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Wednesday 12 February 2014 12 Rabial II 1435 - Volume 18 Number 5973 Price: QR2

Barclays plans Hepburn wins to cut 12,000 time trial jobs this year in Doha

Business | 17 Sport | 27

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Leaders join National Sport Day festivities

Qatar celebrated yesterday its third National Sport Day on a grand scale with a great number of sporting events held across the country. LEFT: The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani participated in the activi- ties of Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation at Losail Shooting Complex and at Al Shaqab Equestrian Centre. CENTRE: The Father Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani riding a purebred Arabian camel at Um Ethnaytein. RIGHT: H H Sheikha Jawahir bint Hamad bin Suheim Al Thani, wife of the Emir, visited the Equestrian club headquarters, the Qatar Foundation for Orphans “Dreima’ and Shafallah Center for Children with Special Needs. See also pages 2, 4 & 5

77 killed in plane crash River Thames flooded OULED GACEM, ALGERIA: A military trans- LONDON: Hundreds of homes were swamped Qatar sets standards to port plane carrying members of the Algerian armed by floods along the River Thames yesterday while forces and their relatives crashed into a mountain British Prime Minister David Cameron warned here yesterday, killing 77 people. State television that stricken communities were “in it for the showed footage of the wreckage of the plane and long haul”. Affluent towns and villages along the protect workers’ rights emergency crew scouring the forested area for Thames to the west of London have been trans- survivors and bodies. The Defence Ministry said formed into lagoons. More than 1,000 homes have said the crash was likely due to bad weather. been evacuated along the Thames. 2022 Committee releases Workers Welfare Standards Earlier report on page 7 See also page 11

DOHA: Qatar yesterday per room to a minimum standard Workers’ Welfare Committee released a set of standards to for cleanliness and hygiene. The conducted its first successful protect the rights of work- Supreme Committee has the right inspection of workers’ accommo- ers involved in mega projects to penalise contractors who fail dation for Al Wakrah Stadium. associated with the 2022 FIFA to comply with the mandatory This accommodation currently World Cup and announced Workers Welfare Standards. houses 38 workers, currently measures to hold the contrac- The committee said, in extreme engaged on Supreme Committee tors accountable for any breach. cases, it could terminate its con- construction projects. The Workers Welfare Standards, tract with a company that is con- The Ministry of Labour and released by the Supreme tinually breaching the standards. Social Affairs has intensified Committee for Delivery and However, “a focus is being placed inspections at labour accommoda- Legacy will address “some of the on working with contractors to tions. The Ministry increased the most critical concerns highlighted improve standards on a continu- number of trained labour inspec- in recent reports about working ous basis.” tors by 30 percent over the past and living conditions of workers in If the contractors do not six months and conducted 11,500 Qatar’s construction sector,” the demonstrate any improvement, spot checks in the past three committee said yesterday. there are legal mechanisms in months. A total of 306 compa- The standards require contrac- all contracts which allow the nies have been classified and their tors to set up bank accounts for Supreme Committee to step in performance will be published to their workers, which will help and fix the problem at the con- workers and owners. facilitate payment, creating an tractors’ expense. The commit- The release of the welfare stand- auditable transaction system that tee will report such incidents to ards coincided with the beginning will help the Supreme Committee the Ministry of Labour and Social of important work on the first pro- verify that all workers are being Affairs and the Central Tenders posed host venue for the 2022 FIFA paid in full and on time. Committee, jeopardising the World Cup in Al Wakrah. Four other The standards also include contractor’s ability to undertake stadia will be in different phases of comprehensive specifications for future projects in Qatar. construction throughout the year, workers’ accommodations, set- The committee has also ini- the committee said. ting clear guidelines for every- tiated several measures on THE PENINSULA thing from the number of beds the ground. On January 13, its Continued on page 3 Cyber law made stricter DOHA: The Advisory Council will be violating the law and Using forged bank cards for that approved Qatar’s draft law liable for punishments. online purchase, violations of “on combating cyber crime”, Hosting websites intended to Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) with some amendments, has subvert the law of the land or for or any other kind of online frauds recommended an extensive spreading false news that may would be sternly dealt with. media campaign to raise aware- harm the country’s safety and Hosting porn websites and cir- ness about the law and punish- security would be prosecuted. culating, copying and producing ments for violations. Forging written documents with any kind of porn materials are The Council met on Monday the support of electronic systems liable for punishment under the and recommended scrapping the will also attract punishment. new law. “minimum punishment” clause Forging signatures online The office of the public prose- from the draft. and impersonating government cution is the competent authority According to the draft law, officials or making any attempt to investigate violations. which contains 54 articles and to wrongly give the impression It can seize electronic systems/ five chapters, those who try to that one represents any govern- gizmos used for committing the make illegal access or hack any ment body, would be violating frauds. THE PENINSULA sort of official data or website the law. Continued on page 3 WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2014 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Qatar celebrates National Sport Day Leaders, officials and a large number of people take part in festivities at venues across the country

DOHA: Qatar celebrated yes- terday its third National Sport Day (NSD) in a grand scale with a great number of sporting events across the country. Officials and the general public joined hands in a day filled with activities to promote sport cul- ture and healthy lifestyle. The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani participated in activities of Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation at Losail Shooting Complex and Al Shaqab equestrian centre. The Father Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani took part in the celebrations by riding a purebred Arabian camel at Um Ethnaytein in the morning. H H Sheikha Jawahir bint Hamad bin Suheim Al Thani, wife of the Emir, H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani participated yesterday in a number of sport events to mark the National Sport Day. She visited the Equestrian club headquarters, the Qatar Foundation for Orphans “Dreima’ and Shafallah Center for Children with special needs. Al Thani, Secretary-General of was extended to a week and the a year-long weight loss contest by The Prime Minister and Qatar Olympic Committee, said, number of activities increased and QOC and VLCC. Interior Minister H E Sheikh “NSD gets better and better spread all over the country. “This year, we are expecting Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa each year and 2014 has taken the “This year, we increased sport more than 1,000 people, because Al Thani participated in jog- event to a new level. The whole activities, especially those for after the first edition people are ging and football games at Qatar nation should be proud. The Sport the young generation. The aim now more aware of the compe- Sports Club. Village has been a revelation this of this day is to encourage people tition, which is about promoting Ministers and officials were also year and allowed us to see some to participate in sport, increase health awareness and wellness,” seen at various venues around the exciting sparks of talent we can the number of people who play said Amanda Yaacoub, Area country. hopefully nurture into the next sport and educate them to pro- Technical Head-Slimming, VLCC. The Minister of Public Health H attracted thousands of partici- The Qatar Olympic Committee generation of Qatari athletes.” mote sport culture. I hope today She said the contest is open for E Abdullah bin Khalid Al Qahtani pants, including officials, youth (QOC) Sport Zone, the main hub QOC Director of Sports Affairs will be the start of their life in those with BMI above 30. said: “Today is a milestone for the centres, schools and private com- of the celebrations, saw thou- Committee, Khalil Al Jaber, sport.” VLCC and QOC will regularly people of Qatar. Healthy living for panies, among others. sands of people participating expressed satisfaction with the He praised efforts of sport fed- follow progress of the contestants all is our aim and through one of “Sport should be the slogan of in football, basketball, archery, turnout at the Sport Zone since erations opening their facilities to making sure they lose weight nat- the world’s most varied and excit- all and for all and has to be prac- shooting, table tennis, handball, it opened on Thursday. the public and the participation urally and not resort to pills or ing programmes of events we have tised by everyone. Sport is one equestrian and billiards games, “I am satisfied with the number of clubs outside Doha, including surgery. Winners, who will receive given the people a most incredible of the good habits people should among others. of people this morning and can Wakrah, Al Khor, Al Rayyan, big cash prizes, will be revealed on opportunity to seize the day. acquire and recognise its impor- There were also acrobatic see from the daily attendance that Mesaieed and Dukhan to max- the nest NSD. “It’s been great to see so many tance,” the Minister of Culture, shows to entertain the crowd, the number of visitors is bigger imise public participation and At Katara, people took part in smiling faces taking part and we Arts and Heritage H E Dr Hamad a Kids Zone where children than last year. I am also happy encourage them to use sport as a 83 fun and engaging sport and hope that this day acts as a kick- bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari told the engaged in physical activities to see many people coming from tool for a better life. health awareness events around start to a new era of health in media after the walk. and a Health Zone where people neighbouring GCC countries,” Al One of the crowd-drawers at the Cultural Village organised in Qatar.” He urged people to practise availed free check-ups. Jaber told The Peninsula. the QOC Health Zone was the cooperation with government and Events started with a Sport sport regularly and follow healthy At the QOC Sport Village, H E To boost participation, the registration area for the second private institutions. Walk on the Corniche which diet. Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman duration of the celebrations edition of the Be Fit competition, THE PENINSULA

A fun day out for families at Aspire Zone

DOHA: It was a day to entertainment activities to suit football matches, showing their tests conducted by the Aspire remember for families who all members — young and old. coordination and stamina. Academy Sport Science gathered at Aspire Zone to The day began with Ladies Kids took part in ‘Kids Department. Participants were celebrate National Sport Day Zumba, a fitness programme for Cycling’ where cycling skills provided with record of their yesterday. women which had easy to follow were taught by Qatar Cycling personal scores. They had a whole day of fun moves fused with Latin rhythms. Federation members. Families In the afternoon ‘The 5,000 with a variety of sporting and Simultaneously men enjoyed also participated in physical Step Journey’ began from the Torch Hotel and ended at Dome exit. A Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) expert held exercise training sessions for children. It set up a blood pressure check-up stall for women and organ donation stall where many people registered. Al Abeer Medical Centre also set up a stall to check blood sugar level and body mass index. Around 1,000 people benefited. RasGas, Qatar TV, the Ministry of Energy and Industry, General Retirement and Social Security, Qatar Development Bank, HMC Organs Donation Centre, Civil Defence, Qatar Enterprise, ictQATAR, National Human Right Committee and Carrefour also joined the celebrations. Over 30 sport and related activities were organised by Pictures: SHAIVAL DALAL and ABDUL BASIT Aspire Zone Foundation along with 23 companies. THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 Sheikha Moza joins festivities in Education City

DOHA: H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, joined hundreds of people in Education City yester- day to celebrate National Sport Day. She attended sporting activities and events across various locations at QF. Throughout the day, fun-filled competitions and tournaments were organised, with games and activities for children of all ages and for people with special needs. Engineer Saad Al Muhannadi, President of QF, said, “Every year, QF organises sporting activities to achieve its ongoing mission to unlock human potential. “Sport has become the common language that unites people around the world, as sporting compe- titions transcend geographical boundaries by creating a common history that encourages people to accept one another.” H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, with participants at an event in Education City and (Right) tours Qatar Foundation yesterday. Activities including running, football, basketball, tennis, swim- also organised for disabled chil- activities for children and horse Qatari Sports’, which showcased chance to have their blood pres- competition at Hamad Bin Khalifa ming and cricket attracted a large dren. Members of the community carriage rides. A friendly cricket traditional Qatari pastimes played sure measured and body fat per- University Student Centre were number of participants. were given the opportunity to match was played between employ- by children in the past. centage calculated. awarded prizes, along with win- Children were thrilled to take watch exceptional showjumping ees of QF. Participants were encouraged to The day ended with a special ners of the children’s cricket part in cycling and tennis compe- and dressage demonstrations at Al In keeping with celebra- test their fitness levels have health awards ceremony at Al Shaqab competition, interdepartmental titions, in addition to swimming Shaqab, in addition to a presenta- tions, the Community Services check-ups to recognise and congratulate all football competition, women’s bas- pool games. Ping pong, basketball, tion on pure breed Arabian horses. Department at QF invited people Qatar Biobank, a member of QF, winners. ketball tournament and running and water sport tournaments were There were also special indoor to enjoy an exhibition on ‘Popular set up a booth and gave people the Champions of the futsal tournament. THE PENINSULA

Council urges awareness Prince Charles Workers’ welfare aligned with labour law to visit Qatar about cyber crimes Continued from page 1 will continue to work hard to make our The Minister of Labour and Social Continued from page 1 The new standards have been incor- vision become the ever-present reality Affairs H E Dr Abdullah Saleh Mubarak DOHA: Prince Charles of Those who have got information on any kind porated in all contracts of the Supreme on the ground,’ said Hassan Al Thawadi, Al Khulaifi said, “ We applaud the work Wales will be on official visits of cyber crimes should share that with the inves- Committee. They are aligned with Qatari Secretary General, Supreme Committee of the Supreme Committee for Delivery to Saudi Arabia and Qatar from tigating agency during interrogation. Labour Law and international best prac- for Delivery and Legacy. and Legacy, and other major bodies like Monday to Thursday. On the extradition of the accused involved tices and set clear guidelines to protect In the development of the welfare the Qatar Foundation, in specifying high The tour starts in Saudi in international cases, the draft law says a for- the rights of workers throughout the standards, the Committee engaged the standards of workers’ conditions on their Arabia where he, as guest of King eigner convicted in a cyber crime in Qatar will entire chain of contracting, from recruit- International Labour Organisation, to construction projects. The Ministry will Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, not be handed over to their country. It is impor- ment to repatriation. look at the entire process from recruit- continue to support in enforcing these will meet the king and other tant to launch an extensive campaign about the “We have always believed that Qatar’s ment to living and working conditions. standards, and Qatar’s existing labour members of the Royal Family. new law. People must be educated through the hosting of the FIFA World Cup would be Enforcement of the standards will be laws, and to work with other government In Qatar Prince Charles will media about the impacts of violating the law and a catalyst to accelerate positive initiatives through a four-tier audit system, imple- bodies in Qatar in holding accountable meet the Emir H H Sheikh punishments that await violators. already being undertaken by Qatar, which mented with the support of independent employers who fail to uphold these laws.’ Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Cyber crime is fast spreading across the will leave a legacy of enhanced, sustain- third-party auditors. Progress reports Representatives from the Supreme Al Thani and senior members of world. Since Qatar doesn’t have a law to com- able and meaningful progress in regards based on the audits are to be made public Committee and Qatar Foundation, are the Royal Family. bat it, this law is very important for the country, to worker welfare across the country. to track progress and share lessons learnt planning to meet in the coming months Prince Charles visited Qatar in the Advisory Council said. We already see this progress taking with government stakeholders and the to discuss adopting a unified standard. 1986, 1997, 2007 and 2013. THE PENINSULA place across Qatar on a daily basis, and international community. THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2014 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Corporate world adds fun to Sport Day

DOHA: Qatar’s corporate business partners as well as Executive Officer Badr Al Meer City’s Fox Hills. Employees and world joined National Sport more than 2,000 people partici- along with heads of departments their families from both compa- Day celebrations in full force pated in Vodafone-sponsored and employees took part. nies took part. yesterday. Doha Dash. International Islamic About Qatari Diar’s celebra- The Minister of Energy and Vodafone was also present (QIIB) employees, led by CEO tions, Khaled Mohammed Al Industry and Chairman and at Festival Village where par- Abdulbasit A Al Shaibei, took Sayed, Group Chief Executive Managing Director of Qatar ticipants were able to relax and part in a fun run Officer, said, “This day helps Petroleum H E Dr Mohamed unwind after the race. “We, as a bank, support sport reinvigorate our employees and bin Saleh Al Sada, took part in The company challenged par- continuously and the bank encourage us all to maintain a activities organised by QP and ticipants and spectators to test has organised many events. healthy lifestyle.” ExxonMobil Qatar. their skills with a speed shot International Islamic is a pio- Commercial Bank celebrated He also attended activities radar challenge and a reaction neer in supporting sport initia- the day with fun-packed activi- of Qatar General Electricity & test. tives,” he said. ties for employees and their Water Corporation (Kahramaa) United Development Qatari Diar Real Estate families at various venues at Katara and RasGas Company Company (UDC) organised Investment Company and around Doha. Limited at Aspire Zone. an array of activities at The Barwa Real Estate Company To share celebrations with Vodafone staff, family and Pearl-Qatar. UDC Acting Chief organised activities in Lusail all members of Qatari society, volunteers from the bank distributed special National Sport Day gifts on the children’s floor at Hamad General Hospital and Qatar Central Bank tent at QCB Marathon on the Corniche. Qatar First Bank hosted an outdoor event for staff that involved activities, including a mini-football tournament, and leisure games. Winners of the B Active Challenge were also named. Qatalum hosted celebra- tions that saw participa- Tenders Notice tion of employees across all departments. The The Public Works Authority announces the following tenders: company also took part in Amount of *Companies Document Closing events of the Department Tender No Subject Tender Bond Eligible to Fee (QR) Date (QR) Tender of Industrial Cities, Qatar

!" Maintenance Supply and Installation of 1,500.00 # (1) Petroleum, in Mesaieed Street Names and Directional Signage Industrial City. Throughout Qatar, Contract -1 Qatalum’s support for

! Maintenance Supply and Install Street 1,500.00 # (1) National Sport Day was Names and Directional Signage part of its commitment Throughout Qatar, Contract -2 to urge its staff to engage in sport in line with the ! Sewer Repair, Replacement and 2,250,000.00 ## %#& general trend of Qatar to Rehabilitation Framework $ encourage and support sporting activities.

Companies Eligible to Tender: Activities also aimed (1) Qatari Companies Only. at encouraging interac- (2) Joint Venture (JV) Companies which includes a Qatari Company having a minimum of 51% share holding of the JV. tion among workers of (3) Non-Qatari Companies. the greater Mesaieed (4) Not Applicable. Industrial City community, • Full Documents for the above mentioned Tender can be obtained from Contracts Department (CD) against a Non–refundable fee paid to PWA Account No. (0013-001813-052), Qatar National Bank together with a copy of the and foster enthusiasm, Company Registration and a Company Authorization letter. joy and friendly competi- • Project document may be examined at Al-Faisal Tower, Ground Floor, Al Corniche before purchasing from PWA. tions away from the work environment. !"#$$&'*+/6#$ without the proper guarantee will not be considered. Mashreq Bank employ- 7$&/9 ees of all age groups and Tenderer shall separately submit an original and duplicate copy of Tender Guarantee signed and stamped plus the documents mentioned in Tender checklist in instructions to Tenders. nationalities turned up at • All Tenders shall be submitted in original and one copy or they will not be accepted. the Corniche with their • Tenders shall be delivered at or sent to arrive not later than 1.00pm local Doha time on the closing date and deposited families to participate in $:!"#6 the race. • The successful Tenderer shall provide a Performance Bond in amount of ten (10%) percent of the Contract Price endorsed by an approved local bank in Qatar. Ross Officer, Country Head of Mashreq Qatar, For further queries about any of the tenders above, please communicate in writing to the Contracts Department by e-mail to: [email protected] said, “The National Sport

For more information about PWA and its tenders, please visit our website: www.ashghal.gov.qa day is a fantastic annual event – Mashreq Qatar Tel: +974 44950077/44950749 ; Fax: +974 44950777; P.O. Box: 22188, Doha – Qatar and all our staff are fully committed to making it a E-Mail: [email protected] success.” THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Korra Time football championship launched 48 five-member teams and eight clubs to compete at Aspire Zone, each representing a nationality

DOHA: Marking National shows were hosted in a spe- portrayed health and sports, Sport Day, the Minister of cial tent dedicated to children. courtesy of its employees, allow- Energy and Industry H E Dr They also enjoyed fun activi- ing guests to engage in a healthy Mohamed bin Saleh Al Sada ties, including kite flying, jump- competition by voting for their yesterday launched the Korra ing bags, balloon blowing, water favourite photo. Time football championship. sponge games, elastic prison, Doha Bank was one of the top The event by Qatar Football snake ball, trampolines, pull participating institutions in this Association (QFA), Shell Qatar the tyre and an obstacle course. year’s QCB 3-km run and was and Al Kass (Cup) and Al Dawri Another purpose-designed tent recognised with a trophy for its sports channels, will take place was dedicated to women, who outstanding efforts. This is the at Aspire Zone. were able to enjoy activities in third year in a row that the bank About 48 five-member teams privacy. They also participated has won the trophy. and eight clubs will compete in in competitions. It had 140 staff from all levels, the event, each representing a Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) cel- including members of its execu- nationality with coaches and ref- ebrated NSD with activities at tive management team, partici- erees from the national football the Four Seasons Hotel for its pating in various categories of team. employees, and those of QInvest. the run on the Corniche. The championship is part of They participated in competi- The bank’s team members fin- the Korra Time initiative which tions and races. Healthy meals ished the QCB Marathon, with continues for five years and aims were also on the agenda, as well 10 participants finishing in top at improving the health and life- as side games. A medical section places in the men’s and wom- style of the Qatari youth through was hosted by an orthopaedic en’s races. The bank received football. surgeon who gave advice to QIB’s the Gold Trophy for its efforts, Mowasalat, meanwhile, staff on good posture and healthy which saw the bank accumulate marked NSD with activities for working conditions. the most overall points among its employees. Events included a Qatar Petroleum International the participating organisations. marathon, a relay race, basket- (QPI) hosted a special event at It also instituted prizes to rec- ball, football, free throw basket, the Grand Hyatt Hotel beach- ognise staff achievements during dodge ball and football juggler. front allowing its employees the QCB marathon, with prizes About 1,500 participants got and their families to join the for the best performers after the T-shirts and caps with NSD and celebrations. race. Prizes were given to the top Mowasalat logos. Some 100 vol- It featured sport and lifestyle five male and female finishers in unteers and Karwa drivers took activities, including soccer, vol- three categories: 18-30, 31-45 The Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohamed bin Saleh Al Sada launching the Korra Time football part, along with drivers from the leyball, cricket, yoga, healthy and 46-60 years. championship yesterday. taxi franchisee Al Million. food preparation lessons, and Qatar Tourism Authority cel- Fun games such as balloon plenty on hand for children to ebrated the day with activities shooting, ring the object, spin the have a go at, from egg and spoon for its staff and their families. target shooting, and tug-of-war the importance of adopting a and dynamic population will wheel were organised and senior races to tug-of-war and much Employees took part in a along with games for children. healthy lifestyle in our society. play an important role in devel- officials gave away medals and more. series of interactive teambuild- Activities ended with the prize “QTA organised this event as oping an active society,” QTA cash prizes to winners. QPI also introduced an inter- ing activities and competitions ceremony for winners. part of its efforts to encourage Chairman Issa bin Mohamad Al Qatari Diar Real Estate active photography competition in volleyball, beach soccer, water “NSD is a significant event in sport among employees and build Mohannadi said. Investment Company and Barwa displaying photographs that gun, canoeing, relay race, sumo, Qatar’s calendar; it highlights team spirit. We believe a healthy THE PENINSULA Real Estate Company began their activities with a fun run at Lusail City’s Fox Hills. It won by Farhan Ottokakh from India, followed to the line by Chrbel Bouzerdan of Lebanon and Rachid Al Hajri from Qatar. Essa Mohammed Ali Kaladari, CEO of Lusail Real Estate Development Company, pre- sented prizes to winners. The day also featured sport activities for adults and chil- dren, including a cricket and a volleyball tournament that saw Al Jaber team take the honours. The participants enjoyed a healthy lunch, prepared spe- cifically for the day to promote healthy eating. Recreational activities such QTA Chairman Issa bin Mohamad Al Mohannadi participating in the tug-of-war and (Right) officials of Doha Bank at one of the events. as taekwondo and acrobatic

Dar Al Sharq marks National Sport Day

DOHA: Dar Al Sharq cel- ebrated National Sport Day on Thursday by organising a series of events for employees at Al Ahli Club. Abdulatif Al Mahmoud, Chief Executive Officer for Administrative Affairs, Khalid Al Sayed, Editor-in-Chief of The Peninsula, Ibrahim Al Sayed, Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Administrative Affairs, were present to encourage participants. Celebrations started with foot- ball matches between different departments. The final of football was played between Al Sharq editorial and the administration departments. Both teams made their best efforts but Al Sharq editorial team showed greater coordination and won the final by scoring the only goal in the match. The final volleyball match was played between the ‘Earth’ and the ‘Others’. In the high energy match, ‘Earth’ defeated ‘Others’ 15-10. It was followed by a tug-of- war in which participants tested their strength. Team Ali defeated the team from the Administration Department. THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2014 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Islamist threat at home forces Saudi rethink on Syria

RIYADH: After serving for architect of a Syria policy that could present an opportunity to bigger role in supporting the years as the main conduit for has included training camps in realign Syria policy more closely Syrian opposition, particularly if weapons and cash to rebels bat- Jordan and shipments of weap- with Washington, after Riyadh the first peace talks between the tling Syria’s Bashar Al Assad, ons and money — has lowered his fell out with its superpower ally government and its foes, which Saudi Arabia is shifting its pol- public profile, diplomatic sources last year, accusing the administra- began last month in Geneva, fall icy to contain the spread of mil- in the Gulf say. “Their Syria policy tion of Barack Obama of foresak- through. itancy at home, diplomats and is getting very counter-terrorism ing Syria’s rebels. Obama is due “They’re trying to find a figures close to the goverment focused,” said a senior diplomatic to visit Saudi Arabia in March. way back to a more joined-up say. source in the Gulf. “The Saudis have to prepare a approach with the US, UK and Riyadh is concerned that radi- “The Interior Ministry in par- clear vision on what’s happening France. They have the same goal calism among rebels in Syria will ticular is very worried about in Syria and on what they want of preventing radical contagion boost Al Qaeda at home in Saudi what’s happening in Syria, as they in Syria. Counter terrorism plays and all want to see Assad gone,” Arabia, which suffered a blowback should be,” he added. a big role in American think- said the senior diplomatic source. last decade when fighters from Powerful Interior Minister Intelligence Chief Prince Bandar bin Interior Minister Prince Mohammed ing, and in Saudi thinking,” said For now, the lower profile the network of Osama bin Laden Prince Mohammed bin Nayef Sultan bin Nayef Mustafa Alani, an analyst with assumed by Bandar has compli- — himself a Saudi — returned led the crushing of an Al Qaeda the Gulf Research Centre, based cated the war effort, say analysts. from jihad in Afghanistan. uprising in the kingdom in the last Al Qaeda. Although Riyadh has Meanwhile, radical groups in in Jeddah and Geneva. “It’s a problem. He was the man Saudi leaders are still deter- decade by Saudis who returned discouraged its citizens from Syria have been getting stronger Prince Mohammed, the interior who was brought in for this task mined to help rebels bring down from wars in Afghanistan and going to Syria, it was not until at the expense of mainstream minister, enjoys close relations because it’s a regional and inter- Assad, an ally of their main rival Iraq. He later survived an assas- last week’s royal decree that it groups that have been the main with US. security officials, shares national issue and he is good at Iran, but their heightened focus sination attempt by the group. made it explicitly illegal and clari- recipients of Saudi military and their concerns about militants, this sort of dealing. His absence on security at home suggests they “What happened in Syria is fied that those who did go faced financial aid, training and logis- and met Central Intelligence is unfortunate but his staff is may temper some of the effort. really causing problems for us,” tough penalties. tical support. Assad’s position Agency head John Brennan in still active,” said Alani, who has In a striking sign of the change, said Abdulrahman Al Hadlaq, While the sources who spoke to has also solidified in the past Washington on Monday. Riyadh close ties to the Saudi security the Custodian of the Two Holy head of the Interior Ministry’s Reuters for this report were not year. and Washington argued last year establishment. Mosques King Abdullah bin Ideological Security Directorate, able to say with certainty in what The failure to build a rebel over Syria after Obama decided The kingdom’s Syria policy Abdulaziz last week issued a royal which monitors online radicalism. way Riyadh will alter its system- force that can defeat Assad is against bombing Assad following is being carried out on several decree imposing prison terms He estimated there were atic support for rebels under partly due to logistical difficulties a poison gas attack in Damascus, fronts, with a diplomatic effort led of 3-20 years on Saudis who go between 1,000-2,000 Saudis in the policy engineered by Prince in working with many disparate a decision Saudi leaders feared by Foreign Minister Prince Saud abroad to fight. Syria, including both fighters Bandar, they said senior figures groups spread across the country, would encourage Iran to take a Al Faisal and a military training The change has also come at a and people distributing charity in Riyadh increasingly worry that but it is also because the strong- more open role in the conflict. scheme for rebels under deputy moment when Intelligence Chief to refugees, and said he believed toppling Assad will take longer est rebel factions are linked to Al However, Saudi leaders still defence minister Prince Salman Prince Bandar bin Sultan — the most were in groups aligned with than they hoped. Qaeda. The change in emphasis hope Washington will play a bin Sultan. REUTERS Syria talks laborious: Envoy Turkey fires scores of Talks will fail in current situation, warns Syrian minister judges and

GENEVA/DAMASCUS: The prosecutors latest round of Syria peace talks has made little progress, inter- national mediator Lakhdar ISTANBUL: Turkey’s govern- Brahimi said yesterday, call- ment yesterday removed 166 ing on the government and the prosecutors and judges as it opposition to stop the “night- stepped up a purge of the judi- mare” of the civil war. ciary in response to a high- “The beginning of this week level graft probe, local media is as laborious as it was the first reported. Those sacked included week,” Brahimi told report- senior prosecutors in the capital ers after the warring sides held Ankara, Istanbul and the west- their first face-to-face talks since ern city of Izmir, the Hurriyet the second round of negotiations daily said on its website. opened on Monday. “We are not Since the scandal broke in making much progress.” mid-December, the government The new round of the so-called has sacked thousands of police -- Geneva II talks got off to a shaky some 6,000 nationwide according Syrian Reconciliation Minister Ali start on Monday and there was to media estimates -- prosecutors, Haidar little sign that Tuesday’s face-to- judges and senior lawyers involved face meeting had seen more than in the investigations into alleged a restating of positions. is what the Syrian people want money laundering, gold smug- The opposition says the only to put an end to, isn’t that so? gling and bribery. A further 85 way to end the three-year conflict And how can this end without senior police officers were sacked is to form a transitional govern- an agreement on the steps to be in Istanbul this week alone. ment — without President Bashar taken on the future of the coun- Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Al Assad. try?” he said. But he added: “I’m Erdogan has accused support- “The regime is not even budg- not sure whether I can impose an ers of exiled Turkish preacher ing on this, insisting that they agenda on people who don’t want. Fethullah Gulen, who wields influ- want to talk about one thing,” said How can you put a gun on their A Syrian man carries a body of a boy following an air strike by government forces on the Al Haidarya neighbourhood ence in the judiciary and police, of opposition spokesman Louay Safi. heads? It is their country.” of the northern city of Aleppo, yesterday. launching the probe as part of a The regime insists Assad’s An eight-day session last “coup plot” against his govern- future is non-negotiable and that month achieved little beyond get- evacuating civilians and getting Brahimi said. He also said there minister yesterday said that peace ment in a crucial election year. the talks must focus on halting ting the foes into the same room aid to opposition-held districts of were a host of other besieged talks between the Syrian govern- But the purges, coupled with “terrorism” — its term for a revolt for the first time since the conflict the city of Homs, under govern- communities where “nothing has ment and opposition in Geneva legislation aimed at increasing it says is fuelled by foreign jihad- erupted in March 2011. ment siege since 2012. An agree- happened”. will end in “failure” under the government control on the judici- ists and Gulf money. The current round is set to ment on evacuating civilians from The opposition has warned it current circumstances, ary and the Internet, have raised Deputy foreign minister Faisal last until Friday, but there is lit- Homs and bringing in aid was the will not return for more talks if “In the current circumstances deep concern at home and abroad Muqdad said the government was tle hope it will make progress only tangible result of the January there is no progress this week. up until this moment, no break- about the state of democracy in ready to discuss all points but that towards ending the civil war that 24-31 talks but the mission only The United States, which backs through is possible. On the con- the country. terrorism must top the agenda. has now claimed the lives of more began last week. the opposition, and Russia, a trary, I think Geneva under the Brahimi appealed to all parties than 136,000 people and sent mil- “You know that Homs can be key Damascus ally, initiated the current circumstances will end to “help Syria out of the night- lions fleeing their homes. called success, but it has been Geneva II talks based on a call for in failure,” Ali Haidar said after Israeli air mare its people have been living The two sides spent on Monday six months in the making. Six a transition government made by a second day of talks in the Swiss through now for three years”. trading blame for escalat- long months... to get 800 people world powers at a 2012 conference. city ended with a mediator admit- strikes in Gaza, “Violence and terrorism, this ing violence and for difficulties out, and a little bit of food in,” Meanwhile, Syria’s reconciliation ting little progress. AFP no casualties

