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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Emir meets Maldives President QFIB is Qatar Govt urged to First Bank

DOHA: Qatar First Investment Bank (QFIB), the country’s act as shop first independent Shariah- compliant bank regulated by QFC Regulatory Authority, has re-branded itself and announced yesterday that it has changed its rents shoot up name to Qatar First Bank (QFB). QFB’s future plans include the opening of an exclusive high end branch that will offer a portfo- Call to re-enact old rent law lio of financial services including investment products such as sukuk DOHA: Shop rents have been later, in February 2010, after which funds, direct private equity co- skyrocketing due to a severe the government withdrew the cap investment, in addition to trans- shortage caused mainly by dem- on yearly house rent increases. Due action services such as credit cards, olition of old buildings, and citi- to a shortage of shops the cap on cheque books and transfers. zens are urging the government their rents remained in force, but To date, the bank has invested to intervene. it was withdrawn later. QR1.5bn in 16 transactions span- People say a law that was However, demolition of buildings ning five different sectors, seven enforced in February 2008 to put that had shops on their ground geographies and successfully caps of 10 to 15 percent on annual floors, in and outside Doha, con- exited four investments. rent increases by property owners tinued, which added to the short- The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani with President of Maldives Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan THE PENINSULA should be re-enacted. ages and jacked up demand. “Some at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. Bilateral relations and ways to boost them as well as issues of mutual concern Full report on page 17 House rents have been showing property owners are so greedy, were discussed. only marginal upward movement, they wouldn’t let an opportunity so there are hardly any worries go where they can raise the rent,” on that count at the moment, but said another citizen. the situation as regards shops is According to him, the end alarming, businessmen say. result of the rising rents is that In some cases, shop rents have prices have been increasing as Price index for construction materials been raised by the owners by 100 shopkeepers are eventually pass- percent, and tenants who are ing on the burden to consumers. DOHA: Qatar has launched an Ministry of Business and Trade thickness is available for QR2,990 the panel had closely coordinated petty traders have no option but “So, ultimately, it is the people who index which will monitor pric- vide a decision issued by the State a tonne, whereas, cement bags with various government agen- to pay through the nose, a citizen are paying the price for the steep ing and availability of basic Cabinet last year to prepare the (of 50kg each) are sold for QR13 cies, mainly the Qatar Statistics said, asking not to be named. increase in shop rents,” he added. construction materials on a index and launch and monitor it apiece in the local market. Authority, to prepare the index. Several old markets in and out He said the 2008 law was monthly basis and issue an alert on a monthly basis. Bitumen’s rate is QR37 per 16kg. He said the panel was set up of Doha that had large numbers implemented by the government if there are shortages, to ensure The index will be made avail- Limestone, on the other hand, is late last year and the idea behind of shops have been demolished, as house rents had climbed to that the mega development able to smartphone users in the the cheapest of all building materi- launching the index was to issue an leaving their tenants in the lurch, alarmingly high levels from 2006 projects to be launched for the near future, committee officials als — QR20 per tonne. The rate of alert in advance in case of a sudden said the citizen. “These tenants due to large-scale demolitions 2022 soccer World Cup are not told reporters yesterday. fine sand is marginally up (by QR5) shortage of any building material, are forced to look for alternative and due to an acute shortage. A affected in the least. Bitumen and aggregates are since the start of the current year, and ask importers to take immedi- commercial space, which is simply result of the steep rise in rents The government has put the cost imported — the latter from Ras according to committee officials. ate steps to meet the shortfall. not available.” was that inflation in 2008 peaked of the construction projects to be Al Khaimah in the United Arab Dr Aamir Al Addad, secretary of The committee has plans to reg- The demand for shops is going at a record 15 percent. launched for the 2022 FIFA event Emirates and Oman, and their the committee, said at a news con- ularly hold symposiums, workshops up steeply, fuelled largely by the The legislation came at the right at a whopping QR584bn ($160bn) prices have surged three percent ference that the cost of infrastruc- and meetings with project manag- demolitions, and there is a severe time and helped stabilise the rental over the next 10 years. Cement, and 25 percent, respectively, in ture development projects over the ers, importers and senior officials shortage. Taking advantage of market. “We are facing a similar steel, coarse and fine sand, lime- recent months. next 10 years has been estimated at of construction and contracting the increasing demand and acute situation with regard to shops now, stone, bitumen and crushed Coarse sand with transport an astronomical QR584bn. companies on the issue of pricing short supply, commercial property so a law that puts caps on annual stones (construction aggregates costs is priced at QR890 a tonne, Majid Al Mahmoud, Assistant and availability of construction owners are increasing rents. shop rent increases is urgently used in road construction) have while the price of fine sand is Undersecretary in-charge of busi- materials in the country. The law that was enforced on needed,” said a shop tenant. been included in the index. QR500 a tonne, including freight ness affairs at the trade ministry, THE PENINSULA February 15, 2008 expired two years THE PENINSULA A committee was set up at the charges. Steel of eight millimetre who heads the committee, said Picture on page 5

Yemen protest Al Jazeera to Ashghal ensures pedestrian launch British safety at work zones DOHA: A new Work Zone Traffic Management Guide launched by and French Public Works Authority (Ashghal) yesterday makes it mandatory for road contractors to ensure safety of pedestrians at work zones. news channels The guide also makes it compulsory to make temporary arrange- ments for pedestrians during road works. The new guide launched DOHA: Al Jazeera television by Nasser Ali Al Mawlali, President of Ashghal, took immediate network said yesterday that it effect. It directs construction contractors and other entities on was preparing to launch a news safety policies that need to be followed in all roads projects. The channel in Britain while studies guidelines will be revised annually. THE PENINSULA are at an advanced stage for a Full report on page 2 French-language channel. “We are currently working to launch a news channel from the Times publishes apology on United Kingdom,” said the net- work’s Director General Sheikh ‘Qatar Dream League’ story Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani here, adding it will be called Al LONDON: Britain’s Times newspaper has published a full climb- Jazeera UK. down following an internal investigation of the ‘Qatar Dream The British channel will broad- League’ story it ran last week, an episode the paper yesterday cast for five hours during prime described as a “journalistic nightmare”. In a column headlined time as a cut-in UK content aired Yemeni protesters take part in a demonstration calling for independence from Sana’a, in Aden, yesterday. The ‘When we are wrong, we will hold our hands up. It’s the right on Al Jazeera English channel, anti-dialogue rally that called for secession took place as President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi warned Yemenis thing to do’, the newspaper’s Football Editor Tony Evans said which was opened in 2006, an Al against the use of force to express political views, as he opened talks to pave the way for the drafting of a it had appeared increasingly clear that the newspaper had been Jazeera official told AFP. new constitution and the staging of elections. duped, and that their checks had not been stringent enough in Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim the rush to publication. See also page 28 also said that studies were at an “advanced stage” to launch a French-language channel aimed Syrian warplanes ‘bomb Lebanon’ at “building bridges with other Oman court frees eight activists on bail cultures and peoples”. DAMASCUS: Syrian warplanes bombed northern Lebanon for The network which opened Al MUSCAT: Oman’s appeal court months in prison after being date had been set for the retrial. the first time in what Washington labelled “a significant esca- Jazeera Balkan in Sarajevo in 2011 has freed on bail eight out of 11 detained at protests over unem- Oman’s Supreme Court on lation” of the conflict. Damascus warplanes were accused of is readying to open Al Jazeera jailed demonstrators pending a ployment and corruption. March 4 ordered a retrial after bombing the border area between Syria and Lebanon, report- Turkish, he said. retrial ordered by the Supreme “The supreme court has the group went on hunger strike edly targeting the town of Arsal in east Lebanon. A high-ranking Al Jazeera has revolutionised Court after they staged a hunger ordered the appeal court to for several days in February to Lebanese army official said four missiles had been fired, appar- the Arabic-language media and strike against their imprison- release on bail the eight activists press their case that their impris- ently aiming for Syrian rebels positions inside Lebanon. A top reporting on the Middle East ment, their lawyer said yesterday. until a new trial is announced. onment was unlawful. A higher US official confirmed the strikes, denouncing them as “unac- since its foundation in 1996. The men, convicted of forming They are out today,” Khalifa Al court had earlier rejected their ceptable”. Meanwhile, the opposition coalition met in Istanbul to Its coverage has many times an illegal gathering, were jailed last Hinai, their lawyer, said. Those requests for an appeal. Oman has choose its first prime minister. “The vote is likely to take place caused disruption to the chan- year in a security crackdown after freed paid bail of OR200 ($520) sought to placate demonstrators today. We are still discussing differences are over how capable nel’s operations in a number of protests in the sultanate inspired while the three still in prison were by pledging to create tens of thou- and loyal to the revolution each candidate is,” Coalition deputy Arab countries. by Arab uprisings elsewhere. awaiting the Supreme Court’s sands of public sector jobs. head Soheir Atassi said. See also page 9 AFP They were sentenced to 18 orders, Hinai said, adding that no REUTERS AGENCIES TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2013 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Ashghal work PM receives Patriarch Theodoros II guide focuses on pedestrians New work zone traffic guide launched

BY FAZEENA SALEEM

DOHA: A new Work Zone Traffic Management Guide launched by Public Works Authority (Ashghal) yesterday makes it mandatory for road contractors to ensure safety of pedestrians at work zones. The guide also makes it compulsory to make tempo- rary arrangements for pedestri- ans during road works. Developed by Ashghal to replace the Traffic Control and Road Works Guide, the new guidelines emphasise that facili- Improved road signs in yellow col- ties must be provided for pedes- our should be displayed. trians that are appropriate to Speed limits for motorists will existing routes and provide seg- be enforced strictly and monitored regation from work activities. by radar and surveillance cameras. The new guide launched by The planning and assessment of T he Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani received yesterday Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Nasser Ali Al Mawlali, President risk should also include an emer- Alexandria and All Africa, and his delegation. of Ashghal, at Hilton Doha, took gency plan so that work in progress immediate effect. is not disturbed. It directs construction contrac- “The Work Zone Traffic tors and other entities on safety Management Guide will improve policies that need to be followed in traffic management around work all roads projects. The guidelines sites as it prescribes best interna- CMC open to woman as secretary-general will be revised annually. tional safely standards and regula- Describing temporary traf- tions,” said Yusuf Abdulrahman Al DOHA: The public representa- (pictured), said that he, his dep- working in a finance and admin- fic measures that are meant to Emadi (pictured), Head of Major tive body, the Central Municipal uty (the vice-chairman) and three istration department. The can- be used at work zones across all Road Projects. Council (CMC), is open to the members of the council will be sit- didate should be fluent in English road networks, the guide instructs “Temporary traffic manage- idea of having a woman as sec- ting on the selection committee. (written and spoken) and must that traffic diversion plans must ment will be implemented accord- retary-general, and says the “The committee will be framing have good computer skills. ensure safety and international ing to the nature of the road and post is to be filled by seeking a necessary requirements for the Applications will be scrutinised standards should be followed for required work,” he told a press vote on short-listed candidates post so we pick the right candi- and suitable candidates will be long- and short-term work. conference on the sidelines of the in the council. date,” he said. short-listed. Work should be done during guide’s launch. The CMC will soon set up a The vacancy will then be adver- The candidate for the post will off-peak hours as much as pos- The guidelines are being man- committee which will receive tised in local newspapers and be decided by the CMC members sible, extra planning should be dated in all Ashghal contracts, applications from prospective applications will be received from through a secret ballot during an made if work is done at night and and existing projects are given candidates for the post, which is next month. official session of the council, said work-related vehicles should not six months to comply with the administrative, and short-listed Regarding the basic require- the chairman. be parked on busy roads. new requirements. Inspectors at candidates who fulfil the criteria. ments for the job, Al Hanzab said He said Qatari women can also The guidelines make it com- Ashghal will visit work sites to The post fell vacant after the the candidate should be a Qatari apply. “I believe Qatari women pulsory for contractors to ensure ensure the new guidelines are fol- incumbent secretary-general was citizen with good character and have the ability to work as secre- that there is enough visibility for lowed by the contractors. removed about a fortnight ago. behaviour and must be a graduate tary-general of the CMC.” motorists to see warning signs. THE PENINSULA CMC Chairman, Saud Al Hanzab with 10 to 15 years of experience THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 First edition of Innovate Qatar opens at DEC Attiyah inaugurates technology expo

DOHA: The first edition of for the nation,” he said. Innovate Qatar, the nation’s The Innovate Qatar Showcasing first dedicated new technol- Area opens today at 4pm and fea- ogy and innovations exhibition, tures speakers talking about their opened at the Doha Exhibition latest innovation concepts, proto- Centre (DEC) yesterday. types, and products. The Chairman of the Featuring experts from Qatar Administrative Control and University, Qatar Green Building Transparency Authority, H E Council, Qatar Plastic Products, Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah, Global Innovations Conference, inaugurated the exhibition, and Global Trade Links, the attended by representatives from showcasing area promises to dis- the industry and the public sector. play concrete examples of innova- “Innovate Qatar is still in its tion research being undertaken in infancy but already we see tre- Qatar or relevant to Qatar. mendous interest in this multi- International and local experts industry innovation-focused will also deliver talks at the iQ exhibition. Next year, we hope Lectures which start at 6pm, to to invite all government institu- be hosted by Khalifa Haroon — tions to exhibit their innovations Co-Founder of ILoveQatar.net. at Innovate Qatar,” said Attiyah. Among the topics are Rinal Chaaban, Exhibitions ‘Inventions, Innovations and the The Chairman of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority, H E Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah, inaugurating the Innovate Qatar 2013 Manager, said, “We truly believe Long Way to Reach the Market’, exhibition at Doha Exhibition Centre, yesterday. (SALIM MATRAMKOT) that a platform like this can pro- ‘Intro to Intellectual Property’, pel Qatar to become a destination ‘Innovation in Design: Making the aiming to showcase tangible con- Qatar University, the QU Centre RedBull has put up a memo- An Entrepreneurship Zone for innovations — both homeg- Invisible Visible’ and ‘Innovating cepts that will open up the audi- for Advanced Materials, College rable showcase of a game used to which features some of Qatar’s rown and imported. without Fear’. ence’s perspective as to what is of the North Atlantic Qatar, be played a long time ago in Qatar budding entrepreneurs, inventors “Qatar is aiming to achieve “Our aim with the showcasing being done in Qatar and what Qatar Green Building Council, — Dahrooj — involving a stick and and innovators has been set up by numerous large-scale projects in area and iQ lectures is to bring opportunities lie ahead,” said iHorizons, Al Emadi Hospital, a wheel. Red Bull has set up a life- ILoveQatar.net. the coming years, and utilising to the fore voices that have not Chaaban. Qatar Skills Academy, Cedar size circuit for visitors to play in The expo is open until tomor- innovations to set a global stand- been heard too much around the Nearly 40 exhibitors are fea- White Bradley, German Business and experience the roots of sports row from 3pm to 9pm at the DEC. ard in every industry is essential speaking circuit in Qatar. We are tured at the expo, including Council and Red Bull. innovation. THE PENINSULA Advisory Council urges priority to Qatari engineering firms DOHA: The Advisory Council regulates the profession and prac- The members will be from of day after the legislation is firms has been recommended consultancy firms, the council has urged the government to tice of engineering and engineer- the Ministry of Municipality enforced, the council said. to be for two years, after which said, but added that those holding give priority to Qatari engi- ing consultancy firms. and Urban Planning, the While engineers are to be the licence is to be renewed. No advanced degrees and teaching neering consultancies in award- Marathon discussions on the Interior Ministry, Public Works licensed for three years, the ten- government employees should in a college should be treated as ing projects and where it is proposed amendments were held Authority (Ashghal), the energy ure of licence for consultancy be allowed to own engineering an exception. THE PENINSULA necessary to award a project to at three sessions of the coun- and industry sector, Qatar a foreign consultancy, it should cil, one of which was attended Petroleum, Civil Defence and be asked to have a partnership by the Minister of Municipality Qatar University. with a local consultancy. and Urban Planning, H E Sheikh The council, however, said the The council has also recom- Abdul Rahman bin Khalifa Al chairman and the vice-chairman mended that Qatari engineering Thani. of the panel must be from the students must be provided finan- A key recommendation was Ministry of Municipality and cial assistance as an incentive. that a nine-member committee Urban Planning. The council made the rec- be formed that would classify The existing law should be in ommendations while debating engineers and engineering firms force until the executive regula- amendments to the law that and give away licences to practise. tions of the new law see the light AAHCI regional forum gathers global health experts in Doha

DOHA: International health experts assembled in Doha for the first Middle East and North Africa (Mena) regional meet- ing, co-hosted by the US-based Association of Academic Health Centres International (AAHCI) and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). The two-day meeting opened yesterday in the presence of the Minister of Health and Secretary- General of the Supreme Council of Health H E Abdullah bin Khalid Al Qahtani at The Ritz- Carlton Doha. It is focusing on the develop- ment of and models for academic health centres. Experts from the US, Qatar, the UK, the Netherlands, Singapore, Canada, Oman, Saudi Arabia, India and Lebanon spoke at the event, attended by senior health leaders from the Mena region. Academic health systems inte- made by Qatar’s Academic Health Wartman (pictured), said that grate research, education and System (AHS), which is using a in recent years, there had been clinical care in a unique manner model unique to the region. renewed global interest in the to focus on improving patient care “Qatar’s AHS is bringing role of academic health systems and delivering innovative health- together our nation’s education in leading the transformation of care solutions. and healthcare partners to real- health services through an inte- The Washington DC-based ise a shared vision of high-quality grated approach to clinical prac- AAHCI was formed in recognition patient care,” Dr Al Kuwari said. tice, education and research. that the global healthcare com- “Our AHS was launched in “We are grateful to have this munity is rapidly becoming more August 2011 in the presence of landmark AAHCI Inaugural interconnected with many oppor- Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Middle East & North Africa tunities for institutional learning. Nasser, who has been a passionate Regional Meeting hosted in Qatar. AAHCI is the only international advocate for the aims and objec- “It is indeed impressive to see organisation providing a platform tives of the system which will the great strides being made in for this engagement, interaction pioneer clinical discoveries and Qatar to create one of the first and leadership. make these innovations available nation-wide academic health HMC, together with six part- to patients. systems. ner organisations, is developing a “We have made much progress “The model that is being devel- nationwide academic health sys- since the launch of our partner- oped holds great potential for tem, a first in the Mena region. ship 18 months ago and have an achieving AAHCI’s global mission HMC Managing Director, Dr ambitious strategy to deliver.” of advancing and applying knowl- Hanan Al Kuwari, said the gath- AAHCI President and Chief edge to improve health and well- ering highlighted progress being Executive Officer, Dr Steven A being.” THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2013 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Minister meets Azerbaijan official Qatar UK 2013 lines up next series of events

DOHA: Organisers of the Qatar forward to a year of valuable a British company that is very UK 2013 yesterday announced cooperation and exchange, which proud to be operating success- the next series of events for will celebrate our cultures and fully in Qatar through our part- the year-long celebration of friendship.” nership with Qatar Foundation. partnership between the two The latest announcements fol- Our priority is to fully integrate countries through arts, culture, low last week’s visit to Qatar by into Qatari society, to support education, science and sport. the Prince of Wales, who is UK the Qatar National Vision 2030 The latest events which are Patron of Qatar UK 2013, and by building a world class telecom- held in Katara include Arts his wife the Duchess of Cornwall. munications infrastructure and and Disability Festival featuring They visited a number of current to do whatever we can to support dance, music, visual arts and film Qatar UK 2013 events, including a the excellent and growing rela- created by leading British deaf preview of the upcoming Ferozkoh tionships between UK and Qatar.” and disabled artists (March 15 exhibition at the Museum of THE PENINSULA The Minister of State for Interior Affairs H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani met Wahid Aliyev, to 30); Hey’ Ya: Arab Women in Islamic Art, the launch of the deputy head of the Presidential Cabinet and Advisor to the President on Security and Defence Affairs of the Sport exhibition by photographer Qatar-UK Alumni Network and Third Man to be Republic of Azerbaijan yesterday. They discussed bilateral cooperation. Brigitte Lacombe and filmmaker the Designed to Win exhibition Marian Lacombe (March 7 to at Katara. screened at MIA June 16); an exhibition of work Qatargas, Shell and Vodafone by British photographer, Martin were announced as platinum DOHA: Academy Award Parr (March 18 to May 18), and sponsors of the event during a winner British classic The performances by world-renowned press conference yesterday. Third Man will be screened at Sadler’s Wells dance company Khalid bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Museum of Islamic Art US working with Qatar (May 25 to 30). Chief Executive Officer, Qatargas, Auditorium on March 28 and Forthcoming UK events include said: “Qatargas has a strong rela- 29 as part of the Qatar UK 2013 the launch of an Arabic language tionship with the UK as a major celebrations. and culture programme in the UK customer for us and our associa- The winner of Grand Prix schools and Pearls (September 21, tion with this initiative gives us from the Cannes Film Festival, on reforms: Diplomat 2013 to January 2014), an exhi- an opportunity to build on that the 1949 film directed by Carol bition at the Victoria & Albert relationship and add value to the Reed follows the novelist Holly (V&A) Museum in London, co- cultural, educational and arts side Martins (Joseph Cotten) as he Washington to set up Journalist Response Fund curated by QMA and the V&A. of it,” he said. visits Vienna shortly after the Qatar UK 2013 is the second “With our long-standing part- First World War, while it is under BY AZMAT HAROON basis of who applies. But so far, in bilateral year of culture coor- nerships with UK institutions international control and rife countries like Qatar, the demand dinated by Qatar Museums that invest in research, educa- with corruption. DOHA: The US Department of has come largely from citizen Authority (QMA). tion and youth development, we Holly soon finds himself inves- State’s Middle East Partnership groups,” she said. H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint see ourselves as a partner for tigating the suspicious death of Initiative (MEPI) is work- She said that under the Voices Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, all that stands for innovation in his old friend, the black market- ing with Qatar on a number of of Women project, a number of Chairperson of QMA, said: “We Qatar. Qatar UK 2013 is the per- eer Harry Lime (Orson Welles), programmes, including trade Qatari women here expressed are proud of the success achieved fect opportunity to take stock of and so begins this celebrated tale agreements and commercial their opinions on a range of issues, with our international cultural and celebrate our countries’ joint of love and murder. Carol Reed’s law reforms, a senior US diplo- including education, labour law, exchanges, which began with achievements and to look forward acknowledged noir masterpiece, mat said. migrant workers and poverty. Qatar Japan in 2012. This bilat- to an ever-more fruitful relation- The Third Man features brilliant This includes programmes As per the 2012 Forum for eral exchange with the UK gives ship,” said Rob Sherwin, General performances by Cotten, Welles, on best practices in energy law, the Future Declaration, the US us the opportunity to promote Manager of Corporate Affairs at Alida Valli and Trevor Howard in arbitration and alternative dis- will establish a new Journalist cultural dialogue and programmes Qatar Shell. a finely honed, masterful script by pute resolution, the US Deputy Response Fund this year to pro- that build bridges between our Richard Daly, CEO, Vodafone Graham Greene. Assistant Secretary Nazanin Ash vide training to at-risk journalists, two countries. We are looking Qatar said: “Vodafone Qatar is THE PENINSULA (pictured) said during a digital bloggers, and citizen journalists, video conference held at the US and to offer emergency assistance embassy here yesterday. to journalists facing difficulties or She was speaking about the repression. outcomes of the G8-Broader Centre for Entrepreneurship and “The Journalists Response Middle East and North Africa Innovation. Fund is modelled on what we Forum for the Future that was Previously, the Solidarity call the human rights defenders held in Tunisia last December. Center and NHRC had signed fund, which will provide immedi- All the MEPI projects in Qatar, an agreement to cooperate on ate legal support to journalists. targeted at women and youth, human and worker rights issues We will also be providing finan- were launched with the under- and fighting human trafficking. cial and technical assistance as standing and support of the gov- The agreement aimed at extend- journalists who go through the ernment, the diplomat said. ing legal protection to migrants program,” Ash said. “We have an ongoing pro- and to provide workers access to The US will also launch the gramme with Qatar University information about their rights. Freedom of Association Index, a (QU) and the American Bar Launched in 2002, MEPI pro- new tool to measure the ease of Association that focuses on pro- vides support to government and forming and operating an NGO, viding technical assistance for the civil society groups in the region comparable to the World Bank’s establishment of legal clinics that in the form of small grants, train- “Doing Business” report. This will focus on women’s rights,” Ash ing and exchange programmes will help NGOs advocate for legal said. that aim to empower civil society. changes and will help countries The 2012 Forum for the From Qatar, MEPI has so far enact new rules to benefit the civil Future saw strong participa- only seen requests for support society. tion from Qatari organisations, from citizen groups on various The Mena Partnership for which included the National programmes, the diplomat said Democracy and Development Human Rights Committee while answering a question about (MPD) is another project that (NHRC), Qatar Foundation initiatives lead by expatriate com- will see extensive US support in FROM LEFT: Martin Hope, British Council Director; Miguel Blanco-Carrasco, Strategic Cultural Relations Director for the Protection of Women munities here. the region. at QMA; Khalid bin Khalifa Al Thani, CEO of Qatargas; Rob Sherwin, Deputy Country Chair of Shell, and Richard and Children and the Roudha “We don’t discriminate on the THE PENINSULA Daly, CEO of Vodafone, at a press conference yesterday. MoI forum discusses women’s role DOHA: A seminar for the women staff culture, business and charity work and she promotion and protection of human rights of the Ministry of Interior on “developing occupies leadership positions at government in the Arab world. a culture of dialogue to promote human level and within civil society institutions,” She added that four factors have great rights” marked the second day of the Sheikha Amal said. role to play in promoting human rights. Arab Human Rights Day events at the She added that Qatar has made many They are social and educational environ- Crowne Plaza hotel. steps to protect women and children ment that are embodied in the family and The activities are organised by the through legislations and establishment the school, state and its various institutions, Human Rights Department of the of bodies such as the Supreme Council national institutions on human rights and ministry. for Family Affairs, Qatar Foundation the civil society. In her introductory address, Sheikha for Child and Women Protection, Dr Asma Abdullah Al Atiyya, head of Amal bint Jassim Al Thani, member of the Family Counselling Centre and Doha psychology section at faculty of education Committee for Women’s Affairs and head International Institute for Family Studies at Qatar University, presented a paper of the Social Initiatives Team at Human at Qatar Foundation. on ‘dialogue, psychological gateway and Rights Department of the Ministry of Dr Siham Farooq, education officer at human rights’ while Dr Hayat Marafiya, Interior, highlighted the influential role Human Rights Department of Arab League Director of Qatar Debates Centre spoke on being played by the Qatari women in vari- gave a lecture on ‘dialogue and tolerance to the role of the centre in developing a cul- ous sectors. protect human rights’. ture of dialogue and debate in educational “Qatari woman has an influential pres- She said that Arab League adopted institutions. ence in the fields of education, health, this theme as it sees an urgent need for THE PENINSULA

TAMUQ to bring Mary Kay centre to Qatar

DOHA: Texas A&M University at Qatar minimising losses within the process indus- Dr Sam Mannan, executive director of (TAMUQ) will soon bring an extension of try through safer processes, management, the MKOPSC-Qatar, said: “The establish- Texas-based Mary Kay O’Connor Process equipment and procedures. ment of the Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Centre (MKOPSC) to Doha. Dr Kenneth Hall, Associate Dean for Safety Centre in Doha represents a major The extension will replicate all academic Research and Graduate Studies at TAMUQ, step forward in bringing all the success- programmes and activities of the centre said: “The Qatar Process Safety Symposium ful programs and activities that have been at the university’s main campus in College has become a showcase for the commitment developed at the main campus in College Station, Texas. of the university to improving the quality Station to Texas A&M at Qatar. TAMUQ signed a MoU with MKOPSC of life in Qatar. This year, the symposium “These programmes will lead to the during the annual Qatar Process Safety contained an event of special significance. integration of process safety into cur- Symposium recently held at the Qatar The Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety riculum in the education, research and National Convention Centre (QNCC). Centre, the premier academic programme service programs of Texas A&M at Qatar. The centre’s mission is to promote safety addressing this crucial issue, located in This will be of tremendous mutual ben- as a second nature in industry around the College Station, Texas, elected to establish efit for the University and the industry world with goals to prevent future accidents. its extension in Texas A&M University at in Qatar.” It is set to be an international leader in Qatar.” THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05

Veterinary clinic ‘All Arab countries face transition’ taken to task DOHA: The Public Prosecution has filed charges against a vet- Final day of Al Jazeera Forum discusses post-revolution era in Arab Spring countries erinary clinic for prescribing a wrong medicine that resulted in DOHA: All Arab countries will revolution as a conspiracy and the Middle East Graduate Studies Abdul Karim Saif, Director of of Centre for Arab Unity Studies the death of several animals in have to pass through the tran- gradually they become agents of Programme at University of Saba Centre for Strategic Studies in Lebanon, said the Libyan peo- a farm. sitional period the Arab Spring the security apparatus. Exeter, who was the first speaker in Yemen, said that one of the ple had made significant progress The clinic was sued following countries have experienced, “Intellectuals who are critical at the session, said that a demo- main challenges facing Yemen towards achieving the goals of the a complaint lodged by the farm says Dr Azmi Bishara, noted of the regime should not slip down cratic transition was not possible was to shift from revolution to a revolution despite challenges. owner that a number of animals intellectual and Director of the to refusing the revolution because through reconciliation with secu- democratic system in a peaceful “No common road map could at his farm died after they were Doha-based Arab Centre for this will take them to a position rity forces. way. be applied in all Arab Spring given the medicine prescribed Research and Policy Studies. similar to those who are opposing “Democratic systems require “It is not easy to agree on the countries. by the facility, Al Sharq reported Delivering the keynote address the revolution,” said Bishara. to bring the security institu- process of transition, since those “For instance, in Egypt the yesterday. at the seventh Al Jazeera Forum He said victory sometimes tions under elected leaders and sponsoring the process may not security and military institutions Repeated incidents of animals which concluded at Doha evokes euphoria among those weapons to disappear from the agree among themselves… What are still enjoying important status dying at the farm prompted the Sheraton yesterday, Bishara who created the revolution and political landscape. This means Saudi Arabia wants may not be while these institutions is Libya owner to lodge the complaint. The said: “Revolution is not simply they start considering themselves the military uniforms will be the same the Americans want,” have collapsed and replaced by animals developed symptoms of a conflict between good and bad holy cows. out of the political process,” said said Saif. regional and tribal forces,” said an unknown disease leading to people but it means dissolution He noted that the post-rev- Ashour. He said the unrest in Yemen Saif. their sudden death, said the daily. of a regime, not just sacking olution era in the Arab Spring Tunisia began to implement during the revolution led to the Bashir Abdel Fattah, Investigations and medical individuals.” countries had resulted in some this by appointing a defence min- creation of tribal and regional researcher at Al Ahram Centre examinations conducted by the He classified intellectuals into negative phenomena such as ister, while Egypt still could not militias, with the leader of the for Political and Strategic law enforcement authorities two types — those who are critical crimes, tribalism and sectarian- do this because as per the coun- tribe becoming the commander Studies in Egypt, said that the found that the deaths were caused of the regime but don’t take sides ism and divisions within parties try’s constitution the minister of of these militias and the governor main challenge in Egypt was to by a wrong medication given by with the revolution because the and groups. defence should be a military man. of the respective area. regulate relations between the the clinic. popular revolutions emerge from Bishara’s speech was followed “These countries should estab- “This is against the concept of a army, police and the ruling elite The medicine was not suitable the streets directly. by a session that discussed secu- lish committees for monitoring democratic state. Many civil posi- and merge the different security for treating the diseases for which The second category com- rity challenges in the Arab Spring the security bodies as happened tions in Yemen are occupied by bodies to create one neutral secu- it was prescribed. prises those who are against the countries. in many developed countries,” military men,” he added. rity institution. The case was referred to the revolution since they consider Dr Omar Ashour, Director of said Ashour. Youssef Sawani, Acting Director THE PENINSULA Public Prosecution for further investigation, which later filed charges against the clinic at the Pricing index launch court, said the daily. Ali Hassan Al Jabir QRC disaster management journalism prizes training camp from April 1 DOHA: The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) has DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent room and family reunion, defining announced the winners of its (QRC) will hold its fourth disas- International Human Law, pub- journalism awards instituted in ter management training camp lic health in emergency, including the name of the Qatari photog- on April 1 in Doha. It aims to water and sanitation, preventing rapher, Ali Hassan Al Jabir, who attract a new generation of vol- epidemics, field hospitals, emer- was killed in Libya in March unteers and train them through gency feeding and sorting. 2011, while covering the Libyan theoretical and practical exer- “We are pleased that the training revolution. cises in disaster management will be attended by 150 volunteers Khaleel Abu Hamzah from and preparedness. from Qatar and 20 national Red Egypt won the prize for the best Over 10 days, participants will Crescent Societies from the GCC, photojournalist, while the award be trained in several disaster- the Middle East and North Africa, for the best investigative reporter related issues and field appli- several governmental and non- went to Eidi Maneefi from Yemen. cations. Training will include governmental organisations from A documentary produced by planning a camp, refugee regis- Qatar and seven other Arab coun- Media Town company owned tration, logistics and warehouse tries, with 20 trainers and experts by brothers Ashraf Khalid Al management, distribution of relief from the International Federation Mishharawi and Hassan Khalid FROM LEFT: Hassan Khameez Al Naeemi of the Ministry of Environment; Majid bin Abdul Rahman Al Mahmoud, items, shelter, psychosocial sup- and the International Committee of Al Mishharawi won the prize for Assistant Under-secretary for Business Affairs, and Dr Amer Al Addad, Secretary of the index committee, dur- port, assessment in emergency the Red Cross,” said Rashid Saad the best documentary film. ing a press conference to launch the price index of construction materials, at Sharq Village and Spa Resort situations, dealing with the media, Al Mohannadi, Director of Qatar Each winner will get a cash yesterday. (KAMMUTTY VP) team building and leadership Red Crescent Al Khor branch. prize of $5,000. skills, communication, operating THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2013 06 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Bailout, or sellout? Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

