohamed Mursi’s downfall in a con- pile of highly enriched uranium in eight days’ SEC authorities once again,” said stitutional referendum that will likely give a final time, after negotiators in Geneva reached an the official. Principals of all Indian push to a presidential bid by the man who deposed agreement on how to implement the interim schools here are currently in India him, army chief General Abdel Fattah Al Sisi. nuclear deal reached in November. attending a meeting organised by Approval of the rewritten constitution appears a The six-month deal, under which Iran has agreed the Central Board of Secondary foregone conclusion: Mursi’s now outlawed Muslim to freeze and even curb some nuclear activities in Education (CBSE) to which the Brotherhood is urging a boycott rather than a ‘no’ return for an easing of sanctions, will come into schools are affiliated to. A deci- vote, while many Egyptians who backed his over- force on 20 January. “As of that day, for the first sion is expected to be taken after throw are expected to vote ‘yes’ in a show of support time in almost a decade, Iran’s nuclear programme they come back. If the holidays for the army-backed order that has replaced Islamist will not be able to advance, and parts of it will be come split between December rule. The state is urging citizens to vote in numbers rolled back, while we start negotiating a comprehen- and January, as this time, it could tomorrow and Wednesday. sive agreement to address the international com- upset many family holidays. Analysts say it hopes that the turnout and the ‘yes’ munity’s concerns about Iran’s programme,” the US A source at the Ideal Indian vote will outstrip ballots won by the Brotherhood to secretary of state, John Kerry, said in a statement. Houses covered by mud and ash in a village in Karo, North Sumatra school hinted that the school has give the new order a seal of legitimacy. “Egypt is on The start-date for the agreement was announced province of Indonesia, yesterday after the eruption of Mount Sinabung. taken a decision to change the the threshold of a decisive stage in its history, the yesterday by the European Union’s foreign policy The volcano that has erupted relentlessly for months shot volcanic ash winter holidays from December results of which are awaited by the world,” Sisi said chief, Catherine Ashton, who represents the US, into the air 30 times on January 4, forcing further evacuations with more to January from next year. on Saturday. REUTERS China and Russia and France, Germany and Britain. than 20,000 people now displaced. THE PENINSULA Full report on page 7 THE GUARDIAN MONDAY 13 JANUARY 2014 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME SCH to introduce mandatory 40 employees donate blood for patients patient safety course online at HMC hospitals

Course for all entering healthcare sector is based on WHO guidelines DOHA: To help patients at The Coordinator for Donor’s Hamad Medical Corporation’s Affairs at the centre, Sadika Al BY FAZEENA SALEEM Safe Surgery Checklist will be (HMC) hospitals, employees at Mahmoudi, said the blood col- implemented at all hospitals this the Patient Accounting Section lected from employees will help DOHA: The Supreme Council April, said Dr Al Khanji. of the Finance Department provide life-saving support to of Health (SCH) is preparing It identifies three phases of an recently participated in a blood patients at HMC hospitals. to introduce a mandatory study operation, each corresponding to donation campaign. “This collection is also signifi- course on patient safety for all a specific period in the normal Talib Al Khatairi, Head of the cant for us to maintain our min- individuals entering the health- flow of work: Before the induc- section, said they are planning to imum stock at our blood bank,” care sector in the country, tion of anaesthesia, before the hold such campaigns on an annual said Mahmoudi. according to a senior official. incision of the skin and before basis to continue supporting the Any healthy adult aged 18 and The online course will be based the patient leaves the operating needs of patients. above can donate an average of on World Health Organisation’s room. In each phase, a checklist “I think all departments at 460ml of blood during a typical (WHO) patient safety curriculum coordinator must confirm that HMC should assign one day donation. guide which provides knowledge the surgery team has completed for donating blood to the Blood A gap of two months is required on how to avoid medical errors the listed tasks before it proceeds Donor Centre; together we can between donations at the centre and ensure patients’ rights, said Dr Jamal Rashid Al Khanji, Director of Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety with the operation. make a huge difference to the and donations are welcome all Dr Jamal Rashid Al Khanji, Department, and Dr Salih Al Marri, Assistant Secretary-General for Medical The Qatar Patient Safety Week lives of patients requiring blood year round. Director of Healthcare Quality Affairs, SCH addressing the opening event yesterday. ABDUL BASIT will be held on the third week for survival. Donations can be made at the and Patient Safety Department of January each year, according “Many participants donated centre on HMC premises, and the at SCH. to Dr Salih Al Marri, Assistant blood for the first time and this entire process from registration, “With WHO we are planning to important aspect, as it’s difficult SCH to ensure national stand- Secretary-General for Medical campaign will motivate them to completion of medical question- take the curriculum as the basic to teach individuals who have ards in patient safety which will Affairs, SCH. SCH holds week- support future ones as well,” Al naire, check-up, donation and for a Qatar online patient safety worked for years and change the include details of compensation long events to educate healthcare Khatairi added. post-donation process normally course. The idea is that anyone way they provide care,” he added. to the patient if a medical error professionals and raise awareness Over 40 employees from the takes 20 to 25 minutes. who is entering Qatar’s health- A mandatory contract will be occurs. Adding another segment about the role they could play in section took part in the campaign. The Center can be contacted care service will have to do it to signed between hospitals and to ensure patient safety WHO’s patient safety. THE PENINSULA An average of 460ml of blood was on 44391081 or 44391082. get licence,” he said at the launch collected from each donor. THE PENINSULA of Qatar Patient Safety Week at the Ritz Carlton Doha yesterday. One in 10 patients seeking medical services in developed Qatari falconers win three countries either get infected or sustain injures, according to trophies in GCC championships international data. WHO launched the guide DOHA: The Qatari Labrtha he said in Dubai. “We thank in 2009, and the Middle East Team won three trophies dur- Sheikh Hamdan for facilitating launch of it was in 2012. Qatar ing the GCC finals of the Fazza every element of the champion- was represented by SCH and Championships organised by ship from bringing our falcons to Hamad Medical Corporation the Hamdan Bin Mohammed the airport to the transparency (HMC) in developing the regional Heritage Centre in Dubai. of judges. There is no doubt that curriculum. It was the first time Qatar we will be participating again in A national committee under took part in the championships. the future.” SCH is looking at introducing the Saif Al Mohannady, head of Some trophies were dedicated regional curriculum to the under- technology in the team, said: to Sheikh Hamdan and the com- graduate curriculum in Qatar. “We managed to win first, sec- mittee members as a thank you “The curriculum will be intro- ond and third places in different note from the team and the peo- duced to several schools hopefully categories. ple of Qatar. in future. We feel that it is going “We are going home with three The Saudi team won the Pure to play a major role in patient cups which is a real achievement Horr Jinas and Pure Horr Farkh safety,” said Dr Al Khanji. for us in our first competition categories. “Patient safety in undergradu- at the Fazza Championships,” THE PENINSULA A section of the participants. ate education would make an MONDAY 13 JANUARY 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 Five-year strategy to enrich cultural scene Katara in deal to implement Kaplan-Norton plan this year

DOHA: The Cultural Village in the development process.” the strategy enters its implemen- Foundation (Katara) has signed The next stage in the strategy, tation phase which came after an an agreement with Palladium he said, is to increase cultural evaluation of the system, conduct- Group, a world-renowned strat- awareness by organising festi- ing interviews with decision-mak- egy execution consulting com- vals, exhibitions and seminars, ers and leaders, workshops and pany, to implement its five-year conducting research and releas- meetings, dialogues and delibera- strategy from this year until ing publications and periodicals tions with executives, employees, 2018. that reflect ideas of the Cultural beneficiaries, stakeholders and The strategy aims at enriching Village in line with Qatar National the public. the regional and international cul- Vision 2030. These will be done The operational framework of tural scene, support culture and in coordination with the Ministry the Kaplan-Norton strategy will the arts and reinforce national of Culture, Arts and Heritage; be adopted with the participa- identity and heritage revival to Qatar Museums Authority, Qatar tion of its founder, internation- strengthen the sense of national Foundation (QF) and govern- ally renowned expert Dr David belonging, achieve cultural devel- ment, cultural, educational, aca- Norton. opment and openness to world demic, economic and educational About the goals of the next cultures and shape the civilised institutions and other parties in phase, Dr Al Jaber said: “Our goal image of Qatar at global forums. and outside the country. is to focus on the new generation “The strategy seeks to achieve “Cultural diversity led by of the young and emerging artists, the objectives of Katara as a cul- Katara is an integral part of the discover their cultural, artistic tural, economically profitable promotion of dialogue and open- and scientific potential and allow foundation, and direct Katara ness to world cultures, and has them to emerge on the scene.” team according to proven meth- become evident by investing in He said Katara would collabo- odologies and best international innovation and open channels of rate with Unesco, the Kennedy working standards,” Katara communication with countries, Center of Arts in Washington, General Manager, Dr Khalid bin intellectuals and artists locally and QF to design educational Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, told a press and internationally,” he added. and training programmes and conference following the signing. He said Katara is an ongoing projects for secondary schools and He said, “The general frame- project which will be followed universities. work of the strategy aims at by other stages, including the The programmes will help in exploiting the buildings and establishment of a mall, villas, the development of the youth’s facilities of Katara to contribute hotels, and other facilities serv- skills and abilities, under the slo- to the advancement of cultural ing culture and tourism, but the gan ‘Learning through the arts’. movement, promote and high- focus is on cultural and human He said the strategy, based on light creative energies, develop development. studies, interviews and the results the cultural and literary climate Katara Strategic Affairs of a poll, is the road map for the in Qatar and involve intellectuals Adviser, Dr Khalid Al Jaber, said coming years. THE PENINSULA

Ministry offers app in Urdu to file complaints

DOHA: The Ministry of Municipality and Urban The ministry called on citizens yesterday to ben- Planning became the first institution to offer its efit from the application by making any complaints smartphone application in Urdu. regarding food and hygiene. Providing its services in a third language is an The ministry’s phone application allows citizens attempt by the ministry to expand its interaction and residents to take a photo of their complaints and with clients, particularly as its services affect the send it to authorities any time for them to handle. lives of citizens and residents on a daily basis. QNA MONDAY 13 JANUARY 2014 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME First phase of New Orbital Highway awarded Work on 45km of 180km project starts in Q1 2014 and will end in 2016 at a cost of QR3.26bn

DOHA: Among the seven projects Public Works Authority (Ashghal) yesterday awarded include the contract for the design and construction of the first phase (45km) of the ambitious 180km ‘New Orbital Highway’. The contract worth about QR3.26b for the design and con- struction of about 45km of dual carriageway has been awarded to a joint-venture between J&P Overseas Ltd and J&P Avax SA. This stretch of road network represents about 25 percent of Orbital Highway. The project is located to the southwest of Doha and will provide a dual carriage- way connecting New Doha Port and Al Wakrah bypass, and other phases of the highway, and the construction of a road linking Mesaieed Road to the East-West Corridor. The project for construction The President of Public Works Authority (Ashghal), Engineer Nasser bin Ali Al Mawlawi, with other officials pose for a group photo after Ashghal signed seven construction contracts with and development of Al Rayyan Road, from west of New Rayyan companies for Expressways and road and infrastructure projects at the W Hotel in Doha yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT Roundabout to east of Bani Hajer Roundabout, is worth over QR1bn. addition to 2km of side roads, and infrastructure improvements, ensure smooth traffic. station, storm water drainage Contracts for other It has been awarded to a joint ven- associated service roads (about including storm water drain- Construction and develop- network with major micro tun- ture between Six Construct Qatar 5.8km). age network with major micro ment of Al Rayyan Road, from nelling work, treated sewage projects in a few Limited and Boom Construction Work on the project will start tunnelling work, treated sewage west of the Olympic Roundabout effluent networks and upgrade of Company. in the first quarter this year and effluent networks and upgrade of to west of the New Al Rayyan electrical and telecommunication months: Official The project comprises con- is due to be completed by Q3 2016. electrical and telecommunication Roundabout, is worth over networks. struction and upgrade of 2.9km The project includes new networks. QR3.43bn. This expressway Grade separated interchanges Continued from page 1 of four lanes in each direction and improved pedestrian foot- Grade separated interchanges project has been awarded to a are expected to save a lot of time “There are other projects separated by a central median in paths and cycleways, major will eliminate waiting time and joint venture between Dogus and ensure free traffic on Al related to expressways, and pack- Holdings and Onur. Rayyan Road, Furosiya Street ages for orbital and local area The total length of the and Bu Erayyen (Al Bustan) roads and drainage system in the improvement scheme is about Street. pipeline which will be awarded 5.3km with four lanes in each Contracts for four other roads over the next few months,” he direction separated by a central and infrastructure projects were said. median in addition to 5.4km of also awarded. Asked about the areas expected side roads, associated service They include development to face demolition to make way roads (about 10km), and second- and upgrade of infrastructure for these projects, he said: “There ary intersections. for the Commercial Street in are certain projects which will The project will start in Q1 Al Khor, first packages of the require demolition, but I cannot 2014, and is due to be completed Industrial Area project and exactly recall the areas.” by Q1 2017. construction of an integrated Mawlawi said Al Rayyan Road It will include a network of infrastructure for North and will be expanded into four lanes pedestrian footpaths and cycle- East Al Kheesa (Rawdat Al with many interchanges and new ways, artscapes and landscapes. Hamama district) and Rawdat features such as smart traffic Major infrastructure improve- Abal Heeran roads and infra- system and dedicated lanes for ments being implemented as part structure development. cyclists and pedestrians. of the project include a power THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA Taxi drivers seek cut in rentals From page 1 salary basis. He said the company management.” These drivers have to pay for was not informed about the unde- Drivers said they would stick to the fuel as well. “We are asking clared strike and the issue was their demands as it was proving the company to reduce rentals brought to its notice yesterday. difficult to pay rentals and meet to QR200 and pay for the fuel or “No one from the management their daily expenses. fix rentals at QR180 when we pay inquired us about being absent on “Some days we pay from our for petrol. The QR300 rental for Saturday. Maybe, they are under pockets and there are days when 24 hours needs to be reduced to the impression that we didn’t we don’t have even a few riyals for QR250,” said a Sri Lakan driver, report for work due to rains,” said food and other expenses,” lamented adding he didn’t work on Saturday another taxi driver. another driver. in protest. He said the management didn’t Disputes over the rental issue is He said most drivers under the come out with any solution yester- not new to the taxi sector. Similar 12-hour daily rental system struck day but asked protesting drivers incidents were reported earlier work on Saturday. There are driv- to return to work. “We still hope from Al Million and other taxi ers who are working on a monthly for a positive response from the operators. THE PENINSULA QU research successes

DOHA: Qatar region and to contribute University (QU) yester- to a research culture in day announced details Qatar. of its research agenda He pointed to the qual- and accomplishments ity of research conducted in research on several by QU faculty, experts, issues. and students and said, Interdisciplinary “QU continues to be top projects centred on four winner in the award areas of excellence in cycles of the National research — energy, envi- Priorities Research ronment and resource sus- Program (NPRP) and the tainability; social change Undergraduate Research and identity; population, Experience Programme health and wellness; and (UREP) under Qatar information, communica- National Research Fund tion and technologies. (QNRF). In the sixth QU Vice-President for NPRP cycle, QU research- Research Dr Hassan Al ers won 63 awards out of Derham told a press con- 137 proposals which trans- ference that QU continues late to about 46 percent to advance its research of total awarded propos- plans as outlined in its als, the highest among strategic plan to become a awarded institutes”. leader in research in the THE PENINSULA Tehran wants to ‘Iranise’ Islam Continued from page 1 The Iranians want to make Iraq the base to launch attack on the GCC countries, mainly Saudi Arabia, he said. Eyad Al Alawi, another former vice-president of Iraq, in an interview published by the local Arabic daily Al Watan, said Iran wanted to destabilise the region. Iran’s plan is to dominate the Arab world. Its constitu- tion makes it mandatory for all Iranians to learn Arabic, said Dr Mohamed Al Rumaihi, a famous Kuwaiti column- ist. “They want to Iranise Islam.” The Sunni rebels fighting the Shia regime in Iraq are led by former associates and army commanders of Saddam Hussein. “So it’s not a sectarian warfare in Iraq,” said Jihad Al Khazin in a column published in London’s Al Hayat newspaper. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 13 JANUARY 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 FM attends Friends of Syria meet Qatar Photographic Al Attiyah reiterates Qatar’s stance supporting Syrian people’s aspirations Society to hold ‘Simply

PARIS: The Foreign Minister H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Beautiful’ exhibition Al Attiyah headed Qatar’s del- egation to the Friends of Syria DOHA: Qatar Photographic ‘The Emiri Guard’ as part of the Group ministerial meeting here Society will organise the military parade during National yesterday. National Geographic exhibi- Day celebrations. The session addressed latest tion ‘Simply Beautiful’ in coop- The society organises special- developments, means of sup- eration with Katara Cultural ised courses in the basics of pho- porting the national coalition for Village on Wednesday. tography, digital photography, Syrian revolutionary and oppo- It will open at 7.15pm at the portraits, still nature, process- sition forces and arrangements society’s headquarters in Katara. ing and printing of coloured and for the Geneva 2 conference on Meanwhile, the society black and white films, image January 22. announced the winners of the processing, design, and editing Al Attiyah reiterated Qatar’s photography contest it organ- images using Photoshop. stance supporting aspirations of ised by in cooperation with the It also holds workshops and the Syrian people and efforts being Emiri Guard on the sidelines of exhibitions. made to unite the Syrian opposi- National Day celebrations. The society also organises an tion. He said a political solution Abdullah Nasser Al Tamimi annual exhibition for its mem- from Geneva conference could be won the first position, Ahmed bers and participates in exhibi- the only way out of the crisis. Adnan Alberdena the second tions organised by others as well The foreign ministers of and Mohammed Ali Abdullah as World Press Photography 11 Friends of Syria countries came third. exhibitions. attended the meeting, along Sixty-nine people participated It contributes to the calendars with the Syrian coalition. The in the competition, displaying of institutions with works of its Friends of Syria urged the coa- 630 photographs concerning the members. lition to attend peace talks, say- subject of the contest which was QNA ing there was no alternative to a political solution. The grouping Foreign Minister H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah (right) with US Secretary of State John Kerry (centre) and of Western-backed rebels will Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Al Arabi attending the meeting at the US Embassy ahead of a Friends of announce a decision on January 17. Syria meeting in Paris yesterday. Kahramaa unveils first phase QNA to upgrade distribution substations at Souq Waqif Ooredoo reaches 100,000 fibre customer milestone DOHA: Qatar General substations in coordination with Electricity & Water Corporation operation and maintenance DOHA: Ooredoo yesterday fibre and the number of homes transforming the digital enter- with basic fibre packages start- (Kahramaa) recently launched engineers. announced that it had reached connected in the year — with cus- tainment industry. For as little as ing at QR233 for home broadband the first phase of the redesign The project consists of three the milestone of providing tomers benefiting from this global QR17 per month, Ooredoo’s fibre and voice services. and replacement of some works phases covering 10 substations. broadband fibre to more than achievement. customers have access to the high To enable more people to keep at its distribution substations The first phase has started 100,000 customers in Qatar, In line with its promise to definition Mozaic TV service, track of Qatar’s “Fibre revolu- at Souq Waqif. where readymade elements are putting the country on track to ensure that as many people as including hundreds of live chan- tion”, Ooredoo has launched a The project comes within being installed for basements, becoming one of the best-con- possible have access to world- nels in unmatched picture quality real-time online fibre availabil- Kahramaa’s plans to develop and ceilings and walls. nected nations in the world. class fibre services, Ooredoo has with the ability to pause, rewind ity map, enabling customers to upgrade the electricity sector and For safety measures, work sites More than 80 percent of homes continued to offer the widest and record. track the rollout progress of the to ensure the highest security and are surrounded by metal fences in Qatar now have an Ooredoo possible range of packages for This advanced TV service also network. safety standards at electricity dis- bearing all safety instructions. fibre connection, and the service customers, so that they are able gives instant access to thousands Ooredoo’s investment in fibre tribution institutions on cultural Advertisement banners have continues to roll-out to new areas to switch from copper to fibre of videos and TV series from the will continue throughout 2014. sites in particular. been fixed on the fences to reflect every week. services and enjoy faster speeds On Demand catalogues at a touch In addition to expanding the The project includes the rede- Kahramaa’s care for the cultural In a global study based on fig- and greater reliability, and pick of a button from their remote network across Qatar, Ooredoo is sign and replacement of some aspect of the souq. ures from FTTH Council, Qatar the package that best suits their control. planning a sizeable infrastructure works at distribution substations Kahramaa is the sole trans- was recognised as the fastest needs. Home users and business cus- investment and capacity-building in Souq Waqif. mission and distribution system nationwide rollout of fibre in As well as improving Internet tomers can access the fastest programme in the lead-up to the Kahramaa teams have com- owner and operator for the elec- the world in 2012, judged by the services for customers, Qatar’s Internet speeds — the 100Mbps FIFA World Cup 2022. pleted studies and surveys and tricity and water sector. percentage of homes covered by national embrace of fibre is plan — for QR650 per month, THE PENINSULA set up a plan to disconnect THE PENINSULA MONDAY 13 JANUARY 2014 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME QFB to launch ‘B Active’ Cultural quarter in Msheireb corporate wellness programme for staff Downtown Doha project

DOHA: Qatar First Bank “At QFB, we support Qatar’s Doha Cultural Forum near Al Baraha to be the first of its kind in Mideast (QFB), the country’s first national drive in becoming a independent Shariah- more active and healthier DOHA: Msheireb Properties is compliant bank, will nation. Studies have shown creating a new cultural quarter introduce the ‘B Active’ that regular physical activity in Doha, the first in the Middle Challenge as part of its can increase motivation and East, as part of its QR20bn annual Corporate Wellness improve productivity in the Msheireb Downtown Doha Programme in the run-up workplace. development. to the 3rd Qatar National “Our B Active Challenge Doha Cultural Forum adjacent Sports Day on February 11. this year aims to educate our to Al Baraha, the largest open The aim of the B Active employees that little physical air square at the heart of the Challenge is to encourage activity can help in changing Msheireb Downtown Doha, will employees to become more their lifestyle and contribute host cultural events, including active in their daily lives. to their overall wellbeing,” said arts, performances and educa- QFB launched the month- Mohamed Al Sahli, Head of tional programmes. long wellness programme last Communications at QFB. As a community creative space year to encourage employees to “Workplaces such as QFB over 18,996sqm, it will serve as a embrace a healthy and active are a real target for our Step venue for art exhibitions and les- lifestyle in the spirit of the into Health programme that sons in dance, music and fine arts, Qatar National Sports Day. aims at encouraging people attracting local and international The B Active Challenge is a to take 10,000 steps a day or visitors. month-long competition that more. “The Msheireb Downtown Doha follows Step into Health pro- “As we know that office work project will blend Qatari heritage gramme, where employees are really limits our ability to meet and styling with the latest clean encouraged to walk at least the required physical activity technology, focusing on sustain- 10,000 steps, which is consid- level to prevent diseases,” he ability and harmony with the ered by health practitioners added. environment. The aim is to bring to be the benchmark whereby “We applaud QFB for tak- local people back to their roots to an individual is considered to ing this initiative and we look rediscover a sense of community be active. Step into Health forward to seeing more com- and togetherness. The forum will programme is a Aspire Zone panies fall in their footsteps,” play an important role by serving Foundation initiative. said Dr Mohammed Ghaith as a creative community space,” Each registered employee Al Kuwari, Director of the said Engineer Abdulla Hassan will receive a pedometre from Healthy Lifestyle programme Al Mehshadi, CEO of Msheireb Step into Health programme at Aspetar. Properties. or download their smartphone To mark the third Qatar Located within Phase 1 of the application through which National Sports Day, QFB project, the forum is surrounded their progress will be moni- will also host an outdoor staff by Al Baraha, which will be the tored on the Step into Health event that will involve a series region’s largest open-air public website. of sports activities, including a square and in proximity to four Winners of the challenge mini-football tournament, and heritage houses being restored The new quarter will serve as a venue for art exhibitions and lessons in dance, music and fine arts. will be announced during the leisure games. and converted into museums. National Sport Day event. THE PENINSULA The master plan of the forum features retail units, cafes and technology, and focus on sustaina- at recreating the atmosphere of interior spaces, enlivened with restaurants; an exhibition space bility and harmony with the envi- a souq. The facades are notice- open and elaborate courtyards. with a gallery; cinemas halls; thea- ronment, construction is being able for their relative absence of The aesthetic influences of tre; and education amenities fea- undertaken with handcrafted windows, indicative of the cultural Msheireb Downtown Doha are Masraf Al Rayan backs turing academies with auditorium, techniques using locally available purposes of the building interiors, derived from traditional Qatari event and teaching spaces, and a materials such as limestone. Stone though the monotony of continu- architecture and prioritise pro- performing arts library. cladding is used and extends to ous surfaces is broken by course- portion, simplicity, space, light, The forum comprises four inter- all walls visible from the atrium, work patterns. layering, and climate management. QRC programmes linked blocks around a central a melting pot of diverse activities Hand-carved plaster screening, The project aims at changing the atrium, with overhead shading at the heart of the forum. featuring traditional Qatari pat- trend in real estate development DOHA: Masraf Al Rayan, one “We do feel the profun- providing a dappled light effect. Arrangement of the build- tern of eight-point geometrical in recent years towards isolated, of the leading banks in Qatar, dity and importance of QRC As part of Msheireb Properties’ ings mirrors that of a tradi- interlocking circles will be used energy-intensive land use and an has contributed to Qatar Red involvement through projects efforts to blend Qatari herit- tional Qatari home while the to control light in such a way that over-reliance on car transport. Crescent projects for 2014, designed to help the needy age and aesthetics with modern forum’s central courtyard aims it provides privacy in the forum’s THE PENINSULA keeping the bank’s role in and ease the suffering of many the service of humanitarian people around the world, which causes through its well-estab- replicate our own line towards lished social responsibility our core religious believers and policy. Masraf Al Rayan’s quest,” Al “The contribution of Masraf Rayan added. Al Rayan comes as a response to Masraf Al Rayan has ranked Irish PM, QIB chairman discuss cooperation the call made by QRC as an offi- high among the Islamic banks cial national body known for its in Qatar and the region. It DOHA: The Prime Minister humanitarian and relief efforts announced a growth rate of 15.4 of Ireland, Enda Kenny, met around the world, and also as a percent in its profits during the Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin manifestation of the belief in the first nine months of 2013, with a Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, role of Islamic financial institu- net profit of 1,250 million. Chairman of Qatar Islamic tions and their contribution to Masraf Al Rayan runs 11 Bank (QIB) during his visit to charity as a way of responding branches in Qatar, supported by Qatar and discussed collabora- to the needs of disaster vic- a wide network of ATMs scat- tion and mutual opportunities tims, said Adel Mustafawi, the tered strategically throughout in Qatar and Ireland. Group Chief Executive Officer Qatar. It was the only meeting Kenny at Masraf Al Rayan. THE PENINSULA had with any of the country’s banking institutions. The meeting was described as ‘very fruitful’. They also discussed capital markets and the development Crackdown on begging of Islamic financial products in Ireland and agreed on follow-up DOHA: The Rescue Police, Al the anti-begging section at meetings in the near future. Fazaa, has begun a crackdown the Criminal Investigation QIB plans to support Qatari The Irish Premier Enda Kenny (left) with QIB Chairman Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber AI Thani on begging in public places to Department (CID) and following companies which wish to invest in (second left) and other officials during the meeting. end the illegal practice. up calls about beggars in public Ireland as an attractive and tax- “Al Fazaa patrols are not spar- places to eradicate the practice,” efficient alternative compared to Kenny’s visit and fruitful dis- delegation and QIB’s senior man- in the construction and services ing any effort to curb begging,” he added. some other EU countries. cussions and said he looked for- agement team. industries. The delegation is con- Captain Naif bin Faleh Al Thani, Begging is illegal and has no It will also offer support to Irish ward to future mutual benefit With its rapid development, sidering financing opportunities Assistant Director of Al Fazaa, place in the Qatari community, companies in Qatar or planning to and cooperation. Qatar has become a growing and attracting Foreign Direct told Al Sharq. said Al Thani. set up subsidiaries. The meeting was also attended investment and business desti- Investments from Qatar. “We are coordinating with THE PENINSULA Sheikh Jassim praised by senior members of the nation for Irish firms, especially THE PENINSULA

Egyptians take part in referendum Al Khor market sells 50 tonnes of fresh produce

DOHA: More than 50 tonnes of fresh vegetables and fruits have been sold at a new market in Al Khor in the first week — from Thursday to Saturday. Citizens and expats flocked to market near Al Khor Hospital and bought fresh vegetables avail- able at cheaper prices, in large quantities. A five to seven kg box of cucumber was sold at QR16, and the same quantity of tomato One of the stalls at Al Khor market. and kosa was sold at QR12 and QR18, respectively. A five-kg box reports. The market is scheduled On the first day, it remained Egyptians taking part in their country’s constitutional referendum at their embassy in Doha on Saturday. of fresh beans was sold at less to open on Thursdays and Fridays open even after 6pm due to huge than QR17, Qatar News Agency from 7am to 5pm. rush of buyers. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 13 JANUARY 2014 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Egyptians set to vote on army-backed charter With Muslim Brotherhood announcing boycott, constitution expected to pass

