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Thursday 3 April 2014 3 Jumadal II 1435 - Volume 19 Number 5623 Price: QR2

Global energy FIFA orders use to surge transfer ban 50pc: Al Sada on Barcelona

Business | 17 Sport | 28

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Qatar gives 40 executives $1bn aid to Khartoum get jail terms KHARTOUM: Qatar will deposit $1bn in Sudan’s central bank, Khartoum said yesterday. The announcement by Finance Minister Badr El-Din Mahmoud came at the end of a for visa fraud visit to Khartoum by the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Fifty firms referred to prosecution Mahmoud, speaking at Khartoum airport, said Qatar DOHA: More than 40 execu- operations to strictly implement also planned to invest in large tives of private companies, the law, he said. agricultural and energy projects including Qataris, were given The Department has formed in Sudan, whose economy has suf- prison terms for fraudulent visa two separate teams to ensure fered since South Sudan broke trade. A total of 50 companies the law is strictly implemented away in 2011, taking with it much were referred to the Public and that law-breakers are booked of Khartoum’s oilfields. Prosecution and 84 cases were and referred to the Prosecution “Sudan realised big economic registered for their alleged Department for further legal gains from the visit of the Emir involvement in ‘visa trading’. procedure. He added that these of Qatar today,” he said. The Qatari and expatriate steps have brought about positive Mahmoud said the deposit was executives will undergo jail terms results. the second part of an aid package of one year to three years. The Col Nasser said the Search and but declined to give details of the individuals and companies were Follow up Department is commit- first part. In a written statement, charged a total of QR4.27m in ted to strictly implementing the the Emir said his visit “comes to fines for violating Qatari law law. He sought the cooperation confirm the two countries’ desire (No. 4 of 2009) relating to expa- and support of individuals and for continued dialogue and coordi- triates’ entry, exit, residence and companies in their endeavour. nation on issues of mutual inter- sponsorship. “Employing absconding workers The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrived yesterday in Khartoum on a day’s official visit to Sudan. The est”. REUTERS The Ministry of Interior (MoI) is illegal and those who attempt to Emir was welcomed upon arrival at Khartoum International Airport by Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al Bashir. Report, pictures on page 2 said yesterday it handled the employ or work in similar condi- victims of the visa racket in a tions would be booked under law humane way allowing more than any time”, he said. 1,000 workers to transfer their Information or queries about sponsorship to other agents. absconding workers are available Blasts in Cairo kill top police general The Director of the Search on 44695222 round-the-clock. and Follow Up Department, The Qatar Foundation for CAIRO: Two bombs target- police. The third bomb struck Mursi, Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, said Al Serafi, and four other police- Col Nasser Muhammad Al Syed, Combating Human Trafficking ing security posts near Cairo close to the main gates, where he was leaving the military to men were wounded. said operations against illegal has set up offices near the lower University exploded in quick police investigators and journal- stand in a presidential election set “I was waiting for the bus when companies have proved that these courts, and also at the Labour succession yesterday killing ists had gathered, causing no for May. A fourth bomb placed in I heard two explosions. There was firms have a key role in the grow- Court, to keep track of cases filed a police general, followed by a casualties. a car parked near the university dust in the air and policemen ing number of illegal and abscond- by the victims of illegal visa trade. third blast as police and jour- The bombings were the latest was defused, security officials and were screaming,” said a witness, ing workers in the country. Their Last year, it said it was moni- nalists gathered at the scene. in a spate of attacks against the state television said. Sakta Mostafa. A police general large presence poses a serious toring at least 60 cases that have Witnesses said the blasts sent security forces since the army The Interior Ministry identi- at the scene told AFP that the threat to social security in the been filed in the courts against up a cloud of smoke and dust near overthrew elected Islamist presi- fied the slain officer as Brigadier bombs were concealed in a tree country. companies that are allegedly the campus, the scene of repeated dent Mohamed Mursi last July. General Tarek Al Mergawi. between two small police posts. The Department would involved in ‘trading work visas’. clashes in the past few months They came less than a week An assistant interior minis- AFP continue its inspections and THE PENINSULA between Islamist students and after the army chief who toppled ter, Major General Abdel Raouf See also page 7

PSG beat Chelsea Nasa snaps ties with Russia US tries to keep

WASHINGTON: NASA has cut all contacts with Russia peace talks alive except for cooperation aboard the International Space Station, RAMALLAH: Washington is Palestinian officials said Israel’s according to an internal memo keeping up efforts to put Israel- failure to free the prisoners meant obtained by the online news site Palestinian peace negotiations Abbas was no longer bound to a The Verge yesterday. NASA did back on track despite “unhelp- commitment not to confront it not immediately return calls for ful steps” taken by both sides in at the United Nations and other comment. However, a copy of the the past day, a senior US official international bodies. memo posted online described said yesterday. The developments further com- a halt to travel to Russia by A surprise decision by plicated efforts by US Secretary NASA employees and to visits Palestinian President Mahmoud of State John Kerry to piece by Russians to NASA facili- Abbas on Tuesday to sign more together a three-way deal. ties and a freeze on exchange of than a dozen international conven- The talks were already in trou- email, teleconferences and video tions that could give Palestinians ble over the issues of Israeli set- conferences. “Given Russia’s greater leverage against Israel left tlements in the West Bank and violation of Ukraine’s sover- the United States searching for a East Jerusalem — land captured eignty and territorial integrity, way to keep the talks alive past an by Israel in the 1967 Middle East until further notice, the US gov- April 29 deadline. War — and Palestinian opposition ernment has determined that “Both sides have taken unhelp- to Netanyahu’s demand to recog- all NASA contacts with Russian ful steps over the last 24 hours. nise Israel as a Jewish state. government representatives are But neither party has given any Israel had said it first wanted a suspended, unless the activity indication...that they want to end Palestinian commitment to nego- has been specifically excepted,” the negotiations,” the senior US tiate past the original target date it said. The new policy does not State Department official told for a deal before freeing the last apply to “operational ISS activi- reporters in Brusssels. of the 104 prisoners it promised ties” or “multilateral meetings “We will spend the next few to release as part of US efforts to held outside of Russia that may Chelsea’s Willian (left) vies for the ball with Paris Saint Germain player Christophe Jallet during the UEFA days continuing to discuss with restart the negotiations last July. include Russian participation,” Champions League quarter final first leg match at the Parc des Princes stadium, in Paris, yesterday. both parties the options for the Kerry had cancelled a planned added the memo. REUTERS Paris Saint Germain beat Chelsea 3-1. path ahead,” the official said. visit to the West Bank city of The Palestinians had handed Ramallah yesterday to meet Passengers’ role over to a UN representative and Abbas, saying it was important to other diplomats applications to keep the peace process moving but ruled out in MH370 join 15 international conven- “in the end, it is up to the parties”. Windows to be given free for phones tions. They include the Geneva Palestinians hope Abbas’s move Conventions, the key text of will give them a stronger basis PERTH/KUALA LUMPUR: international law on the conduct to appeal to the International Malaysian police have ruled out SAN FRANCISCO: Microsoft Android platform. Microsoft’s services such as Skype and of war and occupation. Criminal Court and eventually involvement of any passengers Corp is to give away its move, announced at its annual Office. A senior Palestinian official, lodge formal complaints against in the disappearance of a miss- Windows operating system to developers conference in San Up to now, Microsoft has voicing frustration deepened by Israel for its continued occupation ing jetliner, while Australian makers of smartphones and Francisco, is an attempt to charged phone and tablet makers Israel’s failure to carry out a of territory seized in 1967, lands officials warned bad weather small tablets for consumers as broaden the small user base of between $5 and $15 per device to pledged release of several dozen they see as vital to an independ- and a lack of reliable informa- it seeks to make more of an mobile versions of Windows, in use its Windows system, as it has Palestinian prisoners, also said ent state. Most countries deem tion were impeding efforts to impact on those fast-growing the hope that more customers done successfully at higher prices yesterday that the eight-month- the Israeli settlements as illegal. find wreckage from the plane. markets and counter the mas- will end up using Microsoft’s for many years with Windows on old talks had become merely REUTERS See also page 12 sive success of Google Inc’s free money-making, cloud-based personal computers. REUTERS “negotiating about negotiating”. See also page 7 THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2014 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Emir holds talks with Bashir Radiation Genetics Emir wraps up Sudan visit, arrives in Algeria as part of three-nation tour Lab opens at CNA-Q DOHA: A Radiation Genetics and it has been amazing to see and Chemical Mutagenesis the level of interest and collabo- Lab has opened at College of ration.” Currently, 11 students the North Atlantic – Qatar from School of Health Sciences (CNA-Q). are working with Dr Darroudi. It was officially opened this In the past 12 months, he has week and has four main respon- held workshops for graduate and sibilities: To assess human risks post-doctoral students, oncolo- from exposure to environmental gists and cancer researchers from and chemical hazards, to under- across the country. The success of stand mechanisms of chemi- the workshops led to the opening cal and radiation-induced DNA of the lab. damage, to initiate a training and “CNA-Q is known for its qual- research programme in biomedi- ity training,” noted Dr Mike Long, cal and environmental research Chair of the Office of Applied programmes to build research Research. “Our partnership with capacity, and to create a net- Dr Darroudi has allowed us to use work of experts in the country talents of a world-renowned bio- and region. medical researcher to engage in Dr Firouz Darroudi, a lead- cancer and biomedical research ing cancer researcher, will be and develop skill sets of the spearheading the research and research community in Qatar.” training work at the lab. He has While the lab will be of imme- been working with CNA-Q since diate benefit to CNA-Q students 2012 as Research and Training and instructors, Dr Darroudi The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani holding talks with Sudanese President Field Marshal Omar Hassan Ahmad Al Bashir in the Friendship Consultant, working with CNA-Q intends it to have a national Hall in Khartoum and (right) with President of National Assembly, Abdul Qadir Bin Saleh, in Algiers. students and external stakehold- impact. “Not only will the work ers. “From our studies we can being done in this lab help gen- investigate causes of cancers, find erate a safer environment and DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh continue consultation and coor- discussed issues of mutual Assembly Abdul Qadir Bin Saleh, biomarkers of cancers of differ- improve human health, it will Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani dination on common issues, par- concern. Qatari Ambassador Ibrahim ent origins and improve cancer also serve to initiate collabora- yesterday arrived in Khartoum ticularly the Arab and regional The Emir also attended a Abdulaziz Al Sahlawi, and senior therapy regimens of people who tions with other research cen- on a one-day official visit to situation and to enhance relations luncheon banquet hosted in Algerian civil and military offi- have cancer,” Dr Darroudi said. tres in Qatar to further develop Sudan. He was accompanied by for the benefit of both brotherly his honour by Bashir, at the cials . “We are incredibly excited local knowledge and expertise of a high-level official delegation. peoples. Friendship Hall. The Emir was also accorded an about the potential of the lab and international high standards.” On arrival at Khartoum The Emir asked Allah to help Several Sudanese ministers, official reception. the students at CNA-Q I have Collaborations will help generate International Airport, the Emir them for the good and for the officials and Arab ambassadors In a statement, the Emir been working with, and the amaz- an educational and scientific cen- and his delegation were welcomed interests of both brotherly peoples accredited to Sudan attended . said, “I am pleased today to ing response we have received tre in the Middle East on biologi- by President Field Marshal Omar and Arab and Islamic countries. In the afternoon, the Emir left visit Algeria to meet President from researchers throughout cal, environmental and medical Hassan Ahmad Al Bashir and Earlier, the Emir was accorded for Algeria. The Emir was seen Abdelaziz Bouteflika, to whom I Qatar. We have been very busy programmes, ensuring research- top officials, Qatari Ambassador a red-carpet reception. off at the airport by Bashir, sen- convey to the brotherly people of working with people from Hamad ers and practitioners are able to Rashid bin Abdulrahman Al Bashir presented the Emir with ior Sudanese officials, the Qatari Algeria the best greetings from Medical Corporation, Qatar provide the best medical advice Nuaimi, Sudanese Ambassador the Medal of Honour in recogni- ambassador to Sudan and the the people of Qatar, coupled with Foundation, Qatar University and for the people of Qatar and the to Qatar Yasser Khudor Khalaf tion of excellent ties between both Sudanese ambassador to Qatar. sincere wishes of happiness and the Ministry of the Environment, Arab world. THE PENINSULA Allah and ambassadors of Arab countries. The Emir sent a cable to Bashir, success. and foreign countries accredited The Emir held talks with expressing thanks and apprecia- “Needless to say this visit is an to Sudan. Bashir in the Friendship Hall, in tion for the warm welcome and expression of our commitment to In a statement, the Emir the presence of the Emiri delega- hospitality accorded to him and communication and consultation Attorney-General honoured extended on his and the Qatari tion and Sudanese ministers and his delegation. on issues and challenges facing people’s behalf greetings to the senior officials. The Emir arrived in Algeria our nation and about everything DOHA: The Executive Committee of International Association President and the people of Both sides discussed means of last evening on a two-day official that would contribute to support- of Anti-Corruption has honoured Attorney-General Dr Ali bin Al Sudan, wishing them the best bolstering relations and regional visit. ing and strengthening the bonds Marri Fetais for his efforts since his election as a member of the of health and more welfare and and international issues of mutual The Emir and his delega- of fraternity and close coopera- committee in 2011. China’s Attorney-General Qiao Jian Meng, also prosperity. interest. tion were greeted at Houari tion between our two countries,” current president of the association, presented Dr Al Marri with a The Emir said his visit confirms Prior to talks, the Emir and Boumediene International the Emir added. Certificate of Appreciation at the opening meeting of the organising the keenness of both countries to Bashir held a meeting and Airport by President of National QNA committee of the association in the Spanish city of Barcelona. QNA THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 Qatar labour force hits 1.55m

DOHA: The labour force females reached 71 percent and 35 population constituted 12 percent in Qatar — economically percent, respectively. of the total working-age population, active — increased by The monthly average salary of at 216,000 — males and females rep- four percent to 1.55 mil- the working male population rose to resented 24 percent and 76 percent, lion in the fourth quar- QR10,000 and of females to QR8,000. respectively. Survey results show the ter of 2013 compared to Job-seekers for more than one majority of females are housewives 1.48m in the third quar- year reached 24 percent of the — 65 percent of the economically ter of the year, revealed unemployed — from 16 percent in inactive females, and 75 percent of a Labour Force Sample the second quarter and 23 percent males are full-time students of the Survey released by the in the third quarter. total economically inactive males. Ministry of Development The economically inactive THE PENINSULA Planning and Statistics yesterday. According to the survey, 24 percent of the unem- ployed searched for jobs for more than 12 months. The survey provides data that serve the Special Data Dissemination Standard, launched by International Monetary Fund, to underline data transparency to help fol- low up financial and eco- nomic conditions of the countries participating in the initiative. Economic dependency amounted to 32 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013, with a slight decrease compared to the third quarter of the year which recorded 34 percent. The working-age pop- ulation (15 years and above) amounted to 1.8m. The Qatari working-age population (15 years and above) stood at 181,000 or 10 percent of total work- ing-age population. The Qatari labour force included 96,000 economi- cally active people, of whom 67 percent are males. The 25-34 age group registered the highest participation rate (93 per- cent), and the youth (15- 24) participation reached 73 percent. The total economic par- ticipation of the Qatari labour force was 53 percent. Economic participa- tion of Qatari males and THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2014 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME June 1 last date for Single Electronic Health Record WISE Learners’ Voice Programme applications for every patient by 2016

DOHA: The World Innovation roles in the world of education HMC, PHCC start implementation of Clinical Information System Summit for Education (WISE) and in their own fields. BY FAZEENA has begun its global search The programme is based on SALEEM for outstanding young learn- the belief that when students ers from diverse backgrounds are co-creators of their learn- and disciplines for the 2014-15 ing environments, they become DOHA: Hamad Medical Learners’ Voice programme. active participants, investing Corporation (HMC) has Until June 1, WISE is accept- collectively as stakeholders. stated to implement a ing nominations and applica- Students or recent graduates Clinical Information tions from young people who can be nominated by representa- System (CIS) to create a will join over 100 students and tives of institutions, organisa- single Electronic Health graduates of the Learners’ Voice tions, programmes and networks Record (EHR) for every community. This year, some 30 from around the world. patient by 2016. learners will be selected to par- Students can also apply per- Implementation of the ticipate in the growing global sonally for the programme by system is a joint initia- initiative. submitting an application form tive by HMC and Primary WISE Learners’ Voice pro- endorsed by two referees. Health Care Corporation vides a global platform for young Applicants and nominees (PHCC), Dr AbdulWahab people to become involved in must be between 18 and 25 years Al Musleh, Deputy Chief crucial debates on education. as of November 2, 2014. of Medical, Academic and The programme builds their Nominations and applications Research Affairs for CIS, communication, entrepreneur- are being accepted online. told a press conference Dr AbdulWahab Al Musleh, Deputy Chief of Medical, Academic and Research Affairs for CIS (fourth left) and Dr Juliet ship and leadership skills to Download the official nomina- at Hamad Medical City Ibrahim, Executive Director of Clinical Affairs and CIS Vice-Chairperson (third left) with other officials at the press conference ensure that decision-makers tion or application forms from yesterday. at Hamad Medical City yesterday. hear their views and that they the WISE website www.wise- CIS was introduced are equipped to take on leading qatar.org. THE PENINSULA at Al Khor hospital this Health Centre will start Initially, health records, appointments will be approaching it as a joint week and Al Daayan it on Sunday. patient registration and entered into the system. programme between In the second phase, PHCC and HMC is radiology and pharmacy enhanced integration and records will be included continuity of care for our by this month-end. patients by ensuring that The system will be then there is only one record implemented at Women’s for each patient, shared Hospital, Hamad General in real time among health- Hospital and Al Gharafa care providers in both Health Centre. organisations,” said Dr CIS will also include Juliet Ibrahim, Executive Ambulance Service Director of Clinical Affairs and Sidra Medical and and CIS Vice-Chairperson. Research Centre. Later, The first step is the it will be implemented at start of a change and other hospitals and pri- improvement journey Ooredoo asks all Vendors to mary healthcare centres that replaces existing sys- across the country. tems and provides one Submit IBAN Number “CIS will help have a electronic patient record complete record of every across all HMC and PHCC patient, which could be facilities. In accordance with The Qatar Central Bank (QCB), accessed by any clinician It will provide a stand- Ooredoo will be migrating to the ISO International at any time,” said Dr Al ardised build, allowing a Musleh. common view for clini- Bank Account Number (IBAN) standard in the He said once CIS is fully cians and extensive anal- coming months. implemented, Qatar will ysis capability. This will become the second coun- support the academic try in the world to have a health system vision of As a result, Ooredoo requests all registered single, integrated EHR for both healthcare providers vendors submit their IBAN Number to the company every patient. Currently in the country. HMC and Estonia has such a system. PHCC have partnered with by the 17 April 2014. “The goal is to improve two main international the quality of care and suppliers, Cerner and Dell services provided to Solutions, to assist in the Vendors can submit their IBAN by either accessing people. project. and updating the number via the Ooredoo “A main benefit of THE PENINSULA pany letter with their IBAN Account Number to the email [email protected]. #OoredooSmart launched Thank you for your cooperation. with three-month access to business services DOHA: Ooredoo yester- Landline Key, which pro- day announced the launch vides unlimited calls to of #OoredooSmart offer local landlines. with three month’s free The promotion runs access by businesses to until June 30 to provide some of its most popular more businesses in Qatar business services. with a chance to use Business customers who Ooredoo’s value-packed subscribe to Ooredoo’s business offerings. 1GB, 3GB, or 6GB Shahry Ooredoo’s Mobile Mobile Broadband plans, Broadband service is Mobile Internet Packs or designed for customers BlackBerry services can looking for an easy way get three months’ sub- to connect their laptop or scription fee. tablet to Ooredoo’s mobile Business customers can data network via USB try the service for three Modem to connect, or months and enjoy access My-Fi device for multiple to Ooredoo’s 4G network, Wi-Fi connections. which is Qatar’s first and To subscribe to any of fastest mobile data net- these services and begin work. Out-of-bundle data the three-month trial, costs will apply for custom- Shahry business customers ers who use more than the can contact their account allowance within the plans managers, visit a business and packs. centre or call 8008000. Business customers can Customers will not be also sign up and enjoy charged for the first three three month’s free access months of their subscrip- to Ooredoo Business tion, as they will see the Group, which offers unlim- promotional discount on ited minutes of talk time their monthly bill. After between employees in the the free period, the serv- same company. ice will be charged at the They can also get three normal rate. month’s access to the THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Cabinet hails outcome of Arab League Summit ‘Kuwait Declaration further support for Arab causes’

DOHA: The Cabinet yesterday welcomed the outcome of the 25th Arab League Summit in Draft law approved for commercial, Kuwait last month and affirmed that the Kuwait Declaration industrial outlets and vendors and its stances constituted fur- ther support for Arab causes in DOHA: The Cabinet yesterday approved a draft law regulating such a stage of destiny. commercial and industrial outlets and vendors and referred it to The weekly meeting chaired by the Advisory Council for recommendations. Once the law takes the Prime Minister and Interior effect, it will ban vendors from doing business without a licence. Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah The draft law has provisions for licensing and monitoring of com- bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani mercial facilities, including eateries, hotels, clinics, offices and shops at the Emiri Diwan also praised selling hazardous material. the Kuwaiti Emir H H Sheikh It stipulates that vendors can work only under a licenced outlet Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al and the request for the licence should be submitted by the attached Sabah for his efforts to ensure shop. Vendors will not be allowed to do jobs and work in localities the success of the summit. are not specified in the licence. The minimum age for vendors for The Deputy Prime Minister obtaining a licence is 18 years. and Minister of State for Cabinet They are also not permitted to chase people and force them to Affairs H E Ahmed bin Abdullah buy goods or use their services. They cannot operate near schools, bin Zaid Al Mahmoud said the education centres, hospitals and health centres. Cabinet took measures to issue The draft law also bans them from selling crackers and making a draft law on the promulgation noisy advertisements using bells, horns, whistles or any other instru- of a law on GCC brands after it ments that could cause disturbance to the public. They can go out examined recommendations of selling goods only during the hours specified in the licence. the council. The Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning will identify the The draft law includes provi- areas, streets and facilities where it is not permitted to open com- sions related to procedures for mercial outlets. It will also lay down rules and regulations for setting registration of trademarks, dura- up shops in residential areas. THE PENINSULA tion of brand protection, cancel- lation of registration, transfer committee’s work. It ratified a draft cooperation of ownership and mortgage and The report said the panel dis- agreement on the conservation seizure. cussed issues and took measures, of biodiversity and wildlife and The Cabinet took decisions including strategic projects for habitats between the Ministry after reviewing a letter from water security (rehabilitation of Environment and Morocco’s the Deputy Prime Minister and of wells for potable water and High Commission for Water and Minister of State for Cabinet injecting aquifers with desali- Forests and the Fight against Affairs on draft laws ratified by nated water), setting a water Desertification. the GCC Supreme Council in its resources policy and updating It also endorsed a draft agree- 23rd session to work on a pilot the national strategy on water ment between Qatar and the Swiss basis for two years. The draft resources, establishing a database Federal Council on the exemption laws are related to sources of on water resources, increasing of citizens of both countries who surface water; processed waste- Kahramaa’s storage capacity for possess diplomatic and service water and its reuse; and sources desalinated water, and installing passports from the requirement of desalinated water. smart meters on groundwater of obtaining visa upon entry, The Cabinet also discussed wells. stay and departure. The Cabinet a letter from the Minister of The Cabinet discussed a draft also ratified a draft cooperation Energy and Industry and head memorandum of understand- agreement on the establishment of the permanent committee of ing between Qatar Tourism of a Junior Professional Officer water resources on the fourth Authority and Qatar Museums programme between Qatar and quarterly report for 2013 on the Authority. Unesco. QNA THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2014 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME British Paraorchestra to perform tomorrow 20 disabled musicians to join Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra

Akbar Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways (left) attending the ceremony at Philadelphia International Airport QA begins Doha-Philadelphia service FROM RIGHT: Marjo Louw, President, Sasol Qatar, Nicholas Hopton, British Ambassador, Charles Hazlewood, DOHA: Qatar Airways’ inau- following day. North American hubs: Chicago, gural flight to Philadelphia The route is being operated New York, Washington DC, Artistic & Music Director, the British Paraorchestra, Kurt Meister, Executive Director, Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, touched down at Philadelphia with a Boeing 777-300ER in a Houston and Montreal. and Jack Saba, Corporate Affairs Manager, Sasol Qatar at the event. International Airport yesterday two-class configuration of up to “But only our newest gateway morning, marking its fifth gate- 293 seats in Economy Class and offers a unique, morning route to DOHA: The British “Sasol is excited to bring 20 Qatar residency. It is an amazing way to the US, a press state- up to 42 in Business. Doha, our earliest departure from Paraorchestra, the world’s first talented members of British opportunity to make new friends ment said yesterday. The flight to Philadelphia car- North America, and provides professional ensemble of disa- Paraorchestra to Qatar for the for the orchestra and its mission, With the launch of the daily ried international media and passengers with unprecedented bled musicians, will perform for first time. The unique ensem- which is to establish a new open- service between Philadelphia airline management, including access to a new schedule of con- the first time in Qatar tomor- ble highlights the spirit of our mindedness where virtuoso musi- and QA’ hub in Doha, the city Al Baker. The route offers a con- venient connections to our entire row at 7.30pm at Katara Opera ‘Definitely Able’ initiative by dem- cians with disability are no longer becomes the 137th destination in nection between Philadelphia global network.” House. onstrating the strength of people overlooked but welcomed into the the airline’s expanding worldwide and several destinations across Philadelphia is a key destina- The award-winning 20-member with disabilities and excellence mainstream. We are thrilled to be network. the Middle East, Africa, India tion for business and leisure trav- orchestra will share the stage with they can achieve. The visionary partnering with Sasol and Qatar QA operates 35 passenger and Asia Pacific via Doha, while ellers. One of the world’s busiest Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra at leadership of Qatar prioritised Philharmonic Orchestra, a beau- flights a week between the US the morning departure time from airports, it sees 30.5 million pas- the ‘Souls in Harmony’ concert. well-being of all members of soci- tiful opportunity for one set of and Doha – daily from New Philadelphia offers US passengers sengers a year. It is hosted by Sasol, the global ety in Qatar National Vision 2030. brilliant musicians to join hands York, Washington DC, Chicago, a unique opportunity to access an “Our five-star service begins integrated energy and chemical We hope our efforts will help con- with another,” said Hazelwood. Houston and Philadelphia. entirely new schedule of connect- by forging a connection with company, as part of its ongo- tribute to the fulfilment of that The Paraorchestra was recog- Flight QR727 arrived to a ing flights out of Doha. the communities we serve and ing ‘Definitely Able’ initiative goal by raising awareness and nized by the Prime Minister of warm welcome during a ceremony Al Baker and Philadelphia we appreciate the opportunity launched in 2012. inspiring those with disabilities the UK with a Big Society Award attended by dignitaries, includ- airport authorities delivered to work together with this great The initiative is the signature to achieve their dreams,” Marjo in 2013. Its musicians come from ing QA CEO, Akbar Al Baker, speeches to mark the occasion, city,” Al Baker said. CSR campaign of Sasol in Qatar Louw, President, Sasol Qatar, told a variety of backgrounds and Mayor of Philadelphia, Michael A noting the economic impact of QA is to launch services on to highlight positive contribution a press conference yesterday. bring a range of musical styles Nutter, and CEO of Philadelphia QA’ arrival in the city. new routes, including Larnaca, and possibilities for people with Founded by British conductor and influences to the ensemble: International Airport, Mark Gale. “I would like to take this special Cyprus (April 29), Sabiha disabilities, and focuses on what Charles Hazlewood in January from drum and bass to Baroque According to the daily flight opportunity to thank the people Gökçen Airport, Turkey (May one can accomplish regardless of 2012, the Paraorchestra became recorder; from lute to Indian sitar schedule, QA aircraft QR727 will of Philadelphia and local airport 22), Edinburgh, Scotland (May one’s disabilities. known internationally after its and tabla; percussion to clari- depart from Doha at 01:05 hours authorities for their support in 28), Miami, the US (June 10), Since its inception, the ‘initia- performance at the closing cer- net; laptops, iPads and specially to arrive in Philadelphia at 0755 helping QA launch passenger Haneda, Japan (June 18), Dallas/ tive has been raising awareness, emony of the 2012 Paralympic designed software to viola. hours, and QR728 will depart flights to this vibrant city,” said Fort Worth, the US (July 1) and promoting public engagement and Games in London with Coldplay. For ticket reservation, email from Philadelphia at 10:30 hours Al Baker. Djibouti (July 27). social acceptance of people with “The Paraorchestra and I are contact details to bporsvp@qmdi. to arrive Doha at 06:10 hours the “Today, Philadelphia joins our THE PENINSULA special needs. much looking forward to our qf.org.qa THE PENINSULA

Six held as ‘sweika’ racket busted

DOHA: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the Ministry of Interior has arrested six Asians involved in production, packaging and sale of ‘sweika’, an illegal product made of chewable tobacco. A large quantity of sweika was also seized during a raid. The department acted on tip- offs from unidentified sources on production and packaging of ‘sweika’ at a house in Old Ghanem area. The suspects were kept under watch to ensure reliability of the information and six people were arrested during the raid on the house. The suspects were referred to the Capital Security Department The Asians with the booty. for legal procedures, the ministry said in a statement yesterday. related to sweika as it harms Operations Room on -999 or to The CID has asked the public human health. CID on 2347444. to report any suspicious activities These can be reported to THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2014 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Brotherhood slams UK probe Peace talks: Arab FMs to meet on April 9 Court action threatened against any improper attempt to curb its activity CAIRO: The Arab League has conventions and treaties, the UN called an emergency meeting confirmed. The treaties include the LONDON: Egypt’s Muslim against “any improper attempt to Jenkins will be able to conduct an my clients take is they don’t think of foreign ministers for April 9 Vienna Convention on diplomatic Brotherhood has hit back restrict its activity”. independent internal review and they have anything to fear from on the floundering US-brokered relations, the convention on the against Downing Street’s The statement came 24 hours carry his brief as ambassador to it. They were associated with peace talks between Israel and rights of the child, the conven- investigation into whether it after David Cameron announced a non-democratic regime that is an elected government that was the Palestinian, its chief Nabil tion against torture, and the one is on a path towards violent the review, saying: “We want to openly in political opposition to overthrown in a military coup and Al Arabi announced yesterday. against corruption. extremism and warned it will challenge the extremist narrative the Muslim Brotherhood.” that is the context in which this The meeting will discuss Israel’s Once these applications have take the British government to that some Islamist organisations inquiry is taking place.” refusal to release Palestinian pris- been officially received at the UN court if it tries to restrict its have put out.” NO BIAS The Brotherhood said it wel- oners, a key sticking point in the headquarters, “we will be review- activities in the UK. It also questioned whether Downing Street strongly denied comed the opportunity to “bring negotiations, Arabi told reporters. ing them to consider the appro- The Brotherhood, whose leader the process would be fair after Jenkins’s appointment indicated a better understanding about the Palestinian Authority President priate next steps,” said Farhan Mohamed Mursi won the 2012 Cameron appointed to lead the any bias. “We are approaching aims and methods of the Muslim Mahmoud Abbas requested the Haq, deputy spokesman for the presidential election in Egypt review Sir John Jenkins, the this with an open mind and we Brotherhood and how it intends meeting, Arabi said, adding it secretary general. but was deposed in a military British ambassador to Saudi are not being driven by the Saudis to return Egypt to a democratic would “examine developments The Palestinian Authority has coup last year, has appointed the Arabia, a country which has or the Egyptians,” said a No. 10 and civil society”. in the light of Israel’s refusal to also asked Switzerland if it can former director of public prose- banned the Brotherhood as a ter- source. It also urged the UK govern- release a fourth tranche of pris- join the Fourth Geneva Convention cutions, Lord Macdonald, to help ror group and accused it of carry- The review is due to be com- ment to consider the “very well oners and extend talks”. from August 1949 and the first make its case. ing out bombings. plete by July and will reflect documented and serious human On Tuesday, Abbas said he had additional protocol. And it has It said in a statement that it is “It is important that the contributions from embassies in rights abuses being conducted by begun steps to join several UN agen- asked the Netherlands if it can join a peaceful and lawful organisation British government does not Riyadh, Cairo, Doha, Abu Dhabi, the military regime in Egypt”, cies and ratify international trea- the Hague Convention of 1907 on that “does not engage in or pro- bend to pressure from foreign Washington and across European and warned the UK government ties, angering Israel and prompting laws and customs governing war. mote acts of violence to achieve governments who are concerned capitals as well as from the secu- that it should not allow the review US Secretary of State John Kerry Palestinians in November 2012 its aims” and it “intends to openly about their own people’s quest rity services. “to be seen as an endorsement of to cancel a trip to Ramallah. had obtained the status of an engage with the British govern- for democracy,” the Brotherhood “We propose to make submis- the criminal acts which continue Meanwhile, the UN’s special observer state in the UN, which ment’s review and will make rep- said in a statement through its sions to the inquiry about the to be perpetrated against the peo- envoy on Mideast peace, Robert allows them access to a number resentations to assist”. UK lawyers ITN Solicitors. Muslim Brotherhood,” Macdonald ple of Egypt”. Serry, has received requests from of conventions and international But it threatened court action “It is hard to see how Sir John said yesterday night. “The view THE GUARDIAN Palestinians to join 13 international organisations. AGENCIES Egypt poll preparations