T SMACKS of financial delinquency by the state and runs just short of blackmailing depositors in giving in to a ludicrously unreasonable demand. If Cyprus goes Beijing cosying up to Arctic Iahead with the proposed bailout terms it set before bank customers, the move would make history— and not a memorable one at that. Cypriots are up in arms, and nobody is faulting them. Under the stewardship of President Nicos nations for strategic grip Anasatasiades, the island state announced a unique rescue term: all bank deposits will contribute at least 6.75 per cent to a $13bn bailout negotiated with the European Union and the t face value, it is not one of the that China wants to bolster as an very big rewards in the future,” said International Monetary Fund. As Cypriots watched in dismay, world’s most important relation- Arctic player”. Malte Humpert, founder and execu- Anasatasiades appeared on television to tout the move as the Aships. When Norway and China Currently, 80 percent of China’s tive director of the Arctic Institute least painful one in saving the nation from bankruptcy. fell out two years ago over a Nobel prize imported energy passes through the in Washington. “It’s a low risk and awarded to a Chinese dissident, the spat Strait of Malacca — a crowded, heav- obvious choice.” The Cyprus bailout terms violate two basic principles. had little wider resonance. ily pirated waterway that squeezes past One indicator is China’s recent inter- While negotiating the crash of 2007-08 it was agreed that the But diplomatic relations are thaw- Singapore. Yet over the past few years, est in Greenland. The vast, self-govern- savings of ordinary people should be protected upto 100,000 ing as quickly as Arctic ice — and the melting Arctic ice, a casualty of climate ing country’s parliament is considering Euros. Another principle said that while bailing out a bank, upshot could be significant for the frigid change, has turned the frigid north approving a $2.3bn mining project financial institutions which are bondholders should bear the northern wastes of the planet, which are into a viable shipping route. The newly north-east of the capital, Nuuk, which thought to sit on formidable quantities navigable northern sea route above would be led by the UK-based London brunt, instead of individual customers funding the rescue. of mineral reserves. Russia would cut the distance between Mining plc but supply China with 15m In case of Cyprus, both these principles have been violated. China has been cosying up to Arctic Shanghai and northern Europe by 4,000 tonnes of iron ore a year. The Parliament was supposed to meet yesterday to okay countries as part of its effort to secure miles, saving medium-sized bulk car- The project, which may kick off this the bailout term, but the vote was postponed to today amid “permanent observer” status on the riers about two weeks and £260,000 summer, would require a team of 3,000 widespread protests the echo of which could be heard as Arctic Council, an eight-country on each journey. Three years ago, no Chinese workers, adding more than 4 far afield as the Kremlin. Russian political body that decides regional ships made the voyage. Last year, there percent to the country’s population of policy. Norway was initially sniffy at were 46. 57,000. Some fear that it would affect president Vladimir Putin and the approaches because of the Nobel Last August, Chinese scientists Greenland’s pristine natural environ- The terms of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev row, but appears aboard a Ukrainian-built icebreaker, the ment, which locals rely on for hunting the Cyprus denounced the move. Putin called to have changed Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, completed and fishing. it ‘unfair, unprofessional and its tune before a the country’s first trans-Arctic ship Greenland’s prime minister, Aleqa bailout place a dangerous.’ A number of Russians formal decision voyage from Shanghai to Iceland. The Hammond, who was elected last Last year, Icelandic in May. trip’s leader, Huigen Yang, told Reuters Tuesday, has promised to assuage these burden on the — oligarchs and otherwise— have authorities Last week, this week that Chinese shipping com- fears by limiting inflows of cheap labour individual for their funds parked in banks in the Norwegian panies, encouraged by the ship’s suc- from abroad. Cyprus. The step is unfair as rejected a Chinese foreign minis- cess, may be planning a commercial “What could the creation of a mine the indiscretions it places the onus of rescuing billionaire’s bid ter, Espen Barth voyage along the same route as soon as and the arrival of some 3,000 Chinese of the state. a crisis-hit government on the Eide, told report- this summer. workers mean to me as an inhabitant private individual. It would be to turn land in ers in Oslo that Scandinavian shipping companies — of a hamlet? What will it mean to me the country’s he strongly sup- long an influential force in the region’s and my hunting grounds?” she told the unprofessional to implement the ported China’s politics — are also ebullient about the Associated Press. move as it can lead to a dangerous precedent. Bigger and barren north into application. development. “For the producers up Tiny, 320,000-population Iceland may battered economies are bearing the brunt of the financial a holiday resort. The “argument north, all of a sudden they have a two- best represent the polarity of Europe’s crisis in the eurozone. Cyprus accounts for only 0.2 percent for opening up for tier market to play on,” said Henrik Falck, reactions to China’s Arctic aspirations. of the output of the European Union. Spain and Italy Some said that more observers in a project manager at Norway’s Tschudi Last year, Icelandic authorities rejected contribute much more. If Italians and Spaniards are asked the development’s the Arctic Council Shipping Company. “They can either ship a Chinese billionaire’s bid to turn land in is that they will their cargo to China or the far east, or the country’s barren north into a holi- to fund the bailout of their much-larger economies, it would proximity to then be a member they can send it to the continent as they day resort. Some said that the devel- lead to a severe run on banks many of which would go down deepwater ports of our club,” he are doing today. And the transportation opment’s proximity to deepwater ports much earlier than expected. Who knows, citizens of the two said, according to cost is no longer killing the deal.” could pose security risks. troubled eurozone economies would have started thinking of could pose Norwegian media. Although China has never announced Yet former Chinese premier Wen withdrawing their savings from banks. security risks. “Then the danger an official Arctic policy, some fear Jiabao made Iceland his first stop on Protests in the Mediterranean nation mirror the the of them forming that its regional economic inter- his European tour last spring, signing their own club ests could have military implications. Arctic co-operation agreements with weakness of leaders — financial and political — to handle will be smaller.” Furthermore, the US Geological Survey the Icelandic prime minister. China’s crisis which may be relatively short-lived but can cause “There are not many areas where estimates that 30 percent of the world’s $250m embassy in Iceland’s capital, unprecedented damage. Capitalist economies always run the Norway is important to China at all, undiscovered natural gas reserves lie Reykjavik, can accommodate 500 per- risk of bankruptcy. There was some talk in the international but the Arctic is one of them,” said Leiv above the Arctic Circle, in addition to sonnel; in contrast the US embassy has a press late yesterday about Nicosia rethinking the bailout Lunde, director of the Fridtjof Nansen vast deposits of oil, coal, rare earths and staff of 70. When the Snow Dragon ice- Institute in Lysaker, Norway. China, uranium, and experts say that China breaker docked at the port of Reykjavik conditions. In a globalised world, the deftness with which one he added, was beginning to realise that wants to get in on the ground floor. last August, the country’s president was is bailed out is more crucial. What is a bailout if it leaves the its diplomatic boycott “is not good PR “The way I see it, very minor invest- standing there to welcome the ship. people of a nation with an uneasy sense of the self • in sort of bolstering the positive image ments for China now can warrant GUARDIAN NEWS The other side Quote of The drone disorder the day N AN age of tech-talk, unmanned sentiments against the coalition’s mili- legal parallels in the usage of drones in leadership in Pakistan and Afghanistan combat gadgets have found a place. tary strategy in the region. alien territories — with or without the time and again had been reported to That is what is typically known as However, the Pentagon believes host countries consent. be in agreement with the US drone Ithe drone syndrome. that drones to a wide extent were a The observations, however, made by obsession, and specifically Pakistan’s Indeed, if — as The United States, despite its success, and had helped it get rid UN special envoy on counter-terrorism President Asif Ali Zardari told a US enormous military muscles and apt of high-profile targets and terrorists and human rights, Ben Emmerson, news network way back that he doesn’t Iran’s leaders say intelligence presence worldwide, is in the restive mountainous region of have a specific political connotation. mind drone attacks “as far as they somehow more inclined to make use Southwest Asia — widely considered to He acknowledged that the unmanned ploughed the right target”. So is the — their nuclear of drones for espionage and target- be a safe haven for Al Qaeda, Taleban drone strikes come as a sovereignty case with President Hamid Karzai of precision attacks. But here the tech- and the like. Though the US calls civil- violation because the host govern- Afghanistan who, of late, withdrew his programme is for nological advancement hasn’t come to ian casualties as collateral damage, it ment is not on board. This is where support for drones, as he saw its back- peaceful purposes, its rescue and rather resulted in embar- has to a great extent been successful in the debate starts. The controversial lash in his settled tribal areas of Kunduz rassment. Its backlash is squarely evi- keeping Islamabad and Kabul on board war on terrorism had seen the US and Uruzgan. So was the WikiLeaks then there is a dent as allies such as Afghanistan and while conducting such operations. working hand-in-glove with Pakistan disclosure that cited unanimous con- Pakistan complain against the misuse Specifically enough, this is an issue with and Afghanistan, and whatever mili- sensus among the political leadership basis for a practical Barack Obama of drones, which has widely resulted which the United Nations is seized with, tary strategy was employed enjoyed a to conduct drone strikes. solution. in civilian casualties and soaring public as it tries to draw geo-strategic and common denominator. Moreover, the KHALEEJ TIMES US President TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2013 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 The Leveson debate is now Broken dream for about politics, not the press Iraqi Kurdistan BY BERIVAN DOSKY The Kurds tried to share power and rebuild with other groups, but n 2003, I dreamed that once misinterpretations of the consti- For Labour, this is Saddam’s Ba’athist regime tution, misunderstandings, and had tumbled, we could at last bad intentions created serious about revenge. For Ilive in peace. Today, I wonder disputes between the two sides of if the Ba’athist culture of despot- the federal arrangement. At first, ism, repression and violence can Kurds attributed these troubles the Tories, it’s about ever be expelled. to the methods of the first prime I thought that the people of Iraq minister, Ibrahim Al Jaafari; they keeping Dacre sweet. could leave the atrocities behind, started forming new alliances to that we would learn from our mis- force him to step down. takes, and that no authority would Corruption and a lack of trans- So who will stand up again treat anyone like a second- parency have become the norm class citizen. I wanted my children in Iraq. The Corruption Index for press freedom? never to fear the experiences that for 2010 places Iraq fifth place their parents and grandparents among most corrupt countries BY JOHN KAMPFNER and others went through. in the world. Without consti- As a Kurd, I dreamed that no tutional protection for the fed- blame my old friend Mo Mowlam. In one would be oppressed merely eral region from Baghdad or the 2000 she suggested that the royal fam- for their ethnicity, and that none international community, though, ily might think of moving out of Buck would again face chemical bom- these advances face real danger. House. She was duly monstered by much bardment, genocide and exodus, Even foreign bodies interfere: of the media. Tony Blair and his cabinet, or be denied their culture, lan- Neighbouring countries such as Ias ever taking their cue from the press barons, guage and history. I dreamed that Turkey and Iran cross the border did the same. the Kurds would no longer stay in illegally on an almost daily basis. Barmy, loose canon, eccentric; Mowlam was the dark and unjust chapters of Baghdad and the rest of the world called all these for having the temerity to raise history. As a woman, I dreamed watch without a word of condem- complicated issues, such as the legalisation of of justice and equality, though I nation, let alone intervention. drugs. The Labour government couldn’t cope knew that the Kurdish women of This is bad enough, but the con- with this type of display of original thinking, Protesters dressed as Rupert Murdoch and David Cameron respond to the findings of the Leveson this generation would pay a heavy dition of women has become a dis- and whenever Mowlam, Robin Cook or Peter Inquiry, in London. price for equality. I dreamed that aster in the postwar era. Violence Hain mentioned issues such as — gasp — Kurdish women, who have borne towards women throughout Iraq redistribution or the benefits of the European that they have never had a fair crack of the an opportunity for nasty people to bludgeon stigmas of inferiority twice over, covers a wide range of practices, Union, they were similarly attacked. whip in the written press. The conclusion nasty views on to a vulnerable public. They and the consequences of war, including honour killings, family Why was Labour so frightened? Two words: drawn by Blair, and Gordon Brown, was to cannot tolerate an intolerant press. too, would finally be recognised pressure to commit suicide, forced Murdoch and Dacre. British public life has toe the line, to do whatever they could to keep Redressing the balance may or may not be a as equal. marriages and domestic violence. been unhealthily narrow for as long as I can on the right side, particularly of Murdoch. It legitimate goal, but it should be stated as such. Everything I dreamed of Strict gender roles make women remember. When considering the vote on press was humiliating to watch. The corralling of hacking victims into a politi- seemed simple and normal – not a repository of the “honour” of the regulation, and the unedifying squabbling and With circulations falling, Ed Miliband cal cause is disingenuous. For sure, as I have much to ask for – but 10 years family, community, nation and so backroom dealing between the parties that was has sensed a different wind and taken them stated many times before, the media needs later, all of it still seems far from on. This is used to prevent them taking place even last night, it is worth remem- on. But can a press be regulated to be even- more effective regulation. It also needs to be coming true. The system in Iraq from being able to make deci- bering the political context that has given rise handed? Should it be? Murdoch was allowed fearless, particularly in relation to politicians. has gone from autocratic order sions for themselves and others. to such polarised views on the press. by Margaret Thatcher (adoringly) and Blair The law was there to deal with most of what to unpredictable disorder; a lack Deviations from gender roles are For the left, this is revenge time. When (meekly) to accumulate a large slice of the was done to the Dowlers, the McCanns and of trust and the pursuit of power often punished by the victims’ phone-hacking revelations came to light, many media pie. Sienna Miller. That the police chose not to use have created a state without rules, own inner circles. thought they finally had Rupert Murdoch and The issue of fair representation is far more the power it had reflects its corruptibility, an just dangerous games. There are no accurate statis- News International by the short and curlies. about cross-ownership — and that was outside area Leveson failed to look at closely enough. The new Iraqi constitution rec- tics for violence against women It was “time to nail him”, as one MP put it to Leveson’s remit. The post-Leveson agenda is As for the Internet, another area of Leveson ognised Kurdistan as an autono- in Iraq, making it difficult to deal me. As for Paul Dacre, editor of the hated Daily purely political. David Cameron is doing a fine myopia, that is where the action now is. Many mous region, with a degree of with the problem. Despite lim- Mail, it is commonplace in polite liberal circles job as a ventriloquist’s dummy. He assumes of the most polemical, most-followed bloggers control over its own resources, ited data, all agree that violence to describe him as “poison”. that, win, lose or draw, he will be rewarded by and tweeters hail from the right. This has but without a framework for co- is widespread. Some analysts Copious studies have been done about the the barons who will prop up his waning support little to do with overweaning barons. Yet the ordination — leaving co-opera- claim, with reference to Unifem, effect these two men, and their newspapers, at the 2015 general election. cries are going up: Do something about it. Try tion between the federal centre that there are at least 400 hon- have had on British politics. Dacre’s contribu- Many on the liberal-left sense a once- to control it. (Baghdad) and the federal region our killings a year; but most such tion to women’s empowerment? Murdoch’s in-a-generation opportunity to “tame” the Will Miliband win? Will Cameron lose, or (Kurdistan) almost unrecognis- killings, suicides and other acts embrace of European values? Asylum and unruly papers. They believe a more decent will he give yet more ground hours before the able as such. Each side defines against women go unreported. immigration, criminal justice, climate change? society cannot be achieved with the media vote in order to save face? The left sniffs vic- federalism according to its inter- After natural causes, honour kill- Guardian readers made up their mind about we currently have, so it’s time to act. Rather tory. It may achieve its specific ends, but in tak- ests; each abides by a few articles ings are thought to be one of the the influence of these men long ago. than seeing free expression as the bedrock ing down its enemy, it will leave a vital principle of the constitution and disregards leading causes of death for women Labour and the Liberal Democrats complain of a strong society, they see it as providing floundering in its wake. THE GUARDIAN the rest as it sees fit. in Kurdistan. THE GUARDIAN Horrific result of Western paralysis mustn’t happen in Syria

BY ED VULLIAMY those who refused to try to stop it. apparently limitless attack. Two decades on, we watch further Military intervention in the he nauseous sense of carnage in Syria; another mega- mould of Libya is not an option – deja vu is unavoidable. lomaniac mass murderer and the permahawks strut their “suc- Of those three, long his machine, who will decant or cess” in Tripoli, but are unwilling Tbloody years in Bosnia- plough his people into exile or the to have their bluff called by a real Herzegovina: shells crashing into grave and will not pause until the war; Russia has a point — this is little villages where the elderly job is done. not the UN implementing the and very young cowered in cellars Though the echoes are loud Responsibility to Protect, this and the dead could not be buried and clear, Syria is not the same is regime change. But neither is while John Major, David Owen or as Bosnia — no two places or doing nothing — beyond hand- Cyrus Vance strutted their lat- situations ever are — as Britain wringing and pondering as did est impotent peace plan. How the and France try to lift the arms Hurd and Rifkind did over Bosnia, killers laughed. embargo on, and conceivably arm, or babbling peace plans as Kofi Hearing the testimony of the those whom shorthand calls “the Annan did in Rwanda and now survivors of concentration camps rebels”, while the US writhes with does in Syria — an option either. and serially violated women indecision and Germany counsels We know that, post-Iraq, inter- from the rape camps while Lord caution. vention can only have calamitous Carrington clasped the hand of There are important provisos. results, and that its motives are Radovan Karadzic beneath the First, while the Bosnian army as disingenuous as they are dan- chandeliers, all smiles. Trying presented itself as a structure, gerous. We know how toxic the to penetrate, along forest paths, in Syria one asks: Which rebels? heady rhetoric is from those who besieged Srebrenica, Gorazde and And second, that Bosnia’s carnage have never heard a shot fired or other UN-declared “safe areas”, unfolded before the debacle in a shell crash, but who from the pounded by Serbian artillery Iraq, which changed everything: liberal and conservative salons of into the dust while US General that war shows no sign of ending London, Paris and New York urge Wesley Clark made his Bosnian for those still living with the daily others to war. Serb counterpart, Ratko Mladic, nightmare of car bombs and car- In this file photo, an old woman wounded during Syrian army shelling of Aleppo is carried to safety. But we also know from recollec- a gift of cap and pistol. nage for a decade later this week. tion of the rape camps, Srebrenica, Witnessing the siege and Does “the West” (whatever that Gorazde and Sarajevo that those torture of Sarajevo, while émi- is nowadays) want to detonate warriors who, for all the ravages the Assad regime as they opposed is that usually very British tradi- who advocate doing nothing can nences grises Douglas Hurd and a similar, enduring horror next of Iraq and upcoming defeat in Saddam Hussein and Colonel tion, now the cynics’ blueprint: If never look the desperate or the Malcolm Rifkind jeered at the door in Syria? We hope not. Afghanistan, still feel, he writes Gaddafi — though not at first: in doubt, back the bully on the dead in the eye. And we know interventionists and sabotaged Many of us who urged inter- in Foreign Policy, “the wind at when mine enemy was Iran, block in the interests of “stability” their inactivity is part of what any attempt to ameliorate, never vention in Bosnia were opposed their backs”, thanks to the UN’s Saddam was my friend; when — ergo, empire, which nowadays sends hundreds of thousands into mind cease, the slaughter. The to the invasion of Iraq just as “Responsibility to Protect”. Shell wanted a contract in Libya, means global cartel capitalism. the refugee camps along Syria’s dark farce of diplomacy led to passionately, felt equivocal about And there are what one might the “war on terror” was momen- Neither has the answer in borders and fills the mass graves, the only place it could lead: That Libya and Mali and now Syria. call, parodying Rieff, the “perma- tarily suspended to give Gaddafi Syria. Indeed, why should there be that their dry calculations are in lunch of suckling lamb between We were accused of inconsistency, impotents” (they are not doves, for back the Lockerbie bomber. an “answer” in Syria? Whatever themselves murderous. General Bernard Janvier, com- and there was a case to answer, sure), who oppose all and every These were the calculations that happens, it will be a mess. But Having spent all those nights mander of the United Nations but it is an important one, for it intervention of any kind for their led the CIA to give Osama bin what kind of mess do we opt for, in trenches, forests and cellars Protection Force and General takes into account nuance, real own reasons. It is a weird alli- Laden his first ground-to-air what is the least worst mess? and along treacherous mountain Mladic three days before Mladic politics rather than realpolitik; ance between the anti-imperialist rocket launcher in Afghanistan, If Britain and France get their roads with the resistance fighters sent the execution squads into it seeks to be on the side of the left and the school of Hurd and with which to shoot down Soviet way, they will have to accept that of betrayed Bosnia and the people Srebrenica to perpetrate the people, rather than that of power Carrington with whom it found planes, too full of hubris to listen the opposition in Syria contains they sought in vain to protect, I’d worst massacre on European soil as no more than “the realisation common cause in the Balkans, who to his views on their own country. a jihadist current; it includes find it hard to look a young Syrian since the Third Reich. That was of interests”, as Ralf Dahrendorf cultivate their deafness to slaugh- On the other side, those on the warlords and people who are not militiaman, or his murdered fami- the achievement in Bosnia of the described it. ter and make of it a “rational”, left insist that because the likes of trying to emulate our supposedly ly’s ghosts, in the eye and say: “I’m myth, the lie, which calls itself As Syria enters the abyss, “sensible” response, old boy. Slobodan Milosevic, Gaddafi and model democracy and capital- sorry, comrade, but the politicians “the international community”. the absolutists dig in, as usual. The rival “perma” camps are Assad oppose the US (which is ist enlightenment. And it is also are right; we must not ‘fan the There were those in Rwanda There are what the sage on these guided by “the realisation of debatable), their bloodlust should driven by genuine freedom fight- flames’ and you cannot defend who told the same tale, after a matters, David Rieff, calls “per- interests” and also by the maxim be afforded a degree of leniency ers and militias that — whatever yourself or your people.” It just genocide even more concentrated, mahawks”: A mix of “liberal inter- that mine enemy’s enemy is my or support. their political programme — doesn’t work. even more casually observed by ventionists” and neoconservative friend. The permahawks oppose On the grey, hard right, there defend a civilian population under THE GUARDIAN TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2013 08 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST

3,000 Saudis UN expert tells urge Shura to debate women’s Israel to end driving RIYADH: A petition signed by 3,000 Saudis has urged the Shura Consultative Council to debate on allow- ing women to drive in the settlements Arab News kingdom, daily reported yesterday. The newspaper, quoting Calls ICC to prosecute violators Abdullah Al Alami, a signa- tory to the petition, said that GENEVA: Israel must imme- Israel has come under wide- the human rights committee diately begin withdrawing its spread international criticism of the council —also known as settlers from the Palestinian for ramping up its construction Saudi Consultative Council — territories, a UN expert told of settlements in the Palestinian considered the demand and diplomats yesterday, even as territories, notably in occu- decided to present it for a the new Israeli government pied east Jerusalem, which the debate. appeared set to strengthen the Palestinians want to establish as But an unnamed member hand of the Jewish settler lobby. the capital of their future state of the council told the daily Israel must “immediately and but which Israel considers part that he had no information without preconditions cease the of its “indivisible” capital. An ultra-Orthodox Jew walks past graffiti painted on a bridge at the entrance to Jerusalem, calling for US President about the petition coming settlement activity and to initiate All Israeli settlements on Barack Obama to ‘Go Home’. Obama arrives tomorrow for a two-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian Authority. up for debate in the coun- a process of withdrawal from the Palestinian land beyond the so- cil to which the Custodian settlements,” Christine Chanet called 1949 Green Line are con- of the Two Holy Mosques told the UN Human Rights sidered illegal under international King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Council in Geneva, lament- law. Israeli House confirms appointed 30 women mem- ing a “rampant annexation” of Chanet, who in January sug- bers for the first time in Palestinian territories. gested that Israel settling its January. Chanet of France, was present- population into occupied ter- A number of women have ing a report of a fact-finding mis- ritory might constitute “war been arrested in the past for sion commissioned by the council crimes,” stressed yesterday that pro-settler government defying the ban, including one that deemed that the settlements International Criminal Court in sentenced to 10 lashes in 2011 were leading to Palestinians’ the Hague should consider pros- JERUSALEM: The Israeli the country for electing him as of ministers with an openly pro- but was pardoned by King human rights “being violated ecuting the violations. parliament gave its seal of premier for a third term and settler agenda. Replacing Ehud Abdullah. consistently and on a daily basis.” Meanwhile, a hunger-striking approval yesterday to Prime pledged to represent all of Israel’s Barak as defence minister is A group of defiant Saudi The report, published at the Palestinian prisoner was exiled by Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s citizens, as well as defend them Moshe Yaalon, a former armed women got behind the wheels end of January, sparked angry Israel to the Hamas-ruled Gaza new governing coalition, which against regional threats such as forces chief of staff who strongly of their cars on June 17, in reactions from Israel, which at Strip on Sunday, Palestinian offi- includes a strong showing of Iran’s nuclear programme. supports settlement expansion in 2011, in response to calls for the time slammed it and the cials said. pro-settlement hardliners. “The top priority of the new gov- the occupied West Bank and who nationwide action to break Human Rights Council that com- The deal involving Ayman A motion of confidence in the ernment is the defence of the secu- has been outspoken in his oppo- the ban on driving. missioned it as “one-sided and Sharawneh, whose case had new administration, broadcast rity of the state and its citizens,” he sition to any construction freeze. The call which spread biased.” helped fuel Palestinian protests, live on public television, gave it said, adding that Israel faced “very Another new face in government through Facebook and The council’s decision to dis- could reduce friction ahead of 68 votes in favour and 48 against. great threats” from Iran and Syria. is housing minister Uri Ariel, Twitter was the largest mass patch the fact-finding mission Wednesday’s two-day visit by US Netanyahu and his 21 minis- He also gave a nod towards the himself an ultra-nationalist set- action since November 1990, last March to determine what President Barack Obama to Israel ters then took their oaths of office moribund peace process with the tler from Jewish Home, who at when 47 Saudi women were impact the settlements are hav- and Palestinian territory. before the house and held their Palestinians, which was scarcely the weekend told the top-selling arrested and severely pun- ing on the rights of Palestinians Sharawneh, 37, from the first cabinet meeting immediately mentioned in the coalition agree- daily Yediot Aharonot, his aim was ished after demonstrating in so enraged the Jewish state that it Hebron area in the occupied West afterwards. After more than 40 ments, saying his new government to increase the number of Israelis cars. AFP immediately cut all ties with the Bank, had signed an agreement to days of tortuous coalition nego- would be “ready for compromises living in the West Bank. body, and yesterday, Israel was stay in Gaza for 10 years, accord- tiations, the government finally in exchange for real peace” and “Today there are 360,000 and I not represented at the Geneva ing to Qadura Fares, head of an took office just two days before a would talk with any Palestinian want for there to be many, many forum. advocacy group for Palestinian landmark visit by US President partner who would negotiate “in more,” he said. “Will I double the Palestinian representative prisoners. Israel made no Barack Obama. good faith.” number of settlements? No. Will I Egypt warns Ibrahim Khrashi harshly criti- comment. Although the lineup includes Ahead of Obama’s visit, which provide for natural growth? Yes.” cised recent comments from Sharawneh had been freed two centrist parties — Yesh Atid begins tomorrow, the White Asked how such construction bakers against Israeli politicians in support of from an Israeli prison as part of (19 seats) and HaTnuah (six House has played down expecta- would impact on the prospects the settlements and condemned a 2011 swap for an Israeli soldier seats) — which want to renew tions of a relaunch of direct peace of a Palestinian state, he said: the country for not taking part who was held for more than five peace talks, it is dominated by talks, which broke down weeks “There can be only one state strike action in the Human Rights Council years in Gaza, then arrested again the hawkish Likud-Beitenu (31 after they were last relaunched between the Jordan River and the CAIRO: Egyptian bakers will meeting. last year. seats) and its new national-reli- in September 2010. Resuming Mediterranean Sea — Israel.” The face legal action if they carry The settlements, he insisted, He had joined other prisoners gious ally, Jewish Home (12 seats), negotiations is unlikely to be a defence and housing ministries out a threat to strike, Minister “kills any possibility to achieve in intermittently refusing food in a far-right faction that is party of priority for the new Israeli gov- play a central role in approving of Supply and Internal Trade the two-state solution,” decry- protest against their being jailed choice for settlers. ernment, which was elected and advancing Israeli construc- Bassem Ouda said, raising the ing Israel’s “flagrant violation of without trial. Addressing MPs at the start of largely on socio-economic issues tion on Palestinian land seized stakes in a dispute linked to international law.” AFP the session, Netanyahu thanked and which counts a strong showing during the 1967 War. AFP state bread subsidies. The prospect of a bakers’ strike has compounded a sense of eco- nomic crisis in a country where a drop in foreign currency reserves has already caused fuel shortages Child murder: Indonesian and raised the potential for more social unrest. Ouda told Egypt state TV that maid sentenced to death a Supreme Constitutional Court ruling gave the ministry the power to close indefinitely bak- RIYADH: A Saudi court sen- house locked upon arrival on eries that halt production and tenced an Indonesian house- the day of the crime. The maid refer their owners to the crimi- maid to death after she was refused to open the door, threat- nal court. convicted of decapitating her ening to kill the already-dead girl. “If it happens that they under- employers’ four-year-old child, Alerted, the husband rushed to take this type of irresponsible sparking two other deaths, a the house by car and in his panic, step and halt production in 100 newspaper reported yesterday. had a car crash in which he killed or 1,000 bakeries, we are ready The maid was “charged with a motorist and injured his six- with an emergency plan,” Ouda decapitating the girl with a year-old daughter who later also said yesterday. The state has long cleaver when her parents were died of her wounds, Al Watan said. helped fund bread production, away at work and her sisters were In April last year, local media with the cheapest loaves selling at school,” the Saudi Gazette said, reported that 25 Indonesian for 5 piastres, or less than 1 US adding that the woman’s lawyer maids are on death row in Saudi cent Bakers say the government will file an appeal. Arabia and 22 others have been owes them 400m Egyptian pounds The court on Sunday sen- pardoned and sent home. ($59m) in incentives they are due Protesters set garbage bins on fire, blocking Beirut’s Corniche Al Mazraa road, against attacks on Sunni scholars, tenced to death an “Indonesian In June, 2011, Indonesian maid for producing state-subsidised yesterday. Four scholars were beaten up in two attacks in Beirut on Sunday night, testing a fragile peace between housemaid who was found guilty Ruyati binti Sapubi, 54, was bread for the poor. Neither the the sects and factions that fought Lebanon’s 15-year civil war. of murdering Tala Al Shehri, a beheaded after being convicted government spokesman nor offi- four-year-old girl, in the Red Sea of killing her Saudi employer, cials at the supplies ministry were city of Yanbu last September,” the prompting Indonesia to recall its available to comment on the bak- English-language daily reported. ambassador in Saudi Arabia for ers’ claims. Sunni scholars beaten up, The woman was also handed “consultations.” Indonesian anger The government, which is down an eight-month jail term over the treatment of its manual seeking a $4.8bn loan from the and 200 lashes for attempted sui- labourers in the oil-rich Gulf International Monetary Fund, is cide after committing the horrific monarchy has grown after a spate under pressure to curb spending crime, it said. The victim’s parents of cases of abuse and killings. on food and fuel subsidies that testing Lebanon’s peace have refused to forgive the maid in Indonesia had also announced a swallow up around a quarter of return for blood money, as allowed moratorium on sending migrant the state budget. BEIRUT: Four Sunni Muslim group and Amal, were quick to against Assad. under Islamic law, the daily said. workers to Saudi Arabia, where A bakers’ association repre- scholars were beaten up in two condemn the attacks and handed The extent of the injuries The maid’s lawyer, appointed by hundreds of thousands of senting 25,000 privately run bak- separate attacks in Beirut on over five suspects to security inflicted on the Sunni sheikhs was the Indonesian mission in Riyadh, Indonesians toil as maids and eries had threatened to strike Sunday night, testing a fragile forces, the sources said. They said not clear, but a photo of two of said the consulate will initiate labourers. Rights groups say last month, but postponed the peace between the sects and the five men had been under the them posted on Facebook showed legal action in Jakarta against millions of mostly Asian domes- move until mid-March to give the factions that fought Lebanon’s influence of drugs. one in a neck brace and the other a man who the newspaper said tic workers are regularly exposed government time to meet their 15-year civil war. Lebanese Interior Minister with a bruised face. had convinced the woman in text to physical and financial abuse in demands. Bakers’ representatives Mazen Hariri and Ahmed Marwan Charbel later said that Lebanon’s civil war ended messages to commit the crime. some Gulf nations because of poor are due to meet Ouda on Tuesday, Fekhran, both scholars at 10 men had been arrested. in 1990 but its political system Al Watan daily said the girl’s or non-existent labour laws. said Abdullah Ghorab, the asso- Lebanon’s highest Sunni seat The two-year-old conflict in remains based on sectarian alle- mother, a teacher, found the AFP ciation’s head. About 260 bakeries of learning, Dar Al Fatwa, were neighbouring Syria — which pits giances and the country is plagued briefly went on strike last week attacked by a group of men in the mainly Sunni Muslims against by occasional clashes between but were persuaded to return to mainly Shia Khandak Al Ghamik President Bashar Al Assad, who militant groups and vitriolic rhet- work pending more talks, he said. area after they left the Mohammed comes from the Shia-derived oric from some politicians. Israeli convicted of killing Palestinian Ghorab’s association includes Al Amin mosque in downtown Alawite sect — has deepened divi- Lebanon’s Grand Mufti 19,000 bakeries that produce Beirut, security sources said yes- sions in Lebanon between some Mohammad Rashid Qabbani JERUSALEM: An Israeli military court yesterday convicted a sol- 5-piastre loaves. Egypt’s econ- terday. Ibrahim Abdul-Latif and Sunnis and Shi’ites. said the attacks were the result dier of negligent homicide in the January shooting dead of a young omy has been in tatters since the Omar Imani, also Sunni scholars, Lebanon-based political sci- of a “political war” by Sunni and Palestinian trying to sneak from the occupied West Bank into the revolt of 2011 that ousted Hosni were assaulted in Shiyah, a Shia entist Hilal Khashan said Syria Shia leaders. He described con- Jewish State, local media reported. Mubarak. A mostly desert nation district in southern Beirut. could be implicated in the attacks demnations of the perpetrators as Haaretz daily said that the soldier, a staff sergeant accused of man- with a population of 84 million, it The two main Shia parties in as it had warned Lebanese groups insufficient and demanded swift slaughter, pleaded guilty in a plea bargain to the lesser charge of neg- is the world’s biggest importer of Lebanon, the militant Hezbollah not to support the uprising action. REUTERS ligent homicide. AFP wheat. REUTERS TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2013 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Syrian warplanes bomb Lebanon Four missiles fired at rebels positions ISTANBUL/DAMASCUS: Lebanese sovereignty that the candidate is,” Coalition deputy Syria’s opposition coalition Syrian regime has been guilty head Soheir Atassi said. met in Istanbul to choose its of. These kinds of violations While it would boost the oppo- first prime minister yesterday, of sovereignty are absolutely sition’s international credibility as Syrian warplanes bombed unacceptable.” and its reputation among dissi- northern Lebanon for the She reminded Damascus that dents on the ground, a rebel gov- first time in what Washington UN resolutions called for the ernment would reduce chances of labelled “a significant escala- strict respect of the sovereignty talks with the regime of President tion” of the conflict. and territory of Lebanon. Bashar Al Assad, which Coalition A former Syrian agriculture Rebels said yesterday they had leader Moaz Al Khatib had pro- minister, an economist and a com- fired mortar bombs at the presi- posed in January. munications executive lead the dential palace, the Damascus “The regime refused that race to head a rebel government International Airport and secu- negotiation process, so that is ahead of a vote by the umbrella rity buildings to mark the sec- something off the table at this Syrian National Coalition that ond anniversary of the uprising point,” said Coalition spokesman could change the course of Syria’s against President Bashar Al Khaled Al Saleh. Pro-Assad daily civil war. Assad. Al Watan was quick to slam the Back at home, Damascus war- A statement posted on an Coalition’s bid to form a govern- planes were accused of bombing opposition Facebook page said ment, branding it “delirious and the border area between Syria rebels groups had fired “a number confused”. and Lebanon, reportedly tar- of 120mm heavy caliber mortars The 73-member Coalition is geting the town of Arsal in east ... in a joint operation coordi- expected to hold an initial vote, Lebanon, where many residents nated with battalions operating followed by a run-off between back the rebels’ uprising. in Damascus.” the top two candidates. The win- Syrian national opposition coalition members meeting in istanbul to choose their first prime minister, yesterday. A high-ranking Lebanese army The Syrian conflict is now in ner will then choose a cabinet, official said four missiles had its third year, with about 70,000 which must be approved by the been fired, apparently aiming people killed and millions forced Coalition. easing an EU arms embargo, told reporters. On the ground in oppose the creation of an interim for Syrian rebels positions inside from their homes, according to Free Syrian Army chief Selim amid statements from Paris and Syria, regime forces resumed government, fearing it could ham- Lebanon. the United Nations. Idriss said they would support London that it is time to start shelling parts of Damascus as per efforts to start a dialogue with A top US official confirmed In Istanbul, if the opposition and “work under the umbrella arming the Syrian opposition. security forces carried out arrests the regime, but the process has the strikes, denouncing them as meeting leads to the election of this government”, reducing The United States said yester- of students in housing attached to been backed by Turkey and much “unacceptable”. of a premier as is expected, his concerns that the rebels could day it would not block European Damascus University, the Syrian of the Arab League, which may “We can confirm... that regime first task would be to appoint from the outset be opposed to an moves to arm Syrian rebels bat- Observatory for Human Rights influence the choice. jets and helicopters did fire an interim government, which interim civilian authority. tling Assad. said. Out of the 12 candidates, oppo- rockets into northern Lebanon, would be based inside parts of Idriss also repeated calls to “President (Barack) Obama Warplanes also carried out sition sources said former agri- impacting Wadi Al Khayl, near Syria freed from the control of the West to arm the insurgents, has made it clear that the United raids across the country, including culture minister Asaad Mustafa, the border town of Arsal,” State Damascus. adding he could guarantee that States does not stand in the way of in the Baba Amr neighbourhood economist Osama Kadi, and com- Department spokeswoman “The vote is likely to take place “these weapons will not fall into other countries that have made a of central Homs. Nationwide, at munications executive Ghassan Victoria Nuland told reporters. today. We are still discussing dif- the wrong hands”. decision to provide arms, whether least 71 people were killed yester- Hitto were frontrunners for the “This constitutes a significant ferences are over how capable European Union leaders are it’s France or Britain or others,” day, the group said. vote. escalation in the violations of and loyal to the revolution each due to meet this week to discuss US Secretary of State John Kerry The United States is believed to AFP

Americans still divided over Jailed Kurdish leader confirms ceasefire call for Thursday

ISTANBUL: Kurdish rebel Workers’ Party (PKK) leader’s the third such visit since peace is for the democratisation of all of wishing to leave the country. Iraq war: Poll leader Abdullah Ocalan has plans for a possible end to the talks between the state and PKK Turkey,” he said. Ocalan, 64, is currently serv- WASHINGTON: A decade confirmed he will call for a “his- nearly three-decade-long conflict leader resumed. Both sides in the conflict have ing a life sentence on an isolated after the US-led invasion of Iraq, toric” ceasefire on Thursday, the between the outlawed group and “I want to solve the issue of set out conditions they say would island prison off Istanbul where Americans remain divided over start of the Kurdish New Year, Turkish security forces that has guns with haste and without a signal good faith and commitment visitors are rarely allowed and the war, with a majority believ- a lawmaker said after meeting cost 45,000 lives, mostly Kurdish. single life being lost,” Ocalan said to long-lasting peace. only under the surveillance of ing it was a mistake, according the jailed PKK chief. Turkey’s secret services in the letter. The Kurdish movement has Turkish agents. to a poll released Monday. “I continue with my prepara- resumed negotiations with He also called on the Turkish asked for the release of hundreds, Observers caution that his The Gallup survey, the first tions to make a (ceasefire) call Ocalan late last year with the parliament to do “its part” to possibly thousands, of Kurdish influence over the movement since US forces withdrew from on March 21, during the Newroz ultimate aim of ending the fight make the peace process a perma- activists and politicians detained might have waned during his Iraq in December 2011, showed celebrations. The declaration I am for autonomy by the PKK, which nent one, enabling thousands of on charges of links to the PKK. years in prison, although he Americans are still split over the going to make will be historic,” is branded a terrorist group by Kurdish rebels to lay down arms Ankara in return insists “ter- still enjoys strong support from war, with 53 percent saying they Ocalan wrote in a letter read to Turkey and its Western allies. and leave Turkey in the coming rorists” need to withdraw from Turkey’s Kurds, who make up regret the decision to invade and reporters by lawmaker Selahattin Demirtas was in a Kurdish del- months. Turkish territory before the peace roughly 20 percent of the coun- 42 percent saying it was not a Demirtas yesterday. egation that visited Ocalan on the “The existing process is mov- process can effectively begin, and try’s 75-million population. mistake. The text outlined the Kurdistan prison island of Imrali on Monday, ing on the right track. Our goal has promised not to attack rebels AFP The poll indicated little change in public opinion since a survey in 2009, and strong support for the decision to invade among those Royal visit who support the Republican party of former president George W. Bush, who launched the war. Opposition to the war among Americans peaked in April 2008, when 63 percent called the inva- sion a mistake. Among those who identify with or lean towards the Republican party, 66 percent said it was not a mistake to go to war. But among Democrats, a large majority of 73 percent said the invasion was a mistake. The Gallup poll was based on telephone interviews with 1,022 adults conducted March 7-10. The margin of error is plus or minus four percentage points. The Bush administration launched the invasion of Iraq on the grounds that dictator Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and needed to be dis- armed. No such weapons of mass destruction were ever found. Britain’s Prince Charles and his wife Camilla visiting the Nizwa Fort, about 140Km north of Muscat, AFP yesterday. The British royal coupe is on a regional tour which began in Jordan on March 11. Car bomb kills 10 in Somali capital MOGADISHU: A suicide group claimed responsibility for peacekeeping force for its Last week, Mogadishu resi- bomber who set out to assas- the attempted assassination. survival. dents said government security sinate a senior Somali secu- “It was revenge. He (Ilig) Bystanders helped pull the forces had killed more than rity official blew up his car in had been killing and arrest- wounded from the burning ten pardoned al Shabaab fight- central Mogadishu yesterday, ing Mogadishu residents,” Al minibus and teahouses along ers, whose bodies were found missing his target but killing Shabaab spokesman Sheikh Ali the route around 100 metres dumped in the city’s streets, at least 10 people in the city’s Mohamud Rage said. from the outer perimeter of the their hands and legs bound. deadliest attack this year, The Al Qaeda-linked move- presidential palace. The authorities have pledged police and rebels said. ment has kept up a campaign Seven civilians, three govern- to investigate those killings. Witnesses said the car bomb of guerrilla-style bombings and ment security officers and the They followed the murder of exploded near a vehicle carrying killings more than 18 months bomber were killed, said police. two senior security officials, Mogadishu security chief Khalif after it was forced out of its “Most of the people who died which al Shabaab said it was Ahmed Ilig and other officers bases in the city by Somali and were on board the minibus - responsible for. The car bomb along the capital’s busy Makkah other African troops. civilians. This public vehicle exploded a day after al Shabaab Al Mukarram road. But at the Yesterday’s bomb was a stark coincidentally came between regained control of the southern last minute, a minibus drove reminder of two decades of the government car and the car city of Hudur after Ethiopian by, taking the force of the blast civil strife in a war-torn coun- bomb when it was hit. Littered troops, who have been part of which left Ilig with only minor try where the central govern- at the scene are human hands an African offensive against the injuries, witnesses added. ment depends heavily on a and flesh,” said senior police militants, pulled out. Somalia’s Al Shabaab Islamist 17,600-strong African Union officer Abdiqadir Mohamud. REUTERS TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2013 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL Russia baulks at US missile defence move Moscow sees ‘no concession’

MOSCOW: Russia said yester- believed that the extra US inter- day it saw “no concession” in the ceptors in Alaska “significantly US decision to abandon the final expand US capabilities in the area phase of its missile shield for of missile defence.” Europe in favour of deploying “We are not experiencing any new interceptors against a pos- euphoria about this,” he added. sible attack from North Korea. Kommersant said that Ryabkov The US move was seen in was due to meet today in Geneva Washington as raising prospects with US Acting Under Secretary for a revival of arms control talks of State for Arms Control and with Russia. International Security Rose But Russian Deputy Foreign Gottemoeller Gottemoeller to Minister Sergei Ryabkov told discuss the issue further. the Kommersant business daily: US officials said Washington “This is not a concession to Russia had officially informed both and we do not see it as such. Our Poland and Romania about the objections remain.” move before Hagel made the US Defence Secretary Chuck announcement on Friday. Hagel said on Friday that 14 more Both countries have thus far interceptors would be stationed issued muted responses despite in Alaska — increasing by almost their apparent disappointment half the 30 already deployed along with the change in US plans. Argentina’s President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner shows a gift while standing next to Pope Francis during a private meeting at the Vatican, yesterday. the western coastline. The aim is But reports said that Moscow Zimbawe’s President Robert Mugabe arrives at Fiumicino airport in Rome, Italy, yesterday to attend the inauguration of the Pope. The pontiff is to be to have them in place by 2017. had not been informed in advance inaugurated today. Pyongyang has threatened to and had learnt of the missile unleash a second Korean War defence shift from the media. in response to UN sanctions Analysts said Russia would imposed after its third atomic have preferred the same result Pope meets Kirchner; Mugabe slips into Vatican test in February and joint South from a negotiated agreement Korea-US military manoeuvres. from which the Kremlin could The US decision means it will emerge as the winner. VATICAN CITY: Pope Federico Lombardi said. crumble away “like a sand castle” Mugabe flew into Rome yester- not go through with the fourth “The Americans were planning Francis received compatriot The Pope has been winning without spiritual renewal. day, sidestepping a travel ban that phase of its missile defence their actions irrespective of what President Cristina Kirchner of hearts with his humble style The leader of the world’s 1.2 applies to the EU but not to the deployments in Europe under Moscow intended to do or say,” Argentina in the Vatican yes- but is still haunted by criticism billion Catholics will be formally sovereign Vatican City state. which interceptors focused on said Viktor Kremenyuk of the terday in his first meeting with from leftists at home for failing enthroned today at a mass in Mugabe has been widely criti- Iran were due to have been placed USA-Canada Institute. a head of state as world leaders to speak out during Argentina’s St Peter’s Square, with city cised for human rights abuses in Poland. “This is not being done for arrived in Rome ahead of his brutal “Dirty War” when he was authorities preparing for an influx in the southern African coun- Hagel said the decision was Moscow’s sake,” he told the ITAR- inauguration mass. head of the country’s Jesuits. of up to a million people to Rome. try he has ruled uninterrupted part of an overall restructuring TASS news agency. The first pontiff from Latin The Vatican has firmly denied The mass begins at 0830 GMT since 1980. As he arrived, of how Washington viewed inter- Some analysts had hoped that America had testy relations with claims that he failed to protect two and is a formality laden with sym- there was fresh controversy in national threats. the US announcement would ease Kirchner when he was Buenos Jesuit priests who were tortured bolic rituals following Francis’s Zimbabwe over the arrest of Russia has long argued that the way to further reductions in Aires’ archbishop, Jorge Mario by the 1976-1983 regime, saying dramatic election by cardinals in four of Prime Minister Morgan the European missile shield was the two sides’ stockpiles of short Bergoglio, particularly over gay that he had in fact protected lives a conclave last Wednesday. Tsvangirai’s aides and a promi- aimed against its own nuclear and intermediate range nuclear marriage and abortion laws. during the dictatorship. German Chancellor Angela nent human rights lawyer. deterrent and has held up nego- weapons. Her late husband Nestor had The controversy has failed to Merkel, Spanish Prime Minister A practising Catholic, the tiations on other disarmament Russia — which has more called Bergoglio “the true head dampen enthusiasm in Rome Mariano Rajoy and his French 89-year-old Mugabe visited the agreements as a result. short-range missiles than the US of the opposition” because of after a disarming style and some counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault Vatican previously in 2011 for the It has also expressed worries — had opposed such talks until his behind-the-scenes meetings bold statements by Francis in the are among European leaders beatification of late Pope John that Washington was building a Washington dropped its European with political leaders. “The Holy early day of his papacy. set to attend, along with EU Paul II. In 2005, he attended John global missile defence programme missile shield. But Ryabkov’s Father is having lunch with the He has called for a “poor President Herman Van Rompuy Paul II’s funeral on a visit that that fell outside the limits of comments suggested that Moscow Argentine president following a Church for the poor”, has warned and European Commission head drew controversy after Britain’s existing strategic treaties. was not yet ready to open further private meeting that lasted 15-20 cardinals against worldly glories Jose Manuel Barroso. Prince Charles shook hands Ryabkov stressed that Russia negotiations. AFP minutes,” Vatican spokesman and has said the Church could Zimbabwean President Robert with him. AFP

Romania’s ex-PM comes out of jail Explosions No gold ring, Francis kill at least 25 opts for silver VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis including Pius XII, Paul VI and in Nigeria city has eschewed tradition and cho- John Paul II. sen a silver Fisherman’s Ring The simple ring, customarily KANO: Five explosions at a rather than a gold one — and worn on the pontiff’s right hand, bus park in northern Nigeria’s one designed decades ago rather depicts a bearded and haloed main city of Kano killed at than created specifically for St Peter holding a pair of keys — least 25 people yesterday in an him, the Vatican said yesterday. an emblem of the papacy which area where Islamist sect Boko The gold-plated silver ring, captures the moment Peter was Haram is waging an insur- one of the papal symbols that given the keys to heaven. gency against the government, the new pope will receive during It was chosen by Francis out a Reuters reporter who counted the inauguration mass today, is of three ring models presented to the bodies said. modelled on a ring designed by him, Lombardi said. The blasts destroyed several Italian sculptor Enrico Manfrini, “I don’t know if the ring was buses in the Sabon Gari area of who died in 2004, for Paul VI. used by Paul VI. The design Kano, an area mostly inhabited by “The ring is designed by stems from that period but it is immigrants from Nigeria’s largely Manfrini, who created several not physically the same ring. The Christian south, the Reuters wit- religious works and it was pre- original ring was melted down ness said. Military and police cor- sented to the Pope by the master but this a ring based on the same doned off the area after the blasts. of ceremonies who had received design,” he added. There was no immediate claim the model from one of Paul VI’s The Fisherman’s Ring origi- of responsibility, but Boko Haram, secretaries,” said Vatican spokes- nally served as both a symbol of which frequently has attacked the man Federico Lombardi. the papacy and a seal, but these city, is a prime suspect. Nicknamed “the popes’ sculp- days the Pope has a separate seal “I ran for my dear life and tor”, Manfrini designed reli- with which to mark documents. managed to get out of the park Romania’s former prime minister Adrian Nastase leaves Jilava penitenciary surrounded by mediapersons after gious objects for several pontiffs, AFP after the second blast. Many serving nine months of a two-year sentence for corruption, in Jilava near Bucharest, yesterday. people are lying dead. See, my clothes are covered in blood,” said Ibrahim Bello, holding up a blood-soaked shirt. The attacks came as an audio Nigeria president says CAR rebels detain five ministers tape emerged of a man saying he was the father of a family of seven French tourists kidnapped BANGUI: Rebels in the In a sign of growing tension, the “In the meantime, all our min- by Boko Haram militants. On hostages may be alive Central African Republic have Seleka rebel military command isters in the government will stay the tape, he read out a threat by detained their five ministers in detained five ministers from its here with us. The rest of the del- them to increase kidnappings and ABUJA: Nigeria’s President Italy and Greece confirmed the government and threatened side on Sunday, preventing them egation may go back to Bangui,” suicide bombings in Cameroon if Goodluck Jonathan said yes- that a Briton, an Italian, a Greek to break a January ceasefire from returning to the capital after he said. authorities there detain more of terday that some of the seven and four Lebanese abducted in unless prisoners are freed and talks with UN, African Union and One of the ministers told the group’s followers. REUTERS hostages believed to have been northern Nigeria’s Bauchi state other demands met. European Union officials. French RFI radio yesterday killed by Islamist group Ansaru had been killed by their captors. The insurgents came close The insurgents have demanded that the military command 3,500 reindeer this month might actually still Britain said only that it was to capturing the capital Bangui the release of political prisoners was detaining them as a means be alive and the government has likely they had been killed, and overthrowing President and the departure of about 400 to force Bozize to accept their killed in Antarctica been working to rescue them. whereas Nigerian authorities had Francois Bozize late last year South African troops who were demands immediately. Ansaru said earlier this month so far not commented. before accepting the peace deal sent in to prop up Bozize’s army. The insurgents have also called OSLO: Hunters have slaugh- it had killed the seven foreign “Analysis of the information we in January under which some of “We are giving Bozize and those for the incorporation of 2,000 men tered 3,500 reindeer on a British construction workers it had been have does not give us the conclu- their leaders joined the central around him 72 hours to meet our from their group into the national island near Antarctica in a step holding since February, posting a sive position that they have all government. principal demands, otherwise we army and the recognition of their to get rid of animals that were video of what it said were their been killed but we suspect that But increasingly bitter rhetoric will resume hostilities,” Seleka’s military ranks. brought from Norway a cen- bodies on the Internet, in what some probably might have died from both sides is threatening to spokesman, Colonel Sylvain The government of the Central tury ago and are an increasing would be the deadliest single of health related causes or direct pitch the mineral-rich but impov- Bordas, said after a meeting with African Republic was not imme- threat to native wildlife. attack on foreigners in Nigeria killing,” Jonathan said. erished, landlocked country back the international officials in the diately available for comment. REUTERS since the 1960s Biafra war. REUTERS into conflict. town of Sibut on Sunday. REUTERS TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2013 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Britain seals deal to regulate news media All political parties claim victory; concerns over press freedom delayed deal; hacking victims welcome agreement

LONDON: Britain’s main polit- ensure the new system cannot be ical parties agreed yesterday to easily altered later. Cameron said create a new system to regulate he was satisfied with the outcome. the news media, hoping to end “It ensures that for genera- an era when tabloid newspapers tions to come government min- trawled through people’s mobile isters cannot interfere with this phone messages to dredge up new system without explicit and salacious stories. extensive support from both Public outrage over phone houses (of parliament). That is hacking, which went beyond an important step forward,” he celebrities to include victims of told members of parliament. crime and abducted children, “We stand here today with a pushed the government to act, but cross-party agreement for a new it said it had done so in a way that system of press regulation. It still protected press freedom. supports our great traditions of The compromise agreed by the investigative journalism and free three main parties and expected to speech. It protects the rights of pass through parliament later on the vulnerable and the innocent.” Monday, will establish a new press Ed Miliband, the leader of the regulator, introduce fines of up to opposition Labour party, also £1m ($1.5m) and oblige newspapers said the compromise struck the to print prominent apologies where right balance. “The regulator appropriate. The system will be will be independent of the press. voluntary, but there will be strong Secondly, it is a regulator with financial incentives to encourage teeth. This is a system that will newspapers to opt into it. endure,” he told parliament. “I have today reached cross- The new system “commands party agreement on a royal charter the confidence of the victims and that will help deliver a new system allows the press to hold the pow- of independent and robust press erful to account without abusing regulation in our country,” Prime its own power,” he said. Minister David Cameron told par- Others were less happy. The liament. “It is right we put in place official in charge of media freedom a new system of press regulation to at the 57-nation Organisation for ensure that such appalling acts can Security and Cooperation said the never happen again.” criminal activities of some jour- The government came under nalists “should not be used as an pressure to create a new regula- excuse to rein in all print media”. tory system after The Guardian “A government-established reg- newspaper exposed phone hack- ulatory body, regardless of how Founder of the Hacked Off campaign Brian Cathcart at a press conference in London, yesterday. ing by tabloid papers. The hacking independent it is intended to be, of a murdered schoolgirl’s phone could pose a threat to media free- led to a judge-led inquiry which dom,” said Dunja Mijatovic at the laid bare the scale of the problem. Vienna-based OSCE. The Sun pays MP £50,000 in damages But concerns that a new sys- Index on Censorship, a group tem could imperil press freedom that campaigns for free speech, LONDON: A Labour MP has that my phone was of interest to inquiries, while allegations have that The Sun newspaper had delayed agreement, with some said it was a “sad day for press accepted “very substantial” a national daily newspaper,” the since spread to the Mirror news- accessed her text messages from press barons threatening to boy- freedom in the UK”. “The involve- damages from The Sun newspa- MP for Mitcham and Morden in paper with four current or former about October 2010 and therefore cott a new regulatory regime and ment of politicians undermines per after the tabloid admitted its southwest London told BBC radio. editors arrested last week. appeared to have accessed and/ campaigners for tougher regula- the fundamental principle that the employees accessed private infor- Phone-hacking by journalists Hugh Tomlinson, who is repre- or acquired her mobile phone,” tion accusing Cameron of being in press holds politicians to account,” mation from her stolen mobile on Murdoch’s now defunct News senting hacking victims, told the her lawyer David Sherborne told thrall to the press. said Kirsty Hughes, its CEO. phone three years ago, London’s of the World first came to light in High Court that there had been the court. Dinah Rose, the lawyer The deal spares Cameron what Hacked Off, a group repre- High Court heard yesterday. 2005, with the paper’s royal cor- “substantial developments”, refer- for News International, offered was shaping up to be an embar- senting the victims of newspa- Siobhain McDonagh later said respondent jailed in 2007. ring to the arrest last month of an unreserved apology and said rassing political defeat in parlia- per behaviour, welcomed the deal she was paid £50,000 ($75,700) News International, Murdoch’s six people as part of a second sus- it accepted that there had been ment that would have deepened however. “This agreement among damages by Rupert Murdoch’s British newspaper business, said pected phone-hacking conspiracy “a serious misuse of her private rifts in his coalition government. the three parties delivers a char- News Corp. following revelations for years that the scandal was at the News of the World. This information”. Another hacking vic- The three parties had been ter and a self-regulation system The Sun reporters had been access- limited to a rogue reporter but could involve “potentially hun- tim, former world champion boxer divided over whether a new press that will protect the public and ing text messages on her mobile subsequently admitted it was dreds of victims”, he said although Chris Eubank, told the court that regulator should be enshrined protect freedom of speech at phone taken from her car in south- far more widespread. Dozens of he added it was not clear how News International had destroyed in law and over how its mem- the same time. So I’m optimis- west London in October 2010 staff from both the News of the many new claims there would be. his life and his marriage, and bers would be chosen. But they tic,” Brian Cathcart, the group’s “I’m not terribly high profile, I World and the Sun have now been McDonagh’s case came to light accused the company of making a reached a compromise after executive director, said. love doing my constituency stuff, arrested in connection with the when police told her in June 2012 “mockery of the judicial system”. agreeing to enact legislation to REUTERS but I would never have thought phone-hacking scandal or related that they had “obtained evidence REUTERS