CAIRO: Egyptians vote this said it will not take part in the establishment of Al Azhar and week for the first time since road map. A presidential vote is the Coptic Church. Mohamed Mursi’s downfall in a expected as early as April, once The draft has won some praise constitutional referendum that the referendum is approved, with for its stronger human rights will likely give a final push to a parliamentary election later. protections, even as the authori- a presidential bid by the man “What will count is the per- ties have cracked down on dis- who deposed him, army chief centage of Egyptians who go,” sent with moves including a new General Abdel Fattah Al Sisi. said Hassan Nafaa, a profes- law that tightly curbs protests, Approval of the rewritten sor of political science at Cairo drawing criticism from Western constitution appears a foregone University. “It will be very clear governments. conclusion: Mursi’s now outlawed to the whole world whether this With the Brotherhood boy- Muslim Brotherhood is urging a was a revolution against Mursi or cotting, there have been no signs boycott rather than a ‘no’ vote, a coup d’etat.” of a major effort to mobilise a while many Egyptians who backed The constitution will replace ‘no’ vote, and little or no criti- his overthrow are expected to one signed into law by Mursi a cism of the draft constitution in vote ‘yes’ in a show of support for little more than a year ago after Egyptian media, which are over- the army-backed order that has it was approved in a referendum. whelmingly hostile to the Muslim replaced Islamist rule. The new text strips out contro- Brotherhood. The state is urging citizens to versial Islamist language while The United States expressed vote in numbers tomorrow and strengthening state institutions concern last week after reports Wednesday. Analysts say it hopes that opposed Mursi’s rule: the that three political activists had that the turnout and the ‘yes’ vote military, the police and the judi- been arrested while campaigning will outstrip ballots won by the ciary. Its supporters include the for a ‘no’ vote in the referendum, Muslim Brotherhood to give the ultra-orthodox Islamist Nour said Jen Psaki, spokeswoman new order an electoral seal of Party, which backed Mursi’s for the US State Department. Egyptians buy copies of the new draft constitution, in Cairo yesterday. legitimacy. removal, the official Islamic REUTERS “Egypt is on the threshold of a decisive stage in its history, the years of turmoil. Sisi deposed one banner strung from a Cairo the government unveiled results of which are awaited by Mursi, Egypt’s first freely elected building, alongside a photo of Sisi in July with the stated the world,” Sisi said on Saturday head of state, on July 3 following in army uniform. aim of restoring democ- in public remarks that included mass protests against his rule. Sisi appeared on state TV again racy, while simultaneously the clearest indication to date His Islamist opponents see him yesterday, addressing members of launching a fierce crack- that he will stand. “If I run, then as the mastermind of a coup that the security forces set to provide down on the Brotherhood, it must be at the request of the set off the worst internal strife in security for the vote. The Interior Egypt’s best organised people, and with a mandate from Egypt’s modern history. Ministry will deploy 220,000 party until last year. my army,” said the 59-year-old, As the referendum approaches, policemen and 500 combat units, Driven underground who is depicted by his supporters Sisi’s supporters are conflating state TV reported. Troops will and declared a terror- as a saviour who will restore sta- him and the constitution into one: also be used. The referendum is ist group on December bility to a country that seen three “Yes to the constitution” declares a key element of a transition plan 25, the Brotherhood has

Israel’s media salute controversial Sharon

TEL AVIV: Israeli media they would see in the genera- He is to be buried at the farm Shalom Yerushalmi wrote in yesterday lavished praise on tion of the sons, the natives of on Monday, alongside his second Maariv newspaper. former prime minister Ariel the Land of Israel: a handsome wife, Lilly. The papers reminded “The public, however, never Sharon, who died the previ- and strong farmer who works readers of the political daring he hated him. In fact, they gener- ous day in hospital after eight the land, a soldier for life. showed in ordering Israel’s 2005 ally forgave him. Sharon’s mili- years in a coma. “The fathers provided the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, tary triumphs served as his flak But along with plaudits for vision; the sons were respon- enraging the Israeli right. jacket,” he added. his military and political cour- sible for delivering. And there But they also recalled his “Perhaps the most revered age there was also acknowledge- was no one who delivered with ruthless manipulation of insta- and often reviled of the coun- ment of an arrogant and devious more resoluteness, more talent bility in Lebanon, leading to try’s politicians, perceived side to his complex personality. and more cunning than Ariel the Israeli invasion in 1982 and alternately as a peacemaker “The life of Ariel Sharon and Sharon,” he wrote. Sharon’s complicity in the mas- and a warmonger, for decades the life of the state of Israel Front-page photos showed sacre of hundreds of Palestinians his actions as military com- were intertwined into a single Sharon the gentleman farmer by Israel’s Lebanese Phalangist mander and statesman shaped cord,” commentator Nahum with a lamb in his arms at allies in Beirut’s Sabra and both Israel’s self-perception Barnea wrote in the top-selling his sheep farm in the south of Shatila refugee camps. and the world’s image of the Yediot Aharonot daily, in a piece Israel; the heroic warrior in uni- “Throughout the years, espe- Jewish nation,” the conserva- entitled “The warrior rests.” form with his head bandaged, cially after Sabra and Shatila, tive Jerusalem Post summed up. “He was everything the and the besuited statesman he was on the sidelines of Israeli AFP fathers of the state dreamed deep in thought. politics, beaten and abandoned,” Libyan deputy industry minister shot dead TRIPOLI: Assailants gunned down a Libyan deputy min- ister overnight, officials said yesterday, in the first killing of a government member since the 2011 overthrow of dictator Muammar Gaddafi. Deputy industry minister Hassan Al Droui was shot dead during a to his hometown of Sirte, east of Tripoli, which was also Gaddafi’s hometown, secu- Hassan Al Droui rity and hospital officials said. And in another sign of the instability plaguing the country, the toll from tribal clashes in the southern town of Sebha rose to 27 dead, with another 72 people wounded in the unrest. “Hassan Al Droui, the deputy minister for industry, was killed by unknown attackers overnight, during a visit to his native city of Sirte,” a security official said. “Unidentified gunmen sprayed bullets on. Droui in cen- tral Sirte,” the official said on condition of anonymity. Former Shin Bet chief leaves Denmark over arrest threat

TEL AVIV: Former Director of the Israel’s Shin Bet Security Service Carmi Gillon left Denmark in a hurry Saturday after a complaint was filed against him with Danish police by a pro-Palestinian organisation, presumably alleging his involvement with torture, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported. Gillon, the domestic secu- rity service’s chief in the mid 1990s, was invited to the Copenhagen Jewish Film Festival for a screening of the documentary “The Gatekeepers” – in which he appears along with five other former heads of the Shin Bet – and delivered a lecture following the screening, Haaretz said. However, after Gillon’s arrival in Denmark last week, the Israel Embassy in Copenhagen learned that extreme left-wing activists had filed a complaint against him with the police, the Israeli daily said, adding the Israeli ambas- sador contacted local authorities to try to determine whether Gillon was in danger of being arrested. Gillon himself was also apprised of the situation and decided to move up his departure from Copenhagen. Meanwhile, the Danish prosecutor’s office rejected the complaint outright due to lack of evidence of Gillon’s involvement in torture. AGENCIES MONDAY 13 JANUARY 2014 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Nuclear progress Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

HE Iran-West interim nuclear deal reached in November last year has moved another step forward with negotiators meeting in Geneva yesterday Why autocrats need the media Tagreeing on how to implement that agreement. According to the agreement reached yesterday, Tehran will BY ROBERT ORTTUNG and pro-government narratives front and regimes, state-controlled media seek to start eliminating its stockpile of highly enriched uranium CHRISTOPHER WALKER in eight days’ time – on January 20. The importance of this center while using the power of edito- isolate activists from society at large, rial omission to limit criticism of official with the idea of preventing them from latest development was evident in US Secretary of State John ith a surprise decree Dec. 9, policies and actions. organizing and mobilizing. To this end, Kerry’s words when he said: “As of that day, for the first time Russian President Vladimir Selective censorship is essential state-run media try to discredit in the in almost a decade, Iran’s nuclear programme will not be WPutin shut down RIA Novosti, because aspirations to economic mod- public’s mind any notion of a political able to advance, and parts of it will be rolled back, while we the massive, state-controlled news ernization won’t work alongside whole- alternative. State media attacks del- start negotiating a comprehensive agreement to address the agency, and replaced it with an entity sale repression and the restrictions egitimize civil society and the opposi- international community’s concerns about Iran’s programme.” that will be overseen by Margarita on information flow that this would tion, paving the way for other repressive Simonyan, the head of “RT,” Russia’s require. No smart authoritarian wants measures, while accusing oppositionists There is plenty of skepticism about the future of the international propaganda arm, and to rule the next North Korea. of wanting to cause chaos, a charge that interim deal, with some critics saying that Iran will never Dmitry Kiselyov, an odious television So how have state-dominated media may resonate widely in societies with abandon its nuclear programme. But giving space even for presenter. systems — television, newspapers, radio histories of political instability. that criticism, none can dispute the progress that has been Officially, the Kremlin described the and new media, all backed by tilted The fourth group is regular Internet achieved so far. President Barack Obama too described the change as a way to “provide informa- police and courts — endured in the era users. As the number of people online tion on Russian state policy and Russian of rapid technological and communica- grows, authoritarian governments real- latest agreement as a significant step forward. It is also worth life and society for audiences abroad.” tions advances? ize the Internet is something they must noting that the breakthrough comes at a critical moment for But this shake-up is better understood The answer is found in the four audi- try to control. Yet managing the politi- the deal, with hardliners in both Iran and the US piling up as the latest Kremlin effort to reassert ences that authoritarian state-control- cal content of what is broadcast is not pressure on their governments to get tough with the other control over its domestic mass media. led media seek to influence. the same as reining in such informa- side. RIA Novosti had a growing reputation The first is regime elites. tion online. Authoritarian regimes show Now that the deal is moving for pursuing independent and analyti- Authoritarian governments must great determination and innovation to cal reporting. Putin’s patience wore out. always worry about their elites because achieve this objective. The Chinese gov- forward, officials in Tehran and And Putin’s Russia is only one any split among this group could lead ernment has fine-tuned its censorship The Iran-West Washington must refrain from of an increas- to regime collapse. State-controlled by working to curtail online content precipitating a situation that ing number of media make it a mission to reassure that might promote social mobilization. nuclear deal will either slow down it progress authoritarian these regime mainstays that the incum- Since September, authorities in Beijing is nearing the or scuttle it. Obama has already regimes that bent ruler stands secure. Clear media cracked down fiercely on microblog- renewed his plea for Congress has effectively dominance signals to members of the ging by opinion leaders. To muddy the implementation Authoritarian retooled its strat- ruling coalition that defections will waters in Azerbaijan, a pro-government not to introduce a range of new governments egy of controlling be punished, including through smear youth group publishes Internet memes stage but sanctions against Iran, which the media. campaigns. In China, for example, the designed to discredit the opposition. he said would risk “derailing willfully deprive Despite the Communist Party leadership uses its As with traditional media, restrictive challenges our efforts to resolve this issue hundreds of rapid rise of the media dominance to firm up its posi- online measures are not designed to remain. peacefully”. The Congress is likely Internet and tion with the party rank-and-file, the block everything but are aimed chiefly millions of people social media, state bureaucracy, armed forces and the at obstructing news about politics or to listen, because introducing new of authentically governments in growing party-linked business commu- other sensitive issues from consistently sanctions will seriously undermine China, Azerbaijan, nity. Putin uses state-controlled media reaching key audiences. the developments made so far. plural and Vietnam, Iran, to display his power to the siloviki who Authoritarian rulers know that they Even as the talks move forward, the West has a duty independent Zimbabwe and staff the military, the police forces and need state-controlled media to survive. to address the concerns of the Gulf countries which are information and elsewhere are the state-security apparatus — the And the state’s grip on the media, once seriously worried about the nuclear ambitions of Tehran. The finding ways to groups integral to his control in Russia. tightened, cannot readily be loosened analysis. use state-control- The second crucial audience is the without opening the floodgates and risk- dismantling of the nuclear programme must be complete and led media to help populace at large. State-dominated ing the regime. Mikhail Gorbachev, the fool-proof. It’s unfortunate that the GCC is no party to the themselves stay in media work to make mass audiences last top official of the Soviet Union, dis- talks, though this region faces serious risks from the nuclear power. They achieve this through selec- respect and fear the regime, but breed- covered this with his policy of glasnost programme. The Obama administration and the Rouhani tive censorship of political expression ing apathy and passivity is just as (openness). He thought that he was sav- government will face severe turbulence in the coming days and by using state media to influence important. To stay in power, an authori- ing the Soviet system with such reforms over the implementation of the nuclear deal. The opposition crucial audiences. tarian regime must keep vast numbers when, in fact, he doomed it. Aside from outliers such as Cuba, of people out of politics. State-controlled Authoritarian governments willfully from the conservatives in both countries is severe and is North Korea and Turkmenistan, most television is the main tool for achieving deprive hundreds of millions of people growing. For example, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali authoritarian regimes today do not seek this objective in environments where of authentically plural and independent Khamenei, used fiery language to criticise the approach of total domination of all means of mass typically three-quarters or more of the information and analysis. The intense the US, which he called the ‘Great Satan’. When Kerry tried communication. Instead, they want population get their information from attention devoted to the rise of new to sell the plan to Congress last month, he met a wall of “effective media control” — enough for TV. media in recent years has led many to them to convey their strength and puff The third group is the political oppo- underestimate television’s enduring and opposition from both parties, who appeared almost entirely up claims to legitimacy while under- sition and independent civil society. powerful role as an undemocratic force unified against the deal. That opposition still remains though mining potential alternatives. Such In democracies, open media are the in authoritarian societies. the government has been given freedom to move forward • state dominance enables regimes to put lifeblood of politics. In authoritarian WP-BLOOMBERG The other side Quote of South Sudan: Not such a simple tragedy the day

N THE face of it, the tragedy Both sides have been accused of training in good governance, chose to ingrained in the leadership of the new that is unfolding in South corruption and misuse of aid, which the overlook the fact that the new country country. Sudan, the world’s newest international community initially poured had hardly any governance to speak of, The period of shared power with the The entry into force Ostate, as commentators into the new country, in the hope that it either good or bad. Sudanese government, in advance of hardly ever failed to point out these could contribute to state-building. At the heart of the tragedy is the a referendum in the south on the crea- of this agreement days, is rooted in tribal rivalry between Juba, the capital of the new South fact that the individuals who led the tion of a separate state, did little to the dominant Dinka and the second Sudan was awash with international long, bloody and ultimately successful educate South Sudan’s leaders in the on January 20 is largest ethnic group, the Nuer. The NGOs, all anxious to show the new rebellion against Khartoum, are first and ways of government. There are those an important step president, Salva Kiir, a Dinka, fired his government how to set up state insti- foremost fighting men. Indeed, guerrilla who argue that the new country’s evo- deputy Riek Machar, a Nuer. tutions and establish good governance. warfare, together with the organization lution might have been different had towards peacefully The president claimed that he was Such well-meaning organizations were of areas under their control for largely not the long-time southern leader, John resolving the Iranian forestalling a coup attempt by his received politely by new ministers and military purposes, had become a way Garang died in a helicopter smash in deputy. However members of his own bureaucrats. But, as one leading NGO of life. This was the world’s longest- 2005. A charismatic individual with a nuclear issue, on political grouping, the SPLA, have been official was quoted as saying, unless an running insurrection, which began in wider grasp of political realities, Garang which comprehensive reported as saying that in fact Kiir was immediate grant of financial aid was on 1955 and was suspended in 1972, only appeared to appreciate, better than trying to isolate his deputy and political offer, little progress was made. Indeed to reignite in 1983 and continue until most, the challenges of creating a new negotiations will now William Hague rival, as part of a struggle over funding. several NGOs that were busy offering 2005. Thus the business of fighting was state. ARAB NEWS start. British Foreign Secretary MONDAY 13 JANUARY 2014 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Trust deficit shakes anti-polio drive

“We believe this is something because of the US campaign of Taliban officials good to serve humanity,” said unmanned drone attacks against Momin Khan, 53, a turbaned cat- suspected militants. have denied tle farmer who had brought his In an email this month, Taliban wife with their infant grandson spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan to be immunised. insisted that the polio campaign is shooting polio The clinic technician, Jamal “used to spy on our holy fighters, Shah, recounted that when the and many have been martyred” vaccinators, government began immunising as a result. He cited Bin Laden’s children against polio in the 1980s, death in 2011 as an example. many people believed the vaccines Taliban officials have denied but lingering were a Western plot to sterilise shooting the polio vaccinators, Muslims. With public educa- but lingering antipathy to a antipathy to a tion, he said, resistance gradu- Western-backed medical cam- ally declined. Today, Shah’s clinic paign may well have motivated inoculates about 5,000 children a other militants or individuals to West-backed month, and 34 million children in attack them. Even educated pro- Pakistan have been immunised. fessionals in the area, including medical But Shah and other local medi- doctors, speak with deep anger cal officials said their work had about the Afridi espionage case campaign been badly set back by the case and American drone attacks. of Shakil Afridi, a Pakistani sur- “I am a doctor, and I ask peo- geon from the tribal area. He was ple to trust me. Afridi has done may well have arrested in 2011 after being sent a very bad thing that also made by the CIA to seek information him an enemy of every child in motivated other about Bin Laden, under the guise Pakistan,” said Akbar Khaksar, of conducting a hepatitis immu- medical director of the hospital nisation survey in the northwest that houses Shah’s clinic. militants. city where the Al Qaeda leader He said the attacks against was later killed in a US raid. polio immunisers were orches- BY PAMELA CONSTABLE Afridi’s role was praised by US trated by “foreign terrorists” who officials but viewed as traitorous want to weaken Pakistan. n the tribal badlands of by many Pakistanis, and some The attacks have come despite Pakistan’s northwest, where Western medical charities said stricter government oversight Pakistani soldiers and the false immunisation scheme of the vaccine campaign, said IAmerican drones target undermined their credibility. the WHO’s Durry, and despite Taliban insurgents, a parallel war Afridi was convicted of treason requirements that every immuni- is being waged over a crippling and sentenced to 33 years in sation team be escorted by police. virus that endures in only three prison, though officials later said In November and December, places in the world. Jamal Shah, left, and an assistant vaccinate a one-month-old against polio in the Akora Khattak region of northwest this was due to his alleged ties teams were fatally attacked in Last year, 83 new polio cases with Pakistani militant groups. Khyber, a busy trading area, Pakistan. were reported in Pakistan, more “That incident had a great and in Swabi, a market region than in either Afghanistan or effect on the minds of the people. between the tribal belt and the Nigeria, the other countries where the vaccinators can go, hundred thousand children have his lap. “Islam says that treating After that, they started hating main provincial highway. where it is endemic. there is very little resistance. The not been immunized. As a conse- all diseases is a must.” the polio teams,” Shah said. “Now An aide to Ul Haq, who But aggressive efforts to com- major problem is that most cases quence, the number of new cases One reason prominent that we have celebrities coming to researches religious groups and bat the virus are being hampered are coming from areas where the has risen sharply, from 51 in 2012. Pakistanis are speaking up about support us, people are thinking publications, offered a detailed by a surge of attacks attributed to vaccinators are not able to go.” Sami ul Haq, a conservative polio is because of the growing more positively, and they are com- hypothesis about the intellectual Islamist extremists. In the past Health workers and officials Sunni cleric whose seminary, threat of foreign quarantines and ing to us on their own. We only source of the attacks. He said he three months, at least a dozen have tried for years to persuade or madrassa, in this northwest travel restrictions, especially for have about 10 families in our area had located anti-polio pamphlets government vaccinators or their conservative Muslims to accept town once trained Afghan Taliban Pakistani workers abroad whose who are still refusing the vaccine.” and propaganda from Nigeria, police escorts have been killed or the vaccines. Violence against fighters, is part of the new effort wages help prop up the nation’s In addition to Ul Haq’s edict, where anti-vaccine sentiment wounded in the northwest region polio workers flared after revela- in support of the anti-polio cam- teetering economy. one of Pakistan’s most popular has also damaged immunisation near the Afghan border. tions in 2011 that the CIA used a paign. He recently issued an On January 3, the govern- politicians, Imran Khan, vis- efforts. They had been funnelled Now officials hope that by separate immunisation campaign Islamic edict declaring that vac- ment of India issued a mid-Feb- ited clinics in this area late last through Islamist extremists in enlisting influential Pakistanis, as a ruse to gain information cines against polio and other dis- ruary deadline for all Pakistani month and was shown on televi- India and spread by anti-Western including Muslim scholars, in a about Osama bin Laden before eases are “useful” for health, that visitors to obtain proof of polio sion administering polio drops to religious groups in Pakistan, he high-profile campaign to endorse he was killed in Pakistan. The there is “no prohibition in Islam” immunisation. children. The handsome former said. “This is still a very sensitive polio vaccines, they can defeat the attacks have continued sporadi- against them, and that “suspi- In a one-room vaccine clinic at cricket star heads the party issue,” said the aide, Izrar Madani. shadowy gunmen and the rem- cally ever since. cions being spread about them a hospital near Ul Haq’s seminary, that holds power in Khyber “All the madrassas have this kind nants of doubt about the pro- Spokesmen for the Pakistani have no basis in fact.” several women with covered faces Pakhtunkhwa province, which of literature about the vaccine gramme among devout Muslims. Taliban deny carrying out the “I felt it was important for the waited on a recent afternoon for surrounds the semi-autonomous campaign being used by Western “This has been a very difficult recent attacks, none of which facts to be clear so people will not their babies to be immunised tribal region. spies. The Afridi case really gave campaign, but the problems are has been solved. But the extrem- be confused,” Ul Haq, who was against polio and other dis- Yet even though religious and a boost to their argument.” limited to a very few areas,” said ist group opposes the vaccines recently named as a government eases. The women said they did cultural opposition to the vaccines Now that Ul Haq has publicly Elias Durry, a doctor with the as a Western conspiracy against peace emissary to the Pakistani not know what the word “polio” has faded, and the Afridi case is vouched for the vaccines and World Health Organization in Islam. In districts that are too Taliban, said in an interview at meant, but they used a local term no longer in the news, anti-Amer- shown his family being immu- Islamabad who heads the national dangerous for health workers his seminary. His vaccinated for “cripple” and said they wanted icanism still runs extremely high nised, Madani said, “we hope that polio vaccine campaign. “In places to enter, officials said, several grandson Mohammed, 2, sat in their children to be protected. in this conservative region, largely will change.” WP-BLOOMBERG Islam and West: Failure of dialogue Chinese dream not BY DR MOHAMED KIRAT inspiration, try to build a world more only about wealth Media in the Muslim world suffers from in keeping with those convictions. BY YUAN REN or decades, the Islamic But efforts to transform the world, World has been suffering a crisis of credibility, professionalism, however peaceful, never take place from stereotypes, manipu- on a completely level playing field. ocal authorities in China this week announced Flation, distortion and mis- and most importantly, freedom. Any analysis of dialogue between that Zhang Yimou, the acclaimed director of information. This situation has been Muslims and non-Muslims must such films as House of Flying Daggers and Raise worsening after the dramatic events take into consideration power asym- Lthe Red Lantern and the brain child behind China’s of 9/11 and the spread of terrorism still many things need to be done to opinion. Dialogue as the exchange metries and how they shape agenda Olympic ceremonies in 2008, would be fined 7.5m yuan all over the world. What did Muslims bridge the gap. Media in the Muslim of ideas oriented to action involves and frame issues. For instance, (£750,000) for violating China’s one-child-policy. Admitting do throughout to correct the miscon- world suffers from a crisis of credibil- communication among individuals many dialogue efforts pose the ques- to having two sons and a daughter, Zhang explained that it ceptions and the stereotypes? What ity, professionalism, dependency, and and groups, public and private, reli- tion whether Islam is suitable and was his “traditional way of thinking” to aspire for a bigger did they do to counter Islamophobia most importantly, freedom. Media in gious and secular. Such exchanges can accommodate democracy. The family that led to his transgressions with the law. and to provide an alternative to the the Muslim world has no identity, no may include face-to-face encounters question whether and how democ- Traditional Chinese culture, steeped in Confucian princi- prevailing discourse? What about strategy and no straightforward objec- or an exchange of views from a dis- racy measures up to the ideals of ples, sees family units as the foundation of society and pros- the Arab media, are they addressing tives to address the Western audience tance. They engage a variety of par- Islam rarely frames the debate. perity within the family forms a key part of this — which the Western audience with a differ- and to refute all kinds of stereotypes, ticipants, including religious leaders, What are the perceptions of the often means having multiple children (with an emphasis ent discourse that presents the true and negative portrayal of Islam and scholars, academicians, intellectu- state of West-Muslim relations in on male heirs) to support parents and grandparents. As image of Islam and its teachings? Do Muslims. Unfortunately, this alarm- als, elected officials, civil servants, global public opinion and in the glo- a result, the one-child-policy, introduced in the late 1970s, they know the Western audience? ing situation has affected the dialogue representatives of non-governmen- bal media? In an era of globalisa- is in fact an affront to traditional beliefs. While economic How do they address it? What about between Islam and the West. Muslims tal organisations, members of the tion and instant communications, growth in China has manifested in an improved quality of Arab satellite channels, have they have to invest in the media and cul- professions of law and medicine, public opinion polls followed closely life and a ravaging consumerist culture, couples and grand- considered opening a dialogue with tural industries to present their side the business community and other by elites in politics, business and parents look to find true meaning in the bliss of a different viewers in the West? What is their of the story and to provide Western citizens. Over time, dialogue within civil society reproduce widespread prosperity: the children of the next generation. contribution to a dialogue of civilisa- audience with alternative views on and across these groups has the views of the Western and Muslim Zhang had kept two of his children a secret, so that they tions, cultures and religions? What themselves and their religion. potential to increase knowledge and “other” and their interrelation- were not, until recently, registered as lawful residents. What did the Muslims do to bridge the gap? The relationship between the understanding, build relationships, ship. Television, radio, newspapers, this means for many Chinese parents who find themselves How does the West look at the West and the Muslim world is a establish trust, tolerance, harmony, magazines and the Internet depict in the same situation in China is that their children have Muslims? And how do Muslims critical dynamic in today’s world. love, peace and foster collaboration. topics related to Islam and the West no identity or rights to public services such as education or look at the West? What are the The elements creating tension, doubt But it can also lead to nothing — to with varying frequency and with healthcare, until the parents pay up. real intentions from both sides? and misunderstanding are many mere talk, hate, vengeance, or, even positive and negative assessments. Reactions from the public to Zhang’s revelations and the Is it cohabitation, understanding and varied, as are those who would worse, to exchanges of accusation The dialogue between Islam and the announcement of his fine have been varied. There is outrage and dialogue or is it conflict, mis- exploit them. Yet, there is nothing and counter-accusation that make West should address the following that the rich and famous in China can always flout the rules, understanding and confrontation? inevitable about this state of affairs. relations worse. major issues: International politics, as long as they have money and connections, when everyone Unfortunately, there are stereotypes, All religions of the world uphold Dialogue does not take place in citizenship and integration, religion, else has to abide by such draconian measures. But an inter- misunderstandings, and misconcep- the value of peace. History of man- a power vacuum. Dialogue between ethics and ideology, education and view with Zhang in the Chinese media, in which he spoke tions on both sides. What role does kind has shown it is quite possible the West and the Muslim world is intercultural understanding, and of having to hide his children from the public, also drew media play in all this? Does it create to live with a diversity of cultures conditioned by military, political and economic and social development. sympathetic comments, with some calling the one-child- misunderstanding and confrontation and religions and that societies can economic asymmetries. The mate- Karen Armstrong once said: “There policy “inhumane”. Others berated corrupt government through misinformation and stere- be enriched rather than threatened rial predominance of the West too is no point in dialogue if we are not authorities for laundering fines imposed by the policy, in a otypes, or they help each side under- as a result. Today, peace and stabil- often tends to shape the dialogue prepared to change our minds, alter reference to the public furore last year over huge deficits stand and comprehend the other? ity are critical for economic growth agenda. The implication, stated or our preconceptions and transcend in penalties collected by local governments. What are the causes of failure of and opportunity necessary to meet unstated, is that the Muslim world an orthodoxy that we have long The exact amount of the fine has never been consistent. In dialogue? What are the solutions? human needs in a sustainable fash- should become “more like us”. Any ceased to examine critically”. most cases, the quantity equates to a multiple of the couple’s The issue of the dialogue between ion on a global scale. Dialogue is a dialogue – including Muslim-West THE PENINSULA annual income, but can differ wildly depending on which Islam and the West and how Arab must for the welfare of all, rich and dialogue – will often involve efforts The writer is a professor of Public part of the country you live in and how the local authority media have failed to address western poor, West and East. The key to suc- to change the other, consciously Relations and Mass Communication calculates its sums. In some cases, backdoor connections audience professionally and efficiently cess is respect for the other’s cul- or not. People with strong ethical at the Department of Mass will enable you to pay off a local official and significantly has been discussed for decades, but ture, religion, traditions, beliefs and convictions, religious or secular in Communication, Qatar University. lower the cost. THE GUARDIAN MONDAY 13 JANUARY 2014 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Priority is to protect civilians, says Maliki Bombs kill 18 in Baghdad; Fallujah standoff continues