Supporters of former Egyptian defence minister Abdel Fattah Al Sissi hold signed documents to nominate him for the presidency at a registration office in Cairo yes- terday. Presidential hopefuls have until April 20 to submit the required documents to the Elections Commission. Candidates need the signatures of 25,000 voters across at least 15 of Egypt’s 27 provinces in order to be nominated. Election will take place on May 26 and 27. Twitter ban violates rights: Turkey court

ANKARA: Turkey’s top court ruled Ankara administrative court last yesterday that the government violated month that also found the Twitter ban people’s rights by banning Twitter, restricted freedom of expression, after ordering authorities to unblock the the Turkish Bar Association launched a site used to spread corruption allega- legal challenge. tions against Prime Minister Recep The government appealed that ver- Tayyip Erdogan. dict, and the ban remained in place. The Constitutional Court unani- Experts say the latest verdict could mously ruled that the ban was a breach set a precedent for future cases and, if of free speech safeguarded by the consti- respected, could deter the government tution, sending a statement both to the from imposing further blanket bans on country’s telecommunications author- social media, frequently used by Turkey’s ity and the communications ministry to youth amid claims of government pres- “do what’s necessary”, Turkish television sure on the mainstream media. reported. Erdogan’s government said Twitter, The government blocked Twitter on which hired a lawyer in Turkey to chal- March 20 after the social media site lenge the ban, had failed to abide by hun- was used to spread audio recordings dreds of court orders to remove content that allegedly implicated Erdogan and deemed illegal. The government also his inner circle in a corruption scandal. shut down YouTube after the popular Shutting down the site ahead of cru- video-sharing network leaked a high- cial March 30 local elections sparked level security meeting last month where condemnation at home and abroad and officials discussed war plans against earned Turkey a strong rebuke from neighbouring Syria. rights groups and its Western allies. Erdogan’s Islamic-rooted Justice and But the ban has been widely circum- Development Party (AKP) won Sunday’s vented by Twitter users, who have kept local polls, a sweeping victory that tweeting via text message or by adjusting came despite the corruption claims and their Internet settings. Internet clampdowns. The court case was brought by After 11 years in power, Turkey’s academics Yaman Akdeniz of Bilgi strongman premier is seen by critics as University in Istanbul and Kerem increasingly authoritarian for introduc- Altiparmak of Ankara University, as well ing bans on the Internet and tightening as opposition Republican People’s Party his grip on the judiciary. (CHP) lawmaker Sezgin Tanrikulu. Erdogan labelled Twitter “menace” for They took to Twitter to welcome the helping to organise mass street protests court’s ruling. Tanrikulu called the deci- against his government last year. sion “a turning point of the public oppo- The ban has sparked concerns about sition”. “If (we) want, we can succeed,” basic freedoms and rights in a country he tweeted. that has jailed more reporters than any Akdeniz, a professor of cyberlaw, used other country, including serial offenders Twitter to attach a copy of the court Iran, China and Eritrea. verdict, which found the ban “violated Opposition leader warned after Article 26 of the Constitution safeguard- Erdogan’s party won the local polls that ing freedom of expression”. more pressure were on the horizon. The US ambassador to Turkey, “You’ll all see pressure on the media, Francis Ricciardone, also welcomed civil society, political parties... will the decision via the embassy’s Twitter increase,” said Kemal Kilicdaroglu of account. the secular Republican People’s Party. The ruling follows another by an AFP THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2014 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Musharraf’s trial Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

AKISTAN created history this week when a court indicted former military ruler Pervez Musharraf for treason on charges relating to his 2007 imposition Pof emergency rule. In Pakistan and outside, the development was called a historic first for a country Egypt in a spiral of despair controlled for half its history by the army. Tahira Safdar, one of three judges of a special court convened to hear the BY KHALED AL BER case, read out five charges, with the ex-president pleading enjoyed complete immunity from the ‘not guilty’ to each of them. It was equally important that law and acted like thugs, were protected Musharraf, who has been absent from most of the tribunal’s N THE days of Hosni Mubarak’s by their friends in the judicial system, hearings owing to security threats and ill health, turned to long rule, Egypt’s National even when some of them were caught Too much international Democratic party of which he was on camera phones torturing peaceful pressure would be used address the court. Ichairman was never a political protesters inside the presidential pal- The indictment is important for another reason: it will party, not in the sense that people in the ace itself. internally to stoke up anti- strengthen democracy in the country. Military coups had west understand the term. It was a vast They have become, since Mursi’s always been a stumbling block in the country’s march collection of interest groups with no real removal last July, the judiciary’s victims. American and anti-Western towards democracy but recently Islamabad’s graph has gone ideology. Socialists, Islamists, capital- More than 500 of his supporters were feeling. America could ists and – mostly – opportunists hap- sentenced to death last week; tens of up due to the freedom with which the judiciary has handled pily resided in the same body. It was, of thousands more are in jail. easily lose its “friends” Musharraf’s case and the army’s willingness to let the law course, dismantled after Mubarak’s fall. The problem is not just the gross in the region. On the take its course. At least in the beginning, there were serious Why do I mention this? Because it is injustice of these sentences; they are doubts about the ability of the court to take on a former one of the reasons why things in Egypt certain to be dropped on appeal in later other hand, international military ruler. Some thought the army would intervene became so confusing post-Mubarak. stages. The main problem is that these silence will demoralise at the right time to rescue its former boss. But nothing of Each and every institution except the events add layers to our sense of pes- army became a battlefield for control, simism about Egypt’s future. the Muslim Brotherhood that sought has happened, and is unlikely to happen during including the judiciary. Sleeping cells I was nine years old when Mubarak the rest of the trial. According to some experts, instead of the Muslim Brotherhood reactivated, came to power in 1981, and can’t help and their associates, and of intervening in the case, the army chiefs are likely to the opportunists changed sides and the comparing the promises I heard then gives the new regime, with old guard sensed danger. with the promises I hear now from learn the right lessons from General Sisi as president, a Democracy Musharraf experience – that The result has been a sequence of General Abdul Fattah al Sisi, who last any unconstitutional grabbing incomprehen- week announced his candidacy for message that it can do as it sible judicial president and will almost certainly get and judicial of power by a military chief will events and deci- the job. And I can’t help comparing the pleases. independence not go unquestioned and even sions. It revealed behaviour of the institutions around unpunished. what everybody Mubarak with the current behaviour were turning us into a replica of Iran in Pakistan The case can proceed in several A battle for the has long known: of the state institutions. If the world was or Hamas-run Gaza. That is not what I ways and it’s not clear whether sections of the ruled by mathematical laws, Sisi would and most Egyptians want for the coun- judiciary are be the new Mubarak. But in the age of try. The reaction to this is the context have been the former military leader will judiciary between politicised. Each physics, things are relative. in which the recent trials and death strengthened ultimately be punished for his the old guard was big enough On the basis of the conduct of the sentences should be understood. The excesses. Since the indictment and the Muslim to do what was judiciary and the media, there is no rea- anger is mixed with “patriotic” feelings by the itself took far too long, a trial required of it for son for optimism in Egypt. I have just about Islamists as tools in an alleged indictment of inside the country is still far Brotherhood the benefit of one one flicker of hope, and that comes from American project for the Middle East. from a certainty. The focus is group or another. an unexpected place – the fact that I Internally, this might explain the is adding ever Mubarak him- myself was once a militant Islamist. I apparent “carelessness” of the current Musharraf. now on what Prime Minister self, for example, know how dangerous it is to be ruled by authorities with regard to international Nawaz Sharif has in mind: more layers of was found not Islamist fanatics who deeply, religiously reaction. There could be regional rea- whether he will allow Musharraf guilty of “killing believe they are God’s deputies on earth, soning as well. It is obvious that a new to travel abroad, thereby reducing the likelihood of a return pessimism to my demonstrators”, and that their religious duty is to make regional order is taking shape, with to Pakistan ever again. For now, the matter appears to be country’s future. but was sen- people “righteous”, who see everything Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE on the federal government’s to decide, but it is likely to seek tenced to 25 years from their own point of view and clas- one side, and Turkey, the world-wide in prison for “not sify people according to their religious Muslim Brotherhood and Qatar on the direction from the Supreme Court first. The pre-trial circus protecting dem- beliefs. That is a dangerous mixture other. may yet continue for a while. onstrators”. Mohamed Mursi ambushed of racism and militancy which under- The Egyptian authorities know that It’s worth noting that Nawaz Sharif has handled the the prosecution system, appointing a mines the basic concept of citizenship. America is running out of cards. Too Musharraf case with equanimity and honesty. He was the new general prosecutor and sacking the For me, having the Muslim Brotherhood much international pressure would be victim of the ex-army general’s coup, but hasn’t displayed any old one, with total disregard for the law. in power was a catastrophic scenario. used internally to stoke up anti-Amer- Recent events have taken the battle I knew from the lessons I received in ican and anti-western feeling. America vendetta. Musharraf could be trying to leave the country to for the judiciary between the old guard the mosque that they were lying every could easily lose its “friends” in the escape imprisonment. Confusion persists over whether he and the Muslim Brotherhood to a new time they issued an English statement region. On the other hand, international will be allowed a safe passage any time soon. While Nawaz level. The figurative expression “sword portraying themselves as moderate silence will demoralise the Muslim Sharif has ruled out the possibility of his government taking of truth” has become a literal one as the Muslims open to all. Brotherhood and their associates, and Musharraf’s name off the exit control list, the interior sides use the courts to exact revenge on Animosity to the Muslim Brotherhood gives the new regime, with General Sisi ministry has advised Musharraf to go back to the courts to one another. Members of the Muslim is now overwhelming. Their year in as president, a message that it can do Brotherhood who, during Morsi’s rule, power left most people convinced they as it pleases. THE GUARDIAN have his name deleted. The other side Quote of Nato’s tough task the day

HE NORTH Atlantic alliance thumpings by Nato members and it the gas stratagem. As part of the stick Crimea is now out of the Nato orbit. and Russia are in a face-off is exercising its economic leverage and carrot strategy, it also has a com- With the peninsula brought under and the theatre of activity over the Ukrainian mainland. The prehensive plan to reward the inhab- Russian jurisdiction, the Nato brain- Tis Crimea. The 28-member rise in the price of gas that goes to itants of the Crimean peninsula for storming in Brussels becomes a The State of Qatar is Nato’s foreign ministers are meeting Ukraine from Russia is one coercion voting in favour of secession. Dmitry debatable exercise. It is doubtful what well placed to meet in Brussels to discuss how they tactic. Gazprom, the Russian energy Medvedev, the Russian prime minis- kind of counter-leverage the bloc can the increasing demand can reassure the eastern European firm, has increased the tariff by almost ter who visited the peninsula recently, produce to win back Crimea or make countries alarmed by Russia’s 30 per cent, and reversed an earlier announced that Crimea would be a Russia return the peninsula. For Nato for gas… We are also annexation of Crimea. deal made with Kiev under which special economic zone that will enjoy and the EU, the consolation is the committed to continue The options include how to rein- the country was assured of a special tax breaks with reduced red tape. gesture shown by Putin by partially meeting our obligations force military support and boost rebate. This is power politics, literally. Crimeans would be entitled to raises withdrawing Russian troops from the Ukrainian forces. However, since The previous accord was signed by in their salaries and pensions, and eastern borders of Ukraine. Perhaps as a reliable energy Ukraine is not a part of the alliance, Moscow to enable the then Ukrainian would enjoy preferential treatment in the Nato meet in Brussels could build producer, as a partner in H E Dr Mohamed bin Nato cannot authorise military inter- president Viktor Yanukovych to cope the fields of education, healthcare and on this concession and try to ease into development, and as an Saleh Al Sada vention on behalf of the beleaguered with the crisis at home and keep Kiev infrastructure. The sops will cement a state of détente with Russia. It would country. This limited diplomacy has loyal to Russian interests. the annexation of Crimea to a great still be a task easier said than done. active player in ensuring Minister of Energy and encouraged Moscow to ignore chest It seems Russia is not stopping at extent. For all intents and purposes, Khaleej Times market stability. Industry THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2014 QATAR PERSPECTIVE www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 The alleged Empire of Qatar MARIAM AL KHATER

hen three Gulf than those of Sheikh Yousuf Al countries recalled Qaradawi, such as the diatribes of their ambassadors Sheikh Ahmed Al Kubaisi against Wfrom Qatar, some the Father Emir. This sheikh was newspapers claimed that it was hosted by some mosques and chan- because of security issues within nels in the United Arab Emirates the Gulf. But this is a mere claim. even though he was outspoken Added to it was another claim in his enmity to Qatar — enmity about Qatar’s desire to expand its that existed even before the Arab influence in the Arab world. Spring began. Some people claimed that the Despite this, I side with those former Emir of Qatar had tried who say that Islam is both a to run a Sunni-dominated empire religion and a way of life. I also by putting some of the revenues of believe in the importance of dis- the oil-rich country in the pock- cussing the important problems of ets of members of fundamental- Islam and Muslims as well as any ist movements, and by promoting brutal aggressions during Friday the ideology of Salafisim and the sermons anywhere in the world. Muslim Brotherhood through Al This will enable Muslims to have a Jazeera. They claimed that Qatar clear idea of their problems as well had provided the pulpits of Al as the dangers facing this nation Jazeera and Friday sermons to so that they can be united against these fundamentalist groups. those who want to harm them and An Al Jazeera studio. On analysing the situation, we their religion. can underline the Saudi fear of At the same time, I am not one only to promote the Sufi order, label Sunnis, whose beliefs are Father Emir used the influence country owns its media organs, Qatar’s growing political and dip- who can accept political dictations allowing it to mess with the ideals directly derived from Prophet of Al Jazeera channel and sup- not only in this region, but also lomatic clout as well as the change aimed at trimming the freedoms of our religion. Together with this, Muhammad (PBUH) as sectar- port to Muslims Brotherhood and in non Arabic-speaking countries in the balance of power between of mosque preachers, who for the tomb of a virtuous man who ian. Does the current polarization Salafists. such as Russia and the United Qatar — a small country in terms more than half a century disre- we love greatly — God bless his aim at degrading the ideals of the Here I need to mention some States, where there are channels of size and population — and the garded major events in the Islamic soul — has turned from a mosque Prophet, degrading Islam itself, veteran analysts who have over- like Al Hurra American and Al kingdom, which is a large country world, although they can play the to a site. All of us know that this and making it prone to sarcasm looked a general fact of political Hurra Iraqi. in terms of size and population. role of the media and deliver an is not acceptable for Sunnis any- on social media like Twitter? and international relations theo- Every channel worked hard Second, the Emirati fear that international message. All chan- where in the world because it I do not really know which ries. It is about the effective role of to cater to the needs of its view- rests on the assumption that Qatar nels broadcast mosque activities takes the Islamic religion away religion those who fight Sunnis the media in bringing about social ers, but Al Jazeera was differ- supports the Muslim Brotherhood, during the two Muslim feasts, from its main course. subscribe to. We are not defend- and political change. This applies ent, because it is not a personal which seeks to overthrow its which are strongly connected with On the other hand, some people ing a specific political or religious to the media in general, whether project but a project for renais- regime, even as this assumption is the fasting month of Ramadan and like to broaden the meaning of the party here. But let us be rational in the Arab world or elsewhere. sance designed to serve a whole groundless. It cannot even explain the Haj pilgrimage. word “terrorism”. We rejected this and discuss things from the angle This means that Al Jazeera did not nation. Other Arab news projects, why the UAE has ignored its claim Sermons used to focus strictly when the United States took it as of religion itself. Do the ideas of invent this role. It is the accumu- on the contrary, could only see the on islands occupied by Iran, which on religious matters and impor- a pretext for fighting against eve- Sunnis pose a danger to a par- lated effect of the influence of the aims of their owners, not of their has turned into a friend in a rela- tant issues like Jerusalem have rything that was Islamic. Every ticular group of Muslims, which Western media, including CNN viewers. In doing this, these chan- tionship that aims to serve the not found their way into sermons. evil in the world was linked to makes it necessary for them to and BBC. The Gulf war is proof nels focused on Arab trivialities, interests of soldiers amid new Muslims were only allowed to raise Islam. Some people had gone as far fight them? of this. ignoring the serious concerns of political and economic gains. their hands to plead with God at as saying, “If you are not with me, I hope I have managed to drive The Arabs inherited this role, Arab countries. Still, these chan- I am not a fan of mixing poli- the end of the prayer as far as this you are against me”. Everything my point home in the previous especially after they were blessed nels managed to attract many tics with religion, and by politics issue was concerned. We have to Islamic was branded “terrorist”. argument. with open media. This role would viewers and amass huge amounts I mean party politics, which was thank our preachers, who we hold “Terrorism” as a term has lost Some people presume that never have changed the media of money. But viewers have found replete with sermons about the in high esteem, for allowing us to its meaning and turned into a the Father Emir had sought to map in the Arab world without the what they craved for in channels Arab Spring over the past few do this, but still, we need more. garment tailored by everybody extend Qatar’s leverage with the unprecedented revolution brought that address their brains, not years. Some of these orations had Meanwhile, the role of mosques as they like. This has encour- aim of undermining neighbour- about by Al Jazeera. This opened those that address their waists. come before and were stronger in the United Arab Emirates was aged the media in the West to ing countries. To realise this the the door for competition. Each This is the heart of the influence.

AL JADIL BINT NASSER Francophone: A culture This is how my mind was formed y library is full of Western tried to write about him, but my or colonisation? academic books about ABDULAZIZ AL MAHMOUD pen did not go along with me. I MIslamic movements. would see his face on every page, ast week, Qatar celebrated “Francophone Week”, which Some of the books are outdated as he had departed recently, so I included many activities and lectures about culture and now because books are like human that I had never read before — a who had a fighter’s pen unlike decided to stop. His fans can help Lart, movie shows and concerts. beings — they pass through dif- very powerful, sophisticated, con- his calm and quiet personality. me with what I could not do. Films of the French comic actor Jacques Tati were screened ferent stages of life, such as child- vincing and steady language that As I was young, I researched and In Washington, my uncle at the festival for the first time in the Gulf region. hood, youth and adulthood, and always leads you to where it wants enquired about his writings. He gave me a book, Al ’Iqd Al Farid As a French language student, I was interested in attending then become old and die. with full surrender. convinced me. When you read his (The Unique Necklace), which I and experiencing the activities. Some of the books stay with us Al Rashid’s language is charm- writings without prejudgment, read. I then got its sequel after I The term “francophone” means French-speaking. Language is for a little longer, while others live ing and inspires respect. His pen you will find that he writes with returned to Doha. It was a beauti- much more than speech — it signifies culture and a way of think- just like Noah, with undiminished creates a work of art on paper — his mind. ful experience that added a lot to ing. It can even influence the policies of states. vitality and youth, as if they drink something many pens lack. Al Ghazali set his foot where my vocabulary and knowledge. It Learning a new language has become an absolute necessity as from the spring of life. These I also read books by Sheikh no one dared to go. You could feel is a necklace with various pearls, it is considered a bridge between one human being and another, books do not grow old or die, and Ali Al Tantawy, which he wrote his love for you dripping between with each pearl having a unique and it opens the door to other civi- generations after generations with his soul before his pen and the lines. form, and I did not expect that lisations and cultures. Maybe this read them. Each generation sees with his heart before his mind. I read my grandfather (my I would find this necklace in Maybe learning another lan- itself through these books and so His books, Men from History and mother’s father), Sheikh Abdullah Washington DC. guage is a way of acquiring knowl- linguistic they live, and that is what they Stories from History, are still fresh bin Zaid Al Mahmoud. I have I sometimes wonder what will edge and safeguarding oneself are meant for. in my mind as they carved their to admit that I did not read his intelligence agents find in my against deceit. However, learners encroachment is Some of the books narrate the place in it, and I consider myself writings when he was alive, may library if they break into it. I of new languages must not forget personal experiences of former one of his students although I have Allah have mercy on him. He was wonder what they will write in that it is also a way to make one’s a ploy to colonise detainees in the prisons of Gamal never met him. I used to search a Salafist, with a free mind. their report. My library has all thinking flexible. Abdel-Nasser, while some others for his books in every library and On holidays and other spe- the aforementioned books, in The most important thing is not under a cultural talk about women in Islam. bookshop I visited. His works are cial occasions, religious figures addition to books by renowned to neglect or despise one’s mother I used to wonder and enquire full of wisdom. I got addicted to would come and visit him, and Russian writers such as Leo tongue or replace one’s everyday guise, as it makes about the niqab, so I read about it his style and fell in love with his he welcomed them and talked to Tolstoy, so am I an opponent vocabulary with foreign words, or until I found what I was convinced writings. them with respect. I learnt from of the Bolshevik Revolution? It adopt a new lifestyle or a sense of the mother with, and I do not quarrel with I used to listen to a literary him that all religions must be includes books about news of arrogance and superiority. anyone over it, or over life, our programme called Qawlun alaa respected, as people are free to the fools and the dupes by Ibn Dr Fathy Gomaa mentioned this tongue recede for perspectives on life, death and the Qawl (Saying upon saying) on choose their beliefs. He did not Al Jawzi and others. I like the in his book, The Brave Language. anticipation of death. BBC that focused on literature get stultified by any opinion, and fools and the dupes, as they add He writes about the unnecessary another language I liked religious books contain- and history, and I was addicted his arguments were written for flavour to our lives. What they use of non-Arabic words, which ing exhortations and sermons, to a programme called Man Al whoever wanted to take a look at do makes us laugh and enter- is considered a manifestation of to take its place. as during one stage of my life Qa’el (Who said that?) until I got them. tains us, as it gets us out of the a sense of cultural inferiority. He they reassured my heart. I found its folders and read them all. They After he died, I read his writ- world of politics to their funny- describes this “linguistic deforma- that books by Sheikh Mohamed were like a treasure to me. ings, and I liked it when he yet-serious politics, which we are tion” as an ugly and distasteful phenomenon. Ahmed Al Rashid had a language I also read Imam Al Ghazali, defended his beliefs strongly. I living these days. Maybe this linguistic encroachment is a ploy to colonise under a cultural guise, as it makes the mother tongue recede for another language to take its place. This is what happened to Hebrew, which had almost died, as it had become a language only of prayer until Israel was founded and Hebrew became its official language. Israelis believed that The depressing scene in the Arab world their language was linked to their civilization and country, so they imposed it. as it a palace of imagina- on top of the power pyramid. Poet and translator Mohamed Al Rafrafi says that “franco- tion? Was this the rea- KHALED AL JABER The Arab scene is depressing. phone” is a tool of colonialism as it is cultural robbery and not Wson why it fell apart? Even basic international norms culture, which is the exact opposite of voluntary openness to High hopes for change in the of human rights are absent, and Voltaire’s language. Arab world that sprang up with other. It is a malaise hindering the model and the ultimate truth. so are freedom, security, private Learning a new language is a smart political step. It is like step- demands for change seem to be growth of the sapling of democ- The society praising, fawn- property rights, and law as the ping out on a balcony that overlooks a whole new world. However, vanishing day by day. Wars, con- racy in the Arab desert. ing on and putting up photos of mechanism that organises rela- we must feel proud of our great language. flicts, destruction and prisons have The virus of tyranny has the tyrant has become a daily tions among members of society, Our language is the language of Quran, poetry and literature. increased in number. Counter- spread through the Arab body. practice, and the group that guarantees their individual and It is the language of civilisations that once existed and died in the revolutions have won many of the The individual has become survived underground and in collective rights and ensures Peninsula, Andalusia, Iraq and the Levant. battles, and the victim at the end guided, consciously or uncon- prisons is required to do the equality among them. We are so proud when we master other languages that invade is democracy. sciously, to be loyal to certain same. Everyone without excep- Despite all this, we have faith our lives and conversations. Will Western actors ever perform The malaise is inherent, rooted figures, whether they are politi- tion is required to glorify and that the future will be better. in Arabic? Will Arabic be used in international literature? Will in the Arab countries, and not cal, tribal or religious. In tyran- bless what the president, emir people who teach it feel proud when they master it? Will they imported from abroad. It is the nical societies, tyrants trample or leader does. No wonder that include Arabic words in their conversations? Or will they curse outcome of a conflict that started on all the principles and val- hypocrisy, insincerity and lying The views expressed in the articles on this page do not reflect the viewpoint of the their fate? thousands of years ago over power, ues of society. The tyrants’ have become the bonds that link newspaper. control and the denigration of the actions and decisions become a society to power and the figures THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2014 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Iran ‘does not seek’ indefinite power for Assad Tehran does not want Syrian President replaced by extremists, says senior diplomat

ABU DHABI: Iran, Syria’s security of the Islamic Republic 140,000 lives and uprooted mil- religious factors driving Syria’s the earliest possible moment.” higher-grade uranium enrich- main regional ally, does not of Iran”. Abdollahian, on a tour lions. “The situation vis-à-vis conflict, have made no headway. Turning to efforts to resolve a ment and agreed to other con- see President Bashar Al Assad of some Gulf Arab states for talks Syria has changed regionally,” Abdollahian was speaking after long-running dispute over Iran’s straints in exchange for modest staying in power indefinitely but about regional issues, said: “In he said, adding it was necessary talks with United Arab Emirate’s disputed nuclear programme, relief from punitive economic neither does it want “extremist order to answer your question now for a “parallel track” to failed Minister of State for Foreign Abdollahian expressed hope that sanctions. The next set of nuclear forces” to replace him, a senior in another way: We have a deep peace talks held in Switzerland Affairs Anwar Gargash, which negotiators for Iran and major negotiations are slated to take Iranian diplomat said yesterday. relation with Syria. It’s a strategic earlier this year. he said covered Syria, as well as powers would reach a final settle- place in Vienna on April 7-9. Amir Abdollahian, deputy ally against Israel.” He did not elaborate on that Bahrain, Yemen and Egypt. He ment by a deadline of July 20. The Abdollahian added that Noor foreign minister for Arab and He added: “We aren’t seeking or on what he has previously held talks in Kuwait on Tuesday. talks were hard but “important Ahmad Nikbakht, an Iranian African Affairs, added in an to have Bashar Al Assad remain described as a four-part plan for Abdollahian expressed readi- steps” had been taken, he said. embassy official kidnapped in interview that Iran hoped to president for life. But we do not Syria developed by Tehran and ness to meet his counterparts in The Islamic Republic has long the Yemeni capital last year, was have talks in a month or so with subscribe to the idea of using UN Special Representative for Saudi Arabia, but said Iran was denied accusations from Israel, alive and in good health. “We have Saudi Arabia to address their dif- extremist forces and terrorism to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi. But he waiting for Saudi Arabia to spec- Western powers and their allies formed a joint committee with the ferences about the Middle East. topple Assad and the Syrian gov- said Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey ify the exact date. that it has tried to develop the Yemen security forces and their Asked about Iranian activities ernment.” Abdollahian insisted “have all started to believe in a “Misunderstandings” between capability to produce atomic foreign ministry,” he said without in several Arab countries, he told Iran’s aid to Syria was limited to diplomatic process and are now Saudi Arabia and Iran about Syria, weapons under cover of a civilian elaborating. In January, another Reuters that stability, peace and humanitarian goods such as food more than ever working towards Iraq and Bahrain could be solved nuclear energy program. Iranian diplomat was fatally development “in Yemen, Bahrain, and medicine and said military aid a political solution.” through discussions, he said, add- In November, Iran and the six wounded when he resisted gun- Syria and any other country in the would not end the three-year-old Diplomatic efforts, focused ing: “We are hopeful to having dis- powers struck an interim deal men who tried to kidnap him. region will help the interests and war, which has cost an estimated on the political rather than cussions in the next month, or at under which Tehran shelved REUTERS War wreaks overwhelming damage on cities, says UN

