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Thursday 17 January 2013 5 Rabial I 1434 - Volume 17 Number 5582 Price: QR2

Big slice of port Gate mall all construction set for for Qatari firms fencing action

Business | 17 Sport | 26

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Made in Qatar exhibition opens OPINION Cabinet orders steps Al Jazeera America should not become to control prices another Al Hurra l Jazeera AMedia Key provisions of 41-year-old law to be amended Network bought the DOHA: A law put into force 41 Trade at the time was known as that the aim of amending some US TV chan- years ago to regulate and moni- the Ministry of Economy, Finance key provisions of the law was to nel Current tor the pricing of mainly food and Commerce. fix the maximum prices of some which was items, including food served by The law prescribes a jail term of commodities and services and facing finan- eateries, hotel room tariffs and one month to a year and a fine of determine the profit margins cial problems. Khalid Al Sayed the rates of some services, is to between QR1,000 and QR10,000, for the producers, importers and The deal EDITOR-IN-CHIEF be amended to bring within its or both, for traders for taking retailers. will allow purview more commodities and consumers for a ride and charging It also talks of arming employ- Al Jazeera to enter millions services, and increase the jail them more than the prices fixed ees of the authorised department of American homes using terms and fines prescribed for by the minister. at the Ministry of Business and Current’s network. those found violating the provi- It is interesting to note that Trade (arguably, the Consumer Al Jazeera, launched in 1996, sions of the legislation. the law also prescribes a punish- Protection Department) with made its mark as the first suc- The State Cabinet yesterday ment of QR300 for a consumer judicial powers. cessful pan-Arab news chan- said measures must be taken to who deliberately pays money The existing law also gives nel. The channel rose to the introduce amendments to some over and above the maximum authority to the trade ministry to pinnacle of success at the key provisions of Law Number 12 price of an item or service fixed set up a committee that would fix beginning of Arab Spring, of 1972 that gives the right to the by the minister. the maximum prices of commodi- when it managed to provide Minister of Business and Trade to The consumer is to be par- ties and services in a bid to prevent The Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani talking to dig- live, minute-by-minute cover- fix the maximum wholesale and doned if he admits to the authori- price manipulation by wholesalers, nitaries during his tour of the stalls after inaugurating the ‘Made in Qatar’ age of the uprisings in Arab retail prices of a number of items, ties concerned his fault, says the importers or retailers. exhibition at Doha Exhibition Centre yesterday. The three-day event is countries. mainly food and hotel room tariffs. law, which has 13 articles. THE PENINSULA Al Jazeera was praised as being organised by Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry in col- The Ministry of Business and The Cabinet said yesterday Continued on page 6 a strong, influential chan- laboration with the Ministry of Energy and Industry. Full report on page 4 nel that supported the revo- lutions, managing to cover from the first spark of the revolution to the climax in Tunisia, and later in Egypt, Libya, Yemen and Syria. But Work on three metro stations to begin shortly after the revolutions, many channels entered the market DOHA: Work on three metro starting work on the proposed be demolished as part of the rail part of Msheireb Properties’ land- Green and Gold lines. Phase 1 is and began to compete with Al rail stations, in Msheireb, Al stations, according to Al Sharq. project. mark Msheireb Downtown Doha due to open in ‘the fourth quarter Jazeera, benefiting from the Rayyan and behind the Qatar Many key areas in the city Several buildings behind this regeneration project. of 2019’, well ahead of the 2022 new freedom brought by the National Museum, is expected to would face the bulldozers sooner souq and in other areas, including The Qatar Integrated Railway FIFA World Cup. revolutions. This resulted in begin shortly as part of the Qatar or later to give way to the metro Najma, Old Airport and Al Sadd, Project covers four metro lines in The core city-centre interchange a fall in the viewership of Al Integrated Railway project. and rail projects, although the are also earmarked for demolition Doha, tram routes in West Bay at Msheireb is located at a point Jazeera and contributing to These, along with two other authorities have not yet divulged for the ambitious rail project. and Lusail, a high-speed line and where the Red and Green lines this was the alleged bias in stations in Doha and its outskirts, details of the demolition plan. A groundbreaking ceremony dedicated freight railways. will be running parallel and inter- its coverage of Arab Spring, are among the 47 stations planned A number of shops in Souq was held last October for a key Last August, Qatar Rail signed sected by the Gold line. The station as was pointed out by The under the rail project. Khalid, close to the erstwhile interchange station at Msheireb five contracts totalling QR1.48bn concourse will be 15 metres below Economist magazine. A sum of QR500m has been “crazy signal”, have already been that will be the hub of the Doha for work on the first phase of the ground, with a direct connection to Continued on page 6 allocated for taking over land issued notices to vacate. It is metro network. metro, which covers 129 route retail developments. from private owners before believed that the souq will soon The station is being built as kilometres including the Red, THE PENINSULA

THURSDAY 17 JANUARY 2013 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Heir Apparent opens Made in Qatar exhibition 160 local companies taking part in the expo in five categories; several seminars, workshops to be held

DOHA: The Heir Apparent, H Industries together occupying H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad 15,000sqm space. Al Thani, inaugurated the Made Made in Qatar was launched in Qatar exhibition at Doha four years ago to support and pro- Exhibition Centre yesterday. mote small and medium indus- After the opening cere- tries in Qatar. mony, the Heir Apparent vis- Major companies such as ited pavilions, especially the Qatar Steel, Qatalum and stalls dedicated to ‘traditional Qatargas are sponsors of this craft’, and assured state sup- year’s exhibition. port for such projects through Meanwhile, a seminar on the Ministry of Social Affairs. mechanisms of supporting small He listened to a presenta- and medium industries (SMIs) tion about other projects and started on the sidelines of the industries. exhibition. Qatar Chamber, Several ministers, Qatari Enterprise Qatar (EQ), Qatar businessmen and other digni- Development Bank (QDB) and taries also attended the opening Gulf Organisation for Industrial ceremony. Consulting (GOIC) participated The three-day event is organ- in the event. ised by the Qatar Chamber in col- The seminar aims to create a laboration with the Ministry of platform for dialogue and make Energy and Industry. recommendations to drive the The exhibition showcases 160 Qatari private sector, particularly local companies in five catego- small and medium enterprises ries: Industries, Manufacture & (SMEs) to help diversify sources Food Industries, Petrochemical of national income to achieve sus- Industries, Various Industries tainable development in line with and Light and Medium Qatar National Vision 2030. Chamber Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassem bin Mohammed Al Thani said that Qatar has come to realise that SMEs constitute a major tool to achieve economic and social devel- opment, diver- sify sources of income and cre- ate investment and economic opportunities in sectors other The Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani visiting one of the stalls at the Made in Qatar exhibition. than oil and gas, noting that EQ deserve appreciation but stressed in government procurement are distributing industries in accord- will discuss the challenges facing was created to they are not enough to create a key impediments. ance with relative advantages of in the industry, and how to over- meet that end strong and competitive indus- He added that the lack of each country are all obstacles come them. along with QDB, trial sector, as there is short- industrial coordination between to the establishment of a strong The exhibition will be open which offers low- age of land needed to meet the the GCC countries, the absence industrial sector. for visitors today from 9am interest financial growing demand for industrial of policies and measures that can Several lectures and seminars to 1pm and 4pm to 10pm and support. projects. He also noted that the expand investment opportuni- will be held on the sidelines of the tomorrow between 2pm and He added lack of support for Qatari prod- ties, and non-implementation of exhibition. 10pm. that the efforts ucts by not being given priority the principle of specialisation or Prominent industry experts THE PENINSULA/QNA Carnegie Mellon hosts CS4Qatar for women

DOHA: Attracting women into science, women representation in these areas. “With CS4Qatar for Women, we want to technology, engineering and mathemat- In an effort to accomplish this, Carnegie help students understand what computer ics fields traditionally has been a chal- Mellon hosted CS4Qatar for Women, an science is. As these young women are try- lenge, but Carnegie Mellon University outreach programme that aims to intro- ing to decide their future fields of study, Qatar (CMUQ) is taking steps to improve duce young women into computer science. we want them to make a more informed decision about computer science. Moreover, these workshops teach students how to think about solving computational problems more systematically,” said Saquib Razak, assistant teaching professor of com- puter science. More than 80 high- school girl students from 12 schools across Qatar attended the event, which consisted of three lectures and two workshops: one on programming with Java and another on computa- tional thinking. “Computer Science plays a role in the evolution of technology in our everyday life. This programme helps young women think about fundamental issues in com- puter science. “We use practical approaches that get students to think about different sim- ple yet innovative approaches to solve fundamental prob- lems. This is central to understanding what com- puter science is all about – problem solving,” said Majd Sakr, associate teaching pro- fessor of computer science. Parents of the students were also introduced to the field and numerous career opportunities open to com- puter science majors. “CS4Qatar for Women’s achieved its purpose, which is to encourage Qatari women to consider com- puter science. I have met professors. They are full of knowledge and have great experience,” said Dodo Nodi, a participant. CS4Qatar for women is a series of computer sci- ence workshops designed for both computer science educators, as well as high school students in Qatar. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 17 JANUARY 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05

Emir honours outgoing ambassadors

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MADE IN TURKEY

The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani received the outgoing ambassadors Andrea Ferrari of Italy 5 PCS BEDROOM SET 180x200 CONSISTING OF BED, 2 NIGHT TABLES, DRESSER WITH QR (above), Adamar Sar of Senegal and Taher Natheef Khater of Chad. The Emir decorated them with the Sash of 3 SEATER SOFA BED QR 2995 1395 MIRROR AND STOOL QR Merit in recognition of their efforts in enhancing cooperation between Qatar and their countries. WARDROBE 1995 Emir ratifies Cabinet decision

MADE OF SOLID WOOD DOHA: The Emir MADE OF BONDED LEATHER MADE IN MALAYSIA H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani yester- CORNER SOFA WITH OTTOMAN QR DINING SET 1+6 QR day ratified the Cabinet 1795 1195 Decision No. 1 of 2013 to expropriate some real estates located in Al Sadd region (38) for the public FIND YOUR STYLE !40!.%-)2!4%3 interest. MORE RANGE, MORE STYLES. The decision stipulates that measures provided  VISIT OUR NEW SHOWROOM under the Law No.13 of 1988 with an all-new concept, look & design. referred to, shall be imple-  &OLLOWUSON mented to compensate the affected property owners. !"5 $(!")") s $5 $5"!)"!) s 3(!2*!( s !, !). s &5*!)2!( s -53#!4 s $/(! It is to be effective from the date of issue and is to !L3ALWA2OAD /PP!L-ANAA0ETROL3TATION !L3ALWA2OAD AFTER-ERCEDES"ENZSHOWROOM be published in the Official -ID-ACK2OUNDABOUT $OHA .EAR1ATAR$ECORATION2OUNDABOUT $OHA #ALL  #ALL  Gazette. 6ISITWWWPANEMIRATESCOM QNA THURSDAY 17 JANUARY 2013 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Sheikha Moza meets Omani Speaker PM meets Lebanese Interior Minister

H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser with the Speaker of the Omani Advisory Council (Majlis A’Shura) Sheikh Khalid The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani, met yesterday bin Hilal Al Ma’awali at Qatar Foundation headquarters. They discussed bilateral cooperation in education, Lebanon’s Minister of Interior and Municipalities Marwan Charbel. The Lebanese minister is on an official visit science and research. to Qatar.

Sea Shadow to Cabinet nod for forum on intellectual rights open Hekayat DOHA: Prime Minister and Employees at the authorised at the Emiri Diwan. The Cabinet ratified an It discussed a bill to amend Khaleejiya Foreign Minister H E Sheikh department at the Ministry The Cabinet gave a go-ahead agreement with Ukrain on provisions of the Decree Law Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor of Business and Trade will be to a regional symposium of Arab exempting holders of diplo- No 14 of 1993 on passports Al Thani yesterday chaired the accorded the status of legal trus- states on intellectual and sport matic and special passports and a letter from Minister of DOHA: Doha Film Institute weekly Cabinet meeting and tees or administrators under property rights in Doha in the from entry visa. Social Affairs who is also Acting (DFI) is set to launch the discussed amendments to Law the proposed changes, Deputy first half of next month. The session endorsed an Emiri Minister of Labour, on results of ‘Hekayat Khaleejiya’ (Khaleeji No. 12 of 1972 on compulsory Prime Minister and Minister It also approved a draft agree- draft decision regulating tender- the 11th meeting of GCC hous- Stories) with the screening of pricing and profits. of State for Cabinet Affairs ment with Guernsey on avoidance ing process for military bodies ing ministers in Riyadh last Nawaf Al Janahi’s Sea Shadow It follows a recommendation by H E Ahmed bin Abdullah Al of double taxation and prevention with regard to purchases and November. at 7pm tonight at the Museum the Advisory Council. Mahmoud said after the session of evasion of income tax. contracting business. QNA of Islamic Art (MIA). The DFI year-round film appreciation programme show- cases Khaleeji films to the Doha community every three months. The screening will be followed by a question and answer session Nearly 10,000 with director Nawaf Al Janahi and screenwriter Mohammed Hassan Ahmed. Another screen- ing will be held tomorrow. Set in a small seaside neigh- register for Step bourhood in the UAE, Sea Shadow follows teenagers Mansour and Kaltham as they struggle with tradition in their journey towards adulthood. Bound by family con- Into Health ventions and deep-rooted values, the pair must find the courage to forge their own paths. 10,000 steps daily ideal for health The series was introduced to the community in Doha at a BY RAYNALD C RIVERA with a web-based application, for special reception on Tuesday free to determine the number of at Katara. The attendees were DOHA: The nearly 10,000 steps taken by an individual on a invited to the screening tonight. participants in the ‘Step Into daily basis. So far 44 percent of For more information and Health’ programme launched the participants have taken 5,000 ticket, log on to www.dohafilm- by the Aspire Zone Foundation steps a day while 27 percent have institute.com. Tickets will be (AZF) four weeks ago, have so taken 5,000 to 9,999 steps and available at the Box Office at MIA far walked more than 75,459km, the remaining 29 percent have Dr Mohammed Ghaith Al Kuwari gives a presentation during the media gathering for ‘Step Into Health’ programme before the screening. taking a total of 127,081,309 reached the target 10,000 steps at The Torch Doha hotel, yesterday as Dr Izzeldin Ibrahim (left), Coordinator of Health Lifestyle Programme at steps. and more. Aspetar and Fuad Al Mudahka, Physiologist at Aspetar, look on. (SHAIVAL DALAL) Traffic diversion on “A total of 9,651 participants “Taking 10,000 steps a day have registered for the pro- is equivalent to walking eight the number of steps he has taken over as they are the ones prone Al Kuwari, AZF President, in a Dukhan Highway gramme, of these 4,559 are kilometres which is ideal for an and encourages him to walk more to lifestyle diseases. It is cur- statement. Qataris,” Dr Izzeldin Ibrahim, active and healthy body,” said Dr to achieve his daily target, thus rently on its first phase which Those who want to participate DOHA: The Public Works Coordinator of Healthy Lifestyle Mohammed Ghaith Al Kuwari, making him physically active, said is open to the general public; in the programme can register at Authority (Ashghal) has Programme at Aspetar, informed Healthy Lifestyle Programme Dr Al Kuwari. the second phase will be aimed the website www.stepintohealth. announced a traffic diversion on the media yesterday. Director in Aspetar. “The programme aims to at schools and universities and qa. Dukhan Highway between the Interestingly, a big fraction of While there are jobs which change the lifestyle of the nation work sites. The website is developed spe- existing Al Wajba Interchange the Qatari participants in the require a person to walk more, for the better. When walking “Step Into Health comes within cifically to follow up and moni- and Shahaniyya Interchange, programme are women, said Dr there are those which make a becomes a habit, the person a series of integrated programmes tor progress of participants and effective from today. Ibrahim. person inactive such as working may not need the pedometer that AZF adopts to achieve the to provide necessary guidance in Traffic will be diverted on a Under the programme, partici- in an office which does not even anymore,” he added. Qatar National Vision 2030 objec- the field of health and nutrition 5km stretch of the highway from pants in this nationwide initiative result in 5,000 steps. Using a ped- Primarily, the programme tives, particularly in the area of as well. Rayyan Petrol Station westward are given pedometers, which come ometer makes a person aware of targets those aged 45 years and human development,” said Hilal THE PENINSULA up to the beginning of the exist- ing highway. The diversion will exist for about 12 months until the comple- tion of upgrade work on the high- ‘Proposal at the way between Rayyan Stadium and Sons of Palestinian martyrs Al Jazeera America should be neutral Shahaniyya Interchange. right time’ The project is part of Ashghal’s Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 endeavour to develop an upgraded arrive at Emir’s invitation Despite the fact that media differ in their style of functioning and road network that meets the The Cabinet said yesterday the editorial policies, certain key factors contribute to their success like requirements of sustainable DOHA: A number of sons of as housing, hospitals, schools and recommendations of the Advisory impartiality, objectivity and credibility. As it prepares to enter the US, development throughout the Palestinian martyrs and their compensations for the effects of Council about the proposed amend- the management of Al Jazeera must realise that America has a thriving state. escorts arrived last evening war, adding the Emir sought to ments must be taken into account and vibrant media market. Therefore, they should have a clear vision Ashghal appealed to all com- from Gaza Strip on a week- alleviate suffering of the Palestine while framing the law for passage. and policy so as not to become like Washington-sponsored Al Hurra TV muters to abide by the speed limit long visit at the invitation of the people and took into consideration It may be recalled that plans channel which lost credibility a long time ago, forcing the US govern- of 80km per hour throughout Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin humanitarian and moral aspects. are already afoot to set up a high- ment to rethink its huge budget and the necessity of its continuation. the diversion and follow traffic Khalifa Al Thani. He said the committee is respon- profile inter-ministerial commit- Al Jazeera America can influence public opinion as long as the chan- guidelines. Member of the Qatari sible for reconstruction and human- tee that would fix maximum prices nel is not used as a political tool, especially since the Zionist lobby in Committee for the Reconstruction itarian projects covering basic of various commodities and serv- the US is determined to thwart its growth and success. The channel Survey on National of Gaza Ahmed Al Zuwaidi said services that are not available due ices in the local market to prevent will be able to address the American public only if it keeps away from that the 61 visitors include 45 to the Israeli war on Gaza, adding price manipulations by traders to ideological conflicts and special agendas. It must adopt neutral policies, Sports Day children and 16 escorts. He told that the committee is keen to pro- keep inflation under check. be objective and strive to present the truth. Qatar News Agency (QNA) that vide what the children of Gaza have Observers say the proposal to The management of the channel must prepare its US strategy with DOHA: Qatar Olympic the visit of the delegation follows missed because of the blockade. amend the law has come at the great caution. Access to an unlimited budget alone will not guarantee Committee (QOC) has launched a gesture by the Emir when he Member of the Palestinian right time when the population of success, in the same way it didn’t bring success to Al Hurra chan- an electronic survey on the visited the Gaza Strip recently. delegation Khaled Abu Odeh the country has risen many times nel. Al Jazeera network should appoint qualified and talented staff to National Sport Day enabling He added that the visit was also expressed deep thanks, gratitude over since 1972 and the country has manage its operations and win the confidence of American audiences everyone to give their opin- a culmination of the Emir’s ini- and appreciation to the Emir. The witnessed unprecedented economic and build credibility. It already enjoys a good reputation among some ion on forthcoming event on tiatives towards the Palestinian martyrs’ sons expressed gratitude and social development. Marketing Americans, as was proved by the statement of former Secretary of February 12. people and the sons of martyrs for the generous gesture of the methods, people’s purchasing power State Colin Powell who once said that Al Jazeera “is the only channel The survey can be accessed at in particular. Emir and thanked the leadership and consumer patterns have also that I watch”. Similarly, the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said www.sportday.qa by clicking on Al Zuwaidi said that the Emir’s saying that it was the first time undergone a sea-change ever since, that she might not agree with Al Jazeera English, but “I feel that I get the “NSD Survey” button on the generous sponsorship covered the they had left Gaza Strip. say observers. real news for 24 hours”. right hand side of the homepage. provision of decent living as well QNA THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 17 JANUARY 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Experts give insight into diabetes-heart illness link Clinical scientist Peter Grant delivers lecture at HMC

Professor Peter Grant (left) and Dr Mahmoud Ali Zirie delivering lectures.

DOHA: The close link between percent of the population affected in diabetes and cardiovascu- heart disease and diabetes was by the condition. Professor Grant lar disease together, Professor the subject of a recent lecture said the two conditions have a Grant encouraged Gulf states to Hamad Medical Corporation “tight” relationship and the dan- to develop their own research to (HMC) clinicians and staff and ger lies in late diagnosis of diabe- meet the health needs of the local those from HMC’s Academic tes. Worldwide, it is estimated 50 population. Health System partner organi- percent of people with diabetes HMC is facilitating research sations. Award winning clini- have not yet been diagnosed. programmes for Qatar to explore cal scientist Peter Grant, “Many people have diabetes but rising cases of diabetes and Professor of Medicine and Head are unaware as they have not yet increased risks of heart disease. of Cardiovascular and Diabetes been diagnosed. This is a tick- “In Qatar and other Gulf states, Research, University of Leeds, ing clock,” he said. “The risks of we are seeing differences in how dia- gave the talk. cardiovascular disease may have betes presents itself and the aggres- Professor Grant’s lecture was developed before type 2 diabe- sive effects of this disease leading the inaugural event in the 2013 tes is diagnosed. For patients in to severe health complications. Academic Health System Lecture a state of pre-diabetes, the risk Through patient-centred research, Series, which will see interna- of developing heart disease is a we’re getting a grip on learning tional experts bring the latest major public health issue.” more about these differences and research and new knowledge to In the next 10 years, Professor developing knowledge and expertise Qatar as part of HMC’s transfor- Grant predicts significant changes in this region,” said Dr Mahmoud mation into an academic health in our approach to understand- Ali Zirie, Senior Consultant and system. ing and managing diabetes. Head of Endocrinology, Diabetes Diabetes is a national health Highlighting the importance of Division, HMC. priority in Qatar with up to 20 research and bringing experts THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 17 JANUARY 2013 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Pakistan’s problems Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

S IF the current multiple crises and plethora of problems facing Pakistan are not enough, the Supreme Court has ordered the arrest of Prime Obama’s show of leadership AMinister Raja Parvez Ashraf in a corruption case. While the Court is constitutionally within its right to carry out its duties, even against high-profile officials in government, the timing of the decision and its consequences have given rise on gun control was ‘show’ to conspiracy theories – the most talked about one being that there is an effort to delay the general elections which is due to BY GARY YOUNGE take place this spring. with recommendations urgently com- ammunition magazines. He also pro- The arrest order against Raja will drastically intensify piled – while the tragedy was still posed new laws to close the “gunshow tensions between the government and its opponents, which inally. After years of silence, fresh in people’s minds. loophole” and require universal back- include the Supreme Court too. The case relates to allegations punctured by sombre responses But the fact that the timing is ground checks for all gun buyers, as Fto predictable slaughter, an opportune does not mean the moti- well as a crackdown on gun trafficking that Ashraf took millions of dollars in kickbacks as part of American president has made a sober, vation is cynical. On the day of the and resources for mental health and a deal to build two electricity power plants when he was a principled and coherent intervention Sandy Hook shooting, Obama publicly school safety measures. minister between 2008 and 2011. A court prosecution in the on the issue of gun control. broke down, vowing: Change may come, but no one case has been ongoing for a year, so it was the timing of the Barack Obama called a press con- “As a country, we have been through should expect radical progress in leg- arrest order that raised suspicions. The Supreme Court’s ference not to express regret for a this too many times … And we’re going islation anytime soon. Leaders of his tragedy that has happened, while to have to come together and take own party warned Obama prior to his relationship with the government has been acrimonious, with calling for prayers for the victims and meaningful action to prevent more announcement that many of his most the independent-minded Chief Justice Iftikar Muhammad their families (as he has done so many tragedies like this, regardless of the far-reaching legislative proposals have Chaudhry determinedly pursing a corruption case against times before), but instead to announce politics.” little chance of being passed – even President Asif Ali Zardari. a bid to prevent For his tears to mean anything, he in the Democratic-controlled Senate. The court order coincides with two other developments: the next tragedy had to follow through. Some, even among gun control first, the uprising against the – with a call for His address implied that, after four advocates, have argued that galvanis- action to both long years, he had finally worked out ing the gun lobby without much hope The arrest government being engineered by Politics may be the Congress in par- what both the office of the presidency of substantial victory is strategically an enigmatic preacher-turned ticular and the in general and his presidency, in par- naive. But that is to forget the longer order against politician, Muhammad Tahir-ul art of the possible, public in general. ticular, were for. trajectory of this debate. the PM and Qadri, whose is currently camping but what is “This will not Appealing over the heads of a stub- For almost two decades, progres- in Islamabad with tens of thousands possible should not happen, unless born and gridlocked Congress to the sives have refused to engage with the mass protests in of his followers demanding the the American nation at large, the president sought to issue of gun control for fear of losing. be confused with people demand rally the nation to both a moral cause Their absence, though, did not stave Islamabad have resignation of the government and it. If parents and and much-needed civic engagement. off defeat; it guaranteed it. While electoral reforms, and second, the what is necessary. teachers, police A recent Pew survey showed that liberals ceded ground, the NRA and added to the escalating tension on the border And leadership, to officers, and pas- while a majority of the country sup- its allies have expanded gun rights in with India which has triggered fears be worthy of the tors, if hunters port gun control, those who oppose it almost every sphere. government’s of a war. With elections round the and sportsman, are more than four times more likely The gun lobby may have won on name, demands if responsible to give money to groups that advocate legislation, but they have not won the woes. corner, Qadri’s motives are suspect, gun owners, if on gun policy, and twice as likely to argument. Even without prominent especially since he has been effusive the courage and Americans of have contacted a public official about voices making the case, a plurality of in his praise of the military and the Supreme Court. But he is foresight both every background gun policy. With that in mind, per- Americans is for greater gun control, able to bully the government because it is weak. to imagine new stand up and say, haps, Obama urged: and a clear majority is in favour of Also, a weak government will not be able to deal with tension enough. We’ve “Ask [your member of Congress] banning assault weapons. on the border, where forces with ulterior motives could be possibilities and to suffered too much if they support renewing a ban on That shows there is an audience out meet the changes pain, and care too military-style assault weapons and there that can be mobilised. Turning operating on the sly to scupper the progress painstakingly made much about our high-capacity magazines. And if they that tide starts not with winning the so far in relations with India. that are necessary. children to allow say no, ask them why not? Ask them issue, but by raising it and fighting All these events may not be linked, but their cumulative this to continue, what’s more important: doing what- for it. effect can destabilize the government and add to the chaos. then change will – change will come.” ever it takes to get an A grade from Politics may be the art of the pos- What Pakistan needs is a stable and powerful government Where photo opportunities are the gun lobby that funds their cam- sible, but what is possible should not which is capable of handling multiple crises. But the sad fact concerned, the press conference was paigns? Or giving parents some piece be confused with what is necessary. as opportunistic as it gets. Seated in of mind when they drop their child off And leadership, to be worthy of the is that the judiciary, the military and the government are front of young children, little over to first grade?” name, demands the courage and fore- operating as disparate forces and are engaged in a struggle month after the shootings at Sandy While the president’s executive sight both to imagine new possibili- to gain supremacy. The result has been the strengthening of Hook elementary school, President orders ranged from the vague (“launch ties and to meet the changes that are extremist forces and an increase in lawlessness. Barack Obama signed 23 execu- a national dialogue on mental health”) necessary. It’s difficult to predict how events will unfold, but the coming tive orders designed to reduce gun to the concrete (“require federal agen- Here, Obama showed leadership. In violence. cies to make relevant data available the weeks and months to come, we’ll days are crucial. A hardening of positions will cause chaos on The orders, alongside broader legis- to the federal background check sys- see how far the country is prepared the streets and stalemate in governance, both of which will lative proposals, emerged from a task tem”), he called on Congress to ban to follow. destabilize the country. • force convened explicitly in response, assault weapons and high-capacity THE GUARDIAN Letters Quote of Some shopping centres overcharging customers the day

