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Monday 3 February 2014 3 Rabial II 1435 - Volume 18 Number 5964 Price: QR2

GCI deals drive Arsenal QNB’s profit bounce back growth to the top

Business | 18 Sport | 28

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Italian PM in Qatar Scattered rains Arab Spring likely today DOHA: The Meteorology Department has forecast strong winds today with chances of more, scattered rains. ‘will lead to Many parts of the country, espe- cially the north, received intermit- tent rains yesterday, with cloudy weather and an overcast sky over the country for most of the day. “We are expecting more scat- democracy’ tered rains tomorrow, especially in the morning. Strong winds could lash the country by afternoon, FM sees consolidation in ten years leading to high seas. The weather is likely to be cloudy, similar to DOHA: Qatar sees the Arab Qatar has always been optimis- what has been experienced since Spring gradually leading to tic about positive changes result- this morning,” a forecaster told democracy in the Middle East ing from the Arab Spring and it this daily last evening. and consolidating itself in the would come to its logical end, he However, the temperature next 10 years. said. could be up slightly today, hov- The changes that began a little Answering a question about the ering between 17 degrees Celsius more than three years ago would Arab Gulf region and whether and 23 degrees Celsius. The eventually see the region’s politi- changes were taking place here minimum temperature recorded cal landscape change. as well, the foreign minister said yesterday was 15 degrees Celsius “And that should take about the social fabric of Gulf societies and the maximum was 20 degrees a decade from now to happen,” was such that it was protecting Celsius. said the Foreign Minister, H E Dr the region from harm. The highest temperature today Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah. Responding to a question about is expected in Doha, between 19 He was speaking while taking Iran and its nuclear programme, degrees Celsius and 22 degrees part in a debate on the “Future Al Attiyah said Qatar wanted a Celsius, and the lowest in Dukhan, of the Middle East”, on the side- peaceful solution. “Qatar is Iran’s The Minister of Energy and Industry, H E Dr Mohamed bin Saleh Al Sada, welcomes Italian Prime Minister at 15/22 degrees, followed by Abu lines of the Munich Conference on neighbour,” he reiterated. Enrico Letta on his arrival at the Doha International Airport yesterday. See also page 6 Samra, at 16/24 degrees. International Peace and Security About accusations that Qatar in the German city yesterday. supports extremists, the foreign Protesters vow Others who participated in minister said this question was the discussion were Abdul Latif posed to him at almost all the to oust Thai PM Al Zayani, Secretary-General of conferences he attended. the GCC, Turki Al Faisal, head of “Who is an extremist in Syria: Ministries to start cutting costs BANGKOK: Thai anti-gov- King Faisal Research and Islamic those who are using dangerous ernment protesters planned to Studies Center in Saudi Arabia, weapons against their own people DOHA: The ministries and luxury cars, and also cancelled suit soon, reports Al Sharq. forge ahead today with efforts to US Senator John McCain, and or those who are trying to defend government departments are room bookings in some luxury The state budget for the finan- topple Prime Minister Yingluck Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet the innocent, including pregnant likely to begin cutting their hotels. cial year that begins on April 1 Shinawatra, a day after a dis- Davutoglu. women, the elderly people and expenses soon in response to a The department is instead aims at slashing government sec- rupted election that is unlikely In the coming 10 years, when children,” he asked. state directive issued earlier to mulling making accommoda- tor expenses (not public spend- to settle the country’s long-run- democracy has deepened its roots Referring to an international reduce their expenditure by 20 tion arrangement for guests ing) by 20 percent in line with ning political conflict. in the Middle East, the region report on genocide in Syria, Al percent to help meet the long- elsewhere. the above directive, the daily said. The demonstrators blocked would emerge as one of the influ- Attiyah wondered why the world term national goal of sustain- The department has even can- The idea is to make the gov- balloting in a fifth of the country’s ential blocks in the world, Al was silent on the issue. able development. celled subscriptions to some for- ernment sector optimally utilise constituencies and say Yingluck Attiyah said. In such a situation it is nec- At least one key government eign newspapers and periodicals state resources to help achieve must resign and make way for The changes would eventually essary to give an indication that department has already begun to cut costs. This isn’t exactly an sustainable development over the an appointed “people’s council.” see democracy prevail and con- there is a community in the world slashing its extra expenditure in austerity drive but an effort to long term. Voting was disrupted in 69 out of solidate itself in the Middle East, which is siding with justice and compliance with the state’s call. cut unnecessary expenses. A draft law to regulate use of 375 constituencies nationwide. he said, adding, “We are seeing dealing with the people neutrally The department has cancelled Other government depart- public money is with the authori- See also page 13 the outcome of the Arab Spring and in a fair manner, he said. contracts it had inked earlier ments, ministries and agen- ties for study. THE PENINSULA & in Tunisia and Yemen.” THE PENINSULA with car rental companies to hire cies are likely to follow THE PENINSULA REUTERS Egypt court acquits Al Jazeera cameraman US warns Israel over CAIRO: An Egyptian court Prosecution had accused them prosecutors last week referred to the other three foreigners are “on yesterday acquitted a camera- of “carrying out acts of violence trial “20 journalists” working for the run from the law”, the authori- man working for Al Jazeera tel- and thuggery ... after an attempt the Qatar-based Al Jazeera net- ties said, and the four if proved evision and 61 others accused of to storm a police station and tar- work, after accusing them of por- guilty could face jail term of up to Kerry’s statements taking part in clashes in Cairo, get police officers with firearms traying Egypt in a state of “civil seven years. judicial sources said. and birdshots”. war” and “airing false news”. Al Jazeera says the charges JERUSALEM: The US hit “The risks are very high for Mohamed Badr, an Egyptian, Badr’s lawyer Shaaban Saeed They include 16 Egyptians and against its crew are “silly and not back at Benjamin Netanyahu Israel,” he said at an international was arrested along with the oth- confirmed his client had been four foreigners — Australian Peter based on any reality”. yesterday after the Israeli prime security conference in Munich. ers during clashes that erupted in acquitted, adding that Badr was Greste, two Britons and a Dutch International rights groups minister warned that calls for “People are talking about boycott. Ramses Square in central Cairo, not involved in any other case. woman, the prosecution said. have condemned the Egyptian boycotts of Israel to pressure That will intensify in the case days after the July 3 ouster of “His release is expected tomor- While Greste, an award-win- authorities for referring the crew it over settlements in the occu- of failure. We all have a strong Islamist president Mohamed row,” Saeed said. ning journalist who previously to trial. pied Palestinian territories are interest in this conflict resolution. Mursi by the army. In a separate case, Egyptian worked for the BBC, is in custody, AFP “immoral and unjustified” and Today’s status quo absolutely, to a would not achieve their goal. certainty, I promise you 100 per- In a public spat that reflected cent, cannot be maintained. It’s tensions over slow-moving Israeli- not sustainable. It’s illusionary. Palestinian peace talks, the state There’s a momentary prosperity, department rebuked Netanyahu there’s a momentary peace.” Syrian forces for apparently misrepresenting The US statement department the words of the US secretary of spokesperson, Jen Psaki, noted step up attacks state, John Kerry. Another senior that Kerry had been referring right-wing minister accused Kerry to the actions of others and on Aleppo of serving as a “mouthpiece” for resolutely opposed boycotts. anti-semitic views. “Secretary Kerry has always DAMASCUS: Syrian forces Speaking on the record at expected opposition and difficult bombarded Aleppo with barrel the start of the weekly cabi- moments in the process, but he bombs and air raids for a sec- net meeting, the Israeli prime also expects all parties to accu- ond day yesterday, with 121 peo- minister said that the growing rately portray his record and ple killed in 48 hours, a monitor international boycott movement statements,” she added pointedly. said, after peace talks ended would only “push peace further Tzipi Livni, Israel’s chief nego- inconclusively. away” by encouraging Palestinian tiator, said Kerry was merely At least 36 people were killed intransigence. “expressing concern” for Israel’s in yesterday’s attacks alone on “No pressure will force me future. Syria’s second city, the Syrian to give up the vital interests of Netanyahu’s coalition gov- Observatory for Human Rights the state of Israel, above all the ernment has registered alarm said, after reporting 85 deaths the security of the citizens of Israel,” at growing talk of boycotts. In previous day. Netanyahu stated. the past week, a Danish bank Saturday’s toll was one of the The remarks followed Kerry’s announced it would sever ties bloodiest in weeks and reflects warning on Saturday that failure with Bank Hapoalim, Israel’s the deep divide between the gov- to reach a peace agreement with largest bank, over the financing ernment of President Bashar Al the Palestinians would damage of settlements built across the old Assad and his opponents despite A man carries an injured child taken out from under debris at a site after shelling by forces loyal to Syria’s Israel’s capacity to be a demo- 1967 border in breach of interna- 10 days of peace talks. President Bashar Al Assad in the Al Sukkari neighbourhood of Aleppo yesterday. See also page 10 cratic state and could lead to more tional law. AFP boycotts. THE GUARDIAN MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2014 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Qatar calls for promotion of environmental sustainability Coordination urged at UN Climate Change Conference in Lima

DOHA: Qatar and Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) have emphasised the need of member countries to work closely to present a common, coordinated posi- tion to promote environ- mental sustainability at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP20) to be held in Lima, Peru, this year. www.swiss-belhotel.com The Minister of Tel Environment H E Ahmed Amer M Al Humaidi and Dr Fax S M Adeli, Secretary-General, GECF, issued the call during a meeting. Dr Adeli said growing global Tel demand for energy may lead to Fax pollution, if the choice of fuel would be a polluting one. He said use of natural gas as the cleanest fossil fuel will lead to less CO2 emissions compared Tel to coal. Fax Dr Adeli also expressed fears about the impact of fracking on the environment. Al Humaidi stressed the Tollfree need for coordination and col- The Minister of Environment H E Ahmed Amer M Al Humaidi (right) with Dr S M Adeli, Secretary-General, laboration between countries GECF, at the meeting. Fax to promote environmental sustainability. of leading gas producers as international govern- coordination among member The GECF is a gathering in the world. It was set up ment organisation to bolster countries. THE PENINSULA Tel Fax

Tel Fax Sidra gearing up to receive first patients

DOHA: Senior executives from Sidra Medical and Tel Research Centre took part Fax in the 39th Arab Health Congress and Exhibition in www.doha.hilton.com Dubai recently, leading dis- cussions on the development Tel +974 44233333 of specialised care centres, the use of Big Data in healthcare Fax +974 44233000 and topics on paediatrics and radiology. Sidra will be the region’s lead- ing specialised health centre, harnessing the advanced tech- nology and top talent to deliver best care for families. Inter-professional teams of experts from around the world will work together with cut- Tel ting-edge equipment to ensure Sidra’s patients experience the Fax best care. Sidra’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Edward Ogata, addressing the meeting. Sidra’s Executive Vice Chief Medical Officer, Dr Abdulla Al Kaabi, shared his perspective system in place that includes of seamless integration between discussing Sidra’s progress since Tel on the importance of offering primary and secondary level of big data and advanced technolo- last year’s event. Fax specialised care centres as they care, as well as the right clinical gies to improve health and well- “The Sidra building is being allow clinicians and administra- pathways and referral processes ness, among other areas. equipped and, in some areas, tors to hone advanced skills. across the system. He stressed the need for data staff have begun transitioning to As a women’s and children’s Clinical Chief of Radiology Dr standards in the rapidly evolv- the new hospital to begin test- Tel hospital of Qatar, Sidra will be Deepak Kaura moderated the ing mobile health app market ing and commissioning specific Fax uniquely placed to provide the paediatric radiology confer- and provided advice to delegates areas. This will be a crucial year best care in some of the most ence and took part in the Big looking at creating health infor- for Sidra in terms of recruit- challenging cases. He also said Data Conference panel discus- mation exchanges. ment and operations and we are that to make specialised cen- sions, pointing out that the most Sidra’s Chief Medical Officer looking forward to meeting our tres successful, there is a need interesting trend emerging from Dr Edward Ogata hosted a first patients,” said Dr Ogata. Tel to have a well-established health the event was the acceleration luncheon for participants, THE PENINSULA Fax Dhows anchored after low tide Tel Fax

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Traditional dhows anchored on the Al Ruwais Beach in the north of Qatar due to low tide. QASSIM RAHMATULLAH MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 Preparatory meet for UN congress begins today Qatar to host 13th conference on crime prevention and criminal justice from April 12 to 9

DOHA: The Western Asia hosting the 11th congress in 2005 and public participation’. justice. This year four regional The 12th congress marked the to criminal justice system reform regional preparatory meeting and Qatar’s preparations for the The agenda includes successes preparatory meetings will be 55th anniversary of the UN con- to strengthen the capacity of the for the 13th United Nations 13th congress. and challenges in implementing held in Latin America and the gresses on crime prevention and system in dealing with crime. Congress on Crime Prevention The theme, agenda and top- comprehensive crime preven- Caribbean, West Asia, Asia and criminal justice. The congress has been held and Criminal Justice begins in ics for workshops of the 13th tion and criminal justice policies the Pacific, and Africa. It focused on children, every five years since 1955 and is Doha today. congress were determined by and strategies to promote the Participants are expected to youth and crime; smuggling of one of the biggest international The congress is due in Qatar the UN General Assembly in its rule of law at the national and examine issues to be discussed migrants; trafficking in per- event. from April 12 to 19. resolution 67/184. The Assembly international levels, and sup- at the 13th congress and make sons; money-laundering; and Its four regional preparatory Qatar attended a preparatory also advanced preparations for port sustainable development; recommendations. cybercrime. meetings provided a platform to meeting in Bangkok on January the 13th congress through its international and regional coop- The discussion guide for It offered an opportunity to discuss issues raised at the 12th 22-24 where topics for the con- resolutions 65/230 and 66/179. eration to combat transnational regional preparatory meet- stimulate discussion and pro- congress from a regional per- gress were discussed. The theme of the 13th con- organised crime; comprehensive ings for the 13th congress was posals for action, including spective. At the regional meet- A workshop by Thailand’s gress is ‘Integrating crime pre- and balanced approaches to pre- reviewed by the Commission on establishing the criminal justice ings, participants highlighted Justice Institute, attended vention and criminal justice into vent and respond to emerging Crime Prevention and Criminal system as a central pillar in the problems and concerns, as well by Qatar, discussed develop- the wider UN agenda to address forms of transnational crime; Justice and is being finalised, rule-of-law architecture; high- as successful experiences and ments and lessons learned from social and economic challenges, and national approaches to pub- taking into account recommen- lighting the role of the system promising approaches to address the previous congresses and promote the rule of law at the lic participation in strengthening dations of the commission and in development; and emphasising them. reviewed the Thai experience in national and international levels crime prevention and criminal feedback from member states. the need for a holistic approach QNA Vodafone launches new ‘Red Postpaid’ plans with more privileges BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB sidelines, Vodafone’s CEO Kyle Whitehill, said: “With this new DOHA: Vodafone Qatar yester- plans we intend to provide more day unveiled details of its new value to the users. A large number ‘Red Postpaid’ plans that come of people here pay a lot of money with exclusive privileges, best for a plan but do not get as much value and great family deals, value as they want. So the users many of which are first time in of a Red plan will get more fair Qatar. deal.” The telecom service provider He said Vodafone Qatar is con- also announced to launch of 4G tinuing to make huge investments services in a “reasonably” short to enhance its indoor coverage period of time; however it did not and value added services, such as provide date when customers will data capacity, at more competi- be able to switch to 4G networks. tive prices. In his opening speech, Vodafone “In a reasonably short term Qatar’s Chairman, Dr Sheikh we are also going to launch 4G Khalid bin Thani Al Thani, high- service to provide customers lighted the company’s achieve- with a much faster experience of ments and accomplishments. Internet access,” Whitehill said. Vodafone Qatar’s Chairman, Dr Sheikh Khalid bin Thani Al Thani, and CEO, Kyle Whitehill, speaking at the launch of the new service yesterday. “When I was appointed chair- Vodafone Group plc has QASSIM RAHMATULLAH man, it was important that as a launched Vodafone Red in 19 Qatari-owned company by more countries, including the UK, than 75 percent, we underpin our Australia, Germany, Italy, Spain, Vodafone Red best practices from ‘L’, ‘XL’ and ‘VIP’. Privileges for benefits, depending on the plan permanently. relevance to Qataris. Our staff Egypt and Turkey, modifying the around the world with insights subscribers of Red include exclu- opted for. With each Red plan, customers and partners have been work- portfolio to fit the needs of each into Qatar. We are changing what sive parking and valet services at However, regardless of the can enjoy hours of free interna- ing hard at launching a great market. customers can expect from their major malls and entertainment plan a customer signs up, they tional calling to their favourite range of propositions and what “Vodafone Red is the biggest telecom provider forever,” said venues in Qatar, VIP lounge will enjoy unlimited local calling numbers. Many Red plans include you will see today (yesterday) is global proposition the Group has the CEO. access at more than 600 airports and SMS to anyone in Qatar — roaming minutes and all plans revolutionary.” to date with 7.5 million custom- The Red Postpaid services around the world, personalised it is the first time in Qatar such include mobile Internet. Speaking to reporters on the ers. Vodafone Qatar has brought come under four plans — ‘M’, concierge services and other plans are going to be available THE PENINSULA MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2014 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Wheels ‘n’ Heels Family Fun Day on Friday Rota expects 10,000 people to take part in activities from 2pm to 10pm at Museum of Islamic Art Park DOHA: Around 10,000 people are from 2pm to 10pm at Museum of “The event highlights expected to attend the seventh Islamic Art (MIA) Park. Rota’s values of empow- Wheels ‘n’ Heels Family Fun Day Announcing the event at a press ering society, including considered the largest community conference, Mohammed Abdulla youth, women and special event in Qatar, organisers said Saleh, Rota Community Development needs communities, by yesterday. Manager, it will see celebrities, enter- using the inspiration of Reach Out To Asia (Rota) is invit- tainers and sports stars helping Rota active lifestyle,” said Saleh. ing families to ‘Reach Out By Having promote health benefits of regular Participants may jog, Fun’ at the annual event on Friday exercise and healthy diet. walk, cycle or wheelchair the three-km Circuit along Doha Corniche. The social activity will help Rota raise fund to provide qual- ity education for 48 million disadvantaged children in Asia. In partnership with Maersk Oil Qatar, Wheels ‘n’ Heels is promoting ‘Action on Diabetes’, an initiative by the company Mohammed Abdulla Saleh , National Programmes Director at Reach Out to Asia (centre), with Ahmed Saeed Al which will have a village Kuwari, Technical Liaison Manager, Maersk Oil Qatar, and Amani Al Dosari, Member of Qatar Cycling Federation, at the event for the second consecutive year. during a press conference at Qatar Foundation Clubhouse yesterday. SHAIVAL DALAL Ahmed Saeed Al Kuwari, Technical Liaison Manager, The Action on Diabetes village (Kuwait), rally racer Nada Zeidan Childhood Cultural Centre will Maersk Oil Qatar, said: attracted more than 5,000 people (Qatar), and teenage swimming provide books, arts and crafts “We are proud to be spon- during Wheels ‘n’ Heels last year. sensation Nada Mohamed Arakji materials. soring Wheels ‘n’ Heels Amani Al Dosari, member of (Qatar). At the Active & Health Zone 2014 as we believe in doing Qatar Cycling Federation (QCF), Popular Baraem Children’s people will learn about first aid, our part to support initia- assured the federation’s commit- Channel presenters Ahmed Al how to prevent accidents, and get tives that benefit society, ment to partner with Rota for the Mulla and Jihan Arsanious will a free check-up. especially those promoting success of the event. be the masters of the ceremony. Aspire and QCF will provide the values of education and “It is QCF’s pleasure to share The event will have a Kids Zone fitness activities and fun sports. healthier lifestyles.” with Rota our sports goals and which will provide live entertain- There will also be a big screen He said the Action on ambitions. ment, bouncy castles, face paint- showing activities, sponsor infor- Diabetes programme is “In addition to exercise, mus- ing, games and interactive sports. mation and entertainment from targeting over 250,000 peo- cles building, cardio-vascular fit- For security and safety, a wrist- The Stage; and a Photography ple a year. ness and other healthy aspects band will be distributed to all Booth to take photos of the fam- that sports bring to each one of families on arrival where parents’ ily event. us, we believe that exercising names and mobile numbers will The Food Zone will provide together has a social echo that be marked in case of emergency. healthy snacks and drinks, includ- encourages society members to Stamp cards will be available ing natural and healthy Qatari practise, fight obesity and educate where kids may collect one stamp made ice-cream and popcorn. souls and bodies,” said Al Dosari. from each play area they visit and Parking area will be available Among local and interna- by the end of the games, gifts from at Qatar Sports Club and the tional celebrities and sports Rota zone will be offered to those Ministry of Interior (MOI) and icons to participate are singer acquiring the complete number of shuttle buses will be available Shama Hamdan from the UAE, stamps required. There will also every 15 minutes. Mahmoud and Abdullah Bo Shri be a toddler play zone. THE PENINSULA

Ooredoo completes nationwide 4G network for free access by users

Sheikh Saud bin Nasser Al Thani, CEO, Ooredoo, (centre) with Waleed Al Sayed, Chief Operating Officer, Ooredoo (left), and Nasser Al Attiyah, Ooredoo's Brand Ambassador, at a press conference at Ooredoo headquarters yesterday. SHAIVAL DALAL

DOHA: Ooredoo custom- ‘4G’ for free to 121. Shahry ers can now access the 4G customers can send ‘4G’ to Key for free permanently 114. as the telecom giant cel- Al Sayed said: “Last year ebrates the completion of we launched Qatar’s fast- the nationwide network est 4G network, connected of 4G services, Waleed Al more than 100,000 cus- Sayed, Chief Operating tomers to Ooredoo fibre to Officer, Ooredoo Qatar, homes, launched business told a press conference fibre and drove innovation yesterday. with our Ooredoo App. Customers can now This year, in celebration of experience 4G, Qatar’s our customers who helped fastest Mobile Broadband us achieve all of this, we’re network, in all inhabited making 4G free to say areas. The service will pro- thank you for your support vide online data access at and start #OoredooSmart.” a speed about three to six Customers have rap- times faster than the exist- idly adopted 4G. They ing 3G network. can enjoy the smoothest Al Sayed said the 4G Internet browsing expe- Key, which usually costs rience, easily transfer big customers QR60 per month files, stream HD video from for Shahry and QR15 per Ooredoo’s ‘Mozaic GO’ app, week for Hala, would be and quickly update social free for all Shahry pack media. customers and Hala Mobile Launched in December Internet or Broadband last year, ‘Mozaic GO’ is a Pack customers as part new application which ena- of Ooredoo’s 2014 ‘Year of bles customers to stream Digital’ campaign. on-demand films and Present at the confer- series from the Mozaic ence were Sheikh Saud library, and enjoy them on bin Nasser Al Thani, CEO, iPads anywhere in Qatar. Ooredoo, and Nasser Al The service is available Attiyah, Olympic medal- on iPhones and iPads but winner, and brand ambas- soon it will be launched for sador, Ooredoo. other smart devices such as The most advanced Android. network will be available Ooredoo has asked cus- for prepaid Hala Mobile tomers to ensure their Internet or Broadband phones are 4G-enabled Pack customers and all before activating the 4G postpaid Shahry custom- key. Users can find out if ers. To access the 4G key they have a 4G ready phone on mobile and smartphone by going to www.ooredoo. devices, Hala customers qa/en/4G-devices. should SMS the keyword THE PENINSULA MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05

Kahramaa unveils programme to Call to regulate domestic provide faster services to Qataris

DOHA: Qatar General Electricity fees of the private building for resi- and Water Corporation dential use are paid. Through the (Kahramaa) has launched a new programme, data is updated in one workers and employers programme to provide faster serv- visit to any of Kahramaa customer ices to Qatari customers. service centres and there is no need The new programme automati- for update again. It saves time and ‘Encouraging maids to run away is becoming a money-spinning racket’ cally updates data of Qatari owners effort, and facilitate procedures who are exempted from electric- for customers, especially Qataris, DOHA: Encouraging maids to their sponsors,” Al Hail said hours of maids and drivers, she Al Azba said his experience ity and water bills once connection Kahramaa said. THE PENINSULA run away from their sponsors in remarks to a local Arabic added. suggests that there are not is becoming a money-spinning daily. “This is becoming a big Prominent lawyer, Yusuf Al many theft cases against maids. racket for some and there is a business.” Zaman, said it was important Generally a maid is forced to huge market for such workers, She said the new law should for the law to differentiate steal because she hasn’t been says a Qatari sociologist. specify the nature of work of a between corporate and domes- paid on time or payments are Dr Amina Al Hail said a law domestic help so that he or she tic workers since the latter are held over for long. to regulate the relationship gets enough rest after work. employed by households and “I don’t think the proposed between domestic workers and It must also ensure that the should guard their privacy. legislation is going to be too their employers and specify current probation period of In lawyer Saud Al Azba’s view stringent, but it must adequately their rights and duties was the three months for household the law should have extensive regulate manpower agencies.” need of the hour. workers (during which a worker provisions regarding manpower The daily said there are some The legislation which is still has the right not to continue on agencies that supply maids to families whose full-time job is in the pipeline must have strin- the job with a particular family) households. to look for maids and drivers gent punitive provisions for should be extended to six. As for having provisions to because they keep running away. domestic workers who escape “Three months aren’t enough cover thefts or involvement in Khamis Al Miraikhi, a citizen, their sponsors, she added. for a family to assess a worker, immoral activities, the exist- said the law must take care of “There are racketeers work and behaviour-wise,” she ing criminal procedure code employers’ rights. “As employ- who entice household work- said. adequately takes care of these ers, we are always at the receiv- ers, especially maids, to flee The law should specify duty crimes. ing end.” THE PENINSULA

GU-Q students support living wage, rights DOHA: Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) students are supporting a living wage and promoting workers’ rights by buying Alta Gracia brand clothing. The apparel is made at an experimental and economi- cally progressive factory in Villa Altagracia town in the Dominican Republic. It is the first factory in the developing world to provide its workers a living wage and allow its employees to join a union. Factory workers make T-shirts and sweatshirts for Knights Apparel, a US-based clothing Some of the students and officials who are members of the social justice panel. company that provides sports- wear for universities around the world. The factory was created in Rosario, community-based learn- have the power to make pur- response to officials and student ing administrator, and a group of chases that benefit those who activists from universities who panellists at a community forum make the clothes. What we buy criticised the garment industry to discuss social justice and the can contribute to garment fac- for producing university branded Alta Gracia mission to promote tory workers having nutritional clothing at poverty wages. ethical standards in factory work. food, sufficient housing, adequate GU-Q sells the clothing line, Ford said: “This kind of fac- healthcare, and means of educat- which includes an extensive tory model, where workers have ing their children.” Georgetown-branded collection a lunch break, work-chairs with The social justice panel and of T-shirts and hoodies. backs, and natural light from the official launch of the apparel Shelley Ford, Manager of GU-Q windows, is a viable model. It is line were part of the Georgetown bookstore where the clothes sustainable. The clothing that University Jesuit Heritage Week are sold, officially launched the we buy does not have to come 2014 activities. Alta Gracia line by joining Uday from sweatshops. Consumers THE PENINSULA MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2014 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Al Mazain contest winner to Al Kuwari awarded French Order of Merit donate grand prize to charity in Arts and Letters DOHA: The Minister of the cultural role of Quarter Saeed bin Hamad Al Muhashadi will give QR500,000 to Dhreima Culture, Arts and Heritage Foundation and Qatar National H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Museum. DOHA: The grand prize winner Al Kuwari has received the He said officials in Qatar of the fifth Qatar International French Order of Merit in Arts praise the French language and Falcon and Hunting Festival and Letters, the highest recog- culture and the French people, said he would donate the money nition of his efforts and support highlighting Qatar’s role in estab- to charity. towards dialogue between the lishing AWI and Dr Al Kuwari’s Saeed bin Hamad Al Muhashadi Arab and French cultures. efforts during the francophonic received QR500,000 for winning Jack Lang, President of the conference 2012 when Qatar Al Mazain competition, a beauty Paris-based Arab World Institute was selected as a member of contest for falcons, which carried (AWI) and former minister of International Organisation of La the highest cash prize among var- education and culture, presented Francophonie. ious categories at the month-long the order to Al Kuwari on behalf The Minister said, “I thank festival. of French Minister of Culture the French President, Francois He received the award which Aurelie Filippetti. The ceremony Hollande, for giving me this also included a memento in the was held at the residence of award and Mr Jack Lang for form of a golden feather from the French Ambassador, Jean- bestowing it upon me.” the festival’s patron H E Sheikh Christophe Peaucelle, attended Previously, Dr Al Kuwari was Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, who by Arab and foreign ambassadors awarded the Order of Merit by awarded all winners of various and senior officials. former president Valery Giscard competitions. Lang said Dr Al Kuwari d’Estaing and the Order of the The Father Emir H H Sheikh received the highest order of Legion of Honor by former presi- Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and merit for his efforts to support dent Francoise Mitterrand. the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim the French culture in Qatar He said the Order of Arts and bin Hamad Al Thani’s Personal and enhance cultural dialogue Letters is important because it Representative H H Sheikh between both countries and his relates to the culture that has Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, min- achievements in service of the stature among nations in achiev- isters and dignitaries attended Qatari culture. ing peace, mutual respect and the closing ceremony. France has nominated Lang constructive interaction between After the awards at Katara as President of AWI, a museum peoples to serve overall relations. on Saturday, Al Muhashadi said devoted to art of the Arab world He said Qatar firmly believes he was happy for winning the which also presents performances in the role of culture and has grand prize and he would donate and educational programmes. provided state organs with all the money to Qatar Orphan Saeed bin Hamad Al Muhashadi (third right) receives the prize from H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani (second Praising the cultural renais- means to play their role. Foundation (Dhreima). right) as other officials look on. sance in Qatar, Lang highlighted QNA This was the first time he took part in the competition and promised to keep participating in In Al Tala’a competition, More than QR2.5m was dis- as significant aspects of Arab her- the future. first prize winner Mohammad tributed to winners of various itage and attracts domestic and Sheikh Abdullah expo extended Al Mazain second and third Ali Al Marri won QR300,000 categories in the contest which regional tourists. DOHA: Sheikh Abdullah Bin lovers and to give more people a prize winners were Muhammad followed by Khalid Omer also included Hadad Challenge, More than 1,400 people from Jassim Al Thani – A Leader’s chance to visit it, QMA added. Mubarak Al Khayarin who Al Naimi (QR300,000) and Al Da’o, Hadad Al Saluki, Young Qatar and neighbouring coun- Legacy exhibition has been The expo is being held at QMA bagged QR300,000 and a silver Abdulhadi Mohammad Al Marri Saker and Old Saker competi- tries took part in competitions extended until February 8, Gallery at Katara and is open feather and Mohammad Khalaf (QR100,000). Tala’a contest tions in addition to cars. at Sabkath Marma near Sealine, Qatar Museums Authority to the public from Monday to Al Mansouri from the UAE who focuses on the ability of the fal- Organised by Al Gannas making this year the biggest in (QMA) said yesterday. Thursday and Saturday (9am to took QR200,000 and a bronze con to identify the place where its Association, the annual festival terms of participation. The extension was due to 8pm) and Friday (3pm to 9pm). feather. prey is hiding. highlights falconry and hunting THE PENINSULA “demand from culture and history THE PENINSULA