BAGHDAD: Iraqi Prime Maliki said he had reassured Maliki said Washington had Minister Nouri Al Maliki yes- fearful residents of Fallujah that also shared intelligence informa- terday ruled out a military the army would not attack, but tion and satellite imagery of ISIL assault on Fallujah, saying he told them that they must take the camps near the border with Syria wanted to spare the city more city back from the militants who in the Sunni-dominated desert carnage and give Sunni Muslim overran it on January 1. province. Officials in Baghdad tribesmen time to expel Al “There is a good response from have blamed Iraq’s slide back into Qaeda-linked fighters. Fallujah’s sons and tribes,” the violence on the conflict in Syria, “We want to end the presence Iraqi leader said. “We do not care which has inflamed sectarian ten- of those militants without any how long this takes.” sions and fuelled instability across bloodshed because the people of Iraqi security forces and tribes- the region. Fallujah have suffered a lot,” he men hostile to ISIL last week According to the United said in an interview, referring to regained control of Ramadi, the Nations, 8,868 people were killed the devastating assaults by US capital of Anbar province, which in Iraq in 2013, the highest toll forces to evict insurgents in 2004. borders Syria. for five years. Fighters of the Al Qaeda- Maliki said the army would Many in Iraq’s once-dominant affiliated Islamic State in Iraq maintain its encirclement of Sunni minority share ISIL’s and the Levant (ISIL) and their Fallujah, 70km west of Baghdad, enmity towards Maliki’s govern- Soldiers sit at the back of a pick-up truck in the market in Malakal, Upper Nile state, yesterday. Malakal, the main tribal allies took over Fallujah and to stop militants using it as a base ment, which they perceive as pur- town, was held by rebels for a few days in December. Most of the market stalls were burned or destroyed and parts of the nearby city of Ramadi for attacks. suing narrow Shia interests and few civilians are in the area. nearly two weeks ago at a time “The important thing is not to in thrall to Iran. of Sunni anger with the Shia-led attack the city and kill innocent But others are deeply hostile to government, stirred by a bloody people because of those criminals.” Al Qaeda, including tribal leaders raid to arrest a Sunni politician At least 60 civilians and tribal whose Sahwa (Awakening) mili- in Ramadi. fighters have been killed and tias helped US troops rout the 10,000 flee to Sudan from Bombs killed at least 18 peo- nearly 300 wounded in Fallujah militants who controlled much ple yesterday, police and medics and Ramadi in the past two of Anbar at the height of Iraq’s said. No group claimed responsi- weeks, according to health offi- insurgency and sectarian conflict bility for the bombings, but Sunni cials. No casualty figures were in 2006-07. South Sudan fighting: UN Islamist insurgents have stepped available for militants or mem- The departure of US troops up a violent campaign in the past bers of the Iraqi armed forces. weakened the Sahwa fighters, year, engulfing Iraq in its worst US officials have urged Maliki’s who complained of a lack of gov- KHARTOUM: Around 10,000 demand for the release of detain- over an alleged coup plot. bloodshed for five years. government to adopt a restrained ernment support even as they people have fled north to Sudan ees remains a stumbling block to On Saturday, three African Yesterday’s deadliest blast was approach to the Fallujah crisis, came under sustained attack from from South Sudan where gov- a ceasefire deal aimed at halting envoys of the Intergovernmental caused by a car bomb that killed while encouraging it to address resurgent Al Qaeda militants. ernment troops and rebels have violence in the world’s youngest Authority on Development nine people outside a bus terminal Sunni grievances that Al Qaeda Fallujah residents said most battled for the past month, state, a US envoy said yesterday. (IGAD), a regional grouping of in the Allawi district of Baghdad, has exploited, pursue reconcilia- shops in the city centre were open the UN’s refugee agency said More than three weeks of fight- east African nations that initi- near the site of a suicide bombing tion and embrace a more inclusive on Sunday and some families who yesterday. ing, often along ethnic faultlines, ated the talks, met Machar in an four days ago at an airfield where politics. had fled the city were returning, “10,000, this is something we has pitted President Salva Kiir’s effort to agree the terms of truce, 23 army recruits were slain. although many still feared a mili- are confident with, that these SPLA government forces against but he turned them down. Another car bomb in Baghdad SATELLITE IMAGERY tary offensive. are confirmed people who have rebels loyal to former vice presi- “Some of the major concerns he killed five people, while two bombs Two years after it pulled all The town of Khalidiya, located crossed the border, who have dent Machar and has brought the raised were the release of detain- planted near a supermarket in the US troops from Iraq, the United between Ramadi and Fallujah, been fleeing the conflict,” Nicolas oil-exporting nation close to civil ees which he has made a precon- town of Tuz Khurmatu, about 175 States is working to speed up came under army fire from mor- Brass, external relations officer war. Although both sides have held dition since the beginning for the km north of the capital, killed at shipments of Hellfire missiles, tars and helicopters, locals said. with the United Nations High talks in recent days in Addis Ababa signing of the cessation of hos- least four people and wounded 28, surveillance aircraft and other The Fallujah crisis is a major Commissioner for Refugees in a bid to agree a ceasefire, there tilities agreement,” said Donald police said. Most of the victims gear requested by Maliki to help test for Maliki, who is seeking (UNHCR), said. has been little progress after Kiir Booth, the US envoy to Sudan and were Shias from Iraq’s ethnic Iraqi forces rebuff ISIL’s come- a third term in a parliamentary Meanwhile, South Sudanese refused a rebel demand to release South Sudan, who accompanied Turkmen minority. back in Anbar. election on April 30. REUTERS rebel leader Riek Machar’s 11 detainees arrested in December the IGAD envoys. REUTERS

Erdogan pushes Six soldiers killed in Yemen Syria donor meet aims judicial reforms after parliament to raise over $1.5bn DAMASCUS: United Nations of people displaced,” she said. “I’m punch-up aid chief Valerie Amos said yes- not sure when they will be able to terday the world body hoped a go back home. Everyone is desper- ANKARA: Turkish Prime humanitarian donor conference ate to go home.” Amos said some Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for Syria hosted in Kuwait this 2.5 million people were in areas vowed yesterday to forge ahead week would raise more than that were hard for aid workers to with judicial reforms which last year’s $1.5bn. reach due to fighting and sieges by prompted a fist fight in parlia- Speaking to Reuters dur- government or rebel forces. ment, denying he was trampling ing a visit to Syria ahead of the “There are people in communi- on the constitution as the gov- Wednesday meeting, Amos said ties that we have not been able ernment battles a damaging the United Nations was looking to get to at all, people in commu- corruption scandal. for a total of $6.5bn this year to nities which are besieged either Rival MPs threw punches, help those suffering from the by the government forces or by water bottles and even an iPad nearly three-year conflict. opposition forces who have not as parliament’s justice commis- Syria’s war has killed over been able to leave and where relief sion met on Saturday to discuss 100,000 people and forced more goods have not been able to go a draft bill from Erdogan’s AK than 2 million to flee abroad, in,” she said. The $1.5bn pledged Party which would give it more according to the UN. Another 4 via the UN at last year’s Kuwait say over the appointment of million have been displaced inside hosted conference was used in judges and prosecutors. the country. Amos, who met with Syria and surrounding countries Erdogan’s opponents view the government officials and visited to provide food rations, medicine, bill as an effort by the government displaced Syrians, said the situa- drinking water and shelters. to stifle a corruption scandal tion was getting worse. “We hope we’ll raise a little which has already led to the resig- “The numbers are going up sig- more this time,” Amos said. “And nation of three cabinet ministers. nificantly in terms of the numbers we will of course continue our The fight erupted when the Smoke billows from a military truck set on fire during an attack by gunmen on a military post in Al Shihr city of of people that we are needing to fundraising during the year.” head of a judicial union, Omer the southeastern Yemeni province of Hadramout, yesterday. Gunmen killed at least six soldiers in stepped up help here inside Syria, the number REUTERS Faruk Eminagaoglu, arrived with attacks on army installations in the province. a petition saying the bill would violate the constitution, as argued by opposition MPs, but was not allowed to speak, witnesses said. Turkish plane in US to give modest relief on Iran sanctions: Obama WASHINGTON: President agreement, we have made con- be ready to increase its sanctions locations for enrichment, and halt House has described as a “limited, emergency landing Barack Obama said the United crete progress,” Obama said in if Iran fails to comply with the progress towards commissioning a temporary, targeted, and revers- States and other nations would a statement, noting work now terms of the six-month deal. reactor at its Arak plant that would ible” manner to the tune of about CASABLANCA: A Turkish begin to give Iran “modest relief” begins on the broader, long-term Iran said yesterday that an produce plutonium that could also $7bn, but the “vast bulk” of oil, Airlines plane en route to Brazil on economic sanctions as long agreement. accord it struck with world pow- be used in a nuclear bomb. finance and banking sanctions made an emergency landing in as Iran lives up to its end of an “I have no illusions about how ers on its disputed nuclear pro- * Iran will not reprocess or will remain in place. Morocco yesterday after a bomb agreement reached yesterday to hard it will be to achieve this gramme in exchange for an easing construct a facility capable of * The UN Security Council and warning, an airline official said. start implementing a nuclear objective, but for the sake of our of sanctions will take effect from reprocessing spent fuel from the European Union will not impose The plane landed at Casablanca deal. national security and the peace January 20. Arak reactor in order to extract any new nuclear-related sanc- Airport after taking off from Obama’s statement came as six and security of the world, now plutonium. tions for six months. Istanbul. world powers and Iran agreed on is the time to give diplomacy a MAIN POINTS * Iran will allow daily site * They will suspend US and EU “The security check is under- a six-month plan that would curb chance to succeed,” he said. * Iran has agreed it will not inspections by experts from the sanctions on Iran’s petrochemi- way in the plane. When com- Tehran’s most sensitive nuclear But Obama also faces pressure enrich uranium over five percent UN nuclear watchdog IAEA at cal exports and associated services pleted, it will resume its journey activities in exchange for some from the US Congress to pass for the six months. two of its enrichment facilities such as insurance or transporta- to Sao Paulo,” the official said on relief from oil and other economic new sanctions on Iran as a type of * Iran has committed to neutral- — Fordo and Natanz — and hand tion, and on gold and precious met- condition of anonymity. sanctions while the parties nego- “insurance policy” to push Tehran ising its entire stockpile of uranium over information about the design als and associated services. They An airport official in tiate a broader settlement on the to abide by the new deal. enriched to 20 percent, which is of its Arak reactor. will also suspend US trade restric- Casablanca, Morocco’s largest scope of Iran’s nuclear programme. Fifty-nine senators — 16 of close to weapons-grade and there- * The P5+1 powers and Iran tions on Iran’s auto industry and city, also confirmed the plane Obama said the deal was the them Democrats — of the 100 in fore a main area of concern. Half of will establish a “joint commission” associated services and licence the had landed, and initially said it “first time in a decade” Iran the chamber have signed on to a this will be diluted to five percent to work with the International supply and installation in Iran of was “probably due to a technical had agreed to halt progress bill that would require further or under. The rest will be oxidised Atomic Energy Agency and spare parts for flight safety. fault”. But the same official later on its nuclear program and cuts in Iran’s oil exports. so it can contribute to making fuel monitor implementation of the * An agreed amount of revenue said there had been a bomb scare said the agreement will help Obama said yesterday he would for a Tehran reactor that produces agreement. from sanctioned Iranian oil sales on the plane. prevent Iran from building a veto the bill if Congress passes it, medical isotopes. * In return, the P5+1 will ease held abroad will be repatriated. AGENCIES nuclear weapon. “With today’s but said the United States would * Iran will build no new sanctions in what the White REUTERS MONDAY 13 JANUARY 2014 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Pope names McCain seeks probe into ‘broken’ NSA 19 new Need for select committee in Congress to go over this whole scenario: Senator cardinals WASHINGTON: John McCain, the aftermath of the Snowden into major scandals. They can met legislators, technology firms Congress’s critics appear happy the Republican senator and disclosures, which recommended, have investigative powers and the and privacy advocates to pre- to leave largely unchanged. An VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis former presidential candidate, among other things, that the authority to summons witnesses. pare the ground for Friday’s exception, perhaps surprisingly, put his first stamp on the group has called for a congressional agency should no longer collect This is not the first time announcement. has been Obama, who highlighted at the top of the Roman Catholic investigation into America’s and store domestic phone records. McCain has called for a con- “The debate is clearly fluid,” concerns raised by his review hierarchy yesterday, naming 19 “broken” National Security McCain told CNN yester- gressional investigation into the Democratic senator Ron Wyden panel about the lack of regulations new cardinals from around the Agency, ahead of week in which day that Congress was probably NSA, pointing out, as civil liberty told the Guardian after meeting relating to foreign surveillance. world and emphasising his con- the White House will announce going to need to pass legislation to advocates have done, that exist- the President on Thursday. “My “In some ways, what has been cern for poor countries. its own reforms. implement Obama’s recommen- ing intelligence committees have sense is the President, and the more challenging is the fact that Sixteen of them are “cardinal US President Barack Obama dations, and was obliged to run its failed their mandate to hold agen- administration, is wrestling with we do have a lot of laws and electors” under 80 and thus eligible will reveal a number of changes own investigation into the wider cies to account. these issues.” checks and balances and safe- to enter a conclave to elect a pope. to the way the NSA and asso- controversy over US surveillance. The Electronic Frontier The intelligence community guards and audits when it comes They come from Italy, Germany, ciated secret courts operate on “Is there anybody who believes Foundation, a digital rights has been engaged in its own last- to making sure that the NSA and Britain, Nicaragua, Canada, Ivory Friday, concluding months of that this system is not broken group, has called for a congres- minute lobbying, seeking to per- other intelligence agencies are not Coast, Brazil, Argentina, South debate within the administration in many respects? I think not,” sional investigation modelled on suade the White House to hold spying on Americans,” he said in Korea, Chile, Burkina Faso, the about the appropriate response to he said. “There has been over- the Church Committee, which in back from implementing any December. Philippines and Haiti. disclosures made by the whistle- reach, it seems to me,” he added. the 1970s looked into domestic substantial changes to the way “We’ve had less legal constraint Half of them are non-Europe- blower Edward Snowden. “Sometimes these agencies have surveillance. There appears to it conducts surveillance, such as in terms of what we’re doing ans, indicating the importance The Obama administration is done things just because they can. be little appetite in Washington increasing the legal threshold internationally … and the values Francis attaches to the devel- desperate to draw a line under I think we need a select commit- for such a wide-ranging inquiry, required to search or obtain data that we’ve got as Americans are oping world. Francis is the first the controversy that has engulfed tee in Congress to go over this but the White House is keen to pertaining to Americans who are ones that we have to be willing to Latin American pope and the first the NSA over the last six months. whole scenario, because it does maintain the support of promi- not suspects. apply beyond our borders I think non-European pontiff in some The President’s proposals are overlap many committees.” nent lawmakers. The public debate has largely perhaps more systematically than 1,300 years. partly based on the findings of a Select committees are ad-hoc Obama and his national secu- ignored the issue of surveil- we’ve done in the past.” Cardinals are the Pope’s clos- major review, commissioned in panels, often instituted to look rity officials have in recent days lance on foreigners, which even THE GUARDIAN est advisers in the Vatican and around the world. Apart from being church leaders in their home countries, those who are not based Protest in Kiev in the Vatican are members of key committees in Rome that decide Hollande’s partner taken to hospital policies that can affect the lives of 1.2 billion Roman Catholics. The new cardinal electors are PARIS: Valérie Trierweiler, the aged from 55 to 74. From Latin partner of the French President America are Archbishop Aurelio François Hollande, has been Poli, 66, Francis’s successor in the taken to hospital with “exhaus- Argentine capital, and the arch- tion” following claims that he bishops of Managua in Nicaragua, has been having an affair, it has Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and emerged. Santiago in Chile. After hearing of Hollande’s Two are from Africa — the alleged trysts with Julie Gayet, archbishops of Ouagadougou in Trierweiler, a journalist, was Burkina Faso and Abidjan in Ivory taken to hospital where doctors Coast. From Asia are the arch- prescribed rest. Trierweiler’s bishops of Seoul in South Korea office told L’Express magazine and Cotabato in the Philippines. she had been taken to hospital Only four of the cardinal elec- on Friday afternoon and was due tors are Vatican officials, chief to be released today. among them Italian Archbishop The news came as Hollande’s Pietro Parolin, 58, Francis’s new former partner and the mother of secretary of state, and Archbishop his children, Ségolène Royal, told François Hollande with his partner Valérie Trierweiler. Gerhard Mueller, 66, the German a French news channel yester- head of the Vatican’s doctrinal day that France should “turn the palace. The magazine showed from Closer’s website following congregation. The most promi- page” on their president’s alleged photographs of a man in a black what the magazine described as a nent European elector from out- affair with Gayet. helmet, alleged to be Hollande, “very clear” legal injunction from side Italy is Archbishop Vincent Her sentiment was echoed by being accompanied to and from Gayet’s lawyers. Hollande has not Nichols, 68, the Archbishop of a poll, published in the Journal du the apartment by a bodyguard on denied the affair. Westminster in London and the Dimanche, which found 77 percent a scooter on December 30 and 31. Royal, his former partner main link between Catholicism of French respondents believed Rumours of an affair had circu- of 23 years and the mother of and the Anglican Church. the affair was a personal matter, lated among French journalists his four children, dodged ques- The three who are 80 or over while 84 percent said their opin- for months. tions regarding the invasion of will assume the title cardinal ion of Hollande was unchanged by Hollande, 59, who is accompa- Hollande’s privacy in a news pro- emeritus as a sign of gratitude the revelations. nied on official engagements by gramme on France2 television. “I for their work for the Catholic Pro-European integration protesters attend a rally at Independence The survey is the first to have Trierweiler, reacted to the maga- don’t want to feed the saga with Church and will not be able to Square in Kiev yesterday. Nearly 100,000 critics of Ukraine’s President been conducted after the celebrity zine’s claims in a personal capacity a little sentence which is very, enter a conclave. They come from Viktor Yanukovich rallied, reviving the protest movement after New magazine Closer alleged the presi- with a threat to sue Closer on the very far from French people’s Spain, Italy and the Caribbean dent had been meeting Gayet in grounds that it had invaded his concerns,” she said. island nation of Saint Lucia. Year’s break by staging the biggest rally yet this year. a borrowed flat near the Elysée privacy. The article was removed THE GUARDIAN REUTERS Orbital Sciences cargo ship arrives at ISS

CAPE CANAVERAL: Orbital Sciences About two hours later, Hopkins latched be configured to fly together. The launcher Corp, one of two companies hired by US the capsule, which is about the size of a will be operated from Japan’s Kibo module, space agency Nasa to make supply runs small bus, to a docking port on the space which includes a small airlock, robotic arm to the International Space Station, deliv- station’s Harmony module. The capsule is and external platform. The Japan Aerospace ered its first cargo ship yesterday, a Nasa loaded with 1,461kg of food, equipment, sci- and Exploration Agency already operates a TV broadcast showed. ence experiments and supplies for the sta- similar CubeSat launcher. Space station flight engineer Mike tion, including computers and replacement The Cygnus capsule is scheduled to Hopkins used the outpost’s 60-foot-long parts for Nasa’s spacesuits. remain docked to the outpost for about 45 robotic arm to pluck a Cygnus freighter Several commercial payloads also are days, and will be unpacked, then refilled capsule from orbit at 6:08am EST (1108 aboard the Cygnus freighter, including a with trash and items no longer needed GMT) as the two ships sailed 425km over “CubeSat” launcher owned by Houston- aboard the station. the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar. based NanoRacks. CubeSats are 4-inch- Astronauts will then use the station’s “A big sigh of relief for Orbital,” said sided, standardised, relatively inexpensive robot arm to remove the capsule and release astronaut and Nasa TV commentator spacecraft. They produce their own power, it into orbit so it can drive itself into the Catherine “Cady” Coleman from Mission transmit signals and are used for a variety of atmosphere for incineration. Control in Houston. scientific purposes. Individual CubeSats can REUTERS

Two missing girls Brussels slaps down UK threats found alive in UK to rewrite immigration rules LONDON: Two 12-year-old girls who went LONDON: Brussels has stepped up its with one hand on the escape hatch. missing after walking to a bus stop in north fightback against UK attempts to curb EU “As to the debate on free movement, London have been found safe and well, immigration as leaders of the European this is happening not only in the UK but Scotland Yard said. Wiktoria Popiel and parliament declared that rules on free- across many member states. The principle her friend Vitalija Sidlauskaite were miss- dom of movement were completely non- of free movement of people has been one ing for nearly 20 hours after they failed to negotiable, and made clear that attempts of the greatest successes the EU has, it is return home from the Wood Green area of to change them would be blocked. a fundamental principle and it’s not up north London on Saturday night. In the latest response to calls from UK for negotiation any more than renegotiat- Popiel had been walking her friend politicians to unpick the EU treaties and ing the principle of the free movement of Sidlauskaite to catch a bus on Lordship Lane, rewrite one of its founding principles, the goods, services or capital.” a busy main road near the White Hart Lane European parliament’s president, Martin He stressed that such treaty change football stadium, but failed to return home. Schulz, said that while he took UK demands “needs unanimous support and ratification They were found safe and well by police for reform of the EU “very seriously” there of all member states”. It would also need officers in north London on Sunday lunch- was no question of the parliament agreeing to pass through the European parliament, time, Scotland Yard said. The police force said to reopen the rule-book on free movement. where it would almost certainly be blocked. they would release more information when it Schulz, a German Social Democrat, It came as the Sunday Telegraph said 95 became available. said he would like to see David Cameron’s Tory MPs had written to the prime min- Earlier, police described their disappear- plans for EU reform, and wanted the UK ister demanding parliament must be given ance as “completely out of character” for both to remain inside the EU to shape policy the power to veto every aspect of EU law. girls, who have never gone missing before. on everything from climate change to the Backbenchers led by Bernard Jenkin want Officers were particularly concerned given the single market and development policy. the government to reverse the spread of cold conditions overnight in north London, But he added: “Where we differ is that I human rights law, relieve businesses of red but there was no suggestion that the pair had would rather see the UK making its case tape from Brussels and regain control over come to any harm. THE GUARDIAN for reform from within the EU rather than immigration. THE GUARDIAN MONDAY 13 JANUARY 2014 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES

Nepal to bring Sheikh Hasina foreign workers under scanner

KATHMANDU: The Nepal gov- is Bangla PM ernment yesterday announced that it will heighten vigilance over foreign nationals working in the Himalayan country without work permit and penalise them if for third time they violate the law, officials said. In order to check the unnec- essary flow of foreign nationals 48-member cabinet sworn in (except for tourists) in the coun- try’s formal and informal sectors, DHAKA: Awami League chief was boycotted by the opposition Nepal’s Ministry of Labour and Sheikh Hasina was yesterday parties. Employment and the department sworn in as prime minister of Hasina insists that her victory of labour yesterday asked all for- Bangladesh for the third time in the polls was legitimate, despite eign nationals to receive a labour along with a 48-member cabinet. the elections being boycotted by permit within 90 days, Xinhua President Abdul Hamid admin- the opposition BNP and its allies. reported. istered the oaths of office and The 18-party opposition alli- Any foreigner approaching secrecy to the 66-year-old Hasina ance, led by BNP, has since to get the work permit during and her new cabinet members at Wednesday called for a blockade the grace period of 90 days will Bangabhaban, the office of the of roads, rail and waterways in be exempted of his dues includ- president, The Daily Star reported. order to topple the government. ing income tax, immigration fee, The cabinet includes 29 min- Bangladesh’s 10th parliamen- and visa charge, according to the isters, 17 state ministers and two tary elections were held for just announcement. deputy ministers. Expressing 147 of 300 seats in 59 of 64 dis- “After the end of the grace gratitude, Hasina said the impor- tricts of the country, as 153 can- period, if any foreign national is tant factor for her was not being didates were elected uncontested. found to be doing his job in Nepal prime minister but to work for According to results from the People hold candles as they take part in an anti-violence campaign in central Bangkok yesterday. without taking a work permit, the people. Election Commission, the Awami the individual will be brought “Sheikh Hasina does not bow League won 232 seats, securing to book and penalised as per the down to any pressure. Be it a three-fourths majority. Hasina law,” Krishna Hari Puskar, direc- national or international,” she first came to power in 1996 and Thai protest leader rules out talks tor general of the department of said, referring to many countries then defeated Zia in the 2008 labour said yesterday. denouncing the violence ahead of elections. BANGKOK: The leader of Shinawatra, of corruption and However, a member of the He said the department will and during the elections in which Meanwhile, Raushan Ershad, a a movement trying to topple nepotism. She has called an elec- Election Commission said on examine all firms that have hired at least 21 people were killed senior member of the Jatiya Party Thailand’s government said he tion for February 2 but protesters Saturday that the vote could foreign nationals. “Any foreigners, across the country. “We want and wife of former Bangladesh would call off his protest if civil want her caretaker government be held on May 4, arguing that who are found to be violating the everyone’s cooperation,” she said president H.M. Ershad, was war threatened to break out but to step down immediately. was permissible under the con- law will be fined in cash or impris- when asked if she will take help of declared the leader of the oppo- rejected any compromise with the Protest leader Suthep stitution because candidates had oned or both while they might the Bangladesh Nationalist Party sition in the country’s 10th government ahead of a planned Thaugsuban ruled out talks with been prevented from registering also be chased out of Nepal.” (BNP) led by former prime min- parliament. “shutdown” of the capital. the government in an interview in some districts, meaning there The government move came ister Khaleda Zia. A gazette naming her as the Supporters of Prime Minister published yesterday but said he would be no quorum to open par- amid an increasing trend of for- The prime minister said the leader of the opposition was pub- Yingluck Shinawatra were rally- would stand down his movement liament after a February poll. eigners visiting Nepal with a tour- BNP has to sever its ties with the lished by the parliament secretar- ing in her defence yesterday but if, as some fear, violence escalates Eight people, including two ist visa, but staying and working Jamaat-e-Islami before holding iat, Bhim Charan Roy, additional steered clear of Bangkok. and civil war looms. police officers, have been killed and in the country illegally, which the any talks with the government. secretary of the secretariat, told Life in the capital was much “If it becomes a civil war, I will scores injured in violence between department of labour estimated This was the third time that bdnews24.com. as normal most of the day but give up. People’s life is precious for protesters, police and government has caused a loss of $40m annu- Hasina took over as premier Speaker Shirin Sharmin witnesses said protesters were me,” he was reported as saying by supporters in recent weeks. Police ally in taxes. in the last two decades since Chaudhury recognised Raushan, assembling in areas they intend the English-language Sunday Nation. said seven people were wounded There are an estimated 50,000 Bangladesh returned to democ- who replaced Bangladesh to blockade from today, such as “If someone instigates a civil war, I on Saturday when gunmen fired foreigners working in Nepal ille- racy from military rule. Nationalist Party (BNP) chair- by the MBK shopping complex in will tell the people to go home.” at anti-government protesters in gally in different sectors such Among the new ministers, person Khaleda Zia as the new the commercial heart of Bangkok. The eight-year conflict pits central Bangkok near Khao San as NGOs, diplomatic missions, Anisul Haque will get law min- leader of the opposition. Local media said they had Bangkok’s middle class and roy- Road, a popular tourist area. hydropower, construction, bank- istry, Mohammad Nasim health, Members of Jatiya Party blocked a road in front of a huge alist establishment against the Fears of clashes between rival ing, telecom, airlines, hospitality Tofail Ahmed commerce, Amir elected Raushan as their leader government administrative com- mostly poorer, rural supporters factions escalated after pro-gov- and educational institutions. Hussain Amu industries and in parliament at a meeting after plex in the north of the city that of Yingluck and Thaksin, who was ernment “red shirts” said they “However, only 9,920 foreign- Anwar Hossain Manju environ- they took oath as members of par- they occupied for a time late last overthrown in a military coup would begin their own rallies from ers so far have received work ment and forests. liament on Thursday. year and some had set up camp at in 2006. Their Puea Thai Party Sunday in provinces neighbouring permit from the department of The president earlier invited The Jatiya Party has emerged Lat Phrao, one of the city’s busiest seems likely to win any new elec- Bangkok and in a northeastern labour, of whom more than 80 Hasina to form the government. as the second biggest party with intersections. tion, which the government says stronghold, Udon Thani, where percent are Chinese nationals,” The Awami League party clinched 33 seats after the BNP boycotted The anti-government pro- must be held on February 2 now leaders said they expected 10,000 Barun Kumar Jha, director of a landslide victory in the January the parliamentary elections. testers accuse Yingluck and her parliament has been dissolved and people by today. the department said. 5 parliamentary elections, which IANS brother, former premier Thaksin the date endorsed by the king. REUTERS IANS