rices of all consumables are going high was QR25 a kilo. Since it is a regular item for drive was QR20 in this advertisement. Even in a across the board. Realising this fact, the me, I was shocked to see the high price and did popular supermarket on D-Ring Road the price vendors are really capitalising on the not buy it. After an hour, I was in a supermarket was QR20 that day. We will be open to a Popportunity by indiscriminately raising near the airport, where I regularly do my shop- In my opinion, some shopping centres are fix- discussion, a dialogue, prices every alternate day. This is applicable to ping. They were selling the same quality of Indian ing prices on the basis of two main factors: both food and non-food items. pomegranate for QR18.50/kg. 1) The customer: If the customers who mostly at the level of the In Qatar, the government and the authorities To cite another example, of a non-food item, shop with them are from the creamy layer of soci- foreign ministers to concerned are always issuing warning against yesterday I was out to buy a flash drive. I went ety and normally do not bother to look at price those shopping outlets that violate ministerial to a nearby shopping centre in the Thumama tags, they silently cheat them with abnormally be able to resolve the directives and engage in black-marketeering. area. To my surprise, the 8GB flash drive was high prices. issue of cross-LOC Also, frequent checks are carried out by them priced at QR45, which was very unusual, and 2) The locality: If the outlet is situated in an and follow-up action is taken. I was sure it was exorbitant. I came out and isolated locality where there is no other alterna- incidents and to re- Even though a strict regime is in force, there bought a newspaper, which carried an adver- tive for customers, they fix the prices at whim. commit ourselves to are some outlets engaging in black-marketeering. tisement for a shopping complex located near TV This is just an eye-opener for the public as well I happened to be in a shop on Airport Road last Roundabout, in which they had listed the prices as the authorities. the respect for the Hina Rabbani Khar week, where the price of Indian pomegranate of several items. The price of a similar 8GB flash V P Zubair, Thumama ceasefire. Pakistani Foreign Minister THURSDAY 17 JANUARY 2013 QATAR PERSPECTIVE www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Judiciary and need for change

atar’s judiciary is Judges cannot be removed from the status of the judges and the end to bring about an independ- in need of a thor- office, except in cases set forth DR RABIA AL KUWARI suffering they undergo to get ent Qatari judiciary that acts as a ough reconsidera- herein. Nobody may interfere their independence and rights in role model for judiciaries in other tion, one that brings with the judiciary. Arabic is the their personal and professional Arab countries. about the necessary language of the courts. life. What about court reporters? Conditions of Qatari judges Qchanges and reforms for serving The SJC works to fulfill the We also need to discuss some are heartbreaking society and coping with the Qatar independence of the judiciary by general issues related to SJC. SJC These conditions offered a large National Vision 2030. This thor- playing the following roles: members may serve their personal number of online forums fodder ough reconsideration will help • Providing opinion on issues interests by amending some laws, for their discussions recently. our country become a modern related to the judiciary, studying for example. The low salaries of These conditions also reveal the regional powerhouse at all levels. and proposing legislation aimed the judges, including bonuses that deplorable state of the judiciary in This reform and these changes at upgrading the judicial system. are not equally distributed, should Qatar in general. The prestige of will at the end of the day serve • Providing opinion on the be discussed as well. The issue of the judiciary is threatened, par- public interests embodied in the appointment of judges, their Judicial Inspection and the need ticularly when feelings of these creation of an independent and promotion, moving, mandate, or to bring lax judges to account also deplorable conditions seep out transparent judicial system that referral to retirement, except in need to be discussed. Have we ful- of judicial circles into the pub- relies on national justices. In cases set forth herein. filled the Qatar National Vision lic realm. Qatari newspaper Al doing this, we must put important • The SJC considers complaints 2030 in the field of the judiciary? Rayah reported on February 18, considerations in mind, includ- related to judicial affairs. The All these points and questions will 2009 that 33 Qatari judges had ing the peculiarity of the Qatari decisions of the SJC are final (but be discussed and answered for the submitted their resignations to society, rule of law, and the need here the council is always enemy sake of public interest. protest what they described as to protect citizenship rights and and judge at one and the same Is there an absence of supervi- continual interference in their obligations. As all this is done, time). judges is only taken after approval non-judicial positions. sion and follow-up? job by one SJC official. we must also make sure that the • The SJC considers other of the SJC President and after a The retirement age for judges is We hope to have a transparent A judge, who spoke on con- Supreme Judiciary Council (SJC) functions its president entrusts proper administrative investiga- 70. Judges may be given an addi- judiciary where nobody, regard- dition of anonymity, told the remains intact. it with. tion. Disciplinary action against tional five-year service extension. less of how strong or influential same newspaper that concerned Individuals’ rights are always Article 33 stipulates that the judges include alerting them, Judges can request retirement at he/she is, has a say but the judges authorities had started an inves- violated wherever there is a Emir is responsible for determin- impeachment, and dismissal. the age of 60. Request approval is themselves. Nobody should be tigation into their complaint, dependent judiciary or one that ing the salaries and the bonuses of Judges shall not be deprived of made on the date of submission. above the law. opening the way for further crises is not held in high esteem. This the judges, provided that he does their right to pension or bonuses. Legitimate questions, files that Confusion and the rule of one inside the SJC. He added that he lack of independence for the judi- not give any of them any excep- In the very act of committing should be opened person against the desires of eve- and his colleagues had requested ciary of course hampers develop- tional treatment in this regard. a misdeed, judges may not be The conditions of the judici- rybody else are already main fea- to be exempted from looking into ment and keeps countries away Before taking over, judges swear arrested or any act of interroga- ary raise many important ques- tures in many state institutions court cases until interference in from international competition. by this oath: “I swear by Almighty tion may be taken against them tions, particularly at this stage in general. There is a disconnect their work had stopped. But before we go deep into facts God to always judge fairly among unless it is based on their own of reform and change that aims among these state or semi-state The same scenario happens related to Qatar’s judiciary dur- people and respect Islamic initiative, on a request from the at protecting this vital pillar of institutions in specific terms. This over and again. Hundreds of ing this phase of reform, we need Shariah laws”. Judges are banned Chairman of the Cassation Court, Qatari society so that Qatar can makes intervention by the state judges from some countries in the to speak about some general, yet from expressing political views or or on a request from the general occupy its deserved position of necessary to save the judiciary region had submitted their res- important definitions related to engaging in political action. They assembly of the court. Judges’ leadership in this field. and correct the mistakes that ignations in protest against the the judiciary. We will then speak shall not run in elections, be they salaries and bonuses may not This makes the need for open- spread where there is a lack of deteriorating conditions of the about the changes needed so that legislative elections or municipal be withheld, or partly or totally ing some files urgent. These files legal oversight and accountability. judiciary in these countries. Qatar’s judiciary can serve the council elections, as long as they deducted during the period of include the mandate of the judges People who hold public posts The fact is that the conditions public interest first and foremost, act as judges. Judges do not accept suspension. themselves and their qualifica- will think twice if they are certain of Qatari judges are heartbreak- which is the aim of writing this gifts or authorise family members Judges’ mandate is only ter- tions, realities about corruption that they will be held account- ing as writer Mohamed Ali Al article. to accept them. minated in one of the following within the judiciary, and whether able for the mistakes they com- Kubaisi notes in an article in The judges accountability arti- cases: there are judges and administra- mit. Qatar has sought to give the Qatari Arabic language daily Qatar judiciary overview cle stipulates that judges may be • Death tive staff who accept bribes as the independence of the judici- Al-Sharq on July 25, 2010. We need to go through some referred to a disciplinary commit- • Resignation rumours go. How does the judici- ary enough immunity through “Poor honourable judges, important definitions about tee in the following cases: • Reaching retirement age ary deal with foreign media when both the constitution and the although you are exempted from Qatar’s judicial Authority Law. — Violating duties specified in • Dismissal upon disciplinary it challenges its honesty? To what law. It has sought to spread jus- the human resources law, you The SJC represents the power of their job decisions extent is Qatar’s judiciary honest tice among all people so that we have three main concerns: your the judiciary. The SJC includes — Degrading the honour of the • Dismissal decreed by the these days? Is the prestige of our can live in stability, security, and fear from God’s judgment, your the judges of the Cassation Court, judiciary or its prestige Emir due to considerations linked judiciary at risk? Why are judge social peace. Everybody should be inability to lead a normal social the judges of the Appeals Court, — Putting themselves in posi- to public interest appointment decrees not pub- equal before the law, and there life, and the need to tailor your Chief Justices, and the judges of tions of suspicion or doubt • Forced retirement lished in local newspapers? should be no interference in the income to the rising cost of life,” preliminary courts. Disciplinary action against • Movement to other There are also questions about judicial authority. This aims in the Al Kubaisi wrote in his article.

KHALID AL JABER Call for a Qatari journalists’ association

Revolution or not, etarded individuals, ones for charity and humanitar- masquerading as media KHALID ABDULLAH AL ZIYARA ian purposes, and one for pigeons experts, used to come soon. What are these leading Rto our countries, curry journalists waiting for then? economy matters favour with people in power and This raises questions about club enabling them to have their What is the problem? What warn them against the press, what might have gone wrong with own places in Arab, regional, and are the forces opposed to the arrow-mindedness and dogmatism are quickly tak- likening this press to a monster, our brothers in Qatar. Can they international press associations. establishment of an associa- ing the place of tolerance in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, which feasts upon thrones. still harbour the same ridiculous This is the utmost Qatari tion for Qatari journalists? Is it and Yemen, decades after this tolerance was the The sorry thing was that our perception? journalists can aspire to. Qatari ignorance about the importance Nmain feature of life in these countries. officials used to listen attentively Can the same retarded team of journalists have the right to deal of this association, or failure on A rising crescendo of conflict now shrouds relations among to these people, believing what- experts be still in control, spread- with the outside world under the part of leading journalists to political parties and groups, religious, and cultural figures ever they said to them. This was ing the view that journalists are state support. The state should make the voice of their colleagues wherever one goes: on the street, at home, at schools, and why demands for the creation nothing but devils? deal with journalists as citizens heard to officials and defending universities, on mosque and church pulpits, inside legislative of a union for journalists always If this is not the case, how can and contributors to the formation their rights? and executive institutions, and on TV. fell on deaf ears under the ruse we justify official reluctance to and the defence of its interests, An association will help Qatari The images of liberation squares accommodating Muslims that journalists worked in politics allow journalists to have their not mere devils that should be journalists be part of the world. and Christians, Muslim Brotherhood and socialist activists, and in this capacity they cannot own union? marginalised. It will take them from the spec- liberals, nationalists and leftists and influential speeches being be compared with humanitarian Whether what the journal- But why do not leading Qatari tators’ benches and give them delivered on these squares have disappeared all of a sudden. organisations. ists want to have is a union or journalists seriously persist in the right to attend events eve- These images have now given way to accusations of infidelity, The general perception was an association does not matter at their desire to establish a press rywhere, instead of being barred treason, bigotry, narrow-mindedness, and fundamentalism. that if emancipated, journalists the end of the day. What matters, syndicate? from entering, because they do Ahmed Menessi, an expert from Al Ahram Centre for can turn into devils that would however, is the desire of Qatari Several associations have not have permits from a guild Political and Strategic Studies, says liberals shudder at the destabilise society. newspapermen to have a legal already come to being, including that was nipped in the bud. prospect of Islamist forces Islamising the state in radical ways that trim personal and public freedoms. He cites exam- ples of countries where this had just happened, but refers to examples of other countries, including the case of the Justice and Development Party in Turkey, where Islamist forces had managed to introduce a great model civilized Islam. Islamist forces, on the other hand, shudder at the prospect Some valuable advice for head teachers of liberals applying a model of democracy that brushes Egypt’s Islamic identity aside. against doing injustice to teach- Instead of finding common ground, the aforementioned ead teachers (owners of DARA MOJAB AL DOSARI ers and other staff. You should forces prove incapable of overcoming their differences with the licence), undoubt- treat teachers and staff humanely, the aim of reaching consensus on the concepts of democracy, edly, play an important or you will pay for this injustice plurality, and political succession to unite political rivals. Hrole in monitoring the example, lock the doors of their doing this, they do not care about when we all stand in front of God The struggle between Islamist and liberal forces in Arab teaching process in their schools. schools to prevent teachers from whate happens outside their to answer for our deeds. countries over democracy-related slogans is illusory, a mere In the past, head teachers were getting out, they send signals of offices: they do not monitor the Don Quixotic battle against the windmills. the guides, the judges, the scien- distrust to people who should be educational process in the school, Fifth message The state of the economy is what matters at the end of tists and the role models of their honest. Have our schools turned oversee the performance of the I warn head teachers against the day. The economy was what forced Tunisian fruit seller own neighbourhoods. Nobody into prisons? teachers, or visit the classes. I say discriminating between teachers. Mohamed Al Bouazizi to set himself on fire and spark a series could deny the role these head Some head teachers do not give this for some head teachers, not I warn them against hypocrites of popular uprisings in other Arab countries bursting at the teachers played in society. They administrators of staff affairs all of them, of course. who say good things to them seams with poverty, unemployment, and dictatorship. were spiritual fathers for the stu- authorisation to allow teachers to as long as they are in positions The economy was Bill Clinton’s most important message dents. They were the final arbiter leave work for a few hours. Where Third message of power as he threw down the gauntlet to his Republican rival in of all matters. is the administrative leadership Head teachers, this is not about Finally, head teachers, you the fight for the White House after the Gulf War crisis that We still have hopes that head then? administration, but about educa- should obey God, the All-knowing. brought recession to the world’s greatest military power. It is teachers will pick up this original I hear stories of head teach- tion. Where is your role in guid- You should know that you will be the economy that matters while Arab economies deteriorate; job of theirs, not in fear of a com- ers who do not sympathise with ing the students? questioned one day, not by the local currencies lose ground against foreign currencies; local prehensive educational evaluation teachers who have problems. Several students talk about Supreme Education Council, but companies go bankrupt; national capital is smuggled outside or questioning by academic advi- Head teachers should know head teachers who make them- by God. Arab countries, and markets suffer instability. sors, but in order to satisfy God. that teachers are human beings selves scarce immediately after He will ask you whether you International reports underline the fact that the seeds of Here are some messages I want after all. prayer ends. imparted the correct Islamic democracy cannot grow among individuals whose annual to deliver to head teachers who Other students say they see teaching to children, following income is less than US$10,000. are honest in carrying out their Second message their head teachers only in the in the footsteps of the Prophet These reports add that with US$1,000 of annual individ- duties: Some head teachers stick like morning when they come to Muhammad (PBUH). ual income, more than 70 percent of Arabs are among the First message glue to their office seats. They do advise them to study hard and world’s poorest. The failure of some head teach- nothing but sign some papers, be good to their parents. The views expressed in the articles on this ers to carry out their educational review others, and surf the page do not reflect the viewpoint of the duties is dismaying for the soci- Internet, while drinking cups of Fourth message newspaper. ety. When head teachers, for coffee or tea one after another. In Head teachers, I warn you THURSDAY 17 JANUARY 2013 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST

Mubarak to pay $100m Saudi aid Islamists seize back gifts, says to Palestinians RAMALLAH: Saudi Arabia prosecutor will give the Palestinian government in the Israeli- 41 in Algeria CAIRO: Egypt’s prosecution occupied West Bank $100m yesterday accepted an offer to help alleviate a worsening by ousted president Hosni budget crisis, the Palestinian Mubarak and his family to pay president’s office said back gifts from the country’s yesterday. gas field attack flagship newspaper worth mil- President Mahmoud Abbas lions of Egyptian pounds. has struggled to convince Arab Mubarak, his wife Suzanne, countries to deliver a $100m Retaliation for French intervention in Mali his two sons Alaa and Gamal and monthly “safety net” they their wives allegedly accepted promised when he secured ALGIERS: Islamist militants border.” “The Algerian authorities gifts from Al Ahram worth 18m de facto UN recognition of a attacked a gas field in Algeria will not respond to the demands of Egyptian pounds (around $2.7m) Palestinian state in November, yesterday, claiming to have the terrorists and will not negoti- between 2006 and 2011. prompting Israeli sanctions. kidnapped up to 41 foreigners, ate,” Interior Minister Daho Ould The 84-year-old, who is cur- The Ramallah-based including seven Americans, in Kablia was quoted as saying by rently being treated in a Cairo Palestinian government has a dawn raid in retaliation for official news agency APS. military hospital, was ques- been hard-pressed to pay France’s intervention in Mali, The gas field is operated tioned last week about the gifts more than $300m in monthly according to regional media by a joint venture including and ordered detained pending expenditures since Israel reports. The raiders were also BP, Norwegian oil firm Statoil investigation. announced it would confis- reported to have killed three and Algerian state company Last week, an Egyptian court Israel’s Labour party leader Shelly Yachimovich leaves after campaigning cate $100m it collects in cus- people, including a Briton and a Sonatrach. BP said armed men ordered a retrial for Mubarak at the Mahne Yehuda market in Jerusalem, yesterday. Labour Party looks toms taxes on their behalf French national. were still occupying facilities at after accepting an appeal against set to regain some lost ground in next week’s election after waging an each month. AFP An Al Qaeda-affiliated group the gas field, which produces 9 the life sentence handed him for economy-focused campaign. said the raid had been carried out billion cubic metres of gas a year his involvement in the deaths of because of Algeria’s decision to (160,000 barrels of oil equivalent protesters in 2011. allow France to use its air space per day), more than a tenth of Mubarak, 84, his two sons, his for attacks against Islamists in the country’s overall gas out- former interior minister Habib Remove Palestinian tents: Israel court Mali, where French forces have put, and 60,000 barrels a day of Al Adly and top security chiefs been in action against Al Qaeda- condensate. will face a new trial, the Court of linked militants since last week. “The site was attacked and Cassation, the top appeals court, JERUSALEM: Israel’s Supreme In its new ruling, the court countries view Jewish settlements The attack in southern Algeria occupied by a group of unidenti- ruled after a very brief hearing. Court gave the government the cancelled its previous order and in areas captured by Israel in the also raised fears that the French fied armed people at about 0500 No date has yet been set for the go-ahead yesterday to remove agreed with the government’s 1967 Middle East war as illegal action in Mali could prompt fur- UK time. Contact with the site is new trial. tents Palestinian activists argument that the tents could and echo concerns voiced by ther Islamist revenge attacks on extremely difficult, but we under- Mubarak will, however, remain pitched on a patch of West Bank be a magnet for violent Palestinian Palestinians that building more Western targets in Africa, where stand that armed individuals are in custody, his lawyer said. land marked for Jewish settle- protests. The court, in a decision settler homes could deny them Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb still occupying the In Amenas “He will remain in prison until ments. On Sunday, Israeli police released by the Justice Ministry, a viable and contiguous state. E1 (AQIM) operates across borders operations site,” it said. April,” Farid Al Deeb said without evicted 50 Palestinian protesters noted that clashes broke out at the covers some 12 sq km and is seen in the Sahara desert, and in APS said a Briton and an elaborating. from the site, in the “E1” area encampment on Tuesday, when as particularly important because Europe. AQIM said it had car- Algerian security guard had Following sentencing in June outside the Arab suburbs of East Israeli police, using stun grenades, it not only juts into the narrow ried out Wednesday’s raid on the been killed and seven people were last year, Mubarak was moved to Jerusalem, where Jewish set- blocked protesters who had returned “waist” of the West Bank, but also In Amenas gas facility in Opec injured. A French national was Tora prison in south Cairo after tlements could split the Israeli- to the site and tried to reoccupy the backs onto East Jerusalem, where member Algeria, Mauritania’s also killed in the attack, a local spending 16 months in hospitals occupied West Bank in two. tents. Israel has drawn strong inter- Palestinians want to establish their ANI news agency reported. source said. Also among those in the Red Sea resort of Sharm Al But the activists’ large, steel- national criticism over plans to build capital. About 500,000 Israelis and The Algerian interior ministry reported kidnapped by various Sheikh and then in Cairo. framed tents remained standing settler homes in “E1”. 2.5 million Palestinians live in the said: “A terrorist group, heavily sources were five Japanese nation- He has since suffered several in accordance with a court order But Prime Minister Benjamin West Bank and East Jerusalem. armed and using three vehicles, als working for the Japanese engi- health scares and is currently banning the government from Netanyahu announced plans late Direct peace talks between Israel launched an attack at 5am against neering firm JGC Corp, a French being treated for fractured ribs tearing them down while judges last year to expand settlements and the Palestinians broke down a Sonatrach base in Tigantourine, national, an Irishman, and a and fluid in the lungs at a military considered a Palestinian claim after the Palestinians won de- in 2010 over the issue of Israel’s near In Amenas, about 100km number of Britons. hospital in the capital. of ownership of land where the facto statehood recognition at continued settlement building. from the Algerian and Libyan REUTERS AFP encampment was built. the UN General Assembly. Most REUTERS

Iran, world powers to hold nuclear talks later this month Bombers kill

DUBAI: An Iranian news its report and later on Wednesday enriching uranium for peaceful January 28 and 29. But it also said diplomat and Isna said the venue more than 35 agency said yesterday that Iran appeared to have deleted it from energy purposes. the date could change depending had not yet been decided. and six world powers would its website, without giving a Three rounds of negotiations on which location was agreed. It “That’s what we’ve heard too, across Iraq resume talks over the Islamic reason. in 2012, the last one in June in cited Istanbul and Geneva and still working on the venue,” the state’s nuclear programme in Russia voiced alarm last week Moscow, failed to achieve a break- “some other cities” as possible diplomat said. KIRKUK: More than 35 peo- late January but a European at delays in agreeing a new round through in the decade-old dispute places. But a spokesman for European ple died in a suicide attack and Union official said the two sides of talks on the Iranian pro- which has the potential to spark A diplomat in Vienna, where Union foreign policy chief other bombings in northern Iraq had yet to agree a date. gramme, which the West suspects a new Middle East war. the UN nuclear agency is based, Catherine Ashton said in Brussels and Baghdad yesterday, wors- The Iranian Students’ News is aimed at developing a nuclear The Isna report said the suggested the dates cited by that no date had yet been set. ening sectarian strife as Prime Agency (ISNA) gave no source for weapon capability. Iran says it is two sides would meet again on Isna could be correct. Both the REUTERS Minister Nouri Al Maliki faces mounting pressure from minor- ity Sunni Muslims and Kurds. Shoppers and police helped drag bloodied survivors out of the rub- 22 dead in Egypt ble and wrecked vehicles after a car bomb and a suicide bomber building collapse in a truck set off huge blasts in Kirkuk, near the local headquar- CAIRO: At least 22 peo- ters of the Kurdistan Democratic ple were killed yesterday Party (KDP). Maliki, a Shia, is when a 12-storey building locked in a feud with ethnic Kurds collapsed in the Egyptian in autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan coastal city of Alexandria, over disputed oilfields and is also the health ministry said. confronting Sunni protesters in a Another 11 people were western province calling for him injured, deputy health to step down. “A suicide bomber minister Mohammed Al driving a truck packed with Sharkawi said. explosives detonated the vehicle More people were outside the KDP headquarters. trapped under the rubble and were calling out to res- cue teams for help, an inte- Riyadh offers to free rior ministry official said. Emergency services activists if sign pledge rescued 10 people after RIYADH: A group of promi- the building housing 24 People and rescue workers search for the victims in the rubble of a collapsed nent Saudi political activ- families in the Maamura building in Alexandria, yesterday. ists who were jailed for long district of Alexandria col- terms more than a year ago lapsed in the early hours, a Daqahliya, a security official said. under the rubble. Egypt has seen have been offered release if security official said earlier. “A mother and her child were a number of construction disas- they sign a document pledg- Another two people killed and eight others injured ters over the years, many of them ing to abandon their activities, were killed when a three- when the building collapsed,” blamed on planning violations or their lawyer said. Bassim Alim, storey building collapsed in the official said, adding that an bad maintenance. who represented 16 Saudi activ- the Nile Delta province of estimated 10 people were still AFP ists sentenced in November 2011 for terms of between five and 30 years for convictions rang- ing from financing terrorism to incitement against the king, said 10 of the men had signed the Twin car blasts in Syria claim 22 document.

DAMASCUS: Twin car “The first explosion took Human Rights gave a higher Omani court upholds bombs killed at least 22 people place in Al Ziraa Square and toll of 24 dead and said most in the Syrian city of Idlib yes- the second explosion took place were soldiers. The Britain- jail terms for bloggers terday as universities nation- in Al Mutlaq Square, killing based watchdog said there were MUSCAT: An Omani court wide held a day of mourning 22 civilians and wounding 30,” three bombs in all and that of appeal yesterday upheld jail for 87 people killed in explo- the state Sana news agency many of the wounded were in terms ranging between one sions on the student campus reported, blaming “terrorists” critical condition. year and 18 months against in second city Aleppo. for the blasts. The Observatory said that eight writers and bloggers con- The bombings had the hall- Idlib city remains under the death toll from Tuesday’s victed of defaming the sultan marks of operations staged by the control of forces loyal to blasts at Aleppo University and cyber crimes, a lawyer said. the jihadist Al Nusra Front, President Bashar Al Assad but could top 100 as many of the The court jailed five defend- a rebel group which has a most of the rest of the north- wounded are in critical condi- ants for one year each, and strong presence on the ground western province on the border tion, which would make it one sentenced the other three to 18 in northwestern Syria and is with Turkey is in the hands of of the bloodiest attacks of the months, with each of the eight blacklisted by the United States rebels fighting to oust him. 22-month conflict. fined OR1,000 ($2,600), the law- as a “terrorist” organisation. The Syrian Observatory for AFP yer said. AGENCIES THURSDAY 17 JANUARY 2013 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Obama unveils biggest gun-control push President proposes renewed ban on assault weapons and mandatory background checks for all buyers

WASHINGTON: US President Until now, Obama had done little to congressional approval. These include him of being “just another elitist hypo- pattern after US shooting tragedies is Barack Obama proposed a new assault rein in America’s gun culture during improvements in the existing system crite” for accepting Secret Service pro- that memories of the events soon fade, weapons ban and mandatory back- his first four years in office. But just for background checks, lifting the ban tection for his two daughters but turning making it hard to sustain a push for gun ground checks for all gun buyers yes- days before his second inauguration, he on federal research into gun violence, down the lobby group’s proposal to put policy changes. terday as he tried to channel national appears determined to champion gun putting more counselors and “resource armed guards in all schools. Obama acknowledged the political chal- outrage over the Newtown school mas- control in his next term with a concerted officers” in schools and better access to As he announced the new gun meas- lenges but made clear that he is prepared sacre into the biggest US gun-control drive for tighter laws and other steps mental health services. ures, Obama was flanked on the stage by to take on the NRA, despite its widespread push in decades. aimed at preventing new tragedies like The most politically contentious piece children from around the country chosen support among Republicans and significant Rolling out a wide-ranging plan for the one at Newtown. of the package is Obama’s call for a from among those who sent letters to backing among Democrats. executive and legislative action to curb The proposals stem from a month- renewed ban on military-style assault him about gun violence and school safety. He warned that opponents of his effort gun violence, Obama set up a fierce clash long review led by Vice President Joe weapons, a move that Republicans who “We should learn from what happened would try to “gin up fear” and urged law- with the powerful US gun lobby and its Biden, who on orders from Obama met control the House of Representatives are at Sandy Hook. I feel really bad,” a boy makers to think more about the safety of supporters in Congress, who will resist with advocates on both sides, including expected to oppose. The Newtown gun- wrote in a portion that Obama read from schoolchildren than trying to “get an ‘A’ what they see as an encroachment on representatives from the weapons and man, 20-year-old Adam Lanza, used a the podium. grade from the gun lobby that supports constitutionally protected gun rights. entertainment industries. Bushmaster AR-15 type assault rifle to With gun ownership rights enshrined their campaign”. Obama presented his agenda at a Obama’s plan calls on Congress to shoot his victims, many of them 6- and in the US Constitution, gun restrictions Obama’s plan appears to tread cau- White House event in front of an audi- renew a prohibition on assault weapons 7-year-olds, before killing himself. have long been a divisive — and risky — tiously on the question of whether violent ence that included relatives of some of sales that expired in 2004, a requirement Underscoring the tough political fight issue in American politics. movies and video games contribute to the the 20 first-graders who were killed along for criminal background checks on all ahead, the National Rifle Association But polls show that public sentiment gun violence, which would open up issues with six adults by a gunman on December gun purchases, including closing a loop- (NRA), launched a scathing advertising shifted in favour of increased gun- of freedom of expression. 14 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in hole for gun show sales, and a new federal campaign against Obama’s gun control control measures after the Newtown Seeking to jump-start his plan, Obama Newtown, Connecticut. gun trafficking law — long sought by big- effort and deployed its representatives shooting, and Obama hopes to take also nominated Todd Jones to head the “We can’t put this off any longer,” city mayors to keep out-of-state guns off in force on Capitol Hill. advantage while there is a mood for Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Obama said, vowing to use “whatever their streets. The NRA, which says it has about 4 action in Washington. quietly abandoning Andrew Traver, weight this office holds” to make his pro- He also announced 23 steps he million members, took aim at Obama in However, the White House is mind- whose nomination for the job has long posals reality. “Congress must act soon.” intends to take immediately without a stinging TV and Internet spot, accusing ful that the clock is ticking. The usual been stalled. REUTERS