Protest in New York Obama nominates Two teens convicted Tom Perez as in US rape case Secretary of Labour WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama yesterday nomi- CHICAGO: Two US teenag- community. Richmond said they nated Tom Perez, head of the ers were found guilty of raping had “no intentions” to commit Justice Department’s Civil Rights a fellow high school student — the crimes, and Mays said “those Division, as labour secretary, a a case made notorious when a pictures shouldn’t have been sent cabinet member who will play a video of boys laughing about the around, let alone even taken”. key role in the administration’s assault on the “dead” drunk girl Richmond’s father also apolo- efforts to raise the minimum wage went viral. gized and asked for forgiveness and reform immigration laws. Trent Mays, 17, and Ma’lik for the boys for what he called “a Perez is the only Latino nomi- Richmond, 16, both high school terrible mistake”. The 16-year-old nated to Obama’s second-term football players in the small Ohio victim was not in the room, but Cabinet so far. The Harvard- town of Steubenville, broke down her mother addressed the court, educated civil rights attorney is when they heard the verdict: telling the boys: “You displayed expected to face opposition from “Delinquent beyond a reasonable not only a lack of... compassion some Republican senators. doubt” on all counts. but a lack of any moral code. You Further charges may be brought were your own accuser through Explosive devices against other people involved in the social media that you chose to found at university New York City Comptroller and mayoral candidate John Liu speaks in support of a demonstration against the the incident, which continued well publish your criminal conduct on,” New York Police Department’s “stop and frisk” crime-fighting tactic outside Manhattan Federal Court, yester- after the August 11 assault as pic- she said. “I have pity for you both.” MIAMI: Police found explo- day. The city is defending the policy in court from a class action which four black men filed in 2008 alleging tures and videos were shared via The girl’s lawyer, Bob sive devices and weapons in a police improperly targeted them because of their race. The trial is considered the broadest legal challenge to text message and uploaded to social Fitzsimmons, told CNN that she Florida university dormitory “stop and frisk” since its inception. media sites like Facebook. was “doing well” and was relieved room early yesterday after a “Many of the things that we that the court case had finished. man was killed by an apparent learned during this trial that “She’s a 16-year-old girl still, and self-inflicted gunshot wounded, our children were saying and she’s a high school student. She just the university said. Hundreds of doing were profane, were ugly,” wants to get back with her normal students were evacuated from US Republicans aim to rebrand party said Judge Thomas Lipps. In one life, as does the family,” he said. the Florida Central University, video, high school boys laughed Ohio Assistant Attorney General which was closed down after WASHINGTON: After months appeared intolerant of women, Barack Obama over Republican about watching the rape, saying Marianne Hemmeter said that the discovery, the university in of infighting over what went minorities and others in a heated Mitt Romney in November. the girl “deserved to be peed on”. the two boys treated the girl like Orlando, Florida said. wrong for them in the 2012 elec- campaign season. The growing Hispanic popu- Other videos and photos a “toy” and repeatedly degraded tions, US Republicans yesterday “Our message was weak, our lation in the United States is a showed Mays and Richmond lift- her by sending the photos to their UK police investigate outlined a broad plan to attract ground game was insufficient, we particular concern to Republican ing the unconscious and nearly friends. Defence attorneys had dis- Hockney aide’s death racial minorities, women and weren’t inclusive, we were behind leaders. The party’s own surveys naked 16-year-old girl by her puted the prosecution’s assertion young voters — and shed their in both data and digital (voter have indicated that many mem- hands and feet. Because they that the girl was too drunk to con- LONDON: A young man who image as a “narrow-minded, out- turnout efforts), and our (presi- bers of that minority group and were tried as juveniles, the judge sent, and insisted the boys’ actions was at the home of world- of-touch” party of “stuffy old men.” dential) primary and debate proc- others see the Republican Party determined the verdict and the did not constitute rape. renowned British artist David Republican National Committee ess needed improvement,” he said. as unwelcoming. sentence, which the boys began The case has raised awareness Hockney has died in mysteri- Chairman Reince Priebus used He added that although The Republican plan also seeks serving immediately. of the power and danger of social ous circumstances, police said those words, and more, in an unu- Republicans have “sound” con- to close what Priebus acknowledged Richmond must serve a mini- media and cyber bullying, as sexu- yesterday. Officers are inves- sually frank assessment of the servative principles, “we know that is the Democrats’ significant tech- mum of one year in a juvenile reha- ally explicit or other humiliating tigating events leading up to party’s failings in November, and we have problems, we’ve identified nological advantage in identifying bilitation facility and a maximum pictures and videos spread like the death of the 23-year-old what it must change before the them and we’re implementing the likely supporters and getting them of up until he turns 21, while Mays, wildfire with a click of a mouse Dominic Elliott, an assistant 2014 congressional elections. solutions to fix them”. to the polls. He said Republicans charged with a second crime of or a tap on a smartphone. One in and close friend of the painter, In remarks at the National Press The blueprint released by the will make better use of technology “illegal use of a minor in nudity- six US children aged 12 to 17 have over the weekend. The man Club in Washington, Priebus said RNC calls for what amounts to a to spread the party’s message, and oriented material,” was sentenced received a sexually suggestive nude was taken to hospital from Republican policies were sound, but $10m marketing campaign aimed will create an open data platform to a minimum of two years and a or nearly nude photo or video of Hockney’s home in Bridlington, he portrayed a conservative party at women, minority and same-sex that will help provide research to maximum of up until he turns 24. someone they know, a recent study northeast England. It is unclear that had been outmanoeuvred stra- voters, constituencies that voted their candidates. They both apologised in court by the Pew Research Centre found. whether he died in hospital or at tegically and that had sometimes solidly for Democratic President REUTERS to the victim, her family and the AFP the artist’s place. AGENCIES TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2013 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES

Taiwan aims No pullout from Sabah: Sultan 50 missiles TAIPE: Taiwan is set to pro- duce 50 medium-range mis- Jamalul Kiram says his brother and si le s nex t yea r th at w i l l ta rget military bases in southeast followers eluding security forces China, a media report said yesterday. The report came MANILA: Followers of Sulu some of them from the Moro after former defence minis- Sultan Jamalul Kiram III are National Liberation Front. ter Michael Tsai revealed in a not withdrawing from Sabah, He said Agbimuddin could have recently published book that and he has instructed them made their way through Lahad the island created medium- to conduct guerrilla warfare Datu on their way to Sandakan range guided missiles that against Malaysian forces. and initially slipped to either could be used against China Kiram said last Sunday the Sibutu or Sitangkai. back in 2008. The Yun Feng withdrawal of his army led by “It could be the others who were (Cloud Peak) missile has his brother Agbimuddin from intercepted were probable a decoy been developed by the state- Sabah was not an option. “They or diversionary for their entry,” run Chung-shan Institute are already in their homeland so the source said, referring to the of Science and Technology why come back?” Kiram said. arrests made by the Philippine and each has a range of over Abraham Idjirani, spokesman Navy (PN) the other week 1,000km (620 miles), said the for the sultanate, said the struggle The Navy apprehended three Taipei-based China Times. in Sabah would continue. of them and subsequently inter- He said the unilateral cease- cepted 35 other royal force UN call to speed fire order issued by the sultanate members near Taganak Island had been lifted and the sultan’s on board of two motorboats up Rouge trial army had been ordered to conduct with some firearms. The inter- “hit and run” operations against cepted followers of the sultanate PHNOM PENH: Donors, the Malaysians. Contrary to the had been placed under custodial rights groups and the UN Malaysian claim that Agbimuddin investigation in the marine base yesterday urged Cambodia’s had fled, Kiram said his younger in Bato-bato, Panglima Sugala. war crimes court to speed brother and his followers are still Malaysian authorities also up the trial of the remain- in Sabah eluding security forces. expressed the possibility that ing two Khmer Rouge lead- Sources, however, claimed Agbimuddin might have already ers accused of genocide after Agbimuddin and some of his men slipped out of Sabah but they the death of an elderly sus- have slipped to Sulu province. continue their manhunt despite Jamalul Kiram III (left) talks to his wife, Dr Fatima Celia Kiram, at their home in Taguig City, Manila, yesterday. pect. Regime co-founder Ieng A security official who asked their earlier announcement Sary, 87, died in hospital on not to be named since he is not that he might have slipped back Star Online quoted Sabah Police Agbimuddin’s group was killed in a area and we have surrounded it,” Thursday, escaping judgment allowed to make any official state- to the Philippines. “If we find Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib gun battle with Malaysian security Army field commander Lt. Gen. for his alleged role in the ment, said Agbimuddin arrived in him (Agbimuddin) here, we as saying. The Star Online also forces in Kampung Tanjung Batu. Datuk Seri Zulkiple Kassim said. atrocities. The two remain- Sulu along with his escorts, with will arrest him,” Malaysia’s The reported a suspected gunman from “We believe they are still in the THE PHILIPPINE STAR ing defendants, Nuon Chea and former head of state Khieu Samphan are in their eighties. Officials admit US vows military Pursue Chinese dream: Xi ship radar lock TOKYO: Senior Chinese BEIJING: New leader Xi purpose of the party, so that there to keep the show on, the party military officials have admit- aid for S Korea Jinping has urged China to pur- is a greater sense of the party in power and (make) China more ted for the first time that a sue the “Chinese dream” but being united with the people”, powerful and influential”. frigate locked its radar on a SEOUL: US Deputy Defence a “pre-emptive” nuclear attack. experts say behind the grandi- said David Zweig, a professor at “They will be trying to project Japanese destroyer during Secretary Ashton Carter yes- Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel ose words, he is single-minded Hong Kong University of Science a clear image and message to the the two nations’ row over dis- terday promised to provide said last Friday that 14 more in his aim to bolster Communist and Technology. country in China that they are puted islands, Kyodo News South Korea with every military interceptors would be stationed in Party rule. Like all leaders since Deng tackling the big issues like cor- reported yesterday. In one of resource under the US nuclear Alaska, increasing by almost half The president faces myriad Xiaoping, Xi agrees on the need ruption, like government abuse the more serious incidents in umbrella at a time of heightened the 30 already deployed along the challenges from pollution and for China to press ahead with eco- of power.” an escalating wrangle over tensions with North Korea. California and Alaska coastlines. graft to territorial spats, unsteady nomic reforms pursued since the Scott Harold, a China expert ownership of the islands in Carter was in Seoul on the Hagel said the defence upgrade growth in the world’s number two old command-style communist at the Rand Corporation in the the East China Sea, Tokyo second leg of a four-nation tour was designed to “stay ahead of the economy, and widespread inequal- system began to be disbanded in United States, said: “If you look said the Chinese vessel effec- of US allies and partners in Asia threat” from North Korea, which ity bringing the threat of social 1978, spurring an historic eco- at Xi Jinping there are reasons tively had a Japanese ship in including Japan, the Philippines is still believed to be years from unrest. nomic boom. to think that he believes that now its sights earlier this year. and Indonesia. having a missile capable of car- Xi, named as president last week Since November, when he took China is a great power and China “We remain steadfast to our rying a nuclear warhead to the by the National People’s Congress, over the reins as party chief from has to act like a great power.” Six-nation talks commitment to extended deter- continental United States. called for “the continued realisa- Hu Jintao, Xi has proclaimed the But the outlook for social rence offered by the US nuclear Military tensions on the Korean tion of the great renaissance of the need to fight growing corrup- reforms, for which a consensus on security set umbrella,” Carter said after talks peninsula have escalated dramati- Chinese nation and the Chinese tion which threatens, in his own apparently has yet to be reached with South Korean Defence cally since the North conducted dream” in his first speech as head words, to “kill the party” that has among top leaders, remains MANILA: Officials from Minister Kim Kwan-Jin. its third nuclear test last month. of state last Sunday. ruled China since 1949. unclear. six countries will join the “We’ll ensure all of our Pyongyang responded to the At the close of China’s rubber- But despite the threat of Hints appeared in state media maritime security discus- resources will be available to our subsequent UN sanctions with stamp parliament, he laid out corruption and protests about after Xi took over as party chief sions alongside the Balikatan alliance,” he was quoted as saying threats of “all-out war” backed a vision of a stronger military social and environmental issues, that significant changes could be exercises between Filipino by Yonhap news agency. by nuclear weapons. and ever-higher living stand- the Communist Party appears in the offing, such as an end to and US troops next month. Carter’s visit came just Some lawmakers in Seoul have ards following the once-in-a- unwilling to countenance politi- China’s notorious “re-education” Armed Forces spokesman Col days after the United States suggested it is time for South decade leadership transition that cal reforms. labour camps, but the message Arnulfo Burgos Jr said rep- announced it would bolster Korea to develop its own nuclear also installed a new premier, Li Xi’s over-riding priority, said was later rolled back and in the resentatives from Australia, defences against a possible deterrent, rather than relying on Keqiang. Steve Tsang, an expert in Chinese event no firm announcements Brunei, Japan, South Korea, North Korean missile strike in the US umbrella. Xi’s “Chinese dream” concept politics at Britain’s University of were made. Singapore, and Thailand will response to Pyongyang’s threat of AFP is itself an effort to “redefine the Nottingham, is “whatever it takes AFP join US and Filipino officials in the Multinational Maritime Security Roundtable. Bangkok visit Balikatan 2013 will be held from April 5 to 17. China warns over US Australia eases Myanmar curbs missile defence plans CANBERRA: President Thein Sein yesterday became BEIJING: China warned in a cautious manner,” he said, Myanmar’s first head of state against the bolstering of mili- adding: “China has always sought to visit Australia since 1974, tary power and urged cau- to prevent missile proliferation.” winning aid and defence con- tion yesterday after the US His remarks came days after cessions. After his talks with announced it would increase its US Defence Secretary Chuck Prime Minister Julia Gillard, missile defences in response to Hagel vowed to increase by almost officials said arms embargo threats from North Korea. half the number of interceptors would remain, but announced “All measures seeking to stationed in Alaska, following an easing of restrictions on increase military capacities will Pyongyang’s threat of a “pre- defence cooperation, includ- only intensify antagonism and will emptive” nuclear attack against ing humanitarian and dis- not help to solve the problem,” its arch-foe. aster relief activities and foreign ministry spokesman Hong He also confirmed plans to peacekeeping. Lei said when asked about the US increase missile defence facilities plans announced last Friday. in Japan. China is North Korea’s US troops “We hope that the relevant sole major ally and main trading parties will adopt a responsible partner. suspended attitude and deal with this issue AFP Belgian Crown Prince Philippe (right) walks with Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra during a visit at SEOUL: Thousands of US the Government House in Bangkok, yesterday. troops in South Korea have been suspended, follow- ing violent incidents, the US military said yesterday. Philippines rejects appeal Japan seizes N Korean alloy cargo Three- and four-day week- end passes have also been TOKYO: Japan has seized alu- extremely strong and can be used According to media reports, the cancelled, Eighth Army to pardon killer film-maker minium alloy rods which can be in centrifuges, that are products ship was on its way to Myanmar spokesman Colonel Andrew used to make nuclear centri- related to nuclear development,” when it arrived in Tokyo via the Mutter said. “We are tak- MANILA: The Philippines has rejected an appeal to pardon a fuges from a Singapore-flagged Suga told a regular news briefing. Chinese port of Dalian. ing deliberate measures and Spanish-Filipino serving life in jail for murdering two women ship which was carrying cargo The rods had been stored at The spokesman confirmed the actions to address all acts of despite an award-winning documentary showing his innocence, the from North Korea, a govern- a private warehouse and the ship arrived via Dalian but said misconduct and inappropri- film-maker said yesterday. ment spokesman said yesterday. Japanese government ordered the only that the cargo was bound for ate behaviour.” Earlier this Francisco “Paco” Larranaga filed an appeal to President Benigno The five rods were discovered firm yesterday to hand them over. a “third country”. month, a US soldier was shot Aquino after the 2011 release of Give Up Tomorrow highlighted flaws in on the ship during its call at It was the first such handover The North has conducted three and injured by South Korean the case and won awards, including one from the Philippine government. Tokyo port last August and were under a special law passed in 2010 nuclear weapons tests, in 2006, police after a high-speed car But the Department of Justice rejected the appeal, said producer confirmed to be aluminium alloy to enable Tokyo to inspect North 2009 and last month, and dis- chase through Seoul, after Marty Syjuco, who is related by marriage to Larranaga. through tests conducted over Korea-related ships suspected closed in 2010 that it is developing he and other servicemen had Larranaga, then 19, and six other young men were arrested in 1997 the past six months, said Chief of carrying materials that could a programme to enrich uranium allegedly fired a BB gun at for the rape and murder of two sisters in their early 20s in the central Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga. be used in nuclear and missile using centrifuges. passers-by. AGENCIES city of Cebu. He has been in jail ever since. AFP “The aluminium alloy is programmes. AFP TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2013 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

MPs demand Four die in court suicide attack Musharraf’s arrest on arrival Bomber, accomplice pose as clerks ISLAMABAD: Pakistani lawmakers yesterday PESHAWAR: Four people were killed when a suicide bomber repeated their call to arrest posing as a legal clerk blew himself up and his companion ‘clerk’ former military ruler Pervez opened fire at the court complex in the city of Peshawar yesterday, Musharraf and try him for officials said. treason when he returned An injured guard described how the two young men tried to get past his home from self-imposed exile checkpoint. “They introduced themselves as court clerks and refused in Dubai. Musharraf has said a body search. One of them pulled out a pistol and fired at me after I he will return on Sunday insisted on a search,” Tahir Khan, 36, said from hospital. “I was hit on to contest general election my right arm. I shouted and police arrived and firing started. I heard expected in May. a blast but I was bleeding and was later taken to hospital.” “I am arriving in Pakistan on Sayed Jameel Shah, a spokesman for Peshawar’s main Lady Reading March 24th. I need your sup- Hospital, said it had received four bodies and was treating 25 people, port,” Musharraf said on his including four policemen and seven lawyers. “One suicide bomber blew Facebook page yesterday. himself up in the court of an additional sessions judge. The other was He is wanted in Pakistan shot dead by police,” said senior police officer Masood Khan Afridi. over the assassination of “We have cleared the area.” He denied reports that some judges and former prime minister Benazir lawyers had been held hostage inside the courts. Bhutto in a gun and suicide “Terrorists have attacked at a time when general elections are very attack after an election rally near and the atmosphere for election is smooth,” said Information in Rawalpindi, the headquar- Minister for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Mian Iftikhar Hussain. ters of the army, on December On February 18, militants, including a suicide bomber, attacked the 27, 2007. office of a senior official in Peshawar, killing six people. “A senate resolution adopted Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Saturday hailed parliament’s in January last year is clear historic completion of a full term in office as a victory for democracy that he should be arrested as he gave his farewell address to the nation. The polling date has yet and prosecuted,” Senator Raza to be announced but officials say the Election Commission has recom- Pakistani rescue workers carry a victim who was injured in a suicide bomb blast targeting a Judicial Complex, to a Rabbani, a leader of the ruling mended May 8, 9 or 10. AFP local hospital in Peshawar, the provincial capital of militancy-hit Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, yesterday. Pakistan People’s Party, said. “It is the expression of the will of the lawmakers.” The resolution adopted by the Upper House demanded Musharraf’s arrest and insti- Ex-rebel leader tution of a treason case against the former dictator, who seized detained over Hearing on raid victims’ plea set power in a bloodless coup in 1999. BERLIN: A German court the bombing which Germany’s court in Bonn, which is hosting their children,” Popal, a German- The maximum penalty for Pearl’s murder will begin examining tomor- Bundestag lower house of par- the hearing because the defence Afghan, said. treason is hanging. Courts have KARACHI: Pakistani security row a multi-million-euro class liament described as “one of the ministry is still based in the In response to a sharp rise issued warrants for his arrest officials said yesterday they had action lawsuit by relatives of most serious incidents involv- former German capital. in attacks on foreign forces, a over the death of Bhutto and arrested a former leader of a victims of a deadly air strike in ing the German army since the Plaintiffs and witnesses have German commander called in the 2006 death of a rebel leader banned militant outfit allegedly Afghanistan ordered by Nato’s Second World War”. not been invited to hearing. the raid, which forced the defence in the southwest. involved in the 2002 murder of German command. The hearing in the western city Karim Popal, the lawyer for the minister at the time to resign US journalist Daniel Pearl in The September 4, 2009 bomb- of Bonn will initially focus on the victims, says 137 civilians were and claimed other high-ranking Election delayed Karachi. ing by US planes near the north- claims by a father seeking 40,000 killed in the strike but Germany scalps. Chancellor Angela Merkel Qari Abdul Hayee, known as ern Afghan city of Kunduz on euros after the death of two of his has never confirmed the figure, had to appear at a parliamentary by five days Asadullah, from Karachi’s east- two fuel tankers stolen by insur- children and a widowed mother of which officially stands at more committee of inquiry. Germany ern Gulshan-e-Iqbal neighbour- gents killed and wounded dozens, six whose claim amounts to 50,000 than 90 dead and wounded. has paid out around 430,000 dol- ISLAMABAD: The sched- hood, was detained in a raid on prompted outrage in Germany euros. “Due to this barbaric crime, lars to families affected by the air ule for Pakistan’s general his hideout on Sunday. and a political scandal. Germany has said it would ask many orphans and widows have strike which, it underscored, was election has been delayed for He headed Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Seventy-nine families are the court to reject the lawsuit, lost the person who fed them not compensation but humanitar- five days, sources said yester- (LeJ) in the southern province of seeking 3.3m euros ($4.3m) over according to a statement by the and many mothers have lost ian aid. AFP day. Secretary of the Election Sindh and was “involved in sev- Commission Ishtiaq Ahmed eral terror acts”, an official said, Khan had said last week adding he was also involved in that a new schedule will be Pearl’s murder. announced within days of the Pearl, 38, was the South Asia dissolution of the National bureau chief for The Wall Street Assembly. Journal when he was abducted Islamabad seeks ban on drone strikes But sources said it will be in Karachi on January 23, 2002, announced after the care- while researching a story about ISLAMABAD: Being more vocal than Emmerson was not only conveyed Islamabad’s The official was part of Pakistan’s team taker prime minister is sworn Islamist militants. A video show- ever regarding the controversial US drone strong opposition but was also told that the which had briefed Emmerson on the implica- in. Additional Secretary of the ing his decapitation was deliv- attacks, Pakistan is seeking a ban on the use of pilotless aircraft must be discouraged. tions of the continued US drone attacks in the commission Afzal Iran said the ered to the US consulate nearly unilateral use of pilotless lethal aircraft A senior foreign ministry official said that tribal areas of the country. new move was the result of a a month later. In 2003, LeJ sent against sovereign countries. Islamabad was making all efforts to develop Islamabad’s opposition to the use of combat strategy. parcel bombs to police, injuring Officials have revealed that Islamabad has consensus at the UN against the unilateral drones stems from its fears that other coun- According to the new sched- many people. In December 2002, insisted that increased reliance on drone drone use for counter-terrorism operations tries may emulate this policy particularly in ule, the commission will have it planned a suicide attack on a strikes for combat operations may cause seri- in any country. South Asia where certain states have festering 52 days before the conduct of hotel near Karachi airport but ous harm to global peace and stability. “The drone technology is now very common political disputes. election. He said only those the bomb exploded while being When the head of the United Nations and if its unilateral use is not discouraged, “Therefore, we don’t want this technology following the amended forms prepared and killed an associate team investigating civilian impact of drone it will set a dangerous precedent,” said the to be used for combat operations,” the official would be eligible to to contest. of Asadullah. AFP use travelled to Pakistan last week, Ben official requesting anonymity. explained. INTERNEWS He said Chief Election Commissioner Justice Fakharuddin G Ibrahim had met officials and the commis- sion will send monitoring teams to all districts to film activities of candidates to ensure trans- Zardari urges Mursi to help end Syria violence parency. The army will foil all attempts to disturb election, he added. ISLAMABAD: Pakistani must be led and owned by technology and science and President Asif Ali Zardari the Syrian people and offered technology. Militants blow yesterday urged his Egyptian Pakistan’s readiness to play its “President Mursi expressed counterpart Mohammed role”. his deep desire to cultivate close up two schools Mursi to help efforts to end Pakistani state television relations with Pakistan and said the “bloodshed” in Syria and showed live footage of a cere- that Pakistan and Egypt are two ISLAMABAD: Suspected find a solution to the crisis. mony at the presidential palace pillars of the Islamic world,” militants bombed two gov- Zardari made the remarks in Islamabad where Mursi was Babar said. ernment primary schools in during talks with Mursi who greeted with a guard of honour. In India, Mursi will meet Mohmand Agency, north- arrived in Pakistan as part of a The foreign ministry said the Prime Minister Manmohan west Pakistan, officials said. South Asian tour that will also visit was a “watershed and a Singh and business groups to According to Geo News, the take him to India as he works to landmark” in relations between bolster trade relationship. schools were partially dam- promote trade and investment the two Muslim nations which “Our trade with Egypt has aged when explosives planted in Egypt’s troubled economy. would “give a new impetus to increased so rapidly in the last by extremists went off in His one-day trip to Pakistan economic, trade and cultural three years that India is now Tehsil Saafi of Mohmand was the first visit by an relations”. Egypt’s seventh-largest trading Agency. Egyptian leader since Gamal “President Mursi’s decision partner,” India’s Ambassador to No casualty was reported. Abdel Nasser in the 1960s. to choose Pakistan as the first Egypt Navdeep Suri told report- Security forces cordoned off Zardari “urged for working South Asian country for a visit ers ahead of the visit. the area and were investigat- together to end the bloodshed in manifests Egypt’s desire to add “We talk often in general ing, sources added. Syria and find a peaceful solu- a new chapter to its ties with terms about space, technology tion to the crisis,” presidential Pakistan,” it added. and cooperation but during Moderate quake Egypt’s President Mohammed Mursi (right) receives an honorary doctorate in spokesman Farhatullah Babar Officials from the two coun- this visit we are talking in spe- philosophy from Pakistan’s Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf at the National said in a statement. tries signed agreements to cific terms about launching an hits districts Zardari also stressed that promote cooperation in ship- Egyptian satellite,” he added. University of Science and Technology in Islamabad, yesterday. “the drive for peace in Syria ping, investment, information AGENCY ISLAMABAD: An earth- quake measuring 5.4 mag- nitude on the Richter scale jolted Chitral, Swat and adjoining districts in north- ern Paksitan yesterday. The jolts were felt in Chitral, Britain speeds up deportation of illegal Pakistanis Shanghla, Boner, Ghazar and Malakand Agency. ISLAMABAD: The British Early this year, Islamabad entry. This year so far 1,861 have left for Pakistan on March 5, 13 signed, Pakistani immigrants had According to the government has accelerated assured London that it would been deported and 283 refused and 16, carrying hundreds of peo- become a target. Meteorological Department, group deportation of Pakistanis accept illegal immigrants if entry. Figures for this year’s first ple to Islamabad. He said since November 2011, the tremors struck the areas through chartered flights with removed by chartered planes. quarter are yet to be compiled but In the last five years, the British around 15 chartered flights had in the wee hours. help from Islamabad. In 2009, 1,189 people were reports suggest that an unprec- authorities have spent £133m, on taken Pakistanis to Islamabad. He The epicentre of the quake Official figures show there is deported, while 858 were refused edented number of people will be average £5000 on each individ- said the mission had deputed an was about 207km deep in the almost 100 percent increase in entry at ports. In 2010, 999 were deported. ual, to deport them. A Pakistan officer to visit jails and detention Hindu Kush Mountain Range the number of people deported deported and 419 refused entry British authorities last year High Commission spokesman in centres on a regular basis for the in Afghanistan. and the figure is set to increase and in 2011, 1,466 were removed spent £9m on chartering 37 London said that since a memo- welfare and early release of pris- AGENCIES this year. from Britain and 379 refused flights. Three chartered flights randum of understanding was oners. INTERNEWS TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2013 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Geneva envoy called for talks over Lanka Pressure on Delhi to take tough stand against Colombo

NEW DELHI: India yester- have taken to the streets support to the United Progressive day asked its envoy in Geneva denouncing the death of Tamil Alliance if India remained soft to return for consultations on civilians in the war against the vis-a-vis Sri Lanka, the govern- the US resolution on Sri Lanka Tamil Tigers. ment sent three senior ministers as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Authorities have been forced to to Chennai to meet Karunanidhi. J Jayalalithaa told New Delhi shut many colleges and hostels. Parliamentary Affairs Minister to take a tough stand against A Buddhist monk was yesterday Kamal Nath said Home Minister Colombo and the UPA tried attacked by Tamil activists at a P Chidambaram, Defence to placate DMK leader M railway station in Chennai before Minister A K Antony and Health Karunanidhi. police rescued him. Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad met Dilip Sinha, ambassador The foreign ministry spokes- Karunanidhi in Chennai. and permanent representative man said the resolution “in the A decision on the Sri Lanka of India to the UN in Geneva, final form will be available late resolution will be taken after will be here today to brief the this evening, Geneva time”. that, he said. Karunanidhi wrote government on the resolution, “We will have consultations on to Prime Minister Manmohan external affairs ministry spokes- the matter, and he (Indian envoy Singh and UPA chairperson person Syed Akbaruddin said to Geneva) will be able to brief Sonia Gandhi on Saturday say- here. senior officials on the ground level ing Colombo should be specifi- The issue has gained urgency realities in Geneva and the latest cally blamed for the “genocide” with political parties and activists position,” he added. of Tamils during the war against in Tamil Nadu urging the govern- Asked what position India was the Tamil Tigers. ment to back the resolution — like likely to take on the resolution, Karunanidhi also called for an Students shout slogans from inside a bus during a protest to rally against war crimes committed by Sri Lanka, last year — and even amend it to the spokesperson said a call would international probe into allega- in Chennai, yesterday. denounce Colombo for the “geno- be taken after the final text was tions of war crimes against the cide” of Tamils. available and the arrival of the Tamils in Sri Lanka. abuses in the island nation. the earlier US resolution. “To to further strengthen the resolu- The resolution is expected ambassador from Geneva. Sri Lanka is under attack over In Chennai, Chief Minister assuage the legitimate sense of tion,” she said. to come up for voting at the Asked if New Delhi favoured the death of a large number of Jayalalithaa yesterday demanded outrage and deeply hurt senti- India voted against Sri Lanka 47-member UNHRC session in the word “genocide”, he said the Tamil civilians during the final that India take a “strong stand” ments (of Tamils), it is abso- at the UNHRC meet last year but Geneva on Thursday. government would “cross the stages of the war that crushed the against Sri Lanka at Geneva. lutely important that India takes after moderating the US resolu- Sentiments are running high bridge when we come to it”. Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam She urged Manmohan Singh a strong stand in support ... and tion to axe aspects that were seen against Sri Lanka in Tamil Nadu, With the DMK, which has (LTTE) in 2009. There are also that India should move an inde- more importantly moves neces- as intrusive in Colombo. where large numbers of students 18 MPs, threatening to end its issues related to continued rights pendent resolution to strengthen sary independent amendments IANS