Hostage drama Philippines on guard against Japan flays China fishing curbs NARASHINO: Japan yester- unilaterally as if you are treat- Washington called the fishing child trafficking day joined the United States in ing your own territorial waters, rules “provocative and potentially criticising China’s new fishing and imposing certain restrictions dangerous”, prompting a rebuttal MANILA: The Philippines is restrictions in the South China on fishing boats is not something from China’s foreign ministry on acting to curb the trafficking Sea, saying the curbs, coupled that is internationally tolerated,” Friday. Ties between China and of children displaced by Super with the launch last year of an Onodera told reporters. Japan, the world’s second- and Typhoon Haiyan, a presiden- air defence zone, has left the “I’m afraid not only Japan but third-largest economies, have tial spokesman said yesterday, a international community jittery. the international society as a whole been strained due to a long-run- day after a UK-based children’s Defence Minister Itsunori has a concern that China is uni- ning row over ownership of the charity raised concerns. Onodera made the comment laterally threatening the existing group of tiny, uninhabited islands Plan International asked the after observing the Japanese Self- international order” with its new called the Senkaku in Japan and Philippines to investigate the Defence Forces’ elite airborne restrictions in the South China Sea Diaoyu in China. suspected recruitment of child brigade conducting airdrop drills and the creation of an air defence Tensions soared in recent workers for sex trafficking on the designed to hone their skills to identification zone, he said. months after Beijing announced central island of Samar, which sus- defend and retake remote islands. The fishing rules, approved by the air defence identification zone tained heavy damage and casualties Earlier, Chinese government China’s southern Hainan prov- covering a large swathe of the in the November 8 typhoon. ships briefly entered what Japan ince, took effect on January 1 and East China Sea, including the dis- A special anti-trafficking considers its territorial waters require foreign fishing vessels to puted isles, and Japanese Prime commission is already in place near a group of disputed East obtain approval to enter disputed Minister Shinzo Abe visited a to prevent children displaced by China Sea islets, in the first such waters in the South China Sea, controversial Tokyo shrine seen the typhoon from being exploited action this year. which the local government says by critics as a symbol of Japan’s by traffickers, said Herminio “Setting something like this are under its jurisdiction. wartime aggression. REUTERS Coloma, a spokesman for President Benigno Aquino. “That is why the concerned agencies are doing everything in their power to prevent these crimes,” he told US urges Lanka to reporters in the capital Manila. Sri Lanka president to test Aid groups have warned that Filipino policemen arrest US national and retired Navy official Robert probe war crimes many of those displaced face Stasaitis, 57 (second left), accompanied by his female companion Emilie COLOMBO: extreme hardship in their ruined Lacar, following a three-hour hostage situation inside the Paradise The United States popularity with local polls communities and are vulnerable Apartelle, Quezon City, eastern Manila, yesterday. Stasaitis is now in called yesterday for Sri Lanka COLOMBO: to human traffickers. AFP police custody after he allegedly held a Filipino employee hostage after to investigate rights abuses Sri Lanka yester- heartland where he enjoys strong by security forces after a top day called snap local elections support for crushing Tamil rebels his Filipina girlfriend broke up with him. envoy completed a fact-finding seen as a gauge of President and ending Sri Lanka’s decades- mission to the island, the US Mahinda Rajapaksa’s popu- long war in 2009. But Rajapaksa, embassy in Colombo said. larity ahead of national polls who has maintained an iron grip US State Department war expected to be held later this on power since 2009, is hoping Over 25,000 flee Indonesia volcano crimes investigator Stephen Rapp year, officials said. for a landslide victory, giving “listened to eyewitness accounts The southern and western pro- him enough momentum to call JAKARTA: More than 25,000 people have fled “There were small secondary explosions when lava about serious human rights abuses” vincial councils, the highest level national elections, according to their homes following a series of eruptions and flows came into contact with the water, but there during his five-day mission to the of local government, have been dis- experts and local media. lava flows from a volcano in Indonesia, an official are no casualties so far. We are urging people not island that ended on Saturday. solved, clearing the way for local Domestic media have specu- said yesterday. to carry out any activity in the rivers,” he added. “During ambassador Rapp’s elections almost a year before they lated that Rajapaksa, who is in Mount Sinabung on the western island of Sumatra Mount Sinabung is one of 129 active volcanoes in discussions, he listened to eye- were due, officials said. the fourth year of a six-year term, sent hot rocks and ash up to 5,000 metres (16,000 Indonesia that straddle major tectonic fault lines, witness accounts about serious “The election dates will be may call a snap presidential poll feet) in the air “several times” on Saturday, National known as the Pacific Ring of Fire. It had been quiet human rights abuses and viola- announced by the elections com- later in 2014 if voter support is Disaster Mitigation Agency emergency response for around 400 years until it rumbled back to life in tions of international humani- missioner, but they are likely to still high and to capitalise on a director Tri Budiarto said. 2010, and again in September last year. tarian law, including those that be towards the end of March,” an splintered opposition. “So far, 25,516 people have been evacuated. There’s In August 2013, five people were killed and hun- occurred at the end of the war,” official of Rajapaksa’s office said, The two local polls also come nobody now within a 5km radius of the crater. We dreds evacuated when a volcano on a small island in the embassy said. “In that context asking not to be named. “This will as the UN Human Rights Council are urging those living within seven kilometres East Nusa Tenggara province erupted. the government of the US encour- be a crucial test for the presi- is set to examine in March alle- southeast of the crater to move too,” he added. The country’s most active volcano, Mount Merapi ages the government of Sri Lanka dent,” the official added. gations that up to 40,000 Tamil Hot lava, which has been spewing from the volcano in central Java, killed more than 350 people in a to seek the truth through inde- Rajapaksa is expected to win civilians were killed in the final for the past two weeks, has flowed into a river and series of eruptions in 2010. pendent and credible investiga- the polls that will take place in months of the separatist war. filled up valleys with pyroclastic material, he said. AFP tions,” it said. AFP the ethnic Sinhalese-majority AFP MONDAY 13 JANUARY 2014 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Terror attacks kill eight in Pakistan Awami party leader shot dead

PESHAWAR: Unknown gun- League Nawaz (PML-N) party men shot dead a senior oppo- killed five of his security detail in sition leader along with two the Martoong area of Swat valley, others in Pakistan’s northwest- which the Taliban controlled from ern city of Peshawar yesterday, 2007-2009. police said, hours after a bomb “At least five policemen were attack in another part of the killed and four others were region killed five. wounded,” senior police official Mian Mushtaq, a former high- Abdullah Khan said. ranking member of the secular The dead and wounded were Awami National Party (ANP) travelling in the security car that that ruled the northwestern was leading the other vehicles, he Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province said. until last year, was in his car Another senior police offi- when he was attacked, senior cial, Gulzar Khan, confirmed police official Rahim Shah said. the attack, which was later con- Afghan security officials inspect the scene of a suicide bomb attack that targeted a police bus in Kabul yesterday. “Up to four gunmen had taken demned in a statement by the position on both sides of a road prime minister’s office. and as soon as Mian Mushtaq’s car Khan said two improvised passed they started firing and fled explosive devices weighing two in the nearby fields,” Shah said. kilograms each were remotely Two killed in attack on police bus in Kabul “Mian Mushtaq and two others detonated minutes apart and a died in the firing,” he added. third unexploded device found at KABUL: A Taliban suicide riding a bicycle targeted the police fighting the US-backed govern- A series of attacks in 2013 The ANP is known for its out- the crime scene was defused by a bomber riding a bicycle deto- bus and that 20 police and passers- ment since 2001, claimed respon- targeted foreign compounds, the spoken views against the Taliban bomb disposal squad. nated himself next to a police by had also been wounded, some of sibility for the attack. Supreme Court, the airport and and backed military operations Muqam, an adviser to Prime bus in Kabul yesterday, killing a them seriously. “One of our mujahideen fight- the presidential palace in the city. against the insurgents while Minister Nawaz Sharif, said that policeman and a civilian in the Sayed Gul Agha Hashimi, chief ers targeted a police bus belonged Nato forces are withdrawing it ruled the restive Khyber he was safe but distraught over first major attack in the Afghan of Kabul’s Criminal Investigation to the police training centre,” from Afghanistan after more than Pakhtunkhwa province for five the loss of the men in his security capital this year. Department, confirmed the death Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban a decade of fighting the Taliban, years till March 2013. detail. The attacker targeted the bus toll and estimated number of spokesman, said. but negotiations have stalled on a Cricketer-turned-politician “I thank God for saving my life. as it left a police training centre on injured. “As a result of this attack, a security accord that would allow Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek- I am very sad over the loss of my the Jalalabad road, a main route The bus was left at the side of number of policemen and officers some US and Nato troops to stay e-Insaaf (PTI) has now formed a people who gave their lives while out of the city and a regular scene the road with its chassis damaged were killed and wounded.” after 2014. coalition government in the prov- protecting me,” he said. of militant strikes in recent years. and most windows broken. Kabul has seen a drop in attacks A blast in central Kabul housing ince but ANP leaders remain in He said that he was travelling “We have two people killed Eyewitness Abdul Majeed, a after a series of high-profile strikes several embassies and Nato’s mili- the militants’ sights. in the area with some 15 vehicles -- a policeman and a civilian,” stallkeeper who was at the scene, in the first half of last year, with tary headquarters a week ago was Earlier in the day two roadside in his convoy as part of campaign Hashmat Stanikzai, Kabul city said: “I saw a bicycle rider hit the the intelligence agency claiming to blamed on a grenade that exploded bombs targeting Amir Muqam efforts for local elections. police spokesman, said. bus and then heard an explosion.” have foiled several plots involving during a routine vehicle search. of the ruling Pakistan Muslim AFP He said the suicide bomber The Taliban, who have been truck bombs and suicide gunmen. AFP Musharraf’s trial: Is it real Islamabad Over 230 new Aids patients register still awaiting ISLAMABAD: The Centre for Treatment and Prevention of Aids at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital in Islamabad reg- new mortuary istered as many as 237 new Aids patients in 2013. or just a distraction? According to the latest official hospital data, the total number of patients ISLAMABAD: The con- registered at the centre since its establishment in 2005 with HIV and AIDS ISLAMABAD: A key moment Confined to his luxury residence former president developed a struction of a new mor- has reached 1,683. A total of 257 new patients were registered at the centre in Pakistan’s history or a side- on the outskirts of the capital, he heart condition and was diverted tuary in Islamabad at in 2012. show with a pre-determined was also barred from participating to a military hospital. He was the Pakistan Institute of “Of all the patients so far registered with the centre, as many as 691 are on outcome? The treason trial of ex- in May elections, which ironically diagnosed with coronary artery Medical Sciences (PIMS) anti-viral treatment while during 2013 ten died of the disease,” said Deputy military ruler Pervez Musharraf saw Sharif — the man he ousted disease, with his lawyers pleading hospital has been await- Director at PIMS Dr Wasim Khawaja. has divided opinions in a coun- in a 1999 coup — return to power. for treatment abroad. ing approval for two INTERNEWS try where the army has rarely Musharraf had won bail in all The developments have fed years, during which time been shy about seizing power. the cases against him in early observers’ doubts that the case the cost of the project has The case has hogged the lime- November, though was still barred will be seen through to completion. doubled to Rs40m. light among the country’s hyper- from leaving the country. A few “The military has been pro- Currently, PIMS can active TV channels for over a days later, with the country still tecting him, is protecting him accommodate 10 bodies in month and a half, with every legal reeling from a flare-up in Sunni- and will continue to protect him its mortuary, which is not manoeuvre announced on break- Shia violence that saw dozens of not because the generals like him sufficient. Therefore, it was ing-news tickers and analysed in deaths, the government dropped entirely. It’s because it is a rule of decided to construct a new great detail in the popular evening its bombshell announcement. conduct,” argues Siddiqa. mortuary in which 48 bod- news shows. The unprecedented trial has the She sees the process as a “diver- ies could be placed. “Fundamentally there is a potential to be a game-changer, sion” orchestrated by the Sharif A doctor at PIMS, desire by the civilians to hold the but has upset many mid-level government to distract from its requesting anonymity, said military accountable and this trial army officers who resent seeing inability to tackle ongoing terror the decision was made fol- is very symbolic, because here is their former chief being humili- attacks and a chronic energy cri- lowing the Air Blue plane a man who violated the constitu- ated, according to several analysts. sis, and which is aware that it can- crash in Margalla Hills in tion not once but twice,” said Raza “The army don’t want him not push the all-powerful army too July 2010, in which 152 pas- Rumi, a senior fellow at the Jinnah dragged into this special tribu- far, even if it appears outwardly to sengers and crew died. Institute think tank. nal, (because) he is a general, he be pursuing a tough stance. “Most of the patients The ongoing case, he adds, is is a former army chief, the next The government and the army belonged to Karachi and “like a sword on the military’s thing you know you will be drag- will eventually reach an agree- northern areas of the head because the military cannot ging every army chief in to court,” ment that allows both of them to country. It was impossible let its chief be tried for treason said Ayesha Siddiqa, a prominent save face, many analysts argue. to immediately identify and punished — that will be the military analyst. “It is a dilemma for the govern- the bodies, so PIMS had end of its hegemony. And (Prime On two occasions when ment, having initiated all this... no option but to put these Minister) Nawaz Sharif knows Musharraf was due in court Should they really proceed and bodies in the mortuary,” he this and as a smart politician he the next day, security forces bring it to its logical end or allow said. wants this to be there... so that the announced they had found explo- him to go?” said Talat Masood, a The doctor said the mor- military is kept in check.” sives — unconnected to detoNa- retired general and analyst. tuary could not accommo- It began with a bang on tors — close to his residence. His “I think they are trying to fig- date so many bodies. “We November 17, when Interior lawyers immediately invoked the ure it out... the final decision has then involved the district Minister Chaudhry Nisar gathered security threat to justify their cli- not been taken otherwise there administration, and in the the press on a Sunday to announce ent’s absence from proceedings. would have been some clear pic- end the bodies were shifted that Musharraf, a former army Last week, as he was finally ture emerging.” to cold storages (used to chief who seized power in a blood- making his way to the court, the AFP store vegetables and fruits). less coup in 1999 and ruled until Several bodies could not be 2008, would be tried by a special identified and, after a few court for “high treason”. weeks, were buried in a The charge, which carries the graveyard,” he said. maximum penalty of the death The PIMS management sentence, relates to Musharraf’s then considered the con- suspension of the constitution in struction of a new mortu- 2007 and the imposition of emer- ary. “A proposal was sent gency rule, at a time when his rule to the then Ministry of was being increasingly challenged Capital Administration and by the judiciary. Development and Rs20m Musharraf returned to Pakistan were sought for the con- in March last year following more struction. We have still not than four years in self-imposed received a reply even after exile, declaring he had come to two years,” he said. save his homeland. Dr Mehmood Jamal, But he soon found himself Executive Director, PIMS, caught up in a legal quagmire, said, “Although it is an accused among other things of the important project, I have murder of his rival, former pre- been giving more impor- mier Benazir Bhutto, the extra- Supporters of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf shout slogans outside tance to issues such as the judicial killing of a Baluch rebel the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology, where Musharraf is being treated, extension of the emergency leader and the sacking of judges department.” in Rawalpindi, yesterday. in 2007. INTERNEWS MONDAY 13 JANUARY 2014 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Diplomat tells of anguish at leaving US without children

NEW DELHI: An Indian dip- take and for how long my family US officials to India have been lomat at the centre of a bitter will have to suffer due to this,” cancelled. row with the United States she added. In a fresh retaliatory meas- said yesterday of her “immense Her arrest on December 12 ure late Friday, India asked the stress” at leaving behind her outside her children’s school and United States to withdraw an young family in New York, and treatment in custody, where she embassy official in New Delhi. vowed to clear her name. said she was subjected to a cav- The expelled American dip- Indian consulate official ity search, outraged India which lomat was a “similar rank” to Devyani Khobragade was allowed claimed she benefited from full Khobragade and is thought to to leave the United States on diplomatic immunity. have helped the family of her Friday after a month-long dis- US prosecutors disputed this, maid travel to America where pute over her arrest and strip- and filed charges in New York they were granted protection by search on suspicion of visa fraud accusing Khobragade of some- prosecutors. involving her domestic servant. times forcing the Indian maid to US prosecutors say the fam- Khobragade was granted full work 100-hour weeks, even when ily of the maid were evacuated diplomatic immunity and allowed sick and often without a day off, to the United States because of to fly back to India — just hours for pay as little as $1.22 an hour. attempts to intimidate them. after charges were filed in court Khobragade did obtain diplo- In her newspaper interview, alleging she lodged false docu- matic immunity when last week Khobragade said she would con- ments to obtain a visa for her New Delhi asked Washington tinue a legal fight to clear her servant and then underpaid her. to grant her a G1 visa given to name, including attempting Khobragade, 39, told an Indian diplomats at India’s UN mission, to have her case in New York newspaper of her anguish at which is also in New York. officially dismissed in a federal leaving behind her daughters, The row between the two court. “I have come to India but aged seven and four, in New countries, which had embraced my stand still needs to be vindi- York along with her husband, a each other as strategic partners, cated. And of course, I have been US citizen, who works as an aca- saw weeks of feisty exchanges separated from my family, and I demic. “I wonder if I will be able that strained bilateral ties and am under immense stress for my to ever reunite with my fam- left resentment on both sides. children,” Khobragade said. ily, my husband, my little kids. India has removed extra secu- “I spoke to my kids for hours I miss them,” Khobragade told rity barriers at the US embassy last night, and they are already The Sunday Express. in New Delhi, demanded con- missing me. The four-year-old “What if my children choose tract details for domestic staff asked me, ‘Mommy, when will to study and work in the US? employed by American diplo- you be back home’, and I had no What if I can never return to the mats and even stopped the mis- answer.” She cannot return to US, which I cannot now. Does it sion importing duty-free food the United States unless she sur- mean we will never be able to and alcohol. On Wednesday, renders to the court on arrival, live together as a family again?” it ordered an embassy leisure and her name is being placed on she said. centre popular with American US immigration watch lists “to “I know I am honest, and I expatriates in the capital to stop prevent the routine issuance of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade (left) walks with her father Uttam Khobragade upon her arrival at will come out clean. But we do admitting non-diplomatic mem- any future visa”, according to US Maharashtra Sadan state guesthouse in New Delhi. not know how much time it will bers, while scheduled visits by officials. AFP

Pawar not in Kashmir under snow the race for Oman court jails two PM’s post’ PATNA: The Minister of Indians in graft case State for Agriculture and Food Processing Tariq Anwar yesterday said Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Court asks Galfar chief Ali to pay 600,000 rials in fines Sharad Pawar is not in the race for the prime minister’s (PM) NEW DELHI/MUSCAT: An Development Oman (PDO), to Authorities in the Gulf Arab post. “Pawar is not at all in the Omani government official and three years in jail and ordered sultanate had confiscated 873,000 race for the PM’s post,” Anwar, two private sector Indian exec- him to pay a fine of 600,000 rials rials found in Hinai’s home. NCP general secretary and utives were sentenced to jail of ($1.56m). The case took shape in considered close to Pawar, told up to three years yesterday ny He was banned from holding November when prosecutors media persons here. a Muscat court after conviction public office for 20 years. charged Hinai with accept- Anwar said Pawar has the on corruption charges, the first The court also sentenced ing 200,000 rials from Ali to capability and all the qualities ruling in a case that is shak- Mohammed Ali, Managing facilitate Galfar operations and required for the PM’s post and his ing up the country’s business Director of Galfar Engineering, to extending one of the contracts experience in public life is second environment. three years in jail and Galfar offi- awarded by PDO. Nushad was to none among all political leaders More than 20 government offi- cial Abdullmajeed Nushad to two charged with complicity in pro- in the country. But, in parliamen- cials and private executives from years in jail. Ali, who had main- viding the bribes. tary democracy, it is the number Oman’s oil industry and related tained his innocence throughout Oman, situated on the narrow game that decides who becomes sectors are on trial on charges the trial that began in November, strait through which flows 40 the prime minister. of offering or accepting bribes in was also ordered to pay 600,000 percent of the world’s seaborne “Pawar has everything in his exchange for contracts, mostly in rials in fines. oil, is a significant producer itself, favour except the numbers that infrastructure projects. Nushad, who had initially pumping around 950,000 barrels is most important,” he said. Corruption is a politically sen- denied the charges but changed per day of crude. Oil and gas sec- sitive issue in Oman, which saw his plea during the hearings, was tor revenues provide most gov- sporadic street protests against ordered to pay 200,000 rials, the ernment revenues. Maoist killed in graft and unemployment in 2011 judge said. Ali and Nushad, who The country is spending heavily as political unrest gripped other hold Indian citizenship, are to be to develop its energy and indus- Odisha gunfight Arab countries. deported after they serve their trial infrastructure in an effort The judge at the Court of First sentences. to create jobs for its citizens. Last BHUBANESWAR: A Maoist Instance in Muscat sentenced A PDO official said: “We have month, international oil giant BP rebel was killed in a gunfight Juma Al Hinai, an official in the no comment at this point. It is signed 30-year deals to develop an with security forces in a forested Finance Ministry who also serves too soon.” He suggested that the Omani gas project with an esti- area of Odisha’s Malkangiri dis- as head of the tenders commit- defendants would appeal the mated investment of $16bn. A Kashmiri woman carrying a water pitcher on her head walks on trict, police said yesterday. The tee at state-owned Petroleum verdict. IANS a snow covered mountain on the outskirts of Srinagar, the summer exchange of fire took place eight capital of Kashmir, yesterday. km away from Janwai village, about 750km from here, when a group of rebels encountered Border Security Force person- High Court asks trial court to frame nel on Saturday night. Handgun named after Delhi “The body of the Maoist rebel (in uniform) was found during murder charges in dowry case a search of the area Sunday,” District Superintendent of Police NEW DELHI: Coming down heavily on a trial court for not framing gang-rape victim sparks fury Akhileswar Singh said, adding murder charges against the husband and in-laws of a woman killed that two locally made guns were for dowry — despite evidence to this effect, the Delhi High Court has also recovered from the site. remanded the case back to the lower court. NEW DELHI: A Indian “Expectedly, the weapon has Survivors Network said. A division bench of Justice Kailash Gambhir and Justice Indermeet handgun designed for women received a very good response,” “Our research shows that a Kaur rapped the trial court judge for not taking into consideration all the and named after the victim of he said. The gun is called person is 12 times more likely Strike paralyses evidence available against the husband and in-laws of the woman. a fatal gang-rape in Delhi was “Nirbheek” meaning “fearless” to be shot dead if they are car- The court also directed the judge to complete the trial within six months condemned by rights activists in Hindi and was intended as rying a gun when attacked,” Karnataka after framing the additional charge of murder. The court was hearing a yesterday as a disgrace to her a tribute to the 23-year-old she said. set of appeals filed by the husband and in-laws of Shalu Jain (28) who died memory. student whose brutal attack “It also shows that the gov- BANGALORE: About 600,000 due to burn injuries June 14, 2000, two-and-a half years after her marriage. The lightweight .32 calibre in India’s capital in December ernment of India has failed to commercial vehicles kept off On December 8, 2010, a trial court awarded life term to Shalu’s husband revolver was developed by the 2012 sparked outrage about the protect women by resorting the roads across Karnataka Yash Jain, ten years’ imprisonment to Veena and Subhash Jain (parents-in- state-run Indian Ordnance levels of violence against women to this. Arming women is not yesterday in support of about law) and seven years’ imprisonment to Prashant Jain, her brother-in-law. Factory (IOF) and can fit in India. a responsible way to secure 3,000 sand transporters, agitat- They moved the high court challenging the punishment awarded to them inside a small purse or hand- The student was given the their safety and security,” she ing since December 22 demand- saying it was an accidental death and she received burn injuries while bag, according to a newspaper nickname Nirbhaya (also mean- said. ing more permits, release of cooking food in the kitchen. report. ing fearless) by the media and The government has intro- lorries seized by the police and The trial court had held them guilty under section 304B (dowry death) The factory in the northern authorities after the attack duced tougher laws for rapists end to harassment of drivers at and 498A (subjecting a woman to cruelty) of the India Penal Code, but not city of Kanpur has received 20 because she could not be named and other offenders and a range check-posts. framed murder (section 302) charge against them. orders since the titanium-alloy, under Indian law. of other judicial and policing “The response to our three- The high court, while dealing with the case, relied on the medical and six-shot gun — costing 122,360 But activists said the gun reforms in the wake of outrage week-long agitation has been scientific evidence placed on record by the prosecution, which proved that rupees ($1,976) — was launched showed Indian authorities over the student’s attack on a overwhelming as movement of Shalu died due to “combined effect of shock due to burn injury and organic earlier this month, the Times of “completely misunderstood” moving bus. transport vehicles ferrying goods phosphorous poisoning found inside her stomach”. India said yesterday. how they were supposed to pro- The attack shone a global and people on intra- and inter- Angered at the order of the trial court, the bench said the trial court “At least 80 percent of the tect women from high levels of spotlight on India’s treatment state routes came to a stand- perhaps had forgotten that “fair and proper trial is at the core of our judicial bookings are from women,” violence across the country. of women, sparked protests and still,” Federation of Karnataka system to reach the ultimate goal of dispensation of justice between the IOF general manager Abdul “It really is an insult to the unleashed seething public anger State Lorry Owners and Agents parties”. “It is first and foremost duty of every court to see that neither any Hameed told the newspaper, memory of Nirbhaya,” said about the daily harassment and Association G R Shanmugappa innocent man is punished nor any guilty person escapes from the clutches adding that more orders were Binalakshmi Nepram, founder violence facing women. told reporters here. IANS of law. Both are public duties of a judge,” the court said. IANS expected soon. of the Manipur Women Gun AFP MONDAY 13 JANUARY 2014 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Govt may hike Modi at kite festival subsidised LPG to 12 cylinders 97pc consumers likely to get subsidy

NEW DELHI: The govern- compensation of `200,000 to the ment is considering increas- kin of a couple, who died after an ing the quota of subsidised LPG gas cylinder exploded. cooking gas (LPG) cylinders NCDRC presiding member from nine to 12 per household K S Chaudhari and member B in a year, Petroleum Minister C Gupta, in a order delivered M Veerappa Moily said last week, directed the IOC and yesterday. liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) “I have read in the newspa- dealer, Shiva Gas Service, pers about (Congress vice-pres- Mysore, to pay `200,000 com- ident) Rahul Gandhi taking up pensation to the kin of B K the issue of increasing the LPG Thimmegowda. (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) cap The commission was hearing with the prime minister. I am a plea filed by the United India yet to get comments from the Insurance Company Limited, Congress vice-president or the Mysore, seeking revision of order prime minister,” he told report- passed by the Karnataka State ers at the Petrotech 2014 con- Consumer Disputes Redressal ference, on the national capital’s Commission, where it directed Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, prime ministerial candidate of main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), flies a kite at the international outskirts. the insurance company with the kite festival in Ahmedabad yesterday. The minister said the final gas dealer and the company to decision in the matter will be pay compensation. taken by the Cabinet Committee The Karnataka commission on Political Affairs (CCPA). order came on a plea filed by One killed, three Pointing out that around Gowramma, a resident of Mysore, 89 percent of the 150 million Karnataka. Wars solved no issues between injured in Kolkata LPG consumers use up to nine She told the commis- cylinders a year, while only 10 sion that her father, late B K mall accident percent have to buy the addi- Thimmegowda, took an LPG gas India and Pakistan, says Omar tional requirement at market connection for domestic use from KOLKATA: One person was prices, Moily said if the quota Mysore-based Shiva Gas Service killed and three others were is raised, about 97 percent of November 27, 1999. JAMMU: Wars between India solve any issue in future,” he said, time-bound service delivery in critically injured yesterday LPG consumers would get sub- On December 7, 1999, the cyl- and Pakistan did not solve any referring to the three wars fought basic amenities providing sec- when a ladder on which they sidised LPG. inder exploded causing severe problem in the past nor would by India and Pakistan. tors,” he said. Asking people to were working inside a shopping “If that proposal (for hik- injuries to her father and mother any conflict do so in future, Abdullah also said his govern- utilise the laws to help curb cor- mall here collapsed, police said. ing the LPG cap) comes, we and also damaging property, she said Jammu and Kashmir Chief ment has equipped people with ruption, he said the government’s The incident happened in the need to examine pros and cons. claimed. Her parents succumbed Minister Omar Abdullah said, effective legislation to identify aim was to bring functioning South City Mall, leading to pan- Ultimately, the decision will to their injuries on December 10, adding prosperity of people in corrupt officials and seek their and functionaries under public demonium among visitors. be taken by CCEA (Cabinet 1999. the two nations depends only on punishment through independ- scanner. The four workers were busy Committee on Economic Affairs) The complainant, alleging peace. ent institutions established in the People can question every gov- putting up banners while stand- or CCPA (Cabinet Committee on deficiency in service, demanded Abdullah expressed satisfaction state in the last five years. ernment department about its ing on a ladder when it collapsed. Political Affairs),” he said. compensation for the death of that routine life have resumed “To curb corruption has performance, financial transac- Police reached the spot and “We are going to take a con- her parents and also for the loss in Indian villages, particularly remained our first target. We tions, tender allotment, besides were investigating if proper secu- sidered view, we are considering caused to moveable and immove- in Vijaypur and Samba areas in brought historic initiatives to demanding services in a fixed rity measures were followed while suggestions,” Moily said. able properties. Jammu region, that were affected empower people to be important time frame. “Some 80 basic serv- undertaking the maintenance and Increasing the cap to 12 cylin- The commission allowed the by firing on the international bor- players in achieving this goal,” he ices from 13 departments have decoration work. “We are trying ders would result in an additional revision plea of the United India der a few months ago. said, citing laws like the Public been brought under the ambit to figure out what led to the acci- fuel subsidy burden of between Insurance Company Limited, Addressing a public meeting in Services Guarantee Act, Right to of the Public Services Guarantee dent. The entire maintenance is `33bn-`58 for the government. saying: Vijaypur town, the chief minis- Information Act, re-constitution Act to be delivered to consumer in outsourced to an external agency “It is not obligatory on the part ter expressed hope that relations of the state accountability com- a fixed time frame,” he said. which has been working on this IOC, DEALER FINED of the insurance company to make between India and Pakistan will mission and the establishment of Any official who delays or fails assignment since the mall has Meanwhile, the National the payment to the complainants, improve, and stressed all issues the state vigilance commission. to deliver these services in a fixed been operational. We will provide Consumer Disputes Redressal as the said cylinder was not in the can be settled only through “These institutions were time frame is liable for a fine, all support to the families of the Commission (NCDRC) has asked process of being installed under dialogue. established to make govern- which shall then be given to be victims,” a spokesperson of the the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) the terms and condition of the “Wars in the past have never ment functioning transparent, affected consumer, he said. mall said in a statement. and a cooking gas dealer to pay policy.” IANS solved any problem and will not give good governance and ensure IANS IANS AAP success prompts BJP and other parties to woo NRIs

he overseas Indian shape of a meet to showcase around the world. Within a com- of possible investments and may not be of much India’s investment potential and paratively short span, the fledg- therefore jobs for locals by high practical use to politi- attract diaspora capital. Various ling party established 18 AAP flying non-residents might do Tcal outfits here as a state governments too have used chapters across the globe, each that. At the Overseas Friends voter, but has suddenly found the event to woo their respec- enrolling hundreds of NRI/PIO of BJP meet, therefore, the par- significance as a campaigner tive diaspora with appeals rang- volunteers. Some 400 volunteers ty’s national president, Rajnath and a fund-raiser. And, when ing from logical to emotional. were reported to have flown in Singh, promised to “create hundreds of such non-resident The Congress too did its bit to Delhi to be a part of the proc- conditions”, if voted to power, Indians (NRIs) and persons of in appeasing the NRI/PIO seg- ess. IT can’t be used as a main to raise the FDI (foreign direct Indian origin (PIOs) descended ment. NRIs who visit Indian campaign tool when it comes to investment) limit for overseas on the motherland last week, frequently wanted long-term the whole of India in a general Indians to 40 per cent. politicians couldn’t help but stay permits and the Indian election, but the ripples created After coming to power his sink their fangs into this juicy government introduced a PIO by the Delhi win are being turned party would boost the manu- electoral morsel. scheme with a 20-year visa. by local volunteers into waves of facturing sector and could float The Bharatiya Janata Party Then, the government extended word-of-mouth publicity. bonds which would allow NRIs to (BJP), having seen the role of it to granting dual citizenship invest in this sector, Singh said. overseas diaspora in Aam Admi with some conditions, calling it THE NR EYE A Global Website for NRIs was Party’s unexpected success, was the Overseas Citizen of India launched by senior leader Arun at the forefront of this effort. (OCI) card that allows them Moiz Mannan Jaitley at the event. The meet- Not only did the party organ- to live in India as long as they ing called upon overseas Indians ise its own NRI conclave, but want plus get other benefits like In terms of funding, AAP has to make extensive use of modern its prime ministerial candidate owning property and working. acknowledged that in the eight days communication. Vijay Jolly for the impending parliamen- Overseas Indians with Indian months leading up to December’s convenor of OFBJP urged over- tary elections, Narendra Modi, passports can also vote in elec- Delhi state election, the party seas Indians to make telephone used the platform of the official tions but only in person. This raised around `200m ($3.2m) calls and send out at least 10 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to send was also announced at a PBD. globally via online donations, with e-mails each to their relatives out a political message. Over the past several years, over `65m coming from outside and friends in India every day Traditionally, the BJP is though, it appeared that the India. For the upcoming Lok soliciting support for the BJP. supposed to have the strongest BJP, ridden with challenges at Sabha elections, the party says Rajnath Singh also promised overseas support base among all home, had sidetracked the effort it has already collected some `50 a system whereby NRIs would major political outfits in India. to maintain relations with its m, more than a fifth of which find it easy to get their children A large number of resourceful overseas supporters. It took amount has come from over- admitted to IIT and other top NRIs and PIOs, particularly in Narendra Modi to breathe new seas Indians. All this was appar- educational institutions in India. the US and UK owe allegiance life into the domestic cadre and ently not lost on the BJP which Covering all the bases, the global to the party that was at the AAP’s stunning performance promptly regrouped it overseasa meet also adopted a resolution helm of affairs in India when the in Delhi state elections to turn supporters and called a global that “NRIs be permitted to vote first Pravasi Bharatiya Divas attention back to the diaspora. meet in the name of Overseas by postal ballot in 2014 polls.” was held in New Delhi in 2003. NRIs were at the forefront Friends of BJP. There seemed to On his part, the BJP current As Prime Minister, BJP stal- of AAP’s delhi election cam- a one-point agenda of this con- poster boy, Narendra Modi, wart Atal Behari Vajpayee has paign in terms of IT manage- clave: galvanise NRI/PIO poten- used the forum of the Indian laid out promises such as dual ment. Facebook, Twitter and tial for the final push to power. government-organised Pravasi citizenship and other benefits, Google Hangout were used for The BJP is not exactly in Bharatiya Divas to hit out at especially for PIOs. The BJP- fund-raising and get-out-the- dearth of funds as was AAP the Congress misrule and sent led combination lost power vote efforts. According to AAP and would not push too hard out implied messages aplenty soon after that and since then, sources, a staggering 480,000 for NRI money, but it certainly regarding his party’s imminent the Congress-led UPA govern- calls were made to Delhi vot- needs overseas Indians’ support success in the 2014 elections. ments have given the PBD the ers by some 35,000 volunteers to polish its image. Endorsements THE PENINSULA