FM attends debate on Mideast future

The Foreign Minister H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah (left) taking part in a debate on the ‘Future of the Middle East’ on the sidelines of Munich Conference on International Peace and Security yesterday. Family Law Rules of Procedure

FROM LEFT: Marwan Koleilat, Chief Commercial Officer, Keith Hunter, Senior Vice-President, Qatar Duty Free, urged to expedite court cases Ehab Amin, Vice-President, Commercial, and Rahul Kucheria, Senior Manager, Loyalty, at a press conference at Oryx Galleria Qatar Airways yesterday. ABDUL BASIT DOHA: Even seven years after local daily Al Raya in comments hearings. “This is creating a lot Qatar’s Family Law was put published yesterday. of bitterness among couples and into force, there are no support- A procedures code consists of families involved in disputes. ive Rules of Procedure to help rules by which courts conduct tri- Quick disposal of cases would not implement its provisions, says a als. It is different from substan- let it happen,” said the lawyer. QA unveils more benefits, prominent lawyer. tive law which defines the rights The Cabinet has approved The result is that family dis- and duties of the parties involved draft Family Law Rules of putes involving divorce, custody of in a dispute. A procedural system, Procedure and referred it to the children and maintenance claims called rules of procedure, provides Advisory Council for review and services at Oryx Galleria by divorced women linger in the the mechanism for applying sub- recommendations. courts for years. stantive law to disputes. Former Central Municipal “We urgently need rules of pro- Al Zaman said in the absence of Council member and lawyer, DOHA: Qatar Airways yes- has been designed to provide our jewellery to electronics and gadg- cedure without which disputes Rules of Procedure, courts depend Abdul Rahman Al Jefairi, said a terday announced to add more members with convenience, sim- ets, fashion apparel and accesso- cannot be resolved and the courts on Rules of Procedure of other lot of people take undue advan- benefits and services at Oryx plicity and exclusivity within an ries, fragrances, toys and much will continue to have huge back- law, like personal law, Shariah tage of the absence of Family Galleria for its Privilege Club environment tailored for their more,” he said. logs,” said Yusuf Al Zaman. law and civil and commercial laws. Law Rules of Procedure and members in the country. needs,” he said. Members of Privilege Club He said it was strange that The absence of Rules of look for pretexts to get hearings The company also opened a All Privilege Club members will can perform a range of on-the- the new Family Law was issued Procedure in respect of Family adjourned. Privilege Club Member Service stand to enjoy a 5 percent Qmiles spot functions such as redeem in 2006 (Law No. 20) but so far Law means that cases like divorce, These are the parties to a dis- Centre at Oryx Galleria which discount when redeeming their their Qmiles for award tickets, Rules of Procedure haven’t been custody of children and mainte- pute who benefit if the case takes will allow members to shop and Qatar Airways award tickets at upgrades and excess baggage, framed and implemented. nance claims by divorced women time to decide, said Al Jefairi. “We redeem their Qmiles on various the new member service centre. check account details for mileage “The Family Law without rules drag in the courts for months, need Rules of Procedure for the products. To celebrate the launch of the balance, Qpoints earned, claim of procedure is like a train with- sometimes years. Family Law at the earliest.” Passengers can earn Qmiles by service centre, members who missing miles, request state- out an engine,” the lawyer told the Courts keep adjourning THE PENINSULA flying Qatar Airways or its airline redeem Qmiles for Qatar Airways ments and card replacements partners. award tickets at the new centre and nominate family members Members can also earn Qmiles during February will enjoy addi- as well as enrol for the Privilege whenever they use services of any tional 5 percent Qmiles discount. Club programme. Hamad bin Khalifa Centre to open in Denmark in May of the airline’s hotel, car rental, During February, members To redeem Qmiles, mem- COPENHAGEN: Mohamed Qatar’s role in charitable work, It is a source of admiration to all financial and travel partners. can redeem awards for a total of bers need to visit Oryx Galleria, Al Maimouni, spokesperson which is not limited to building Muslims in Denmark, he added. “Qatar Airways has over 10 percent less Qmiles for Qatar choose from the selection of prod- for the Danish Islamic Council, Islamic centres, mosques or cul- To a question about Qatar’s 400,000 Privilege Club members Airways award tickets. ucts or services and present their has hailed the initiative of tural institutions such as muse- message behind the establishment residing in Qatar and we always “Oryx Galleria offers exciting membership card and photo ID the Father Emir H H Sheikh ums, but goes beyond that to help of the centre, Al Maimouni said strive to provide them with exclu- retail possibilities within a styl- to the service staff for instant Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani people in Africa, Asia, Europe and the message is to help Muslims to sive privileges and enhanced ish boutique environment, the redemption. to establish Hamad bin Khalifa the rest of the world. positively integrate in the Danish benefits that will make their perfect place to spend Qmiles on Members will continue to Centre for Civilisation which “We are proud of this initiative society and promote respect for travel with Qatar Airways even a wide range of products,” said enjoy an expanded range of will be opened in May. which we have been dreaming of laws. Asked why Qatar chose more rewarding,” said Marwan Keith Hunter, senior vice-pres- redemption options and will be It will be the first Islamic for 40 years,” Al Maimouni said, Denmark to set up the centre, Koleilat, Chief Commercial ident, Qatar Duty Free. able to choose to redeem their cultural centre and mosque in adding it’s a dream come true, he said Danish Muslims went to Officer, Qatar Airways. “Privilege Club members in purchases entirely with Qmiles Denmark and managed by the thanks to the Father Emir, who Qatar asking for support it, add- “Therefore we are pleased Qatar will be able to shop and or through a combination of council. Al Maimouni, in remarks donated to build the centre with- ing that Muslims have been living to introduce the Privilege Club redeem their Qmiles on products Qmiles and cash. to Qatar News Agency, praised out any conditions or restrictions. in Denmark for 40 years. QNA Member Service Centre which ranging from luxury watches and THE PENINSULA MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2014 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Army razed Machar’s town, say rebels Claims of forces getting support from foreign fighters raise political temperature in South Sudan JUBA: South Sudanese rebels foreign militiamen joining the Jonglei state. accused government forces conflict. An advance team of monitors yesterday of razing the home- Ugandan army spokesman sent by east African nations town of their leader Riek Colonel Paddy Ankunda called arrived in Juba on Sunday to Machar, violating a ceasefire, the rebel allegations “cheap lies”. start observing the shaky truce. and said the army was drawing Thousands of people have been Diplomats expect them to support from foreign fighters killed and more than 800,000 focus on the three flashpoint in the country. have fled their homes since fight- towns of Malakal and Bentiu, Rebel spokesman Lul Ruai ing was triggered by a power near the main oilfields, and Koang said government SPLA struggle between President Kiir Bor, where some of the heaviest forces and fighters from the and Machar, his former deputy clashes have occurred, as well as Sudanese Justice and Equality whom he sacked in July. the capital. Movement, a rebel group The conflict, which has taken “We will start our mission, at from north of the border, had on a largely ethnic dimension least the teams will be deployed, destroyed the northern town of between the Dinka and Nuer within the next week,” General Leer on Saturday, massacring tribes of Kiir and Machar Gebreegzabher Mebrahtu, a women and children as they fled. respectively, has brought oil-pro- retired Ethiopian general who An army spokesman said he ducing South Sudan, a country is leading the advance team, told had not received any reports the size of France, to the brink reporters in Juba. of fighting in Leer, where the of civil war. The violence, the worst since medical charity Medecins Sans Machar on Friday accused South Sudan won independence Frontieres (MSF) said last week Kiir of sabotaging the peace from Sudan in 2011, has caused more than 200 of its staff had talks - which resume in neigh- a humanitarian crisis. been forced to flee because of bouring Ethiopia this week - and At least 3.2 million people - growing insecurity. of waging a campaign of ethnic more than a quarter of the popu- The government accuses the cleansing, in a Reuters interview lation - face food shortages, the Rebel fighters walk in a camp in Jonglei State yesterday. rebels of flouting the ceasefire at his bush hideout in remote UN says. AGENCIES signed on Jan. 23. The claims and counter-claims forces burned down the whole psychological satisfaction.” group. Hundreds of M23 came as east African ceasefire of Leer town and entire sur- Koang said the Ugandan mili- rebels fled into Uganda monitors began to arrive in rounding villages,” Koang said tary, which gave air and ground after the Congolese army South Sudan, seven weeks after in a statement. support to the SPLA as it battled and a UN brigade flushed violence erupted in the capital, “The latest destruction of to recapture rebel-held towns them from their strong- Juba, before spreading across the Leer town in Unity state has no before the ceasefire, had swollen holds. SPLA spokesman world’s newest state. strategic, operational or tactical its ranks with fighters from the Philip Aguer said he had “(President Salva) Kiir’s importance, but mere need for defeated M23 Congolese rebel received no reports of Hamas withdraws ‘anti-missile’ force GAZA CITY: The Hamas latest escalation and Israeli Palestinian enclave in response Gaza to “preserve the truce” rulers of Gaza have with- attacks against Gaza,” a secu- to a rocket attack at a southern with Israel that ended the drawn a special security rity source said. Israeli town. last major confrontation in force tasked with prevent- Speaking on condition of Tensions have risen in and November 2012. ing rocket launches at Israel anonymity, the source said around Gaza after a year of rel- While Hamas does not rou- from their position near the that while the 600-strong ative calm, with six Palestinians tinely launch projectiles at border, a security source said rocket-prevention force was and an Israeli killed since the Jewish state, Israel says yesterday. removed, regular security December 20 and militant it holds the Islamist group “The field forces that are forces remained in place. rocket fire sparking retaliatory that seized power in Gaza in posted near the border with The move comes a day after air strikes. 2007 responsible for any such Israel were withdrawn yes- Israeli fighter jets attacked On January 21, Hamas attacks. terday evening to protest the Hamas military positions in the said it had deployed forces in AFP

Iraqi army bombards Fallujah for ground assault

BAGHDAD: The Iraqi army intensified its shell- ing of Fallujah yester- day in preparation for a ground assault to regain control of the city, which has been under the control of militants for a month. Sunni Muslim anti-gov- ernment fighters, among them insurgents linked to al Qaeda, overran Fallujah in the western province of Anbar on January 1, against a backdrop of dete- riorating security across Iraq. Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki, whose Shia-led government many in the Sunni minority accuse of discrimination, had held off an all-out offensive to give local tribesmen a chance to expel the mili- tants themselves. “Orders have been issued to start shelling the city with artillery and planes to detect the potential abilities of militants inside Fallujah and try to find a gap to get into the city,” a top security official told Reuters on Sunday. “Troops and tribal fight- ers are stationed in their positions just 15 minutes outside Fallujah.” The official said mili- tants had planted road- side bombs along the main roads into the city, and the army would use different routes to enter. Earlier on Sunday, secu- rity officials said Maliki had received phone calls from the ambassadors of several countries in the region urging him not to storm the city, but prepa- rations were going ahead nonetheless. REUTERS MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2014 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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An apartheid state Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

T’S interesting that Palestinians’ struggle for freedom and rights is taking a positive, fruitful turn. This is not a new turn, but one which has gathered so much Imomentum of late that even Israel has started to sit up and take notice. The point in discussion: the international Will Sochi be Putin’s triumph? boycott of Israel over new settlement construction in illegal territory and the ill-treatment of Palestinians. There has BY LEON ARON real. Sochi is, in fact, the warmest complex, after the czar who built been a surge in interest in the international media about place in Russia. Never before has a capital city, St. Petersburg, on the impact of this boycott against Israel in business and VERY Olympiad is a ven- there been a Winter Olympiad in a swamp. Putin also wanted the academic areas by Western companies and institutions. ture, a mammoth under- the subtropics, where temperatures Olympiad to be the capstone of The US Secretary of State John Kerry waded into this taking, what the Russian in February occasionally exceed 60 his effectively 14 years in power, of poet Vladimir Mayakovsky degrees. Never before has the gap Russia’s “rising from its knees,” leav- debate with his own views, which triggered anguish and E mused about poetry — “ezda v nez- between what was there and what ing behind the trauma of the Soviet disappointment in Tel Aviv. At a security conference in naemoe,” a ride into the unknown. was needed by way of infrastructure collapse. In a recent interview with Germany this weekend, Kerry warned that a breakdown in It is thus largely because four dan- been as wide. This gulf, in addition foreign journalists, he also said that Israeli-Palestinian talks would accelerate the boycott trend gers haunt every modern Olympic to rampant corruption, of course, Sochi would allow Russians to “pull and could threaten Israel’s economic prosperity and its safety. Games: unfavorable weather, be it helps account for Sochi’s at least ourselves together” after the “bloody too cold or not cold enough; shoddy $50 billion price tag — more than events” in the Caucasus — referring “You see for Israel there’s an increasing delegitimisation construction in the mad rush to fin- all the previous Winter Olympics to two Chechen wars, the second of campaign that has been building up. People are very sensitive ish; public protests by various groups combined. which rocketed Putin, just appointed to it. There are talk of boycotts and other kinds of things,” seeking to spotlight their causes; Nor has there been an Olympiad prime minister, to national popular- he said. He warned Israeli leaders that today’s status quo and, since the early 1970s, terrorism. held at the precise spot from which ity in the fall of 1999. In the same cannot be maintained. It’s not sustainable. It’s illusionary. But in hosting the 2014 Winter an indigenous people were expelled interview he highlighted this as a As expected, the reaction from Israeli leaders was furious. Olympics in Sochi, Russian President in an act that their descendants “psychological aspect” of the Games. Vladmir Putin has looked at the claim to be a genocide, in which hun- If Putin is as lucky as he has been Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu brushed off the warning stern quartet across a poker table dreds of thousands died. Yet this is through most of his time in power, and said the international pressure would backfire and only and said: “I see you and I raise you.” what happened to the Circassians, he may pull off the Games with- cause the Palestinians to harden their positions. Some of He takes the risk because a suc- an indigenous North Caucasus out mishaps, and the Russians may his ministers were even harsher, cessful Olympics would be an enor- people, at the end of the Russian swallow the price tag — which is one of them saying that “You can’t mous personal victory for a man Empire’s conquest of Muslim North more, by the way, than the country expect the state of Israel to conduct who, according to Caucasus 150 years ago. spent on education last year and 80 Growing a January poll, is Sochi is also the first — and percent of what it spent on health boycott of negotiations with a gun pointed to its personally liked will almost certainly be the last — care. head.” by only 20 percent Olympic site next door to what might Yet with several rainy days in the Israel over its Kerry has only spoken the truth of the Russian be called a low-intensity jihad. The mountains, a collapsed building or settlement with his warning, but it’s unfortunate A successful people, down North Caucasus east of Sochi is the ski lift, a public protest that gets that leaders in Israel are refusing from 49 per- most dangerous place in Russia and out of hand, or, worst of all, a sui- cent in 2008, and among the top five most dangerous cide bomber who makes it through expansion has to see the gathering storm. A small Olympics would whose govern- places in the world as far as terror- a shield of more than 37,000 police begun to hurt but growing number of European be an enormous ment is perceived ism is concerned. Nary a day passes officers, at least 10,000 Ministry of businesses and pension funds have by almost two- without a terrorist act in pursuit Internal Affairs troops and unspeci- the Jewish begun to drop investments or limit personal victory thirds of Russians of the “North Caucasus Caliphate,” fied numbers of elite paratroopers state. trade with Israeli firms involved for a man who as concerned with extending from the Karachaevo- and Federal Security Service agents, in the West Bank settlements. the preservation Cherkessia Republic (northeast of then the Games could become an is personally and strengthen- Sochi) and east to Dagestan. From instance of national shame and soul- It’s interesting that the boycott ing of its power January to September of last year, searching: Was Sochi worth it? movement is gathering momentum liked by only 20 rather than the 375 people were killed and 343 Indeed, next to pulling off the and is entering areas hitherto considered impenetrable. well-being of its wounded in the region’s insurgency, Olympiad without incident, Putin’s In the past week, a Danish bank announced it would sever percent of the people. including 100 police officers and 200 greatest luck would be if only he, and ties with Bank Hapoalim, Israel’s largest bank, over the Russian people. Putin’s gamble terrorists. Between October and not millions of his compatriots, start financing of settlements built across the old 1967 border in poses a quandary December, three suicide bombers, asking that question. for anyone who either raised or trained in Dagestan, And if Sochi sparks a national breach of international law. Danske Bank cited “ethical and hopes Russia will killed more than 40 people. anti-corruption movement, if it legal conflicts.” The Israeli bank said Danske Bank had no return to the path of dignity and So why Sochi, despite these chal- forces the regime to begin the deep investments with it. liberty it embarked upon in August lenges? Yes, Putin loves to ski there, institutional reforms — greater gov- Israel must realize that it’s fast becoming an apartheid 1991. No one in her or his right mind but this is far more than a brat’s ernment accountability, more hon- state. Call it propaganda war, but it’s a war the Jewish wishes for an Olympiad to fail, much whim. An old Russian proverb est elections, courts not for sale, less to suffer violence or tragedy. In declares that he who does not take increased political competition — government is destined to lose. All its military might and the the case of Sochi, however, the hope risks does not drink champagne — without which corruption cannot be tireless efforts of the Jewish lobby in the US cannot prevent for a happy outcome is challenged and Putin likes to drink the cham- diminished, then this impulse would this campaign from intensifying and gobbling up the Israeli by the aspirations of one man with pagne of victory. undoubtedly become the most wel- state. The days of Intifada are over, and the struggle for a a near-maniacal will for power and Like almost every Russian auto- come and lasting legacy of the Sochi Palestinian state will be waged on a front where it hurts most glory. crat, Putin seems possessed of what Olympics. – the international legitimacy of Israel. The risks to these Games are quite might be called the Peter the Great WP-BLOOMBERG

The other side Quote of Ukraine stir will have a bearing on Moscow’s role in world affairs the day

KRAINE’S political crisis is, in This immediately fissured the dislike for overseas activism and he decade. Moscow now needs oil prices the final analysis, about the country along its traditional Ukrainian- was noticeably relieved at Mr Putin’s over $100 a barrel to keep itself afloat. future of Russia. And, going Russian divisions, leading to protests intervention. The real Russian story is Mr Putin has cracked down on politi- Uby the recent resignation of across much of western and central at home. cal freedom, become more aggressive Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov Ukraine. Now his own legislature has Mr Putin fully understood the need to overseas and blown $50 billion on the and the ‘illness’ that has afflicted revoked the laws he tried to use to put radically reform Russia’s mutant capital- Sochi Winter Olympics. You see for Israel President Viktor Yanukovych, that an end to the demonstrations. ist system — riddled with entrenched China’s economic footprint in Central future looks bleak. A failure to dig a political ditch subsidies, dependent on oil and gas Asia probably surpasses Russia’s there’s an increasing Whatever the final result of the between Ukraine and the EU will be exports, and controlled by a small today. The Caucasus is returning to delegitimisation confrontation being played out in the a setback for an increasingly insular cluster of ultra-rich businessmen con- boil even as Turkey is flexing its mus- campaign that has been streets of Kiev, it will really be about Russian leader, Vladimir Putin. Much nected to the Kremlin — when he first cles and Iran is emerging from isolation. the future of Russia and the Eurasian is made of how he was able to resur- came to power. Over the years, he Ukraine and Belarus have the option of building up … There heartland in the coming decades. Mr rect a Russian diplomatic role in Syria ended up joining this corrupt system a wealthier and more democratic EU. are talk of boycotts and Yanukovych had sought to move his and stymie America in other parts of rather than fighting it. Ukraine will either be a debacle for its country decisively out of the orbit of the world. The economy has become more Russia-backed president and, there- other kinds of things. the European Union (EU) and closer to But this is also a consequence of corrupt, more inefficient and the State fore, for Moscow. John Kerry Russia. US President Barack Obama’s own structure more bloated over the past The Hindustan Times US Secretary of State MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2014 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Governments failing migrant workers

globe send home legally each year mass exodus. The country is suf- Indonesia and the Philippines have supports banks, fills government fering a brain drain that affects coffers, and boosts sectors such its ability to compete against as telecommunications, retail, China and India. Hospitals, essentially forced their own citizens transportation and real estate. schools, airlines and business- It’s simply easier for leaders process outsourcers all complain into becoming exports. It’s hard to to ship their own people abroad about a lack of skilled labour. and count the money than to This migration also feeds fathom young Indonesians or Filipinos generate opportunities at home. under-appreciated social prob- Had President Susilo Bambang lems as entire generations of chil- Yudhoyono done more to eradi- dren grow up without one or both risking exploitative conditions in Hong cate the inefficiencies and cor- parents present. Demographers ruption hindering rapid growth Barbara Ehrenreich and Arlie Kong, Singapore or Riyadh by choice. in Indonesia, Erwiana might Russell Hochschild call this the have stayed in her East Java “female underside of globaliza- hometown or perhaps moved to tion.” In a series of studies and in BY WILLIAM PESEK treat foreign workers like riffraff, Jakarta. their landmark 2003 book Global so will many employers. The Philippines is an even Woman, they explore the societal arlier this year, stom- But anger should be saved as bigger offender. More than 10 costs of fuelling growth on the ach-turning images of well for governments back home, percent of its 95 million people backs of migrants: brutally abused Hong in countries such as Indonesia are working overseas, and loads “Each year, millions leave EKong maid Erwiana and the Philippines, whose policy more would join them if immi- Third World countries for jobs Sulistyaningsih shamed the failures have essentially forced gration laws in places such as the in the homes, nurseries and world’s “freest” economy, and their own citizens into becom- United States allowed. The main brothels of the First World,” they rightly so. ing exports. It’s hard to fathom economic policy of Gloria Arroyo write. “This enormous transfer of When the Heritage Foundation young Indonesians or Filipinos when she was president from labour results in a risky displace- and the Wall Street Journal des- risking exploitative conditions in 2001 to 2010 was shipping more ment, in which the same energy ignate Hong Kong the world’s Hong Kong, Singapore or Riyadh bodies abroad. Her first talk- that flows to wealthy countries is premier business mecca each by choice. ing point upon arrival in Hong subtracted from poor ones, easing year in their Index of Economic We will never know how many Kong, Brussels or Washington a ‘care deficit’ in rich countries, Freedom, they’re highlighting young men and women like was the need for more work visas while creating one back home.” the free entry of foreign capital, Erwiana are trapped in abusive for underemployed Filipinos. It’s Amnesty International says it a first-world legal system and situations. They face fuzzy laws hardly an accomplishment that all when it characterises Hong low taxes. But Erwiana, a native that generally favour employers, the Philippines is now the fourth- Kong’s migrants as “exploited for of Indonesia, highlights the ugly not the subjugated, and more biggest destination for remit- profit, failed by government,” and underbelly of Hong Kong Inc., incentives to keep quiet than tances after Mexico. demands stronger laws and safe- and of globalization itself. to speak out. Indonesia, the Benigno Aquino, president guards for them. If Hong Kongers Footage of the beaten, burned Philippines, India, Bangladesh since 2010, has pledged to bring don’t protect those making their and tortured 23-year-old being and even China must be more more of this diaspora home, and prosperity possible, they lose carried, nearly lifeless, to safety proactive in protecting their his reforms have won coveted their humanity. quickly went viral. Few took seri- diaspora against exploitation. investment-grade ratings for the At the same time, though, we ously Hong Kong Chief Executive More important, though, first time. But the task of creat- shouldn’t forget why so many Leung Chun-ying’s pledge to pro- those governments need to work ing millions of good-paying jobs workers continue to venture tect the rights of the more than harder to create well-paid jobs at is a work in progress, at best. overseas, potentially into harm’s 300,000 foreign domestic helpers home. The nearly $500bn in hard And with each passing year, the way. Their governments, too, are Erwiana Sulistyaningsih, 22, was reportedly left unable to walk after eight in his city. When laws and the currency remittances that devel- Philippines becomes even more of failing their own people. months of alleged abuse at the hands of her employer. officials meant to enforce them oping-nation workers around the a cautionary tale of the costs of WP-BLOOMBERG Kenya energy bonanza fans violence Ethical dilemmas in PR BY ABJATA KHALIF and DAVID Corp of Canada are among companies forcing my team to hide under the bed, BY DR MOHAMED KIRAT Many critics argue that there can be MALINGHA DOYA searching for oil in the county. tables and in the toilets as a hail of bullets no ethical public relations because the In September, the United Nations was fired toward the hotel.” thics are considered an important practice itself is akin to manipulation and oru Sora stood in front of a announced that a reservoir containing Renewed fighting in the county last factor for the success of any pub- propaganda. pile of tree trunks and rocks as much as 200 billion cubic metres of month forced 72,000 people to flee their lic relations work. Public relations Critics complain about the partiality of in the middle of the road as he water had been discovered in a semi-bar- homes, according to the UN. Forecasts Epractitioners must be ethical; they PR practitioners when they market their Bexplained why he and other resi- ren area west of Lake Turkana that may for a drought in the region in the first have to be honest, credible and trustwor- organisations or clients to the media and dents of his village in northern Kenya are alleviate drought in the region. quarter risk aggravating the “tense thy. They should act at all times in public the public. They usually emphasise the blocking a key trade route to neighbour- Clashes between the two communities situation” in the county, OCHA said on interest, which also represents the interest positive and hide the negative side of their ing Ethiopia. date back to the 1960s, when the Burji and January 23. of the organization they work for. clients. According to critics, public rela- Sora, 25, the leader of a group of related Rendile and Gabra clans backed Opposition leaders, including former Are there ethics in public relations? tions is becoming the profession of manipu- Borana youths, says he’s determined to a non- Borana senatorial candidate in Prime Minister Raila Odinga, have criti- The question is very relevant and should lating the media to influence public opinion ensure his kinsmen derive some benefit the region. The Borana accused the three cised the government for failing to stem be posed because current research supports to be positively receptive to the client and from the development of infrastructure groups of using the political power they the violence, and accused Vice President a historical trend which associates public its activities. Core ethical challenges to in the area, such as Africa’s biggest wind- gained to take control of water and fer- William Ruto of threatening to dissolve relations with lying, bluffing, spin-doctor- the practice of public relations include power plant, even if it means breaking the tile land. the county government. ing and all kinds of unethical practices. manipulation of stakeholders, consumers, law. Clashes between Borana herders and “For decades, Moyale has been the “If insecurity overwhelms the county, Some critics argue that public relations the public and the media. The case of the the crop-growing Burji community killed centre of inter-communal fighting the government can take over,” Ruto’s cannot be ethical because its practice is US misuse of PR and public diplomacy dur- at least 56 people last year, more than over rangeland resources,” according spokesman David Mugonyi said by phone the art of manipulation, propaganda and ing the third Gulf War is relevant here. double the number in 2012, according to to the UN Office for the Coordination from Nairobi on January 15. persuasion by all means. This is an unfor- Other challenges include lying, bribery, and Marsabit County Police Commissioner of Humanitarian Affairs. “Increasing Yattani, a member of Odinga’s Orange tunate belief among journalists, politicians, distorting public communication channels. Erastus Muthamia. human and livestock population has put Democratic Movement, said he’s had decision-makers, businessmen, and people Why should the issue of ethics be The fighting, rooted in historic clan immense pressure on scarce resources.” no response to his requests for the gov- from other walks of life. addressed by scholars, practitioners of pub- rivalries as well as competition for water Fighting intensified last year as the ernment to assist in dealing with the The public relations sector lacks eth- lic relations and the general public? Why and pasture in the arid region, escalated two warring groups gained wider access violence. ics because its strategic goal is to influ- are critics claiming that public relations since the creation last year of a system of to weapons such as AK-47 assault rifles “We have petitioned the government ence public opinion through persuasive is unethical and cannot be ethical? The county governments, stoking competition and militias from neighbouring coun- to deploy more security forces to the messages and lobbying that considers only general public thinks that governments are for political power. Oil exploration in the tries became involved, according to affected villages in Moyale and patrol- the interests of the client or the organiza- corrupt, and businesses and all other enti- north by companies including Tullow Oil Ukur Kanacho Yattani, the governor ling of Marsabit-Moyale road in vain,” tion. According to some, this is a threat ties in society are using public relations to and renewable energy developments have of Marsabit. The Borana are related to he said. to responsible and committed journalism lure the general public and to crystallize also fuelled the violence. the Oromo people of Ethiopia, where the Kenya’s government has deployed and communication. Some critics argue public opinion in the shape they want. “The county governments have taken Oromo Liberation Front began a separa- troops in the region to quell the violence that modern public relations practices are Ethics demand personal engagement, a power from us and now with their eco- tist campaign in 1973. and is in talks with the Ethiopian army having a very significant negative impact search for best practices, an understanding nomic muscles they want to control the “Conflict patterns changed in August to flush out militants contributing to the on the democratic process by obfuscating, of rational decisions to be taken and a good lucrative transport business to Ethiopia, last year when one clan in the conflict conflict, according to OCHA. Yattani has deceiving and derailing public debate on understanding of the consequences. Ethics control oil exploration and the wind used the support of a militia for hire from also established a body, known as the key issues and focusing on the other hand, can’t be legislated, they come from within energy project in Marsabit county,” a neighbouring country and used sophis- Directorate for Cohesion and Non-State on what clients and organisations would and are nurtured by life’s experiences and Sora said in December in Walda, near ticated weapons in attacking Moyale,” Coordination, to promote peace and help like to have on the agenda of the media the standards and codes of conduct fol- the Ethiopian border, about 600 kilo- Yattani said. reconcile the warring sides. and public opinion. lowed in our chosen fields. metres north of Nairobi. “We will not At least 22 people died in clashes For Sora, reconciliation will require Modern public relations is facing an Ethics in public relations deal, basically, allow only them to own everything.” in Moyale on August 26 and August more than talking. “Unless they agree to identity crisis, and itself needs some pub- with ethical thinking. Debating the issue Fighting in the region last month 28, according to the police. In another share leadership and other opportunities lic relations to improve its image and react of public relations ethics is exposing the forced China Wuyi Co to halt construc- incident, “the militias attacked a hotel available in the county with us then there to the various stereotypes and criticism it dilemmas inherent in media relations, and tion of a road linking the border town of accommodating my county government will be no peace,” he said. is getting. confronting ethical problems in organisa- Moyale to Isiolo in central Kenya. The delegation on a peace-searching mission, WP-BLOOMBERG PR Watch raises the following questions: tional communication, employee and peer insecurity also threatens to delay imple- Is ethical public relations possible? Are communication, corporate social responsi- mentation of a road- and rail-transport public relations practitioners profession- bility, lobbying, and community relations. corridor linking the Kenyan town of als? The question is: Are these criticisms The emergence of public relations as a Lamu to neighbouring South Sudan and and claims true? If they are, how is the PR profession is essentially a twentieth cen- Ethiopia. industry emerging rapidly throughout the tury phenomenon, although its roots can Marsabit is Kenya’s largest county by world and gaining in the fields of education, be traced to ancient civilizations. From an landmass, covering almost 71,000 square research and scholarship. early stage the practice of public relations kilometres, about the size of Ireland, Indeed, public relations is based on eth- has raised many concerns related to ethics. where 83 percent of its 291,000 people ics and believes in ethics. The ethics of In its report, “A Port of Entry: Public rela- live in poverty, almost double the national public relations consist of values such as tions Education for the 21st Century”, the average, according to statistics published honesty, loyalty, social responsibility, fair- Commission on Public Relations Education by the state-run Commission on Revenue ness, respect, integrity, and responsible and recommended the teaching of public rela- Allocation. forthright communication. The PR indus- tions ethics and law as an essential topic “One of the key causes of conflict is the try has professional societies and associa- for a strong undergraduate education. lack of development in Marsabit,” said tions; it also has codes of ethics that lay Public relations ethics and law introduces Baleisa Hambule, a civil rights activist down the duties, rights and responsibilities students of PR to codes of ethics in public based in Marsabit town, the county capi- of PR practitioners and their accountabil- relations and other professions; legal issues tal. “In addition to the lack of education ity to their clients and society. related to privacy, defamation, copyright, and poor roads, we also have climate Since the early days of public relations, product liability, and financial disclosure; change, with rainfall patterns being so the issue of ethics has been raised in the legal and regulatory compliance, and cred- poor that people have to move into other circles of the profession and the media. ibility. Public relations professionals and peoples’ areas.” Media professionals as well as those con- other stakeholders must admit that with- The African Development Bank and cerned with ethics have raised the issue of out ethical behaviour there is no credibility, the European Union are helping fund the credibility and morals of those work- and without credibility there is no business. the €620m ($843m), 300-megawatt ing in public relations. Many voices have (The author is a professor of Public Lake Turkana Wind Power project under The Twiga oil well, operated by Tullow Oil. It produced Kenya’s first commercial oil earlier been raised against the allegedly vicious Relations and Mass Communication at development in western Marsabit, while this year. and malicious motives behind the majority the College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar London-based Tullow and Africa Oil of public relations initiatives. University.) MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2014 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST

Egypt to try 85 killed in Mossad officers for spying CAIRO: Five officers from Aleppo barrel Israel’s Mossad spy agency and three Egyptians will stand trial on charges of spying for the Jewish state, judicial sources said. Egyptian prosecutors have accused the eight of espio- bomb attacks nage and supplying Israel with information impacting Egypt’s national security, the sources Attacks after talks go into recess said yesterday. The trial is expected to BEIRUT: Syrian military heli- to express outrage at the use of open with none of the defend- copters dropped more impro- barrel bombs, which they say ants present, the sources said, vised “barrel bombs” on the indiscriminately target innocent because the Mossad officers are northern city of Aleppo yester- civilians. The weapons have killed “on the run” while it is not clear day, a monitoring group said, well over 700 people in Syria in if the three Egyptians had been bringing the death toll to 85 the past six weeks. arrested. The Egyptian suspects people in the latest episode of a But Russia, a staunch ally of hail from Rafah, on the border campaign many consider a war President Bashar Al Assad, has with the Palestinian Gaza Strip, they crime. repeatedly blocked such plans in said, adding that the trial will be held Most of the victims killed since the Security Council. in the Suez canal city of Ismailiya. Friday have been civilians from Syrian authorities say they are The trial of a Jordanian engineer the city’s eastern districts, includ- battling rebels controlling large accused of having spied for Israel is ing women and children, accord- portions of Aleppo, once Syria’s also underway in Egypt. ing to the British-based Syrian business hub and largest city, In October 2011, Israel freed Observatory for Human Rights, which is now split between gov- 25 Egyptians in exchange for which has a broad network of ernment and rebel forces. the release of a US-Israeli called sources across Syria. The Observatory said there was Residents inspect a site after what activists said was shelling by forces loyal to Syria’s President Bashar Al Assad Ilan Grapel, who had been held The use of barrel bombs — oil “heavy congestion” at a check- in Al Sukkari neighbourhood in Aleppo, yesterday. in Cairo for four months on spy- drums or cylinders packed with point in a southwestern neigh- ing charges. Egypt signed a peace explosives and metal fragments bourhood after the government To the north of Aleppo, mili- Koniko Gas field from the Nusra has raged on, ISIL has retaken treaty with Israel in 1979, the first — has drawn international con- closed it to traffic, preventing tants from the Al Qaeda-linked Front and other Islamist rebels some of its bases. Both sides have Arab country to have done that. demnation, including from Syria’s residents from fleeing the bom- Islamic State in Iraq and the who had controlled it for sev- lost more than 1,400 fighters in opposition delegation and their bardment and related clashes Levant (ISIL) seized control of a eral weeks after wresting it from clashes and suicide car bombs. Western backers at recent peace further east. border area with Turkey called Al tribal gunmen. Koniko is one of Since March 2011, more than Saudi beheads talks in Switzerland. The military also used bar- Raa’i, the Observatory said. the largest gas plants in Syria. 130,000 people across Syria have The first round of negotia- rel bombs in the suburbs of the ISIL freed more than 400 peo- Fighting between ISIL and been killed and nearly six million citizen for murder tions wound up on Friday with- capital Damascus over the week- ple from a prison in the area who rival factions seeking to push the forced from their homes. out making progress towards end and carried out traditional had been held by the rival Islamist group out of rebel-held swathes The conflict began with popular RIYADH: Saudi authorities ending Syria’s three-year civil shelling and air strikes in several Liwa Al Tawhid unit, and clashes of northern and eastern Syria protests against four decades of beheaded a citizen in the north- war or reducing its violence, other cities and villages around between the two groups continued initially led to a rollback of ISIL Assad family rule but evolved into eastern city of Arar yesterday which regularly kills more than the country, the Observatory and nearby, according to the monitor- dominance late last year along the a civil war after a crackdown by after he was convicted of mur- 100 people every day. Western other activists said. ing group. border and in cities like Aleppo, security forces led to an armed der, the interior ministry said. powers proposed a UN Security Their reports could not be In the eastern province of Idlib and Raqqa. uprising. Habib Al Shammari was Council resolution in December independently confirmed. Deir Al Zor, ISIL also seized the But as the intra-rebel conflict REUTERS accused of killing fellow tribes- man Mishaal Al Shammari fol- lowing a dispute, the ministry said in a statement published by the official SPA news agency. The execution was the fourth carried out this year in Saudi US, Iran discuss next round of nuclear talks Arabia, which beheaded 78 peo- ple in 2013, according to a count.

MUNICH, GERMANY: US Hassan Rowhani last year Secretary of State John Kerry reflected Iranians’ desire for “a Wanted Shia told his Iranian counter- constructive engagement with the part yesterday that both sides international community which surrenders needed to negotiate in good will bring mutual respect”. faith to resolve Western fears Swedish Foreign Minister Carl RIYADH: A Saudi man wanted and doubts over Iran’s contested Bildt told the panel there had in connection with protests in nuclear programme. been many missed opportunities. 2011 among the Shia minor- World powers hold another “I do not know if (the talks) ity in the kingdom has handed round of talks with Iran on will succeed or not but it would himself in, police said yesterday. February 18 after reaching an ini- be truly criminal not to do eve- Musa Jaafar Mohammed Al tial accord in November to curb rything to make (them) succeed,” Mabyuq surrendered to police in uranium enrichment and open Bildt said. the mostly Shiite district of Qatif, up nuclear facilities to allay con- But the West, unconvinced in Eastern Province, a police cerns Tehran is seeking atomic and worried by signs of possible spokesman said in a statement weapons. atomic weapons development, carried by the official SPA news Kerry and Iran’s Mohammad imposed ever tighter sanctions agency. Javad Zarif “discussed the upcom- hoping to stop Iran getting to a Mabyuq “will be dealt with ing negotiations with the P5+1 “break-out” point. In November, according to legal procedures,” and the EU on a comprehen- Iran agreed with the five perma- the unnamed spokesman said, sive agreement that will begin in nent members of the UN Security praising “the constructive role of Vienna next month”, a senior US Council — Britain, China, France, his family” in the surrender, with- State Department official said. Russia and the United States — out giving further details or say- The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Yukiya Amano (left), and the Iranian Foreign “Kerry reiterated the impor- plus Germany that it would roll ing when he had given himself up Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif at the 50th Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Munich, Germany, yesterday. tance of both sides negotiating back the programme and open it to the authorities. The unrest in in good faith and Iran abiding up to wider inspections. In return, Eastern Province started after an by its commitments under the enforce existing sanctions,” he are here because sanctions have deficit” needing to be overcome the world powers agreed to par- outbreak of violence between Shia Joint Plan of Action (agreed in added. Zarif later told a panel at been effective.” Rather, they had after years of suspicion. tially lift tough sanctions that pilgrims and religious police in the November),” said the official. the Munich Security Conference only had the opposite effect and Zarif, saying he believed a have caused immense damage to holy city of Madinah, in western “He also made clear that the that “it would be a major mistake caused “a lot of resentment”, he deal is possible, stressed that the the Iranian economy. Saudi Arabia, in February 2011. United States will continue to for our friends to believe that we said, describing a very large “trust election of moderate President AFP AGENCIES

Bodies of migrants wash up on the Egypt to allow appeals against Red Cross worked shores of Morocco outside mandate: Sudan RABAT: military court verdicts The bodies of five presumed migrants thought to KHARTOUM: Sudan yesterday said it suspended activities of the have been trying to reach Spain CAIRO: Egypt said yester- military courts since the early the creation of a higher court international Red Cross because it violated guidelines for working were found yesterday on north- day that verdicts handed down 2011 uprising that toppled long- to hear appeals against verdicts in the war-torn country. ern Morocco’s shoreline, local by military courts, which time ruler Hosni Mubarak. delivered by military tribunals, “We observe that the International Committee of the Red Cross authorities said. under the new constitution are More than 12,000 cases were a statement from his office said. (ICRC) is doing activities outside of its mandate under international “The bodies of five probably allowed to try civilians, can now referred to military courts that The new constitution adopted law and the agreement with the government of Sudan,” said a state- illegal migrants, four of them be appealed. year alone when a military junta in January stipulates that civil- ment from Sudan’s Humanitarian Aid Commission, which confirmed from Senegal, were washed up The provision allowing civilians assumed power after the fall of ians can face military trials in it suspended ICRC’s activities as of February 1. from the Mediterranean” in the to be judged by the military has Mubarak, according to campaign cases involving direct attacks on It is the latest restriction on foreign aid workers in the country, Nador area, MAP news agency faced stiff opposition from rights group No To Military Trials For military personnel or military where rebels are fighting the government in Darfur, the Kordofan cited officials as saying. activists. Civilians. installations. region and Blue Nile state. It said four Senegalese had Thousands of cases involving Yesterday, interim presi- But rights groups say this could The ICRC on Saturday said the HAC informed it in writing about been identified, and added that civilians have been referred to dent Adly Mansour ordered violate a defendant’s right to an the suspension over “some technical issues” related to work the ICRC an inflatable boat was also found. impartial trial. hoped to undertake this year in Sudan. Morocco estimates that some Dozens of supporters of ousted HAC’s statement said the ICRC should work only through the 30,000 migrants, mostly sub- Car bomb injures three in Sinai Islamist president Mohamed Sudanese Red Crescent Society. Saharan, are on its soil as they Mursi have also been referred But the Red Crescent complained “that the ICRC did some work try to make their way to Europe CAIRO: A car bomb targeting a bus carrying Egyptian soldiers to military trials since he was without sharing that work with the Red Crescent”, a HAC source said. in search of a better life. wounded three civilians in the restive Sinai Peninsula yesterday, deposed by the army in July. A statement from the ICRC on Sunday gave no details about the The Spanish territories of security officials said. Military tribunals have reason for the suspension. Melilla and Ceuta in Morocco An explosives-laden car was detonated by remote control near also passed verdicts in recent “We are confident that the technical issues cited by the form the European Union’s only government buildings in the town of Rafah, on the border with the months against three Egyptian Commission as the reason for this suspension will be quickly land borders with Africa, and Palestinian Gaza strip, they said. journalists. settled,” said Jean-Christophe Sandoz, head of the ICRC’s delega- many try to reach Europe this The blast went off around 10 metres (yards) from the bus trans- In November, journalist tion in Sudan. way. porting soldiers who were on leave. Mohammed Sabry was given a On its website the ICRC calls Sudan’s Red Crescent Society its But others opt for a perilous Militants have stepped up attacks on Egyptian security forces in six-month suspended sentence for “primary partner in Sudan”. sea crossing across the Straits of north Sinai since the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Mursi photographing army checkpoints As a neutral intermediary, the Red Cross has facilitated the handover Gibraltar, often losing their lives in July, killing scores of soldiers and policemen. in the restive Sinai Peninsula near and repatriation of numerous prisoners held by armed groups in the in the attempt. AFP the border with the Palestinian troubled Darfur region. AFP Gaza Strip. AFP AFP MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2014 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11

Flood red alert in Spain Muslim cleric, Ukraine’s oppn pastor killed appeals to West in Nigeria KANO: Nigeria’s Boko Haram was suspected yesterday of kill- ing a Muslim cleric who had for financial aid criticised the Islamic extremist group, and of shooting dead a Christian preacher, in the latest violence to hit northern Nigeria. International mediation urged The deaths came after seven people were killed by a road- KIEV: Ukraine’s opposition yes- their defiance against his rule side bomb in a border area of terday called for international yesterday. The opposition is the remote northeast, which has mediation and appealed for pressing for more concessions seen mounting militant activity in Western financial aid for the first from Yanukovich, including the recent months, and heavy casual- time in their protests against immediate and unconditional ties last weekend. President Viktor Yanukovich. release of all the scores of pro- The first attack happened As tens of thousands of people testers arrested so far. when unidentified gunmen shot at rallied in Kiev, boxer-turned-pol- Klitschko said they were “hos- Muslim cleric Adam Albani’s car itician Vitali Klitschko told the tages” and called for the scrap- at about 2130 GMT on Saturday crowd he had requested “inter- ping of an amnesty law approved in Zaria, as he drove home from national mediation in our negotia- by Yanukovich last week that only teaching a theology class. tions with Yanukovich so there allows the release if occupied offi- Local resident Mohammed are no misunderstandings”. cial buildings are vacated within Usman said Albani’s wife and Arseniy Yatsenyuk, a former two weeks. son were hit, while the gunmen foreign minister, said: “We spoke Yanukovich has over the past appeared to have dragged the to our Western partners and told few days accepted the resigna- cleric from the car and shot him them that we need real financial tion of his prime minister and at close range. aid. “They are ready to do it. By repealed the hugely controversial Albani’s brother Kaburu Adam ‘we’, I mean the Ukrainian peo- anti-protest laws that had radi- said the cleric, who had criticised ple. Not a single kopeck should calised the protest movement. the group and given his support go to the Yanukovich regime,” But the opposition still has a to the Nigerian military campaign he said. number of demands, including against them, died shortly after Klitschko and Yatsenyuk both an overhaul of the constitution he was admitted to hospital. attended the Munich Security that would take away some of the Separately, gunmen killed a Conference on Saturday where president’s sweeping powers. The pastor in an attack on a church Europe and the United States protest movement is also asking in Sabon Garin Yambdula, in the sparred over Ukraine with Russia, for a presidential election sched- Madagali area of Adamawa state which has condemned Western uled in 2015 to be brought forward late on Friday. Ten people tried pledges of support as interference. to this year, while demonstrators to repel the attack with hunting Ukraine is struggling to break in the streets want Yanukovich to rifles, said Madagali local govern- free of a painful recession and resign immediately. ment chairman Maina Ularamu. Russia has put on hold until a new The 63-year-old leader “should The attackers made off with government is formed a $15bn resign along with parliament if four cows and also killed two bailout package that has been he wants a peaceful resolution,” goats, said Ularamu, who declined propping up the economy. said Oksana Hodakivska, a den- to say whether Boko Haram fight- Yanukovich’s office, meanwhile, tist from the northwestern region Storm driven waves battle the coastline and promenade — destroying sections of it — in San Sebastian, Basque ers were responsible. said the president would be return- of Zhytomyr, at the Kiev protest. Country, northern Spain, yesterday. Spanish authorities issued a red alert in Basque Country with floods affect- AFP ing to work on Monday after a few Hodakivska said she did not hold ing some coastal villages due to the strong swell affecting Spanish northern coastline. days of sick leave due to “an acute out much hope for Western pres- respiratory infection”. sure on Yanukovich. At the sprawling protest camp “EU officials can temporarily in Kiev that has been the epicen- stop the violence when they visit tre for two months of protests Ukraine but they are not going to that have spread across Ukraine, keep coming here. “It’s all in our Surrendered Central African rebels flee more than 60,000 people shouted hands,” she said. AFP BANGUI: Around 200 rebel had initially agreed to be held by contingent from MISCA entered Republic received pledges of fighters in the Central African peacekeepers. the town on Saturday. $132m from other African states. Republic who surrendered to According to Colonel Abdelkader The taking of the northern “We will be judged and measured African Union troops at the Djelani, a Seleka officer who town was the latest challenge by our efforts to protect the weekend in the key town of was part of the group which fled faced by peacekeepers struggling people of the Central African Sibut fled overnight, a military Sibut, the rebels were concerned to maintain order in a country the Republic,” UN Deputy Secretary source said yesterday. about the lack of security around size of France with a long history General Jan Eliassonhe said. “Unfortunately they fled in them. “We want solutions and of coups, attempted coups and “We must not let them down... the night. They’ve gone to Kaga really secure camps. In Bangui, army mutinies. MISCA is sup- we must not fail to prevent Bandoro,” an officer in the African Seleka confined to camps... (were) ported by a French contingent another huge tragedy in Africa.” Union force (MISCA) said. attacked by anti-balaka.” of around 1,600 troops, and the AU officials said a total of Kaga Bandoro is some 160km He added that the former European Union has committed $410m is required just to keep north of Sibut, the town which Seleka rebels were “ready to dis- a further 500 troops. MISCA going for one year. A had been held for several days by arm” depending on the conditions. However, the interior of the total of almost $315m has now former members of the mainly Some of the residents of the town country is a lawless zone ruled by been raised or pledged for Central Muslim Seleka rebellion — caus- were cautiously thinking of return- warlords, with few or no foreign African Republic. ing terrified residents to flee ing home after news that African troops present, and newly elected The Central African Republic — before it was recaptured by Union soldiers were now in control. transitional President Catherine descended into chaos 10 months MISCA troops on Saturday. One resident, Innocent, said Samba Panza has said more ago when the Seleka overthrew It is thought the rebels fled however there were still fears troops are needed. the government and installed one Anti-government protesters attend a rally at Independence Square in central because of fear of revenge among the general population The capture of Sibut came on of their leaders, Michel Djotodia, Kiev yesterday. attacks by members of the anti- because the “Seleka were very the same day that the peacekeep- as the country’s first Muslim balaka Christian militia. They violent with us”. A Gabonese ing mission in Central African president. AFP

Greece’s Golden Dawn vows to Catalan leader outlines steps run in May vote to independence vote ATHENS: Greece’s ultra-right Golden Dawn will find a way to MADRID: Spain cannot block roughly half of Catalans saying to turn down that initiative. contest local and European elec- a non-binding vote on Catalan they want independence from The second step, Mas said, tions in May despite a crack- independence that could Spain and a much bigger major- will be to hold a consultation down on the party, a senior become the basis for negotia- ity saying they should have the without the express permission lawmaker told a defiant crowd tions on Catalonia’s future, the right to decide. of the national parliament. He of a few thousand supporters in president of the northeastern Catalonia, which has its said the consultation would be central Athens. region said in an interview own language, has significant legal under Catalonia’s auton- Golden Dawn’s leader and five published yesterday. self-governing powers. But omy statute, which defines the other lawmakers are in jail due “If I call a consultation, economic doldrums, public region’s powers. to an investigation into whether not to declare the independ- spending cuts and perceptions The Catalan government has it is a criminal organization, but ence of Catalonia nor to break of unfair taxes and the concen- already set a date of November it remains Greece’s third most with the Spanish state, but to tration of power in Madrid have 9 for a referendum — two popular party. know the opinion of the citi- fed breakaway fever. months after an independence The fate of the party is being zens of this country, a knee- The independence movement vote in Scotland — and has closely watched ahead of the May jerk anti-democratic response has become a major headache decided on a two-question for- vote - where it is expected to per- from Spain would be pretty bad for Rajoy, who is struggling to mula: Do you want Catalonia to form strongly due to a wave of and disgraceful in the view of pull Spain out of six years of become a state? If your answer anger against government cuts - the entire world,” Artur Mas economic stagnation and unem- is yes, do you want this state to amid speculation of new efforts to told La Vanguardia, Catalonia’s ployment of 26 percent. be independent? rein in the group, which denies it leading newspaper. “The unity of all Spaniards is If the central government is neo-Nazi. Prime Minister Mariano what makes us great, and what blocked a non-binding con- “We will participate in the elec- Rajoy has pledged to go to the the great majority of Spaniards sultation, Mas set out a third tions, one way or another,” Ilias Constitutional Tribunal to want,” Rajoy said on Sunday. step, which he said was not Kasidiaris, the most prominent pub- block any Catalan attempts “Those who don’t agree with ideal, which would be to use lic face of the party since its leader’s to hold a referendum, argu- that must respect that desire, the next election in Catalonia, arrest, told about 3,000 support- ing sovereignty is a matter for and respect the law.” which must be held by 2016, as ers rallying in Athens to mark the all of Spain to decide, but Mas a proxy vote on independence. anniversary of a 1996 dispute over said there was another possible THREE POSSIBLE STEPS The European Union has said an islet that brought Greece and approach. Mas, who only became a sup- that Catalonia would have to re- Turkey to the brink of war. “It is what I call the solu- porter of independence four apply to join the bloc if it broke Two opinion polls published tion tolerated by the central years ago, set out a three-step away from Spain, a difficult road last week showed the party, which government. They let us hold process for Catalonia. The first because Spain could thwart the has a Swastika-like emblem and the consultation, they don’t get step of the process, taken in necessary consensus to accept believes in ridding Greece of the involved, and afterwards we go January, was to ask Spanish a new member. But Mas said “stench” of immigrants, would get to Madrid to negotiate,” he said. parliament to allow Catalonia to Europe would have to respect a 8.9 to 10.3 percent of the vote if Over the past three years hold a referendum. Parliament, peaceful, democratic independ- elections were held now. the independence movement in dominated by the ruling conserv- ence drive by Catalonia. REUTERS Catalonia has gained force, with ative People’s Party, is expected REUTERS MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2014 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL

US immigration Bullying in UK armed forces on rise bill ‘in doubt’ Call for overhaul of military justice as MP highlights plight of servicewomen alleging abuse this year: Ryan WASHINGTON: Paul Ryan, LONDON: Shocking official Moon said, would allow service “We recognise that it takes great of sexual offices in the army, only inquest will open into the death a Wisconsin Republican figures reveal a surge in the personnel to resolve grievances courage for any individual to for investigations to be blocked by of Anne-Marie Ellement, a Royal Congressman and key player in incidence of bullying in the outside the chain of command and come forward and report a sex- the military hierarchy. Military Policewoman who hanged the immigration reform debate, armed forces, with one in 10 give them increased confidence to ual offence and we have taken a She told the Observer: “What herself at Bulford in Wiltshire in yesterday said that it is uncer- military personnel claiming to speak out. The attitudes survey number of steps to improve train- we get is women saying, ‘We don’t October 2011 after she alleged tain whether or not a broad have been the victim of “dis- is the MoD’s principal means of ing and awareness to ensure that trust the military justice system.’ she has been raped by two col- immigration bill will reach US crimination, harassment or bul- monitoring morale within the service personnel know how to It’s a very male environment, leagues. An internal inquiry led to President Barack Obama’s desk lying in a service environment” services. The number of com- report concerns and what sup- especially in the army — some- no charges being brought against by the end of the year. during the past year. plaints relating to discrimination, port is available to them. times you have a single woman the two soldiers. Immigration reform legis- The figures, contained in the harassment or bullying in 2013 “The armed forces take this in a unit and it’s very difficult for The new inquest was opened lation, which the Senate has latest Armed Forces Continuous was up by two percentage points issue extremely seriously, which them to make a complaint. after her family sought a judicial already passed, has stalled in the Attitude Survey, were described — a rise of a quarter — on 2012. is why last year we set up a new “We do know that for some review into the handling of her Republican-controlled House. by defence minister Anna Soubry Among junior ranks, those who database to improve the quality women the sexual assault or rape case. They claim she was bullied Asked in an interview that as serious, while a senior figure said they had suffered abuse rose of information relating to service has taken place within the chain and ostracised after reporting the aired on ABC’s This Week if on the defence select committee by four percentage points. police investigations.” of command, but to make a com- rape. Her sister, Sharon Hardy, Obama would get a bill to sign said the bullying they revealed Overall, 8 percent of those who The MoD added that military plaint they have to go through 44, said: “We want answers. She this year, Ryan replied: “I really was very worrying. said they had been a victim of police and the services prosecut- that officer. They have been was such a strong girl, she had no don’t know the answer to that The revelation came as a senior abuse felt so aggrieved that they ing authority were independent of encouraged to drop the complaint fear, but they took all that away. question. That’s clearly in doubt.” MP called for an urgent overhaul submitted a formal written com- the military chain of command in or the complaint has been found They stripped her of her dignity.” Last June, the US Senate passed into the way the armed forces plaint, although it is not known the investigation of offences. They to have no validity.” A year ago defence ministers a comprehensive bill that would deal with sexual assaults and rape how many related to alleged sex- also said that service complaints She said that she had tried and announced the creation of a spe- provide a path to citizenship for complaints. Madeleine Moon, a ual offences as these are not cat- were entirely separate from and failed to obtain figures from the cial database to compile details of immigrants living in the US ille- Labour MP and long-standing egorised. The figures indicate that outside the military justice system. armed forces which would indi- sexual offences relating to armed gally and tighten border security. member of the defence select around 1,250 of the 12,500 service Meanwhile, Moon claimed cate the extent of the problem. forces personnel. However, the fig- The bill stalled in the House, and committee, said a new independ- personnel who responded to the yesterday that sexual harass- Moon said: “They [the MoD] fail ures are not being made public, and some conservative Republicans in ent armed forces ombudsman was survey, of whom 3,446 were offic- ment was a “daily issue” in the to take the issue seriously enough there remains no central record both chambers remain staunchly needed to properly investigate ers, suffered abuse in the military armed forces, and said she had and are not rigorous in tackling of the overall number of sexual opposed to offering legal status such complaints. during the last year. been approached by numerous and understanding the problem offences involving the armed forces. for millions of adults who live in Installing an ombudsman, An MoD spokesperson said: women who had made allegations they have got.” This week, a new THE GUARDIAN the US unlawfully. Ryan said Republicans have made it clear that they will not be forced to compromise with the Flood warnings issued across UK Senate on a deal and refuse to go to conference committee with the El Salvador, Costa Rica Senate immigration reform bill, which contains a path to citizen- ship for the approximately 11 mil- vote to elect leaders lion undocumented residents. “This is not one of those issues that has a deadline,” he said. Ryan SAN SALVADOR: Presidential Quijano, the 67-year-old mayor emphasised that securing the elections in two Central of San Salvador. US-Mexico border was a crucial American countries yesterday A former television journal- first step before changing rules are both referendums on political ist, Funes has won the support of around legal residency. stagnation, with voters in Costa the poorest sectors of Salvadoran “We don’t know who’s com- Rica deciding whether to oust society by implementing several ing and going in this country. We the long-ruling party, and voters social programmes, including giv- don’t have control of our bor- in El Salvador deciding whether ing books, shoes and uniforms to ders,” he said. “Doing nothing on to bring it back to power. school children, seeds and fertiliz- the security side of this isn’t the El Salvador’s ruling leftist party ers to the poorest farmers and a responsible thing to do.” faces an uphill battle to keep the small pension to the elderly. For On Thursday, House Republican presidency after only one term, Salvadorans, the main issues are leaders rolled out their “princi- with critics saying the govern- a sluggish economy and rampant ples” for pursuing immigration ment of President Mauricio Funes gang crime in the country of 6 reform this year. It was unclear did little to energize a sluggish million people. whether those principles would economy and reduce gang crime. Under Funes, leaders of El advance any further amid deep In Costa Rica, a ruling con- Salvador’s Mara street gangs Republican divisions and instead servative party that is battling declared a truce in several cit- were seen as gauging the party’s corruption allegations is being ies that yielded mixed results. willingness to tackle such a con- challenged by a charismatic A poll published on January 15 Flooded fields near Curload in Somerset, southwest England. The Met Office issued severe weather warnings troversial issue during an election left-leaning congressman. shows Sanchez, a 69-year-old of winds of up to 80mph and heavy rain of up to 30mm for the south-west, southern England, south Wales year in which all 435 House seats Experts say both of today’s former guerrilla commander, has and Northern Ireland from today until Wednesday. Three severe flood warnings indicating danger to life were are at stake. “We are still having a votes will result in runoffs, as 37 percent support, compared to debate in our caucus,” Ryan said. in place around the river Severn in the Midlands, along with 112 less severe flood warnings, caused by high neither candidate leading in 30 percent for Quijano. Former REUTERS tides and swollen water levels. the polls is likely to get the 50 President Tony Saca is in third percent plus one vote needed to place with 21 percent. declare victory. In Costa Rica, the ruling In El Salvador, Vice-President National Liberation Party has Salvador Sanchez had a mod- been beset by infighting and erate lead going into the vote corruption allegations and its in his bid to extend the rule of presidential candidate, Johnny Mexican castaway begins long journey home the Farabundo Marti National Araya, now faces three rivals, Liberation Front, the party which experts say could splinter MAJURO, MARSHALL southernmost cluster of coral had died a few months ago. Vaca 18-hour trip to Majuro. He is of former civil war guerrillas the vote. Araya, who has been ISLANDS: A Mexican casta- islands in the Marshalls. He said Ivan was disorientated and expected to arrive in Majuro today that defeated the long-ruling the mayor of the capital of San way who says he survived more managed to communicate to did not know what had happened morning, at the earliest. Nationalist Republican Alliance, Jose since 2003, must overcome than a year drifting at sea his rescuers that he had drifted during his many months at sea. His talk with Vaca is believed or ARENA, for the first time the discontent over high unem- pleaded yesterday to be taken across a 12,500km expanse of When Ebon islanders discovered to be the first time in many in 2009. Trailing closely behind ployment during President Laura home as he was picked up from Pacific Ocean north of the equa- Ivan on their remote atoll he was months the Mexican has had a is ARENA candidate Norman Chinchilla’s government. AP the remote Pacific island where tor between southern Mexico and sporting a long beard and was conversation he could understand. he had washed ashore. the Marshall Islands. unable to walk without assistance. However, Sunday’s brief interview “I want to get back to Mexico,” Jose Ivan told Vaca he left his He indicated that he survived organised by the Marshall Islands the castaway, who identified him- home in Mexico to go shark fish- by eating turtles, birds and fish National Telecommunications self as Jose Ivan, told interpreter ing on December 24, 2012, putting and drinking turtle blood when Authority (NTA) working with Magui Vaca as he was about to his time at sea at 13 months, not there was no rain. Mieco Beach Yacht Club officials, board a Marshall Islands patrol the 16 months his rescuers ini- There was no fishing gear on proved difficult as the radio trans- vessel to be taken from Ebon Atoll tially believed. “It’s been difficult the boat and Jose Ivan suggested mission was marred by static. to the capital Majuro for a medi- trying to communicate with him,” he caught turtles and birds with The single phone line to Ebon— cal examination. said Ebon Mayor Ione deBrum his bare hands. There was a turtle population 700 -- went out of “I feel bad,” he told Vaca of his who had only been able to com- on the boat when it landed at Ebon. service Saturday, leaving radio the physical and mental state. “I am municate with the Mexican by “We’ve been feeding him nutri- only option for communication. so far away. I don’t know where I drawing pictures. tious island food and he’s getting There is no Internet service on am or what happened.” “I’ve gotten to know him through better,” deBrum said. the remote atoll. Had the drifter An emaciated Jose Ivan was pictures he’s drawing. He said he Vaca was on a yacht in Majuro not washed onto the reef at Ebon, found last Thursday clad only was on his way to El Salvador by Atoll — around 320km north of there is another 1,000 or so miles in ragged underpants, when boat when it started drifting.” No Ebon — when she was briefly able of open ocean before he might Jose Maria Villalta, presidential candidate for the leftist Broad Front Party, his 24-foot fibreglass boat with details have yet emerged as to to speak to Jose Ivan via radio have landed in Papua New Guinea is greeted by supporters after casting his vote in San Jose, Costa Rica. propellerless engines floated on why he began drifting, or what before he was ushered on to the or the Solomon Islands. to the reef at Ebon Atoll, the happened to a companion he said patrol vessel for the estimated AFP