Cabinet clears Angry SP wants Beni Prasad Mumbai police set up lab anti-rape bill, keeps age of out, disrupts parliament to monitor social media MUMBAI: Mumbai police have set up India’s first “social media consent at 18 NEW DELHI: Samajwadi several Muslim religious leaders when it met after the lunch break lab” to monitor Facebook, Twitter and other networking sites, Party members disrupted both spoke about the contribution of at 2pm. sparking concerns about freedom of speech online. NEW DELHI: The cabinet houses of parliament yesterday, the community in the service of The upper house was scheduled A specially-trained team of 20 police officers will staff the lab, yesterday approved the anti- demanding union Steel Minister the nation. The SP chief said he to take up a debate on the gen- which was launched over the weekend and will work around the rape bill by agreeing to stick to Beni Prasad Verma’s sacking would continue to fight for the eral budget. However, members clock to keep an eye on issues being publicly discussed and track 18 years as the age of consent for allegedly saying their party cause of minorities. “How can from the SP demanded that the matters relating to public order. instead of 16, informed sources chief Mulayam Singh Yadav had we forget their contributions in Congress offer a clarification on “They will work under Special Branch. They will monitor and said. The cabinet meeting was “terrorist links”. national development as also in Verma’s statement. find out which topics are trending among the youth so we can held last evening following an Verma’s party Congress also securing our borders? How can he “The Congress must clarify plan law and order in a good way,” police spokesman Satyanarayan all-party meeting in the morn- expressed its displeasure over his say that Muslims are terrorists? that the statement was Beni Choudhary said yesterday. ing, when the bill was discussed. reported remarks. He should apologise,” he said. Prasad Verma’s own comment In November police sparked outrage and fierce debate about The sources said the govern- In the Lok Sabha, the issue was As SP members continued to and the party does not endorse it,” India’s Internet laws by arresting two young women over a Facebook ment has agreed to stick to 18 first raised during zero hour by raise slogans, Verma said: “For SP member Naresh Agarwal said. post criticising the shutdown of Mumbai after the death of a local years as age of consent follow- SP member Shailendra Kumar me, terrorism has no religion, no E M S Natchiappan, who was in hardline politician. ing suggestions at the all-party and party MPs then trooped colour. The demolition of Babri the chair, urged the SP members The pair were arrested under laws including section 66a of the meeting. They said that the towards the speaker’s podium, Masjid and the post-Godhra riots to sit down. However, the agitated Information Technology Act, which forbids “sending false and offen- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and seeking an apology from Verma are also terrorist incidents.” MPs trooped near the chair- sive messages through communication services” and can lead to the Samajwadi Party (SP) were and his dismissal from the council “But he (Mulayam) joined man’s podium again, shouting three years in jail. The case followed several arrests across the among the parties which had res- of ministers over the issue. hands with those who demolished slogans and demanding Verma’s country for political cartoons or comments made online. ervations over the lowering the Verma contended that he had Babri Masjid, like Kalyan Singh. resignation. Amid the din, the Sunil Abraham, executive director of the Bangalore-based Centre age of consent to 16. not made any such statement, His party also helped BJP to win upper house was adjourned till for Internet and Society research group, said the “natural reaction” The sources said that the age and so there was no question of in Gujarat,” he claimed. 3pm. When it met again, it was was to worry about the new police lab given the way the law has of consent was 16 years under the an apology. “Where is the proof In the din, Speaker Meira adjourned for the day after dis- been used. Indian Penal Code but was raised that I have said such a thing? I Kumar directed other members ruptions. Verma at a rally in “Police in the last four years have acted in an arbitrary and ran- to 18 in the anti-rape ordinance did not link terrorism to any to raise their issues, but later Gonda, his constituency in Uttar dom fashion, often using the IT Act to settle political scores,” he said. promulgated by the government religion,” he said. SP members, adjourned the house till 2pm. Pradesh, had alleged that the “When there’s no crisis for the police, proactively keeping an eye in February this year. however, remained adamant as As soon as the house re-assem- Samajwadi Party chief had links on what people are saying or doing is overkill,” he said. However, the government Mulayam Singh rose to speak bled at 2pm, Samajwadi Party with terrorists. “He is a goon Choudhary said the lab was not set to censor comments, echo- agreed to lower the age of con- and attacked Verma. Mulayam members again rushed towards and a robber. How will he pro- ing a statement made by police commissioner Satyapal Singh at sent to 16 under the proposed Singh said Verma’s comments the speaker’s podium, demanding tect his state? He has links with the launch. “By reading the mindset of what people are writing on Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, followed a Muslim convention he the dismissal of Verma. In the terrorists,” said Verma, a former various modes of communication, we will try to provide better and 2013, following inter-ministerial had addressed in Lucknow, where Rajya Sabha, the issue was raised Samajwadi Party leader. IANS improved safety and security to the Mumbai citizens,” Singh said. consultations. AFP The sources said several politi- cal parties had suggested at the all-party meeting that the age of consent should be increased to 18 years since the minimum age of 4 boys held marriage for girls was also 18. Police parade gang rape suspects Meanwhile, lawyers and activ- ists yesterday slammed the gov- for raping ernment for agreeing to retain DATIA, MADHYA the age of consent at 18 years in PRADESH: Police in central the anti-rape bill that it plans to India have paraded a group of classmate introduce in the Lok Sabha today. men on television who were NEW DELHI: Four juve- They argued that the step arrested over the gang rape and niles were caught here for would unnecessarily affect those robbery of a Swiss cyclist who sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 18 who have con- was assaulted while on a holiday who studies with them in sensual sex. with her husband. Class 11, said police yes- If the age had to be retained Five men, all farmers aged terday. The delinquents to 18, “a ‘young person’s defence’ between 20 and 25, were wear- have been sent to a juve- should have been introduced — ing jeans and shirts and had their nile justice home. The four which means that people who are faces covered with black cloth juveniles, aged 16-17, were having sex consensually should when they were lined up at a booked for sexually assault- not be criminalised”, lawyer police station late Sunday in Datia ing the 16-year-old girl in Vrinda Grover said. district of Madhya Pradesh state. north Delhi’s Bawana area Grover added that though the In her statement to the police, on March 13. bill was “far from perfect, it must the 39-year-old woman said she “A case regarding the inci- be passed in this session”. had been raped by four men, with dent was registered on March Agreed a Supreme Court law- two others present at the time 16. All the minor accused yer requesting anonymity: “Rape of the assault late on Friday as were sent to juvenile justice is a rape, irrespective of age, but the couple pitched their tent in a home Sunday,” said a police the age of consent ideally should remote forested area. officer. The officer said that have been 16, as it protects young “According to the statement one of the juveniles had sexu- couples who are having physical of the woman in FIR (first infor- Policemen escort gang rape suspects to be produced in court in Datia, about 75km from Gwalior in Madhya ally assaulted the girl while relations willingly.” mation report), four people had Pradesh, yesterday. the other three were present “A boy below the age of 18 can raped her. All the four accused on the spot. “As per the law, easily be charged for rape if he have confessed to gang-raping New Delhi recovering from the local police about their move- comes three months after the the other three juveniles were has sex even if the girl tells the the woman,” said Dilip Arya, the attack. ments as required. fatal gang rape of a physiotherapy booked under the same sec- court that the sex was consen- deputy inspector general of police. The 30-year-old husband “This is the system but it is not student on a bus in New Delhi. tions because they were also sual,” said the lawyer. A sixth suspect, 19, was was tied up as the woman was being followed,” the Press Trust That attack spurred outrage present at the spot,” said the All-India Progressive Women’s detained Sunday in neighbour- assaulted and the pair were also of India news agency quoted Uma and countrywide protests over officer. The victim and the Association chief Kavita Krishnan ing Uttar Pradesh state and was robbed, police said. Shankar Gupta as saying. the treatment of women in Indian four juveniles live in the same said the provision in the Criminal being returned to the area. The home minister of Madhya The latest incident, which society and laws dealing with sex- neighbourhood and study in a Law (Amendment) Bill, 2013, After being treated in a local Pradesh has complained about Monday made it to the front ual crimes. private school. IANS could be misused. IANS hospital, the couple are now in foreign tourists not informing pages of major Indian newspapers, AFP TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2013 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Italian envoy has no immunity: Court Ensure Mancini doesn’t leave until next hearing on April 2, orders chief justice

NEW DELHI: India’s top But the Italian government heading a three-judge bench, willingly submitting himself to “The Italian government is judge said yesterday that Italy’s announced last week that it would said: “We have lost all trust in the the jurisdiction of the Supreme working on a friendly agree- ambassador had forfeited his renege on its commitment to send ambassador.” Court by signing a personal affi- ment with India based on inter- diplomatic immunity over his the men back, prompting fury in Katherine Reece-Thomas, an davit guaranteeing the return of national law,” Italian President role in securing the release of New Delhi. international law expert at City the marines. Giorgio Napolitano’s office said two marines who skipped bail The Indian government has University London, said that “We as officers of the govern- in a statement. while on trial for murder in warned of “consequences” and India risked being in breach of its ment of India will abide by the Relations between the two New Delhi. is reviewing its ties with Italy, Vienna Convention commitments. directions of the court of India,” countries have also been soured Chief Justice Altamas Kabir while the case is being watched “The only sanction available to foreign ministry spokesman Syed by corruption allegations sur- said Daniele Mancini, who had carefully by India’s allies because the host state (India) is to declare Akbaruddin told reporters. rounding a $748m deal for the negotiated the Italians’ release it could set precedents over the the diplomat to be persona non The marines face murder purchase of 12 Italian helicopters last month so they could vote in treatment of foreign diplomats. grata and demand that he leave,” charges in India after shooting which the Indian government is an election, had waived his immu- New Delhi has put its airports Reece-Thomas wrote in an email. dead two fishermen off India’s now threatening to scrap. nity by giving an undertaking to a on alert to prevent Mancini “India cannot stop the ambas- southwestern coast in February The case of the marines caused court that the pair would return. from leaving the country and the sador leaving against his will and last year, when a fishing boat more uproar in the local assembly “A person who comes to court Supreme Court issued instruc- any suggestion that he some- sailed close to the Italian oil of southwestern Kerala, the home and gives an undertaking has no tions that “appropriate steps” how waived his rights under the tanker they were guarding. state of the dead fishermen. immunity,” Kabir told a hearing, should be taken to restrain him. Convention is unfounded.” They say they mistook the fish- The opposition Communist while ordering that the ambas- Without legal protection he In Brussels, the EU’s foreign ermen for pirates. party walked out of the assem- sador stay in India until the next could be prosecuted for contempt service yesterday reacted cau- Italy insists the marines should bly after their demand for an hearing on April 2. of court. tiously to Kabir’s decision. be prosecuted in their home coun- urgent discussion on how the Massimiliano Latorre and A lawyer for the Italian gov- India and Italy should “pur- try because the shootings involved Italian marines had been allowed Salvatore Girone, who are accused ernment argued that Mancini sue all avenues for an amicable an Italian-flagged vessel in inter- to return home was dismissed by of murdering two Indian fisher- still enjoyed diplomatic immunity solution,” said the spokesman national waters, but India says the ruling party. men last year, had been given and freedom of movement under for European Union High the killings took place in waters “It’s a shame on India that this permission to fly to Italy to cast international rules contained in Representative Catherine Ashton. under its jurisdiction. case was dealt with casually,” their votes in the election on the the 1961 Vienna Convention on India’s foreign ministry has Italy said on Friday it would senior Communist leader P K understanding that they would Diplomatic Relations. also argued that Mancini may seek a “friendly agreement” with Gurudasan said. Italian Ambassador to India Daniele return. However Kabir, who was have waived his immunity by India to resolve the dispute. AFP Mancini

Almond orchards Mahindra launches new home-grown electric car NEW DELHI: Top Indian util- wanting a car for city jaunts or `70,000 annually. The car can also ity vehicle maker Mahindra and as a second vehicle. It is looking be charged under a solar canopy, Mahindra (M&M) yesterday at selling the car abroad starting saving on energy costs. launched the most advanced next year in Europe and Africa. The vehicle, to be manufac- home-grown electric car yet The car is the fruit of the $16bn tured at a 30,000-unit-capacity seen, pricing it at $11,000 and M&M group’s 2010 purchase of a plant in Bangalore, has no oil saying it hopes to sell the hatch- controlling stake in Indian electric filters, spark plugs or radiators, back abroad next year. vehicle maker Reva, pioneered by reducing maintenance costs. The four-seater, two-door e2o engineer Chetan Maini, as part of “It’s a quantum leap from — pronounced “ee-too-oh” — has a green technology drive. the Reva, but it’s costly, and we zero emissions, an 80kmh (50 Maini, who stayed with the don’t have a sufficient pan-India mph) top speed, is automatic firm, said the hatchback was a charging network yet. People may and can run for 100km on a sin- “game-changing” vehicle com- not find it practical,” Hormazd gle charge. The new car boasts pared to the tiny, boxy two-seater Sorabjee, editor of leading car 10 onboard computers analys- Reva, derided by critics as a “golf magazine Autocar India, said. ing core functions and sending cart”. The Reva, known as the M&M is banking on India’s alerts if anything needs fixing G-Wiz in Britain, ended produc- government following through — a feature usually found in tion in 2012 after selling fewer than with an ambitious $4bn plan to costlier cars —and can be fully 5,000 units globally over a decade, support an electric vehicle net- charged in five hours from a 15A with buyers reluctant to pay a pre- work aimed at having six million power socket. mium price for a tiny car. electric vehicles on the road by “This is our vision of the future While the e2o, priced at 2020. A senior company execu- of mobility,” M&M chairman `596,000 ($11,000), is as much tive said Mahindra Reva would Anand Mahindra told reporters as `300,000 dearer than pet- “be happy” to initially sell 400 to in New Delhi. “We need to make rol hatchbacks of a similar size, 500 cars a month. a clean energy future,” he said, M&M said fuel savings could total AFP warning that the nation of 1.2 billion people “is at a tipping point” with vehi- cle emissions increasingly blamed for respiratory and other illnesses and environmental problems. “Eco-friendly transport A man walks past blooming almond orchards at Badamwari in Srinagar, yesterday. Spring has arrived in Kashmir, (is) the need of the hour”, which marks a thawing of the lean season for tourism in the Himalayan region. he said, with M&M tar- geting affluent families Four charged with kidnapping Protest against P J Kurien country head of Alstom chief attending papal inauguration

NEW DELHI: Police yesterday said they have KOCHI: India’s decision to percent of the state’s population, charged four men with send a politician dogged by rape according to the 2001 census. kidnapping the India allegations involving a school- The gang rape case has head of French multina- girl to the pope’s inauguration angered many in the state, with tional engineering group was attacked yesterday by the hundreds of protestors camping Alstom following their victim’s family and opposition outside the state assembly for arrests over the weekend. figures. several days last month to try Three of the suspects P J Kurien, deputy chairman to force Kurien to resign from were arrested on Saturday of the upper house of parliament, his parliamentary post. The in Meerut where the vic- will lead the Indian delegation to state’s former chief minister V S tim, Rathin Basu, was the inauguration of Pope Francis Achuthanandan said that Kurien taken after he was seized today, despite questions about his had used his “political clout” to in Noida, a suburb of the alleged role in the gang rape of a evade prosecution in the past. capital New Delhi. teenager in 1996. “Now Congress party may be “The fourth suspect The Catholic victim, then sending him to get pardoned by was arrested in Noida a 16-year-old schoolgirl, has the pope,” Achuthanandan said. on Sunday and they have accused Kurien of being one of Supreme Court has ordered a been charged with kidnap- 42 men who raped her after she new hearing into the allegations ping for ransom,” Meerut was abducted and kept in custody after Kerala’s high court acquit- Deputy Inspector General for 40 days in the southern state ted 35 out of 36 suspects. But it of Police K Satyanarayan of Kerala. has stopped short of including said. He did not say where Kurien, now 72, was acquitted P J Kurien Kurien in its list of men required or when the suspects of rape in a trial in 2005. But he to stand trial again. would appear in court. has come under new pressure Delhi attack. Kurien, a Catholic, was not Basu was abducted late after his accuser demanded a The victim’s father condemned immediately available for com- on Friday by a group of fresh investigation following a the government’s decision to send ment and his office said he was five men, at least one of storm over the deadly gang rape Kurien, his wife and private sec- on his way to Rome. He has pre- whom was armed, accord- of a student in New Delhi last retary to Vatican City. viously rejected the accusations ing to police. The kidnap- December. “I am pained when I read the as part of a politically driven pers forced the executive A lower court rejected her peti- news. It’s certainly a disgrace for smear campaign. to stop his car before bun- tion for a new inquiry. But the the new pope,” he said by phone “I’ve been exonerated by the dling him into their own resurfacing of the allegations has from his home near the city of Supreme Court and acquitted vehicle in Noida before embarrassed the ruling Congress Kottayam, 130km from the state after three police investigations,” driving to Meerut, some party, which promised to crack capital Thiruvananthapuram. Kurien said last month. 80km from Delhi. AFP down on sex crimes after the Kerala’s Catholics made up 19 AFP TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2013 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Simon Cowell The pulse-taking smartphone heads to YouTube TOKYO: A smartphone that can take the pulse Fajr (Dawn) 4:24 of a user just by looking at his or her face was to find new talent Shorook (Sunrise) 5:40 unveiled in Japan yesterday. Technology giant Fujitsu plans to put the inven- LONDON: Talent show guru Zuhr (Noon) 11:42 tion to practical use within a year, enabling people Simon Cowell is taking his pop- Asr (Afternoon) 3:08 at work or at home to track their health and collect ular television formula to find data for analysis without wearing special devices. new stars seeking fast fame to Maghrib (Sunset) 5:45 The smartphone works by measuring variations in YouTube. Isha (Night) 7:15 the brightness of a person’s face caused by the flow Cowell, the mastermind of blood. behind global TV franchises Researchers say countless tiny blood vessels run The X Factor and Got Talent, through the face, enabling monitoring of haemo- unveiled plans for the first glo- WEATHER globin which absorbs green light. Haemoglobin is a bal audition channel, called protein found in red blood cells that contains iron The You Generation, that will Today Wednesday Thursday Weather and transports oxygen. Simply pointing a camera at be launched in 26 countries on Conditions: a person’s face for as little as five seconds will enable March 20. Partly cloudy Partly cloudy Chance of rain pulse-taking, while the technology automatically Syco Entertainment, Cowell’s Slight dust and filters out the effect of head movements or changes joint venture with Sony Music, partly cloudy caused by standing up quickly. said it had teamed up with High: 32° High:28° High: 26° with chance “Even at a busy workplace, or any time a person is YouTube to run 26 fortnightly Low: 22° Low: 21° Low: 20° for scattered sitting in front of a PC, whether for teleconferenc- contests over the next year to give rain. ing or writing e-mails, their pulse can be measured people the chance to upload audi- during brief moments of quiet,” the company said. tion videos showing their skills “At home, a camera built into a TV can measure and win a cash prize. the pulse of people relaxing in front of it, or a mirror, Every fortnight one winner DOHA - SUN & SEA for when people are getting ready in the morning,” A Fujitsu engineer demonstrates a real-time pulse will get a cash prize and become it said. “Pulse detectors built into gates at event a finalist to win “an amazing SUN TIDE SEA monitor system with facial imaging technology that sites or control points at airports could be a possible utilises a web-camera in PCs or smartphones, at the grand prize”. Up to 69,000 people security application by detecting people in ill health had subscribed to the channel by SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND company’s headquarters in Tokyo, yesterday. 05:40 17:45 08:00&23:00 05:00&15:00 05-15/20 KT and people acting suspiciously.” AFP yesterday. REUTERS

THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW

HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER MUSCAT 34/24 Mostly cloudy 34/24 Clear Plyometrics takes fitness in leaps and bounds MAKKAH 32/21 Partly cloudy 32/20 Clear KUWAIT 27/17 Partly cloudy 27/18 Partly cloudy NEW YORK: Plyometrics, explained. “There will come times need to succeed at one level before land softly to absorb the shock,” BAHRAIN 27/17 Clear 28/17 Mostly cloudy sometimes called jump training, when even my mother, who is 95, moving to the next progression,” she stressed. “Allow plenty of rest SANAA 26/11 Partly cloudy 27/11 Partly cloudy is a form of exercise that fitness needs to be explosive,” said Pire, she said. “It’s not for everybody, between days, and because of the RIYADH 27/15 Clear 27/14 Partly cloudy experts say combines cardio and author of Plyometrics for Athletes but plyometrics can add a lot to a intensity, do plyometrics at the at All Levels DUBAI 31/20 Mostly cloudy 32/24 Partly cloudy strength training and can burn . workout in a short burst of time if beginning of the routine and not BAGHDAD 21/10 Mostly cloudy 23/11 Mostly cloudy more calories in less time than He said a basic way of doing you give yourself the opportunity when you’re tired.” the typical cardio activity alone. a plyometric motion is to take a to get better at it.” The beauty of plyometrics, THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW If everyday exercisers safely movement like a squat and increase Deborah McConnell, a health McConnell said, is that it’s pro- incorporate the sudden, explosive its intensity by hopping up and and fitness instructor with equip- gressive. It can start with some- HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER movements of plyometrics into landing into the squat. “Any type ment manufacturer Life Fitness, thing very simple and small and their overall workout they can of jumping, including little hops on incorporates plyometrics into her build up. It builds power and ATHENS 18/11 Clear 18/13 Partly cloudy get benefits not available from a the balls of your feet will elicit a workout once or twice weekly. strength, can be done anywhere WASHINGTON 15/02 Chance of rain 10/01 Mostly cloudy run on the treadmill, experts say. similar response,” he explained. “The bounding and rebound- and requires no equipment. SYDNEY 23/15 Partly cloudy 23/17 Partly cloudy “Plyometric activities enable a Equinox, a chain of luxury ing movements of plyometrics are “You can get a lot of return LONDON 09/02 Chance of rain 05/-1 Chance of rain muscle to reach maximal force in fitness centers, has folded plyo- very high intensity,” she said, “so for time invested,” she said. Pire PARIS 09/05 Chance of rain 10/02 Chance of rain the shortest amount of time,” said metric training into a group fit- you want to make sure the person said if you analyse what people do ISTANBUL 19/11 Partly cloudy 17/10 Chance of rain Neal Pire, a strength and condition- ness class called Spring Body has some foundational knowledge on the street, from hopping on a MANILA 33/23 Partly cloudy 34/23 Partly cloudy ing specialist with the American Breakthru. Los Angeles-based and fitness level.” train to bounding for a bus, you DHAKA 35/21 Clear 36/22 Clear College of Sports Medicine. fitness instructor Stephanie Warm up the body first, realize that they all do plyomet- DELHI 32/18 Clear 34/20 Clear People use plyometrics in eve- Vitorino, who designed the class, McConnell suggests. Start with rics all the time. McConnell said ISLAMABAD 28/16 Partly cloudy 26/14 Chance of rain ryday activities, from a bus rider said under proper supervision small steps then gradually anything that bounds and jumps leaping from step to curb, to a anybody can do plyometrics. increase intensity. “When you and skips is plyometrics. seated person standing up, he “People just getting started land, you want to make sure you REUTERS Tuesday 19 March 2013 7 Jumada I 1434 Volume 18 Number 5643 Price: QR2

METS 2 opens at QNCC

Business | 18

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Oil prices slip on QFIB re-brands as Qatar First Bank Cyprus worries LONDON: Crude oil fell towards Bank to offer a comprehensive range of financial products and services $109 a barrel yesterday as stock markets tumbled and the dollar DOHA: Qatar First Investment Launched in 2009 with a mis- team are setting the benchmark strengthened after an unusual Bank (QFIB), the country’s sion to enrich the business com- for performance and purpose for bank bailout proposal for Cyprus first independent Shariah- munity in the GCC by providing the financial community in the threatened to trigger fresh tur- compliant bank regulated by a unique perspective to Shariah region. QFB has an excellent moil in the eurozone. QFC Regulatory Authority, has compliant investment banking, growth opportunity in today’s new A proposal that Cyprus would re-branded itself and announced QFIB has since then succeeded in world order.” tax depositors as part of its bail- yesterday that it has changed its affirming its leadership status in Emad Mansour, CEO of QFB out plan sparked fears of a run on name to Qatar First Bank (QFB). the investment banking industry. said: “There is a high concen- some banks in the region. QFIB’s new identity was To date, the bank has invested tration of wealth in our target However, a series of recent revealed at a reception attended QR1.5bn in 16 transactions span- region. We want to capitalise on positive numbers from the world’s by top government officials, CEOs ning five different sectors, seven the growing demand for interna- top oil consumer the US and wor- of leading Qatari Institutions and geographies and successfully tional standard financial services ries over supply disruption helped family businesses; shareholders exited four investments. for high net worth individuals stem further losses in oil. and leading business minds. Building on its four years of and corporates. We now take our Brent futures fell $2.04 per The management’s decision to success as a leading Shariah- successful business model a step barrel to a low of $107.78 a barrel re-brand the bank is followed by compliant investment bank, QFB further as we evolve to offer high before recovering to trade around its upgrade to a Category 5 license will now evolve its business model net worth and corporate financial $109.26 by 1500 GMT. US oil lost back in 2010, which would allow to offer a comprehensive range of products and services. Our new 26 cents to $93.19. the bank to broaden its product financial products and services, in name better reflects the future “The bailout conditions for offering. The decision also reflects addition to its existing principal direction of our business. Our Cyprus, specifically the unprec- the bank’s strategic evolution of investments, corporate finance The Chairman of Qatar First Bank Abdulla bin Fahad bin Ghorab Al Marri business model is unique as we edented removal of funds from its business model. and asset management offerings. hands over a memento to Mohammed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar will also offer clients the opportu- depositors’ accounts, is send- QFB’s future plans include the Addressing the event Abdulla Properties, the Dubai-based global property developer, during the ceremony nity to gain access to our portfolio ing share and commodity prices opening of an exclusive high end bin Fahad bin Ghorab Al Marri, to launch the bank’s new identity at Four Seasons Hotel, Doha, yesterday. of investments and benefit from a lower,” said Tamas Varga, oil branch that will offer a portfo- Chairman of QFB said: “Today KAMMUTTY VP range of first class transactional analyst at oil brokers PVM Oil lio of financial services including marks an important milestone as and non-financial services”. Associates in London. investment products such as sukuk we celebrate four years of success. capitalise on the growing demand said: “The success achieved by QFB will continue to capital- Cypriot ministers were trying funds, direct private equity co- The change in our name reflects for Shariah-compliant banking QFB in a short span of time, ise on opportunities available in yesterday to revise a plan to seize investment, in addition to trans- our growth strategy as we move and we look forward to the future despite the challenging envi- Qatar, broader GCC, MENA and money from bank deposits before action services such as credit cards, from a pure investment bank to with great optimism.” ronment globally for financial Turkey, working closely with cli- a parliamentary vote today that cheque books and transfers. The a financial institution that offers In his keynote address, institutions, underlines the trust ents to originate structure and will secure the island’s financial bank will offer non-financial serv- a full suite of Shariah-compliant Mohammed Alabbar, Chairman of its stakeholders in its values execute deals to meet their spe- rescue or could lead to its default, ices such as concierge, advisory and financial products and serv- of Emaar Properties, the Dubai- and integrity. The QFB board of cific financial and strategic objec- with reverberations across the research services. ices. QFB is well-positioned to based global property developer, directors and the management tives. THE PENINSULA eurozone. REUTERS TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2013 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Turbomachinery symposium opens Exhibition attracts over 65 firms from around the world DOHA: The 2nd Middle East Limited as the silver spon- witness world-class technical ses- Turbomachinery Symposium sor. METS debuted in Doha in sions and international network- (METS 2) was opened at the February 2011 with over 1,000 ing opportunities in the exhibition Qatar National Convention attendees and 60 exhibiting com- hall. Centre (QNCC) here yesterday. panies. Following this successful Delegates can choose to attend The three-day event officially launch, planning began for METS and engage in a combination of got under way with Said Mubarak 2 with a goal of making the event 12 lectures, eight tutorials, eight Al Mohannadi, Director of even more successful. discussion groups and 21 sessions Operations of QP, delivering the Preliminary numbers for of case studies, led by 133 accom- key note address on behalf of the METS 2 attendance are exceeding plished authors from around the Minister of Energy and Industry those for METS 1, specifically in world. Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al the exhibit hall with an increase Topics covered will include: Sada, who is also the Chairman in both companies and booths. Compressors, steam and gas and Managing Director of Qatar Official attendance numbers will turbines, expanders, pumps and Petroleum. Said Mubarak also led be released after the conclusion drivers including motors, and the formal ribbon cutting cere- of the symposium. auxiliary equipment such as cou- mony to mark the opening of the Bart P Cahir, ExxonMobil plings, bearings, gear boxes, dry exhibition. Qatar President and General gas seals, and annular seals. The Turbomachinery Manager, as well as METS The exhibition held alongside Laboratory at Texas A&M Advisory Committee Co-Chairs the symposium hosts booths from University is organising the Abdulaziz Al Naimi, Joint over 65 leading companies from event with support from Qatar Interest Manager at RasGas, the Middle East, North America, Petroleum, the host and tita- and Dr Dara Childs, Director of Asia, and Europe. Inside the nium sponsor. The symposium’s the Turbomachinery Laboratory exhibit hall, companies display other major sponsors include: at Texas A&M University were full-size equipment, cutting-edge ExxonMobil Qatar and RasGas among others who addressed yes- technology, and emerging indus- Company Limited as platinum terday’s event. try trends. Highly-qualified tech- sponsors, Qatargas Operating Plaques of appreciation were nical personnel are on hand to Qatar Petroleum Director of Operations Said Mubarak Al Mohannadi cutting a ribbon to mark the opening of an Company Limited as the gold then presented to major sponsors. address business needs. exhibition held as part of the 2nd Middle East Turbomachinery Symposium at QNCC yesterday. ABDUL BASIT sponsor and Dolphin Energy The coming two days will THE PENINSULA

Clifford Chance appointed Mideast CFOs most optimistic globally: Survey adviser for 2022 projects DOHA: The optimism among large public expenditures serve as are planning M&A transactions, More than three-fourths of Middle Eastern CFOs (Chief an underpin for strong economic the majority are aiming for tar- CFOs expect an increasing level DOHA: International law mandate. The firm has worked Financial Officers) improved growth relative to other parts of gets aligned to existing businesses of competition challenging their firm Clifford Chance has been on infrastructure and develop- in H2 2012 despite politi- the world. and within the MENA region companies for market share in appointed by the Supreme ment projects for major sport- cal uncertainty in the region, The survey report noted that rather than in other parts of the the next 12 to 24 months. CFOs Committee for Qatar 2022 ing events, such as the recent Audit and Financial Advisory over the next 12 months, CFOs world. Only 10 percent of CFOs also expect a competitive land- to advise on its Technical London Olympics and Poland’s firm Deloitte’s Q4 Global CFO are focusing predominantly on are considering an IPO this time,” scape impacted by changes in Programme, which includes Euro 2012 programme, as well as Signals report revealed. organic growth, cost reduction, the survey revealed. regulations, new technologies, and advising on the development advising on aspects of major sta- A net 54 percent of CFOs feel introducing new products and A combined 74 percent of the consolidation in their industries. of the main “Iconic Stadium”, dia, including Wembley National more optimistic about the pros- services, and increasing cash CFOs rated the general level of The survey findings showed with a capacity of over 85,000. Stadium, Stamford Bridge in pects for their companies com- flows. Some 47 percent of CFOs external financial and economic that Middle East CFOs are the Doha Office Managing Partner, the UK and Spartak Stadium in pared to 33 percent recorded are planning for strategic alli- uncertainty as either above nor- most optimistic globally, with this Richard Parris said: “We are Moscow. six months ago, according to the ances, a steady increase from the mal or at a high level. bolstered by steady oil prices and delighted to have been appointed General Counsel for the report. 13 percent reported two years ago This was the same percentage large public expenditure. Many by the Supreme Committee on Supreme Committee, Andrew Increases in revenues, cash and an indication of increasing noted in H1 2012. Due to this level other findings were uncovered – this landmark infrastructure Longmate, said: “The 2022 FIFA flows, and bank borrowings were risk aversion. of uncertainty, when asked if it is as you will find in the attached. programme for the 2022 FIFA World Cup is a prestigious and sighted as the top three business “CFOs do not expect much a good time to be taking greater On March 25, Deloitte experts World Cup and we are excited high profile event. It is essential metrics most likely to change in change in the levels of M&A risk into their balance sheets, 65 will be gathering in Doha to dis- to be working on a project of this that we work with suppliers who 2013. In addition, steady oil prices, activity in the next 12 months. percent of the respondents would cuss the results of this survey. magnitude.” are best in class and can deliver a combined with the continuance of For the 30 percent of CFOs who not do so. THE PENINSULA Clifford Chance’s expertise in quality service. We are delighted procurement for major sport- that Clifford Chance has won the ing events, ability to mobilise first of a number of major legal an international team and its advisory mandates that will significant expertise in Doha be tendered over the coming positioned the firm to win the months.” THE PENINSULA Qatar Exchange ends in green Indonesia’s