GAZA CITY: Israel carried out two air strikes overnight Monday in the Hamas-ruled Turkey vows to go ahead with Gaza Strip following what the Israeli army said was a Palestinian rocket attack. Neither Israel nor the new airport despite court order Palestinians reported any casualties. ISTANBUL: Turkey vowed airport,” Elvan told reporters. years, and the facility is projected The first raid targeted a train- yesterday to press ahead with Environment and Urban to handle 150 million passengers ing camp of the Ezzedine al-Qas- building what could become one Development Minister Idris a year when fully operational in sam Brigades, the armed wing of of the world’s busiest airports in Gulluce said his ministry would 2018. Hamas, near the Nuseirat refugee defiance of a court order halting appeal the decision, saying “we Istanbul’s main Ataturk airport camp in the centre of the Gaza the project over environmental believe that there is a factual mis- is fast reaching capacity, having Strip, Palestinian security sources concerns. take”, without elaborating. seen a record 16.7 percent jump said. The second raid struck in A court last month suspended “No one should come to the in passenger numbers in 2012, the northern part of the strip work on Istanbul’s third airport conclusion that the airport (con- indicating that the new airport near the community of Beit after local residents and envi- struction) will be prevented and could turn the city into a major Lahiya, the security sources said. ronmental groups filed a lawsuit Turkey’s world-famous project aviation hub. An Israeli army spokes- arguing that the project would will be halted,” he said. The increase was the largest man said “a rocket fired from cause serious damage to the envi- The court requested an expert in Europe that year, according to the Gaza Strip struck the Hof ronment, the Hurriyet newspaper report on construction plans and the International Air Transport Ashkelon Regional Council” reported. is expected to make a final deci- Authority (IATA). before midnight. But Transport Minister Lutfi sion on the fate of the project Istanbul’s second airport Sabiha “In retaliation the IAF (Israeli Elvan said the suspension would within a year. Gokcen, which began operations Air Force) targeted an under- not interfere with construction of The Cengiz-Kolin-Limak- in 2001, has eased some of the ground rocket launcher in the the airport in a heavily forested Mapa-Kalyon Consortium, a pressure on Ataturk. central Gaza Strip and a terror area near Terkos Lake, 50km Turkish joint venture, won a The third airport in Turkey’s site in the northern Gaza Strip,” north of Istanbul. tender for the project last May largest city aims to rival Dubai’s he said. A Palestinian militant was “This was a decision only for after bidding ¤22bn ($30bn) for a Al Maktoum International air- critically wounded on Sunday when a temporary suspension pend- 25-year lease to build and operate port, which opened in October an Israeli air strike hit central Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Spanish counterpart ing the environmental impact the planned airport. last year and is expected eventu- Gaza. The army said it targeted a Mariano Rajoy during a press conference after their meeting in Ankara approval report. In no way will The first stage of construc- ally to accommodate 160 million “key” figure responsible for cross- yesterday. it affect the construction of the tion is set for completion in four passengers a year. AFP border rocket fire. AFP WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2014 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Shia rebels, southern group slam Yemen federation plan

SANA’A: Northern Shia rebels it divides Yemen into poor and Ahmed, head of the People’s and a faction demanding south- wealthy” regions, said Mohammed Congress of the South — a ern autonomy yesterday rejected Al Bakheiti of the Shia rebel Southern Movement faction,said a six-region federation plan for group Ansarullah. The six regions that “our positon is clear... We Yemen, which was agreed by laid out in the plan include four in reject these decisions because parties during the “national the north comprising Azal, Saba, they do not meet the aspirations dialogue” aimed at securing the Janad and Tahama, and two in the of our people in the south.” country’s political transition. formerly independent south, Aden Southerners are demanding A panel headed by President and Hadramawt. “the right of self-determination Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi on Under the plan the northern and regaining a sovereign state,” Monday agreed the plan, which province of Saada, bastion of said Ahmed, who headed a del- will be inserted into a new consti- Ansarullah rebels, also known as egation that withdrew from the tution and will divide Yemen into Huthis, is part of the Azal region national dialogue in November in six federal regions — four in the — a zone that also includes Sanaa, protest at proposals for multiple north and two in the south. Amran and Dhamar — that has units for the north. But Shia rebels in the north no significant natural resources Yemen’s parties had been claimed the division of the repub- or access to sea. divided on whether to split the lic would not distribute wealth “Saada has stronger cultural, future federation into two or evenly, while a southern faction social and geographical links six regions. Sana’a feared that a Anti-government protesters hold their national flag as they take part in a demonstration marking the start of the said the plan did not meet their with (coastal) Hajja, and Jawf” straight north-south divide could 3rd anniversary of the uprising that toppled Yemen’s former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who stepped down in aspirations for autonomy. on the border with Saudi Arabia, set the stage for the disgruntled 2012 after 33 years in power, in Sana’a yesterday. “We have rejected it because Bakheiti said. Mohammed Ali south to secede. AFP Yemen hands 103 dead in army plane 29 militants to Militants blow Saudi Arabia crash in northeast Algeria ADEN: Yemen has handed to Saudi Arabia 29 Al Qaeda mili- up gas pipeline tants who were wanted by the ALGIERS: A military aircraft crashed in in Constantine and nearby Ain M’Lila placed on Saudi authorities, the Yemeni Algeria’s mountainous northeast yesterday alert in case there were any survivors, the inde- defence ministry website said killing all 103 people on board, a security pendent El Watan newspaper reported. yesterday, citing informed source said, in what would be its deadliest air Tamanrasset, in the far south of Algeria, near sources. in Egypt’s Sinai disaster since independence the border with Mali, is the main The website quoted the sources five decades ago. The C-130 ALGERIA base for the country’s southern as saying the militants had Saudi Hercules aircraft, which A military transport plane military operations. nationality and that they had was flying to the city of crashed on Tuesday killing Extra troops and equipment been handed over to the Saudi Gunmen kill two policemen in Suez Constantine crashed “in poor have been stationed there in recent security apparatus in the past weather conditions” in Oum 103 people, a local TV months as part of efforts to beef up few days. CAIRO: Gunmen in Egypt shot industrial area of the restive El Bouaghi, some 380km east station reported. surveillance of Algeria’s frontiers Saudi interior ministry spokes- dead two policemen in sepa- Sinai. of the capital, Algerian radio with Mali and Libya, following a man Major General Mansour rate attacks in Suez canal cities No one was injured in the said. SPAIN Mediterranean Sea deadly hostage-taking by Islamist Turki said he had no information yesterday, while militants blew attack south of Al Arish city, the The plane was carrying militants at a desert gas plant in on the matter, but was seeking to up a gas pipeline in the restive fourth this year in the peninsula, 99 passengers — soldiers and Algiers January last year. verify the report. Sinai peninsula, officials said. which borders Israel and the Gaza their families — as well as four The city lies 1,500 kilometres Yemen, which neighbours top Oum El Attacks in the Sinai and vio- Strip. crew members, the source said TUN. (930 miles) from Constantine, and oil exporter Saudi Arabia, is home lence targeting soldiers and The army has poured troops “There were no survivors,” MOR. Bouaghi was the site of the last major plane to one of al Qaeda’s most active province policemen across Egypt have into the mountainous and under- the source added, although crash in Algeria, in March 2003. branches, known as ‘Al Qaeda in surged since the military’s over- developed region to combat the army spokesman Lahmadi In that disaster, an Air Algerie the Arabian Peninsula’, who have throw of Islamist president growing militancy. Bouguern said he could not passenger plane crashed on take plotted unsuccessfully to attack Mohamed Mursi in July. Militants had previously forced confirm that all on board had off, after one of its engines caught Western targets, including inter- In the Suez canal city of Port a halt to gas supplies to Israel and perished. The plane was trav- ALGERIA fire, killing all but one of 103 people national airliners. Said, unknown gunmen on a Jordan by repeatedly targeting elling from the desert garri- aboard, among them several French Saudi Arabia is worried that motorcycle shot dead a police the pipeline following the 2011 son town of Tamanrasset in nationals. The sole survivor, a young instability in Yemen, where secu- officer, local emergency official overthrow of Husni Mubarak. the deep south, and crashed Algerian soldier, was left in a criti- rity forces also face challenges Hani Mamdouh said, without An attack on January 27 was into Mount Djebel Fertas in cal condition. from a northern rebellion and elaborating. claimed by an Al Qaeda inspired the Oum El Bouaghi region, 200 miles In December 2012, two military southern secessionists, will spill Further south, in the city of group, Ansar Beit Al Maqdis or official media quoted Colonel jets conducting routine training over its borders. Ismailia, two unknown gunmen, Partisans of Jerusalem. Bouguern as saying. 200 km NIGER operations collided in mid air near Saudi Arabia, the United also on a motorcycle, shot dead a The group has claimed most Preliminary reports indi- Tlemcen, in Algeria’s northwest, States’ main Gulf ally, is a top policeman while he was standing of the deadliest attacks in Egypt cated that poor weather was 11/02/2014 killing the pilots of both planes. target for Al Qaeda. at a traffic light, security officials since the army ousted Morsi, say- to blame, with heavy snow and A month earlier, a twin-turbo- Saudis who had previ- said. ing that they were in revenge for strong winds sweeping the region in recent days. prop CASA C-295 military transport aircraft, ously fought for Al Qaeda in Since January 23, 19 police- a deadly crackdown by the secu- The crash reportedly took place just as the air- which was carrying a cargo of paper for the print- Afghanistan and Iraq waged a men have been killed in militant rity forces on his supporters. craft began its descent into Constantine, when the ing of banknotes in Algeria, crashed in southern violent campaign in their own attacks, according to a tally based More than 1,4000 people plane lost contact with the control tower. France. The plane was carrying five soldiers and country from 2003 to 2006, kill- on reports by security officials. have been killed in the crack- Military and civilian personnel were deployed a representative of the Algerian central bank, ing hundreds in a failed attempt Earlier yesterday, militants down, according to Amnesty for a search and rescue operation, with hospitals none of whom survived. AFP to bring down the ruling Al Saud planted a bomb under a pipe- International, and thousands dynasty. line that transports gas to an jailed. AFP AFP 16 soldiers killed in Iraq ambush BAGHDAD: Militants in up its oil output have been held More than 1,000 people were violence that made last year the pick-up trucks ambushed back by poor maintenance, tech- killed in attacks across the bloodiest since 2008, when sec- Iraqi army outposts protect- nical problems and now deterio- country in January alone, build- tarian warfare began to abate ing a major oil export pipeline rating security. ing on a trend of intensifying from its height. REUTERS in the north of the country overnight, killing at least 16 soldiers by shooting them and slitting their throats, security and medical sources said. No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but Sunni Islamist and other insurgents have been regaining momen- tum in a campaign to destabilise Iraq’s Shi’ite- led government. The attack took place near the Ain Al Jahash area, 30km south of the city of Mosul in Nineveh province, through which a long section of pipe- line stretches from Iraq’s Kirkuk oilfield to neigh- bouring Turkey. “Dozens of gunmen in pick-up trucks launched orchestrated attacks against army commando soldiers protecting an oil pipeline,” said a security source, adding that an army humvee vehicle had gone missing during the attack. “The soldiers were taken by surprise and this is why we have such a high death toll.” The Opec member’s ambitious plans to ramp WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2014 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Progress in Nepal Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

FTER years of deadlock, Nepal is finally on the road to peace and stability. The Parliament on Monday elected Sushil Koirala, a longtime Ademocracy activist, as the country’s new prime Terrorists with nuclear weapons? minister. Seventy five-year-old Koirala is the president of the Nepali Congress, which emerged from elections in November as the party with the most seats in the BY JONATHAN POWER country’s Constituent Assembly. He won more than two- Perspective! Perspective! 9/11 was thirds of the legislators’ votes, with 405 voting for him and carried out in a pretty old-fashioned 148 opposed. S aviation authorities way- a Kamikaze attack popularised A state sponsor would Nepal has been going through a period of political banned the carrying of by the Japanese in the Second World worry that having given a toothpaste on planes head- War. It would be a mind boggling step paralysis due to bickering among parties on a host of Uing to the Sochi Winter to think terrorists could leap from terrorist group a weapon issues. Koirala’s election was made possible after the two Olympics for fear they might contain 9/11 to a nuclear weapon. it might use it against leading parties, the Nepali Congress and the Communist a deadly explosive. Apparently such is Some of the arguments against a target that was not Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), put aside the creativity of the modern terrorist. this likelihood are presented in an their differences and signed a seven-point deal promising, Other departments of the US article in the latest issue of Harvard intended. government rather more seriously University’s “International Security”, among other things, to adopt a constitution within a year worry about the transfer of nuclear written by professors Keir Lieber and and allow the present president and vice president to materials to a terrorist group fit for Daryl Press. remain in office until then. an improvised “dirty bomb” (where If for some way-out reason a state of nuclear materials. Koirala is the best prime minister Nepal can get today explosives are wrapped with radio- did not fear US retaliation why would The US State Department due to his popularity and clean image. He is unmarried logical materials) capable of bringing it outsource the job of attack to some reckons there are 51 foreign terror- and is known for leading a Spartan life in a country where panic to a city, although it would only terrorist group? ist organisations. Nine of them have destroy not more than a block. Some A state sponsor would worry had state sponsors and only three of most of the people are poor. go further and fear a small nuclear that having given a terrorist group a these are active- Cuba, Iran and Syria. The new prime minister has a tough job ahead, one bomb could be smuggled in. weapon it might use it against a target (North Korea is not on the list.) Such that requires plenty of political courage and wisdom. Age Are they really something to worry that was not intended. a small group is easy to monitor. is not on his side, but he will about? Presidents say they are, espe- Tracing culpability after an This is a formidable list of reasons have to work tirelessly to bring cially the nuclear bomb. George W. attack would not be difficult. 97% of why the US should not worry, but The election disparate groups together in Bush warned in terrorist incidents are traced back there are counter arguments: one speech that to their perpetrators. And these There are said by some to be of Sushil the interest of the country and rogue states “could are mainly small acts. The per- “loose nukes” around, principally Koirala as to strengthen democracy and provide weapons centage is much higher for larger available because of theft from badly economy. Finalizing a constitution It is argued that of mass destruc- attacks. Moreover, few countries guarded ex-Soviet Union stockpiles. prime minister will be no easy job, but something tion to terrorists, sponsor terrorist groups- Iran is However, earlier fears have not stood he can achieve. His comfortable tracing the source giving them the the worst offender and that is not a up to scrutiny. Some lowly enriched brings to an means to match nuclear weapons’ producing country. uranium was stolen but not a bomb margin of victory gives hope that of an explosion end the political their hatred.” In Pakistan, which has nuclear weap- itself and obviously not the technol- the Constituent Assembly might carried out by her attempt to ons, only sponsors smallish terrorist ogy to fashion a bomb. Nearly all the paralysis that finally finish the job of writing a terrorists would rally support for groups supporting the Taliban or the stolen uranium has been tracked constitution, which must pass by a be exceedingly the decision to fighters in Kashmir, neither of whom down. has gripped the two-thirds majority. invade Iraq and could serve their purpose by using a It is argued that tracing the country. The two most contentious difficult. It topple Saddam nuclear weapon. Besides, it would be source of an explosion carried out by would not. Even Hussein, the then more than obvious where they got terrorists would be exceedingly dif- issues in the writing of the secretary of state, it from. If Iran gave Hezbollah or ficult. It would not. Even adversaries constitution are whether to adopt adversaries of Condoleezza Rice, Hamas the bomb (which it doesn’t of the US would quickly want to prove an executive presidency and how to divide the country the US would said, “Terrorists have), Israel with its superb intel- they were innocent and would coop- into smaller political units. A 10-year civil war between quickly want to might acquire ligence service that has infiltrated erate in every way, including detailed the Maoists and the government ended in 2006, but the such weapons Hezbollah right up to almost the top, inspections. No state would put itself resulting Constituent Assembly spent four years trying to prove they were from Saddam would be down on Iran like a ton of in a situation where there could be an innocent and Hussein’s regime bricks. assumption of guilt followed by mas- write a constitution without success, leading to political to mount a future Passing a nuclear bomb to a ter- sive retaliation. chaos and paralysis. A technocratic government was would cooperate attack far beyond rorist group would be a fraught and Pace Bush, Rice and Obama. Your chosen last year to oversee new elections. in every way, the scale of 9/11.” risky undertaking. A state that did fears are overblown and why do you Nepal has suffered badly due to the political crisis including detailed (She said this, this would be wagering its life against attempt to rattle public opinion? A and it’s time for parties to bury their differences and having no proof high odds. better rhetoric would be to play down that Iraq actually If a state tried to do this it would the danger of such an attack, stress- agree on a constitution. It’s a complex country. About inspections. possessed nuclear have to find a group with the dem- ing how capable the US would be in 120 parties competed in the election last year. It is said weapons.) More onstrated capability of carrying out tracing one, and warning a possible to have more than a hundred ethnic groups, more than recently, Barack Obama said, “The complex operations across interna- rogue state that it would bring down a hundred spoken languages, scores of castes and three American people face no greater or tional borders. Perhaps one group, Al the roof on itself if it were found cul- distinct ecosystems. Bringing unity in such diversity is a more urgent danger than a terrorist Qaeda, could do this. But Al Qaeda pable of passing to terrorists a nuclear Himalayan job, and only a leader like Koriala can achieve attack with a nuclear weapon.” has no state sponsor. It has no source weapon. THE PENINSULA that. The other side Quote of West sees muck even in gold the day HE attempts of the West to attitude. The run-up to the Beijing Sochi. “They are not about erecting not to attend the Sochi Games open- discredit the Sochi 2014 Olympics, too, had seen the Western walls to keep people apart. Embrace ing ceremony shows that they were Winter Olympic Games were media reveling in negative coverage, human diversity and unity.” swayed by politics rather than human- Tevident much before the primarily because of ideological and Such was the spirit that President ity. Many media outlets, including The opening ceremony on Friday. The political differences between the West Xi Jinping carried to Sochi. He said it Economist, have stoked the memory Sochi Olympics is a sports event, and China. is customary for the Chinese people to of 1980, when almost all the Western Mutual trust but the West has used it as a political No Olympics has been free of congratulate their neighbors on their countries boycotted the Moscow must be based on tool against Russia, much like it used problems; Beijing had its share, so joyous occasions. Summer Olympics. the Beijing 2008 Summer Games did London. Sochi has its troubles, China supports Russia for host- But against the wishes of the West, respect for each to criticize China, says a Xinhua so does Rio de Janeiro, which will ing the Sochi Games, manifesting its the Sochi Games has begun on spec- commentary. host 2016 Summer Games. But the respect for sportsmanship and the tacular note, prompting an editorial in other’s country, but The West’s rhetoric is old-fash- West should know that unnecessarily Olympic spirit, and giving the vote of The Wall Street Journal on Feb 7 to also based on the ioned: alleged corruption, overrunning magnifying the problems is not what confidence to a close neighbor and say: “Soon enough, attention will turn costs and human rights infringements. the Olympic Games are about. “The friend. This principle, as part of China’s to the athletes and competition, as it protection of private Even opinion polls favorable to Russia, Olympics are about building bridges “new type of relationship between should.” Perhaps the paper has real- especially the one by Gallup that said to bring people together,” International major powers”, should apply to other ized its earlier criticism of the Sochi life, of personal Francois Hollande “Russians see gold in Sochi Olympic Olympic Committee President Thomas international affairs too. Games was inappropriate. data. Games”, could not change the West’s Bach said at the opening ceremony in That many Western leaders decided China Daily French President WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2014 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Putin wins patriotic gold in Sochi

Facebook. Former Moscow Mayor Yuri Many Russians still Luzhkov called the show a rip-off of the 2012 ceremony in London. The critics, remember the pride however, were drowned in a chorus of approval. “From the moment of the colourful, and excitement they original opening ceremony the entire country seems changed and consoli- felt during the 1980 dated,” financier Igor Kulichik wrote on his Snob.ru blog. “Most of my fellow-citizens, including Moscow Olympics. my friends and me, are willingly carried BY LEONID BERSHIDSKY on a patriotic wave. For the first time in years we are saying without smirking or sarcasm, but with pride: We are Russia, he Sochi Winter Olympics this is our country.” may have cost seven times as Putin, who stuck around for the week- much as the Vancouver ones end, talking to athletes and the foreign four years ago, but they are dignitaries who attended the opening achieving President Vladimir at his invitation, shone with happi- TPutin’s goal: Russians, including many of ness. Ernst, jubilant after his triumph, his fiercest opponents, have united in a declared on Russian television: “I think powerful upsurge of patriotism. we managed to break through to the Scepticism about the mammoth effort cold hearts that had a reserved attitude was widespread before the games started, toward Russia.” Only Prime Minister with many Russians re-posting the scath- Dmitri Medvedev briefly appeared to fall ing comments of Western journalists on asleep as everyone applauded the games’ Sochi’s lack of preparedness. The tide chief organiser, Dmitri Chernyshenko. started to turn just as the Olympics were Most Russians see the Sochi Olympics about to open. as a major success not just for Putin, but “The mass Facebook masochism about for the entire nation. With local athletes the shamefulness, absurdity and nasti- doing better than expected in the first ness of how everything is organised in days of competition and the Russian Sochi is suddenly terribly irritating,” nov- figure skaters capturing team gold, the elist Boris Akunin, one of Putin’s most patriotic sentiment will only grow in the vocal opponents, wrote on Facebook. “Is coming days. The beauty of the Sochi it really such an unmitigated horror?” he scenery, impressive even on a TV screen, went on to ask. and the grandiosity of the Olympic ven- “I swear to God, I am not prepared to Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) watches a performance during his visit to the China House, a cultural project by the Chinese ues will contribute to the mood. live by the principle ‘If it’s bad for Putin, Olympic Committee, during the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi on Monday. The question is how long this patriotic it’s good for us.’ “ buzz will last after the Olympics are over. The opening extravaganza on February Nationalist writer Kostantin Krylov lik- 7 was Putin’s decisive victory. insistence, World War II was reduced to a columns rising majestically from the referring to the footnote: “We stole the ened the opening ceremony to a drunken Konstantin Ernst, the chief executive few seconds or blackness torn by search- Fisht stadium field, a fiery troika of huge fifth one.” father taking his mistreated son to the of Channel One, the biggest of Russia’s lights, and then the idyllic blossoming of horses sailing on rails under the roof and “No normal person can be distracted circus. “Let us treat this with under- state-controlled TV stations, wrote the Soviet Communism in the post-war years imaginative projections that turned the from a two-and-a-half-hour long story standing,” he wrote. “Don’t let us take script and served as the lead producer. was shown in bright, happy colours as a field into a gargantuan screen, worked by a single unopened snowflake,” Ernst away the poor boy’s moment of happiness, The plot revolved around a little girl string of parades and scenes featuring smoothly. In general, it was a remark- declared at a press conference afterward. or buzz in his ear: ‘Tomorrow Dad will called Lyubov, the Russian for “love,” see- Soviet “hipsters” hustled, all in good fun, ably well-executed the 150-minute show, “That could only be a paranoid reaction.” beat you up again.’ He knows Dad will. ing a dream of Russia’s past and future. by white-clad police. produced by an international crew that Russian journalists applauded: by then, He’s with Dad now, though, and he feels It portrayed the nation’s birth as an In an attempt to convey Russia’s great- included several Cirque du Soleil profes- anyone who did not like the show was an almost human.” acid-induced dance of multicoloured, ness to foreign audiences, Ernst also sionals and at least two members of the unpatriotic Grinch. Fifty billion dollars is enough money to helium-filled church domes, went on to appropriated some famous personali- team that worked on the opening of the “It was a beautiful opening! Well done!” make sure the memories do not evapo- sing hosanna to Peter the Great’s pro- ties who can only be considered Russian London Olympics in 2012. Boris Nemtsov, a Putin opponent who rate immediately. Many Russians still European reforms, then rhapsodised by extension - like Jewish painter Marc There was only one noticeable mishap. recently issued a report about Sochi cor- remember the pride and excitement they about the beauty of the Imperial era Chagall, who was born in modern-day One of the huge snowflakes that were ruption, wrote on Facebook. “It was fan- felt during the 1980 Moscow Olympics, with a re-enactment of a ball scene from Belarus and had his most productive supposed to open into Olympic rings mal- tastically, stunningly beautiful,” blogger even though the games were boycotted by Tolstoy’s War and Peace, featuring the period in France, or Kiev-born Igor functioned, and the TV broadcast briefly Rustem Adagamov, another well-known much of the Western world. Sochi will be country’s top ballet dancers. Sikorsky, whose attempts to design a switched to prerecorded footage from a anti- Putin figure, agreed. “I don’t even an even brighter memory. But a hangover The 1917 revolution and Stalin’s reign helicopter in czarist Russia failed, but rehearsal to show all five rings. The epi- know how to select the pictures for a is the inevitable consequence of any good were presented as a study in red, with who realised his dream in the US. sode gave rise to much Web creativity, report on LiveJournal. Pictures cannot party and will come eventually, what with people operating enormous many-cogged Most of the show was accompanied by with posters featuring ring thief Gollum do it justice.” the Russian economy stagnating and par- machines inspired by the supremacist art tastefully selected classical and Soviet- from J R R Tolkien’s The Hobbit, and There were dissenting voices, of course. liament passing ever more illiberal laws. movement of the early 1920s. Apparently era music. The state-of-the art theatri- suggestions that the remaining snowflake “This is practically Eden, with Putin cast For now, though, the party is in full swing at the International Olympic Committee’s cal machinery, which included gigantic was in fact the BP logo or an asterisk as God,” blogger Alexander Hotz wrote on and it feels great. WP-BLOOMBERG Why the black vote is crucial again in 2014 Is this the end of

between turnout and Democratic EU open borders? As we honour Party success. This country has come too far since BY JOSHUA KEATING the 88th Black the Voting Rights Act’s initial passage in 1965 to move backward. House narrow majority of Swiss voters shocked Democrats will continue to fight Europe over the weekend by approving new History Month, to ensure that participation in our restrictions on the number of immigrants democracy remains unfettered and A allowed to live and work in the country. we celebrate the that all votes will be properly counted. The referendum, introduced by the right-wing Swiss During Obama’s first term, People’s Party, split Switzerland across linguistic lines Republicans made their top priority with the French-speaking west opposing the measure strides so many loud and clear: to make him a one- and the German-speaking East largely supporting it. term president. We’re all glad they In addition to being a sign of rising anti-immigrant African-Americans failed. But if Republicans maintain or sentiment in Europe, the move could be a worrying build on their majority after November, indication for the future of free movement across the Obama’s legacy — and the nation’s eco- continent’s national borders - one of the hallmark have made. nomic recovery — will be in jeopardy. achievements of the European Union. BY STEVE ISRAEL Republicans and their special inter- Switzerland is not a member of the EU but is part est allies are part of a broken and dys- of the continent-wide passport-free zone known as functional system in Washington that the Schengen area. n 2012, history was made — again. favours scoring politics points over As the Guardian puts it, the new quotas will pose a For the first time, African- problem solving, and looking out for challenge to Schengen “since the caps will also apply American voters turned out at US President Barack Obama (right), the country’s first black president, and French big oil and special interests instead of to EU citizens who previously enjoyed unfettered Ia higher rate than the national President Francois Hollande make remarks after touring the Virginia residence of the middle class. travel and working rights in Switzerland under the average, and helped lift President Thomas Jefferson at Monticello in Charlottesville on Monday. Just last month, House Republican open borders system.” Barack Obama to a second term while Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va, was caught The European Commission now says it will have to helping Democrats add eight seats in dining on the taxpayers’ dime as he and review a range of agreements between Switzerland the House of Representatives. Affordable Care Act to shutting down president’s Cabinet member: Attorney his colleagues continued to block a vote and the EU with Vice President Viviane Reding col- As we honour the 88th Black the government to refusing to raise General Eric Holder. These are the on extending unemployment insurance ourfully arguing that “The single market is not a History Month, we celebrate the the minimum wage, time and time types of political games that have done for 1.6 million Americans. Shameful. Swiss cheese. You cannot have a single market with strides so many African-Americans again, House Republicans have shown nothing to help working Americans The question African-American holes in it.” have made, and recognise their out- they aren’t on the side of the middle build the economic security for which voters will ask when they walk into Switzerland’s an outlier for obvious reasons, but sized impact at the ballot box. This class and African-American families. they’ve worked so hard. the voting booth is: Whose side are the vote was applauded by anti-immigrant parties in fall, the congressional midterms will With their efforts to repeal health- So there’s too much at stake this you on? Are you standing with Obama other countries and could be a sign of new restrictions be another opportunity to rewrite the care reform, Republicans are trying fall to stay home and not get involved. and working to strengthen the middle to come in members of the EU proper. history books and defy expectations in to go back to the days when insurance To move his agenda forward, Obama class and ensure that our government Other governments, including Norway, have sug- a midterm election. companies could write the rules and needs more Democratic partners in is meeting the needs of its people? Or, gested removing themselves from the Schengen zone, And there’s no question that it can be in charge — undermining the 6.8 Congress. But we know it won’t be easy. are you for a Republican Congress and there’s been widespread opposition to allowing be done. million uninsured African-Americans In addition to the conservative that’s championed gridlock, cheered recent EU members Bulgaria and Romanian to join. Propelled by the overwhelming sup- who now have access to affordable Supreme Court’s decision to overturn on failure and celebrated inaction? EU leaders reportedly discussed scrapping Schengen port and turnout of African-American health insurance for the first time. Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, we Every day for the past 15 months, and reimposing border controls in the event of Greece voters, President Bill Clinton and When the tea party Republicans shut have seen states across the country my Democratic colleagues and I have deciding to exit the Eurozone - which for the time Democrats in Congress gained five down the government, they forced led by Republican legislatures launch come to work knowing the reason we being appears to be a remote possibility. seats in 1998 and shocked pundits and more than 145,000 African-American a full-court press to enact suppressive are here is that Americans — includ- The depth of anti-immigrant sentiment in prognosticators alike. Like Clinton, federal employees to take furloughs, voting legislation and disenfranchise- ing nine out of 10 African- Americans Switzerland is a bit puzzling, given that with a quarter Obama has been confronted by obsta- while robbing our economy of $24bn. ment efforts. — went to the polls to support us and of its residents being foreign born, it has the lowest cles beyond his control. Since this And by refusing to raise the minimum Too many Election Days have fea- our agenda. Democrats are working unemployment rate in Europe at 4 percent and its Republican Congress took the major- wage, Republicans are preventing 28 tured broken voting machines, flawed hard to continue earning the trust and economy is among the strongest. ity in 2011, they have blocked Obama’s million hardworking Americans from voter rolls, hours-long lines and mis- support of African-American voters, If a law like this can pass there, it seems that the agenda at every turn — all because getting a raise. leading ballots. Republicans support and we hope you will join us at the dominoes could fall pretty fast for the rest of the they want to protect special interests This is also the same Republican these measures for a reason — the ballot box this fall as we continue our continent and the days of passport-free borders might at the expense of middle-class families. Congress that was the first in 2012 and 2008 national election results efforts to move America forward. be numbered. From countless votes to repeal the American history to vote to sanction a showed an undeniable correlation WP-BLOOMBERG WP-BLOOMBERG WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2014 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL Italy, US police crack Protest in Kiev big mafia drug ring 24 arrested in ‘Operation Blue Bridge’