Two killed as helicopter hits crane in London US Interior ICC launches Mali Secretary plans war crimes probe to step down WASHINGTON: US Interior THE HAGUE: The International followed,” Bensouda said. In July, Secretary Ken Salazar, who Criminal Court yesterday when Bensouda announced a helped lead the government’s opened a war crimes probe on preliminary probe, she said the response to the largest offshore Mali, where French troops are destruction of Muslim shrines in oil spill in US history, said yes- fighting Islamist rebels who have Timbuktu inscribed on UnescoO’s terday that he is stepping down been occupying half the country list of World Heritage sites may from his post to return to his since April last year. also constitute war crimes. The ranch in Colorado. The former “Different armed groups have Islamists who seized the ancient US senator came to office pledg- caused havoc and human suffer- city considered the saints’ tombs ing to clean up the “mess” at the ing through a range of alleged acts idolatrous. Mali ratified the ICC’s Interior Department, but it was of extreme violence,” the Hague- founding document, the Rome the massive 2010 BP oil spill in based court’s Chief Prosecutor, Statute, in 2000. the Gulf of Mexico that ultimately Fatou Bensouda, said in a state- Rights groups welcomed spurred the dramatic overhaul of ment. “I have determined that Bensouda’s announcement, with the nation’s offshore drilling reg- some of these deeds of brutality Human Rights Watch saying it ulator. Salazar’s departure comes and destruction may constitute sent an “important message to all as US President Barack Obama’s war crimes.” forces including separatist rebels, cabinet undergoes the typical The probe will focus on crimes Islamist fighters, government make-over for his second term, committed in rebel-held north- soldiers, and foreign troops that and will be part of an oppor- ern Mali, where “there is still tur- serious human rights abuses will tunity to remake the energy moil... and populations continue not go unpunished.” team. Environmental Protection to be at risk of yet more violence Amnesty said Tuareg and Agency head Lisa Jackson has and suffering,” she said. Islamist insurgents are accused announced she will not be stay- Bensouda in July last year of torturing and killing Malian ing on. Energy Secretary Steven ordered a preliminary probe into soldiers, raping women and girls Chu is also widely tipped to leave. reports of terrifying atrocities and recruiting child soldiers, while A picture taken by a member of the public shows the scene of a helicopter crash in central London yesterday. committed in Mali to see if the cri- Malian forces allegedly executed Two people were killed when a helicopter hit a crane at a building site during morning rush hour and plunged Cameron rejects in/out teria for a fuller investigation were Tuareg civilians, shelled a nomadic to the ground, engulfing several cars in flames. EU referendum for now met. She said her office believed camp and killed Tuareg livestock, there were sufficient grounds for crucial for their survival. LONDON: British Prime “further action”, and identified So far 144,500 refugees have fled Minister David Cameron said potential cases of atrocities in the the unrest in Mali to neighbour- yesterday that he did not favour impoverished west African state, ing Mauritania, Niger, Burkina Fury over horse meat in beef burgers holding an in/out referendum which has effectively been split in Faso and Algeria, UN humanitar- on Britain’s membership of the two by the conflict. ian agencies said, while another LONDON: British Prime Netherlands and Spain. While disturbing news. I’ve asked the European Union for now, but said Potential charges included 230,000 are internally displaced. Minister David Cameron voiced horse meat is a common sight Food Standards Agency to con- he felt it was right to renegotiate murder, rape, mutilation, tor- French and Malian troops concern yesterday about the in central Asia, China, Latin duct an urgent investigation into its role in the bloc. “I don’t think ture and summary execution, engaged in close combat with “extremely disturbing” discov- America and parts of Europe, it is this. They have made clear that it would be right for Britain to Bensouda said, though a situa- Islamist rebels yesterday, bat- ery of horse meat in beef burg- considered taboo by most British there’s no risk to public safety have an in/out referendum today tion report issued by her office tling insurgents in the small ers sold in supermarket giants. and Irish consumers. because there’s no food safety risk because I think we would be giv- said there was currently no evi- town of Diabaly some 400km The Food Safety Authority of Out of 27 products the FSAI but this is a completely unaccept- ing the British people a false dence that crimes against human- north of Bamako. The Islamists, Ireland (FSAI) revealed that up to tested, 10 were found to contain able state of affairs.” choice,” Cameron said. He was ity had been committed in Mali. who controlled an area larger 29 percent of the meat content of horse DNA and 23 had pig DNA. He said the FSA would be meet- answering questions on Europe The report also said investigators than France, have fled many some beef burgers was in fact horse, In nine of the 10 with equine DNA, ing with retailers and processers ahead of a long-awaited speech had “an indication of those per- of their strongholds since the while they also found pig DNA. horse accounted for 0.3 percent or to investigate the supply chain, he will deliver tomorrow in the sons and groups who appear to French army launched its The frozen burgers were on less of the meat content. However, but stressed that “ultimately Netherlands in which he will bear responsibility for the alleged assault last Friday. sale in high-street supermarket it made up 29.1 percent of the retailers have to be responsible set out his EU stance. “Millions crimes”. Western countries had voiced chains Tesco and Iceland in both meat content in Tesco’s low-end for what they sell and where it of people in this country, myself It mentioned the execution of fears the vast desert zone could Britain and Ireland, and in Irish Everyday Value Beef Burgers. has come from”. included, want Britain to stay in between 70 and 153 detainees in become Al Qaeda’s leading global branches of Lidl, Aldi and Dunnes Cameron told parliament in Tim Smith, Tesco’s group tech- the European Union, but they the small northeastern desert safe haven and be used to launch Stores. Tesco is Britain’s biggest London that it was an “extremely nical director, said the company believe there are chances to town of Aguelhok. Up to 90 cases attacks on targets in Europe. retailer. The FSAI said the burg- serious issue”. “People in our “immediately withdrew from sale negotiate a better relationship,” of rape were reported in different Paris has received backing from ers had been made at two process- country would have been very all products from the supplier in said Cameron. locations at the end of March and several major Western countries ing plants in Ireland and one in concerned to read this morning question”. “We will not tolerate any beginning of April. including Germany, Belgium, northern England. that when they thought they were compromise in the quality of the Russia’s biggest mafia “The imposition of severe pun- Britain and Canada, which have Simon Coveney, Ireland’s agri- buying beef burgers, they were food we sell,” he added. ishments and the destruction of offered planes or troop transport- culture and food minister, said the buying something that had horse Iceland said they were taking boss shot dead religious buildings in Timbuktu ers, while Italy also offered logis- source of the problem appeared meat in it,” he said. two products off the shelves as a MOSCOW: One of Russia’s big- and other areas in the north tical support. AFP to be products imported from the “That is extremely “precautionary measure”. AFP gest mafia bosses was shot dead yesterday in the centre of Moscow, in an apparent contract killing as he was leaving a restaurant after lunch, the interior ministry said. Aslan Usoyan, 75, known by his nickname of “Grandpa Hassan”, Democracy in decline around the world: US study was killed by a shot from a sniper’s rifle as he was exiting the Karetny WASHINGTON: Democracy around 1.6 billion resided in partly free countries, they are nervous, which accounts for their Freedom in the World,” said the report, Dvor restaurant, about 1.5km the world was in decline in 2012 for the where there is only limited respect for intensified persecution of popular move- which has been drawn up annually since from the Kremlin Some observers seventh year in a row as the Arab Spring freedoms in place. ments for change.” Authoritarian regimes 1972. “Nigeria, another country plagued feared that the murder of Usoyan led nervous autocratic leaders to clamp Some 34 percent of the world’s popula- moved to weaken “the elements of demo- by Islamist militants, suffered a less dra- would unleash a turf war in the down on any stirrings of dissent, a study tion, or 2.3 billion people, however lived in cratic governance that pose the most seri- matic decline, as did the Central African criminal world of Russia and said yesterday. countries deemed to be not free. ous threats to repressive and corrupt rule: Republic, which at year’s end risked being former Soviet republics. The annual report by the Freedom Russia, Iran, which stepped up its independent civil society groups, a free conquered by a rebel group.” House non-governmental organisation repression of journalists and bloggers, press, and the rule of law,” the report said. The most serious declines in freedom in Chavez making progress found 90 countries now enjoyed full free- and Venezuela — where President Hugo There were some successes for democ- the Asia-Pacific region were seen in the dom, up from 87 nations in 2011, but 27 Chavez was re-elected against a backdrop racy, with the most dramatic improve- Maldives, where the democratically-elected CARACAS: President Hugo places saw new restrictions on rights of of a “badly skewed” electoral playing field ments since 2008 seen in Libya, Tunisia and president was forcibly removed, and Sri Chavez is making progress as he assembly, expression, and the media. — were singled out by the report. Myanmar. Egypt, Zimbabwe, Moldova and Lanka, marred by corruption. And China’s recovers from cancer surgery in There “is a critical need for leadership “Our findings point to the growing Ivory Coast were also among those coun- communist leaders continued to operated Cuba, his vice president said after from the United States and other democ- sophistication of modern authoritarians,” tries where repressive restrictions were “the world’s most complex and sophisti- returning from a trip to Havana racies,” the “Freedom in the World 2013” said Arch Puddington, Freedom House vice eased. cated apparatus for political control.” to visit the Venezuelan leader. report said, arguing in favor of a greater US president for research. “They are flexible, But Mali, where rebel soldiers ousted the The report also warned that since the Chavez, who has been battling engagement with civil society in oppressed they distort and abuse the legal framework, elected government last year, topped the re-election of Vladimir Putin as the presi- complications since undergoing nations. Some three billion people, or 43 they are adept at the techniques of modern list of nations in which the most freedoms dent of Russia, the country has “ushered surgery, is “climbing the hill, he percent of the global population, enjoyed propaganda,” he added in a statement. were lost, suffering “one of the great- in a new period of accelerated repression.” is advancing,” said Vice President full political rights and civil liberties, while “But especially since the Arab Spring, est single-year declines in the history of AFP Nicolas Maduro. AGENCIES THURSDAY 17 JANUARY 2013 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES Another Dreamliner lands in trouble Two airlines in Japan ground Boeing 787s after plane with 137 on board makes emergency landing

TOKYO: Japan’s two leading airlines at Takamatsu at 8.45am local time. All grounded their fleets of Boeing 787s 129 passengers and eight crew evacuated yesterday after one of the Dreamliner via the plane’s inflatable chutes. Chief passenger jets made an emergency Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said landing, the latest in a series of inci- five people were slightly injured. 1 Nov 2010: 3 Dec 4, 2012: dents to heighten safety concerns over At a news conference — where ANA’s Fire in avionics United Airlines a plane many see as the future of com- Vice President Osamu Shinobe bowed bay during test Number of 787s 787 carrying mercial aviation. deeply in apology — the carrier said a flight forces 7 delivered between 184 passengers All Nippon Airways Co (ANA) said battery in the forward cargo hold trig- 9 September 2011 and instruments aboard a domestic flight gered emergency warnings to the pilots, emergency and crew makes landing December 2012. emergency indicated a battery error, triggering who decided on the emergency action. Boeing has orders emergency warnings. Shigeru Takano, a “There was a battery alert in the cock- landing after senior safety official at the Civil Aviation pit and there was an odd smell detected for 848 problems with Bureau, said a second warning light indi- in the cockpit and cabin, and (the pilot) 2 Jul 2012: Engine electrical power cated smoke. decided to make an emergency landing,” fails during runway distribution Yesterday’s incident, described by a Shinobe said. tests. National panel transport ministry official as “highly In a statement later, ANA said the Transportation Safety serious” — language used in interna- A Boeing 787 at an airport in Japan. main battery in the forward electrical Board (NTSB) rules tional safety circles as indicating there equipment bay was discoloured and there 3 5 6 could have been an accident — is the lat- were signs of leakage. it a contained failure – est mishap to hit the world’s first mainly said they were monitoring the latest inci- Passengers leaving the flight told local broken pieces did not carbon-composite airliner in recent days. dent as part of a comprehensive review TV there was an odour like burning plas- penetrate engine wall “I think you’re nearing the tipping of the Dreamliner announced late last tic on the plane as soon as it took off. 4 8 point where they need to regard this as week. Financial analysts warned of the Marc Birtel, a Boeing spokesman, said: 10 a serious crisis,” said Richard Aboulafia, impact on a wider universe of companies. “We’ve seen the reports, we’re aware 11 a senior analyst with the Teal Group in “This is another major negative for the of the events and are working with our 4 Dec 5, 2012: Federal Aviation Fairfax, Virginia. “This is going to change B787 and its supplier(s) ... as this height- customer.” Administration orders mandatory 2 people’s perception of the aircraft if they ens the risk of a forced slowdown of the Robert Stallard, an analyst at RBC inspections of 787s after leaking don’t act quickly.” production ramp-up,” Kepler analyst Capital Markets, said lost revenue at 1 ANA, which said the battery in the Christophe Menard said, adding the lat- the Japanese airlines could prompt com- fuel lines on two aircraft. Leaks 8 Jan 8: Takeoff aborted forward cargo hold was the same lith- est incident was “extremely disturbing.” pensation from Boeing. “What started traced to faulty assembly after open fuel valve on Japan ium-ion type as one involved in a fire It was not just analysts, however, pas- as a series of relatively minor, isolated 5 Dec 13: Qatar Airways 787 Airlines Dreamliner heading from on another Dreamliner at a US airport sengers were also nervous about boarding incidents now threatens to overhang is grounded with electrical power Boston to Tokyo causes fuel spill last week, grounded all 17 of its 787s, the plane after the latest upset. Boeing until it can return confidence, distribution problems and Japan Airlines Co suspended its 787 At Warsaw’s Chopin Airport, the and this looks to be a near-term chal- 9 Jan 8: United finds improperly flights scheduled for yesterday and today. LOT national carrier was announcing lenge given the media’s draw to all things 6 Dec 17: United finds electrical installed wiring to same lithium ion The two airlines, which operate about over the public address system that one 787,” he said. problem in second 787 battery that burned on JAL plane. half of the 50 Dreamliners delivered of its Dreamliner aircraft was making United Airlines, the only US carrier 7 Jan 7, 2013: Fire starts in lithium- 787 is first Boeing plane to use to date, said they would decide today its maiden trans-Atlantic flight yester- now flying the 787, said it was not taking high-capacity lithium-ion batteries whether to resume Dreamliner flights day. Some of the passengers checking any immediate action in response to the ion battery pack of Japan Airlines the following day. in for the flight to Chicago expressed latest incident. The Dreamliner’s prob- 787 after landing at Boston. Battery 10 Jan 10: The 787, which has a list price of misgivings. lems echo those of rival Airbus, which a (below) runs auxiliary power unit develops cracks in cockpit window $207m, represents a leap in the way “We have decided to fly on the year ago survived a crisis of confidence 11 Jan 16: planes are designed and built, but the Dreamliner, but we are a bit worried after a series of incidents with wing ground their Boeing 787s after ANA project has been plagued by cost over- since we’ve heard information that this cracks on its A380, the world’s largest runs and years of delays. Some have sug- plane is full of defects, albeit they are not passenger jet. Those problems tested the gested Boeing’s rush to get planes built really major,” said Daniel Rekret, 34, who manufacturer’s relations with airlines, after those delays resulted in the recent was travelling with his wife and children. but no plane orders were cancelled. emergency landing. ANA pilot problems, a charge the company denies. Lithium-ion batteries can catch fire reports error message in cockpit Both the US Federal Aviation ALARM TRIGGERED if they are overcharged, Boeing’s chief citing battery malfunction Administration (FAA) and the National A spokesman for Osaka Airport engineer for the 787, Mike Sinnett, told Source: National Transportation Safety Board © GRAPHIC NEWS Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Authority said ANA flight 692 landed reporters last week. REUTERS

Sri Lanka’s new chief justice attends office, lawyers keep up boycott

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s con- commandos were deployed in and from work last week protest- cases,” a court official said on con- said she was still the rightful chief appointment as unconstitutional. troversial new chief justice around the main courts complex ing the impeachment of Shirani dition of anonymity. justice and was only leaving office No date has been fixed for hear- spent his first full day at work in Colombo on Tuesday amid Bandaranayake were at work yes- “We can expect him on the because she feared for her life. ing. Bandaranayake was sacked in his chambers yesterday after heightened tensions over the terday, officials said, adding that bench after a ceremonial session. Even before Peiris could be by President Mahinda Rajapakse his impeached predecessor appointment of Mohan Peiris as their decision not to recognise the That could happen soon.” sworn on Tuesday, a local think- on Sunday two days after par- insisted she remained the coun- chief justice, but the guards were new chief judge was still in place. In a parting shot as she drove tank filed two petitions in the liament voted to impeach her, try’s top judge. removed yesterday. “The new CJ was in his cham- out of her official residence on Supreme Court and the Court despite a chorus of international Anti-riot squads and police And lawyers who stayed away bers, but he did not take up any Tuesday evening, Bandaranayake of Appeal contesting the new calls against the move. AFP Japanese prime minister starts Bangladesh gets $1bn from Russia regional tour with Vietnam visit to buy weapons

HANOI: Japanese Prime Last year, Japan became the “Currently, the strategic MOSCOW: Russia has granted Minister Shinzo Abe arrived largest single foreign investor environment in the Asia- Bangladesh a $1bn loan for in Vietnam yesterday at the in Vietnam, with major invest- Pacific region is going through weapons purchases and $500m start of a regional tour aimed ments in banking, export-ori- a dynamic change,” Abe, who to help one of Asia’s poorest at strengthening economic entated manufacturing and scored a handsome election win countries build its first nuclear and security ties, his first consumer goods as Japanese last month after talking tough power plant, Russian President overseas trip since winning companies eye the rapidly- on a territorial dispute with Vladimir Putin said. power. expanding middle class. China, told reporters before Putin moved to strengthen Abe will spend less than 24 Japan is also Vietnam’s larg- departing. Russia’s presence in the South hours in the communist state est aid donor and political “During this change, hav- Asian nation, overseeing the before heading to Thailand and and security ties are grow- ing closer relations with Asean signing of the deals signed in the Indonesia in an attempt to bol- ing as Tokyo seeks to shore countries contributes to the Kremlin after holding talks with ster relations with the vibrant up regional relationships as a region’s peace and stability and Bangladesh’s Prime Minister economies of the Association of counterweight to an increas- is in Japan’s national interest.” Sheikh Hasina. Southeast Asian Nations bloc. ingly confident China. AFP Russia is the world’s second- largest weapons exporter and is building or seeking to build or upgrade nuclear power plants A month after typhoon in several countries in Asia, the Middle East and Europe. “Our countries intend to broaden military-technical coop- eration,” Putin said in a joint appearance with Sheikh Hasina after talks, referring to weapons sales and servicing. He did not specify what weapons or military equipment Bangladesh would buy from Russia with the loan money. Russian financial daily Vedomosti, citing an unnamed source, reported on Tuesday that Bangladesh planned to buy weap- ons and armoured vehicles for ground forces as well as surface- to-air missile systems and Mi-17 transport helicopters. Bangladesh is one of several nations pushing ahead with plans to introduce nuclear power despite concerns raised by the Children attend a class inside a tent at an evacuation centre in Banganga town more than a month after accident at Japan’s Fukushima Typhoon Bopha hit Davao Oriental in southern Philippines, yesterday. The United Nations and other plant in March 2011. Bangladesh’s humanitarian aid agencies assessed the situation in the areas most affected by the storm in preparation demand for fuel is growing for plans for a long-term assistance and rehabilitation of the affected provinces. sharply in the wake of a shortfall of natural gas. REUTERS THURSDAY 17 JANUARY 2013 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Qadri urges politicians to join mass protest Islamabad sees the largest political rally; Sharif demands immediate announcement of election timetable

ISLAMABAD: A populist held by mid-May, but Qadri wants leads the Pakistan Movement cleric yesterday urged Pakistani parliament dissolved now and a for Justice party but has no politicians to join tens of thou- caretaker government set up in seat in parliament, has called sands taking part in the largest consultation with the military on President Asif Ali Zardari to protest in Islamabad for years, and the judiciary, to implement resign and for the government to ratcheting up the pressure on key reforms first. set a date for elections. the government to step down. But his sudden — and appar- So far, other political parties In a three-and-a-half hour ently well-financed — emergence have backed the government speech delivered from behind after years in Canada has been over Qadri, favouring parliament bulletproof glass, Tahirul Qadri criticised as a ploy by the estab- to remain in place until the gov- urged his followers to remain lishment, particularly the armed ernment’s mandate expires in steadfast, despite the winter cold, forces, to delay the elections and mid-March. in their demands for key reforms sow political chaos. But Tuesday’s order to arrest and clean elections. If it goes ahead as scheduled, Prime Minister Raja Pervez He welcomed a Supreme Court the ballot will mark the first Ashraf sparked rumours of a order to arrest the prime minister democratic transfer of power judicial-military conspiracy to over alleged corruption but gave between two elected civilian force the government out. no indication how long he would governments in the history of Commentators say there is no prolong the protest outside par- Pakistan, where the military have imminent sign that the prime liament, which has brought the staged three coups and ruled for minister will be arrested and that city’s main commercial avenue to decades. he can remain in office until and a standstill. Qadri denies wanting to delay unless he is convicted. Security officials estimated the the poll, but is calling for a new, The Supreme Court has been crowd numbered at least 25,000, independent election commis- at loggerheads for years with which would make it the largest sion and screening to ban corrupt the government, and last June protest in the capital since the candidates. Ashraf’s predecessor was thrown government led by the Pakistan The cleric, who as a dual out of office after the court found People’s Party (PPP) was elected Canadian-Pakistani national is him guilty of contempt. Ruling Pakistan Peoples Party activists shout slogans at a rally in Lahore against the Supreme Court order to in 2008. not eligible for office, called on While critics dismiss them as a arrest the prime minister. The rally comes as Pakistan opposition politician Imran Khan hired crowd, many of Qadri’s sup- struggles with a weak economy, a and other parties to join him. porters articulate real concerns blankets to cushion the kilome- injured. Rally organisers accused elections. He spoke after talks in bloody Islamist insurgency, rising “I invite Imran Khan to about Pakistan’s problems. tre-stretch of tarmac where they police of opening fire and trying Lahore with opposition parties. sectarian violence, a sinking rupee come and join us. He also wants With the rally now into a are bedded down. to arrest Qadri. “We decided that the govern- and as fledgling peace gains with change... I also invite other par- third day in Islamabad, the Police clashed briefly with Meanwhile, main opposition ment should, without any delay, India look in jeopardy following a ties, those who are not siding us,” crowd appears to have dug in for stone throwers and protesters on leader Nawaz Sharif demanded announce a schedule for an elec- spate of cross-border shootings. he said. the long-haul, with supplies of Tuesday, shooting into the air and that the government immedi- tion and a caretaker government,” A general election is due to be Khan, a former cricketer who food, water and mattresses and firing tear gas. Eight officers were ately announce a timetable for he said. AFP

45 wind power projects on way Pakistan’s army ‘in no mood of adventure’ ISLAMABAD: As many as 45 wind power projects of around ISLAMABAD: As the Another official said the army’s the official added. been staying there for almost a of party leaders in Karachi. 3,200 MW are under process Supreme Court of Pakistan decision to stay away from the Foreign media also quoted a month, his spokesman said. He said Zardari believed that and of them 106 MW are ready order to arrest the prime min- march stemmed from the fact senior military officer as saying Farhatullah Babar confirmed there were two aspects of the for commercial operation, while ister builds up tempo against that it was a political event and that there was no appetite in the that Zardari would extend his Supreme Court’s order — one is another 150 MW are under con- the government that is also fac- could have negative implications military to repeat the coups seen stay in Karachi while Dr Qadri legal and the other is political. struction, said official sources. ing a protest led by influential if the security establishment in the past, but added that the and thousands of his followers “As far as the legal aspect is The commencement of com- scholar Dr Tahirul Qadri, all intervened. stand-off could be resolved if the are sitting near the parliament concerned, Law Minister Farooq mercial operation of the 56 MW eyes are on the powerful secu- “There are children and women army played a role in the forma- house for what he earlier called Naek has informed the president FFC Wind Farm was the begin- rity establishment for signs of in the march, so it is a very deli- tion of a caretaker government as “change” in the electoral system about the whole situation and ning of exploiting the wind poten- what may come ahead. cate situation and we want the a “moderator”. and now the dissolution of federal repercussions of the Supreme tial of GharoKeti Bandar Wind A senior military official yes- civilian authorities to deal with “We should try as far as pos- and provincial governments. Court’s order and about its politi- Corridor — an area that alone terday said that even though the it,” the official said, adding that sible to abide by the constitution “The president will follow his cal fallout. offers power generation potential armed forces were prepared for the army would try to avoid inter- and law in looking for change. The own schedule. Qadri’s presence “The president will soon con- of 50,000 MW. any contingency if the situation vention at all costs. army chief has made this clear,” in Islamabad or anywhere else is sult coalition partners,” Babar They said that the present gov- deteriorates, the security estab- “Had the army wanted to take he said. not a factor in the determination said. ernment added more generation lishment had nothing to do with over, it would have done so given “But things seem to be moving of the president’s schedule,” he He dismissed reports that in the national grid by completing the political upheaval triggered the gravity of the situation. But beyond control.” added. Zardari would soon leave for thermal and small hydro plants. by Dr Qadri’s march and the army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Meanwhile, President Asif Ali He, however, said Zardari was Dubai to avoid an uncertain polit- There was a gap between Supreme Court order. Kayani has decided in principle Zardari has decided not to return closely watching Dr Qadri’s pro- ical situation in the country. demand and supply and efforts “It is up to the government as to let civilian authorities tackle to the presidency in the presence test programme and the decision “He is not going anywhere and were being made to change the to how it handles the situation,” political issues,” he said. of Qadri in Islamabad. of the Supreme Court ordering is ready to face any situation,” he energy mix to generate cheaper said the official. “It is incorrect to say that The president prefers to moni- the arrest of the prime minister. said. electricity by using indigenous “The government seems con- the army is behind Dr Qadri or tor fast changing developments in The spokesman said Zardari The president, he added, had resources, such as wind, coal and fident that it has enough man- Supreme Court’s order against Islamabad while sitting in Bilawal wanted to call a meeting of the reiterated the government’s hydel. power to maintain law and order the premier,” he said. House, Karachi, for the next few PPP’s core committee, but it was resolve that elections would be INTERNEWS in the capital.” “Such assertions are baseless,” days despite the fact that he has shelved because of non-availability held on time. INTERNEWS