BEIRUT: Syria’s civil war has Zeinab — recorded damage at of those businesses were still inflicted such carnage that in between 72 to 79 percent. operating. Many had been closed some districts of Damascus three “This is the first study of its down by their owners, and nearly quarters of homes have been kind and provides hard statistical 40 percent had been robbed or damaged and more than 90 per- evidence for the tragic and wide- looted, according to the survey. cent of residents say they need spread impact the conflict is hav- Partly as a result of that, the help to survive, according to a ing on lives and livelihoods across vast majority of respondents said UN survey released yesterday. Syria,” UNRWA spokesman Chris they had suffered a fall in income, Three years of conflict have Gunness said. at the same time as basic com- devastated the country, destroy- Syria’s conflict erupted in modities have doubled in price. ing infrastructure and reducing March 2011 when protests against “This has pushed many families to some neighbourhoods to ruin. But President Bashar Al Assad were the brink of survival, with almost the ongoing violence has meant put down with force. The upris- half of all clients living on income there have been few detailed stud- ing became an armed insurgency from day to day,” the report said. ies into the scale of its impact. and descended into civil war in “Almost a fifth of clients (were) The United Nations agency which Assad’s forces have used without any source of income”. UNRWA, which supports Scud missiles and air strikes and It concluded that a significant Palestinian refugees, said it ques- both sides have fired rockets and proportion of people surveyed tioned more than 500 people last tanks shells into cities. More faced “severe hardship and dep- June about living conditions in than 150,000 people have been rivation”, with 86 percent indicat- four districts of Damascus where killed, according to the Syrian ing they needed help to survive. UNRWA operates and one in the Observatory for Human Rights “This need was especially felt northern city of Aleppo. monitoring group. in Sayida Zeinab, Yarmouk and More than two thirds of the Those questioned in the Bustan Al Basha (in Aleppo), total had fled their homes, with UNRWA survey had all received where over 90 percent claimed the rate rising to 89 percent microfinance loans to support they needed humanitarian assist- in the Palestinian district of their businesses or households. ance if there families were to live. Yarmouk in southern Damascus. The agency said the impact of However, as just 38 percent of Over half said their homes had the armed conflict on respond- households indicated that they been damaged, while three areas ents had been “overwhelming and had received such assistance, a A woman comforts a girl at a clinic, who was injured by what activists said were barrel bombs dropped by forces on the outskirts of Damascus traumatic”. huge humanitarian assistance gap loyal to Bashar Al Assad, in Aleppo’s Al Sakhour district, yesterday. — Yarmouk, Douma and Sayida By June 2013 only 13 percent remains.” REUTERS Attack on Aden army base kills 20 Sudan’s aid needs ADEN: Al Qaeda attacked a coastal district of Tawahi that Ten of the assailants were were also among those who died, astonishing: Official Yemeni army headquarters in a hosts intelligence and political killed, along with a suicide bomber the official added. heavily patrolled district of Aden police headquarters, a naval base who detonated his explosives- The militants launched the yesterday, sparking a gun bat- and a presidential residence. laden car at an entrance to the attack on the northern side of the KHARTOUM: There is a into Sudan since December when tle that killed 20 people, most of “We have regained control of base, the official said. army headquarters, with some danger the international com- fighting began between govern- them militants, officials said. the situation,” an army official Six soldiers were killed and 14 of them climbing a wall into the munity will ignore Sudan’s ment and rebel forces in neigh- The building targeted is located said, adding that the fighting wounded, while three civilians building as a car was blown up at a “astonishing” aid needs, just bouring South Sudan. in the supposedly tightly secured went on for several hours. including a seven-year-old child western entrance, the sources said. as the situation in parts of the The UN’s Office for the Reinforcements from the 31st country deteriorates, a British Coordination of Humanitarian Armoured Brigade stationed in aid official said yesterday. Affairs (OCHA) reported last Aden were dispatched to support “The numbers are truly week that only 5.5 percent of the the troops in Tawahi, a military astonishing,” said Cate Turton, $995m requested for aid work this official said. No information was of Britain’s Department for year has been funded. While needs available on the overall number International Development. She increase, the percentage of funding of attackers. The official Saba was speaking at the inaugura- obtained has fallen in each of the news agency quoted a security tion of the United Nations and past three years, OCHA says. official as saying the incident was partners 2014 plan for address- This is partly because of com- “a suicide terrorist attack by Al ing Sudan’s humanitarian needs. peting needs in other countries Qaeda”. Government forces were The UN says assisting the 6.1 but also a result of donor con- “hunting down the attackers who million needy people — more cerns about access in Sudan, fled after the assault”. than half of them in the Darfur requirements for travel permits, The brazen attack on such a region — will require $995m. and other factors, an OCHA brief- highly protected area came despite “The situation in Darfur and ing paper says. the authorities having stepped up South Kordofan is rapidly dete- After weeks of little progress measures in recent weeks to con- riorating,” and a large number of in requests to authorities for aid tain a deadly wave of violence rock- refugees are arriving from South access in Darfur after the recent ing the Arabian Peninsula country Sudan, Turton said. displacements, there was signifi- for years. The assault is similar to “Resources are very short, and cant improvement at the end of one carried out by gunmen from I think we are extremely con- March, OCHA said. Access to Al Qaeda-affiliated group Ansar Al cerned as donors in the inter- government-held parts of South Sharia on an army headquarters national community that Darfur Kordofan and Blue Nile has “mod- in Hadramawt in September, in risks slipping off the international erately improved” but civilians in Soldiers inspect the damage following an attack on a Yemeni army headquarters in Aden yesterday. which they took hostages and 12 community’s radar screen,” leav- rebel-held areas remain cut off people died. AFP ing Sudan without the resources from any assistance from inside to meet its aid needs, she said. Sudan, OCHA says. Authorities say The UN says that at the end of access restrictions are necessary to March about 200,000 people were ensure the safety of aid workers. newly-displaced by fighting in Suleiman Abdel Rahman, com- Darfur, on top of about two million missioner of Sudan’s Humanitarian Iraq attacks kill 15; UN warns of ‘divisive’ polls who had already been uprooted in Aid Commission, said that Sudan the region’s 11-year conflict. is ready to support local and for- BAGHDAD: Attacks against security The attack struck in Riyadh, a mostly-Sunni or resorting to trumpeting well-known per- International peacekeepers in eign aid groups in accessing the forces killed 15 people yesterday as the UN’s town in Kirkuk province. Elsewhere in Kirkuk, sonalities. A lack of effort at cross-sectarian Darfur have said the main cause needy anywhere in Sudan. But he envoy to Iraq warned that the country’s bombings targeting the military killed six sol- politics could, Mladenov said, be a major issue. of displacement in March was said this must be done “while tak- election campaign would be “highly divi- diers and wounded 14 others, while attacks in “Campaigning will be highly divisive,” said- alleged attacks by a paramilitary ing into account the protection” of sive” amid a year-long surge in bloodshed. Kut and Mosul, left two policemen dead. from his office in Baghdad’s heavily fortified unit against villages and camps those aid workers. UN special envoy Nickolay Mladenov under- Another policeman was killed in a fire fight Green Zone complex. “Everyone is ratcheting for the displaced. In 2009 Sudan expelled several scored fears the polls could worsen a long-stand- with militants south of Baghdad. it up to the maximum, and you could see this Sudan’s government dismissed international aid groups from ing political deadlock in which Iraq’s fractious Near-daily bloodshed is part of a long list of even before officially the campaign started.” the comment as nonsense. In South Darfur after the International national unity government has passed little in voter concerns that include lengthy power cuts The sharp rise in violence during the past Kordofan and Blue Nile states, Criminal Court in The Hague the way of significant legislation. and poor running water and sewerage services, year has fuelled fears Iraq is slipping back nearly three years of government- issued an arrest warrant for Yesterday morning, a suicide bomber rampant corruption and high unemployment. into the sort of all-out communal conflict that rebel fighting have displaced or President Omar Hassan Al Bashir. blew himself up at the entrance to an army But campaigns are rarely fought on indi- killed tens of thousands in 2006 and 2007. UN severely affected 1.1 million people, He is wanted for alleged crimes recruitment centre in northern Iraq, killing vidual issues, with parties instead appealing to figures released on Tuesday put the toll for the UN says. Close to 60,000 people against humanity, war crimes and six would-be soldiers and wounding 14 others. voters’ ethnic, sectarian or tribal allegiances March at 592 dead. AFP are also reported to have crossed genocide in Darfur. AFP THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2014 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11

Recovery of Ukraine plans bodies in US mudslide may more powers slow down

DARRINGTON: Efforts to recover bodies following a Washington state mudslide that for provinces killed at least 29 people could be hampered in the coming weeks if melting snow runs into Move short of Russian demand a clogged river at the disaster site, officials said. KIEV: Crisis-hit Ukraine took its website. Moscow has sought Over the past two days, work- the first step yesterday toward radical constitutional reforms ers at the mud pile in the foothills granting more powers to the in Ukraine in the wake of the of the Cascade Mountains, north- regions in line with Western February overthrow of a pro- east of Seattle, have taken advan- wishes but stopped well short of Kremlin regime whose rejection tage of sunny skies and receding creating the federation sought of closer ties with Europe sparked water, but more rain is expected by Russia. months of deadly unrest. from today through Sunday. The Western-backed team Russia would like to see The official death toll from the unveiled its high-stakes plan Ukraine transformed into a feder- mudslide, based on the number under the dual pressure of tens ation that allows eastern regions of victims’ remains sent to the of thousands of Russian troops in the vast nation of 46 million to coroner’s office, rose to 29 yes- massed at its border and a veiled adopt Russian as a second state terday, up from 28 a day ear- Kremlin threat to raise the price language and overrule some deci- lier, the Snohomish County it charges its neighbour for crucial sion coming from Kiev. Medical Examiner’s office said. gas deliveries for a second time The Kremlin has argued the Fishermen inspect boats washed onto a dock after a tsunami hit the northern port of Iquique yesterday following On Tuesday, 20 people were still in a week. changes were needed because eth- an 8.2 earthquake off the coast of northern Chile. listed as missing. But Ukraine’s new govern- nic Russians had allegedly been The March 22 slide was trig- ment — having won both vital coming under increasing attack gered when a waterlogged hillside financial backing from the IMF from ultranationalist forces that caved in above the Stillaguamish last week and morale support helped the new leaders overthrow River. A torrent of mud roared from a meeting of NATO foreign Kiev’s Moscow-backed president. Chile quake claims six lives over the riverbanks and across ministers on Tuesday — appeared But Washington and its EU state Highway 530, engulfing ready to resist the Kremlin’s allies fear that Russia — hav- SANTIAGO: A powerful Iquique, the city closest to the in Iquique and the nearby Alto some three dozen homes on the attempts to dislodge the more ing already annexed Crimea 8.2-magnitude earthquake hit quake’s epicentre. Hospicio municipality. outskirts of the town of Oso. Russified regions in the east of last month is using the federa- northern Chile’s Pacific coast Thousands of people had slept Some fires broke out, roads The mudslide clogged the the ex-Soviet country from direct tion idea as an excuse to further on Tuesday, killing at least six in the open on hills surrounding were damaged and power was Stillaguamish River, which in the Kiev rule. splinter Ukraine by granting the people as tsunami waves of the city during the night, waiting knocked out in the northern city following days cut a slow-moving The government said it would Kremlin veto powers over Kiev’s more than two meters lashed out a tsunami alert. of Arica, although there was no channel through the mud and like to eliminate the current prac- regional policies. the shore. Similar evacuation warnings widespread destruction, said dis- debris. But snow melting on the tice under which local governors US officials have instead urged The quake sent panicked resi- were issued in a ripple effect up aster relief agency ONEMI. Cascade Mountains is expected to are appointed by the president Ukraine’s new leaders to intro- dents pouring into the streets, the Pacific coast of South America “The street lights were busted, pour through that channel, pos- and move toward an election duce more targeted reforms that with more than 900,000 people and into Central America. people ran terrified. After the sibly flooding the mud-pile site. system. undercut President Vladimir along Chile’s coast heeding gov- About 10 hours after the two- earthquake there were several Sections of the slide area, But it said nothing about grant- Putin’s arguments for sending ernment orders to evacuate their minute quake, the Chilean gov- aftershocks,” Veronica Castillo already under 25 feet of water ing regions the right to set their troops into the heavily Russified homes and seek higher ground. ernment lifted what remained of told AFP from Arica, 1,000 miles and believed to contain human own trade policies or establish swathes of southeastern Ukraine. But by yesterday morn- the nationwide tsunami alert. north of the capital Santiago. remains, could be submerged special relations with foreign The Ukrainian government’s ing thousands of people had Chilean Interior Ministry In Iquique, fisherman reported by more than 100 feet of water states. statement follows closely in line begun returning home with the Rodrigo Penailillo asked people that 80 boats had been destroyed, within three to four weeks with- “The main idea behind the with US wishes by stressing that arrival of daylight to survey the returning home to remain on sunk or floated out to sea. out a channel to divert the par- concept is to decentralise power a system under which regional destruction. alert, as sea levels will remain The city’s airport control tially dammed river, said Mike in the country and substantially governors are appointed by local Chilean television showed sag- as much as a metre higher than tower was damaged and flights Asher, an area fire chief acting broaden the authority of local legislatures would be “more ging roofs, broken windows and usual. to Iquique, Arica and the north- as the head of operations for the communities,” the government efficient”. shelves and merchandise on He said six people — four men ern city of Antofagasta were can- east side of the disaster zone. said in a statement published on AFP the floor at shopping centres in and two women — were killed celled. AFP REUTERS

Lufthansa pilots’ strike leads Hollande’s ex-partner gets berth in French cabinet PARIS: French President Francois environment and energy minister in a economy minister was unable to pull to 3,800 flight Hollande recalled his former partner spectacular return to mainstream politics France out of the doldrums, was replaced Segolene Royal (pictured) from the for the woman who lost the 2007 presiden- by two contrasting politicians. political wilderness yesterday to join a tial election to Nicolas Sarkozy. Former labour minister Michel Sapin, cancellations new, streamlined government, days after She will rank second, behind Foreign a supporter of budgetary rigour, was his Socialist Party suffered an election Minister Laurent Fabius, in a ministerial appointed to the powerful post of finance FRANKFURT: Lufthansa drubbing. line-up of eight men and eight women. minister. Left-wing firebrand Arnaud pilots began the biggest strike in Sunday’s stinging setback in nationwide “I am very honoured,” she told France 3 Montebourg, a prominent critic of glo- the airline’s history yesterday, municipal elections prompted Hollande television, pledging to work for economic balisation seen by some as anti-business, grounding most of its flights for to sack premier Jean-Marc Ayrault and recovery and jobs and make France “an was named economy minister, a promotion the next three days and leaving replace him with tough-talking former environmental power”. from his former brief of industrial renewal. as many as 425,000 passengers interior minister Manuel Valls, 51. “Green growth can be a powerful motor Opposition leader Jean-Francois Cope without a connection. The two wasted no time in reshaping the for jobs, living standards and well-being,” slammed these nominations, pointing out Lufthansa cancelled around government, appointing two new faces in she said. that Sapin failed to bring down the coun- 3,800 flights yesterday, today and a cabinet of just 16 ministers — less than The 60-year-old is one of the Socialists’ try’s jobless numbers, which in February tomorrow, as a result of the walk- half the 38 in the previous line-up — faced biggest hitters but was reportedly blocked of the revelation of his affair with actress reached a record 3.34 million people. out by pilots who are demand- with the mammoth challenges of bringing from Hollande’s first cabinet because of Julie Gayet. There was also major change at Montebourg has made headlines with his ing better pay and retirement down unemployment and boosting almost hostility from Valerie Trierweiler, the the Finance Ministry, in charge of sorting outspoken criticism of EU-backed auster- conditions. non-existent growth whilst operating in president’s then girlfriend. out an economy still blighted by stubbornly ity measures supported by Sapin and of In addition to Lufthansa’s pas- tough budget constraints. That obstacle has now been removed high unemployment and budget deficits neighbour and ally Germany, which he has senger services, the strike, which Royal, Hollande’s ex-partner and following Hollande’s separation from after 22 months of Socialist rule. blamed for factory closures in France. began at midnight (2200 GMT mother of his four children, was named Trierweiler in January in the aftermath Pierre Moscovici, who as finance and AFP on Tuesday) and will last until 11:59 pm (2159 GMT) tomor- row, will also affect the airline’s Germanwings subsidiary and its EU-Africa Summit freight carrier Lufthansa Cargo. The walkout would cost Germany’s biggest carrier “tens US court lifts cap on of millions of euros” (dollars), it estimated. “The economic consequences will be enormous,” Lufthansa’s political donations head of operations Werner Knorr told a news conference. WASHINGTON: The US little to address graft and bribery And Knorr said there would Supreme Court yesterday “while seriously restricting partic- be no talks between the two sides removed the overall limit on ipation in the democratic process. while the strikes were ongoing. contributions a donor can make “The aggregate limits are “I’m assuming that once the to political candidates, a move therefore invalid under the First walkouts have ended, negotiations that could open the floodgates Amendment,” the court’s ruling will resume,” he said. to campaign funding by rich said. The decision annuls cur- In a bid to avert chaos, individuals. rent rules that cap an individu- Lufthansa has been keeping pas- The move was immediately al’s overall campaign donations at sengers up to date about flight hailed by Republicans, who are no more than $123,200 over two changes via text message or email gearing up to challenge President years. and offering to re-book them onto Barack Obama’s Democratic sup- And the ruling comes three other airlines. porters for control of the Senate years after the court lifted a The situation at Frankfurt in October mid-term elections. ceiling on campaign giving by airport, the country’s largest, The top court, in a five to four corporations and unions, in the remained calm yesterday, with ruling read by Chief Justice John controversial “Citizens United few queues evident at check-in Roberts, did retain limits on the V. FEC,” the Federal Election terminals. And those flights that amount an individual donor can Commission. were operating were proceeding give to a single candidate but “If the Court in Citizens United normally. removed an overall cap. opened a door, today’s deci- “The aim is that people don’t The Obama administration sion may well open a floodgate,” turn up at the airport for noth- had argued that aggregate limits warned liberal justice Stephen ing,” Lufthansa spokeswoman help fight corruption by prevent- Breyer in a dissenting opinion Barbara Schaedler told AFP. ing wealthy donors from circum- released along with the judge- Around 60 flights were already venting the cap on individual ment. President Barack Obama, cancelled on Tuesday so that German Chancellor Angela Merkel (left) and French President Francois Hollande speak at a joint press con- contributions by funding rafts who had vehemently attacked the passengers changing planes in ference during the fourth EU-Africa Summit of Heads of States, at the European Council headquarters in of candidates. But the Supreme Citizens United decision in his Germany would not find them- Brussels, Belgium, yesterday. Court bench ruled by five justices State of the Union Speech, did selves stranded. AFP to four that the overall ceiling did not immediately comment. AFP THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2014 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES China city hit by protests over plant Rights body urges govt to investigate excessive use of force by police against Maoming protesters

BEIJING: Authorities in a “used by criminals,” exhorting arguing with police on Tuesday, as protest-stricken city in south- them to work together to safe- they hold colourful umbrellas and ern China have promised to guard social stability. signs calling for the paraxylene communicate better with citi- US-based Human Rights plant to “roll out of Maoming.” In zens battling plans for a chemi- Watch on Tuesday urged China one, several police pulled away a cal plant, after protesters to investigate the apparent exces- woman protester. complained that violence by law sive use of force by police against A video of Sunday’s protest, enforcement officials killed sev- the Maoming protesters. which turned violent, showed eral and injured dozens. “Premier Li Keqiang has pledged dozens of demonstrators being Images of Sunday’s violence, to launch a ‘war on pollution’,” chased through a street by police which surfaced on Chinese social China director Sophie Richardson wearing riot gear and wielding media, but were later deleted by said in a statement. “Yet when citi- long batons, who then fired tear censors, triggered an outcry. The zens demonstrate their concerns gas at the fleeing people. government has said no one was for the environment they appear Choking smog blankets many killed in the demonstrations, but to be in harm’s way.” Chinese cities, and environmen- it has not said if anyone was hurt. Hundreds of Maoming resi- tal degradation, the cost of the City officials in Maoming, dents held demonstrations on country’s breakneck economic site of the proposed plant, held Sunday and Monday to oppose the growth, has earned the ire of an peaceful talks with protesters plant, intended to make paraxy- increasingly educated and afflu- on Tuesday afternoon, the city lene, a petrochemical used to ent urban class. government said in a statement make fabrics and plastic bottles. The eastern city of Ningbo sus- yesterday. The plant would be owned by pended a petrochemical project Maoming’s deputy mayor told the local government and state- after days of demonstrations in the protesters the project was controlled Sinopec Corp, China’s November 2012, and protests still in the planning stages and biggest refiner. On Tuesday, many forced the suspension of a parax- far from being approved, it said, travelled to the provincial capital ylene plant in the northeastern adding that the city would make of Guangzhou, but the number of city of Dalian the year before. A efforts to communicate better demonstrators had petered out by similar demonstration took place with citizens. late in the afternoon. in the southern city of Kunming Demonstrators setting fire to trash cans during a protest against a chemical plant project, on a street in Maoming, The authorities also urged Unverifiable mobile phone last year. Guangdong province, on Tuesday. citizens not to let themselves be videos showed demonstrators REUTERS

Jakarta warns of tsunami from Drone in S Korea possibly from North No role of passengers Chile quake SEOUL: A South Korean mili- 100 artillery rounds into South the battery of that drone and its JAKARTA: Indonesia tary inquiry into a drone found Korean waters as part of a drill on flight route was set up to return in MH370: Police warned yesterday that on a border island has con- Monday, prompting the South to north. But it had not yet con- it could be hit by a small cluded that North Korea flew fire back. The exercise appeared cluded that the drone was sent PERTH/KUALA LUMPUR: of reliable flight telemetry and tsunami generated by an the unmanned aircraft to con- to be more sabre-rattling by by North Korea as investigations Malaysian police have ruled out punishing conditions at sea were 8.2-magnitude earthquake duct reconnaissance missions, a Pyongyang rather than the start proceeded. involvement of any passengers making the operation even more that struck off Chile’s Pacific South Korean media report said of a military standoff. Images of Monday’s crashed in the disappearance of a miss- challenging. coast, and told residents to yesterday. Yonhap News Agency reported drone showed the wreckage of a ing jetliner, while Australian “In other words, we don’t stay away from beaches. The discovery of the surveil- yesterday that the drone’s flight small, light-blue aircraft bearing officials warned bad weather have a precise aircraft location Tsunami waves up to half a lance aircraft came less than an route appeared to be from the similar paintwork and markings and a lack of reliable informa- for six hours before the air- metre high “will possibly affect hour after a three-hour artillery North, citing unidentified South to North Korean drones dis- tion were impeding efforts to craft went into the water some- several areas in Indonesia” barrage between South and North Korean government officials. played in a Pyongyang parade find wreckage from the plane. where,” he said in an interview from early today, said disas- Korea in each side’s territorial South Korean military officials last year. Up to 10 planes and nine ships with the Australian Broadcasting ter agency spokesman Sutopo waters near a disputed maritime said they were also investigating Those drones were larger from a half dozen countries yester- Corporation. Purwo Nugroho. border on Monday. a similar drone found in a border aircraft modified to crash into day scoured a stretch of the Indian “The reality is it’s the most The quake struck late South Korea’s defence minis- city late last month. pre-determined targets, but are Ocean roughly the size of Britain, complex and challenging search Tuesday, sending tsunami try declined to comment on the A defence ministry official told not believed to be capable of air where Malaysia Airlines Flight and rescue operation, or search waves of more than two metres report as its probe was under way. a briefing that North Korean- strikes or long-range surveillance MH370 is believed to have crashed and recovery operation that I’ve crashing into Chile’s northern North Korea fired more than style writing was inscribed on flights. REUTERS more than three weeks ago. ever seen.” coast. At least five people have Authorities have not ruled out Broken clouds, sea fog and been killed, panicked crowds mechanical problems as causing isolated thunderstorms were have fled and some northern Rohingya refugee census the disappearance, but say all expected to further complicate areas of the country have been the evidence suggests the plane operations, Australia’s Joint declared a disaster zone. was deliberately diverted from Agency Coordination Centre said. its scheduled route from Kuala The search is now focused on an Japan to abide Lumpur to Beijing. inhospitable 221,000sq-km swathe Malaysia’s police chief said the of the southern Indian Ocean some by whaling ban investigation was focusing on 1,500km west of the Australian city the cabin crew and pilots, after of Perth. But despite the unprec- TOKYO: Japanese Prime clearing all 227 passengers of edented effort, the international Minister Shinzo Abe said possible involvement in hijack- team has so far failed to spot any yesterday he will abide by ing, sabotage or having personal trace of the jetliner. the court ruling that banned or psychological problems that “Look, it’s one of the great the nation’s controversial could have been connected to the mysteries of our time,” Australian Antarctic whale hunt. disappearance. Prime Minister Tony Abbott said The conservative leader told “They have been cleared,” in an interview with local Perth Japan’s chief whaling negotiator national police chief Khalid Abu radio station Radio 6iX. that he would respect the judge- Bakar was quoted as saying by “We owe it to the world, we ment issued this week by the state news agency Bernama. owe it to those families, to do International Court of Justice. The search and rescue teams whatever we reasonably can do “It is a pity and I am deeply are in a race against time to get to the bottom of this.” disappointed,” Abe was quoted locate the plane’s black box Malaysian Prime Minister as saying by Japan’s chief nego- recorder, which has an expected Najib Razak was expected to tiator Koji Tsuruoka during a battery life of around 30 days and arrive in Perth late yesterday to meeting at his office. without which it may never be inspect the search and rescue “But I will follow the rul- possible to find the wreckage. operations, which are being con- ing,” Abe said, according to Retired Air Chief Marshal ducted out of RAAF Base Pearce Tsuruoka, who spoke to report- Angus Houston, the head of the north of the city. He is expected ers after meeting the premier. Australian agency coordinating to meet Abbott today. Abe’s comment came after the operation, said that a lack REUTERS the United Nations’ Hague- Family members sit in front of their temporary shelter at a Rohingya refugee camp as Myanmar embarks on a based (ICJ) said Monday that national census, in Sittwe yesterday. Japan’s whaling programme was a commercial activity disguised as science and said Foreign Tamil Tokyo must revoke existing Cambodia repatriates Court takes on new whaling licences. groups ‘terror’ Tainted horse remains of US troops networks: Lanka case against Yingluck meat kills five COLOMBO: Sri Lanka has PHNOM PENH: Remains at a solemn repatriation cer- designated 15 foreign organi- BANGKOK: A court accepted 27 senators who petitioned it to COTABATO: Five people believed to be those of three emony at Phnom Penh airport. sations run by ethnic Tamils a new case against Prime rule that her removal of National are believed to have died from American servicemen killed in “Today, we honour colleagues as “terrorist groups”, accusing Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Security Chief Thawil Pliensree eating tainted horsemeat in Cambodia more than four dec- who died far from home and them of trying to revive a sepa- yesterday over her removal of in 2011 violated the constitu- the Philippines while as many ades ago during the Vietnam whom we never knew,” he said, ratist war which ended in 2009, the security chief three years tion. Their case is that the prime as 60 may have consumed it. War were repatriated yesterday adding he hoped their return “will an official said yesterday. ago, compounding her legal minister abused her position by Four horses died from unex- for identification in the United ease the pain” of the fallen’s fami- The government suspects the problems after months of some- moving the security chief to an plained causes and their meat States. lies. The remains, carried in three groups of being linked to the sepa- times violent anti-government inactive post. was given away to residents in The remains were recovered coffins draped in US flags, were ratist Liberation Tigers of Tamil protests. Court spokesman Pimon the largely rural southern prov- by a team of Cambodian officials flown on an American military Eelam (LTTE) which was crushed Twenty-four people have been Thampitakpong said the case bore ince Sultan Kudarat on March and members of the US Joint plane bound for JPAC’s Central by government forces after dec- killed in the crisis, including a similarities to a probe of former 25, Henry Albana, the province’s POW/MIA Accounting Command Identification Laboratory in ades of combat in May 2009, an protester shot in the head on premier Samak Sundaravej who social welfare officer said. (JPAC) in eastern Kampong Hawaii. information department official Tuesday after weeks of calm in was forced to step down in 2008. Many fell ill after eating it, Cham province, according to the Further details on how the US said, asking not to be named. the capital, Bangkok. The Supreme Court ruled that with the town of Senator Ninoy US embassy. military servicemen were killed “The main objective of this Yingluck’s supporters plan Samak’s appearances on a televi- Aquino particularly affected, The team is tasked with search- were not immediately available. (latest ban) is to ensure that mass rallies of their own this sion cooking show and his accept- Albano added. ing for missing US personnel in Ninety American soldiers were Tamil organisations abroad will week to counter attempts to ance of payment for them was a “The owners of the horses Southeast Asia. originally missing in Cambodia not be allowed to send money remove her from office by activ- clear case of conflict of interest. butchered them, then they dis- “A few days ago, a joint team from the Vietnam War, accord- into the country,” he said. The ists determined to stamp out the “If she (Yingluck) is found to tributed the meat to the resi- of Cambodians and Americans ing to the US embassy, which said groups include British Tamil influence of her brother, ousted have violated the constitution dents. One of the owners was completed their most recent mis- 37 individuals had been recovered Forum, World Tamil Movement, ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, then she will no longer be prime the first victim,” to die after sion and recovered the possible and identified since the two coun- Canadian Tamil Congress, seen by many as the real power minister,” said Pimon, adding she eating the meat, said Albano. remains of Americans missing tries began cooperating in the Australian Tamil Congress and behind the government. would be notified of the case in AGENCIES in Cambodia,” William Todd, US search in 1992, while 53 remain Transnational Government of The Constitutional Court writing and would have 15 days Ambassador to Cambodia, said missing. AFP Tamil Eelam. AFP accepted the case brought by to mount a defence. REUTERS THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2014 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Afghan Interior Ministry blast kills six Rebels warn people not to vote in presidential poll

KABUL: A Taliban suicide is one of the most closely-guarded and the militants have urged their bomber blew himself up at the buildings in the Afghan capital. fighters to target polling staff, Afghan interior ministry yes- “The explosion shook my shop. voters and security forces. terday, killing six police offic- I saw a column of smoke coming On Saturday, the Kabul head- ers just three days before the out of the ministry,” shopkeeper quarters of the Independent country’s presidential elec- Rahim Gul said. Election Commission (IEC) was tion, which the insurgents have “Around 10 minutes later an attacked when five Taliban mili- vowed to disrupt. ambulance rushed in and came tants occupied a nearby building The attack came as the three out quickly from the ministry.” and unleashed rockets and gunfire leading candidates to succeed A diplomat in the Indian at the fortified compound. President Hamid Karzai made a embassy, which is next door to All five attackers were killed by final push for votes with rallies on the ministry, said he heard a Afghan security forces six hours the last day of campaigning. huge bang and that he and his col- after the attack began, and there Kabul has been rocked by a leagues were ordered to shelter in were no other casualties. string of high-profile attacks reinforced safe rooms. Former World Bank economist in the run-up to Saturday’s The Taliban claimed respon- Ashraf Ghani, Abdullah Abdullah, Presidential election, which will sibility for the attack through runner-up in 2009, and former be the first democratic handover one of their recognised Twitter foreign minister Zalmai Rassoul of power in Afghanistan’s turbu- accounts. are the leading contenders in the lent history. In February 2012 two US mili- eight-man race. “The suicide attacker wearing a tary advisers were shot dead at The Afghan government has military uniform detonated him- the interior ministry during a pledged to ensure a safe election, self near the gate of the ministry wave of anti-Western unrest with more than 60,000 troops killing six policemen,” interior sparked by the burning of Korans deployed along with police to ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi by American forces. provide security, though the Nato said. The election is seen as a bench- military coalition has said it will Policemen secure the site at the main checkpoint leading to the Interior Ministry in Kabul after a suicide bomb He said that the blast occurred mark of progress since the Taliban assist if necessary. blast yesterday. in an annex to the ministry, which were ousted from power in 2001, AFP