ROME: Police in Italy and New money laundering and member- York,” said assistant US attorney York broke up a major trans- ship in organised crime. Marshall Miller. Atlantic mafia ring yesterday, The clans of the Calabrian He told reporters at a news arresting 24 people accused ‘Ndrangheta, a version of the conference at the headquarters of plotting to move hundreds Sicilian Mafia on the southern of Italy’s anti-Mafia investigators of millions of dollars in drugs mainland, and members of the with other US and Italian investi- between South America, Italy Gambino Mafia family in New gators that the operation struck and the United States. York, were in the advanced stages at “the heart of international The sting operation involv- of plans to smuggle some 500kg organised crime”. ing undercover agents and wire of pure cocaine from Guyana in The operation began in 2012 taps offered more evidence the South America to the port of when investigators detected a Calabria-based ‘Ndrangheta had Gioia Tauro in Calabria. plan by members of the Ursino overtaken its Sicilian cousin, the Italian investigators estimated clan of the ‘Ndrangheta to smug- A protester sits on the burnt out bus at a barricade during the continuing protest in Kiev yesterday. Opposition Cosa Nostra, and was trying to the street value of the cocaine after gle large amounts of drugs. groups have for weeks been staging violent protests demanding the president’s resignation and early elections. make inroads in the United States cutting at about ¤750m ($1bn) The An undercover agent was dis- Ukrainian opposition leader Vitali Klitschko has urged the European Union (EU) to meditate in the country’s by forging ties with one of the tra- drugs, supplied by Latin American patched to Italy and was suc- deep political crisis. ditional New York mob families, drug cartels, were to have been cessful in infiltrating the clan. the Gambinos. sent to Italy hidden in shipments An undercover agent was also FBI and Italian agents jointly of canned fruit. Some of it would involved in the handover of 1.3 kg carried out “Operation New then have been smuggled to the of heroin in New York as part of Bridge” simultaneously just after United States. the infiltration operation. midnight in Brooklyn and just “The ‘Ndrangheta determined to They said the plan involved Dutch ministers in hot water before dawn in Italy, American move deadly narcotics across inter- ‘Ndrangheta members in both and Italian officials told a news national boundaries, attempting to Italy and New York who had conference in Rome. build a bridge of criminality and forged an alliance with the Those arrested were accused corruption to stretch from South Gambino family of the U.S. Mafia. over NSA phone grabs of international drugs trafficking, America to Italy and back to New The FBI and Italian investiga- tors intercepted email messages THE HAGUE: Two Dutch and Hennis wrote that “closer Opposition parties reacted between mobsters in Italy and ministers faced a grilling in par- investigation and analysis” of with outrage to the ministers’ the New Socco Enterprise fruit liament yesterday after reveal- Spiegel’s article “showed around disclosure and it was now “up to canning company in Georgetown, ing the country’s intelligence 1.8 million records of metadata (the ruling) Liberal and Labour Guyana. During the investigation services grabbed metadata from were captured by the National (parties) to decide whether to let police wire taps indicated the some 1.8 million intercepted tel- Sigint Organisation (NSO) in them go,” the centrist Volkskrant group was also considering arms ephone calls. the context of the fight against newspaper said on Tuesday. trafficking on a considerable scale Interior Minister Ronald terrorism.” Politicians are particularly but that plan never moved beyond Plasterk and Defence Minister It said the information was annoyed by an admission by both the initial stages. Jeanine Hennis are fending off “legally collected and had to do Plasterk and Hennis that they Investigators say that in recent calls for their resignations after with Dutch military operations had known since November 22 years ‘Ndrangheta clans have revealing last week that the Dutch abroad.” The calls, intercepted by that the intercepts were made made inroads in criminal activity secret services intercepted the satellite, were measured in time, by the Dutch and not the NSA. in northern Italy and elsewhere in data — an act previously attrib- duration and amount but con- Both ministers defended their Europe, particularly in Germany uted to the US National Security versations were not tapped, the silence “in the interest of the and now want to expand in the Agency (NSA). ministers said. state” but said they recently United States. “What we see German weekly Der Spiegel first “The information was shared reviewed that position after a here is ‘Ndrangheta attempting revealed the intercepts last year with the United States in light group called “Citizens against to gain a foothold in the New and in October Labour-backed of cooperation of the above-men- Plasterk” took them to court. York area and the United States,” Plasterk denied on public televi- tioned subject,” added the letter, The complaint specifically Miller said. “We also see efforts sion that local intelligence serv- co-signed by Plasterk and Hennis, related to metadata collected by Gambino family associate Franco Lupoi (centre) is escorted by FBI agents to forge cooperation between ices were involved. a minister from Premier Mark foreign intelligence services, used from their Manhattan offices in New York yesterday. the ‘Ndrangheta and the Cosa However in a letter to par- Rutte’s liberal People’s Party for by the Netherlands. Nostra,” he said. REUTERS liament a week ago, Plasterk Freedom and Democracy (VVD). AFP

Genocide tribunal Leaders of divided Cyprus eye power-sharing deal acquits former NICOSIA: Leaders of ethni- She was flanked on either side to step down after five years on the people of Cyprus to restore with international lenders. cally split Cyprus agreed to press by Nicos Anastasiades, president the job to take up a new, unspec- trust, and achieve a solution Cyprus’s Greek and Turkish Rwanda general anew to forge a system of power of the internationally recognised ified position. The European where there will be no winners Cypriots have been estranged sharing yesterday to end a bitter Cypriot government, and Turkish Commission said the joint state- or losers,” Anastasiades said in a since 1974, when Turkey invaded ARUSHA: A UN-backed court and long-running conflict that Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu. ment set a “solid foundation” for statement issued by his office. the island’s north after a brief yesterday acquitted on appeal is frustrating Turkey’s hopes of The joint statement did not a resumption of the talks and an In addition to overcoming mis- Greek-inspired coup, though the a Rwandan ex-paramilitary joining the EU and complicating differ significantly from previ- eventual deal. trust from a public jaded by see- seeds of partition were sown years police chief and another former its relations with Greece. ous proclamations on an aspired Peace talks stalled in mid- ing peace initiatives come and earlier, soon after independence top officer of charges related to Representatives of the island’s peace deal on the Mediterranean 2012. Buttenheim said the lead- go, Anastasiades will also have to from Britain in 1960. the 1994 genocide. two largest ethnic groups, Greeks island, but sought to clarify the ers would try to reach a solution overcome dissent in his centre- Power sharing, redrawing prop- General Augustin and Turks, said they would basic principles of a settlement “as soon as possible” but did not right administration. erty boundaries and the claims Ndindiliyimana was acquitted on relaunch talks to create a two-zone which have been the subject of specify a deadline on when talks A junior coalition partner of thousands of displaced persons the grounds that he did not have federation reuniting the island, acrimony in the past. should end. is threatening to quit, accus- are key issues in the conflict. Any effective authority over the sub- which has been split for decades. Diplomatic sources said the ing him of being a sellout, while agreement must be put to sepa- ordinates for whose abuses he had “The leaders expressed United States had been instru- PITFALLS AHEAD the island’s main opposition rate referendums in the two com- been sentenced. Major Francois- their determination to resume mental in getting the two sides Anastasiades and Eroglu will Communist party has come out munities. Talks take place in a Xavier Nzuwonemeye, the former structured negotiations in a to meet after months of haggling. now leave key negotiators to in support of Anastasiades. United Nations compound which commander of an elite battalion, results-oriented manner,” Lisa Hailing the breakthrough, UN thrash out the minutiae of any Broad consensus in the coali- once served as the island’s main was acquitted because the judges Buttenheim, the resident United Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon deal, which is when the talks have tion is needed to push reforms international airport, settled on said his implication in the assas- Nations envoy on the island, read said his special advisor for Cyprus, typically floundered. through ensure the island sticks a plateau overlooking Nicosia, sination of the prime minister and from a joint statement at a news former Australian foreign minis- “What is needed is vision, and to a 10 billion euro ($14 billion) Cyprus’s divided capital. the killing of 10 Belgian blue hel- conference. ter Alexander Downer, decided the decisiveness of leaders and economic adjustment programme REUTERS mets — crimes in which men from his battalion took part — had not been proven beyond reasonable doubt. Snow in Moscow The Arusha, Tanzania-based International Criminal Tribunal Nato gets first US destroyer for Rwanda (ICTR) reduced the sentence of a third officer, Innocent Sagahutu, a squadron commander for ballistic missile shield in the elite reconnaissance unit, BRUSSELS: The first of four US high-tech destroyers arrived in from 20 years behind bars to 15. Spain yesterday to form a key part of a ballistic missile shield for The ICTR said it would hand Europe which Russia says directly threatens its security. The USS down its decision on a fourth Donald Cook took up station in the southern port of Rota from where officer, former army chief Augustin it will operate as an anti-missile platform and take part in other Bizimungu, at a later date. tasks such as maritime security and Nato deployments, a statement The UN-backed court was set up said. “For the first time, a ship of the United States Navy equipped in late 1994 to try the alleged mas- with the Aegis ballistic missile-defence system is permanently based terminds behind the genocide, in in Europe” Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said. which an estimated 800,000 people, Three other Aegis destroyers will be deployed over the next two years the overwhelming majority of them as the missile shield takes form after Nato agreed its deployment at a ethnic Tutsis, were killed. summit in 2010. The system is designed to “protect all Nato European Lesser perpetrators have been populations and territory,” the statement said. tried before other jurisdictions, either in the formal court system in Rwanda or before thousands Court rejects Tymoshenko appeal of grassroots tribunals called KHARKIV: A Ukrainian court yesterday rejected an appeal by gacacas, which have handed down jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko to relax her detention punishments including prison conditions, more than two months into a protest movement she has sentences and forced labour in vocally supported. Lawyers for Tymoshenko applied to the court in the community. the eastern town of Kharkiv, where the former prime minister is The ICTR had in May 2011 being held, to allow her to use a mobile telephone, have more visi- sentenced Ndindiliyimana to 11 tors and take walks around the town. “The defence’s request cannot years imprisonment for genocide be satisfied,” said Antonina Yurieva, the judge presiding the appeal. crimes, a term he had already Tymoshenko did not attend the hearing but journalists and sup- served in preventive detention porters holding banners reading “Stop persecuting Yulia” packed since his arrest in Belgium in out the courtroom. Tymoshenko’s lawyer Olexander Plakhotnyuk A tractor removes snow near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier just outside the Kremlin in Moscow yesterday. 2000. The appeal judges argued said he would challenge the decision. The former prime minister Snow fell across Moscow and its vicinity as temperatures reached -5 C, with weather experts saying it could that their lower court colleagues was jailed in 2011 for seven years for abuse of power and has so far feel more like - 10 C due to humidity and winds. had been incoherent in sentencing served a third of her sentence. AGENCIES Ndindiliyimana. AFP WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2014 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11

Court quashes Obama hails decision not to hold Litvinenko France as poisoning inquiry LONDON: The High Court has quashed a decision by the British government not to hold a pub- lic inquiry into the murder of former Russian spy Alexander model ally Litvinenko, who died in London in 2006 after being poisoned with a radioactive substance. Yesterday’s judgement means Mutual trust restored, says Hollande the government will have to reconsider the decision, a diplo- WASHINGTON: President United States and France are matically sensitive one as a public Barack Obama yesterday doing together.” inquiry could delve into the issue praised France as a model ally While disengaging from wars in of whether Russia was involved in a world that must do more Iraq and Afghanistan, Washington in the killing. Moscow denies any to meet common threats, lay- has pressed its European allies involvement. ing on the full flourish of a state to do more to protect their own Litvinenko, 43, died after visit for President Francois security in operations like the drinking tea poisoned with a rare Hollande. Libya war — albeit with mili- radioactive isotope, polonium-210, Obama hailed France, an tary and logistical support that in a plush hotel. From his death- increasingly key partner in the the only the US superpower can bed he accused Russian President fight against Islamic extremism in provide. US President Barack Obama and French President Francois Hollande during a joint press conference in the East Vladimir Putin of ordering his Africa, nuclear proliferation and Hollande paid tribute to the Room of the White House in Washington, DC, yesterday. murder, a charge the Kremlin climate change, as he welcomed sacrifice of US soldiers in World has rejected. Hollande on the White House lawn. the Second War and said the two parts of Africa. terrorism, but we also wanted tumultuous, lies in its resilience: The High Court stopped short The presidents stood side-by- old allies stand for bedrock prin- Hollande said yesterday that to meet a number of principles. ties are now tightening a decade of calling for an inquiry actually side framed by the red, white and ciples of universal rights. “Today the two allies had resolved their And we are making headway in after they ruptured over Iraq. to take place, but said that Home blue of the Stars and Stripes and France and the United States still differences over American digital this cooperation. Mutual trust has Washington has welcomed and Secretary Theresa May, the inte- the French tricolor as a 21-gun stand side by side to make these eavesdropping. been restored,” Hollande said. provided logistical support for rior minister who refused to hold salute split the air and ranks of values prevail,” Hollande said. Leaders from many US allies, Hollande has not allowed con- France’s interventions to quell a public inquiry, would have to troops in dress uniform stood to “We stand together with the including Germany’s Chancellor cern over US spying to darken the the spread of Islamic militants in revisit the issue. attention. United States to address the Angel Merkel, were angered mood of a much-anticipated state Africa’s Sahel region. “If she is to maintain her “Like generations before us, we threats of the proliferation of by intelligence leaker Edward visit to Washington, but he did The allies are also key play- refusal, she will need better now have the task not simply to weapons of mass destruction Snowden’s revelation that the reiterate European concerns about ers in the group of world pow- reasons than those given in preserve our enduring alliance and chemical weapons, together United States monitors their tel- data privacy in the Internet age. ers negotiating with Iran over the decision letter,” wrote Lord but to make it anew for our time,” to solve the crises faced by the ephone calls. “Mutual trust must be based on its nuclear program, and blame Justice Richards, handing down Obama said. Middle East, together to sup- But it is not known if Hollande’s respect for each other’s country, President Bashar al-Assad for the unanimous judgment of the “No one nation can meet port Africa’s development, and own telephone was tapped, and but also based on the protection gross atrocities in Syria. three High Court justices who today’s challenges alone or seize together to fight global warming France has been more cautious of private life, of personal data,” Hollande opened his three-day considered the issue. “The case its opportunities. and climate change.” in its critique, emphasizing the he said, during the joint news visit to the United States with for setting up an immediate stat- “More nations must step up Earlier, a senior US official importance of its intelligence conference. a rare flight for a foreign leader utory inquiry as requested by the and meet the responsibilities of praised France for helping quell cooperation with Washington. The authenticity of the aboard Air Force One on Monday. Coroner is plainly a strong one.” leadership, and that is what the unrest and extremist violence in “We wanted to fight against Franco-US alliance, often AGENCIES UK unions call autumn protest

LONDON: British labour unions will hold a mass demon- British flood victims angry at lack of help stration in London in October to demand higher wages, sharp- DATCHET, United Kingdom: “It’s a very popular service at Elizabeth II’s Windsor Castle. in the centre of Datchet, a riv- and what sandbags they have ening the focus on falling living The floodwaters are rising in the moment,” Cannon said in the Cameron’s government is now erside commuter town with its delivered aren’t really making any standards in the run-up to next Datchet but there appears to driving rain after giving a local fighting a tide of criticism over its historic church and mock tudor- difference.” year’s election. be no one around to help except resident a lift in his red canoe. handling of the crisis. fronted buildings that is so close The response is similar in the The Trades Union Congress, David Cannon the water-taxi “We have been running some Driven by the wettest winter to London’s Heathrow Airport village of Wraysbury, about three an umbrella group which brought man. children to school and also taking in England since 1766, the floods that the planes sometimes drown miles (five kilometres) away, more than a quarter of million This quaint English town may sandbags where they’re needed.” first hit southwest England about out conversation. where the floodwaters are even people to the streets of the capi- be just a mile from the elite Eton He said the response of the seven weeks ago. Several homes and businesses higher. Wraysbury flood warden tal in an anti-austerity protest in College where Britain’s prime British authorities had been “very But they are now creeping east- have been flooded here. But the Su Burrows became something of 2011, said a recovery in Britain’s minister went to school, but resi- disorganised”. “They supplied wards towards London, into the only sign of any official activity is a celebrity after she emotionally economy — made much of by the dents say they are waiting in vain sandbags yesterday and we had wealthy suburbs lining the River the occasional fire engine pushing berated visiting Defence Secretary conservative-led coalition govern- for any substantial help from the the military here last night but Thames which are the heart- up huge bow waves as it drives Philip Hammond on live television ment — was passing most people by. government. there’s been nothing since then.” land of Cameron’s centre-right through the deluge. for his handling of the crisis. “We will only have a recovery fair Instead it is up to people like Datchet backs on to the famed Conservative party. “It’s pretty pathetic. There’s Later, she said that her tirade for all when living standards get Cannon, a 52-year-old scoutmas- playing fields of Eton, where With elections in May 2015, been no response whatsoever,” appeared to have had some effect back to their pre-crash level. And ter, and other volunteers to help British Prime Minister David senior figures from all the main said Yvonne Marks, 62, as she because she saw 2,000 sandbags for that to happen Britain needs a get people through the waters Cameron and London Mayor political parties have been visiting grimly surveyed the scene in the being taken in to Wraysbury on pay rise,” TUC General Secretary that have come from the swollen Boris Johnson went to school, stricken areas to show they care. wind and rain. the back of trucks. Frances O’Grady said yesterday. River Thames. and just a few miles from Queen The water is at least knee-deep “There’s a shortage of sandbags, AFP AGENCIES

Unions agree Heavy ice, snow threaten to suspend 48-hour London travel again in US South WINSTON-SALEM, North in North Carolina sprayed nearly tube strike Carolina: A major winter two million gallons of salt brine storm threatened a wide swath on roads ahead of the storm to LONDON: A planned 48-hour of the US South again, prompt- help keep the snow and ice from strike this week by staff on ing hundreds of school and sticking, the governor’s office said. London’s underground rail net- business closures from Texas to In extreme north Georgia, work which threatened to bring North Carolina yesterday and some roads, including parts travel misery for millions has warnings for motorists to stay of Interstate 75, were already been suspended to allow further off the roads ahead of poten- impassable because of the snow talks, unions said yesterday. tially “paralysing ice.” and ice early yesterday, said Similar action last week over Widespread power outages Charlene Thrower, spokeswoman threats to jobs from the planned could result from the latest blast for the Georgia Emergency closure of manned ticket offices of winter weather to hit the region Management Agency. caused chaos on the capital’s in recent weeks, with one to four In contrast to the storm that roads and was condemned by inches of snow predicted for paralysed Atlanta last month, Prime Minister David Cameron northern Alabama and Georgia traffic around the city was light as “shameful.” and into the Carolinas, the yesterday as most schools and The Rail, Maritime and National Weather Service said. many businesses were closed in Transport workers union (RMT) The start of a possibly “para- anticipation. and the Transport Salaried Staffs’ lysing ice storm” could bring up Pamela Maze, a 52-year-old Association (TSSA) said they had to a half inch of ice in several teacher assistant in Atlanta, now agreed to postpone their A woman holds up a sign reading “Freedom of speech is yours, defend it”, during a protest by newspaper workers Southern states, forecasters said. made a grocery store run yester- strike action following talks with and opposition parties in Caracas yesterday. “This has the potential to day morning but said she was not managers over modernisation be a catastrophic event,” said worried about the possibility of an plans. the weather service’s office in ice storm. “When I’m at home, “I’m pleased the action has More arrests in Venezuela protests Peachtree City, Georgia. I’m at home and I don’t have to been suspended and we have President Barack Obama come back out,” she said. “I think got to where we can have nego- signed an emergency declara- everyone should take their time tiations without a gun pointed to CARACAS: Venezuelan protests over rampant crime, eco- the western Andean town of tion for Georgia, and governors and be safe, be careful.” our head,” Bob Crow, the RMT authorities have arrested nomic hardship and alleged state Merida on Monday night after in Georgia, Alabama, North Up to five inches of snow had general secretary said. another eight anti-government repression. students rallied for the release of Carolina, South Carolina and fallen in north Alabama early yes- The unions and London protesters, bringing to 19 the Maduro says extreme right- colleagues in jail elsewhere. Mississippi also declared weather terday, according to the National Underground bosses have been number being held amid street wing politicians backed by “impe- “They simply unfurled ban- emergencies in their states. Weather Service. State trans- holding talks at the conciliation demonstrations that President rialist” collaborators want to bring ners and handed out banners,” Officials were quick to make plans portation officials said the snow service ACAS and Crow said they Nicolas Maduro says are being him down by undemocratic means. said Tamara Suju, a human rights for dealing with the weather effects was heavier than expected in had received proposals to halt orchestrated by foreign-backed The protests have been sporadic campaigner who works with the after being criticised for inadequate some areas and numerous roads proposed job cuts, which allowed “coup-seekers”. and seldom drawn crowds of Popular Will party that is pro- preparation before a storm two were closed. “Travel is hazardous them to call off industrial action Ten months after Maduro nar- more than a few hundred, though moting the anti-Maduro activism. weeks ago. The earlier rare blast of throughout the state, and people for the time being. rowly won an election to replace activists were hoping for bigger The eight in Merida would add wintry weather in the region crip- should avoid traveling as much However, Crow warned that his mentor and late socialist numbers at a march planned for to four from Tachira state, and pled Atlanta area roads and forced as they can,” said Tony Harris, the strike could be re-instated if leader Hugo Chavez, a hard- Wednesday in Caracas. seven from Margarita island, held more than 11,000 students to spend spokesman for the Alabama further discussions failed. line wing of Venezuela’s opposi- Opposition campaigners said after other recent demonstrations. the night at schools. Department of Transportation. REUTERS tion is trying to whip up street police detained eight people in REUTERS State transportation workers REUTERS WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2014 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES

Manila won’t tone down China, Taiwan in high level talks China remarks

MANILA: Malacañang First negotiations after 64 years could lead to the setting up of representative offices yesterday brushed aside the call made by a US gen- BEIJING: China and Taiwan eral for Asian leaders to began their highest-level offi- modulate their comments cial talks since 1949 yesterday, regarding China’s territorial negotiations that could lead to aggression. the two setting up representa- Gen Herbert Carlisle, com- tive offices, though sensitive mander of the US Air Forces political issues are not likely to in the Pacific, has urged coun- be broached. tries involved in the maritime The talks between Taiwan’s disputes with China to “try and Mainland Affairs Minister Wang defuse tensions.” This is after Yu-chi and China’s Vice Foreign President Benigno Aquino III Minister Zhang Zhijun, who and Japan Prime Minister heads the Taiwan Affairs Office, Shinzo Abe likened China’s mark a big step towards expand- maritime assertiveness to ing cross-strait dialogue beyond events prior to World War II. economic and trade issues. Carlisle said such remarks China’s ruling Communist were “not helpful.” But he Party considers Taiwan a rene- added that a possible move by gade province and has never ruled China to extend its air defence out the use of force to bring the identification zone would also island under its wing after taking be “very provocative.” control of the mainland in 1949. Presidential But economic ties have grown Communications Operations considerably in recent years. Office Sec Sonny Coloma said Taiwan’s Wang described his Carlisle is a military com- meeting with Zhang, in the east- mander and “his view of the ern Chinese city of Nanjing, as “an world is different from the unimaginable occasion in earlier Taiwanese officials (centre left) holding talks with their Chinese counterparts (centre right) in Nanjing yesterday. view of the world taken on by years,” China’s official Xinhua heads of state” like President news agency reported. Aquino. The President said like “Being able to sit down and talk In October, Chinese President and issues on medical care for modern China, who is revered by readiness on both sides. Many in the Czech land, the Philippines is a really valuable opportunity, Xi Jinping said a political solu- Taiwan students in China, Wang both mainland China and many democratic Taiwan fear China’s now needs more support from considering that the two sides tion to the standoff between the said last month, though he ruled in Taiwan. designs for their free-wheeling foreign powers. Malacañang were once almost at war,” Wang mainland and the island could not out talks on “sensitive political Since taking office in 2008, island. had denied that the President said. be postponed forever. issues.” Taiwan’s Ma has signed a series Despite the close economic ties, intended to offend China. The mainland’s Zhang told But Taiwan President Ma Ying- Nanjing was China’s capital of landmark trade and economic US-armed and backed Taiwan “He was stating the princi- Wang that both sides should jeou later said he saw no urgency during the rule of the Nationalists, agreements with China, cement- remains a potential flashpoint pled position of the Philippines have “a little more imagination” to hold political talks and he until they fled to Taiwan in 1949 ing China’s position as Taiwan’s and its recovery is a priority for that there is need for interna- regarding relations. wanted to focus on trade. upon loosing a civil war with the largest trading partner. China’s ruling Communist Party, tional solidarity to uphold the “We meet under great atten- Taiwan and China are also communists. But booming trade has not which is investing billions to mod- rule of law in defending our tion and expectations and bear expected to discuss Taiwan’s par- The city is also the burial place brought progress on political ernise its military. claims,” Coloma said. great responsibilities,” Zhang said. ticipation in international bodies of Sun Yat-Sen, the founder of reconciliation or reduced military REUTERS Japan army role alarms S Korea SEOUL: South Korea called on Japan yesterday to stop Cambodia protesters denied bail despite global concern making “regressive” remarks on its past wrongdoings and PHNOM PENH: Twenty-one Sen’s nearly three-decade rule. began a hunger strike on Sunday, The International Trade Union Sam Sokoung told reporters. He refrain from causing regional Cambodian activists and work- At least four civilians were killed according to prison authorities. Confederation has launched a said the defence would appeal the instability by pushing for its ers arrested during a bloody last month when police opened No date has yet been set for campaign to “Free the 23,” urg- decision at the Supreme Court. collective self-defence amid crackdown on a garment indus- fire on protesting textile factory their trial. Rights groups say ing workers to lobby Cambodian The ruling dismayed about 200 lingering suspicions. try strike last month were denied workers who were demanding a if convicted they could face up embassies around the world. protesters who had rallied outside Japan’s move to expand its bail yesterday, despite interna- minimum wage of $160 a month to five years’ imprisonment on But at a closed-door hearing the court, some crying and shout- military role has won sup- tional appeals for their release. to make clothes for brands includ- charges including committing yesterday, an appeals court in the ing: “The court is very unjust.” port from the United States, The case has heightened con- ing Gap, Nike and H&M. intentional violence. capital Phnom Penh denied bail to Local rights group the but caused alarm in South cerns among rights campaigners Police arrested 23 activists and In an open letter to Hun Sen, a the 21 workers and activists on the Cambodian Human Rights Korea and some other Asian about the recent suppression of workers during the crackdown. dozen international rights organi- grounds that their release “would and Development Association nations where it is viewed as street protests intended to chal- Two of them were released on bail sations on Monday urged authori- affect public order” and hinder (ADHOC) condemned the deci- remilitarization. lenge strongman premier Hun over the weekend while 16 others ties to release the detainees. legal procedures, defence lawyer sion. AFP “A country has the right to decide on its self-defence,” defence ministry Kim Min- Protest for land reform seok said in a briefing. “Due to Japan’s past wrongdoings in the Northeast Asia region, China angry over Spanish however, neighbouring coun- tries still have suspicions over its intention.” arrest warrant for Jiang Kim urged Tokyo to stop making “regressive” remarks BEIJING: Beijing expressed Autonomous Region of Tibet and clear lingering concerns anger yesterday after a Spanish with a majority from the Han before pushing to revise judge sought arrest warrants ethnic group, detain thousands of the interpretation of its for former Chinese president Tibetans during lengthy periods, constitution. Jiang Zemin and four other torture the detained and submit senior officials as part of a probe them to other illegal abuses.” Myanmar riots into alleged genocide in Tibet. In addition to Jiang, the judge “China is strongly dissatisfied ordered the arrest of former pre- worry Germany and firmly opposed to the erro- mier Li Peng and three others. neous acts taken by the Spanish The High Court in November YANGON: German agencies in disregard of China’s said it had accepted arguments President Joachim Gauck yes- position,” foreign ministry spokes- from Spanish pro-Tibet human terday raised concerns over woman Hua Chunying said at a rights groups that the five men clashes between Myanmar’s regular briefing. may have had a role in human majority Buddhist and minor- Hua’s comments came after rights abuses and should be ity Muslim communities, Spanish High Court Judge Ismael questioned. especially the Rohingyas, the Moreno on Monday ordered The case was brought by the (DPA) reported. Interpol to issue arrest warrants rights groups under Spain’s rec- “I am concerned, as are so for the five for genocide, torture ognition of “universal jurisdic- many others, when I hear of and crimes against humanity, in tion,” a doctrine that allows judges the ongoing violence between a case brought against them by to hear certain cases of human Buddhists and Muslims in human rights groups. rights abuses committed in other your country,” Gauck said in a “Jiang exercised supervisory countries. speech at Yangon University in authority over the people who Jiang is unlikely ever to appear Myanmar. At least 167 people directly committed abuses, which in a Spanish dock, but Hua died in the 2012 clashes, and makes him responsible for acts of blasted what she referred to as 120,000 were made homeless, torture and other major abuses of overseas groups pursuing Tibetan most of them Rohingyas. human rights perpetrated by his independence and called for the “Just like other minori- subordinates against the people of Spanish government to “see ties, the Rohingyas belong to Tibet,” Moreno wrote in his ruling. through the Dalai group’s attempt Myanmar,” the DPA quoted Members of the Presidential Security Group arrest a farmer following a ‘lightning rally’ calling for a genuine “He promoted and actively to split the country,” referring to Gauck as saying. AGENCIES land-to-the-tiller reform, outside the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila yesterday. implemented policies whose exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the objective was to populate the Dalai Lama. AFP Thai govt admits lack of power to renew troubled rice scheme BANGKOK: Thailand’s care- Puea Thai Party’s natural sup- extend any policy. The rice-buy- rice benchmarks helped sweep More than 1,000 farmers pro- could complete the rice loan in a taker government said yester- porters in the countryside, where ing scheme will end automati- Yingluck to power in 2011, but tested outside the government’s few days’ time,” he told reporters day it did not have the power many farmers have gone unpaid cally on February 28,” Varathep the scheme has become mired temporary base in northern ahead of a cabinet meeting. “We to renew a rice subsidy scheme for their rice for months. Rattanakorn, a minister in the in allegations of corruption and Bangkok on Monday and said need to reassure financial institu- when it expires at the end of the Yingluck has led a caretaker prime minister’s office, said. growing losses that are making they would continue their cam- tions that the rice loan will not month, risking further alienat- administration since December, The rice programme was one it increasingly hard to fund. paign after a meeting between breach the law.” ing farmers angry over late pay- when she dissolved parliament and of the populist policies associated In recent weeks, big banks have their representatives and minis- After the meeting, Commerce ments for their current crop. called a snap election in an attempt with Yingluck’s brother, Thaksin refused to extend bridging loans ters broke up without agreement. Minister Niwatthamrong Prime Minister Yingluck to end the anti-government pro- Shinawatra, a former prime to help fund the programme, Finance Minister Kittirat Na Bunsongphaisan said the cabinet Shinawatra, assailed since tests. As a result, the government’s minister central to a stubborn unconvinced the government Ranong said yesterday the farm- had approved taking 712 mil- November by a largely urban, spending and borrowing powers conflict that has divided Thais has the authority to seek them, ers would ultimately get paid and lion baht ($22m) from the state middle class protest movement are heavily curtailed. since he was toppled by the mili- while China has cancelled a gov- appealed for more time to arrange budget to pay some farmers but bent on driving her from office, “We are just a caretaker gov- tary in 2006. The pledge to pay ernment-to-government rice deal bank financing. that needed Election Commission is now facing unrest among her ernment, which has no power to farmers a price way above world due to a corruption probe. “The government believes it approval first. REUTERS WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2013 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Old relics found Blast kills 12 in Pakistan LAHORE: The Palaeontology team of Zoology Department of Punjab University (PU) has claimed to discover nine at cinema in million years old Hominoid fossils from Nagri Village, District Chakwal. The research team headed by Prof Dr Muhammad Akhtar along with faculty members, Peshawar including Dr Muhammad Akbar Khan, Dr Abdul Majid Khan and PhD research stu- Govt, Taliban propose ceasefire dents while working in the vicinity of the Nagri village PESHAWAR: A triple gre- Mohammad Ijaz Ahmed said discovered the teeth of the nade attack on a cinema show- three grenades were used in the extinct hominoids along with ing pornography in northwest attack and up to 80 people were other mammalian fossils. Pakistan killed 12 people yes- in the Shama cinema at the time. Dr Akhtar said the discovered terday as government and The cinema is known for show- fossils would help identify the Taliban negotiators met for a ing explicit erotic movies as well type of hominoids living in the second round of peace talks. as regular films. region in the prehistoric times. It was the second such attack Another senior police officer, within two weeks on a cinema Faisal Mukhtar, said that 11 peo- US consulate in the city of Peshawar, which ple were killed and 17 wounded. Volunteers searching the cinema hall after the grenade attack in Peshawar yesterday. has been on the front line of An official at Peshawar’s Lady staff shot dead Pakistan’s homegrown Islamist Reading Hospital, Syed Jameel insurgency. Shah, confirmed the death toll. “I ran towards the gate, from were thrown into the auditorium. attack was emerging, the heads PESHAWAR: Unknown The attack came as negotia- Scraps of human flesh, blood- where I was taken to hospital.” Four people were killed and 31 of the government and TTP nego- gunmen on Monday shot dead tors representing the Pakistani soaked shoes, caps and condoms Peshawar, the capital of restive injured. tiators held a press conference a Pakistani employee of the government and Taliban militants littered the floor of the hall after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, The Tehreek-e-Taliban giving a positive account of their US consulate in the north- met for a second time as part of the blasts, reporter at the scene has seen numerous bomb and gun Pakistan (TTP) umbrella group meeting. western city of Peshawar, efforts to end the bloody seven- said. attacks in recent years. denied responsibility for yester- Lead government negotiator officials said. year insurgency. Akbar Khan, 62, whose left arm The Shama cinema has been in day’s attack -- as they denied the Irfan Siddiqui said they hoped to Two gunmen riding a motor- After the meeting in Islamabad and left thigh were injured, said business for more than 30 years. earlier one -- but it will never- make “positive movement” in the cycle opened fire on Faisal the chief negotiator for the from his hospital bed that he was It has been attacked twice before theless fuel scepticism about the coming days. Saeed, 30, outside his residence Taliban, hardline cleric Maulana watching a pornographic movie by Islamist activists, but yester- talks’ chances of success. Haq, whose fellow negotiators in Peshawar, senior police offi- Sami-ul-Haq, said the two sides when a deafening blast rocked the day was the first bombing. There are fears that the move- met TTP leaders over the week- cial Najibur Rehman said. had proposed a ceasefire “to make auditorium. “It seemed like a hot Yesterday’s attack bears strik- ment, a fractious coalition of mili- end, said the Taliban had “shown Rehman identified Saeed as the atmosphere for talks more iron rod pierced through my left ing similarities to one on the tant groups, could be splintering a great deal of prudence and a former employee of the US conducive”. arm and leg as I was hit by ball city’s Picture House cinema on and undermining the peace drive. maturity”. consulate in Peshawar, but the Peshawar city police chief bearings,” he said. February 2, when two grenades As news of Tuesday’s cinema AFP US embassy in Islamabad said he was a staff member. “Local authorities are investigating a tragic incident that has affected a Pakistani national US Consulate Peshawar employee,” a US Vaccination begins as Bill to tackle domestic violence Embassy spokeswoman said in a statement. ISLAMABAD: The decided by the protection com- marriage, have been criminalised. “We strongly condemn this polio returns to Kabul Balochistan Assembly recently mittees, although the bill does A sustained campaign by rights brutal and senseless death, and passed the Domestic Violence include penalties for breaching activists in cooperation with par- express our heartfelt condo- KABUL: Afghanistan has emergency polio campaign in (Prevention and Protection) the committee’s orders.” liamentarians led to the unani- lences to the family,” she said. launched an emergency polio Kabul and luckily so far, we have Bill, 2014. The legislation After the 18th Amendment mous passage of a bill on domestic vaccination campaign in Kabul not found any other cases of appears to generally follow the in April 2010, provinces and the violence by the National Assembly Five rebels after a girl contracted the dis- polio,” he said. pattern of the landmark bill Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) on August 4, 2009. ease, the city’s first case since Besides Afghanistan and passed on the same issue by the became individually responsible However, the bill met with a killed in raids the Taliban were ousted in 2001. Pakistan, Nigeria is the only other Sindh Assembly in March 2013, for legislation on devolved sub- roadblock in the Senate largely on The three-year-old from a country in the world where polio, the only other province to have jects, including women’s rights. account of objections by Maulana KABUL: At least five Taliban nomadic family living on the a disease that paralyses children, passed such legislation. (Legislation for the ICT is passed Sheerani of the JUI-F and lapsed militants were killed and 18 northeastern edge of the city was is still endemic. It defines different forms of by the Senate and the National after three months, the time others were detained during diagnosed after being admitted to Due to massive internationally- domestic violence, including Assembly. The ICT’s domestic within which it had to be passed military operations by Afghan hospital in neighbouring Pakistan, backed efforts the number of physical, sexual and economic violence bill was only passed by by the upper house in order for it national security forces. a spokesman for the Afghan pub- cases has dropped significantly abuse, stalking, harassment, etc the Senate which means it has not to become law. The Interior Ministry of lic health ministry said yesterday. in Afghanistan in recent years, as well as verbal and emotional yet become law.) “If the Kerry-Lugar Bill hadn’t Afghanistan said in a state- The spokesman, Kaneshka with most reported from the abuse, although the definition of Legislation on domestic vio- come up, the domestic violence ment that the operations were Baktash Turkistani said it was insurgency-hit south. the latter is not as wide-ranging lence is assuming urgency with bill would have been passed,” says jointly conducted by Afghan not clear whether the girl had Despite targeting health work- as that in the Sindh legislation. time. According to a report by Anis Haroon, former chairperson army, Afghan police and contracted the virus in Kabul or ers associated with the govern- The Balochistan bill expands Aurat Foundation, the incidence of the NCSW. “It was put on the Afghan intelligence – National Pakistan. ment, Taliban insurgents have the ambit of domestic violence to of domestic violence increased backburner to appease the reli- Directorate of Security (NDS) The highly contagious polio allowed polio vaccination teams to also include violence visited upon by 62 percent between 2008 and gious parties.” during the past 24 hours. virus remains endemic in both visit their areas in recent years, domestic servants. 2012. That it was the comparatively Interior ministry confirmed countries, but Kabul city has not a move that authorities say has “The main gap I can see in it is Shibboleths about “privacy” and liberal government of the PPP- that five Taliban militants had a reported case since the helped to contain the disease. that [unlike the Sindh legislation] “sanctity of chadar aur chardi- ANP which allowed political were killed, four militants were Taliban regime was ousted by a This contrasts sharply with there are no direct penalties spec- wari” by conservative quarters expediency to derail the bill illus- injured and 18 others were US-led invasion more than a dec- the situation in Pakistan, where ified for abuses that aren’t cov- in parliament, along with politi- trates how women’s rights can detained during the operations. ade ago. militants have branded polio ered by the Pakistan Penal Code,” cal quid pro quos, have long kept be a convenient bargaining chip. Afghan national security Turkistani said the Pakistani campaigns as cover for espionage says Khawar Mumtaz, chairper- domestic violence out of the pur- Nevertheless, during the last gov- forces also seized weapons, authorities had informed his min- and routinely attack vaccination son of the National Commission view of the law even after other ernment, a number of pro-women ammunition and explosives istry of the incident. teams. on the Status of Women (NCSW). forms of violence against women, laws were passed. during the military operations, “After this, we launched an AFP “These penalties are to be such as honour killing and forced INTERNEWS interior ministry added in its statement. AGENCIES Afghan refugee 3.7 million children enrolled in Punjab’s public schools

LAHORE: Punjab School explained survey outcomes, stat- School Education Department Education Department has ing that the percentage of out- Secretary Abdul Jabbar Shaheen claimed that 3.7 million chil- of-school children of 6-16 years of said only quality education dren of 5-16 age group have age group was still standing tall attracted children to schools been enrolled in public schools, at 16 percent in 2013 as was the and the public schools were now including 700,000 children in case in the previous year. attracting a large number of class-I across the province. She said some nine percent students. By 2015, Secretary Abdul Jabbar children were never enrolled, He said the dropout rate had Shaheen says, the department while seven percent had dropped decreased markedly. He said will achieve hundred per cent out for one reason or the other. the government had earmarked enrolment target and meet the “This is a big blow to the Punjab Rs11.5bn for the provision of miss- Millennium Development Goals. government as it is focusing ing facilities at all girls’ schools However, former Punjab chief enrolment drives in the backdrop across Punjab and boys schools in secretary Kamran Rasool asked of Article 25-A that asks the state 11 districts in south Punjab. what major change had been to provide free and compulsory Of 53,935 public schools in brought about in schools envi- education to all children of 5-16 Punjab, Shaheen said, the number ronment and imparting of qual- years of age children as well as of boy schools was higher while ity education that attracted such Millennium Development Goals,” the number of female teachers a large number of children in she asserted. was higher than male teachers. schools. Jamil said those 84 percent He said girls were being pro- He said corporal punishment, children enrolled, including 20 vided stipend in 16 districts and still in vogue, was the major fac- percent in private sector, were the department was also in the tor that led children to drop out also not learning much as their process of recruiting 36,000 more of schools. competence in learning English, teachers in the province. These diversified views were arithmetic, and language was Human Rights Commission of expressed at the launch of Annual deplorable. Pakistan Secretary General IA Status of Education Report She said the ASER survey also Rehman regretted that nothing (ASER), Punjab, 2013, organised identified that, in Punjab, children was being done to offer meaning- by the Punjab school Education enrolled in private schools were ful education to children. Department in collaboration with performing better compared to He said the ASER survey had the Idara-i-Taleem-o-Aagahi those studying in government gone global as it was being con- An Afghan girl eats bread as she stands at Sakhi camp in Mazar-e-Sharif on Monday. Many families were forced (ITA), at GOR-I yesterday. schools. The trends in multigrade ducted in eight countries and cov- to flee their homes in the south due to Taliban fighting, spending the winter season at the camp. Earlier, ITA Director teaching across schools are also ering almost half of the target world Programmes Dr Baela Raza Jamil mixed, Jamil added. population. INTERNEWS WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2014 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA

Book on Hindus Gas pricing: Kejriwal takes on Ambani withdrawn Reliance had created an artificial shortage to ‘blackmail’ the govt to set higher prices after court case NEW DELHI: Penguin Books NEW DELHI: Delhi’s new Kejriwal said Ambani’s company a general election due by May. D6 was fixed at $4.2 per mBtu the news conference. India has agreed to withdraw chief minister took his anti- had created an artificial shortage Leading a party formed just a in 2007 when Murli Deora was An FIR, or frst information from sale all copies of a book graft campaign to new heights to “blackmail” the government to year earlier, Kejriwal’s victory in oil minister, in the Congress-led report, is the first stage of an offi- that takes an unorthodox view of yesterday, ordering an investi- set higher prices. Delhi had stunned both the rul- government. cial investigation into a complaint. Hinduism, and will pulp them as gation into India’s richest man, “We believe that high prices ing Congress Party and opposition Last year, after Veerappa Moily Kejriwal said he had acted after part of a settlement after a case Reliance Industries chairman are being caused by corruption,” Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). took over as oil minister, the fed- receiving four complaints. He said he was filed against the publisher, Mukesh Ambani, and policy- Kejriwal told a news conference, The BJP is ahead in opinion eral government decided to move would ask the federal government to the petitioners’ lawyer said. makers over gas pricing. speaking in Hindi. polls as the public grows disillu- to market-linked pricing, which suspend any order to raise gas prices The Hindus: An Alternative Arvind Kejriwal and his Aam A Reliance spokesman declined sioned with Congress, which leads could double local gas prices from until the issue was resolved. History by Wendy Doniger, a Aadmi, or Common Man, Party to comment on the allegations. the ruling coalition, over a series April 1 this year. “The wells belong to us. If professor at the University of (AAP) won the Delhi state elec- Reliance has long maintained geo- of corruption scandals and a “Today we have instructed the Reliance and Mukesh are not pro- Chicago’s Divinity School, was tion in December with promises logical complexities have pulled slowing economy. Although it is anti-corruption branch to file ducing gas in order to create an published in India in 2011. Its to fight corruption and to tackle production lower. The country’s unlikely to win, AAP could draw a criminal case against Murli artificial scarcity, then the govern- depiction of the religion drew high utility prices. upstream regulator believes votes away from both parties. Deora, FIRs (investigations) ment should look at giving these criticism from both conservative The investigation being opened the company failed to drill the Reliance had agreed to sup- against Veerappa Moily, V.K. wells to the (state-run exploration Hindus and some scholars. is the latest salvo against the number of wells approved in the ply gas to utility NTPC Ltd at Sibal, the (then) director gen- company) ONGC and some other Penguin agreed in the Saket tycoon over natural gas pro- development plan. about $2.3 per million British eral of hydrocarbons, Reliance entity which can operate them and Court in Delhi to recall the book, duced from the Reliance-operated Kejriwal’s attack plays into a thermal units (mBtu) for about Industries Ltd chairman Mukesh produce gas,” he said. the petitioners’ lawyer Monika D6 block on India’s east coast. heated political atmosphere, with 17 years. But the price of gas from Ambani and others,” Kejriwal told REUTERS Arora said. What appeared to be a copy of the court agreement was widely circulated on the Internet yesterday. A complaint was filed by seven petitioners’ in the court in 2011. Penguin did not respond to several requests for comment. President, PM hail The lead petitioner’s original complaint criticised the book for “heresies and factual inaccura- cies” and criticised Doniger for having a selective approach to victory over polio writing about Hinduism. “She denounced the Hindu deities and NEW DELHI: Hailing India’s Manmohan Singh said. “Today, I freedom fighters of India,” the victory over polio, President would like to remember and thank, petitioners’ lawyer Arora said. Pranab Mukherjee and Prime above all others, the nearly 2.3 mil- A group headed by the lead Minister Manmohan Singh yes- lion vaccinators and 150,000 super- petitioner has previously made terday commended the nearly 2.3 visors, together with officials and complaints about diverse sub- million vaccinators and health non-officials without whose efforts jects including sex education in workers who were the backbone we would not be here today.” schools and a magazine article of the polio eradication campaign. The prime minister said this about Hindu militancy. The book’s India is on its way to get the demonstrates that polio can be withdrawal triggered anger on World Health Organisation cer- eradicated despite many obstacles Twitter, rekindling a debate on tification of a polio-free country and adverse circumstances. “It is freedom of speech in the world’s after having reported no fresh now our duty to follow the path largest democracy. “The ‘offended’ cases in the last three years. laid by this programme in other prevail over freedom of speech” “The real warriors in the fight areas. In particular, we should try tweeted Meenakshi Ganguly, against polio are the ones who and deliver life-saving vaccines South Asia director of the New have made it possible, including to every child across the length York-based Human Rights Watch. the coordinators, supervisors, and breadth of our country. “It is The legal notice said Doniger parents, children, vaccinators and now our duty to follow the path was incorrect in describing the more,” Mukherjee said at an event laid by this programme in other Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh celebrating a polio-free India. areas. In particular, we should try (RSS), India’s largest Hindu He said eradication of polio was and deliver life-saving vaccines to nationalist organisation, which possible through strong deter- every child across the length and is close to the main opposition mination and involvement of all breadth of our country. Even the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as A supporter of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the prime ministerial candidate for BJP, waves a party flag sections of the society. remotest of corners of our coun- the party’s militant wing. while shouting slogans during a rally addressed by Modi in Bhubaneswar yesterday. This achievement of India could try should achieve full immu- The notice also said that not have been possible without nization of all children against Doniger incorrectly tells readers team effort, he said, adding that preventable diseases,” he said. the RSS was behind the assas- this was a milestone towards uni- Health Minister Ghulam Nabi sination of Mahatma Gandhi, versal health care in the country. Azad said it was a matter of great India’s freedom hero, saying a US ambassador to meet Modi He said eradication of polio was pride that the virus has been com- judicial commission had exoner- no ordinary achievement. “The pletely wiped out from the coun- ated the RSS of any complicity NEW DELHI/WASHINGTON: can confirm the appointment However, the State Department impressive achievement can be try. United Progressive Alliance in Gandhi’s murder. Gandhi was US Ambassador to India Nancy (between Modi and Powell),” a has of late changed its formulation, attributed to strong political will, chairperson Sonia Gandhi said shot dead by a former member of Powell will meet Gujarat Chief State Department spokesperson saying Modi was “welcome to apply assured financial commitment the victory over polio was an the organisation. REUTERS Minister Narendra Modi this said in Washington in response for a visa and await a review like and robust oversight of the strat- extraordinary success. week, marking a change in to reports that Powell made the any other applicant”. egy adopted by the government,” IANS Kerala minister’s stance since the US denied the request to meet Modi. Meanwhile, the White House Bharatiya Janata Party leader “This is part of our concerted parried questions about a visa staff arrested over a visa in 2005 over the 2002 outreach to senior political and for Modi. “I would refer ques- Gujarat riots. business leaders which began tions about visas to the State Railway Budget today woman’s murder External affairs ministry in November to highlight the Department,” White House spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin US-India relationship,” the spokes- spokesman Jay Carney said when MALAPPURAM: A staff said the US embassy had person said, without commenting asked whether President Barack member of a Congress min- requested for the meeting “quite on the possible date of the meeting, Obama had been briefed about the ister in Kerala and his friend some time ago” with Modi. possibly in Ahmedabad. denial of a US visa to Modi. were arrested yesterday over Addressing a briefing, The US revoked Modi’s visa in The State Department had the murder of a woman sweeper Akbaruddin said the US ambas- 2005 under a law barring entry of revoked his visa in 2005 over employed by the party at one of sador’s request to meet Modi “has foreign officials seen as respon- the sectarian riots in Gujarat, in their offices near here. been fixed for this week”. sible for “severe violations of which over 1,000 people, mainly Police arrested Biju Nair, a per- “It is normal for foreign diplo- religious freedom”. He has not Muslims, were killed. Among sonal staff member of state Power mats and ambassadors of differ- applied for a US visa since then. Western envoys who have met Minister Aryadan Mohammed, ent countries to make a request Since Modi’s emergence as a Modi are German Ambassador and his friend Shamsudin. to the ministry of external affairs national leader, the US business Michael Steiner and British High Following interrogation, both to facilitate meetings with con- lobby has reached out to him. Commissioner James Bevan. The admitted to having committed the stitutionally elected functionar- Three Republican lawmakers European Union was the first to crime. The victim was a sweeper ies of states, and quite some time accompanied a US business delega- end the boycott of Modi. at the Congress party office at ago they asked the MEA... we did tion that met him in Ahmedabad External Affairs Minister Nilambur, the constituency that facilitate and did communicate last year. A senior US diplomat also Salman Khurshid told reporters: Mohammed has been represent- that they could proceed with the attended that meeting. “It is up to the US to decide. As ing for over three decades now. meeting with the Gujarat chief But with the US and Indian far as we are concerned, there is Angry opposition party work- minister, and it is a normal cour- rights and religious groups push- a red line beyond which diplomats ers Tuesday marched to the tesy we extend to foreign heads of ing hard against a visa for Modi, can’t go.” Congress leader Arjun Congress party office protesting missions,” he said. Washington has stuck to its stand Modhwadia described this as a Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge (centre) poses after giving the final against the crime. The victim’s The meeting is likely to take that there has been no change in routine meeting. “Diplomats keep touches to the annual budget for the railways in New Delhi yesterday. body was recovered from a pond place in Gujarat tomorrow. “We its visa policy for the BJP leader. holding such meetings.” IANS The government will unveil the budget for today. about 10km from the office. Inspector general of police S. Gopinath has been asked to head the probe after CPI-M state sec- retary Pinarayi Vijayan said the two arrested are mere scapegoats. Parliament disrupted for fifth day, Congress sacks six MPs “This arrest has been done to save some bigwigs,” said Vijayan. The CPI-M has called for a day-long NEW DELHI: Parliament was time parliament convened Feb 5 — before the house was adjourned. V P Ramachandra Rao flashed were mentioned in the bulletin for shutdown in Nilambur today to disrupted for the fifth straight for one last time before the coun- In the Rajya Sabha too, tem- a placard demanding a united disrupting the house. protest the murder. day yesterday, mainly over try heads for general elections. pers ran high as members dis- Andhra Pradesh. In the din, two bills, the HIV In the state capital, Chief Telangana, forcing the adjourn- The Lok Sabha was first rupted the proceedings and tore Pro-Telangana members also AIDS (Prevention and Control) Minister Oommen Chandy told ment of both houses for the day. adjourned soon after it met at papers and threw them near the stood on their chairs shouting Bill 2014 and the Constitutional reporters that law will take The Congress, embarrassed by 11am. When it convened again at chairman’s podium. slogans. Members from the DMK (Scheduled Castes) Orders its course and the arrest was the rebellion by a section of its noon, members for and against The upper house has been wit- and AIADMK pressed for rais- (Amendment) Bill 2014, were a very fast job by the police MPs, expelled six party members Telangana took the lead to create nessing protests over the proposed ing the issue of attacks on Tamil introduced. The house was then State Congress president V M in the Lok Sabha who have been disturbances. formation of Telangana and the fishermen. AIADMK leader V. adjourned till 2pm. Sudheeran said the party will not noisily protesting against the for- Amid continuing pandemonium, attacks by the Sri Lankan Navy Maitreyan tore to bits official When the house met again, support or help the guilty. mation of Telangana. Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned on fishermen from Tamil Nadu. papers of the Rajya Sabha that efforts were made to introduce Meanwhile, Mohammed ter- Congress sources identi- the house until Wednesday after Within minutes after it met at carried the names of members the Street Vendors (Protection minated the services of Nair and fied them as Sabbam Hari, G.V. laying papers and also introducing 11, Chairman M Hamid Ansari disrupting the house. of Livelihood and Regulation of said he was prepared to face any Harsha Kumar, V Arun Kumar, L. a bill to acquire land in Mumbai for adjourned it for 10 minutes and Ramachandra Rao, Y.S. Street Vending) Bill, 2012. But probe. “I am here and he is there Rajagopal, R Sambasiva Rao and the Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial. then till noon. As the house Chowdhary, C M Ramesh and protesting members did not and let there be any probe,” he A. Sai Pratap. All six have been Meira Kumar allowed Congress met again, Telugu Desam Party Maitreyan along with AIADMK’s allow the house to function. A said. After the preliminary inves- staging vocal protests that have member Thokchom Meinya to members C M Ramesh and Y A W Rabi Bernard, K R Arjunan frustrated Deputy Chairman P J tigation, the police said no rape crippled the Lok Sabha. raise the issue of attacks on north- S Choudhary went towards the and R Lakshmanan and DMK Kurien then adjourned the house had occurred and the final report The scenes in both houses yes- eastern people, including in Delhi. chairman raising slogans of “Save leaders Kanimozhi, T M until today. would be ready once the autopsy terday were no different from the But not much could be heard Telangana”. Congress member K Selvaganapathi and S. Thangavelu IANS is conducted. IANS

WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2014 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Court awards Salvadoran castaway set for Jackson fans Fajr (Dawn) 4:54 Shorook (Sunrise) 6:11 for ‘emotional emotional welcome home Zuhr (Noon) 11:48 GARITA PALMERA, El Asr (Afternoon) 3:01 damage’ Salvador: The family of Salvadoran castaway Jose Maghrib (Sunset) 5:26 Salvador Alvarenga hung bal- Isha (Night) 6:56 ORLEANS: Five Michael loons and palm leaves in their Jackson fans won symbolic dam- humble home for his expected ages of one euro each yesterday return yesterday after his as a French court agreed they amazing story of survival adrift WEATHER had suffered “emotional dam- in the Pacific. age” from the pop star’s death. The fisherman was on a shorter Weather Played out in a court in the city and more comfortable plane ride Today Wednesday Thursday Conditions: of Orleans, the unusual case saw 34 across the Pacific, two weeks after Partly cloudy Clear Clear fans suing Jackson’s doctor Conrad washing ashore in the Marshall Fine to partly Murray, who was jailed in 2011 over Islands and telling the world he cloudy. the singer’s death from an overdose, had survived 13 months adrift in for the suffering they endured. a small boat. High: 21° High: 22° High: 22° Low: 13° Low: 15° Low: 14° The court ruled that five of the With a new haircut and clean plaintiffs — two from France, two shave, the 37-year-old was head- from Switzerland and one from ing home to a family that thought Belgium — had proven emotional he was dead until he emerged suffering from Jackson’s death. recounting how he ate raw fish DOHA - SUN & SEA “As far as I know this is the and birds and drank urine and first time in the world that the turtle blood to survive. Maria Julia Alvarenga, mother of castaway Jose Salvador Alvarenga, SUN TIDE SEA notion of emotional damage in Alvarenga, who left El Salvador prepares to receive him at her house in Garita Palmera, 118km west of San Salvador, yesterday. SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND connection with a pop star has more than a decade ago, was living been recognised,” their lawyer, in Mexico’s southern coast when 06:11 17:26 04:00 & 15:00 11:15 & 21:00 05-15/20 KT Emmanuel Ludot, said. he says he went on an ill-fated with her paternal grandpar- has disclosed little about his emo- He hailed the plaintiffs for shark fishing trip in late 2012 with ents since she was a baby, spent tional return home, insisting that THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW “going through with the process a companion who later died. Monday inflating balloons to dec- Alvarenga wanted privacy after despite the sneers” it aroused. “We are preparing to wel- orate the family’s simple green- giving a flurry of media interviews HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER He said they had proven their come him. It is joy for all of us,” painted brick house. while in the Marshall Islands. suffering “with the help of wit- his father Ricardo Orellana said The fisherman says he lived in “We expect him to return to the MUSCAT 22/16 Chance of rain 22/16 Chance of rain ness statements and medical from El Salvador’s coastal village a seven-metre fiberglass boat for country tomorrow (Tuesday), but KUWAIT 18/10 Clear 19/10 Clear certificates.” of Garita Palmera, known for its 13 months, enduring the 12,500km his return and his flight depend BAHRAIN 18/15 Clear 20/15 Clear The case was brought by a fishing and beach. odyssey by grabbing turtles off the on his health,” said Foreign SANAA 22/06 Chance of rain 23/06 Partly cloudy group known as the “Michael Alvarenga flew out of the water and snatching approaching Minister Jaime Miranda. RIYADH 21/08 Clear 20/06 Clear Jackson Community” based near Marshall Islands on Monday birds. Alvarenga underwent a health DUBAI 20/15 Partly cloudy 22/17 Clear Orleans in central France. after getting the green light from He said last week that his check in Hawaii but the govern- BAGHDAD 19/08 Clear 20/06 Clear Ludot said the damages were doctors, three days later than crewmate, 24-year-old Ezequiel ment said it did not know the symbolic and the plaintiffs would planned because of a health set- Cordoba, could not stomach the results. not be seeking to claim the one back last week. food and starved to death four He was in and out of hospital THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW euro each from Murray, who was He landed in Hawaii before months into the voyage. in the Marshall Islands, suffer- HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER released in October after serv- another expected layover in the Cordoba’s family in the south- ing from dehydration and a range ing two years of his four-year US West Coast, but Salvadoran ern Mexico state of Chiapas say of ailments including back pain,