Villagers picket governor’s house with bodies Suicide attack targets

PESHAWAR: Around 300 Pakistanis protested yesterday Afghan spy HQ in Kabul against the killing of 14 people in an overnight raid, blaming KABUL: A squad of suicide forces moments after the attack. the security forces and refusing bombers attacked the national An NDS official, speaking on to bury the dead until they get intelligence agency headquar- condition of anonymity, expressed justice. ters in heavily-fortified central concern over how the attackers The protesters gathered out- Kabul yesterday, killing at least had managed to penetrate one of side the governor’s house in the two guards and wounding doz- the most heavily-guarded areas northwestern city of Peshawar ens of civilians, officials said. of the capital, which includes along with the bodies. Five attackers were killed in the police HQ and the Interior Armed men attacked five the brazen midday attack on the Ministry. homes at Bara in the northwest- National Directorate of Security “It was a suicide explosion at ern tribal district of Khyber and (NDS), which is playing an the gate,” he said, adding that killed 14 people, said local resident increasingly important role in the gunshots had also been heard. Muhammad Shabbir. war against Taliban insurgents as “It’s a big facility and very, very “They entered our houses and Nato forces prepare to withdraw. sensitive, with a very high secu- killed our relatives to avenge the The Taliban claimed responsi- rity installation and system,” he killing of six security personnel in bility in a text message to AFP, said. the same area of Bara on Monday saying “a large number of intel- The NDS plays a crucial role in night,” Shabbir, a former member ligence workers were killed and the fight against the Taliban, who of the Frontier Corps paramili- wounded”. have been waging an insurgency tary said. “There were five attackers since being ousted from power by Security and military officials involved. The first detonated a the 2001 US-led invasion for har- denied that security forces were car bomb at the gate, the other bouring Al Qaeda leader Osama involved and said it was militants four were shot dead by police and bin Laden after the 9/11 attacks. who attacked the homes. NDS guards as they approached,” Its chief was wounded in an Shabbir said his father, five Interior Ministry spokesman assassination attempt by a suicide brothers and two cousins were Sediq Sediqqi said, adding that bomber posing as a fake Taliban among the dead. Villagers from the northwest with the bodies of their relatives protest outside the governor’s house in the provincial about 30 civilians were wounded. peace envoy at a spy agency guest Pakistani troops have been capital of Peshawar, yesterday. A senior police officer said house in Kabul on December 6, fighting Islamist militants and two guards from the National just months after he took office. local militia for months in Directorate of Security intel- Afghan police and other secu- Khyber, which is part of the semi- Yesterday’s protest was the until the army took over. by the federal government for ligence agency were killed and rity forces are increasingly targets autonomous tribal district on the second of its type in a week in Prime Minister Raja Pervez early resolution of this unfortu- others wounded. of Taliban attacks as they take a Afghan border where the Taliban Pakistan. Islamic custom dictates Ashraf, who sacked the pro- nate incident,” his office said in a A second car full of explosives bigger role in the fight ahead of and other Islamist groups have that the dead should be buried on vincial government to end the statement. was found nearby and defused. the Nato withdrawal. strongholds. the same day or a day later. Quetta protest, ordered the Last month, Amnesty The huge explosion was heard The NDS influence on the con- “We demand an end to the In the southwestern city of governor to address the griev- International said both the throughout Kabul’s diplomatic duct of the war is likely to grow ongoing military operation in Quetta, thousands of Shiite ances of the Peshawar protesters Pakistan military and the district, and witnesses said win- as the US and Nato withdraw Bara, that the curfew be lifted, Muslims demonstrated for four through talks with community Taliban were guilty of rights dows were shattered in nearby the bulk of their 100,000 combat action taken against those days after the worst-ever bomb elders. abuses in the tribal belt. The Chicken Street, a popular shop- troops from the country by end involved in the killings and com- attack on their minority commu- “The prime minister said that military rejected the allegations ping destination for Westerners. 2014 and hand responsibility for pensation for the families of the nity in Pakistan killed 92 people. all necessary assistance and as a “pack of lies”. Journalists at the scene said the war to Afghan forces. dead,” Shabbir added. They refused to bury the dead cooperation would be extended AFP it was swarming with security AFP THURSDAY 17 JANUARY 2013 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Anti-Telangana Congress Protest marks one month leaders to meet today of horrific Delhi gang rape NEW DELHI: Protesters carrying banners which read Group to disrupt Seemandhra talks on division “Death To Rapists” gathered in central New Delhi for a rally HYDERABAD: Congress Telangana urged Seemandhra other leaders from Seemandhra yesterday, one month after the party leaders from Rayalaseema leaders not to hold the meeting have decided to meet here today deadly gang rape of a student and Andhra regions said they at a time when the central lead- to chalk out a strategy to keep on a bus in the Indian capital. would go ahead with today’s ership was in the final stage of Andhra Pradesh united. “A month is over (but) justice meeting to oppose the proposed finding a peaceful solution to the The meeting is being held in is awaited,” read another ban- division of Andhra Pradesh problem. the backdrop of the central gov- ner displayed in Jantar Mantar, even as Telangana Jagruthi, K Jana Reddy said Seemandhra ernment intensifying its efforts to where police used water cannon the cultural arm of Telangana leaders should bear in mind that find a solution to the Telangana to break up a demonstration in Rashtra Samithi (TRS), has Telangana leaders had been exer- problem by January 28. Some the immediate aftermath of the threatened to disrupt it. cising caution for last three years ministers from Telangana claimed December 16 attack. S Sailajanath, who is leading despite the public pressure and to have received indications that Around 300 people gathered the group which wants the state also the insults they had suffer. New Delhi had made up its mind there yesterday, some of whom to remain united, said they would “Even after the two states are to carve out Telangana. A group staged a mock funeral for the go ahead with the meet. “We have formed, Telugu-speaking will of Seemandhra leaders including 23-year-old victim as chants every right to express our views remain one. We should ensure that ministers intensified their efforts of “We Want Justice” echoed in a democratic manner. Nobody the division takes place in a peace- yesterday in the national capital around the district. can stop us,” Sailajanth, who is a ful manner and people of two states to oppose proposed bifurcation. Although six people have been cabinet minister in the state, told live in perfect harmony,” he said. They called on central leaders arrested over the attack and reporters yesterday. Congress MPs from Telangana also Ghulam Nabi Azad and Vayalar their case is now being heard A group of ministers and urged the Seemandhra leaders not Ravi to inform that there would in the courts, many Indians Congress MPs from Telangana to hold the meeting as this would be protests in their regions if the are impatient for the victim’s have also urged their counterparts hurt the sentiments of Telangana centre decides to give separate attackers to face justice. from Seemandhra (Rayalaseema people. Talking to reporters in New statehood to Telangana. “I will not call off my hunger and Andhra) not to hold the meet- Delhi, they said the meeting would Meanwhile, the Telangana Joint strike as long as she does not get ing as it would amount to provo- be considered an act of provocation. Action Committee (JAC), com- justice,” said one woman activist cation. They said Seemandhra Telangana Jagruthi presi- prising various pro-Telangana Jagjeet Kaur, who said she had leaders should respect the senti- dent Kavita said they would not groups, decided to hold a silent been fasting for the past three ments of Telangana people and allow the meeting to be held protest here today to demand an days. abide by the decision the centre in Hyderabad as it was a ‘con- announcement for the formation Other protesters included would take on the issue. spiracy’ to stall the formation of of Telangana state by January 28. teenagers and young women who Home Minister Sabita Indra Telangana state. After a meeting with Congress say the authorities are failing to Reddy held a meeting with Chief Kavita, daughter of TRS pres- leader K Keshava Rao, JAC con- keep them safe in a city dubbed Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy ident K Chandrasekhara Rao, venor M Kodandaram said peo- by some as “India’s rape capital”. and apprise him of the situa- said they would not keep quiet if ple from all walks of life would “We want to feel secure in tion in view of threats by some Seemandhra leaders tried to cre- take part in the protest to be held our own city because that is our pro-Telangana groups to disrupt ate hurdles in the formation of a at the martyrs’ memorial near right,” said 15-year-old school- the meeting. The home minister separate state. assembly building. He appealed girl Soumya Samal, who was reportedly said while the govern- She threatened to mobilise her to Seemandhra leaders to drop among those taking part. Demonstrators shout slogans during a rally in New Delhi, yesterday. ment would not stop Seemandhra supporters from all 10 districts of their plans to hold the meeting. Five adults and a youth leaders from holding the meeting, Telangana to stop the meeting. Home Minister Sushilkumar believed to be 17 have been she advised them not to make any “We demand the government to Shinde said after the December charged over the attack, which “When we were not independ- was enticed by a neighbour statement, which may provoke a act and stop this meeting which 28 all-party meeting in Delhi that triggered mass protests across ent, we nursed our values and who sold her,” an official of the section of people. is aimed at provoking the people a decision on Telangana would be India and pledges by the govern- cultures. But in the last 65 years, NHRC said. Addressing a joint press con- of Telangana.” made within a month. ment to introduce stiffer penal- there has been a great erosion of The commissioner of Delhi ference, five ministers from Ministers, legislators and IANS ties for sex attackers. values and principles. We have Police has been asked to submit The five adults could face the to change this”. a report within four weeks. death penalty if convicted. The Referring to the Delhi gang The incident was reported on 23-year-old victim died 13 days rape, he said: “Such incidents January 4, from east Delhi. after the attack from horrific take place when the thin line of “The girl somehow managed After slowdown, economy to grow: World Bank internal injuries suffered when value system is overshot in the to escape. When she went to the she was also violated with a ruse of development”. police station, Usmanpur, her WASHINGTON/NEW percent in 2011), said the World However, growth in the region metal rod. complaint was not registered,” DELHI: After a sharp slow- Bank’s latest Global Economic remains vulnerable to an uncer- NOTICE TO DELHI POLICE the NHRC official said. down pushing down its projected Prospects, issued yesterday. tain external environment and WESTERN INFLUENCE The National Human Rights Family members of the vic- growth to 5.4 percent in the fis- Regional GDP is projected to country-specific factors, the Sankaracharya of Puri Swami Commission (NHRC) mean- tim also tried to contact helpline cal year ending March 2013, the grow by 5.7 percent in the 2013 report said suggesting a resump- Nischalananda dubbed Western while issued notice to the Delhi 181, but no assistance was pro- World Bank expects India to calendar year, and by 6.4 per- tion of financial market tensions influence as a factor for increas- Police for allegedly failing to reg- vided, he explained. grow at 6.4 percent this year, ris- cent and 6.7 percent in 2014 and in the Euro Area or protracted ing rape incidents. ister a case of trafficking of a The NHRC, in its notice to ing to 7.3 percent by 2015. 2015, respectively, driven by policy debt uncertainty in the United He said increasing Western minor girl. the Commissioner of Police, The slowdown in India, South reforms in India, stronger invest- States would affect the South influence manifested in the pro- “The commission has taken Delhi, observed that the con- Asia’s largest economy, also weak- ment activity, normal agricultural Asia region through both trade fusion of high-society club cul- suo motu cognisance of a media tents of the press report, if true, ened growth in the region to an production, and improvement in and financial channels. ture, in films and the in take of report which stated that the raise a serious issue of violation estimated 5.4 percent in 2012 (7.4 export demand. IANS drugs had overshadowed tradi- police did not register the com- of human rights. tional principles and old values. plaint of a 15-year-old girl who AFP/IANS

High import tax likely Consider complaint of anti-Sikh riots victims: High Court NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court yesterday asked the police commissioner to consider a complaint to be filed on behalf of 1984 anti-Sikh riots victims seeking a CBI probe against police officials responsible for scuttling the charge-sheet, which was prepared it 20 years ago against senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar. The plea said that charge sheet against Kumar prepared in 1992 but was never filed before the court, with the “sole purpose of saving and shielding Sajjan Kumar”. A division bench of Chief Justice D Murugesan and Justice A goldsmith holds finished gold bangles at a workshop in Kolkata, yesterday. The passion for gold is V K Jain disposing of the plea putting such a strain on state finances that the government may slap higher import taxes on the pre- filed by the association of victims cious metal, but demand buoyed by heady inflation and meagre savings will blunt the impact of any in the anti-Sikh riots, asked it rise in duties. to file the complaint before the commissioner of police, which will look into it. “So far no complaint is lodged Chautala, son convicted in graft case in this regard with the police. In the absence of any complaint pending, we are not inclined to NEW DELHI: Former pronounce the sentence on money had changed hands in issue any direction,” the court Haryana chief minister Om Tuesday. The CBI had formally the recruitment scam. said. “We, however, made it clear Prakash Chautala and son charged the father-son duo The Supreme Court directed that when petitioner files any Ajay were taken into police and others on June 6, 2008, in the CBI to investigate the complaint, the Commissioner of custody yesterday after a connection with the scam that matter, especially the bribery Police will look into it accord- CBI court convicted them in took place in 1999-2000 when charges. ingly,” it said. a recruitment scam involving Chautala was chief minister. The federal investigating The court was hearing the PIL JBT (junior basic training) Over 3,000 teachers were to agency in its chargesheet said filed by November 84 Carnage teachers. be recruited in the state and forged documents were used to Justice Committee, through sen- The Indian National Lok Chautala had pressurised a sen- appoint the teachers. ior advocate H S Phoolka seeking Dal (INLD) chief and son Ajay, ior official, Sanjeev Kumar, to Son of former deputy Prime initiation of criminal proceedings both Haryana legislators, were change the list of selected can- Minister Devi Lal, Chautala is against the guilty police offic- taken into custody immediately didates by fudging the marks of the leader of opposition in the ers on a “missing charge-sheet” after the ruling by the Central certain favourites. Haryana Assembly. The INLD prepared in 1992 against former Bureau of Investigation court Later, Sanjeev Kumar went was earlier part of the National Delhi MP Sajjan Kumar in a 1984 in Rohini. The court also con- to the Supreme Court and sub- Democratic Alliance. anti-Sikh riots case, but was victed 53 others for the ille- mitted before it the list of the Chautala was the chief min- never brought before the court gal recruitment of over 3,000 candidates originally selected. ister of Haryana between 1999- to seek his prosecution. JBT teachers. The court will The official also alleged that 2005. IANS IANS THURSDAY 17 JANUARY 2013 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 India, Pakistan agree to maintain peace Islamabad says one soldier killed; blames New Delhi for ‘warmongering’ on Kashmir NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD: India’s army has reached an ‘understanding’ with Pakistan to de-escalate military ten- sions in Kashmir after a recent deadly flare-up in the disputed border region, a spokesman said yesterday. “An understanding has been arrived at between the two direc- tor-generals of military opera- tions to de-escalate the situation along the Line of Control (LoC),” army spokesman Jagdeep Dahiya said in reference to a de facto bor- der in Kashmir. Dahiya said that the two sides’ senior military commanders had spoken for 10 minutes over the telephone where they reached their agreement. “The two DGMOs spoke to each other at 10am (0430 GMT) for 10 minutes and the Pakistan DGMO said strict instructions have been passed not to violate the ceasefire,” he said. Dahiya said Indian troops sta- tioned along the border would also not breach the ceasefire forged between the two nuclear-armed rivals in 2003. “We have always upheld the ceasefire and have only retaliated,” the spokesman said. Muhammad Afsar, a villager in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, holds a mortar shrapnel which struck his home at Darra Sher Khan in Tatta Pani sector, yesterday. RIGHT: India’s Border Security He did not give further details Force soldiers patrol the fenced border with Pakistan in Suchetgarh, southwest of Jammu. of the conversation between India’s DGMO Lieutenant shot dead the soldier at a posi- yesterday as residents cowered in warned against “upping the Khar again denied Indian accu- know how to handle their truth.” General Vinod Bhatia and his tion called Kundi during firing their homes. ante” between the nuclear-armed sations that Pakistani forces had On Tuesday India was meant Pakistani counterpart, Major from the Indian side of the Line Muhammad Afsar, a former neighbours. “We see warmonger- beheaded one of the two soldiers to begin allowing Pakistanis over General Ashfaq Nadeem. of Control (LoC) in the disputed army man, said he and his family ing,” Khar said at the Asia Society and said an inquiry had found “no the age of 65 to obtain a visa on An Indian military source in Himalayan territory, Pakistan’s hid under bedding in their newly- in New York late on Tuesday. evidence” of the deaths. The two arrival at the border in Punjab. Kashmir said there had been no army said in a statement. built house, which was damaged “It is deeply disturbing to hear countries have fought three wars However, the programme was cross-border firing since the two Two Pakistani and two Indian by mortar shrapnel fired by statements which are upping since their independence in 1947, put on hold indefinitely hours generals spoke. soldiers were killed early this Indian gunners. the ante, where one politician is two of them over the Himalayan after Indian officials said it had Earlier yesterday Pakistani month in the worst outbreak of “Indian soldiers keep watch- competing with the other to give region of Kashmir. But Khar said come into force, although the army protested to India over violence in Kashmir since both ing our activities and we live in a more hostile statement.” they had to get over their “narra- delay was attributed to “techni- the killing of one of its soldiers, countries agreed a ceasefire a state of constant fear,” he said. India says two of its soldiers tive of hostility”. cal” reasons. the fifth fatality this year in nearly a decade ago. The two generals spoke hours have been killed, one of them “The doors to dialogue are Nine Pakistani players were heightened hostilities that have The village of Dara Sher Khan after Pakistan’s Foreign Minister beheaded, since hostilities erupted open,” Khar said. “We need to also withdrawn from a new field raised concerns about ceasefire in Pakistan’s Tatta Pani sector, Hina Rabbani Khar hit out at along the LoC. It has demanded meet at any level, I think we hockey league in India and asked violations between the nuclear- where a solider was killed on strident comments by Indian the return of the soldier’s head need to call each other, we need to to return home just before Singh’s armed neighbours. Indian troops Tuesday night, appeared deserted politicians over the clashes, and which is still missing. become mature countries which comments. IANS/AFP

Protest march Vidarbha’s farmers receive couple’s healing touch

NAGPUR: As debt-rid- alone,” Guzder said. Tiwari alleged Gandhi visited it a few years ago den farmers continue to kill that central and state relief pack- - to little avail. themselves in Maharashtra’s ages amounting to around `50,000 Again, the Guzders stepped Vidarbha region due to “gov- crore over the years have barely in and helped her set up a small ernment apathy”, a Parsi couple reached the beneficiaries. stationery shop last month. Now, from Mumbai has provided a “The money is siphoned off by Gita earns around `6,000 a month healing touch to around 25 wid- the politician-bureaucrat-con- and has become independent. ows and their children in bring- tractor nexus and the farmers When the dwelling of Gita ing their broken lives back on continue to suffer and commit Chincholkar in Kopamandvi vil- track. suicide,” Tiwari said. lage collapsed, she was on the Cyrus Guzder, 76, and wife Lyla, Guzder, who lived and worked verge of suicide, but the Guzders 70, have spent over `1m so far on in Nigeria for 33 years, has a donated `80,000. providing educational support to strong love for Vidarbha as he Her home was reconstructed the children, helping widows set completed his early education in and her family lives there in full up small enterprises and enabling Nagpur. In fact, he continues to security. them to live a dignified life. regularly travel between Mumbai Other major beneficiaries “This is our small and hum- and Nagpur to care for his ailing include Archana Raut who got ble gesture to do whatever we 95-year-old mother. `40,000 for her son and daughter’s can to mitigate the sufferings of “Guzder and Lyla’s zeal to education in a technical school, the farming community here,” return his roots and repay his Anju Bhusari who got `45,000 to Guzder, reluctant to speak about debt to society is indeed com- dig a tubewell in Pada village and his philanthropy, said. mendable. We salute them,” her neighbour Nirmala Shende, He discussed the problems Tiwari said. who got `25,000 for agricultural Students from Jamia Millia Islamia, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and Hamdard University shout slogans of the farming community with Meanwhile, the Guzders visited purposes. against what they claim is a genocide against the ethnic Hazara community in Pakistan, during a protest NGO Vidarbha Jan Andolan the hut of Poornima Kopulwar, 32, “When the authorities have outside the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, yesterday. Samiti (VJAS) led by Kishore whose husband committed suicide failed us, it is Guzder and Tiwari, local officials and other in 2010 and she struggled to feed Madame who have saved us from activists to ascertain how more her two minor children. certain death,” said Chandrakala help could be extended to the wid- Last June, she suffered a hip Meshram of Saikheda village, ows and their children. fracture while working in the whose two daughters were given Judge rejects Court dismisses Zee News “We have seen that many fami- fields. The Guzders promptly `40,000 for their education. lies are facing virtual starvation. came forward to foot her Moved by the sentiments of the Lalit Modi’s They live in miserable conditions, `50,000 medical bills and other villagers, the Guzders have prom- petition in extortion case lacking basic food and health expenses. ised to return to Vidarbha and security, education and employ- Gita Rathode, 27, lives in the and instructed VJAS to identify passport plea NEW DELHI: A Delhi court enquiry that shall be gross abuse ment opportunities. As per fig- Both-Bodan village of Yavatmal more widows and families in dire yesterday dismissed the plea of and misuse of the process of law.” ures, over 10,000 farmers have which shot into the limelight need of financial support. NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Zee News Ltd. seeking a direc- The judge said: “The present ended their lives in Vidarbha after Congress leader Rahul IANS Court yesterday dismissed the tion to the CBI to lodge an FIR application under section 156 (3) appeal of suspended Indian against Congress MP Naveen of the CrPC as well as the com- Premier League (IPL) chair- Jindal for allegedly trying to plaint are dismissed.” man Lalit Modi challenging the influence the hearing before the Zee News Ltd. in its plea had revocation of his passport. News Broadcasting Standards alleged that Jindal had called the Justice Rajiv Shakdher dis- Authority (NBSA) in connection NBSA Chairman J S Verma, a Delhi monorail project to start by March missed the plea of Modi, who with an alleged extortion bid case. former chief justice of India and is facing an Enforcement The court said that points tried to influence him in connec- NEW DELHI: Work on the He was accompanied by Delhi which will be a 10.8km stretch Directorate (ED) probe into alle- raised for direction to the Central tion with the hearing of a matter elevated Delhi monorail project Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and have 12 stations. It will con- gations of financial irregularities. Bureau of Investigation to investi- pending before NBSA. will start in March and it chief Mangu Singh and MP nect Shastri Park Metro and The plea filed by Modi also gate the matter against Jindal, his The court rejecting the conten- will be commissioned in 2017, Sandeep Dikshit. the proposed Trilokpuri Metro sought quashing of the order of firm Jindal Steel and Power Ltd. tions of channel said: “Adverting Transport Minister Ramakant Talking to reporters, Dikshit Station. It is expected that ini- the passport authorities. (JSPL) and its various officials to the instant case, first thing Goswami said here yesterday. said: “RITES Ltd. had carried tially, the monorail will have a The ED had made a request were “ex-facie flimsy”. first, in the proceedings that The project will be integrated out a techno-economic feasibil- daily ridership of around 150,000. to Regional Passport Office in Special CBI Judge Dharmesh occurred before the NBSA vide with Delhi Metro network. ity study and detailed project The route will start from Mumbai that Modi be either Sharma dismissing the plea said: item number 7 on October 31, “It is expected that the work report (DPR) for this corridor Shastri Park, pass through called back or his passport be “Last but not the least, the points 2012, there is no iota of men- will start in a couple of months whereas the DMRC has further Yamuna Pushta Road, Rajaram revoked. Modi is in Britain now. that have been raised in the appli- tion about the alleged incident and the corridor will be commis- reviewed the DPR and submitted Kohli Marg, Geeta Colony, The regional passport office in cation for CBI investigation are of accused number one (Jindal) sioned in early 2017 at an esti- its report to the government for Patparganj Road, Nirman Vihar, Mumbai had revoked Modi’s pass- ex-facie flimsy, appear to be vexa- approaching or attempting to mated cost of `22.35bn,” Goswami implementation”. Ganesh Nagar, New Patparganj port on March 3, 2010, following tious and frivolous with the sole approach the chairman of NBSA.” said while visiting route align- The first phase of the monorail Road and Sanjay Lake to termi- the ED probe. IANS purpose of embarking on a fishing IANS ment of the project. will be introduced in east Delhi, nate near Trilokpuri. IANS THURSDAY 17 JANUARY 2013 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Shakira, partner News in Numbers WINDOW ON ECONOMIC solicit gifts ACTIVITY

Fajr (Dawn) 5:01 for poor Shorook (Sunrise) 6:21 children online Zuhr (Noon) 11:44 Asr (Afternoon) 2:46 NEW YORK: Singer Shakira and Spanish footballer Gerard Maghrib (Sunset) 5:07 Piqué are asking fans to donate Isha (Night) 6:38 gifts like mosquito nets and vaccines for the world’s poor- Percentage Distribution of GDP by Economic Activity at Current Prices est children in an online baby shower to mark the couple’s Mining and Quarrying (Includeing Oil & Gas) Construction Transport and Communications Other first child. WEATHER Manufacturing Trade, Restaurants & Hotels Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Business Services The 35-year-old Colombian Today Friday Saturday Weather pop star, who is a Unicef Conditions: Goodwill Ambassador, and the Clear Partly sunny Partly sunny FC Barcelona centre back said Slight dust yesterday they had launched a with some “virtual living room” for purchase 2006 2009 2011 High: 22° High: 22° High: 22° clouds. of life-saving items which will be Low: 13° Low: 15° Low: 14° distributed to children and com- munities in some of the poorest parts of the world. The singer has not announced her due date but has posted recent DOHA - SUN & SEA photographs indicating the baby Gross Domestic Product By Economic Activity at is likely due later in January. SUN TIDE SEA “To celebrate the arrival of our Current Prices, 2006 – 2011 SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND first child, we hope that, in his Unit : QRm name, other less privileged chil- 06:21 17:07 08:30 & 21:45 01:30 & 15:45 12-20KT Falling to 03-12FT dren in the world can have their basic needs covered through gifts THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW and donations,” the couple said in HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER announcing the “Inspired Gifts” programme. MUSCAT 21/13 Mostly sunny 23/16 Clear Fans and supporters can enter MAKKAH 32/22 Clear 32/23 Clear the virtual shower and pay for KUWAIT 15/10 Mostly sunny 17/11 Partly sunny items ranging from a $5 mosquito BAHRAIN 19/13 Mostly sunny 20/15 Partly sunny net, which protects babies from SANAA 22/05 Mostly sunny 23/06 Mostly sunny malaria or $10 for polio vaccines for 17 children, to the top-priced RIYADH 15/06 Mostly sunny 18/08 Partly sunny $110-item — therapeutic food, DUBAI 21/14 Mostly sunny 22/16 Mostly sunny which is a peanut-based paste BAGHDAD 13/04 Partly sunny 17/04 Mostly sunny that can save an acutely malnour- ished child. THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW The virtual shower can be HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER accessed at http://uni.cf/baby. Shakira has also been working ATHENS 14/08 Mostly sunny 14/10 Chance of rain on her eighth studio album and WASHINGTON 08/02 Rain 06/02 Clear will fill in for Christina Aguilera SYDNEY 27/19 Partly sunny 23/19 Chance of rain as one of the regular coaches for LONDON 02/00 Clear 03/-1 Cloudy the next season of the US singing PARIS 00/00 Cloudy 02/-2 Partly sunny competition “The Voice.” ISTANBUL 13/07 Partly sunny 10/06 Partly sunny Shakira first publicly confirmed MANILA 27/22 Mostly sunny 28/22 Mostly sunny her relationship with Piqué in  DHAKA 27/16 Partly sunny 27/16 Mostly sunny March 2011 and revealed in DELHI 21/11 Chance of rain 18/07 Thunderstorms September that they were expect- ing their first child. ISLAMABAD 13/08 Chance of rain 11/03 Chance of rain Source : http://www.qsa.gov.qa/ REUTERS

Dog attending Actress of Oz Intelligence, not torture church since owner’s death traced Laden: Bigelow

ROME: Since his owner died LOS ANGELES: US direc- two months ago, Tommy the dog tor Kathryn Bigelow (pictured) has not missed a single mass defended yesterday her con- in the small church in south- troversial Oscar-tipped movie ern Italy where his mistress’s “Zero Dark Thirty” against funeral was held, Italian media criticism of its depiction of tor- said yesterday. ture in the hunt for Osama bin When the bells of the Santa Laden. Maria Assunta church begin to Writing in the Los Angeles toll each afternoon in San Donaci Times, she said critics should near Brindisi, the 12-year-old focus on those responsible for German Shepherd sets off from torture and harsh interroga- the village to get himself a front tion techniques in the years row seat next to the altar, Il after 9/11, rather than on artists Messaggero newspaper said. portraying them. His owner, who was known “Experts disagree sharply on in local dialect as “Maria tu lu the facts and particulars of the however, as we all know, employed campu” — “Maria of the fields” intelligence hunt, and doubtlessly in the early years of the hunt. — had lived alone with Tommy that debate will continue,” wrote That doesn’t mean it was the key and three other rescue dogs, who Bigelow, whose 2008 film “The to finding Bin Laden. It means it used to follow her faithfully on Hurt Locker” won six Oscars is a part of the story we couldn’t her daily rounds and have now including best picture and best ignore.” been adopted by the village. director. The movie, which went on After following his mistress’s “As for what I personally national US release at the coffin up to the church on the believe, which has been the sub- weekend after a limited release day of her funeral, Tommy has ject of inquiries, accusations and in December to qualify for returned daily, sitting quietly speculation, I think Osama bin Hollywood’s awards season, tells throughout masses, baptisms and Laden was found due to ingen- the story of the decade-long man- funerals. AFP Australian actress Rose Byrne poses during a promotional visit for her new film ‘I Give It A Year’, in Sydney, ious detective work. “Torture was, hunt for the Al Qaeda chief. AFP Australia, yesterday. As ‘American Idol’ returns, who will be in focus?