American spy in nuke secrets PTI lawmakers form separate bloc KP refuses to buy allocated may be freed PESHAWAR: Fourteen mem- He was accompanied by Javed policies of the KP government and stake in oil companies ISLAMABAD: Jonathan bers of the Pakistan Tehreek- Nasim from Peshawar, who a few said the party chief had been kept Pollard, the former US intel- i-Insaf in the KP assembly months ago had submitted an in the dark and he might not be ISLAMABAD: The fed- financial constraints, sources say. ligence agent who was con- have raised a banner of revolt application to the speaker seeking aware of wrongdoings of provin- eral government and Khyber- KP intends to make the offer victed of spying for Israel, against policies of their own a separate seat in the assembly. cial leaders. Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have failed for 1-2 percent non-operating by compromising Pakistan’s government in the province and Without naming Chief Minister He claimed that he had never to find common ground over the working interest in producing nuclear secrets, could be formed a separate faction. Pervez Khattak or any other sen- tried to become a minister and his latter’s stake in public sector assets of Oil and Gas Development released before the Jewish Qurban Ali Khan, the self- ior leader of the party, Qurban Ali associates also were not agitating oil and gas companies engaged Company (OGDC) and Pakistan holiday of Passover as part declared “focal person” of the Khan said that incapable people for power and position. in hydrocarbon exploration in Petroleum Limited (PPL) in the of efforts to save Israeli- group, has claimed that a few had been inducted into the cabi- “We did not join the PTI to the province due to changes in province. Under the new petro- Palestinian peace nego- other lawmakers are likely to net and accused them of being become ministers or advisers. Our resource-sharing formula after leum policy, KP is eligible to tiations, an Israeli official join the ranks of dissidents. He involved in irregularities. objective is to protect the party’s the 18th amendment to the acquire 2.5 percent shareholding. involved in the talks said. declined to disclose the lawmak- “Some people are trying to interest.” constitution. According to the sources, state- Reports of Pollard’s possible ers’ names. hijack the vision of Chairman Qurban Ali Khan, who had Though the Centre suggests owned oil and gas exploration com- release came as US Secretary “At present 14 lawmakers have Imran Khan,” he said and accused left the PPP before last year’s that KP should take control of 2.5 panies like OGDC and PPL have of State John Kerry travelled formed a bloc and some others the party’s provincial leadership general elections, was elected to percent share in oil and gas com- termed reaching a deal according to Israel on Monday to try will join them in two or three of having deviated from the PTI’s the assembly on a PTI ticket from panies, the province has refused to to the desire of KP a highly risky to mediate a dispute between days,” he said at the MPAs Hostel manifesto. PK-16 Nowshera. make a commercial offer for the venture due to lack of experience Israel and the Palestinians yesterday. He severely criticised the INTERNEWS allocated shareholding because of and resources. INTERNEWS over the release of Palestinian prisoners. No decisions have been made about Pollard’s release, which sources familiar with the talks have cautioned is far from certain and would need to be Ruling party confused over Musharraf’s concession approved by President Barack Obama. ISLAMABAD: An overwhelm- Nisar Ali Khan, Defense Minister goal of putting the dictator on The three-judge Special Court IB updates list ing majority within the PML-N Khwaja Asif, Petroleum Minister trial and now allowing him to see ruled that Musharraf was free to is reported to be against allow- Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Minister his ailing mother would further travel both inside and outside the of most wanted ing former president retired for States and Frontier Region bring good name to the party. country. And the ones who were General Pervez Musharraf to retired Lt Gen Abdul Qadir “Our plate is already full of in majority and against the lift- LAHORE: The Intelligence travel to the UAE to see his ail- Baloch. pressing issues such as militancy, ing of travel ban said the party Bureau, which has recently ing mother and get treatment According to the source, the energy crisis and a fragile econ- since October 12, 1999, when the got Rs1.4bn from the fed- for his own heart ailment. meeting lasted about three omy. Therefore, it’s better to pay former army chief toppled the eral government for acquir- A party source privy to an hours and witnessed some cogent full attention to them instead of PML-N government in a coup, ing manpower, gadgetry and intense meeting of the PML-N’s arguments. The prime minister getting bogged down in the trial had waited for this moment and, other resources to rebuild the top leadership held at the Prime remained tight-lipped throughout of Musharraf,” the source quoted hence should firmly stick to it. organisation from scratch, Minister Office yesterday to dis- the huddle and patiently listened a party leader as saying. “Even if we allow him to travel has updated its first-ever cuss the issue said that only a few to his party’s senior colleagues. After the Special Court put the abroad together with his mother list of most wanted crimi- were in favour of lifting the travel He exhorted the participants to ball in the government’s court, on pure compassionate ground, nals belonging to a Karachi- ban on the former army chief, who speak their mind over the issue. “We should give Gen Musharraf opposition parties will cry hoarse based political party and the was indicted by the Special Court Although in minority, the ones relief on pure humanitarian against us for not standing our outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban on Monday for high treason. who spoke in favour of accepting ground and take due credit for Former president Pervez Musharraf ground.” Pakistan who have been The media wing of the PM Musharraf’s application seeking that,” the leader added. “Some even will accuse the gov- responsible for the unrest in Office remained silent over the removal of his name from the In its short order, the court had under its jurisdiction. ernment of giving him permission the port city. meeting, which was presided over exit control list (ECL) argued asked the former military ruler The government had placed under some foreign pressure,” the Although officials claim by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. that after his formal indictment, to seek his travel restrictions his name on ECL in response to PML-N source quoted a minister some high-profile arrests It was attended, among others, the first in country’s history, the removed from the government a Supreme Court order issued on as saying. from a list of over 400 people by Interior Minister Chaudhry PML-N had achieved its stated because the matter did not fall April 8 last year. INTERNEWS involved in targeted killings and other acts of terrorism, extortion and cases of kid- Carpet makers in Afghanistan napping for ransom since the start of Karachi operation in September last year, more than Security of sensitive offices 100 have fled abroad. Nawaz to attend in Islamabad low on priority Boao forum ISLAMABAD: For the admin- Islamabad High Court but it had istration of Islamabad the secu- been given 82 personnel,” a secu- ISLAMABAD: Chinese rity of seven sensitive buildings rity wing official said on the con- Premier Li Keqiang, seems to be low on priority as dition of anonymity. Pakistan’s Prime Minister only 2,019 personnel have been He said, “such imbalance in Muhammad Nawaz Sharif deployed there against the deployment of the personnel and other world leaders will required strength of 3,627, it might jeopardise the security of attend the Boao Forum for was learnt. major installations.” Asia Annual Conference However, the security wing “This slackness resulted in the 2014, scheduled to be held of the police department, which suicide-gun attack on the district next week, Chinese foreign looks after these buildings, has and sessions court on March 3,” ministry spokesman Hong on its pool 3,806 personnel from the officials added. Lei announced yesterday. inspector to constable level. The supervisory officers of the Themed “Asia’s new future: There is no record where the security wing withdrew person- identifying new growth driv- rest of the policemen, which come nel from the courts in different ers,” the conference will be to 1,608, have been deployed. phases and on the day of attack held in south China’s Hainan “Except for Presidency and there were only 16 personnel Province from April 8 to 11. Supreme Court, which have along with 50 officials of opera- Australian Prime Minister been provided extra security tion wing. Tony Abbott, Kazakh Prime personnel, all the installations The sanctioned strength for Minister Serik Akhmetov, including Prime Minster House, Pak Secretariat is 919, but there Prime Minister of the Prime Minister Secretariat, are only 256 officials performing Republic of Korea Jung Hong- Pak Secretariat and Diplomatic duties there, they added. won, Prime Minister of Laos Enclave, do not have the required Similarly, the PM House and Thongsing Thammavong, will strength of the security,” they PM Secretariat have a sanctioned also attend the forum. Afghan children weave carpets in a house used as a traditional carpet workshop in the northwestern city of added. strength of 609 officials and 349 AGENCIES Herat. Afghanistan's carpets are a best-known export item. “Furthermore, there was officials respectively. no sanctioned strength for the INTERNEWS THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2014 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Court upholds Fortune telling machine life term for Katara’s killers It was a case of honour killing: HC

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High the meaning of the expression of Court yesterday upheld the life honour killing,” it said. imprisonment awarded to three “It is in evidence that Bharti’s convicts in Nitish Katara mur- family was opposed to her associ- der and termed the case as of ation or any kind of alliance with “honour killing”. Nitish Katara on the ground that A division bench of Justice Gita he was not from the same caste Mittal and Justice J R Midha dis- and that he belonged to a service missed the appeals of the three class family. against a trial court verdict of “While she was a Yadav, Nitish May 2008 which awarded them was a Katara. Bharti came from life imprisonment for abducting a well placed business class family and killing Nitish Katara in 2002. with her father also being a mem- The bench posted for April 25 ber of parliament. Nitish Katara’s the appeal of Katara’s mother father was in government service Neelam Katara who sought death and they lived in official accommo- sentence to the three convicts — dation. Nitish Katara was certainly Vikas Yadav, brother of Katara’s not in the same income bracket of A woman reacts as she listens to a fortune telling machine at a beach in Mumbai yesterday. friend Bharti, and Vishal Yadav, Bharti’s family,” the court observed. Bharti’s cousin, and contract The court also pulled up Yadav killer Sukhdev Pehalwan — who brothers for their attempt to are serving life terms in the Tihar delay the case and for mocking at Central Jail here. every direction passed by the trial According to the prosecution, court during the trial of the case. Vikas and Vishal killed Katara It said that because of their Country committed to non-proliferation: PM on the night of February 17, 2002, “influence”, it took their sister after abducting him from a mar- Bharti Yadav three and half years NEW DELHI: India remains He said India was committed sole function of nuclear weap- nuclear-weapon-free and non- riage party in Uttar Pradesh’s to enter the witness box. committed to non-proliferation to nuclear non-proliferation. “As ons, while they exist, should be violent world-order,” he said. Ghaziabad, as they were opposed The bench also said that the and there should be a global a responsible nuclear weapons to deter nuclear attack,” he said. “Even today, there is no para- to his friendship with their sister Yadavs made every possible effort convention on “no first use” of state that remains committed to The prime minister also said dox in a nuclear weapon state like Bharti Yadav. to avoid appearance of Bharti, a nuclear weapons, Prime Minister non-proliferation, India supports India has taken several initia- India being a strong advocate of In the 1,193-page verdict, the material witness before the trial Manmohan Singh said yesterday. the idea of a nuclear weapon free tives towards disarmament and a nuclear weapon-free world,” he high court bench held that Nitish court, which resulted in substantial “If all nuclear weapons states world,” Manmohan Singh said. there is no paradox that a nuclear added. Katara’s murder was a “honour delay in trial. recognise and are prepared to “While strengthening nuclear armed country like India is advo- The prime minister said India killing” and that this case again Vikas and Bharti are chil- declare it, we can quickly move security, India also maintains its cating for disarmament. also maintains its objective of brings to the fore a “malaise” dren of former parliamentarian to the establishment of a global objective of promoting safe and “In the 1950s, we called for a promoting safe and secure expan- which afflicts the Indian society. D P Yadav. Vishal was convicted no-first-use norm. In many ways, secure expansion of civil nuclear ban on nuclear testing. In 1982, sion of civil nuclear energy and “What is of special concern in 2008 along with his cousin this can open the way to gradual energy... Nuclear safety is some- then prime minister Indira other developmental benefits that is that such divisive forces exist Vikas for kidnapping and mur- reduction and finally elimina- thing on which we can afford no Gandhi called for a nuclear freeze nuclear science and technology. even on the borders of Delhi dering Katara, son of an Indian tion through a Nuclear Weapons compromise,” he said. and an international convention “India is targeting an expansion - the nation’s capital, which is Administrative Service officer. Convention,” the prime minister The prime minister said the prohibiting the use or threat of of the nuclear generation capac- also a cosmopolitan city,” the The Yadavs had sought a re- said at a conference A Nuclear Free only function of nuclear weap- use of nuclear weapons. ity to more than 62,000 MW by court observed. “The case of the trial of the case, saying the trial World: From Conception to Reality at ons was to deter a nuclear “In 1988, then prime minis- 2032 based on a three-stage pro- prosecution squarely brings the was not conducted in accordance the Institute for Defence Studies attack. “More and more voices ter Rajiv Gandhi presented an gramme,” he added. murder of Nitish Katara within with law. IANS and Analyses (IDSA) here. are speaking out today that the action plan for ushering in a IANS Notice over Poor quality water in not using donor’s body Railways lamented NEW DELHI: The Delhi High and the rate of failure of water for research Court yesterday issued notice samples in the tests of water qual- to the central government on ity is extremely high,” Bhushan NEW DELHI: The Delhi High a plea seeking improvement in contended. The plea said lives Court yesterday issued notice the quality of drinking water of innumerable people are being to the central and city govern- in Indian Railways and a probe put in peril due to the lackadaisi- ment and AIIMS after a man into alleged manipulation while cal approach on the part of the said the last wish of his sister awarding contracts for supply of authorities concerned. to donate her body for research chlorination plants. It said the water treatment could not be realised because of A division bench of Acting infrastructure for disinfection the lackadaisical attitude of the Chief Justice B D Ahmed and by chlorination has almost com- authorities. Justice Siddharth Mridul sought pletely collapsed and level of con- A division bench of Acting response from the railway minis- tamination in the entire supply Chief Justice B D Ahmed and try and Northern Railway general network from the source to the Justice Siddharth Mridul asked manager by May 14, the next date top was alarming. the union health ministry, Delhi of hearing. Alleging irregularities in government, All India Institute of Advocate Prashant Bhushan, awarding of contract for supply Medical Sciences (AIIMS), and appearing for NGO Centre for of chlorination plants by the gov- Station House Officer of Krishna Public Interest Litigation, told ernment and neglect of supply Nagar police station to file their the court that the railway minis- of good water quality, the plea responses on the issue. try has been failing to supply safe sought a court monitored probe V K Gupta, a deputy manager and wholesome drinking water to by a Special Investigation Team or in NTPC, wrote to the bench millions of rail passengers besides Central Bureau of Investigation. saying his sister died in March staff who live in railway colonies. It said a highly objectionable 2012 and her desire was to donate “Records which have come to method has been used to award her body to the Organ Retrieval light recently show that water contracts to a particular manu- Banking Organisation (ORBO) quality has been very unsatisfac- facturer of chlorination plants. at AIIMS for research work. She tory for the past several years, IANS had registered with the ORBO for the same during her lifetime. Gupta said that after his sis- ter died, he had approached the Rain in Srinagar ORBO for donation of the body but the people there said they will accept the body only after getting a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from police. However, when he approached police for the NOC, he was told that it is issued only after post-mortem examination. The ORBO, however, does not accept bodies in which post-mor- tem examination is done. During the hearing, the bench expressed displeasure over the issue and asked the governments to appraise it on the guidelines and rules on organ donation. “Consequently, late Sushila Gupta’s body could not be utilised for research by the ORSO. In order to ensure this doesn’t happen to other donors, her brother wrote a letter to us,” said the bench. Gupta asked the court to direct the central and city govern- ments to implement the scheme A Kashmiri man, with a plastic bag covering his face, carries a box of donating bodies and its parts during rain in Srinagar yesterday. posthumously in public interest. IANS THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2014 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Sonia has Rs85,000 in cash, no car

RAE BARELI: Congress pres- ident Sonia Gandhi neither has a car of her own nor does she have enough cash. And she has to repay a loan of Rs9 lakh too. This and more has been revealed in her affidavit filed before the returning officer of Rae Bareli where she filed her papers yesterday for the Lok Sabha election. In a detailed break up of her assets and wealth, the UPA chair- person has sworn that she has Rs85,000 in cash and is under a debt of Rs9 lakh. She, however, has Rs66 lakh in bank accounts and ancestral jew- Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi is showered with rose petals as she waves to her supporters upon her arrival to file nomination at Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh, yesterday. RIGHT: A shopkeeper ellery worth Rs23 lakh. speaks on his mobile phone adorned with a cover featuring the Indian Congress party symbol in Mumbai. Snap-on mobile phone covers featuring party symbols, photos and messages of Informed sources privy to the various political parties have flooded the market as entrepreneurs want to cash in on the poll mania that has gripped the country. affidavit said that the four-time MP from Uttar Pradesh has made investment worth Rs12 lakh in mutual funds and holds some shares as well. Sonia Gandhi has also declared BJP not fit to govern: Jaswant Singh ownership of 1.267kg of gold in the form of ornaments and oth- ers plus 88kg of silver, largely sil- All important decisions are being taken by a few people in the party, says expelled leader verware. During the last general elections, her affidavit showed NEW DELHI: Expelled leader Vajpayee era, not out of sen- support the NDA if it falls short votes. Where is the caste equation triangular battle from Choudhury 2.518kg of gold in her possession. Jaswant Singh slammed the timents, but for the fact that of the 272 majority mark. here?” Singh said it was the high- and Congress’s Harish Chaudhary. She owns 3.21 acres of land cost- BJP for becoming a party of decision-making was not concen- Singh, who was once close to est margin ever from Barmer- When asked what were the ing Rs4.86 crore in village Dera “individual leaders” and said he trated in a few hands then. Vajpayee and formed the lead- Jaisalmer. “If caste equation had factors working in his favour, Mandi and Sultanpur in Delhi. was “not sure if the BJP is fit to When it was put to him that the ership troika in the BJP along dominated this constituency, such Singh said: “I have a long politi- Compared with her 2009 affidavit, govern” India since “there was BJP looked like hinting at envisag- with L K Advani, said people in a victory would not have been cal experience backing me; I have Sonia Gandhi’s cash holdings have no collective leadership”. ing a new leadership in which the Barmer were angry that his can- possible for my son.” been a nine-term MP. Wherever witnessed an increase of Rs10,000 “There is no longer any collec- older leaders were making way for didature was rejected by the BJP Singh claimed he enjoyed a pop- I go, there is a demonstration of over five years. Her UCO bank tive leadership... I don’t know if the new, he said, “I would like to “without any validity of reason”. ular support base across caste and affection for me. I am confident account earlier showed Rs28.61 the BJP can be called fit to gov- ask who in the BJP is wanting to “They are feeling person- communities in Barmer. “I have I will win.” lakh in her account. ern the country today,” Singh, finish me? Who is dropping such ally humiliated that I have been three lakh (300,000) Muslims Singh does not believe that the Sonia Gandhi holds RBI bonds in a former foreign, defence and hints? Such questions are being expelled from the BJP. They are supporting me but I am not a lack of organisational support her name and 10 shares of Maruti finance minister at various times repeated again and again. This is a enraged that the BJP picked a Muslim,” he said. will come in way of his campaign, Technical Services Pvt Ltd. In in the previous NDA government facile question, which doesn’t merit candidate who recently lost in Singh, who has also been leader now that he is out of the BJP. He 2009, she owned 500 shares of of prime minister Atal Behari an answer.” assembly election as a Congress of opposition in the Rajya Sabha added that he accepted the reality Western India Tanneries Ltd. Her Vajpayee, said in an interview to Singh, who was expelled from candidate,” he said, referring to and chairman of the important and challenges of today, but those affidavit shows she has no apart- IANS over phone from Barmer the BJP for the first time in 2009 Col. Sonaram Choudhury, who Public Accounts Committee of challenges need to be dealt with ment or house in her name in India where he is busy campaigning as over his controversial book Jinnah: is now contesting from Barmer Parliament which oversees gov- collectively in the BJP since the though there is an ancestral prop- an independent candidate. India, Partition, Independence and from the BJP ticket. ernment spending, said it was an “BJP is not a party of individuals.” erty in Italy, her birth place. “All important decisions are was taken back in 2010, did not When asked if caste equation “absolutely facile and incorrect Singh dismissed rumours that The UPA chairperson arrived being taken by a few people in the rule out the possibility of lend- might have persuaded the BJP explanation” by the BJP which he might join any other political to a rousing welcome in Rae BJP,” he said, adding that senior ing support to the NDA after the to field the former Congressman, has maintained caste equations party. “I am not joining any politi- Bareli along with her son and leaders are being sidelined. poll results. “This is a question Singh said, “The caste factor is do not favour Singh’s candidature. cal party. The Samajwadi Party Congress vice-president Rahul Singh, 76, was expelled from which will be addressed when I a stupid and destructive rea- Singh appeared confident he was very kind; Mulayam Singh Gandhi. Earlier, beginning from BJP on March 29 following his come across that situation. As of son being churned out. My son would win the election. “There called me. Azam Khan called me, the Fursatganj airstrip, Congress decision to contest as an inde- now, I do not want to comment Manavendra Singh won the is an overwhelming support for too. I also had a talk with Bihar activists and residents showered pendent candidate from Barmer anything,” Singh said when asked Barmer Lok Sabha constitu- me in Barmer. Never before have Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. But her with rose petals. in Rajasthan in defiance of the whether, in the event of his vic- ency in 2004 on a BJP ticket by a I seen such public enthusiasm,” I am not looking forward to join- IANS party. He said he misses the tory as an independent, he would margin of over two lakh (200,000) remarked Singh, who faces a ing any party.” IANS Notification issued for End of dynasty rule polls in Andhra has come: Modi and Telangana PALAMU/KODARMA/ Modi slammed the Congress- BUXAR/NAWADA: BJP’s led central government for not HYDERABAD: The process prime ministerial candidate knowing the grassroots-level for simultaneous elections to Narendra Modi yesterday called realities while making plans. the assembly and Lok Sabha in for an end to dynastic politics, “They make development plans Andhra Pradesh and Telangana saying there was no place for it in air conditioned rooms in Delhi, was set in motion with the in Indian democracy. they have no connection with the Election Commission issuing a The Gujarat chief minister, who people,” Modi said. “Election in notification yesterday. yesterday addressed four rallies Delhi is about capturing power, Polling for 119 assembly seats in Bihar and Jharkhand as part it’s a narrow view of democracy.” and 17 Lok Sabha seats will be of his Bharat Vijay rally series, In Buxar in Bihar, Modi vowed held April 30. With the poll panel slammed the Congress-led gov- to bring back black money stashed issuing the notification, the proc- ernment for not bringing back in foreign countries if the BJP- ess for filing of nominations began black money from foreign banks. led alliance is voted to power. “If yesterday. Nominations will be “The Congress is a party of the BJP government is formed in accepted till April 9 while the last mother and son, the Samajwadi Delhi, I promise to bring back the date for withdrawal is April 12. Party is a father, son and daughter- black money and it will be used for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in-law party, the Rashtriya Janata welfare schemes for the poor,” he will come into being as separate Dal is a husband and wife party, said. “Give us all 40 seats in Bihar states June 2 but the commission the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha is as we want to form a government is going ahead with simultaneous a father and son party,” Modi said in Delhi with over 300 seats to take polls to the assembly and Lok at a rally at Palamu in Jharkhand. the right decisions.” Sabha in the undivided state. “Dynastic politics has no He also remembered the vic- Elections to 175 assembly and 25 importance in a democracy,” the tims of serial blasts during his Lok Sabha seats in Seemandhra BJP leader said. In mica-rich rally in Patna in October 2013 Former Indian football team captain and Trinamool Congress candidate for the Darjeeling constituency, Baichung will be held May 7. Kodarma in Jharkhand, he said and slammed the administration Bhutia signs a football during a rally at Chopra village, 50km from Siliguri, yesterday. Meanwhile, no poll alliance the state’s resources were being for “sleeping” during the blasts. could be reached between the looted. “People of Jharkhand “The time for promises is gone. Telugu Desam Party and the BJP, are suffering because natural Now Bihar needs resolution,” though leaders of both the parties resources are being looted here.” Modi said. IANS I want to defeat Modi: Kejriwal remained hopeful of an early deal. The TDP politburo will meet here NEW DELHI: AAP leader contesting in Amethi. “Both Modi parties,” Kejriwal asserted, as today to take a decision on the alli- Arvind Kejriwal yesterday and Rahul (Gandhi) need to be the AAP cavalcade wound its way ance with the BJP. Magician PC Sorcar gets bail vowed to defeat BJP’s prime defeated... They lead two parties through some of the more thickly BJP leader Prakash Javadekar ministerial candidate Narendra that believe in corruption,” he populated areas of east Delhi. said in Delhi that talks with the KOLKATA: Magician P C Sorcar Jr, BJP’s candidate from West Modi in Varanasi and denied said. Some 800 supporters accompa- TDP were moving in a positive Bengal’s Barasat, yesterday got anticipatory bail after a police speculation that he might join Kejriwal pointed out that nied him, some on foot and oth- direction. The TDP is likely to complaint was filed against him for making derogatory com- the BJP. while the BJP had fielded the ers on motorcycles. Whenever he leave 45 assembly and eight Lok ments against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Addressing impromptu meet- tainted former chief minister B stopped to make short speeches, Sabha seats in Telangana and 15 Sorcar surrendered before court and sought an anticipatory bail a ings in east Delhi in support of S Yeddyurappa in Karnataka, hundreds gathered to hear him. assembly and five Lok Sabha seats day after the North 24-Parganas district magistate, who also doubles up AAP candidate Rajmohan Gandhi, the AAP had put up Rajmohan Kejriwal recalled the attacks in Seemandhra for the BJP. as the district election officer, lodged a first information report (FIR) Kejriwal launched a vicious attack Gandhi, a grandson of Mahatma on him in Gujarat and Bhiwani Talks were also on between against him following a directive from the Election Commission. The on both the Bharatiya Janata Gandhi, in east Delhi. in Haryana, and also how he was the Congress and the Communist court granted Sorcar bail against a bond of Rs3,000. Party and the Congress. “This is the difference between pelted with eggs when he went to Party of India (CPI) for an alli- Earlier, Sorcar was slapped with a show cause notice on the orders “If my aim was to reach parlia- the BJP and AAP,” he said. Varanasi. ance in Telangana. The commu- of the commission for his comments. Last week, without naming ment, then I would have fought It was the second straight “It is the BJP and Congress nist party is likely to get one Lok the chief minister, Sorcar said while campaigning: “She says those the Lok Sabha election from a day of campaigning in Delhi by who are responsible for these Sabha and 12 assembly seats. who have raped, they are naughty boys. I ask her, if she is raped. safe seat,” the former Delhi chief Kejriwal for the Aam Aadmi incidents,” he said. “They want to Congress general secretary What will she do?” minister thundered from atop an Party, whose minority govern- crush us. But we will never bow to Digvijaya Singh said the party has Sorcar also attacked his Trinamool opponent Kakoli Ghosh open vehicle. ment collapsed on February 14 them. We will fight against cor- prepared a list of candidates for Dastidar, who is a gynaecologist, calling her insane. “She says a lot “I want to defeat Modi. That is after just 49 days. ruption till our last breath.” 90 assembly seats in Telangana. of things. She is a gynecologist. So, she doesn’t understand anything why I am fighting election from He denied reports in a section Earlier, about a dozen men The Telangana Rashtra about men. I am a male. I am a psychologist. I hold a doctorate Varanasi. It is also important of the media that he might end up waved black flags at Kejriwal Samithi which has ruled out a degree. I cure insane people. If she is insane, bring her to me, I will to defeat (Congress vice presi- joining the BJP. and shouted slogans against him merger and even an alliance with cure her.” Ghosh Dastidar has termed the comments “despicable”. dent) Rahul Gandhi. That is “I have never said that, and at Geeta Colony. the Congress, is going alone. IANS why (AAP’s) Kumar Vishwas is I will never join any of these IANS IANS THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2014 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME It’s all Chinese for French Fajr (Dawn) 4:07 stand-up comic Shorook (Sunrise) 5:24 Zuhr (Noon) 11:37 PARIS: Bad timing, jokes that Asr (Afternoon) 3:06 fall flat or an audience that just doesn’t get it; such occupational Maghrib (Sunset) 5:52 hazards can lead to a slow, pain- Isha (Night) 7:22 ful ‘stage death’ for the stand- up comic. French comedian Patrick Veisselier, however, has decided WEATHER to risk all three from next week when he stages his one-man show Patrick Le Chinois (“Patrick Today Friday Saturday Weather Conditions: the Chinese Man”), performed Chance of storm Partly cloudy Clear entirely in Mandarin, a language Partly cloudy he has never spoken before. to cloudy with Based around the idea of a scattered Frenchman who sets out to High: 27° High: 32° High: 28° become a Chinese man because Low: 22° Low: 21° Low: 20° rain, may be thundery at he believes they have better lives, times at places. Veisselier will be hoping his cul- tural observations and accent can Italian Culture Minister Dario Franceschini (left) and Brigadier General of the Carabinieri of Cultural Heritage Mariano hit the mark for his audience of Mossa present the paintings during a press conference in Rome, yesterday. DOHA - SUN & SEA mostly Chinese expatriates in France. SUN TIDE SEA Veisselier, who wrote the hour- Stolen Gauguin painting found long script himself before having WIND SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW it translated, has spent the past 05:25 17:48 06:45 & 19:45 01:30 & 12:45 15-25/30 KT two months working eight hours a day with the help of a tutor to in factory worker’s kitchen THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW memorise it. “At the beginning my tutor said HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER to me ‘you are really crazy’,” said ROME: Italy yesterday said it “It’s an incredible story, an amaz- for 40 years in his kitchen, first MUSCAT 33/27 Partly cloudy 30/22 Mostly cloudy the comic, who has never set foot had recovered a painting worth ing recovery. A symbol of all the in Turin then in Sicily, after he MAKKAH 30/20 Clear 29/20 Clear in China. millions of euros by Paul Gauguin, work which Italian art police have retired,” he said. “I was only learning two min- stolen in London in 1970, bought put in over the years behind the The Gauguin had been cut out KUWAIT 24/16 Clear 24/16 Clear utes (of the script) a day. But the by an Italian factory worker for a scenes,” Italy’s Culture Minister of its frame by the thieves and BAHRAIN 27/17 Clear 28/17 Partly cloudy first ten minutes were the hard- pittance and hung in his kitchen Dario Franceschini told journalists. now measures 46.5 centimetres SANAA 28/15 Thunderstorm 27/14 Chance of storm est and now she (my tutor) says for almost 40 years. The paintings by the French by 53 centimetres, down from its RIYADH 30/18 Clear 28/17 Clear I have a really good accent, an The French artist’s Fruit on a artists were found last month original size of 49 centimetres by DUBAI 33/22 Partly cloudy 29/20 Chance of storm accent from the south of China,” table or small dog was stolen from after a lengthy investigation, which 54 centimetres. BAGHDAD 23/13 Clear 25/14 Partly cloudy he said. a house in the British capital began when police received a tip- Italy opened a special depart- Veisselier came up with the along with Woman with two chairs off that they may have been stolen. ment to investigate art thefts in THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW jokes after reading books about by Pierre Bonnard, and they were Investigators trawled through 1969, the first in the world, which HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER Chinese culture and meeting recovered together in Italy from back catalogues of exhibitions from is situated in a Baroque palace expatriates in France who told the pensioner, who used to work the time of the theft, from which in the centre of Rome’s bustling ATHENS 21/12 Clear 20/15 Mostly cloudy him that French comedy left for Italian auto giant Fiat. the 1889 Gauguin mysteriously dis- tourist centre. them cold. The Gauguin painting is worth appeared after it was stolen. The heritage police manages WASHINGTON 19/13 Chance of rain 23/11 Chance of rain “It’s about a Frenchman who between ¤10 and ¤30m ($13 and They then used newspaper the largest data bank on stolen SYDNEY 28/20 Mostly cloudy 24/18 Chance of storm thinks that Chinese men always $41m) while the Bonnard is val- reports about the 1970s theft in The art in the world, with details on LONDON 21/13 Chance of rain 20/10 Partly cloudy have a good job, a good company ued at some ¤600,000, Italy’s New York Times and a Singaporean some 5.7 million objects. PARIS 21/14 Mostly cloudy 19/11 Mostly cloudy etc so he tries to become a Chinese heritage police said at a press paper to trace the paintings back Last year they found a paint- ISTANBUL 13/09 Partly cloudy 17/11 Partly cloudy man and that is the source of the conference yesterday. to the London-based family. ing by Russian-born Jewish art- comedy,” he said. The paintings turned up in a “The two paintings were pre- ist Marc Chagall, “Le Nu au MANILA 33/23 Partly cloudy 32/23 Clear “I was told that the Chinese lost property department at a sumably left on a train from Paris Bouquet,” in a private collector’s DHAKA 37/23 Partly cloudy 35/22 Chance of storm hate jokes about vulgarity, politics train station and were sold at to Turin,” said Mariano Mossa, home in Bologna that had been DELHI 32/19 Partly cloudy 33/21 Clear and sex, so it was quite difficult,” auction in 1975 to the Fiat fac- who heads up the heritage police. stolen from a US tycoon’s yacht ISLAMABAD 28/17 Partly cloudy 28/18 Chance of storm he added. tory worker, who bought them for “They were bought by an art- in Italy in 2002. AFP 45,000 Italian lire, or ¤23. loving worker, who hung them AFP Thursday 3 April 2014 3 Jumadal II 1435 Volume 19 Number 5623 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Qatar Exchange Global energy use to surge 50pc: Al Sada index adds Energy Minister addresses Brookings Forum; Natural gas production to grow steadily 34.01 points DOHA: Qatar Exchange index DOHA: Qatar’s natural gas in the form of geopolitical devel- added 34.01 points, or 0.29 per- production exceeded 7 trillion opments impacting energy mar- cent, to advance to 11,939.95 cubic feet mark in 2013. This kets. Explaining the changing points from 11,905.94 on includes 77 million tonnes of global energy landscape he said Tuesday. LNG exported to more than 25 America’s growing production The volume of the shares countries, pipeline gas exports of shale gas and crude oil will traded fell to 19,500,358 from to the UAE and Oman, and reshape the US energy economy, 23,024,676 on Tuesday and domestic consumption, H E when crude oil production reaches the value of shares decreased Dr Mohamed bin Saleh Al 9.6 million barrels per day by the to QR795,668,423.13 from Sada, Minister of Energy and end of 2016, which is the historical QR1,042,842,439.37 on Tuesday. Industry said yesterday. high achieved back in 1970. Among the top gainers were Delivering the key note address “The EIA expects this tight Qatar Insurance which was up at the two-day Brookings Doha crude oil production to level off 2.29 percnet to QR66.90, Gulf Energy Forum 2014, Dr Al Sada and then slowly decline after International gained 3.01 per- said Qatar’s prominent position 2020. On the other hand, it fore- cent to QR88.90, Vodafone Qatar in the global energy market is set sees that natural gas production added 0.89 percent to QR12.49 to remain for years to come. “The will grow steadily, with a 56 per- and Barwa Real Estate up by 1.07 State of Qatar is well placed to meet cent increase between 2012 and percent to QR37.90. the increasing demand for gas….. 2040, when production reaches The Banking and Financial sec- We are also committed to continue 37.6 trillion cubic feet.” tor index rose 0.05 percent while meeting our obligations as a reli- Currently, there are a number Consumer Goods and Services able energy producer, as a partner of gas export projects in the west- sector index up 0.74 percent. The in development, and as an active ern parts of Canada at various Industrial added 0.15 percent player in ensuring market stability”. stages of permission and devel- while insurance sector gained 1.75 Worldwide energy consump- opment. China is sitting on the percent. tion is expected to increase by world’s largest shale reserves. Meanwhile, Dubai’s bourse rose about 50 percent between now In pursuit of a shale gas boom, The Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohamed bin Saleh Al Sada delivering the keynote address at Brookings to a new multi-year high yester- and 2035. Almost 90 percent of China is actively engaged in Doha Energy Forum at the Four Seasons Hotel yesterday. (SALIM MATRAMKOT) day on the back of banking and such growth is expected to come building a capacity target of 230 property stocks, while markets in from non-OECD countries, led by billion cubic feet per year, as early characteristics of global energy between now and 2035. Almost Thani, Minister’s Assistant for Abu Dhabi slowed its advance as emerging economies like China as next year. Australia has an landscape. 90 percent of such growth is International Cooperation Affairs, it neared February peaks. and India. Similarly, global LNG estimated 819 trillion cubic feet However, different set of ele- expected to come from non- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, deliv- Dubai’s benchmark added 1.2 demand, which is growing at an of gas reserves; and which is mov- ments are increasing the geopo- OECD countries, led by emerging ered the introductory speech. percent on increasing turno- average of about five percent per ing forward with efforts to raise litical pressures causing energy economies like China and India.” Syed Mohammad Hossein Adeli, ver, reaching its highest level annum, is expected to almost its existing LNG capacity within concerns. But it is not clear yet This year’s Brookings Doha Secretary General of the Gas since September 2008. Union double from around 240 million the next 3-4 years. In addition when, and how hard this situa- Energy Forum takes on the theme Exporting Countries Forum and Properties rose 5.7 percent and tonnes per annum in 2013, to 465 to three operating LNG devel- tion could affect energy markets. “Energy Markets in Motion: How Adnam Al Janabi, Chairman, another property developer, million tonnes by 2025. opments, Australia has seven “But as we watch these geopo- Changes in Geopolitics, Political Oil and Energy Parliamentary Deyaar, surged 8.3 percent. The Minister who noted that new projects in various plan- litical developments, one can not Economy, and Markets Alter the Committee, Iraq were among The emirate’s property prices a double digit price per barrel ning and implementation stages, overlook the fact that worldwide Energy Landscape.” others who spoke at the opening rose about 20 percent last year of oil is history said a number costing more than $200bn. All energy consumption is expected HE Sheikh Mohammed Bin session. and continue to grow, boosting of new challenges have emerged these could impact the changing to increase by about 50 percent Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al THE PENINSULA the profits of developers and con- struction firms. “A lot of investors want to invest in speculative names, the compa- nies that were badly hit in the pre- Russia Binbank vious crisis” which offer the biggest IMF ramps up loan conditions despite promises upside potential, said Sebastien Henin, head of asset manage- to take over ment at The National Investor. At WASHINGTON: The number Eurodad found. That was more changes per loan, and remaining after the IMF’s own internal Dh2.60, Union Properties is still of conditions the International than the number the group had heavily engaged in highly sensitive watchdog urged the fund to dra- far below its 2008 peak of Dh5.20. Ukrainian unit Monetary Fund attaches to its calculated in two prior reports. and political policy areas.” matically reduce the conditions The pick-up in the property loans has grown in recent years, Many of the conditions also The results were partly skewed it attaches to loans, arguing they sector and improving confidence MOSCOW: Russian lender despite promises to limit what focused on politically contentious by the biggest IMF loan programs were not entirely effective. in the state of Dubai’s finances are Binbank said yesterday it could critics see as onerous require- areas, such as public sector wage during the period covered. Loans The IMF’s loan conditions have also helping local banks that have buy the Moscow subsidiary of ments, according to a study cuts or private sector reform, to Cyprus, Greece and Jamaica long been a sore point for many large exposure to real estate and Ukraine’s Privatbank in two released yesterday. according to the report. Eurodad accounted for 87 percent of all countries and grassroots groups, who government-related companies. weeks from its Ukrainian own- The Eurodad network of looked at the period from October funds approved, and had an have argued they are excessive and Lender Emirates NBD added ers who say they were under European development groups 2011 to August 2013, covering 23 average of 35 conditions each, harmful to the poor. Many govern- five percent yesterday and Dubai political pressure to sell. also said nations desperate for loans. In a 2011 review, the IMF Eurodad said. ments also complain IMF conditions Islamic Bank rose one percent. An Russia’s central bank put cash are at a disadvantage in their promised to keep “conditional- In the case of Cyprus and are not well-tailored to country cir- annual meeting between conglom- Moskomprivatbank under tempo- dealings with the IMF, likening ity parsimonious and focused on Greece, they were shaped by the cumstances and political constraints, erate Dubai World and its credi- rary administration last month to them to negotiating “at the barrel macro-critical issues.” IMF’s European-dominated execu- and may have unrealistic deadlines. tors was held on Wednesday; if its prevent its bankruptcy, but some of a gun.” The Eurodad report said: “The tive board, which demanded strict They argue conditions reduce a debt restructuring plan proceeds analysts said it was aimed at pun- The IMF attached nearly 20 IMF is going backwards — increas- budget cuts in exchange for aid, said country’s ability to effectively control smoothly, that will benefit ENBD, ishing Ukraine’s new rulers for conditions on average to each loan ing the number of structural Eurodad’s director, Jesse Griffiths. its economic programmes. a big lender to Dubai World. pursuing closer ties to the West. it approved in the past two years, conditions that mandate policy The report comes six years REUTERS QNA/REUTERS Moscow denies the charge. Privatbank, Ukraine’s largest bank, said its subsidiary had faced unwarranted political pressure, sug- Chrysler group in massive recall gesting it was a victim of the stand- off between Moscow and Kiev which EU bank rescue package resulted in Russia annexing Crimea. Privatbank is part of Privat group, co-owned by Igor Kolomoisky, called “a unique could avert Greek bailout imposter” by President Vladimir Putin last month when the busi- ATHENS: Greece wants to recapitalise Greek banks last nessman was appointed governor of use some ¤11bn ($15bn) left in year. Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region. its EU bank rescue package to “It is an important sum. Better Binbank’s co-owner, Mikail meet upcoming needs and avoid that it remain as a safety cush- Shishkanov, said the Ukrainian a new bailout loan, a govern- ion,” the official said, adding that side would be happy with the deal. ment source said yesterday. the money can “either be directed “It is an absolutely friendly, “The ¤11bn can keep Greece to repay debt, or to the financing normal business deal ... in any from needing a third loan,” a gap in 2015-2016.” case the Ukrainian partners will Greek finance ministry source Speaking on Tuesday, be satisfied,” he told journalists, said on the sidelines of a two-day Eurogroup chief Jeroen adding the deal should be closed Eurogroup meeting in Athens. Dijsselbloem refused to comment in two weeks. “We are covered for the next on whether Greece, which intends Privatbank said in a statement 12 months. With this 11 billion we to start borrowing on markets the Russian authorities had made will be covered to 2016. It’s simple again later this year, might yet it difficult to operate. “Despite logic,” said the official, speaking need another rescue loan. the unprecedented political pres- on condition of anonymity. “Let’s concentrate on the pro- sure on Moskomprivatbank from A sum of ¤50bn from Greece’s gramme that still runs to the end the Russian authorities, effec- EU rescue loans was earmarked of the year,” he said. tively blocking bank checks and in 2012 for the recapitalisation of “Later this year, at the earliest the unreasonable imposition of Greek banks after they suffered in the summer, we will come back temporary administration, the heavy losses due to the write- to the question of what happens bank continued to work and ful- The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee is introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, down on government bonds as after this programme,” the head filled all its obligations to custom- Michigan. Chrysler Group said yesterday it would recall nearly 870,000 vehicles to fix a defect in the brake part of the bailout programme. of the eurozone finance ministers ers,” it said. systems following complaints about excessive brake-pedal firmness. Of that total, some ¤39bn said. REUTERS was eventually employed to AFP THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2014 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Turkey president, US-EU energy strategy targets Russia officials urge Kerry says energy supply should not be used as weapon; pipeline review planned to help Ukraine more Gulf

