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Monday 22 October 2012 6 Dhul-Hijja 1433 - Volume 17 Number 5495 Price: QR2

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Emir welcomes Moroccan King Emir to inaugurate Ayayayayayayayayayayayay several projects in Framework Gaza tomorrow

GAZA CITY: The Emir for research H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani will visit Gaza tomor- row in the first such visit by an Arab leader since Hamas took over in 2007, sources close to the ruling Islamist movement unveiled said. “The Emir of Qatar will arrive in Gaza on Tuesday,” a source Sheikha Moza opens annual forum close to the Hamas government said, speaking on condition of BY FAZEENA SALEEM Research Forum recognises the anonymity. progress in research being made “Tomorrow (Monday), a Qatari DOHA: Qatar National by national stakeholders, interna- delegation will come to Gaza to Research Strategy 2012, a tional partners and multinational prepare the programme and dis- national framework to sup- companies in Qatar and, for the cuss details of the visit.” port and guide the country’s first time, establish a roadmap for Earlier, the Shihab news agency ambitious science and research implementing the Qatar National which is close to Hamas quoted endeavours, was unveiled yes- Research Strategy. an unnamed official from the terday at the Joint Qatar “On a regional level we want movement as saying: “The Emir Foundation Annual Research Qatar to turn into a hub for inno- of Qatar will come to Gaza on Forum and Arab Expatriate vative thinking,” said Sheikha Tuesday to open several projects Scientists Network Symposium Moza, delivering the opening in the strip.” inaugurated by Her Highness speech at the research forum It will be the first visit to the Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. begun at the Qatar National Palestinian enclave by an Arab In its third year, the Annual Convention Centre. head of state since it was occu- She added that Qatar has pied by Israel in the 1967 Middle invested $68m in 53 research East war. The Emir will be one centres in Arab countries. The of the territory’s most high-pro- roadmap for implementing the file international visitors since country’s research plan aims to Hamas ousted the rival secular develop the capabilities of Qatar’s Fatah movement of Palestinian people and institutions, building president Mahmud Abbas from a diversified economy, improving The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani with King Mohammed VI of Morocco at an official recep- Gaza in June, 2007. AFP health and social welfare, sup- tion at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. Qatar and Morocco later held talks in which bilateral ties were discussed. porting the security of the people and preserving the environment. It is set to achieve 23 goals, 76 objectives under five themes and will be revised as required. The research strategy will Police crack down on corrupt security guards focus on enterprise, energy and environment, computer sciences DOHA: The law enforcement then seize the stolen items from files and papers, said the ministry follows a crackdown by the Interior and information technology, agencies have taken into cus- their victim and collect money statement. Ministry on private security agen- health and social sciences, arts tody a number of security per- for not reporting the theft to the Those arrested were interro- cies to check if they were following and humanities. sonnel of a prominent shopping police and free him. gated and a report was forwarded the required standards. “Qatar will be an international mall here after it was reported The suspects would also take to the authorities concerned for The clampdown was launched centre for research and develop- that they were detaining and personal details of those detained legal action, according to the min- after a security agency’s licence ment excellence and innovation,” extorting money from shop- for thefts and take written under- istry statement. was cancelled for employing said Faisal Al Suwaidi, President lifters as bribe for not turning taking that they would not inform This newspaper has, mean- unqualified staff despite repeated of Research and Development at them over to the police. the police of the incident. while, learned that the Interior warnings. The company had QF, unveiling the Qatar National The Ministry of Interior said After receiving a tip-off, the Ministry has convened a meeting employed people who were not Research Strategy 2012. in a statement yesterday that the police sought formal approval of senior representatives of major on its sponsorship and were “Qatar National Research modus operandi of those arrested from the Public Prosecution retail outlets such as malls and not trained. A senior Interior Strategy 2012 is a living document was that they would identify a and planned a sting operation to hypermarkets. It is, however, not Ministry official said late last H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser that will be reviewed as needed,” shoplifter and catch him and take catch the culprits. Their room known if this or some other issues month that some of the guards speaking at the Qatar Foundation Al Suwaidi further said. him to a room where they would was searched following the trap would be discussed at the proposed the company had were actually Annual Research Forum yesterday. THE PENINSULA question him. that was laid and the police dis- meet. Incidentally, the arrest of cooks and carpenters. Continued on page 3 The security personnel would covered a number of photographs, the security personnel of the mall THE PENINSULA

Industries Qatar raises foreign Four arrested for QR8m robbery DOHA: Qatar’s public secu- an action plan was prepared for prosecutors, the CID arrested the ownership limit rity agencies have busted a speedy arrest of the culprits and perpetrators by trapping them. four-member gang of European to conduct investigations. Large sums of money were found BY MOBIN PANDIT burglars who broke into a Initial investigations indicated during a search. jewellery shop in the posh that behind the crime were four The car they were using was DOHA: Analysts and investors Al Sadd locality of the city and persons of European nationali- seized and the investigations view Industries Qatar’s move stole valuables worth a stagger- ties who had entered the coun- revealed that they leased it from raising its foreign ownership ing QR8m. try through the visa granted a car rental company. limit recently as a strong lead The Criminal Investigation for nationals of 33 countries at Large quantities of jewellery for the market and say they Department (CID) arrested the the Doha International Airport and watches, in addition to pass- hope other listed entities with four members of the gang within on arrival. ports and fake credit cards were lower foreign ownership caps 48 hours of the crime having been It also became evident that also found in the car. Apart from would soon follow suit. committed. they are residing in a hotel near these, some of the tools that were Fundamentally strong and An Interior Ministry release the gold market. used for breaking the doors of the large cap Industries Qatar (IQ) said yesterday that after the After legal proceedings and shop were also found. The four arrested burglars seen with valuables worth a whopping QR8m has upped its foreign ownership CID received the information, obtaining the permission from THE PENINSULA they stole from a jewellery shop in Al Sadd. cap to 12.25 percent from 7.5. In other words, the company has increased the amount of stocks non-Qatari investors can trade in to 12.25 percent of the total. The company had 30 percent Protests against election law turn violent in Kuwait free float shares (stocks that are available for trading on the mar- ket), 25 percent of which could KUWAIT: Police in Kuwait Kuwait City, to march towards — which gathered at a road near and would change the electoral He dissolved parliament on be traded in by foreigners. This used tear gas and stun grenades the government’s headquarters. Kuwait Towers, a seaside land- law “to preserve national unity”. October 7. It was the sixth time means that only 7.5 percent of the yesterday to disperse demon- Riot police surrounded some mark in the country. The announcement was the the oil-rich state and key US ally company’s total shares could be strators as thousands marched groups, gave them a few minutes The authorities had previously latest move in an intensifying had disbanded its legislature since bought by non-citizens earlier. in a protest against changes to disperse, and then used tear promised to “decisively con- power struggle between the rul- early 2006. Since the free float shares have to the electoral law which the gas and stun grenades against front” protesters to prevent the ing establishment and parliament Kuwait’s oil wealth and a gen- now been increased by IQ to 49 opposition has called a constitu- them, witnesses said. Several peo- demonstration. that has seen eight governments erous welfare state have so far percent, this ratio (in the total) tional coup by the government, ple were injured. The opposition decided to take come and go since the Kuwaiti helped it avoid the kind of “Arab has climbed up to 12.25 percent. witnesses said. Protesters later regrouped to to the streets after the govern- Emir, H H Sheikh Sabah Al Spring” protests that forced out THE PENINSULA Demonstrators had gathered form a larger crowd — estimated ment announced last week it was Ahmad Al Sabah, came to power leaders elsewhere in the region. Continued on page 6 in various parts of the capital, at more than 20,000 people calling elections for December 1 in 2006. REUTERS

MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2012 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 Three-day forum to focus on core research disciplines Continued from page 1 To implement the Qatar National Research Strategy Qatar National Research Fund will ena- ble the research commu- nity to achieve objectives, the Rand D entities will conduct research that contributes to objectives and the Qatar Science and Technology Park will facilitate innovation and the transition of ideas into markets. Dr Thomas Zacharia, Executive Vice President of Research and Development deliv- ered keynote speech on energy and development and the challenges faced by the world. Organised jointly with the Arab Expatriate H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of QF, after officially launching the Joint Scientists Network, the Qatar Foundation Annual Research Forum and Arab Expatriate Scientists Network 2012 Forum also bring Symposium at the Qatar National Convention Centre yesterday. AISHA AL MUSALLAM together Arab scientists from around the world, through research. The Biomedicine, Energy and Behavioural and Social and encourage further three-day forum will focus Environment, Computing Sciences, Humanities, and collaboration to address on Qatar’s core research and Information Islamic Studies. our region’s needs disciplines, Health and Technology, Arts, THE PENINSULA SEC invites applications Qatari fuel to be pumped into Gaza to start schools GAZA: Fuel donated by Qatar will be pumped in limited quan- DOHA: The education sector to be granted school license. tities into the Gaza Strip, an regulator, Supreme Education The schools with international official confirmed. Liaison offi- Council (SEC), has invited curriculum must teach Arabic cial Raed Fattouh said Israel applications from people inter- and Islamic studies to Qatari partially opened their Kerem ested in setting up private students on their roll, aside from Shalom crossing yesterday to schools with national as well as Qatar’s history whose teaching is allow the entry of the fuel. international curriculum. mandatory for all schools. The resumption of deliveries The SEC has said the applica- According to the SEC, per- was announced earlier this week tions should be submitted between mission to set up schools is to be by Palestinian officials, Ma’an October 30 and November 4 with granted under the provisions of news agency reported. its communications department Law Number 7 of 1980 and there Delivery of Qatari fuel began at its office in Al Dafna. must be one person who would be in July, but was cut off after a The SEC has outlined a number legally accountable as the school’s border attack on Egyptian offic- of conditions that applications operator. ers on August 5. must fulfill in order to be eligible THE PENINSULA QNA MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2012 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME UK envoy for stronger ties in education We would like to see a stronger UK presence in Qatar at the university level, says O’Neill

BY ISABEL OVALLE between the British Library and the human links, as well as the Medical Corporation. In addi- Qatar Foundation and informed political and economic ones,” the tion, a number of British doctors DOHA: The Ambassador of that 1,100 Qatari students are Ambassador said. are working in Doha and every the United Kingdom, Michael studying in British universities He also referred to the two year Qataris travel to the UK for O’Neill, hopes that links this year, while the Embassy has business schools that are teach- medical treatment. The coop- between Qatar and British uni- received 2,299 student applica- ing here as well, Henley Business eration goes both ways, we have Katara appoints versities will grow in the near tions up to October 8 this year School from the University of British medical staff coming here future, with other centres fol- and the total number in 2011 was Reading, and the Judge Business as well,” he said. Dr Khalid Ibrahim lowing in the footsteps of the 2,093, which represents a 10 per- School from the University of O’Neill considered ‘equally University College London, cent increase over 2011. Cambridge. The Embassy and the impressive’ the project to build Al Sulaiti as GM which began classes in Doha The total number of visa appli- British Council work together to a National Library in Qatar and this semester. cations processed by the British promote links like these. Both lauded “everything Qatar has done DOHA: Katara, the Cultural During a press roundtable Embassy between January 1 and representatives met recently with in healthcare and education”. Village announced the appoint- at the British Embassy, O’Neill October 8 is 27,242, which repre- the president of Qatar Foundation “There is ground breaking ment of Dr Khalid Ibrahim Al stated that “we would like to see sents a 29 percent increase over looking to “develop further in development taking place, we Sulaiti as the General Manager. a stronger UK presence in Qatar the same period in 2011. The both directions, not only with can learn from Qatar and I hope Al Sulaiti’s extensive experi- at the university level”, therefore number of British nationals is Qataris studying in the UK, also we have some expertise we can ence across several sectors in the Embassy will support any around 15,000 and the Embassy promoting more links in Qatar share,” he said. The Ambassador leading institutions will play a university who decides to come. represents approximately 10,000 British Ambassador Michael O’Neill. itself”. informed that, before the end of major role in achieving Katara’s With this idea in mind, officials Commonwealth nationals whose SHAIVAL DALAL The creation of partnerships in the year, there will be numerous vision to educate and entertain from British universities will visit countries don’t have representa- the health care sector is a “very representatives of the British whilst building cultural bridges. Qatar this year. tion in Doha. high priority” for the UK as well Government from different areas Dr Al Sulaiti brings with him a The Ambassador also talked “There are many Qataris who and many who visit the UK as that is why the Ambassador has that will visit Doha. wealth of knowledge and experi- about the valuable collaboration have been educated in the UK tourists; we are delighted of met with the head of Hamad THE PENINSULA ence from the banking, business and communications industries. Before joining Katara, Al Sulaiti served as General Manager of First Finance Company for five years. “Al Sulaiti’s appointment comes in line with our efforts to attract high cali- Zakat Fund scholarships bre of individuals to lead Katara into the international sphere which will add value to our work at Katara as we continue to grow and diversify,” for Qataris and expatriates President of Katara, Abdulrahman Al Khulaifi said. Al Sulaiti has been actively DOHA: Some 5,000 students meet actual expenses with no pre-school students will engaged in research as the Member from needy Qatari, expatriate limit specified for them. receive scholarship of up to of the Council of Trustees of the and GCC families have been The Fund has earmarked QR10,000, elementary stu- Centre for economic research, the selected by a key state-backed QR24m for the student schol- dents (QR13,000), middle Executive Editor of the Scientific charitable body for scholarships arship programme for 2012-13, school students (QR15,000), Administrative Development for the academic year 2012-13. up QR1m from the previous secondary school students Qatari Journal and the Chairman The scholarships are for academic year when the budget (QR17,000) while university of the Permanent Scientific students from different lev- was QR23m and the beneficiar- students will be given away Committee of the Institute of els of education—from kin- ies totaled 4,376. QR20,000 a year. Administrative Development. He dergartens to university—and Announcing the budget at a Al Ali added that a total of was also named one of 500 strong- range from QR10,000 a year press conference held last week, QR160m has been spent on the est personalities in the Middle East to QR20,000. Mohammad Yaqub Al Ali, student scholarship programme by Arabian Business in 2011. He However, the Zakat Fund Assistant Director, Zakat Fund since its inception in 1996. The holds a PhD from the University said it would meet all educa- said that only those students number of beneficiaries is of Strathclyde University and a tion and clothing expenses of whose parents are employed in increasing every year. In 2011- BA in International Business and students with special needs the private sector are eligible 12, some 4,376 needy students MBA Concentrating in Finance (who the Fund said are a pri- for the scholarships. benefited from the largesse. from the University of Bridgeport, ority for them) and pay them According to the project, THE PENINSULA USA. THE PENINSULA