‘Hermione should have wed Harry’ Scotland’s pro-independence LONDON: After years of little to do with literature and who played Hermione in the squabbling, Harry Potter’s far more to do with me clinging blockbuster movie series based camp gets small poll boost best friends Ron Weasley and to the plot as I first imagined it, on the Potter books. LONDON: The number of people in Scotland who want their small Hermione Granger finally Hermione ended up with Ron,” The actress agreed with country to become independent of the United Kingdom in a refer- became an item — but now their Rowling says in an interview with Rowling, saying: “I think there endum later this year has risen slightly, a poll showed yesterday, creator JK Rowling has admit- Wonderland magazine, previewed are fans out there who know that but those opposed to a breakaway still enjoy a commanding lead. ted she made a mistake by mar- by the Sunday Times and due out too and who wonder whether Ron In the referendum, to be held on September 18 this year, voters will rying them off. next Friday. would have really been able to decide whether Scotland, which has a population of just over 5 mil- Hermione — whose quick wits “I know, I’m sorry, I can hear make her happy.” lion and is a source of North Sea oil, should end its 307-year-old union get the teen wizards out of many the rage and fury it might cause Rowling has sold more than with England and leave the UK. A “yes” vote would place the future of a scrape in Rowling’s hit novels — some fans, but if I’m absolutely 450 million copies of the Harry Britain’s Scotland-based nuclear submarine fleet in doubt and could would have been better off with honest, distance has given me per- Potter books, which were made weaken London’s claim to a permanent seat on the United Nations hero Harry, the British author spective on that. It was a choice into eight films starring Daniel and its influence in the European Union. said in comments published by I made for very personal reasons, Radcliffe, Watson and Rupert The poll, carried out in January by TNS BMRB in more than a 1,000 the Sunday Times newspaper. not for reasons of credibility. Grint as Ron. face-to-face interviews, showed support for independence at 29 percent, In fact, Ron and Hermione “Am I breaking people’s hearts The franchise has made up three points from 26 percent in November in a similar TNS poll. would likely have ended up in by saying this? I hope not.” Rowling an estimated fortune of But it showed support for Scotland remaining part of the UK was marriage counselling, Rowling Rowling’s interviewer in £560m ($920m), according to the steady at 42 percent, the same as in November, suggesting Scots will suggested. Wonderland was none other than Sunday Times’ Rich List 2013. reject independence. The number of undecided voters was 29 percent. J K Rowling “For reasons that have very British actress Emma Watson, AFP REUTERS MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2014 ASIA / PHILIPPINES www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Thais prevented from casting vote Boycotts, blockades and violence lead to disruption and closure of booths, about six million voters affected

BANGKOK: Tens of thousands as she picnicked in Bangkok’s of Thais were unable to cast Lumpini Park. She had been their ballots yesterday after camping along with several hun- anti-government protesters dred others in the park near a blockaded roads and comman- protest rally. deered polling booths in what “If Yingluck doesn’t resign, I has become an increasingly will stay here until she does. I will tense political standoff. only vote if the Shinawatra gov- Although the prime minister, ernment is no longer controlling Yingluck Shinawatra, is highly the country,” she said. likely to be re-elected — as her Yesterday’s snap election was party, or versions of it, has won intended to bring some sense every election since 2001 — thou- of political calm to Thailand. sands of Thais have boycotted the Demonstrators want to see vote in protest and thousands Yingluck replaced by an une- more have been prevented by pro- lected “people’s council”, which testers from casting their ballots. they claim would be tasked with About 130,000 police offic- reforming the nation’s current ers were deployed in an effort “dirty politics” system. to boost security during voting It is unclear how many of after pro- and anti-government Thailand’s 49 million eligible demonstrators clashed in north- voters headed to the polls, which ern Bangkok on Saturday, when were boycotted by the opposi- at least seven people were injured tion Democrat party. Supporters after a gun attack near a ballot- of the protest umbrella group storage office. At least 10 people People’s Democratic Reform have been killed and almost 600 Committee (PDRC) did likewise more injured since protests began or prevent pro-government voters in November. from voting. “Today is an important day,” About 6 million registered vot- said Yingluck as she cast her vote ers across Thailand were affected early on Sunday. “I would like to by the closed polling stations, invite Thai people to come out according to the country’s elec- and vote to uphold democracy.” toral commission. Anti-government demonstra- Almost 500 of Bangkok’s 6,671 tors vowed to continue their fight polling booths were closed and against the so-called “Thaksin people in nine provinces in the regime” until Yingluck stepped south were also unable to cast down voluntarily or by force. their votes. Anti-government Protesters claim Yingluck demonstrators blocked the deliv- Shinawatra’s government is con- ery of ballot boxes, blockaded A frustrated Thai voter holds her national identification card and shouts at police blocking the entrance to a polling station as voting was cancelled after trolled by her brother, Thaksin, roads and stood “guard” at polling anti-government protesters prevented the delivery of election materials in Bangkok yesterday. who was ousted as prime min- station in pro-government dis- ister in a military coup in 2006 tricts to prevent voting, although guard at the office doors but were will lose. The country cannot go from casting their ballot. for months to come, because the and now lives in Dubai to avoid in the rest of the country, voting swept aside by voters who rushed on like this.” Although roughly Because anti-government dem- constituencies needing to fill corruption charges he claims are was largely peaceful and without through the building looking for 89 percent of Thailand’s polling onstrators blocked candidate reg- those seats support the Democrat politically motivated. problems. the ballot boxes. booths saw no disruption, the istration in 28 southern provinces, party and current anti-govern- They also argue that democ- At Din Daeng polling station in “This situation is ridiculous,” vote will be unlikely to lead to parliament will not have enough ment movement. racy means more than just cast- north Bangkok, anti-government shouted Lek Saksaphrapha, 52, any clear resolution to the politi- representatives to form a quo- “The Democrats have been los- ing a ballot and have called for demonstrators set up barricades as she complained to the hand- cal quagmire. rum what ever the final outcome ing elections for the last 20 years reforms before elections. to prevent “red shirts” (govern- ful of bewildered-looking police Official results will not be ready of the poll. This means Yingluck — that’s why they didn’t want the “If we vote today we will lose ment supporters) from casting that she had the right to vote. until all districts have been able — should she be reinstated — will election to happen,” said Somkhit our nation, because we will legiti- their votes. Officials decided to “Why didn’t anyone figure out to vote, and some reruns have only have provisional, caretaker Aramphibunkit, 59, as she looked mise Yingluck’s government,” said close the polling booth after an how to deal with this before the already been rescheduled for capabilities until those areas able at her locked-up polling booth in Kruawan Noonchuen, 51, a rub- altercation between the two sides day of the election? The Election late February after last week’s to hold a vote. north Bangkok. “If they were to ber plantation owner from the and a gunshot was heard. Commission should let us vote advanced voting in which roughly It also makes it likely that the join in these polls, they would just southern province of Surat Thani, A thin line of police stood to see who will win and who two million people were prevent political instability will continue lose again.” THE GUARDIAN

Education materials for typhoon victims Chinese ships Sri Lanka rejects US sail through disputed waters criticism over rights COLOMBO: Sri Lanka yester- as the weakening of the rule of TOKYO: Chinese ships sailed day rejected “patently unfair” law and an increase in the lev- through disputed waters off allegations by the United States els of corruption and impunity in Tokyo-controlled islands yester- that its rights record had dete- Sri Lanka since a 37-year conflict day as diplomatic tension between riorated in five years since the ended in May 2009. Tokyo and Beijing intensifies. end of a bloody separatist war. “All of these factors lead to Three Chinese coastguard ves- Foreign Minister G L Peiris undermine the proud tradition of sels spent more than two hours said remarks by Nisha Biswal, US democracy in Sri Lanka,” Biswal in the 12-nautical-mile territorial Assistant Secretary of State for said, adding that Washington was waters off one of the Senkakus, South and Central Asia, at the end moving a third resolution against which China claims and calls the of a two-day visit on Saturday sug- Colombo in as many years to Diaoyus, Japan’s coastguard said. gested that she wanted to believe nudge the island to improve its They left the waters at about 0330 the worst of the regime in Colombo. rights record. GMT, it said. “Her observations are indica- Biswal said Colombo had failed China’s State Oceanic tive of a mindset that solely wants to ensure reconciliation, justice Administration said three of its to believe the worst and enthu- and accountability, and pressure coastguard ships were patrolling siastically leaps to conclusions was building for a foreign probe. “territorial waters surrounding based on tendentious claims,” a But Peiris said her observations the Diaoyu islands” yesterday.. foreign ministry official quoted were based on unsubstantiated It came days after a diplomatic Peiris as saying. allegations. “The treatment of battle over Japanese Prime Biswal told reporters in Sri Lanka (by the US) is highly Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to a Colombo on Saturday that the US selective and patently unfair,” Philippine Department of Education Undersecretary Mario Deriquito speaks during a press briefing in Manila contested war shrine reached the was concerned about the worsen- Peiris said. yesterday as members of various socialist youth organisations from Pakistan, Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia, UN Security Council, with China ing human rights situation as well AFP Nepal, Austria, Spain and the Philippines handed educational materials to the Department of Education, and Japan accusing each other of threatening stability. meant for schools in areas ravaged by Typhoon Yolanda. China’s UN ambassador, Liu Jieyi, seized upon a debate on the lessons of conflict to slam Abe for going to the Yasukuni Shrine, Nepal headed towards which honours war criminals Philippines to hunt hardline rebels among the country’s war dead. Last week also saw a report in Japan’s Asahi Shimbun newspaper consensus-based govt AWANG: Philippine military Muslim rebel group, the Moro accusations that the BIFF were that Chinese air force officials had officials yesterday vowed to Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). using child soldiers and that drafted proposals for a new Air KATHMANDU: Nepal is inching towards a majority-based gov- hunt down remaining splinter The operation against the BIFF three such youths were among Defence Identification Zone over ernment after the Nepali Congress (NC) failed to garner enough groups of hardline rebels after was launched two days after the the 53 insurgent fighters killed the South China Sea. support from other political parties to form a consensus-based gov- capturing their main camps in government and the MILF suc- in the violence. One soldier was The United States has warned ernment yesterday. A last ditch effort to form a consensus-based a week-long offensive. cessfully concluded peace talks also slain in the fighting which China that any move to declare a government with support of all 29 political parties in the house The threat posed by mem- aimed at ending decades of fight- included military artillery strikes new air zone including disputed ended Sunday after the Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist bers of the Bangsamoro Islamic ing that has claimed tens of thou- of BIFF camps. islands would be seen “as a provoc- (UPCN-M) and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal (RPP-N), Freedom Fighters (BIFF) has sands of lives. A BIFF spokesman had previ- ative and unilateral act that would along with several others, decided to stay in the opposition. diminished due to the offensive The BIFF broke away from ously denied that the group was raise tensions and call into serious Only 16 out of 29 parties have extended their support to the NC-led that began on Monday in remote the MILF due to their opposition using children and said the military question China’s commitment to government and the rest have just offered best wishes to the NC during parts of the troubled southern to the talks and has previously were manufacturing the evidence. diplomatically manage territorial an all-party meeting called by the party in a bid to garner support. island of Mindanao, said national launched attacks to derail the Among the other items captured disputes,” State Department dep- The NC has already conveyed to the parliament secretariat and the military spokesman Lieutenant peace process. in the camp were camouflage uni- uty spokeswoman Marie Harf said. president’s office that the prospect of forming a consensus govern- Colonel Ramon Zagala. At a military camp in the town forms with MILF labels. China’s foreign ministry ment has faded. “They have split into smaller of Awang, the armed forces dis- However MILF vice-chair- spokesman Hong Lei said right- With the president’s deadline to convene a consensus government groups and further operations played items they recovered from man for political affairs Ghazali wing forces in Japan had repeat- expiring Sunday, a majority government appears to be the best bet now. must be done to follow up,” he told the BIFF camps including bomb- Jaafar denied there was still a link edly made such allegations with NC president Sushil Koirala, who is also the sole prime ministerial reporters. These operations will making materials and pictures between the two groups. “Those are the intention of shifting interna- candidate at present, called President Ram Baran Yadav over telephone be “smaller in scale,” he said, add- showing young boys being trained not MILF uniforms. Anybody can tional attention from the “plot” to yesterday and made clear that the chances of forming a consensus ing that they would also be held as soldiers for the militant group. make those uniforms,” he said. change Japan’s pacifist constitu- government have ended and asked him to call for a majority-based in coordination with the main This supported military AFP tion, Xinhua reported. AFP government according to the constitutional provision. IANS MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2014 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN

Grenade attack Afghan election campaign begins on cinema kills four in Peshawar Rallies held amid tight security PESHAWAR: At least four people were killed and 31 KABUL: Afghanistan’s presi- He said the signing of a bilat- wounded late yesterday when dential candidates held rallies eral security agreement (BSA), unidentified attackers hurled in Kabul yesterday at the start which would allow about 10,000 two grenades at a cinema in of a campaign to elect Hamid US troops to be deployed in the northwest Pakistan, police Karzai’s successor, as the kill- country after Nato withdraws by and medics said. ing of a front runner’s aides December, was essential to safe- The attack on the Picture highlighted the security threat guarding the country’s future. House cinema in Peshawar, the to the poll. “Afghanistan is in a place, in a region’s main city, took place as Gunmen shot dead two mem- position that needs the continua- some 90 people were watching bers of former foreign minister tion of international cooperation a late night show of the film Abdullah Abdullah’s team in the and help,” Abdullah said. ‘Ziddi Pakhtun’ (Stubborn western city of Herat on Saturday, “Inshallah (God willing), with Pushtun), police said. dealing an early blow to hopes of a the signing of this agreement, the “At least four people have peaceful campaign as the country problems...will be solved.” been killed and 31 injured. prepares for its first democratic Abdullah’s rival Ashraf Ghani, Attackers hurled two grenades transfer of power. a 64-year-old academic, told one and fled the scene,” Faisal The April 5 election is seen as packed hall: “Reforms will begin Mukhtar, a senior police offi- a key test of the effectiveness of with us: myself, Mr Dostum and cial, said. the 350,000-strong Afghan secu- Mr Danish.” A stampede following the rity forces as foreign troops pre- He was referring to his running blasts was responsible for pare to exit the country, while the mates, the former Uzbek warlord many of the injuries, Mukhtar future of US troops in the country General Abdul Rashid Dostum added. beyond 2014 is set to dominate the and ethnic Hazara tribal chieftain Jamil Shah, a spokesman agenda. Sarwar Danish. for Peshawar’s Lady Reading Earlier in the day, thousands of Security was tight at the rallies, Hospital said three dead bodies people, mostly men, gathered in which were guarded by the Afghan and 31 injured people had so giant wedding halls where candi- national army. far been taken to his hospital. dates delivered speeches and called But the killing of Abdullah’s No one has yet claimed on war-weary Afghans to vote for aides weighed heavily on some responsibility for the attack, them. people’s minds. Supporters of Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah release pigeons during the first day of the but police said that cinema The elder brother of President Arefa Alizada, an 18-year-old presidential election campaign, in Kabul yesterday. houses in the city were already Hamid Karzai, Qayum Karzai Abdullah supporter who attended under threat. started his campaign in the Loya one of the rallies, said: “I am con- with the US, Afghanistan’s key as the front runners, with Karzai “We have immense respect for “We had informed the cin- Jirga, a traditional gathering cerned about security of the elec- donor, to a fresh low. loyalist Zalmai Rassoul seen as a the life of Nato soldiers lost in ema owner about the possible venue. tion, especially after I heard that Hamid Karzai has ruled the possible third force. Afghanistan and strong disagree- threats,” Najeeb-ur-Rahman, a “We will keep all the posi- two campaigners were killed yes- country since the fall of the In comments likely to cause fur- ment for the way US conducted senior police officer, said. tive achievements of the current terday. If it worsens, I and many Taliban in 2001, surviving assas- ther friction with his Nato allies, itself in Afghanistan,” he said. Peshawar is a frontline city government and we will work on other people won’t be able to vote.” sination attempts and the treach- Hamid Karzai criticised their con- Western and Afghan officials in Pakistan’s battle against those works that this government Afghanistan has been gripped erous currents of Afghan political duct during the 12-year conflict in say all 11 candidates support the Islamist insurgents, who has not done yet,” he said in front by a deadly insurgency for the past life as billions of dollars of military an interview with Britain’s Sunday BSA. But, except for Abdullah, regard films as sinful. of thousands of supporters. 12 years. Most US and Nato troops and development aid poured into Times, in which he described the they have declined to say so pub- The Taliban closed down Earlier, Abdullah, who came are set to leave at the end of this the country. Taliban as “brothers” and the US licly for fear of clashing with cinemas in the scenic Swat val- second to Karzai in the chaotic year, leaving Afghans in charge of He is barred from seeking a as “rivals”. Karzai. ley in the country’s northwest and fraud-riddled 2009 election, their own security. third term, leaving an open field to Karzai told the newspaper Taliban insurgents have threat- which they controlled from conveyed his condolences to the President Karzai had been compete in the April 5 vote, which that “the US-led Nato mission ened to target the campaign, and 2007-2009. families of his slain aides and out- expected to sign the bilateral secu- is likely to trigger a second-round in terms of bringing security has the Afghan police and army face The decline of cinema houses lined his priorities as “security in rity agreement late last year. run-off in late May between the not been successful, particularly in a major challenge with little sup- in Peshawar has also been the far villages of Afghanistan, But he has stalled and said his two strongest candidates. Helmand”, a southern stronghold port from the dwindling number accelerated by the advent of fighting corruption, (and) enforc- successor might now complete Waheed Wafa, a political ana- of Taliban militants where British of Nato troops. videos, DVDs and the Internet ing rule of law”. negotiations — plunging relations lyst, described Abdullah and Ghani troops are based. AFP and today only seven remain. AFP

Flu, allergy on the Sharif to visit Ankara ahead Peace talks with Pakistani rise in Islamabad of Afghanistan summit ISLAMABAD: Residents of the capital Islamabad need a ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and President Taliban offer little hope fresh spell of rain to get rid of Nawaz Sharif will fly to Turkey Abdullah Gul in the morning. seasonal flu and allergy caused on February 12 ahead of the cru- This will be followed by his joint ISLAMABAD: The govern- the negotiators, veteran journal- With TTP believed to be holed by the persistent dry spell. cial trilateral summit that will meeting with Presidents Gul and ment of Pakistan has set the ball ist Rahimullah Yousafzai, after up in Mirali, a sub-division of For the last three months the be attended by the leaders of Karzai, and Premier Erdogan in rolling by giving peace one more his appointment to the commit- Miranshah in North Waziristan outpatient departments of public Pakistan, Afghanistan and host the afternoon. chance at a time when all eyes tee, told a private television news agency, it would not have been hospitals have been flooded with Turkey. Two sessions of the trilateral were set on a military operation channel that the nation should not difficult for the military to teach patients suffering from viral The summit — the eighth of summit, one of which will be against the Tehreek-i-Taliban expect much from the talks. yet another lesson to the militants infections, common cold and its kind since 2007 — is being restricted while the other will Pakistan. Brigadier Mehmood Shah after their debacle in Swat and asthma. held against the backdrop of the be a plenary session, will take The formation of a four-mem- was the secretary of the Khyber South Waziristan agency in 2009. According to data, the Pakistan planned withdrawal of the bulk of place in the afternoon the same ber committee by Prime Minister Pakhtunkhwa home and tribal “Against a planned operation of Institute of Medical Science US troops from Afghanistan this day. The three countries’ heads of Nawaz Sharif to negotiate a peace affairs department when, in 2004, six weeks the military completed (Pims) is receiving an average of year, President Hamid Karzai’s government will hold a joint press deal with the TTP has sat well the first ever peace treaty with its mission in just 17 days in South 100 and the Polyclinic Hospital reluctance to sign a security pact conference and announce a joint with those supporting a negoti- Pakistani Taliban commander Nek Waziristan in November 2009,” over 150 patients every 24 hours. with Washington and the presi- statement once these sessions ated settlement of an unending Mohammad fell apart within two said Shah. Polyclinic Hospital spokesper- dential elections in the war-torn conclude. security crisis. weeks of its announcement. “The time was ripe for launch- son Dr Tanveer Malik said that country. When contacted, the Foreign However, there is no dearth of On March 27, 2004, then ing the operation, but the govern- since last September there had According to the proposed Office spokesperson said it is those opposed to the idea of offer- corps commander of Peshawar, ment selected otherwise,” said been an increase in the number of schedule for the visit, Sharif will premature to comment on the ing an olive branch to the harbin- Lt-General Safdar Hussain, Shah. patients from 90 to over 150 a day. reach Ankara on the afternoon of possible outcome of the sum- gers of death and destruction. embraced the militant commander So, what are the newly set up He believes the constant dry February 12. mit. In response to a question as The fact that the TTP indicated in a tribal jirga (gathering of nota- committee’s prospects? spell is one of the major reasons Turkey’s President Abduallah to whether any bilateral meet- willingness to start negotiations bles) at Shakai, South Waziristan. While Shah pins no hopes on behind this increase. Dr Malik Gul will host a dinner at the ing between Premier Nawaz and with the government makes many “Since then multiple peace its success, based on the outcome advised people to take preventive Presidential Palace for the partici- President Karzai would take place believe that the terrorist outfit has deals have taken place, but bar- of previous peace deals, the politi- measures while going out during pants in the meeting the same day. on the sidelines of the summit, the been provided a lifeline at a time ring a couple of them (one with cal observer from Fata questions early hours in the morning, and On February 13, Sharif will have spokesperson said certain details when the militants were showing Hafiz Gul Bahadur in Miranshah the composition of the peace after sunset. separate bilateral meetings with were still being worked out. clear signs of weakness. and the Maulvi Nazir faction of committee. INTERNEWS Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep INTERNEWS The government had every rea- Wana, South Waziristan) no other “The fact that the government son to launch a decisive crackdown peace deal has been a success,” said is not serious about striking a against TTP after it let loose a an observer from the Federally peace deal is evident from the fresh wave of terrorist activities Administered Tribal Areas. composition of the committee,” Solar solution in the past four weeks, targeting The unreliability of TTP and its said the observer. both civilians and the military. failure to adhere to commitments Of the four members of the “There are 99.9 percent chances made under previous deals are not committee, three belong to Khyber that the talks will fail, but still, if the only reasons for opposition to Pakhtunkhwa and one to Punjab. the government wants to try nego- the government’s latest peace offer “They (tribesmen) don’t lis- tiations to persuade the terrorists to the militants. ten to outsiders, for them to be it is its prerogative and we support They oppose the move on tacti- engaged there is only one way, and its endeavour,” said Brig (retired) cal and emotional grounds as well. that is a tribal jirga or negotiators Mehmood Shah. After a series of deadly attacks in from among the tribesmen who Pessimism looms large about the January, public opinion is in sup- can give them guarantees,” said negotiations’ success. The message port of military action against the observer. was loud and clear when one of TTP. INTERNEWS

Pakistan to seek return of statue from India

KARACHI: The Sindh govern- as one of the world’s most ancient A Pakistani official had visited ment is sending a request to planned cities, are the King Priest Delhi and succeeded in getting Islamabad for asking India to and the Dancing Girl. the King Priest and the Fasting return the famous statue of the Officials said the two relics Buddha. But the Indians refused Dancing Girl, which is in pos- had been transported by British to hand over the 10.8cm dark session of the Indian authorities archaeologist Sir Mortimer bronze Dancing Girl statuette. since 1946. Wheeler to Delhi in 1946 to be put A legend says the Indian “We are writing to the federal on exhibition and had remained authorities had refused to hand government to help us repatriate there since then. over both the Moenjodaro relics our exiled heroine back to us from In 1947, after the partition of the and asked the Pakistani authori- India,” a member of the Sindh subcontinent, Pakistani authori- ties to choose from the King Priest Workers prepare solar energy light panels on a road divider in Islamabad yesterday. Pakistan faces an electric- cabinet said. ties asked New Delhi to return the and the Dancing Girl, and the ity shortfall of around 4,000 megawatts in the sweltering summer, leading to lengthy blackouts that can make The two most famous artefacts two relics along with several oth- Pakistanis chose the King Priest. the lives of the population a misery and have strangled economic growth. belonging to Moenjodaro, regarded ers, including the Fasting Buddha. INTERNEWS MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2014 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15

Protest against Tania killing Youth arrested AAP prepares for slapping Haryana for battle in chief minister