ATHENS 18/10 Partly cloudy 15/10 Partly cloudy sentence. officials have kept a tight lid on they want Alvarenga to tell them swollen joints and lethargy. But he said they hoped their his itinerary and say that his what happened, though they do AFP WASHINGTON 00/-2 Snow 05/-5 Ice pellets status as recognised victims would arrival could be delayed if his not blame him for his death. SYDNEY 25/20 Chance of rain 25/19 Chance of rain help them gain access to Jackson’s health suffers during the journey. Alvarenga’s miraculous story LONDON 05/02 Rain 06/01 Mostly cloudy grave site in Los Angeles, which His 14-year-old daughter, was met with some doubt when PARIS 10/08 Mostly cloudy 12/05 Chance of rain is closed to the public. Fatima, was anxious to see the images first emerged of him, his ISTANBUL 15/09 Mostly cloudy 16/08 Chance of rain Jackson died in 2009 from an man whose face she could not ini- hair shaggy and sporting a bushy MANILA 31/20 Partly cloudy 30/21 Clear overdose of the anaesthetic pro- tially recognise and whose story beard, but looking plump. pofol while under Murray’s care, has been hailed as one of histo- But officials have said his story DHAKA 28/15 Partly cloudy 28/15 Clear as the “King of Pop” rehearsed in ry’s greatest maritime endurance checks out and survival experts DELHI 20/06 Clear 20/09 Partly cloudy Los Angeles for a series of come- feats, although sceptics say it is so concede living in such conditions ISLAMABAD 18/03 Clear 19/05 Partly cloudy back concerts in London. incredible it is difficult to believe. is theoretically possible. AFP Fatima, who has been living The Salvadoran government Wednesday 12 February 2014 12 Rabial II 1435 Volume 18 Number 5973 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Oil nears $109 on Yellen vows to Fed hopes, US fuel stocks seen falling LONDON: Oil edged towards $109 a barrel yesterday on hopes continue with the Federal Reserve’s new head will strike a cautiously opti- mistic tone on the US economy and on expectations US distil- late stocks fell as cold weather tapering policy boosted heating demand. Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen testifies to lawmakers later yes- ‘Labour recovery far from complete’ terday and, say economists, will want to reinforce the central WASHINGTON: New Federal Republican-controlled House bank’s determination to halt the Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said Financial Services Committee. money-printing presses later this yesterday the labour market Yellen, in just her second year while ensuring investors that recovery is “far from complete” week on the job, cited the “unu- a rise in interest rates remains a despite a drop in unemploy- sually large fraction” of jobless long way off. ment, yet she said the US cen- Americans who have been out of Brent crude was up 17 cents tral bank expects to continue work for more than six months, at $108.80 a barrel at 1304 GMT, trimming policy stimulus in and the “very high” number of after settling 94 cents lower. US measured steps due to broader part-time workers who would crude traded up nine cents at improvements in the economy. prefer full-time jobs. $100.15, having closed above $100 In her first public comments “These observations underscore on Monday for the first time this as Fed chief, Yellen, giving a the importance of considering year. balanced testimony to a House more than the unemployment “If Yellen, as expected, gives a committee, nodded to the recent rate when evaluating the condi- dovish testimony, it will give some volatility in global financial mar- tion of the US labour market,” Chair of the Federal Reserve Janet Yellen prepares to testify at a House Financial Services Committee hearing assurance to oil markets,” said kets, but said at this stage it does she said. on the Fed’s semi-annual Monetary Policy Report to Congress and the state of the US economy in the Rayburn Chee Tat Tan, investment analyst “not pose a substantial risk to the More than five years after House Office Building in Washington, DC, yesterday. at Phillip Futures in Singapore. US economic outlook.” the recession ended, the Fed has “The greenback would be likely to She emphasised continuity embarked on perhaps its most dif- in further measured steps at insufficient to sustain last year’s recent softness reflects factors weaken further, which would help in the Fed’s approach to policy, ficult policy shift as it tries to back future meetings” if economic data economic growth. that seem likely to prove transi- lift demand for crude oil.” saying she strongly supports the away from flooding the financial broadly supports policymakers’ The two months of weak US tory, including falling prices for The dollar fell to its lowest in approach driven by her predeces- system with ultra-easy money expectation of improved labour jobs growth and a recent selloff crude oil and declines in non-oil almost two weeks yesterday sor, Ben Bernanke. while at the same time convince markets and a rise in inflation. in emerging markets that also import prices.” Yellen’s prepared testimony on While the unemployment rate investors that interest rates will She said the purchases are not hit Wall Street could complicate The Fed will not let inflation the Fed’s semiannual monetary has fallen by 1.5 percentage points stay near zero well into next year. on a pre-set course, repeating the things for the Fed. run “persistently above or below” policy report will be released at since the latest bond-buying pro- Encouraged by momentum in Fed’s policy line. Yellen said the Fed was “watch- its 2-percent goal, she added. 1330 GMT. The hearing before gram began in September of 2012, the economy last year, the Fed A decidedly mixed run of data ing closely the recent volatility” Long concerned with the pain the House of Representatives at 6.6 percent the rate remains has trimmed asset purchases has raised questions over whether adding: “Our sense is that at the 2007-2009 recession caused Financial Services Committee “well above levels” the Fed sees twice since December; it now buys the US economy can sustain the this stage these developments American workers, Yellen is starts at 1500 GMT. as consistent with maximum sus- $65bn in Treasuries and mortgage strength it showed in the second do not pose a substantial risk sometimes seen as more dovish tainable employment, Yellen said. bonds each month, to keep bor- half of last year. Unemployment to the US economic outlook. We than Bernanke and thus willing to Mubadala weighs “(T)he recovery in the rowing costs low and encourage has dropped to 6.6 percent, from will, of course, continue to moni- do more to stimulate the economy labor market is far from com- investment and hiring. 7.9 percent a year ago, yet the tor the situation.” Noting infla- even if inflation could eventually options for $1.25bn plete,” she said according Yellen said the Fed will “likely fewer than 200,000 new jobs cre- tion remains below the Fed’s 2 ramp up as a result. to prepared remarks to the reduce the pace of asset purchases ated over the past two months is percent target, Yellen said “the REUTERS bond maturity

DUBAI: Abu Dhabi’s state fund Mubadala is assessing whether to issue a new bond when a $1.25bn issue matures in May, the fund said yesterday. Kuwait’s takaful firms struggle in crowded market “As with any debt maturity within the Mubadala group, we KUWAIT: Kuwait’s first decades, allowing them to build percent in 2012 after 4.5 percent mutuality, where a takaful opera- puts them at a disadvantage amid are currently assessing options Islamic insurer was born 14 solid customer bases and amass in 2011, among the lowest growth tor sets up a fund to oversee and intense competition from con- for the May 2014 $1.25bn bond years ago, but its takaful firms large financial surpluses. rates for takaful anywhere in the manage pools of money contributed ventional firms; the country’s six maturity,” a spokesperson said. are still struggling in a crowded While Islamic finance wid- world, a report by consultancy by policy holders. Takaful firms largest insurers command close to The maturity is part of a market that faces cut-throat ens its global footprint, Kuwait’s Ernst & Young estimated. are obliged to distribute excess two-thirds of the market. $1.75bn, two-tranche bond which competition. This has led to takaful sector could shrink in Kuwaiti takaful firms posted profits to policy holders, unlike Furthermore, the takaful sec- the fund sold in 2009, with the stagnant growth and persistent the next five to seven years, a combined KD47.4m ($167.7m) conventional firms which account tor lacks a dedicated supervi- remaining $500m set to mature losses for takaful firms operat- said Abdulrazaq M Al Wohaib, in premiums in 2012, an 18.7 per- for such surpluses as profits. sory body, leaving an opening for in 2019. The only other time ing in Kuwait, one of the world’s Managing Director and Chief cent share of the total, Commerce But when deficits occur, these negative competitive practices, Al Mubadala has publicly sold debt richest countries on a per capita Executive of T’azur Takaful Department data showed. This must be funded with interest-free Attal added. Price under-cutting was in April 2011, when it sold a basis, raising doubts about the Insurance Co. “We are moving was spread across 11 locally incor- loans extended by the firm, which by conventional firms aims to $1.5 billion, two-part bond. sector’s long-term viability. opposite to the rest of the world — porated takaful firms; many com- can lead to losses for sharehold- drive takaful firms from the mar- Mubadala, rated AA by Fitch In a market with 32 insurers, this has reduced the profit mar- panies in the sector have failed to ers, said Hussain Ali Al Attal, ket, said Saad Ebrahim Makki, and Standard & Poor’s, is an takaful firms say they are at a dis- gins of these companies.” post consistent profits. Chairman and Managing Director Vice-Chairman and chief execu- investment vehicle fully owned by advantage to their conventional Gross takaful contributions in Unlike conventional insurance, of First Takaful Insurance Co. tive of Takaful International Co. the Abu Dhabi government. peers which have operated for Kuwait grew an estimated 4.3 takaful is based on the concept of Takaful companies argue this REUTERS REUTERS

Glencore Xstrata’s copper output Barclays to cut 12,000 rises 26 percent jobs, pays bigger bonus ZURICH: Mining giant Glencore Xstrata said yesterday LONDON: Barclays said it the lessons of a financial crisis that its copper production rose would axe up to 12,000 jobs this caused by dangerous risk taking by 26 percent in 2013 from out- year even as it raised bonuse for and excessive pay. put the previous year, reaching investment bankers, prompt- “Today Barclays has stuck two 1.5 million tonnes. ing fury among politicians and fingers up to hard-pressed fami- Copper is a key measure of the unions who said it had not lies across Britain by announcing health of the commodities sector, learned the lessons of the finan- another multi-billion pound bonus and the Swiss-based group said cial crisis. pool,” said Frances O’Grady, that output growth was driven Britain’s third-biggest bank General Secretary of the Trades by mining in the Democratic said up to nine percent of employ- Union Congress. Republic of Congo, Chile, Peru ees could go, including 7,000 in Barclays Chief Executive Anthony and Australia. Britain, as it tries to lower costs. Jenkins, who took the helm in 2012 Zinc production fell by nine The cuts are not concentrated in after an interest rate rigging scan- percent to 1.39 million tonnes any one business area. dal, has vowed to improve culture owing to the end of mining at It said it paid £2.4bn ($3.9bn) in and standards at the bank while sites in Australia and Canada, incentive awards last year, raising also reducing risk and strengthen- but that falling trend was set to bonuses at the investment bank ing the balance sheet. halt this year thanks to projects by 13 percent despite a slump in But its investment bank profits in Australia and Africa, the group its profits. The average bonus for slumped 37 percent last year to 2.5 said. Production of lead also fell the investment bank’s 26,200 staff billion pounds and analysts voiced by 2.0 percent to 315,000 tonnes, was 60,100 pounds. concern about whether Jenkins while nickel output dropped by 4.0 Critics of the bonus hike can reach his target of a return on percent to 98,400 tonnes. said it showed Britain’s biggest equity above 11.5 percent by 2016. AFP Barclays l ogos outside a branch of the bank in London. banks were still failing to heed REUTERS WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2014 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Myanmar inks deals to lease $1bn planes 10 Boeing aircraft for international routes

SINGAPORE: Myanmar’s which was established in 1948 and national carrier yesterday currently operates mostly domes- signed a deal to lease 10 Boeing tic services using Fokker F28 jets aircraft worth nearly $1bn that and ATR turboprops. will ply international routes in For flights to smaller domestic a bid to tap booming tourism airports, Myanma Airways uses as the once-reclusive country Beechcraft and Cessna planes. opens up to the world. “We are pleased at GE to work Under the agreement, forged on with Myanma Airways to provide the opening day of the Singapore new, state-of-the-art Boeing air- Airshow, state-owned Myanma craft,” said Norman Liu, president Airways will lease the Boeing and chief executive of GECAS. 737s from GE Capital Aviation “This is an important milestone for Services (GECAS), the commer- the airline and for the development cial leasing and financing arm of of Myanmar’s aviation industry.” US giant General Electric. Nyan Htun Aung said the new “Myanma Airways, which has Boeing planes would be used to suspended international opera- expand the carrier’s routes to tions since 1993, is now going to Japan and South Korea. He said re-enter the international mar- the rapid rise in both domestic and ket with the support of our good international passenger growth friend and partner GECAS,” rates since decades of junta rule Myanmar Transportation ended in 2011 provided the impe- Minister Nyan Htun Aung said tus for the airline to expand. Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F15-SG and F16D+ aircraft are displayed during the Singapore Airshow yesterday. at the signing ceremony. He said the 10 leased Boeing “We hope that we could become aircraft would “greatly enhance” well known again to international the reform of Myanma Airways Asia-Pacific will be key driver of growth: Airbus air travellers,” he said, along- as well as the government’s push side GECAS executives and US to develop the country’s air trans- ambassador to Myanmar, Derek port sector. The carrier’s sole SINGAPORE: Airbus claimed more orders from the region’s 3,770 aircraft in service today, it order book, Bregier said that he is Mitchell. Mitchell described the international destination cur- bragging rights as the Asia- full-service carriers and budget added. Boeing projected similar not too concerned about the cur- agreement as the “largest com- rently is Gaya in India. It carried Pacific’s dominant aircraft airlines despite ongoing con- figures yesterday. rent worries about that market mercial sale” by a US company 500,000 passengers last year com- supplier yesterday, saying the cerns about the health of emerg- Growing urbanisation means segment. Airbus is also looking to Myanmar in decades. pared to 230,000 in 2010. region’s fast growing economies ing markets, many of which are that 25 of the 89 mega cities in for more partnerships with com- “It is an important moment for Japan’s All-Nippon Airways last and rising passenger demand located in the Asia-Pacific. 2032 will be in Asia-Pacific, where panies in the region, said Bregier. both our countries and I assume year acquired a 49 percent stake will continue to drive demand “The message from me is very there will also be 90 cities with In China, where the com- it will be the first of many such in another Myanmar-based car- over the next 20 years. clear. This (Asia-Pacific) is where more than one million passengers, pany has a final assembly line in moments among American busi- rier, Asian Wings Airways, which The European planemaker said the action will be for the indus- said the company. China will also Tianjin for the current generation nesses and Myanmar,” he said. commenced its first international that in 2013, it won 80 percent try in the coming years,” Fabrice overtake the United States as the of the A320 family of aircraft, he Delivery of the planes, whose service to Thailand in January. of all new business in the Asia- Bregier, head of Airbus plane- world’s largest domestic airline added there remains the possib- total list value is $960m, is sched- Myanmar President Thein Sein Pacific with 379 firm orders. It making division, said at a news market by 2032, said Airbus sales lity of assembling the upgraded uled to begin in June next year. has overseen a series of dramatic also delivered 331 new aircraft, conference. chief John Leahy. re-engined A320 neo variant. “The contract calls for six reforms since taking office in 2011. or over half of all new planes There is demand for 11,000 air- “There is no doubting the Airbus has also been promoting Boeing 737-800 models and four In response, the West has that entered into service with the craft worth $1.8 trillion in the 20 importance of the Asia-Pacific a “regional” variant of its A330 Boeing 737-MAX models. The air- begun rolling back sanctions. region’s airlines, it added. years to 2032, said Airbus. The total market both today and in the widebody aircraft, which it says craft will deliver through 2020,” Foreign firms are lining up to Speaking at the Singapore fleet size is expected to more than future,” he added. will suit services between high- GECAS said in a statement. invest and overseas visitors are Airshow, senior executives from double to over 12,130 jets, based on Even though airlines from the demand slot-restricted airports It will be a major makeover for flocking to the country. the European planemaker added average annual traffic growth of 5.8 emerging markets account for an in countries like China. flag carrier Myanma Airways, AFP that they were optimistic about percent and replacement of nearly increasingly large portion of its REUTERS

Kazakhstan devalues currency Etihad Airways Garuda to build new to meet hub near Singapore Alitalia’s banks SINGAPORE: Indonesian metres that is quite long and flag-carrier Garuda is devel- can land wide-body (aircraft),” this week oping a new aviation hub on Emirsyah Satar, CEO of Garuda Bintan Island near Singapore Indonesia, told a media briefing. SINGAPORE: Etihad Airways to strengthen its domestic and “This new operation out of is still talking to Alitalia’s international network, it was Bintan will help strengthen creditors as part of a due dili- announced yesterday. Garuda’s network development, gence before a possible invest- Garuda entered into a partner- with a potential to connect East ment by the Abu Dhabi airline ship with Singapore-based firm Indonesia with West Indonesia in the troubled Italian carrier, Gallant Venture, which will invest and become the meeting point for Etihad’s chief executive said. S$300m ($237m) into the project. our international flights to Europe “With regards to the structural The two firms signed an agree- and the Far East,” Satar added. issues, we are in talks with the ment at the Singapore Airshow to “With our regional fleet sta- banks. We are meeting this week jointly develop Bintan as Garuda’s tioned in Bintan, Garuda will be in Rome,” James Hogan told a new hub with a dedicated airport able to be more competitive to media briefing on Tuesday at the for the carrier and its subsidiary as service the second tier tourist and Singapore Airshow. well as a centre for aircraft main- business destination cities within Alitalia and Etihad are in the tenance. Garuda will also promote Asean.” The airport is scheduled final stages of due diligence and Bintan, an island with white-sand to start operating in the first sources close to the matter say a beaches and resorts less than an quarter of 2016. deal could involve Etihad buying hour by boat from Singapore, as Indonesian carriers are setting a 40 percent stake for as much a tourism destination. up aviation hubs across the vast as ¤300m ($409m). Last week, “Currently the airport is under archipelago because of congestion Etihad and Alitalia’s creditors held construction, they have started at the main airport in Jakarta. talks ahead of a potential invest- A man passes by a currency exchange office in Almaty, yesterday. Kazakhstan yesterday devalued its tenge with a runway that is 3,000 AFP ment in the carrier by Etihad, the currency by 19 percent to about 185 per dollar. chief executive of Italy’s largest bank by assets UniCredit said. Hogan said there was still no certainty of a deal. “We have a task force in Rome Lockheed to produce energy from ocean waves in Australia sitting alongside the Alitalia teams to see if we can draw up a plan. With respect to my mandate, WASHINGTON: Top US arms “Ocean energy is a tremen- Energy from ocean waves is Ocean Power, to develop the wave energy conversion. Since then, it I won’t do anything that takes us maker Lockheed Martin Corp dously large, untapped resource more predictable than wind and project. has invested tens of millions of off track at Etihad. If we come to yesterday said it had signed an which has global applicability,” solar energy, and can generate The goal is to complete the first dollars in ocean energy initiatives, an agreement, it will be an Alitalia agreement with a unit of Ocean said Tim Fuhr, director of ocean electricity for more hours in the phase by 2014 or 2015, produc- Fuhr said. plan with us as partners,” Hogan Power Technologies Inc to har- energy for Lockheed. “You can year than other alternate energy ing about 2.5 megawatts of peak He said Lockheed was begin- said. “At this stage, we are still on ness the motion of ocean waves pretty much get ocean energy on sources, Lockheed said. power, Lockheed said. ning to see revenues from those due diligence. I can’t say whether to generate electricity off the coastlines around the world. It’s The power buoys to be used in Fuhr said Lockheed hoped to investments, but declined to pro- we are going to complete a deal or coast of Victoria, Australia. essentially clean and the fuel is this project will rise about 30 feet leverage its design and engineer- vide estimates for the amount. not at this stage.” The A$230m ($205.68m) deal free.” out of the water, far smaller than ing skills to help commercialise The company does not break Investing in Alitalia would be will produce the world’s largest The agreement is part of a wind turbines, which are typically the new energy source in com- down revenues by individual Etihad’s first sizeable investment wave energy project using power drive by Lockheed — the maker of 130 feet tall and have drawn pub- ing years. Under the agreement sectors. in a European legacy carrier and buoys designed by Ocean Power F-35 fighter jets and coastal war- lic resistance. with Victorian Wave, Lockheed Fuhr said he expected it to brings with it a host of thorny Technologies that tap energy ships — to expand its foothold in Fuhr said Lockheed had worked will handle overall management take until the 2020s before dif- issues that other potential inves- from the surface motion of waves. the alternative energy business as with Ocean Power Technologies of the project, assist with design ferent forms of ocean energy tors such as Air France-KLM Once completed around 2018 or it seeks to offset a slump in US on several smaller projects for the for manufacturing of the power accounted for a significant per- have not been able to resolve. 2019, the project will generate 62.5 and European military budgets. US Department of Energy since buoys, produce selected compo- centage of world energy produc- “Due diligence is a confiden- megawatts of peak power, enough The company last year 2004, and kicked off initial work nents, and integrate the wave tion. Countries such as Australia tial process and we are working to meet the needs of 10,000 homes, announced a deal with Chinese on this project about 18 months energy converters. and Britain were among the most through the issues. And both par- Lockheed said. That is about one- consumer firm Reignwood Group ago. Lockheed recently signed an Lockheed was part of a con- forward leaning at the moment, ties have to agree on a plan, mov- third the capacity of a small coal- to design the biggest power sta- agreement with Victorian Wave sortium that built the first net- although there are some US ing forward. And that’s where it fired power plant in the United tion fuelled by differences in Partners, an Australian spe- power producing facility in the projects as well, he added. starts, that’s where it finishes.” States. ocean temperatures. cial purpose company owned by 1970s based on ocean thermal REUTERS REUTERS WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2014 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19

Metro earnings dip Portugal raises Thomas Cook €3bn in 10-year bond issue

PARIS: Portugal raised ¤3bn achieves yesterday amid strong demand for an issue of 10-year bonds in a key test of whether the euro- zone country can exit cleanly its sell-off target EU-IMF bailout in May, a bank- ing source said. The country raised ¤3bn ($4.1bn) with demand reaching Firm upbeat about turnaround ¤9.5bn, with just the interest rates left to be calculated, the LONDON: British holiday echoed the guidance of Thomas source said. operator Thomas Cook said a Cook’s larger rival TUI Travel, “It is a very beautiful order £45m ($73.8m) disposal had which last week also reported a book,” said the source. helped it reach a sell-off tar- smaller quarterly loss and said “Portugal is in the process of get ahead of schedule, giving it it was seeing strong demand for showing that it can refinance further confidence in its turna- summer holidays. itself on the markets without any round efforts. “Given Thomas Cook’s supe- difficulty,” added the source. Thomas Cook is half-way rior self-help opportunities and A successful placement of through a three-year plan to growth prospects, we think 10-year bonds at affordable rates cut jobs, close branches and sell Thomas Cook should trade on at would demonstrate that Portugal businesses after the euro zone least the same multiples as TUI can finance itself on the markets debt crisis, high fuel costs and Travel,” broker Jefferies said, before it exits its three-year political turmoil in Egypt and explaining that its 200 pence ¤78bn bailout from the EU and Tunisia brought the world’s target price is based on Thomas Shopping carts of Germany’s biggest retailer Metro AG are lined up at a Metro cash and carry market in IMF ends in May. oldest travel firm to its knees Cook trading on the same multi- Sankt Augustin near Bonn. Metro hopes more stable economic conditions and exchange rates will help Last month Portugal enjoyed in 2011. ple as TUI Travel. lift profits this year, after reporting a dip in first-quarter earnings. strong demand for an issue of Reporting a narrowing seasonal Thomas Cook trades for now at 5-year bonds, raising ¤3.25bn at loss, the company said summer a ratio of 11 times estimated 2015 a lower rate of 4.657 percent. bookings were developing in line earnings, while TUI trades at 12.3 The country aimed to seize with its expectations. Bookings times, Jefferies said. on improving market sentiment for summer holidays are watched The company issued successive British govt extends mortgage which has seen the rate of return closely as they generate the bulk profit warnings in 2011, sending on its 10-year bonds fall below five of the firm’s earnings. its share price plunging as low as percent on the secondary mar- The agreed sale of Gold Medal, 8 pence and forcing it to scrap its ket, from above six percent at the a distributor of scheduled flights, dividend to help cut debt. aid scheme to Islamic finance beginning of the year. hotels and car hire, to dnata, a In late 2011, it asked lenders During its last auction of unit of the Emirates Group, for twice to come to its rescue as it LONDON: Britain’s govern- builds on the government’s com- that it intends to raise — around 10-year bonds in May 2013, £45m, brings the proceeds of dis- struggled with its debt load amid ment sought to bolster London’s mitment to support the UK £200m — is small and in the past Portugal raised ¤3bn at 5.669 per- posals to £125m, the company said tough trading conditions during position as a centre for Islamic Islamic finance market ... and the government’s debt issuance cent with demand at over 10bn. yesterday. its seasonal low period. finance yesterday by extend- retain London’s position as the agency has had doubts about The two bond issues, plus It had set a target to make Under the turnaround begun ing its ‘Help to Buy’ mortgage premier western Islamic financial whether Islamic finance offers a bond swap carried out in between £100 and £150m from by Chief Executive Harriet Green, scheme to loans that comply centre,” the finance ministry said value for money and said the bond December, means that Portugal divestments by the end of next who joined in July 2012, the stock with Islamic law. in a statement. is likely to be a one-off. has nearly completed the amount year. has more than doubled over the Help to Buy was launched last Islamic finance is worth around The finance ministry said of borrowing it needs for this year. Thomas Cook, founded 173 last year and is up over 30 percent year and offers banks insurance £11bn ($18bn) a year to Britain, Help to Buy Islamic mortgages Portugal has not made a final years ago, reported an underly- in the last three months. It traded against the risk of lending to the government added. would be provided by the Islamic decision as to whether or not it ing first-quarter operating loss of down 1.6 percent at 182.5 pence at home-buyers who cannot afford Later this year Britain aims to Bank of Britain, which is owned will seek a precautionary arrange- £56m in the three months to the 1110 GMT. large mortgage deposits. become the first Western coun- by Qatar’s second-largest bank ment from the EU’s ESM bailout end of December, 15 percent less “It’s been a very good per- Britain’s finance ministry said try to issue a bond that complies Masraf Al Rayan. fund. than a year earlier. former. The thing about these property finance plans that cir- with Islamic law, known as a Under the mortgages, the Such a precautionary arrange- Cost savings offset the negative kind of stocks is they tend to cumvent Islam’s bar on interest sukuk, in a further attempt to property is owned by the bank ment would allow the European impact of Egypt, where unrest need upgrades to drive the payments would now be eligible cement London’s place as the and home-buyers purchase it in Central Bank to step in and buy has put customers off from holi- price,” Shore Capital analyst Greg in the same way as standard main Western centre for Islamic stages, paying the bank rent on Portugese bonds in case of a dete- daying there this winter. Johnson said. mortgages. finance. the rest of the property. rioration on the debt market. The confident statement REUTERS “The Help to Buy extension However, the sum of money REUTERS AFP Yemen inflation at 10-month low in November, reserves decline

DUBAI: Yemen’s annual infla- spiked up again last year, hitting November from as high as 33.3 tion fell to a 10-month low of 8.1 a 16-month high of 14.5 percent in percent in July. Food prices grew percent in November from 8.6 June, mainly due to higher prices 7.8 percent, down from a 2013 percent in the previous month for food, tobacco and qat. maximum of 16.6 percent in May as increases in volatile prices of The latest figures bring head- and the lowest rate of increase food and stimulant qat leaves line inflation near levels where since January 2013. slowed further, central bank the central bank last decided The IMF forecast in October data showed. to trim borrowing costs to fuel that Yemen’s inflation would aver- The headline figure matched recovery in the impoverished age 12.0 percent in 2013, raising core inflation that excludes food Arabian Peninsula state. its previous April prediction of 7.5 and qat, which many of the coun- The central bank slashed rates percent. Consumer prices grew try’s 25 million people chew daily, by five percentage points from 10.2 percent in 2012. for the first time since January October 2012 to February 2013, Yemen’s foreign currency 2013. bringing them to a three-year reserves dropped to $5.4bn in The core rate remained at 8.1 low of 15 percent. Headline infla- December, their lowest level percent, the fastest clip since tion averaged 7.1 percent during since August 2012, from $5.6bn August 2012, for the third month this period and core inflation 7.3 in November. The decrease was in a row, the central bank’s lat- percent. the sharpest since February est release covering key Yemeni Yemen’s central bank chief said 2013. indicators showed. in September the bank would Oil exports fell 12.5 percent to Inflation dived at the end of need to watch inflation before $191m in December, the lowest 2012 as political unrest in Yemen deciding whether to cut interest level since April 2013. Compared subsided and economic activity rates again. with the same month of the pre- showed signs of recovery from Annual price growth for vious year oil exports were down two years of turmoil. tobacco, cigarettes and qat fell to 34.0 percent. But consumer price growth a 10-month low of 9.3 percent in REUTERS

India bank strike

Deserted counters are seen inside a closed branch of State Bank of India (SBI) during nationwide two- day strike of bankers calling for a review of salaries in Bhopal, yesterday. WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2014 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