Monday 13 January 2014 12 Rabial I 1435 Volume 18 Number 5943 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 QE index opens week on a strong note Banks and financial services sector helped by industries push market up by 0.45 percent

DOHA: QE Index opened benchmark index soared 0.45 per- percent. Rayan rose 1.05 percent Market capitalisation rose to The Group Securities noted after rocketing from 0.27 rials in the week with a strong note cent to 10,922 points, its highest and Commercial bank gained 0.41 QR576bn from the prior session’s of the total Qatari population, the previous three trading days. extending its two-week rally level over the past 52-weeks. QIB, percent.Doha Bank dropped 0.79 QR574bn. Of the 39 traded com- an estimated 10 percent of The stock had been weak since on the back of receiving boost QNB, and Electricity & Water percent. panies, 23 advanced, 11 declined Qatari citizens subscribed to October, when news emerged of a from shares in the Banks and served as a strong boost to the The Industrials sector rose by and five closed unchanged. Traded MPHC shares during the first corruption probe involving some Financial Services sector, with Index . 0.82 percent buoyed by Electricity volume stood at 6.9m and the for days of the offerings. The of its executives; yesterday, two most investors repositioning Four out of seven sectors and Water which soared by 1.9 traded value at QR349m. subscriptions of MPCH shares Galfar officials were sentenced in into them ahead of a hot-antic- ended in green, with the Banks percent. Industries Qatar was QE’s continuing bull-run has are still going on at the dedi- the case. ipated result season. and Financial Sector rising marginally up by 0.12 percent. proved the market expectations cated counters of participating Saudi’s Alinma Bank ended flat The index was mainly bol- the most. The index added 0.91 Real estate sector rose 0.12 per- that the Mesaieed Petrochemical banks. The offerings will end on to hold at a 21-month high after stered by Banks and Financial percent with the heavy weight cent which saw Ezdan Holding Holding Company’s (MPCH) IPO January 21. it posted a 35 percent increase in Services sector, supported by the QNB rising 1.26 percent. Islamic and UDC falling 0.68 percent and offering would drag the market Elsewhere, Oman and Saudi fourth-quarter profit. Industrials sector. Holding was the best performer 0.2 percent respectively. Telecom down due to huge profit taking Arabia made small advances to Markets in the United Arab The index hit a fresh high with in the Banking and Financial sector was down by 0.56 per- wrong. Analysts said it shows reach new five-year peaks. Emirates were closed yesterday Vodafone Qatar rising the most services sector, gaining 2.94 cent, with Ooredoo shedding 1.18 investors confidence in the mar- Shares in Oman’s Galfar for a religious holiday. by 3.18 percent. The 20-stock percent. QIB advanced by 2.40 percent. ket and the economy. Engineering were flat at 0.31 rials, THE PENINSULA/REUTERS

Al Asmakh Real Estate gets RICS Regulated certification Iraq PM warns Kurdistan DOHA: Al Asmakh Real Estate requirements set forth by the RICS, a United “As one of the leading real estate compa- BAGHDAD: Iraq Prime start at the end of this month and Development Company (AREDC) yester- Kingdom based regulatory firm. nies in Qatar, we are committed to providing Minister Nouri Al Maliki threat- then rise in February and March. day announced that it has become the first AREDC is an ISO accredited real estate a professional service that operates with a ened yesterday to cut Kurdistan’s “This is a constitutional violation real estate firm in Qatar with the prestig- brokerage firm. AREDC engages in the acqui- clear set of values and ethical principles. Our share of the federal budget if the which we will never allow, not for ious RICS Regulated certification. sition, development, management and sale of commitment to excellence in quality assur- autonomous region exports oil to the (Kurdistan) region nor for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors commercial and residential real estate. It ance is demonstrated by achieving the RICS Turkey via a new pipeline with- Turkish government,” Maliki said. (RICS) is the world’s leading qualification offers services such as selling, renting, mar- Regulatory Firm Status,” said Fadi Barakeh, out central government consent. He reiterated Baghdad’s insistence when it comes professional standards in land, keting, asset management, property portfo- General Manager of AREDC. The Kurdistan Regional that only the central government property and construction. The recent certi- lio management in addition to financial and RICS is an independent professional body Government said last week that has the authority to manage Iraq’s fication recognizes Al Asmakh Real Estate’s investment consultancy, escrow accounts as originally established in the UK by Royal crude had begun to flow to Turkey energy resources. management and work systems adhere to the well as valuations and research. Charter. THE PENINSULA and exports were expected to REUTERS MONDAY 13 JANUARY 2014 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Sweden sells mineral wealth too cheap Experts want mining fees hiked

STOCKHOLM: Sweden scores more iron than any other high in international rank- European nation and boasts the ings of mining nations, but world’s two largest underground concern is growing that the ore mines. Its mineral resources Scandinavian country is selling are attracting the attention of its vast underground resources business heavyweights from far too cheap. across the globe. While concession fees are Avalon Minerals and Dragon kept deliberately low in order to Mining, both Australian compa- attract miners, critics say all nine nies, have prospecting and conces- million Swedes could and should sion licences in Sweden. Canadian benefit the same way that their company Eurasian Minerals has Norwegian neighbours all profit exploration projects in Sweden, from their national oil wealth. one of them in cooperation with “This is something we own Chile’s Antofagasta. together,” said Jesper Roine, asso- The low concession fees do not ciate professor at the Stockholm mean that Sweden is getting no School of Economics. Besides, he revenue from mining. added, minerals have an intrin- The Swedish government earns sic value even before they are dug 12bn kronor (¤1.3bn) from min- out of the earth, and they should ing operations via dividends from be priced accordingly, the way all state-owned mining company other raw materials are priced. LKAB and via regular taxes. As it is now, the Swedish state But to observers, such as Roine, Stockpiles of nickel ore await shipment at a port in a nickel-mining area in Indonesia’s central Sulawesi. earned only a little over ¤30,000 this is not enough. ($41,000) in concession fees in He is the co-author of a recent 2012, the last year for which fig- report on Swedish earnings from ures were available. mineral extraction that proposes Indonesia bans mineral ore exports Why this tiny number? Because new tariffs to compensate for the fees are a mere 0.2 percent of gradual depletion of resources JAKARTA: Indonesia, one of is the world’s biggest exporter of However, Yudhoyono’s last- of dollars needed to build a smelter. total output value, of which three and a state-owned fund similar to the world’s biggest resource nickel ore, refined tin and thermal minute regulation will allow Mineral shipments totalled quarters go to the landowner and Norway’s oil fund, which invests exporters, halted all mineral coal and home to the fifth largest 66 companies, which include $10.4bn in 2012, or around five per- only one quarter ends up in the the billions the country earns to ore exports yesterday in a bid copper mine and top gold mine. Freeport and Newmont, to con- cent of Indonesia’s total exports, state treasury. last for future generations once to promote domestic process- The long-expected ban aims to tinue to export processed mineral according to the World Bank. By comparison, Canadian prov- the resources are gone. ing, but the country’s president boost Indonesia’s long-term return as they have provided assurances Shortly before the ban took inces typically charge 10 to 15 per- “It’s not the same as saying passed a last-minute regula- from its mineral wealth by forc- to the government that they will effect, Freeport halted copper cent, and Australia implemented that the companies... shouldn’t be tion to ease the ban’s impact on ing miners to process their ores soon build the necessary smelters. exports and would not resume a 30 percent mining tax in 2012. compensated for their costs and major miners. domestically. But officials fear a “As long as they can fulfill the them until there was clarity on Some economists and environ- the risks they are shouldering. In one of his biggest economic short-term cut in foreign revenue requirements, Freeport and tens which minerals can be shipped, mentalists suggest increased min- They should absolutely be paid policy decisions since taking office could widen the current account of national miners are still allowed a union official said. “There will ing fees in order to safeguard the for that,” he said. nearly 10 years ago, President deficit, which has undermined to export,” Industry Minister MS be no concentrate exports from natural environment of Sweden’s “But nevertheless it’s the case Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono investor confidence and battered Hidayat said. Freeport Indonesia in Papua as mineral-rich north, while also that the business doesn’t mate- approved the ban, but allowed the rupiah. Details of the regulations were long as there is no government saving up for a huge nest egg to rialise out of thin air. Some of US mining giants Freeport “Starting at midnight on Jan. to be released later. policy providing certainty on help future generations. the value of the mineral wealth McMoRan Copper & Gold and 12, 2014, raw ore definitely can- Most of the companies expected concentrate exports,” said union Behind the debate is a fact that already exists from the outset, Newmont Mining Corp to con- not be exported,” Energy and to feel the impact of the ban are official Virgo Solossa, adding that may surprise: Sweden is known and this makes it a very special tinue to ship billions of dollars Mines Minister Jero Wacik told small domestic miners, numbering the firm has not made a shipment for its slick design and ingenuous industry compared with others.” worth of copper overseas. reporters after a meeting with in the hundreds, that cannot afford from its port since December 15. high-tech, but it also produces AFP The Southeast Asian nation the president and cabinet. to invest the hundreds of millions REUTERS World Bank’s IFC fixing Honduras project ThyssenKrupp chief tests

WASHINGTON: The expansion plans in 2008. The “In a sector and country where January 2010 and May 2013, 40 International Finance Corp, the project, in Honduras’s northern risks of conflict and violence of the deaths tied to Dinant or shareholders patience World Bank’s private finance Aguan Valley, has long been criti- around land were or should have security personnel working for arm, said yesterday it was taking cised by non-governmental organ- been known to the team, CAO finds the company. FRANKFURT: Three keeping faith in him, for now. action to remedy problems in a izations due to the land conflicts that IFC’s review was not ‘com- Nine Dinant guards are also years after taking the helm “I do believe that Hiesinger Honduras palm oil project assailed tied to Dinant plantations. mensurate to risk,’” the CAO said. reputed to have been killed by at ThyssenKrupp, Heinrich can still turn things around,” said for human rights violations. “IFC takes the audit and “IFC was or should have been people tied to the peasant move- Hiesinger is running out of time Schneider at Union Investment. After a report by the Bank’s its findings seriously. We have aware of a series of public allega- ment, which contested Dinant’s to implement his ambitious “But he needs to show share- internal ombudsman deeply criti- worked with the client on an tions and negative perceptions in claim to own the land it used for plan to retool the 200-year-old holders and employees a clear cal of the IFC’s support for the action plan moving forward,” an relation to its client that went sig- the palm oil plantations. German steelmaker as a high- path so they can finally see a light Dinant Corp project, the finance IFC spokeswoman said. nificantly beyond those that were The IFC said in a response to tech engineering conglomerate. at the end of the tunnel.” body said it was working to rectify “If the client does not meet its considered in the course of its the CAO report that it is press- Setbacks in selling weak assets — Public professions of confidence the problems and would cancel obligations under these plans, we integrity due diligence process.” ing Dinant to reform its security as well as costly price-fixing scandals in Hiesinger’s strategy have also its loans if the company did not reserve the right to exercise all The IFC disbursed $15m of the procedures. “Dinant is in the he inherited — have made Hiesinger’s come from Cevian, whose found- adequately address concerns. remedies available, including can- amount committed in early 2009, process of adopting new security promises of sweeping transformation ing partner Christer Gardell was On Friday, the Bank’s cellation of the investment.” but held back the rest as violence protocols that define and clar- look optimistic. At an annual meet- dubbed “The Butcher” in Sweden Compliance Advisor Ombudsman The CAO report said the IFC’s mounted in the Aguan Valley and ify the appropriate use of force. ing on Friday, the former Siemens for pushing aggressively for restruc- said the IFC was not diligent agreement to lend $30m to the after the government was over- Dinant’s contracted security com- man will face tough questions from turings of underperforming firms. enough in reviewing questions $75m project was not supported thrown in a military coup d’etat in pany has formally agreed to the shareholders who, for a second year, The investment group has quad- about fights over land rights and by an adequate environmental and June that year. The CAO report Voluntary Principles (on Security have received no dividend. rupled its stake in ThyssenKrupp murders of local farm workers in social assessment of the project, cites NGO data that 102 people and Human Rights). This is a first “Some thought that he was since the middle of last year, giving approving a $30m loan to Dinant’s given the history of conflict tied to the Aguan Valley peasant in Honduras,” it said. the guy who can restructure it a significant voice at the AGM. palm oil plantation and processing between Dinant and local peasants. movement were killed between AFP ThyssenKrupp and move it There has also been change at forward. But he hasn’t really the Krupp Foundation. The last achieved that yet,” said Joerg family owner, jailed but later par- Schneider, a fund manager at doned for his role in the Nazi war India’s private sector job opportunities decline Union Investment in Frankfurt. effort, left his fortune to the trust “He set the expectations too high.” to fund philanthropy. Turkish auto Adding to pressure on His confidant Berthold Beitz Hiesinger are small but signifi- oversaw the charity’s influence on production up cant shifts in the group’s own- the group for decades, before and ership since the last AGM. The after the 1999 merger with Thyssen. 5pc last year family trust, which long shielded Beitz’s death last July at the age of managers from predators, has 99 could lead to shifts in its stance. ISTANBUL: Turkish automo- seen its holding diluted below a Last month, by not participating in tive production rose five percent blocking 25 percent. Meanwhile, a capital increase, the Foundation in 2013 to 1.13 million units, but activist Swedish fund Cevian has let its stake slip below the 25 per- is expected to decline this year built up an 11-percent stake. cent that gave it a blocking minor- as domestic demand falls, the Needing cash to expand higher- ity at the company’s AGMs. Automotive Manufacturers’ margin lines, such as elevators The stake now stands at 23 Association (OSD) said in a and high-performance car parts, percent, still a level that gives it report published yesterday. Hiesinger has already sold assets great sway over decisions which The jump in production last year accounting for a quarter of group require the support of 75 percent was due mainly to a growing mar- sales. Yet delays and other problems of votes cast. The scale of difficul- ket in Turkey as well as more sales have sparked speculation — which ties since he won support for his overseas, helped by the addition of the CEO has consistently rejected restructuring plan in 2011 under- new models, the OSD said. Exports — that he might yet pull out of lines how much there is still to do last year were 14 percent higher at steelmaking altogether, ending two for Hiesinger, whose contract is 828,000 vehicles, bringing revenue centuries of Krupp tradition. up in September next year. of $21.5bn. Turkey’s vehicle indus- A senior manager who has Once synonymous with the rise try, the country’s biggest source of worked with the 53-year-old elec- of Germany’s industrial and mili- exports, is Europe’s fifth-biggest, trical engineer told Reuters that tary might, producing munitions, according to the OSD. sentiment would play little role tanks and big guns from its Ruhr The impact of a sharp decline when the CEO determines what valley base, today’s ThyssenKrupp in the lira against the dollar so must be sold. “There are,” he said, is a diversified global conglomerate far this year would only become Indian staff work at a call centre for The Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI) in Hyderabad. “no sacred cows for Hiesinger.” making products ranging from bulk clear in the coming weeks, the Low business confidence and high interest rates have led economic growth to plunge to the lowest in a Despite a 40-percent fall in steel to elevators, automotive parts, OSD also said. decade, making private sector job opportunities harder to come by. the share price since he took fertiliser plants and warships. REUTERS over, many investors say they are REUTERS MONDAY 13 JANUARY 2014 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19

India sugar exports to be sweetened Federal Reserve Bulgaria taps paid government $77.7bn last year export niches to WASHINGTON: The Federal Reserve said it paid the federal government $77.7bn in 2013. That was down from the record set in 2012 but still far above escape doldrums payment levels before the Great Recession. The payments reflect a por- tion of the earnings the central New entrepreneurs revive economy bank makes from the Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed SOFIA: Bulgaria’s economic In communist times, Bulgaria securities it has bought to drive outlook may be gloomy but used to supply computers, canned interest rates lower to boost the Dragomir Kouzov, founder of food and armaments including economy. bicycle manufacturer Drag AK-47 assault rifles to the whole The Fed is funded from interest and one of a new breed of niche of the Soviet Bloc, but those days earned on its portfolio of securi- entrepreneurs in the EU’s poor- are long gone. ties. After covering expenses, est country, is anything but. Nowadays it relies heavily for the Fed makes a payment of “My motto is ‘I believe,’” the exports on a Russian-owned oil the remaining amount to the smiling and energetic 52-year- refinery and a German-run cop- Treasury Department. The pre- old former professional cyclist, per smelter, and the Balkan coun- liminary estimate for the 2013 enthused to AFP, one of his state- try remains a major agricultural payment was down 12 percent the-art two-wheel creations sus- exporter. from a payment of $88.4bn made pended on the wall behind him. According to the Bulgarian in 2012. “We Bulgarians have a big Industrial Association (BIA), Fed payments averaged $26bn chance to succeed in niche seg- Bulgaria is the world’s top pro- annually in the four years before ments. Here there is cheap man- vider of grains used for breakfast A trader sits on a pile of sugarcane as he waits for customers at a wholesale market in the southern Indian 2008. But since 2008, the Fed’s ual labour, creativity, innovation cereals—muesli and flakes—with city of Chennai yesterday. India appears set to increase sugar exports to Asia and the Middle East if the balance sheet has increased four- and the designing of original a fifth of world exports in 2012. government extends production incentives to cash-strapped mills. fold and now tops $4 trillion. products.” It is the world number two The Fed decided at its Times are tough in Bulgaria, in coriander seeds, sunflower December meeting to make a politically and economically. seeds, duck meat and preserved modest reduction in the amount The last government resigned cherries. of bonds it purchases each month almost a year ago after a wave of It also makes auto parts — it VW braces for market challenges to keep downward pressure on public protests and few experts is a major supplier of sensors for interest rates. expect the deeply unpopular cur- airbags — and products like skis It said it would cut the monthly rent administration to hang on and snowboards. BERLIN/FRANKFURT: 2013,” he added. December sales percent to 3.3 million and North purchases from $85bn to $75bn much longer. But these are not always very Europe’s largest automaker of passenger cars, vans and sport- American sales rise 5.6 percent to beginning this month and would Around a million Bulgarians, lucrative for Bulgaria since they Volkswagen is bracing for chal- utility vehicles across the multi- 888,000 cars. make further reductions in com- including many of the brightest are often produced for firms lenging markets as it posted brand group rose 6.3 percent to In the United States, VW ing months if the economy keeps and the best, have left the country abroad which re-package and sell record 2013 sales with demand 833,200 autos compared with clinched a 2.6 percent gain in improving. since the fall of communism 25 them — often for a healthy profit. from China and North America 784,100 a year ago, Wolfsburg, group deliveries, thanks to record In releasing a preliminary years ago. “We need to move up the chain more than offsetting declin- Germany-based VW said. sales of its premium flagship Audi. accounting of its finances on On January 1 Bulgarians gained — from supplying just parts to ing deliveries in core European 2013 deliveries were up almost Still, the German powerhouse con- Friday, the Fed said that expendi- full freedom of movement in the other producers to being able to markets. 5 percent at a record 9.7 million tinues to battle American percep- tures for the operations of the Fed entire European Union after eight offer and market more finished “Even though the situation in vehicles, ranging from small city tions of lower value for money, board totalled $580m in 2013 and countries including Germany, products ourselves,” the BIA’s Europe would appear to be sta- cars to heavy trucks. mediocre quality and disregard for that another $563 million went Britain and France dropped all Veselin Iliev said. bilising, economic uncertainty VW has pledged to surpass US tastes as it vies for attention at to fund the Consumer Financial remaining restrictions. This is already happening, he will continue and the challenges Toyota and General Motors as the Detroit auto show next week. Protection Bureau and the Office Foreign direct investment into says, with canny Bulgarian entre- we will be facing on markets will the world’s No. 1 carmaker no By contrast, sales in its of Financial Research, two agen- 7.4-million-strong Bulgaria has preneurs already sniffing out remain virtually unchanged,” VW later than 2018, aiming to boost European home market dropped cies created by Congress in 2010 slumped from ¤6.6bn ($9bn) in opportunities and making the sales chief Christian Klingler said annual deliveries to at least 10 by 0.5 percent to 3.7 million vehi- as part of an overhaul of the gov- 2008 to a meagre ¤1.4bn in 2012. country “a leader in the export in a statement yesterday. million cars. cles and South American deliv- ernment’s financial regulatory This has made exports, two- of niche products,” a BIA report “As far as the current year is Buoyed by strong overall eries decreased 10.1 percent to efforts in the wake of the 2008 thirds of which currently go to the authored by Iliev said. concerned, we expect market car demand, Volkswagen saw 908,000. financial crisis. rest of the EU, hugely important. AFP developments on a level similar to 2013 sales in China spike 16.2 REUTERS AP Swiss private banking sector shaken up by key players’ shift

GENEVA: The exclusive Swiss bankers have over time refreshed guarantee. But the tougher regu- private banking sector has been their ranks with wealthy, like- latory environment seen since the revolutionised by key players minded members from their own global financial crisis, and scan- Pictet, Lombard Odier, and community. dals such as the Madoff fraud Mirabaud, amid a tough new Pictet and Lombard Odier have case in the United States which regulatory environment and a eight managing partners, and rippled across the world’s bank- crackdown on tax cheats. Mirabaud, six. ing sector, have been a wake-up On January 1, the elite trio “The eight partners represent call. radically changed their busi- up to the seventh generation of In addition, Switzerland’s cher- ness model by ditching the near- bankers at the helm of the com- ished tradition of banking secrecy unique status of Swiss private pany,” said Lombard Odier. has been battered as governments banks and transforming them- “Since it was founded in 1796, crack down on tax cheats who selves into operations almost like the company has remained loyal stash cash abroad. any other. to its primary calling, which is The United States has been Switzerland’s two-century-old to conserve, make fruitful and at the forefront, and in August private banking sector has been contribute to the handing down Switzerland struck a deal with based on rules which make the of the assets with which it is Washington over the thorny issue wealthy managing partners per- entrusted,” it said. of undeclared money banked by sonally responsible for the money Not being listed on the stock American citizens. they manage for rich clients. exchange, private banks are not Swiss banks had until December In other words, if the bank gets required to publish their results, 31 to decide whether to take part into trouble, the partners can lose and are the preserve of a closed in a US come-clean programme all their assets, not just those they circle of clients. to settle past wrongdoing. have invested in the operation. Unlimited responsibility for Banks that do so will ward off Drawn from the elite of Geneva those who run private banks has costly lawsuits but still risk being Protestants, in a city which was a long been seen as a selling point fined in proportion to the sums driving force in the Reformation for wealthy clients who want involved. five centuries ago, Swiss private the comfort provided by such a AFP

Protest against labour force adjustment

Workers of Madrid’s regional-run television channel Telemadrid take part in a protest marking the first anni- versary of the labour force adjustment plan in downtown Madrid, Spain, yesterday. A totalof 861 workers were sacked due to the labour force adjustment plan. MONDAY 13 JANUARY 2014 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Saudi British Eurozone back Bank Q4 net profit jumps to normal as 20 percent