LOS ANGELES: “American Idol” dipped below 20 million, and “Idol” lost asked. The new season of “Idol” was mak- “Ten years ago, people were really returns with the tantalising promise of its eight-year crown as the most watched ing headlines in September, when video excited when they were voting for (‘Idol’ fame, fortune and feuds — and that’s show on US television to NBC’s “Sunday of Carey and Minaj arguing during early winners) Kelly Clarkson or Carrie just among the celebrity panel hired to Night Football.” auditions was leaked online. Underwood. There needs to be a pow- find the next pop music sensation. The three newcomers replace depart- Minaj also was reported to have threat- erhouse group of contestants who really Singer Mariah Carey, rapper Nicki ing judges Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith ened to shoot Carey, who said in a TV capture people’s interest, and who you Minaj and country artist Keith Urban frontman Steven Tyler who quit last year interview last week that she had hired want to root for,” Newman said. make their debut as judges when the after two seasons. extra security while filming the show. The new judges say that’s what they TV talent contest begins its 12th season The new panel, rounded out by old In a tense media appearance last week, want too. on Fox. hand record producer Randy Jackson, the two divas claimed they had put their “When I watch these shows and some- “All three judges are eminently quali- didn’t come cheap. Carey is reported to feud behind them, attributing the fight one says yes to a person who clearly fied. It’s a good spectrum in terms of be earning approximately $18m for the to passionate differences of opinion about doesn’t deserve it, it bothers me,” Minaj embracing hip-hop, country and pop,” season, Minaj about $12m and Urban the contestants auditioning for a chance told TV reporters last week. “And I want HitFix.com music blogger Melinda $8m. to make it through to later rounds. to jump through the TV because I feel Newman said. But industry watchers say “Idol” Newman said it would be a shame if like, for the people who are talented, “What everyone is going to be looking needs more than big names to bring in the fight overshadows the show’s original it kind of minimises how talented they at, sadly, is how Mariah and Nicki Minaj audiences at a time of cutthroat com- “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest and mission of finding new talent, an achieve- really are. So when I came on, I didn’t get along, instead of focusing on the con- petition from talent contests like “The actress Julianne Hough ment that could prove the biggest boost really have a problem with saying no, testants,” she said. Voice,” “The X Factor,” and “America’s to “Idol” ratings. because I kind of felt like we’re looking Carey, with more than 200 million Got Talent.” Weekly’s James Hibberd said. “All these shows have become more for the best of the best.” album sales, the outspoken Minaj, one “While shaking up the show can ini- “‘Idol’ used to have the playground all about the judges than the contestants. It Aspiring rappers — never a group that of the most exciting voices in rap, and tially provide curiosity tune in, at the end to itself. After four months of ‘The Voice’ would be nice if ‘American Idol,’ as the has been embraced by “Idol” producers or Urban are expected to revive interest in of the day, the panel needs to click with and ‘ X Factor’ last fall, are audiences still one that started it all, got the focus back fans — will get short shrift. the contest. Last year, average audiences each other and with fans,” Entertainment going to be excited by ‘Idol’?” Hibberd on the contestants.” REUTERS Thursday 17 January 2013 5 Rabial I 1434 Volume 17 Number 5582 Price: QR2

QNB not deterred by Egypt crisis

Business | 19

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Big slice of port Minister visits Barzan site construction for Qatari firms 50pc work awarded to local companies

BY SATISH KANADY

DOHA: Qatari contracting companies will have a major stake in the big ticket construc- tion works of the upcoming New Port Project (NPP). The NPP will make sure that at least 50 percent of the project’s estimated QR27bn work is awarded to local companies. The NPP has already signed 18 contracts worth QR9bn with different companies. Of this, 10 companies are Qatari entities. Almost half of the remaining QR18bn contracts would also go to local companies. The Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada with RasGas Managing Director Hamad Rashid Al Mohannadi and other The bidding process is trans- senior managers of RasGas and QP during a recent visit to the site of the Barzan Gas Project. The project has the highest number of Qatari nation- parent so that local companies als working in almost every key discipline compared to previous RasGas mega projects. can easily become part of this big New Port will ticket project. “We are committed to make create 20,000 sure that a major slice of the Renewable QR27bn contract is going to jobs: Al Noaimi Construction industry employees local companies. The sub con- tract works would also go Qatari DOHA: The New Port energy usage companies. But we would encour- Project (NPP) would gener- age foreign companies too to have ate 20,000 job opportunities. received QR12.37bn wages in 2011 joint ventures with the local Training would be given to up but 2030 companies,” Nabeel Mohammed Qatari candidates ahead of DOHA: Nearly 493,500 work- Detailed findings of the survey by large establishments, while Al Buenain (pictured), Project their appointments, the NPP ers were engaged in the coun- are to be released later, the QSA the remaining 6.5 percent (or target doubtful Executive Director of NPP, said steering committee chair- try’s fast-paced building and said in its statement. According 25,374) were in the employ of yesterday. man Abdulaziz Mohammed construction industry in 2011 to the excerpts, gross output smaller companies that employed ABU DHABI: The share of “We are putting all the details Al Noaimi has said. and while they collectively per employee of the sector was less than 50 workers each. These renewables in the global energy for the future contracts on our He was talking to the media received wages worth a stag- QR152,037 ($41,564) and the companies totalled 1,422. mix has increased over the past website. The local companies need ahead of a project review gering QR12.37bn ($3.39bn) in gross value added per worker was The employees of these compa- decade to more than 15 percent not wait for newspaper notices to meeting held at the project the year, the sector’s produc- QR71,543 ($19,600). nies collectively received wages to but doubts remain over whether submit their tenders. NPP would site yesterday. tion totalled five times that QSA said some 2,234 estab- the tune of QR749m in the year a 2030 target of 30 percent soon launch an Arabic version of Al Noaimi said the project sum —QR60bn ($16.43bn). lishments were covered by the and they together contributed is achievable, delegates to an the website,” he said. works were progressing as The industry generated a gross survey, of which 812, or 36 per- gross value added of QR1.58bn. international conference said The NPP Steering Committee per the original schedule. value added of QR28bn ($7.67bn) cent, were large ones, having The majority of workers (99.8 yesterday. anticipates at least nine future “There was a minor delay which accounted for 4.5 percent 50 or more workers in their percent) of the entire building Fossil fuels still account for tenders, which is expected to be from the part of company of the country’s gross domestic employment. and construction industry were 80 percent of world energy use, floated between Q1 2013 and Q1 that is involved in one of the product in the year. These large companies non-Qataris, said the QSA, add- threatening efforts to reduce 2014. The project works include major works. But they have The net value added (after together employed a little over ing that it regularly conducts greenhouse gas emissions that construction of a bridge/causeway recovered the loss hours eliminating depreciation) by the 368,000 workers and they collec- comprehensive economic surveys are blamed for global warming, over the tidal channel that drains and the works are now fast sector totalled QR26bn ($7.12bn), tively received wages to the tune annually to gather aggregate and delegates said. the area between the reclamation progressing”. the country’s national office of QR11.62bn in the year under detailed data on different types “The shift towards low carbon area and the New Port area. This Al Noaimi and the steering for statistics, Qatar Statistics review (2011). of economic activities in the energy has started,” the executive is in addition to the announce- committee members later Authority (QSA), said in a press The total number of work- country. secretary of the UN Framework ment of another 11 major contract took out a tour of the project statement yesterday. ers engaged in the building and Surveys are conducted follow- Convention on Climate Change, works. site. THE PENINSULA The QSA cited excerpts from construction industry reached ing international recommenda- Christina Figueres, told the World Al Buenain said work is pro- the findings of a building and 393,455 in the year. tions, concepts and definitions, Future Energy Summit. gressing according to the original construction industry survey A vast majority of these work- the statistics office said. “But it is not happening at the project schedule. second and third would be com- that was conducted in 2011. ers (93.5 percent) were employed THE PENINSULA scale or speed required,” she said. “If everything goes well, we will pleted in 2020 and 2030. The secretary general of the open the Port during the first The New Port Project cele- International Renewable Energy Quarter of 2016,” he said. brated a milestone on July 1 last Agency (IRENA), Adnan Amin, Over 10 percent of the project year with the laying of the first told the conference that if noth- work have been completed, precast concrete block of the ing is done, “we will have a nine- including the 32 percent of the Port’s 8km quay wall. Oil firms overlooking safety in Arctic percent gap” on the 2030 target. excavation works. The contract- On completion of this earth “We have to bridge this gap ing companies are supposed to retaining structure, which will and we can,” said Amin, refer- recover their lost days, if any. share the harbour and enable STAVANGER, Norway: Oil them so far ice-free and relatively to? It could be that they (compa- ring to an action plan released by The New Doha Port Container ships to berth, will include over companies are overlooking some accessible. But oil companies are nies) do not need to care about the agency on Monday. Based on Terminal will have a capacity of 35,000 concrete blocks. With each vital safety issues when prepar- also looking even further north to that, because the ice and snow are the Global Futures Report 2013 2 million, 20ft container equiva- concrete block weighing between ing to drill in frontier Arctic more difficult zones. melting,” he said. by the Paris-based Renewable lent units (TEU) per year with 37 and 96 tonnes, and with more areas, the head of the safety “There are several things that He cited Skrugard, Norway’s Energy Policy Network for the the possibility to expand to 6 than 1 million cubic metres of watchdog for the Norwegian oil do not appear to be clearly on northernmost oil discovery so far, 21st Century, renewable energy million TEU a year in the future. C40 concrete being used in the industry said. their agenda,” Magne Ognedal, situated some 240 kilometres (150 currently accounts for about 17 The terminal would be developed construction process, the wall will The Arctic is estimated to hold head of the Petroleum Safety miles) north of Europe. to 18 percent of the world energy in three phases. The first phase take more than two years to build. some 30 percent of the world’s Authority Norway, said in an “From a 10,000-year perspec- mix. Fossil fuels — oil, natural would be completed in 2016. The THE PENINSULA undiscovered gas and 13 percent interview. tive, Skrugard is lying on the ice gas and coal — still account for a of its untapped oil, which is lead- “One of them is satellite cover- polar cap. It could be in 2014 or in massive 80 percent while nuclear ing energy firms to explore fur- age, which is so bad so far north 10,000 years, but there is a risk, energy accounts for around two to ther north. that some say that you cannot and they need to factor that in.” three percent. The report, based But exploring in this remote, navigate safely in these areas,” he On other safety aspects, the on interviews with 170 specialists, cold region is risky, as Royal added. “Polar low-pressure fronts industry is making good progress, gave a wide range of projections Dutch Shell most recently expe- are (also) difficult: a storm can including developing suitable for future renewables use. rienced when its Kulluk oil rig ran form in half an hour. Suddenly clothing for staff to work out- The most conservative was that aground in Alaska on New Year’s you have a storm that you were doors in very cold temperatures, the share of renewables would not Eve in near hurricane conditions. not warned about, and what do the regulator said. exceed 20 percent by 2050. Other Environmentalists have long you do? We need better weather Companies are also concerned specialists predicted a share of said the Arctic’s challenging con- warning systems.” about emergency preparedness - between 30 and 45 percent, while ditions make it too risky to search A third issue is the lack of how to respond to a crisis situa- the most optimistic said clean for hydrocarbons. A spill, they say, interest in predicting the edge of tion, he said. “They have a lot of energy could make up anywhere would be near impossible to clean the polar ice cap, which changes good things on their agenda, for between 50 and 95 percent. up. in size with the seasons and which they are seeking solutions,” At present, renewables account Norway, the world’s eighth- the years, Ognedal suggested. he said. Norway has no plans to for at least 20 percent of the biggest crude exporter, is one of Installations could be covered change its safety regulations to energy mix in at least 30 coun- several Arctic nations opening with ice or risk colliding with make it easier for the industry as tries, and around 120 countries Construction of the New Port in full swing. vast swathes of northern offshore drifting icebergs. it pushes further north, Ognedal have various types of policy tar- areas to oil companies, most of “Where will the ice edge spread added. REUTERS gets, the report said. AFP THURSDAY 17 JANUARY 2013 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

First-ever Qatar Exchange’s losing streak ends distributable Most Gulf bourses rise as bargain hunters buy banking stocks following early-week declines profits for Vodafone Qatar DOHA/DUBAI: Most Middle 0.3 percent and Al Rajhi Bank Foreign interest in Doha stocks is a lot cheaper in a peer group YESTERDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS East bourses rose yesterday as climbed 1.8 percent. Both firms has increased this year after with National Bank of Abu Dhabi DOHA: bargain hunters bought bank- have yet to declare their quarterly a lull in 2012, although many (NBAD) and First Gulf Bank QATAR: The index rose 0.5 percent Vodafone ing stocks following early-week results. investors are waiting for Qatar (FGB),” said an Abu Dhabi-based to 8,578 points. Qatar’s rev- declines. Other banks also advanced, to move ahead with infrastruc- trader. SAUDI ARABIA: The index climbed enue for the Banks results in Saudi Arabia with the sector’s index closing ture projects planned as part of “If there’s good news from the 0.3 percent to 7,036 points. nine-months and Qatar have failed to impress 0.9 percent higher to claw back the country’s hosting of the FIFA bank, ENBD will get massively DUBAI: The index climbed 0.4 per- to December investors, but three straight some of this week’s losses. World Cup in 2022. re-rated because it has been a cent to 1,741 points. 2012 grew by losses on both markets have “I see the market as slightly “Outflows of foreign funds laggard.” ABU DHABI: The index slipped 0.2 20 percent enticed some buyers back in at oversold — I expect in the next were significant last year and Dubai’s index climbed 0.4 per- percent to 2,770 points. year-on-year lower prices. two weeks to move towards 7,300 despite recent inflows, it’s a drop cent, up for a second session in EGYPT: The index rose 0.6 percent resulting in Saudi Arabia’s index rose 0.3 points again,” added Tuffaha. in the ocean,” said Anastasios the last four since hitting a two- to 5,691 points. the company percent to 7,036 points, steady- In Doha, the benchmark Dalgiannakis, institutional trad- year high on Thursday. KUWAIT: The index climbed 0.2 achieving ing around a psychological sup- climbed 0.5 percent, up 2.6 per- ing manager at Mubasher. “There Abu Dhabi-listed NBAD rose percent to 6,128 points. positive quarterly distributable port level at 7,000 points. It hit a cent so far in January. is scope for more gains but we 1.3 percent and FGB slipped 0.8 OMAN: The index slipped 0.5 per- profits for the first time in its four-month closing high of 7,166 Qatar National Bank (QNB) need some concrete signs.” percent. cent to 5,807 points. history. points on Saturday. rose 0.5 percent, Commercial Elsewhere, Dubai’s top lender Abu Dhabi’s benchmark dipped BAHRAIN: The index advanced 0.2 “Having positive Distributable “Banks so far reported mod- Bank of Qatar added 0.8 per- Emirates NBD lifted the emir- 0.2 percent, down from Tuesday’s percent to 1,076 points. Profits has been a clear target for erate growth and the only solid cent and Doha Bank gained 0.6 ate’s bourse, with its shares surg- 26-month high. us and so achieving this milestone numbers were in smaller banks - percent. ing 6.4 percent. Egypt’s measure climbed 0.6 postponed a case over the dis- after only three years of opera- investors are now waiting for the Sentiment was weak in Qatar The bank will hold an analyst percent, up for a second session puted sale of land for the prop- tions is a great achievement for us bluechips to report,” said Hesham after QNB set a 60 percent cash meeting later this month and is in the last five. erty developer’s flagship Madinaty all and should give our sharehold- Tuffaha, a fund manager at a dividend, equivalent to QR6 per expected to post quarterly earn- Shares in Talaat Moustafa project till April 16. ers confidence that the business Saudi investment firm. share, that disappointed retail ings earlier than usual. advanced 1.2 percent, giving back Non-Arab foreigners were net is moving in the right direc- Heavyweight Saudi Basic investors due to a lack of bonus “There’s been a focus on bank some of their intraday gains after buyers, while Egyptians were net tion,” said Richard Daly (pic- Industries Corp (Sabic) gained shares. valuations and Emirates NBD an early-session surge. A court sellers. REUTERS tured above), Vodafone Qatar’s Chief Executive Officer, while announcing the company’s finan- cial results for the nine months ended December 31, 2012. Vodafone’s mobile customers increased 26 percent to 1,004,767 Doha to host Mideast offshore meet from Jan 21-23 during the nine months compared to the corresponding period in DOHA: This year’s Offshore The event’s Platinum spon- 2011. Middle East Conference and sors were also represented with The average revenue per user Exhibition will take place spokespersons, including Alistair increased to QR121; this is growth from January 21 to 23 at the Routledge, Vice-President of 8.4 percent year-on-year. Qatar National Convention and Joint Interest Manager at Earnings before interest, tax, Centre (QNCC), the organisers ExxonMobil, Qatar and Paul depreciation and amortisation announced in a press confer- Taylor of Maersk Oil. (EBITDA) reached QR182m for ence, yesterday. The Middle East region’s oil the nine months to December 31, The organisers of the three-day and gas industry has never looked 2012; this is an improvement of 78 event, PennWell Corporation, said healthier with firms investing percent year-on-year . that this year’s line-up is stronger heavily to increase their acreage Distributable Profits of QR25m than ever with over 50 speakers at sea in an effort to meet growing for the nine months means an from nearly 20 countries plus an global demands. improvement of 56 percent com- impressive line-up of leading com- The GCC is forecast to award pared to the same period last year. panies, including Qatar Petroleum, a little over $50bn worth of con- “The third quarter (end- ExxonMobil, Gulf Drilling, Maersk tracts in the oil, gas and petro- FROM LEFT: David Paganie, Mubarak A Al Hajri, Alistair Routlegde and Paul Taylor, at the press briefing yesterday. ing December) is seasonally Oil, Qatar Shell, Total E&P, Al chemical projects market in 2013. very strong for Vodafone Qatar. Khafji Joint Operations and Over the next two years, some of Achieving one million customers Al Nasr Holding Co. Speaking the major projects awarded include required for exploration, devel- drilling operation, field develop- General Manager, ExxonMobil enabled a 15 percent improve- at the Press Conference were contracts on Saudi Aramco’s Jizan opment and production projects. ment - asset integrity, reservoir Qatar Inc; Nasir K Naimi, Vice ment in revenue over the quarter, David Paganie, Chief Editor, refinery, major work offshore Abu Organised by Offshore and hosted monitoring and control, LNG/gas President, Northern Area Oil and with continued focus on costs, Offshore magazine and Director of Dhabi, and new world-scale petro- by Qatar Petroleum, Offshore operations - pipelines/flow assur- Operations, Upstream, Saudi our EBITDA profits grew 56 per- Offshore Conferences, PennWell chemical complexes in Qatar. Middle East 2013 will be graced ance, HSE and risk management, Aramco; Stéphane Michel, cent. This achievement helped us Corporation, the US and Mubarak Some of the most important with the patronage and support geophysics and HR/Training. Managing Director, TOTAL E&P to reach the crucial milestone of A Al Hajri, Chairman of the challenges currently facing the of the Minister of Energy and Particular drawcards will be Qatar; Wael Sawan, Executive generating our first ever quarter Advisory Board of the Offshore offshore oil and gas industry relate Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin the General Session – Operators Vice-President, Qatar Shell, and of positive Distributable Profits,” Middle East 2013, Operations to accessing modern technology Saleh Al Sada. Perspectives which will feature Lewis Affleck, Managing Director, said Steve Walters, Vodafone Manager, Offshore Fields, Qatar and securing the necessary capi- Topics up for discussion noteworthy presenters, includ- Maersk Oil Qatar. Qatar’s Chief Financial Officer. Petroleum, Qatar. tal to cover the large investments include well construction and ing: Bart Cahir, President and THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA

QATARI MARKET Bond Coupon Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P Abu Dhabi’s Taqa says restart date Qatar Govt 5.15% 4/9/2014 USD 105.50 0.60 % Aa2 AA UAE banks to make formal Qatar Govt 3.125% 1/20/2017 USD 106.00 1.58 % Aa2 AA not set for Brent pipeline system Qatar Govt 6.55% 4/9/2019 USD 126.50 2.00 % Aa2 AA proposal on mortgage caps Qatar Govt 5.25% 1/20/2020 USD 120.25 2.13 % Aa2 AA DUBAI: Abu Dhabi’s Taqa been released into the environ- Qatar Govt 4.5% 1/20/2022 USD 115.44 2.57 % Aa2 AA has no restart date for oil out- ment and investigations contin- ABU DHABI: Banks in the “The proposals are being sent Qatar Govt 9.75% 6/15/2030 USD 182.00 3.45 % Aa2 AA put stopped after a leak at its ued to discover the source of the UAE agreed yesterday to make for the central bank’s considera- Qatar Govt 6.4% 1/20/2040 USD 139.00 4.02 % Aa2 AA Cormorant Alpha platform, a leak. “Measurements within the a formal plea to the central tion,” he said. Qatar Govt 5.75% 1/20/2042 USD 129.06 4.04 % Aa2 AA part of Britain’s major North leg show that the volume released bank to ease the mortgage lim- In a brief statement, the EBA Sea Brent pipeline system. is small,” said the statement. its which it introduced at the confirmed that top commercial Qatari Diar 3.5% 7/21/2015 USD 105.13 1.42 % Aa2 AA The entire system was expected The installation is owned and end of last month, two sources bankers had approved proposals Qatari Diar 5% 7/21/2020 USD 117.00 2.50 % Aa2 AA to export around 135,000 barrels operated by the UK arm of the familiar with the matter said. to amend some rules on loan-to- Comqat 5% 11/18/2014 USD 106.00 1.64 % A1 A- per day (bpd) of oil this month, Abu Dhabi National Energy Co, “The suggestion agreed at the value ratios. The EBA did not Comqat 3.375% 4/11/2017 USD 104.50 2.25 % A1 A- around 8 percent of British off- Taqa Bratani Ltd. meeting is to raise the mortgage elaborate on the proposals, but QIB 3.856% 10/7/2015 USD 105.00 1.96 % NR NR shore oil production. Cormorant Alpha also han- cap (for purchases of first homes) said they would be forwarded to QNB 3.125% 11/16/2015 USD 103.63 1.80 % Aa3 A+ “Taqa is currently evaluating dles oil from the Dunlin, Thistle, to 60 percent for non-nationals the central bank. QNB 3.375% 2/22/2017 USD 104.63 2.19 % Aa3 A+ plans to restore the throughput Northern producer, Murchison, and 80 percent for nationals,” A circular sent to commercial of an estimated 80,000 bpd in North Alwyn, Tern, Eider and one banker said, declining to be banks by the central bank last Doha Bank 3.5% 3/14/2017 USD 104.56 2.34 % A2 A- the Brent pipeline, excluding any North Cormorant Platforms. named as he was not authorised month said mortgage loans for Qtel 3.375% 10/14/2016 USD 105.63 1.81 % A2 A Cormorant Alpha production,” Shell UK said that the shut- to talk to the media. foreign individuals should not Qtel 7.875% 6/10/2019 USD 131.38 2.53 % A2 A the company said in a statement. down has not had any direct The banks’ meeting was led by exceed 50 percent of the prop- Qtel 4.75% 2/16/2021 USD 113.00 2.93 % A2 A Taqa said on Tuesday it had impact on its Brent Field instal- Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Chairman erty value for a first purchase of Qtel 5% 10/19/2025 USD 112.50 3.76 % A2 A found an oil leak in one of the lations, and offered to help Taqa of the Emirates Banks Association a home, and 40 percent for sec- Rasgas 5.5% 9/30/2014 USD 107.13 1.22 % Aa3 A legs of Cormorant Alpha, closing with the repairs. (EBA), the industry’s lobbying ond and subsequent homes. Caps Rasgas 5.832% 9/30/2016 USD 109.38 3.13 % Aa3 A the platform and the pipeline sys- The Brent system is jointly group. He told bankers present for UAE citizens were set at 70 Rasgas 5.298% 9/30/2020 USD 112.88 3.38 % Aa3 A tem that handles a total of 90,000 owned by 21 companies. It con- that the central bank was cooper- percent for a first home and 60 bpd, including 10,000 bpd from sists of part of the processing ating with the EBA on the matter, percent for subsequent ones. SOVEREIGNS Cormorant Alpha across several systems and structure on the the source added. The central bank, which has Bond PDA* Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P oilfields that contribute to Brent Cormorant Alpha platform, oper- Other proposals by the EBA refrained from commenting pub- Abu Dhabi Govt 5.5% 4/8/2014 USD 106.13 0.42 % Aa2 AA blend. “The repairs are compli- ated by Taqa, as well as a 150km relate to whether the property is licly on the caps, is apparently Abu Dhabi Govt 6.75% 4/8/2019 USD 129.13 1.79 % Aa2 AA cated because the defective area pipeline connecting Cormorant completed or under construction, seeking to prevent any repeat of of the leg is hard to reach,” said a Alpha to the BP operated Sullom and whether the investor is resi- the UAE’s property bubble of the Dubai Govt 6.7% 10/5/2015 USD 111.25 2.38 % NR NR Taqa spokesman. Voe Oil Terminal in the Shetland dent or non-resident in the UAE, mid-2000s, which was followed by Dubai Govt 4.9% 5/2/2017 USD 108.69 2.74 % NR NR Taqa said none of the oil had Islands. REUTERS the source said. a crash. REUTERS Dubai Govt 7.75% 10/5/2020 USD 128.50 3.50 % NR NR Dubai Govt 6.45% 5/2/2022 USD 119.44 3.93 % NR NR Qatar Govt 4% 1/20/2015 USD 105.63 1.16 % Aa2 AA Bahrain Govt 6.273% 11/22/2018 USD 116.06 3.24 % NR BBB Bahrain Govt 5.5% 3/31/2020 USD 110.75 3.78 % NR BBB Sudan plans to boost oil production to 150,000 bpd Egypt Govt 5.75% 4/29/2020 USD 101.75 5.45 % B2 B- KHARTOUM: Sudan plans to reach 180,000 bpd by the end the field, but Block 17 is oper- existing wells to 47 percent from Morocco Govt 4.5% 10/5/2020 EUR 105.00 3.75 % NR BBB- to increase oil production to at of the year, but its major Heglig ated by state oil firm Sudapet 23 percent. Its current output *Periodic Distribution Amount IMPORTANT NOTE: least 150,000 barrels per day oilfield was damaged during a and Ansan, a company owned by serves only domestic consump- Published by HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, P O Box 57, Doha, Qatar which (bpd) this year thanks to two brief occupation by South Sudan’s Yemeni investors. tion. Sudan also plans to increase is licensed and regulated by Qatar Central Bank and Jersey Financial Services new oilfields and a higher recov- army and border fighting between A second new oilfield in Hadida capacity at its three refineries — Commission. Information quoted is from publicly available sources or proprietary ery rate from existing fields, its the two countries in April. in Block 6 in the western Darfur located north of Khartoum, in data and subject to change. HSBC accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising oil minister told a newspaper The planned increase will be region will increase output to Port Sudan and El-Obeid — to out of the use of all or part of this material. This information is general and does not take into account individual circumstances, objectives or needs. The price of bonds yesterday. driven partly by the Al Barsaya 20,000 bpd this year from 10,000 300,000 bpd from 140,000 bpd can and does fluctuate. The secondary market for bonds may not provide significant The African country, which oilfield in Block 17 in South bpd currently, he said. now, he said. liquidity or may trade based on prevailing market conditions. Past performance is not currently pumps 136,000 bpd to Kordofan state, which has started “We’ve achieved no doubt Technical studies have been a reliable indicator of future performance. You should consider these matters and 140,000 bpd, lost three-quarters with an initial output of 6,000 big progress thanks to apply- completed on a proposed doubling consult your financial advisor prior to making any investment decisions. of its output when South Sudan bpd, Oil Minister Faisal Hamad ing modern technologies, which of capacity at the Khartoum refin- became independent in July 2011. told the Al Intibaha newspaper. have boosted the recovery rate,” ery, a joint-venture with Chinese The drop in oil, its main source Its output will rise to between Hamad said. state oil firm China National of budget and trade revenues, has 10,000 bpd and 15,000 bpd this Sudan last year signed an Petroleum Corp (CNPC), to thrown its economy into turmoil. year, he estimated. He did not agreement with Norway to help 200,000 bpd, he said, without giv- Sudan had originally planned name the companies involved in improve the recovery rate of ing details. REUTERS THURSDAY 17 JANUARY 2013 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Egypt’s currency crisis not a deterrent for QNB Bank to complete Societe Generale deal in two months