CHANDIGARH: Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Uttar Pradesh Hooda was yesterday slapped by a youth while he was going for a rally in the state’s indus- Binny, JDU MLA threaten to quit trial city of Panipat. The youth, Kamal Mukhija, was arrested LUCKNOW: The Aam Aadmi February 5 and 6. by the police and booked for Party (AAP) has fast-tracked An election “war room” func- breaching the security of the preparations for the Lok Sabha tions from Lucknow at a place chief minister. polls in Uttar Pradesh. gifted by a real estate major. A video grab of the incident, While more than 1,300 appli- This “war room” has detailed taken by an unidentified person cations have come for the state’s data on all 80 constituencies. on his mobile phone, showed the 80 seats, party insiders say the Efforts are on to know more youth trying to step on an open leadership is keen on finalizing about the problems in each SUV on which Hooda was stand- “known, clean and formidable” constituency. ing, and in a flash, slapping the names against heavyweights of This will help in preparing a chief minister. other political parties. manifesto for each constituency The youth was immediately Sources say former TV journal- — the way it was done in Delhi. pounced upon by Haryana Police ist Ashutosh, now an AAP leader, “Once the process is complete, personnel around Hooda and is expected to take on Bharatiya we hope to announce the names whisked away from the scene. Janata Party (BJP) president of candidates by the end of this An agitated Hooda could be Rajnath Singh wherever he con- month,” a source said. seen giving instructions to the tests from. Rajnath Singh was Delhi Chief Minister and AAP security personnel following the elected to the Lok Sabha from leader Arvind Kejriwal Friday incident. Ghaziabad in 2009. announced that his party will Students from the northeastern states and supporters protest the killing of student Nido Tania in New Delhi The chief minister was accom- Most analysts believe that pit candidates against all leading yesterday. panied by several gun-totting Ghaziabad is one of the areas politicians. commandos and other policemen neighbouring the capital where He also named Samajwadi in plain-clothes when the incident the AAP now wields influence. Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav happened. The sources said the AAP and BSP supremo Mayawati as Hooda was standing on the had almost made up its mind on among the “corrupt leaders” who Omar raises Pathribal case with PM front seat of an open Gypsy SUV candidates who will be fielded should be barred from reaching and was part of a Congress road- against prominent leaders of the parliament by defeating them in show while going towards the Congress, the BJP and the ruling the election. JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir of the victims and punishment employment generation and res- rally venue in Panipat, 170 km Samajwadi Party. Meanwhile, Delhi legislator Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to those responsible for innocent toration of peace and stability. from here. Poet-turned-politician Kumar Vinod Kumar Binny — expelled yesterday raised the issue of killings,” an official statement Matters pertaining to security Hooda enjoys Z-category security Vishwas has already launched his from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party closure of the alleged Pathribal issued after the meeting said. and law and order also came up with scores of heavily armed secu- campaign against Congress vice (AAP) — and Janata Dal-United fake encounter case by the army “The chief minister also dis- for discussion in the meeting,” the rity personnel around him all the president Rahul Gandhi from (JD-U) MLA Shoaib Iqbal yester- with Prime Minister Manmohan cussed suspension of trade across statement said. time. However, senior police officers Amethi though it is not yet clear day threatened to withdraw support Singh and demanded justice for LoC (Line of Control) after the “Omar Abdullah expressed in Panipat claimed the youth did if he will indeed be the AAP can- to the one-month-old government if the kin of the victims. seizure of a truckload of con- gratitude to the prime minister not slap the chief minister but came didate there. it did not agree to their demands. The prime minister arrived traband drugs and stressed the for his support to the state in its very near to assault him. A hunt is on for a candidate in Binny also claimed to have the here Sunday afternoon on a need for amicable resolution of endeavour to fast track develop- The police officers also said Mainpuri where Samajwadi Party support of three other legislators, two-day visit. He is scheduled to the matter with Pakistan so the ment and move ahead towards the youth, who is unemployed president and former defence including an Independent who inaugurate the 101st session of important confidence building achieving the cherished goal of and belongs to Gohana town, 40 minister Mulayam Singh Yadav had supported the AAP govern- the Indian Science Congress at measures of trade across the LoC prosperity and tranquility. km from Panipat, was suffering will seek re-election. ment during the crucial vote of Jammu University today. is not jeopardised. “Omar Abdullah wished from depression. They said the Each prospective candidature trust. “We are setting a deadline Abdullah called on Manmohan “The chief minister apprised good health and well-being to youth was upset as he had not got needs to be endorsed by 100 peo- of 48 hours for the AAP to fulfil Singh at the state Raj Bhawan. the prime minister of the achieve- Manmohan Singh which he recip- employment over the past two- ple of that constituency as per our demands. If our demands are “In the meeting, Omar ments registered by the coali- rocated warmly. The prime minis- three years. AAP norms, a member of its not met, we will be forced to re- Abdullah raised the issue of clo- tion government during the past ter also wished peace and progress The incident is being seen as Uttar Pradesh secretariat said. think the support we have given,” sure of the Pathribal case by the five years in the state in various in the state and well-being of its a major breach in Hooda’s high- The party, he added, would Iqbal said in a press conference. army and emphasised the need fields of socio-economic develop- people,” said the statement. profile security. interview probable candidates on IANS for giving justice to the families ment, empowerment of people, IANS IANS

Modi accuses Congress of Museums should change approach, says Manmohan KOLKATA: Prime Minister meant a building used for storing and strategies so that they similar institutions. museums across the world have spewing poison Manmohan Singh yesterday and exhibiting objects illustrative are more in keeping with the He said it was not enough in become important tourist des- rued the neglect of museology of antiquities, natural history, art enhanced connotation of the today’s world to merely house a tinations, and asked the Indian NEW DELHI: Narendra Modi, as a subject of study, and said and the like. word museum.” collection. Museum to build up a strong favourite to win this year’s Indian museums should change “With time, however, this The prime minister, who “A museum needs to docu- infrastructure. election, accused the ruling strategies to become institu- meaning of the word museum released a postage stamp on the ment, study and analyse its own It should be the objective of the Congress party of “spewing poi- tions of learning. came to be overlaid in another occasion and went round some of collections, make comparisons Museum to become an essential son” as he hit back yesterday Inaugurating the bicen- connotation: A building dedicated the renovated galleries, saluted with similar collections held port of call for any visitor to against a string of attacks from tenary celebrations of the to the pursuit of learning or the the Indian Museum for housing elsewhere and build up col- Kolkata, especially those from its leaders. Indian Museum, the oldest of art... one of the finest collections of art laborations with other great abroad. Prime Minister Manmohan its kind in the country, the “It is a collection and also insti- and antiquity. museums.” The prime minister said Singh, Congress President Sonia prime minister said the role tution of learning and the dissem- “This is truly an institution of Stressing the need for devel- the challenge was to make the Gandhi and her son Rahul have and purpose of museums all ination of learning.” which every Indian can be justifi- opment of trained personnel, he museum space more alluring, all targeted Modi in recent over the world have undergone While asserting that on the ably proud.” said: “Unfortunately, museology is “It is only a magic-like fasci- weeks for overseeing savage transformation. whole Indian museums have Calling upon the management a woefully neglected field in our nation with the wonders that lie communal riots a decade ago “Museums in the 19th century been successful in disseminat- of the Indian Museum to see itself country.” within the portals here that will as chief minister of western were seen as collections — great ing India’s rich past, the prime as an agent of change and devel- He urged the Indian Museum enable the Museum to remain rel- Gujarat state. storehouses of objects, artefacts minister said: “It is also neces- opment, he said it should think to take a leadership role in mak- evant for the next two hundred Rahul, who is mastermind- and pieces of art... In the late 17th sary to ask whether they should about its role as a purveyor of ing good the deficiency. years. ing the Congress election cam- century, the word museum simply not attune their approaches knowledge and collaborate with The prime minister noted that IANS paign, said in a rare interview last week that Modi’s government was guilty of “abetting” the 2002 riots which left up to 2,000 people, Mass wedding in Kolkata mostly Muslims, dead. But speaking at a rally in Uttar Netai killing a mistake, Pradesh, which has itself been the scene of recent deadly communal violence, Modi accused Congress of spreading division. admits Buddhadeb “Who has been in power for most of the last 60 years?” said KOLKATA: Former West accused the Trinamool Congress Modi, leader of Bharatiya Janata Bengal Chief Minister and of unrepentantly carrying out Party (BJP). CPM leader Buddhadeb atrocities on innocent people and “Who is spewing this poison? Bhattacharjee yesterday admit- rival party workers. Who is harvesting the poison? ted that the Netai incident, in “We have committed a mis- They (Congress) are the ones who which nine people died, was a take, but what about them sow the seeds of poison.” “grave mistake” committed by (Trinamool)? They have been car- The BJP has a big lead in the the party workers. rying out atrocities all across the opinion polls over Congress but Nine people, including four state. They have never regretted Modi — while much more popular women, were killed and 28 oth- doing such acts,” he said. than Rahul Gandhi — is a polaris- ers were injured in the January Reacting to Bhattacharjee’s ing figure whose reputation con- 2011 clashes, triggered by assail- admission, Trinamool Congress tinues to be dogged by the 2002 ants allegedly backed by the leader and state Municipal Affairs riots. Communist Party of India-Marxist Minister Firhad Hakim demanded In a press conference last (CPM) in Netai near Lalgarh of immediate arrest of the CPM month, Singh accused Modi of West Midnapore district. politburo member. “When he has “presiding over the massacre of Reacting to the development, admitted his own men carried innocent citizens” while Sonia the state’s ruling Trinamool out the carnage, then he must be Gandhi accused the BJP in a Congress demanded the immedi- immediately arrested and tried speech on Saturday of foment- ate arrest of Bhattacharjee for his before a court of law. Instead of ing hatred with its nationalist party’s complicity in the killings. trying to apologise, he should sur- policies. “The Netai incident was a render himself immediately before While Rahul Gandhi insisted mistake — our lads committed a the police,” said Hakim. in his television interview that mistake, a big mistake in Netai,” Trinamool secretary gen- Congress could still win the elec- Bhattacharjee said while address- eral and Parliamentary Affairs tion, which is due in May, opinion B rides wearing traditional attires taking part in a rally before a mass marriage ceremony in Nandakhuti vil- ing a party rally in Midnapore of Minister Partha Chatterjee polls show it heading for a humili- lage, 130km west of Kolkata, yesterday. The ceremony for a hundred couples from different communities the district. ridiculed Bhattacharjee for his ating defeat. and villages of West Bengal was arranged by a non-government organisation. Bhattacharjee, who earlier had “apology”. AFP regretted the incident, however, IANS

Monday 3 February 2014 3 Rabial II 1435 Volume 18 Number 5964 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 QNB expansion plans to focus on global deals Egypt unit delivers strong numbers despite unfavourable political conditions, says chairman

DOHA: International expan- Emadi said the Group’s sub- with the continuing adoption of including in senior leadership expanding the range of activi- number of public issues and pri- sion is key for QNB Group’s sidiary in Egypt, QNB Al Ahli, a prudent approach to risk man- positions. ties across the QNB Group was vate placements were completed future plans. The Group’s delivered strong numbers in agement, QNB had established its QNB Group’s success in main- of primary focus. The ability to during the year, said Ali Ahmed expansion plans for the next 2013 despite ‘unfavourable’ position as the World’s Strongest taining momentum across all its meet shareholders’ expectations Al Kuwari, Acting Group Chief three years will refocus on glo- political conditions prevailing Bank and re-affirmed its status as activities was reflected in the remained a core consideration Executive Officer. bal expansions while maintain- in that country. “We are very the leading financial institution in strong 2013 financial results. for 2014. In line with its international ing its dominant position in much optimistic about our busi- the Mena region, he said. There has been an increase of 13.7 The general assembly ratified expansion strategy, QNB group Qatar. nesses outside”, he said. In parallel to its international percent in Net Profit to QR9.5bn, all remaining items on its agenda successfully completed in Q12013 By 2017, the bank expects a 60 “With the acquisition of QNB expansion, QNB Group contin- the highest ever achieved, with including the proposal by the the acquisition of a 97.12 percent percent of its net profit contribu- Al Ahli, Egypt’s second largest ued to actively support Qatar’s total assets up by 20.9 percent, Board of Directors to distribute a stake in NSGB, which has been tions and 55 percent net assets private bank, and the entry into National Vision 2030, particu- to QR443bn. These results reflect cash dividend of 70 percent of the re-branded as QNB Al Ahli. contributions from its interna- Asia’s leading markets, China larly in the area of human capi- the sustained progress in the nominal share value, representing The Group also extended its tional operations, thus position- and India, QNB Group’s glo- tal development. Through the performance of the Group and QR7.0 per share to the sharehold- regional presence by increas- ing QNB as a transaction banking bal footprint has increased to Group’s numerous recruitment its ability to meet shareholders’ ers. The meeting also approved ing its stake in QNB-Tunisia leader in the Mena. 26 countries with over 13,600 initiatives, 150 Qataris were suc- expectations. the appointment of Ernst & to 99.96 percent. In 2013, Replying to queries raised employees operating from 590 cessfully hired, a comprehensive Giving an overview of the Young as External Auditors for QNB Group established its by QNB shareholders at the locations…” Trainee Development Programme bank’s business plans for 2014, the year 2014. footprint in Asia’s leading Group’s ordinary general Driven by the dual considera- was launched and the Qatarisation the chairman noted retaining the During 2013, the Bank con- markets too. assembly here yesterday, the tions of on-going domestic and ratio exceeded 50 percent, with bank’s leading position through tinued to diversify its funding THE PENINSULA Chairman H E Ali Sherif Al international expansion along strong representation at all levels, diversifying income sources and sources with great success. A See also page 18 MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2014 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS GCI deals drive QNB’s profit growth Unit finances wide range of key projects BY SATISH KANADY associated requirements for the new Doha Metro Project-Red DOHA: QNB’S Group Line South package. Corporate & Institutional GCI is highly supportive of a Banking (GCI) continued to be key pillar of the Qatar National the key engine of the Group’s Vision 2030-nurturing growth of profit and growth in 2013. The small and medium-sized enter- corporate banking department prises (SMEs). within the GCI provided several In 2013, GCI’s Global Structure bilateral financing facilities last Finance (GSF) department was year for clients such as Nakilat, involved in several significant The Chairman of Qatar National Bank (QNB), H E Ali Sherif Al Emadi (centre), addressing the QNB Group Ordinary General Assembly at the Sharq Village Halul Offshore and Gulf LPG. transactions. Within Qatar, and Spa yesterday. With him are the board members of QNB (from left), Bader Abdullah Darwish Fakhroo, Ahmad Mohammed Ahmad Al Sayed, Sheikh The contracting unit of GCI QNB Group supported Ooredoo Hamad bin Jaber bin Jassem Al Thani and Ali Hussain Ali Al Sada. (SALIM MATRAMKOT) financed wide range of key as General Financial Adviser, projects in 2013. These included Documentation Coordinator, & Water Company’s Ras Abu facility for Zain Mobile telecom- and also advising and arrang- (GAW) is currently managing a 10-year loan facility agree- Facility Agent as well as Initial Fontas A2 water desalination munications in Kuwait. The ing a gold mining deal of $290m seven mutual funds and several ment with United development Mandated Lead arranger in project. Group was a MLA in project in Indonesia. The Group was discretionary mandates covering Company (UDC), the master arranging $1bn Revolving Credit Outside Qatar, the Bank jointly financing $12.5bn deal for Sadara engaged as underwriter and MLA both equities and fixed income. developer of The Pearl-Qatar, and Facility. underwrote the $1.03bn facility to Chemical Company in Saudi for $350m syndication for Air In order to strengthen its glo- a term loan financing the devel- The QNB Group was Mandated Saudi Oger. QNB Group arranged Arabia while joined syndicated Arabia. It is also jointly arrang- bal footprint, the asset manage- opment of the Mall of Qatar, a Lead Arranger (MLA) and $182m equivalent dual currency financing package of $4.75bn ing ship financing of $1.23bn for ment department expanded its large mall under construction Facility Agent for $650m for syndication for Omani Qatari for Ojer Telekomunikasyon in United Arab Shipping Company. geographic coverage to Singapore. near Qatar Foundation. A QNB Qatar Aviation Leasing Company. Telecommunications Company Turkey. With estimated $4bn total A new asset management desk Group-led syndicate of banks QNB Group coordinated and (Nawrasa) in Oman. QNB Group was Advisor and assets under management was established to cover major was mandated for the provision arranged project financing of QNB Group jointly coordi- arranger of $150m for Reswara, (AUM), QNB Group’s Asset and Equity markets. of the full banking facilities and $450m for Qatar Electricity nated and arranged the $700m a mining project in Indonesia Wealth Management Department THE PENINSULA

Mazaya Qatar GCC petrochemicals set for export surge, says GPCA and Mackeen DOHA: The GCC petrochemi- GPCA said in a press note issued economy from the Trade Facilitation Trade Facilitation agreement by the WTO General Council by Holding agree cal industry is set to record an yesterday. Agreement are estimated to be will provide GCC petrochemical July 2014. The GPCA, however, is increase in exports in 2014 due to “The WTO’s deal on trade between $400bn and $1 trillion as exporters with an opportunity hopeful for the future of the Gulf’s the World Trade Organization’s facilitation, if implemented in its costs of trade are set to decrease to reduce costs and time delays petrochemical exports. to merge Bali Package, predicts the Gulf true spirit, will reduce the cost of by 10 percent to 15 percent, con- through simple and uniform cus- “The Bali Package was approved DOHA: Qatar Exchange (QE) Petrochemicals & Chemicals all GCC petrochemicals exports, tributing to increased trade flows toms procedures,” continued Dr. by all 159 members of the WTO, listed firm Mazaya Qatar Real Association (GPCA). thus easing the flow of goods and higher revenues while creating Sadoun. “The agreement removes which means worldwide attitudes Estate Development Company The Trade Facilitation across borders and cutting delays a stable business environment. major obstacles for petrochemi- are swaying in favour of multilat- and Mackeen Holding, a Qatari Agreement, adopted as part in international shipments, espe- The Gulf’s petrochemical cal exporters from the Gulf, and eral trade liberalization,” said Dr. shareholding company, have of World Trade Organization’s cially in the countries where Gulf industry is an export-oriented will be directly responsible for the Sadoun. “As the GPCA advocates announced their plan to merge. (WTO) Bali Package at the end chemical exporters have encoun- sector, according to GPCA sta- increased chemical trade, leading for free trade, we welcome the The two rims announced their of 2013, creates binding commit- tered difficulties in the past,” tistics. In 2012, the GCC’s pet- to the growth of the industry.” Trade Facilitation Agreement as decision to merge after talks and ments among member countries said Dr Abdulwahab Al Sadoun, rochemicals industry exported Export barriers against GCC it will surely open access to export agreed to the entrust an assessor to increase customs efficiency GPCA’s Secretary-General. 60.7 million tons of chemicals, petrochemicals will only be eased markets for the Gulf’s petro- to evaluate the assets of the two and revenue collection by reduc- According to the WTO, the equivalent to 75 percent of its in the second half of the year, as chemical producers.” companies ahead of submitting ing bureaucratic procedures, benefits accruing to the world output valued at $52.7bn. “The the Bali Package is set to be ratified THE PENINSULA the details to the general assem- bly to make a final decision on the merger, a notification issued by the Qatar Exchange has said. The QE notification proposed merger is expected during the Dana Gas fourth quarter Etihad closer to investment in Alitalia first of 2014 after finalisation of the process. The planned merger is in con- profit rises 12 percent DUBAI: Etihad Airways and appropriate business plan will analysts said then would keep sonance with the real estate and Alitalia are in the final phase have to be resolved to ensure the it flying for six months. But economic boom in the State of DUBAI: Dana Gas made a net “In the Kurdistan Region of of a due diligence process that plan can be implemented to move a decision by its former top Qatar, the notification said, and profit of Dh128m ($34.9m) in Iraq, we continue to maintain may result in an investment by Alitalia to sustainable profitabil- shareholder and partner Air added the strength of the coun- the fourth quarter of 2013, up 12 operations and deliver on our com- the Abu Dhabi carrier in the ity,” the statement added. France not to subscribe to the try’s economy necessitated the percent from a year earlier, the mitments,” Chief Executive Officer troubled Italian airline, both The announcement comes as emergency cash call means the creation of entities that are able United Arab Emirates energy Patrick Allman-Ward said. “We companies said in a joint state- Italy’s Prime Minister Enrico Italian carrier is seeking another to keep pace with this boom and company said yesterday. have also taken action to resolve ment yesterday. Letta is on a two-day visit to the industrial partner to help revive help achieve the Qatar National Net profit for the full year fell our issues with the KRG and con- Alitalia and Etihad have been United Arab Emirates to boost its fortunes. vision 2030. 6 percent to Dh571m, due in part firm our contractual rights.” in talks for weeks on a possible bilateral ties between the two A tie-up with the Gulf carrier In a joint statement issued by the to rising royalty payments to the The company collected $134m investment by the Gulf carrier, countries. could boost Alitalia’s liquidity and two companies, Mazaya Qatar Real Egyptian government and lower in Egypt last year, leaving the which sources close to the matter A spokesman for the Italian allow it to invest in a new strategy Estate Chairman Rashid bin Fahad sales of liquid petroleum gas trade receivables balance for its say could involve Etihad buying a premier’s office confirmed that focused on long-haul routes that Al Nuaimi said, “The merger is (LPG) in the Kurdistan Region operations there at $274m at the 40 percent stake in Alitalia for as Alitalia has been among the top- could make it profitable again. based on the conviction of the two of Iraq. end of December. much as ¤300m ($404.6m). ics discussed in Abu Dhabi. More Etihad, on the other hand, is companies to build a strong entity Dana Gas said in its prelimi- It collected $69m from The two companies and their details on the talks are expected looking to expand its global reach qualified to perform and contribute nary results statement that it Kurdistan in early 2013, but the advisors will determine a common to be released at a scheduled through strategic stake purchases effectively to the development of had not received any significant flow of funds dried up over sum- strategy that meets the objectives press conference later this in other airlines. It has already the national economy by deploying payments from Kurdistan since mer, leaving a trade receivable bal- of both parties in the next 30 evening. bought minority stakes in sev- strategic resources, expertise and July 2013 and was pushing for ance of $515m at the end of 2013 days, the statement said. Loss-making Alitalia success- eral carriers including Air Berlin, human resources.” payments to resume as soon as — up from $354 at the end of 2012. “Any issues that may pre- fully completed a vital ¤300m Virgin Australia and Aer Lingus. QNA possible. REUTERS vent the establishment of an capital hike in December, which REUTERS

Malabar Gold & Jewellery opens in Barwa Village

Sheikh Jasim bin Nasser Al Thani along with MP Ahamed – Chairman, Malabar Group, opening the Malabar Gold & Diamond’s newest branch in Barwa Village. Dr PA Ibrahim Haji, Co-Chairman; Shamlal Ahamed M P, Managing Director, International Operations; K P Abdul Salam, Group Executive Director; Maayinkutty C, Director were also present. The outlet in Barwa Village is the 108th outlet of the group. MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2014 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19

Tumbling rand boosts tourism AT&T cuts Arabtec bags prices for wireless data $6.1bn building plan customers

NEW YORK: AT&T Inc, contract the No. 2 US mobile provider, announced a price cut for cus- tomers who share large data plans in its latest attempt to Deal for 37 mixed-use towers regain ground lost to market leader Verizon Wireless and DUBAI: Dubai construction Arabtec’s 2012 revenues of $1.5bn. No. 4 US operator T-Mobile firm Arabtec clinched a $6.1bn In addition, Aabar said yesterday US. contract yesterday, its biggest that it would assign all future In what the company called ever by value, as its relation- construction work in its $20bn its “best-ever prices,” AT&T ship with Abu Dhabi state fund real estate portfolio around the said a family of four can get Aabar, a key shareholder, prom- world to the Dubai firm. unlimited talk and text with ised to make the firm one of the That portfolio includes projects 10GB of shared data for $160 a region’s top builders. in the United Arab Emirates, the month. Arabtec said it had signed a United States, Morocco, Jordan, The discounts are available to memorandum of understanding Serbia and other countries. any customer, including small to build 37 mixed-use, residential Coping with this expansion of its businesses with up to 10 lines, and and hotel towers for Aabar in Abu business may pose a challenge to customers of other carriers who Dhabi and Dubai. the company. Tourists take pictures from a viewing platform overlooking Cape Town’s Atlantic beachfront. South African poli- switch to AT&T. The announcement pushed up “This is uncharted territory for cymakers have watched in horror as the rand has plunged against the dollar over the last year, bringing inflation The cuts follow recent price stock markets, especially cement Arabtec, to do such giant projects and higher interest rates, but the tourism industry is happily raking in the extra dollars. adjustments at all four US wire- shares, in Abu Dhabi and Dubai across the region with a backlog in less providers as they attempt to because it was a fresh sign that excess of Dh60bn ($16.3bn),” said sustain growth in a mature mar- their real estate markets are Nishit Lakhotia, head of research ket built on stealing growth from recovering strongly after prices at Securities & Investment Co competitors. halved during the global financial (SICO) in Bahrain. Investcorp eyes extended growth AT&T and T-Mobile US have crisis. “Obviously, in countries where been competing fiercely. After The news also suggested that Arabtec does not have a presence T-Mobile spent several quarters after a few years of caution fol- yet, it can be a bit more risky to DUBAI: Bahrain-based invest- strong transaction activity and such as retail, healthcare and edu- directly marketing to AT&T cus- lowing the crisis, Abu Dhabi’s execute projects. That cannot be ment company Investcorp higher demand for alternative cation. The company last month tomers, AT&T recently offered to state funds, backed by the emir- ruled out.” expects 15-20 percent annual investments such as hedge funds. acquired a significant minority pay T-Mobile customers to switch ate’s oil wealth, are again ready But he added, “They have been growth over the next five years, Investcorp, which had $11.3bn stake in Namet, a Turkish supplier to its service. to spend actively to develop the preparing for this. The recent its chief financial officer said in assets under management of processed red meat to the retail, As part of its new effort, economy. strategic partnerships, acquisi- yesterday after reporting a 53 at December 31, has received hotel, restaurant and catering sec- AT&T, for a limited time, is offer- The fortunes of Arabtec, tions, rights issue and manage- percent increase in first-half increasing interest from insti- tors. That followed the purchase ing new and existing customers a already a major player in the ment changes are all part of this net profit. tutional investors in hedge funds of a 25 percent stake in Saudi $100 credit for each new line of region with a workforce of about preparation.” Investcorp, which famously and a strong appetite for acquisi- Arabian sports and fitness busi- service. While it does not have an 63,000 people, may be trans- Shares in Arabtec closed 2.8 took luxury brands Gucci and tions in the United States, mainly ness Leejam Sports Co. ad Sunday’s Super Bowl broad- formed by its relationship with percent higher on the Dubai Tiffany & Co public in the 1990s, in the real estate sector. Its technology portfolio, mean- cast, the company plans to run Aabar, which is Arabtec’s largest bourse, though they came well made a net profit of $60.1m in Investcorp, which has offices in while, has shrunk over the past existing advertising the same day shareholder with a 22 percent off their highs, having risen 8.2 the six months to December 31, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Abu year with the New York listing in hopes of generating interest in stake. percent at one stage. The stock against $39.2m in the same period Dhabi, has fully invested its $1bn of Fleetmatics and agreements to its plans. Early last year, in a move sup- has climbed more than 50 percent a year earlier. Gulf Opportunity Fund but no sell its stakes in British technol- For the fourth quarter, AT&T ported by the Abu Dhabi fund, so far this year after a 54 percent “This is a good result in the new funds are imminent, Kapoor ogy firm TDX Group and online reported 566,000 net additional Arabtec replaced its founder and gain in 2013. Arabtec said it would short term and in sync with our said. “We remain opportunistic payments company Skrill Group. subscribers, missing Wall Street chief executive Riad Kamal with start work this year on the new five-year plan,” CFO Rishi Kapoor and ready to raise funds on a deal- Sources have said that expectations and trailing market Abu Dhabi-based private inves- buildings for Aabar and that all told reporters in Dubai. “Our by-deal basis. We are working on Investcorp is among three leader Verizon Wireless, which tor Hasan Abdullah Ismaik and the projects would be completed growth expectations are around at least two opportunities in the remaining candidates vying to had 1.6 million additional sub- embarked on an ambitious growth by 2020, when Dubai is due to 15 to 20 percent a year.” Gulf region right now,” he said. buy a 20 percent stake in Italian scribers, and T-Mobile US, which strategy. host the World Expo. Fee income for the period rose Investcorp is examining possible luxury goods group Versace. had 869,000. The new $6.1bn contract dwarfs REUTERS 24 percent to $74.3m, driven by deals in consumer-focused sectors REUTERS REUTERS Qafac receives ISO27001 certification

DOHA: Qatar Fuel Additives Company Limited (Qafac) has announced yesterday that it has received ISO27001 certi- fication, an acknowledgement for its standard for information security management systems, from the British Standards Institution Group Middle East WLL (BSI). The ISO/IEC 27001:2005 sig- nifies an unmatched efficiency in assessing security risk and secu- rity design, implementation and management. The ISO standard ensures the adaptation of effec- tive security controls that protect the information of customers and stakeholders. Sarah Taylor, British Standards Institution (BSI) Representative has congratu- lated Qafac on receiving the ISO Nasser Jeham Al Kuwari (right) receiving the ISO 27001 certificate from 27001 standard in record time, Sarah Taylor. (SALIM MATRAMKOT) as Qafac was able to receive the prestigious standard in less than started from April of last year Stressing on the fact that Qafac six months, commending the and lasted till September. is the first company to be awarded company’s top management’s Nasser Jeham Al Kuwari, the ISO standard that covers the commitment and cooperation in General Manager of Qafac, has company as a whole, and not only the process. emphasised on the importance the IT department. To achieve this great fea, Qafac of attaining the ISO standard in Qafac is working on attaining a has gone through a rigorously implementing effectiveness, effi- business continuity certificate by structured process of awareness ciency, confidentiality and integ- the end of the year. training among its employees that rity in its day to day operations. THE PENINSULA