QATARI MARKET DUBAI: Downbeat global sen- percent as Eastern Province YESTERDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS Lion Air makes Bond Coupon Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P timent weighed on Middle East Cement tumbling 7.4 percent, QATAR: The index gained 0.5 per- markets yesterday, with Egypt’s trading post ex-dividend date. Qatar Govt 5.15% 4/9/2014 USD 104.69 0.66 % Aa2 AA cent to 8,614 points. historic deal bourse further shaken by a The kingdom’s benchmark fell Qatar Govt 3.125% 1/20/2017 USD 106.00 1.51 % Aa2 AA SAUDI ARABIA: The index slipped court ruling freezing assets of 0.4 percent from a four-week Qatar Govt 6.55% 4/9/2019 USD 124.13 2.26 % Aa2 AA 23 businessmen on allegations high. 0.4 percent to 7,057 points. with Airbus Qatar Govt 5.25% 1/20/2020 USD 117.00 2.53 % Aa2 AA of stock market manipulation Elsewhere, Cairo’s meas- BAHRAIN: The index slipped 0.1 Qatar Govt 4.5% 1/20/2022 USD 112.00 2.95 % Aa2 AA in 2007. ure slipped 0.2 percent to hit a percent to 1,126 points. PARIS: European planemaker Qatar Govt 9.75% 6/15/2030 USD 169.50 4.09 % Aa2 AA The surprise decision by euro- 13-week low. DUBAI: The index fell 1.4 percent Airbus yesterday announced Qatar Govt 6.4% 1/20/2040 USD 128.50 4.55 % Aa2 AA zone leaders to part-fund a bailout Shares steadied after a sharp to 1,892 points. a record order worth ¤18.4bn Qatar Govt 5.75% 1/20/2042 USD 119.38 4.54 % Aa2 AA of Cyprus by taxing bank deposits sell-off triggered after the pub- ABU DHABI: The index dropped ($23.8bn) from the Indonesian unsettled financial markets. lic prosecutor froze the assets of company Lion Air for 234 Qatari Diar 3.5% 7/21/2015 USD 105.13 1.27 % Aa2 AA 1.0 percent to 3,020 points. Dubai’s measure fell to a one- 23 businessmen. This is part of medium-range A320 jets. Qatari Diar 5% 7/21/2020 USD 114.00 2.87 % Aa2 AA KUWAIT: The index gained 0.6 per- week low, down 1.4 percent but investigation into alleged stock Lion Air, Indonesia’s largest Comqat 5% 11/18/2014 USD 105.75 1.49 % A1 A- remains 16.6 percent in gains for market manipulation during the cent to 6,788 points. private carrier and one of the Comqat 3.375% 4/11/2017 USD 104.63 2.18 % A1 A- 2013. 2007 sale of Egypt’s Al Wataniya OMAN: The index ended flat at world’s fastest growing airlines, QIB 3.856% 10/7/2015 USD 104.38 2.08 % NR NR “UAE markets were technically Bank to National Bank of Kuwait. 6,153 points. is a new client for Airbus as it has QNB 3.125% 11/16/2015 USD 103.75 1.68 % Aa3 A+ overbought and people are using Investors were spooked by EGYPT: The index declined 0.2 previously been equipped almost QNB 3.375% 2/22/2017 USD 104.63 2.14 % Aa3 A+ Cyprus as an excuse to book profit the attorney general’s surprise percent to 5,197 points. exclusively by US rival Boeing. - it’s healthy for the market,” said approach against the country’s French President Francois Doha Bank 3.5% 3/14/2017 USD 104.75 2.25 % A2 A- Amer Khan, fund manager at top businessmen. Analysts said Doha Bank helped lift the market. Hollande said a deal that he Qtel 3.375% 10/14/2016 USD 105.50 1.78 % A2 A Shuaa Asset Management. the move negatively impacts The lender climbed 4.5 percent described as the biggest in the Qtel 7.875% 6/10/2019 USD 130.81 2.50 % A2 A Dubai’s heavyweight Emaar the business environment in the on heavy local investor buying, on history of civil aviation would cre- Qtel 4.75% 2/16/2021 USD 111.50 3.10 % A2 A Properties fell 2.4 percent, budget country. unconfirmed talk that the lender ate 5,000 jobs in France over the Qtel 5% 10/19/2025 USD 110.38 3.95 % A2 A carrier Air Arabia shed 1.2 per- “This is not helping a busi- might postpone part of its capital next 10 years. Rasgas 5.5% 9/30/2014 USD 106.75 1.03 % Aa3 A cent and contractor Arabtec ness friendly environment at raising plans, traders say. The agreement, hailed as “his- Rasgas 5.832% 9/30/2016 USD 108.13 3.37 % Aa3 A dipped 1.0 percent. all — it’s harming the economy,” The index rose 0.5 percent as a toric” by Hollande, was signed at Rasgas 5.298% 9/30/2020 USD 111.38 3.56 % Aa3 A Abu Dhabi’s benchmark said Mohamed Radwan, director lack of activity by foreign inves- the president’s official residence, declined 1.0 percent, snapping a of international sales at Pharos tors made it less vulnerable to the Elysee Palace, by Airbus head SOVEREIGNS six-session winning streak. Securities. the poor global mood. Blue chip Fabrice Bregier and his Lion Air Bond PDA* Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P In Saudi Arabia, banks weighed Commercial International Industries Qatar was suspended counterpart Rusdi Kirana. Abu Dhabi Govt 5.5% 4/8/2014 USD 105.13 0.58 % Aa2 AA the most with Samba Financial Bank and Talaat Mostafa lost as the company held its annual Lion Air is to buy 60 classic Abu Dhabi Govt 6.75% 4/8/2019 USD 125.88 2.17 % Aa2 AA Group and SABB falling 1.5 and 1.4 and 2.5 percent respectively. general meeting. Gainers out- A320 planes. The rest of the con- 1.2 percent respectively. Bucking the regional trend, numbered losers 14 to four. tract involves the new, more fuel- Dubai Govt 6.7% 10/5/2015 USD 110.31 2.50 % NR NR The cement sector fell 0.7 speculative buying in Qatar’s REUTERS efficient Neo version of the A320 Dubai Govt 4.9% 5/2/2017 USD 107.38 2.98 % NR NR series, which has a catalogue price Dubai Govt 7.75% 10/5/2020 USD 124.63 3.94 % NR NR tag of more than $100m, though Dubai Govt 6.45% 5/2/2022 USD 117.31 4.15 % NR NR discounts are common for large Qatar Govt 4% 1/20/2015 USD 105.63 0.91 % Aa2 AA orders. Bahrain Govt 6.273% 11/22/2018 USD 115.38 3.28 % NR BBB According to the Elysee, the ‘Oil prices will not deter Asia growth’ A320s currently under production Bahrain Govt 5.5% 3/31/2020 USD 109.88 3.88 % NR BBB will be delivered from next year Egypt Govt 5.75% 4/29/2020 USD 92.50 7.11 % B3 /*- B- HONG KONG: Current oil costs will hurt the fragile global sustainable growth, Ali bin while the Neos will be supplied Morocco Govt 4.5% 10/5/2020 EUR 106.13 3.57 % NR BBB- prices will have no impact on recovery. Ibrahim Al Nuaimi said. from 2016. “These are impressive *Periodic Distribution Amount IMPORTANT NOTE: growth in Asia, the oil min- Japan, one of the world’s top “Current levels will not deter figures which honour European Published by HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, P O Box 57, Doha, Qatar which ister for top exporter Saudi crude importers, is battling a further economic growth in Asia,” industry and bear witness to the is licensed and regulated by Qatar Central Bank and Jersey Financial Services Arabia said yesterday, even as huge trade deficit and India is Nuaimi told the Credit Suisse vitality of the Indonesian indus- Commission. Information quoted is from publicly available sources or proprietary the region’s biggest economies fighting to rein in ever-growing Asian investment conference in try,” Hollande said. data and subject to change. HSBC accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising struggle with rising energy domestic subsidies as prices rise. Hong Kong. “The prospects for “Airbus is the pride of France out of the use of all or part of this material. This information is general and does not take into account individual circumstances, objectives or needs. The price of bonds costs in their efforts to boost China’s central bank dropped its the energy industry are stronger and Europe. It is one of the pil- can and does fluctuate. The secondary market for bonds may not provide significant growth. pro-growth policy mix of 2012 now than anytime in recent his- lars of our economy and directly liquidity or may trade based on prevailing market conditions. Past performance is not Benchmark Brent has traded as inflation touched a 10-month, tory. “While the fluctuation in employs 24,000 people,” he said. a reliable indicator of future performance. You should consider these matters and above $100 a barrel for most of even though economic recovery prices may be good for a few trad- The news comes just days after consult your financial advisor prior to making any investment decisions. the time since early 2011, driven in the world’s second-biggest oil ers, it’s not good for long-term Airbus unveiled an order poten- by supply concerns. The unrest consumer has yet to gain full economic stability and growth.” tially worth $15.5bn from Turkish in Libya to the standoff over momentum. Last October, Nuaimi said an airlines for up to 117 planes. That Iran’s nuclear programme have But, overall stability in prices oil price of $100 per barrel was order also centred on Airbus’s all helped keep prices high, wor- has created an environment suitable for both consuming and best-selling, twin-engine A320 rying investors elevated energy that is conducive for long-term producing nations. REUTERS family. AFP TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2013 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Cb to acquire Qatar denies major stake in Turkish bank

DOHA: Commercialbank plans to take of Qatar (Cb) has agreed to acquire a 70.84 percent share- holding in Alternatifbank AS in Turkey (“ABank”) from Anadolu Endustri Holding AS (“Anadolu”) for two times the over M&S book value at 30 June 2013; the book value of ABank at 31 December 2012 was TL585m Analysts say bid still a possibility ($328m). The acquisition remains subject to relevant regulatory approval DUBAI/LONDON: Marks & the amount of cash currently in and is expected to be completed Spencer shares surged yes- private equity meant a bid could in the second half of this year. As terday on speculation that a happen. part of the transaction, Cb will faltering turnaround effort “You could argue that the busi- also launch a public tender offer to and flagging profits have ness could support quite a bit of acquire the 4.16 percent of ABank’s left Britain’s biggest cloth- debt if it wasn’t having to pay a shares held in the public domain. ing retailer vulnerable to a dividend, making a private equity- Senior officials of Qatalum and Hydro after the opening ceremony of the ‘Zero Energy and Emission Neutral Abdullah bin Khalifa Al takeover. style bid possible, but the trading Building’ lab at the Mesaieed Industrial City, yesterday. Attiyah, Chairman of Cb said: Investors piled into the stock outlook looks rather uncertain,” “We are delighted to have agreed after a newspaper reported that one of M&S’s top 20 sharehold- to the terms of the acquisition Qatar was planning a bid, send- ers said. for a majority stake in ABank. ing the shares up 9.4 percent to a The Sunday Times newspaper Qatar and Turkey continue to 12-month high. had said the Qatar Investment Qatalum and Hydro unveil strengthen their relationship A source close to state-owned Authority (QIA) wanted to which will benefit the new part- Qatar Holding denied the report, assemble a consortium to mount nership between Commercialbank but the stock was still up 7.4 per- an £8bn ($12.1bn) takeover. and ABank enabling both banks cent at 1130 GMT. Analysts and The newspaper cited senior to continue to grow and thrive.” investors said Marks & Spencer City of London sources as say- aluminium research facility Hussain Al Fardan, Cb’s (M&S) could be a target for a pri- ing Qatar, which is already a 26 Managing Director, added: vate equity firm. percent shareholder in Britain’s BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB in terms of energy used for air sustainability of buildings. The “ABank operates in a dynamic The company, which also sells No. 3 grocer J Sainsbury, had conditioning can be realised. ‘Zero Energy Emission’ facilities economy with good long-term homewares and food, traded approached several large private DOHA: Qatalum and Hydro Delivering such solutions requires will enable us to provide environ- growth prospects, in a country poorly in 2012 and in January equity houses, including CVC — the Norwegian aluminium high competence, and the solu- mentally sustainable products and that is strategically and culturally reported a bigger-than-expected Capital Partners, to gauge their producer — yesterday unveiled tions will to a large degree depend knowledge on options for building aligned, we believe this represents drop in non-food like-for-like interest in participating, and had Hydro’s newly established facil- on the climate where you are.” design and layout,” he said. the logical next step in the execu- sales for the Christmas quarter. spoken to lenders about financ- ity dedicated to researching The inauguration ceremony Johansen also made a presen- tion of our international expan- “M&S is vulnerable to a bid, ing an offer. CVC declined to and testing aluminium used in continued at Qatar Science and tation on the role of aluminium sion strategy.” as trading and profits are under comment. curtain wall solutions (facade) Technology Park (QSTP), where as a part of the solution to cli- Cb’s expansion strategy has pressure, with nothing to show A source close to the fund said in support of creating energy, Hydro and Qatalum have estab- mate change: “A zero energy focused, to date, on pan-GCC yet for the big investments made QIA, the investment arm of the emission and carbon neutral lished a Technology Centre. A building is a building with zero opportunities. The bank success- in online systems and warehous- state’s sovereign wealth fund, was buildings in the Middle East. seminar was organised at QSTP net energy consumption and zero fully acquired minority stakes ing and the changes in the cloth- not considering a bid. The ‘Zero Energy and Emission with key speakers from the alu- carbon emissions annually. While in National Bank of Oman (34.9 ing team,” said independent retail With an investment appetite Building’ lab is located on site at minium industry. no such building currently exists percent) in 2005 and United Arab analyst Nick Bubb. of about $30bn every year, Qatar the Qatalum smelter (Mesaieed) Opening the event at QSTP, in Qatar, the potential to achieve Bank (40 percent) in the UAE in M&S declined to comment. has emerged as one of the world’s and was officially opened by Dr Chris Devadas, Head of the this is great.” 2008 and has forged successful alli- Marc Bolland, chief executive most aggressive investors, piling Hilde Merete Aasheim, the Technology Centre, welcomed He added: “The zero energy ances with these banks, developing since 2010, has said he was confi- on stakes in companies rang- Vice Chairman of Qatalum and the delegates and highlighted the goal is becoming more practical their financial and operational effi- dent steps being taken by a new ing from top-tier banks such the Executive Vice President of research and technology under- as the costs of alternative energy ciency and growing them in step general merchandise manage- as Credit Suisse to carmaker Hydro. Present were Qatalum taken at this centre. technologies decrease and the with the economies they serve. ment team, led by former food Porsche and miner Xstrata. CEO Tom Petter Johansen and Underscoring the importance costs of traditional fossil fuels Andrew Stevens, Cb’s Group boss John Dixon, would address The sovereign fund’s invest- Qatalum Deputy CEO Khalid of Hydro and Qatalum in driving increase.” Chief Executive Officer, said: the poor recent performance, ments are widely seen as oppor- Laram. research and bringing interna- Johansen gave various exam- “ABank is a model of efficiency although the impact would not tunistic, not following a specific Aasheim said: “Today, around tional best practice to the region, ples of how aluminium has been and good management and we be felt until autumn/winter col- strategy, as it has purchased a 40 percent of the world’s energy Devadas argued that Hydro used to provide elegant solution look forward to working alongside lections hit the shops in July. wide range of assets globally. It consumption is related to operate Technology Centre “will build to the complex and urgent issue our new partners.” M&S investors such as likes to engage in bilateral discus- buildings, especially to cooling and competence and cooperation of climate change. Tuncay Ozilhan, Chairman of Standard Life, which holds 1.5 sions with the seller and generally heating of the buildings we work with other institutions in Qatar Jean-Marc Luvisutto, General Anadolu and Alternatifbank com- percent of the company, have said does not invest in a consortium. and live in. Hydro has delivered in important areas that impact Manager of Technal Middle East mented: “We are happy to have Bolland has to get this range right Shares in M&S were up 27.5 solutions in aluminium to a large the global climate”. said: “In Europe, Hydro already agreed this partnership with to placate shareholders. pence at 400 pence at 1130 GMT, number of energy-efficient and “Research will be conducted to supplies aluminium solutions to Commercialbank and we are look- Although one senior retail valuing the business at 6.45 bil- energy-positive buildings. If by make assessments of the impact reduce energy consumption by ing forward to working together banker gave the probability of a lion pounds. However, its bonds using various devices the tem- of the Middle East climate on implementing smart facade sys- to advance the strategy of ABank takeover at just 5 percent, some weakened sharply and the cost of perature inside the room can building envelopes and how tems, which can significantly as a leading and healthy bank in analysts said a recent improve- protecting its debt against default be lowered by one degree Celsius, building envelopes can be devel- reduce the need for heating or the growing Turkish financial sec- ment in the debt markets and rose. REUTERS then a saving of 5-10 percent oped to influence the long term cooling. THE PENINSULA tor.” THE PENINSULA

ibq appoints retail GIS to get QNB’s expertise banking head, deputy in dividend distribution

DOHA: International DOHA: For the second con- recommended dividend payout Bank of Qatar (ibq) yes- secutive year, Qatar National per share of QR1.5, representing terday announced two Bank (QNB), the largest finan- 15 percent of nominal value. GIS key executive appoint- cial institution in the MENA held its Annual General Assembly ments within Retail region, was appointed the offi- meeting yesterday. Through Banking. Andrew Ball is cial Dividend Distribution QNB’s Dividend Distribution appointed Head of Retail Agent for Gulf International Service, shareholders will be able Banking while Hassan Services (GIS), a public share- to receive their dividends when Al Mulla is appointed holding company listed on the visiting any QNB branch if their Deputy Head of the Hassan Al Mulla Andrew Ball Qatar Exchange (QE) and the profits are less than QR100,000. division. biggest group specialising in For profits more than The appointments services in Qatar. QR100,000 shareholders are reflect the bank’s commitment towards employing highly quali- QNB will provide GIS with requested to visit QNB dividend fied industry experts who bring a wealth of knowledge and expe- dividend distribution, dividend centre located at Qatar Sports rience further enhancing the bank’s record of success. The new account administration and other Club, West Bay. Dividend pay- appointments, additionally, underlines ibq’s active Qatarisation administrative support services to ments can also be transferred scheme particularly in leadership positions. ensure shareholders have easier directly into QNB accounts, local Jabra Ghandour, Managing Director of ibq said: “Andrew and and more efficient access to their bank accounts, and international Hassan are promising talents within the retail banking division, earned dividends. bank accounts. Shareholders can I am sure their broad experience will further improve ibq’s GIS recently disclosed its register by providing QNB with distinguished market position in Qatar. Our focus on the qual- 2012 financial results reporting their shareholder number, ID ity of our team, innovative products and our culture of service QR464.3m in net profit for the card, or power of attorney by a excellence have always contributed to ibq’s recognition with a year ended December 31, 2012,. custodian in the absence of the number of international awards. THE PENINSULA The Board of Directors also shareholder. THE PENINSULA al khaliji to go paperless

DOHA: Al Khalij Commercial Bank (al khaliji) QSC, yester- • Bullion - Mumbai day announced, that it will switch over to the environmen- Gold (10 gm) Standard Rs. 29305 tally friendly (e-statement) system and cease issuing paper statements from March 31. Silver (1 kg) Rs. 54865 E-statements offer customers a convenient, easy and secure • Indian Rupees QR1 = 14.79 way to receive monthly bank statements electronically. • Sensex al khaliji will provide customers with an email notification BSE 19293.20 of when the statement can be downloaded from Internet bank- NSE 5835.25 ing, and will send emails with monthly loan statements and • Short-term investment plan from LIC International upto 6.4 percent return transaction advice notices. Customers will need to register an p.a. (in dollar) email address with al khaliji to benefit from the e-statement facility. Customers can add or amend their email address via • Housing loan from HDFC LTD Internet banking or by calling 4494 0000. • Mutual Fund: Buy & Sell: SBI MF, HDFC MF, UTI MF, Birla Sun Life MF, For customers who have not yet signed up for Internet bank- Tata MF, Reliance MF etc. ing, you can do so by visiting www.alkhaliji.com and follow the Contact: Investec, Tel: 44325060/44365060 email: [email protected] Internet banking link. THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2013 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Index 8,614.14 0.46 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 12,031.15 0.46 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 2,570.72 0.23 % RATE QE All Share Index 2,141.77 0.37 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 2,050.03 0.95 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5027.419 -101.913 -1.99 5174.4 4664.6 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 5,144.44 0.60 % QR188.7214 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Services Cac 40 Index/D 3794.48 -49.55 -1.29 3871.58 3600.81 UK ...... QR 5.4720 QR 5.5490 QE All Share Industrials 2,875.28 0.33 % SILVER QE All Share Insurance 1,940.51 0.25 % Dj Indu Average 14514.11 0 0 14539.3 12035.1 QR 3.4106 Euro ...... QR 4.6908 QR 4.7560 QE All Share Real Estate 1,534.79 0.13 % CA$ ...... QR 3.5313 QR 3.6015 Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 QE All Share Telecoms 1,162.91 0.48 % Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.8331 QR 3.8881 QE All Share Transportation 1,471.61 0.11 % Hang Seng Inde/D 22083.36 -449.75 -2 23944.74 22305.54 Yen ...... QR 0.0380 QR 0.0387 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.7526 QR 3.8261 Iseq Overall/D 3875.47 26.57 0.69 3925.59 3396.67 CRUDE OIL Today Previous day Ind Re ...... QR 0.0667 QR 0.0680 18-03-2013 17-03-2013 Karachi 100 In/D 17492 -172.83 -0.98 18312.65 16036.31 Index 8,614.14 8,574.71 BRENT Pak Re ...... QR 0.0368 QR 0.0375 Change 39.43 9.07 Nikkei 225 Index 12220.63 -340.32 -2.71 12560.95 10398.61 Peso ...... QR 0.0887 QR 0.0905 % 0.46 0.11 $108.28 SL Re ...... QR 0.0285 QR 0.0292 YTD% 3.05 2.58 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 1563.62 1266.74 DUBAI Taka ...... QR 0.0459 QR 0.0468 Volume 4,065,898 4,893,309 Straits Times/D 3256.47 -29.58 -0.9 3319.19 3160.83 Nep Re ...... QR 0.0419 QR 0.0427 Value (QAR) 155,962,503.33 204,375,044.80 $107.07 Trades 2,853 2,967 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3928 QR 0.4025 Straits Times/D 2989.31 24.69 0.83 3035.78 2657.77 Up 20 | Down 16 | Unchanged 03

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 18-03-2013

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

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

A B G Infra-B/D 54.9 -5.5 2176 Cmc Ltd-B/D 1317.95 16.85 35439 Hind Org Chem-/D 12.5 -0.25 10421 Kg Denim-B/D 14.15 -0.26 2110 Ruchi Soya-B/D 61.6 4.55 421333 Land Secs Grou/D 815.5 -11 621136 A C C-A/D 1225.25 -26.4 25703 Colgate-A/D 1327.65 13.65 13296 Hind Unilever-/D 463.55 5.5 246952 Kilburnengg-B/D 12.01 0 1525 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 435.75 -0.95 4083 Legal & Genera/D 170.9222 -2.1 6378628 Aban Offs-B/D 292.4 -2.95 45390 Container Cor-/D 1050.65 16 1540 Hind.Petrol-A/D 300.6 -4.5 77692 Kin.Motor-B/D 8.16 -0.53 9522 Thirumalai-B/D 103.65 -0.5 1481 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 49.2 -1.32 80596011 Ador Welding-B/D 118 1.45 2231 Dai-Bichi Kar-/D 42 0 15334 Hindalco-A/D 95.3 -0.45 918643 Klg Systel-B/D 14 -0.46 21588 Timexgroup-B/D 16.15 -0.3 14049 Marks & Sp./D 404.178 31.6 19423590 Aegis Logis-B/D 142.45 -3.6 5537 Dcm Financia-B/D 1.37 0.09 2438 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 808.5 -8.15 99134 Kopran-B/D 15.09 0.02 7567 Tinplate-B/D 42.55 -0.35 13015 Next/D 4130 40 325427 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 114.6 -2.25 1901 Dhampur Sugar-/D 48.75 1.55 224082 I F C I-A/D 28.75 -0.85 1866243 Lloyd Steel-B/D 11.44 -0.25 23847 Ub Engineer-T/D 24.8 -0.65 5999 Pearson/D 1202 -6 501943 Alembic-B/D 17.05 -0.45 17431 Dr. Reddy-A/D 1811.95 -11.5 8575 Idbi-A/D 87.8 -1.25 218548 Lok.Hous&Con-B/D 18.65 -0.05 6860 Ub Engineer-T/D 24.8 -0.65 5999 Prudential/D 1124 -30 2119403 Alok Indus-B/D 8.01 -0.54 1206431 E I H-B/D 60.45 -1.5 13877 Ifb Agro-B/D 168.6 2.75 1679 Lumax Ind-B/D 342.2 -1.8 9330 Ucal Fuel-B/D 56.2 0.3 4514 Rank Group/D 170.6899 1.3 20820 Andhra Paper-B/D 196.45 -4.1 23146 E.I.D Parry-B/D 163.05 -0.45 22635 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 86.75 -0.75 20867 Lupin-A/D 613.75 3.95 215708 Ucal Fuel-B/D 56.2 0.3 4514 Rentokil Initi/D 98.05 -0.95 2651973 Apollo Tyre-A/D 84.4 -2.6 149678 Electrosteel-B/D 18.9 -0.45 226804 India Cement-B/D 84.55 0.25 34138 Max India L-A/D 228.75 3.65 11193 Ultramarine-B/D 60.35 3.15 238181 Rolls Royce Pl/D 1089 4 1201573 Asahi I Glass-/D 52.35 0.35 11009 Emco-B/D 21.5 -0.7 17525 India Glycol-B/D 134.5 -2.4 7984 Mrpl-A/D 53.35 1 160870 Unitech P -A/D 27.7 -0.9 3473607 Rsa Insrance G/D 116 0 6859590 Ashok Leyland-/D 22.8 0.15 207422 Escorts-B/D 56.95 -0.6 86801 Indian Hotel-A/D 55.95 0.1 40759 Nahar Spg.-B/D 78.1 -1.95 5231 Sainsbury(J)/D 365.9 3.1 4303329 Ballarpur In-B/D 17.85 -0.25 37537 Essar Oil-A/D 83.35 -1.3 606591 Indo-Bcount-B/D 11.66 0.06 2012 Nation Alum -A/D 38.45 -1.9 783433 LONDON Schroders/D 2099 -55 195391 Bata India-A/D 736.4 -5.85 42379 Eveready Indu-/D 17.55 0.05 25681 Indusind-A/D 415.45 -6.55 108985 Navneet Pub.-B/D 60.05 -0.45 11675 Severn Trent/D 1636 -11 187331 Beml Ltd-B/D 179.95 -6.35 25992 F D C-B/D 92.5 0.1 29676 J.B.Chemical-B/D 81.5 0.05 4698 Nepc India-B/D 2.05 -0.09 18386 3I Group/D 317.9 -5.1 671419 Smith&Nephew/D 737.5 -9 790468 Bhansali Eng-B/D 14.36 -0.13 1800 Federal Bank-A/D 486.65 -3 13689 Jagatjit Ind-B/D 50.6 -1.5 4080 Neuland Lab-B/D 87.3 -2.9 5208 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 1877 -22 246328 Smiths Group/D 1310 -3 207331 Bhel-A/D 196.2 -1.85 252433 Ferro Alloys-B/D 5.75 -0.07 17220 Jbf Indu-B/D 102.7 -1.25 13208 Nrb Bearings-B/D 32.35 0.2 2321 B Sky B/D 881 -3 693320 Standrd Chart /D 1721 -42 1427780 Bom.Burmah-B/D 116.65 -1.85 4257 Finolex-B/D 97.4 1.25 137812 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.39 -0.01 62653 O N G C-A/D 317.35 -1.95 187211 Barclays/D 304.028 -16 40199265 Tate & Lyle/D 827.0666 9.5 354526 Bombay Dyeing-/D 89.45 -3.1 175929 Forbes-B/D 627.6 -4.2 1686 Jct Ltd-B/D 1.07 -0.03 67823 Oil Country-B/D 41.15 -0.45 2562 Bg Group/D 1177.5 -0.5 1715330 Tesco/D 383.1004 -1.95 4371390 Cable Corp.-B/D 18.8 0.35 2085 Gail-A/D 313.85 -10.25 88151 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 3.27 0.12 3157 Orchid Chem-B/D 74.3 -6.2 655313 Bp/D 448.8 -0.85 8637301 Unilever/D 2717 -18 968987 Canfin Homes-B/D 159.9 -0.2 9520 Gammon India-B/D 25.3 -0.85 29379 Jik Indust-B/D 1.21 -0.06 6398 Orient.Carb.-B/D 95.85 -1.4 4922 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3482 -12.5 1034409 United Util Gr/D 684.5 -4.5 862131 Castrol Ind-A/D 328.95 -4 13305 Garden P -B/D 52.15 0.1 2156 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 101.5 -0.1 5604 Orient.Carb.-B/D 95.85 -1.4 4922 British Airway/D 276.4574 0 0 Vodafone Group/D 183.7 0.45 31497347 Century Enka-B/D 110 0.55 3328 Goodricke-B/D 132.25 -1.65 6604 Jmc Projects-B/D 81.05 -2.2 3137 Pacific Indu-B/D 126.95 11.75 3218 Bt Group/D 270.4 -1.9 5526275 Whitbread/D 2581 -10 185576 Century Text-A/D 310.25 -5.8 118069 Goodyear I -B/D 268.8 -8.5 2681 Kabra Extr-B/D 28.5 -0.15 1733 Patspin India-/D 5.2 -0.3 16203 Centrica/D 350.5 -1.5 5106893 Chambal Fert-B/D 53.05 -0.9 87937 Hcl Infosys-B/D 39 -0.4 103423 Kajaria Cer-B/D 183.55 -2.5 3421 Radico Khait-B/D 135.85 0.25 7193 Gkn/D 271.8 -2.7 1734981 Chola Invest-B/D 284.9 -3 1783 Him.Fut.Comm-B/D 8.56 -0.1 278035 Kakatiya Cem-B/D 79.45 -0.6 3201 Rallis India-B/D 121.9 -1.4 20440 Hsbc Holdings/D 722.126 2 9091892 Cipla-A/D 390.8 6.55 93582 Himat Seide-B/D 34.45 -0.35 12301 Kalpat Power-B/D 79.65 -1.35 6891 Rallis India-B/D 121.9 -1.4 20440 Imperial Tobac/D 2350 -23 592893 City Union Bk-/D 54.3 -0.4 39520 Hind Motors-B/D 9.56 -0.22 185324 Kalyani Stel-B/D 39.85 -2.15 38113 Reliance Indus/D 360.6 -7.3 24682 Kingfisher/D 285.5 -0.6 2057909 TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Nadal fights back for Miami extend winning streak