BRUSSELS: The United States said was “political pricing.” member-states, according to EU take place before 2015,” the official supply of gas to Europe. investments stepped up its war of words over Ukraine will now pay $385.5 data. said, urging EU countries to take Yet bringing market gas prices Russian gas yesterday, while per 1,000 cubic metres of gas from Kerry and Ashton said devel- part in an “honest conversation” to Ukraine hinges on beefing up KUWAIT CITY: Turkish warning its European allies not the previous cut rate of $268.5. opments in Ukraine had brought about energy needs. gas networks and making them President Abdullah Gul yes- to count on American gas sup- In response to the pressure energy security concerns “to the A challenge the EU faces is to capable of ‘reverse flows’ — pip- terday called on Gulf states to plies in the short-term. from Moscow, Kerry and his EU fore” and that the United States put in place the infrastructure ing it back up the line towards boost investments and coop- Speaking ahead of an energy counterpart Catherine Ashton and EU were now “consider- required to diversify supply sources Ukraine and, eventually, the EU’s eration with Ankara, assuring meeting between the United revealed plans for a root and ing new collaborative efforts to and deny Gazprom, the Russian gas eastern-most states. them of political stability and States and the European Union branch review of the EU’s depend- address these challenges.” giant, the ability to dictate prices. While pipelines connect- high profitability. in Brussels, US Secretary of State ance on Russian energy supplies One significant change is the The EU’s three Baltic states — ing Ukraine with Hungary and “There are few risks and big John Kerry said that no country and to help Ukraine diversify its expected arrival to the world Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia — Poland are already capable of profits in Turkey. It is an ideal should use energy supply as a gas sources. market of US gas supplies, which are not connected to other EU gas reverse flows, the technology is country” for investments, Gul told “political weapon or an instru- The review follows a call by have surged with the development pipelines, leaving them vulnerable not yet in place for pipelines into a Kuwaiti-Turkish business forum ment for aggression.” President Barack Obama dur- of shale gas in North America. to higher prices from Gazprom. Slovakia — something which EU in Kuwait City. No nation should use energy ing a visit to Brussels last week Once export licences are Lithuania pays between 30 officials said could be achieved “Be assured that the same to stymie a people’s aspirations,” for Europe to reduce its energy approved, the United States “will and 40 percent more for Russian within six or eight months. environment will continue to pre- Kerry said, adding the United dependency on Russia. supply more gas (to the global natural gas than the EU aver- The modifications to the vail in Turkey over the next 10 States and the EU were now work- Ukraine consumes 50 bil- market) than all of Europe con- age, which a Baltic diplomat in Slovakia pipeline could have a years,” Gul said, in an apparent ing “in lockstep” to help Ukraine. lion cubic metres of gas a year, sumes today,” Kerry said. Brussels said was retribution for major impact on the EU’s ability reference to Sunday’s impressive The comments at the US-EU of which 20 billion are produced Yet a senior US administration the implementation of EU policies to supply Ukraine with energy, victory by Prime Minister Recep Energy Council talks came a day locally and 30 billion are piped in official cautioned that the exports which Moscow had objected to. however they hinge on the will- Tayyip Erdogan’s AKP party in after Russian-controlled gas sup- from Russia. would offer little short-term relief Officials in Brussels said that ingness of the two Slovakia and local elections. plier Gazprom heaped more pres- But more importantly, to Russia-dependent European the real impact of rapidly expand- Ukrainian companies responsible Gul arrived in Kuwait on sure on the teetering Ukrainian Ukraine’s gas pipelines carry 65 states, including Ukraine. ing US gas exports would be felt for the transport of gas to invest Tuesday for a three-day visit, lead- economy by increasing gas prices of the 133 billion cubic metres “It takes time — we don’t expect in a fall in global market prices, in the technology. ing a high-level delegation of more by a third, in what EU officials used each year by the EU’s 28 the first delivery of natural gas to rather than any short-term AFP than 100 people, including from the business sector. Following talks with Kuwait’s Emir H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah High-speed train business late on Tuesday, the two sides signed cooperation agreements in Dubai to offer platform defence, trade and the media. Gul opened the Kuwait office of Pegasus Airlines, a low-cost private carrier operating from for murabaha trading Istanbul. His country’s finance minister, Mehmet Simsek, said DUBAI: Dubai will compete Islamic bonds, as many Dubai- Sunday’s election results proved with London for a share of linked firms have listed their that “political stability in Turkey Islamic banks’ liquidity man- sukuk on the exchange. is not at a stake”. agement business by offering Emirates Islamic Bank, a “The outcome of the local polls a new platform for murabaha Dubai-based institution, is back- suggests that political stability trading. ing the new murabaha system and is here to stay,” Simsek told the Many Islamic banks around the in the six-month pilot phase han- forum while urging Kuwait and world manage their short-term dled over Dh2bn ($545m) worth its partners in the energy-rich funds with murabaha, in which of financing business for its clients Gulf Cooperation Council to boost one bank acquires merchandise on the platform, it said. investments in Turkey. and another agrees to buy it at Exchange officials said they “Very little investments come a mark-up. Traditionally, banks would talk to other regional from GCC states... You invest your from the Gulf and as far afield banks in coming weeks and money in Europe and Europe as southeast Asia use com- months in an effort to secure invests in Turkey,” he said, add- modities traded on the London their participation. ing Europe provided 80 percent Metal Exchange (LME) as their Emirates Islamic’s chief execu- of foreign direct investment merchandise. tive Jamal Bin Ghalaita said the in Turkey in the past decade, The Nasdaq Dubai bourse system would not try to replace amounting to $136bn. now hopes to grab some of that the LME, which would remain Simsek said Turkey’s growth business with its own murabaha an important centre for Islamic outlook was still positive, while trading system, which has just liquidity management. inflation remained in the single completed a pilot period success- “Instead, we expect both cen- Jochen Eickholt, CEO Siemens AG Rail Systems; CEO of the German railway firm Deutsche Bahn Ruediger digits. fully, officials said yesterday. tres to benefit — new liquidity will Grube and German Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt in front of a Deutsche Bahn ICE 3 high-speed train AFP “We think we can become a be generated by their interaction,” during a hand over ceremony at Hauptbahnhof main railway station in Berlin, yesterday. regional player and ultimately a he said. global player by focusing on being Nasdaq Dubai’s system trades fast, cost-effective and efficient,” certificates which are backed Nasdaq Dubai’s Chief Executive by assets; each certificate has a Hamed Ahmed Ali told reporters. fixed value of $10 so deals can vary The system may initially at widely in size. Deals so far have Two Spanish firms prepare stock debut least find it hard to compete with been backed by real estate, but the liquidity and name recogni- future deals could use sukuk, equi- MADRID: Two Spanish com- Spain, which came close to Spain’s once-booming real — have raised money in stock tion of the LME, but Ali noted ties or other assets, officials said. panies are preparing to become requesting an international res- estate market crashed in 2008, market flotations in recent weeks, it would have the advantage of Ali said Nasdaq Dubai would the first to launch on Spain’s cue in 2012, is slowly emerging sending developers to the wall attracting prominent investors operating in a Gulf time zone, look in future to expand the range stock market since 2011, pro- from a long recession and foreign and leaving banks lumbered with such as US billionaire George potentially making it attractive to of Islamic structures traded on viding further evidence of a ten- investors have started betting on repossessed housing and soured Soros and bond fund Pimco. Islamic institutions in the region its platform; it might for exam- tative economic recovery after a Spanish banks and companies loans. The state also started selling and southeast Asia. ple add ijara, a common sharia- deep recession. again, despite stubbornly high Some lenders needed state bail- down its majority stake in Bankia, Also, the system is expected compliant leasing format. Corporate testing and inspec- unemployment. outs, including Bankia , which was earlier than many bankers and to have the support of the Dubai Last year the Dubai Multi tion company Applus+ said yes- “It’s another boost for Spain’s rescued in 2012 less than a year investors had expected, and it government, which has made Commodities Centre (DMCC) terday it aims to raise at least financial market,” said Daniel after its initial public offering turned a small profit through a developing the emirate’s Islamic launched a sharia-compliant com- ¤300m ($413.8m) in its debut Pingarron, an analyst at broker- (IPO). Hundreds of thousands share offering in February. finance sector a policy priority, modity trading platform which share sale. age IG in Madrid. of ordinary Spaniards who had Other rescued lenders are now and has close ties to many banks Islamic banks could use to man- Online travel reservations firm “Some months ago we started bought Bankia shares lost money. also eyeing the stock market, and companies in the United Arab age fund flows; its system allows eDreams Odigeo is also selling noticing that foreign investors No Spanish company has and state-backed Banco Mare Emirates. trade in receipts representing ¤370m of shares, including ¤50m were returning, first to the debt attempted an IPO since mid-2011. Nostrum (BMN) said yesterday Since last year, Nasdaq Dubai ownership of commodities stored in new shares, and books on the market, then to the property But several real estate invest- it would start working on a flota- has taken steps towards rivalling at warehouses. offering closed yesterday, sources sector and now also to the stock ment funds — listed vehicles that tion as of next year. London as a centre for trading REUTERS close to the process said. market.” are only just taking off in Spain REUTERS

Damac launches Asos says growth story sukuk at tight end of guidance still intact after profit fall DUBAI: Dubai’s Damac Real LONDON: British online fash- British singer Rita Ora, fell eight Estate launched its five-year, ion retailer Asos said yesterday percent on March 18 when the $650m sukuk issue yesterday at its long-term growth ambitions firm reported that sales growth midswaps plus 310 basis points, were as strong as ever, after slowed in February. at the tight end of revised guid- it posted a 22 percent fall in It had also warned that faster ance, a document from arrang- first half profit that reflected investment in warehousing in the ers showed. a step-up in its investment UK and Germany to give the firm The size of the issue was programme. a sales capacity of £2.5bn, as well expanded to $650m from the Asos, whose fast-changing fash- as start-up costs in China, would originally planned $500m. Books ions are a global hit with inter- hit annual profit. exceeded $2.8bn shortly before net-savvy twentysomethings, been “We had to report the two- they closed. the great success story of British month period and it did show a On Tuesday, Damac set ini- retailing since it floated at just 20 softening of sales in February,” tial price thoughts for the sukuk pence in 2001, compared with the said Robertson, who owns 9.3 at midswaps plus the mid-300s, 1005 GMT price of 5,176 pence, a percent of Asos’ equity. tightened later that day to the rise of 0.4 percent on the day. “People then suddenly take that midswaps plus 325 bps area. “Fundamentally the story’s still as the new run rate. Well, cat- Joint lead managers are Abu as strong as ever, the opportuni- egorically that’s not the case.” Dhabi Islamic Bank, Barclays, ty’s probably stronger than ever,” Asos, whose shares are still up Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, founder and Chief Executive 54 percent over the last year, has Dubai Islamic Bank, Emirates Nick Robertson said. “We are on a current market capitalisation of NBD and National Bank of Abu line to hit our £1bn ($1.7bn) of £4.3bn — more than four times Dhabi. sales (target) this year (2013-14), the value of Britain’s 200 year-old Damac is the first Dubai prop- which means we’ve got to grow Debenhams chain. “Take a 12-year erty developer to list equity in at 30 odd percent for the second view of the shares as opposed to London. Its sukuk will be listed half. I’m comfortable with that.” a two month view of the shares,” on the Irish Stock Exchange and Shares in ASOS, whose celeb- said the CEO, the great grandson NASDAQ Dubai. rity fans include United States of tailor Austin Reed. REUTERS Ellie O’Connor, an assistant merchandiser, works in the Asos headquarters in London yesterday. First Lady Michelle Obama and REUTERS THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2014 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19

Waiting for jobs 10th Back 2 Libya may reach Business forum on October 2

DOHA: The 10th edition of ‘Back deal to open oil 2 Business 2014’, organised by Italian Chamber of Commerce in association with Turkish Businessmen Association, will take place at the Marriott ports in days Reinassance City Center on October 2. It was announced by Palma Libotte, Chairperson of the Exports of crude to restart Italian Chamber of Commerce, at a press conference held recently TRIPOLI: Libya could finalise and force it out to sea in an at the residence of the Italian an agreement in two to three attempt to sell the crude. It was Ambassador to Qatar, Guido De days with rebels to reopen key later boarded by US commandos Sanctis in the presence of Ahmet oil ports, a government spokes- and returned to Libya. Demirok, Turkish Ambassador to man said yesterday, bolstering Any talk about introducing a Qatar. hopes for an end to an eight- federalist state — devolving some “We are pleased to announce month standoff that dried up powers and control of oil revenue that Turkish Airlines will be petroleum revenue. to regional authorities — like among the main sponsors of Brent crude oil prices have under Gaddafi’s predecessor King the event, we sincerely thank fallen sharply since rebel leaders Idris is sensitive as the govern- the airline for being very sup- said their group would reach a ment fears it might open the door portive,” said Sezai Arli from deal within days to end the block- to secession. the Turkish Businessmen ade of three ports that previously Deep divisions exist between People wait to enter a government-run employment office in Madrid yesterday. The number of people Association. accounted for 600,000 barrels per the long-neglected east and the registered as jobless in Spain fell by 0.35 percent in March from a month earlier. The steering committee of the day of Libyan crude exports. capital Tripoli and richer western Back 2 Business is composed by Any such agreement will help cities such as Misrata, compound- Dutch, Australian-New Zealand, the Opec member halt its slide ing Libya’s rivalries among tribes, Spanish, French, German, QBBF into instability. The weak cen- competing political factions and and Scandinavian business tral government seems unable to brigades of former rebel militias. Saudi carrier flynas to strike profit councils. control militias who helped oust Thinni’s spokesman said the These business councils are Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 but deal would focus on compensation no profit organisations that sup- have kept their guns and made for the rebel fighters, who had RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s first are struggling to keep up with percent owned by Saudi invest- port their respective business political demands on the state. defected from the state oil secu- and only budget airline, flynas, demand. ment firm Kingdom Holding communities with events and in But there still appeared a way rity force along with their leader aims to grow at least 20 percent Several other domestic airlines, and the rest by National Airline some cases they act as Chamber to go before a full agreement Jathran in the summer when they annually and expects to turn including a subsidiary of Qatar Services Holding. of Commerce like the Italian is reached as the rebels put a seized the ports. profitable in 2014 after seven Airways, are expected to start Flynas currently carries three and German ones, offering a demand for a referendum for a A solution would also address years of losses, the company’s flying in the next year or two as million passengers annually wide range of services to compa- federalist state on the table even the rebel demand to use efficient chief executive said. a result of deregulation. and claims 15-18 percent of the nies willing to access the Qatari as tribal leaders and officials metering systems to improve More than 64 million pas- But private carriers have had domestic air travel market; its market. sought to finalise the deal. monitoring of oil sales and avoid sengers passed through Saudi trouble boosting their profit growth plan envisages achieving According to the organisers, “Negotiations are still ongoing, corruption, he said. Arabia’s 28 airports in 2012, up margins because of price caps on a market share of 30 percent over B2B is one of the largest inter- but we expect an agreement to Libya’s crude output has fallen nearly 19 percent from 2011, domestic flights and high operat- the next two years and passenger national networking event in open the ports,” a spokesman for to around 150,000bpd from 1.4 according to the latest data avail- ing costs. In 2010, SAMA Airlines numbers hitting 20 million annu- Qatar at every year it involves interim Prime Minister Abdullah million bpd in July when a wave able from the General Authority was forced to halt operations after ally by 2020, Azmi said. more than 700 attendees from al-Thinni said, in the first offi- of protests started across the vast of Civil Aviation. But the king- incurring a loss of about $300m. Azmi declined to specify how all the major economic fields, as cial comment since rebel leader north African country, whose dom, the biggest Arab economy “Until now we are actually not much the company would invest construction, oil and gas, profes- Ibrahim Jathran announced a proximity to Europe just across and the largest country in the making a profit, but we hope to in growth. The growth plan will sional services, education, trans- pact late on Tuesday. the Mediterranean makes it a Gulf geographically, still has one cross over this year. We have to focus on increasing the number portation and logistics, financial, A deal, mediated by tribal strategic energy supplier. of the smallest airline networks grow very quickly and get critical of flights to the airline’s 21 cur- luxury items, hospitality and elders, could be complete in less Essam Al Jahani, a member of in the region relative to its size. mass,” flynas CEO Raja Azmi said rent destinations and targeting many more. than a week, possibly two to three the rebel leadership team, told Saudi Arabian Airlines in an interview. the long-haul sector with five In fact they can get together days, the spokesman said. Reuters the Zueitina ports, the (Saudia), the national carrier, and “We need to grow at least 20 to six new destinations includ- with the key players of the Qatari Movement towards an agree- smallest of the three occupied privately held flynas, launched percent a year. God willing, we ing London, Manchester, Kuala business community and meet ment came after the federalist terminals, could reopen within in 2007, are currently the only hope to make a profit this year — Lumpur and Jakarta, using the potential business partners in a rebels managed to load oil onto two days if there was a deal. options for flying domestically it won’t be much but it will be a Red Sea city of Jeddah as a hub. less formal environment. a tanker at one port they control REUTERS within the country, and they profit.” Riyadh-based flynas is 37 REUTERS THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2014 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Rubicon debuts on NYSE Mobile licence Brent crude falls offered to Telecom Egypt below $104 for $360m CAIRO: Fixed line monop- oly operator Telecom Egypt on US stockpile has been asked to pay 2.5bn Egyptian pounds ($360m) for the mobile licence it wants, the country’s telecommunications Fed tapering could strengthen dollar minister Atef Helmy said at news conference yesterday. LONDON: Brent oil fell $1 to a are priced in dollars, which means The country’s three existing near five-month low below $105 a stronger greenback makes them mobile phone service providers a barrel yesterday on poor man- more expensive to importers. are Vodafone Egypt , Mobinil and ufacturing data from China and Surveys showing that factories Etisalat Egypt but with Egyptians Europe, while investors awaited across Europe eased back on the increasingly using mobile phones US inventory data to help assess throttle in March and that China’s and the Internet instead of mak- demand in the world’s top oil vast manufacturing industry con- ing fixed line phone calls Telecom consumer. tracted for a third straight month Egypt has been relying on its data Crude prices on both sides of have raised expectations that oil traffic for revenue growth. the Atlantic tumbled nearly two demand could falter. It already has a joint venture percent on Tuesday after the Tuesday’s slump was also attrib- with Vodafone but has been wait- data, which was coupled with uted to news that a rebel group in ing to launch a separate mobile news that Libyan rebels could eastern Libya had agreed with the operation. “All measures related re-open vital oil ports within days. government to end its seizure of to the unified licence will be fin- Brent crude oil was down 98 oil ports, raising hopes for an end Chief Executive Officer of the Rubicon Project, Frank Addante (second right), rings a bell for the company’s ished by June 30,” Helmy said, cents to $104.64 a barrel by 1448 to an eight-month stalemate that IPO on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange shortly after the opening bell in the Manhattan borough referring to the new form of GMT after reaching its lowest has dried up state income. of New York yesterday. licence which will cover both since November 8. US crude oil Markets are now keenly mobile and fixed line services. shed 40 cents to reach $99.34 a awaiting oil inventory data due A licence for companies cur- barrel, after dropping 1.8 percent yesterday from the US Energy rently running mobile serv- in the previous session. Information Administration ices which gives them access to In a sign of Brent weakness, the (EIA) for more trading cues. Egyptian foreign reserves edge up Telecom Egypt’s fixed line net- May contract briefly fell to parity Data released on Tuesday by work is priced at 100m pounds, with the June contract, threatening the American Petroleum Institute Helmy said. to move into a market structure (API) showed crude stocks had Details of the new licence have known as contango, which signals dropped 5.8 million barrels in the in March, says central bank chief been sent to the telecoms com- ample supplies and weak demand. week to March 28 to 373.5 million panies, he added. Contango has been a rare barrels. The numbers confounded CAIRO: Egypt’s foreign shipping route between Europe backlog of dollars owed to foreign The unified licence will not occurrence in the Brent market analysts’ forecasts for an increase reserves rose to around $17.42bn and Asia, is one of the country’s investors seeking to repatriate include any new frequencies for over the past three years as sup- of 1.1 million barrels but failed to in March from $17.307bn in main sources of foreign currency. funds from the country, but did Telecom Egypt, such as 4G mobile ply outages from Libya and other provide support even to US oil. February, central bank gover- Its monthly revenues hit their not say how much money was broadband services, Helmy said. countries have tended to keep the “If the upcoming EIA weekly nor Hisham Ramez said, edging lowest in four years at $339.3m involved. The head of telecoms regulator contract closest to delivery above release were to reveal lower crude further away from critical lows in February, the latest month for “The amount was big and I Hesham El Alaily said an auction those for delivery in the future. inventories consistent with the they hit last year. which Egypt’s state information won’t announce it,” Ramez told of radio spectrum for 4G services The spread between Brent and API data, we are likely to expect The reserves fell sharply fol- portal has data. privately-owned channel CBC, would be held in June 2016. US oil, or WTI, has also con- prices to retrace upwards,” lowing the uprising that ousted It was not immediately clear adding the move was important Until then Telecom Egypt would tracted to about $5.38, its nar- Phillips Futures analyst Tan Chee President Hosni Mubarak in whether Gulf states sent more for Egypt’s investment climate. offer mobile services through the rowest since October. Tat said in a note. early 2011, but have been bol- aid during March, when the cen- “The most important thing in other companies’ networks. He “There are more bearish mac- Adding to the wider concerns stered since last summer when tral bank sold around $500m in dealing with foreign and local added the new unified licence roeconomic factors weighing on about demand, easing politi- Gulf Arab states started send- foreign currency auctions. investors is when we say we will means that no company would sentiment. We started the week cal concerns over Ukraine have ing billions of dollars in aid after The bank has held regular dol- do something that we go through have a monopoly on a service. with weaker data from China ... so sapped some support for Brent, the army deposed president lar auctions to commercial banks with it.” The grant of the new unified one of the key contributors to glo- the international benchmark. Mohamed Mursi. since December 2012 in order to Egypt’s current account between licence requires a single pay- bal oil demand growth in recent While tensions between Russia “The reserves that I have have slow declines in the Egyptian October and December recorded a ment plus an annual fee, Alaily years is going through a soft and the West persist, analysts and increased in the last month,” pound, but dollar shortages con- deficit of around $1.5 billion, after told Reuters. He did not give any patch,” said Harry Tchilinguirian, traders expect the crisis to have Ramez said in a television inter- tinue to fuel a foreign currency hitting a surplus in the preceding details on the annual fees. an analyst at BNP Paribas. less impact on oil supplies than view late on Tuesday. black market. three months on the back of the Meanwhile, Telecom Egypt has “At the same time ... people are on natural gas. “We will announce about At an auction on Monday, it Gulf aid. Egypt in December repaid been given a one-year deadline to looking at the US Federal Reserve Estimates for a drop in sup- $17.42bn, we have money com- sold $38.3m at a cut-off price $1.5bn of over $6bn it says it owes sell its near 45 percent stake in tapering continuing, which sug- ply from the Organization of the ing in from things that are very of 6.9575 pounds per dollar. On to foreign oil companies. Its for- Vodafone Egypt, Helmy said. gests a stronger dollar environ- Petroleum Exporting Countries different from the Suez Canal, the black market the dollar was eign reserves fell to a critical low Egypt’s government owns ment, and that is bearish for (Opec) could help underpin Brent, there’s people coming in selling offered for around 7.40 pounds. of $13.5bn last year, from $36bn around 80 percent of Telecom commodities.” however. dollars.” Egypt’s central bank said on before Mubarak was toppled. Egypt. Commodities such as crude oil REUTERS The Suez Canal, the fastest Tuesday it had covered the entire REUTERS REUTERS