Porsche Mideast sales rise by 26pc

DUBAI: Porsche Middle East 34 percent year-on-year growth. Porsche cars in the Middle East and Africa FZE has revealed South Africa has enjoyed an and Africa region has never been a record year of regional sales exceptional 12-month period in higher. We now look to the future with figures up more than 26 which sales grew from 1,500 in and how we use this platform to percent compared to 2012. 2012 to 2,516 in 2013, an increase expand, without ever losing track Porsche delivered 11,609 new of almost 68 per cent. Crucially, all of our focus. Porsche’s core val- cars across the region in the four of Porsche’s biggest regional ues of performance matched with January to December period, up markets witnessed growth. everyday practicality remains at from 9,171 in the previous year. Christer Ekberg, Managing the centre of everything we do.” Accounting for more than Director of Porsche Middle East Central to Porsche’s 2013 suc- a quarter of regional sales, and Africa FZE, said: “These cess has been the diverse model the United Arab Emirates has results cap off what has been an range. In the year which saw the played a most substantial role in absolutely incredible year for all brand celebrate 50 years of the Porsche’s latest success. In Dubai of us at Porsche, regionally and 911, the iconic sports car was a alone, sales figures have increased around the world. Known globally key contributor to the region’s by 14 percent with 1,892 vehicles as the landmark year in which growth as sales increased from delivered in 2013, while Abu Dhabi the iconic Porsche 911 celebrated 1,274 to 1,729, a rise of more than contributed with a total delivery its 50th anniversary, the latest 35 percent. of 1,422 cars marking more than figures show that demand for THE PENINSULA MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2014 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Production Qatari bourse index adds 18.24 points resumes at Areva’s Niger Abu Dhabi cement makers rally on prospects of stronger demand; Saudi banks gain uranium mines DOHA: Qatar Exchange index sector index was up 0.08 percent. percent. But a 1.4 percent drop by rose 0.4 percent, led by Ras Al The cement rally offset losses added 18.24 points, or 0.16 per- The industrial sector gained 0.43 heavyweight property developer Khaima Cement Co which yes- by Dana Gas, which on Sunday NIAMEY: Production resumed cent, to advance to 11,173.97 percent while insurance sector Emaar dragged Dubai’s main terday reported a Dh7.9m ($2.2m) posted a six percent fall in 2013 at French nuclear giant Areva’s points from 11,155.73 on lost 0.27 percent. market index down 0.4 percent. profit for 2013, recovering from a net profit, and Union National two uranium mines in Niger, Thursday. Meanwhile, A $6.1bn contract Emaar might have been Dh7.3m loss in 2012. Bank, whose fourth-quarter which had shut down for weeks The volume of the shares awarded by Abu Dhabi state affected by news of the full con- That, along with news of the profit fell short of analysts’ for maintenance amid hard- traded was up to 10,994,813 from fund Aabar to Dubai’s Arabtec version of its $500m bond into Aabar-Arabtec deal, sparked a estimates. fought negotiations over the 10,309,566 on Thursday and helped fuel a cement sector rally shares last week, said Ali Adou, rally in the cement sector. Shares In Saudi Arabia, the main index firm’s tax rate. the value of shares decreased in Abu Dhabi but failed to offset portfolio manager at The National in Ras Al Khaima Cement surged rose 0.9 percent, led by the bank- “The machines are running and to QR353,451,751.71 from profit-taking on Dubai’s bourse on Investor. 14.6 percent; Ras Al Khaima ing sector which continued a rally production resumed this morn- QR496,663,645.60 on Thursday. Sunday, while banks lifted Saudi “Overall, the market has to cool White Cement and Construction ignited last week by Riyad Bank’s ing,” Salifou Chipkaou, secretary Among the top gainers were Arabia’s market. down, especially after the rally Materials, Gulf Cement, Union proposal to double its capital by general of mining union Synamin, Qatar Islamic Bank which was up Confirming a Reuters report that we saw since the beginning of Cement and Sharjah Cement issuing bonus shares. Riyad Bank said by phone from the mining 0.80 percent to QR75.50, Doha on Saturday, Arabtec said yester- this year,” he said. Dubai’s index also rose. rose 2.7 percent to a fresh five- town of Arlit in northern Niger. Insurance gained 2.83 percent to day that it would build 37 tow- gained 12 percent in January. Large property projects, along year high yesterday. An Areva spokesman confirmed QR30.85, Electricity and Water ers for Aabar, which is its biggest Dubai’s main index closed at with construction related to Egypt’s bourse rose 0.4 per- that operations had resumed added 0.83 percent to QR183 and shareholder, and become Aabar’s 3,754 points; since January 23 it the Expo 2020 world’s fair in cent after Finance Minister at the two mines, Cominak and Gulf International was up by 5.03 contractor of choice for projects has been unsuccessfully testing Dubai, will “obviously impact Ahmed Galal said the govern- Somair. percent to QR79.30. around the world worth $20bn. resistance around 3,807 points, cement prices and benefit local ment would announce details of The shutdown came as Niger’s The Banking and Financial sec- Arabtec’s stock rose 2.8 percent the 50 percent retracement of the cement producers”, said Marwan a fresh $4bn stimulus package government and the company, tor index fell 0.03 percent while and another Dubai-based builder, drop from its 2008 peak. Shurrab, fund manager and head within days. which is 80 percent owned by the Consumer Goods and Services Drake and Scull, gained 2.0 Abu Dhabi’s main index of trading at Vision Investments. AGENCIES French state, are holding tough talks over the future of uranium mining in the west African coun- try, which is the world’s fourth- MasterCard Inc profits dip largest uranium producer but is mired in poverty and ranks last Peru gas project approved on the United Nations’ Human Development Index. The government wants to apply a 2006 mining law that ends tax despite Indian concerns breaks for foreign companies to Areva, which has thus far been LIMA: The long-contested Cueto, a lawyer for the environ- exempt, but the firm is seeking to expansion of Peru’s main natu- mental group Environmental Law keep costs down. Chipkaou accused ral gas field has won final reg- and Natural Resources. Areva of exaggerating the need ulatory approval despite UN The expanded Camisea project for maintenance and negotiating concerns that it could endanger will now overlap with about 400 in “bad faith”, using the shutdown Amazon tribes living in volun- square miles of the indigenous to pressure the government. tary isolation in pristine jungles. reserve in one of the world’s most He said the actual maintenance The Camisea project, located biologically diverse rainforests, work at Cominak lasted only from just 100km from Peru’s famed where the natives live primarily December 25 to 31, and at Somair Machu Picchu ruins, has faced off fishing and hunting. from January 1 to 25. fierce opposition from environ- The environmental impact Areva’s contract to operate mental groups since it began in study says there could be Indians the mines expired at the end of 2003, but strong backing from living in voluntary isolation in an last year, but the government has Peru’s political leaders as a vital area comprising just 8,000 hec- decreed they can be worked while economic lifeline. tares of the overlapping area and negotiations continue. The approved expansion overlaps says no drilling will occur there. Areva has operated the mines with an indigenous reserve popu- But Paulo Vilca, who resigned since the early 1970s, and pays lated by about 1,100 people, includ- as deputy culture minister for royalties on extracted ore of just ing an estimated 100 who avoid indigenous rights in July over 5.5 percent under deals Niger contact with the outside world. the issue, says that claim has no signed with France, its former Peru’s Ministry of Mining and basis because the government has colonial ruler, in 1961 and 1968. Energy gave the expansion a green never done a study to determine MasterCard credit cards are seen in in London. MasterCard Inc posted a lower-than-expected quarterly AFP light yesterday, approving an envi- where the Indians live. Vilca was profit and said its net revenue for the year would come in at the low end of its three-year forecast range. ronmental impact statement as one of three ministry officials to the nation was focused on a World step down or be forced out over Court verdict that resolved a mar- objections to the expansion, which itime dispute with Chile. President Ollanta Humala has Environmentalists, anthropol- firmly supported. Lenovo signals global ambition with Motorola deal ogists and the UN’s Committee Peru has an estimated 12 tril- on the Elimination of Racial lion cubic feet of proven natural Discrimination had objected that gas reserves in two concessions BEIJING: In 1984, with only giant’s “global ambitions”, said US doubling to $14bn in 2013, a Winter Olympics and the 2008 the project could threaten indig- held by the Pluspetrol-led group. $25,000 in Chinese government Jean-Francois Dufour at DCA larger and larger share of that cap- Beijing Games, making it the first enous groups by exposing them Most of it lies within the funding and a dusty 20-square- Chine-Analyse. ital is coming from America’s rival Chinese firm to become a major to diseases for which they have 5,500-square-mile concession metre bungalow as their head- “Just as iPhones and iPads have across the Pacific — a fact unmen- Olympic sponsor. no natural defenses. where the expansion is occurring. quarters, a small group of overtaken Macs in commercial tioned by Obama in his speech. But it was Lenovo’s 2005 acqui- In December, the UN’s special The concession, known as Lot 88, scientists in Beijing founded a importance for Apple, smart- From its humble beginnings, sition of IBM’s PC division for rapporteur for indigenous rights, already supplies Peru with half firm called New Technology phones and tablets are expected Lenovo has charted an impressive $1.75bn that cemented its rise, James Anaya, visited Camisea, its electricity as well as gas for Developer Inc. to replace PCs in part for Lenovo,” course in the personal computer setting it on track to unseat which is run by a consortium led industry, motor vehicles and some Thirty years later, the tech said Dufour, who called the firm market. Under its earlier name, Hewlett-Packard as the world’s by Argentina’s Pluspetrol SA and homes. The gas from Camisea’s company — which went on to “the pioneer of Chinese compa- Legend, it secured the biggest top PC vendor last year. that includes the US company other lot is exported. become Legend and later, Lenovo nies’ global offensive”. share in China’s domestic mar- Lenovo now has PC products in Hunt Oil Co and the Spanish con- A Pluspetrol spokesman in Lima, — is the world’s biggest personal The back-to-back deals are all ket in 1996 and in the Asia-Pacific more than 160 countries and has cern Repsol YPF SA. Carlos Naveda, said the company computer maker, and has just the more significant because of region three years later. worked to build its global brand by Anaya urged an exhaustive had no immediate comment on its completed two major deals with their timing, coming just as US Its 2003 decision to change recruiting celebrities such as basket- study of the expansion’s effect on expansion plants. The consortium IBM and Google that analysts say President Barack Obama noted the name of its PC brand from ball star Kobe Bryant and Hollywood indigenous communities in the has said exploration could take at will help it to diversify away from in his annual State of the Union Legend to Lenovo in a bid to actor Ashton Kutcher, who the com- concession as well as consultation least 15 months. The Associated the sagging PC market and boost address tomorrow that “for the boost its sales abroad marked the pany named a “product engineer” for with them before proceeding with Press sought an interview with the its expansion overseas. first time in over a decade, busi- beginning of its ascent to global its new Yoga Tablet device. a $480m exploration phase. current deputy minister for indig- Lenovo’s $2.3bn purchase ness leaders around the world preeminence. With its Motorola purchase, “None of this was done. There enous rights, Patricia Balbuena, but of IBM’s low-end server busi- have declared that China is no That move was followed by a Lenovo hopes to replicate its PC has not even been a serious study she had not responded to email and ness and its $2.91bn acquisition longer the world’s number one successful 2004 bid to serve as market success in the smartphone about the health of the population telephone requests. of Motorola from Google are place to invest; America is”. the exclusive computing technol- universe. in the area since 2003,” said Vanessa evidence of the Chinese tech With Chinese investment in the ogy provider for the 2006 Turin AFP

Colombian flower exports Italy’s biggest bank could pocket €3.5bn from BoI’s stake sale

MILAN: Italian banks Intesa three years to comply with the by the European Central Bank, Sanpaolo and UniCredit could new rules. which will use the banks’ balance cash in up to ¤3.5bn combined Should Intesa Sanpaolo sell a sheets at the end of 2013 for its from the sale of part of their 39 percent stake, it could cash in assessment. revalued stakes in the cen- up to ¤2.3bn before tax according “The ownership limit will tral bank, according to analyst to analysts’ calculations based on benefit only Intesa Sanpaolo calculations. the new share capital of the Bank and UniCredit,” said Fabrizio The Italian parliament on of Italy. Bernardi, analyst at Fidentiis Wednesday gave final approval to UniCredit could pocket a gross Equities. a decree hiking the value of Bank capital gain of around ¤1.15bn “It will not help, however, of Italy’s (BoI) share capital to from the disposal of its 19 percent Monte dei Paschi di Siena and ¤7.5bn from ¤156,000 previously, stake in the central bank. Banca Carige, which are desper- which had not been changed since The only other lender with a ate for capital,” he added. the 1930s. stake in the central bank exceed- Monte dei Paschi has to raise The decree also set a three ing three percent is Carige which ¤3bn later this year to pay back percent ceiling on the stake that stands to reap a capital gain of state aid, while Carige needs to the central bank’s shareholders — ¤73m if it sold part of its holding boost its capital by ¤800m. mostly Italian banks — can own. to comply with the decree. The new law will enable the That means that Intesa and The capital gains from the commercial banks to improve UniCredit, currently the central sale would be used to boost the their balance sheets from 2015, bank’s largest shareholders with banks’ core capital, which in the and also help public finances stakes of 42 percent and 22 per- case of UniCredit and Intesa thanks to the taxation of the capi- cent respectively, will have to sell already meets stringent Basel III tal gain the banks will register. the bulk of their stakes on the regulations. Italy will pocket ¤900m market or to the central bank — The boost for the common between 2014 and 2016 from the which can buy them back for a equity tier 1 would not in any taxation of revalued stakes in the Colombian growers select flowers for export before Valentine’s Day in a farm in Facatativa. limited period of time. case count in a health check of central bank. The decree says the banks have European lenders being conducted REUTERS MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2014 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

Small investors on edge as Corporates cheer new Indian stocks drop worldwide BY BERNARD CONDON and KEN SWEET environment minister BY FRANK JACK DANIEL and ANUARY’S global sell-off in stocks has left many small inves- worth about $100bn. Moily is no stranger to evenings juggling dossiers from the two min- NIDHI VERMA tors more puzzled than panicked — and unsure how to act. controversy. Last year he was widely ridi- istries — has an eye on the coming election. J They’re holding on for now as prices continue to tumble, culed for proposing to close petrol pumps at “Clearly, it’s a move to try and get things but their anxiety is mounting. The number of small investors EERAPPA Moily has two seem- night to help curb oil imports as the rupee going before the elections. One last chance who say they feel “bearish” soared this past week, according to ingly incompatible jobs. As slumped to record lows. for the government,” said Sam Mahtani of a US survey. Some stock funds have been hit with their biggest oil minister, he has overseen Environmental campaigners are outraged F&C Asset Management in London, which withdrawals since 2012. India’s petroleum and natu- at Moily’s twin jobs, accusing him of steam- manages $4bn in emerging market equities. If more people start selling, it would reverse a new and surpris- ral gas needs. But now he also rolling opposition to some projects from “We welcome the speed with which a ing trend in some of the world’s biggest economies: individuals Vruns the environment ministry, where he tribal populations and ignoring concerns number of projects have been given environ- moving back into stocks after years of shunning them. has issued permits for 100 stalled projects about biodiversity. One group dubbed his ment and forest clearances,” said Sidharth “I don’t know what to do,” says Ken Duska, a retiree in Mingo in a month-long spree that has delighted appointment “shocking and bizarre.” Birla, president of the Federation of Indian Junction, Ohio, who is sticking with his investment plan for the industry but shocked green activists. “You have given speedy clearances by Chambers of Commerce and Industry. moment, though he’s not sure that’s wise. “After (the) upswing Since taking the additional environment ignoring all the stakeholders except the cor- “This would stimulate investment activity last year, it probably isn’t going to continue.” portfolio on December 24, he has given his porates,” Greenpeace said in an open letter in the economy and also shore up investor Small investors around the world were on edge even before go-ahead to projects worth some $40bn, to Moily. Citing a “clear conflict of interest” confidence.” growing signs of a slowdown in China and plunging emerging- including Posco’s $12.6bn steel plant and for- between his two portfolios, it demanded his The outgoing government has targeted market currencies dragged many stock indexes down to their est clearances for India’s first major hydro- resignation. spending $1 trillion on infrastructure worst start of a new year since 2010. They worried stocks were power projects in the wilderness state of Moily denies he is unduly favouring indus- projects over the five years to 2017, but it overdue for a drop, after soaring by double-digit percentages in Arunachal Pradesh, near a contested border try, saying he will not bypass environmental has fallen short of previous goals and much countries like the United States, Japan and France in 2013. In the with China. rules to clear a backlog of decisions. He cited of the country is plagued by power blackouts US, many noted, the market had not fallen by 10 percent or more, Moily’s haste is part of a last-minute push his rejection of Vedanta Resources Ltd’s plea and bumpy roads. known on Wall Street as a correction, for more than two years. by India’s outgoing government to revive to mine bauxite in the Niyamgiri hills of After being panned for dragging his Now, with the Dow Jones industrial average down 5 percent investment in the economy after two years Odisha state after local residents opposed it. feet on decision making, Prime Minister from a recent peak, one is closer at hand. of growth at decade lows. The general elec- “It is not a question of favour. If you are Manmohan Singh last year formed a cabi- “The question is, ‘Is this all of it, or is there significantly more tion is due by May. not taking a decision, ultimately what hap- net body to track stalled projects. In many to come?’” says Greg Sarian, a managing director at the Sarian But the friction the clearances have gen- pens ... you are working against the interest cases, bottlenecks were traced back to the Group at HighTower, a wealth advisory firm in Pennsylvania. erated go to the heart of a long-standing of the nation,” he said. environment ministry. Anxiety has ramped up in Asia, too. dilemma: how to develop quickly in a coun- Even though Moily’s environmental clear- In five weeks, Moily has softened the rules “Clients were very worried as they haven’t seen such market try still plagued by poverty while minimising ances are in some cases the final hurdle in for coal mine expansion, allowing some to jitters in a while,” says Lee Young-hwan, a private banking con- damage to the environment. India’s notorious thicket of bureaucracy, it increase output by four million tonnes per sultant at Daishin Securities Co in Seoul, South Korea. Still, he In an interview in his oil ministry office, will still take time to get the projects going. year without further approvals. He has says that many are more inclined to snap up stocks now at lower under an image of a drilling rig, Moily said Tight liquidity makes raising funds tough made it easier for mines to renew leases, prices, than to bail out. his approval push was “necessary”. right now and, before investing, many com- cleared an oil pipeline and given a crucial That country’s main index, the Kospi, is down 3.5 percent since “On the planet there is space available for panies will wait for the formation of a new permit for a coal power station planned the start of the year. In Japan, the Nikkei is off 8.5 percent, after the wildlife, for the forest and also for the government. by Hinduja National Power Corporation soaring 58 percent last year. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong has human being,” he said, vowing to take deci- Still, many say the 74-year-old minister Limited. fallen nearly 5.5 percent, after a three percent gain. sions by February 15 on a backlog of projects — who rises at 4.30am and works into the REUTERS In Moscow, where the main stock index has been dropping for a year, Marina Pliskina, an English teacher, decided she’d finally had enough. She recently sold all of her stocks. “You want your money to last, but then it goes down and down,” she says. Since the 2008-2009 global financial crisis, small investors have mostly dumped stocks. But recently, buoyed by strengthening economies in the developed world, they have crept back into the market in some countries. In the final four months of last year, nearly $100bn flowed into stock mutual funds in seven big economies tracked by Lipper Inc, a fund data provider. The countries are the US, which accounted for much of the buying, as well as Japan, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Canada and South Korea. Now, that flow of money might reverse as investors grow worried. At the start of the year, more than twice as many US inves- tors said they were bullish on stocks than said they were bearish, according to a survey by the American Association of Individual Investors. Now, the bulls and bears are neck and neck, with senti- ments yo-yoing along with the indexes. “I’ve lost ... maybe $50,000 in the past week, and I’m not happy about it,” says Scott Woodall, 44, of Acworth, “I hate the stock market.” The global tumble started more than a week ago after China reported economic growth had slowed and a key manufacturing measure suggested that sector was contracting. Stocks dropped in developing countries, along with their currencies, on fears that exports of iron ore, soybeans, electronic components and other goods to China would slow. Adding to the emerging-world woes were some homegrown problems — double-digit inflation in Argentina, for instance, and a corruption probe in Turkey that threatens to destabilise the government. Then, on Wednesday, the US Federal Reserve announced it would be pulling back even more from its bond- buying programme. That buying has helped pushed US interest rates to record lows, and sent investors to emerging markets in search of higher yields. Now the tide of cash is reversing, ham- mering those economies as investors pull money out. A sign of the times: The price of gold, considered the ulti- mate “safe” asset by spooked investors, is up 3.5 percent this year after plunging 28 percent in 2013. Investors are also buying U.S Treasury bonds, another refuge in fearful times, despite the Fed decision to scale back its purchases. The yield on the benchmark 10-year note, which falls when prices rise, has dropped from 3 percent at the start of the year to 2.65 percent, a big move. AP Turbulence in emerging market continues

AST week ended with a especially the US GDP data that units, marking the the outlook The number of Americans fil- in line with market expectations. risk off tone as the US grew at 3.2 percent annualised second straight for jobs. All ing new claims for unemploy- The Consumer spending which dollar and the yen have rate in the fourth quarter, indi- month of declines in all, confi- ment benefits rose last week, the accounts to more than 70 percent rallying while for once cating that the Federal Reserve in sales. Market dence appears Labor Department said, that the of the total economic activity rose the euro and commod- could continue with its ongoing analysts attrib- to be back on Initial claims for state unemploy- at a 3.3 percent, the strongest Lity currencies coming under pres- tapering proses. uted the drop track and ris- ment benefits increased by 19,000 since the fourth quarter of 2010. sure. Selling pressure on global The Sterling Pound fell against in home sales to Weekly Money Market Review ing expecta- to a seasonally adjusted 348,000, German business sentiment equities continues with the S&P a broadly stronger dollar reaching bad weather that tions suggest slightly above market expecta- climbed in January to its highest and Nikkei dropping at the end a low of 1.6425, due to worse than slowed the market and buyers the economy may pick up some tion a 330,000 new claims. Last level since July 2011, suggesting of the week. expected business lending data, adjusting to higher borrowing momentum in the months ahead.” week’s reading was the highest Europe’s largest economy is on On the other hand, the tur- that reduced the chance for a rise costs and rising property valu- Last week, the Federal Open since mid-December. track for a strong start to 2014 bulence in emerging markets in official interest rates within a ation. New home prices rose Market Committee decided to US pending home sales dropped after growing only modestly last that started in May 2013 when year. Bank of England Governor 8.4 percent in 2013, the largest reduce its bond purchases by in December reaching a two-year year. The German Ifo business Chairman Bernanke mentioned Mark Carney reiterated last week increase since 2005. another $10bn, The Fed said it low, due in part to unusually cold climate index rose to 110.6 in the possibility of a reduction in that Britain’s economic recovery US consumer confidence would buy $65bn in bonds per weather across the country, point- January up from 109.5 last month. asset purchases in the months had further to run before mon- improved last month, as consum- month starting in February, down ing to signs of a slowdown in the Germany is the Eurozone’s largest ahead continued this week as etary tightening. ers grew more optimistic about from $75bn. The Fed shaved its housing market. economy, and the region will need investors who parked their The euro currency fell against both business conditions and the purchases of US Treasuries and The Pending Home Sales Index the German locomotive to lead money using cheap funding con- its US dollar counterpart, reach- job market. The Conference Board mortgage bonds equally. The US dropped 8.7 percent to 92.4, the the way to an economic recovery. tinued their deleveraging proc- ing a low of 1.3480, after eurozone said its index of consumer rose Federal Reserve stuck to their lowest level since October 2011, German unemployment dropped ess. Indeed, emerging market inflation data on Friday showed a to 80.7 points, well above mar- plan to unwind its extraordinary while Contracts were 8.8 percent more than expected in January, as currencies saw another round of surprise drop to 0.7 percent year- ket expectation of a 78.1-point economic stimulus despite recent below the December 2012 levels. businesses grew more confident selling early in the week and large on-year in January, while analysts rise. The Director of Economic turmoil in emerging markets. The The Drop was due to higher bor- in the strength of Europe’s larg- volatility swings hit the market had expected a rise to 0.9 per- Indicators at The Conference action was widely anticipated, rowing costs and bad weather est economy. The number of people affecting mostly the Turkish Lira. cent increasing the chance for an Board said, “Consumers’ assess- although some investors had spec- that held back sales. out of work reduced by a season- In the developed markets, the European Central Bank rate cut ment of the present situation ulated that the US central bank The US Gross Domestic ally adjusted 28,000 to 2.93 mil- Dollar Index rose slightly last rates further. continues to improve, with both might put its plans on hold given Product grew by 3.2 percent in lion, after falling a revised 19,000 week, after the FOMC decision US New Homes Sales dropped business conditions and the job the jitters overseas. the fourth quarter of 2013 as in December. The adjusted jobless to taper its asset purchases by an more than expected in December, market rated more favourably. In addition to the tapering, the Americans’ spending climbed the rate surprisingly dropped to 6.8 additional $10bn. We also had bet- the Commerce Department Looking ahead six months, con- Fed made no changes to its other most in three years and exports percent, unchanged from a revised ter than expected economic indi- announced last week that sales sumers expect the economy and main policies they maintained improved, laying the ground for December figure and matching the cators coming out of the US that fell 7 percentto a seasonally their earnings to improve, but their pledge to keep interest rates further improvement in 2014. The lowest rate in at least two decades. supported the dollar’s strength, adjusted annual rate of 414,000 were somewhat mixed regarding low for some time to come. annualised gain in the GDP came THE PENINSULA MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2014 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary EXCHANGE QE Index 11,173.97 0.16 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER QE Total Return Index 15,965.04 0.16 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 3,211.5 0.16 % RATE QE All Share Index 2,761.52 0.11 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 2,631.44 0.03 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5199.363 -41.245 -0.79 5383.4 5174.4 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 6,077.59 0.08 % QR147.4612 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Services Cac 40 Index/D 4152 -4.98 -0.12 4351.21 4106.53 QE All Share Industrials 3,725.85 0.43 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.9687 QR 6.0529 QE All Share Insurance 2,607.31 0.27 % Dj Indu Average 15738.79 -189.77 -1.19 16588.3 13784 Euro ...... QR 4.9232 QR 4.9916 QE All Share Real Estate 2,024.03 0.35 % QR 2.2874 CA$ ...... QR 3.2374 QR 3.3004 QE All Share Telecoms 1,563.43 0.71 % Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 QE All Share Transportation 1,952.28 0.81 % Swiss Fr ...... QR 4.0258 QR 4.0823 Hang Seng Inde/D 22035.42 -106.19 -0.48 23469.33 21880.73 Yen ...... QR 0.0352 QR 0.0359 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.1652 QR 3.2292 Today Previous day Iseq Overall/D 4689.37 -33.98 -0.72 4873.52 4522.4 CRUDE OIL 02-02-2014 30-01-2014 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0577 QR 0.0588 Index 11,173.97 11,155.73 Karachi 100 In/D 26607.64 12.01 0.05 27213.21 25273.11 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0343 QR 0.0349 Change 18.24 87.62 BRENT Nikkei 225 Index 15007.06 -376.85 -2.45 16164.01 14933.55 Peso ...... QR 0.0797 QR 0.0813 % 0.16 0.78 $ 107.46 SL Re ...... QR 0.0276 QR 0.0281 YTD% 7.65 7.48 S&P 500 Index/D 1774.2 -18.3 -1.02 1850.84 1485.01 Taka ...... QR 0.0464 QR 0.0475 Volume 10,994,813 10,309,566 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0362 QR 0.0369 Value (QAR) 353,451,751.71 496,663,645.60 Straits Times/D 3027.22 -20.71 -0.68 3187.8 3025.15 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3200 QR 0.3277 Trades 4,458 5,219 Straits Times/D 2971.47 22.7 0.77 3035.78 2657.77 $ 103.97 Up 17 | Down 19 | Unchanged 05

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 02-02-2014

Commodities weaken on market turmoil, dollar strength

ommodities moved lower in key crops such as wheat while a proper foothold above resist- such time, a bearish approach by during the course of while rising cocoa and coffee Weekly Commodity Update ance at 1,272 USD /oz triggered many investors will continue to the week as the diverg- prices ensured a strong week for another bailing out of long posi- limit the upside.