MIAMI: The Miami Heat were Cole. “You talk about a well-oiled Indian Wells victory given a bit of a scare in the machine, those guys are efficient fourth quarter by the Toronto both offensively and defensively,” Raptors but were virtually said Raptors head coach Dwane unstoppable late and won their Casey on how the Heat man- Spaniard rallies from a set down to beat Del Potro in final 22nd-consecutive game with a aged to find another gear when 108-91 win. Toronto made the game close. INDIAN WELLS, California: The Heat built up a 16-point “They do it in a classy way. Rafa Nadal added another tri- lead in the first half, but the They are well put together. When umphant chapter to his remark- Raptors chipped away and tied you have special guys like (James) able comeback story by beating the game early in the fourth and Wade running your show, it Juan Martin Del Potro in the quarter before Miami pulled away makes it tough.” BNP Paribas Open final yester- down the stretch. Miami are now tied with the day to win his third title of the Dwyane Wade had 24 points for 2007-08 Houston Rockets in sec- year. Miami while LeBron James had ond place with 22 straight wins The Spanish left-hander was 22. Rudy Gay and Amir Johnson in the NBA. sidelined for seven months last were responsible for most of the Only the 1971-72 Los Angeles year with a left knee injury Raptors scoring. Gay had 27 while Lakers, who won 33 in a row, but has been in stunning form Johnson had 18 to go along with remain ahead of them. since he returned, reaching four 18 rebounds. “They were making some tough straight finals and compiling a “It’s a special team,” said James shots and I think that took a bit 17-1 record to start the year. of his team whose winning streak out of our spirit and toughness Nadal had to come from a set is now tied for the second longest defensively,” said Heat head coach and 1-3 down to beat Argentine streak in NBA history. Erik Spoelstra on what happened Del Potro 4-6 6-3 6-4 and take “It’s a special ride right now to his team that allowed Toronto his 22nd ATP Masters title and that we’re rolling and the best to make the game close. a third at Indian Wells. thing is we’re doing it together “We dug in and decided to do “I’m very, very happy and very and we just want to keep it going. it a little bit tougher, a little bit emotional,” said 11-times grand “It’s not about the streak. It’s harder.” slam champion Nadal, who about us getting better every Chris Paul scored 20 points flopped to the ground, flat on his day,” added James, while talking and passed off eight assists to back, shaking his fists in celebra- to reporters. lead the Los Angeles Clippers tion after sealing the win over Del Toronto tied the game at over the injury-hit New York Potro. 77-77 when Gay hit a pair of free Knicks 93-80 yesterday in a “A lot of things happened the throws at 11:08 in the final quar- matchup of contenders from last seven months, to be back here ter, but the Heat responded with opposite coasts. and to have this very heavy tro- 12-straight points, including a Meanwhile, Caron Butler con- phy with me is amazing, no? It’s highlight-reel dunk from Wade tributed 14 points while Blake impossible to have a better come- off a half-court lob from Norris Griffin scored 12 points and back, no? Happy for everything. grabbed 12 rebounds for the “Beating three top-10s, three Clippers, who won for the sev- very important players, to win a NBA Results enth time in their past 10 games title like this is just something to reach 46-21 and stretch their Miami 108 Toronto 91 unbelievable for me,” added the Pacific division lead. Spaniard, who beat second- Milwaukee 115 Orlando 109 JR Smith scored a team-high ranked Roger Federer in the LA Clippers 93 NY Knicks 80 17 points despite shooting 4-for- quarter-finals and sixth-ranked Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after defeating Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina at the BNP Paribas Open Golden State 108 Houston 78 20 from the field while Raymond Tomas Berdych in the last four. tennis final in Indian Wells, California, yesterday. RIGHT: Nadal of Spain poses with the trophy. Minnesota 97 New Orleans 95 Felton added 16 points and nine It was Nadal’s 53rd ATP singles Oklahoma City 107 Dallas 101 assists for the Knicks, who title and his first on a hardcourt were lacking All-Stars Carmelo Atlanta 105 Brooklyn 93 surface since Tokyo in 2010. Anthony and Tyson Chandler LA Lakers 113 Sacramento 102 The Argentine survived three ATP World Rankings WTA World Rankings Nadal pulls with knee injuries. AGENCIES breaks points before holding serve 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 13,280 1. Serena Williams (USA) 10,365 pts in an energy-sapping first game in the final set but he failed to 2. Roger Federer (SUI) 8,715 2. Maria Sharapova (RUS) 10,015 (+1) out of Miami hold in the third as the Spaniard 3. Andy Murray (GBR) 8,350 3. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 9,575 (-1) crunched a forehand winner down 4. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 6,745 (+1) 4. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 7,395 the line to lead 2-1. on doctor’s 5. David Ferrer (ESP) 6,630 (-1) 5. Li Na (CHN) 5,880 There was no way back for Del Potro, who had upset world 6. Tomas Berdych (CZE) 5,010 6. Angelique Kerber (GER) 5,400 advice number three Andy Murray in 7. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 4,830 7. Sara Errani (ITA) 5,160 (+1) the quarter-finals and top-ranked 8. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) 3,750 8. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 5,150 (-1) INDIAN WELLS, Novak Djokovic in the last four. California: Rafa Nadal has 9. Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) 3,090 9. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 4,130 (+1) He saved three match points withdrawn from next week’s after going 0-40 down on serve 10. Richard Gasquet (FRA) 2,960 10. Samantha Stosur (AUS) 4,005 Sony Open in Miami to in the ninth before holding, but 11. Marin Cilic (CRO) 2,570 (+1) 11. Marion Bartoli (FRA) 3,155 strengthen his left leg over Nadal served out for victory in 12. Nicolas Almagro (ESP) 2,435 (-1) 12. Nadia Petrova (RUS) 3,050 the next few weeks before the 10th, needing only one more beginning his build-up for the match point to add a third Indian 13. Gilles Simon (FRA) 2,300 13. Maria Kirilenko (RUS) 2,871 (+2) French Open. Wells title to his previous wins in 14. Juan Monaco (ARG) 2,185 14. Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 2,695 The Spanish left-hander, who 2007 and 2009. 15. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 2,135 (+1) 15. Roberta Vinci (ITA) 2,545 (+1) returned to the ATP circuit only The Spaniard, who had his left 16. Milos Raonic (CAN) 2,095 (+1) 16. Sloane Stephens (USA) 2,490 (+1) last month after seven months knee taped up throughout the out with a left knee injury, has tournament, edged one ahead 17. Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) 1,960 (+1) 17. Ana Ivanovic (SRB) 2,466 (-4) played four tournaments in the of Federer with his record 22nd 18. Tommy Haas (GER) 1,925 (+1) 18. Venus Williams (USA) 1,940 (+2) last five weeks, winning three of ATP Masters title. It was also the 19. Andreas Seppi (ITA) 1,785 (+1) 19. Lucie Safarova (CZE) 1,930 (-1) them. 600th match win of his career. “The doctors recommend 20. Sam Querrey (USA) 1,760 (+3) 20. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 1,905 (-1) REUTERS me to be back home for a few weeks, rest a little bit and keep practising the right way,” the world number five told report- ers after beating Juan Martin Sharapova powers to title Del Potro 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the BNP Paribas Open final at INDIAN WELLS, California: Indian Wells yesterday. Maria Sharapova played aggres- “You know, I need more sively from the start to win her power in the left leg quadri- first title since last year’s French ceps, so I need to keep work- Ivan Johnson #44 of the Atlanta Hawks and Gerald Wallace #45 of the Open with a 6-2 6-2 demoli- ing hard. The competition is Brooklyn Nets hit the floor after colliding at the Barclays Center in New tion of Caroline Wozniacki in hard for the body, so after four York City, yesterday. The Hawks defeated the Nets 105-93. the BNP Paribas Open final fantastic weeks I can’t go to yesterday. Miami. I need to prepare and In a showdown between two rest for the next one.” former world number ones, the Nadal said he would next be second-seeded Russian overpow- in action in Monte Carlo, fol- ered the Dane with a ruthless dis- lowed by Barcelona, Madrid Caps snap scoring slump play, breaking her twice in each and Rome. set to seal victory in one hour 21 “That’s my schedule, the four minutes. Sharapova was in attack obligatories (including Indian mode throughout with an array of Wells) and Barcelona,” the in 5-3 win over Sabres deep groundstrokes and superb 11-times Grand Slam singles serving to claim her second title champion said. WASHINGTON: Before yes- Johansson and Matthieu Perrault at Indian Wells after winning for “That’s my schedule. I go terday’s game, Capitals coach all added a goal and an assist for the first time in 2006. week-by-week since I came Adam Oates had a feeling Jason the Capitals, who broke out of an The 25-year-old Russian ended back. For example, I cannot go Chimera was getting close to offensive funk in which they had the match in champion style with to Miami. I’m very sad for that. breaking out of his scoreless scored only seven times in five a 109 mph service winner before Maria Sharapova of Russia poses with the trophy after defeating Caroline I’m very sorry for the organiza- slump. games - losing four. raising both arms skywards in Wozniacki of Denmark in straight sets to win the women’s final match tion of the tournament and I’m He was right. And Alex Ovechkin got the celebration. of the 2013 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, yesterday. very sorry for the fans, but we Chimera scored his first regu- Capitals (12-15-1) going with his “What makes it so special is never thought we’d be able to lar-season goal in nearly a year 350th NHL goal, just 19 seconds when you end up as the champion, play all matches possible since and the Capitals held on for a 5-3 in, and Washington beat Buffalo that’s why I am smiling,” a beam- the latest rankings. “It was a tough Wells champion Wozniacki, who I came back.” victory over the Buffalo Sabres at home for the seventh time in ing Sharapova said courtside after match, a tough battle, and there like Sharapova was competing in Earlier in the day, Sony Open yesterday, raising expectations eight games. extending her run of at least one were a lot of games that went to her third final here, applauded tournament director Adam that Chimera and Washington’s Now, as they attempt a playoff WTA title each year since 2003. deuce and a lot of long games. the Russian’s high-quality Barrett had announced Nadal’s offense might be finding their push, they’re hoping Chimera can “I really appreciate these “They could have easily swung performance. withdrawal from Miami in a form. be a more frequent contributor. moments. This is what I do all the other way, especially some “She just played too well today,” statement. Troy Brouwer, Marcus Washington ended the night six the work for. When you have days opportunities she had in that the 22-year-old Dane said. “I “We are disappointed to hear points out of a playoff spot. like this ... it’s a really nice feeling second set. But I always felt like tried. I tried to do my best out the news that Rafael Nadal will NHL Results “I told him, yesterday in because everything has paid off.” I was always a foot ahead, espe- there, but, yeah, it just wasn’t not be competing in Miami this Pittsburgh 2 Boston 1 (Saturday’s 4-1 loss) against “The scoreline looks a lot easier cially with the breaks. I was able good enough today. I didn’t feel year, especially given his strong Boston, we had 11 chances and he Ottawa 4 Winnipeg 1 than I think the match actually to serve well today, and that like I was playing poorly. I felt like results since his return to the was involved in six of them,” Oates was,” added the Russian world helped me.” I was playing pretty good tennis Tour,” Barrett said.REUTERS Washington 5 Buffalo 3 said of Chimera, who scored 20 number three who rose to two in Eighth seed and 2011 Indian out there. REUTERS Edmonton 3 Nashville 2 goals a season ago. AGENCIES TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2013 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Lewis takes World No.1 spot Streelman’s first title win with Founders The 34-year-old American golfer collects the top prize of $990,000 Cup win PHOENIX, Arizona: Stacy PALM HARBOUR, Florida: the round began to the top of the Lewis claimed the World No. 1 Kevin Streelman, who went leaderboard, only to finish second. Tampa Bay women’s golf ranking by firing a winless in his first 152 US PGA American Cameron Tringale final-round eight-under par 64 Tour events, finally captured was third on 277 with defend- Championship to beat Japan’s Ai Miyazato by his first title yesterday with a ing champion Luke Donald three strokes on Sunday at the two-stroke victory at the $5.5m of England, Australian Greg Scores $1.5m LPGA Founders Cup. Tampa Bay Championship. Chalmers and American Justin The 28-year-old American The 34-year-old American, Leonard sharing fourth on 278. PALM HARBOUR, knocked 2012 Founders Cup whose best prior PGA result was Weekley, whose win drought Florida: Leading scores yes- champion Yani Tseng of Taiwan a share of third at Puerto Rico since the 2008 Heritage Classic terday after the final round from atop the rankings after a in 2011, fired a bogey-free final grew to 116 events, birdied two of the $5.5m US PGA Tampa stay of 109 weeks with the victory round of four-under par-67 to fin- of the first four holes and added Bay Championship (USA and Tseng finishing in a share of ish 72 holes on 10-under 274 and runs of three birdies in a row at unless noted, par 71): 59th place, 19 strokes off the pace. defeat countryman Boo Weekley the ninth to 11th holes and 14th to Lewis became only the sec- by two shots. 16th, then sank a six-foot par putt 274 Kevin Streelman 73-69-65-67 ond American woman golfer to “It wasn’t too long ago I was to reach the clubhouse in front, claim the top spot, after Cristie 276 Boo Weekley 72-70-71-63 driving around in a car dead forcing him to wait on rivals to Kerr in 2010, by making birdies broke,” Streelman said. “But it finish. 277 Cameron Tringale 71-70-70-66 on three of the last four holes shows if you keep working hard “I was going to go catch me while Miyazato, who led most of and stay patient, you can accom- some bass in Orlando, but that’s 278 Luke Donald (ENG) 70-72-67-69, Greg the way, took a double bogey at plish something.” OK,” Weekley said. Chalmers (AUS) 71-68-69-70, Justin the 16th. Streelman birdied two of the “I’ve been hitting it OK but I’ve Leonard 71-69-67-71 “It’s unbelievable,” Lewis said. first three holes and added birdies finally got it all together at one “We were battling back and forth, at the par-3 13th and 17th holes time. I was able to make some 279 Pat Perez 71-71-70-67, Sergio Garcia and I didn’t expect her to do that to secure the victory, his 19-foot putts and hit some drives. It was (ESP) 71-67-72-69, Harris English there. I was just trying to make (5.8-meter) birdie putt at the impressive.” 68-69-73-69, Shawn Stefani 65-70- birdies there at the end.” penultimate hole and a par at the Leonard, the 1997 British Open 74-70, Jordan Spieth 72-68-69-70, World No. 1 “has a pretty good Ben Kohles 72-67-69-71, Jim Furyk last good enough for the $990,000 winner who last won a US PGA ring to it,” Lewis said just one day 72-69-67-71 top prize. event in 2008, saw his win drought after taking a two-stroke penalty “That was really cool,” extend to 123 events since he cap- 280 Stewart Cink 76-68-68-68, Matt after her round when her cad- Streelman said. “I just stayed tured the 2008 St Jude Classic, Kuchar 72-68-71-69, Brian Harman die was penalised for testing a really patient. I had a peace about the 40-year-old American’s 12th 67-70-72-71 bunker. me all day today. It was awesome. career title. “It was just fitting with every- “You’ve got to pick your battles. There were 18 players within 281 Graham DeLaet (CAN) 73-71-70-67, thing that happened yesterday I had a couple numbers on the two strokes at the top of the Kevin Streelman (right) on the 14th hole during the final round of the Webb Simpson 73-69-71-68, Tag that I had my back against the par-3s that I was able to pull off.” leaderboard when the final pair- Tampa Bay Championship in Palm Harbour, Florida. Ridings 68-70-70-73, George Coetzee wall again today,” Lewis said. Streelman put his tee shot at ing of Americans Leonard and (RSA) 71-68-68-74 Lewis, who began the day four the par-3 13th hole six feet from Streelman teed off, but the glut off Miyazato’s pace after the 282 Jerry Kelly 70-70-73-69, KJ Choi the cup and sank the putt to of other contenders faded in the a share of the lead while Leonard, short for bogey, then closed with penalty, fired the best round of (KOR) 69-67-76-70, James Driscoll take the lead for good, calling his back-nine battle. who took a bogey at the 10th, sank a bogey as well. US 19-year-old the day by two shots to finish on 74-66-72-70, Dicky Pride 69-73- approach “the best shot probably Leonard and Streelman, co- a five-foot birdie putt at 12 to Jordan Spieth, who shared sev- 23-under par 265. 70-70, Jason Dufner 71-66-74-71, of my life in that situation.” leaders when the round began, rejoin the leaders. enth on 279, won enough money Miyazato, seeking a 10th career Roberto Castro 69-73-68-72 Weekley, who was in the club- made the turn level for the lead While Streelman surged with to allow him to take exemptions LPGA title, settling for second on house while the 54-hole leaders with Weekley in the clubhouse at the par-3 birdies to win, Leonard for the remainder of the season in 283 Scott Brown 70-70-72-71, Rory 268 after a closing 71 at Wildfire were barely on the course, fired eight-under. birdied the par-5 14th but found a hopes of securing enough funds to Sabbatini (RSA) 73-71-68-71, Justin Golf Club, where Miyazato set a a 63 to leap from six strokes off Streelman missed a six-foot greenside bunker at the par-4 16th earn a spot on the 2014 tour. Hicks 70-71-69-73 course record with a 63 in the the pace and a share of 35th when birdie putt at the 12th to stay in and left a 20-foot par putt inches REUTERS opening round. REUTERS Indian golfer Jeev eyes ‘major’ breakthrough NEW DELHI: Jeev Milkha Greens golf course on the out- Olympic track-and-field medal in Singh is still rankled by the Singh has won the Asian Tour’s skirts of Delhi. “He introduces Rome. “Dad has done it (compet- fourth place finish in Rome. “Dad order of merit twice, has four me to them saying: ‘He’s my son ing in Olympics) 50 years ago. If still feels bad about it,” said Jeev. wins on the European Tour Jeev. He plays golf.’ I need to win I can do it, it would be fantastic. “He still talks about it, the mis- and is the first Indian golfer to a major to get to that level,” said And to win a medal would be the take he made. He thinks he was break into world’s top 50, but Jeev, who finished tied ninth in icing on the cake,” said Jeev, his the fastest. That’s the only regret he feels he will continue to live the 2008 PGA Championship. eyes lighting up at the prospect. he has in life - that he checked in his father’s shadow until he “Dad’s like a friend but still “This is one of the best things himself in the middle of the race.” wins a major. thinks I’m a kid. Every other to have happened to us, the Singh senior’s parents were More than five decades after day, he keeps telling me: ‘You golfers. For golf, being in the killed along with other villagers Milkha Singh, Jeev’s father, nar- won’t succeed unless you prac- Olympics is a big boost. More so during the 1947 India-Pakistan rowly lost out on the 400m bronze tise enough’. for Indian golf. partition, and his compelling medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics, “I tell him ‘Dad, I’m 42, please “I have to be in the top 100 that story has been captured in a the “Flying Sikh” has lost none of stop it! You are like a broken year to qualify,” said Jeev, who is Bollywood movie. “It’s a fantas- his popularity and his Bollywood record, you keep repeating the currently ranked 99. tic movie. I hope it goes to the biopic will hit theatres in July. same thing.’ But he doesn’t care,” “At 42, it’s a new motivation for Oscars. It’s that good,” said Jeev. “Dad never misses a chance Jeev said with a grin. me. I’ll be 45 and I think I’d be “You’d cry watching the movie, to remind me that whenever Golf’s inclusion on the 2016 good enough to go.” you’d have goose bumps ... it has we are travelling together, if 100 Olympic programme has offered More than grabbing bragging got a message. It’s an inspirational people mob him for autographs, Jeev the chance to go one-up on rights in the family, Jeev feels a movie, not only for a sportsman Ernie Els of South Africa and Jeev Milkha Singh of India during the first five approach me,” Jeev said in his father, who fell agonisingly medal in Rio would help soothe but for anyone in any profession.” round of the Qatar Masters at the Doha Golf Club in this January 2009 a recent interview at the Jaypee short of winning India’s first his father’s old wound. Milkha REUTERS file photo. Malaysia will be different, says world champion Vettel

MELBOURNE: Sebastian Vettel started Pirelli’s motorsport director Paul Hembery his campaign to win four successive world described the Lotus approach to the race as a titles with third place at Sunday’s Australian “masterclass in tyre management”. Grand Prix but the German thinks the sea- “We took the deliberately bold decision to son-opener race will prove to be an anomaly come here with the supersoft tyre in order to over the course of the year. spice up the action,” Hembery said. The 25-year-old showed the raw pace of “We believe that this worked very well ... his Red Bull had not gone away when he took seeing how (the) different approaches played his 37th pole position in a qualifying session out at the end was the intriguing part of the delayed by heavy rain on Sunday morning but strategy, which led to a spectacular finish and later was convincingly beaten in the race by three very deserving world champions on the Kimi Raikkonen’s Lotus. podium.” Comforted, perhaps, by the fact that it was Vettel’s Red Bull was particularly hard on not until the fourth round in Bahrain last year Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull Racing is on his the rubber, as it had been in testing in Spain that he won his first race, Vettel said being way to take the third place at the Australian last month, but the amount of degradation outpaced by both Lotus and the Ferrari of Grand Prix on Sunday. will change on different tracks and in differ- Fernando Alonso was not what he expected ent temperatures. at Sepang this week. With Malaysia, China, Bahrain to come “What we have seen today was a first between top drivers at what seemed like every on the Asian swing before the Formula One glimpse, but we are far from getting an idea turn and a popular surprise winner in the circus heads back to Europe for the Spanish of the pecking order,” he told the sport’s offi- Finnish “Iceman”. Grand Prix in May, Vettel was happy with the cial website after the race on the Albert Park The irony was that the sort of spectacle opening weekend. street track. which might convert even the motorsports “Everybody has been a bit of surprise to “Malaysia is a completely different track sceptic to Formula One was precipitated by everyone, as nobody knew what to expect,” and from what we have seen today, everything the topic of conversation most likely to make he said. “The qualifying was fantastic but in depends on how well people handle the tyres. their eyes glaze over - tyres. the race we had a bit of a problem with the “But we will see completely different condi- Tyre providers Pirelli were briefed this year wear of the tyres - and obviously Kimi did the tions and will use different tyres so there are to come up with rubber compounds which best job looking after the tyres out of everyone too many differences to here. degraded more quickly to force teams to make managing to stop only twice. “We have seen over the past few years that more pit stops and therefore make races less “We can keep our heads high as we have what we have seen in Melbourne has hardly processional. They duly delivered. shown that the pace is there. Now we have to ever become a trend for the next couple of Raikkonen’s victory rested on his Lotus rid- work on the tyre issue. Obviously the degra- German Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull Racing lifts his races.” ing more easily on the tyres than other cars, dation was a bit more intense for us than for third place trophy on the podium of the Grand Prix of Australia at the Sunday’s 58 laps were a riot of entertain- allowing him to make just two stops in the others. But to start from pole position and end Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Australia, yesterday. ment for the fans packed into the Melbourne race while all of his main rivals had to take on the podium - all in all, that was a successful park with seven leaders over the race, battles three. weekend.” REUTERS TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Bangladesh falter on Watson eager to continue his day three in Colombo Test career Home spinner Rangana Herath grabs three key wickets SYDNEY: Australia’s vice-cap- chats with Pat Howard over the tain Shane Watson (pictured) last week and we are both now on left for India yesterday to join the same page and are really look- COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s the cricket team for the fourth ing forward to working together Rangana Herath grabbed three cricket Test in Delhi starting on to get Australia to be the best wickets to put Bangladesh Friday. team in the world. I’m looking under pressure on the third day “I’ve had several constructive forward to getting around the of the second and final Test in discussions with team manage- boys again and concentrating on Colombo yesterday. ment back in Mohali over the past moving forward. I’m entirely com- The left-arm spinner removed few days. We’ve spoken about how mitted to the team and being the Mohammad Ashraful and we are going to work together best player I can be,” Watson said. then accounted for well-set to move forward, as Australia Howard said: “Shane and I have Jahurul Islam and Mohammad attempts to climb back to the top had a number of positive conver- Mahmudullah off successive balls of the ICC rankings,” said Watson. sations. I am glad to say that as Bangladesh reached 158-4 in “I’ve a burning ambition to Shane will return from compas- their second innings at stumps. be an Australian Test player sionate leave and rejoin the squad The tourists, trailing by 106 on for as long as I can be and help in India as the team prepares for first innings, are now just 52 runs Australia win the fourth Test ahead with six wickets in hand. those big Test in Delhi.” Mominul Haque was unbeaten on series’ as well Skipper 36 with skipper Mushfiqur Rahim as the big ICC Michael Clarke seven not out. Tournaments,” had said that he “I think Herath did a good job, he said. had full faith in but it would have been brilliant if Watson, who his deputy and they were five down. We dropped was dropped hoped he would an easy chance and chances are from the third be back by the to be held if we want to get on Test along with fourth Test. top tomorrow,” said Sri Lanka’s three others over Watson, along Kumar Sangakkara. a breach of disci- with Mitchell “You have to chase whatever Bangladeshi cricketer Mominul Haque (centre) is watched by Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal (left) as pline, returned Johnson, Usman they put on the scoreboard. The he plays a shot during the third day of their second Test match between the two countries at the R Premadasa home last week Khawaja and wicket is not too bad for batting, Cricket Stadium in Colombo yesterday. to be with his James Pattinson but there is a bit of inconsistent wife Lee for the were dumped bounce.” birth of their for not supplying The stumble came after first child. Lee feedback on how Bangladesh made a strong start, delivered a baby the team could with Tamim Iqbal (59) and boy, Will, last improve after Jahurul (48) putting on 91 for the Bangladesh bans top Thursday. going 2-0 down opening wicket. Watson originally expected to in the series. Jahurul lost his patience and miss the fourth Test, but had to Australia head coach Mickey wicket when he stepped out of change his plans since the baby Arthur said: “It’s been a big week the crease, but missed the line was born earlier than expected. for us all - both on and off the and was stumped by Dinesh umpire for 10 years While leaving India, Watson pitch. The whole Australian Chandimal. He hit one six and one made clear his displeasure at cricket team congratulates Lee four in his defiant 170-ball knock. DHAKA: The Bangladesh A lawyer representing two of being dropped over the ‘home- and Shane on the safe arrival of Herath bowled Mahmudullah Cricket Board yesterday banned the Sri Lankan umpires caught work affair’ and said he recon- baby Will. with his next delivery but missed international umpire Nadir up in the same sting said he was sider his Test future. “Covering all the bases while out on a hat-trick. Nuwan Shah (pictured) for 10 years pushing Sri Lanka Cricket for a Watson was also angry at CA preparing for any Test match is Kulasekara later dropped after a sting operation by an speedy inquiry. high performance manager Pat key to both us and Shane’s recom- Mominul at mid-off when the Indian TV channel found him “We are asking for an inde- Howard’s comments that he was mitment to the team in his chats batsman was on 30, denying apparently willing to fix matches pendent inquiry,” lawyer Prathiba a team man only “sometimes”. with me this week have been Herath a fourth wicket. for cash. Mahanamahewa, who is acting Watson said he had a chat with really positive. We’re looking for- Tamim was the first to go, Shah announced he would on behalf of Gamini Dissanayake Howard and both are now on the ward to having Watto back and inside-edging a Shaminda Eranga appeal against the decision, saying and Maurice de la Zilwa, said in same page. around the group as we prepare delivery on to the stumps after he had been made a scapegoat, but Colombo. “I have also had a number of for the fourth Test.” IANS hitting one six and four bounda- the move was welcomed by the “You can’t act on the basis of ries in his impressive 12th Test International Cricket Council as this video which we think has half-century. underlining a commitment within been doctored.” “We are on the back foot now, the game to root out corruption. Pakistan’s board has said an to be honest. We were in a very The Bangladeshi board internal inquiry against two of good position when Jahurul and launched an inquiry after the pri- its officials, including former Test A Mominul were batting, but we lost vate India TV channel aired foot- umpire Nadeem Ghouri, would be photographer a couple of wickets in the end,” age last October which appeared finalised shortly. takes said Tamim. to show that the 49-year-old The allegations were broadcast pictures of “The captain and Mominul Shah was willing to give LBW only days after the final of the a Paradise are still at the crease, with Nasir (leg before wicket) decisions on World Twenty20 tournament in Shelduck Hossain to come. If we can make demand. Sri Lanka, knocking some of the that sits on a big partnership we will be in a While the board did not publish suspended by their own boards gloss off one of the game’s premier the covers much better position tomorrow.” the findings of the inquiry, it said but they have consistently refuted events. as rain falls Sri Lanka were earlier bowled in a statement that Shah “will not the allegations. David Richardson, chief execu- during day out for 346 in their first innings be considered for BCB retainer- Speaking to reporters after tive of the International Cricket five of the in reply to Bangladesh’s 240. They ship for 10 years”. yesterday’s verdict, Shah said it Council (ICC), said the ban on Test between lost their remaining four wick- “During this period he will not was “part of conspiracy against Shah reflected a commitment hosts New ets for 52 runs in 18.3 overs after be eligible for any assignment me”. among the games rulers “to root Zealand and resuming at 294-6. under the jurisdiction of the “Definitely I’ll talk to my lawyer out corruption from our great Off-spinner Sohag Gazi finished BCB,” it added. and appeal against the decision,” sport”. England at with 3-111 off 39 overs, while pace- Shah, who has stood in 40 he said. “It’s a decision taken on “This decision also reiterates the Basin men Abul Hasan, Robiul Islam one-day internationals and three the basis of TV footage. It’s based cricket’s zero-tolerance approach Reserve in and Rubel Hossain each took two Twenty20 internationals, was on casual talk sitting in a room in towards corruption and should Wellington wickets. REUTERS one of six umpires caught in the New Delhi in July 2012. serve as a reminder to all stake- yesterday. undercover investigation, includ- “Do they have any proof that holders, be they umpires, players, Scoreboard ing three from Sri Lanka and two I’ve taken money or given any curators or administrators of the from Pakistan. decision in anybody’s favour? Is risks and challenges the sport Bangladesh (I innings): ...... 240 All of the six were subsequently there any record?” faces,” said Richardson. AFP Sri Lanka (I innings): D Karunaratne c Rahim b Abul ...... 17 T Dilshan c Rahim b Robiul ...... 0 K Sangakkara c Rahim b Abul ...... 139 England win on points, says McCullum L Thirimanne c Rahim b Robiul ...... 0 A Mathews c Mahmudullah b Gazi ...... 16 D Chandimal b Rubel ...... 102 WELLINGTON: England ended the his side had not per- Reserve, which he felt first Test and said the tourists’ bowling K Vithanage c Mominul b Rubel ...... 12 drawn second Test at the Basin Reserve formed as well as they allowed the batsmen attack had been finding top form before rain N Kulasekara c Rahim b Gazi ...... 22 yesterday as a winner on points after should have. to dictate the flow forced the second match to finish in a damp R Herath b Gazi ...... 3 rain washed out the entire final day, New “I thought we were of the game, though draw yesterday. Umpires abandoned play at S Eranga c Ashraful b Mahmudullah ...... 15 Zealand captain Brendon McCullum said. pretty average on day McCullum said the the Basin Reserve at 1405 local (0105 GMT) S Lakmal (not out) ...... 0 McCullum’s side had reached 162 for two one. There was a little weather had been more without a ball being bowled on the final day Extras (B-2, LB-2, NB-10, W-6) ...... 20 in their second innings after being forced bit in the wicket that of a defining feature in with the hosts 162 for two in their second Total (all out) ...... 346 to follow on, though they were still 49 runs we could have got some terms of results. innings following on and still 49 runs away Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-39, 3-43, 4-69, adrift from making England bat again. more benefit from,” he More than 100 from making England bat again. 5-264, 6-280, 7-316, 8-323, 9-346. Intermittent showers on the fourth day said. overs were lost due to “We got ourselves into a really good Bowling: Robiul 15-1-52-2 (nb7); Gazi 39- and persistent rain yesterday ensured the “We probably didn’t rain in Dunedin, while position to win the game. We can take a 4-111-3; Abul 23-4-80-2 (w5); Rubel 17-5- final match in Auckland later this week bowl as well as what we more than 150 were lot from that from our first performance,” 45-2 (nb3; w1); Mahmudullah 11.3-1-37-1; will be a series decider. needed to for as long lost in Wellington and Cook told reporters after the match was Mominul 2-0-6-0; Ashraful 2-0-9-0; Nasir “It was a draw at the end of the day and, as what we needed to McCullum said if play abandoned. 2-0-2-0. I guess similar to the first Test match. If against some quality had been able to go “In Dunedin we were behind the eight Bangladesh (II innings): it’s viewed as a points decision, I guess batsmen. Our execu- Brendon McCullum (left), Alastair Cook for the full five days in ball because we didn’t bat well for two ses- Tamim Iqbal b Eranga ...... 59 England will take this one,” McCullum tion was off. We didn’t each match criticism of sions and we did well to fight and hold on Jahurul Islam st Chandimal b Herath ...... 48 said yesterday. put enough pressure on England long the pitches would not have been made. “It for that game. This game we played some Mohd Ashraful b Herath...... 4 “They dictated this one and we held on enough and when up against a fine bat- seems to be bowling coaches who have an really good cricket and gave ourselves a Mominul Haque (batting) ...... 36 and showed some fighting qualities.” ting lineup got to be able to exert pressure issue with them. It’s always going to be the really great opportunity to win this game Mohd Mahmudullah b Herath ...... 0 McCullum had actually won the toss on for a long time. way,” he said with a grin. but the weather didn’t allow us to do that. Mushfiqur Rahim (batting) ...... 7 the first day and asked England to bat in “From that point on, we were under “If we look at the first Test match, we “As I said, I don’t think we have been too Extras (LB-3, NB-1) ...... 4 the hope that the wicket would provide his pressure (but) we managed to stand up and lost a whole day to rain. There would have far off, especially in this game.” Total (for 4 wkts) ...... 158 seam attack with some assistance before it sustain some pressure that was exerted on been a certain result in that game - well, Cook singled out England’s pace bowl- Fall of wickets: 1-91, 2-96, 3-143, 4-143. flattened out. us by England, which is a really good sign that’s what I think - and then if you look at ers James Anderson and Stuart Broad for Bowling: Kulasekara 7-0-21-0; Lakmal 8-1- The visitors, however, batted New for this team.” this Test match as well, we lost a day and a praise after they had helped the visitors 24-0; Herath 23-7-45-3; Dilshan 19-3-40-0; Zealand out of the match on day one with England bowling coach David Saker had half to rain. England captain Alastair Cook hammer home their first innings advantage Eranga 9-3-17-1 (nb1); Mathews 3-2-8-0. Nick Compton and Jonathan Trott scoring criticised the nature of the pitches pro- was pleased with the way his side responded when they bowled New Zealand out for 254 centuries, and McCullum said he felt that duced in both Dunedin and at the Basin to being outplayed by New Zealand in the in three sessions. AGENCIES TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2013 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT ‘Lord of the Rings’ set for Doha return Top Dutch gymnast ready for action at Aspire Dome