UK recovery Dubai extends looking solid, but no rate gains, other change soon

LONDON: Britain’s economic markets mixed recovery is entrenched, with solid growth predicted in com- ing quarters, but it will be at least a year before the Bank of Investors wait for positive cues England (BoE) tightens mon- etary policy, a poll found. DUBAI: Dubai’s bourse rose encouraging. The BoE said in August it further yesterday after a choppy Saudi Arabia’s benchmark won’t consider raising its main session as it tried to break free slipped 0.2 percent, easing off bank rate from a record low of of the 4,000-point psychologi- Monday’s five-year high. 0.5 percent until unemployment cal resistance level, while other The market is up 3.8 percent fell to seven percent — something regional markets were narrowly year-to-date, underperforming it didn’t envisage for three years. mixed because of a lack of fresh Gulf peers as investors find fewer Medians in the poll, however, catalysts. attractive buying opportunities suggest it may have already been The Dubai index climbed one and many wait for clarity on the reached — a year earlier than in a percent to a fresh five-year clos- extend of damage to companies poll taken just a month ago. ing high of 4,065 points after from tight labour supplies due Still, the Reuters survey of over rebounding from an intra-day loss to a crackdown on illegal foreign 50 economists, taken this week, of roughly one percent — a sign workers. showed it would be the second that buyers remain ready to step Banking shares weighed with A woman in front of the French cosmetics group L’Oreal’s building in Paris yesterday. quarter of next year before the in on any weakness in the market. Al Rajhi down 1.4 percent and the interest rate rose — and even “Expectations for the earn- sector index retreating 0.8 per- then by only 25 basis points. ings we haven’t seen yet are high cent. “There is uncertainty on the “The economic recovery is and given the state of emerging impact from the labour shortage not strong enough yet to with- markets, there is some interest — we would like to see things bot- Nestle drops control option stand rises in interest rates and in dollar-pegged markets like the tom out from an earnings per- the stronger pound that would United Arab Emirates (UAE) spective,” said Shuaa’s Khan. result,” said Samuel Tombs at from countries where currencies Egypt’s benchmark index Capital Economics. are under pressure,” said Amer ticked up 0.1 percent as real Some major risks to the recov- Khan, head of asset management estate-related shares rose. over L’Oreal, to sell shares ery identified in the poll are an at Shuaa Asset Management. Most of the market’s recent overheating housing market, low Mid-cap shares led gains with gains have been due to anticipa- PARIS: Swiss food giant Nestle Nestle had undertaken not November 11 and February 10, or productivity and weak demand Dubai-based contractor Drake tion of progress towards a demo- is to sell a chunk of its shares in to increase its stake while ¤124.48. from Britain’s key trade partner, and Scull rising 3.5 percent after cratically elected government French cosmetics giant L’Oreal, Bettencourt was still alive. The two groups said that their the eurozone which is undergoing the company said a unit won a with presidential and parliamen- the firms said yesterday, in a Nestle is cash rich and had boards had agreed the terms a shaky recovery. Dh375m ($102m) contract from tary elections due. signal that Nestle has dropped no pressing need for the money unanimously on Monday. Britain’s GDP will expand 0.6 local developer Nakheel. This “All good news is priced in — the option of a takeover. it will receive for reducing its The number of seats on the per quarter from here through to followed a string of recent con- now investors will wait to see L’Oreal is to buyback a stake of stake. But until now it had never L’Oreal board held by Nestle will the middle of 2015, poll forecasts tract wins. Abu Dhabi’s measure more positive news coming from eight percent from Nestle which revealed its hand over its strate- fall from three to two. that did not change from last slipped 0.5 percent, however, eas- the political arena plus the imple- currently owns 29.4 percent. gic options, ranging from a com- The companies hope to tie up month showed. But unemploy- ing off a 66-month high. mentation of the new economic The biggest L’Oreal shareholder plete withdrawal to a takeover. the deal by the middle of this year. ment — to which the BoE pegged In Kuwait, the measure policy, and if companies are able to is the daughter of the founder, When completed, the buy- Nestle said that its remaining its forward guidance — is falling advanced 0.2 percent to extend benefit from that,” said Sebastien 91-year-old Liliane Bettencourt. back of an eight percent stake stake was a long-term strategic faster than was predicted even its 2014 gains to 4.1 percent. Henin, head of asset management The family holds 30.6 percent. in L’Oreal will leave Nestle with commitment and did not signal just a month ago. It is seen aver- Sentiment was moderately at The National Investor in Abu There were deep concerns in 23.29 percent, but the stake owned a total withdrawal from L’Oreal, aging seven percent this quarter. positive after the government Dhabi. Egypt’s interim govern- French government circles that by the founding Bettencourt fam- but analysts held that the sale did Forecasts in recent monthly approved $12bn worth of bids for ment unveiled on Monday its the Bettencourt family could pass ily will rise from 30.6 percent to suggest that Nestle might pull out polls have steadily tumbled — it major upgrades at two oil refiner- second stimulus package, which control to the Swiss group. 33.1 percent. eventually. was only in November that unem- ies as part of the country’s delayed will inject 33.9bn Egyptian pounds The deal between these two The bought-back shares will be The price of shares in L’Oreal ployment was not seen reaching mega-development plan. ($4.87bn) into the economy. titans in their industries is worth cancelled, automatically boosting surged by more than four per- target within the 18-month fore- Last year, the market was Meanwhile, the dollar and ¤6.5bn ($8.9bn) and answers earnings per share by five percent. cent initially because of the boost cast horizon. So with forward dampened by renewed disappoint- prices on global equity markets some burning questions about the To finance the operation, to earnings per share, but then guidance now dead in the water ment at the pace of projects and rose yesterday after US Federal strategies of the two groups. L’Oreal will sell its half of a skin showed a fall of 2.05 percent to the BoE is expected to revamp investments; many delays were Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said L’Oreal will finance half of the care venture with Nestle called ¤126.35. its monetary policy centrepiece due to political tensions between she expects the US central bank cost by selling its share in a joint Galderma, on a valuation basis of This was because the remarks when it publishes the quarterly the cabinet and parliament, and to continue trimming its bond venture, the firms announced. ¤3.1bn and will pay an extra cash by Nestle were interpreted as Inflation Report today. Governor to bureaucratic inertia. purchases, a sign the Fed believes The two companies have been amount of ¤3.4bn. meaning that “this sale was a Mark Carney had said the assess- So any progress in big infra- the economy is on track for fur- linked for 40 years, but a deadline The deal is based on a share precursor of others,” commented ment of how to shift guidance to structure projects is seen as ther growth. REUTERS for a decision on the strategic tie- price for L’Oreal corresponding to a trader at Oddo Securities, changing circumstances would up was due to fall in April. the average closing value between Nathalie de Medina. AFP begin in February. REUTERS

QATARI MARKET Bond Coupon Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P Qatar Govt 5.15% 4/9/2014 USD 100.75 0.23% Aa2 AA HPCL to buy Qatar Govt 3.125% 1/20/2017 USD 105.38 1.25% Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 6.55% 4/9/2019 USD 119.88 2.42% Aa2 AA more Iraqi Qatar Govt 5.25% 1/20/2020 USD 113.13 2.83% Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 4.5% 1/20/2022 USD 108.25 3.31% Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 9.75% 6/15/2030 USD 154.50 4.87% Aa2 AA oil on longer Qatar Govt 6.4% 1/20/2040 USD 117.50 5.17% Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 5.75% 1/20/2042 USD 107.25 5.25% Aa2 AA credit terms Qatari Diar 3.5% 7/21/2015 USD 104.25 0.53% Aa2 AA Qatari Diar 5% 7/21/2020 USD 110.25 3.22% Aa2 AA NEW DELHI: India’s Comqat 5% 11/18/2014 USD 103.25 0.71% A1 A- Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd Comqat 3.375% 4/11/2017 USD 104.50 1.90% A1 A- (HPCL) aims to raise crude QIB 3.856% 10/7/2015 USD 104.25 1.24% NR NR imports from Iraq’s national QNB 3.125% 11/16/2015 USD 103.63 1.04% Aa3 A+ oil company by eight percent QNB 3.375% 2/22/2017 USD 104.00 2.00% Aa3 A+ to about 65,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2014-15 as it takes Doha Bank 3.5% 3/14/2017 USD 104.13 2.11% A2 A- up better terms offered by Qtel 3.375% 10/14/2016 USD 105.25 1.36% A2 A- Baghdad. Qtel 7.875% 6/10/2019 USD 124.63 2.85% A2 A- Iraq is offering 60 days’ credit Qtel 4.75% 2/16/2021 USD 107.00 3.61% A2 A- on purchases, up from 30 days Qtel 5% 10/19/2025 USD 102.63 4.70% A2 A- previously, Hindustan Petroleum Rasgas 5.5% 9/30/2014 USD 103.00 0.70% Aa3 A Corp Ltd’s director of refineries Rasgas 5.832% 9/30/2016 USD 106.88 3.09% Aa3 A BK Namdeo said. Hindustan Petroleum Corp Rasgas 5.298% 9/30/2020 USD 108.38 3.85% Aa3 A Ltd bought 60,000 bpd from Iraq SOVEREIGNS in the year ending March 31, Bond PDA* Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P 2014. Iraq has also confirmed the Abu Dhabi Govt 5.5% 4/8/2014 USD 100.88 -0.32% Aa2 AA extended credit period, which it Abu Dhabi Govt 6.75% 4/8/2019 USD 121.88 2.23% Aa2 AA first suggested in November, to Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), a Dubai Govt 6.7% 10/5/2015 USD 108.13 1.66% NR NR company source said. Dubai Govt 4.9% 5/2/2017 USD 107.38 2.50% NR NR Indian Oil Corporation has Dubai Govt 7.75% 10/5/2020 USD 122.75 3.84% NR NR raised volumes from Iraq by five Dubai Govt 6.45% 5/2/2022 USD 114.25 4.37% NR NR percent in 2014 to 284,000 bpd. Qatar Govt 4% 1/20/2015 USD 103.50 0.24% Aa2 AA HPCL will not be buying Bahrain Govt 6.273% 11/22/2018 USD 114.50 2.99% NR BBB Iranian oil in the fiscal year to March 2015 unless reinsurance Bahrain Govt 5.5% 3/31/2020 USD 107.50 4.10% NR BBB Michelin CEO Jean-Dominique Senard at the company’s 2013 annual results presentation in Paris yesterday. for cover on refineries is available, Egypt Govt 5.75% 4/29/2020 USD 100.25 5.70% Caa1 B- Namdeo added. Morocco Govt 4.5% 10/5/2020 EUR 103.38 3.91% NR BBB- “This year we are not import- *Periodic Distribution Amount ing anything (from Iran). If the Michelin blames euro for profits dip IMPORTANT NOTE: insurance issue is resolved, then Published by HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, P O Box 57, Doha, Qatar which only we will take Iranian oil in is licensed and regulated by Qatar Central Bank and Jersey Financial Services 2014/15,” he said. PARIS: Tyre-making giant made of tyres, said that the glo- France also cost ¤260m. Commission. Information quoted is from publicly available sources or proprietary HPCL halted purchases from Michelin blamed a rise of the bal market for tyres was recover- Group sales fell by 5.7 percent data and subject to change. HSBC accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising out of the use of all or part of this material. This information is general and does not Iran in April after insurers did euro and flat markets for a ing slightly. Net profit dropped by to ¤20.25bn. take into account individual circumstances, objectives or needs. The price of bonds not extend coverage for process- profits plunge and weak sales 28.0 percent to ¤1.13bn ($1.55bn) The market for tyres had been can and does fluctuate. The secondary market for bonds may not provide significant ing oil from the sanctions-hit in 2013, in a results statement from the 2012 level, and operating weak in the first half of the year, liquidity or may trade based on prevailing market conditions. Past performance is not nation. Although Iran has reached yesterday. profit before non-recurrent items picking up in the second half, but a reliable indicator of future performance. You should consider these matters and consult your financial advisor prior to making any investment decisions. a deal with world powers over its The group supplies a vast range was down 7.8 percent to ¤2.23bn. prices had come under downward nuclear programme which has of tyres to the car, truck, aviation, The operating outcome was hit pressure because some contracts meant the relaxation of some mining and agricultural sectors, mainly by a rise of the euro in were linked to the price of raw sanctions, insurance and reinsur- and is therefore an indicator of the second half of the year which materials, Michelin said. However, ance for processing its crude has global economic activity. cut the annual performance by the group cut net debt to ¤142m not yet been addressed. The company, known around ¤230m, it said. Restructuring of from more than ¤1.0bn in 2012. REUTERS the world by its logo of a man some activities in the home base AFP WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2014 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21 UK regulator US gets tough on India over solar market probes Lloyds Washington, eyeing bigger slice of Delhi’s solar power sector, threatens WTO move chief’s evidence

WASHINGTON/NEW made equipment discriminated its first stage. The programme and water projects. The Indian prepare. on branch sales DELHI : The United States against US producers and could aims to double India’s renewable embassy in Washington was not US solar trade groups cheered said it would take India to the hinder the spread of solar power. energy capacity by 2017. immediately available for com- the move and said the US had LONDON: One of Britain’s World Trade Organisation “Domestic content require- US officials had hoped a sec- ment on the latest trade action. been patient in its discussions senior financial regulators to gain a bigger foothold for ments detract from successful ond phase of the programme India has argued its solar with India. said he was surprised that the US manufacturers in its fast- cooperation on clean energy and would address Washington’s policies are legal under WTO “The US government spent two chairman of Lloyds Bank did growing solar products market, actually impede India’s deploy- concerns, but now fear the harm government procurement rules years talking with India trying not know of concerns raised in adding another irritant to an ment of solar energy by raising to American producers would that permit countries to exempt to encourage them to move away December 2011 about a planned already strained relationship. its cost,” Froman said. likely be even greater because the projects from non-discrimination from the local content require- sale of Lloyds’ branches to the The Obama administration It is the second time in a year rules were expanded in October obligations. ment before initiating the first Co-op Bank. said it was filing its second case that Washington has sought a to cover so-called thin film Froman said the action did action roughly a year ago,” said Andrew Bailey told parliament’s at the WTO over the domestic consultation at the WTO — the technology that comprises the not undermine the value that John Smirnow, vice president Treasury Select Committee content requirements in India’s first stage in a dispute process majority of US solar product the United States placed on its of trade and competitiveness yesterday that the Co-op had massive solar programme, which that can lead to sanctions — over exports to India. relationship with India, saying: for the Solar Energy Industries informed Lloyds in December aims to ease chronic energy India’s Jawaharlal Nehru National India hit back at the initial “Today’s action addresses a spe- Association. 2011 of the regulator’s concerns shortages in Asia’s third-largest Solar Mission. US accusations in April, asking cific issue of concern and in no “We are almost three years about the sale. Lloyds executives economy. The USTR issued its first chal- Washington to justify its own way detracts from the importance in the making of the US trying had told the committee last July US Trade Representative lenge to India’s solar programme incentives offered to US com- we attach to this relationship.” to get India to move back from they were not aware of a problem Michael Froman said making last February when it formally panies that use local labour and Attorneys for the USTR said this local content requirement.” with the Co-op’s capital strength Indian solar developers use locally requested consultations over products in renewable energy later such cases took months to REUTERS until a year later. Bailey, the Bank of England’s deputy governor for financial stability, cited a letter he sent India’s trade deficit narrows to Co-op Bank’s Chairman Paul Flowers in December 2011, which questioned whether Co-op had Ono board weighs a “feasible and sustainable capi- tal plan”. Bailey said he had instructed Co-op executives to inform Lloyds of his concerns and Vodafone offer had evidence that they had done so. “I have to say to you what was a MADRID/LONDON: the price that the British group surprise in your hearing was that Directors of Spain’s largest had to pay. (Lloyds chairman) Win Bischoff cable operator Ono met yester- While people familiar with didn’t know. When I heard about day to weigh up whether they the matter have said that Ono your hearing I said ‘well that’s should accept a takeover offer believes it has an enterprise odd’ and that’s obviously an issue from Britain’s Vodafone or value of at least ¤7bn ($9.5bn), within Lloyds,” Bailey told the push ahead with their original other sources have said that any committee. plan to list the company on the buyer could have to pay up to Lloyds declined to comment. stock market. ¤9bn to convince Ono’s owners to Lloyds, 33 percent-owned by Ono, which sells fixed and drop their plans for a stock mar- the government, was ordered to mobile phone, TV and Internet ket sale. sell 631 branches by European services, had been preparing for Vodafone, the world’s second- regulators as a condition of its a ¤7bn ($9.6bn) stock market largest mobile operator by sub- £20bn bailout following the 2008 sale to capitalise on high investor scribers, has made a second bid financial crisis. The committee interest in European cable firms for Ono as part of its strategy is examining whether there was when the British telecoms opera- to improve its networks follow- undue political interference in the tor approached its private equity ing the $130bn sale of its US arm sale process. Lloyds’ decision to owners about a takeover. this month. sell the branches to the Co-op had A combined entity, building Chief Executive Vittorio Colao support among lawmakers within on Vodafone’s strength in mobile said the group could have the the Conservative-led coalition services and Ono’s position in capacity to spend $30bn to $40bn government, which is committed broadband Internet and TV on acquisitions in coming years to supporting customer-owned packages would offer the biggest and no deal should be too big if it lenders. The deal was supposed to challenge yet to Spanish mar- makes strategic sense. create an alternative to Britain’s ket leader and former monopoly Although he declined to established banks but collapsed Telefonica. comment specifically on Ono, he last April. Three months later, In response to a five-year eco- said that his company is inter- a £1.5bn capital shortfall was nomic downturn, Telefonica has ested in Spain. A fisherman prepares to cast his fishing net in the waters of the Vembanad lake in the southern Indian city of uncovered at Co-op Bank, which turned the market ultra compet- Two sources familiar with subsequently fell under the con- Kochi as a container ship is seen docked in the background, at a port in Vallarpadam yesterday. India’s trade itive by folding the four services the matter said the board meet- trol of bondholders including US deficit narrowed in January, helped by a 77 percent drop in imports of gold and silver while exports ticked up, of mobile, fixed-line, broadband ing was taking place in Madrid. hedge funds. REUTERS and pay-TV into one cheaper Vodafone’s offer was not on the improving the outlook for the country’s fragile current account balance. offering for cash-strapped original schedule but the sources consumers. said it would be discussed. With one offer already rejected Investment funds Providence as too low by Ono, Vodafone is Equity Partners, Thomas H now having to decide how much Lee Partners, CCMP Capital Iran, Indonesia oil firms plan to build refinery it is willing to pay for a company Advisors, and Quadrangle Capital that is no longer growing. own a controlling 54 percent of All operators in Spain have Ono, according to the company’s JAKARTA: An Iranian oil firm initial planning stages. small players in the oil industry. million bpd of refining capacity slashed prices and reduced mar- website. and an Indonesian company are Tehran-based Nakhle Barani “The international world needs that meets about two-thirds of gins to keep customers and the Ono has 13 board members, but looking to build a refinery in the Pardis (NBP) signed a memo- a strong Iran, a growing Iran its demand, meaning it has to prospect of a quick rebound fol- the funds that control the 54 per- southeast Asian nation worth randum of understanding (MoU) and an Iran that has a developed import more than 500,000 bpd of lowing the end of the recession cent stake only hold five seats so at least $3bn, officials said, as with PT Kreasindo Resources economy,” Mahendra Siregar, fuel products to fill the gap. last year is weak, with more than they would have to convince at the two countries seek stronger Indonesia to explore the feasibility chief of Indonesia’s Investment Iran is emerging from inter- a quarter of the workforce unem- least another two board members investment ties with the easing of setting up the refinery, which Coordinating Board, said at a national isolation after striking ployed and consumer spending at to back a deal. of sanctions on Iran. will have a capacity to process as joint Indonesia-Iran business an interim deal with the United record lows. Other shareholders include Indonesia is desperate to much as 300,000 barrels per day event in Jakarta yesterday. States, France, Germany, Britain, However a potential rival bid- General Electric Structured expand its refining capacity to of heavy Iranian crude oil. “Indonesia is ready to work Russia and China to curb Tehran’s der, US-based Liberty Global Finance, Canada’s institu- be less dependent on oil imports, Kreasindo may also purchase together and welcome good oppor- nuclear work in exchange for controlled by billionaire John tional fund La Caisse de depot but attracting partners has been for the long term up to 300,000 tunities in the future,” Siregar some relaxation of sanctions. Malone, has also expressed an et placement du Quebec and difficult with government talks barrels per day from NBP, and said. He also said that Indonesia’s Total trade between Iran and interest. Spanish investment vehicles Val between Kuwait Petroleum and the Iranian company is willing to state energy firm Pertamina was Indonesia has risen nearly five Liberty went head to head Telecomunicaciones and Multitel. Saudi Aramco recently stalling invest up to 30 percent for “reali- looking at investment opportuni- times over the last decade, total- with Vodafone over the purchase Several of them have suggested over tax issues. zation of the refinery”, according ties in Iran, but declined to give ling $1.26bn in 2012, according to of Germany’s Kabel Deutschland they would be ready to sell their For the last 10 years, no to terms of the MoU. more details. Indonesia’s trade ministry. last year, eventually pushing up stake. REUTERS projects have moved beyond the Both companies are relatively Indonesia now has about 1 REUTERS China refiners plan to double processing capacity this year

BEIJING: China aims to China’s refineries, it would be the plunge in exports from Iran and add more than twice the oil smallest rise in refinery through- prolonged outages in Libya and processing capacity in 2014 put since at least 2003, accord- disruptions in Sudan. than it did last year, even as ing to BP’s Statistical Review of The refineries in the Reuters top state refiners plan to raise World Energy. poll — operated by Sinopec Corp, crude runs only 1.4 percent at Given overcapacity in China’s Asia’s largest refiner, PetroChina some of their largest plants refining sector stretching back and China National Offshore Oil due to worries about slow fuel several years, that suggests the Corp (CNOOC), long with foreign demand growth. near-term future for the nation’s partners in some cases — have a The world’s second-largest refiners includes low run rates, combined capacity of more than oil consumer aims to add nearly stressed margins and continued 3.8 million bpd, about one third of 600,000 barrels in daily refin- pressure to hold off on expanding China’s total. ing capacity in 2014, and was capacity. The run rates at the plants slated to bring on more before “The new capacity this year represent a utilisation rate PetroChina delayed two star- could make oversupply a bit more of around 84 percent, with a tups and an expansion as 2013 serious than last year. Refinery number of refineries, such as oil demand growth dropped to a run rates fell last year and could PetroChina’s Dalian and Lanzhou 22-year low. fall further this year,” said a and CNOOC’s Huizhou refiner- China’s biggest state refiners Beijing-based oil analyst. ies, planning major maintenance plan to raise crude throughput China accounted for around a this year. by just 45,350 barrels per day quarter of the world’s increase China’s overall refinery run (bpd), or 1.4 percent, this year in oil use last year, according to rates have held around 80 percent over last year at 13 plants along the International Energy Agency for the last dozen years, according the nation’s eastern seaboard. (IEA), and its slower growth in to Reuters data and BP’s Review If that same rate of increase fuel demand capped prices that of World Energy. Smoke coming from the chimneys at a Sinopec refinery in Qingdao, Shangdong province in China. in crude runs holds across all of may have risen further on the REUTERS WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2014 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS VIEWS

Be happy that Fischer Minimum wage fight: From worked at Citigroup San Francisco to New York BY FELIX SALMON BY KEN JACOBS and MICHAEL San Francisco stood apart. Real wages rose however, increased hardly at all. ast week, Justin Fox had a great post entitled “How REICH for the lowest-paid workers and maintained The laws also brought businesses impor- Economics PhDs Took Over the Federal Reserve”. The their value because of indexing in the mini- tant benefits. Employers reported improved first Fed chairman of the modern era was a banker, n his State of the Union address last mum wage law. During these 10 years, the work performance and employee morale, LMarriner Eccles; he was succeeded by Thomas McCabe, month, President Barack Obama minimum wage law alone has put an esti- better customer service and declines in who had a bachelor’s degree in economics but whose main quali- urged cities and states to bypass mated $1.2bn into workers’ pockets. grievances and absenteeism. Employees fication was having been the CEO of Scott Paper. Then William Congress and enact their own mini- Two out of five San Francisco workers reported that they were working harder. McChesney Martin moved over to the Fed from Treasury; he mum wage increases. “You don’t have benefited from the paid sick-leave ordi- The length of employee tenure also increased was a former stockbroker and New York Stock Exchange presi- Ito wait for Congress,” he stated. nance, using this access to paid leave to in fast-food restaurants. dent, and ushered in a new era: Under Martin, regulating the On Monday, New York City Mayor Bill take care of their own or a family mem- Ultimately, San Francisco businesses economy through monetary policy pushed aside bank regulation de Blasio followed the president’s advice. De ber’s health. Three-quarters of city employ- adapted, folding the new standards into to become the central bank’s No 1 job. So hiring economists, and Blasio announced, in his State of the City ers expanded workers’ access to healthcare. their normal operations. San Francisco bringing people with serious economics backgrounds onto the address, that he plans to ask Albany next Taken together, the laws bring the total Mayor Ed Lee recently called for a further FOMC, became a priority. week to give the city the power to raise the minimum compensation for workers in large increase in the city-wide minimum wage When the credit crisis first hit, in 2007, worries spread out from minimum wage. San Francisco firms to $13 an hour—80 per- — and opposition has been muted thus far. Wall Street: mortgage bankers first, then banks more generally, The New York mayor is not the only cent more than the federal minimum wage. It is tempting to dismiss San Francisco then the New York Fed, which is very plugged in to real-world elected official putting Obama’s words into Every time one of these new laws was as unusual. Its recent economic history and concerns in the financial sector. The problem was the final leg, action. Cities across the country, from New proposed, local critics described it as a “job- structure, however, are typical of many from the New York Fed to the Federal Reserve Board: for all York to Seattle, are moving aggressively to killer” and warned it would seriously hurt other American cities. City-wide minimum that there might be a problem in practice, the economists in confront rising income inequality and fall- economic growth. Yet academic studies on wage laws were recently passed in San Jose, Washington couldn’t see how it would be a big problem in theory. ing real wages for low-paid workers. These the laws’ effects reveal that these concerns California, the Seattle suburb of SeaTac, And so they convinced themselves, in the notorious words of Ben cities can learn important lessons from San were not borne out. Overall employment and Washington, District of Columbia, and Bernanke, that the subprime problem was going to be “contained”. Francisco’s bold experiments over the last grew faster in San Francisco than in neigh- its surrounding suburbs — which all have It’s therefore a real problem that the American central bank — 15 years. bouring countries — including employment similar patterns of economic growth with which is, after all, a bank, and an incredibly profitable one, at that San Francisco has now passed nearly a among food-service workers, who were most increased inequality and a loss of middle- — has precious few actual bankers on its governing board. I’m all dozen laws to raise low-wage workers’ pay, likely to be affected by the law. Between paying jobs. in favour of having a significant number of monetary economists expand access to health care and extend 2004, when the minimum wage law went Other cities, including Chicago, Seattle who can think deeply about the effect of short-term interest paid sick leave to every worker. These laws into effect and 2011, food service employ- and New York, are now looking to do the rates on employment and inflation. But at the same time, it would include living wage policies for workers at ment grew 17.7 percent in San Francisco, same. A proposal in Los Angeles would set be nice to have a few people who understand financial markets, the San Francisco International Airport, on compared to 13.2 percent in other Bay Area the minimum wage for large hotels to $15 and the pass-through mechanisms which define them. Not to city economic-development projects and for Counties. an hour. mention a relatively sophisticated understanding of what banks city contractors; an across-the-board mini- Firms absorbed the higher mandated pay Local labour standards, though, are not a actually do, on a day-to-day basis. After all, the Fed is the main mum wage — now $10.74 an hour; a broad costs in various ways. Reduced turnover led real panacea. Like many other growing cit- prudential regulator of the banking system, and its board needs paid sick leave ordinance, and an employer to savings on hiring and training. Since all ies, San Francisco faces high housing costs. to understand where the stresses are. healthcare requirement. businesses were held to the same set of rules, The broader trends generating US income All of which serves to underscore what an excellent nominee These laws have brought substantial they were able to pass some costs along inequality are too great for cities to resolve Stanley Fischer is as vice-chair of the Federal Reserve. Yes, he’s improvements in compensation and access through higher prices. As a result of the on their own. But, as San Francisco proves, a professor — indeed, he wrote the definitive macroeconomics to healthcare for tens of thousands of low- minimum wage law, restaurant prices in San it turns out they can make a real difference textbook, which is now in its twelfth edition and still going strong. wage workers and their families. Over the Francisco rose 2.8 percent more than those — especially in addressing the problem of He’s also a deeply experienced central banker and international last decade, as real wages for low-paid work- across the bay in Alameda County. Prices low-wage work. policymaker. But he also has some real-world banking experience, ers stagnated and then declined nationally, in the remaining 90 percent of the economy, REUTERS having worked in a senior level at Citigroup from 2002 to 2005. According to Pedro da Costa, however, Fischer’s years at Citi will count against him when he appears at his confirmation hearing. This is, let’s say, unhelpful. Yes, Fischer earned good money when he was at Citi. But the reports about his financial disclo- sure form I think draw too much of a causal connection between his Citi tenure and his wealth. Here, for instance, is Bloomberg’s Joshua Zumbrun: While Fischer has spent much of his career as an academic and government official, he served as vice chair- man of Citigroup Inc from 2002 to 2005 and amassed a personal fortune of between $14.6m and $56.3m, a sum that would make him one of the wealthiest Fed officials. The implication here is that Fischer had a modestly-remu- nerated public-service career before he joined Citi and cashed in. Which really isn’t true. Fischer’s tax-free income at the World Bank and IMF was substantial, and he surely made just as much money when he was at MIT. But the real money, I’m quite sure, came from that textbook, which he co-wrote with Rudi Dornbusch. It was the macroeconomics textbook of the late 1970s, and, like all standard textbooks, became something of a license to print money. If Fischer took his textbook proceeds and invested them conservatively into the great bull market of the 1980s and 1990s, that alone would make him a very wealthy man today. Fischer left Citi before it imploded, but he was there while it was manufacturing many of the toxic subprime products which ended up proving all but fatal. Mortgage products weren’t Fischer’s area, but he did work very closely with Robert Rubin, who was blithely unconcerned about the risks being built up. That’s an incredibly important and valuable lesson to learn: you can’t trust wise men like Rubin to see what’s going on in front of their face. And when bank CEOs tell the Fed board that they have everything under control, Fischer will know better than most just how little those statements can be trusted. I doubt that Fischer will have any real problems being con- firmed. Any senators who want to cause mischief can certainly do so — they can point to his private-sector experience, or they can bellyache about how he has various different nationali- ties rather than being “100 percent American”. But Fischer is probably the best central banker in the world; it would be completely insane for the Senate to block him. Especially given that he brings some of the actual banking experience that the Fed so desperately needs. REUTERS Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Corporate tax reform: California points the way