RIYADH: Saudi British investors return Bank (SABB), Saudi Arabia’s fourth-largest listed bank, said its fourth-quarter net profit rose 20 percent over the same Borrowing rates fall in crisis-hit region period of 2012, beating analyst expectations. PARIS: The eurozone may be the head of the European Central The lender, an affiliate of HSBC finally returning to some sem- Bank. Holdings, said it made SR976m blance of normality after years It was Draghi’s outright vow to ($260m) in the three months of debt crisis that brought fear do whatever it took to save the to December 31, compared to to the world. euro that ended the “irrational SR815m in the corresponding It’s been two years since the panic that had swept the euro period of 2012. now 18-member currency bloc periphery and the region as a Eight analysts surveyed by was fighting for its life and inves- whole,” Schmieding said. Reuters had forecast it would tors are again knocking on the But the analyst also hailed earn a net profit of SR924.5m in eurozone’s door, buying up assets reforms in countries where the the quarter. deemed dangerous only months “pain” of austerity was “not SABB attributed its profit rise ago. The latest sign of this is on in vain” despite recession and only to higher operating income, the bond markets, where the bor- record-high unemployment. without elaborating. rowing rates for countries that “Sentiment among the reform Net profit for full-year seemed on the verge of a precipice countries at the eurozone periph- 2013 advanced 16.5 percent to are back at levels last seen before ery is rebounding at least as fast SR3.77bn. the crisis. as it is for the region as a whole,” Saudi companies issue brief “The risk associated with the the analyst said. New Natuzzi’s easy chairs named Revive in a store in downtown Milan yesterday. earnings statements early in the eurozone has reduced signifi- But rates in richer countries reporting period before publishing cantly in the past few months,” and those in the poorer ones are more detailed results later. said Christian Parisot, an econo- still far from the convergence SABB’s loans portfolio climbed mist at Paris-based investment brushed with a decade ago, when Italian home base dragging 10 percent to SR106bn over the bank Credit Agricole CIB. the euro was first introduced. end of 2012, and deposits grew 15 Spain, Italy, as well as bailed Germany and France today still percent over the same timeframe out Portugal and Ireland have enjoy borrowing rates far lower to SR139bn. seen their borrowing rates fall than partners to the south. Debt down sofa king Natuzzi SABB managing director David sharply. issued by super-safe Germany was Dew said in an October 1 inter- By the end of the week, Spanish trading at about 1.9 percent on SANTERAMO IN COLLE, It costs Natuzzi up to 10 times began exporting abroad helped view the bank was finalising a benchmark debt was trading at Friday and France at 2.5 percent. Italy: From this hilltop town on more to make a product in Italy by devaluations of the lira that three-year strategic plan based about 3.8 percent, a long way off Low rates mean low returns for the heel of Italy’s boot, Pasquale than in its factory in China and allowed them to price lower than on an assumption that govern- the danger level of more than six investors, though. Natuzzi has built an eponymous although it has been proactive foreign rivals. ment spending will continue to percent hit in 2012. Italy was at “Investors have little hope of furniture company that is one opening factories abroad is under But that advantage was lost grow and that Saudi bank lend- 3.9 percent. gains from Germany and France,” of the country’s most global pressure from Italian unions to when Italy adopted the euro in ing levels to the private sector are Falling sovereign yields help to Parisot said, with a chase for a brands. It sells sofa beds from keep jobs at home. 1999 - around the same time that sustainable in the mid teens for boost economies, and crucially lift better return pushing them to Dallas to New Delhi and is one The result is that, as the recent European goods faced a flood of the next two-three years. the pressure on governments to venture back to riskier countries. of a handful of Italian compa- economic downturns have hit competition from low-cost rivals Saudi banks have benefited impose yet more austerity meas- But even though rates may be nies listed on the New York Natuzzi’s key consumer markets of from China. Italy’s efforts to from rising lending, deposits ures on their people. falling in the periphery, analysts Stock Exchange. the US and Europe, the company loosen its labour laws have stum- and deal activity in an economy “There is a broad strong mar- caution that all is hardly solved in Yet today, Natuzzi’s home base hasn’t been able to adjust its cost bled, despite attempts — most buoyed by years of high state ket sentiment which is getting the eurozone. is dragging it down. Best known base to compensate for the fall in recently in 2012 — to make it eas- spending which is backed by ever more robust and resilient “The convergence will continue, for its brand Divani & Divani, the consumer spending. “The orders ier for companies to adjust their strong oil prices and record gov- which is positive for the eurozone but slowly,” said Cyril Regnant, a company hasn’t made a profit in we have are enough to employ 1,500 workforce to economic cycles. ernment surpluses. periphery,” said Christian Schulz, bond strategist at Natixis, adding six years. In the first nine months people, not our 3,200 (in Italy),” the Italy’s social security and labour The kingdom’s budget for 2014, senior economist at German pri- that the “situation has improved, of 2013, it lost ¤38.7m, deepening 73-year-old Natuzzi, who is com- taxes are among the highest in while the smallest increase for vate bank Berenberg. but not normalised.” year-on-year losses on a slight dip pany chairman and chief executive Europe. Despite the 2012 reforms, a decade at 4.3 percent, is still Reassured, Ireland went to the Ireland, which left an EU-IMF in sales to ¤328m. officer, said in a recent interview in it is still difficult for companies another record amount, and bank markets on Tuesday and Portugal bailout in December, and Portugal, Though it sells in 123 coun- Milan where he was unveiling the to downsize for economic rea- lending to the private sector grew on Thursday, both meeting heavy which should do so in May, are tries, and has factories in China, new Revive armchair. sons. Usually companies resort to at 13.8 percent year-on-year in demand for medium to long-term well aware that dangers still lurk. Romania and Brazil, Natuzzi says Late last year, Natuzzi agreed state-funded furlough schemes in November, up 0.3 percent from debt. “PIIGS (sic) can fly,” said Their bond sales were limited the main reason for his company’s to a government-brokered plan which workers are still employed the previous month’s 17-month analyst Holger Schmieding of to a group of pre-set investors, woes is the high cost of making that will allow the company by the company and receive a sal- low. Berenberg bank, using the acro- thereby limiting surprises. sleek sofas and armchairs at home. to avoid laying off more than a ary, paid largely by the state even Total operating income for nym coined by cynics for Portugal, “Their return to the markets, is The core of its production and thousand workers, while pledging though they don’t work. the quarter rose 12.6 percent Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain. a gradual one,” Parisot said. half of its 6,500 worldwide employ- ¤242m to breath new life into the As a result, many companies, year-on-year to SR5.82bn, and Spain’s borrowing costs And the trading volumes ees are in Italy where high labour company’s Italian operations. subcontract work to tiny firms to profit from special commissions plunged, too, in an auction of five- involved are low, meaning that costs and strict employment laws Natuzzi’s predicament is just increase flexibility because they grew 13.9 percent over the cor- and 15-year bonds. even a pinch of demand can sharply make it hard for companies to another chapter in Italy’s indus- don’t fall under the strictest of responding period of 2012 to For Schmieding, the easing change the borrowing price. keep up with more nimble com- trial decline. In the 1980s and labour rules. SR3.72bn. comes thanks to Mario Draghi, AFP petitors elsewhere. 1990s, many Italian companies REUTERS REUTERS Australia’s Telstra may sell Sensis Jaguar Land Rover taps global markets for $2.7bn LONDON: British luxury car manufacturer production will exceed the peak of 1.72 mil- Jaguar Land Rover sold a record volume lion cars reached in 1972 by 2017. Production MELBOURNE: Australia’s of vehicles last year, when rising demand in data for 2013 are due on January 23, and will biggest phone company Telstra markets such as Brazil, China, India and the likely exceed 1.5 million for the first time in Corp is in advanced talks with United States helped it boost sales by sales by six years. a US private equity firm over 19 percent. Luxury car makers are among the manufac- the sale of its Sensis directories The strong performance highlights the resur- turers enjoying the strongest levels of growth. business for as much as A$3bn gence of the car manufacturing industry in Last week Rolls Royce said it had hit its fourth (£1.64bn), local media reported Britain since the 2008 financial crisis, with most straight annual sales record in 2013, driven yesterday. of the new cars sold abroad. largely by demand for personalised vehicles from The Melbourne-based telco The company, which is owned by India’s Tata the super-rich in Asia and the Middle East, while could complete the sale of its unit Motors , said it sold 425,006 vehicles in 2013, with Bentley Motors, another high-end British brand, that publishes a range of print new sales records set in 38 of its international also reported record sales. and online directories including markets. Jaguar Land Rover, which generates around the White Pages and the Yellow Sales of Jaguar rose the fastest, up 42 percent 85 percent of its revenues from exports, reported Pages to an unnamed US firm as on the previous year, while Land Rover volumes strong growth in all major regions, led by 30 per- soon as next week, the Australian rose 15 percent to 348,338 vehicles, the firm said cent growth in Asia Pacific and the China region, Financial Review reported, citing in a statement yesterday. 21 percent in North America and 14 percent in unidentified sources. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and the UK. A Telstra spokeswoman Traders last week predicted that British car REUTERS declined to comment. Telstra reported a 13 percent rise in net profit after tax of A$3.9bn for the year ending June 2013, compared with A$3.4bn a year earlier, underpinned by growth in its mobile business. The company’s Sensis unit gen- erated earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amor- tisation of A$571m for the same period, down 22 percent from the previous year. Chief Financial Officer Andrew Penn told inves- tors at the August results brief- ing that the transitioning of the Sensis business to a digital model “remains a challenging one”. The sale of Sensis would further boost Telstra’s cash war chest to more than A$8bn to invest in new growth businesses and technology services and to expand its mobile network and leading share of the Australian mobile market. Last month the company sold its Hong Kong mobile phone busi- ness for $2.4bn to HKT, a com- pany controlled by billionaire Richard Li. A general view of the British motor manufacturer, Jaguar company logo in New York. REUTERS MONDAY 13 JANUARY 2014 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

Oil boom upends markets Hollande has tight window as drilling spreads in US

BY ASJYLYN LODER to step up reform pace BY MARK JOHN and JEAN- HE US oil boom has put European refineries out of business “responsibility pact” trading lower taxes and the French Gerhard Schroeder?” Marc BAPTISTE VEY and undercut West African crude suppliers. Now domestic less red tape for company commitments to Touati of the ACDEFI economic consultancy Tdrillers threaten to roil Asian markets and challenge pro- hire more staff. asked, referring to the Social Democrat ex- ducers in the Middle East and South America. HE coming weeks will tell Striking a new tone which has already chancellor who implemented painful labour Fifteen European refineries have closed in the past five years, whether Francois Hollande can raised hackles with unions, he also declared market reform in the 2000s. with a 16th due to shut this year, the International Energy Agency pick up the pieces of his acci- it was time to stamp out the abuses of But he predicted: “This is a sort of bluff- said, as the United States went from depending on fuel from dent-prone presidency and start France’s generous welfare state, and cut ing tactic intended to gain time, soften up Europe to being a major exporter to the region. to pull the euro zone’s second- public spending so as to create room for tax ratings agencies and investors but which Nigeria, which used to send the equivalent of a dozen super- Tlargest economy out of decline. It may be reductions after a series of rises. will not result in hard measures.” tankers of crude a month to the US, now ships fewer than three, his last chance to do so. Some see echoes of the about-turn made Such skepticism is understandable. according to the US Energy Information Administration. And The new year could hardly have started 30 years ago by Hollande’s mentor Francois Pension and labour reforms implemented cheap oil from the Rocky Mountains, where output has grown worse for the French leader, who failed to Mitterrand, who in 1983 halted a policy of last year, while significant first steps, have 31 percent since 2011, will soon allow West Coast companies to keep a promise to the nation to halt the rise nationalisation and expansion of worker hardly broken the mould. Projected 2014 cut back on imports of pricier grades from Saudi Arabia and in unemployment by the end of 2013 and benefits just two years into his mandate as French growth of just one percent will Venezuela that they process for customers in Asia, the world’s is now dealing with media allegations of a public finances crumbled. struggle to create private sector jobs. fastest-growing market. secret love affair. About time too, say those who argue So far, this year’s budget foresees public “I don’t really think anyone saw this coming,” said Steve Sawyer, Photos in a celebrity magazine published that public spending at around 57 percent spending cuts of 15 billion euros or some 0.7 an analyst with FACTS Global Energy in London. “The US shale last week purporting to show a nocturnal of national output — some 12 points more percent of GDP. Yet the government still boom happened much faster than people thought. We’re in the visit by Hollande to a mistress risk stealing than that in Germany — is a burden the has to explain how the bulk of these will middle of a new game. There’s nothing in the past that predicts the show on Tuesday when he faces media economy cannot afford. French debt at be achieved before it goes on to examine what the future will be.” for up to two hours in the traditional start- 93.4 percent of GDP and rising is now “in further possible cuts. Advances in extracting oil from shale rock drove a 39 percent of-year news conference. the danger zone”, the national audit office Moreover the rapprochement with busi- jump in US production since 2011, the steepest rise in history, Hollande’s office has complained of breach warned last week. ness risks alienating the moderate CFDT and will boost output to a 28-year high this year, according to of privacy but issued no denial. Yet with polls The prospect of a policy shift has been trade union which has so far been a vital the EIA. While drilling in shale is more expensive than other showing most French are blase about his applauded by France’s main employers fed- ally to Hollande, backing pension and other methods and poses environmental challenges, the prospect of a private life, the real question is whether he eration Medef, due to start talks in coming reforms despite resistance from other, more growing supply is encouraging analysts to predict a more energy- will use the media event to show he is ready week with Hollande’s government on tax hardline, labour organizations. “I am issuing independent nation. to tackle the double burden on the French cuts it hopes will restore corporate margins a warning: the trade unions have got to be With US exports of gasoline and other refined products hitting a economy: rising taxes and public spending. among the weakest in Europe. players in all this,” CFDT Secretary-General record last month and the country on pace to become the world’s “As is often the case, there are good inten- Left-wing newspaper L’Humanite dubbed Laurent Berger said last week, insisting largest oil producer by 2015, five years faster than the IEA’s earlier tions. But we will judge the deeds,” said ana- him “Francois Blair” after the centrist there could be no “blank cheque” for com- predictions, industry advocates such as Senator Lisa Murkowski lyst Bruno Cavalier at Paris-based Oddo British prime minister who dreamed up panies without benefits to labour as well. of Alaska are calling for an end to 39- year-old restrictions on Securities. “New Labour” pragmatism, while others Hollande always said his strategy was to US crude exports. The Socialist Hollande, who in his 2012 asked whether Hollande would follow the reform in the first half of his five-year man- In a measure of just how quickly the oil market has changed, election campaign labelled the world of reforms implemented in Germany in the date and reap the benefits in the second half. President Barack Obama unveiled in March 2011 a goal considered finance his enemy, ignited speculation last decade. But time is running out if he is to set down so outrageous that correspondent Christopher Mims wrote on of a U-turn with a New Year’s address “What indeed if, after 18 months of empty a marker for more action this year. the environmental news website Grist that it could be accom- to the nation offering business leaders a words and drift, Francois Hollande became REUTERS plished only by “an economic crash bigger than any ever seen in US history, or perhaps an alien race forcing all of us to take to our bicycles.” Obama said that by 2025 the US would cut crude imports by one-third. It didn’t take 14 years. It took less than three. The country is so flush with crude that imports are plunging and drillers are challenging export limits imposed after the 1973 Arab oil embargo. Murkowski, the top Republican on the Senate Energy Committee, has called on Obama to end restrictions and vowed to introduce legislation if he doesn’t. Easing controls would have been unthinkable just three years ago, when uprisings in Arab countries such as Libya pushed crude prices over $100, said Philip Verleger, a former director of the office of energy policy at the Treasury Department and founder of the Aspen, Colo,-based consultant PKVerleger. The boom has been led by drilling in the Permian Basin in West Texas and the oil-rich Bakken shale, which stretches from North Dakota into Montana and Canada. North Dakota and Texas have more than doubled crude out- put since Obama’s 2011 speech, with Texas pumping more than Iran, according to the EIA, the statistical arm of the US Energy Department, and a Bloomberg survey of producers, oil companies and analysts. Drilling is spreading in emerging oil fields in the Rocky Mountain region such as the Niobrara in Colorado and the Bone Springs in New Mexico and spurring a revival of crude extraction around Wyoming’s Teapot Dome formation, home of the first US reserves and the namesake of a 20th century political scandal. Colorado’s production jumped 17 percent in the first 10 months of 2013, Wyoming rose 16 percent and New Mexico added 10 percent, according to the EIA. A record amount of crude is already riding the rails from oil fields in North Dakota, Colorado and New Mexico to California’s fuel makers, according to the California Energy Commission. Companies looking to ship even more include Tesoro Corp, Valero Energy Corp and Plains All American Pipeline, which are planning to build train terminals in California and Washington state, according to company state- ments and regulatory filings. Plans are awaiting permits or in the planning stages to handle capacity roughly equal to the amount of crude sent to the region by Saudi Arabia. WP-BLOOMBERG Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Health insurance disruption to hit small employers BY ARIANA EUNJUNG CHA the law’s basic coverage require- to changes involving all sorts of Now that insurers aren’t able through firms with fewer than A smaller group will have to pay ments. But many are related only products, not just those sold to charge more to people with 100 workers. The Department of more for a more generous plan. HEN millions of indirectly to the law; insurers through the online marketplaces pre-existing conditions, compa- Health and Human Services esti- Gruber said the number of genu- health-insur- are trying to move customers to to individuals. nies with sicker workers may mated in 2010 that up to 80 per- ine “losers” under the health-care ance plans were new plans designed to offset the The impact of cancellations see lower premiums, while those cent of small-group plans, defined law — those who will have to pay cancelled last financial and administrative risks in the small-group market is with a healthier workforce may as having fewer than 100 workers, more for the same or inferior cov- fall, the Obama associated with the health-care expected to be less dramatic than see higher premiums. Many small could be discontinued by the end erage — is “very, very small.” Wadministration tried to be reas- overhaul. As part of that, they are in the individual market, partly businesses are also discovering of 2013. But many small employ- In November, President Barack suring, saying the terminations consolidating their plan offerings because a higher percentage of that the new plans have more ers bought themselves extra time Obama, responding to criticism affected only the small minority of to maximize profits and stream- small-business policies provide restrictions on access to specific by renewing policies early through about widespread cancellation of Americans who bought individual line how they manage them. more generous benefits. Still, the doctors, hospitals and prescrip- the end of 2014. individual policies, said insurers policies. “If they do it one way, the word changes being made by the insur- tion drugs. Jonathan Gruber, a key archi- could extend policies that do not But according to industry ana- cancelled gets attached to it. If ance industry are leaving some The reason, said Robert tect of the health law and a meet the law’s requirements for lysts, insurers and state regula- they do it another way, they say small-business owners confused Zirkelbach, a spokesman for professor of economics at the an additional year, if state regu- tors, the disruption will be far they are amending the policy. It and disillusioned about the law — America’s Health Insurance Massachusetts Institute of lators agreed. His announcement greater, potentially affecting mil- sounds more gentle but it’s the whether it is directly to blame for Plans, the industry’s main trade Technology, said the number of applied to small-group plans as lions of people who receive insur- same thing,” said Gary Claxton, the changes or not. group, is that the law requires people covered by small-group well. ance through small employers by an expert in private insurance at Stephen Lohman, owner of small businesses to purchase cov- policies that will be discontinued There is substantial turnover the end of 2014. the Kaiser Family Foundation. Allegheny Plant Services, a truck- erage that is more comprehensive is “not trivial.” in individual and small-group While some cancellation notices “The basic point is, for many peo- ing company in Pittsburgh, said than what some buy today, and “We’re ending discrimination policies every year, even with- already have gone out, insurers ple in the small-group market at the Aetna PPO plan he offers his that drives up costs. [against people who are sick, and out the health law. But insurers say the bulk of the letters will be some point soon their coverage is 38 employees will be discontin- Some small businesses are as a result] the people who were say the change that’s starting to sent in October, shortly before going to change.” ued at the end of this year. He eligible for new tax credits to previously benefiting may now occur is significantly larger than the next open-enrolment period The transformation of the said he has been offered a new partially offset the cost of insur- suffer,” Gruber said. “That’s sad before. begins. The timing — right before small-group market is just one Aetna policy with premiums that ance. Also, firms no longer have for them, but it does not mean we In New Jersey, the state’s the midterm elections — could be of the many ripple effects of the are 40 percent higher, and that to worry about the possibility of should continue discrimination.” association of health plans says difficult for Democrats who are Affordable Care Act that will other insurers’ rates are similar. large premium increases if too He said the change for most 650,000 people with small-group already fending off Republican reshape the insurance industry “We were very surprised,” he many of their workers fall ill. small businesses will simply be a coverage have had their plans dis- attacks about the Affordable Care in coming years. With millions said, adding that it is “important An estimated 18 million to 24 “labelling issue,” with companies rupted. In Colorado, regulators Act and its troubled rollout. of previously uninsured peo- to me personally” to offer insur- million people in the United States able to switch to similar plans at said small-group plans covering Some of the small-business ple getting coverage, the insur- ance to his employees, but he is have insurance through employers similar prices with the same car- 143,000 people are being discon- cancellations are occurring ance industry’s business model is not sure he can afford the pre- with fewer than 50 workers, and riers, although the plans them- tinued in 2014. because the policies don’t meet being upended, and that’s leading mium increase. about 40 million have coverage selves may have different names. WP-BLOOMBERG MONDAY 13 JANUARY 2014 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary EXCHANGE QE Index 10,922.36 0.45 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER QE Total Return Index 15,605.55 0.45 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 3,202.18 0.66 % RATE QE All Share Index 2,700.9 0.43 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 2,576.51 0.91 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5327.458 8.798 0.17 5383.4 5306.4 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 6,077.35 0.01 % QR144.1574 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Services Cac 40 Index/D 4269.24 8.28 0.19 4312.59 4215.59 QE All Share Industrials 3,623.65 0.28 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.9660 QR 6.0532 QE All Share Insurance 2,429.61 0.11 % Dj Indu Average 16462.74 -68.2 -0.41 16588.3 13293.1 Euro ...... QR 4.9328 QR 5.0326 QE All Share Real Estate 2,011.97 0.12 % QR 2.2991 CA$ ...... QR 3.3123 QR 3.3827 QE All Share Telecoms 1,512.61 0.56 % Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 QE All Share Transportation 1,951.94 0.04 % Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.9942 QR 4.0361 Hang Seng Inde/D 22787.33 -209.26 -0.91 23469.33 22567.77 Yen ...... QR 0.0344 QR 0.0351 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.2366 QR 3.3188 Today Previous day Iseq Overall/D 4772.3 69.73 1.48 4716.64 4522.4 CRUDE OIL 12-01-2014 09-01-2014 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0580 QR 0.0593 Index 10,922.36 10,873.08 Karachi 100 In/D 26373.24 32.16 0.12 26428.11 25273.11 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0342 QR 0.0348 Change 49.28 38.24 BRENT Nikkei 225 Index 15880.33 -241.12 -1.5 16164.01 15784.25 Peso ...... QR 0.0804 QR 0.0829 % 0.45 0.35 $ 107.51 SL Re ...... QR 0.0276 QR 0.0281 YTD% 5.23 4.75 S&P 500 Index/D 1837.49 -0.39 -0.02 1849.44 1451.64 Taka ...... QR 0.0464 QR 0.0474 Volume 6,908,319 8,523,084 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0366 QR 0.0373 Value (QAR) 349,347,173.60 596,394,603.77 Straits Times/D 3145.41 -5.24 -0.17 3187.8 3119.7 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3338 QR 0.3405 Trades 4,009 5,426 Straits Times/D 2971.47 22.7 0.77 3035.78 2657.77 $ 104.19 Up 23 | Down 11 | Unchanged 05

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 12-01-2014

ECB and Bank of England leave key interest rates unchanged

HE Dollar index started “extended period”. gap dropped According to not stuck permanently below 1 Guidance for the Bank of England the week on a positive Finally, the Bank of England’s to a seasonally the minutes, the percent. was not to raise interest rates until note, rallying towards Monetary Policy Committee voted 34.3 Billion US majority of par- Last week, the European the unemployment level reaches Ta seven-week high of to maintain the Bank Rate at 0.5 Dollars, mark- ticipants judged Central Bank kept its interest 7 percent anticipating that they 81.166, after the ADP report percent. The Committee also ing the small- that the benefit rates at record low 0.25 percent. would not meet the target until showed private employers added voted to maintain the stock of est deficit since Weekly Money Market Review of further asset The ECB President Mario Dragi 2016. However, unemployment a better-than-expected 238,000 asset purchases financed by the October 2009 purchases was said the rates would “remain at has already fallen to 7.4 percent, jobs in December, the strongest issuance of central bank reserves and was below likely declining present or lower levels for an and many expect it to fall below increase in 13 months. By the at 375 Billion pounds. economists’ predictions for a 40 with some participants expressing extended period of time”. The 7 percent sometime this year, but end of the week, the Dollar Index The US Senate confirmed Billion US Dollars. With better concerns about the marginal costs European Central Bank under- Carney has repeatedly made it weakened sharply after worse Janet Yellen as the next head of than expected trade deficit data, of additional purchases arising lined its determination to take clear that a fall in the unemploy- than expected Non –Farm pay- the US Federal Reserve. Indeed, economists pushed up their 4th from risks to financial stability. action should the Euro Zone infla- ment rate to 7 percent would not rolls affirming expectations that fifty six senators voted in favor Quarter GDP growth estimates Europe tion risk turn into deflation. result in an automatic rate rise. the US Federal Reserve will take of Ms. Yellen and twenty six by as much as 1 percent point to Weakening European Draghi said in a news confer- It is likely that the Bank would a gradual long approach to taper- opposed .Yellen will succeed Ben as high as a 3.3 percent annual Inflation ence that the Eurozone “may employ other tools, such as con- ing its bond-buying program. Bernanke, whose second term as rate. The Euro zone inflation rate fell experience a prolonged period trols on mortgage lending, before it Moreover, on Thursday, the chairman ends on Jan. 31. She is Last week the Federal Open in December further away from of low inflation, to be followed considers putting up interest rates. European Central Bank took no widely expected to continue many Market Committee released the the European Central Bank’s by a gradual upward movement The United Kingdom serv- new steps at its monthly policy of the policies of her predecessor, minutes of the Committee meet- target of just below 2 percent, towards inflation rates below but ice sector continued to expand meeting, leaving its key interest especially the efforts to lower ing held on December 17-18, 2013, increasing their challenge of close to 2 percent later on”. He strongly throughout 2013, with rate unchanged at a record low unemployment rates. President where they announced that they avoiding deflation as well as sup- also said the economic risks for new business and employment of 0.25 percent, despite worries Obama welcomed the vote, saying, would start the tapering proc- porting a sustainable recovery. the Eurozone “remain on the rising at noticeable rates. The about a weak recovery and low “The American people will have a ess by $10 Billion US Dollar and The annual inflation rate downside” and that the ECB is UK Purchasing Manager’s Index inflation. Indeed, the Eurozone fierce champion who understands announced that they would keep dipped to 0.8 percent from 0.9 ready to “take further decisive fell to a six-month low of 58.8 economy grew only 0.1 percent that the ultimate goal of economic the short-term interest rates percent in November, in line with action” using “all available tools” in December, rather than hold- in the third quarter and the and financial policymaking is to low until 2016. The information market forecast. The Inflation to spur a weak recovery. ing at November’s level of 60. annual inflation rate dropped to improve the lives, jobs and stand- reviewed for the December 17-18 rate has been below the ECB’s United Kingdom Nonetheless, the figure remains 0.8 percent well below the ECB’s ard of living of American workers meeting indicated that economic 2 percent ceiling for 11 months, Last week, the Bank of England well above the 50 mark that sep- goal of just under 2 percent. The and their families.” activity was expanding at a mod- although the European Central left its monetary policy unchanged. arates growth from contraction, European Central bank presi- The United States trade deficit erate pace, the unemployment Bank president Mario Draghi said Indeed, the committee voted to and business confidence rose to dent, Draghi reiterated the ECB’s dropped to its lowest level in 48 rate was declining but remained there were no signs of deflation maintain the Bank Rate at 0.5 the highest level in nearly four forward guidance that the offi- months as exports hit a record elevated and the consumer or an urgent need for another percent, also voted to maintain years, suggesting a very bright cial interest rates could remain high and imports of foreign oil price inflation continued to run rate cut. However, he added that the asset purchase program at outlook for 2014. at current lower levels for an hit a three-year low. The trade below the Committee’s objective. it was important that inflation is 375 Billion Pounds. The Forward THE PENINSULA MONDAY 13 JANUARY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Patriots, Seahawks advance LeGarrette Blount powers Patriots to 43-22 victory over Indianapolis Colts