DOHA: Top Dutch gymnast Yuri van Gelder is set to return to Doha after a gap of five years to take part in the FIG World Challenge Cup to be held at Aspire Dome later this month. Van Gelder, a former world champion on the rings, will join a host of top gymnasts includ- ing London Olympic Games star Krisztian Berki of Hungary, Brazil’s Arthur Zanneti and Larisa Andreea of Romania at the three-day event to be hosted by Qatar Gymnastics Federation (QGF) from March 27 to 29. More than 150 gymnasts from 37 countries will take part in the event, Ali Al Hitmi, President, QGF, said at a press conference. “The Doha leg of the World Challenge Cup has become a pres- tigious event for the gymnasts,” Al Hitmi said yesterday. Qatar Gymnastics Federation (QGF) President, Ali Al Hitmi( centre) addressing a press conference held at the Al Gharafa’s French striker Djibril Cisse celebrates after scoring a goal “The points accumulated by the Holiday Villa Hotel in Doha yesterday. Also present are Mohammed Al Mouraghi (left), Board Member, QGF, and against Iran’s Foolad Sepahan during their 2013 AFC Champions League gymnasts at World Challenge Cup Mohamed Al Jaber, Secretary General, QGF. PICTURE: QASSIM RAHMATULLAH clash in Doha last week. series make the difference at the end of the year when only a select few make the cut for the World the attendance of more than 150 2005 World Artistic Gymnastics He is currently rated as the best Championships. gymnasts from around 37 coun- Championships in Melbourne, pommel horse worker of all time “Similarly, those who do well in tries, once again, this big event Australia. by the Federation Internationale the World Championships even- will host the names that matter A year later, he won bronze de Gymnastique (FIG). Striker Cisse tually make it to the Olympic in gymnastics. at the 2006 World Artistic Prashanth Sellathurai of Games,” Al Hitmi said. “I’m sure that fans will enjoy Gymnastics Championships in Australia will also compete in The QGF president said Qatar this world-class competition and Aarhus, Denmark. the pommel horse competitions, will be represented by four male encourage our national gym- At the 2007 World Artistic Al Hitmi said. athletes - Mahmoud Saadi, Nasser nasts and support them later this Gymnastics Championships in Sellathurai’s parents and ances- getting used to Al Hamad, Malik Al Yahri and month,” he added. Stuttgart, Germany, he won a tors are of Sri Lankan origin, but Ahmed Dayyani and two female Qatar’s Shaden, who won five silver medal. the gymnast was born and raised gymnasts - Shaden Wohdan and medals at the Arab Games held in Van Gelder will be joined by in Australia. Al Jazi Al Habshi - at the event. Doha in December 2011, said: “We Berki, the pommel horse special- He was part of the Australian life in Qatar “For the first time, we will are looking to gain experience ist, who sparkled at the London men’s squad which won its stage the floor exercises at this from this event. I hope I can do a Olympic Games last year. first team gold medal in event which is now into its sixth decent job. I will be competing in He is the 2012 Olympic Commonwealth Games at the DOHA: Influential French striker Djibril Cisse (pictured below) edition,” Mohamed Al Jaber, the balance beam competition.” Champion, the 2010 and 2011 2010 event in New Delhi, which has played in the most glamorous leagues for some of the biggest Secretary General, QGF, said. Van Gelder, also known as the World Champion, and the 2007 was sealed with his performance teams in the world. Al Hitmi said the Doha leg will ‘Lord of the Rings’, is a power- and 2009 world silver medalist. on the rings. He’s a striker who was born to score goals; someone who has never be broadcast live by Al Kass Sports ful performer with an impressive He is also the 2005, 2007, 2008, Sellathurai also won the pom- given up or shied away from a challenge. Cisse is a player who recov- Channel with television signals set resume. The 19-year-old took the 2009, 2011 and 2012 European mel horse event in New Delhi. ered from breaking both legs in the space of a couple of years – before to be beamed in many countries. gold in the men’s rings at the 2005 Champion in that event. He has three times won medals going on to become fitter than ever. “The Qatar Gymnastics European Championships held in He won the Universiade 2009 in the pommel horse at the world It’s that determination to prove people wrong that brought him Federation is proud to be host- Debrecen, Hungary. in Belgrade. In 2010 and 2011 he championships and is currently to Qatar. He has left the glitz of the English Premier League (EPL) ing so many great gymnasts for He became world champion was named Hungarian Sportsman ranked third in the world. behind to help improve and raise the profile of the Qatar Stars League this event,” Al Hitmi said. “With in the same discipline at the of the Year. THE PENINSULA (QSL). When Cisse left QPR to sign for Al Gharafa at the end of the season in January, people sat up and took notice. By his own admission, the move to Qatar has been harder than Yuri van Gelder Wohdan Shaden Cisse first imagined. Today he will face Al Arabi in the semi-finals of the QNB Cup. It will be a chance to pull the boots on after a short break from QSL action. That game is something Cisse is looking forward to. Because like everything else, the Frenchman wants to use his talent and sheer determination to make sure his time in the QSL is a success. In a chat with www.qsl.com.qa, Cisse, 31, spelt out the reasons why he’s had a tough landing in the Qatari capital. “Qatar is completely different to anything I’ve known. It’s a dif- ferent country, a different way of living and different football. It’s been hard but it’s getting easier,” Cisse. “The change in the style of foot- ball really surprised me. It’s not what I was used to, not when you compare it to England, France or Italy. It just takes some time to get used to. “It’s a different rhythm but that’s something I need to adapt to. The one thing about this move is it’s a great experience. In years to come I will be able to look back and say: ‘I played there, I helped the league’. “For the time that I am here I would like to do as well as I can. I don’t know if it will be longer than the loan period but I am try- ing to do my best and give the best impression of me as a footballer.” Cisse’s settling in period was disrupted when French boss Alain Perrin suddenly left his post as Al Gharafa coach. Perrin was replaced by Habib Al Sadiq. The 31-year-old refuses to use that as an excuse for his form though. Instead he believes everything will fall into the place on the pitch now he has settled off it. Ahmed Al Dayyani Al Jazi Al Habshi Krisztian Berki “The first month was different for a number of reasons, it wasn’t just the manager it was everything. When you change country you change your life but I like challenges and this was something that excited me,” the former Liverpool, Marseille and Lazio star “I don’t feel pressure or expectation. I’ve been playing football for 12 years now and I’ve always been one of the key or star players in the All about Challenge Cup series teams I have played with. I know how football works. I know how to deal with the pressure. I know how it works with strikers because you DOHA: The 2013 World and Challenge Cup four for women), and the Individual Apparatus category, with participation limited to two can be in the team and then out of the team. season for individual-apparatus tourna- rankings including combined lists for the gymnasts per country and apparatus, and “We also have cycles where you can score goals you can’t even imag- ments features a total of six events. World Cup and Challenge Cups, the overall invitations addressed at least to the apparatus ine and then you will miss the easiest of chances. That’s only the The series started with the only Individual winners will be crowned in Osijek. finalists of the 2012 Olympic Games and the players who understand that. We know that at times it won’t always Apparatus Finals World Cup of the year in World Cups with Individual Apparatus best eight gymnasts per apparatus from the go the right way. La Roche sur Yon (FRA) on March 16-17, and qualification rounds and finals are open to 2012 World Cup Ranking list for Individual “The players who last the longest are the ones who know this but continues with five Challenge Cups scheduled the apparatus finalists of the 2012 Olympic Apparatus. still have belief in their own talent. as follows: Cottbus (GER) on March 21-24, Games and the best four gymnasts per appara- The winners of the 2013 Individual “I know I can score goals in any league, I don’t have any doubt about Doha (QAT) on March 27-29, Ljubljana (SLO) tus from the 2012 World Cup Ranking list for Apparatus World Cup and Challenge Cup that. It just takes time because it’s a big change. on April 26-28, Anadia (POR) on June 21-23, Individual Apparatus. In addition, the organis- Series will be the gymnasts with the highest “I didn’t just change city, I changed country and changed culture. and Osijek (CRO) on September 12-16. ing member federation can grant wild cards number of points for each apparatus and the Hopefully I’m doing okay considering what I have experienced.” With separate World Ranking lists being to a maximum of one man and one woman. best four results counting after the last event Today’s game kicks off at 6.30pm at Qatar Sports Club. established for this series (six for men and The Challenge Cup series is an open in Osijek. THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 QF Radio to Barcelona cruise to victory provide live coverage Messi, Villa combine to sink Rayo; Adriano to miss action against PSG of CHI Al MADRID: Barcelona restored their 13-point lead at the top Spanish League Shaqab of La Liga with a comfortable 3-1 win over Rayo Vallecano on Results DOHA: CHI Al Shaqab 2013 Sunday night. yesterday signed a cooperation Malaga 0 Espanyol 2 (Colotto 49, Sergio Just as in Tuesday’s 4-0 win agreement with QF Radio to Garcia 66) over AC Milan, Lionel Messi and provide live coverage through- David Villa were the key men as Sevilla 4 (Coke 28, 52, Reyes 63, Negredo out the inaugural edition of the the Argentine first set up Villa to 68) Real Zaragoza 0 international equestrian compe- slot home before Villa returned Osasuna 0 Atletico Madrid 2 (Diego Costa tition, CHI Al Shaqab the favour for Messi to fire in his 35, 48) Being the first of its kind in 41st league goal of the season five Barcelona 3 (Villa 25, Messi 40, 57) Rayo the region, CHI Al Shaqab 2013 minutes before half-time. Vallecano 1 (Tamudo 70) will play host to an assortment of Messi took advantage of Granada 1 (Siqueira 32-pen) Levante 1 world-class show jumping, dres- another through ball from Villa (Robert Acquafresca 50 sage and endurance events. to score his second of the evening QF Radio, the official Radio of with a wonderful scooped finish and allowed a crowd of Rayo CHI Al Shaqab 2013 and voice of before Raul Tamudo pulled one players to get back and block his Qatar Foundation, will conduct back for Rayo with his first touch path to goal. Messi then hit the on-the-spot interviews with rid- after coming on as a substitute. bar with a trademark free-kick ers from around the globe and However, there was some bad as Rayo struggled to contain the provide real-time updates during news for the hosts as Adriano early Barca onslaught, but slowly the four-day competition in both limped off with a hamstring injury they began to make an impact and the English and Arabic stations in the first-half and will miss the Roberto Trashorras forced Jose of the radio. Champions League quarter-final Manuel Pinto into a decent save Fahad bin Saad Al Qahtani, ties with Paris Saint-Germain. with a dipping volley. AL Shaqab Director and CHI Al Without the injured Xavi and Barca were forced into a change Shaqab President, expressed his Carles Puyol and suspended as Dani Alves replaced the injured gratitude to the station, saying: Victor Valdes, Barca assistant Adriano, but their rhythm wasn’t “CHI Al Shaqab 2013 is fortunate boss Jordi Roura started with disrupted as they took the lead on to have the support of QF Radio. pretty much his strongest side 25 minutes. Barcelona’s forward David Villa (right) celebrates with Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi after As a growing network with a despite their exertions in mid- Messi made up for his previous scoring during the Spanish league match against Rayo Vallecano at the Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona on wide reaching audience, it helps week and was rewarded with a miss with a brilliant touch to take Sunday night. to promote the QF values locally, strong display. him clear of the Rayo defence regionally and internationally. Cesc Fabregas was preferred before teeing up Villa to finish It is an integral part of the QF to Thiago in the absence of Xavi first time into the top corner 14th made it three just before the three as he fired wide from Alves’ dance past the last Rayo defender family.” and the former Arsenal captain goal of the season. break as his shot flashed across cross with an open goal to aim at. and lift a wonderful chip over Commenting on the signing, very nearly created the opener And Rayo’s willingness to press goal from Fabregas’ pass and However, the home fans had the advancing Ruben. Tamudo QF Radio Head Nasser Al Naimi after just six minutes as he raced high up the field was similarly Alves was desperately unlucky to to wait just another three min- then momentarily silenced the said: “QF Radio aims to inform onto Villa’s pass and chipped the caught out for the second goal see his powerful effort from close utes for the third goal to arrive Camp Nou who gave the former the community of major events ball perfectly beyond goalkeeper as this time Villa controlled a range come off the inside of the as again Villa and Messi combined Espanyol man a hostile reception in Qatar and the world in fields Ruben Martinez into Messi’s path. long ball forward and fed Messi post minutes after the restart. with the Spanish international as he took to the field when he such as education, science, com- But with an open goal to aim at to score for the 18th consecutive Alexis Sanchez then missed a prodding the ball through for turned in Piti’s cross 20 minutes munity development, and sports. he slipped at the crucial moment league game. Villa should have glorious opportunity to make it the World Player of the Year to from time. AFP CHI Al Shaqab 2013 is the perfect opportunityto support an event that is not only inline with this vision, but also reflects Qatar’s rich equestrian culture.” Saint-Etienne rally to hold PSG “We are truly honoured to be part of such a prestigious event,” PARIS: David Beckham Javier Pastore ‘keeper Stephane work that led to the equaliser. he added. returned to the scene of his and Zlatan Ruffier. It got Right-back Clerc picked up a In addition to the equestrian infamous 1998 World Cup red Ibrahimovic put even better for loose ball inside the PSG penalty events, a spectator plaza will be card horror show on Sunday the visitors 2-0 Carlo Ancelotti’s area on 72 minutes and drove an open to all members of the pub- night, but was unable to inspire ahead with first- men 10 min- unstoppable shot past Sirigu and lic. The enormous 17,000 square his Paris Saint-Germain team half strikes, but utes later when into the right hand corner for his metrezone will boast an array to victory in a 2-2 draw with an Alex own-goal Swedish super- first goal of the season. of family-orientated activities, Saint-Etienne. just before half- star Ibrahimovic However, just before the goal, including a fashion exhibition and Beckham was sent-off for kick- time and a won- converted a pen- a dreadful foul on Thiago Silva trade market, a dedicated ‘kids ing out at Diego Simeone early derful finish from alty following a should have stopped play. zone’, an international food court, in the second half of England’s Francois Clerc foul by Ruffier on Both Ibrahimovic and Beckham and a multitude of cultural pres- 1998 World Cup last-16 clash with 18 minutes Ezequiel Levazzi angrily confronted the referee at entations and events. against Argentina at Saint- left meant the inside the area. the final whistle. The highly anticipated CHI Al Etienne’s Geoffroy-Guichard sta- two sides shared It was his “We all make mistakes, even Shaqab 2013 will be held under dium, a match which the South the spoils. league-leading the referee makes mistakes, we the patronage of H E Sheikh Americans won on penalties. “We’re really 25th goal of the are all human,” said Ibrahimovic. Mohammed bin Hamad Al The former Manchester disappointed season. “It was a simple chat at the end. Thani, Al Shaqab Chairperson, United, Real Madrid and LA because we Saint-Etienne The referee told me to calm down and H E Sheikha Al Mayassa Galaxy star became a national should have won grabbed a life- and I told him also to calm down.” bint Hamad Al Thani, Al Shaqab David Beckham of PSG dur- scapegoat amongst home fans and and there was a line eight min- Beckham had a late chance Vice Chairperson. It is set to take ing the French League 1 match media for his sending-off, his act clear foul before utes before to win the match for PSG with place from March 27 to 30 at Al FC Barcelona’s Spanish goalie of petulance widely seen as the the equaliser. He at Stade Geoffroy Guichard in half-time when a free-kick just outside the box Shaqab’s state-of-the-art facilities Victor Valdes, after receiving the cause of England’s exit. could have broken Saint Etienne, France, on Sunday PSG’s Brazilian but curled his shot, towards the at Qatar Foundation. Zamora Trophy for Best goal- On Sunday, the 37-year-old (Thiago) Silva’s night. defender Alex left-hand corner, drifted just past THE PENINSULA keeper of La Liga 2011-12 sea- former England skipper started leg,” said PSG bundled the ball the post. son, during the Marca Awards his first league game for the Ligue ‘keeper Salvatore Sirigu following into his own goal past a startled In earlier games, Nice suf- ceremony in Madrid, Spain, yes- 1 title-chasers, but saw his team the controversial equaliser. The Sirigu after a scramble in the box. fered a massive blow to their Rajoy tells IOC terday. Marca sports newspaper throw away a 2-0 advantage. visitors got off to the perfect start But PSG still appeared to have Champions League ambitions as awards every year the best coach, The result means PSG are now on nine minutes when Argentine the match in hand and were on they crashed to a 1-0 defeat at rel- Madrid ready the best goalkeeper, and the top five points ahead of Lyon and Pastore worked his way into their way to a seven-point lead at egation-threatened Nancy while scorer of the past season. seven up on Marseille with nine the box before chipping the ball the top before it all went wrong Toulouse and Bordeaux played out for 2020 Games games to play. over on-rushing Saint-Etienne following some sloppy defensive a 0-0 draw. AFP

MADRID: Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy yes- terday opened the International Ferdinand withdraws from England squad Olympic Committee’s (IOC) evaluation team’s visit to Madrid LONDON: Manchester United the upcoming games, but I told in Serravalle on Friday, before by claiming the city deserves the defender Rio Ferdinand has Roy that I want to continue to be travelling to Podgorica to tackle right to host the 2020 Olympic pulled out of the England available for England and I look Group H leaders Montenegro the Games. squad for the World Cup quali- forward to working with him in following Tuesday. The Spanish capital was unsuc- fiers with San Marino and the future.” England squad cessful in its attempt to host the Montenegro, national team Ferdinand, 34, won the last of Goalkeepers: Ben Foster 2012 and 2016 games, but that coach Roy Hodgson announced his 81 caps in a Euro 2012 qualify- (West Bromwich Albion), Joe could now play to its advantage yesterday. ing match at home to Switzerland Hart (Manchester City), Fraser with 28 of the its proposed 35 ven- Ferdinand had been called up in June 2011. Forster (Celtic/SCO) ues already constructed. by Hodgson for the first time, Hodgson added: “I was pleased Defenders: Leighton Baines And Rajoy was also keen to but despite withdrawing from the that Rio called and asked to meet (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), stress the country’s experience in squad, he has told the England with me. It was important to hear Steven Caulker (Tottenham hosting big sporting events and manager that he still wants to from him personally about the Hotspur), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), large numbers of visitors. play international football. way he must manage his body Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Joleon “Madrid has a great advan- “I’m disappointed Rio will between games. Lescott (Manchester City), tage,” he told a press conference not be available, but due to the “This is not to say he cannot Chris Smalling (Manchester on Monday. detailed pre-planned train- play back-to-back games - he can United), Kyle Walker (Tottenham “Of the sports facilities needed ing and medical programme he and has proven so. Hotspur) to hold an Olympic Games, 80 must follow it’s not possible,” said “He’s out this time due to par- Midfielders: Michael percent are already built. In addi- Hodgson, who met Ferdinand in ticular pre-planned details already Carrick, Tom Cleverley (both tion, it is a city well used to host- London on Sunday. in place for his programme. Manchester United), Steven ing major events. Tottenham Hotspur centre- “I must place on record how Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank “Spain is a country too that is back Steven Caulker has been I was impressed with his com- Lampard (Chelsea), James fortunately very used to welcom- drafted into the senior squad from mitment to playing for England Milner (Manchester City), ing visitors. It is the third leading the under-21s to take Ferdinand’s and I look forward to hopefully Leon Osman (Everton), Scott country in the world for annual place. selecting him for squads in the Parker (Tottenham Hotspur), number of visitors, with 58 million “It was important for me to future.” Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo tourists coming to our country be able to speak with Roy face to Tottenham pair Michael Walcott (both Arsenal), Ashley last year alone.” face and explain the situation, and Dawson and Aaron Lennon were Young (Manchester United) Rajoy also played down the con- one thing I made clear was that both forced to pull out of the Forwards: Jermain Defoe cerns that hosting the Olympics is my passion and commitment to England squad due to injury on (Tottenham Hotspur), Wayne the last thing that Spain’s belea- represent my country is as strong Sunday, with Manchester City Rooney (Manchester United), Manchester United’s English defender Rio Ferdinand leaves the pitch guered economy needs in the as ever,” said Ferdinand. centre-back Joleon Lescott being Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), after the English Premier League match against Reading at Old Trafford midst of a crisis. “It is disappointing that I called up to replace Dawson. Danny Welbeck (Manchester in Manchester, north-west England on Saturday. He claimed that the bid had won’t be able to play a part in England face San Marino United) AFP public support. AFP Tuesday 19 March 2013 7 Jumada I 1434 Volume 18 Number 5643 Sport Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Times publishes climbdown on ‘Qatar Dream League’ story

LONDON: Britain’s Times information is very good and that newspaper has published a full there is more where that story climbdown following an inter- came from.” nal investigation of the ‘Qatar Still, though, intense specu- Dream League’ story it ran last lation on social media websites week, an episode the paper yes- continued and yesterday Evans terday described as a ‘journalis- conceded that the Times had tic nightmare’. made a “massive mistake”. In a column headlined ‘When “Because so many significant we are wrong, we will hold our people in football did not laugh hands up. It’s the right thing off the idea, it seemed that the to do’, the newspaper’s Football story could be genuine,” Evans Editor Tony Evans said it had wrote. appeared increasingly clear that “The warning signs - that no the newspaper had been duped, one had heard specific details of and that their checks had not A screenshot of the Times story which appeared in yesterday’s edition the DFL or seen its plans - were been stringent enough in the of the paper. missed. In principle, the idea was rush to publication. possible. There were plenty to Mahendra Singh Dhoni (left) and Ravindra Jadeja celebrate India’s win The Times had initially proposing a new moneyspinning soccer correspondent, was equally attest to that. over Australia on the fifth and last day of the third Test match in Mohali, launched a spirited defence of its summer tournament offering adamant, at the time saying: “I’ve “In reality, the story appears yesterday. India took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the Border-Gavaskar March 13 story that Qatar was to stunning financial rewards. been amused by the speculation to have been invented and had cricket series. launch a ‘Dream Football League’ The Qatar Football Association about the source of this story. I just enough plausibility to be even though a French website swiftly distanced itself from the can guarantee you 100 percent, seductive.” said the scoop was based on its story, saying they had no involve- 1,000 percent, 175 million per- The Times’s climbdown was own spoof and that the paper had ment and had heard nothing, but cent, that my story had nothing mostly welcomed by those fol- been the victim of a hoax. the Times stood firmly behind to do with any website, spoof or lowing the story online, many India win Mohali “It all came out of my imagi- reporter Oliver Kay, insisting otherwise. applauding the newspaper for its nation,” Jerome Latta, the editor their scoop had nothing to do “I’ve no idea about their modus transparency and for admitting it of Les Cahiers du Football, told with the website’s version. operandi. What I know is that shortcomings with regard to the of the tale that the Qataris were Kay, the newspaper’s chief my source is very good, the story. REUTERS Test to take 3-0 ICSS, Organization of American unbeatable lead

MOHALI: India took an unas- was stumped by Brad Haddin off States to share expertise sailable 3-0 lead in the Border- left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty. Gavaskar cricket series beating Then Pujara and Virat Kohli DOHA: The International the security of major sporting Americas is a crucial develop- Australia by six wickets in a (34) added 28 runs for the sec- Centre for Sport Security events and the protection of sport ment in the work of the ICSS to thrilling finish on the final day ond-wicket before Nathan Lyon (ICSS) and the Organization of at large in the Americas in terms enhance security and integrity of the third Test at the Punjab trapped Pujara leg-before. American States (OAS) have of safety, security and integrity. at major events globally,” Hanzab Cricket Association (PCA) Kohli hit some crisp fours, signed a Letter of Understanding The LOU was signed by ICSS said: Stadium here yesterday. but run-making was not easy on the opening day of Securing President Mohammed Hanzab “The promotion of legacy fac- The victory was all the more as fast bowlers Peter Siddle Sport 2013 to launch a coopera- and H E Adam Blackwell, tors of major event security in creditable as it came in four and Mitchell Starc kept a tight tion on sport security and socio- Secretary of Multidimensional the field of crime prevention and days after rain washed out the line, using reverse swing to good economic development. Security at the Organization of sport security and integrity is opening day’s play without a ball effect. Siddle got rid of the well- The Letter of Understanding American States (OAS). necessary to ensure long-lasting being bowled. Debutant Shikhar set Kohli, whose mistimed flick (LOU) sets out how the ICSS and “The signing of a Letter benefits in the hosting countries Dhawan was judged Man-of -the- ended up in the hands of a diving Secretariat of the Inter-American of Understanding with the and the whole region. The protec- Match for his whirlwind 187. Phil Hughes at short mid-wicket. Committee against Terrorism Organization of American States tion of sport nowadays requires On the final day, there were With 17 required off the last four Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al (CICTE) of the Secretariat for is a significant step forward in a multisectoral approach. We stages when Australia looked overs, Sachin Tendulkar (21) was Thani, President of Qatar Football Multidimensional Security (SMS) our efforts to contribute to the count on the established coopera- like saving the Test, particularly run out after a brilliant effort from Association. of the Organisation of American protection of sport in different tion between the Organization of when the last two wickets added David Warner. Ravindra Jadeja (8 States will co-operate to contrib- regions of the world. It is highly American States and the ICSS to 80 runs to stretch their sec- not out) hit two fours in the same ute to the development of national symbolic for us that this signature strengthen synergies among dif- ond innings score to 223. That, over to ease the pressure and left it Qatar to crime prevention and secu- comes the day after the launch ferent stakeholders such as the however, left India to get only a to Dhoni to finish off in style. rity strategies to protect sport of our regional programme for security community, the develop- meagre 132 runs for victory in a Earlier, Jadeja (3/35) and while promoting socio-economic the Middle-East and North- ment sector and the sport move- minimum of 33.3 overs. Australia Pragyan Ojha’s left-arm development. Africa jointly with UNICRI. The ment,” Blackwell said. made 408 in the first innings and spin (2/26) ran through the help boost Cooperation will focus both on cooperation with the OAS in the THE PENINSULA India replied with 499. Australian middle order with offie There was some artificial Ravichandran Ashwin chipping excitement in the last hour when in with two, including the wicket Pakistan India made heavy weather of of top scorer Phil Jacques, who the target. Eventually, skipper struck form with a gritty 69. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (18 not Ojha and Jadeja bowled in tan- football out) took the team home, hitting dem as Australia lost five wickets three consecutive fours with 2.3 for 54 runs. Ojha was the first to overs left. strike to get rid of night-watch- KARACHI: The 2022 World India started with Murali Vijay man Nathan Lyon (18), caught Cup host Qatar will provide (26) and Cheteshwar Pujara (28) behind by Dhoni. Jadeja dismissed technical and professional as first-innings century-maker skipper Michael Clarke (18) for assistance to Pakistan to help Shikhar Dhawan injured his finger the fifth time in the series as develop football in the country, while fielding and did not come the Australian skipper tried to an official said yesterday. out to bat. The duo added 42 runs flick and was caught bat-pad by Despite being a popular sport, for the first wicket before Vijay Pujara. IANS lack of government support and infrastructure has held back the Scoreboard game’s progress in the country, where cricket is the number one Australia (I innings): ...... 408 Bowling: Bhuvneshwar Kumar 10-1-31-3; Is- passion. India (I innings): ...... 499 hant Sharma 9-1-34-0; Ravichandran Ashwin Pakistan Football Federation Australia (II innings): 31-9-72-2; Ravindra Jadeja 16.2-6-35-3; (PFF) said Qatar has promised David Warner c Dhoni b Kumar ...... 2 Pragyan Ojha 21-6-46-2; Sachin Tendulkar to help lift the sport after a high- Ed Cowan lbw Kumar ...... 8 2-0-2-0. level Qatari delegation met with Phil Hughes lbw Ashwin ...... 69 India (II innings): local authorities. Steven Smith b Kumar...... 5 M Vijay st Haddin b Doherty ...... 26 The support includes youth Nathan Lyon c Dhoni b Ojha...... 18 C Pujara lbw Lyon ...... 28 development, training of coaches Michael Clarke c Pujara b Jadeja ...... 18 V Kohli c Hughes b Siddle ...... 34 and development of women’s foot- Brad Haddin lbw Ashwin ...... 30 S Tendulkar (run out-Warner) ...... 21 ball, it added. Moises Henriques c&b Jadeja ...... 2 M S Dhoni (not out) ...... 18 Pakistan is planning to launch Peter Siddle b Ojha ...... 13 R Jadeja (not out) ...... 8 a football league along the lines of Mitchell Starc c Ashwin b Jadeja ...... 35 Extras (W-1) ...... 1 the cash-rich the Indian Premier Xavier Doherty (not out) ...... 18 Total (for 4 wkts) ...... 136 League for Twenty20 cricket, Extras (LB-3, W-1, NB-1) ...... 5 Fall of wickets: 1-42, 2-70, 3-103, 4-116. pending the signing of a sponsor- Mohammed Hanzab (right), President of International Centre for Sports Security (ICSS) and Adam Blackwell, Total (all out) ...... 223 Bowling: Mitchell Starc 10.3-1-51-0; Peter ship deal. Secretary of Multidimensional Security at the Organization of American States sign a Letter of Understanding Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-35, 3-55, 4-89, 5-119, Siddle 11-2-34-1; Nathan Lyon 5-0-27-1; The country is 171st in the during Securing Sports 2013 conference at Katara, yesterday. PICTURE BY: SHAIVAL DALAL 6-123, 7-126, 8-143, 9-179. Xavier Doherty 7-2-24-1. FIFA world rankings. AFP