BY BILLY PARKS “tax holidays” that allow them to Prop 39 taxes every corpora- companies defer taxes on profits compete with large multinationals sales-based system for the repatriate the funds with mini- tion that sells goods and services from business outside the coun- that now pay little or no corpo- nation would be a win for tax he arcane, outdated and mal tax consequences. (The last in the state — treating US and try, but allows them to write off rate taxes. reformers on the left and right. inefficient US corporate holiday in 2004 offered a 5.25 per- foreign corporations the same. expenses immediately. By no longer trying to tax com- Conservatives would get to limit tax code is costing our cent tax rate). This set of incen- The state taxes a portion of each If our federal tax code was panies based on whether they taxes to profits on domestic sales Tcountry jobs, factories, tives has resulted in up to $2tr of corporation’s US earnings based amended along the lines of have US operations and employ- instead of worldwide sales, and industries and tens of billions of profits staying out of the country on a simple percentage: total sales California’s Prop 39, we could stop ees, we could eliminate some of possibly at a lower rate. Liberals, dollars of badly-needed tax rev- to defer taxation. This amount in California divided by total US this absurd money chase. Every the disincentives that our current though they would have to accept enue each year. grows every year. domestic sales. By basing the tax multinational corporation (for- tax system imposes on domestic not taxing worldwide income, Our tax system is supposedly Many across the political calculation on in-state sales, busi- eign and domestic) selling prod- manufacturing and employment. would not only see increased based on the idea that US com- spectrum are calling for reform. nesses can no longer use various ucts and services in the United Jobs, factories and profit centres federal revenues, but could take panies should pay taxes on all The left emphasises doing some- schemes to make it appear that States would still want to sell could return here. By taxing for- satisfaction from forcing today’s profits, no matter where they are thing about the lost revenue profits were earned out of state. in the world’s biggest consumer eign companies on the Toyotas or notorious tax avoiders to pay their earned. Yet this is undermined and jobs. The right wants rate Calculating what every com- market. They would also continue TVs they sell in the United States, fair and proportionate share of when companies are allowed to reductions. What if there is one pany owes with the single sales to release accurate information a sales-based system would bring corporate taxes. “defer” taxes on profits made in reform that gives the left and factor is simple and addresses the about –domestic sales because in more money from a broader It would also be a win for all other countries until those funds the right what they want, while “what if’s” listed above. This is a they would want to reward share- base. Americans who want more rev- are repatriated to the US. also improving our international big improvement over the devil’s holders with the returns from Judging by Prop 39s more than enue to invest in the country’s This loophole encourages mul- competitiveness? bargain that allowed corporations selling in the US market. We $1bn in additional tax revenues, future, a win for corporations that tinational corporations to move California’s “sales-based” cor- to choose how they were taxed. would simply tax the percentage it is logical to conclude that want a simpler, less burdensome production and intellectual prop- porate income tax could be a The US tax system now of their global profits represented increased revenues from a simi- system to help make them more erty, such as patents and trade- model for this reform. Passed requires authorities to keep track by their US sales. lar national system could make competitive in the global market- marks, out of the country. Or by 61 percent of voters in a of where American companies run Adapting the California tax it possible to lower the overall place and a win for US workers. they juggle their books to make November 2012 state referendum, their operations and where they system for the nation would make corporate rate while still raising Even the companies that take it appear that a major portion Proposition 39 requires a “single make their profits. Companies are US businesses competitive in glo- more funds for reducing the defi- advantage of today’s failing system of their income is made outside sales factor” corporate income taxed more if they operate in the bal markets, without rewarding cit and investing in the economy would ultimately win, by shar- the United States. Then they tax. Corporate tax collections United States — which encour- companies for moving produc- — giving liberals and conserva- ing in the success of a stronger keep it abroad, expecting to per- are predicted to increase by about ages many to shift assets abroad. tion and assets abroad. It would tives something to cheer about. economy. suade legislators to give them $700m per year. In addition, Washington lets also help smaller domestic firms Adapting California’s REUTERS WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Table Tennis: Qatar’s Ahmad, Aia get wildcards for home event Qatar Open: Ma Long of China to defend his title at the $500,000 prize money event

DOHA: Qatar’s Ahmad Al Mohannadi and Aia Mohamed Qatar Open 2014: Qatar Open: Men’s Qatar Open: have been handed wildcards at the men’s and women’s singles Prize Money Singles Main draw Women’s Main event of the 2014 ITTF World Men’s Singles Tour Qatar Open, organisers of Winner: $35,000 Runner-Up: $17,000 Players Draw Players the Doha event informed. Semi-Finalist: $9,000 Quarter-Finalist: Ma Long (CHN) Ahmad and Aia are the only Feng Tianwei (SIN) $7,000 Last 16: $4,000 Last 32: $2,500 Xu Xin (CHN) two local players who have found Ishikawa Kasumi (JPN) Last 64: $1,500 a place in the main draw which Fan Zhendong (CHN) Seo Hyowon (KOR) Women’s Singles will be contested by some of the Ovtcharov Dimitrij (GER) Jiang Huajun (HKG) Winner: $35,000 Runner Up: $17,000 top players on the World Tour. Yan An (CHN) Han Ying (GER) Besides Ahmad, the other Semi-Finalist: $9,000 Quarter-Finalist: Chuang Chih-Yuan (TPE) $7,000 Last 16: $4,000 Last 32: $2,500 Yu Mengyu (SIN) Qatari players who feature in Samsonov Vladimir (BLR) Last 64: $1,500 Pavlovich Viktoria (BLR) the men’s section are Fahed Al Mizutani Jun (JPN) Mughanne, Mohammed Al Yafei, Men’s Doubles (Per Pair) Lee Ho Ching (HKG) Freitas Marcos (POR) Abdulrahman Al Naggar, Jassim Winner: $9,500 Runner Up: $4,700 Semi- Seok Hajung (KOR) Al Sanadi, Mohammed Al Sulaiti, Finalist: $2,400 Quarter-Finalist: $1,250 Matsudaira Kenta (JPN) Yang Haeun (KOR) Shemet German, Khalifa Salah, Women’s Doubles (Per Pair) Zhou Yu (CHN) Jeon Jihee (KOR) Faisal Al Otaibi, Ahmed Alawlaqi Winner: $9,500 Runner Up: $4,700 Semi- Joo Saehyuk (KOR) Hirano Sayaka (JPN) and Waled Nasser Alhajjai Finalist: $2,400 Quarter-Finalist: $1,250 Gao Ning (SIN) Cheng I-Ching (TPE) In the women section, Noora Under-21 Men’s Singles Tang Peng (HKG) Al Abri, Kholoud Hussain, Aia Hu Limei (CHN) Chen Chien-An (TPE) Mohamed and Maha Faramarzi Winner: $3,000 Runner Up: $1,500 Semi- Samara Elizabeta (ROU) will keep Qatar’s flag flying. The Finalist: $750 Quarter-Finalist: $ 500 Crisan Adrian (ROU) Hu Melek (TUR) $500,000 prize money event Under-21 Women’s Singles Maze Michael (DEN) Liu Jia (AUT) hosted by Qatar Table Tennis Winner: $3,000 Runner Up: $1,500 Semi- Kim Minseok (KOR) Li Fen (SWE) Association (QTTA) will be held Finalist: $750 Quarter-Finalist: $500 Kishikawa Seiya (JPN) Qatar’s Ahmad Al Mohannadi prepares to serve during his match against Liu Gaoyang (CHN) from February 18 to 23 at the Total prize money: $500,000 Zhan Jian (SIN) Asuka Sakai of Japan in the Qatar Open Table Tennis Championship at the Morizono Misaki (JPN) Aspire Dome’s Women’s Sports Note: There is a 30 percent contribution Gionis Panagiotis (GRE) Committee Hall. Women’s Sport Committee Hall at Aspire Zone, in this Febraury 21, 2013 Shan Xiaona (GER) deduction towards the prize fund for the Jiang Tianyi (HKG) Around 250 players from 40 Grand Finals file picture. Ahmad has been handed a wildcard at this year’s Qatar Open. Li Xue (FRA) countries will be vying for top Apolonia Tiago (POR) Wu Jiaduo (GER) honours in the six-day champion- Jung Youngsik (KOR) Huang Yi-Hua (TPE) ship. Players will compete in the Shibaev Alexander (RUS) Monteiro Dodean Daniela (ROU) men’s singles and doubles, besides Gardos Robert (AUT) Ishigaki Yuka (JPN) women’s singles and doubles. Cho Eonrae (KOR) Solja Petrissa (GER) In the under-21 section, players Smirnov Alexey (RUS) will vie for the top prize in the Vacenovska Iveta (CZE) Shiono Masato (JPN) men’s singles and women’s singles. Yu Fu (POR) This year’s edition is the 20th Li Hu (SIN) Doo Hoi Kem (HKG) edition of the Qatar Open and Pitchford Liam (ENG) Ng Wing Nam (HKG) QTTA is planning to host the event Al Mohannadi Ahmad (QAT) Mohamed Aia (QAT) on a grand scale, the details which are to be announced shortly. THE PENINSULA Men’s Under-21 Women’s Under-21 Qatari players Seeded Players Seeded Players Men: Ahmad Al Mohannadi, Fahed Hung Tzu-Hsiang (TPE) Yang Haeun (Kor) Al Mughanne, Mohammed Al Yafei, Chen Feng (SIN) Abdulrahman Al Naggar, Jassim Al Sanadi, Solja Petrissa Ger) Mohammed Al Sulaiti, Shemet German, Kang Dongsoo (KOR) Doo Hoi Kem (Hkg) Khalifa Salah, Faisal Al Otaibi, Ahmed China’s Ma Long, winner of the men’s singles title at the Qatar Open 2013 Table Tennis Championships, receiving Wu Zhikang (SIN) Ito Mima (Jpn) Alawlaqi and Waled Nasser Alhajjai the trophy from Qatar Table Tennis Association President Khalil Al Mohannadi at Qatar Women’s Sports Committee Ghosh Soumyajit (IND) Chen Szu-Yu (Tpe) Women: Noora Al Abri, Kholoud Hussain, Hall at Aspire Zone, in Doha in this file picture of February 25, 2013. RIGHT: Qatar’s Aya Majdi in action against Jin Takuya (JPN) Lin Ye (Sin) Aia Mohamed, Maha Faramarzi, Aia India’s Ankita Das during the qualifying round of Qatar Open Table Tennis Championship at Aspire Women’s Kim Donghyun (KOR) Hirano Miu (Jpn) Mohamed. Committee Hall in this Febraury 23, 2013 file picture. Lorentz Romain (FRA) Zhou Yihan (Sin)

Fans want A picture taken NBA: Warriors hand on February Mayweather vs 3, shows ath- letes train- Khan match-up ing in Kenya’s renowned high- 76ers another rout LOS ANGELES: The votes are altitude village of Iten, where in, and fight fans say Britain’s OAKLAND, California: By “We’re in the game at one point. professional run- Amir Khan should be American the time reporters were allowed NBA Results We were down by like 10, and ners from around Floyd Mayweather’s next oppo- in the visiting locker room at then the next thing you know it nent, according to an online Indiana 119 Denver 80 the world have Oracle Arena yesterday, most of popped up to like 25 or 30.’’ poll conducted on Mayweather’s 0toronto 108 New Orleans 101 gathered to pre- the Philadelphia 76ers already Philadelphia finishes a three- website. Detroit 109 San Antonio 100 had cleared out. game road trip Wednesday night pare for the 2015 World Boxing Association The television in the centre of Boston 102 Milwaukee 86 at Utah before heading into an Athletics World welterweight champion Marcos the room was turned off. Houston 107 Minnesota 89 All-Star break that can’t come Championships Maidana had held a lead in the There were no box scores from Golden State 123 Philadelphia 80 soon enough. in China. voting on Mayweather’s may- the game on players’ chairs - Golden State outshot the Sixers weatherpromotions.com online which is typical after most NBA Angeles Clippers on Sunday night 48.9 percent to 36.7 percent and poll, but when the voting ended games - and there were no smiles in a game it trailed by 56 points outrebounded them 60-38 despite on Sunday Khan had swept past to be had by anybody. in the third quarter, Philadelphia playing without center Andrew him with 20,105 votes to 15,474 for After losing by a total of 88 (15-38) figured it couldn’t get Bogut (left shoulder injury) and Kenya gets more funds Maidana. points on consecutive nights in much worse. backup center Jermaine O’Neal Although unbeaten California, the 76ers just want to It almost did. (sore right wrist). David Lee, who Mayweather had invited fans forget what happened. Speights finished 12-of-15 had missed the past two games to choose between Khan and ‘“Not going to turn on TV or shooting and grabbed eight with a sprained left shoulder and for doping probe Maidana as his foe for a May 3 read the papers,’’ forward Evan rebounds, and Stephen Curry strained left hip, had 13 points Las Vegas bout, it wasn’t immedi- Turner said. added 23 points and eight assists and 13 rebounds in 31 minutes. NAIROBI: The Kenyan gov- World Anti-Doping Agency ately clear if a Mayweather-Khan Marreese Speights scored a to help the Warriors go ahead by Brown said before the game ernment has agreed to give (WADA) and Kenyan Olympic clash was indeed now a given. career-high 32 points to hand his 49 in the fourth quarter. that he was happy his team had a additional funding to a special Committee officials. At 45-0 with 26 knockouts, former team a near-record set- “It was a thing of beauty,’’ chance to quickly atone for its hor- taskforce probing doping alle- “I am sure we are all keen to Mayweather is approaching the back, leading the Golden State Golden State coach Mark Jackson rendous showing in Los Angeles. gations amid renewed pressure make sure this report is submit- 46-0 career mark of retired Welsh Warriors past the woeful 76ers said. Instead, the 76ers had another from the World Anti-Doping ted in good time and that it cap- star Joe Calzaghe and the iconic 123-80. Michael Carter-Williams embarrassing performance. Agency (WADA), Sports tures all the key areas that we 49-0 mark of heavyweight legend Philadelphia nearly matched scored 24 points, and Turner and As if Philadelphia’s miser- Minister Hassan Wario said. are supposed to capture,” added Rocky Marciano. the NBA mark for the largest Thaddeus Young had 12 points able two-day stretch wasn’t bad The investigations started late Wario. Mayweather beat Saul “Canelo” total margin of defeat in consecu- apiece for a rebuilding 76ers team enough, it was capped off by one last year but then stalled due to WADA’s Africa office director, Alvarez last September in his tive games. The Detroit Pistons that never put up much of a fight of its former draft picks. lack of funds, again raising the Rodney Swigelaar, who is part of most recent bout for the WBA lost by 95 points combined in during its seventh straight loss. Speights spent his first 2 1/2 prospect of WADA sanctions a four-member fact-finding mis- and World Boxing Council light back-to-back games in November No other team in NBA history seasons in Philadelphia before against the distance-running sion to the country, welcomed middleweight titles. He has a con- 1966, according to STATS. has lost two straight games by at getting traded to Memphis. He powerhouse. the government’s committment tract for four more fights in the “It’s hard for everybody,’’ Sixers least 40 points each. Philadelphia split last season between Memphis But Wario said the government to complete the taskforce’s work. next 2 1/2 years. coach Brett Brown said. has now done it twice. and Cleveland before signing with had agreed to bankroll the probe “We are happy that the Khan, a former WBC and “The reality of it is they have The 76ers lost back-to-back the Warriors as a free agent last and that a final report on their investigation is off the ground. International Boxing Federation put in so much time and despite games in April 1994 by a combined summer. findings would be published before Especially now so that there is light-welterweight world cham- all the turmoil, it’s a group that’s 93 points, and they’re struggling The reserve big man made his the end of March. a show of commitment from the pion, opted out of a December been together, stayed together. At to explain - and correct - what first seven jumpers, including a “We cannot start something government to ensure the task- fight against Devon Alexander, times, you look up and you have has gone so wrong during this lat- 3-pointer and a layup through and leave it halfway. This is a force will be allowed to complete fueling speculation that he would to keep going and keep on playing est stretch. traffic that started a three-point very important task, and it was their work and ensure a compre- be Mayweather’s next opponent. with some level of dignity, and it’s “You just look up at the score- play, to give Golden State a 47-27 my ministry during my time that hensive, transparent and a coor- He last fought in April of 2013 hard doing that.’’ board and see a lot of points. I lead midway through the second initiated it,” Wario said at a press dinated report is submitted to the when he beat Julio Diaz. After losing 123-78 at the Los really don’t know,’’ Turner said. quarter. AGENCIES conference attend by a team of world at large,” he said. AFP AFP WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2014 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

BCCI chief to defy calls India axe Ishant for to quit over IPL scandal

NEW DELHI: New world cricket boss N Srinivasan is expected to defy calls to step down as India cricket chief despite a damn- ing court inquiry that implicated a relative in illegal betting. After an extensive investigation, a Supreme Court panel said World T20, Asia Cup son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan was guilty of illegal betting in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and allegations of match-fix- ing against him should be further probed. The three-member panel’s findings released on Monday were a Selectors keep faith in Yuvraj Singh for World T20 blow to Srinivasan coming just days after he was elected the first chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), in a shakeup of the world body. NEW DELHI: Lanky seamer Ishant Sharma has paid for A C Muthiah, a former head of the Board of Control for Cricket his inconsistent form by being in India (BCCI), said Srinivasan’s role in the sport’s administration dropped yesterday from India’s was untenable following the findings. squads for the World Twenty20 “It has definitely weakened Srinivasan’s position,” Muthiah told and Asia Cup tournaments to the Times of India yesterday. “He has to recuse himself according to be held in Bangladesh. corporate principles because it is a clear case of conflict of interest.” Sharma proved expensive dur- “Corporate governance is a very important factor. You can’t have ing the 4-0 rout in the recent one- tainted people to run international cricket,” he said. day series in New Zealand, even But Srinivasan, who successfully weathered last year’s betting though he claimed nine wickets in and fixing IPL scandals, was expected to brush aside the calls to the first Test in Auckland, which quit the BCCI, with supporters saying he has not been accused of India lost by 40 runs. wrongdoing. “I can’t see Srinivasan stepping down just because of Suresh Raina, a regular in the report since he himself has not been found guilty of anything,” India’s limited-overs squad in a senior BCCI member said. “Besides, he is in total control of recent years, was omitted for the the board. Who is going to go against him?” the member said on Asia Cup one-day tournament condition of anonymity. after making just one half-cen- Another official added: “This is just a report. Everyone needs tury in his last 24 innings. to take a step back and wait till the Supreme Court rules on the But the left-hander was matter.” The Supreme Court appointed the panel on October 8 to retained for the World Twenty20 investigate the scandal that last year rocked the popular Twenty20 along with Yuvraj Singh, who tournament run by the BCCI. helped India win the inaugural The probe was separate from investigations by police, who have event in South Africa in 2007 and was man of the tournament filed charges in court against Meiyappan, a string of officials, play- at the 2011 World Cup. Top-order ers and bookmakers for illegal betting during the tournament. Meiyappan was the team principal of Chennai Super Kings, an Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, Seamer Ishant Sharma (left), proved expensive during the 4-0 rout in the recent one-day series in New Zealand. IPL franchise owned by Srinivasan’s India Cements company and who has played just two one-day Yuvraj Singh (right), helped India win the inaugural T20 championship in South Africa in 2007. internationals, replaced Raina in captained by national skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. the Asia Cup squad. India will clash with arch-rivals Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan in the Asia Imran Khan lashes out at Cup to be hosted in Dhaka and Australia call up veterans Fatullah from February 25 to March 8. Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s cricket chief appointment men will stay back in Bangladesh for the World Twenty20 that for T20 World Cup ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan captain turned politician opens on March 16. India have Imran Khan yesterday lashed out at the country’s newly reap- been drawn alongside Pakistan, SYDNEY: Evergreen veterans 6 tournament in a 15-man squad number of Twenty20 runs on the pointed cricket chief, alleging he was being rewarded for helping Australia, West Indies and a qual- Brad Hogg and Brad Hodge, skippered by George Bailey and sub-continent and played many the ruling party commit fraud in last year’s general elections. ifier in group two. with a combined age of 82, featuring Test stars Mitchell match defining innings there. Najam Sethi, a prominent journalist who was also appointed as were yesterday called up to the Johnson, David Warner, and “He will provide the squad interim chief minister of the Punjab province during last year’s World Twenty20 squad: Australian squad for the ICC Shane Watson. with a great deal of calm expe- election campaign, was reinstated as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), World Twenty20 in Bangladesh Hogg effectively drew the cur- rience and knowledge.” chairman on Monday by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, next month. tain on his international career While the squad has plenty of His predecessor Zaka Ashraf was removed on charges of not Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, The sprightly Hogg, 43, has following his final one-day inter- experience, there was also room running the board properly. Yuvraj Singh, Ajinkya Rahane, been in top form in the domestic national for Australia at the end for some young guns, includ- But Khan said that Sethi was being rewarded for helping to rig Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Big Bash League with his wrist of the 2007-08 summer, but he ing exciting leg-spinner James the result of the May elections, in which his Pakistan Tehrik-e- Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, spin proving hard to handle, returned to play a handful of Muirhead, 20, who was only Insaaf (PTI) party won 35 of the 272 seats in the national parlia- Mohammed Shami, Stuart Binny, while Hodge, 39, has been prolific T20 internationals for Australia three years old when Hogg made ment. The PTI has launched legal challenges concerning the result Amit Mishra, Mohit Sharma, with the bat for the Melbourne in 2012. his Test debut for Australia in Varun Aaron. Stars in the same competition. “Once again Brad bowled very India in 1996. in hundreds of constituencies at the national and provincial levels. Asia Cup squad: Mahendra If he takes the field, Hogg is well for the Perth Scorchers in “We have selected a squad that “When the election tribunal rules on them we will know...who Singh Dhoni (capt), Shikhar set to become the oldest player in the Big Bash League and many has plenty of experience playing fixed the puncture and who was rewarded with the gift of the PCB Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat the history of international T20 batsmen found him difficult to the Twenty20 format in the sub- chairmanship,” Khan told reporters. Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, cricket as Australia look for their read,” said National Selector continent, which augurs well for “Fixing the punctures” refers to election rigging allegations. Ambati Rayudu, Ajinkya Rahane, first trophy after four unsuccess- John Inverarity. “Despite his age, the challenges of Bangladesh,” Sethi later took to Twitter to deny the allegation and ask “Is PTI Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran ful attempts. his enthusiasm and fitness are Inverarity said. “We have a group a fascist party?” Khan also questioned whether Sethi, who is best Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Another veteran, wicket- undiminished.” with good depth in power hitting known as the editor of the liberal Friday Times weekly newspaper, Mohammed Shami, Varun Aaron, keeper Brad Haddin, 36, is also Of Hodge, Inverarity added: and a range of bowling options.” had enough cricketing knowledge for the post. Stuart Binny, Amit Mishra, included for the March 16-April “Brad Hodge has made a great AFP AFP Ishwar Pandey. AFP

T20 matches from today Neesham, Latham added No deals over ICC to Black Caps

WELLINGTON: New Zealand revamp: South Africa named an unchanged start- ing XI yesterday for the second CAPE TOWN: Cricket South president N Srinivasan before the also protected the constitution Test against India but called Africa (CSA) president Chris ICC meeting and Sanjay Patel, of the ICC with fully democratic in new injury cover to replace Nenzani denied yesterday that secretary of the Board of Control elections after a two-year interim disgraced duo Jesse Ryder and he changed his organisation’s for Cricket in India (BCCI) said period. “It has also been agreed Doug Bracewell. vote or “cut deals” after back- later that the two countries were that all full members will fulfil The selectors turned to Otago ing a proposed revamp of the on the verge of concluding a deal bilateral playing agreements with all-rounder Jimmy Neesham International Cricket Council for bilateral tours. Nenzani told a one another that will be legally and Canterbury batsman Tom (ICC). Nenzani cast South media briefing in Cape Town that enforceable,” he said. Nenzani said Latham after dropping Ryder and Africa’s vote in Singapore last CSA had protected their rights and CSA were close to finalising bilat- Bracewell over their booze-fuelled Saturday in favour of a proposal status as a full member of the ICC. eral agreements for future tours. antics before the first Test in which effectively gives control to He said the approved proposal AFP Auckland. Neesham is on standby the “big three” of India, England in case of a late injury to the and Australia despite CSA hav- Black Caps’ bowling attack, while ing earlier opposed the idea. Latham will replace Ross Taylor if “I would just like to correct Sri Lanka says it had to the veteran’s second child, expected the misleading perception that at any time, has not arrived by the we changed our vote at the last abstain from ICC vote start of the Test. moment,” he told a media briefing Both Neesham, 23, and in Cape Town. COLOMBO: Sri Lanka has defended its decision to tacitly sup- Latham, 21, are uncapped in the “That is not the case. I exer- port a controversial shakeup of cricket’s world body, saying it Test arena. “We see Jimmy as a cised our vote in terms of the was left with no choice after South Africa broke ranks over genuine all-rounder who can play mandate given to me by my fel- the move. Sri Lanka, Pakistan and South Africa all opposed the a number of roles for us,” selector low board members and the mem- revamp of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) governance Bruce Edgar said. bers’ forum at our joint sitting on and structure when it was debated last month. “Tom’s an incredibly exciting February 1. “We did not form alli- But Sri Lanka decided to abstain from voting on the move dur- prospect and is constantly push- ances or cut deals with any other ing an ICC board meeting on Saturday, along with Pakistan, after ing for selection. If called upon, country,” said Nenzani. South Africa switched to vote in favour. we’re confident that he’ll take the “I did attend a meeting with the Eight of ten Test nations in total approved the plans, despite con- opportunity with both hands.” representatives of Sri Lanka and cerns it gives too much power to the “Big Three” of India, England If Taylor plays in the match Pakistan ahead of the meeting so and Australia. beginning in Wellington on Friday that they were aware of our posi- Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage accused South it will mean the Black Caps’ start- tion. “What we have achieved is Africa of letting Sri Lanka down at the ICC meeting held in ing line-up has been unchanged not the ideal outcome, but it is the Singapore, saying “we had no choice but to abstain”. for four successive Tests, an unu- best possible one that was avail- “We were banking on South Africa’s opposition,” the minister told Bangladesh cricketer Farhad Reza (right) with team-mate Sabbir Rahman sually settled period for the New able to us both for our own future reporters in Colombo on Monday. “When Haroon Lorgat (of South during a training session at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Zealanders. Over that time, they and that of the global game.” Africa) said they were backing the proposals, we had no choice but Chittagong yesterday. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will play in two T20 have enjoyed a 2-0 series win The CSA vote left Pakistan and to abstain.” In a statement, Sri Lanka Cricket said “considering the matches in Chittagong today and Friday, before starting a three-match over the West Indies and scored Sri Lanka as the only countries circumstances it was the most appropriate” move. one-day series in Sylhet on February 17. a 40-run victory over India in a not in favour. Both abstained from AFP thrilling opening Test. AFP voting. Nenzani met Indian board WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 India returns as IOC lifts ban Election of new officials at Indian Olympic Association ends 14-month deadlock

NEW DELHI: The athletes could now compete under IOA was also frozen out of the The IOC and the Indian gov- International Olympic their flag in Sochi and would walk Olympics movement and did not ernment are on the same page,” Committee (IOC) yesterday behind the national tricolour at receive any financial support. Singh said. reversed a 14-month ban against the closing ceremony on February Indian luge athlete Shiva India’s Olympics troubles India imposed over corruption 23. Keshavan called the suspension started after corruption-tainted concerns, ending an embar- “To symbolically mark the lift- “sad and embarrassing” before he official Lalit Bhanot was elected rassing debacle that allows its ing of the suspension... the Indian left for the Russian resort. secretary general of the IOA in athletes to compete under their flag will be raised in the Olympic “I feel sorry for Indians around December 2012. national flag in Sochi. Village,” the IOC added in a press the world who will be reminded Bhanot and his boss Suresh The IOC said it was the first statement, with this ceremony that the scourge of corruption has Kalmadi were charged with time that the suspension of a slated for later this week. stood in the way of hoisting our corruption and face a trial national association had been In December, the IOA finally flag,” he told reporters in India. over alleged graft in the 2010 lifted during an Olympic Games agreed to keep tainted officials Randhir Singh, IOC member Commonwealth Games in Delhi. and “the decision will have an out of fresh leadership elec- from India, told reporters in Delhi They both deny any wrongdoing. immediate impact”. tions, but it refused to advance that the reinstatement of India The Delhi Games were intended Indian Sports The three athletes from India, the vote before the start of the was “very, very good news”. to showcase India on the global Minister Jitendra which has never won a Winter Sochi Games, leading to a flurry “IOA has finally realised that stage, but widespread corruption Singh addresses Olympic medal, have been com- of criticism. the Olympic Charter is supreme. allegations instead highlighted a press confer- peting in Sochi under the IOC Under pressure, elections were It shows that you have to fall in many of the problems that blight ence in New Delhi, flag as a result of the country’s held on Sunday -- two days after line and follow the principles of the country. yesterday. suspension. the opening ceremony in Sochi ethics and good governance,” he The Games also led to criticism The IOC suspended India in -- and World Squash Federation said. of the stranglehold of politicians December 2012 and demanded chief N Ramachandran took over India’s sports minister Jitendra over Indian sports associations. that New Delhi remove corrup- as president. Singh said his government was India’s two-time Olympic med- tion-tainted officials from its IOC spokesman Mark Adams working closely with the IOC allist Sushil Kumar said the news national association and elect said that “we are happy that eve- on drafting new legislation that of lifting of the ban had come as new leaders -- which was finally rything has come right and is as seeks to clean up all sports in the a “big relief” to the country’s achieved at the weekend. it should be”. country. athletes. “The ban has been lifted. The He added: “The last change “They (IOC) have assured us “Hopefully, the bad times are decision was taken at an (IOC) that was made was that of making that they will help us curb the ills over. Let us now all focus on the executive board meeting early sure that officials who have crimi- in our sports,” Singh told a news positives and look at winning this morning,” Rajeev Mehta, the nal records or are under investi- conference. more and more medals for India Indian Olympic Association (IOA) gation should not be allowed to “The government of India is in the coming days,” Kumar told secretary general, said. stand.” committed to bring transparency India’s CNN-IBN news network. An IOC spokesman said Indian The suspension meant the and good governance into sports. AFP

Wenger urges Arsenal to Two new faces for Brazil’s atone for ‘accident’ South Africa friendly