Cing outlook between soft commodities. tions but with stock markets still Strong dollar and falling emerging and developed econo- Coffee had the best weekly BY OLE HANSEN not showing any signs of finding stocks putting a brake on oil’s mies continued to raise uncer- performance since December (Head of Commodity the gear that drove them higher further advance tainty about the demand outlook following two consecutive weeks Strategy, Saxo Bank) last year, gold may find enough WTI crude oil reached the for commodities. The weakness of losses. Arabica coffee found support from this weakness to highest level since early January was primarily driven by losses in support from above normal stay above important support at as declining product inventories both metal sectors with industrial temperatures and dry weather from the Ivory Coast may help weather into February resulted in $1,231/ounce. and the US winter lend support. metals being hurt by weak China in Brazil which has raised the stabilise the price, not least due a sharp reversal with the NGH4 Despite the current range- Further upside beyond $99/bar- manufacturing data together with risk of the upcoming crop being to its current near overbought contract seeing its biggest two day bound nature, gold neverthe- rel seems limited at this stage a slowdown in activity ahead of lower than current market fore- condition. decline in more than four years. less had a good January which considering the impact the cur- the Lunar New Year shutdown in casts. Robusta coffee found spill- After a steady climb for natural Gold rangebound as Fed yielded a positive return for the rent turmoil may have on future several Asian markets. over support from Arabica but gas throughout the first half of taper offset by EM turmoil first time since August and in demand and also considering the Precious metals failed to find also from reduced supplies from January a return of extreme levels Gold returned to the lower the process, the yellow metal current strength of the dollar support from the emerging-mar- Vietnam and Indonesia. Vietnam of volatility left many traders bat- end of its current range with the outperformed both bonds, stocks and stock market weakness. The ket turmoil and as result went is sitting on a very large coffee tered and bruised. A daily trad- near-term outlook very much and the dollar. Compared with discount to Brent crude moved looking for support. The energy crop which could indicate the cur- ing range of more than 12 percent depending on the direction of the the beginning of the year, the below $10 for the first time since sector was mostly driven by the rent strength may not continue was seen on three occasions this US stock market and the dollar. investor attitude towards gold November as rising Libya produc- near-term outlook for US weather with exports eventually expected past week resulting in volatility The positive pull from risk aver- has been on the mend, but so far tion ensured increased availability which created some extreme vola- to pick up. spiking to almost 100 percent. The sion related to the emerging- institutional investors continue of Opec oil while US demand was tility in natural gas and supported The most active Cocoa con- price reached USD 5.5 per therm market turmoil gave support to stay clear while hedge funds supported by the cold weather. heating oil. tract for delivery in March rose two days in a row before quickly early on but solid US economic are only engaging on a relatively As we approach February and The prospect of another cold the most since 2011 but stabilised retracing below USD 5. The rally data and the ongoing tapering of small scale. Continued stock March, further contraction of the snap in America blanketing the after reaching USD 2,900 per ton. was driven by the speedy reduc- the US Federal Reserves asset market weakness and a pro- spread could be hard to achieve likes of New York’s Central Park Increased demand from the three tion in inventory levels which was purchase program together with longed emerging-market crisis as demand for crude oil from US has underpinned heating oil major regions of Europe, North triggered by rising demand at a slowing Chinese demand sent may alter the outlook for global Gulf Coast refineries may ease as The agriculture sector was America and Asia helped support time of weather-inflicted lower the metal looking for support growth and eventually persuade the spring maintenance season mixed with continued weakness the price while increased supply production. A forecast for milder once again. The failure to gain investors back into gold, but until kicks off. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Stars inspire schoolchildren Popular athletes share their experiences ahead of National Sport Day

DOHA: With the biggest ever Qatar National Sport Day almost a week away, some of the country’s most famous athletes have been inspiring a new gen- eration of youngsters into using the day to boost their sporting skills, health and fitness. As ambassadors for the 2014 installment of National Sport Day, to be held on February 11, Qatari Olympic flag-bearer Bahiya Mansour, Paralympian Abdulrahman Abdulqader and national football star Adel Khamis visited Qatar International School to pass on their knowledge and experiences of the benefits of sport. Speaking to the group of over 100 boys and girls Bahiya Mansour said: “Sport means the world to me and has given me the most incredible opportunities. To think sitting here amongst this group could the next gen- eration of Qatari sports stars is incredibly exciting and what Qatari Olympic flag-bearer Bahiya Mansour, Paralympian Abdulrahman Abdulqader and national football star Adel Khamis during their visit to Qatar International School. better place to start than with National Sport Day. To develop as a sporting nation we need our the importance of healthy living or get on your bike. It’s going to National Sport Day on the 11th of day to take another step towards announced, before the New Year’s youngsters to be out exercising, reach a new peak. be a day of incredible excitement February, event ambassador and your positive development in programme is launched. being fit and healthy, and enjoy- As the sole representative of and I genuinely hope we can all Qatar’s most capped international sport and in life.” Along with the extensive ing community sports activities. Qatar at the London Paralympics share in the positivity which footballer Adel Khamis said: Featuring a traditional boat race sporting events across the coun- February 11 is a fantastic chance in 2012, Abdulrahman Abdulqader sport breeds.” “It’s immensely exciting to sit and the legendary sport walk, as try, National Sport Day will also for everyone and I hope you will shared his experiences with the Based on the sporting princi- with you here today and play a well as the biggest ever line up of focus on Qatari culture with a not just join in the celebrations, young group: ples of inclusion and unity, par- positive role in developing your free events, 2014 is set to be the traditional Al Shawahef rowing but lead them.” “We are so lucky to have this ticipation and fun, fitness and passion for sport. Exercise is the largest and most widely celebrated championship opening proceed- A public holiday, Qatar National day to spend with our friends health, National Sport Day has most natural thing for our bodies day of sport ever witnessed in the ings on the day. The event will act Sport Day aims to give the people and families and take steps to cemented its status as one of to do; we are built to be mobile country. Kickstarting the festivi- as a reminder of Qatar’s sport- of Qatar an opportunity to kick becoming fitter and healthier. the highlights of Qatar’s com- and active. Through exercise we ties will be the opening of Qatar ing ancient sporting heritage start a future of healthy living You should use this National munity, sporting and national gain fitness, better health and Olympic Committee’s specially and the role it has played in the with an unrivalled schedule of free Sport Day should to focus on calendars. sharper minds. Through sport built sport zone which will wel- country’s most recent sporting sporting events across the coun- just how good exercise is for your Now in 2014, through the we allow our bodies to show us come all from the 6th of February. developments. try. From cycling to swimming, body and mind; the benefits are support of elite athletes Qatar just what they are capable of and The anticipation will then build Official participating venues for football to basketball, tennis to countless. It’s time for blue sky National Sport is set to bring all the while we get to enjoy the to a crescendo as the yearlong Be the event include; Aspire, Katara, tae kwon do, countless free sport- thinking and by that I mean get- the country even closer together company of our friends and team Fit programme reaches its excit- The Pearl, Souq Waqif, Al Refaa ing sessions, accessible to all, will ting outside and having fun. Put through activity, leaving a lasting mates. Qatar National Sport Day ing climax where the individual Street and many more. Further be taking place throughout Qatar down the computer games and legacy for the local community. embodies all of these incredible who lost the most amount of details are available on www. as the celebrations to highlight pick a tennis racquet or football Looking ahead to Qatar things and I hope you can use the weight through healthy living is sportday.qa THE PENINSULA

Teams cope Wizards end Thunder’s with calm 10-game winning streak before Super Bowl storm WASHINGTON: Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant’s NEW YORK: Seattle return to his hometown ended Seahawks and Denver Broncos rudely as All-Star guard John players and coaches counted on Wall and the Washington routines to get them through Wizards snapped the Thunder’s the final hours before Super 10-game winning streak with a Bowl 48 kickoff today. 96-81 victory. Preparations that began with Wall had 17 points, 15 assists pre-season training camps in and six steals for the Wizards, mid-July were set to culminate who pulled away from the Western in the National Football League’s Conference leading Thunder with championship extravaganza at St Louis Blues’ Roman Polak stops the puck from crossing the goal line a 27-11 second-half run. Forward East Rutherford, New Jersey. as goaltender Brian Elliott loses site of it against Nashville Predators Trevor Ariza scored 18 points. “We’re ready to go,” Seahawks during their NHL game at the Scottrade Centre in St Louis yesterday. Durant, who was born in coach Pete Carroll said. “I don’t Washington and raised in the know if it’s loose, but we’re where nearby Maryland suburbs, scored we are supposed to be. This is how 26 points, but lacked consistency we always prepare. This is the San Jose Sharks beat with his usually potent shot. exact routine we always do and The NBA’s leading scorer missed the guys did it perfectly. all six of his three-point attempts “It has been great. It has been Blackhawks in shootout and finished 8-of-21 from the field. exactly what we hoped to get Lebron James scored 30 points, nar- done. We are physically right and rowly missing a triple-double, to lead mentally right and we’re ready SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA: overtime to give the Tampa Bay the Miami Heat to 106-91 win over to go.” Forwards Joe Pavelski, Patrick Lightning a 2-1 win over the the New York Knicks. James also Denver Broncos coach John Fox Marleau and Joe Thornton Montreal Canadiens. had eight rebounds, seven assists said he was not worried about the all converted in the shoot- Jamie McGinn and Gabriel and six steals. long hours between waking up out as the San Jose Sharks Landeskog both scored twice to The Heat won for the sixth and a 6:30pm kickoff. beat the Chicago Blackhawks help the Colorado Avalanche to a time in their last eight games. “We’ve played a lot of (night) 2-1 in their NHL game yester- 7-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Carmelo Anthony led the games. This is just another one,” day. Goaltender Antti Niemi Winger Wayne Simmonds and Knicks (19-28) with 26 points. Washington Wizards’ power forward Nene Hilario scores against Fox said. “It gets bigger on the stopped winger Patrick Sharp center Claude Giroux scored The All-Star duo of forward Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half of their NBA game at the Verizon outside, that’s true all through after allowing a shootout goal to goals and goaltender Steve Paul George and center Roy Center in Washington DC yesterday. the playoffs, and this is probably center Jonathan Toews as San Mason stopped 35 shots as the Hibbert scored 20 points each to the ultimate of that, but they have Jose snapped a three-game los- Philadelphia Flyers defeated the lead the Indiana Pacers to a 97-96 listened and managed it pretty ing streak while beating Chicago Los Angeles Kings 2-0. victory over the Brooklyn Nets. injured guard Michael Carter- grabbed eight rebounds and good.” for the second straight time in a The shutout was Mason’s third The back-and-forth battle had Williams who sat out the game blocked six shots to lift the New Denver’s 37-year-old Peyton shootout. of the season and his second in nine lead changes and seven ties with shoulder soreness, led five Orleans Pelicans to a 88-79 vic- Manning, who could become Tampa Bay Lightning center the last three games. with the Pacers’ largest lead of Philadelphia players in double- tory over the Chicago Bulls. the first starting quarterback to Nate Thompson scored his sec- Los Angeles lost for the eighth 11 points early in the second half, figures by scoring 18 points. REUTERS win Super Bowl titles with two ond goal of the game 4:36 into time in nine games and were while the Nets’ largest of seven Forward Kevin Love scored different teams after leading shut out for the third time in five was in the first. 43 points but it was not enough Indianapolis to victory in 2007, games as the Kings struggle to Center Andre Drummond led to finally get the Minnesota NBA Results has stressed maintaining routine NHL Results stay in third place in the Pacific five players in double figures, four Timberwolves a victory in Indiana 97 Brooklyn 96 to his teammates, only a hand- Boston 4 Edmonton 0 Division. of whom scored at least 20 points, Atlanta. Guard Kyle Korver had Washington 96 Oklahoma City 81 ful of whom have ever been to a Tampa Bay 2 Montreal 1 Backup goaltender Chad to help the Detroit Pistons earn 17 points in the second half and Atlanta 120 Minnesota 113 Super Bowl. Johnson coasted to his second a lopsided 113-96 win over the the Hawks won for the 11th suc- “As far as pre-game rituals go, Colorado 7 Buffalo 1 Detroit 113 Philadelphia 96 career shutout as the Boston Philadelphia 76ers. cessive time over Minnesota at I don’t do anything crazy like eat Philadelphia 2 Los Angeles 0 Bruins beat the Edmonton Oilers Drummond scored 22 points home with a 120-113 victory. Houston 106 Cleveland 92 gummy bears four minutes before Toronto 6 Ottawa 3 4-0. Johnson improved to 10-3 and added 14 rebounds, forward Korver, who was 3-for-5 from Memphis 99 Milwaukee 90 kickoff or something like that,” Columbus 4 Florida 1 this season. He has played just 26 Greg Monroe had 21 points and behind the arc, scored 24 points, New Orleans 88 Chicago 79 Broncos backup quarterback St Louis 4 Nashville 3 games in the NHL and stopped 12 rebounds, point guard Brandon and forward Paul Millsap had 20 San Antonio 95 Sacramento 93 Brock Osweiler said. Phoenix 3 Pittsburgh 1 a breakaway by right wing Ales Jennings and forward Kyle points and 13 rebounds before Miami 106 NY Knicks 91 “But as far as the quick review Calgary 4 Minnesota 3 Hemsky on the first shot of the Singler each scored 20 points and fouling out with four minutes Phoenix 105 Charlotte 95 I do before kickoff, all of that is game before he went on to make guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to play. Forward Anthony Davis going to be the same. Peyton has Dallas 2 Anaheim 0 Portland 106 Toronto 103 21 saves and record his fourth added 12 points for the Pistons. scored 15 of his game-high 24 preached it — keep your schedule San Jose 2 Chicago 1 successive win. REUTERS Tony Wroten, filling in for points in the second half and LA Clippers 102 Utah 87 as regular as possible.” AFP MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2014 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

US PGA Tour Phoenix Open Gallacher retains Scores Scores from the US PGA Tour Phoenix Open at the par-71 course yesterday in Scottsdale, Arizona 198 Bubba Watson (US) 64 66 68 200 Kevin Stadler (US) 65 68 67 201 Ryan Moore (US) 66 71 64; Harris Dubai Classic title English (US) 65 67 69; Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) 66 67 68 The 39-year old Scot jumps to 37th place in world ranking 202 Matt Jones (Australia) 65 65 72; Brendan Steele (US) 66 74 62; Hunter Mahan (US) 66 71 65 DUBAI: Scotland’s Stephen 203 Pat Perez (US) 65 68 70; Jason Gallacher struck a final round Kokrak (US) 66 69 68; Greg Chalmers 72 to clinch the $2.5m Dubai (Australia) 65 67 71 Desert Classic yesterday as he 204 Graham DeLaet (Canada) 67 72 65 overcame a nightmare start to 205 Nick Watney (US) 69 68 68; Patrick become the first player to retain Reed (US) 67 67 71; Chris Stroud (US) the coffee pot trophy. 70 67 68; Matt Every (US) 72 66 67; Gallacher, whose Dubai win 12 Ricky Barnes (US) 71 67 67; Morgan months ago was his first title in Tiger Woods of the US watches Hoffmann (US) 69 66 70 his shot on the 12th fairway dur- nearly a decade, skittered four 206 Charles Howell III (US) 70 69 67; ing the final round of the 2014 bogeys on the front nine holes, but clawed back four shots after Spencer Levin (US) 67 69 70; John Omega Dubai Desert Classic in Rollins (US) 72 67 67; Martin Laird Dubai yesterday. the turn in a gritty display to end on 272. (Britain) 67 68 71; John Mallinger “My emotions are gone, I’m a (US) 67 72 67; Brandt Snedeker (US) nervous wreck,” the world number 70 64 72 67 told reporters. 207 Cameron Tringale (US) 71 67 69; “I never really played the front William McGirt (US) 65 69 73; Ben nine that well all week. Crane (US) 69 69 69; Webb Simpson “No one was racing ahead, that (US) 68 72 67 was the key, if someone had come 208 Bryce Molder (US) 67 71 70; David out of the traps maybe it would Lingmerth (Sweden) 72 68 68; Bill have been different.” Haas (US) 69 68 71; Kevin Na (US) 70 Gallacher’s dream of playing 70 68; David Lynn (Britain) 72 66 70 in the Ryder Cup in his native 209 Camilo Villegas (Colombia) 70 71 68; Scotland in September is now Ken Duke (US) 70 67 72; John Merrick firmly in the realms of the pos- (US) 75 65 69; Scott Piercy (US) 67 sible following his win. 67 75; Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) 71 70 The first man to successfully 68; Brendon De Jonge (Zimbabwe) 66 defend the title in its 25 year his- 73 70 tory, the 39-year-old Scot will 210 Erik Compton (US) 67 72 71; Ryan jump 30 places in the world rank- Palmer (US) 76 64 70; Michael ings up to 37th. Thompson (US) 72 68 70; Jonathan His closest challenger was Byrd (US) 68 73 69; Robert Garrigus Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo (66), (US) 70 70 70; James Driscoll (US) 67 who sunk a 60-foot eagle putt on 70 73; Phil Mickelson (US) 71 67 72; the 18th for 273, while France’s Rory McIlroy of Northern Jason Bohn (US) 70 70 70; K.J. Choi Romain Wattel (66) and Brooks (South Korea) 71 70 69; Justin Hicks Ireland tees off on the 15th hole Koepka (70) of the United States (US) 71 70 69; Kiradech Aphibarnrat during the final round. BELOW: were tied on 274. (Thailand) 66 71 73; Brian Stuard (US) Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark Gallacher, 39, began the day 73 68 69; Charley Hoffman (US) 70 plays a shot at the fourth and two shots clear of world number 71 69; Chris Smith (US) 70 69 71 six Rory McIlroy and most of the final round. 211 Brian Davis (Britain) 72 69 70; David 8,500 crowd must have anticipated Stephen Gallacher (right) of Scotland poses with his family after winning the 2014 Omega Dubai Desert Classic Hearn (Canada) 68 70 73; Roberto a classic duel between the wily in Dubai yesterday. Castro (US) 72 69 70; Jonas Blixt veteran and golf’s great young (Sweden) 68 71 72; Brian Gay (US) 69 hope. 71 71; Gary Woodland (US) 67 72 72; But both players faltered on an his hopes of ending a 14-month He did not quite reach the “I wouldn’t want to get too far Martin Kaymer (Germany) 69 71 71; overcast Majlis course, although title drought on the European same heights on Sunday, but a ahead of myself, but my uncle J.B. Holmes (US) 73 68 70; Nicolas that made for a thrilling finale as Tour as he slipped to a share of chip from the rough on the 17th played it eight times, captained Colsaerts (Belgium) 69 68 74; Bae four different players — Gallacher, ninth. provided a one-foot birdie chance it three and vice-captained it two, Sang-Moon (South Korea) 67 73 71; McIlroy, Koepka and Grillo — “The golf course played a lot he duly converted to reclaim the so it’s pretty much what I grew up Aaron Baddeley (Australia) 68 70 73 claimed outright leadership at differently today,” McIlroy said. outright lead, making par on the watching,” said Gallacher, refer- some stage, while England’s “The greens were firmer. The 18th with a nerveless three-foot ring to Bernard Gallacher, who 212 John Peterson (US) 68 70 74; Robert Rock and Finland’s Mikko rare times I did get the ball close putt to seal the title. skippered Europe’s 1995 winning Jhonattan Vegas (Venezuela) 71 66 Ilonen also shared top spot. I didn’t make any putts. It was Gallacher is one of golf’s late Ryder Cup team. 75; Yang Yong-Eun (South Korea) 64 Gallacher hit his first two one of those days.” bloomers, rising from 461 in the “For my generation it’s never 73 75; Scott Langley (US) 71 70 71; drives into the rough to begin Gallacher, in contrast, was rankings in 2010 to be on the cusp going to be in Scotland again. It’s Mark Calcavecchia (US) 70 71 71 with successive bogeys and gift a man transformed after the of the top 40 following back-to- always been a long-term goal to 213 Derek Ernst (US) 72 69 72; Ben Curtis playing partner McIlroy the lead. turn, where a day earlier he had back Dubai titles. play in a Ryder Cup, it just so (US) 68 72 73; Chris Kirk (US) 65 73 Yet the Northern Irishman equalled a European Tour record Now with three tour victories happens that the best spell I’m 75; Kevin Streelman (US) 71 68 74 failed to capitalise. He slugged with nine-under-par on the back to his name, he has narrowed his having is when it’s in Scotland. 215 Steven Bowditch (Australia) 71 69 75 his tee shot at the par-three sev- nine. “I think yesterday was the sights on playing in September’s There’s seven months to go, a lot 216 Fred Funk (US) 69 71 76; Vijay Singh enth into the water for a bogey key — Saturday is when you’re Ryder Cup, which will be held at of golf to be played and a lot of (Fiji) 69 72 75 and dropped three further shots trying to get into contention, to Gleneagles, around 65 kilometres good golf is needed to get in.” 218 Joe Ogilvie (US) 71 70 77 between holes 10 and 13, dooming get a lead,” said Gallacher. from his home. REUTERS Walker wins third round of Qatar Challenge

DOHA: David Walker was the of Lechner Racing) and Rashid Al winner of the third round of Sulaiti (QMMF Public Relations Qatar Challenge yesterday at Manager). the Losail International Circuit The winner of the race, Walker together with the Porsche GT3 is leading the championship with Cup Challenge ME and Radical 76 points. Peter DeVido is second Cup ME. with 49 points and Pavel Nedobity The Briton who drives under with 47 points is in third place. the Qatari licence didn’t had a The next round of Qatar good start and from the third Challenge will be on the 14th and place in the starting grid he came 15th March together with Qatar to the fifth position. Walker had Superbike. a nice battle with Eric Febbo and QMMF President and LIC Tim Stevens and finally in the General Manager Nasser Khalifa last laps he took the lead until Al Attiya said after the events: the checkered flag. “It has been a great weekend at “It was absolutely a fantas- Losail International Circuit, with tic race. to win the race coming something new at the Porsche from so back was unbelievable GT3 Cup Challenge ME, Qatarí as I made a mistake in the start driver, Nasser Saleh Al Attiya missing the gear, so I ended up to participating in this round and fifth position. The track was per- also in the coming ones. It adds fect with good tyres and amazing more value to the competition grippy track,” Walker said. level and it is also very good for Tim Stevens who drives a the image of the championship, we Honda Civic and Eric Febbo with are very happy with the perform- a Honda Integra grabbed sec- ance of the drivers and teams, ond and third places. “It was an who gave us a good show. I am amazing and a tough race, very really happy for the success of the close racing with great competi- second race of the season in Qatar tors. I am very happy to be in the of the Porsche championship as podium,” Stevens said after the you can see in the faces of driv- race. Eric Febbo also stated at the ers and teams their happiness of end of the race that the track was the event running at Losail. Also Winners of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge with thier trophies at the Losail International Circuit yesterday. fantastic and it was an epic race. we had another Championship In the ceremony, trophies for first time in Qatar, Radical were given by Sultan Zaher CUP Middle East and the third three championships in the same weekend and they made a good very good events and we are in who are behind, and media who Al Morraikhi (QMMF Board round of the Qatar Challenge, so weekend. The spectators were atmosphere in the grandstand. the good shape in the organisation really support us.” Member), Walter Lechner (Head it is something amazing to held very happy with the events of this We have started the 2014 with side, so I would like to thank all THE PENINSULA MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

Sheikh Khalid bin Ali Al Thani Inverness reach (second left), President of the Qatar Cycling Federation (QCF), is seen final as they with Ihab El Feky (right), General Manager of Qatar Automobiles Company, after break Hearts a sponsorship ceremony in EDINBURGH: Nine men Inverness reached their first ever domes- Doha yesterday. tic cup final as they defeated Hearts on penalties following a dra- Also seen are matic League Cup semi-final at Easter Road yesterday which ended Magid Al Naimi 2-2 after extra-time. (right), Secretary After a goalless first half Inverness took the lead in the 54th minute General, QCF, through a Greg Tansey thunderbolt before Jamie Hamill scored twice and Nasser Al in two minutes to give Hearts the advantage after Gary Warren had Kabi, Board been ordered off. Member, QCF. Inverness were reduced to nine men when Josh Meekings was shown PICTURE: SYAD a straight red but against the odds grabbed a stoppage time equaliser through Nick Ross. OMAR The Jambos failed to make their two man advantage count in extra time and it was Draper who scored the decisive kick to send the Highlanders through to March’s final as they exacted revenge for last year’s semi-final defeat on penalties to the same opponents. Inverness will now meet Aberdeen, who saw off St Johnstone on Saturday, in March’s final while Hearts will turn their attention back to trying to claw their way off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership National women’s squad table. Inverness manager John Hughes couldn’t hide his delight. “Someone up there likes me and the boys thoroughly deserve it,” Hughes said. “I have to say I don’t think Gary Warren’s first one was a yellow card and I don’t think Josh Meekings was a red card. It could make it a bit of a lottery in the final with our two centre-halves set for Hosking meeting missing.” Hearts manager Gary Locke said his side had blown a great chance to get to a final. “It is very cruel, but we’ve only got ourselves to blame. We had the The Australian rider to give tips to Qatar’s teen cyclists ball in the corner with a minute to go and, instead of keeping it there, we lose it and they go up and score,” Locke said. “We did great to get ourselves back into the game and we should DOHA: Top Australian rider have seen the game out.” Chloe Hosking will meet Qatar’s Inverness had applied all the early pressure Draper and Aaron Doran first ever women’s cycling team both firing wide before Tansey forced McDonald into a save. today in a bid to assess the Hearts took a while to settle in the game, with their first chance capability of the young riders coming just before the break when Sam Nicholson stung the palms of in Doha, this was announced by Australian rider Dean Brill with a shot from 25 yards. cycling chief Sheikh Khalid bin A wonder strike from Tansey handed Inverness a 54th minute lead. Chloe Hosking Ali Al Thani yesterday. The midfielder picked up the ball 25 yards out and he sent a blistering is seen with Last year’s white jersey winner first time shot beyond MacDonald. Hosking, who clinched one of the Sheikh Khalid Callum Paterson was twice denied by Brill before on-loan West Ham three stages during the Ladies’ bin Ali Al Thani, striker Paul McCallum came on for his debut. Tour of Qatar in 2013, is set to President of the The substitute made an instant impact as he drew a foul from Gary have a detailed chat with Qatari Qatar Cycling Warren that earned the Caley man his marching orders for a second riders before mounting on her Federation yellow and from the free-kick Hamill sent a 68th minute deflected bike for this week’s edition which (QCF), after the shot beyond Brill. kicks off at Museum of Islamic first stage of the Two minutes later Hamill had Hearts in front with a fine strike Art tomorrow. Ladies Tour of from distance before Meekings saw red late on for a clumsy challenge Just over two months ago, QCF Qatar in this file on Scott Robinson. named a batch of 22 girls that photo taken in However, Nick Ross bundled the ball home in stoppage time before formed the country and region’s January 2013. Draper scored the crucial spot-kick to seal the game. REUTERS first women’s cycling team. Ramz Sbeitan (17), Salma Marey (16), Reem Sbeitan (13), SPL Results Wondolowski Nermeen Ghounim (16), Rana LONDON: Scottish Sbeitan (16) and Dana Othman Premiership result yesterday: shines as US Abuhejleh (16) are some of the Celtic 1 (Commons 6) St girls training at Losail Circuit Mirren 0 crush Korea under the tutorship of Finnish for the 2016 UCI Road World could build the sport further. Sheikh Khalid said. “That means Played Saturday coach Pia Sundstedt. Championships to be held in That would be great. That would the level of women’s cycling is LOS ANGELES: Chris “We have chosen top Australian Doha. be amazing for these riders. The going up. They are strong, pro- Kilmarnock 2 (Boyd 48, 90) Wondolowski strengthened cyclist Chloe Hosking to meet our In an earlier chat with The 13-year-old we have - if she is fessional and they take their per- Ross County 2 (Arquin 30, his case for a spot in Jurgen riders and check their progress,” Peninsula, Qatar coach Pia said willing to work hard you never formances seriously. I really enjoy Songo’o 37) Klinsmann’s World Cup squad Sheikh Khalid, President of Qatar her squad was moving in the right know how far she can go,” Pia watching their amazing perform- Partick 1 (Fraser 75) Dundee yesterday, scoring two goals in Cycling Federation (QCF), said direction. said. ances. We always host top teams. Utd 1 (El Alagui 29) the United States’ 2-0 friendly ahead of today’s meeting at Losail “I have a fantastic group,” Pia Sheikh Khalid said Qatar wants I expect to see a good race because win over South Korea. International Circuit. said. “They are all young. The to take the sport forward. the way the teams have prepared. SPL standings With some four months “She will have practice laps youngest is 13. The oldest is 21. It “Our mission is to develop this We can see them come here bet- remaining until the World Cup LONDON: Scottish with our national side at Losail is a good age to be doing all this,” sport in the region. We just don’t ter prepared.” in Brazil, the battle for berths Premiership table after yester- Circuit. She will ride with our she added. want to hold races only. We wan’t Magid Al Naimi, Secretary in the 23-man squad is heating day’s match. new team,” Sheikh Khalid added. “I am very excited about it. The to promote the sport. We always General, QCF, said the two 2014 up and Wondolowski showed he P W D L GF GA Pts “We want her to see our riders process started in March-April wanted to have a ladies team from Tour of Qatar races will be broad- wants to be in the mix. The San and give her feedback. We have (2013). I got this group together Qatar and now that we formed a cast across Asia, Europe by BeIN Celtic 24 21 3 0 57 12 66 Jose Earthquakes striker pounced been planning this for some time (late last year) and we have been squad, we want to take the mes- SPORTS. Aberdeen 24 14 3 7 35 22 45 on a rebound conceded by Jung now. training since then,” she added. sage to the rest of the region,” “We are dealing with BeIN Motherwell 23 14 2 7 34 30 44 Sung-Ryong in the fourth minute “We will look to her feedback. “I have some good riders. They Sheikh Khalid said. SPORTS and our signals are avail- Inverness CT 22 11 4 7 29 21 37 to head home the opening goal. We want our young riders to talk still have to learn about the sport. Sheikh Khalid said he was sur- able internationally. Live stream- Dundee Utd 24 9 8 7 40 28 35 South Korea nearly equalised to her so that they can follow her. I am teaching them skills on how prised to see how well the Ladies ing is also available,” Al Naimi moments later from a corner. A St Johnstone 23 9 5 9 31 26 32 She is young and she can be of to ride at corners, how to break Tour of Tour Qatar had evolved said. near post ball was flicked back- help and inspiration to them. from a group and how to change since the first edition in 2009. “Both Tours are widely seen in Hibernian 24 7 7 10 21 27 28 wards by Matt Besler and barely Our riders can engage her with gears etc. They show great inter- “The development of our Europe and the Americas, espe- Kilmarnock 25 7 5 13 30 41 26 kept out of the net by US goal- questions. Our future has started est in everything we do,” she said. Ladies Tour of Qatar was a sur- cially the Men’s Tour. Our races St Mirren 25 6 6 13 24 41 24 keeper Nick Rimando. already,” Sheikh Khalid said. “My wish we could have more prise. It was amazing to see the reach millions of homes around Ross County 24 6 4 14 29 43 22 The US held the slim advan- QCF is also expected to name races for women in the GCC way female riders tackle what we the world,” he said. Partick 25 4 10 11 22 39 22 tage until the 60th minute, when Hosking as an ‘Ambassador (Middle East) so that we all call tough conditions in Qatar,” THE PENINSULA Hearts 25 5 5 15 22 44 5 Graham Zusi’s low cross to the near post was laid off by Landon Note: 2014 Ladies Tour Hearts deducted 15 points Donovan, and Wondolowski belted for entering administration home the loose ball. REUTERS of Qatar stages Stage 1: February 4 – Museum of Islamic to Mesaieed, 97km Stage 2: February 5 – Al Zubarah to Shamal City, 112.5km Stage 3: February 6 – Katara to Al Khor Corniche, 93km Stage 4: February 7 – Sealine Beach Resort to Doha Corniche, 85km 15 Teams Australia: Team Australia (AUS): Wells (Aus) Orica - AIS (GEW): Johansson (Swe), Elvin (Aus) Belgium: Lotto-Belisol Ladies (LBL): D’Hoore (Bel), Rousse (Fra) United States: Specialized-Lululemon (SLU): Worrack, Brennauer (Ger) France: Equipe de France (FRA): Biannic, Jeuland (Fra) Great Britain: Wiggle Honda (WHT): Bronzini (Ita), Becker (Ger) Hong-Kong: China Chongming-Giant (GPC): Huang (Chn) Italy: Bepink (BPK): Amialiusik (Blr), Valsecchi (Ita) Team Italy (ITA): Cecchini (Ita) Ale Cipollini Galassia (MCG): Guderzo (Ita) Norway: Hitec Products-UCK (HPU): Hosking (Aus), Cordon (Fra) The Netherlands: Equipe des Pays-Bas (NED): Bras (Ned) Boels Dolmans Cycling Team (DLT): Van Dijk (Ned), Armitstead (Gbr) Rabo Liv Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s manager John Hughes celebrates with Qatar cyclists Ramz Sbeitan, Salma Marey, Reem Sbeitan, Nermeen Ghounim, Rana Sbeitan and Dana Othman Women Cycling Team (RBW): Brand (Ned) Team Greg Tansey his side’s win over Hearts in their Scottish League Cup Abuhejleh are seen during a team unveiling ceremony in this file photo taken in December 2013. Argos-Shimano (SKI): Wild, Pieters (Ned) semi-final match at Easter Rd Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland, yesterday. Russia: Rusvelo (RVL): Kozonchuk (Rus) MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2014 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT England end tour with T20 loss Australia inflict more pain on visitors by winning the Twenty20 series 3-0