Special live series on JCC during Haj

DOHA: Al Jazeera Children’s Arabia, commitment to bring viewers And to ensure that all pil- Channel (JCC) will feature Algeria, real life programming that pays grims have a trouble-free Haj, “Al Rukn Al Khames”, an Kuwait tribute to their religious and the show will feature medical exclusive and locally pro- and cultural values. doctors who will provide guid- duced live television series on Palestine, “Like all our local produc- ance and health advice so that the occasion of Haj and Eid the show tions, this special Haj program pilgrims are aware of potential Al Adha. will relive will be engaging, entertaining health risks. These insights Featuring renowned Muslim the Haj and informative. We wanted to will help pilgrims undertake all scholars, Al Rukn Al Khames journey bring children and the entire precautionary measures to stay (Arabic for The Fifth Pillar), through family together to share and healthy during their pilgrimage. will be aired live from a special Saad Al Hudaifi the hard- enjoy this lifetime experience”. Al Rukn Al Khames will be studio set at the Ceremonial ships and “Al Rukn Al Khames also aired daily at 4:00 pm and re- Court at the Education City in experi- offers viewers who may be too run at 10:00 p.m Mecca time Doha. ences of the pilgrims. young to make this journey, a starting Monday October 22, The daily show will explore According to Saad Al glimpse into the spiritual great- and the final episode will be the significance of pilgrimage Hudaifi, JCC’s Acting Channels’ ness they will experience when aired on the first day of Eid and its rituals. Director, this special Haj pro- they perform pilgrimage”, added Al Adha on Friday October 26, Through reports from Saudi duced program reflects JCC’s Al Hudaifi. 2012. THE PENINSULA

WCMC-Q and Ministry launch date palm research programme DOHA: The Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q) and the Ministry of Environment’s Biotechnology Center have launched the Date Palm Research Programme to establish Qatar as an inter- national leader in date palm research. The goal of this new international collaborative project is to increase Qatar’s lead in date palm research further, advancing basic, applied and human health research into this national resource and establishing a nucleus for a future Qatar Institute of Date Palm Research. Date palm horticulture has been practiced in the Middle East for thousands of years. The fruit is an essential part of the daily diet in the Arab world and play a central role at Iftar during Ramadan. Dates amounting to 19,844 metric tonnes per year in 2005 although production is decreasing WCMC-Q and the Biotechnology Center have already made a remarkable contribution to date palm research the past few years. In 2008, WCMC-Q’s Genomics Laboratory mapped the date palm genome for the first time. In 2010, the research team identified the region of the genome that is linked to gender, making it possible to quickly and easily classify male and female seedlings - information that has huge significance for the cultivation and propagation of the palms. The inaugural meeting of the research programme on October 2 was held via video-conferencing at WCMC-Q with leading scientists in Qatar, France and Germany. The meeting was chaired by Dr Joel Malek, Director of Genomics at WCMC-Q; Masoud Al Marri, Director of the Biotechnology Center; and Dr Karsten Suhre, Lead Principal Investigator and WCMC-Q’s Director of Metabolomics. Local partners in the project include Dr Ali El Kharboutly, Biotechnology Consultant at the Biotechnology Center; Dr Emad Hussain Al Turaihi, Agricultural Expert at the Ministry of Environment’s Department of Agriculture; and Amer Fayed Al Khis, Research Engineer at the Department of Agriculture. The project has received financial support of $4.5m from Qatar National Research Fund and will run for a period of five years. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2012 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05

Ministry takes Prime Minister phones Saad Hariri DOHA: The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Sotheby’s showcases back over 100 Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani telephoned former Lebanese Prime Minister and Future Movement leader Saad Hariri. The Prime plots allotted to Minister offered his condolences and sympathy on the death of Colonel Wissam Al Hassan, the head of the information branch of Lebanon’s Richter masterpiece start-up firms Internal Security Forces (ISF) in the bomb blast. DOHA: The Ministry of Energy and Industry has taken back Minister receives Bulgarian foreign minister Expo at Katara highlights 20th century masterworks a total of 107 plots that were DOHA: The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H E Dr Khalid allotted to entrepreneurs after bin Mohammed Al Attiyah met here yesterday with Bulgarian BY RAYNALD C RIVERA they failed to launch their pro- Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov. QNA posed projects. DOHA: A masterpiece by The plots were given Gerhard Richter, considered by to the entrepreneurs way many to be the world’s great- back in 2006 and the min- est living painter whose paint- istry found that they were ing recently fetched a record not keen on launching the $34.2m-the highest price ever projects. A total of 27 plots for work by a living artist, high- were taken back in 2012 lights Sotheby’s Contemporary alone, Al Sharq quoted Art expo which opened yes- Yousef Ahmed , direc- terday at the Katara Galley tor, Small and Medium Building 5. Enterprises (under the Estimated in excess of $16m, ministry) as saying. Richter’s masterwork titled According to Yousef Abstraktes Bild (712) on display Ahmed, at least 108 at the two-day expo is one of the plots have been given to most elegant and fully resolved new investors this year. abstractions by the octogenarian Opportunities for inves- German artist. tors continue to exist and Alexander Rotter, Senior plots are still available for Vice President and Head of the genuine entrepreneurs. Contemporary Art Department Yousef Ahmed said a in Sotheby’s New York, said total of 129 industries are Richter is famous for having already in operational in successfully traversed figuration the specially dedicated and abstraction in his decades- zone in the Industrial long prolific career and for his Area. Of the total 483 pro- unique technique in creating his posed projects in the area, masterpieces. 19 are fast progressing. Looking closely into the 1990 Another 18 are in the final oil painting, one can feel a sense phase. On the power sup- of rhythm as various colours are ply to the industrial units revealed in many layers creating Yousef Ahmed said the an exceptional texture which goes ministry has been setting beyond what meets the eye. up a power station in line Richter’s prized painting is only with international stand- one of the 16 pieces by some of the ards with the full coordi- leading American and European nation of Qatar General contemporary artists of the post- Electricity and Water war era featured in the travelling Corporation (Kahramaa). show which previews the upcom- The administration is ing auction of contemporary art keen to implement secu- in New York on November 13. rity and safety measures in “The forthcoming auction is the area. The civil defence one of the most impressive in department is in the proc- terms of value perspective. It is ess of completing its build- the biggest sale of contemporary ing, he said. art since the market experienced THE PENINSULA difficulties in 2008,” said Rotter. Alexander Rotter, Senior Vice President and Head of Contemporary Art Each painting is worth millions Department, Sotheby’s New York, explains Gerhard Richter’s Abstraktes of dollars and the entire body of Bild (712) at a press preview at Katara Gallery yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT work provides every lover of con- temporary art the best in abstract expressionism and pop art. Portrait of Pope Innocent X. Hofmann (est. $5/7m). Artists represented in the “Bacon paints similarly with Paintings by American Pop expo include Andy Warhol, Jean- Picasso in such a way that the Art legend Andy Warhol on Michel Basquiat and Francis subject seems in motion through show include The Kiss (Bela Bacon, whose screaming Pope shifting layers of paint,” explained Lugosi) (est. $4.5/6.5m), Cagney painting is the most expensive Rotter. The expo also highlights (est. $4.5/6.5m), Green Disaster in the collection priced between 20th century masterworks (Green Disaster Twice) (est. in $18m and $25m. from the extensive collection of the region of $12m), Suicide (est. The vision of screaming Popes Sidney and Dorothy Kohl which $4.5/6.5m), Martinson Coffee emerged from the desolate shad- feature prime examples by the from 1962 (est. $3/4m) and ows of the Second World War as titans of the American Abstract Flowers (est. $1.5/2m). humanity tried to make sense of Expressionist movement. Other paintings on view the horrors that had been com- They include Franz Kline’s include two works by Jean-Michel mitted during those years. This Shenandoah (est. $6.5/8.5m), Joan Basquiat: Onion Gum from 1983 version was painted circa 1954 Mitchell’s Untitled (est. $6/8m), (est. $7/9m) and John Lurie (est. and is closely related to the Adolph Gottlieb’s Transfiguration $1/1.5m). artist’s Study after Velázquez’s (est. $3/5m) and Nirvana by Hans THE PENINSULA

Reyada awards nominations till November 30

DOHA: Nominations for the second edition of Reyada–the Qatari Entrepreneur Awards will close on November 30, the Social Development Center (SDC) said. First launched by SDC in 2011, Reyada is the leading entrepreneurship awards programme in Qatar. The award has been designed to honour Qatari entre- preneurs, as well as indi- viduals and organisations that support entrepre- neurial ventures. “At SDC, we don’t just encourage leadership, we practice it too. Since its inception SDC has been a leader in providing sup- port to both budding and existing entrepreneurs,” said Munther Al Dawood, Manager of the Projects & Investment, SDC. Nominees are selected within three different categories each year, two of which are for New Ventures and a third for the Entrepreneurial Support under the fol- lowing names, the New Venture Challenge Award, Entrepreneur Achiever Award, and Outstanding Entrepreneurial Support. Each category holds a Golden and Silver accolade. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2012 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Cancer research strategy launched Strategy to help cancer prevention, personalised treatment

BY FAZEENA SALEEM cancer prevention and personal- strategy recognises several areas ised cancer treatment,” said Lord where research can improve, DOHA: Qatar National Ara Darzi. introduction to behavioural Cancer Research Strategy was He emphasised the importance change to reduce risk, prevention launched yesterday emphasis- of partners working together to through intervention and screen- ing the importance of devel- ensure that Qatar becomes a ing, find mechanisms to develop oping a programme providing world-leader in cancer research. improved diagnosis, early diag- direct benefits for patients, at It aims at Qatar becoming a lead- nosis, develop new therapies and the Joint Qatar Foundation ing cancer research centre inter- clinical trials, improvement to the Annual Research Forum and nationally and regionally and health and quality of life for peo- Arab Expatriate Scientists builds a foundation for academic ple who survive cancer. Network Symposium 2012. and commercial development for It also recommends for train The key aim of the NCRS the next generation of cancer spe- people to become high quality is to improve patient survival cific technologies. researchers, with increased rates and quality of life. Lord “The objective of the NCRS is investment and focused basic Ara Darzi, Chair of the Qatar to translate high quality research and translational cancer National Cancer Research into clinical studies that will research. Faisal Al Suwaidi, President of Research and Development at Qatar Foundation (second right), shakes hands with Committee, launched the improve both prevention and Qatar has spent $19.5m on Professor Philip S Khoury, Associate Provost of MIT after signing the agreement yesterday. Dr Ahmed El Magarmid National Cancer Research personalised cancer medicines, peer reviewed research that has (right), Executive Director of QCRI, and Professor Daniela Rus, Director of MIT CSAIL, are also seen. KAMMUTTY V P Strategy (NCRS) and presented and to strengthen Qatar’s role as cancer component through the the audience with the basic areas a leading cancer research centre QNRF. This equates to over 20 for its development. regionally and internationally,” percent of the total spending on “The strategy helps how said Lord Ara Darzi. biomedical and health sciences QCRI, MIT unit sign joint Qatar can translate high qual- “We also look forward to host across Qatar National Research ity research into clinical studies International cancer research Fund. and practice, leading to improved conference,” he further said. The THE PENINSULA research initiative