QATARI MARKET Bond Coupon Maturity Currency Mid- Yield Moody’s S&P Indonesia Islamic finance sector broadens Price Qatar Govt 5.15% 4/9/2014 USD 100.13 -16.90% Aa2 AA JAKARTA: Qatar Govt 3.125% 1/20/2017 USD 105.75 1.03% Aa2 AA Indonesia’s Islamic of total banking assets, data a 24.1 percent growth in assets in 2012, the latest available data banks maintained double-digit from Indonesia’s financial serv- 2013 to reach 5.8 trillion rupiah, from OJK showed. Qatar Govt 6.55% 4/9/2019 USD 120.00 2.30% Aa2 AA asset growth last year while ice authority or Otoritas Jasa lifting their share of total rural Indonesia’s Muslim charitable Qatar Govt 5.25% 1/20/2020 USD 113.50 2.71% Aa2 AA rural and non-bank segments Keuangan (OJK) showed. banking assets to 7.5 percent. organisations have also built large Qatar Govt 4.5% 1/20/2022 USD 108.88 3.20% Aa2 AA made further gains, broaden- Indonesia’s 11 full-fledged Such growth came despite asset pools which could support Qatar Govt 9.75% 6/15/2030 USD 155.88 4.76% Aa2 AA ing the industry’s consumer Islamic banks added 32.7 trillion the size of their branch network efforts to reduce poverty, a study Qatar Govt 6.4% 1/20/2040 USD 118.50 5.10% Aa2 AA base in Southeast Asia’s largest rupiah worth of assets in 2013, being almost unchanged with 402 released on Tuesday found. Qatar Govt 5.75% 1/20/2042 USD 109.00 5.14% Aa2 AA economy. a 22.2 percent increase, while branches across the country. Regulators are also planning Qatari Diar 3.5% 7/21/2015 USD 103.69 0.62% Aa2 AA Indonesia has the world’s larg- the country’s 23 Islamic win- In a separate OJK report, to roll out initiatives to develop est Muslim population, but that dows added 14.5 trillion rupiah Islamic financing companies other areas of Islamic finance. Qatari Diar 5% 7/21/2020 USD 111.25 3.02% Aa2 AA potential has yet to fully translate in assets, a 30.5 percent increase. posted a five-fold increase in The OJK is now a full-member Comqat 5% 11/18/2014 USD 102.38 1.11% A1 A- into the country’s Islamic banking But beyond commercial banks, assets in 2012 to reach 22.7 trillion of the Malaysia-based Islamic Comqat 3.375% 4/11/2017 USD 104.50 1.83% A1 A- sector which remains underde- Islamic finance is making inroads rupiah. There were 35 such firms Financial Services Board, a QIB 3.856% 10/7/2015 USD 104.13 1.08% NR NR veloped, lagging behind neighbour in other areas which could help it in Indonesia at the end of 2012, major standard-setting body for QNB 3.125% 11/16/2015 USD 103.25 1.08% Aa3 A+ Malaysia. tap the country’s large consumer after 21 opened their doors that the industry. It said last week it QNB 3.375% 2/22/2017 USD 104.50 1.76% Aa3 A+ Islamic banking assets grew base — with a predominantly year. Even Islamic pawn-brokers would implement risk manage- Doha Bank 3.5% 3/14/2017 USD 104.25 2.00% A2 A- by 24.2 percent to 242.3 trillion Muslim population of 240 million. have made gains, they held a 9.8 ment guidelines for Islamic insur- rupiah ($21.4bn) last year, giving There are now 163 Islamic rural percent share of total financing ance companies. Qtel 3.375% 10/14/2016 USD 105.13 1.30% A2 A- the sector a 4.9 percent share banks in Indonesia which posted for that segment as of December REUTERS Qtel 7.875% 6/10/2019 USD 124.38 2.78% A2 A- Qtel 4.75% 2/16/2021 USD 107.50 3.51% A2 A- Qtel 5% 10/19/2025 USD 104.25 4.52% A2 A- Rasgas 5.5% 9/30/2014 USD 102.25 0.80% Aa3 A BNY Mellon official on hot seat Rasgas 5.832% 9/30/2016 USD 106.50 3.09% Aa3 A Batelco names Rasgas 5.298% 9/30/2020 USD 108.13 3.87% Aa3 A SOVEREIGNS Whelan as CEO Bond PDA* Maturity Currency Mid- Yield Moody’s S&P Price DUBAI: Bahrain’s Batelco Abu Dhabi Govt 5.5% 4/8/2014 USD 100.13 -38.40% Aa2 AA has appointed Alan Whelan Abu Dhabi Govt 6.75% 4/8/2019 USD 121.88 2.12% Aa2 AA as group chief executive, the Dubai Govt 6.7% 10/5/2015 USD 107.75 1.44% NR NR state-run telecommunications Dubai Govt 4.9% 5/2/2017 USD 108.13 2.15% NR NR operator said yesterday, nearly 11 months after its former CEO Dubai Govt 7.75% 10/5/2020 USD 125.75 3.31% NR NR quit. Dubai Govt 6.45% 5/2/2022 USD 118.88 3.72% NR NR Whelan is an industry veteran Qatar Govt 4% 1/20/2015 USD 102.88 0.33% Aa2 AA whose former employers include Bahrain Govt 6.273% 11/22/2018 USD 114.63 2.87% NR BBB BT, AT&T and telecom companies Bahrain Govt 5.5% 3/31/2020 USD 108.00 3.98% NR BBB in India and Macao. Egypt Govt 5.75% 4/29/2020 USD 103.13 5.14% Caa1 B- Whelan joins a company that Morocco Govt 4.5% 10/5/2020 EUR 105.63 3.51%*Periodic NR Distribution BBB-Amount has reported declining profits in IMPORTANT NOTE: 16 of the past 18 quarters and has Published by HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, P O Box 57, Doha, Qatar which suffered an exodus of senior man- is licensed and regulated by Qatar Central Bank and Jersey Financial Services agement in the last 12 months. Commission. Information quoted is from publicly available sources or proprietary He replaces Sheikh Mohamed data and subject to change. HSBC accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising out of the use of all or part of this material. This information is general and does not bin Isa Al Khalifa, who quit last take into account individual circumstances, objectives or needs. The price of bonds May. Also departing last sum- can and does fluctuate. The secondary market for bonds may not provide significant mer were long-serving Peter liquidity or may trade based on prevailing market conditions. Past performance is not Kaliaropoulos, himself a former a reliable indicator of future performance. You should consider these matters and consult your financial advisor prior to making any investment decisions. Batelco CEO, and ex-finance chief Marco Regnier. Prior to Whelan’s appoint- A woman walks past a logo at the office of the Bank of New York Mellon in Brussels. BNY Mellon Corp’s ment, a three-person committee investment management chief Curtis Arledge is on the hot seat. Hired into the post by the world’s largest of board members were in charge custody bank in 2010, the sharply-dressed and highly-paid Arledge has become the point man for the bank’s of Batelco. new scheme to fire up its tepid growth prospects by targeting retail investors. REUTERS THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2014 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

General Electric should How GM can recover BY LUCY P MARCUS learn valuable lessons about why the recall full extent of the problem on January 31, two put itself up for sale did not occur earlier, what previous boards weeks into her tenure as CEO. Since then, eneral Motors Chief Executive should have been doing and why the board she has gone to great lengths to get in front BY ROB COX Officer Mary Barra on Tuesday is only now finding out about the recall. of the issue, speaking about it publicly in and Wednesday will appear The board must also make sure there will mid-March, meeting with the press, record- eneral Electric should sell itself. If that sounds like an before Congress to explain why not be another situation where executives ing a number of YouTube videos on the topic, April Fools’ Day joke, think again. GM took more than a decade make a decision under the guise of pro- and appointing GM veteran Jeff Boyer to a It’s a real proposal on the ballot at the industrial Gto issue a recall on a faulty ignition switch, tecting the company, but in the end puts newly-created post of VP of Global Vehicle Ggroup’s annual meeting. which led to at least 13 deaths. The hear- GM in an untenable position, like the one Safety with a mandate to “quickly identify Setting aside the absence of any obvious buyer for the $260bn ings will be a proving ground for Barra, who it’s now in. In the case of the faulty switch, and resolve product safety issues.” company, the proposition illustrates the kind of shareholder became CEO in December 2013, as well as GM chose to create two small and isolated Boyer is said to have “direct and on-going democracy gone wild that many boards, and even some regula- for GM’s new chairman, Theodore “Tim” committees to handle recall cases, fashioned access to GM leadership and the board of tors, would like to squelch. Solso, and the entire GM board. in such a way that senior executives were directors on critical customer safety issues,” They have half a point. Congress will question why Barra’s most purposely kept in the dark. Board members which suggests that the board is invested The proposal is one of about six that investors put forward and recent predecessors didn’t catch the defec- have an obligation to challenge senior man- in the issue. GM needs to prove that if it will be up for a vote at GE’s April 23 annual meeting in Chicago. tive switch. A likely explanation is that agement’s thinking on these types of deci- becomes aware of another serious issue Not all are quite so extreme. One calls for senior executives to the board and senior management were so sions and structures, which seem to make within the company, it will respond with hold options for life. focused on digging GM out of bankruptcy sense within in a bureaucracy, but in reality speed and transparency. As the recall situ- Another would end stock awards and bonuses. Naturally, man- that they weren’t paying attention to what put the company at risk. ation demonstrates, the cover-up and mis- agement is opposed to each of them. else may have been going amiss. GM’s board, like every board, has a mul- management of an issue can be far more But stockholder Robert Fredrich’s proposal that GE “hire an Of course, that excuse is insufficient, since tifaceted role as watchdog, ethical centre costly — economically, reputation-wise, and investment bank to explore the sale of the company” is the most the company needs to do both things simul- and independent thinker. The independent in loss of life — than the act of dealing with financially illogical. taneously: avoid bankruptcy, while building directors will need to redouble their efforts an issue head on. For starters, there is no buyer capable of taking such a big gulp, safe cars. Barra, Solso and the board must to take what I call a “hands on, but not Running a business the size and complex- unless Apple, Google or Exxon Mobil suddenly decides to change convince Congress, the markets and con- hands in” approach — having a deep under- ity of GM is no easy feat. Throw in its com- strategic course. sumers that they have identified why the standing of the business and a strong rela- plex financial situation, global operations, Moreover, Fredrich offers no evidence for his view that a sale faulty ignition switch went undiscovered for tionship with the management team, but and the myriad of issues that the board would “release significantly more value.” so long, and that they can be trusted to pre- still maintaining enough distance to remain deals with at any one time — from labour A breakup of the finance-engines-turbines-refrigerators con- vent a similar crisis from happening again. independent on all issues, be they “ground- relations, to financing, to safety, to regula- glomerate might be worth considering, but not when the market At GM, the board and executive team ing” or “stargazing” ones. tions — and it is as complicated as any large cap of the company is greater than the sum of its parts, as GE must look back at the last decade and deter- We now know that GM engineers first financial institution. contends is the case today. mine what went wrong — both within GM, documented the faulty ignition switch 13 In a video last week, Barra recognized the GE shareholders probably know all this and will overwhelmingly and also in the relationship between the years ago, during Wagoner’s tenure. GM need for change at GM in the wake of the reject the measure, so no harm no foul, right? board and senior management. As a board says it is still investigating why the situa- recall. “Clearly the fact that it took over 10 Not quite. director I can say this is not always a com- tion was so badly mishandled; as far as we years indicates that we have work to do to Many public companies spend an inordinate amount of time fortable process, but it is vital that every know, the engineers didn’t tell the senior improve our process and we are dedicated and money battling to keep proposals like this off their bal- board director understand the historical management because of an organisational to doing that,” she said. lots. GE, for instance, hired pricey law firm Gibson, Dunn & dynamic between the management and the structure that Wagoner created. If Barra works closely with her executive Crutcher, trying unsuccessfully to make Fredrich’s suggestion board. The ignition switch recall has been a big team and board — and the board is commit- go away. Most of the current GM board members test for Barra, and one that she has so far ted to strong oversight and strategy — GM Any investor who owns at least $2,000 or 1 percent of a com- joined the board after 2009, but they can managed well. She reportedly learned the has a fair shot at succeeding. REUTERS pany’s stock for a year or more can bring a shareholder proposal, so long as it meets certain requirements. The US Securities and Exchange Commission approved Fredrich’s pitch because it was designed to financially benefit all GE owners and not just him. That, at least, distinguishes it from resolutions involving envi- ronmental, political or social issues that may not serve the inter- ests of shareholders generally. SEC Commissioner Daniel Gallagher, speaking to the annual confab of M&A practitioners last week at Tulane University in New Orleans, argues that “it’s time we asked whether the share- holder proposal system as currently designed is a net negative for the average investor.” Gallagher, one of two Republicans on the five-member SEC, claims it’s too easy for investors to get resolutions on company ballots. As a result, activists and corporate gadflies “hijack” elec- tions, he says. The commissioner cited statistics showing that a third of pro- posals come from organized labour and a quarter from social or policy investors and religious institutions. The upshot is a system that encourages “taking money out of the pocket of someone investing for retirement or their child’s education and using it instead to subsidize activist agendas,” according to Gallagher. The SEC’s rules, he says, should ensure that these activists do not “crowd out every-day and long-term investors” or advance causes “inconsistent with the promotion of shareholder value.” He’s right, to a point. It is a waste of time for investors to vet proposals that have nothing to do with the stewardship of their capital. But stifling shareholder speech has consequences. Stricter lim- its may allow, say, GE to keep a silly measure calling for its sale off the ballot, but they could also prevent owners from voting on more intelligent notions, like splitting the chairman and chief executive roles. The Supreme Court ruled four years ago that free speech rights apply to corporations under the Constitution, including the right to make campaign contributions to politicians that favour profit- making causes. Shareholders also deserve protection under the First Amendment – no matter how wacky they may sometimes sound. REUTERS Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

‘En attendant Godot’ – Europe still waiting for France BY PAUL TAYLOR purchasing power to provide more Arnaud Montebourg, a left- Netherlands and Finland, have half-hearted reforms and budget president says he doesn’t have an social justice. wing Socialist critic of globalisa- criticised Rehn for being a soft efforts, as well as persistent electoral mandate for that, and he s President Francois Hollande put no numbers on tion who was industry minister touch by granting an extension French traits of protectionism doesn’t want to split the left over Hollande goes through those promises, but they would in the outgoing cabinet and is without up-front actions and and state interventionism in Europe again,” one participant the French mid-term not seem to add up, so he dropped likely to be promoted, launched enforceable commitments on industry, many European officials said. “He’s determined to avoid Aritual of sacking his a strong hint that Paris would a pre-emptive strike on any EU those reforms. complain privately of France’s another referendum.” government and appointing a new seek yet another delay in meeting criticism of French budget plans. There is a reality gap between striking absence from European The party was deeply divided one, promising a dynamic “fresh its EU budget obligations. “France has to find the ways the government’s conviction that leadership. by a 2005 plebiscite on a proposed start” after a local election drub- “Because reinforcing the and means to revive its economy has implemented far-reaching After his election in 2012, European constitution. While bing, Europe is left as usual wait- French economy is the best way within the European Union,” reforms in labour contracts and Hollande was initially more will- Hollande was a leader of the “Yes” ing for France. to change Europe’s orientation.” Montebourg told France Inter pensions by negotiation with ing than Sarkozy had been to campaign, Valls, Montebourg and Paris’ partners in Berlin and Hollande has courted new radio on Tuesday. “This isn’t employers and unions without stand up to German Chancellor Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius Brussels are again wondering Italian Prime Minister Matteo France against Europe, because traditional French street protests, Angela Merkel, arguing for a pol- were prominent in the “No” camp, whether the French will ever keep Renzi as a partner in seeking to we are co-owners of Europe. The and the European perception that icy mix with more “solidarity” and which won. their promises to the European loosen the straitjacket of EU fiscal European Union is totally useless it has taken only timid half-meas- less austerity imposed on bailed The EU has gained more super- Union to curb the budget deficit, discipline in return for economic on the question of growth.” ures insufficient to balance public out euro zone countries. visory powers over national budg- reform a rigid economy and step reforms to spur growth. Both Rehn and Eurogroup finances or unleash entrepreneur- But France’s own economic ets since then due to the eurozone up to the mantle of shared leader- The trouble is that Paris - with chairman Jeroen Dijsselbloem ship and job creation. weakness compared to Germany, debt crisis. ship of the euro zone. a history of non-compliance under said Paris had received more Rehn upset Paris last year by the absence of bold reforms and With far right anti-European Don’t hold your breath, seems conservative presidents Jacques leeway and must meet its obliga- coining the term “reform a la Hollande’s reluctance to embrace National Front leader Marine to be Hollande’s answer. Chirac and Nicolas Sarkozy - tions. Failure to do so could lead francaise” to describe an incom- any greater pooling of sovereignty Le Pen gaining ground ahead of The Socialist president cou- was granted two more years to to sanctions and eventually fines. plete pension overhaul that made over economic and fiscal policy European Parliament elections pled the appointment of business- get below the 3 percent target Official figures released on most employees work longer for in the single currency area have next month, few mainstream friendly centrist Manuel Valls as only last year. At the time, EU Monday showed the French defi- a full pension, but added to the weakened Paris’ voice. politicians on either side of the prime minister on Monday with Economic and Monetary Affairs cit strayed off target again last burden of labour costs. Officials who have attended spectrum are willing to argue vague, contradictory promises on Commissioner Olli Rehn said year, reaching 4.3 percent of GDP So far Hollande has mostly meetings on European policy in for ceding more sovereignty to taxation and public spending in the France was expected in return to instead of the planned 4.1 percent, tried to narrow the fiscal gap by Hollande’s office say the president Brussels. eurozone’s number two economy. reform its labour market, pension while government debt reached raising taxes rather than cutting is wary of reviving splits in his One EU official lamented that He would cut payroll levies for system, unemployment insurance 93.5 percent of GDP and public spending. That will now change, Socialist party and the wider left waiting for Paris to live up to its employers, but also for employ- and regulated professions. spending accounted for an all- he promised again on Monday. over EU integration and national European responsibilities was ees. He would cut public spend- Now, Hollande would seem to time record 57.3 percent of eco- But while the president has sovereignty. a bit like Samuel Beckett’s play ing but also reduce taxes by 2017 be demanding a further exten- nomic output. “talked the talk”, EU critics say “When the issue of possi- Waiting for Godot. “Godot never - the year when he may seek re- sion in exchange for easing the Europe’s northern sticklers he has yet to “walk the walk”. ble treaty change and sharing comes.” election - and he would also boost tax burden on business. for fiscal rectitude, Germany, the Beyond dismay over more sovereignty comes up, the REUTERS THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2014 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary EXCHANGE QE Index 11,939.95 0.29 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER QE Total Return Index 17,759.54 0.29 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 3,676.93 0.38 % RATE QE All Share Index 3,062.52 0.31 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 2,920.65 0.05 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5408.786 13.919 0.26 5477.3 5072.7 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 7,019.3 0.74 % QR150.8354 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Services Cac 40 Index/D 4429.02 2.3 0.05 4440.04 4080.6 QE All Share Industrials 4,232.94 0.15 % SILVER UK ...... QR 6.0240 QR 6.1087 QE All Share Insurance 2,877.98 1.75 % Dj Indu Average 16532.61 74.95 0.46 16588.25 14434.43 Euro ...... QR 4.9920 QR 5.0613 QE All Share Real Estate 2,301.5 0.58 % QR 2.3379 CA$ ...... QR 3.2788 QR 3.3433 QE All Share Telecoms 1,560.12 0.26 % Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 QE All Share Transportation 2,081.96 1.31 % Swiss Fr ...... QR 4.0946 QR 4.1525 QE Market Summary Comparison Hang Seng Inde/D 22523.94 75.4 0.34 23469.33 21137.61 Yen ...... QR 0.0348 QR 0.0355 Today Previous day Aus$ ...... QR 3.3393 QR 3.4055 Iseq Overall/D 5085.36 5.09 0.1 5195.97 4522.4 CRUDE OIL 02-04-2014 01-04-2014 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0603 QR 0.0614 Index 11,939.95 11,905.94 Karachi 100 In/D 27932.02 366.52 1.33 27595.64 25273.11 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0368 QR 0.0375 Change 34.01 266.15 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0805 QR 0.0821 % 0.29 2.29 Nikkei 225 Index 14946.32 154.33 1.04 16164.01 13995.86 SL Re ...... QR 0.0276 QR 0.0282 YTD% 15.03 14.71 $ 105.58 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 1885.84 1536.03 Taka ...... QR 0.0465 QR 0.0475 Volume 19,500,358 23,024,676 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0379 QR 0.0386 Value (QAR) 795,668,423.13 1,042,842,439.37 Straits Times/D 3192.78 -5.74 -0.18 3205.61 2953.01 Trades 9,636 10,953 $ 102.42 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3397 QR 0.3471 Up 28 | Down 13 | Unchanged 00 Straits Times/D 2971.47 22.7 0.77 3035.78 2657.77

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 02-04-2014

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 1359.15 -24.8 23006 Cimmco-B/D 15.2 0.5 11919 Himat Seide-B/D 58.35 1.5 14287 Kanoria Chem-B/D 29.5 -0.95 10341 Rallis India-B/D 171 2.25 14362 Kingfisher/D 431.1 0.9 1453616 Aarti Drugs-B/D 262.45 -1.65 3256 Cipla-A/D 389.8 7.65 1501091 Hind Motors-B/D 7.72 0.33 297019 Kg Denim-B/D 14.5 0.02 13929 Reliance Indus/D 420.45 13.95 606606 Land Secs Grou/D 1037.722 16 706549 Aban Offs-B/D 525.45 -8.05 281318 City Union Bk-/D 53.6 0.3 42164 Hind Org Chem-/D 11.8 0.08 26739 Kilburnengg-B/D 20.75 0.15 4598 Ruchi Soya-B/D 31 1.8 231244 Legal & Genera/D 212.112 0.4 5396404 Aegis Logis-B/D 170.45 -3.3 28313 Cmc Ltd-B/D 1447.6 33.35 14084 Hind Unilever-/D 595.65 -5.95 52186 Kinetic Eng-B/D 40.7 0.95 6377 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 328.85 2.45 11762 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 76.6482 0.98 61542819 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 124.5 -0.05 11225 Colgate-A/D 1350 -4.15 138686 Hind.Petrol-A/D 307.1 3.95 155213 Kopran-B/D 25.4 4.2 337294 Savita Oil-B/D 490 10.35 4589 Marks & Sp./D 470.028 10.2 1807552 Alembic-B/D 18.55 1.2 828357 Container Cor-/D 942.3 -4.55 7293 Hindalco-A/D 136.1 -2 770695 Lgb Broth-B/D 441.4 27.65 25190 Thirumalai-B/D 91 2.1 18637 Next/D 6710 79.9998 82515 Alok Indus-B/D 7.6 0.85 2961551 Dai-Tichi Kar-/D 54.75 1.1 10417 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 897.25 9.65 2169718 Lok.Hous&Con-B/D 14.81 -0.05 38512 Til Ltd.-B/D 158.3 3.3 2373 Pearson/D 1009.3393 -37 1159064 Apollo Tyre-A/D 162.7 0.8 289103 Dcm Shram Ind-/D 55.25 2.15 5837 I F C I-A/D 27.6 1.25 2659825 Lumax Ind-B/D 292.1 -11.6 2449 Timexgroup-B/D 10.03 0.04 49634 Prudential/D 1327.5 10.5 1852178 Asahi I Glass-/D 59.15 1.15 11957 Dhampur Sugar-/D 46.5 1.25 74594 Idbi-A/D 65.5 1.4 476616 Lupin-A/D 958.95 13.95 64439 Tinplate-B/D 51.25 0 21513 Rank Group/D 159.872 3.1 86749 Ashok Leyland-/D 23.5 0.85 2417567 Dr. Reddy-A/D 2623.8 21.2 33211 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 83.7 1.5 11698 Lyka Labs-B/D 10.98 0.68 26854 Ub Engineer-B/D 9 -0.38 27933 Rentokil Initi/D 123.8 0.1 265035 Bajaj Hold-A/D 1007 1.75 2269 E I H-B/D 71.65 0.3 23949 India Cement-B/D 64 0.7 198156 Mah.Seamless-B/D 213.5 15 581537 Ucal Fuel-B/D 48.05 0.3 10771 Rolls Royce Pl/D 1097.27 0 1370271 Ballarpur In-B/D 15.04 1.24 2890922 E.I.D Parry-B/D 148.05 5.95 92381 India Glycol-B/D 95.15 0.45 25665 Mangalam Cem-B/D 126.5 0.4 20327 Ultramarine-B/D 54.05 3.45 122307 Rsa Insrance G/D 90.9 -0.35 13500881 Bata India-A/D 1120.05 -11.1 5127 Eicher Motor-A/D 6112.05 78.3 3048 Indian Card-B/D 104.8 9.05 3376 Maral Overs-B/D 19 1.15 16226 Unitech P -A/D 14.33 0.8 6933843 Sainsbury(J)/D 312.89 3.2 3056933 Bayer Crop-B/D 1468.2 -15.2 15327 Electrosteel-B/D 18.05 0.35 280511 Indian Hotel-A/D 72.75 0.8 79280 Mastek-B/D 207.45 -2.8 20690 Uppergsugar-B/D 35.05 3.15 2729 Schroders/D 2694 35 124166 Beml Ltd-B/D 301.05 12.8 132008 Emco-B/D 27.1 1.05 60170 Indo-Bcount-B/D 39.1 -0.1 12841 Max India L-A/D 206.05 0 12796 Severn Trent/D 1857 0 88492 Bh Electronic-/D 1111.65 -23.45 6124 Escorts-B/D 122.7 2.05 987820 Indusind-A/D 507.4 9.3 95431 Mrpl-A/D 47.5 0.55 56635 LONDON Smith&Nephew/D 921.5 2 442855 Bhansali Eng-B/D 12.31 -0.27 5637 Essar Oil-A/D 51.95 0.3 463352 J.B.Chemical-B/D 132.05 1.35 120325 Nagreeka Ex-B/D 22.15 0.5 2659 Smiths Group/D 1298 13 203917 Bharatgears-B/D 40.5 0.5 2790 Eveready Indu-/D 46.5 0.1 62996 Jagson Phar-B/D 10.6 0.57 2228 Nahar Spg.-B/D 101.9 2.65 16830 3I Group/D 399.8 1.3 190358 Standrd Chart /D 1268.3596 3 1202318 Bhartiya Int-B/D 205.35 -0.1 11967 F D C-B/D 137.9 -1.55 148423 Jamnaauto-B/D 75.75 2.75 4269 Nation Alum -A/D 39.7 -0.3 65352 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 2784.36 1 225362 Tate & Lyle/D 649.5 -7.5 456815 Bhel-A/D 193.8 -0.4 371144 Federal Bank-A/D 95.85 2.05 335877 Jbf Indu-B/D 89.75 2 57823 Navneet Edu-B/D 60.6 3.5 91420 B Sky B/D 917 -8.5 556333 Tesco/D 293.45 0.05 5386065 Bom.Burmah-B/D 106.8 0.55 49762 Ferro Alloys-B/D 5.34 0.39 69061 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.41 0.01 17633 Nepc India-B/D 2.84 0.04 7201 Barclays/D 241.6 4.15 23029685 Unilever/D 2552.65 0 893203 Bombay Dyeing-/D 60.75 4.85 1968967 Finolex-B/D 191.75 -3.1 17183 Jct Ltd-B/D 1.93 0.23 77826 O N G C-A/D 329.95 6.35 278118 Bg Group/D 1135.5 6.5 2812229 United Util Gr/D 801.75 1.5 479632 Camph.& All-B/D 187 -5.5 13711 Gail-A/D 376.4 1.6 58696 Jik Indust-T/D 0.83 -0.04 2401 Oil Country-B/D 39.8 0.5 5526 Bp/D 485.35 1.05 5029964 Vodafone Group/D 221.8 1.5 24409848 Canfin Homes-B/D 196.2 4.95 7019 Gammon India-B/D 15.95 0.77 104524 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 181 -0.95 98522 Orchid Chem-B/D 55 2.35 486148 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3313.5 -17 646311 Whitbread/D 4242 8 97497 Caprihans-B/D 43.7 2.55 42391 Garden P -B/D 38.95 0.5 5094 Jmc Projects-B/D 88.5 -3 4274 Orient Hotel-B/D 17.9 0.4 2267 Bt Group/D 384.0373 4.3 5982234 Cast.Bo/D 308 1.65 68761 Goodricke-B/D 151 3.75 28658 Kabra Extr-B/D 32.5 1.5 2460 Orient.Carb.-B/D 168.1 5.8 17159 Centrica/D 327.425 -1 4394851 Century Enka-B/D 145.45 4.05 27897 Goodyear I -B/D 416.95 -1.5 8039 Kajaria Cer-B/D 357.7 6.1 8950 Patspin India-/D 6.02 0.28 1985 Gkn/D 404 4.2 1535046 Century Text-A/D 366.75 1.4 59466 Hcl Infosys-B/D 41.25 2.85 3512650 Kalpat Power-B/D 98.35 0.6 63693 Punjab Chem.-B/D 75.4 0.55 2566 Hsbc Holdings/D 610.428 -2.6 10388060 Chambal Fert-B/D 42.25 1.85 241861 Him.Fut.Comm-B/D 8.59 0.39 1182788 Kalyani Stel-B/D 61.6 0.65 88824 Radico Khait-B/D 149.1 2.95 107541 Imperial Tobac/D 2424.6815 1 374472 THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 F1: Bahrain to light up for Mercedes duel