LONDON: Arsenal manager RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil game before the June 12 World duties will be borne, at least Arsene Wenger has described his coach Luiz Felipe Scolari yes- Cup opener against Croatia. against South Africa, by Neymar side’s 5-1 thrashing at Liverpool terday brought in two new faces Those games are to take place and Zenit St Petersburg striker as an “accident” and encouraged but dropped AC Milan veteran on June 3 and 6 but neither Hulk with Bernard of Shakhtar his players to respond by beat- Kaka in unveiling his Europe- opponent has been confirmed, Donetsk providing back-up. ing Manchester United today. based players to face South although Serbia are expected to There was no place Tuesday for Arsenal lost their hold on first Africa in a March 5 friendly. be one. Lucas or Maxwell of Paris Saint place in the Premier League after Scolari, architect of Brazil’s The only goalkeeper on yes- Germain. their demolition at Anfield on 2002 World Cup success in Japan terday’s list, Julio Cesar, retains Chelsea provide three players Saturday, but Wenger is confident as well as last year’s home triumph his slot as undisputed first in midfielders Oscar and Ramires that they will show their worth over Spain on the Confederations choice shot-stopper despite not and winger Willian. against United at the Emirates Cup, said he will call up three playing all season for English Also yesterday, Scolari Stadium. more home-based players ahead Championship side Queens Park offered condolences to the “It is always a disappointment of the game in Johannesburg. Rangers. family of television news cam- to lose a game, but I think it was “I will take 19 or 20 (players),” The 34-year-old last week eraman Santiago Andrade, an accident because we have said Scolari, revealing that he will agreed a loan move to MLS side declared brain dead Monday been very stable defensively and add at least “two strikers and a Toronto and Scolari said he hoped four days after he was struck we have to treat it like that,” the goalkeeper” from Brazilian clubs the move would work out well for by a flare during protests in Rio Frenchman told a press confer- to Tuesday’s list of 16 names as the former Inter Milan star. against bus fare increases. ence yesterday. he waits on the fitness of injured “He will do pre-season with Brazil squad to face South “We have just been on a striker Fred. Toronto and if he can get a dozen Africa (Europe-based players 10-game unbeaten run. You can- “I need players in whom I can or so matches under his belt only): not consider one game as the have complete confidence,” said before the World Cup then so Goalkeeper: Julio Cesar (QPR/ trend, the pattern of our season. Scolari, who will name his full much the better,” Scolari said. ENG) “It is an accident, not a wel- Manchester City’s manager Manuel Pellegrini looks on during the English World Cup squad on May 7. The new faces are Bayern Defenders: Thiago Silva (Paris come (one) of course -- a very Premier League match against Norwich City at Carrow Road in Norwich, “If a player has my complete Munich defender Rafinha and SG/FRA), David Luiz (Chelsea/ disappointing one -- but a suc- eastern England in this February 8 file picture. confidence I will wait. (Fred) is Manchester City midfielder ENG), Dante (Bayern Munich/ cessful season is decided by how a fine person, a leader -- but we Fernandinho, with Scolari offer- GER), Dani Alves (FC Barcelona/ you respond to that.” shall look to alternatives if need ing praise for both. ESP), Rafinha (Bayern Munich/ Wenger spoke out in defence of be,” Scolari said. “Fernandinho is doing really GER), Marcelo (Real Madrid/ record signing Mesut Ozil, who Fred is nursing a thigh injury well with City and getting himself ESP) produced an anonymous per- Pellegrini shrugs suffered last August which he noticed,” while “Rafinha is work- Midfielders: Paulinho formance at Liverpool that was aggravated last week. ing very well at Bayern,” Scolari (Tottenham/ENG), Fernandinho in keeping with some below-par The 30-year-old Fluminense told reporters. (Manchester City/ENG), Luiz recent displays. striker scored five times in the Up front, with Fred sidelined, Gustavo (Wolfsburg/GER), “He didn’t have the best of off Mourinho’s jibe Confederations Cup and dove- the World Cup hosts are short Ramires (Chelsea/ENG), Oscar games on Saturday, but that tailed well with Neymar through- of centre forwards and last year (Chelsea/ENG), Willian (Chelsea/ can happen,” Wenger said of the out the tournament. Scolari saw Atletico Madrid’s ENG) Germany star. LONDON: Manchester City referees and Financial Fair Play. Scolari explained he was unveil- Brazil-born forward Diego Costa Strikers: Neymar (Barcelona/ “He works very hard to adapt manager Manuel Pellegrini yes- I don’t think it is the way (to ing his squad in two phases not elect to play for his adopted coun- ESP), Hulk (Zenit St Petersburg/ to the physical level of the terday refused to react to claims do things). But just once. I will least to give Fred more time to try, Spain. RUS), Bernard (Shakhtar Premier League and for me he is from Chelsea counterpart not continue every week talking get fit with only two more friend- Former Milan star Alexandre Donetsk/UKR). an exceptional player. I wouldn’t Jose Mourinho that City mid- about things that for me are not lies to follow the South Africa Pato is out of form and goalscoring AFP like to put too much pressure on fielder Yaya Toure should have important. him because he has been a top- been punished by the Football “I repeat, I don’t respond to class player until now. Association. things Mourinho says every week “He knows when he is not good Mourinho has chipped away because he will continue every enough he will get questioned. at Pellegrini in recent weeks, week to try talking about things That is normal.” variously alleging that City have that are not from football.” Wenger is hoping that France benefited from generous officiat- Pellegrini and Mourinho previ- Under-21 forward Yaya Sanogo ing and accusing the club of not ously clashed during their time will be available to feature against adhering to UEFA’s Financial Fair in Spain, with the Portuguese United, having spent five months Play rules. denigrating the Chilean’s achieve- on the sidelines with a back On Monday he said that an ments after succeeding him as problem. FA disciplinary panel’s decision manager of Real Madrid in 2010. The Arsenal manager has also not to punish Toure for kicking Mourinho is often depicted as given his backing to the Football out at Norwich City’s Ricky van a master of psychological ‘mind Association’s disciplinary process Wolfswinkel during a game at the games’ in the British media, but after Manchester City midfielder weekend may have set a danger- Pellegrini says that he is not con- Yaya Toure escaped without sanc- ous precedent. cerned by what rival managers tion following an incident at the Last week, Pellegrini took say. weekend. issue with Mourinho’s claim that “No, I don’t think those are Toure appeared to kick out Chelsea were “the little horse” mind games,” he said. “I don’t at Norwich City striker Ricky in the Premier League title race, think any managers can be van Wolfswinkel during City’s countering that the west London affected by those kind of things.” 0-0 draw at Carrow Road, but club were “little, but rich”. Pellegrini is currently without after reviewing footage of the However, when asked for his Sergio Aguero, Fernandinho and incident, a three-man panel of response to Mourinho’s comments Samir Nasri due to injury and former referees decided not to about Toure, Pellegrini chose to with so many key players una- punish him. toe a diplomatic line. vailable, he expressed relief that Chelsea manager Jose “I answered just once to Toure had avoided a ban. Mourinho claimed that the deci- Mourinho because if you remain “I suppose the FA acts the way sion could set a dangerous prec- in silence always, (people) may they think is better for all the edent, but Wenger believes that it agree with those things,” he told teams,” he said. “I trust in the FA Brazilian national football team coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari, gestures as he gives a press conference in Rio de is important to respect the panel’s a press conference. and I trust in referees.” Janeiro, Brazil, yesterday. judgement. AFP “He started talking about AFP WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2014 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Rybarikova stuns Schiavone; Cibulkova, Hantuchova retire Qatar Open: Hantuchova retires hurt while leading against Ivanovic in Doha

DOHA: Slovakia’s Magdalena the end of the first set due to Rybarikova yesterday beat ‘gastroenteritis’. clay-court specialist Francesca In the second-last match of the Schiavone of Italy in three sets night, Hantuchova, 30, retired to advance at the $2.5m Qatar hurt while leading against Serbia’s Open where Australian Open los- Ana Ivanovic. ing finalist Dominka Cibulkova The tall Slovakian seemingly and Daniela Hantuchova retired pulled out with a leg injury with due to health concerns. scoreboard showing 7-5, 2-0 in her Twenty-five-year-old favour. Rybarikova, ranked number 32, Ivanovic said about won 7-5, 4-6 7-5 in almost three Hantuchova: “It is never easy to hours. It was Rybarikova’s first finish like this. I hope she gets win over her Italian rival. better. But the first set was really In another centre court clash, competitive. There was some 24-year-old Cibulkova of Slovakia really good tennis.But she started pulled out of her first-round struggling after the first set.” match against Russian wildcard Kleybanova, who now stands Alisa Kleybanova with both play- at 3-0 in head-to-head against ers tied at 5-all in the first set. Cilbukova, later sympathized with Before deciding to pull out of the Slovakian. her match, Cibulkova took time “First of all, I am feeling very out for a change-room break sorry for Dominika. I was look- but returned only to quit before ing forward to a great match with her and obviously this win doesn’t feel as good as it would have been Qatar Open Results after a full match,” Kleybanova DOHA: Results from the second day of said. the WTA Qatar Open in Doha yesterday (x “But of course I am happy to denotes seeding): be in the second round and you First Round know it is great to be back play- ing, and I really enjoyed so far. I Lucie Safarova (CZE) bt Kirsten Flipkens hope to have some good matches,” (BELx16) 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia serves the ball to Francesca Schiavone of Italy during their match at the Qatar Open tennis tournament in Doha, she added. yesterday. Rybarikova won 7-5, 4-6 7-6 (7/3). Ana Ivanovic (SRB x9) bt Daniela Earlier, Rybarikova was thrilled Hantuchova (SVK) 7-5, 2-0 retired with her upset of Schiavone, the Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) bt Andrea Petkovic 2010 French Open champion. year because so far I have only easy to catch up with players who Pavlyuchenkova rallied from a Kristina Mladenovic. Cepelova (GER) 6-4, 6-4 “I am so happy. I ran well in played two matches. Basically (it have kept playing all these years set down to beat Slovakia’s Tadeja won 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) in 1 hour and Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) bt Francesca the match. She is such a strong was) my first win in 2014. I need that I was out (because of can- Majeric 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 in 2 hours 50 minutes. Schiavone (ITA) 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7/3) player,” Rybarikova said after the some more .... It feels so strange, cer),” Kleybanova said. and 20 minutes. In another first-round clash, Shuai Zhang (CHN) bt Maryna Zanevska match. “It was an amazing match. but I am looking forward to it,” “For me, I just want to focus on Also yesterday, Estonia’s Kaia Romania’s Monica Niculescu (UKR) 6-3, 6-2 She is such a tough player because Kleybanova said. myself and go ahead. I know I can Kanepi beat Varvara Lepchenko crushed Omani wildcard Fatma Klara Zakopalova (CZE) bt Elina Svitolina she has speed. “I have been training well. I be there. I just have to believe in of the US in straight sets to reach Al Nabhani 6-1, 6-0 in just 54 (UKR) 6-2, 6-4 “She almost ran away with the have been training a lot. I am very myself,” she said. the third round. Kanepi, who fired minutes. Karolína Plískova (CZE) bt Cagla Buyukakcay match,” Rybarikova said. positive and I am enjoying play- “I was really looking forward 4 aces, won 6-3, 6-4 in 74 minutes. Meanwhile, Croatian qualifier (TUR) 6-3, 6-3 When asked about her goals, ing tennis. Good tennis and the to playing this week in Doha. China’s Shuai Zhang also Mirjana Lucic-Baroni proved Rybarikova said: “I just want to results are going to come for sure. Unfortunately I became very advanced with a straight-set win too wily for Austria’s Yvonne Stefanie Vögele (SUI) bt Alize Cornet (FRA) be healthy in 2014. The goals are I just need to keep doing what I sick today and suddenly did not over qualifier Maryna Zanevska Muesburger 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in 1 7-6 (8/6), 7-5 pretty much like last year.” am doing,” she added. feel well. I wanted to give it a try of Ukraine. hours 52 minutes. Karin Knapp (ITA) bt Caroline Garcia (FRA) Cancer-survivor Kleybanova Kleybanova said she was ready today and I did everything I could Zhang won 6-3, 6-2 in exactly Romania’s Sorana Cirstea 6-4, 6-1 said she needed more matches to get back into the bracket of top to try to play, but I could not con- one hour of tennis on court also advanced with a three-set Kaia Kanepi (EST) bt Varvara Lepchenko to feel her game when she was players. tinue,” Cibulkova said regarding number three. win over Russian qualifier Alla (USA) 6-3, 6-4 ranked number 20. “It is also not easy to get into her retirement from her match On court number four, there Kudryavtseva 2-6, 6-1, 7-5 in 1 Monica Niculescu (ROM) bt Fatma Al “Definitely I need more the rhythm the second time. against Kleybanova. was good news for Slovakia’s hour 48 minutes. Nabhani (OMA) 6-1, 6-0 matches and tournaments this Everything is changing. It is not Earlier, Russia’s Anastasia Jana Cepelova who beat France’s THE PENINSULA Jana Cepelová (SVK) bt Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) bt Tadeja Cilic advances in Rotterdam Majeric (SLO) 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 Mirjana Lucic (CRO) bt Yvonne Meusburger (AUT) 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 ROTTERDAM, Netherlands: French player Gilles Simon match situations, some balls come Marin Cilic followed up his withdrew and was replaced in differently than in training, But Sorana Cirstea (ROM) bt Alla Kudryavtseva weekend indoor title by beating the draw by Daniel Brands. I’m getting back in the groove (RUS) 2-6, 6-1, 7-5 Lukas Rosol 6-2, 6-2 yesterday Simon could not recover from now and playing much better to while former champion Mikhail the back pain he felt last week in that (his absence) is all behind Youzhny was bundled out at the Montpellier and will return home me now.” Ana Ivanovic Qatar Open Rotterdam World Tennis. for treatment. Cilic, with ten ATP titles, never of Serbia The unseeded Cilic came to Cilic, who served a three- lost control against the 50th- Order of Play returns the the Dutch port city fresh from month ban for a technical anti- ranked Czech Rosol, with the CENTRE COURT start 3:30 pm ball to Daniela a fourth title at home in Zagreb doping infraction last season winner sending down a modest Hantuchova [1] N Li (CHN) vs M Rybarikova (SVK) where he beat Tommy Haas. after he inadvertently ingested eight aces but breaking four times of Slovakia. [3] P Kvitova (CZE) vs V Williams (USA) The former world number nine a banned substance through the in the one-hour victory. Ivanovic next plays fifth seed Jo-Wilfried use of over-the-counter glucose “Overall, I played solidly, I [8] C Wozniacki (DEN) vs A Petkovic (GER) won after Tsonga. tablets, currently stands 37th, but didn’t have too many mistakes. or Y Wickmayer (BEL) Hantuchova Youzhny, seeded seventh, went is making steady progress in his In the first couple of games I had Not Before 8:00 pm retired leading down double breaks in both sets as return. to get used to conditions. I was S Cirstea (ROU) vs [2] A Radwanska (POL) at 7-5, 2-0. the 2007 winner fell to Dutchman “At the start of the season, I finally feeling the ball. I mixed it COURT 1 start 3:30 pm Igor Sijsling 6-2, 6-2. though it might go quicker,” said up well and made him play. [Q] S Hsieh (TPE) vs [4] S Errani (ITA) Youzhny’s 2014 loss streak is Cilic, now coached by former “My serve was also working K Pliskova (CZE) vs [6] A Kerber (GER) now entering a second month Croatian star Goran Ivanisevic. pretty well, it was a solid match.” after he won his only match of “But my game has been a bit up Meanwhile, Czech third seed K Knapp (ITA) vs [5] J Jankovic (SRB) the season a month ago in the and down, oscillating. Tomas Berdych has admitted [7] S Halep (ROU) vs K Kanepi (EST) Australian Open first round. “I’ve still not played a lot to gaining confidence about his COURT 2 start 3:30 pm Latvian Ernests Gulbis earned of matches,” said the player Grand Slam title chances after [WC] A Kleybanova (RUS) vs S Voegele (SUI) a second-round spot as he beat who returned to the ATP last watching Switzerland’s Stanislas Not Before 5:00 pm Uzbek Denis Istomin 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) November at Paris Bercy. Wawrinka win the Australian [9] A Ivanovic (SRB) or D Hantuchova (SVK) in 90 minutes. “I’m still not used to some Open. AFP vs K Zakopalova (CZE) J Cepelova (SVK) vs M Erakovic (NZL) or [12] S Stosur (AUS) People look at the Chinese differently now: Li TBA After Suitable Rest - M Erakovic (NZL) / P Martic (CRO) vs A Groenefeld (GER) / M DOHA: People look at Chinese concluded, perhaps partially con- become a world number one by good first round win on Monday which may have become most Lucic-Baroni (CRO) players differently since Li Na cerned that rivals will better be Peng Shuai who needs only to win against Nadia Petrova, a former influential.A bigger question COURT 3 start 3:30 pm won two Grand Slam titles, the able to work out ways of dealing one match with her Taiwanese champion here, Peng hopes to though is whether Li’s pioneer- A Beck (GER) vs [Q] T Pironkova (BUL) new Australian Open champion with her assertive ball striking. partner Hsieh Su-Wei to top the progress against the seeded play- ing - she chooses her own coach, Not Before 5:00 pm claims. But while Li has rather mixed rankings in the women’s doubles. ers. It is Li’s relaxed confidence trainer, and physio, and tailors [15] E Bouchard (CAN) or B Mattek-Sands Li, who is seeded to win the feelings about the attention she Peng and Hsieh, who are seeded which is infectious. She attributes her own schedule and regime (USA) vs M Niculescu (ROU) Qatar Open title this week, is as gets from other players, she enjoys second, will play Irina Buryachok this partly to the help of Carlos according to her own needs - will D Jurak (CRO) / A Klepac (SLO) vs [WC] K amazed as anyone at the trans- a great deal more the acclaim she of Ukraine and Vitalia Diatchenko Rodriguez, the talented Argentine influence other Chinese players Flipkens (BEL) / F Schiavone (ITA) formation in attitudes which have receives from spectators. of Russia and hope to progress coach who previously helped who have been more thoroughly taken place recently. “I really enjoyed that in to a final with Sara Errani and Belgium’s Justine Henin to seven raised with a squad ethic. [8] K Mladenovic (FRA) / F Pennetta (ITA) vs “I remember when I was young Melbourne,” she said. “It’s my Roberta Vinci, the current world Grand Slam singles titles. The answer is politically tinged. M Niculescu (ROU) / K Zakopalova (CZE) that people would say ‘she’s a favourite Grand Slam - the feeling number one pair. “After I won the French Open Surprisingly Li does not entirely COURT 4 start 3:30 pm Chinese player, she’s easy’, “ said is very friendly. More and more Later Li learned that she will (in 2011) I was so popular in China duck it. “I followed my heart,” K Barrois (GER) / L Thorpe (FRA) vs C Garcia Li, who plays her first match since people know who I am.” make her post-Australian restart I didn’t know what to do,” Li says. she said. “Maybe I am not smart (FRA) / O Kalashnikova (GEO) her Melbourne triumph today. However, Li is not the only against Magdalena Rybarikova, “I felt I had to do so many things enough to do anything else.” S Peng (CHN) vs L Safarova (CZE) “That’s not like now. Now peo- Chinese player likely to gain the world number 32 from off court and I lost concentration But maybe she is. A smart- S Zhang (CHN) vs [Q] P Cetkovska (CZE) ple know exactly (who they are extra attention this week, even Slovakia who took three hours to on court. sounding mixture of diplomacy A Kudryavtseva (RUS) / A Rodionova (AUS) playing). And they know who she though she will end it by climbing overcome Francesca Schiavone, “I was very tense. Now I am and wisdom seemed to charac- vs [5] A Hlavackova (CZE) / L Safarova (CZE) is and what she does and how she one place to a career-high world the former French Open cham- much more relaxed because terise her answer. “Everyone is COURT 6 start 4:30 pm works. number two. pion from Italy, by 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(7- Carlos has helped me alter my different, so maybe you can copy “So I feel there are no secrets That is because she is likely be 3). Li’s successes have helped mind. Now I have better control (me) or maybe not,” she says. “I A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) vs [Q] M Lucic- on the tour now. It’s both good denied the opportunity to become galvanise Peng in singles as well of it. Now I have better focus.” am not sure this is the best way.” Baroni (CRO) and bad,” the player from Wuhan the first Chinese player ever to as doubles, for after scoring a It is this conspicuous quality AFP WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27

Australian rider Michael Hepburn of Orica GreenEdge team, winner of the individual time trial at the Tour of Qatar, celebrates on the podium after receiving the prize from President of Qatar Cycling Federation, Sheikh Khalid bin Ali Al Thani in Doha yesterday. CENTRE: Silver Jersey winner Niki Terpstra of Netherlands receiving the jersey from General Manager of Skydive Team of UAE, Abdul Rahman Al Ameri. RIGHT: White Pearl Jersey winner Guillaume Van Keirsbulck of Belgium with the Director of Qatar Cycling Federation, Jamal Al Kuwari. PICTURES BY: SALIM MATRAMKOT Hepburn wins time trial in Doha Australian finishes one second faster than Boom; Terpstra retains golden jersey

DOHA: Australian rider Michael Hepburn yesterday pro- Tour of Qatar duced a slick time of 13 minutes 29 seconds to win stage three of Results Tour of Qatar where Dutchman LOSAIL, Qatar: Results of Niki Terpstra retained the the Tour of Qatar third stage, golden jersey by finishing in the a 10.5km time trial at the top-10 bunch. Losail motor circuit yesterday: Hepburn, 22, of Orica Marcel Aregger of 1. Michael Hepburn (AUS/Orica) 13min GreenEdge finished the 10.9km 28sec, 2. Lars Boom (NED) at 1sec, individual time trial ahead of Switzerland com- 3. Daniele Bennati (ITA) 6s, 4. Fabian Belkin Pro Cycling team Lars peting during the Cancellara (SUI) 6, 5. Niki Terpstra (NED) Boom who was just one second individual time trial. 8, 6. Martin Elmiger (SUI) 10, 7. Guillaume slower than the Australian. RIGHT: Gold Jersey Van Keirsbulck (BEL) 13, 8. Philippe Gilbert Italy’s Daniele Bennati winner Niki Terpstra (BEL) 15, 9. Jens Mouris (NED) 16, 10. Gert (Tinkoff-Saxo) and veteran Swiss of Netherlands Steegmans (BEL) 17, Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory with Senior Vice Racing) were six seconds slower President of Selected than Hepburn but Terpstra (8 ExxonMobil Qatar, 15. Tom Boonen (BEL) 22. seconds adrift) closed stage three Jos Evens. Overall Standings in fifth spot to retain the golden 1. Niki Tersptra (NED/Omega Pharma) en jersey. 6hr 57min 06sec, 2. Jurgen Roelnadts (BEL) The 29-year-old Dutch rider at 21s, 3. Lars Boom (NED) 24, 4. Tom said he could have done better Boonen (BEL) 28, 5. Ian Stannard (GBR) “Time trials always hurt 35, 6. Guillaume Van Keirsbulck (BEL) 45, 7. because you’re fighting time and Michael Morkov (DEN) 49, 8. Marcel Sieberg pain. It’s never easy but I felt I (GER) 49, 9. Stijn Vandenbergh (BEL) 58, 10. could put some power on the ped- Andrew Fenn (GBR) 1:06. als,” Terpstra said after collecting another golden leader’s jersey. “You never know how you’ve jersey,” the 29-year-old added. competitors on the day’s 10.9-kil- Despite having set the fast- capturing the fifth fastest time, 2014 Tour of Qatar, Terpstra will done till the result. The classe- Earlier, Hepburn - Australia’s ometre circuit, set just by the est time at the half-way mark (6 just 8 seconds adrift. still need to battle hard but has ment is good and I’m still the time trial champion, confirmed Losail International Circuit, minute 42 seconds), Boom proved The Dutchman keeps his golden an enjoyable advantage. leader. Now we’ll see what hap- his huge potential by finishing Hepburn hit hard by clocking a to be slower on the second part of jersey and now has a 21-sec- The 29-year-old also leads pens in the other stages,” the fastest of the day’s time-trial on time of 13 minutes 28 seconds. the course, finishing second on the ond lead over Jurgen Roelandts the points’ classification while Dutch said. the Tour of Qatar. At only 22 years of age the line, just a second adrift. (LTB) and 24-second advantage his team-mate Guillaume Van “The wind is the biggest prob- Beating Boom and Bennati on Brisbane-born has now added In third spot was Italian over Boom while four-time Tour Keirsbulck is the best young rider lem. I have to stay awake all day the 10.9-kilometre circuit of stage a stage victory in Qatar to his Bennati 6 seconds behind. of Qatar champion Tom Boonen and will wear the ‘White Pearl’ with my teammates, so as not to three, the Orica-Greenedge rider national time-trial title and to Last man to start, overall leader (OPQ) dropped down to fourth jersey when the riders begin stage miss a group. I have to stay in the claimed his first success in Qatar. his two successes conquered at and stage one winner, Terpstra spot. four from Dukhan to Mesaieed front group and always defend the Taking off among the early the Tour de l’Avenir back in 2011. managed a fine performance, With two stages to go on this today. THE PENINSULA Offenders urged to help as Pole Kwiatkowski sport delves into doping past wins in Mallorca MADRID: Omega Pharma-Quick Step’s Polish rider Michal GENEVA: An independent CIRC chairman Dick Marty Kwiatkowski (pictured) claimed the Serra de Tramuntana trophy commission began delving into said the main aim was to avoid on the third day of the Mallorca Challenge yesterday. cycling’s murky past yeserday, future scandals in the doping- Kwiatkowski made a decisive break on the descent to the finish at offering reduced sanctions for plagued sport which reached a Monasterio de Lluc to claim the 152.9km stage ahead of Norwegian doping offenders who come for- low when Lance Armstrong was Edvald Boasson Hagen and Italy’s Francesco Gavazzi. ward with information. stripped of his seven Tour de There is no general classification for the event with each stage con- “The lesson we can learn France wins. sisting of a separate race. from the last few years is the “The primary purpose is not Italian Sacha Modolo won the Palma and Campos Trophies on the truth will come out eventually,” to punish doping offenders but opening two days with the fourth and final race, the 160km long Alcudia International Cycling Union to learn from the past so we can Trophy, taking place today. (UCI) president Brian Cookson help ensure a better future for AFP told reporters. cycling,” he explained. “My message to any rider The investigation will end with involved in doping is that now is a report illustrating the causes Serra de the time to come forward (and) for the doping practices that took tell the commission everything place between 1998-2013. Tramuntana you know because it will come Marty said investigators could out sooner or later, maybe as a propose reduced sanctions to any Trophy Results result of somebody’s testimony to riders, officials, agents and staff MADRID: Results from the Serra de the commission. who came forward with “substan- Traumuntana Trophy, a 152.9km ride “It’s in your interests if you tial information”. from Deia to Monasterio de Lluc, Mallorca have got something to hide to If the information is of “great yesterday: come and tell all the truth, not importance”, the commission 1. Michal Kwiatkowski (POL/Omega Pharma- just some of the truth.” could propose further reductions Quick-Step) 3h 50min 51secs The three-man body, known as or even a “zero sanction”, added Dick Marty (right), Chairman of the Cycling Independent Reform the Cycling Independent Reform Marty, a senior Swiss politician 2. Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR/Sky) at 27 Commission (CIRC), and the President of the International Cycling secs Commission (CIRC), was cre- and former state prosecutor. Union (UCI), Brian Cookson of Britain pose for photographers before 3. Francesco Gavazzi (ITA/Astana) s.t. ated in January to investigate “We will treat all witnesses a media round table in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday. the sport’s recent past including fairly and I urge anyone in the 4. Gianluca Brambilla (ITA/Omega Pharma- suggestions the UCI was involved cycling community with informa- Quick-Step) s.t. in previous wrongdoing. tion that can help our investiga- basis for a reduction in their appointed a genuinely independent 5. Petr Vakoc (CZE/Omega Pharma-Quick- “The commission will investi- tion to come forward,” he said. sanctions if they provided valu- commission with three people of Step) s.t. gate allegations the UCI was in Marty said the offer was gener- able evidence. the highest levels of integrity. 6. Pieter Serry (BEL/Omega Pharma-Quick- some way complicit or in some ally limited to licence holders who “This is a very, very important “It’s not just important we Step) s.t. way colluded in covering up some were not currently suspended or day for the UCI and for the sport analyse what went on in the past 7. Jesus del Pino (ESP/Burgos-BH) s.t. of the problems,” said Cookson, facing disciplinary action. of cycling,” said Cookson. but that we learn some lessons elected in September after a bit- However, riders and officials “We have put aside a very sub- for the future to stop the sport 8. Luis Leon Sanchez (ESP/Caja Rural) s.t. ter campaign against previous who are currently banned could stantial amount of money from the making the same mistakes again.” 9. Tanel Kangert (EST/Astana) s.t. incumbent Pat McQuaid. be considered on a case-by-case UCI’s reserves to do this, we have REUTERS 10. Sergio Henao (COL/Sky) s.t. Wednesday 12 February 2014 12 Rabial II 1435 Volume 18 Number 5973 Sport Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 South Africa happy with favourites tag Australia face major challenge in three-match series

CENTURION, South Africa: Australia go into the three- the success we had during the have been in around the world South African captain Graeme match series on the back of a Australian summer.” give us the stability and the Smith said his team were happy 5-0 whitewash over England With both teams boasting for- platform to win Test matches. to be regarded as favourites but Australian captain Michael midable bowling attacks, Clarke Everyone has contributed when ahead of the first Test against Clarke acknowledged that the said batting would be crucial. needed.” Australia which starts at series would provide his team “Both teams are going to have With both teams having several SuperSport Park yesterday. with a major challenge. to bat well because there are two selection permutations, neither “If you are the number one “South Africa have earned the very good bowling attacks. captain gave a hint as to their team in the world you have to be right to be the number one team “It’s going to be a challenge for final line-up. Australian captain Michael Clarke (right) and South African captain favourites,” Smith said yesterday. in the world,” said Clarke. batters. Wickets (in South Africa) Smith said South Africa had no Graeme Smith pose with the trophy at the SuperSport Park, in Centurion, “It’s something we have “They are extremely tough to have been conducive to fast bowl- injury concerns, with batsmen AB yesterday, on the eve of the first Test match between South Africa and become accustomed to and we beat anywhere in the world but ing in the past, which makes it a de Villiers and JP Duminy both Australia. feel very comfortable with it. especially in their own backyard.” little bit tougher. ready to play. We’ve been number one for a Clarke said his team were look- “It’s going to be a really good “We’ve got a good idea of where period of time and we’ve trav- ing forward to the series. challenge for the Australian bat- we want to go. We have a lot of “The Aussies have been good Wayne Parnell, Vernon Philander, elled to some tough places to get “That’s the challenge you want ters to come up against probably options available, whether we for ticket sales and newspaper Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel. it and to defend it.” as a player, you want to be play- the best bowlers that I have faced go with an extra batter, an all- sales,” he said. “We’re really Australia (likely): Michael South Africa have not been ing against the best to see how in my career.” rounder or a bowler.” excited that the contest is start- Clarke (captain), Chris Rogers, beaten in a series since Australia you measure up individually and Smith said he was confident Australia’s choice seems likely ing now.” David Warner, Alex Doolan, Steve defeated them in South Africa in as a team. that South Africa had the bat- to be between Alex Doolan, Shaun South Africa (likely): Graeme Smith, Phil Hughes or Shaun 2008/09 and have built up a for- “It’s a great challenge, test and ting to counter an Australian Marsh and Phil Hughes to fill two Smith (captain), Alviro Petersen, Marsh, Brad Haddin (wkt), midable record to open a sizeable opportunity for an Australian pace attack spearheaded by left- batting places. Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, AB Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, gap at the top of the International team who are high on confi- arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson. Smith said he was glad the pre- de Villiers (capt), JP Duminy, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon Cricket Council Test rankings. dence at the moment through “The performances our guys match talk had come to an end. Robin Peterson, Ryan McLaren or AFP