Afghanistan National Day DOHA: Qatar Computing the research, technological, and research internationally and a Research Institute (QCRI), a economic development of Qatar,” recognized global leader in Arabic member of Qatar Foundation said Alsuwaidi. language technologies. The joint for Education, Science and Referring to the Qatar National projects will align with core areas Community Development, and Research Strategy (QNRS), he identified in QNRS for computer the Computer Science and said, “The agreement represents sciences and ICT, including dis- Artificial Intelligence Laboratory a major step in bringing Qatar tributed systems, data analytics, (CSAIL) of the Massachusetts closer to creating the productive social computing, and Arabic lan- Institute of Technology (MIT), research environment necessary guage technologies. In just under yesterday collaborated for a to achieve our vision to be an two years, QCRI has built exper- seven year joint research pro- international center for research tise focused on data management gram initiative. and development, excellence, and challenges, Arabic language con- The announcement was made innovation.” tent enrichment, and social com- following a signing ceremony on Under the agreement, QCRI puting complexities that address the sidelines of the Joint Qatar and CSAIL scientists will under- needs in Qatar and the region. Foundation Annual Research take and co-lead multidisciplinary The program with MIT will help Forum and Arab Expatriate core computer science research further develop these areas of Scientists Network 2012. projects, with the two organiza- expertise in order for QCRI to Faisal Alsuwaidi, President tions sharing resulting intellec- make an impact globally. of Research and Development tual property (IP) rights. The “The Computer Science at QF, Dr Ahmed Elmagarmid, programme, named the Computer Research Program provides an Executive Director of QCRI, Science Research Programme, exciting and momentous oppor- Professor Philip S Khoury, will be a medium for knowl- tunity for CSAIL to form a new Associate Provost of MIT, and edge transfer and the exchange international collaboration, Professor Daniela Rus, Director of expertise, as well as a plat- through which we can make great of MIT CSAIL representing their form to engage and train young advances in the field of computing institutions at the announce- researchers who are helping to and participate in new research ment and signing ceremony at build Qatar’s research capacity. projects that will have an impact the Qatar National Convention Scientists at QCRI will ben- far beyond MIT. We look forward Centre. efit from the expertise of MIT’s to developing and nurturing a “This collaboration with MIT eminent faculty through joint mutually beneficial relationship represents a significant collabora- research projects that will ena- with QCRI far into the future,” Khaled Ahmad Zekriya (centre), Ambassador of Afghanistan, cutting a cake with the Minister of Awqaf and tion for Qatar Foundation and one ble QCRI to realise its vision to said Professor Daniela Rus. Islamic Affairs H E Dr Ghaith bin Mubarak bin Imran Al Kuwari (third right), and Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al Thani, that will have a positive impact on become a center of computing THE PENINSULA to mark the National Day of Afghanistan, in Doha, yesterday. ABDUL BASIT

Indian Embassy open house on Thursday HMC to expand air ambulance services DOHA: The Indian Embassy will be holding an open house for all Indian nationals, on Thursday, October 25, to discuss urgent issues related to the community. DOHA: The Hamad Medical It carries three crew members – the The open house will be held from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. Corporation (HMC) is planning pilot, a critical care paramedic and Information on issues or cases proposed to be discussed to add more helicopters to its an ambulance paramedic, and can with the embassy may be given in writing from 5:30pm air ambulance service next year, transport and care for one patient to 6:00pm, an embassy release said yesterday. in collaboration with the Qatar in a critical or serious condition. This will be followed by interaction with officers of Emiri Air Force, a senior HMC “Once notified of a case by Embassy from 6:00pm to 6:30pm. Briefing for the press official has said. Dr Robert Owen, the National Command Center, will be held from 6:30pm to 7:00pm, said the release. Chief Executive Officer of HMC’s LifeFlight is airborne within four- Ambulance Service said HMC’s and-a-half minutes. We generally Embassy to be closed on Wednesday LifeFlight air ambulance service fly in a straight line and flight time DOHA: Embassy of India will remain closed on currently receives and responds to depends on the distance from Hamad Wednesday on the occasion of Dussehra, a press an average of 80 to 85 calls each General Hospital, which is the heli- release said yesterday. THE PENINSULA month (an increase of 25-30 per- copter base,” Thomson explained. cent) or about three calls a day. The “During the day, we can land almost vast majority of cases are trauma anywhere provided it is safe to do so. emergencies: road traffic accidents At night, we currently only land at 16 and industrial accidents. designated helicopter operating sites Flow of foreign investment Speaking at the fight anniversary HMC helicopter operating team. located at strategic positions around celebrations of the service recently, the country. The number of sites will Continued from page 1 he said since the service began in LifeFlight helicopter is fitted out equipment and is in constant contact however continue to expand,” he “It’s a great move,” was how prominent stock and finan- 2007, it had grown from being a with advanced life support medical with the National Command Center. added. THE PENINSULA cial analyst, Dr Nasser Al Shafi reacted to the develop- daylight hours (sunrise to sunset) ment “IQ has set a precedence for other listed entities service to an 18-hour service as of to follow.” When told that allowing foreigners to have October 2011, enabling the crew to increased ownership in listed companies could send wrong respond to emergencies from 6am Women’s Hospital records 46 child births daily signals to the Qatari community since the local primary until midnight. “Further expansion of as well as secondary equity markets are basically seen the LifeFlight service is planned. 2013 DOHA: The Women’s Hospital may be the case of improvements, we are bringing as redistributors of wealth, Al Shafi said he was all for will see us partnering with the Qatar witnesses an average 46 child when a woman is increasingly specialized skills to our giving foreign investors a fair chance. Emiri Air Force and the introduction births daily, with a total of 17,000 experiencing false Women’s Hospital for the benefit “At the same time it must be made sure that they of new helicopters,” said Owen. deliveries recorded last year, the labor, but ensures of our patients,” said David Astley (foreigners) don’t control an entity by having majority Besides trauma emergencies, Hamad Medical Corporation that expectant OBE, Chief of the Tertiary Hospitals stakes,” said Al Shafi. LifeFlight is also dispatched for (HMC) said yesterday. The mothers have Group at HMC. It is time Qatari listed companies thought seriously medical cases such as patients who Women’s Hospital has announced swift access to “We are delighted to welcome in terms of opening up to foreign capital, he said. “It’s have had a heart attack, or become several key changes to improve appropriate med- Professor David Barlow (pictured), a chance for them to mobilise foreign capital. They can unconscious or very ill. There has services, including establishment ical care when to our team of strategic clinical diversify and expand.” been an increased need for the serv- of a six-bed Observation Unit they need it, which can reduce com- experts. He brings with him wide Besides, that would boost the inflow of foreign invest- ice at the Sealine area during the for patients at the Emergency plications in birth, said a statement international experience of the best ment into the country, said the analyst. Citing the exam- camping season. Department (ED). yesterday. “Our population is grow- health service standards, which we ple, he said Qatar Steel that is part of IQ (which is a The decision on whether a patient The Observation Unit, which is ing and becoming more diverse and aim to offer women and children as holding company) should now, for instance, think in terms needs to be transported by LifeFlight part of ED, is dedicated to caring consequently our specialist obstet- we develop to become an academic of diversifying overseas. is based on various factors that for patients who are well enough to rics and gynecological services need health system,” he added. Professor Qatar Telecom and Vodafone Qatar have both 100 per- include, among other things, the con- have been discharged from the ED to grow and achieve the highest David Barlow was appointed as cent free float shares but a majority of listed entities on dition of the patient and distance to but require further medical obser- standards to satisfy this increased Director of Women’s Services for the Qatari bourse (Qatar Exchange) being largely state- the hospital. Wayne Thomson, who vation in a safe and comfortable demand,” said HMC’s Managing HMC and Chair of Obstetrics and dominated have quite low foreign ownership caps. manages the Aeromedical Service environment nearby. This solution Director, Dr Hanan Al Kuwari. “As Gynecology Services at the Women’s This largely limits Qatar’s ability to enter the MSCI congratulated his team on five avoids unnecessary hospital stays, as part of a comprehensive program Hospital. THE PENINSULA Emerging Markets index. years of operating the service. The THE PENINSULA MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2012 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Brahimi urges truce as bomb rocks Damascus 118 killed in violence, say rights activists

DAMASCUS: Peace envoy trigger an Islamist backlash on Assad, in his meeting with Lakhdar Brahimi yesterday their community. Brahimi, said he was “open to all met President Bashar Al Assad The bombing came as UN-Arab sincere efforts to find a peaceful and later appealed to both sides League envoy Brahimi called for solution to the crisis on the basis in Syria’s conflict to cease fire “unilateral” ceasefires by the of a rejection of any foreign inter- for a Muslim holiday this week, regime and the rebels for the ference,” Sana reported. even as a deadly blast rocked Eid Al Adha holiday, or Feast of Brahimi also met yesterday the country’s capital. Sacrifice, that starts on Friday. with the ambassadors of Russia Thousands of people, mean- “I appeal to everyone to take and China — countries that have while, took part in a demonstra- a unilateral decision to cease blocked resolutions for tough tion against the Syrian regime hostilities on the occasion of Eid actions against Syria at the UN at the Beirut funeral of a top Al Adha and that this truce be Security Council. Lebanese police intelligence chief respected from today or tomor- Brahimi has visited several killed in a car bombing which row,” he said, stressing that the countries with influence in the Lebanon’s opposition has blamed ceasefire call was his personal Syrian conflict over the past week, on Damascus. initiative. including Lebanon and Iran, while In Syria’s capital, a bomb “This is a call to every Syrian, warning that the violence could exploded outside a police station on the street, in the village, spread and set the entire region in a Christian quarter of the Old fighting in the regular army ablaze. City, killing 13 people, the state and its opponents, for them to Such fears were compounded news agency Sana reported, blam- take a unilateral decision to stop when a massive car bomb exploded A member of the Free Syrian Army fires from a heavy machine gun during clashes with pro-government forces in ing rebels. hostilities.” on Friday in Beirut, killing three Salqin city, Idlib Governorate, yesterday. It was the first such attack Brahimi said he had contacted people including a senior police against a the Christian quarter political opposition leaders inside intelligence chief linked to the since the uprising against Assad’s and outside Syria and armed anti-Damascus camp in Lebanon, prime suspect in Hassan’s assas- dead since March 2011. the blast was caused by “a sui- regime erupted 19 months ago. groups in the country. “We found General Wissam Al Hassan. sination, despite Syria joining Clashes were reported in cide car bomber.” “The blast was so strong that my them to be very favourable” to the Lebanon, which was under international condemnation of Damascus province town of Renewed fighting was also house, a mile away, shook,” one idea of a truce, he said, in a cau- Syrian military and political the killings. Harasta and in the northern city reported at the southern entrance resident said. tious note of optimism. domination for 30 years until On the ground in Syria, at of Aleppo, a key battleground for to Maaret Al Numan, a strategic Many Syrian Christians — who “We will return to Syria after 2005, has been divided over the least 118 people were killed in three months. town on the Aleppo-Damascus account for just five percent of the the Eid (feast) and if calm really conflict in Syria and has seen new violence, the Britain-based A car bomb exploded in highway that fell to the rebels on mostly Sunni Muslim population takes hold during the feast, we violence between supporters and Syrian Observatory for Human Aleppo’s Sarian district, wound- October 9, severing a key army — have sided with the regime, will continue to work” on ending opponents of the Assad regime. Rights reported, adding to its ing several people, a correspond- supply route. fearing that the uprising could the conflict, he added. Damascus has emerged as estimate of more than 34,000 ent said. A security source said AFP

Police tear gas Lebanon protesters

BEIRUT: Lebanese police fired at a couple of hundred people. vacuum” in volatile Lebanon. in the air and used tear gas yes- During funeral orations for The opposition has widely blamed terday to repel protesters try- the slain police intelligence chief, Syrian President Bashar Al Assad ing to storm the premier’s office, angry former premier Fuad for the attack. amid calls for him to quit after a Siniora called on Mikati to resign. In a show of defiance against top security official was killed by Siniora, parliamentary chief for Assad, a banner proclaimed “Two a car bomb blamed on Syria. opposition leader and ex-premier states, one revolution,” an allusion The funeral of General Wissam Saad Hariri, said the “government to the 19-month rebellion in Syria Al Hassan had been billed as a is responsible for the crime that that has cost more than 34,000 protest against Syrian meddling killed Wissam and his chauffeur. lives. “Bashar out of the Serail,” in Lebanon, but quickly turned That is why he must go.” proclaimed another, referring to into anger at Prime Minister “Mikati, you cannot stay in the seat of government. Najib Mikati, whose government your post to cover up this crime,” After a solemn military farewell is dominated by pro-Syria parties. he said. “If you stay, it means you at Internal Security Forces (ISF) Tension was also rife elsewhere, agree with what happened and headquarters, the body of General especially in the northern city what will happen.” Hassan, 47, was transported to of Tripoli, Mikati’s hometown, Despite calls for him to step Martyrs Square along with that of where clashes between support- down, Mikati said after an his chauffeur. After the funeral at ers and opponents of the Syrian emergency cabinet meeting he Al Amine Mosque, Hassan was bur- regime wounded eight people, a had agreed to stay in his post at ied in the mausoleum of his mentor, security official said. the request of President Michel former premier Rafiq Hariri. Just minutes after Hassan’s Sleiman to avoid a “political AFP funeral ceremony in Beirut, “young people headed towards the building in the city centre, but secu- rity forces blocked them by Supporters of the March 14 movement carrying a wounded woman during protests outside the government palace firing into the air and using in Beirut after the funeral of top intelligence chief General Wissam Al Hassan, in downtown Beirut, yesterday. tear gas,” a policeman said. The group was estimated Jordan foils Qaeda plot, arrests 11 militants