MANAMA: The spotlights, sweat in the afternoon heat, in a row, can score an important shortage of data about the cir- Sebastian Vettel has won the last unsafe pitstop release. Ferrari’s all 5,000 of them, will be on with temperatures soaring to 45 psychological blow if he takes his cuit but Bahrain, following on two Bahrain Grands Prix but he Fernando Alonso, a three-times Mercedes team mates Nico degrees Celsius, will be a cooler second successive win. from Malaysia, is the first time knows a third is a long shot this winner in Bahrain, will be seek- Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton duel in the dark with the race “I’ve never managed to get the this year that they have had to time with the Renault power unit ing to improve on two succes- on Sunday when Bahrain adds switching to an evening format win (in Bahrain). Until last week race on successive weekends. still lagging the performance of sive fourths this season while another novel twist to an for the first time. it was the same story for me with That will be an extra challenge the Mercedes. McLaren’s Jenson Button hopes already changed Formula One The Bahrain International Malaysia, so fingers crossed this for reliability and teamwork as “We still have a long way (to to mark a big personal anniver- landscape. Circuit, celebrating the 10th anni- can be the year of breaking those well as providing the first real go), these guys are bloody quick, sary with something special. The pair are one-two in the versary of a race that had to be cycles,” said the 2008 champion. insight into the endurance of congratulations to them. They did “Sunday’s race will be my 250th new-look championship after a cancelled in 2011 due to bloody “We know it’s going to be tough engines and gearbox. a good job but we are trying to grand prix start. That’s crazy,” win each from the first two races civil unrest that continues to to maintain our current form, The long straights should suit catch-up,” the German said after said the 2009 champion. “It feels of the quieter-sounding, fuel- simmer in the background, has particularly at a circuit where the Mercedes well, and the dry finishing third in Malaysia for his like only yesterday that I was saving and less reliable V6 turbo followed Abu Dhabi in becoming every team has had so much run- conditions will also play to their first points of the year. celebrating my 200th, with a win era that started in Melbourne last a day-to-night event. ning time over the winter but I’ll strengths. That was also his first race dis- for McLaren in Hungary back in month. Some 500km of cabling has be pushing hard to keep those “It’s a great track and I really tance since Brazil last November. 2011. Neither driver has won before been installed to power the 5,000 results coming,” added the Briton. enjoy driving it. I’ve never had Nobody has ever won Bahrain “It’ll be interesting to see at the Sakhir circuit but are clear lights needed for the Gulf king- Two of the three pre-season much luck on race weekends from further back than the sec- what sort of race we have under favourites to fight for the top step dom’s showcase sporting event. tests were held in Bahrain and here, but it’s definitely the one I’m ond row, which realistically rules the floodlights - racing at night on the podium after their one- Rosberg, who will be starting Mercedes will be carrying out a best prepared for this year,” said out Australian Daniel Ricciardo’s always adds to the atmosphere two finish for the Silver Arrows his 150th grand prix, leads the Pirelli tyre test at Sakhir next Rosberg, who made his F1 debut hopes in the other Red Bull and sense of occasion, and I think in Malaysia last weekend. championship by 18 points but week along with Williams and in Bahrain in 2006. after he collected a 10 place this weekend will be no different.” What would normally be a Hamilton, chasing his third pole Caterham. The teams have no Red Bull’s quadruple champion grid penalty in Malaysia for an REUTERS Lillard leads Blazers’ win over Lakers Rockets lose second straight game after winning streak

LOS ANGELES: Point guard Damian Lillard scored 34 points and dished out eight assists and forward LaMarcus Aldridge added 31 points and 15 rebounds as the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 124-112 in their National Basketball Association game yesterday. Arizona Diamondbacks’ first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) beats the Lillard, who hit five 3-point- tag by San Francisco Giants’ shortstop Brandon Crawford (left) in the ers, and Aldridge combined for sixth inning in the MBL match at Phoenix, Arizona, yesterday. 19 points in the fourth quarter, allowing Portland (49-27) to pull away for their fourth straight win. The Lakers (25-49), losers of three of their last four, lost at Jeter’s last season home for the first time in three games. Los Angeles guard Nick Young scored a season-high 40 points but the Lakers lost despite begins with 6-2 the return of center Pau Gasol, point guard Steve Nash and reserve guard Xavier Henry. The Blazers have six games left loss to Astros on their schedule, five of them at home. One more win will give HOUSTON: Right-hander them their 12th 50-win season in Scott Feldman carried a shut- Baseball Results the franchise’s 44-year history. out into the seventh inning of LA Dodgers 3 San Diego 2 But the last four times the team his Astros debut and Houston Houston 6 NY Yankees 2 won 50 or more games, they didn’t Los Angeles Lakers’ centre Pau Gasol (16) guards Portland Trail Blazers’ forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) bludgeoned New York Yankees make it past the first round of the Miami 4 Colorado 3 during the second half of their game at Staples Center in Los Angeles yesterday. left-hander CC Sabathia to postseason. claim a victory in the Major Toronto 4 Tampa Bay 2 Brooklyn forward Joe Johnson League Baseball games season Texas 3 Philadelphia 2 scored 32 points and the Nets set Patrick Beverley, the Rockets play-off picture. opener for both teams. Atlanta 5 Milwaukee 2 a franchise record with their 14th (49-24) lost their second straight With 13 seconds left in over- NBA Results Jesus Guzman and L J Hoes Arizona 5 San Francisco 4 straight win at home, defeating after a five-game winning streak time and the score tied at 120, Brooklyn Nets 105 Houston 96 both homered against Sabathia, Seattle 8 LA Angels 3 the Houston Rockets to clinch a was snapped on Saturday. Warriors center Jermaine O’Neal LA Lakers 112 Portland 124 who allowed six runs in six play-off berth (105-96). Rockets guard James Harden, blocked Mavs guard Monta Ellis’ Dallas 120 Golden State 122 innings of the loss. Trailing for most of the game the NBA’s fifth-leading scorer, runner on the baseline and Golden Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter Texas, earned the victory for the but never by less than nine points, had 26 points and seven assists. State guard Stephen Curry won went 1-for-3 with a run scored as Rangers (1-1) while lefty Mario the Rockets continued to snap at The shorthanded Golden State it with a long contested jumper Bogut and David Lee. he began what will be the final Hollands was tagged for the loss the Nets’ heels but could not over- Warriors rallied in regulation and with 0.1 of a second on the clock. Dallas (44-31) fell to ninth in season of his career. for Philadelphia (1-1). take Brooklyn (40-33). then in overtime to take down Golden State (46-28), sixth in the West despite 33 points and Dodgers right fielder Yasiel The Miami Marlins snapped Playing without injured All the Dallas Mavericks in a crucial the Western Conference, played 11 rebounds from Dirk Nowitzki. Puig hit a two-run, first-inning a tie with two sixth-inning runs Star Dwight Howard and guard game in the Western Conference without starting big men Andrew REUTERS homer off Padres righty Ian and held on to defeat the Colorado Kennedy, and Los Angeles righty Rockies. Zack Greinke allowed two runs First baseman Freddie on two hits over five innings, as Freeman went 3-for-3 and hit his the Dodgers defeated San Diego. first two home runs of the season, Puig’s 410-foot blast landed on and the Atlanta Braves earned the second balcony of the Western a victory over the Milwaukee Stars rout Caps to maintain play-off push Metal Supply building. Brewers. The Dodgers bullpen closed The Braves were held scoreless WASHINGTON: The Dallas It was no contest. The Stars’ out the game with four scoreless in Monday’s season opener, but Stars and Washington Capitals 5-0 win over the Capitals yester- innings as Los Angeles improved broke out. both began the game one point day was a victory of confidence to 3-1. Right-hander Erasmo Ramirez away from a play-off spot in over embarrassment. Dallas has Blue Jays right-hander Drew threw seven strong innings while their National Hockey League won five of six, outscoring oppo- Hutchison pitched 5 1/3 score- first baseman Justin Smoak and matches yesterday. nents 16-5 over their past three less innings in his first Major shortstop Brad Miller powered The Stars played like a team games. League start in nearly two years, the offense to lead the Seattle determined to get to there for the Dustin Jeffrey had his first leading Toronto past Tampa Bay Mariners to a win over the Los first time since 2008, while the two-goal game with the Stars, Rays. Angeles Angels. Capitals looked like a group tired while Tyler Seguin, Ray Whitney The 23-year-old underwent Center fielder A J Pollock tied of having their yearly routines and Ryan Garbutt all added scores Tommy John surgery in August a career high with three hits and disrupted by such a trivial thing leading the Stars to a win over the 2012 and had not pitched in a scored twice, once on a contro- as postseason hockey. Washington Capitals. Goaltender game since June 15 that year. versial play at the plate, and the Kari Lehtonen turned aside all Adam Lind smacked a three- Arizona Diamondbacks beat the 35 shots he faced for his fourth run home run in the first inning. San Francisco Giants to break a NHL Results shutout of the season. Third baseman Adrian Beltre three-game losing streak. San Jose 5 Edmonton 4 Dave Bolland and David had three RBIs, including the In the fourth inning, Pollock Tampa Bay 3 Montréal 1 Clarkson scored early in the third game-winner on a run scoring singled and scored on a short period and the Toronto Maple Vancouver 1 NY Rangers 3 Edmonton Oilers’ centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) tries to get around single in the bottom of the ninth passed ball, trimming the Leafs snapped an eight-game Phoenix 1 Winnipeg 2 San Jose Sharks’ defenceman Jason Demers (5) during their NHL match inning of the Texas Rangers’ D-backs’ deficit to 4-3. losing streak by holding on for a at San Jose, yesterday. victory over the Philadelphia Video replays appeared to show St Louis 1 Philadelphia 0 victory over the Calgary Flames. Phillies. he was out, but San Francisco Buffalo 3 New Jersey 2 Jay McClement also scored for Beltre, who was 2-for-4, lined could not challenge because Toronto 3 Calgary 2 the Maple Leafs (37-32-8), who Flames (31-38-7), who lost their Goalie Ryan Miller stopped a base hit to right center that manager Bruce Bochy used his NY Islanders 4 Florida 2 moved within a point of Columbus second game in a row. 31 shots in regulation and over- brought home left fielder Choo challenge two plays earlier, when Pittsburgh 1 Carolina 4 for the final playoff spot in the T J Oshie and defenseman time before turning back shots Shin-soo from second base. Pollock was nearly picked off first Eastern Conference. Kevin Shattenkirk scored in a by Vincent Lecavalier and Claude Washington 0 Dallas 5 Joakim Soria, who pitched base. Matt Stajan and defense- shootout to give St Louis a win Giroux in the shootout. a scoreless top of the ninth for REUTERS Columbus 2 Colorado 3 man Kris Russell scored for the over the Philadelphia Flyers. REUTERS THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2014 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Nishikori out Family Circle Cup of Japan Davis Women’s Singles Cup clash Unseeded Cepelova Results Results from the Family Circle TOKYO: Japan’s number one Cup Women’s Singles matches Kei Nishikori has been forced yesterday. to pull out of this week’s Davis Round 2: 9-Lucie Safarova (Czech Republic) Cup quarter-final against hold- bt Virginie Razzano (France) 2-6, 6-4, ers the Czech Republic in Tokyo 6-4; Jana Cepelova (Slovakia) bt 1-Serena because of a groin injury. stuns tired Serena Williams (US) 6-4, 6-4; 6-Eugenie Bouchard The 24-year-old aggravated (Canada) bt Alla Kudryavtseva (Russia) 6-2, the troubled area while beat- 6-0; Teliana Pereira (Brazil) bt 8-Sorana ing Roger Federer in Miami last World number one crashes out in the Family Circle Cup Cirstea (Romania) 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(0); week, prompting him to withdraw 7-Samantha Stosur (Australia) bt Yaroslava from his semi-final against Novak CHARLESTON, US: World best she can play.” Williams said Shvedova (Kazakhstan) 6-3 5-7 6-1. Djokovic. number one Serena Williams she now wants some time off. “I Round 1: Marina Erakovic (New Zealand) bt Nishikori said on Wednesday crashed out of the WTA Tour’s am going to go on a vacation for Nadia Petrova (Russia) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4; Peng he would not be fit to face the Family Circle Cup yesterday, sure,” she said. “I just need to take Shuai (China) bt Caroline Garcia (France) Czechs, dealing a crushing blow losing her opening match in a deep breath and regroup. I think 6-2, 6-3; 14-Andrea Petkovic (Germany) to Japan’s hopes of a major upset straight sets to world number it will help me for the rest of the bt Lesia Tsurenko (Ukraine) 6-7(2) 6-4, with world number five Tomas 78 Jana Cepelova. clay court season coming up.” 6-1; Lourdes Dominguez Lino (Spain) bt Berdych choosing not to travel The 20-year-old Slovakian Ousting the world number Anabel Medina Garrigues (Spain) 6-3, 6-2; to the Far East and Jan Hajek’s Cepelova shocked defending one came as a surprise even for 11-Venus Williams (US) bt Barbora Zahlavova sidelining with a knee injury. champion Williams 6-4, 6-4 in a Cepelova, who had never even Strycova (Czech Republic) 6-3, 0-6, 7-5; “It’s such a disappointment,” second-round match at the clay beaten a top 15 player before. 13-Elena Vesnina (Russia) bt Anna Karolina world number 18 Nishikori court tournament in Charleston. Her previous biggest win Schmiedlova (Slovakia) 6-2, 6-1; Vania King told reporters after MRI scans The 17-time Grand Slam win- was against former Charleston (US) bt Julia Glushko (Israel) 4-6, 7-5, 6-3; revealed the extent of the damage ner Williams complained about champ Samantha Stosur ear- 16-Zhang Shuai (China) bt Hsieh Su-Wei to the left side of his groin. being mentally fatigued after the lier this year in Doha. Stosur, (Taiwan) 3-6, 7-6(5) 7-6(0); 12-Daniela “With the home-court advan- 84 minute contest. of Australia, was ranked 16th in Hantuchova (Slovakia) bt Shelby Rogers (US) tage I really wanted to play in “I am really just dead,” said the the world. 7-5, 7-5. Japan’s first quarter-final, which 32-year-old American. “I need Her best tournament result I do think we had a chance of win- some weeks off where I don’t was making the quarter-finals ning. But after talking with the think about tennis and can kind in Shenzhen, China earlier this doctors, the prognosis wasn’t good of regroup. I’ve had a long couple year. Monterrey Open so unfortunately I can’t play.” of years.” Cepelova, who will turn 21 next Nishikori, whose heroics helped Williams, who won this event month, beat American wildcard Women’s Singles Japan past an injury-depleted in 2013, 2012 and 2008, also had Melanie Oudin 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 in Canada and into the last eight of her 15-match tour win streak the first round in Charleston. Round 1 Results the Davis Cup for the first time snapped. The other upset of day two of Results from the Monterrey under the modern format in Williams was fresh off win- the event saw Teliana Pereira out- Open Women’s Singles Round 1 February, is set to be replaced by ning her sixth Miami title and last eighth seeded Sorana Cirstea matches yesterday. 21-year-old Taro Daniel, ranked 59th singles crown after beating 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/0). 190. world No. 2 Li Na, of China, on Serena’s sister Venus was also 2-Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) bt Urszula Radwanska Team coach Minoru Ueda tried the weekend. a winner on Tuesday. (Poland) 4-6, 6-3, 6-3; 3-Caroline Wozniacki to remain upbeat despite having “I actually made the turna- The 11th-seeded Venus held (Denmark) bt Coco Vandeweghe (US) 6-3, his worst fears confirmed. round really good,” Williams said. World number 78 Jana Cepelova of Slovakia off Czech Barbora Zahlavova 7-6(4); Aleksandra Wozniak (Canada) bt “Losing Kei has definitely hurt “Obviously things didn’t go great Strycova 6-3, 0-6, 7-5 in two Marcela Zacarias (Mexico) 3-6, 6-0, 6-1; the team’s chances but we have out there.” hours, 18 minutes. Venus hasn’t Julia Boserup (US) bt 4-Kirsten Flipkens to keep believing we can win,” Unseeded Cepelova, who She advances to face Elena faults. She won just 12 of 28 points won this event in a decade. (Belgium) 6-4, 1-6, 6-2; 8-Monica Puig he said. “I believe Taro has the appears to be headed for a brea- Vesnina of Russia, who beat on her second serve. Seventh-seeded Stosur, the (Puerto Rico) bt Olga Puchkova (Russia) 6-0, potential to be a top 100 player. kout year, was facing Williams for another Slovakian, Anna “I really knew nothing about 2010 Charleston champ, got past 6-3; 6-Magdalena Rybarikova (Slovakia) The other players have to step up the first time. Cepelova won 55 Schmiedlova, 6-2, 6-1. her game going into the match,” Kazakhstan’s Yaroslava Shvedova bt Olga Govortsova (Belarus) 6-3, 3-6, now.” percent of her first serves and 71 Williams, 32, blasted four aces Williams said. “She was a great 6-3, 5-7, 6-1 in second-round play. 6-2; Luksika Kumkhum (Thailand) bt Dalila AFP of 136 total points. but committed three double counterpuncher. She played the AFP Jakupovic (Slovenia) 7-5, 6-0. Experts meet to find champions of next generation

DOHA: The world’s top sport attempt to seek out the very best talent spotters gathered here local athletes. The best students yesterday as part of a two- selected as part of this proc- day conference held at Aspire ess are then invited into Aspire Academy to explore the most Academy for further trials, before effective methods of identifying a final group of youngsters are the next Usain Bolt or Lionel offered a full scholarship to join. Messi. Speaking at the TID Featuring internationally- Conference, Anthony Hazeldine, respected sports researchers senior Talent Identification as speakers, the Aspire Talent Officer of Aspire Academy’s Identification (TID) Conference Talent Identification Programme, has shone a light on the most said: “I believe the TID effective techniques of uncov- Conference has provided Aspire ering the athletic champions of Academy with the perfect oppor- tomorrow. tunity in which to showcase our In recent years, the focus on Talent Identification Program sport talent spotting has become to the world. In addition to this, Dr Robert Malina, former Professor at the University of Texas, delivering the keynote speech at the Aspire Academy yesterday. a priority for many nations, with we have highlighted the huge specialist programs set up around progress we have made in Qatar the world to identify potential in recent years, in identifying our Professor at the University of so much pressure on young published after the conference, young athletes around the world athletes from an early age. future sporting champions.” Texas and the sports science athletes to perform at the very summarising the most important fulfill their athletic potential.” In Qatar, the host nation of the “We are hopeful that Aspire community’s very own ‘Godfather highest level for their clubs and ideas developed and shared dur- “On behalf of Aspire, I would 2022 FIFA World Cup, most of can learn much from these inter- of talent identification’, as he countries.” ing the two-day event. like to thank all of our interna- the country’s talented youngsters nationally-respected experts and is affectionately known also “The TID Conference can Expressing his hopes that tional speakers for making the in Football and other sports are researchers about the methods attended the two-day event. really encourage an open and the TID Conference will aid journey to Qatar in order to par- spotted and developed through and models applied in different Giving the keynote speech, Dr meaningful discussion about the the sporting community, Aspire ticipate in such an important the acclaimed Aspire Academy countries,” he added. Malina praised Aspire Academy most effective and ethical meth- Academy’s Director of Sport event. In addition, I would like to Talent Identification Programme. Amongst the guests and speak- for hosting the conference and ods of uncovering new talents Science Professor Tim Cable, extend my thanks to the organ- As part of this nationwide ini- ers assembled at the conference said: “This event is a fantas- and nurturing them throughout said: “Qatar and many other izing committee for their hard tiative, Aspire scouts are sent on Wednesday included talent tic opportunity for some of the their sporting careers,” he added. countries struggle with how best work and dedication in bring- out to 47 schools across Qatar identification experts from the leading figures in talent identi- With the event due to come to discover their national sport- ing this event into fruition,” he each year, and can screen more USA, the UK, Australia and Asia. fication to meet, collaborate and to a close today, it is hoped that ing champions however, I am con- added. than 3,000 Qatari children in an Dr Robert Malina, a former share ideas, as there is currently a consensus statement will be fident our findings can help more THE PENINSULA Melbourne Storm prop banned for seven weeks for tackle

MELBOURNE: An Australian tackle in Melbourne last week, The lawyer also said that and Kite asked for a sanction of club would consider taking the McKinnon’s plight has rugby league player has been but the only one to face a judi- McKinnon, 22, had “unfortu- between seven and 11 matches. matter further. “We came here prompted an outpouring of sym- banned for seven weeks after cial hearing. nately and unwittingly” contrib- The panel returned the seven- tonight with Jordan feeling that pathy in Australia, with an emo- being found guilty of commit- McKinnon, who underwent uted to his injury by tucking his week ban after deliberating for the tackle that led to such a ter- tional tribute from Newcastle ting a ‘dangerous throw’ tackle surgery last week, has been in a head into his chest before he hit nearly an hour and half. rible accident was really no dif- Knights fans during the team’s that left an opponent with a serious but stable condition in a the ground. The NRL and Australian ferent to hundreds of tackles in home match against Cronulla broken neck and the prospect Melbourne hospital and commu- However, NRL judicial counsel Rugby Union have worked to the NRL we see every season,” Sharks earlier this week. of never being able to walk nicated with his family on Sunday Peter Kite said while the other crack down on “lifting” tack- Evans told reporters. McLean has the sympathy of again. for the first time since being players, Storm brothers Jesse and les due to the dangers of spinal “We’re going to think about some NRL players who regarded Melbourne Storm prop revived from an induced coma. Kenny Bromwich, had contrib- and head trauma. But players our position as a club in the next the incident a freak accident. Jordan McLean, a 22-year-old McLean pleaded not guilty to the uted to the tackle, “substantial are regularly lifted and dumped few days. “As a player and speaking in his second season in the top- throwing charge at the hearing in responsibility for the lift” was in tackles during games, with “There aren’t really any win- to all other players, we really flight National Rugby League, Sydney on Wednesday, his law- borne by McLean. far less serious consequences. ners in this and there were never don’t think there was a lot in was one of three players that yer arguing that McKinnon had After a number of video replays Melbourne Storm CEO going to be. And I think it’s the tackle,” Sharks captain Paul brought Newcastle Knights for- been the victim of a “terrible and from various angles, the three- Mark Evans expressed sympa- important that the sport doesn’t Gallen said this week. ward Alex McKinnon down in a tragic accident”. man panel found McLean guilty, thy for McKinnon but said the lose sight of that.” REUTERS THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

Hackett out Doha prepares for World of rehab SYDNEY: Australian swim- ming great Grant Hackett has left rehab after seek- ing help for an addiction to sleeping pills and says he learned a lot during his time Swimming Championship in treatment. Hackett, who won the 1,500m freestyle at both the 2000 and 2004 Olympics and FINA delegation completes second site visit for December gala claimed four world titles in the event, fled to the United States in February, days after he was DOHA: Qatar Swimming pictured half-naked in a hotel Association (QSA) has outlined lobby looking for his young son. a series of activities in the lead He initially denied he had a up to the 2014 Swimming World problem but his manager and Championships (25m) to be held father both said he was bat- in December. This was announced tling a dependance on Stilnox, by Khalil Al Jabir, President of a drug used to treat insomnia QSA, during a news conference that athletes are sometimes attended by FINA Vice President prescribed for sleeping difficul- Cornel Marculescu. ties before big events. “We have planned many events. His admission for treatment We will stage the FINA Congress came just weeks after fellow which will be attended by the Australian swimming star Ian swimming family. There are more Thorpe sought help for depres- than 200 members of the FINA sion after a mixture of painkill- family,” Al Jabir said. ers and anti-depressants left “Then we will see more than a him disoriented on a Sydney 1000 swimmers competing at the street. “It just gets to a situ- Doha event,” Al Jabir added. ation in life where you’re not The Doha swimming event will coping too well, and you need be held from December 3 to 7. Khalil Al Jabir (left), President of to put your hand up and ask for The championship is expected Qatar Swimming Association, help — I certainly got to that to welcome more than 1400 and FINA Executive Director situation,” Hackett told the athletes and 300 team officials Cornel Marculescu during a Nine Network at Los Angeles from more than 170 nations. press conference to announce airport yesterday. Marculescu said with an increased the 12th FINA World Swimming “I feel proud of myself that prize money most of the world Championship, at the Ritz- I had the strength and cour- beaters are expected to touch- Carlton Doha yesterday. age to do that, because I want down in Doha to have a great and happy life KAMMUTTY V P “Every first six classified fin- ahead of me. “I want to be a ishers in each category will get great father and I want to do prize money. Overall there will be all those things properly. a million dollars in prize money,” “Certainly what I’ve learnt Marculescu said. “We don’t expect over the past five weeks has put any issues in the lead up to the me in a position to do all those Doha event,” Marculescu said. Marculescu was in Doha lead- hotels and various other facilities. the visit including the FINA FINA’s expectations,” said Local things a lot better.” “Because they (Doha organis- ing a large FINA delegation that These included the competi- Aquatics Convention, the Youth Organising Committee Deputy Hackett’s departure from ers) are very much advanced. We concluded yesterday the second tion venue, the Hamad Aquatic Programme, the Swimming Executive Officer, Ali AI Jabir. Australia came days after can decide which are the hotels. official site visit to Doha. Center, which has hosted numer- World Championships’ (25m) QSA President said: “We will he was photographed in the We know where the teams will During the two-day visit, all ous championships such as swim- Marketing programme, Media ensure that the World Swimming early hours with only a singlet stay. We can provide the fed- matters related to the general ming at the 2010 Arab Games, as and Broadcasting, Medical Championships, Doha 2014, will around his waist in the foyer of erations the necessary event,” organisation of the Doha 2014 well as the 2012 & 2013 FINA Services, IT and Transport. not only promote the great sport a Melbourne hotel, searching he added. Al Kass is the offi- World Swimming Championships Arena Swimming World Cups. “As the organisers of this of swimming, but showcase Doha anxiously for his four-year-old cial broadcaster of the event, were discussed. Discussions took There were numerous important World Swimming and Qatar in the best possible son. AFP Marculescu announced. place regarding the athletes’ other topics addressed during Championships, we will meet the way.” THE PENINSULA

Ryder Cup Siraj leads Kerala XI to skippers anxious for subdue Bangla Club in injured Woods Qatar Airways tourney HOUSTON: Rival Gleneagles DOHA: A fine all-round dis- The Qatar Cricket Association Ryder Cup captains Paul play by Siraj enabled Kerala is holding the Qatar Airways McGinley and Tom Watson XI to overcome the challenge Cricket Tournament at the West have expressed hope injured from Bangladesh Club during a Bay Complex in three divisions – Tiger Woods will be fully fit to Division A match at the Qatar A, B and C. compete in September’s Europe Airways Cricket Tournament. versus United States showdown Batting first, Kerala Eleven BRIEF SCORES (Division A) in Scotland. piled up a demanding 278 for Woods shocked the golf world nine in 49 overs. Siraj anchored 1. Al Feroz Youngster beat in announcing back surgery ear- the innings and hit a stylish 78. Commercial Bank CC by 7 wkts. lier this week will preclude him Rifan was the second highest Commercial Bank CC 145 in 44 from teeing-up in next week’s scorer with 40, while Jinith got overs (Rusharta Ali 34, Umer Taj Masters, an event he has won four 34 and Nazim made 25. Shagor 47, Harris 3 wkts, Nadeem and times in the past. picked three wickets. Inam 2 wkts, Boota and Mujeeb And while Woods will be absent Kerala Eleven battled hard 1 wkts). from Augusta National, McGinley to hold the upper hand against Al Feroz Youngster 149 for 3 wkts will be present to work with TV Bangladesh Club, who lost the in 30 overs. but also to meet with Watson and Dustin Johnson (left), of the United States and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland during the pro-am prior to the wickets regularly and fell short (Faisal 38, Harris 39, Naveed 35 with the subject of their conver- start of the Shell Houston Open at the Golf Club of Houston in Humble, Texas, yesterday. of the target by 19 runs in the n.o, Kamran, Sajjad and Parvez sation surely to be this newest end. Mojahid led the chase with Khan 1 wkt) injury to strike down the Wwrld 65. Sumon hit 40 and was fol- Man of the Match: Harris of Al number one. lowed by Shagor (30) and Fokrul Feroz Youngster (39 runs + 3 “Tiger’s good for golf, so the (28). Nazim was the pick of the wkts) sooner he gets back playing, the Park returns to spot where Kerala Eleven bowlers, getting better,” said Irishman McGinley three wickets. Siraj, Faisal and 2. Kerala XI beat Bangladesh CC in Houston on Tuesday. Sajir all took two wickets each to by 19 runs. “Of course I’d like him to play stop the rivals. Kerala XI 278 for 9 wkts in 49 at Gleneagles, and it will be a bet- magical major run began Harris (39 runs and three overs. ter Ryder Cup with him there. wickets) starred for Al Feroz (Rifan 40, Siraj 78, Nazim 25, Tiger’s one of the world’s great- RANCHO MIRAGE, US: with a final-round 69 on the Dinah finished in the top 20 all but three Youngster and set up a seven- Jinith 34, Shagor 3 wkts, Mesbeh, est players and the Ryder Cup is World number one Park In-Bee Shore Tournament Course at times. World number two Suzann wicket triumph over Commercial Rashid 2 wkts, Ifti and Mojahid golf’s greatest event. returns for the first of her three Mission Hills Country Club that Pettersen of Norway is a notable Bank Club. The bank men col- 1 wkt). “Right now, I can only wish major title defences this season gave her a four-stroke triumph absentee. She withdrew with a lapsed at 145 in 44 overs with Bangladesh CC 259 in 49 overs. him the best of luck. Having had seeking a first victory this year over compatriot Ryu So-Yeon. back injury. Umer Taj missing a half-century (Fokrul 28, Sumon 40, Shagor 30, eight surgeries myself, I under- at the LPGA Kraft Nabisco It proved the springboard to a “It’s so unfortunate that I can’t by three runs. Harris sparked Mojahid 65, Nazim 3 wkts, Siraj, stand what he must be going Championship. spectacular 2013. Her six victories compete this week,” Pettersen the rout, getting three scalps. Faisal and Sajir 2 wkts, Sameer through, though the back obvi- After her stunning 2013 cam- included the first three majors of said. “I dearly love this event and Nadeem and Inam shared four. 1 wkt). ously is a more complex area than paign, Park has yet to win on the the season. Although she couldn’t would do anything to play. At this Al Feroz just needed 30 overs Man of the Match: Siraj of Kerala the knee.” LPGA tour in 2014, but she has keep it going at the fourth, the point, I just need to be smart and to chase down the victory. Harris XI (78 runs + 2 wkts) Woods will not be returning to posted four successive top-10 fin- Women’s British Open, Park’s not make a bad situation worse.” led the winning team’s batsmen competition soon as the micro- ishes and won a Ladies European string of top-10s seems to signal World number three Stacy with 39. Faisal hit 38 and Naveed 3. Al Hanzab CC beat Wings DCC discectomy he underwent in Utah Tour title at the World Ladies a return to the consistency that Lewis of the United States is a collected 35 not out. by 5 wkts. earlier this week is expected to Championship in China in March. pushed her to the top of the world likely contender. The 29-year-old Al Hanzab pulled off a five- Wings DCC 169 in 40 overs. keep him side-lined well into the Although she hasn’t broken rankings. Another past champion won this title in 2011 for her first wicket victory against Wings (Azimuddin 34, Swapnesh 25, heart of the season. through for an LPGA win so far who arrives at Rancho Mirage in official LPGA trophy. DCC after Waqas and Fayyaz Fauz 39, Waqas, Fayyaz 3 wkts, It could mean missing out this year, the 25-year-old South the California desert near Palm She added a second major at bowled well to share six wickets. Amjad 2 wkts, Imran Deen and on contesting the US Open at Korean leads the tour in scoring Springs enjoying an impressive the Women’s British Open last Amjad also dismissed two players Omer 1 wkt). Pinehurst where he was runner- average (69.25), rounds under par season includes Australian Hall year, and has posted top-10 fin- before they could get only 169 in Al Hanzab CC 170 for 5 wkts in up to New Zealand’s Micheal (14) and rounds in the 60s (8). of Famer Karrie Webb. ishes in 16 of her last 17 events. 40 overs. Fauz (39) was the best 33 overs. Campbell in 2005, while in July Park will be trying to become Webb, the 2000 and 2006 Lewis said all of her early sea- run-getter. (Atif 30, Faisal 23, Noor Wahid Woods is due to defend his Royal the first player since Swedish champion, goes into the year’s son efforts are directed toward Al Hanzab raced to the win in 37 n.o, Siyabudeen 23 n.o, Fauz Liverpool Open Championship great Annika Sorenstam in 2001 first major after victories at the the first major of the year. 33 overs as four players played 3 wkts, Malik Usman and Zahid where he broke down in tears in and 2002 to earn back-to-back Women’s Australian Open and “Really over the last couple useful knocks. Noor Wahid hit 1 wkt). winning in 2006 after the death Kraft Nabisco titles. the Founders Cup in Phoenix. months, all of my work has gone 37 not out and Siyabudeen made Man of the Match: Fayyaz of Al of his father. She captured the second major Webb, 39, has played in the into this week, having everything an unbeaten 23. Atif compiled 30 Hanzab CC (18 runs + 3 wkts) AFP title of her career here last year Kraft Nabisco 19 times and sharp,” she said. AFP and Faisal managed 23. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2014 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

West Indies cricketers warm-up during a training session at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka yesterday.