DOHA: Qatar National Bank Bank (NSGB) was formally pur- loan growth around 15 percent, (QNB) hopes to complete the chased wouldn’t impact QNB’s Mari said. QNB reported on purchase of Societe Generale’s profits. Sunday respective growth for 2012 Egyptian unit in the next two QNB expects Egypt’s central of 11.1 percent and 28.9 percent. months and won’t be deterred bank to approve the purchase in The bank said at the time it by the currency crisis in the the next two weeks, Mari said, would pay a cash dividend of 60 north African country, it said with the buying process hope- percent of nominal earnings per yesterday. fully completed in two months share value, equivalent to QR6 The Gulf state’s largest bank and with NSGB consolidated into per share. said in December it would buy the QNB’s accounts from the second Mari said the cash dividend French bank’s 77 percent stake quarter of 2013 onwards. was higher than the 35-40 per- in National Societe Generale A tender offer to minority cent offered in previous years Bank, with the buyout of minor- shareholders which control 23 and would be an “exception” as ity shareholders taking the price percent of NSGB’s stock must be the bank judged the right blend to around $2.56bn. completed under Egyptian mar- of cash and stock dividend. Egypt has subsequently been ket rules. No date for this has QNB paid no bonus shares hit by a currency crisis, with the been announced but it is likely this year, a move that upset local pound dropping around 6 percent to be after central bank approval investors which had expected a in value against the dollar to 6.58 has been secured. stock component — the share A gold bar on a scale is photographed at the German Federal Reserve Bank headquarters in Frankfurt. since the introduction of a new QNB is also targeting further price suffered its biggest one-day system of foreign currency auc- acquisitions in north Africa and drop in 12 months the day follow- tions on December 30. Turkey, but the bank had “noth- ing the results announcement. “When we priced the deal, we ing material happening” in terms In terms of future dividends, Gold regains premium over sagging platinum went in expecting the exchange of asset buys, Mari said, adding Mari said the bank had the capi- rate to drop — we expected 10 to it had enough cash to complete tal reserves to continue paying LONDON: Gold prices of the metal, Anglo American while spot platinum was down 15 percent and that is embedded a purchase without raising funds cash dividends above 40 percent regained their premium over Platinum, announced that an 0.4 percent at $1,671.50 an ounce. in the deal,” Ramzi Mari, QNB’s from the market. without threatening its capital platinum yesterday as the white operational overhaul would cost The two metals hit parity for chief financial officer said. The Qatari bank, along with position. metal surrendered some of the 14,000 jobs and an estimated the first time since March on He added the bank wouldn’t Commonwealth Bank of Australia “Whether we pay 40-50 per- previous session’s hefty gains, 400,000 ounces of production. Tuesday. withdraw its offer if the pound and Industrial and Commercial cent, it doesn’t matter. Any time which had taken it to three- It hit a high of $1,699.50 an Platinum was, however, still dropped below 7 to the dollar, Bank of China, is said to be a we need new capital, our biggest month highs on rising supply ounce on Tuesday, but retraced firmly underpinned by news that equivalent to a decline of between suitor for Rabobank’s Indonesian shareholder will be happy to put concerns from major producer some of that rise yesterday, while Amplats staff had downed tools 15 and 17 percent. unit, sources said yesterday. in new funds,” Mari said. South Africa. gold held its ground. on Wednesday, with the com- Mari added any depreciation Before including NSGB in its QNB is 50 percent owned by Platinum rallied for a sixth Spot gold was little changed at pany saying workers were on in the currency both before and accounts, QNB expects net profit the Qatar Investment Authority. straight day on Tuesday after $1,676.04 an ounce at 1434 GMT illegal strike at three of its South after National Societe Generale to rise 10 percent in 2013, with REUTERS the world’s number one producer against $1,678.50 late on Tuesday, African mines. REUTERS Opec sees weaker demand for crude Saudi Savola’s Q4 net down 17pc JEDDAH: Savola Group, the incurred from the sale of two land LONDON: Opec expects Riyadh’s preferred $100-mark Saudi-based food conglomerate, plots during the fourth quarter of demand for its crude to be but with expectations of slower posted a 17 percent drop in fourth- 2011. lower than expected this Oil market well-balanced, demand in early this year, Opec quarter net profit, missing ana- Operational profit for the fourth- year because of higher sup- at a meeting in December left lysts’ forecasts, mainly due to a quarter rose by 32.3 percent to ply from rival producers, well-supplied: UAE minister the target unchanged, leav- gain it booked from land sales in SR792.2m, the statement said. indicating inventories could ing the door open to informal the year-ago quarter. In a separate statement, Savola build up substantially even ABU DHABI: The world oil market is well-balanced and supply tweaks depending on The firm, which owns the Middle said it expects to make SR1.5bn after a cut in output by top well-supplied, UAE Energy Minister Mohammed Al Hamli demand. East’s biggest sugar refining busi- before capital gains and exceptional exporter Saudi Arabia. said yesterday, adding his country plans to raise oil output Saudi Arabia told Opec it ness, made a net profit of SR413.4m items in 2013 and net income of 260 The Organisation of capacity. produced 9.025 million bpd in ($110.2m) in the three months ending million riyals in the first-quarter. the Petroleum Exporting “The market is well-balanced. Maybe it’s a little bit over- December, down from 9.49 mil- December 31, compared with a profit The company also set a dividend Countries’ monthly report supplied, but generally it is well-supplied,” Hamli told reporters lion bpd in November, confirm- of SR498.6m in the same period a of 0.5 riyals per share for the fourth indicated world supply will on the sidelines of the first meeting between Arab and South ing figures provided last week year earlier, it said in a statement quarter. comfortably outstrip demand American energy ministers. by an industry source familiar yesterday. In October, Savola raised its stake in the first half of 2013, even “We keep monitoring the market all the time and right now, with Saudi policy. Three analysts surveyed by in fellow Saudi food firm Almarai Co after Riyadh cut output in the market is capable of taking all we produce... there is no Major customers of state oil Reuters expected Savola to post an to 36.5 percent from 29.95 percent December by almost 500,000 need to cut supplies,” he said. company Saudi Aramco said average profit of SR456.7m for the by purchasing shares worth SR2bn. barrels per day (bpd) to fend Hamli said his country is pumping 2.6 million barrels per the cuts were driven by lower fourth-quarter. The firm was set to close a SR1.5bn off a supply overhang and day (bpd) and plans to raise output capacity to 3 million bpd demand. Savola attributed the dip in prof- Islamic bond earlier this week, defend prices well above $100 by the end of the year. Record Saudi output last its to a capital gain of SR153m it sources said. REUTERS a barrel. The minister said the world demand for oil is “in a good year of up to 10 million bpd Opec lowered the 2013 fore- shape,” adding that there will be an increase in demand this helped to cushion the impact cast demand for its crude by year but below the growth in 2012. of Western sanctions on Iran 100,000 bpd to 29.65 million “Demand will depend on how the crisis is handled... It is over its nuclear programme by bpd, as it expects producers coming mainly from Asian countries — China and India and helping to bring prices down outside the 12-member group the Middle East,” Hamli said. from a 2012 high of $128 in to pump more. This is less than He said UAE is looking to import LNG to meet the peak March. Opec’s December output of demand in the summer, but provided no further details on The other significant cut- 30.37 million bpd as estimated when the imports will begin. backs in Opec output in by secondary sources. Oil prices rebounded in Asian trade yesterday on stronger December were due to tech- Demand for Opec crude will US demand for heating oil but an impending showdown in the nical and political setbacks in average 29.07 million bpd in US Congress over the debt ceiling could limit gains. Iraq, the world’s fastest-grow- the first half of this year, the New York’s main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in ing exporter, and the impact of report estimated, implying February was up 26 cents to $93.53 a barrel and Brent North the sanctions on Iran. inventories could build up by Sea crude for February delivery climbed 36 cents to $110.66 in Other Opec producers may about 1.3 million bpd should the afternoon. not join Saudi Arabia in vol- Opec maintain December’s The gains were driven by data showing better-than-expected untarily curbing output. The output rate. demand for distillates, including heating oil, in the United UAE sees no need to do so The report made only a States, said Victor Shum managing director of energy consul- since the market is well bal- marginal cut in its forecast tancy IHS Purvin and Gertz in Singapore. AFP anced, the country’s oil minis- for global growth in oil demand ter said yesterday. in 2013, trimming the estimate Opec’s report expects sup- by 10,000 bpd to 760,000 bpd. expected to be as sharp as last trimmed its 2013 demand ply from countries outside the The expansion will be led by year, but instead considerably growth forecast by 20,000 bpd. group to rise by 930,000 bpd China and other fast-growing milder.” The International Energy - 30,000 bpd more than previ- economies. Opec’s is the second of this Agency, adviser to 28 indus- ously expected — to 53.92 mil- “World economic turbu- month’s three closely watched trialised countries, issues its lion bpd in 2013. lence has affected oil demand supply and demand reports to report on Friday. The US, enjoying a shale in the past few years,” Opec be released. The US govern- Opec has a target for its 12 energy boom, is providing the said. “Nevertheless, its effect ment’s Energy Information members to produce 30 mil- largest addition. on this year’s oil demand is not Administration last week lion bpd. With prices above REUTERS

Iraq approves Samsung’s $879m oilfield contract • Bullion - Mumbai Gold (10 gm) Standard Rs. 30540 BAGHDAD: Iraq’s cabinet approved an $879m oilfield serv- Silver (1 kg) Rs. 59080 ice contract with Samsung Engineering for the development • Indian Rupees QR1 = 14.93 of the Badra oil field, the cabinet said in a statement. • Sensex Under the contract, Samsung plans to build a facility to help process crude from the field, whose output is forecast to reach BSE 19817.63 170,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) in 2017, a target which was NSE 6001.85 set by Iraq’s oil ministry. • LIC (International) launches New Gold Investment Plan ‘GOLD PLUS’ – Gazprom Neft, the oil arm of Russia’s Gazprom, is teaming which provides an opportunity to invest in GOLD ETF & GOLD SPOT, PAN up with Turkey’s TPAO, South Korea’s KOGAS and Malaysia’s Card/Demat Account not required. Petronas to develop the field near the Iran border, which has • Short-term investment plan from LIC International upto 6.4 percent return estimated reserves of 100 million barrels. The Russian company p.a. (in dollar) expects to start commercial production of 15,000 barrels per day • Housing loan from HDFC LTD at the field in August. Iraq aims to double its oil output over the next three years and has a long-term goal of 12 million bpd. • Mutual Fund: Buy & Sell: SBI MF, HDFC MF, UTI MF, Birla Sun Life MF, Although that target may be out of reach, Iraq is still expected Tata MF, Reliance MF etc. to be the world’s biggest source of new oil supplies over the next Contact: Investec, Tel: 44325060/44365060 email: [email protected] few years. REUTERS THURSDAY 17 JANUARY 2013 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS VIEWS

Algeria’s economy opens up as Dubai stock market booms budget, social pressures grow BY LAMINE CHIKHI again, but cautiously T A factory near Algeria’s western city of Oran, cars BY NADIA SALEEM made by Renault are expected to start rolling off an trading turnover has in the last couple of developers, Aldar Properties and Sorouh assembly line late next year. It will be an important weeks hit its highest levels in nearly a year. Real Estate. By allowing better coordination Amoment for the Algerian economy. The French auto OHAMMAD Jamal, The rise in turnover suggests many indi- of residential property projects, the merger, giant abandoned its last Algerian factory 43 years ago after the a veteran investor in vidual investors like Jamal, who left the which is still under discussion, could sup- plant was nationalised in the wake of the country’s independence Dubai’s stock market, market in disgust during its crash, are com- port real estate prices in Abu Dhabi and from France in 1962. switched to trading com- ing back. “We’ve seen credit rally and real thus have a beneficial effect on Dubai’s prop- Now Renault is returning, lured by a shift in government policy. modities several years estate recover,” said Anastasios Dalgiannakis, erty firms and banks too. After decades in which officials tightly restricted foreign invest- ago as the global finan- institutional trading manager at Mubasher, The extent of the stock market’s confi- ment — a policy most recently known as “economic patriotism” Mcial crisis struck. But in recent months he a regional financial services firm. “The only dence could be seen in its calm reaction to — they are gradually opening the economy to capital from abroad. has started putting money into stocks again. asset class lagging was equities, and people news at the end of last month that the UAE About 400,000 new cars are sold in Algeria annually but the The 40-year-old Egyptian, who runs a are finally putting their money here.” central bank was placing caps on mortgage country imports the vast majority as it has no mass-production commodities trading operation in Dubai, Nobody is predicting any quick return to lending, to reduce the risk of another prop- auto plants. The government hopes Renault’s factory, a joint ven- thinks the market has bottomed out after the market’s pre-crash heights. The index, erty bubble developing. Shares in Emaar ture with local interests under a deal signed last month, will a five-year slump and that real estate and which ended yesterday at 1,741 points, is still Properties initially dipped but quickly launch a domestic auto industry that ultimately creates thousands banking stocks look particularly attractive. a whopping 72.5 percent below its 2008 peak. resumed rising and are up 8.8 percent so of jobs. “After years during which economic patriotism has been “The downturn is almost over and the only And while trading turnover has reached far this year, after a 46 percent leap in 2012. implemented with little success, Algeria is back again to a market way to go is up,” he says. “Things are not 500 million shares on some days this month, Amer Khan, fund manager at Dubai’s economy — not because it loves an open economy, but because it back to how they were in 2005, but they’re it has not come close to levels of around 1bn Shuaa Asset Management, said the stock has to have one, to create enough jobs,” said Arslan Chikhaoui, a better than 2008.” shares seen a few years ago. This suggests market would continue upwards if fourth- local economist who owns a consultancy. Dubai’s main stock index lost nearly a degree of caution remains. quarter corporate earnings, to be announced As recently as 2008, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika publicly three-quarters of its value in 2008 because Nevertheless, analysts say the fledgling in coming weeks, met analysts’ expectations. denounced foreign investors for exploiting Algeria’s resources of the global crisis and the bursting of a recovery of the real estate market means “If Q4 numbers are solid, expect the mar- without reinvesting some of their profits in the country. The bubble in the real estate market. The index the stock market is on a stronger footing ket to continue doing well compared to the government subsequently imposed new taxes on the operations has largely moved sideways in the past four than it has been at any time in the past five rest of the region - we saw retail investors of foreign firms. The aversion to foreign capital stemmed partly years as companies and investors licked years. Property stocks are heavily weighted trigger the rally and institutional buying from the socialist roots of post-independence governments, and their wounds. But over the last several in the index, and because an estimated 40 followed, which is healthy,” Khan said. partly from suspicion of Western economic dominance. months, much of the confidence of both local percent of bank lending in the United Arab Many fair-value estimates for UAE stocks Now, however, Algeria — like all countries in the region — is and international investors has returned, Emirates is to real estate firms, bank shares that analysts released in mid-2012 have now being forced by the Arab Spring uprisings to rethink its eco- as companies have made progress restruc- are very sensitive to property prices as well. been met or exceeded, so there is a risk nomic policies. Although it has avoided major political unrest, it turing billions of dollars of debts, property A boost to confidence in real estate came that the rally will falter if fourth-quarter was shaken in 2011 by a series of riots demanding better living prices have started to rebound, and a tour- in November when Dubai’s Ruler, H H earnings do not provide enough reasons for conditions. The government responded by ramping up spending ism boom has lifted the economy. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, analysts to lift their estimates. to ease social discontent, offering pay rises to millions of state The improving mood has been seen in announced plans for a huge tourism and “Value is something people haven’t touched employees and providing free loans to help young people launch plunging yields on Dubai bonds and in the retail development including the world’s on and following the recent rally, it needs to small businesses. credit default swaps (CDS) used to insure largest shopping mall. It is not clear when be looked at,” said an Abu Dhabi-based ana- That has pushed state finances into the red. Algeria is heavily against the possibility of the government the project will be completed, or whether all lyst. But he added, “If you ask if people are dependent on exports of oil and gas, but they have stagnated over defaulting. The CDS have dropped very near of it will end up being built, but the plans looking at price-to-earnings ratios, they’re the past five years. The government would need an oil price of levels seen before the crises struck. Now there fanned interest in the sector. not doing that right now.” Dubai’s index is $121 per barrel to balance its books, the International Monetary are signs that stocks have entered their own Another positive factor is the efforts trading at about 9.2 times analysts’ estimates Fund estimated in November. So authorities have been forced to recovery. The index rose 19.9 percent last year of Abu Dhabi to engineer a state-backed for corporate earnings in 2013, compared to look for new ways to expand revenues and stimulate the economy and is up 7.3 percent so far in 2013, while merger between its two top property 22.5 times in 2008. REUTERS — and foreign capital looks like the best bet, partly because it comes with modern technologies and access to foreign markets. The government’s new direction can be seen in an energy bill now being debated by parliament. The bill, which looks likely to pass as the government has a big majority in parliament, would abolish a windfall tax on foreign energy firms and replace it with another levy that is expected to be less onerous. The draft also offers fiscal incentives for foreign companies that invest in offshore exploration and unconventional energy projects, though Algerian state firm Sonatrach would remain majority partner in all upstream and downstream projects. “The government is doing its maximum to improve the sector’s attractiveness to secure high oil revenues,” a government official, said. He added that increasing export revenues was important because Algeria imported many of its basic needs, including food, medicine and machinery. The first test of the bill’s effectiveness is likely to come later this year, when the government is expected to invite bids for new energy projects. Under Algeria’s previous approach, mergers and acquisitions activity by foreign investors was vulnerable to official interfer- ence. When Egypt’s Orascom Telecom wanted to sell its lucrative Algerian unit Djezzy to South Africa’s MTN in 2010, the govern- ment blocked the deal, saying a 2009 law gave it the right to buy the asset in the event of any sale. But when Qatar Telecom boosted its stake in Kuwaiti telecom- munications firm Wataniya last October, the Algerian government did not seek to use the law to take control of Wataniya’s local unit. Analysts said this indicated an increasingly liberal stance by the government. “This is new behaviour, showing that there is change in the air — it did the contrary with Orascom Telecom a few years ago,” said Chikhaoui. The government also refrained from any action when US oil and gas firm ConocoPhillips struck a deal last month to sell its Algerian business unit to Indonesia’s Pertamina for about $1.75bn. Algeria will not abandon all of its investment restrictions over- night. In order to secure the Renault deal, for example, it agreed that other foreign carmakers would not be allowed to establish factories for three years. But analysts said the appointment of a new prime minister last September appeared to have built up irreversible momentum for reform. REUTERS Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Dollar squeeze adds to economic hardship in Sudan

BY ULF LAESSING independence in 2011. Oil reve- reserves, launched a crackdown costly for Sudanese to access the moment,” said Hamid. But the money home via official exchange nues were the main source of rev- on the black market. drugs. That raises the risk of dis- jump in sales is offset by a rise in bureaus. Most remittances how- CANNING his company’s enue for Sudan’s budget and for Within days, security agents sent and is adding to the hard- costs as raw material imports paid ever seem to have been exchanged 2012 financial statement, foreign currency needed to pay had arrested dozens of dealers, ship of the 32 million Sudanese for in dollars account for a third of on the black market. El Rashid El Amin Hamid, for vital imports including food seizing their cash, market sources who have endured decades of eth- the company’s equipment operat- The government hopes a Shead of Sudan’s biggest and medicine. say. Most street vendors went nic strife, poverty and economic ing expenses. “It’s a challenge doing $1.5bn loan from a Chinese pharmaceutical maker, should The situation has deteriorated into hiding or left Khartoum. crises. a good job,” said Hamid. bank, announced by Sudan last be celebrating — sales shot up 70 sharply in the past few weeks as The crackdown has brought While the country has avoided week and guaranteed by Chinese percent while marketing costs new tensions with South Sudan down the dollar rate to 6.5 pounds an “Arab Spring”, Khartoum and SANCTIONS state oil producer China National plummeted as strong demand dashed hopes that oil exports on the black market. But now other large cities have seen small With Sudan largely cut off Petroleum Corp — the biggest reduced the need to advertise. from the South would resume there is an even bigger problem: student protests against both from international financial mar- investor in the oil industry in But the entrepreneur still has soon and pass through Sudan With the black market frozen it high food prices and austerity kets due to US trade sanctions, Sudan and South Sudan — will a problem. How does his company for a hefty fee. South Sudan shut is almost impossible to obtain or measures imposed to plug a 6.5bn local banks have never played a stabilise the currency. China has get dollars to import raw mate- down its oil production a year ago even change dollars. pound ($1.5bn) deficit caused by dominant role in the economy. yet to confirm the loan. rials for the antibiotics, malaria after failing to agree a pipeline fee Instead of going to a bank and lost oil revenues. Many ordinary Most Sudanese do not have bank But Harry Verhoeven, a Sudan pills, diabetic tablets and other with Sudan. using the poor official exchange people struggled to pay for drugs accounts, while many large firms expert at Oxford University, said drugs it makes, and, if it can Economists say Sudan’s cen- rate as the government had or hospital treatment even before such as Amipharma are family- Khartoum would not be able to access hard currency, at what tral bank and commercial lenders hoped, many Sudanese with dol- the currency crisis. owned and use money traders keep the black market frozen for exchange rate? have been finding it increasingly lar reserves are sitting tight, “We don’t have some heart in and outside Sudan to obtain long as that would risk paralys- “We need to import materials difficult to supply the market with depriving the economy of a much- drugs and diabetic pills at the dollars. ing the economy because people for our drugs which are paid for enough dollars. That forced people needed injection of hard currency. moment,” said a pharmacist in Since South Sudan’s secession are unwilling to sell dollars at in dollars, but it’s very difficult to travelling out of the country, as The pharmaceutical industry, Khartoum. “Some foreign prod- the black market has become a the official rate. “This is clearly get dollars through the banking well as exporters, to go to black one of the country’s main indus- ucts have disappeared or are very problem because the loss of oil unsustainable,” he said system,” said Hamid, Director of market traders. tries along with food, mining and difficult to get,” she said. revenues has left the central bank But even if the dealers come Amipharma Laboratories, sitting textiles, is being hit especially The government has insisted it with insufficient dollars to keep back soon, the highly volatile in his office in Khartoum’s Bahri CRACKDOWN hard by the freeze in the black will ensure supplies but pharma- the gap between the official and exchange rate and the loss of oil industrial district. But when the Sudanese pound market and by sharp currency ceutical traders stopped ordering black market rates tight. production are making Sudan Sudan is battling its biggest hit a record low in late December swings, which saw the pound lose some foreign brand drugs when Last July it nearly halved the a difficult place to do business, economic crisis for decades as it with black market dealers as much as 15 percent in a month the pound went down. That has official dollar rate to 4.4 pounds, despite its potential as a cheap struggles with a severe shortage demanding a rate of 7.1 pounds to on a few occasions last year. triggered a surge in demand for from 2.7, and allowed licenced manufacturing base from which of hard currency following the the dollar — compared to an offi- Depreciation of the pound has cheaper local versions offered by dealers to offer a rate above 5.5 in to export to emerging markets in loss of three quarters of its oil cial rate of 4.4 — the central bank, pushed inflation above 44 percent companies like Amipharma. an attempt to encourage millions Africa and the Middle East. production due to South Sudan’s which does not disclose its foreign and is making it harder and more “We cannot meet demand at of Sudanese living abroad to send REUTERS THURSDAY 17 JANUARY 2013 MARKET www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

QE Indices Summary QE Index 8,577.66 0.23 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 2,509.98 0.23 % QE Total Return Index 11,608.68 0.23 % RATE QE All Share Index 2,062.74 0.29 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 1,999.07 0.38 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 4764.987 22.009 0.46 4770.2 4664.6 QE All Share Industrials 2,686.48 0.23 % QR197.0648 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 1,386.77 0.60 % Cac 40 Index/D 3692.28 -5.07 -0.14 3733.93 3683.82 UK ...... QR 5.8032 QR 5.8841 QE All Share Real Estate 1,636.61 0.38 % SILVER Euro ...... QR 4.8164 QR 4.8840 QE All Share Insurance 1,931.1 0.15 % Dj Indu Average 13534.89 27.57 0.2 13661.9 12035.1 QR 3.6676 QE All Share Telecoms 1,101.75 0.70 % CA$ ...... QR 3.6601 QR 3.7319 QE All Share Consumer Goods & Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 4,803.33 0.74 % Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.8933 QR 3.9484 Services Hang Seng Inde/D 23356.99 -24.52 -0.1 23515.86 22860.25 Yen ...... QR 0.0410 QR 0.0418 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.8082 QR 3.8846 Iseq Overall/D 3464.36 12.32 0.36 3526.74 3396.67 CRUDE OIL Today Previous day Ind Re ...... QR 0.0660 QR 0.0673 16-01-2013 15-01-2013 Karachi 100 In/D 16181.47 73.58 0.46 16935.52 16047.96 Index 8,577.66 8,557.96 BRENT Pak Re ...... QR 0.0370 QR 0.0378 Change 19.70 81.72 Nikkei 225 Index 10600.44 -278.64 -2.56 10952.31 10398.61 Peso ...... QR 0.0886 QR 0.0905 % 0.23 0.95 $ 110.54 SL Re ...... QR 0.0285 QR 0.0291 YTD% 2.62 2.38 S&P 500 Index/D 1472.34 1.66 0.11 1474.51 1266.74 DUBAI Taka ...... QR 0.0450 QR 0.0462 Volume 2,860,301 5,124,070 Straits Times/D 3208.5 12.43 0.39 3237.78 3182.26 Nep Re ...... QR 0.0415 QR 0.0423 Value (QAR) 134,003,713.27 263,139,155.48 $ 108.14 Trades 2,198 3,355 SA Rand ...... QR 0.4088 QR 0.4169 Straits Times/D 2989.31 24.69 0.83 3035.78 2657.77 Up 26 | Down 13 | Unchanged 02