AMMAN: Jordan foiled a major plot by an Al Qaeda- linked cell to destabilise the key US ally’s security by bombing shopping centres and assassinating Western diplomats, state television said yesterday. Security forces detained 11 suspects in connection with a plot going on since June to carry out attacks in the capital Amman using smuggled weapons and explosives brought from Syria, according to security officials cited by television. “Their plans included getting explosives and mortars from Syria,” a security source said. The attacks, aimed at western and commercial areas, would likely have resulted in the death of thousands, according to Jordanian authorities. The security source said the suspects had manufac- tured explosives “aimed at inflicting the heaviest human losses possible.” Jordan is a key US ally in the Middle East and Israel’s peace partner. The Arab kingdom has often been targeted by Al Qaeda and other Islamic militants. Four Qaeda suspects killed in Yemen drone strike

SANA’A: Four alleged members of the Al Qaeda extremist network were killed in Yemen yesterday in a strike presumed to have been carried out by a US drone against their vehicle in Maarib province east of Sana’a, a tribal source said. “A drone fired a missile at a car which had four Al Qaeda militants in it, destroy- ing the vehicle and killing the occupants,” the source added, speaking on condition of anonymity. The drone strike, the second in four days, took place in the early evening in the Hami and Al Damashqa area 17km east of Maarib city, the same source said. On Thursday, rockets fired from a drone near the southern city of Jaar in Abyan province killed at least seven suspected members of the terror network, includ- ing a local leader, an official in the restive region said. AGENCIES MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2012 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

Editorial ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN: SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: KHALID AL SAYED Losing hope E-MAIL: [email protected] ACTING MANAGING EDITOR: HUSSAIN AHMAD West Bank election results show that E-MAIL: [email protected] President Mahmoud Abbas and his EDITORIAL: TEL: 44557741 / 44557743 FAX: 44557746 / 44557758 P. O. BOX: 3488, DOHA, QATAR. party are losing popularity. E-MAIL: [email protected]

ADVERTISING: TEL: 44557837 / 780 FAX: 44557870 HE West Bank election results have weakened the position of either not to turn up to vote, or to vote for rebels as a mark of protest. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah Party. Abbas is a Western-backed leader and he is due to make a case for CLASSIFIED: 44557857 E-MAIL: [email protected] TThe long-delayed elections for control of 94 towns and vil- statehood recognition at the United Nations next month. The election SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY lages took place on Saturday for the first time in six years and were results will not impact the statehood plan but can dent his reputa- largely seen as a vote of confidence in Mahmoud Abbas. His party tion abroad as a powerful leader who has the support of his people. TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 had expected to make a strong showing because its rival Hamas had The poll outcome also speaks of a disconnect between Fatah and E-MAIL: [email protected] boycotted the election, but the results released yesterday showed that the people which can lead to other consequences. Like any political SUBSCRIPTION RATES several rebels took seats in main cities. Also, reports said barely half party, Fatah needs to learn its lessons and take corrective measures ANNUAL of eligible voters turned out, which is a powerful statement of the to address the concerns of Palestinians. A victory for rebels, even if QR 675 disenchantment of a large number of people with the leadership. they are small in number, can mean a huge headache for the Fatah 6 MONTHS QR 340 Palestinians are going through harrowing times in every respect. leadership. The internal dissension is something the party will find it The peace process is in stalemate, and what is more depressing is the difficult to tackle at this stage as its energies are focused on defeat- fact that there is no sincere and credible effort, either by their leaders ing its main rival Hamas. What Palestinians need today is unity or the international community, to restart it. The economy too is in between Hamas and Fatah. That is just a dream in the current politi- a shambles, affecting the daily lives of people. The technocrat Prime cal scenario. As the prospects for peace recede, with Israel making Minister Salam Fayyad was the butt of violent anti-austerity protests huge strides in its policy of dividing Palestinians and ratcheting up last month throughout West Bank after the heavily indebted govern- the Iranian nuclear issue to divert attention from the need to make PUBLICATION ment withheld salaries when it ran out of money and increased fuel peace with Palestinians, ordinary Palestinians are stuck in a rut. That prices to meet commitments with Israel. In such troubling times, it’s not explains why an election which was held after six years didn’t elicit surprising that people will lose faith in their leadership, making them the kind of response and enthusiasm it otherwise should.

We need humanitarian The other side assistance. If we reject the humanitarian assistance, the international community will Quote of not accept us. Thein Sein Planning drone attacks in Africa the day Myanmar President

HE speculation mounts that the United States is about to mount drone strikes on suspected Al Qaeda targets in Africa, as it Thunts down the killer of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three colleagues in Benghazi on September 11. With three weeks to go before the election, the Obama adminis- tration will almost certainly be considering the political impact of a strike against the terrorists. If a drone assault managed to kill the right people, then the president’s advisers may well be calculating, it will revive the halo effect of the cornering and killing of Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan last year. The concern of course will be the effect on the president’s re-election chances, if a strike goes awry; if, as has happened so often in Pakistan and Afghanistan, innocent people are also killed, in what the Americans so creepily call “collateral damage.” That, presidential advisers will be warning, will look bad and could actually cost him the election. Unfortunately, in terms of combating the scourge of Al-Qaeda ter- rorism, US electoral priorities should have no relevance whatsoever. Killing a prominent terrorist by remote control, might win Obama re-election, but it could also give a victory to the bigots. It is not so much that Al-Qaeda needs martyrs. It is notable how the loose-knit organization Bin Laden left behind him, has not made a great public effort to paint its slain leader in martyrs’ colors. Where the drone attacks appear to be strengthening, rather than enfeebling the terrorists, is through a combination of their impersonal nature, with the sheer technological excellence they display. Effectively, the drone can be flown by an operator sitting at the controls and a bank of screens on the other side of the world. The terrorists can shoot at the aircraft, but if it is armed, it has sensors that will pinpoint the source of the firing. It will shoot back, very often with deadly effect. If it is merely a reconnaissance drone, there is probably an armed escort drone in the vicinity. In some parts of the Afghan and Pakistani borderlands, drones are an almost constant feature, the sound of their engines buzzing like angry mosquitoes. As such, they are a grim reminder to both the innocents and the terrorists hiding in their midst, that death can strike sud- denly, at any time. One Pakistani elder told a local newspaper how he and his community feel deeply oppressed by the omnipresence of the drones. In short, just by being there, they promote animosity toward the Americans, among the people below them. ARAB NEWS Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Have businessmen made better presidents?

BY ROBERT S presidents: Hoover, Jimmy Carter The startling bottom line is Topping the list are the two under presidents without busi- experience. It is often said that a MCELVAINE and George H.W. Bush — all of that the nation’s GDP has grown most recent career-politician ness experience, and they have president has little control over whom were successful business- more than 45 times faster under presidents, Clinton and Obama, fallen by an average of 3 percent the economy, but that is only ITT Romney likes to men before they were president. presidents with little or no busi- both of whom pursued economic annually under those with that partially true. A president and argue that his business And the only successful business- ness experience than it has under policies that Romney and his run- “essential” qualification. governmental policies act with Mexperience has pre- trained president who was re- presidents with successful busi- ning mate, Paul Ryan, insist are The most startling figures the economy as farmers do with pared him for the challenges of elected, George W. Bush, oversaw ness careers. And on average, anti-business and economically emerge when we combine crops. Crops and economies grow the presidency, particularly in an economic collapse at the end when there has been a successful disastrous. party and business experience. on their own, but how well they stoking economic recovery. In his of his second term. businessman in the Oval Office Three of the four presidents Historically, a Democrat with- grow is greatly affected by the speech accepting the Republican As measured in constant 2005 (so, Truman is excluded), GDP under whom the stock market out business experience has actions of those providing water, presidential nomination, Romney dollars starting on Jan. 1 of the growth has been negligible. has had its worst showings — been extraordinarily better for fertilizer, weed removal and so declared that President Obama year after they took office — the On average, under presidents Hoover, Carter and George W. the economy and the stock mar- forth. “took office without the basic economy’s performance in the with successful business experi- Bush — had successful busi- ket than a Republican who had There is a saying: “If you want qualification that most Americans first year of a presidency is better ence, GDP has increased 0.12 per- ness experience. Carter, the a career in business. In the past to live like a Republican, vote have and one that was essential to assigned to the preceding admin- cent. And under presidents with only Democratic president in 84 years, GDP has grown 7 per- Democratic.” Perhaps it should be his task. He had almost no expe- istration — the four presidents little or no business experience, this period who prospered in cent per year under Democrats amended to: “If you want to live rience working in a business.” with successful business careers GDP has grown 5.46 percent. business, had run a very prof- without business experience like a successful Republican busi- But historically, has the econ- had the four worst records in The story is much the same itable peanut enterprise. But (FDR, JFK, LBJ, Clinton and nessperson, vote for a Democrat omy been healthier in times when terms of gross domestic product when we look at share prices in his economic record as presi- Obama) and fallen by 0.2 per- without business experience.” the president has had a business performance. this time frame. dent was so bad that Reagan cent per year under Republicans Romney might need to find a background? The only president since None of the five presidents defeated him in 1980 in large with business experience (Hoover better way to sell his experience. As any good executive would, Hoover with business experience under whom the stock market has part by pointing to the very and the two Bushes). The Dow WP-BLOOMBERG let’s look at the numbers. under whom the economy did well had its best performances — Bill high “misery index” created by has risen an average of 16.8 per- (Robert S McElvaine, the Since Herbert Hoover’s 1928 was the one who was unsuccess- Clinton, Barack Obama, Ronald high unemployment and infla- cent per year under Democrats author of “The Great Depression: election, the American people ful in business: Harry Truman, Reagan, Franklin D. Roosevelt tion under Carter. without business experience and America 1929-1941,” is a history have voted out of office after a whose haberdashery shop went and Dwight Eisenhower — had Stock values have averaged a has fallen by 3.7 percent per year professor at Millsaps College in single term only three elected bankrupt after two years. significant business experience. robust 14.2 percent annual gain under Republicans with business Jackson, Miss.) MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2012 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Large Afghan force comes at a cost