T20-savvy Windies capable Sri Lankans welcome of defending title: Sammy MIRPUR: Cricket’s 20-over format is tailor-made for the power- ful West Indians and there is no reason why they cannot become the first team to defend the World Twenty20 title in Bangladesh, skipper Darren Sammy said yesterday. ‘lovely’ spin headache Currently ranked eighth both in Test and one-day internationals, West Indies have emerged as a stronger force in cricket’s latest and shortest format, winning the World Twenty20 crown in Sri Lanka two years ago. We know the wicket will turn, says Paul Farbrace “We’ve a lot of experience,” Sammy told reporters ahead of today’s semi-final against Sri Lanka, an opponent they beat in the 2012 final. “Eight of our players play in the Twenty20 leagues around the MIRPUR: Left-arm spinner world. I guess we love that format and the type of players we have Rangana Herath’s magical spell Sri Lankan captain in the dressing room are probably suited for that format.” against New Zealand have pre- Dinesh Chandimal Teeming with power-hitters such as Chris Gayle and Dwayne sented Sri Lanka with a ‘lovely (right) speaks with Bravo, West Indies also have two excellent slow bowlers in Sunil headache’ ahead of today’s team-mate Angelo Narine and Samuel Badree, who have troubled opposition in Mirpur’s World Twenty20 semi-final Mathews during the spin-friendly track. against West Indies, coach Paul training session at Group match victories against Bangladesh, Australia and Pakistan Farbrace said yesterday. the Sher-e-Bangla have convinced Sammy he has got the team that can lift the title Picked ahead of spin colleague National Cricket on Sunday. Ajantha Mendis who had proved Stadium in Dhaka “We left the Caribbean with that as the motivating factor for us,” expensive against England, yesterday. Sri Lanka the affable all-rounder said. “(In the) last World Cup, the mission Herath destroyed New Zealand play West Indies in was to win the World Cup. This year it’s to retain or defend the in a 59-run romp in Chittagong the first semi-final title. It’s something no team has done before. We are very confident on Monday. we can do it.” of the ICC World Farbrace conceded Herath had India won the inaugural World Twenty20 in 2007, followed by Twenty20 cricket spun a selection dilemma after Pakistan (2009) and England (2010). claiming five wickets for three tournament in Dhaka “Once we play the brand of cricket we played in the last three runs in 21 balls to put Sri Lanka today. BELOW: Sri games, there is every possibility we can,” Sammy added. “Twenty20 is in the semi-finals. Lankan cricketer all about momentum and seizing the right opportunity. So far we’ve “It’s a lovely headache to have,” Rangana Herath been able to do that and hopefully we can do that again Sri Lanka.” the former Kent player told attends the same Sri Lanka will also have the additional task of adapting quickly reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla training session. to the conditions in Mirpur, having played their group matches in National Stadium. Chittagong where heavy dew made life difficult for the bowlers, “We know we got some very especially the spinners. high-quality spin bowlers in the “Guys wanted a day off after playing but we’re here practising team. It gives us a really good (after Tuesday’s win against Pakistan),” Sammy said. “(It) shows headache to have. There’s been our focus, we are committed to the goal we left the Caribbean with, plenty discussion and there will be ball to the other end. You got to say ‘they have done really well which is to defend the title. We broke it down in phases. “We only plenty more before the coin goes bowl the right pace and I think in most of the competitions and have two more steps to take. We’ll focus on the semi-finals and once up tomorrow night I can assure that’s what Herath did so well in got to finals’. That’s where teams we’re in the final, anything is possible.” REUTERS you.” Chittagong against New Zealand. want to be in big events,” he said. Sri Lanka will have to quickly Spinners need to bowl the right “We had a big win here in Asia adjust to conditions in Mirpur pace on the right surface.” Cup a few weeks ago. We beat but at least their spinners would Over the past seven years, Sri India, we beat Pakistan twice. Not West Indies be spared the heavy dew factor Lanka have fallen agonisingly just winning but winning compre- which made gripping the ball dif- short at global events. They lost hensively. That gave our team a blew us in five ficult in Chittagong. the finals of the 50-over World lot of confidence. “We know the wicket will turn Cups in 2007 and 2011 and World “We’ve played a lot of very close overs, says but again it’s about making sure Twenty20 in 2009 and 2012. games in the last three months. we get the right pace,” Farbrace Englishman Farbrace would When you win, the confidence you said. not call it a psychological barrier. get (makes) you believe you can coach Moin “It’s not just about getting the “You could also look at it and win from anywhere.” REUTERS DHAKA: Pakistan team coach Moin Khan yesterday said his team were blown away in Latif says picking seniors backfired the last five overs by the West Indies, costing them a place in the World Twenty20 semi-finals. KARACHI: Pakistan’s new cricket chief performing only moderately behind the Former batting great Javed Miandad The West Indies blasted 82 selector Rashid Latif yesterday said rely- stumps, while Malik hit 52 runs in the tour- termed the defeat insipid. runs in the last five overs to ing on senior players had backfired after a nament and was not given a chance to bowl. “Fans and former players can accept defeat recover from a struggling 84-5 in familiar batting collapse saw the team crash Both were selected for their experience but but if you lose without putting up a good fight, the 15th over to finish with a for- out from the World Twenty20. could not prevent Pakistan from being shot like Pakistan did last night, it’s unacceptable,” midable 166-5 in their allotted 20. The 2009 champions were crushed by the out for a paltry 82 -- their second-lowest total said Miandad. Pakistan were bowled out for a West Indies on Tuesday night, sliding to an ever -- in pursuit of 167 runs. “This is a fact that Pakistan do not have paltry 82 in 17.5 overs to bow out 84-run loss after appearing to panic at the Latif also joined a chorus of ex-players quality players in batting but the team was not of the event, failing to reach the start of their chase. decrying Pakistan’s batting in particular for as bad as it looked against the West Indies,” semi-finals for the first time in Latif, who took over as chief selector on once again letting them down on the big stage. said Miandad. “The way they were stumped five editions. Tuesday, said Pakistan’s decision to select too “West Indies were outstanding in their off spinners was shameful.” Khan said the West Indies, who many senior players at the expense of youth batting and Pakistan were shocking,” he said. Ex-batsman Mohammad Yousuf, renowned are defending champions, were had led to their downfall. “They won the match because of outstanding for his elegant technique during his playing ruthless in the last five overs. “Just like Australia failed in their plans of batting and we lost it because of our batsmen.” days, blamed an inability to rotate the strike “They (West Indies) took away selecting senior players, Pakistan also fumbled After being pinned down for the first 15 under pressure for the batting failure. the game in the last five overs,” because of selecting senior players,” said the overs, Dwayne Bravo (46 off 26 balls) and skip- “Not a single batsman in the team has Khan said. “It wasn’t a case of bad former captain and wicketkeeper. per Darren Sammy (42 off 20) lifted the West proper technique to deal with the spinners bowling but (Darren) Sammy and He declined to name any players but spec- Indies by smashing a whopping 82 runs in and hitting fours and sixes is not the only way (Dwayne) Bravo batted superbly.” ulation is likely to focus on keeper Kamran the last five overs to take their team’s total to bat,” he said. Bravo hit a 26-ball 46 with four India cricket captain Mahendra Akmal and all-rounder Shoaib Malik, both to 166-5. Team coach Moin Khan, meanwhile, said sixes and two boundaries while Singh Dhoni arrives for a training aged 32 and recalled to the tournament after Opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad was Pakistan must address its flaws in batting Sammy scored a fiery 20-ball 42 session at Fatullah in Dhaka. long periods out of the side. bowled for a duck on the first ball, and before their series against Australia in the not out with two sixes and five Akmal scored just 48 runs in four outings, Pakistan thereafter never looked in the game. United Arab Emirates in October. AFP fours to give real impetus to the West Indian batting. “We could never recover from Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal went the loss of early wickets and for 41 in his four overs, only the no one could stay longer at the second time he conceded more wicket,” said Khan. Pietersen eyes new role than 40 in a Twenty20 match. Khan said Pakistan must “Those 82 runs made the differ- address its flaws in batting before LONDON: Kevin Pietersen preparation that goes in to mak- with the bat during the Ashes ence and credit to them because their series against Australia in said yesterday he was looking ing you successful -- which I’ve debacle too. Although he has re- before that we were thinking of United Arab Emirates in October. forward to sharing the benefits nailed well. signed with Surrey to play in all getting them under 140 but still “We have a big five month gap of his experience with interna- “So it’s a case of handing over formats for the Oval-based county, it was a gettable total,” said Moin. in our next series so we need to tional stars of the future now that knowledge, if someone wants Pietersen’s immediate future is as Pakistan batting panicked after improve on our batting in train- his own England career had it.” a Twenty20 ‘gun for hire’, initially they lost opener Ahmed Shehzad ing camps,” said Khan, who was been terminated. The 33-year-old batsman was with the Delhi Daredevils in the -- who hit a century in the pre- appointed coach for the preceding “It is good to come to the end of sensationally axed by the England Indian Premier League. vious match against Bangladesh Asia Cup and World Twenty20 an international career and help and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Pietersen also plans to take -- off the first delivery of their only. others who are the start of an in February following the team’s part in both English domestic T20 innings. Khan said it would be up to the international career,” Pietersen 5-0 Ashes thrashing in Australia. with Surrey and the Caribbean Spinners Samuel Badree (3-10) Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to West Indies cricketer Sunil Narine told kiaoval.com. That was despite South Africa- Premier League equivalent for and Sunil Narine (3-16) then decide about his future. attends a training session in “I won’t be forceful in my born Pietersen being England’s an as yet to be decided franchise, jolted Pakistan’s batting as four “I am available for the job but it Dhaka . knowledge. But I’ve got expe- leading run-scorer across all for- even though the two tournaments batsmen were stumped by wick- would be up to the PCB to decide,” rience in training, the mental mats and their top contributor overlap. REUTERS etkeeper Dinesh Ramdin. said Khan. AFP THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27

Barcelona’s Bayern held by Brazilian forward Neymar da Silva Santos Junior Man United at celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Old Trafford Champions League MANCHESTER: Under- I am sure we can do it.” quarter- performing Manchester United United set out to contain, final, first produced a vastly improved dis- with Michael Carrick, Marouane leg, against play to hold defending cham- Fellaini and Ryan Giggs in central Club pions Bayern Munich to a 1-1 midfield, but they had the ball in Atletico draw in the home leg of their Bayern’s net in the third minute. de Madrid Champions League quarter- Welbeck showed great skill to at the final on Tuesday night. flick the ball over Javi Martinez Camp Nou Bayern midfielder Bastian and fire home, but because the Stadium in Schweinsteiger cancelled out Bayern defender lowered his Barcelona Nemanja Vidic’s opener, but was head in the challenge, the United then sent off in the dying stages forward was penalised for a high on Tuesday. to give United extra hope ahead of foot. next week’s return leg in Munich. Bit by bit, however, the visitors With Bayern having already took control, with Franck Ribery successfully defended their putting a cross marginally too Bundesliga title and United floun- far behind Thomas Mueller and dering domestically, the English United goalkeeper David de Gea champions were given little producing a flying save to thwart chance of success in the first leg, Arjen Robben. Neymar gives Barca but they turned in a dogged per- The hosts spent most of the formance on a night that stirred first half watching Bayern string old passions at Old Trafford. passes across the face of their David Moyes’s side defended penalty area, but in the 40th manfully and after Danny minute they let a huge chance to Welbeck had squandered a gilt- take the lead go begging. hope against Atletico edged opportunity late in the first Jerome Boateng’s inability half, they took a 58th-minute lead to cut out a through ball from through Inter Milan-bound cap- Wayne Rooney left Welbeck one- tain Vidic. on-one with Manuel Neuer, but he Atletico play with great intensity, says Xavi Hernandez Schweinsteiger equalised nine elected for a scooped finish that minutes later, but United man- he miscued, allowing the Bayern aged to preserve their unbeaten goalkeeper to make a comfortable BARCELONA: Atletico home record in this season’s save. Madrid have the upper hand Manchester United’s Serbian competition, thereby breathing Undaunted, United pressed on, heading into the second leg of defender Nemanja Vidic (right) scores fresh life into a hitherto bleak with Antonio Valencia seeing a their Champions League quar- the opening goal during the UEFA campaign. shot deflected over, and although ter-final against Barcelona after Champions League quarter-final, first “The players played really well, Bayern enjoyed 78 percent of pos- holding on for a 1-1 draw at the leg match against Bayern Munich at so we’re delighted, but just a bit session in the first half, the home Camp Nou on Tuesday. Old Trafford in Manchester on Tuesday. disappointed that we conceded in side were holding their own. Diego Ribas, who had come on the end,” said Moyes. United introduced Shinji as a first-half substitute for the “We know we’ve got to score a Kagawa for Giggs at half-time injured Diego Costa, fired the visi- goal in the second leg. We have and after Schweinsteiger had put tors in front with a wonder strike to do something about it. But a warning shot over De Gea’s bar, from long range 11 minutes into we know we’ve given ourselves a the hosts went ahead. the second half. great opportunity.” Rooney arced a corner towards However, Barca responded Ten points below the Premier the back post from the left flank like a side looking to make their League’s top four, United prob- and the unmarked Vidic strained seventh consecutive Champions ably need to win the Champions his neck to steer the ball into the League semi-final and were League to qualify for next season’s bottom-right corner with the side level when Neymar swept home competition, but their courageous of his head. Andres Iniesta’s pass 19 minutes display suggested that may not be Guardiola responded by intro- from time. as fanciful a notion as previously ducing Mario Mandzukic for A fourth draw in as many thought. Mueller and the move paid swift games between the sides this sea- The draw also prevented dividends, with the Croatian son leaves the tie delicately poised Bayern from setting a new heading down Rafinha’s cross for for the return at the Vicente Champions League record of Schweinsteiger to crash an equal- Calderon next Wednesday, April eight successive away wins, but iser into the top-left corner. 9. Pep Guardiola’s side will nonethe- An injury to Alexander Buttner “It is what we expected before- less be the favourites to progress then forced United into a defen- hand, Atletico play with great ahead of the return game in sive reshuffle, but although intensity in every game,” Barca Munich. Robben twice went close in the midfielder Xavi Hernandez told “I am quite satisfied. latter stages, Moyes’s side held TVE. Manchester United has one of firm. “Their goal was a shame for have quality and make you work, Manuel Pinto, but the former on goal on 24 minutes as Thibaut the best teams in the world,” said Schweinsteiger was shown a us, it was a great goal. I think we but we are comfortable with Barca striker’s effort flew just Courtois easily gathered the Guardiola. second yellow card in the last played very well and perhaps had working hard. We played well and past the post. A minute later Brazilian’s weak headed effort. “It is always dangerous when minute after sliding in on Rooney more chances, but they played the result is great. Lionel Messi had his first open- The Atletico defence had to you go into the second leg with a and Guardiola will also be without well too. “Barca are still the favourites, ing as he was upended by Gabi be at their best moments later, 1-1 draw, but even a 2-1 victory Martinez in the second leg after “It was difficult for us to create but we have a game at home and on the edge of the area, but the though, as brilliant play from would have been dangerous. We he was booked for a foul on Javier many opportunities. We need to we will have our chances. We can Argentine dumped the resulting Messi saw the Argentine fed will try to win the second leg and Hernandez. REUTERS try and score there, but it is not dream and we will give everything free-kick into the wall. Iniesta inside the area and his a good result for us.” at the Calderon.” Barca then suffered an injury shot was blocked by Diego Godin. However, Atletico midfielder Atletico’s David Villa had the blow as Gerard Pique was forced It was the visitors who were Tiago insisted that Barca remain best chance of the first half after off after failing to recover from an then disrupted by injury to a key Bayern Munich’s favourites to progress. just five minutes as the ball fell awkward fall as he challenged for player as Costa hobbled off with a Dutch midfielder “We have worked very hard, to him inside the area after an aerial ball with Costa. pulled hamstring that will almost Arjen Robben Barca had a lot of the ball. They an errant clearance from Jose Neymar had Barca’s first effort certainly also rule him out of the reacts after return leg next week. missing a scoring However, even without their opportunity top scorer, Atletico nearly went during the UEFA in ahead at the break as Villa this Champions Pique out for four weeks, time found the target with a low League quarter- drive that was beaten away by final, first leg, Pinto low to his left. match against The pace of the game rose Manchester at the beginning of the second Costa to undergo tests period and despite Barca’s early United at Old dominance of possession, it was Trafford. BARCELONA: Barcelona will Atletico who took the lead in be without defender Gerard spectacular fashion as Diego Pique for the second leg of their Germany relaxes noise thundered a shot high into Pinto’s Champions League quarter-final top left-hand corner from fully against Atletico Madrid and the rules for World Cup 30 yards. ‘Serious problems’ at World Copa del Rey final against Real Barca laid seige to the Atletico Madrid due to a hairline frac- BERLIN: Football-mad Germany, a powerhouse in the world of goal in a bid to get back on level ture in his right hip. football, has blown the whistle on its strict noise pollution rules terms as Courtois turned Sergio Cup stadium: Government The Spanish international is -- but just for the duration of the World Cup. Busquets’ well-struck volley expected to be sidelined for four To enable fans to publicly view matches in the open air during behind before Messi was unable to SAO PAULO: Construction will only resume at Sao Paulo’s World weeks in total, the club confirmed, the championship in Brazil, the German cabinet agreed yesterday direct Dani Alves’ volleyed cross Cup stadium once it is safe for workers, the Brazilian government and may also miss the Champions to temporarily ease restrictions on noise. goalwards. said yesterday, three days after a fatal accident. League semi-finals should Barca Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks, whose ministry pre- Neymar did bring the hosts Arena de Sao Paulo, which hosts the opening match of the tourna- make it to the last four after being sented the special order, said “the collective watching of football in level on 71 minutes as his per- ment between Brazil and Croatia on June 12, had already been lagging held 1-1 at home by Atletico in the the open air is simply part of a football World Cup”. fectly timed run was matched badly behind schedule prior to the latest accident, which resulted in first leg of their tie on Tuesday. The time difference between Germany and Brazil, where the con- by Iniesta’s through ball and the the third death there since work began. Pique had to be substituted test kicks off June 12 for a month, means many matches will only Brazilian slotted the ball past “We shall only free the site (for continued work) once worker condi- just 10 minutes into the Catalans begin at around midnight German time. Courtois first time. tions are guaranteed secure,” ministry of work spokesman Luiz Antonio clash against Diego Simeone’s Hendricks stressed the provision foresaw a minimal level of pro- With the volume of the Camp Medeiros told Globo News. men after falling awkwardly as tection against noise for residents. Nou raised by the equaliser, Barca “There are serious worker security problems.” he contested an aerial ball with The final say on night-time football public viewings will lie with had all the momentum in the The venue had already been the scene of two deaths in November Diego Costa. local authorities who can weigh up individual cases in terms of the final stages and Courtois had to when a crane collapsed and on Saturday another worker died after Atletico frontman Costa then public interest versus disturbance risk. make a fine low save to his left to falling eight meters (26 feet) while installing temporary seating. had to be replaced himself 19 min- The easing of the rules must still be approved by the Bundesrat meet a curling effort from Iniesta There have been seven deaths at Brazilian World Cup venues -- three utes later as he pulled up with upper house of parliament. and then turn a Messi free-kick others in the north at Manaus and another in the capital Brasilia. a hamstring injury. However, The Bundesrat upper house represents the regional states, officials behind. However, Barca couldn’t “We all want to finish the job but what happened is very serious,” Simeone refused to speculate on said yesterday. find a winner and will travel to said Medeiros, whose ministry suspended work on temporary seating how long his top scorer could be Germany took a similar step for the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, Madrid needing to score at least at the stadium, which is owned by Corinthians club, on Monday. out for until further tests are car- as well as for Euro 2008. REUTERS once to reach the last four once Authorities have demanded that safety nets are used to protect those ried out today. REUTERS more. REUTERS working high up in the arena. REUTERS Thursday 3 April 2014 3 Jumadal II 1435 Volume 19 Number 5623 Sport Price: QR2

West Indies set Neymar saves for Sri Lanka in Barcelona first semi-final blushes

Sport | 26 Sport | 27

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 England’s FIFA orders transfer ban on Cook in favour of Pietersen Spanish giants Barcelona axe

LONDON: England captain World body highlights serious breaches of rules on under-age players Alastair Cook has given his backing for the “brave call” to end the international career of LAUSANNE: FIFA yester- Halilovic’s move to the club, offi- Kevin Pietersen. day banned Spanish giants cially announced last week, could Despite being England’s Barcelona from buying players also now be put on hold. leading run scorer across all for the next two transfer win- In February last year FIFA formats, South Africa-born bats- dows for “serious” breaches of banned six Barcelona youth team man Pietersen was axed by the rules on under-age players. players from competitive games, England and Wales Cricket Board FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee Lee Seung-Woo, Paik Seung-Ho in February following the team’s found Barcelona and the Spanish and Jang Gyeol-Hee from 5-0 Ashes thrashing in Australia. Football Association (RFEF) South Korea, Patrice Sousia of But exactly why he was sent guilty of making or allowing ille- Cameroon, France’s Theo Chendri into seemingly permanent inter- gal deals. and Bobby Adekanye, a Nigerian- national exile remains a mystery, As well as the transfer ban, Dutch teenager. with ECB statements citing a which will effectively last 14 In 2010, FIFA imposed a simi- need for team “rebuilding” and months, FIFA fined Barcelona lar transfer window ban against “trust” raising more questions 450,000 Swiss francs, (369,000 Chelsea over the signing of than answers. euros, $509,000). French youngster Gael Kakuta. Test and one-day skipper The Spanish champions were It was overturned after Chelsea Cook, to his evident discomfort, given 90 days to regularise the reached an agreement with the was unable to shed any more situation of all 10 minor players player’s former club Lens. light when speaking publicly for concerned. “The Disciplinary Committee the first time about Pietersen’s A Barcelona source said they regarded the infringements as axing during Essex’s media day were analysing the situation and serious and decided to sanction on Tuesday. would make a statement at the the club with a transfer ban at But left-handed opener Cook appropriate time, but the club both national and international was in no doubt the correct deci- are expected to appeal against level for two complete and con- sion had been taken even though the shock sanction. secutive transfer periods,” a FIFA in 2010 World Twenty20 win- Any appeal would have to statement announced. ner Pietersen’s absence -- and be lodged with FIFA’s Appeal The dramatic sanction fol- that of Cook, who doesn’t play Committee within three days and lows an investigation last year A file picture dated September 17, 2013, shows players of FC Barcelona during a training session in Barcelona, in the format -- the side bowed the club could take the case to the by FIFA, whose rules state that Spain. Barcelona were banned yesterday from signing new players for two transfer windows by the ruling football out of this year’s edition with an Court of Arbitration for Sport as a player has to be 18 to be trans- body FIFA for violating rules relating to the transfer of minors. embarrassing dead-rubber defeat a final measure. ferred, unless the player falls into by the non-Test Netherlands in The ban is a new blow to the one of three specific cases. Bangladesh on Monday. image of Europe’s most successful FIFA fined the Spanish federa- 1-August 31 for the pre-season from the national border being 24 hours after Barcelona’s 1-1 “It was a brave call which took club of the 21st Century following tion 500,000 Swiss francs for their window and January 1-February crossed. Barcelona were caught draw with Atletico Madrid in the guts and consideration,” said Cook alleged tax evasion in its signing role in the under-age player affair 1 for the mid-season window. out by FIFA’s web-based Transfer Champions League quarter-final of the decision to ditch Pietersen. of star Brazilian Neymar. and gave them one year to modify The world football body looked Matching System which became first leg. “You do have to say at some If upheld, the ban would rules concerning international at cases involving players signed mandatory for all international Barca’s goal was scored by point, ‘This is the way we’re going have serious consequences for transfers of minors. by Barcelona between 2009 and transfers of professional male Neymar, whose scandal-mired to do it moving forward.’” Barcelona, especially with vet- Both Barcelona and the 2013. footballers in October 2010. transfer triggered the downfall Something clearly deterio- erans Carles Puyol and injured Spanish federation were found International rules ban any FIFA said it took the protection of Barca president Sandro Rosell rated in the relationship between goalkeeper Victor Valdes set to guilty of illegal deals involving transfer of a minor unless the of minors in football “very seri- and saw the club indicted for an Pietersen and Cook given the leave in June. “the international transfer and player’s parents have moved ously”, and warned that “young alleged tax fraud of 13.5 million latter’s role in bringing the star The Catalans were expected to first registration of non-Spanish country; the move takes place football players are vulnerable to euros. shotmaker’s role back into the complete the signing of German minors with the club”. within the European Union if exploitation and abuse in a for- Barca have protested their England fold after he was tempo- international goalkeeper Andre The dates of the Spanish a player is aged between 16 and eign country without the proper innocence throughout the Neymar rarily banished following his fall- Ter-Stegen to replace Valdes. transfer windows covered by 18; or the player’s home is less controls.” inquiry by a Spanish judge. out with then captain Andrew Croatian international Alen yesterday’s punishment are July than 50 kilometers (31 miles) The sanction came less than REUTERS Strauss in 2012 which came after several disagreements with Andy Flower, the coach at the time. Cook hinted at the current problem on Tuesday by saying: “We all know how important Qatar’s Barshim eyes Sotomayor’s mark team culture and team unity is. It was obviously a very big and important decision.” DOHA: Qatar’s recently minted Since he made his break- “I was in really good shape. But he was unable to put the World indoor high jump cham- through in 2010 with a 2.31m leap 2.38 was really great, a new topic to bed, with some mem- pion Mutaz Essa Barshim when still a junior, Barshim has Asian (indoor) record. But I bers of the England hierarchy believes that Javier Sotomayor’s been on a steady climb to even- think I could have jumped higher having previously indicated they 2.45m world record, set nearly tually claim his spot among the if I wasn’t already the winner. I are barred from saying anything 21 years ago and one of the old- event’s big three. needed more pushing, more pres- specific about Pietersen’s exit est on the books, could finally In 2011 he improved to 2.35m sure. Then I was already happy so because of legal reasons. fall this year. when taking the Asian title, it was hard to focus.” Cook said he understood the “It’s very possible,” Barshim scaled an Asian record 2.39m in His homecoming as world annoyance of England fans, said, speaking on an interna- Lausanne in the run-up campaign indoor champion, beginning with bemused at why a world-class tional media conference call ear- to the London Games the follow- a welcome reception at Doha air- player and the team’s leading run- lier today from his home in Doha. ing year and improved again to port, was one he’ll never forget. scorer in Australia, was no longer Mutaz Barshim “I can’t say yes or no. But any- 2.40m last season in Eugene. Only “It was big, everyone was so part of the set-up but pleaded for celebrating thing is possible.” four men have ever jumped higher happy, I really appreciated that,” patience and said the truth would one of his His isn’t the brash talk of an outdoors. he said. “It’s really nice to see how emerge soon. jumps during overly confident 22-year-old. It’s Along the way he’s taken everyone is really happy for you “I know things will become last year’s simply an observation by one of Olympic bronze in 2012 and World and what you have done. You for- clearer in a little bit of time. Doha Diamond the finest jumpers in the world championships silver in 2013 get all the hard training moments “I know it is frustrating. It is League. who happens to be competing dur- before his World indoor triumph and all of the sacrifices that you frustrating for me, because I have Barshim, 22, ing one of the most exceptional last month. have made and realise, ‘I didn’t do not totally been able to tell my says Javier periods in his event’s history. “We had just two goals (for the this for nothing’.” side of the story. People just have Sotomayor’s “I think the high jump is at the indoor season),” he said. “To win He’s certainly not predicting to be a little bit patient. Everyone 2.45m world best level now so I think there can the Asian indoors, and then of any records for his appearance is going to keep asking that ques- record could be a world record at any given course to win the World indoors.” at the Diamond League kick-off tion until we give the answers -- fall. time this season,” he explained. That he did in style with a in Doha on 9 May, but admits he but at the moment we just can’t.” Looking at the short list of his 2.38m clearance to polish off a would be very pleased with a vic- Limited overs coach Ashley contemporaries, his assessment perfect score card of seven suc- tory on home turf after finishing Giles remains the favourite to seems to be on target. cessive first attempt clearances. third in 2011 and second last year. succeed Flower, who stood down Ukraine’s Bohdan Bondarenko, “We knew we could win the “(The Doha Diamond League) after the Ashes whitewash, as the reigning World champion gold. It would just depend on how is always early in the season and England’s new head coach, despite outdoors, has topped 2.41m and it went during the competition, I’m in really hard training, and I the Dutch debacle. sits at No. 3 on the event’s all- the rhythm, how I was going to don’t interrupt my training,” he Cook gave Giles his support time list. Ivan Ukhov of Russia, feel at the moment. I was really said. “Of course I always want to by saying: “He’s a very, very good the reigning Olympic champion, confident, and really concen- give my best. It’s my home town. coach. He’s a fantastic coach and scaled 2.42m indoors in February. trating.” It was an Asian indoor My family and friends are there. a very good man as well. The final Only Sotomayor has jumped record, but Barshim believes he You just want to do your best.” decision is with the board, that is higher indoors or out. could have gone higher. THE PENINSULA their job.” REUTERS