FOXBOROUGH: The New of that,” said Patriots quarterback 26, 38 and 49 yards to give the England Patriots and Seattle Tom Brady. “We have been a great Seahawks a 16-0 half-time lead. Seahawks each moved within running team. It has really been a That was the same score one victory of the Super Bowl strength. entering the fourth quarter, the after National Football League “If we don’t make mistakes Seahawks’ NFL-best scoring home play-off triumphs on we’re tough to beat.” defence leaving the Saints without Saturday. Brady completed 13-of-25 a point through three quarters for LeGarrette Blount ran for passes for 198 yards in his record- the first time since 2002. 166 yards and four touchdowns stretching 18th career play-off vic- “Our defence was relentless the to spark the Patriots over the tory while coach Bill Belichick’s whole game,” Wilson said. “That’s Indianapolis Colts 43-22 while 19th play-off win put him one what it takes to win.” Marshawn Lynch ran for 148 yards shy of former Dallas coach Tom Khiry Robinson scored on a and two touchdowns to spark Landry’s all-time record. 1-yard run for the Saints and Seattle past the New Orleans Luck was 20-of-41 for 331 yards Mark Ingram ran for a 2-point Saints 23-15. but could not rally the Colts once conversion to halve the Seattle New England will next face the New England jumped ahead early. lead with 13:11 remaining. winner of yesterday’s Denver- “We couldn’t get over the hump The Seahawks answered with San Diego game in the American and we paid for it,” Luck said. a late drive capped by Lynch’s Conference final on January 19 for “They do a good job of disrupting 31-yard touchdown run with 2:40 a Super Bowl berth. things and they have a great pass to play for a 23-8 lead. The other spot in the February rush.” Brees marched the Saints 80 2 NFL championship spectacu- The Seahawks denied a late yards in nine plays and flipped lar in suburban New York will be comeback bid by Saints quar- a 9-yard touchdown pass to decided in the National Conference terback Drew Brees and moved Marques Colston with 26 seconds final the same day between Seattle within one victory of their first remaining and Colston recovered and the winner of Sunday’s San trip to the Super Bowl since los- an onside kick to give New Orleans Francisco-Carolina matchup. ing to Pittsburgh in 2006. a chance to win the game. New England’s defence inter- “It’s only a first step but it’s a But Colston attempted an ille- cepted four Andrew Luck passes hell of a first step,” said Seahawks gal forward pass after a reception while the offence ground out 234 coach Pete Carroll. three plays later and that penalty rushing yards. Seattle, which went 13-3 this resulted in the final seconds being “We’ve done a really great job season to earn a play-off home- taken off the clock. field edge and a first-round bye, New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) dives into the end zone for a touchdown in the second Brees completed 24-of-43 passes will host the winner of Sunday’s quarter of their AFC Divisional Play-off game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. for 309 yards while Colston had 11 NFL Results Carolina-San Francisco game in catches for 144 yards. American Conference the National Conference final. New England to a 21-7 lead, and Vinatieri field goals and a safety support from their notoriously The NFL announced on At Foxborough, Massachusetts “We haven’t done anything had a 73-yard touchdown run in topull within 21-15 but New loud fans and improved to 16-1 at Saturday that the Red Hot Chili New England 43 Indianapolis 22 yet,” Seattle quarterback Russell the fourth quarter. England’s Stevan Ridley had home in the past two seasons. Peppers will join Bruno Mars as Wilson said. “Our goal is to win Luck threw touchdown passes touchdown runs of 1 and 3 yards Lynch, who carried the ball 28 half-time entertainment at the National Conference the whole thing.” of 35 and 38 yards to LaVon in the second half and Indianapolis times, scored on a 15-yard run in Super Bowl on February 2 in sub- At Seattle Blount scored on three 2-yard Brazill. could not close the gap. the second quarter and Steven urban New York. Seattle 23 New Orleans 15 runs in the first half, sparking The Colts used two Adam At Seattle, the Seahawks took Hauschka kicked field goals of AFP A-Rod vows to fight on after doping ban Canadiens beat Blackhawks 2-1 NEW YORK: Defenceman The Columbus Blue Jackets the puck to Zidicky, who ripped NEW YORK: Alex Rodriguez, Rodriguez $61m from 2015-2017, Andrei Markov scored twice to NHL Results scored four goals in the second it past the catching glove of the highest-paid player in although that could be contested lead the Montreal Canadiens period and cruised to a 6-3 vic- Panthers goaltender Tim Thomas Tampa Bay 6 Philadelphia 3 Major League Baseball, was in court also. to a 2-1 overtime win over the tory over the Winnipeg Jets. for the winner. given a record 162-game dop- “I am confident that when Chicago Blackhawks. Montreal 2 Chicago 1 Columbus centers Boone Nashville fell to 0-4 in the tie- ing suspension by an arbitra- a federal judge reviews the Max Pacioretty’s shot towards New Jersey 2 Florida 1 Jenner and Mark Letestu both breaker with a 2-1 shoot-out loss tor on Saturday, banning him entirety of the record... and the the front of the net deflected Ottawa 2 Nashville 1 scored twice as the Blue Jackets to the Ottawa Senators. for the entire 2014 season and lack of credible evidence put towards Markov at the left cir- Columbus 6 Winnipeg 3 earned their third straight tri- Mika Zibanejad and Jason play-offs. forth by MLB that the judge will cle, who made no mistake for his Colorado 4 Minnesota 2 umph to up their record to Spezza beat goaltender Marek The New York Yankees find that the panel blatantly dis- second of the night. 21-20-4. Mazanec in the shootout for Anaheim 5 Phoenix 3 third baseman, a three-time regarded the law and facts and Marian Hossa scored the lone Forwards Nick Foligno and Ottawa (20-18-8), while Craig American League Most Valuable will overturn the suspension,” goal for Chicago. Pittsburgh 2 Calgary 1 Cam Atkinson also scored for the Smith and David Legwand came Player who helped the Yankees Rodriguez said. Canadiens goalie Carey Price Detroit 3 Los Angeles 1 Blue Jackets while Eric O’Dell up empty for the Predators. win the 2009 World Series, Major League Baseball made 19 saves while Corey Boston 1 San Jose 0 scored his first NHL goal for Nashville (19-20-7) lost for the vowed to appeal the ban to a US defended the process and its Crawford stopped 36 shots for Winnipeg (19-23-5). fifth time in six games, while the federal court. original ban in a statement. the Blackhawks. for Tampa Bay (27-14-4). Defenceman Marek Zidlicky Senators notched their fifth win Independent arbitrator “For more than five decades, Ryan Malone scored two goals, The Flyers had not lost at scored with one second remain- in six games. Fredric Horowitz upheld most the arbitration process under helping the Tampa Bay Lightning the Wells Fargo Center since ing in overtime to give the New Center Ryan O’Reilly’s second of the 211-game ban imposed the basic agreement has been end Philadelphia’s 10-game home November 5 against Carolina. Jersey Devils a 2-1 victory against goal of the game in the latter upon Rodriguez last August for a fair and effective mechanism winning streak with a 6-3 victory. Jakub Voracek had two goals the Florida Panthers. half of the third period lifted the his role in the Biogenesis doping for resolving disputes and pro- Alex Killorn, Valtteri and Wayne Simmonds added a Travis Zajac won an offensive Colorado Avalanche to a 4-2 win scandal, which led to bans for 12 tecting player rights,” the league Filppula, Martin St. Louis power-play goal for the Flyers zone face-off with 3.8 seconds over the Minnesota Wild. other players for taking drugs said. and Teddy Purcell also scored (23-18-4). remaining, Jaromir Jagr tapped REUTERS from the Miami clinic. “While we believe the original Rodriguez, who was given 211-game suspension was appro- a harsher ban after evidence priate, we respect the decision showed he tried to impede a and will focus on our continuing probe into the matter, will fight efforts on eliminating perform- — despite the players’ union and ance-enhancing substances from Major League Baseball saying our game.” Rockets hold off Wizards to win 114-107 the arbitration decision was the While the ban would preclude final word on the matter under Rodriguez from playing for the NEW YORK: Houston guard Raptors (18-17). this time a resounding 102-92 vic- Anthony added 18 points. the terms of their labour deal. Yankees this year, it does not James Harden scored eight Paul Pierce led the Nets (15- tory over the Philadelphia 76ers. JR Smith scored 14 points and “I have been clear that I did explicitly deny him from being straight points in the final min- 22) with 15 points while Alan Amare Stoudemire knocked Andrea Bargnani had 10 for the not use performance enhanc- able to attend the Yankees’ utes as the Rockets held off a Anderson had 13 and Joe Johnson down his first eight shots Knicks, who crept within four ing substances or violate the pre-season training camp next furious Washington Wizards 11 respectively. and paced the Knicks (14- games of the Atlantic Division- basic agreement or the joint month in Tampa, Florida. comeback to secure a 114-107 The New York Knicks won 22) with 21 points on eight- leading Toronto Raptors. drug agreement in any manner, “I will continue to work hard win. their fourth consecutive game, for-10 shooting while Carmelo REUTERS and in order to prove it I will to get back on the field and help The Wizards trailed by 25 take this fight to federal court,” the Yankees achieve the ulti- points early in the third quarter Rodriguez said. mate goal of winning another and were down 94-79 after three Rodriguez played the final championship,” Rodriguez said. quarters. weeks of the 2013 season while Rodriguez was first banned Harden finished with 25 points appealing the ban, even setting last August for taking perform- and center Dwight Howard had a major league record for career ance-enhancing drugs. 23, while John Wall paced the grand slams with his 24th bases- “The number of games sadly Wizards with 23 points and 10 loaded homer last September. comes as no surprise as the deck assists. Despite the reduction in total has been stacked against me DeMar DeRozan scored games missed, the suspension from day one,” Rodriguez said. 26 points and grabbed seven remains the longest in the his- “This is one man’s decision, rebounds and the Toronto tory of Major League Baseball that was not put before a fair Raptors snapped the Brooklyn for doping, and “A-Rod” remains and impartial jury, does not Nets’ five-game winning streak the highest-profile baseball involve me having failed a sin- with a 96-80 victory. player ever banned. gle drug test... and relies on Terrence Ross added 14 points Rodriguez, whose 654 career testimony and documents that and Patrick Patterson also had 14 homers are 108 shy of Barry would never have been allowed points while grabbing 12 rebounds Bonds’ all-time record, will lose in any court in the United States after coming off the bench for the $25m in salary from the Yankees because they are false and wholly this year, or about $154,000 unreliable.” for every game missed in 2014 Anthony Bosch, the main NBA Results under the record 10-year deal witness against Rodriguez in Toronto 96 Brooklyn 80 for $275m he signed in 2007. the major league probe and Houston 114 Washington 107 Rodriguez, who in 2009 the former Biogenesis director, Detroit 110 Phoenix 108 admitted that he took steroids says he injected the Yankees NY Knicks 102 Philadelphia 92 while playing for the Texas star with banned substances, Chicago 103 Charlotte 97 Rangers from 2001 to 2003, according to US television net- Oklahoma City 101 Milwaukee 85 would be 39 when he returns work CBS, which will show an Dallas 110 New Orleans 107 to play in 2015. interview with him Sunday. Denver 120 Orlando 94 New Orleans Pelicans player Austin Rivers (right) goes for a loose ball against Dallas Mavericks player Shane The Yankees could still owe AFP Portland 112 Boston 104 Larkin in the first half of their NBA basketball game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. MONDAY 13 JANUARY 2014 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Kirk leads in Hawaii Ernie Els, John Will Wilcox, Harris English tied at second spot on 199 Daly to play in

HONOLULU: Chris Kirk sank a nine-foot birdie putt on the last hole to grab a one-stroke lead over fellow Americans Qatar Masters Will Wilcox and Harris English DOHA: Four-time major win- turn on the style, as he showed after Saturday’s third round of ner Ernie Els and two-time two years ago when competing in the US PGA Sony Open. major champion John Daly are the Qatar Masters for a second Kirk’s clutch putt completed the latest big names to con- straight year. a round of five-under par 65 to firm their participation in the Daly shot rounds of 67, 73 and stand on 12-under 198 through upcoming $2.5m Commercial 67 to finish behind champion Paul 54 holes at the $5.6m event at Bank Qatar Masters, which will Lawrie and joint runners-up Jason Waialae Country club. be held at Doha Golf Club from Day and Peter Hanson in a top- “I got a few good breaks,” Kirk January 22 to 25. quality field. said. “Holes where I missed the The popular Els, 44, lifted the “Coming fourth at the fairways, I got some decent lies Mother of Pearl Trophy on his Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in the rough and guessed the fli- Doha debut in 2005 and ‘The Big was one of my best results in ers just right, which is tough to Easy’ is still bidding to add to that recent seasons, so I’m excited to do out here.” title after returning in 2006, 2007 go back to Doha Golf Club for a (when he finished third), 2009 and third time in four years,” said Daly. last year. “Playing in Qatar is a really US PGA Sony One of the greats of the modern nice way to start the season, so game, the South African captured I’m looking forward to playing a Open Scores his fourth major at the 2012 Open really good course that suits my Championship and last June won game. I want to play well in front HONOLULU: Scores after his 28th European Tour title at the of the fans in Doha and hopefully Saturday’s third round of BMW International in Germany, surprise a few people.” the $5.6 million US PGA putting him just one trophy behind THE PENINSULA Tour’s Sony Open at Waialae sixth-placed Ian Woosnam on Country Club (par-70, USA the all-time list. His triumph in unless noted): Germany followed a fourth-place Chris Kirk hits out of a bunker on the 18th hole during the third round of the Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae 198 Chris Kirk 64-69-65 finish in the US Open. Country Club in Honolulu, Hawaii. 199 Will Wilcox 69-66-64, Harris English “I’ve always enjoyed the 66-66-67 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters 200 Jerry Kelly 67-67-66, Jimmy Walker Kirk, who won his first US English closed the front nine Reigning Masters champion as the Middle East has beautiful 66-67-67 PGA title at the 2011 Viking with three birdies in a row, added Adam Scott of Australia strug- weather at this time of year and 201 Jeff Overton 68-68-65, Robert Classic, already owns a tour title back-to-back birdies at 14 and 15 gled to a 71, falling to a share of I enjoy the course layout at Doha Allenby (AUS) 68-68-65, Retief this season from last November’s before taking his third bogey of 27th on 204. Golf Club. It’s a good challenge, but Goosen (RSA) 66-69-66, Pat Perez McGladrey Classic in this first- the day at 16 and closing with a Jason Dufner, last year’s PGA it’s also very attractive and just 68-67-66, Zach Johnson 68-67- ever US tour campaign to extend birdie. Championship winner, fired a 67 makes for a really relaxing envi- 66, Brian Stuard 65-65-71, Hideto over two different years. “Those first six holes are tough, to share 13th on 202. ronment,” said Els. Tanihara (JPN) 66-65-70 After birdies at the second and but the back nine you can step on Johnson, who won last week’s Daly, 47, has been one of golf’s sixth holes, Kirk closed the front the gas a little bit,” English said. Tournament of Champions, is biggest attractions since gaining 202 John Peterson 68-69-65, Brendon nine with a birdie before taking “The back nine has easier holes trying to become the first player global attention with his sur- Todd 70-66-66, Jason Dufner 67- his lone bogey to begin the back to me.” to win both US PGA Hawaii prise victory in the 1991 PGA 68-67, Ryan Palmer 65-70-67, Marc side. He answered with birdies at Americans Jerry Kelly and events in the same year since Championship at Crooked Stick Leishman (AUS) 67-64-71 12 and 14 and took the lead with Jimmy Walker shared fourth on South African Ernie Els in — where he was competing as a 203 Heath Slocum 69-69-65, Justin his birdie at the par-5 18th. 200, one stroke ahead of a pack 2003. ninth alternate after Nick Price Leonard 68-66-69, Hudson Swafford Wilcox birdied the second and that included South African John Daly matched Wilcox’s withdrew — and was later named 70-64-69, Greg Chalmers (AUS) 68- par-3 seventh, then opened the Retief Goosen, Australian Robert 64 for the low round of the day, PGA Tour Rookie of the Year. 66-69, Matt Every 69-65-69, Chris Ernie Els During the first round of back nine with birdies on three Allenby, Japan’s Hideto Tanihara leaping Daly from making the cut He won the last of his five PGA the 2013 Commercial Bank Qatar Stroud 68-65-70, John Daly 66-73- of the first four holes. and Americans Zach Johnson, on the number to a share of 18th Tour titles in 2004, but remains 64, Bae Sang-Moon (KOR) 63-70-70, Masters played at Doha Golf Club After a bogey at 15, Wilcox Jeff Overton, Brian Stuard and on 203. one of the sport’s biggest attrac- last January. Jason Kokrak 66-67-70 closed with back-to-back birdies. Pat Perez. AFP tions and still has the ability to Fiji pledges Toulon, Clermont, to regain IRB Al Kass International Munster in European funding SUVA: Fiji’s cash-strapped rugby union pledged yester- day to be back on side with Cup all set for kick-off Cup quarter-finals the International Rugby Board in four months after DOHA: Football stars of the Chairman of Al Kass Organising big, with daily cash prizes of up PARIS: Defending champions his sights on the team’s final pool its World Cup plans were hit future will take to Aspire Zone’s Committee. to $5,000 on offer. In addition two Toulon, heavyweight French encounter against Racing-Metro. when all financial aid was cut. pitches tomorrow as junior play- “The tournament also seeks daily winners will be selected for rivals Clermont, and former “If we play well, we could have The IRB announced on ers from some of the best teams to raise the level of competition the best fan banner and outfit and winners Munster all secured a home quarter-final, which is not Saturday it had axed all direct in the world go head-to-head within Qatar and provide an excit- walk away with $800 in cash. places in the quarter-finals of negligible.” financial support because at the third annual Al Kass ing experience for not only the vis- In addition, department store the European Cup on Saturday. Clermont came out firing and Fiji rugby bosses had failed International Cup. iting players but the spectators as 51 East will be giving away 10 The day’s results also ensured a frantic start saw fly-half Brock to implement recommended The tournament begins with well. With lots of prizes to be had, PlayStation 4 consoles during a Ulster and Leicester advance into James notching up his first penalty measures to address “signifi- last year’s runners-up, Paris Saint- I urge Qatar’s public to come along raffle at the tournament’s clos- the last eight. in the third minute. cant concerns regarding the Germain (PSG), taking on FC to the games and support their ing ceremony. Coca Cola will be A Jonny Wilkinson-skippered After No. 8 Fritz Lee broke administration and governance Barcelona. The second match will favourite teams, so as not to miss awarding one year’s supply of its Toulon side had too much power away, James landed an inch-per- of the union”. see Qatar’s Aspire International out on all the live action.” soda to five winners, who will walk for Cardiff Blues in Pool 2, run- fect crosskick but Fijian winger But the Fiji Rugby Union play Real Madrid, before last The Al Kass Organising away with 30 boxes each. The prize ning out 43-20 winners thanks Napolioni Nalaga couldn’t hold it (FRU) responded by saying year’s champions, Fluminense of Committee has set the prize draw will take place after the final largely to a completely dominant with the line begging, Lee then it was dealing with the issues Brazil, come up against French money at $75,000 for the tourna- match, with entrance tickets used scrum. putting down a try-scoring pass and would still go to the IRB newcomers Auxerre. ment champions. The team fin- as raffle tokens. A bonus point for a fourth try from the resulting line-out. for money if it needed to. “Since its inception in 2012, ishing in 12th place will receive This year, for the first time, a at the death — unusually a third A piece of individual brilliance “Please note that all these year-on-year the Al Kass $4,000, with a range of awards in team from the USA will compete, penalty try, set Toulon atop their from Quins’ England scrum-half issues were inherited by this International Cup has grown to between. An additional $3,000 will with Chicago Fire participating. pool on 20 points, with the Blues Danny Care then lit up the Stoop. current FRU board and the be an elite showcase of the world’s be given to the tournament’s top The teams are divided into four in second on 13. Care latched on to an unlikely board expects to clear up all best junior football talent, provid- players, scorers and goalkeepers, groups of three, with the top two “We had a big point to prove chip ahead from skipper Chris these issues by end of May ing a glimpse of what to expect with $1,000 awarded to each man teams from each group qualifying after last week,” said Toulon No Robshaw but found himself bound 2014,” the FRU said in a from some of the world’s most of the match. for the quarter-finals to compete 8 Steffon Armitage in reference for touch at a lick. statement. beloved football clubs in years Spectators at the tournament for the Al Kass trophy. to last week’s 22-21 Top 14 loss Carefully avoiding the white- The FRU said it had so far to come,” said Essa Al Hetmi, will also have the chance to win THE PENINSULA to Grenoble which had incensed wash, Care managed a blind one- used £200,000 ($329,000) of a coach Bernard Laporte. handed pass behind him, which £250,000 grant towards its 2015 “All the boys were really up for Matt Hooper caught for a clear World Cup campaign. it today and hopefully we’ll come run-in. “The FRU Board will only back better next week.” The momentum swung the way ask for the further funding Winger David Smith scored of the London club, Evans boot- from IRB only if absolutely nec- Toulon’s other try, with Wilkinson ing a penalty after his own slick essary or not at all, and reserve booting four penalties and four break, with Clermont left to rue this funding for our World Cup conversions. their missed chances. preparations. The Blues scored tries through The French club opened the “To alleviate the financial Filo Paulo and Sam Hobbs, with second-half just as they wanted, crisis the FRU board is cur- British Lions full-back Leigh a cruel bounce from a Morgan rently working on fundrais- Halfpenny hitting two penalties Parra chip leaving Quins full- ing activities, approaching and two conversions, but they paid back Mike Brown stranded and several sponsors and the Fiji for four yellow cards. Nalaga free to hack through and government through the Fiji Clermont overcame a 10-point dot down for a try. Sports Commission to assist half-time deficit to claim a nar- Clermont’s pressing paid off the FRU.” row 16-13 away victory over when former All Black winger Although £50,000 remained Harlequins. Sitiveni Sivivatu crossed with in the World Cup kitty, Fiji The win meant the French eight minutes to play, to draw the coach Inoke Male said “more giants will top Pool 4, having scores level, James unable to nail funds from the IRB would have already amassed 19 points from the tricky conversion. to be good for Fiji”. their five games, seven ahead of The Australian made amends The IRB said it had commit- second-placed Quins with a game shortly after with a simpler pen- ted “1.1 million pounds in direct in hand. alty shot to hand the French funding to the FRU in 2013 and “We got the result and quali- giants a hard-fought victory. significant additional financial fication as well, it’s a very good Munster, meanwhile, booked assistance to participate in thing. It wasn’t a perfect match their 15th appearance in the last international tournaments in but what mattered was the four eight as Pool 6 winners after an 2013”. (From left) Ali Al Muftha, Ward Abdallah, Hamad Al Mannai, and Miguel Heitor at a press conference on the Al points,” said Clermont coach impressive 20-7 win at Gloucester. AFP Kass under-16 event yesterday. Vern Cotter, immediately turning AFP MONDAY 13 JANUARY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Rafter Djokovic favourite returns to play doubles for Aussie Open with Hewitt

MELBOURNE: Former US Serb seeks a record fourth straight title Open champion Pat Rafter (pictured) is coming out of a 13-year retirement to partner Australian Open MELBOURNE: It’s tennis’ Grand Slam after winning his Lleyton Hewitt in the doubles at most intense rivalry but recent first major title in Melbourne in the Australian Open. Order of Play momentum and a lop-sided 2008 and reclaiming it in 2011, The 41-year-old, who is also draw have given Novak Djokovic 2012 and 2013. Australia’s non-playing Davis Cup MELBOURNE: Order of play on the main the edge over Rafael Nadal as he The Serb, the only man to captain, said Hewitt asked him showcourts at the Australian Open today (play starts at 0000 GMT on all courts, prefix seeks a record fourth straight win three straight Australian to play doubles as he seeks extra denotes seeding): Australian Open title. Open championships since Roy matches depending on how he While Serena Williams is the Emerson claimed five in a row in fares in the singles at the open- Rod Laver Arena unbackable favourite for the the pre-professional era, also has ing Grand Slam of the year. 9-Angelique Kerber (Germany) v Jarmila women’s trophy, Djokovic and the easier draw, with Stanislas Rafter hasn’t played since Gajdosova (Australia) Nadal, the world number one, are Wawrinka and David Ferrer Australia’s Davis Cup final loss Alejandro Gonzalez (Colombia) vs 3-David nearly inseparable at the top of shaping as possible opponents. to France in Melbourne in 2001. Ferrer (Spain) the men’s game. Meanwhile, Nadal stands to Rafter and Hewitt will face 17-Samantha Stosur (Australia) vs Klara When they last met in meet Grand Slam champions in American Eric Butorac and South Zakopalova (Czech Republic) Melbourne in 2012, it took five the form of Juan Martin del Potro African Raven Klaasen in the From 0800 hours and 53 minutes, the long- and either Andy Murray or Roger doubles first round. Lukas Lacko (Slovakia) vs 2-Novak Djokovic est ever Grand Slam final, before Federer ahead of a potential final “I actually asked him a lit- (Serbia) Djokovic finally prevailed in five rematch with Djokovic. tle while 1-Serena Williams (US) vs Ashleigh Barty exhausting sets. All players are braced for ago. He (Australia) Nadal missed last year’s extreme heat in the first week still hits Hisense Arena Australian Open with injury but with temperatures set to soar a lot at on his return, he denied Djokovic above 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) the Davis 8-Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland) vs in the French Open semis and US from tomorrow onwards. Cup ties, Andrey Golubev (Kazakhstan) Open final before supplanting him “I am expecting to play in big works us 4-Li Na (China) v Ana Konjuh (Croatia) at the top of the rankings. heat. You always have to expect out a bit,” Kiki Bertens (Netherlands) vs 14-Ana However, Djokovic beat Nadal because you can’t really predict Hewitt Ivanovic (Serbia) convincingly in two deciders in Melbourne’s weather, it’s chang- said Not before 0600 the latter part of last season, ing a lot,” Djokovic said. yesterday. Jordan Thompson (Australia) vs 20-Jerzy including at the year-ending “But I remember the 2008, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic watches the ball as he serves during a prac- “It’s Janowicz (Poland) World Tour Finals, to seize back 2009 and 2010, there were several tice session ahead of the 2014 Australian Open tennis tournament in just a bit Margaret Court Arena the psychological advantage. days I played in extreme heat. So Melbourne yesterday. The first Grand Slam tennis tournament of 2014 is of fun. 22-Ekaterina Makarova (Russia) vs Venus “It is difficult to see Rafa los- I know how tough it is.” scheduled to take place in the Australian city from today to January 26. It will Williams (US) ing to anyone other than Novak Djokovic has hired Boris Becker be nice 7-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) vs and possibly Andy Murray,” Jim as one of a number of celebrity on my Aleksandr Nedovyesov (Kazakhstan) Courier told Melbourne’s Herald coaches who will appear on the Wimbledon champion Murray Slam titles looks strong after off days, Sun newspaper. sidelines this year, including is also tentatively returning to she lost just five times last year hopefully Julia Goerges (Germany) vs 7-Sara Errani (Italy) “Novak Djokovic suffered some Stefan Edberg who is working action following back surgery, and won her warm-up event in I’m still tough losses to Rafa last year but with Federer. The 17-time Grand putting a question mark over his Brisbane. in the Luksika Kumkhum (Thailand) vs 6-Petra was able to beat the Spaniard Slam winner, now 32 and ranked bid to end a run of three final “It would mean a lot to be on singles, Kvitova (Czech Republic) twice in the fall so momentum in sixth in the world, is considered defeats in Melbourne. the same level as such great play- on my off days to go out and play From 0800 their rivalry is now on his side.” an outsider for the title as he In the women’s draw, Williams’ ers at Chris Evert and Martina doubles with Pat.” Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus) vs Djokovic has repeatedly shown enters a record 57th consecutive bid to match Chris Evert and Navratilova,” said Williams. Hewitt, who upset Roger Denis Istomin (Uzbekistan) his liking for the season’s opening major championship. Martina Navratilova’s 18 Grand AFP Federer to win the Brisbane International final a week ago, has an opening round match with Italian 24th seed Andreas Seppi. “I obviously looked up to Pat a I can beat Nadal, says Australia’s Tomic hell of a lot growing up. He really helped me out,” Hewitt said. “It’s great that he’s Davis Cup MELBOURNE: Bernard tennis I played early throughout up. If I do, I know I can play like captain for me now, as well. Most Tomic yesterday said he was Sydney. Obviously if I can do that I played last week.” likely I’ll finish my career with capable of upsetting Rafael I’m going to give myself a chance. While Nadal, who opened his him as Davis Cup captain, which Nadal in the Australian Open “It’s going to be difficult, going season by winning the Qatar is fantastic for me as well.” first round, but admitted he will to have to be one of those days Open, is the overwhelming Rafter, who won the US Open need to be at his best to beat where I can play my best.” favourite to beat Tomic, the in 1997 and 1998, said it would the world number one. Tomic’s daunting encounter Spaniard is taking nothing for be fun to play with the two-time The local favourite, ham- with Nadal on Tuesday is set to granted. Grand Slam champion at their mered in Saturday’s Sydney be Tuesday’s prime-time match “It is not the best round I know home Open. International final by fifth- on Rod Laver Arena and what- to start a Grand Slam, playing “The hardest part about being ranked Juan Martin del Potro, ever happens, the Australian against a player who is local and around 40 is keeping your body in has been in good form but said he would learn from the who is young, who played great in shape. It’s tough, I must admit,” was handed a horror draw at experience. the past here, and who is playing Rafter said. Melbourne Park. “I’m going to use it as an well,” he said. “It’s a tough start.” “You don’t look after yourself Few believe Tomic, 21, has opportunity. Whatever happens, Their only career meeting was like you did. You’re not in the much of a chance against the win or lose, I’ll take a lot from in the Melbourne third round in locker room all the time. 13-time Grand Slam winner, but this match,” he said. 2011, when the young Australian “It’s just a bit of fun. Doubles, the confident world number 57 “It’s going to help me in 2014 a showed class and potential before half a court. I think I can do that.” said he had faith in his abilities. lot because obviously I’ve had the going out 6-2, 7-5, 6-3. Asked if he would consider “Everything is possible these past two years where I haven’t Tomic went down 6-3, 6-1 rekindling his Davis Cup partner- days, everything is possible,” he done well throughout the year against del Potro in the Sydney ship with Hewitt if they went well said. except just tournaments like final, succumbing to the former this week, Rafter was coy. Spain’s Rafael Nadal watches the ball as he plays a shot during a practice “I’m playing good. I’m pretty Wimbledon and Davis Cup. US Open champion in just 53 “I hope not. There would have session ahead of the 2014 Australian Open. confident. I’ve just got to play the “I need to keep this attitude minutes. AFP to be food poisoning, sicknesses,” he said. AFP Foreigners should train with China team: ITTF

DUBAI: China’s table ten- sports. The World Tour Grand told Reuters he would welcome seem resigned to their fate. nis federation should give for- Finals in Dubai this weekend - foreign players to practise with “We Europeans have a tough eign players more access to its table tennis’s richest event - had him. job because it’s almost impossi- coaches to ease the country’s a total cash pot of $878,000 for “Chinese players dominate, so ble to beat all the Chinese,” said stranglehold on the sport and the men’s and women’s singles maybe the prize money is a bit low Natalia Partyka, 24, a three-times attract more television and and doubles tournaments. Novak for the other players,” said Ma. Paralympics champion who also sponsor interest, the head of the Djokovic, the world number two He spoke through an inter- plays in able-bodied competition. world governing body said. in men’s tennis, earned $1.92m for preter and the lack of foreign “I think the next 10 or 20 years In the men’s game, Chinese winning December’s ATP World language skills among China’s will be the same, still the Chinese players have won seven of the past Tour Finals. players has also made promoting will win everything,” the Pole eight biennial world champion- “Even in China itself, the gen- the game more difficult. added. ships, while China’s women have eral public is getting tired of see- “I’m trying to convince the Table tennis also faces a new claimed the last 10 titles. ing China winning all the time,” Chinese federation that their top rival, with Britain’s Matchroom “It reminds me of 20 years ago said Sharara. players must speak English, so Sport staging the $100,000 World when the US was dominating “We need more co-operation now they’re giving them English Championship of Ping Pong in basketball - they (the US) were from the Chinese. They’re open- courses,” said Sharara. London earlier this month, in able to promote the sport else- ing the door but ever so slowly. “This generation is a little bit which players use old-fashioned where and bring the top players They need to sacrifice to make the too shy, but the next generation, sandpaper bats. from other countries to the NBA,” others better, even to lose to the the younger ones, are speaking These do not allow players to said Adham Sharara, President others, so the sport becomes more English already.” generate the spin associated with of the International Table Tennis and more interesting. This would help sell the sport top-level table tennis, which the Federation (ITTF). “I say help us for just five years to broadcasters, he said. organisers claim is a virtue. “Today, the US is still very and then you can go back and “Also in terms of personality - “Table tennis is not really strong but doesn’t dominate like close the doors.” in China they’re seen as different watchable and I’m not sure the how China dominates our sport.” Sharara said this help would individual personalities. There’s people who run it realise that, The Canadian said lesser mainly consist of allowing young the naughty guy, the nice guy, whereas ping pong most certainly Chinese preeminence would help players from other countries to the good-looking guy, but out- is,” said Luke Riches, Matchroom attract greater sponsorship and train with China’s elite players, side China they’re all considered Sport media director. television coverage of table tennis, not just provincial teams, plus the same, just the Chinese team “Table tennis is a huge sport which has been an Olympic sport access to China’s equipment because they don’t communicate played around the world with a Adham Sharara (centre), President of the International Table Tennis since 1988. technology, which is superior. enough,” said Sharara. governing body. We’re not try- Federation (ITTF), is seen along with Khaleel Al Mohannadi, President Globally, there are 217 national The top five men and top four Eighteen nations were repre- ing to compete with that, we’re of Qatar Table Tennis Association (QTTA), and Ahmad Al Mohannadi federations, second only to volley- women in the world rankings are sented in Dubai, but the men’s just trying to provide something (right), a Qatari player, who took part in the Qatar Open 2013 Table ball, but the prize money on offer all Chinese. and women’s finals were all-Chi- entertaining.” REUTERS Tennis Championships in this file picture of February 24, 2013. is a pittance compared with many Men’s number one Ma Long nese affairs and foreign players MONDAY 13 JANUARY 2014 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Four-wicket win Finch ton secures for Pakistan against South Africa in Doha