or acumen to get the job done. or severely wounded. US and Nato You can’t meaningfully vet any- But to many US officers one. You can’t ensure morale and involved in the training effort, the commanders say discipline.” biggest problems have been the More than a dozen active-duty result of coalition miscalculations. officers, from majors to generals, The US military has imposed the Afghan army who have been involved in train- unnecessary methods and imprac- ing the Afghan army and police tical equipment on the Afghans. and police are over the past two years shared American commanders funded that assessment in recent inter- large, US-style division head- views, upon which this article is quarters with command centres progressing well based. Most spoke on the condi- that feature wall-mounted plasma tion of anonymity, because of con- screens and staff officers schooled despite an array cern that criticising long-held US in making PowerPoint slides, even strategy could harm their careers. though many of those facilities “We have been obsessed with lack reliable electricity. Critics of challenges that quantity over quality,” said a within the US ranks contend that Special Forces major who worked dry-erase boards and paper maps include Taliban alongside Afghan soldiers for a would have been sufficient. year. “You can only build so many The construction of big bases intimidation, troops to a certain standard. At around the country has encour- some point — and we’re long past aged Afghan soldiers to copy a that — you get to diminishing base-centric way of war adopted the lack of returns.” by some US Army units — they Top military commanders have wake up, eat, go for a patrol and an existing maintained that such a large then return in time for a hot meal force is essential to defeating the before falling asleep in their beds Taliban and securing the vast, — instead of staying in the field officer corps, mountainous country. for weeks on end, which was how In 2009, when the White House Afghans fought the Soviets in and rampant approved plans to build a com- the 1980s. “We’ve taught them bined Afghan force of more than our worst habits,” said a former 300,000, the principal concern Navy SEAL who has served as illiteracy. in Washington was the cost to a counterinsurgency adviser in sustain it once most US troops Afghanistan. BY RAJIV depart, not the ability to assemble A US Army soldier and an Afghan soldier eat rice from a plate at Combat Outpost Senjeray in Kandahar province, Instead of equipping Afghan CHANDRASEKARAN it. The sustainment cost is now southern Afghanistan. soldiers with AK-47 rifles, which projected at $4.1bn a year, more Afghans are well versed in firing, op Pentagon leaders, than twice the Afghan govern- police will not hit their target of needed a combined force of of place where you can triple your the US military gave them M-16s, White House advis- ment’s overall annual revenue. 157,000 until February. 400,000 to address parts of the inputs and expect three times the which are far more complicated to ers and members of Much of that price tag will have Even then, there are no plans country with Taliban problems. results.” maintain and tend to jam when Congress from both to be borne by the United States, to ease up on recruitment. High The studies devoted less atten- But the three-star general not cleaned properly. The decision parties have long which already has spent almost rates of desertion and low rates tion to the question of whether tapped to lead the massive expan- was the result of pressure from Tregarded the rapid expansion of $50bn over the past decade to of reenlistment mean the army the United States and its allies sion, William Caldwell IV, was former defence minister Abdul Afghanistan’s army and police as build the force. needs to replace about a third of were capable of building such a undeterred. He authorised an Rahim Wardak, who argued a crucial element of the US exit US and Nato commanders say its force each year. large security force in a country enormous increase in boot camp to Pentagon officials and mem- strategy. For years, they reasoned the Afghan army and police are “We’ve turned this into a with no existing military struc- facilities. He set up schools to bers of Congress that American that generating a force of 352,000 progressing well despite an array numbers game,” said a senior US tures, widespread illiteracy and train non-commissioned officers weapons would make his army soldiers and policemen would of challenges that include Taliban official involved in Afghanistan a raging insurgency. and those assigned to specialised appear more professional, despite enable the Afghan government intimidation, the lack of a existing policy. “When you’re concerned When Gen Stanley A functions, such as communica- concerns from US command- to keep fighting Taliban insur- officer corps, and rampant illit- about numbers, you end up with McChrystal sent Obama an tions and intelligence. He sought ers in Afghanistan that the sol- gents after US and Nato troops eracy, which makes it difficult to numbers.” assessment of the situation in to build up a cadre of Afghan diers would be unable to care for end their combat mission. train soldiers in specialty skills. The development of such a Afghanistan in the summer of officers who could train their fel- the guns. The US military has nearly met “Those forces have taken the large Afghan force was set in 2009, the commander wrote that low countrymen. And he stopped Numerous senior US military its growth target for the Afghan lead to very complex combat motion by President Obama’s neither the army nor the police the practice of fielding police officials contend that the army’s forces, but they are nowhere near operations, and they are suffer- decision to approve a surge of “is sufficiently effective.” He officers before they underwent development has been hindered ready to assume control of the ing the vast majority of coalition 30,000 US troops in late 2009. endorsed the calls for a combined basic training. by Wardak’s insistence on making country. casualties, a further sign that the In the early years of the force of 400,000. When he visited a firing range his force appear as American as No Afghan army battalion is Afghans have the willingness to war, the United States and Although McChrystal’s request and discovered that most recruits possible — a goal that found ready capable of operating without US sacrifice and take the fight to the allied nations participating in for a US troop increase gener- were not just illiterate but innu- support from US commanders — advisers. Many policemen spend enemy,” Defence Secretary Leon Afghanistan’s reconstruction ated acrimonious debate within merate — if the instructor wanted and designing it to repel a for- more time shaking down people E Panetta said this month. agreed to create a 70,000-strong the president’s war cabinet, the them to load 10 bullets in their eign invasion, not wage a domestic for bribes than patrolling. Front- Afghan President Hamid army from scratch. That target plan to expand the Afghan secu- rifles, he told them to count by counterinsurgency fight. He urged line units often do not receive the Karzai has insisted that Afghan grew modestly in 2007 and 2008, rity force was relatively uncontro- placing one bullet next to each of the Pentagon to give Afghanistan fuel, food and spare parts they forces can take charge of secu- but the actual strength lagged versial. Members of Congress their fingers — Caldwell expanded F-16 fighter jets and M1 Abrams need to function. Intelligence, avi- rity across the country before the far behind because the George from both parties — chief among boot camp by two weeks to include battle tanks. ation and medical services remain end of 2014, Nato’s deadline for W Bush administration did not them Senate Armed Services basic education. Although those requests were embryonic. And perhaps most transferring overall responsibil- commit the necessary funds or Committee Chairman Carl Levin Instead of sending Afghans to rejected, he succeeded in beat- alarming, an increasing number ity to the Afghan government. personnel. (D-Michigan) and Sen John fight on their own, sometimes ing back other US efforts to of Afghan soldiers and policemen “Afghans are ready to expedite The police force was in even McCain (R-Arizona) — supported with small teams of US and reshape the security services for are turning their weapons on the process of transition if nec- worse shape. By 2009, there were the growth. Nato advisers, McChrystal and counterinsurgency operations, their US and Nato partners. essary, and willing as well,” Karzai approximately 95,000 men wear- There was little discussion in Caldwell ordered that Afghan including proposals to make the As a consequence, several US said on Thursday. ing police uniforms, but at least Washington about the difficulty army units be fully partnered police larger than the army. He officers and civilian specialists US officials have also noted that half of them had not received any of assembling the force. The only with coalition forces. The guid- also sought to deploy the army who have worked with those the total Afghan force reached training. They were ill-equipped, significant issue was the ongoing ing mantra was “shona ba shona” into many remote areas, creat- forces have started to question the 352,000 goal several weeks and many were more focused on cost of sustaining such a large — in the Dari language, “shoulder ing enormous logistics burdens. the wisdom of the 352,000 goal. ahead of an October 31 deadline collecting bribes than protecting contingent, but military leaders to shoulder.” Because his commanders lack To them, the obsession with size set by the Pentagon. the population. kept emphasising that building The Afghan force expanded the ability to provide supplies has been at the root of much that They have not pointed out In mid-2009, as the insur- Afghan troops was far cheaper and improved — some units have and air support to those forces, has gone wrong with the Afghan that the overall tally includes gency was expanding across the than deploying American ones. exhibited tremendous bravery and US and Nato troops have been security services. thousands of greenhorn recruits country, two US military stud- In the end, Obama decided to skill — but the overall improve- forced to fill the gaps and prob- “We’ve built a force that’s sim- who have yet to be trained and ies concluded that Afghanistan approve an increase to 305,000 by ment has not kept pace with the ably will have to keep doing so ply too big,” said Roger Carstens, assigned to combat units — and required a far larger army and 2011; he subsequently authorised expansion. Many of the new units for years. a former Special Forces lieuten- who have traditionally not been police force — to work in partner- the expansion to 352,000. are raggedy, composed of grunts Wardak, who was removed ant colonel who spent two years counted by US and Nato head- ship with allied troops and to take To some senior US officers, the who often seek to avoid fights with by the country’s parliament this as a senior counterinsurgency quarters. If the total included only charge once the foreigners left. decision to expand the force so the Taliban. American troops summer, told Americans that his adviser at the Nato headquar- those Afghans who are in the field Relying upon counterinsurgency rapidly seemed like a mistake. chalk it up to incompetence and approach to weaponry and battle- ters in Kabul. “When you try to or in training, according to mili- doctrine, which calls for a ratio “It was irresponsible,” said a laziness, but the Afghans know field tactics was aimed as building generate that many people that tary officials in Kabul, the army of one counterinsurgent for every general who had been involved what they are doing: As the sole a close relationship with the US fast, you create leaders without will not reach its end strength of 50 residents, one of the studies in training efforts earlier in the breadwinners for their families, military. the requisite leadership, maturity 195,000 until December and the determined that Afghanistan war. “Afghanistan isn’t the sort many cannot afford to get killed WP-BLOOMBERG Romney inching up but Obama has slight edge

WASHINGTON: Suddenly, Romney. Today, it looks quite possible,” Florida (29), Iowa (6), Nevada (6), New bet to win.” The tightening race has cre- the state unemployment rate is lower Republican Mitt Romney has a viable said Peter Brown, a pollster at Quinnipiac Hampshire (4), Ohio (18), Virginia (13) ated many different scenarios, including than the national average of 7.8 percent. path to victory in the tight battle for University. and Wisconsin (10). the possibility that the Electoral College Iowa and Wisconsin, where the White House. “Ohio is the big unknown, and it’s In the last two weeks Romney has winner will not capture the most votes RealClearPolitics puts Obama’s average Democratic President Barack Obama Romney’s biggest obstacle,” Brown said. moved into a small lead or a virtual tie nationwide — similar to what happened lead at between two and three percentage still appears to have the upper hand in “If Romney can win Ohio, he’s likely to with Obama in Florida, Colorado, New in 2000, when Republican George W Bush points, also have lower state unemploy- the state-by-state fight to cobble together win the election.” Hampshire and Virginia, which together got more electoral votes than Democrat ment rates than nationally. the 270 electoral votes needed to win the The changing map has led Romney to account for 55 electoral votes. A sweep Al Gore, who received more of the popu- Along with Ohio, they could give the presidency in the November 6 election. make some shifts in strategy. of all four still would leave Romney nine lar vote. Obama campaign a Midwestern strong- But Romney’s recent surge in the polls He began moving some staff from electoral votes short of victory — a big The prominence of Ohio also has hold of 34 electoral votes that protects after his strong performance in his first North Carolina, a one-time battleground reason why the race is boiling down to invoked memories of 2004, when Bush him against potential losses elsewhere. debate with Obama on October 3 has pro- where he now has a solid lead, to other the battle in Ohio. won re-election over Democrat John “As you look across the country, you pelled the Republican into the lead or swing states this week. The former A win in Ohio would put Romney Kerry in the early hours of the morning are seeing the president is continuing to within striking distance in enough states Massachusetts governor’s campaign also over the top and give him some margin after Election Day by a margin of less be very strong in the Midwest in places to give him a reasonable chance of beat- bolstered its television advertising in of error to lose other states that are still than 120,000 votes in the Midwestern like Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin,” Obama ing Obama to the finish line. Iowa and Wisconsin, where polls indicate in play. If he does not win Ohio, either state. campaign manager Jim Messina said. Ohio, long seen as the key to unlocking Obama has slim leads. Wisconsin or a combination of Nevada Both candidates are pouring time and “I think we’ve held our support in the the White House, looms large in every The RealClearPolitics average of polls and Iowa still could be enough to win, resources into Ohio, where Obama has Midwest.” victory scenario for either candidate — gives Obama a lead of at least four per- although Obama, in addition to having held a steady lead for months and now If Obama wins the states where he cur- particularly Romney. Until the last two centage points in states that account for slim leads in Wisconsin and Iowa, also has an average poll advantage of more rently has comfortable leads and adds weeks, polls did not show Romney with 237 electoral votes, while Romney enters leads in Nevada. than 2 percentage points, according to just those three Midwestern states, he enough support in other crucial states to the final stretch with an edge of that size “Things have moved consistently in RealClearPolitics. would have 271 electoral votes — enough give him a clear path even if he won Ohio. in states that represent 206 electoral Romney’s direction, but he still hasn’t Romney, a wealthy former pri- to be re-elected. But he has that now, as the campaign votes. unlocked the gates to enough places yet,” vate equity executive who opposed the “It was always going to be a really close enters its final two weeks with eight That leaves a reduced battlefield of said pollster Thomas Riehle of YouGov, Obama-backed federal bailout of the auto election,” Ipsos pollster Julia Clark said. states in play as toss-ups. eight toss-up states and 95 electoral a market research company that is con- industry, has struggled to connect with “But the electoral math still adds up in “Before the first debate the elec- votes, all won by Obama in the 2008 ducting polling in swing states. “Romney blue-collar voters in Ohio, where one in Obama’s favour at the moment.” toral math looked like a real reach for election — Colorado (9 electoral votes), needs more good news before he’s a safe eight jobs is tied to the auto industry and WP-BLOOMBERG MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2012 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST

Bahrain detains Fatah claims seven over killing of policeman

ABU DHABI: Seven Bahrainis victory in West have been detained over clashes that killed a police- man, Bahrain’s government said yesterday, as activists tried Bank polls to break through police check- points around the village where he died. The Gulf kingdom has been con- Election in 82 areas on November 24 vulsed by unrest since February last year after mass demon- RAMALLAH: Palestinian Shams Democracy Institute said strations led by majority Shias President Mahmoud Abbas’ turnout was “acceptable.” demanding democratic change in Fatah party was yesterday “People were frustrated with the Sunni-led monarchy. claiming victory ahead of the the political deadlock so in these The incident in the early hours results of local elections in the circumstances, 54.8 percent was of Friday was the first in which a West Bank, in the first such acceptable,” he said. policeman had been killed since vote since 2006. With Hamas absent, the vote martial law ended in June 2011. Although preliminary results was largely seen as a test of dis- Policemen were attacked by riot- were only due out at 1600 GMT, cipline and the balance of forces ers with petrol bombs and an Fatah officials were openly jubi- within Fatah, which has struggled unspecified “explosive device”, the lant after the long-delayed ballot with internal division after 45 of authorities said. which was boycotted by the rival its members ran on non-party “Seven Bahrainis have been Hamas movement which rules lists, prompting their dismissal. detained and have been referred Gaza. In the northern city of Nablus, The Finnish ship SV Estelle entering Ashdod port in southern Israel. to the public prosecution in the “Fatah won a victory in this Fatah won half the number of case of a bombing attack in Al election,” party spokesman seats won by the rival “Nablus Eker ... in which one policeman Ahmad Assaf said. “Despite National Independent” list put was killed and a second criti- Hamas’ efforts, participation was together by party rebels. cally wounded during a routine good which proves that people “We are thrilled with what Gaza boat activists accuse patrol,” a statement from the reject Hamas policies,” he said, Fatah has achieved in these elec- government’s Information Affairs without elaborating. tions at a national level,” said Authority said. The Central Elections Mahmud Shtayyeh, head of Fatah It named the dead policeman Commission put turnout at 54.8 in the Nablus district. Israel navy of using tasers as 19-year-old Imran Ahmed. percent. “In the towns and villages around It did not give his nationality. Several hours after the polls Nablus, we had the best results, but JERUSALEM: Pro- Kodelas from Greece. humanitarian aid and 30 doves, Many Pakistanis and some Arab closed, supporters in the southern in the city itself there was a prob- Palestinian activists from a Former Canadian lawmaker which the passengers had been nationals serve in Bahrain’s riot city of Hebron took the streets to lem and we got five seats, while the Gaza-bound boat intercepted by Jim Manly, who is in his late 70s, intending to release on arrival in police — a source of friction with celebrate their victory. rival list got 10,” he said. the Israeli navy have accused was also on board. Gaza. protesters. The last time the Palestinians “We accept the result. This is troops of tasering them when After leading the Estelle to the But Leibovich said that the The opposition, who say more voted was in the general elections a Palestinian democracy and we they took over their vessel southern port in Ashdod, Israel army found only wooden chairs, than 45 people have died in clashes of January 2006, which Hamas respect the results from the bal- the Estelle their lawyer said had arrested three of its nationals bathing suits, books, two wheel- since martial law ended, want won by a landslide; the Islamist lot box.” yesterday. who were on board for incitement. chairs and two sacks of concrete, full legislative powers for parlia- movement also chalked up major Saturday’s vote was held in The Israeli army immediately A judge extended their remand on as well as a number of balls. ment and parliament approval of wins a year earlier during the last only 93 municipalities, as candi- denied the claim. Sunday by three days. “There was no humanitar- cabinet. local elections. dates in another 179 areas were “They used electric shocker A spokeswoman for Israel’s ian equipment on board,” she Al Wefaq, the main opposition This time, however, Hamas appointed unopposed. Elections devices to the extent of what we population and immigration said, “excepting maybe the group in Bahrain, said yester- refused to take part following the in the remaining 82 areas will be call ‘electro torture’ on some of authority said that 19 of the activ- wheelchairs.” day that clashes had broken out collapse of unity talks with Fatah, held on November 24. the activists,” lawyer Gaby Lasky ists — 11 Swedes, four Norwegians, “All the talk about humanitar- near Al Eker, south of Manama, leaving the Abbas’s party to face But a statement from the said, adding that at least one of two Finns, a Spaniard and a ian aid is a lie and a provocation.” after some rights activists and off with independents and leftist Carter Centre observer mission them is an MP. Canadian — were being held at In May 2010, pro-Palestinian medics tried to enter the vil- factions like the PFLP and DFLP. of former US president Jimmy It was not immediately clear Givon prison in Ramle, near Tel activists tried to reach the Gaza lage, which police has blocked Fatah’s success was due in part Carter said the vote was marred how many of the 30 activists and Aviv. Strip in a six-ship flotilla which off since Friday. to its lists being carefully chosen, by limited competition. crew on board the Estelle were Sabine Haddad said they were was stormed by Israeli troops in “Al Eker is still under siege Assaf said. “Although well-adminis- allegedly shot with the stun guns, due to be taken before a judge in a botched pre-dawn operation and nobody is allowed in or out, “In some cases, they were 100 tered by the Central Elections which use an electrical charge to the next few days, ahead of their which left nine Turkish nationals even cars carrying food supplies percent Fatah and in other cases Commission, the polls were incapacitate a person. deportation. dead, sparking a diplomatic crisis are prevented from reaching we made a joint list with indepen- marked by a lack of political plu- But Israeli army spokes- Eight others — an Italian, two with Ankara. people there,” Al Wefaq said in a dents and other factions,” he said. ralism and limited competition, woman Avital Leibovich denied Spaniards and five Greeks — had Since then, there have been statement. “Even though Hamas boycot- with one major party boycotting that the soldiers had used “vio- waived their right to a hearing several other attempts to reach The government statement ted the elections, we feel that this the polls,” it said in a statement. lence” in intercepting the vessel and were already on their way Gaza by boat, all of which have said checkpoints had been set up election was better than in 2005 “Despite these challenges, and on Saturday. home, she said. been stopped by Israel, although as part of efforts to find those because the party was focusing on considering that elections at all “No force was used when taking Saturday’s takeover ended the there has been no repeat of the behind Ahmed’s death. “The the services that people need. levels in the occupied Palestinian over the ship,” she said. latest attempt by pro-Palestinian bloodshed. security measures put in place “People went to the polling sta- territories are long overdue, these There were five parliamen- activists to breach Israel’s tight Israel says its blockade is nec- in Al Eker in the form of check- tions at their own, they weren’t polls are a positive but limited tarians from Europe on board: maritime embargo on Gaza which essary to prevent weapons from points at the entrances of the forced which means they were step towards the realisation of Ricardo Sixto Iglesias from Spain, prohibits all naval traffic in and entering the coastal territory, area are aimed at verifying the looking for change and to improve democratisation in the occupied Sven Britton from Sweden, Aksel out of the coastal territory. which is run by the Islamist IDs of those entering and leaving their situation,” he said. Palestinian territories.” Hagen of Norway and Vangelis Organisers said the Estelle Hamas movement. the village,” it said. Umar Rahal, director of the AFP Diamandopoulos and Dimitris was carrying a shipment of AFP REUTERS Pilgrims pour into Makkah for Haj

MAKKAH: Muslim pilgrims have been descending in droves on Makkah for the Haj, the world’s largest annual gather- ing which Saudi Arabia insists will not be affected by instability shaking the region. Walking in groups, mostly led by guides with their countries’ flags printed on their garments, faithful men and women have poured into Makkah to perform the minor pilgrimage, or umrah, ahead of the major Haj rituals. Officials say the main events, which begin on Wednesday, are expected to attract more than two million devotees from across the world. Thursday marks the most important day, when all pilgrims assemble in the Arafat plain outside Makkah. The pilgrimage ends after Eid Al Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, which will be celebrated on Friday. The Haj is one of the five pillars of Islam that every capable Muslim must perform at least once in lifetime. “It’s my first time in Makkah for pilgrim- age. I can’t wait to pray in Arafat,” said 32-year-old Koara Abdulrahman, a busi- nessman from Burkina Faso. Inside the Grand Mosque, scores of pil- grims continually circumambulate the cube- shaped Ka’aba — in which direction Muslims Pilgrims visit Jabal Al Noor or ‘Mountain of Light’ overlooking the holy city of Makkah yesterday. worldwide pray — with many pushing their way through the crowds to kiss the walls of months ago, will make the journey. from its regional arch-foe Iran would cause the structure. Damascus claimed in September that any disturbance. Others pray or recite verses of the Holy Saudi authorities have barred Syrians from “I don’t expect pilgrims or the pilgrimage Quran. travelling to this year’s hajj after the two to be affected by what is taking place else- “Right now, I’ve got all the good feelings sides failed “to reach consensus.” where, whether Syria or any other place,” you can think of,” said an Iranian pilgrim, But on Saturday Saudi Interior Minister he said. “We don’t expect any” unrest to be her voice quivering and tears welling up in Prince Ahmad bin Abdulaziz insisted that caused by Iranians, he added. her eyes. pilgrims from Syria are not being barred, Haj has become nearly incident-free over Authorities said more than 1.6 million except those who sent in their applications the past few years — thanks to the multi-bil- foreign pilgrims have already arrived and too late. lion projects being implemented every year. the numbers are set to grow by Wednesday. The Saudi envoy to Lebanon said last This year alone, the kingdom spent more Around 750,000 domestic pilgrims are also week that the kingdom will also grant visas than SR1.1bn ($293.3m) on development expected to take part in the rituals. to Syrians in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan, projects in the holy sites of Mina, Arafat, A bulk of pilgrims are from Asia, mostly where thousands of refugees who have fled and Muzdalifah, all outside Makkah. from Indonesia which has the highest Haj the violence are being accommodated. Saudi authorities have also taken measures quota. Prince Ahmad also warned that Riyadh to deal with any epidemics that may break out It was unclear how many Syrians, whose will not allow the hajj to be “politicised” and during the hajj, and have downplayed fears country is being rocked by a civil war that told reporters the kingdom was not worried over the spread of a mystery illness from the began with a popular uprising against that trouble in Syria and other Arab coun- same family as the deadly SARS-like virus. President Bashar Al Assad’s regime 19 tries could affect the Haj or that pilgrims AFP MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2012 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Better fund-raising by Republican Party props Romney’s finances

WASHINGTON: Mitt Romney held remarks that 47 percent of the popula- Committee or outside-spending groups. Romney held his last fundraiser in a financial advantage over President tion who receive government benefits are Campaign finance experts say Obama’s Florida on Saturday and the Obama cam- Barack Obama heading into October “victims.” more direct control of money offers paign had its last one earlier this month. thanks to strong fund-raising by Nonetheless, he continued to grow greater flexibility in how to use it. Parties Obama’s prowess with small donors the Republican Party that will allow his small-donor base in September and have limits on how much they can coor- remained on a level with his record-set- its candidate to spend more on the raised nearly a third of his money from dinate with a candidate’s campaign on ting 2008 White House bid as he relied on last stretch toward the November 6 checks of less than $200, Saturday’s fil- spending and TV stations promise cam- people giving $200 or less for more than election. ings showed. paigns — not outside groups or parties a third of his cash this year. Campaign finance disclosures show The FEC filings do not account for — the lowest prices on ads. Dollar-to-dollar, Romney’s small-donor the Romney campaign, the Republican what the campaign said was a big uptick However, the ad barrage of the 2012 haul was at least $12.4 million versus $49.5 National Committee and the fund they in online donations after Romney’s campaign has boosted prices on precious million for the president, according to a use jointly had $183.1m in cash on hand at strong performance in the first presi- advertising time in crucial swing states Reuters analysis of data provided to the the end of September, more than Obama dential debate on October 3. and local TV station managers say cam- FEC. Small donor enthusiasm for Romney and the Democratic Party, who had Romney also has an advantage in sup- paigns are paying little attention to how lagged through the summer months as he $149.1m. port from “Super PACs” and other out- much an ad costs as long as it airs in the struggled to coalesce the party after the Obama’s campaign on its own has side groups such as Republican strategist little time left before Election Day. Republican primaries, said Bill Allison, dwarfed Romney’s in the money stakes Karl Rove’s nonprofit Crossroads GPS, Obama’s campaign spent a whopping editorial director at the nonpartisan in recent months, raising $136.2m in which funds anti-Obama advertisements. $111.4m in September, the vast major- Sunlight Foundation, which advocates for September, according to a Reuters tally Republican-aligned groups spent ity of that on the production and air- campaign finance transparency. of latest reports. The Romney campaign $84.1m on ads from September 10 through ing of ads, according to Reuters analysis “Republicans are much more excited alone raised much less: $76.1m, accord- October 18, while pro-Democratic groups of FEC filings. Romney’s campaign, by about him now,” Allison said. Republican ing to filings with the Federal Election US Republican presidential nominee Mitt laid out less, $23.1m, despite a strong comparison, spent $54.7m , also mostly small donors include many evangelical Commission. Romney before a touch football game in fundraising month by pro-Obama Super on advertising. conservatives and “they have become the But when taken together with the Delray Beach, Florida, yesterday. PAC Priorities USA Action, according to Obama this week released a list of forgotten group in the 2012 campaign,” RNC, Romney had more to spend on Reuters analysis of spending disclosures “bundlers” - people raising $50,000 or he said. The RNC had $82.6 million in advertising and get-out-the-vote efforts September was one of the toughest to the FEC. The lynchpin of Obama’s fun- more for his re-election effort - indicat- September, trouncing its Democratic as the campaign entered its last lap with months for Romney as he lagged in the draising effort has been the campaign’s ing that so far in this campaign, they counterpart, which had $4.6 million after the two men running neck and neck in polls and suffered from the release of a ability to collect donations on its own helped him with at least $180.1 million. taking out a $10.5 million loan. polls. secretly taped video showing him make as opposed to the Democratic National Romney has not disclosed his bundlers. REUTERS

New beginning Three dead in Wisconsin day spa shooting Manhunt for gunman; four injured