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 16-01-2013

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

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

A C C-A/D 1386 -1.35 23825 Chowgule St-B/D 19.35 -0.15 4081 Hind Unilever-/D 499.2 -5.45 199953 Kopran-B/D 20.6 -0.3 28771 Radico Khait-B/D 145.4 -0.5 165281 Imperial Tobac/D 2374 -110 1277269 Aarti Drugs-T/D 237.4 -1.95 2403 Cipla-A/D 415.9 -2.55 224393 Hind.Petrol-A/D 325.85 -5.75 118415 Lakshmi Elec-B/D 206.4 -1.05 1579 Rallis India-B/D 146.75 -2.55 43581 Kingfisher/D 287.2 -2.8 1390231 Aban Offs-B/D 375.35 -4.55 62886 City Union Bk-/D 60.7 0.2 1627010 Hindalco-A/D 123.4 -5.65 851967 Lloyd Metal-B/D 14.15 -0.9 7385 Rallis India-B/D 146.75 -2.55 43581 Land Secs Grou/D 823 -6 418465 Ador Welding-B/D 138.8 -0.9 6028 Cmc Ltd-B/D 1345.9 -20.75 2567 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 816.95 -6.6 84221 Lloyd Steel-B/D 13.11 -0.44 44886 Reliance Indus/D 466.15 -10.05 338586 Legal & Genera/D 148.312 -1.1 2478863 Aegis Logis-B/D 179.55 -4.15 11438 Colgate-A/D 1465.25 -3.5 11538 I F C I-A/D 36.95 -1.4 3452283 Lloydsfin.-B/D 1.58 -0.08 379674 Ruchi Soya-B/D 71.35 -1.55 16880 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 52.385 -1.97 115891881 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 142.65 -1.35 5065 Dai-Bichi Kar-/D 43 0 3637 Idbi-A/D 113.1 -2.2 293339 Lumax Ind-B/D 377.85 0.25 24116 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 462.65 -12.35 11251 Marks & Sp./D 362.872 -2.2 1581100 Alembic-B/D 16.9 0.05 8305 Dcm Financia-B/D 1.6 -0.11 1803 Ifb Agro-B/D 201.45 1.75 4191 Lupin-A/D 580.1 -3 47937 Saur.Cem-B/D 25.95 -1.05 2114 Next/D 3947 -28 68687 Alkyl Amines-B/D 195.45 -2.6 2771 Dhampur Sugar-/D 50 -1.05 7922 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 110.9 -4.3 216751 Lyka Labs-B/D 11.5 -0.32 5236 Thirumalai-B/D 127.6 -2.25 22194 Pearson/D 1221 0 358231 Alok Indus-B/D 11.69 -0.19 1317941 Dr. Reddy-A/D 1926.05 27.1 197221 India Cement-B/D 86.4 -1.8 133362 Mah.Seamless-B/D 262.2 -3.5 2583 Til Ltd.-B/D 206.85 -6.05 2177 Prudential/D 924.5801 -2 639380 Rank Andhra Paper-B/D 281.25 -5.3 14112 E I H-B/D 69.95 -0.6 15475 India Glycol-B/D 169.05 -2.65 16600 Maha Scooter-B/D 521.4 3.4 19605 Timexgroup-B/D 23.5 -0.65 90117 Group/D 147 -0.2 9944 Rentokil Apollo Tyre-A/D 88.4 -1.65 195435 E.I.D Parry-B/D 190.3 -0.8 16199 Indian Card-B/D 125.5 1.85 6504 Mangalam Cem-B/D 160.9 -1.95 13187 Tinplate-B/D 52.55 0.4 33660 Initi/D 90 -0.6 434878 Asahi I Glass-/D 52.1 0.4 11091 Electrosteel-B/D 25.95 -0.55 129477 Indian Hotel-A/D 64 -1.45 176427 Maral Overs-B/D 15.17 -0.11 4396 Ub Engineer-B/D 34.1 -1.15 11692 Rolls Royce Pl/D 902 5.5 856472 Ashok Leyland-/D 26.7 0.25 669869 Emco-B/D 29.7 -0.75 24957 Indo-Tcount-T/D 14.25 0.15 4894 Mastek-B/D 142.4 -2.4 5885 Ub Engineer-B/D 34.1 -1.15 11692 Rsa Insrance G/D 124.688 -0.6 2830475 Bajaj Hold-A/D 998.25 7.8 5020 Escorts Fin-B/D 4.58 -0.2 1510 Indusind-A/D 430.2 -11 50723 Max India L-A/D 245.8 -4.45 9303 Ucal Fuel-B/D 68.25 -0.65 2558 Sainsbury(J)/D 324.4 2.5 1839036 Ballarpur In-B/D 22.65 -0.15 60673 Escorts-B/D 71.3 -1.85 98620 J.B.Chemical-B/D 88.25 -2.1 18110 Mrpl-A/D 65.15 -0.9 93120 Ultramarine-B/D 54 0.3 2688 Schroders/D 1878.95 10 65309 Severn Banaras Bead-T/D 49.8 2.35 12439 Essar Oil-A/D 73.15 0.35 911042 Jagatjit Ind-B/D 66.75 -1.45 5179 Nagreeka Ex-B/D 22.25 0.8 10924 Unitech P -A/D 37.9 -1.8 8408456 Trent/D 1591 8 292247 Bata India-A/D 834.1 -19.45 30804 Eveready Indu-/D 23.05 -0.4 100910 Jagson Phar-B/D 13.14 -0.35 10404 Nagreeka Ex-B/D 22.25 0.8 10924 Univcable-B/D 42 -0.1 1786 Smith&Nephew/D 694.155 1 471586 Beml Ltd-B/D 275.65 -1.85 25007 F D C-B/D 93.2 -0.3 28193 Jbf Indu-B/D 123.7 0.8 9071 Nahar Spg.-B/D 82.9 -1.2 26497 Smiths Group/D 1200 1 270954 Bhansali Eng-B/D 14.85 -0.39 2245 Federal Bank-A/D 516.4 -8.6 33773 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.73 0.03 41022 Nath Seeds-B/D 6.63 -0.12 2116 LONDON Standrd Chart /D 1656.5 -22.5 914137 Bharat Bijle-B/D 553.6 -13.85 2036 Ferro Alloys-B/D 6.76 -0.04 34451 Jct Ltd-B/D 1.49 0.02 37744 Nation Alum -A/D 49 -0.65 36019 Tate & Lyle/D 776 7 267462 Bhartiya Int-T/D 190.1 5.65 5869 Fgp Ltd-B/D 2.5 0.06 2025 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 3.87 -0.02 33129 Navneet Pub.-B/D 63.55 -0.9 66040 3I Group/D 241.1 -2.9 478428 Tesco/D 345.9 -3.7 7577198 Bhel-A/D 225.6 -3.7 379956 Finolex-B/D 60.1 -0.95 22583 Jik Indust-B/D 2.76 -0.14 668972 Nepc India-B/D 2.76 0.02 5042 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 1559 27 451506 B Sky Tomkins/D 0 0 0 Bhuwalka Stl-B/D 16 -0.8 6529 Gail-A/D 372.7 0.65 174359 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 120.7 -3.65 11237 Neuland Lab-B/D 120.1 -0.9 1420 B/D 789.5 3.5 355706 Unilever/D 2428 23 762322 Bom.Burmah-B/D 147.9 -2.25 234164 Gammon India-B/D 39 -0.9 17020 Jmc Projects-B/D 113.75 -1.7 3350 Nrb Bearings-B/D 35.5 -0.5 5046 Barclays/D 289.438 -6 18803647 United Util Gr/D 706.9375 9.5 1979229 Bombay Dyeing-/D 126.1 -4.95 166015 Gangotri Tex-B/D 3.43 -0.07 4299 Kabra Extr-B/D 32.95 0.2 5247 O N G C-A/D 303.4 -3.3 222556 Bg Group/D 1075.5 2 2138751 Vodafone Group/D 160.05 -2.95 41349976 Cable Corp.-B/D 22.9 -0.3 23668 Goodricke-B/D 151.1 -0.95 3291 Kajaria Cer-B/D 229.85 0.15 2293 Ocl India-B/D 150.8 -0.9 2973 Bp/D 457.95 -1.55 6909613 Whitbread/D 2449 2 236431 Canfin Homes-T/D 179.15 1.6 22544 Goodyear I -B/D 330.65 -2.2 12570 Kalpat Power-B/D 101.3 2.95 68082 Oil Country-B/D 53.3 -2.3 51424 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3167 6.5 1342113 Castrol Ind-A/D 308.75 -4.15 16857 Hcl Infosys-B/D 41 0 579949 Kalyani Stel-B/D 56.4 -1.6 40835 Onward Tech-T/D 42.6 0.6 1932 British Airway/D 276.4574 0 0 Century Enka-B/D 126.15 -2.25 11770 Him.Fut.Comm-B/D 10.04 -0.28 312760 Kanoria Chem-B/D 39 -0.05 21875 Orchid Chem-B/D 99.45 -0.65 165692 Bt Group/D 241 0.7 2762657 Century Text-A/D 412.9 -14.45 97448 Himat Seide-B/D 40.45 -0.05 30933 Kg Denim-T/D 14.53 -0.38 7700 Orient Hotel-B/D 23 -0.1 6318 Centrica/D 335.8 0.6 2131611 Chambal Fert-B/D 67.75 -0.75 98925 Hind Motors-B/D 11.88 -0.05 264901 Kilburnengg-B/D 19.3 -0.7 5093 Orient.Carb.-B/D 128 -0.15 1378 Gkn/D 242.9 -1.3 1176422 Chola Invest-B/D 285.25 -0.3 5937 Hind Org Chem-/D 18.55 -0.6 27578 Kin.Motor-B/D 11.18 -0.28 12430 Oudh Sugar-B/D 25 -0.65 1447 Hsbc Holdings/D 679.2 -0.5 6295826 THURSDAY 17 JANUARY 2013 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT McGinley to Howard and McIlroy rivalry will honour Seve, Bryant lead Scotland Lakers to

ABU DHABI: New Ryder Cup victory captain Paul McGinley plans take time, says Woods to commemorate the late Seve Ballesteros and pay a special LOS ANGELES: Dwight tribute to the ‘Home of Golf’ Howard and Kobe Bryant when he leads holders Europe formed a dominant inside-out- Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship begins today against the United States at side combination to maintain Gleneagles next year. the Los Angeles Lakers’ win- “I can assure all of the people ning momentum with a 104- ABU DHABI: Tiger Woods few years, so let’s just give it time in Scotland that I’ll have very 88 victory over the Milwaukee has played down talk of a big and see how it pans out.” much a Scottish theme to what Bucks yesterday. rivalry with Rory McIlroy, say- What is for sure is that Woods I’m going to do at Gleneagles,” Howard ruled the inside with ing that the two first needed to will have noted the differences in the 46-year-old Irishman told 31 points and 16 rebounds in his cross swords at the business end the questions he has to field at reporters ahead of this week’s second game since missing three of the majors before that could press conferences. Abu Dhabi Championship. with a shoulder injury, while become a reality. Ahead of today’s opening round “I would also like to have a Seve Bryant controlled the perimeter The two topped ranked golf- in Abu Dhabi, the American, theme to what we are going to do. with 31 and six assists. ers in the world have for a second more used to talking about him- One of the things I want to do It was the Lakers’ (17-21) sec- straight year opted to tee off their self, responded to a total of 20 as captain is continue the Seve ond straight win after enduring a seasons in the Gulf at the Abu questions, 15 of which concerned legacy. six-game losing streak. Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship McIlroy. “I don’t know how I’m going to “We’re starting to get a bet- and they will be paired together What did he think of McIlroy’s go about that yet. I’ll leave that ter connection,” Bryant told in the opening two rounds. new mega-bucks deal with Nike? for discussions later but I will reporters of his relationship with It has all the hallmarks of a - How did he rate him as a rival? - be continuing that legacy,” said Howard. “Now I can hit him and classic rivalry with the 37-year- Had he ever given him any advice? McGinley after being appointed he’s finishing. If I see a crack in old former kingpin Woods out to - How was the personal chemistry the first Irish skipper in Ryder the lane I’m going to try to get exact revenge on the 23-year-old between them? - to name but a Cup history on Tuesday. him the ball.” upstart McIlroy who has taken few. Ballesteros, who died in 2011 After taking a seven-point lead away his crown. Woods is unfailingly compli- at the age of 54 after a long bat- at halftime, the home Lakers ran But Woods insists that, for mentary, saying: “We’ve certainly tle with brain cancer, was one away from the Bucks in the fourth the moment, such talk is mere hit it off and our relationship has of Europe’s most inspirational quarter where they opened with conjecture. grown and our friendship’s gotten performers in the biennial team a 21-7 run that provided a 100- “It would be very similar to better.” competition. 80 lead. saying that I had a rivalry with That however, will not be Paul McGinley of Ireland (left) poses with the Ryder Cup while flanked by The Spaniard compiled an Showing new-found teamwork, Phil (Mickelson) two years into allowed to get in the way of his Rory McIlory of Northern Ireland during a news conference after McGinley impressive 20-12-5 record as a Los Angeles compiled 30 assists my career,” he said. “That wasn’t lifelong quest to match and then was named the European Ryder Cup captain at the St. Regis in Saadiyat player and formed an outstanding on the night while shooting 50 the case. It takes time.” better Jack Nicklaus’ record haul Islands in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. McGinley was the unanimous choice of partnership with fellow country- percent from the floor. “Over the course of my career, of 18 major titles. Woods cur- the Players Committee at a meeting in Abu Dhabi and becomes Ireland’s man Jose Maria Olazabal. Monta Ellis led Milwaukee (19- I’ve gone head-to-head against, rently has 14, where he has been first skipper in the history of the event launched in 1927. Ballesteros also played an indi- 18) with 17 points as the visitors I think Ernie (Els) and Vijay stuck for over four years since his rect role in McGinley’s appoint- fell to 3-2 under interim coach (Singh). win in the 2008 US Open. ment as Olazabal’s successor as Jim Boylan. The team fired Scott “That’s happened, what, over Three out of the four majors 2002 on Saturday (shot 81). Oak “Last year I had one little Ryder Cup skipper as it was in Skiles last week after an unin- 17 years, something like that, that this year suit his eye he says, Hill (USPGA) is one of the more (injury) blip at Doral with my his Seve Trophy event that the spired start and a string of four we’ve been going at it like that. while he has yet to play at Merion difficult golf courses.” Achilles, but other than that, it Irishman first cut his captaincy successive defeats. But it takes time. Golf Club, Pennsylvania, where Most importantly, Woods says was a good year physically. teeth. Against the Lakers, the Bucks “You know we haven’t really the US Open will be held in June. that he is feeling fully fit for the “I was excited about being able McGinley led Britain and had a tough night shooting and had the amount of matches that “Obviously I love Augusta first time in a while and com- to play a full schedule. I had not Ireland to Seve Trophy victories made just seven of 28 three-point- are head-to-head duels that I’ve (Masters). Muirfield (British fortable enough with the swing played a full schedule in a very over Continental Europe in 2009 ers as they were hounded by an had with Phil and Vijay and Ernie. Open) is a wonderful test; just changes he has been adopting for long time, I think 2006, 2007, and 2011 and he said team golf improved Los Angeles defence. “But then again, it’s only been a happened to catch a bad day in the last year. somewhere in there.” AFP had always brought out something Coach Mike D’Antoni has extra in him. asked the veteran Bryant to take “I certainly went to another the lead defensively and guard Tour chief hints at change of captaincy process level when I played in team golf,” the opposing team’s top player, said the Irishman. Brandon Jennings, who man- “I wish I could have been the aged just 12 points on four of 14 ABU DHABI: The European Tour may “That will probably have to be looked at in at a meeting before plumping for the Irishman. same as an individual,” added shooting. change the way future Ryder Cup captains the cold light of day but the world has changed “In the end, with all the talk in the social four-times European Tour win- “For him to come out and take are chosen after an often “unseemly” cam- with all this twittering. media and the newspapers in the run-up, it ner McGinley. “Gaelic football is the challenge to defend the best paign ended this week with Paul McGinley “I think personally one person should be was a triumph for democracy,” added O’Grady. where I started and I think that’s offensive player, it speaks vol- being picked to lead the 2014 team, said invited to become captain and there should be “It was done very well. The decision was where it comes from, being part of umes,” Lakers reserve Antawn chief executive George O’Grady. no losers. There should be a view that this is taken by the committee, it was a unanimous a team, being in a dressing room. Jamison said of Bryant. “He’s our McGinley’s appointment on Tuesday as the the right guy at the right time because it can decision but it was more a consensus of eve- “My heart ticks a bit faster and leader and we follow what he’s first Irish skipper in the 86-year history of the all be a little unseemly,” he added yesterday. rybody’s feelings. my adrenaline goes more and I doing on both ends.” event came at the end of a campaign during Ten members of the 15-man Players “I think to have a guy announced as cap- just love the environment of being Jamison finished with 10 points which golfing politics came to the fore. Committee, chaired by Dane Thomas Bjorn, tain and to have the world number one (Rory in a team. In the Ryder Cup I love and eight rebounds while Steve “It was never meant to be a campaigning debated the respective merits of McGinley, McIlroy) coming in at the back of the room to the team meetings, the pageantry, Nash paced the team with 11 business,” O’Grady said in an interview on the 2010 skipper Colin Montgomerie, Miguel show his support gives you great confidence,” everything about it,” he added assists. eve of the $2.7m Abu Dhabi Championship. Angel Jimenez, Paul Lawrie and Sandy Lyle said O’Grady. REUTERS yesterday. REUTERS Los Angeles played a fifth straight game without Pau Gasol who is still recovering from a De Boer to concussion. The Lakers will now prepare support Qatar for a showdown with the defend- ing NBA champion Miami Heat Masters Amateur golfers Saleh Al today as they try to extend their Kaabi, (left), and Ghanim winning ways. REUTERS Al Kuwari, pose for a DOHA: Event over- picture at Doha Golf lay specialists De Boer Club. Both will play at NBA Results will ensure that hospi- the Commercial Bank New Orleans 111 Philadelphia 99 tality patrons and the Qatar Masters that will Indiana 103 Charlotte 76 general public visiting begin on January 23. Brooklyn 113 Toronto 106 the 16th staging of the LA Clippers 117 Houston 109 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, will be in awe of Denver 115 Portland 111 the outstanding hospital- LA Lakers 104 Milwaukee 88 ity and exhibition facili- ties at Qatar’s flagship sporting event. Trestman hired as A leading provider of temporary structures for Chicago Bears’ international sporting Qatari pair qualifies events, De Boer has been head coach an official supplier of the tournament since 2007. De Boer walked away for top Doha event CHICAGO: Marc Trestman with the silver medal. was appointed head coach of Andrew Stevens, Group DOHA: Two Qatari golfers, on a world stage. We hope they the Chicago Bears yesterday in CEO of Commercial Bank 18-year-old college student enjoy great support from the place of Lovie Smith, who was of Qatar, said: “Considering Saleh Al Kaabi and 31-year- spectators at the tournament,” fired at the end of last year after the competition De Boer old business owner Ghanim said Andrew Stevens, Group CEO nine seasons in charge. were up against, winning Al Kuwari, have earned the of Commercial Bank of Qatar. Trestman, who will be the silver at such a prestigious chance to compete with some of Al Kaabi, is training with hopes Bears’ 14th head coach since the contest is an outstanding the world’s best players at the of becoming a full-time profes- NFL started in 1920, joins from achievement. Their award 2013 Commercial Bank Qatar sional golfer and competing in the Montreal Alouettes of the based on the structures Masters that will begin on events like the Commercial Bank Canadian Football League where they provide us, speaks January 23. Qatar Masters regularly. he has spent the past five seasons volumes for our commit- The two members of the Qatar Qatar Golf Association with a 59-31 record and champi- ment to partner with the National Golf Team qualified for President Hassan Al Nuaimi onships in 2009 and 2010. best, and provide the best a spot in the prestigious event by said: “The Commercial Bank The 57-year-old last worked in for our partners and hos- finishing as the top two Qatari Qatar Masters organisers and the NFL in 2004 as quarterbacks pitality patrons.” nationals at the 2013 Qatar Open the thousands of spectators will coach and assistant head coach He added: “De Boer is an amateur event this past weekend. all be supporting Ghanim and with the Miami Dolphins. integral part of the staging Al Kaabi and Al Kuwari will Saleh next week. Both men have Smith, who took the Bears to of the world-class tourna- join a field that includes world worked tirelessly to improve their the Super Bowl after the 2006 ment, and we look forward number four Louis Oosthuizen, golf games, and now they have season, was dismissed in 2012 that to continuing our partner- world number five Justin Rose, earned the opportunity of a life- left them out of the play-offs for ship into 2013.” defending champion Paul Lawrie, time to represent their country the fifth time in the last six years. De Boer’s famed pre- Jason Dufner, Sergio Garcia and in a home tournament.” Trestman, who has a track mier double-story struc- many other renowned profes- Max Williams of England will record of developing quarterbacks ture overlooking the 9th sional golfers. also be competing in the four-day as an offensive coordinator and and 18th greens will be “This is a tremendous accom- event, after winning the 27th edi- position coach, will be charged installed at Doha Golf plishment for Saleh and Ghanim, tion of the Qatar Open event at with improving the Chicago Club. and they will now get to represent Doha Golf Club. offence and the play of quarter- THE PENINSULA Qatar against top-ranked players THE PENINSULA back Jay Cutler. REUTERS THURSDAY 17 JANUARY 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

Australian Open Results Sharapova and Djokovic MELBOURNE: Collated results from day three of the Australian Open yesterday: Women’s Singles Second Round: Agnieszka Radwanska (POL x4) bt Irina-Camelia Begu (ROM) 6-3, 6-3; Angelique Kerber (GER x5) bt Lucie Hradecka cruise at Australian Open (CZE) 6-3, 6-1; Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) bt Klara Zakopalova (CZE x23) 6-1, 6-0; Julia Goerges (GER x18) bt Romina Oprandi (SUI) Radwanska extends winning streak to 11; India’s Devvarman beaten 6-3, 6-2; Valeria Savinykh (RUS) bt Dominika Cibulkova (SVK x15) 7-6 (8/6), 6-4; Li Na (CHN x6) bt Olga Govortsova (BLR) 6-2, 7-5; MELBOURNE: Novak the early rounds of Grand Slam. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS x19) bt Stephanie Djokovic and Maria Sharapova “You’re trying to perform your Foretz Gacon (FRA) 6-3, 6-3; Madison Keys scorched into the third round best in every match that you play (USA) bt Tamira Paszek (AUT x30) 6-2, 6-1; of the Australian Open with in and this was definitely a bet- Zheng Jie (CHN) bt Samantha Stosur (AUS displays of ruthless dominance ter performance than the first x9) 6-4, 1-6, 7-5; Sorana Cirstea (ROM x27) yesterday to bring some much- round,” the 25-year-old said. bt Kristyna Pliskova (CZE) 1-6, 6-3, 6-2; needed pizzazz to the main “I managed to play at a very Maria Sharapova (RUS x2) bt Misaki Doi showcourts. high level already in the second (JPN) 6-0, 6-0; Ana Ivanovic (SRB x13) bt Djokovic remained on course round of a Grand Slam, which Chan Yung-Jan (TPE) 7-5, 1-6, 6-4; Heather for a third successive title with is very encouraging for the next Watson (GBR) bt Ksenia Pervak (KAZ) 4-6, a 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 demolition of Ryan challenge.” 7-6 (9/7), 6-2; Jelena Jankovic (SRB x22) Harrison, while Sharapova pum- David Ferrer and Tomas bt Maria Joao Koehler (POR) 2-6, 7-6 (7/5), melled Misaki Doi 6-0, 6-0 to Berdych had earlier signally failed 6-2; Marion Bartoli (FRA x11) bt Vesna become the first player in 28 years to fill the charisma chasm left in Dolonc (SRB) 7-5, 6-0; Venus Williams (USA to hand out consecutive ‘double- the top half of the draw by the x25) bt Alize Cornet (FRA) 6-3, 6-3 bagels’ at a grand slam. absence of the injured Rafa Nadal, Men’s Singles Returning with venom and but both got through the second Second Round: Nicolas Almagro (ESP x10) lacerating the court with his round with some ease. bt Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP) 6-4, 6-1, 6-2; forehands, Djokovic took just Agnieszka Radwanska Kei Nishikori (JPN x16) bt Carlos Berlocq 91 minutes to whip past the extended her winning streak this (ARG) 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, 6-1; Sam Querrey (USA American and set up a meeting year to 11 matches with a 6-3, 6-3, x20) bt Brian Baker (USA) 6-7 (2/7), 1-1 ret; with Radek Stepanek, rating it win over Irina-Camelia Begu in Jurgen Melzer (AUT x26) bt Roberto Bautista among his best performances in the opening match on Rod Laver Agut (ESP) 6-7 (4/7), 6-3, 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, Arena, while Zheng Jie wrapped 6-2; Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI x15) bt Tobias up the day session with a 6-4 Kamke (GER) 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) ret; Jerzy Today’s Australian 1-6, 7-5 upset of local hope Sam Janowicz (POL x24) bt Somdev Devvarman Stosur. (IND) 6-7 (10/12), 3-6, 6-1, 6-0, 7-5; Tomas Open Schedule Anyone looking for real fire- Berdych (CZE x5) bt Guillaume Rufin (FRA) works, though, needed to be out on MELBOURNE: Order of 6-2, 6-2, 6-4; David Ferrer (ESP x4) bt Tim court eight, where Radwanska’s play for show courts at the Smyczek (USA) 6-0, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3; Marcos fellow Pole Jerzy Janowicz Australian Open today (x Baghdatis (CYP x28) bt Tatsuma Ito (JPN) denotes seeding): exploded in a sensational tantrum Maria Sharapova of Russia in action during her second round match against Misaki Doi of Japan at the Australian 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2; Evgeny Donskoy (RUS) ROD LAVER ARENA before battling back brilliantly to beat Somdev Devvarman 6-7, 3-6 Open in Melbourne, Australia, yesterday. bt Mikhail Youzhny (RUS x23) 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 11:00 am (0000 GMT) 6-1, 6-0, 7-5. 6-2, 3-6, 6-3; Julien Benneteau (FRA x32) bt Victoria Azarenka (BLR x11) vs Eleni The 24th seed was enraged by Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA) 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 Daniilidou (GRE) a line call during the tiebreak at that I won two matches 6-0, 6-0.” (7/5), 7-6 (7/5); Radek Stepanek (CZE x31) Followed by the end of the 79-minute first set The Russian is unlikely to make bt Feliciano Lopez (ESP) 6-2, 6-2, 6-4; Kevin Anderson (RSA) bt Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS) Serena Williams (USA x3) vs Garbine and roared out his displeasure it through the third round with- Serena will play on 6-1, 7-5, 6-4; Fernando Verdasco (ESP x22) Muguruza (ESP) before hitting the umpire’s chair out dropping a game, though, bt Xavier Malisse (BEL) 6-1, 6-3, 6-2; Novak Daniel Brands (GER) vs Bernard Tomic (AUS) with his racket and throwing his after Venus Williams beat Alize water bottle across court. Cornet 6-3, 6-3 in the match to Djokovic (SRB x1) bt Ryan Harrison (USA) 7:00 pm “I was really worried about his decide her next opponent. despite injury: Venus 6-1, 6-2, 6-3; Janko Tipsarevic (SRB x8) bt Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) vs Roger Federer voice,” said Indian Devvarman. Djokovic is likely to meet Lukas Lacko (SVK) 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 7-5. (SUI x2) “He was really yelling at the top Berdych in the quarter-finals, MELBOURNE: Venus Laura Robson (GBR) vs Petra Kvitova (CZE of his lungs and I said, ‘Dude, while Ferrer is seeded to play the Williams said yesterday her x8) calm down!.’” Serbian world number one in the sister Serena was a fighter and Berdych and HISENSE ARENA American Brian Baker could semi-finals. was determined to play on at the 11:00 am have been forgiven for letting out Fifth seeded Czech Berdych Australian Open, despite rolling Stepanek to lead a scream of frustration of his own wrapped up a 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 ham- her ankle in the first round. Peng Shuai (CHN) vs Maria Kirilenko (RUS after his tournament ended in a mering of Frenchman Guillaume The world number three and x14) Czechs against wheelchair when he sustained a Rufin with his eighth ace after hot tournament favourite twisted Followed by serious knee injury. exactly two hours on Rod Laver her right ankle during a 6-0, 6-0 Joao Sousa (POR) vs Andy Murray (GBR x3) The 27-year-old, who returned Arena. demolition of Romania’s Edina Switzerland Caroline Wozniacki (DEN x10) vs Donna to the professional circuit last Ferrer, seeded fourth in the Gallovits-Hall on Tuesday. Vekic (CRO) year after seven injury-plagued absence of Nadal, was playing The defiant 15-time Grand PRAGUE: Tomas Berdych Lu Yen-hsun (TPE) vs Gael Monfils (FRA) years out, had won the first set out on Margaret Court Arena Slam champion claimed only and Radek Stepanek will lead MARGARET COURT ARENA against compatriot Sam Querrey and required 38 minutes longer a “fatal” injury would prevent holders Czech Republic in when he broke down. to despatch American lucky loser her contesting the second round the Davis Cup first-round tie 11:00 am “He said he kind of just felt his Tim Smyczek 6-0, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. against Spain’s Garbine Muguruza against Switzerland in Geneva Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA x7) vs Go Soeda knee almost buckle and kind of There was Asian success on on today, and Venus also indicated on February 1-3, team captain (JPN) heard like a pop or a snap,” said Hisense Arena when China’s Li she would be on court. Ja rosl av Nav rati l s a id ye s terday. Followed by 20th seed Querrey. Na battled back from 4-2 down in “I guess she has to see how she Besides Berdych, the world Hsieh Su-wei (TPE x26) vs Svetlana “He didn’t know if it was the second set to secure a 6-2, 7-5 feels. I don’t know how she feels, number six, and 34th-ranked Kuznetsova (RUS) bones or a tear, but he couldn’t win over Olga Govortsova, but for she’ll see tomorrow (today),” she Stepanek, Navratil also named 7:00 pm straighten it, couldn’t walk. I feel once she was outshone by compa- said. 75th-ranked Lukas Rosol and awful for him.” triot Zheng. Asked if they had spoken about Venus Williams of the US reacts 289th-ranked 19-year-old Jiri Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG x6) vs Benjamin Women’s second seed and 2008 The 2010 semi-finalist recorded the injury, she replied: “Yeah, I during her match against France’s Vesely in the team. Becker (GER) champion Sharapova was in abso- a 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 win over Stosur but, was like, ‘How are you feeling?’ Alize Cornet at the Australian “The nomination of the first SHOW COURT 2 lutely no mood for sympathy as in truth, the former US Open She was like, ‘Yeah, I’m good’. Open in Melbourne, yesterday. three players was clear,” Navratil 11:00 am she dismissed Japan’s Doi in just champion handed her opponent “You know, obviously I’m not said, adding that Vesely had Varvara Lepchenko (USA x21) vs Elena 47 minutes on Hisense Arena. the victory after leading comfort- going to give any details in here. “achieved great results last year. Vesnina (RUS) “I didn’t offer candy today,” ably in the deciding set. “She’s obviously a fighter and US Open champion moved her We have to use more young play- Followed by Sharapova, who has just launched “Obviously it’s a pretty hard she doesn’t complain, so... She’s scheduled session from court 17 ers in the years to come.” a confectionary business. “It’s not one to take when you get your- not looking for any sympathy. She to the indoor training facility at The Swiss team said on Monday Yanina Wickmayer (BEL x20) vs Jana really the statistic I want to be self well and truly into a winning just wants to hopefully play the Melbourne Park yesterday and it did not expect world number Cepelova (SVK) known for. I want to be known for position,” said ninth seed Stosur singles and doubles, and that’s it.” her tennis practice was closed to two Roger Federer to play against Rajeev Ram (USA) vs Marin Cilic (CRO x12) winning Grand Slam titles, not yesterday. REUTERS The reigning Wimbledon, and the media and public. AFP the Czechs. AFP Fifth Police Open Beach Football Championship to begin tomorrow at InterContinental