Australia victory DOHA: Pakistan defeated South Africa by four wickets to register their second successive England succumb to six-wicket loss in ODI win in the Tri-nations women’s One-Day International cricket tournament here yesterday. MELBOURNE: Aaron Finch behind a wobbly start and post replays could not establish con- Pakistan who were set a tar- struck his second 50-over hun- 269 for seven wickets after cap- clusively Jos Buttler had taken a get of 126 by South Africa romped dred as Australia maintained tain Alastair Cook had opted to clean catch behind the stumps. home losing six wickets and their dominance over England bat first. Warner eventually holed with five balls to spare at West with a six-wicket victory in the The 163-run stand between out in the deep off Joe Root to End Park International Cricket first One-Day International Finch and Warner in 28 overs depart after a 72-ball knock that Stadium. yesterday. laid the foundation for Australia’s included five boundaries and a six Bismah Maroof top scored Finch (121) and fellow opener comprehensive win which pro- off Chris Jordan. for Pakistan with 60 runs and David Warner (65) dazzled while longed England’s misery Down Jordan dismissed Shane Watson clinched the Player of the Match captain Michael Clarke contrib- Under after their test series for a two-ball duck in the next award. uted 43 brisk runs as the hosts whitewash. over but Clarke and Finch scored Bismah, who came at the crease eased to a victory target of 270 Australia’s openers enjoyed freely to kill the contest. with Pakistan reeling at 16 for 2 with 4.2 overs to spare. their share of luck with Finch Balance eventually caught in 8.3 overs, steadied the innings Earlier, half-centuries from dropped by Ballance on eight Finch in the 40th over off Ben but lost her wicket with victory Gary Ballance (79) and Eoin and Warner, when on 22, called Stokes, ending his 128-ball blitz. in sight. Morgan (50) helped England put back from the boundary line after England suffered an early blow The 23-year-old left hander when Cook edged the fourth ball was dismissed with the scores tied of the day to perish caught behind at 125 in the 49th over. Scoreboard for four. Her knock contained three Clint McKay (3-44) claimed boundaries and came in 133 balls. ENGLAND 7-0-29-1; Faulkner 10-0-68-1 (w-1); Watson his second victim in Root (three) Javeria Khan (29), Sana Mir A Cook c Haddin b McKay ...... 4 5-0-36-0. to reduce the tourists to 22 for (10) and Asmavia Iqbal (13 not I Bell b Doherty ...... 41 AUSTRALIA two before Ian Bell and Ballance out) were the other Paksitan scor- J Root lbw McKay ...... 3 A Finch c Ballance b Stokes ...... 121 steadied the ship. ers who reached double figures. G Balance c Doherty b McKay ...... 79 D Warner c Stokes b Root ...... 65 Bell reverse-swept Xavier Earlier, South Africa who won E Morgan c Coulter-Nile b Maxwell ...... 50 S Watson b Jordan ...... 0 Doherty for a boundary and slog- the toss and elected to bat scored R Bopara c Haddin b Coulter-Nile ...... 17 M Clarke c Cook b Bresnan ...... 43 swept Glen Maxwell for a six to 125 for 8 with Marizanne Kapp B Stokes b Faulkner ...... 21 G Bailey (not out) ...... 17 reach 41 before attempting a top scoring with 44 runs. J Buttler (not out) ...... 34 G Maxwell (not out) ...... 8 repeat of the same shot only to Bismah Maroof of Pakistan, winner of the Player of the Match award For Pakistan, Nida Dar was the T Bresnan (not out) ...... 16 Extras (LB-6, W-10) ...... 16 be clean bowled by Doherty. against South Africa , poses with the trophy at West End Park International most successful bowler with four Extras (LB-1, W-3) ...... 4 Total (for 4 wkts in 45.4 overs) ...... 270 Morgan joined Ballance in the wickets. Total (for 7 wkts in 50 overs) ...... 269 Fall of wickets: 1-163 2-165 3-237 4-247. Cricket Stadium in Doha yesterday. Bismah top scored with 60 runs to middle for England’s most pro- help Pakistan register a four-wicket win. Yesterday’s win was the sec- Yesterday’s win was the second Fall of wickets: 1-4 2-22 3-62 4-145 5-173 Bowling: Rankin 8-0-53-0(w-2); Jordan 10-0- ductive partnership, adding 83 successive win for Pakistan in the 6-206 7-228. 50-1(w-5); Bresnan 9.4-0-56-1; Stokes 10-0- ond successive win for Pakistan in the Tri-nations women’s tournament runs from 14.1 overs with some played on a double league format. The top two teams from the league tournament played on a double Bowling: McKay 10-0-44-3 (w-1) Coulter-Nile 65-1(w-1); Bopara 6-0-30-0; Root 2-0-11- cheeky shots and sharp running league format. 10-0-51-1 (w-1); Maxwell 8-0-40-1; Doherty 1(w-2). stage will clash in the final on January 18. PICTURE BY: ABDUL BASIT between the wickets. AFP THE PENINSULA

InterContinental Al Rayyan down Al Khor in QBL Squash begins next month

DOHA: The 13th Intercontinental Squash tour- nament held under the patron- age of Qatar Squash Federation (QSF) and sponsored by InterContinental Doha will be held from Febraury 13 to 17, it was announced here yesterday. The five-day tournament will be held in 10 categories. Gamal Rasmi, Technical Secretary of QSF informed that the tournament will be hled at two venues. “The preliminary rounds of Under-9, Under-11, Under-13, Under-15 and Under-17 will be held at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. The semi-final and the final will held at InterContinental. All other matches will start at Intercontinental from day one,” said Rasmi. The first and second place winners at InterContinental Squash tournament of Qatar Squash Federation (QSF) The other categories are pose for a picture along with QSF Board Member Mohammed Al Khulaifi, InterContinental Doha officials and Men’s Level B, Men’s Level A, QSF Technical Secretary Gamal Rasmi in this file picture of last year’s championship. Men’s over 45, Ladies and Men’s professionals. The entry forms are available The Intercontinental Squash is the event,” said an official. Noor overcame Umair Zaman to at InterContinental Recreation one of the most popular events The tournament is open to all win the top spot. In the Men’s Centre and Radisson Blu and among local players. residents of Qatar. Level B, Abdel Wahab Al Ishaq Sheraton Recreation Centre and A large number of players are Last year, Abdulrahman Al set aside the challenge of Sadam Action from the Qatar Basketball League (QBL) match between Al the QSF reception desk at the expected to play in various events, Malki defeated Syed Azlan Mehawesh. Mayar El Saka topped Rayyan and Al Khor at Al Gharafa Stadium in Doha yesterday. Al Rayyan Khalifa International Tennis and the organisers said. Amjad to clinch the top place in the Ladies category while Hana won 73-66. In the other match yesterday, Al Ahli defeated Al Shamal Squash Complex. “Some of the top players from in the Professional category.In Alaa El Lethy came second. 89-78. PICTURE BY: WASFY Entries close on February 4. Qatar are likely to take part in the Men’s Level A final, Ahmed THE PENINSULA

Qatar Volleyball Association League: Al Shamal win thriller against Al Gharafa Ski jumping: Takanashi lifts 15th World Cup

SAPPORO, Japan: Japanese teenage ski jumper Sara Takanashi soared to a record- stretching 15th World Cup vic- tory yesterday, her second win in two days, stepping up her bid for gold at the Sochi Olympics. “I have nothing to worry about,” the 17-year-old high school student said about next month’s Sochi Games where women’s ski- jumping makes its Olympic debut. “I want to continue making steady jumps.” It was her sixth victory in seven World Cup events contested so far in the 2013-2014 season as she aims to retain the overall title she first won last year. Takanashi, who is 152 centime- tres tall, jumped 97 metres in the first round to register the day’s An Al Sadd player tries to spike the ball past an Al Ahli player during their Qatar Volleyball Association League match at Al Arabi Indoor Stadium in Doha yesterday. Al Ahli won by three longest distance as snow contin- sets to one (Sets (24-26, 25-21, 25-23 and 25-17) RIGHT: Action from the Al Gharafa and Al Shamal match. Al Shamal won by three sets to two (23-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-19 and 15-9). ued to fall on the Miyanomori hill PICTURES BY: KAMMUTTY VP in Sapporo, northern Japan. AFP MONDAY 13 JANUARY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27

Juve, Roma, Napoli on target City ride Newcastle storm in Serie A

MILAN: Juventus, Roma and Napoli hit 11 goals between them to deliver a blow to pur- suers Fiorentina and Verona in to go top; win for Liverpool Italy’s Serie A yesterday. Juventus had been looking for a club record of 11 successive Controversial victory for Pellegrini’s side; Reds edge Stoke in thriller wins and despite conceding a 21st minute opener to Mauricio Pinilla the champions fought back LONDON: Manchester City had hit the bar with a header, in clinical fashion with Fernando took over at the top of the English Premier Negredo sealed victory for City Llorente netting twice in a 4-1 Premier League table after in the fifth minute of stoppage win at Cagliari. winning 2-0 against Newcastle League Results time when he ran the ball into the Conte said he was “proud” to LONDON: English Premier League results United in a tempestuous net after seeing an initial attempt become the first Juve coach to yesterday: encounter at St James’ Park blocked by Tim Krul. reach the milestone, but added to yesterday. Newcastle United 0 Manchester City 2 There was controversy, too, as Sky Sport Italia: “I thanked all of (Dzeko 8, Negredo 90+5) Edin Dzeko and Alvaro Liverpool beat Stoke City 5-3 in the team for helping us reach this Negredo claimed City’s goals, Stoke City 3 (Crouch 39, Adam 45, Walters an enthralling match to return to milestone but we have to try and 85) Liverpool 5 (Shawcross 5-og, Suarez 32, but the match’s defining incident the top four and claim their first extend this streak or another side 71, Gerrard 51-pen, Sturridge 87) occurred mid-way through the league victory at the Britannia will try to overtake us.” Playing today (2000 GMT): first half when Newcastle mid- Stadium at the sixth attempt. Roma began the day eight fielder Cheick Tiote had a goal Aston Villa vs Arsenal A fifth-minute Ryan Shawcross points behind leaders Juve but contentiously ruled out for offside. own goal and an opportunistic had little trouble dispatching Referee Mike Jones decided eighth place, said that Jones had Luis Suarez effort put the visi- Genoa, who were reduced to 10 that Yoan Gouffran had impeded not adequately explained his deci- tors 2-0 up, only for Stoke to draw men before the hour, 4-0. City goalkeeper Joe Hart as sion to rule out Tiote’s goal. level before half-time through Alessandro Florenzi led the Tiote’s shot flashed past him, but “I’m not thrilled with the ref- Liverpool old boys Peter Crouch rout with a sublime overhead kick, the home fans jeered the deci- eree’s answer when I’ve asked for and Charlie Adam. with further goals coming cour- sion and Newcastle manager an explanation as I don’t quite get Crouch reduced the arrears tesy of club captain Francesco Alan Pardew harangued Jones at how he can disallow a goal of that with a deft header from a Marko Totti, Maicon and Mehdi Benatia. half-time. quality on the technical point he Arnautovic cross, before Adam Totti, hitting his first goal in It was City’s sixth consecutive is using,” he said. drove a rasping drive past Simon nine months, hailed Juve’s cam- league win and lifted them above “Joe Hart is nowhere near it. Mignolet from outside the area. paign but said the title race was Chelsea at the summit, although It goes through a crowd of City However, after Marc Wilson not over. they will lose their hold on first players who are impairing his had been penalised for felling “Juventus are the reigning place if Arsenal win at Aston Villa view. It’s a massive call on a very Raheem Sterling, much to the champions and they’re almost a today. technical point.” disgust of the Stoke support- class apart, but we have a strong “It was a very difficult game Bidding to avenge a 4-0 defeat ers, Steven Gerrard restored side that won’t quit. Until the and it’s a very big result as we at City on the season’s opening Liverpool’s lead from the penalty very end, we will be giving them know it’s a tough place to come weekend, Newcastle began at a spot in the 51st minute. Daniel a hard time,” Totti told Sky Sport and win,” said City manager high tempo, but it took the visi- Sturridge made his return from Italia. Manuel Pellegrini, who also lost tors less than eight minutes to a seven-week injury lay-off as a Napoli were two points fur- Samir Nasri to what he described make the breakthrough. substitute and he neatly teed up ther adrift but despite a poten- as a “serious” knee injury. David Silva released Aleksandar Suarez for his second goal -- and tially tricky fixture returned Pellegrini played down a touch- Kolarov with an incisive pass down 22nd of the campaign -- with 19 from high-flying Verona with a line row between himself and the inside-left channel and the minutes to play. Jonathan Walters precious 3-0 win. Pardew in the angry aftermath Serbian left-back delivered a low gave Stoke hope by squeezing a Napoli coach Rafael Benitez of Tiote’s disallowed goal and said cross that was clipped home by shot past Mignolet in the 85th suggested the scoreline flattered that Jones had made the correct Dzeko. The controversy arrived minute, but Sturridge beat Jack his side, which is still missing call. in the 34th minute when Tiote Butland at the second attempt Marek Hamsik, Juan Zuniga and “Nothing important was said thrashed a superb shot past Hart two minutes later to finally put a goalkeeper Pepe Reina among on the touchline between me from the edge of the box, only for breathless game to bed. others, due to injury. and Alan Pardew, but I think it’s Jones to disallow the goal after con- “I thought we were bril- “It was a difficult game but impossible for the referee to han- sulting his assistant, Stephen Child. liant today,” Liverpool manager we showed that we are a strong dle a game when every time he Hart kept Newcastle at bay in Brendan Rodgers told Sky Sports. team,” said the Spaniard, admit- gave a decision against Newcastle the second half, saving well from “We made mistakes defensively, ting their next major aim comes there were complaints,” he said. Yohan Cabaye and Loic Remy, which wasn’t so good, and we’ll at home to Roma, on March 9. “It was an offside goal as they before City midfielder Nasri had assess that, but to come here and Newcastle’s Loic Remy (right) is tackled by Manchester City’s Javi “The home game against Roma were interfering with Joe Hart to be stretchered off following a get five goals and put in the effort Garcia during their English Premiership League match at the Saint is our next major objective but we and the referee made that call.” wild, knee-high foul by Mapou and the work that we did was fan- James’ Park Stadium in Newcastle, Britain, yesterday. have our own path set out and Pardew, whose side remain in Yanga-Mbiwa. After Fernandinho tastic.” AFP we’ll see where it takes us.” AFP Marseille come from behind to Pepe winner moves claim welcome victory Madrid closer to leaders

PARIS: Marseille are now MADRID: Real Madrid moved Ronaldo uncharacteristically unbeaten in five domestic games to within three points of La Liga Spanish League fluffed his lines after Karim under Jose Anigo after coming leaders Barcelona and Atletico Benzema’s fine solo run down from behind to beat Evian 2-1 in Madrid with a hard-fought 1-0 Results the left had freed the Portuguese Annecy yesterday. win over Espanyol yesterday. MADRID: Spanish league results yesteray: inside the area. Espanyol keeper On-loan winger Pape Amodou Portuguese defender Pepe got Getafe 0 Rayo Vallecano 1 (Bueno 29) Kiko Casilla also had to beat away Sougou put the home side in the only goal of the game when he Real Betis 1 (Molina 80) Osasuna 2 (Torres Angel di Maria’s long-range drive front against his parent club, but rose highest to head home Luka 2, Figueras 57-og) and a free-kick from Ronaldo. Benoit Cheyrou equalised for OM Modric’s free-kick 10 minutes Espanyol 0 Real Madrid 1 (Pepe 55) However, the visitors best and Andre-Pierre Gignac netted after half-time. Playing today chances of the first 45 minutes what turned out to be the winner Cristiano Ronaldo should then Villarreal vs Real Sociedad (2100) came just before the break when before the interval. have added to his side’s lead on a On Saturday Modric led a counter-attack, It was Marseille’s first-ever number of occasions. but after feeding Di Maria the Athletic Bilbao 6 (Mikel Rico 6, Herrera 10, win away to Evian and the three But despite their star man hav- Argentine failed to pick out one of Laporte 31, Aduriz 52, Ibai Gomez 68, 86- points lifted them back up to fifth ing an off night in front of goal, four available teammates. The ball pen) Almeria 1 (Barbosa 34) place in the Ligue 1 table. Madrid comfortably held on for eventually fell to Gareth Bale and However, they remain eight the three points as Espanyol cre- Celta Vigo 2 (Charles 50, 78) his cross was headed just wide by points adrift of the Champions ated nothing of note after falling Valencia 1 (Parejo 23) Benzema. League qualification places, and behind. Atletico Madrid 0 Barcelona 0 Madrid did make the break- that gap could increase if Lille The hosts had started on the Elche 1 (Herrera 82) Sevilla 1 (Carrico 88) through 10 minutes into the take something from their game front foot and should have been second-half as Modric’s free- at home to Reims later on Sunday. in front after just three minutes Thereafter, though, Madrid kick towards the back post was In the summer, OM raided when Cristian Stuani skewed his had the better of the chances in powerfully headed low into the Evian to sign their Tunisian inter- header wide when unmarked just the first-half without ever com- far corner by the unmarked Pepe. national forward Saber Khalifa, Lille’s Marvin Martin (left) fights for the ball with Reims’ Nicolas De six yards out. pletely dominating the game. AFP with Senegalese winger Sougou Preville during their French Ligue 1 match at Pierre Mauroy Stadium moving in the opposite direction in Villeneuve d’Ascq, yesterday. on a season-long loan deal. Both players featured promi- nently at the Parc des Sports, and into the net.Gignac then defeat in eight Ligue 1 games. with Sougou meeting a left-wing made it 2-1 in the 38th minute, Nantes are sixth after the win, corner to send a looping header heading in his sixth goal in five and the impact of the Guinean over goalkeeper Steve Mandanda games in all competitions from Bangoura was particularly and into the net at the far post on a clipped Florian Thauvin cross. welcome. Barcelona’s 15 minutes. OM had chances to increase The southern Brittany side face It was his fourth league goal of their lead in the second half, nota- the prospect of a FIFA-imposed Argentinian forward the season, although he refused bly when Khalifa hit the bar as transfer ban, of at least a year, for Lionel Messi (left) to celebrate against the club to he attempted to lob Laquait from allegedly going against the rules vies with Atletico whom he still belongs. 30 yards. with their signing of Bangoura Madrid’s midfielder The visitors were level within However, they held on to claim from Emirati club Al Nasr in Koke during the seven minutes, though, as what was their first win in the 2012. Spanish League Cheyrou collected a loose ball in league since late November, while That could prove particularly match at the Vicente a central position 25 yards from the defeat leaves Evian just three damaging if this season’s eight- Calderon Stadium in goal and curled a beautiful shot points above the drop zone. goal top scorer Filip Djordjevic, Madrid on Saturday over ‘keeper Bertrand Laquait Earlier, Nantes beat local rivals who set up Bangoura’s goal night. Lorient 1-0 at the Stade de la against Lorient, leaves as expected French Ligue 1 Beaujoire, Ismael Bangoura fir- when his contract expires in the ing home his first goal for the club summer. Results since May 2012 to seal the points Lille can leapfrog Monaco and PARIS: French Ligue 1 results yesterday: with just a minute remaining. go second by beating Reims, cut- Nantes 1 (Bangoura 89) Lorient 0 Yann Jouffre hit the bar from ting Paris Saint-Germain’s lead at Evian 1 (Sougou 15) Marseille 2 (Cheyrou a free-kick in stoppage time for the top of the table to four points 22, Gignac 38) Lorient, who suffered a first in the process. AFP Monday 13 January 2014 12 Rabial I 1435 Volume 18 Number 5943 Sport Price: QR2 Patriots, Four-wicket win Seahawks for Pakistan in advance Doha

Sport | 23 Sport | 26

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 New Year joy Clinical Sri Lanka take lead continues for Oosthuizen Pakistan lose second Test by nine wickets; Karunaratne top scores DURBAN: South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen won the first DUBAI: Sri Lanka produced Pakistan will be desperate European Tour event of the cal- a professional performance to to level the series in the third endar year for the fourth con- register their biggest victory Test starting in Sharjah from secutive year when he retained over Pakistan by nine wickets in Thursday to avoid their first- his Volvo Golf Champions title the second Test in Dubai, taking ever series defeat in United at the Durban Country Club a 1-0 lead in the three-match Arab Emirates, their adopted yesterday. series. base for cricket since 2010 Oosthuizen carded a final round Paceman Suranga Lakmal because of security fears back 68 for a 12-under-par total of 276, took all three wickets to fall on home. one stroke ahead of compatriot the fifth morning to finish with The first Test ended in a draw Branden Grace. a career-best 4-78 to wrap up in Abu Dhabi. The 2010 Open champion Pakistan’s second innings for 359 Pakistan captain Misbah-ul looked to have blown his chances before Sri Lanka knocked off the Haq criticised the Dubai stadium when he recorded a bogey on the meager 137-run target for one pitch. 16th to fall a shot behind Grace, wicket. “We are not getting the pitch but back-to-back birdies in the In achieveing the victory, Sri we want,” said Misbah. “It’s a final two holes put him in front. Lanka also defied the cloudy worry as there was no spin, even Overnight leader Tommy weather in Dubai and rain on the fifth day, and spinners are Fleetwood of England managed a forecast. our strength.” par round of 72 yesterday to finish Opener Dimuth Karunaratne Mahela Jayawardene, declared two shots behind Oosthuizen and (62 not out) hit the winning runs man-of-the-match for his 129, tied third with Dutchman Joost after putting on 124 for the first said he was happy to contribute Luiten. wicket with Kaushal Silva who fell in the win. Oosthuizen was at a loss to after scoring 58. “Obviously the hand dic- explain his early January form, Kumar Sangakkara remained tated the way I batted and the other than the fact it follows a unbeaten on nine. match situation as well,” said period away from his clubs. Sri Lankan captain Angelo Jayawardene, who batted with “I think I just take a proper Mathews praised his bowlers. stitches in his left hand. holiday,” Oosthuizen said at the “The bowlers did really well and “Our bowlers did really well presentation ceremony. the batsmen came to the party to to limit the Pakistan batting. “I didn’t play any golf before set up this win,” said Mathews. It’s good to play with this bunch this, so maybe that’s the key.” “That’s the beauty of Test of boys and we have one more Sri Lankan batsman Dimuth Karunaratne plays a shot during the final day of the second Test match against A dropped shot on the 16th, cricket, we have to keep fighting Test to go so hope we do well in Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, yesterday. RIGHT: Sri Lankan batsman Kaushal where he had triple-bogeyed in despite the situation.” Sharjah as well.” Silva plays a shot during the final day. Saturday’s third round, was fol- Pakistan’s lowest defended Earlier, Pakistan failed to pro- lowed by a superb tee-shot on 17 target was 127 achieved against long their resistance of the fourth that set up a birdie chance and New Zealand at Hamilton in day as they lost three wickets in against India at home in 1985. give him momentum going into 1993, when they dismissed their the space of just 29 runs. Lakmal bowled Ajmal (21) to Scoreboard the final hole. opponents for 93 but Sri Lanka Lakmal removed Sarfraz end Pakistan’s second innings. “I saw Branden was top of the Pakistan (I innings): ...... 165 5-200, 6-245, 7-312, 8-334, 9-354. ensured the good work was not Ahmed in the fourth over of the Lakmal’s previous best was leaderboard just as I was about to Sri Lanka (I innings): ...... 388 Bowling: Lakmal 28.3-4-78-4; Pradeep 19-3- lost. day, bringing one in sharply to beat 3-55 against Australia at Galle tee-off on 17, so I knew I needed Pakistan (II innings): 50-2; Herath 48-10-132-2; Eranga 36-9-74- Sri Lanka had previously the Pakistani’s forward defensive in 2011. to give myself a good opportunity K Manzoor c P Jayawardene b Pradeep ...... 6 2; Mathews 5-1-9-0; Sangakkara 1-0-7-0. beaten Pakistan by eight wick- push and hit the off-stump. Nuwan Pradeep, Shaminda so luckily the wind was at the left A Shehzad c P Jayawardene b Herath ...... 9 Sri Lanka (II innings): ets on two occasions in 45 Tests Sarfraz scored 74, batting for Eranga and Rangana Herath took so I could take the pin on a bit. I Mohd Hafeez c P Jayawardene b Pradeep .... 1 D Karunaratne (not out) ...... 62 between the two nations. 211 minutes and hitting seven two wickets apiece. still didn’t think I would get that Younus Khan c P Jayawardene b Lakmal .... 77 K Silva lbw Ajmal ...... 58 In a surprise move Pakistan boundaries in a fighting innings Sri Lankan paceman bowled close,” Oosthuizen said. Misbah-ul-Haq b Herath ...... 97 K Sangakkara (not out) ...... 9 opened the bowling with off-spin- that took the game to the final well on the first day to get “I felt really comfortable out Asad Shafiq b Karunaratne b Eranga ...... 23 Extras (B-3, LB-4, NB-1) ...... 8 ner Mohammad Hafeez but both day. Pakistan out for a low score of there all day, especially with my Sarfraz Ahmed b Lakmal ...... 74 Total (for 1 wkt) ...... 137 openers played with authority. Lakmal then had Rahat Ali 165 and then gained a big 223- iron play and the putter behaved Bilawal Bhatti b Eranga ...... 32 Did not bat: M Jayawardene, D Chandimal, A Silva hit five boundaries before caught behind for eight, for run lead. today, I hit some good putts. I Saeed Ajmal b Lakmal ...... 21 Mathews, P Jayawardene, R Herath, S Eranga, trapped leg-before by Saeed Prasanna Jayawardene’s ninth Pakistan did put up a fight, tak- managed to finish strong.” Rahat Ali C P Jayawardene b Lakmal...... 8 S Lakmal, N Pradeep. Ajmal. Karunaratne hit eight catch in the match. ing the game to the final day with Oosthuizen said the 6689-yard Junaid Khan (not out) ...... 2 Fall of wicket: 1-124. boundaries off 125 balls. Prasanna equalled Sri Lanka’s Misbah hitting 97 and Younis course was suited to both the Extras (B-1, LB-8) ...... 9 Bowling: Mohammad Hafeez 8-3-22-0, Jun- Ajmal was once again ineffec- record of nine catches by a wick- Khan scoring 77 on the fourth longer hitters and those who Total (all out) ...... 359 aid Khan 10-2-34-0, Rahat Ali 11-1-29-0, tive, having now taken five wick- etkeeper in a match set twice in day but the first-innings deficit played a shorter game. Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-12, 3-19, 4-148, Saeed Ajmal 17.2-5-45-1. ets in two matches. successive Tests by Amal Silva led to their downfall. AFP “I love the course, there weren’t a lot of drivers for me this week, more like a lot of three woods, a lot of two irons. But that’s what I love about the course, anybody can come and play here.” Serena, Azarenka to dazzle Doha crowd REUTERS

DOHA: World No. 2 Victoria European Tour Azarenka of Belarus will be Qatar Total Open Players List defending the Qatar Total Open Name Rank 23 Alize Cornet (FRA) 27 Volvo Golf title she won last year at the 1 Serena Williams (USA) 1 Khalifa International Tennis 24 Jamie Hampton, L (USA) 28 Champions Scores and Squash Complex, the organ- 2 Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 2 -12 Louis Oosthuizen (S Africa) 68 69 71 isers said here yesterday. 25 Lucie Safarova (CZE) 29 3 Li Na (CHN) 3 -11 Branden Grace (South Africa) 74 67 68 Top stars on the WTA Tennis 26 Kaia Kanepi (EST) 30 -10 Joost Luiten (Netherlands) 70 67 70 Tour will come to the Qatari capi- 4 Agnieszka R Radwanska (POL) 5 Tommy Fleetwood (Britain) 70 67 69 tal next month to participate in 27 Flavia Pennetta (ITA) 31 5 Petra Kvitova (CZE) 6 -9 Raphael Jacquelin (France) 67 73 70 the 56-player draw. 28 Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) 32 Heading to Doha for the 6 Sara Errani (ITA) 7 Victor Dubuisson (France) 69 69 69 February 10 to 16 event are a gal- Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 71 71 70 7 Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 8 29 Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) 33 axy fo stars which includes World -7 Julien Quesne (France) 74 73 66 30 Mona Barthel (GER) 34 No. 1 Serena Williams. 8 Angelique Kerber (GER) 9 Thomas Aiken (South Africa) 72 72 70 Also playing in Doha will 9 Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 10 31 Klara Zakopalova (CZE) 35 -5 Matteo Manassero (Italy) 72 67 73 be French Open champion Li Thomas Bjorn (Denmark) 79 68 67 Na, Agnieszka Radwanksa, 10 Simona Halep (ROU) 11 32 Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) 36 Brett Rumford (Australia) 73 70 68 Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova, 11 Sloane Stephens A (USA) 12 33 Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) 37 Sara Errani, Jelena Jankovic, -4 Jamie Donaldson (Britain) 71 71 68 Angelique Kerber and Caroline 12 Roberta Vinci (ITA) 14 34 Madison Keys (USA) 38 Morten Madsen (Denmark) 71 74 69 Wozniacki. 43 players are directly 13 Sabine K Lisicki (GER) 15 35 Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 39 -3 Marcel Siem (Germany) 70 71 72 entered into the field, with eight Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) 74 69 68 14 Ana Ivanovic (SRB) 16 36 Karin Knapp (ITA) 41 qualifiers and five wildcards. Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain) 76 70 67 The top eight seeds will be 15 Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) 17 37 Shuai Peng (CHN) 42 -2 Chris Wood (Britain) 70 71 71 given a first round bye. Total 16 Samantha Stosur (AUS) 18 prize money for the event is 38 Andrea Petkovic (GER) 43 -1 Paul Casey (Britain) 72 75 65 $2,440,070. 17 Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) 20 G Fernandez-Castano (Spain) 74 73 71 First held in 2001, the Doha 18 Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 21 39 Elina Svitolina (UKR) 45 Mikko Ilonen (Finland) 73 73 69 event was the first professional 19 Sorana Cirstea (ROU) 22 40 Marina Erakovic (NZL) 46 0 Jeong Jin (South Korea) 73 76 68 women’s tennis tournament David Lynn (Britain) 71 74 72 staged in the Middle East and 20 Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 23 41 Venus Williams (USA) 47 Tennis player Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, winner of the Qatar Total 1 Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Thailand) 75 74 71 today it is a WTA Premier 5 event 21 Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 24 42 Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) 48 Open, poses for a picture along with ball boys and girls at the Khalifa David Howell (Britain) 76 69 71 – bringing with it the greatest International Tennis and Squash Complex, in this February 17, 2013, names in the sport. Darren Clarke (Britain) 69 71 72 22 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 26 43 Yvonne Meusburger (AUT) 49 file photo. THE PENINSULA Colin Montgomerie (Britain) 70 74 69