CHICAGO: Three people were and ordering him to hand in his killed and four other injured guns, the station said. after a gunman burst into a day “As we wait for further details spa in the midwestern US state from the shooting in Brookfield, of Wisconsin and opened fire Tonette and I send our thoughts yesterday, police said. and prayers to the victims,” The man also left behind what Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker appears to be an improvised said. “Senseless acts of violence explosive device, which has pre- leave us with heavy hearts and vented police from searching many questions. Our state will the entire two-story building, stand with the victims and their Brookfield police chief Daniel families, and we will provide them A general view of Georgia’s new parliament building in Kutaisi, some 250km west of Tbilisi, yesterday. Georgian MPs met for the first time in the Tushaus told reporters. with the law enforcement and new parliament building yesterday. An armed man burst into the community support they need to spa where his estranged wife heal in the coming days.” worked and shot at least seven, Witness Christopher Pfeiffer US media reported. Police told said he was on his way to a book- reporters a manhunt was under store in the mall when he saw Russian troops way for the suspect in the midday a young, barefoot woman run- Argentina to evacuate ship crew shooting in Brookfield, a suburb of ning in the parking lot. “She was kill 49 militants Milwaukee. screaming, yelling, crying hysteri- TEMA, GHANA: Argentina said on condition of anonymity The Argentine government also At least four of the victims were cal. She was pleading for help,” prepared yesterday to evacu- that immigration authorities had alleged that a Ghanaian judge has and destroy 90 not critically hurt, reports said. Pfeiffer, 47, told the Milwaukee ate more than 300 crew mem- not yet given the go ahead to allow prohibited fuel from being sup- Television footage showed more Journal Sentinel. bers from a ship stranded in the the crew to leave the country. It plied to the ship, which would militia bases than a dozen emergency vehicles “She kept saying, ‘My mother West African nation of Ghana was unclear when such permis- keep it from generating power. in the parking lot of a shopping was shot.’ And she mentioned since a court ordered its seizure sion would be granted, he said. A Ghana court, however, had MOSCOW: Russian troops mall across the street from the that there was a gunman. She ran nearly three weeks ago over a “Until we receive that authority earlier asked the two sides to reach yesterday reported killing 49 spa, at least part of which has into the bookstore and I followed debt dispute. from immigration, the crew will an agreement on fuel supplies and militants in a massive security been evacuated. Tactical police her. But I watched her from afar.” The three-masted tall ship, the still be here,” the official said. other logistical issues. Kpodo said sweep that followed angry com- teams were also on the scene. David Gosh said he was on ARA Libertad, has been stuck in Argentina has threatened he was not aware of the ship being ments from President Vladimir The hospital treating the vic- his way home from duck hunt- the Tema port near the capital to take the case to the United prevented from refuelling. Putin about raging violence in tims was on lockdown until the ing when he saw a woman run Accra since an October 2 order Nations, but Kpodo said Ghana The crew of 326 are mostly the troubled North Caucasus. shooter is caught, a spokeswoman out into the road screaming and linked to claims from a Cayman maintained its position that the Argentine but also include eight The National Anti-Terror said. “We are not allowing any pounding on cars. Then he saw a Islands investment fund that says ship seizure was a court matter sailors from Uruguay, 15 from Committee said the operation was patients or visitors or staff mem- large man with a handgun chase Buenos Aires owes it more than and due process must be followed. Chile and others from Brazil, conducted across several republics bers to enter or exit the hospital,” after her, but luckily the police $370m. Buenos Aires ordered on The seizure over court claims by Paraguay, Ecuador, South Africa in the volatile Muslim region and Nalissa Wienke of Froedtert hos- arrived with sirens blaring. Gosh Saturday that the frigate be evac- NML Capital Limited has caused and Venezuela. They have been resulted in the removal of some of pital told MSNBC. said he saw the man run back into uated immediately, but it was not controversy in the South American passing the time with visits to a the most “odious” guerrilla com- Police identified the suspect as the building or possibly into the clear yesterday when the sailors country, leading to two top-level nearby shopping mall and a beach manders and their followers. Radcliffe Haughton, 45. TMJ4 woods nearby. would depart. resignations as well as a mission resort, among other activities. “The coordinated action helped news said police had surrounded “He was looking for an escape Ghana’s deputy foreign min- to Ghana led by Argentina’s dep- One of their drivers, who terminate the activities of several his home in the nearby suburb route,” Gosh said. Gosh’s father, ister Chris Kpodo said he was uty foreign and defence ministers. declined to be named, said yester- odious gang leaders, gang mem- of Brown Deer. His estranged John, said he saw two wounded not aware of the evacuation plan, Buenos Aires said on Saturday it day that a sailor had been taken bers and their associates, sub- wife had gotten a judge to issue women taken out of the two-sto- but added that the court order would leave only the Libertad’s to hospital for treatment after stantially damaging the system an order of protection banning rey Azana spa. applied only to the ship and not captain and a skeleton crew behind injuring his arm while playing under which the bandits operate,” Haughton from contacting her AFP the crew. A senior port official with the ship. football the previous day. AFP the Interfax news agency quoted a committee statement as saying. The committee said the “large- scale and massive” raids involved Municipal elections in Cuba both local and federal troops and that 90 militia bases had been Pope Benedict ordains destroyed. It gave no details about the time frame for the operation or when it began. Putin held a meeting on Friday seven new saints on the North Caucasus in which he berated officials for failing to do VATICA N CIT Y: Some biggest crowd of all, with Rome’s enough to bring the region under 80,000 pilgrims in flowered sizeable Filipino expat commu- full control after it witnessed two lei, feathered headdresses and nity turning out in flag-waving post-Soviet wars for the independ- other traditional garb flooded droves to welcome the country’s ence of rebel Chechnya. St Peter’s Square yesterday second saint. The region has since wit- as Pope Benedict XVI added In his homily, Benedict praised nessed an Islamist insurgence seven more saints onto the each of the seven as heroic and that has focused most heavily on roster of Catholic role mod- courageous examples for the Chechnya’s larger eastern neigh- els in a bid to reinvigorate entire church, calling Cope a bour Dagestan and the poverty- the faith in parts of the world “shining” model for Catholics wrecked republic of Ingushetia. where it’s lagging. and Kateri an inspiration to Russian official are especially Two of the new saints were indigenous faithful across North concerned about security on the Americans: Kateri Tekakwitha, America. restless frontier as they prepare the first Native American “May the witness of these new to stage the 2014 Winter Olympic saint from the US, and Mother saints ... speak today to the whole Games in the nearby Black Sea Marianne Cope, a 19th century church, and may their interces- resort of Sochi. Franciscan nun who cared for sion strengthen and sustain her Putin referred to the Winter leprosy patients in Hawaii. in her mission to proclaim the Games and Russia’s subsequent A man prepares to vote at a polling station during municipal elections for the People’s Power Assembly in It seemed as if a third saint, Gospel to the whole world,” he plans to host the football World the Cuban capital Havana, yesterday. Pedro Calungsod, a 17th century said. Cup in 2018 as reasons to keep a Filipino teenage martyr, drew the AP close eye on the problem. AFP

MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2012 ASIA / PHILIPPINES www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Govt approves Myanmar leader open to aid for Muslims 1.63bn pesos President welcomes relief efforts by OIC, seeks international humanitarian assistance for classroom

NAYPYIDAW: Myanmar has assistance, the international com- mainly Rohingya, are housed in continue to accept humanitarian parliamentary debut of opposi- construction no choice but to accept foreign munity will not accept us,” Thein several camps in Rakhine and aid from Muslim countries. tion leader Aung San Suu Kyi and aid for Muslims hit by recent Sein told reporters in his first unable to go home. “Regarding the OIC, I do not ceasefire pacts with ethnic rebels. MANILA: The government sectarian violence or it will domestic press conference since Myanmar’s 800,000 Rohingya, differentiate between religions The 67-year-old, who has a has approved the release of face an international back- taking office 18 months ago. described by the UN as one of the or ethnicities. They want to give heart condition and uses a pace- 1.63bn pesos for the construc- lash, President Thein Sein said “We have to feed the people. It world’s most persecuted minori- humanitarian assistance and also maker, offered a fresh hint on tion of more classrooms in pub- yesterday. costs $10,000 a day,” he said of the ties, are seen by the government they have given some,” Thein Sein Sunday that he might seek a lic schools nationwide. His comments follow a series of Rakhine camps. and many Burmese as illegal told the news conference. second term, as his party looks A total ofP1.9bn pesos has protests by Buddhists in Myanmar “Our government cannot immigrants from neighbouring Members of the 57-member OIC ahead to elections in 2015 seen as been allocated for the construc- against efforts by a world Islamic afford it. We are not in a situ- Bangladesh. toured Rakhine last month after a key test of the regime’s reform- tion of classrooms and payment of body to help Muslims affected by ation to feed the people in the Thein Sein has blocked an accusations from rights groups ist credentials. right of way fees for the Tarlac- the violence in the western state camps with the help of ordinary attempt by the Organisation of that security forces opened fire “So far I have decided to serve Pangasinan-La Union Expressway of Rakhine. citizens so we have to accept the Islamic Conference (OIC) to on Rohingya during the unrest. one term because of my age and (TPLEx) project. Dozens were killed in the humanitarian assistance from open an office in Myanmar to help The allegations prompted concern my health. But I will consider Budget Secretary Florencio Buddhist-Muslim clashes and the international community. If the displaced, after thousands of across the Islamic world. (serving a second term) if needed Abad said the 1.63bn pesos had tens of thousands displaced on we do not accept the humanitar- monks held protests in two major Since taking office in March according to the country’s situa- been allocated to cover the first- both sides. ian assistance they will say we cities last week. 2011, Thein Sein has overseen tion and the people’s desire,” he year lease payment for the Public- “We need humanitarian assist- are not human.” But he indicated that his dramatic changes such as the said. Private Partnership for School ance. If we reject the humanitarian More than 50,000 Muslims, reformist government would release of political prisoners, the AFP Infrastructure Project of the Department of Education (DepEd). This DepEd program involves the design, construction, and maintenance of 9,301 classrooms, as well as school furniture and toi- Filipinos celebrate let facilities, in various school sites in Regions I, III and IV-A, he said. Abad said President Aquino intends to fill the long-standing Pedro’s canonisation classroom gap in public schools. “By working closely with the pri- MANILA: Seventy-six year President Aquino declared yes- vate sector, we can expedite class- old Norma Reyes could not terday as the “National Day of room construction and do it in a hold back her tears when Pope Celebration” to honour Calungsod. cost-efficient way, so that our stu- Benedict XVI announced yes- “The President has signed dents and teachers will have enough terday the name of Pedro Proclamation 481 declaring classrooms by 2013,” he said. Calungsod as one of seven new Sunday, October 21, 2012, as a Under the public-private part- saints. National Day of Celebration on nership (PPP) project, the gov- “I am proud to be a Filipino the occasion of the canonization ernment will make an annual because we have a new saint,” of Blessed Pedro Calungsod,” payment of 1.63bn pesos until Reyes said. She was among the deputy presidential spokesperson 2021 to acquire the classrooms thousands of Catholics who Abigail Valte said. that were built through private trooped to The Arena in San Malacanang said October 21 is sector initiatives. Juan City yesterday to watch a “day of great spiritual joy and The release of government funds the live telecast of Calungsod’s national pride” for all Filipinos, will be charged against the DepEd’s canonisation. as it joined over the weekend the appropriation for Requirement(s) Among the personalities who whole Catholic faith in celebrat- for Basic Educational Facilities attended yesterday’s gather- ing the proclamation of the young under the 2012 General ing in San Juan were former Visayan missionary as the second Appropriations Act (GAA). Manila mayor Lito Atienza, for- Filipino saint. The remaining 328m pesos, mer ambassador to the Vatican “We join the Catholic world on meantime, was allotted for the right- Henrietta de Villa, and presiden- this day of solemn commemora- of-way acquisition costs and tree tial sister Viel Aquino-Dee. tion and celebration,” Valte said. replacements of the Department of Youth delegates from the Aside from San Juan, masses Public Works and Highways, as part Sanctuario de Sto Cristo Parish in were also held in Tondo, Makati, Filipinos wave Philippine flags and flags with the image of Pedro Calungsod during a celebration of his canonisation of government’s contribution to the San Juan also cheered when Pope Novaliches, and Cebu hours before at a gymnasium in San Juan City, east of Manila, yesterday. construction of TPLEx. Benedict XVI called Calungsod’s Calungsod’s canonisation. Abad said the 327.8m pesos name, waving their Philippine fla- In his homily, Manila Auxiliary right-of-way acquisition cost is glets and a mini-flag bearing the Bishop Bernardino Cortez said Belmonte said the new saint made self-sacrifice and his devotion to “should all be proud of him, that “chargeable” against the PPP face of the new saint. the canonisation of Calungsod Filipinos proud and would inspire his faith. someone who was selfless and had Strategic Support Fund under Souvenirs like t-shirts printed shows that Filipinos are capable them to do more good. “I’m very “Our churches and seminaries other people’s interest at heart DPWH’s budget in the 2012 GAA. with Calungsod’s face and mini of laying down their life for their proud to be a Filipino,” Belmonte are full, evident of a deep and prac- could one day be a saint, he is a He added these are included statues were sold in front of The faith and God as exemplified by said. “It (canonisation) is a tes- ticing faith that is young, dynamic very good example for all of us.” in the special provision which Arena. the new saint. timony to our capacity for faith, and so much alive in collective Eastern Samar Representative authorises the agency to use the The Pope presided over the “Pedro Calungsod is not just the character, loyalty and sense of self- prayers and hopes. I pray for more Ben Evardone said the canoniza- amount appropriated for PPP canonisation of Calungsod and six country’s hero of faith but of the sacrifice for a righteous cause.” Filipino saints and blessed,” Ang tion of Calungsod should serve as Strategic Support Fund to pay others at the Vatican yesterday whole world,” Cortez said. Aurora Representative Juan Kasangga party-list Representative “a guiding light to us public ser- for government obligations cre- afternoon. Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr Edgardo Angara said St Pedro Teodorico Haresco said. vants as we carry out our tasks in ated under contracts between the Calungsod is the second Filipino yesterday led lawmakers in hail- Calungsod serves as a good role Zambales Representative serving our people.” DPWH and private partners. saint after Saint Lorenzo Ruiz. ing the canonization of Calungsod. model for the youth because of his Milagros Magsaysay said Filipinos THE PHILIPPINE STAR THE PHILIPPINE STAR Only voters can stop dynasties: Comelec