Captain Waleed El Aly (centre), Competition Manager of the fifth Police Open Beach Football Championship, speaking during a press conference at InterContinental Hotel Doha yesterday. Also seen are Gilles Nicolas (right), Resident Manager of InterContinental Hotel and Lieutenant Rashed El Hagery of Qatar Police Sports Association (QPSA). CENTRE: An official of QPSA picks the name of a participating team during the draw ceremony yester- day. RIGHT: Captain Yousef Omar Almal, Tournament Director of the fifth Police Open Beach Football Championship. The fifth Police Open Beach Football Championship, organised by QPSA with support from InterContinental Hotel, will take place tomorrow and Saturday at the InterContinental Beach. The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will take place on Saturday. Tomorrow’s action will begin at 2.00pm, said the organisers. Fifteen teams will be taking part in the five-a-side tournament which will be played on a league and knockout basis. The top two teams from each of the four groups will qualify for the quarter-finals. PICTURES BY: QASSIM RAHMATULLAH THURSDAY 17 JANUARY 2013 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Gate mall all set for fencing action Shopping centre to host finals and semi-finals of Qatar 2013 Fencing GP and World Cup BY ARMSTRONG VAS Qatar 2013 Fencing DOHA: Fencing is set for a spectator friendly move during Grand Prix and the Qatar 2013 Fencing Grand Prix and World Cup, informed World Cup Qatar Fencing Federation Today’s schedule (QFF) officials here yesterday. Weapon control at Training Hall of Al Sadd The final rounds of the Qatar 2013 Fencing Grand Prix and Stadium from 15.00 to 20.00 World Cup will be held at the Tomorrow Gate mall in a new move to Men’s individual attract more fans. The preliminary rounds of the Preliminary and round of 64, quarter-finals 10th edition of the Championship at Aspire Academy from 10 to 12.40 in Epee will be held at the Indoor Saturday Hall of Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence, informed offi- Men’s individual (direct elimination) at Aspire cials of QFF during a press con- Academy from 9.30 to 15.55 ference ahead of the January 18 Men’s individual – semifinals and final at to 21 event. The Gate Mall from 18.00 to 19.00 QFF is seeking to make it easy Women’s individual at Aspire Academy from for folks shopping at the Gate Mall to keep an eye on their 10.00 to 13.00 favourite fencers. Sunday “The Federation will be hosting Women’s individual the semi-finals and finals of the Qatar 2013 Fencing Grand Prix Preliminary and round of 64, quarter-finals and World Cup at the shopping at Aspire Academy from 9.30 to 15.55 mall. Women’s individual – semifinals and final at “This is the first time we are The Gate Mall from 18.00 to 19.00 hosting the championship in a shopping mall in the ten year Monday Khaled Mohammed Al Yazeidi (third left), Secretary-General of Qatar Fencing Federation (QFF) and Fahad Al Mulla (third right), President of the Organising history of the championship. We Women’s team event Committee of the Qatar 2013 Fencing Grand Prix and World Cup and other officials pose during a press conference at the QFF Headquarters in Doha yesterday. Also seen are Khaleed Gohal (left), Abdallah Al Moadid (second left), Director of Adminstration at QFF, Mohammed Al Sehli (second right) have started thinking about how 9.00 to 15.30 at Aspire Academy to improve the experience of and Ali Abderraham Belhaj. The Qatar 2013 Fencing Grand Prix and World Cup will take place from January 18 and 21. The preliminary rounds will be watching fencing for spectators,” Semi-finals and final at The Gate Mall from held at the Indoor Hall of Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence, while the semi-finals and finals of both the men’s and women’s events will be held at said Khaled Mohammed Ali Al 18.00 to 19.00 the Gate mall. PICTURE BY: SALIM MATRAMKOT Yazeidi, Secretary-General of QFF. section, will be in Doha for the since 1968, and the second in be held on January 18 at Aspire will be held at Aspire Academy,” Matches will be officiated by 19 “The public will have a chance event. Olympic history by winning the Academy. The semi-finals and added the QFF official. international referees and seven to experience world-class fencing The field in the men’s section men’s individual épée, at last final of men’s section will be held The winner in the men’s sec- local Qatari referees. first hand at the mall. We believe will be led by Olympic gold medal- year’s Olympics. on January 19 from 6.00pm at The tion will collect a purse of $10,000, Hosts Qatar’s challenge at the that it will be very successful in ist Ruben Limardo Gascon of Sun won gold in the individual Gate mall,” added Ferani. while the women’s winner will be championship will be spearheaded exposing fencing to the general Venezuela, while China’s Yujie Sun event in the women’s section at “The women’s last four matches richer by $6,000. Players who fin- by 22 players, who will be compet- public,” Al Yazeidi added. will be the player to watch out in the London Games. The quali- and the final of the individual ish in the top eight positions will ing in both the men’s and women’s Qatar will host the world’s top the women’s section. Players from fiers and the round of 64 of the event will also be hosted at the be entitled to prize money, said event. players for the 10th edition of the eight Arab countries will also be women’s individual and team Gate mall on January 20 from the organisers. Park Kyoung-Doo of South Championship in epee which will seen in action in the champion- event will be staged at the Aspire 6.00pm, while the final of the In the women’s team event, Korea won the individual cham- be contested by 240 players from ship,” said Ziad Ferani, Technical Academy. women’s team event will take a first place finish will fetch a pionship last year here in Qatar. 45 countries. expert at QFF. “The preliminary qualification place on January 21 at the shop- cheque of $6,000, while the sec- Navarria Mara of Italy won the “All the top ranked 32 players, Gascon left London with rounds and the round of 64 of ping mall from 6.00pm. All other ond and third place finishers will individual championship last year. from both the men’s and women Venezuela’s first ever gold medal the men’s individual section will rounds of both the categories get $4,000 and $2,000 respectively. THE PENINSULA Beach soccer interest in Qatar builds up with local tourney

DOHA: Qatar trounced Nepal 5-1 while tournament favour- ites Portugal demolished the Philippines 7-0 in the open- ing group games of the Qatar Nations Beach Soccer Cup at Al Gharafa Stadium. Sixteen teams representing 16 nations are taking part in a com- petition which takes place this month on Fridays and Saturdays at the Al Gharafa Stadium and Katara Beach, informed the organisers of the event Algeria, Egypt, Europe United, France, India, Indonesia, Lebanon, Nepal, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey, Action from the Qatar Basketball League at the Al Gharafa Indoor Arena are the teams taking part in the yesterday. tournament. The teams have been divided into four groups with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the quarter-final stage. Eljaish win thriller From the last-eight stage the tournament will follow the knock- out system. The event is organised by Qatar against Al Ahli 2022 Supreme Committee in association with Qsports Leagues DOHA: Muhammad Yussuf quarter still ahead at 46-45. and is a build up for the FIFA lifted Eljaish to a pulsating Michael Cook would however lead Beach Soccer World Cup Asian 75-73 victory over a stubborn Al Ahli to a 15-9 assault to rally Qualifiers which will start on Al Ahli in the Qatar Basketball his team to 59-55 upperhand with January 22 at the Katara Beach. League at the Al Gharafa Indoor 2 minutes remaining in the game. Japan alongside with hosts The members of the Indian team pose for a picture ahead of their match in the Qatar Nations Beach Soccer Cup Arena yesterday. Both teams fought it out in the Qatar, Afghanistan, Australia, at Al Gharafa Stadium. Yussuf scored the decisive bas- dying seconds of the regulation Bahrain, China, Iran, Iraq, ket in the 20 seconds of the extra and got locked-up at 63-all to Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Cup will have the opportunity to fast paced thrills of beach soc- Results period to give his team a nerve send the game into overtime. the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, play at the Katara Beach Stadium cer to the residents of Qatar by Group A bitting win. Meanwhile, Al Arabi had an Thailand, the United Arab during the FIFA Beach Soccer allowing local communities to Tunisia 9 Malaysia 0 Back-up pointguard Narwan easy time against Al Shamal reg- Emirates and Uzbekistan are the World Cup Asian Qualifiers, both represent and support their Lebanon 4 Europe United 7 Salah took over from the ailing istering a runaway 80-54 win. participating teams in the FIFA informed the organisers. national feams in a beach soccer Europe United 7 Malaysia 3 Fadi Abilmona and ran the plays Abdulai Jalloh scored 24 points, Beach Soccer World Cup Asian The winner of the event will extravaganza. Lebanon 0 Tunisia 4 for Eljaish with flying colours. hauled down eight rebounds and Group B Qualifiers which end on January get QR12, 000 and the runner-up In addition to dazzling the fans Syria 2 Algeria 3 Army took the first half but Al swiped the ball seven times to cap 26. team QR8,000. The third place with the fast and furious pace of Nepal 1 Qatar 5 Ahli kept them within striking another sterling performance for The 16 top Asian countries for finisher will get QR5,000. beach soccer, the event celebrates Qatar 8 Algeria 3 distance at 31-27. Al Arabi. the Doha event have been divided A total of 16 Asian nations the cultural diversity of Qatar – Nepal 2 Syria 3 Al Ahli came out strong in the Games resume tomorrow as into four groups. will participate in the FIFA bringing different cultures and Group C third quarter and grabbed the Al Arabi go up against Qatar The top team from each group Beach Soccer World Cup Asian communities together to watch Egypt 7 France 3 lead momentarily at 37-36 with Sports Club in the opener at 4pm will advance to the semi-finals, Qualifiers. and play an alternative version of Indonesia 6 India 4 six minutes remaining in the while Al Rayyan and Al Gharafa India 1 France 6 while the finalists and the third- The next round of group games the ‘beautiful game’. period. slug it out in the main game at Indonesia 0 Egypt 6 place team will qualify for the is scheduled for tomorrow at the A full tournament schedule Group D Salah piloted Eljaish’s coun- 8pm following the QML side- 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Al Gharafa stadium. Entry is free and game timings can be found Janissaries 1 Pakistan 7 ter offensive thereon starting of light match between forerunning Cup in Tahiti in September. for spectators. at www.qsportsleagues.com along Portugal 7 Philippines 0 with a 10-4 run to peg a 46-41 teams in the Pinoy Basketaball The semi-finalists and finalists The tournament is designed with match results and details. Pakistan 6 Philippines 0 advantage before yielding to Ahli’s Qatar League. of the Qatar Nations Beach Soccer to showcase the excitement and THE PENINSULA Portugal 7 Janissaries 2 four straight points to close the THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 17 JANUARY 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Sunderland out of FA Cup; Fulham survive scare Walters redeems himself as Stoke win Cup replay

LONDON: Sunderland went the scoring. “This is a big club out of the FA Cup to second-tier and we shouldn’t be spending Bolton Wanderers after losing 40 years without winning some- their third-round replay 2-0 on thing, we really shouldn’t,” said Tuesday night, while Fulham Sunderland manager Martin celebrated the narrowest of nar- O’Neill. row escapes against Blackpool. “I know some people field Sunderland have enjoyed an weakened sides but we didn’t. upsurge in Premier League for- We tried to win tonight and we tunes in recent weeks, moving six weren’t able to do it, and that was points clear of the relegation zone, very disappointing.” Chile’s right wing Patricio Martinez (right) vies with Qatar’s right back but they joined north-east rivals On the prospect of a meet- Charafeddine Boumendjel during their 23rd Men’s Handball World Newcastle United in falling at the ing with Everton, Bolton coach Championships preliminary round Group B match C at the Palacio de first hurdle in the cup. Dougie Freedman said: “We’re Deportes San Pablo in Sevilla, yesterday. Qatar won 31-23. England Under-21 striker looking forward to it. Marvin Sordell was the match- “We feel right now that we winner at the Reebok Stadium, can perform against anyone, and striking twice in the space of if we defend like we did tonight nine second-half minutes to earn and keep our discipline, we have Bolton a home game with Everton definitely got every chance.” Qatar register in the fourth round. Fulham were on the verge His first goal arrived from the of elimination to Bolton’s penalty spot in the 64th minute Championship rivals Blackpool after a foul on Darren Pratley after on-loan Aston Villa for- by Jack Colback, before he dis- ward Nathan Delfouneso put the first victory patched a Tyrone Mears cut-back hosts 1-0 up in the 82nd minute in the 73rd minute to complete at Bloomfield Road. SEVILLA: After three defeats, in the matches before, Rodrigo However, a stunning 25-yard Qatar took their first points Salinas was the hub of the Pan- English FA Cup strike by Kieran Richardson in in Spain and can mathemati- American bronze finalist. the last minute took the game cally hope to reach the quar- But even his in total seven goals results to extra time and Fulham skip- ter-finals of the Men’s World could not prevent his team from English FA Cup third-round replay results per Brede Hangeland scored the Championships. the fourth straight clear defeat in yesterday winner with four minutes left Qatar won 31-23 agaisnt Chile the fourth match. Birmingham City 1 Leeds United 2 to secure a 2-1 win. Jon Walters here yesterday. After this result Chile defi- Blackpool 1 Fulham 2 went some way towards aton- The Asian runners-up need to nitely will play in the President’s ing for his horror show in Stoke beat Iceland in their final encoun- Cup in Guadalajara. Bournemouth 0 Wigan Athletic 1 City’s 4-0 loss to Chelsea at the ter to make the last eight stage. After minute 45 they lost their Brentford 2 Southend United 1 weekend by scoring twice as Tony Qatar were clearly dominant powers like in the previous games Leyton Orient 1 Hull City 2 Pulis’ side saw off Championship from the start, showed the better and Qatar again took over the full M Keynes Dons 2 Sheffield Wed. 0 club Crystal Palace 4-1 after defence and were much more effi- command. Even a Chilean time- Stoke City 4 Crystal Palace 1 extra time. Walters scored two cient in attack. Minute by minute out could not stop their negative own goals and missed a penalty Queens Park Rangers’ Tal Ben Haim challenges West Bromwich Albion’s they increased the gap to the pre- run, so the Asians extended the Sunderland 0 Bolton Wanderers 2 Romelu Lukaku (right) during their FA Cup third round replay football WB Albion 0 QP Rangers 1 in Saturday’s game but he netted decisive 16:9 halftime lead. result to double-figures at 25:15 in twice in extra time. AFP match at the Hawthorns in West Bromwich, central England, on Tuesday. Right after the break the minute 49 for the first time. Best Chileans had their best period, scorer for Qatar was Sahbi Aziza keeping the distance at six goals with eight goals. and played clever in attack. Like THE PENINSULA Sarwan back Pakistan bars stars from from Windies Tabarak in the spotlight at QREC exile for Bangladesh T20 league Australia tour

DHAKA: Bangladesh cricket preventing any of its stars from BPL since Pakistani cricketers PARIS: Ramnaresh Sarwan chiefs said yesterday that competing in the Bangladesh have a big following in Bangladesh. has been recalled to the West Pakistan had refused to release Premier League which begins More than 50 Pakistani players Indies squad for the upcoming any of its players for a Twenty20 Thursday. took part in the auction for the limited overs tour of Australia competition which begins this “The chief executive officer of second edition of BPL, with open- while Marlon Samuels was left week after a planned bilateral PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) ing batsman Imran Nazir fetch- out due to an eye injury sus- series had to be scrapped. called our CEO today and ing $280,000. Last year more than tained in the Big Bash league. Pakistan had been due to host informed him that they won’t 20 Pakistani players took part in Right-hand bat Sarwan, 32, last Bangladesh for a Twenty20 game allow Pakistani players to play in the inaugural edition, with all- played for the Windies in ODIs and a 50-over match in Lahore the BPL until we send our team rounder Shahid Afridi sold for in June 2011 but fell out of favour this month in what would have to their country,” spokesman Jalal the highest fee of $700,000. with the West Indies Cricket been its first home internation- Yunus said. No international matches have Board because of a public dis- als since a deadly attack on the “We’ve now decided to host taken place in Pakistan since the pute about coaching and training Sri Lankan team bus nearly four the event without Pakistani play- militant attack on the Sri Lankan methods. He also received dam- years ago. ers,” he said, adding the BPL’s team bus that killed eight people ages after his fitness was publicly But the Bangladesh Cricket seven franchises would now find in March 2009.Spokesman Yunus called into question and he lost a Board (BCB) cancelled the tour, replacements for the 26 Pakistani said Bangladesh has not ruled out central contract to play for the saying Pakistan was not safe for players they bought in the auction touring Pakistan in the coming Caribbean side.Samuels sustained its players. last month. months but wanted to reassess a suspected fractured eye socket According to a BCB spokesman, The move represents a major the security situation before send- while playing for the Melbourne Pakistan has now responded by blow for the second edition of the ing a team. AFP Renegades. AFP

Doha Bank win Division B of Qatar Cricket Association

The 25th race meeting at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) witnessed trainer Jassim Ghazali scoring a hat-trick of wins while Muntasar captured the feature event; Group III Pure Arabian Sprinters The captains of Doha Bank Cricket Club and Galfar Al Misnad, winners of Division B and C of Qatar Cricket Association (QCA) pose for a picture Championship. Eight races were contested at the New Rayyan track along with Gul Khan, Head of Domestic Cricket at QCA, Nawaz, Umpires Coordinator and Senior Umpire Naseem and other QCA officials. yesterday. Thursday 17 January 2013 5 Rabial I Safar 1434 Volume 17 Number 5582 Sport Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Badminton Guardiola named as new may lose its place in Olympics, Bayern Munich manager says Taufik SINGAPORE: Badminton’s Olympic future is in jeopardy The 41-year-old Spaniard to take over from Heynckes in July due to the continual mid-tour- nament retirements of lead- MUNICH: B ay er n Mu n ic h h av e and we are sure that he can bring ing players, Athens Games gold underlined the scope of their a great deal of sparkle not only to medallist Taufik Hidayat said ambition by announcing the Bayern Munich but to German yesterday. appointment of spectacularly football in general,” he added. Last week’s $1m Korean successful former Barcelona Bayern’s announcement brings Open, the most lucrative super manager Pep Guardiola to to an end weeks of speculation series event on the schedule, was replace Jupp Heynckes from the about which club would win blighted by a number of match end of this season. the race to hire Guardiola, who retirements by players in the Spaniard Guardiola, 41, will announced this month he would singles and doubles draws, a now take over from Heynckes, who return to coaching next season common occurrence on the tour. has decided not to extend his after taking a year out to rest. Chinese coaches have long contract, in July and has agreed He stepped down as Barca been criticised for withdrawing a deal until the end of June 2016, manager at the end of last term their players to stop them going Bayern said in a statement on after leading the La Liga club, head-to-head in tournaments, their website (www.fcbayern.tel- where he began his career as and Indonesian Taufik is con- ekom.de) yesterday. a player, to 14 trophies in four cerned the International Olympic “We are very pleased that we years, including two Champions Committee could end the sport’s have managed to convince the League crowns and three straight 20-year run at the Games. football expert Pep Guardiola, Spanish league titles. “The situation has worsened who was coveted and contacted by It is a significant coup for since I started playing badmin- many top clubs, to come to Bayern the German club, runners-up ton at the age of 15. The con- Munich,” Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz in Europe’s elite club competi- stant retirements of players do Rummenigge said. tion last season, given that big- not augur well for the game,” the “Pep Guardiola is one of the spending rivals, including Chelsea, 31-year-old told Malaysian media world’s most successful coaches Manchester City and Paris St yesterday. Germain, were reportedly also “There is talk that badmin- hoping to hire Guardiola. ton may not make it as a sport Pep Guardiola Speaking to the English in the 2020 Olympics. We must Football Association as part of bear in mind that other sports are Factfile the organisation’s 150th anni- strongly lobbying to be included. Born: 18 January 1971 in versary celebrations this week, “I have just started my own Santpedor, Spain. Guardiola had said his ambition centre. It caters for eight or nine- Playing career: Barcelona B was to manage in the Premier year-olds. Now, I am not sure (1990-92), Barcelona (1990- League in future. whether they will get a chance to 2001), Brescia (2001-02), Roma Under his guidance, his first play in the Olympics.” (2002-03), Brescia (2003), top-flight coaching job, Barca won Squash is one of the sports that plaudits for their entertaining, is campaigning heavily for a place Al-Ahli (2003-05), Dorados A file picture dated November 10, 2010, shows FC Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola during the Spanish King’s (2005-06), Spain (1992-2001). attacking brand of football based in the 2020 Olympics alongside on domination of possession and Cup round of 16 second leg match against AD Ceuta at Nou Camp Stadium in Barcelona, Spain. Bayern Munich karate, the Chinese martial art International caps: 47 swift, one-touch passing. have won the race to sign former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola. Guardiola will receive a contract until 2016 of wushu, baseball/softball, roller Managerial career: Barcelona Many credit Johan Cruyff, and replaces Jupp Heynckes, whose two-year contract expires after the season. Guardiola coached Barcelona sports, wakeboarding and climb- B (2007-08), Barcelona another former Barca player and to 14 titles - including two Champions Leagues and World Club Cups each, and three Liga titles - during his ing, in a decision that will be (2008-2012) coach, with creating the club’s four-year tenure at the Nou Camp between 2008 and 2012. announced by the International Honours (as Manager): 3 distinctive style and Guardiola Olympic Committee in September. La Liga titles, 3 Supercopa de played under the Dutchman in Badminton received a barrage Espana titles, 2 Copa Del Rey the 1990s when the club won their philosophy and tactics will suit midfielder Javi Martinez, who with a nine-point lead after 17 of negative headlines in London titles, 2 Champions League first European Cup. Bayern and the Bundesliga joined in the close season. matches. The league resumes this last year after four women’s dou- titles, 2 Uefa Super Cups, 2 Fifa The ex-Spain international also remains to be seen. Guardiola may be hoping to week after a month-long winter bles pairs played to lose matches World Club Cups. won praise for getting the best There is also a question mark lure some of his former charges break, where they held a winter in order to get a more favourable Honours (as Player): 6 La out of quadruple World Player of over whether he can manage a to Germany to join Martinez and training camp in Doha at Aspire draw. Liga titles, 2 Copa del Rey the Year Lionel Messi, to whom group of players the majority of his imminent return to coach- Academy. The Badminton World titles, 1 Supercopa de Espana, he gave more liberty to roam the whom, unlike at Barca, did not ing has already prompted Barca They meet Arsenal in the last Federation (BWF) disquali- 1 European Cup, 2 Uefa Super pitch than his predecessor as come through the club’s academy. president Sandro Rosell to warn 16 of the Champions League when fied and banned the players Cups, 1 Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup, coach Frank Rijkaard. One player at the German club him off. the competition resumes next involved and Taufik called for 1 Olympic gold medal. Whether Guardiola’s he already knows well is Spain Bayern are top of the Bundesliga month. REUTERS the Malaysia-based body to take a similar stance on withdrawals. “I hope to see BWF amend or strengthen their rules and regula- tions on players and the tourna- ments. And the BWF must also make a greater effort to make the Pound urges Armstrong to co-operate sport big in America and Africa,” said Taufik. LOS ANGELES: The former significant or substantial assist- A Swiss lab even met The Indonesian is in Kuala head of the World Anti-Doping ance in the fight against doping in Armstrong and his former team Lumpur to take part in the ongo- Agency, Dick Pound, has called sport, make a recommendation to manager Johan Bruyneel at the ing Malaysian Open, one of his on Lance Armstrong to co- change the ban from life to some- request of the UCI to explain the final events before he retires in operate fully with drug-testing thing less than life, depending on EPO testing process, after the June after his home Indonesia authorities if he wants to have the degree of information and rider had given a “suspicious” Open. his lifetime ban from the sport assistance he gives.” test in a race in 2001, USADA The news comes after lifted. The USADA last year said has said. Malaysian Nadzmi Mohd Salleh Armstrong has given his first Armstrong was at the centre Pound said that by giving had been encouraged to run for interview since being stripped of of the most sophisticated dop- the interview now and admit- the presidency of the BWF by the his seven Tour de France victo- ing programme in the history of ting what he had always denied, head coach of China. ries and banished from the sport. sport, publishing reams of damn- Armstrong could be hoping to Current BWF president Kang In it, the talk show host Oprah ing eye-witness testimony from pave the way for a return to com- Young-joong of South Korea said Winfrey, who talked to the Texan former team-mates about the petition in marathons and triath- last month he would step down for two-and-a-half hours, said he extent of his cheating. lons and rehabilitate his tattered from the role in May after eight admitted doping. The scandal plunged the sport reputation. years at the helm and Indonesian But on the eve of the much- into crisis, raising questions about Meanwhile, the International Justian Suhandinata has already anticipated broadcast and as how he was able to avoid detec- Olympic Committee (IOC) said made clear his intentions to run speculation swirled about the tion for so long, amid claims that that is “very unlikely” cycling for the post. extent of his confession, Pound the International Cycling Union could be stripped as an event for China head coach Li Yongbo said Armstrong should face a (UCI) governing body turned a the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, feels that Nadzmi, the head of proper grilling from anti-doping blind eye to widespread doping in despite the fall-out from the the Badminton Association of and cycling authorities, naming the peloton. Lance Armstrong doping affair. Malaysia, has what it takes to names and details about how he Pound, who is now a member “During the last years, the popularise and spread the sport. cheated. of the International Olympic UCI have battled strongly in the “Nadzmi is a good choice. He “Simply by confessing to what Committee, alleged that pro- fight against doping. An even- has the clout and credentials to everybody knows is not going to fessional racers were tipped off tual exclusion of cycling from increase the popularity of the Lance Armstrong, founder of the LIVESTRONG Foundation, gestures do anything here,” Pound said. about how to evade tests for the the Olympic programme is very sport to a wider base,” Li was in the Clinton Global Initiative, in this September 22, 2010, file photo. “USADA (US Anti-Doping illegal blood booster erythropo- unlikely,” IOC spokesman Mark quoted by the media earlier this Agency) can, if Lance provides etin (EPO). Adams said. AGENCIES week. REUTERS