SYDNEY: England’s sorry tour home in the hours after the of Australia finally ended with a Sydney match, surrendered Scotland whimper yesterday -- a crush- limply to the Australian bowlers. ing 84-run defeat to give the Eoin Morgan was the best of a hosts a clean sweep of the three- bad lot with 34 off 20 balls as the eye World game Twenty20 series. Australian bowlers shared in the The Australians, with man-of- wickets. the-match George Bailey smash- Nathan Coulter-Nile and spin- ing an unbeaten 49 off 20 balls, ners Glenn Maxwell and James Cup upsets scored 195 for six after winning Muirhead each claimed two the toss in Sydney. wickets. WELLINGTON: Scotland co- The home side then dismissed Skipper Bailey earlier clubbed coach Paul Collingwood is ada- the psychologically-scarred tour- 26 runs off the last over to steer mant his side are not going to ists for 111 in the 18th over to Australia to their insurmount- next year’s Cricket World Cup sweep the series. able total after winning the toss just to make up the numbers It marked the end of a disas- at Sydney’s Olympic stadium. and believes they have the tal- trous 103-day tour for England, The Aussie skipper smacked ent to cause upsets. who lost the Ashes Tests 5-0 and 4-6-6-4-4-2 off Jade Dernbach’s The Scots sneaked into the the one-day international series last over of the innings. In all World Cup with a 41-run win over 4-1, meaning Australia won 12-1 Australia hit 13 sixes in their the United Arab Emirates in the across the three formats. innings. final of the qualifying tournament In between the losses, the Bailey smashed a total of three in New Zealand. international careers of spinner sixes and four fours in an unbro- It puts them into Pool A for Graeme Swann and coach Andy ken seventh-wicket stand of 56 next year’s tournament along Flower have been ended. with wicketkeeper Matthew with heavyweights Australia, The future is also uncertain for Wade (19 off 10 balls). England, New Zealand and Sri Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior and Bailey said Australia’s selectors Lanka as well as Bangladesh and Jonathan Trott while Alastair had some welcome headaches to Afghanistan. Cook’s Test captaincy is far from solve ahead of the World T20. UAE will be placed in Pool B certain. “It was a challenge we threw along with Ireland, Pakistan, “It’s been good fun throughout out to the group... there would be South Africa, West Indies, the tour. We’ve been hugely dis- spots up for grabs,” he said. Zimbabwe and defending cham- appointing, not at the races for “Guys needed to commit to pions India. three months, but you have to give how the team wanted to play and Scotland previously qualified credit to Australia,” said England I can’t fault any of them. for the 1999 and 2007 World T20 skipper Stuart Broad. “It’s been very, very pleasing Cups where they failed to win “We’ve got a two-week break and we’ve finished it off with a game, but Collingwood is con- at home and then go to the the most complete performance fident his side will make an Caribbean but we know we’re a tonight, which is great. Australia Nathan Coulter-Nile (left) runs towars Michael Starc after he caught out Alex Hales of England during impact. decent T20 side. “It was a couple of lucky nights the third match in the Twenty20 at the Sydney Olympic Park in Sydney, Australia, yesterday. “What it comes down to is “We can now get together as a (with the bat for me) so hopefully hopefully the confidence levels group for a decent period to work that can continue for a bit further. come at the World Cup next year,” on specific things, improve and “Both nights we’ve had solid -- cracked three sixes in his 29 Scoreboard the former England all-rounder, learn from this week. starts and that’s been key to us off 16 balls. who is on a short-term contract “We’ve got a dangerous side. -- (Aaron) Finch and White in Recalled veteran Brad Hodge, AUSTRALIA A Hales c Muirhead b Coulter-Nile ...... 6 with Scotland, told Fairfax Media We’ve got to go to Bangladesh (for all three games.” batting in his first T20 interna- C White c Buttler b Jordan ...... 41 B Stokes c Cutting b Maxwell ...... 5 yesterday. the world T20) with confidence Opener Cameron White con- tional in six years, scored seven. A Finch c Broad b Bresnan ...... 30 J Root c Cutting b Maxwell ...... 11 A barometer will come in May and hopefully we can get some tinued his strong T20 series Broad was the best of England’s G Maxwell c Hales b Broad ...... 14 E Morgan c Starc b Cutting ...... 34 when the Scots play England momentum in the Caribbean.” with 41 off 37 balls, while fast bowlers with three for 30, includ- B Cutting c&b Root ...... 29 J Buttler c Maxwell b Christian ...... 8 who have just completed a dismal England, perhaps with their bowler Ben Cutting -- elevated to ing the wickets of Hodge and Dan G Bailey (not out) ...... 49 R Bopara b Coulter-Nile ...... 4 series in Australia. minds on the team’s departure number four in the batting order Christian in his final over. AFP B Hodge c Dernbach b Broad ...... 7 T Bresnan st Wade b Muirhead ...... 14 “Obviously England will be D Christian b Broad ...... 0 C Jordan (not out) ...... 10 huge for us,” Scotland captain M Wade (not out) ...... 19 S Broad b Muirhead ...... 2 Peter Mommsen said. Extras (LB-2, W-4) ...... 6 J Dernbach (run out-Bailey/Wade) ...... 1 “We’ll be looking to cause an England’s Giles would be ‘very upset. It’s happened before at Total (for 6 wkts in 20 overs) ...... 195 Extras (B-2, LB-4, W-2) ...... 8 Fall of wickets: 1-48, 2-65, 3-118, 4-130, Total (all out in 17.2 overs) ...... 111 World Cups and there’s no reason 5-139, 6-139. Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-19, 3-25, 4-60,5-79, it can’t happen again next year. Bowling: Broad 4-0-30-3, Jordan 4-0-23-1 6-82, 7-92, 8-98, 9-104,10-111. “It’s always a big rivalry interested’ in succeeding Flower with the English. We’ve got (1w), Bresnan 4-0-42-1, Stokes 3-0-36-0 (1w), Bowling: Starc 2.2-0-8-1 (1w), Coulter-Nile Dernbach 4-0-49-0 (2w), Root 1-0-13-1. 4-0-21-2, Maxwell 4-0-31-2, Cutting 3-0-18-1 them in May up in Aberdeen, LONDON: Former test spin bowler Ashley “As someone who was very proud to play for ENGLAND (1w), Christian 2-0-14-1, Muirhead 2-0-13-2. and that’ll be a good little Giles confirmed on yesterday that he would be England I’ve been proud to coach the one-day side. L Wright c Cutting b Starc ...... 8 Result: Australia won by 84 runs. test,” he added. “very interested” in succeeding Andy Flower as To do the whole job would be a fantastic opportu- A total of 14 teams will con- England’s team director following his resignation. nity, but it’s hard work as well.” Flower resigned test the World Cup, to be hosted Giles, who took over as limited-overs coach in after England’s 5-0 Ashes whitewash. England also by Australia and New Zealand, 2012, was speaking after England suffered an 84-run lost the one-day series 4-1 to Australia. Meanwhile, comprising the ICC’s 10 full Twenty20 defeat to Australia, which meant they lost uncapped Ishwar Pandey made an immediate impact member nations and four affili- the series 3-0. for India on the first day of a two-day Test warm- ate countries. “I’d be very interested in doing the job, definitely,” up match against a New Zealand XI in Whangarei Ireland and Afghanistan Ishwar Pandey Giles said in an interview with Sky Sports. yesterday. secured two of the affiliate spots “I’m not going to deny that and I’m sure I will be The tall fast-medium-fast bowler, aged 24, took of India bowls last year. applying for the post. three for 42 as the makeshift New Zealand side, during day one In the second qualifying tourna- “If I have to put an application in over the next comprising domestic players and members of the of the two-day ment final Scotland made a shaky couple of weeks then I’ll think about that and get New Zealand under-19 squad, failed to cash in on a warm up match start, being reduced to 37-3 after it done.” bold start. After the New Zealand XI reached 149- between the New seven overs before Mommsen Giles has won 15 of his 38 matches in charge but 2, Under-19 captain Robbie O’Donnell was removed Zealand XI and starred with an unbeaten 139 to he does not expect to be the only candidate inter- by Ishant Sharma for 80 and wickets fell regularly India at Cobham lift the total to 285-5. ested in taking over from former Zimbabwe wicket- from then on. Oval in Whangarei The UAE were restricted to keeper-batsman Flower. “I’m not silly, if it goes out The New Zealand XI declared at 262 for nine and yesterday. 244-9 in reply. to a process other people are going to apply,” added at stumps India were 41 without loss. Murali Vijay Final placings: 1. Scotland, 2. Giles who took 143 wickets during his test career was on 19 and Shikhar Dhawan, who struggled in UAE, 3. Hong Kong, 4. PNG, 5. with England. the recent one-day series, was on 16. Kenya, 6. Namibia, 7. Netherlands, “It’s one of the biggest jobs in cricket and I’d apply The first of two Tests starts in Auckland on 8. Canada, 9. Nepal, 10. Uganda. for it because I want to do it. Thursday. AGENCIES AFP Qatar Rally to feature Super Special Stage at Corniche

DOHA: The QMMF Qatar February 21 and February 22nd to 2013 with minor changes,” said International Rally, round one of in the Qatar desert. Semaan. “One stage is totally new the 2014 FIA Middle East Rally Action starts at 09.53hrs on and we have eliminated areas Championship, will feature a Friday morning with the first with rocks which caused cars ceremonial start and a Super of two runs through the Umm to sustain flat tyres. The area is Special Stage on Doha Corniche, Wishah stage and this is followed scenic, undulating and there are when it kick-starts the region’s by timed tests at Al-Shabana and many twisty curves and challeng- new season of international ral- Al Karsaah before teams head to ing corners.” lying action on February 20. the Qatar Aqua Park on the Salwa Documentation and scrutineer- Held in conjunction with a Road for the main midday serv- ing of the cars will take place conference by the FIA Women ice. The three special stages are at the QMMF in Doha before in Motorsport Commission, the repeated in the afternoon before a the FIA Women in Motorsport three-day event is being organ- return to a late afternoon service Commission meeting takes place ised by the Qatar Motor and at the Aqua Park. on Wednesday, February 19th. Motorcycle Federation (QMMF), Saturday’s action begins This precedes a second confer- under the presidency of Nasser with a run through the 20.9km ence with the MERC’s women’s Khalifa Al Attiyah, FIA vice- Mekhaines stage at 09.38hrs and representative on the morning of president for sport in the Middle this precedes the Salwa special Thursday, February 20th. East region. and the first of two runs through The QMMF is offering a gener- “To promote rallying better we the longest stage of the rally – a ous assistance package to inter- need to bring the action to the 27.87km desert challenge spon- national entrants and at the general public and, by arrang- sored by the QMMF. Another Century Hotel in Doha, organis- ing the ceremonial start and a service precedes a repeat of the ers said. super special on the Corniche three timed tests on Saturday For further information in Doha, we are doing just that,” afternoon, prior to the ceremo- about the 2014 QMMF Qatar enthused Al-Attiyah, who has nial finish in front of the QMMF International Rally, contact also appointed a Qatari national in Doha from 15.50hrs. Marie-Lou Cruz, Qatar Motor -Marwan Musabah - as clerk of Rally director Elie Semaan has and Motor Cycle Federation the course for the first time. also introduced two remote refu- (QMMF), PO Box 8708, Doha, The meat of the off-road elling areas between stages. “Five Qatar, Tel: + 974 437 9884/9885, Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah on his way to victory in last year’s Qatar International Rally. in Doha yesterday. action will take place on Friday, of the special stages are similar AFP MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Czechs, Japan reach quarters Davis Cup: Italy and Kazakhstan advance to quarter-finals; France to meet Germany

PARIS: The Czech Republic, finalists duly clinched the closing seeking a third consecu- two academic rubbers courtesy Makarova tive Davis Cup title, moved of Filip Krajinovic and Dusan into the quarter finals while Lajovic. France swamped Australia and The Swiss host Kazakhstan, triumphs in Germany courted controversy who saw off Belgium 3-2 in as first round ties reached their Almaty, in the quarter-finals. conclusion yesterday. Germany, who held an unas- Pattaya Open The Czechs held the upper sailable 3-0 lead over five- hand 2-1 going into the reverse time former winners Spain in PATTAYA, Thailand: singles against the Netherlands Frankfurt, soured their win by Ekaterina Makarova won her and Tomas Berdych bagged the claiming that three of their play- second career title yesterday, all-important third point with a ers were unfit to play. claiming a 6-3 7-6 (7) victory three-set win over lowly-ranked That left the crowd and the over Czech Karolina Pliskova at Thiemo de Bakker. Spanish short-changed, with the the Pattaya Open. The Dutch claimed the final hosts unable to play the opening The Russian left-hander, whose dead rubber when Igor Sijsling rubber of the day - Germany’s only previous title came when she saw off Lukas Rosol giving the last man standing, Daniel Brands, won Eastbourne in 2010, with- Czechs a 3-2 victory and a last beating Roberto Bautista Agut in stood a strong challenge in both eight date with Japan, first time the fifth rubber. sets, but her greater consistency quarter-finalists after defeating As Germany looked forward and more aggressive play in the Canada in Tokyo. to facing France in the next tiebreak earned her a victory. There was an air of anti- round, the team were accused of Pliskova, who was also seek- climax about Japan’s feat after damaging the image of German ing her second career title after Canada’s Frank Dancevic retired tennis. winning in Kuala Lumpur in injured from his rubber with Kei Ex-Germany professional February 2013, struck six aces in Nishikori. Nicolas Kiefer said: “It is a pity her opening service game but still Go Soeda thrashed Peter and sad, it has tarnished every- had to fight off two break points Polansky 6-1, 6-4 in the dead final thing which has been built up in before holding for 1-1. rubber to complete a 4-1 rout over the last two days. She then failed to convert three last year’s semi-finalists. “From the outside, this is not a break points on Makarova’s serve “It’s a bit hard being overjoyed good look for us.” in the next game and went on to to win like that but to make his- Germany captain Carsten lose her serve at 4-3 in the only tory is unbelievable,” Nishikori, Arriens had earlier explained, France’s Gael Monfils celebrates after winning against Australia’s Nick Kyrgios during their Davis Cup first break of the match when she hit the world number 18, reflected. to jeers from spectators in the round tennis match between at the Vendespace in Mouilleron-le-Captif, western France, yesterday. RIGHT: a forehand long. The Czechs may have to travel Frankfurt arena: “The three play- Italy’s tennis player Fabio Fognini spits water during his Davis Cup World Group first round singles match The second set went with serve, to Tokyo without their star player, ers are not in a position to play, against Argentina’s Carlos Berlocq in Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, yesterday. with Pliskova failing to convert world number seven Berdych. the fact we must forfeit a game two further break points to lead “I’ve won the salad bowl twice, is not ideal.” 4-2. I’ve given the team a lot over the In Saturday’s doubles rubber, “All three of us are all really Mouilleron-le-Captif, France doubles against Chris Guccione In a dramatic finale, Makarova past 10, 11 years. I’d say a rest Germany’s Tommy Haas and beat up, we’re flat, there’s no way completed a 5-0 whitewash of and Lleyton Hewitt. In the built a 5-2 lead in the tiebreak but would be fully deserved,” he had Philipp Kohlschreiber enjoyed we can play,” said Haas. Australia, Gael Monfils and Julien two remaining ties, Italy lead faced set point at 6-5 after she warned earlier. a four-sets win over Fernando The German Tennis Union Benneteau dishing out three-set Argentina 2-1 in Mar del Plata, netted a smash. Serbia, trailing Switzerland Verdasco and David Marrero. (DTB) said the trio had all been defeats to Aussie teenager Nick and Andy Murray’s Great Britain Pliskova though hit her only 3-0, had only honour at stake in But the victory came at a cost seen by an International Tennis Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis lead the USA by the same margin double-fault of the match and Novi Sad. with Kohlschreiber picking up a Federation (ITF) doctor. respectively. in San Diego. also failed to win a second set With the Swiss resting their thigh problem and Haas aggra- DTB president Karl Altenburg Richard Gasquet and The quarter-finals of the point at 7-6 before Makarova top two players - Australian Open vating a shoulder injury, as had added: “We will assess what hap- Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, teaming up 114-year-old competition are secured victory on her first winner Stanislas Wawrinka and Friday’s singles winner Florian pened later in calm.” for the first time, had claimed scheduled for April 4 to 6. match point. Roger Federer - last year’s beaten Mayer. Over on the clay court of the decisive point in Saturday’s REUTERS “I was angry a little bit because she served twice really good and she returned just on the line and then it was 5-5,” said Makarova. “Then I missed a pretty easy ball. It got tighter and tighter and she had set point again. I just had to be focused and get everything Russian player Ekaterina in and try to be as aggressive as Makarova (right) posing with I could.” the winner’s trophy after Pliskova said she considered that she had been second best beating runner up Karolina throughout. Pliskova of the Czech “I think she played better than Repulbic during the final me the whole match,” Pliskova round of WTA Pattaya Open said. at the Thai resort of Pattaya, “I was just trying to stay in yesterday. Makarova beat the match and trying to fight,” Pliskova 6-3, 7-6 (7) to take she said. the title. RIGHT: Russia’s In Paris, Anastasia Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova Pavlyuchenkova of Russia won her holds her trophy as she cel- sixth WTA title, beating Italy’s ebrates after winning against Sara Errani 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 to claim Italy’s Sara Errani at the end the Paris Open yesrterday. of the final match of the WTA The 22-year-old had secured Paris Open tennis tourna- her place in the final by upsetting ment in Paris, yesterday. compatriot and top seed Maria Sharapova in Saturday’s semis. For Errani this was a second successive defeat in the final at the French capital’s Coubertin stadium as she lost out to Germany’s Mona Barthel in 2013. AGENCIES Rugby: Ireland ease past Scotland in Six Nations

DUBLIN: Ireland comfortably the home crowd were hoping for For the Ulster winger, who has side’s character and resilience won their opening Six Nations more of the same but witnessed a been in and out of the national despite watching them suffer a championship match at the disappointingly flat performance team for years, his 13th inter- narrow 26-24 defeat to France. Aviva Stadium yesterday, taking for much of the first half. national try was a particularly Having conceded a try after 30 their time to get going before After weathering early Scottish sweet one, having been overlooked seconds and trailed 16-8 at the beating Scotland 28-6 as they pressure and a missed penalty during last year’s championship interval, England fought back look to put last year’s poor cam- from Greig Laidlaw, Ireland took due to Ireland’s strength in the superbly as Mike Brown and deb- paign firmly behind them. the lead on 14 minutes through position. utant centre Luther Burrell both Ireland, who last season a Johnny Sexton penalty before Joe Schmidt’s side refused to let scored tries, while buccaneer- endured their worst Six Nations Laidlaw knocked over his second an early second-half penalty from ing number eight Billy Vunipola in 14 years, showed signs of the kick at goal to level the scores. Laidlaw kill their momentum and proved to be a handful for the rugby that brought them come Sexton quickly restored the they had a second try minutes French defence. so close to beating New Zealand three-point advantage but later when their forwards rum- Danny Care’s drop goal edged in November with tries from Rob Scotland, despite lacking any sort bled over from a lineout to give England into a 21-16 lead before Kearney, Andrew Trimble and of cutting edge with ball in hand, Heaslip his score. both sides traded penalties but, Jamie Heaslip easing them home. continued to wrestle back the ini- Sexton added the conversion despite looking on course for vic- “We learned a lot in the tiative, frustrating the home side and tagged on another penalty tory, Lancaster’s side were to be November series and if we can until just before the break when after more relentless pressure denied when Gael Fickou scored make this place a bit of a fortress, Sexton provided the spark Ireland from the home side, for whom with four minutes remaining and we can go places,” Heaslip, who needed. record try scorer Brian O’Driscoll Maxime Machenaud kicked the took over as captain after illness The Racing Metro flyhalf made became the country’s most- winning conversion. ruled Paul O’Connell out of the a fantastic break from inside capped player with his 129th cap. “I thought the boys showed game shortly before kickoff, said his own half, weaving past the Scotland, who beat Ireland incredible character, resilience in a pitchside interview. Scottish defence before finding last year but have not won their and a lot of skill to put ourselves “It was tough losing Paulie this Heaslip with a pinpoint long pass opening match since 2006, had in a position to win it,” Lancaster morning, he’s an unbelievable to put the big number eight into no answer and Ireland fullback told reporters. leader but we’ve got some great a footrace for the corner. Kearney, with equal parts power “It was a great performance in leaders in the team and we played Heaslip was correctly adjudged and finesse, marked his 50th lots of ways. We’re very proud. with a lot of passion today.” to have put a foot in touch before appearance with the game’s third Once we get over the initial dis- Scotland wing Sean Lamont (left) is tackled by Ireland’s Dan Tuohy dur- Having watched their side come placing the ball but Ireland stole a try 10 minutes from time. appointment we’ll take a huge ing the Six Nations at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, yesterday. Ireland within 30 seconds of toppling the lineout and had their try a minute Meanwhile, England coach amount of positives from the won 28-6. world champions last time out, later through Trimble. Stuart Lancaster hailed his young game,” he added. AGENCIES Monday 3 February 2014 3 Rabial II 1435 Volume 18 Number 5964 Sport Price: QR2 Australia win Holders Czech Twenty20 ease past the series 3-0 Netherlands

Sport | 26 Sport | 27

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Stage set for National Sport Day Qatar Olympic Committee to kick off week-long celebrations from February 6

DOHA: Qatar Olympic the community sport in ambitious Bahiya Mansour Committee (QOC), the coun- effort to encourage the participa- (left), Qatar’s flag- try’s governing sport body is tion of individuals and families in bearer at 2012 preparing to celebrate a unique the sport which is a significant and exceptional event, the tool to improve life and health for London Olympic National Sport Day (NSD) from all ” said Al Khalifa. Games, Paralympian February 6 until the official cel- Likewise, Sheikh Hamad bin Abdulrahman ebrations on February 11, amid Abdulaziz Al Thani, the Official- Abdulqader (right) highly expected participation in-charge of Media Relations at and national foot- from the government and non- the QOC confirmed that the NSD ball legend Adel government organisations, sport will feature exceptional sport pro- Khamis visited Qatar federations, clubs, centers, com- grams and activities, where QOC International School panies, community individuals will organise the Traditional yesterday as part of from across the country. Shawaheef Rowing Championship the build up for the QOC has announced that its official celebrations at the QOC on the occasion of the Country’s National Sport Day NSD celebration will get under- Sport Zone. National Sport Day scheduled for celebrations. way from February 6 until The Assistant Secretary February 11 on Doha Corninche. February 11 ( lasting for one General for Administrative “The QR4m prize money event week) at the QOC Sport Zone, Support also outlined that the will bring together around 10 genders took part in the program edition kicked off in February from both governments and where multiple sport activities NSD website ( www.sportday.qa) teams, comprising elite rowing last year. 2012 pursuant to the supreme non-government departments, and programs are dully prepared is ready to provide a comprehen- sporting amateurs and pioneers “The campaign was successful Emiri Decree No. 80 for the year companies, agencies, community for all age groups including, men, sive coverage for all sport events, who will compete for a three kil- in view of its objective of encour- 2011 on December 6, 2011, con- individuals, visitors and guests, women, youth and children. activities, programmes and sto- ometers distance on the sea” said aging participants to positively cerning the State’s National Sport believing in the important role In a pre-event release, ries, photos from across the coun- Sheikh Hamad. change in their lifestyle, in a way Day. played by the sport for mental Mishal Al Khalifa, the QOC try, as well as it will provide all Sheikh Hamad also explained to keep up with healthy behaviors The Decree states that Tuesday and physical health. Assistant Secretary General for the participants with a road map that “Be Fit” Campaign organised for the rest of their life, then to in the second week of February State of Qatar is a pioneer Administrative Support con- to help their access to all locations by the Qatar Olympic Committee contribute to raising awareness each year will be the State’s nation at the world level to allo- firmed that the nature of the of the events. in cooperation with the VLCC about healthy lifestyle in their National Sports Day. cate official holiday for sport urg- celebrations this year will be dis- “Qatar Olympic Committee is Center reflected a much higher family and community environ- A public and unprecedented ing people to identify the values tinctive, unique and exceptional, always keen to arrange highly participation rate that the previ- ment” said Sheikh Hamad. participation in this year’s of sport for human. starting one week prior the world class sport facilities for ous edition. 775 persons of both National Sport Day’s first National Sport Day is expected THE PENINSULA No Sochi reprieve Liverpool’s Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez (left) for banned India breaks free from West Bromwich SOCHI, RUSSIA: India’s been president of the World Albion’s three competitors at the Squash Federation since 2008. Uruguayan Winter Olympics had their The IOC froze India’s mem- defender Diego slender hopes of competing bership in December 2012 and Lugano dur- under their national flag in suspended it from the Games ing the English Sochi dashed yesterday. movement after the IOA elected Premier League The India Olympic a number of tainted officials to match at The Association (IOA) remains key posts. Hawthorns in suspended from the Olympic Meanwhile, Russia yesterday West Bromwich, movement until fresh elections welcomed the first teams to central England, take place on February 9. Sochi less than a week ahead of yesterday. As that falls after the the start to the Olympic Games, February 7 opening ceremony, as organisers worked all out to the three athletes will compete finish accommodation on time. as independent competitors. The Games, the biggest event “They will take part as Russia has hosted since the fall independent athletes under of the Soviet Union, are to get the International Olympic underway on February 7 at Committee (IOC) flag,” said a ceremony starting at 2014 IOC spokesman Mark Adams local time (1614 GMT) that yesterday when he ruled out a is expected to project Russia’s Arsenal bounce back to the top last-minute reprieve. status as a world and sport- “There will be meetings of ing power. Athletes from five LONDON: Alex Oxlade- He produced English Premier nicknamed ‘The Rodgers kept faith with the the IOA over the next couple teams, including New Zealand Chamberlain scored twice as two excellent Ox’, played a slick team that had crushed Everton of days, but these will be after and Japan, were given official Arsenal recorded a 2-0 home saves to thwart League Results one-two with 4-0 in mid-week and he saw his the opening ceremony so it’s welcoming ceremonies as they win over Crystal Palace yester- first Nacho Olivier Giroud side take a 24th-minute lead unlikely there will be a change. arrived at the Olympic Village day that took them back to the Monreal and LONDON: English Premier before cutting when Sturridge volleyed in Luis “Things are on a good footing ahead of the main influx of ath- top of the Premier League table. then Laurent League results yesterday: into the Palace Suarez’s cross from close range. and we are hopeful that they letes next week. Making his first league start Koscielny, before Arsenal 2 (Oxlade-Chamberlain 47, 73) box from the left West Brom suffered a blow have followed advice.” Media arriving early for the since the season’s opening day, bravely diving at Crystal Palace 0 and letting fly when centre-back Jonas Olsson India’s athletes in Sochi are Games have found organisers Oxlade-Chamberlain scored Bacary Sagna’s West Bromwich Albion 1 (Anichebe 67) with a low drive had to limp off four minutes Shiva Keshavan in men’s luge, racing against the clock to fin- both goals in the second half to feet shortly Liverpool 1 (Sturridge 24) that Speroni before the break, but a half-time Nadeem Iqbal in cross country ish accommodation on time, send Arsenal two points above before half-time. Playing today (2000 GMT) could not keep shift to a 4-4-2 formation gave skiing and Himanshu Thakur with rooms still being fur- Manchester City, who host third- It had been a Manchester City vs Chelsea out. them fresh impetus. in Alpine skiing. nished even after journalists place Chelsea today. disciplined and Earlier, an Zoltan Gera had gone close The IOA is set to elect world had checked in. The result got Arsene Wenger’s hard-working display from Palace, embarrassing mistake by Kolo shortly before the interval and squash chief N Ramachandran “There are still some issues side back to winning ways after but two minutes into the second Toure prevented Liverpool from it took a stunning one-handed as its president next week, to be solved as it is always just the 2-2 draw at Southampton half they fell behind. strengthening their grip on fourth save from Liverpool goalkeeper paving the way for the coun- before the games,” IOC president that cost them top spot, while Former Arsenal striker place as they drew 1-1 at West Simon Mignolet to repel Gareth try’s expected return to the Thomas Bach acknowledged as Palace were left one place above Marouane Chamakh allowed Bromwich Albion. McAuley’s header early in the Olympic fold. Ramachandran he attended a session of the IOC the relegation zone after a first Oxlade-Chamberlain to run into Liverpool were seeking to move second period. was the lone candidate in the executive board in Sochi. defeat in three league games. the box behind him and when the four points clear of fifth-place West Brom goalkeeper Ben fray for the president’s post in “But always in this respect With Oxlade-Chamberlain in scheming Santi Cazorla picked Everton and they took the lead Foster kept his side in the game the February 9 elections. we are in contact with the central midfield alongside Mikel out the England man with a through Daniel Sturridge at The by blocking from Suarez in a one- Also certain to be elected organising committee and we Arteta, Arsenal quickly assumed dinked pass, he coolly lifted the Hawthorns, only for Toure to gift on-one situation and less than unopposed were Hockey India hope that the situation will control at the Emirates Stadium, ball over Speroni. West Brom a 67th-minute equal- 10 minutes later, the hosts drew official Rajiv Mehta as secre- be solved in the next couple of but they struggled to make Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech iser by passing the ball straight to level. tary-general and the country’s days,” he added. inroads against Tony Pulis’s well- Szczesny was quickly called Victor Anichebe. Ivorian centre-back Toure tennis chief Anil Khanna as After winning the right to drilled Palace. into action at the other end, The Nigerian striker accepted did not appear to see Anichebe treasurer. host the Games in a bid spear- The visitors had new goal- saving a header from Cameron the gift to level the scores, leaving lurking outside the Liverpool Ramachandran, whose elder headed by President Vladimir keeper Wayne Hennessey on the Jerome at point-blank range, Liverpool with only a two-point box and his attempted pass to brother N. Srinivasan heads the Putin, Russia had to build bench, but their current number but Oxlade-Chamberlain’s sec- cushion in fourth place and lift- Jon Flanagan was cut out by the Board of Control for Cricket in almost all its infrastructure one, Julian Speroni, seemed ond goal in the 73rd minute set- ing Pepe Mel’s West Brom a point former Everton man, who lashed India, served as the IOA treas- from scratch in an almost vir- determined to stake a claim to tled the game. clear of the relegation places. home a low shot from just inside urer from 2008 to 2012 and has gin area AGENCIES the jersey. The powerful 20-year-old, Liverpool manager Brendan the area. REUTERS