MANILA: While admitting it is power- to take action, and at this time they can only suggested that the voters, particularly those less to stop political families from running administer what law provides. advocating against political dynasty, should take in the next elections, the Commission on He said the Comelec would notify the the initiative against the issue. Elections (Comelec) said they are just Supreme Court (SC) if they are told to “People’s initiative is the best move so leaving it to the voters to put an end to testify on the case seeking a ban against that it would not pass Congress because political dynasties. political dynasty. A certain Louis Biraogo they (lawmakers) will not do something that In the absence of any law banning politi- filed a petition as a taxpayer, asking the SC will directly affect them. For me, that is the cal dynasties, Comelec Chairman Sixto to compel the Comelec to outlaw political real solution,” Brillantes said. Brillantes said the poll body could not pro- dynasties in his 26-page petition for man- The Constitution provides that amend- hibit or control them. damus, citing Section 26, Article II of the ments to the law can be done through a “There’s nothing we can do. There is 1987 Philippine Constitution. petition of at least 12 percent of the total no enabling law that prohibits political The Constitution provides that “the State number of registered voters, of which every dynasty though it is prohibited under the shall guarantee equal access to opportunities legislative district must be represented by at Constitution,” Brillantes explained. for public service, and prohibit political dynas- least three percent of the registered voters. Brillantes stressed Comelec needs the law ties as may be defined by law.” But Brillantes THE PHILIPPINE STAR

Japan saves 64 Chinese from Philippines, Australia naval drills begin burning freighter MANILA: The naval forces of the Philippines as to develop camaraderie among participating and Australia kick off today the Lumbas personnel,” he added. TOKYO: Japan’s Coast Guard 2012, an annual military exercises that aims At least 150 Philippine Navy personnel, yesterday saved all 64 Chinese to enhance the troops’ maritime security including a component from the Naval Special seamen from their burning capabilities. Operations Group, and 200 Australian Navy cargo ship, as the two nations The 12th year of the Lumbas maritime train- troops will join the exercise. remain locked in an acrimo- ing exercise opens on board HMAS Sydney, Two Philippine Navy ships – BRP Mariano nious dispute over contested one of four guided missile frigates of the Royal Alvarez and BRP Beinvenido Salping – will take islands. Australian Navy. part in the activity. The Coast Guard was alerted According to the website of the Australian Lumbas is an offshoot of the memoran- by Taiwan authorities late on Navy, HMAS Sydney has been extensively dum of understanding (MoU) on coopera- Saturday about a fire on the upgraded and can provide area air defence, sur- tion to combat international terrorism, and 12,703-ton Ming Yang and sent veillance, anti-submarine and anti-shipping war- another MoU on combating transnational patrol vessels and aircraft to the fare. The Australian warship will also take part crime signed in 2003. scene, around 150km southeast of in the maritime exercise. The training includes the conduct of Subject Okinawa. Philippine Navy spokesman Colonel Omar Matter Expertise Exchanges, Seaphase and Fleet By 2am yeserday a Japanese Tonsay said the exercise would run for five days Training Exercise, Shiprider Program, and social coast guard ship had saved 21 along Manila Bay and nearby areas. interaction between the two navies. people who escaped on a life raft, He clarified that the training is not related to It will also focus on anti-terrorism, illegal while 43 others remained on the the dispute over the West Philippine Sea, noting human and drug trafficking, and humanitar- deck of the burning freighter, reg- the naval exercise is held every year. ian assistance and disaster response involving istered in Saint Vincent and the “The objectives of this maritime training evolve the Philippine Navy and the Australian Border Grenadines. between strengthening mutual relationship Protection Command (BPC). All of the Chinese seamen were between both navies and enhancing competency The BPC is a multi-agency operational author- rescued by 3.47am, with three of in naval warfare and maritime security opera- ity in charge of border protection and maritime them suffering minor injuries, the tions,” Tonsay said. security. It is similar to the Philippines’ Naval coastguard said. “It also envisions to train the participants in Coast Watch System Project. AFP relevant naval doctrines and capabilities as well THE PHILIPPINE STAR MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2012 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN

Indian fishermen detained Govt may take New threats back medals from ex-army crop up for chief Aslam Beg ISLAMABAD: In view of the Supreme Court’s orders in the Mehran-gate case to take action against General Mirza Aslam Nato supplies Beg, Pakistan’s PPP-led gov- ernment may strip the former army chief of all his military Militants threaten clearing agents as well as civilian medals, espe- cially Tamgha-e-Jamhuriat or ISLAMABAD: More than a supplies. “One morning I found a Medal of Democracy which was dozen clearing agents dealing in letter lying in front of my office conferred upon him by the first clearing Nato supplies and goods almost a month ago which was government of Benazir Bhutto on Pakistan-Afghanistan bor- thrown obviously by militants way back in 1988. der at Torkham have stopped asking me to give up the business, According to well-placed gov- working after receiving threats otherwise they would put me on ernment officials, while it is pre- from militants, it was learnt. their hit list.” mature to say whether the federal Sources at the Torkham border “I shared the incident with my government would be in a position revealed that after resumption of other colleagues and my family to take legal action against Beg Nato supplies and goods by the members who advised me to follow and Durrani under Article 6 of Pakistani government in August the militants warning. Sometime the 1973 Constitution which deals this year, militants renewed their back when some other Clearing with those violating the constitu- attacks on vehicles and lorries fer- agents dealing in Nato supplies tion, there is a possibility that the rying supplies and goods for Nato informed me about the threats, I two generals would be stripped of and US forces in Afghanistan and did not take them seriously. But Fishermen from India at a Karachi police station, after being detained in Pakistan waters, yesterday. Some 39 their military and civilian medals, also transmitted phone calls and after I personally received the Indian fishermen were arrested yesterday after the Maritime Security Agency (MSA) held 11 fishing boats for to begin with. letters to the owners of private warning letter from militants, I illegally entering the country’s territorial waters in the Arabian Sea, police officials said. While during his active mili- clearing agencies asking them to thought it was time to say good tary career General Aslam Beg quit their business or face dire bye to the job as I could not afford was decorated with Tamgha-e- consequences. to risk my life and money. Jamhuriat (Civil), Hilal-e-Imtiaz Around 70 percent Nato sup- “Till now more than a dozen (Military), Nishan-e-Imtiaz plies and goods are being trans- clearing agents have quit their Musharraf engineered 2002 (Military) and Sitara-e-Basalat ported through Torkham border businesses and many others are (Military), Lieutenant General in 150 containers and trucks considering other alternatives Durrani was conferred upon everyday. Torkham gate remains and options,” Jahangir said, who Hilal-e-Juraat (Military) and open from 7am to 7pm. was once a Clearing Agent. elections in favour of PML-Q Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military). “About two months ago mili- “Taliban factor is a routine A military or civilian decora- tants dropped letters late night matter, being a lucrative business, LAHORE: Pakistan’s retired parties and political alliances for these elections, the PML-Q formed tion is awarded to an individual in front of the offices situated at some local clearing agents most General Mirza Aslam Beg is well over the past three decades. the government in the centre, led by by the state of Pakistan as a Maidanai area in Torkham, warn- often throw threatening letters not the only army chief to have The political cell of the ISI has Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali. distinctively designed mark of ing the clearing agents working in front of offices of their rival violated the 1973 Constitution infiltrated into and manipulated Describing the defeat of the honour denoting heroism or meri- for their respective Clearing agencies to force them to give up as well as the oath of his office national politics to such an extent Musharraf-backed PML-Q in torious or outstanding service or Agencies dealing in Nato supplies their job. by engineering the 1990 gen- that it seems an uphill task for it the 2008 general elections a reac- achievement. and goods to give up their busi- Where to go? Authorities at eral elections with the help of to revert it to its original mandate tion of the unnatural dispensa- ness, otherwise they should get Torkham border know very well the Inter Services Intelligence and to its basic role of intelligence tion installed in 2002, Ehtesham ready for serious results. but still no action is being taken (ISI) to ensure the victory of gathering. Zameer admitted in his interview College in Swat Clearing agents also received against them, said a clearing the Nawaz Sharif-led Islami While the ISI has been greatly that he was ordered by Musharraf phone calls from militants agent while wishing to remain in Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI). involved in politics since the to help the PML-Q to come to to be named reminding them again and again the background. General Pervez Musharraf too 1970s, it was the internal or politi- power. In fact, the Bhutto-led to quit their jobs or face the Another source said that most had engineered the 2002 general cal wing of the country’s premier PPP had won a majority of seats after Malala music, the source added. clearing agents being local resi- elections in favour of his Pakistan intelligence agency that is gener- in the National Assembly. Round about 118 registered dents have shifted their offices Muslim League-Quaid (PML- ally responsible for dealing with But Musharraf had subsequently ISLAMABAD: A college in clearing agencies are in business to their homes for fear of coming Q), which was led by Chaudhry political affairs, including manip- tasked the political cell of the ISI the Swat Valley in Pakistan’s and half of them deal in clear- under attack. Shujaat Hussain at that time. ulation of the general elections. to create a split in the PPP and north-western region is to be ing vehicles and lorries carrying The owners of the registered That the 2002 general elections It was soon after the holding ensure the formation of a forward named after teenage peace supplies and goods for Nato and clearing agencies are not on the were rigged in favour of the king’s of the 2008 elections that Major bloc in the National Assembly. icon Malala Yousafzai by the US forces in Afghanistan, involv- front, only their Clearing Agents party by the ISI under Musharraf’s General (retd) Ehtesham Zameer According to Ehtesham, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) ing around 400 people in various are active who carry out the whole instructions had been confirmed Jafferi had confessed to having ISI, together with the National provincial government. capacities who assist in the whole process of clearance, therefore, by none other than Major General manipulated the 2002 elections. Accountability Bureau (NAB), The Saidu Sharif Degree hectic process of clearance from they have shifted their offices to Ehtesham Zameer Jafferi, the In an interview, which was was instrumental in compelling College will thus become the first Karachi to Torkham border. their homes for paper work, also former head of the ISI’s political published on February 24, 2008, the PPP lawmakers to join the pro- college in the valley to be named Pakistan Custom’s authorities no landline or mobile phone and cell who was involved in the whole Ehtesham Zameer, who was the Musharraf camp to form the gov- after a woman. have licensed separately private Internet facility is available at ‘engineering exercise’. key wheeler and dealer of the ISI ernment in Islamabad. Resultantly, Many girl students in the valley clearing agencies working for Torkham. The ISI has always been during the 2002 polls, came out of a 20-member PPP (Patriots), led welcomed the decision and uttered Nato supplies and goods only after The clearing agents use ‘Speed accused of being actively involved the closet and admitted his guilt of by Faisal Saleh Hayat, was formed many words of appreciation. new rules and regulations were money’ to get their job done by in managing political activity both manipulating the 2002 elections, which eventually sided with the “Finally the government has introduced in August this year, the Custom’s Officials. inside and outside the government while directly blaming General PML-Q to form a government. realised that a college should be allowing trucks to carry Nato INTERNEWS and making or breaking political Musharraf for ordering so. Following INTERNEWS named after a female. The move does not only honour Malala, but all the girls of KP,” said Sumaira, a fourth year student at the World records in breads, plugs college. “Malala is the daughter of this land, an upholder of girls’ rights LAHORE: Pakistan may not have brought home previous best of 612 also set by a Pakistani. and an activist who fights for the any medals from this summer’s Olympics, but it The events were held as part of a week-long education of girls. There is no joy can now lay claim to world records in chapati- youth festival in the eastern city of Lahore with greater than that of studying at making, plug-wiring and chessboard-arranging. the watchful eye of Guinness World Records the Malala Degree College,” said A weekend of bizarre record attempts in the adjudicator Gareth Deaves ensuring fair play, Neelam, a student of FSc, who eastern city of Lahore began on Saturday night manager Sher Ali said. was one of Malala’s school friends. when 42,813 people in the national hockey sta- While some people might prefer care over haste Girls from Swat expressed dium sang the national anthem together, smash- when it comes to electrics, Mohammad Nauman great pride over the fact that ing the previous best of 15,243 held by India. lit up the crowd in Lahore as he wired a household Malala belonged to their land. Yesterday, Mohammad Mansha went flat out plug in a dazzling 35 seconds. Elsewhere, Daniel However, happiness over the gov- to set a new record for making chapati breads Gill and Mohammad Rizwan set a new record for ernment’s decision to rename the — mixing, kneading, spinning and cooking three heading a football between them, managing 335 college was mingled with surprise. in three minutes and 14 seconds — while 12-year- consecutive headers in three minutes 45 seconds. “We never expected that old Mehek Gul took just 45 seconds to arrange But there was heartache for one contender, the college will be named after the pieces on a chessboard using only one hand. whose bid to claim the record for most t-shirts Malala. We are now pleased to Neither of these feats had been attempted donned in three minutes was disallowed when know are girls are being given due before. But Ahmed Amin Bodla beat a more estab- officials ruled he had failed to smooth down all importance,” said Sunbal Ghafar, lished record when he landed 616 martial arts kicks of the 59 shirts properly. a student of BA. on a punchbag in just three minutes, beating the AFP INTERNEWS

Legal issues may delay minister’s disqualification

ISLAMABAD: Many may be expecting chairman would have to determine within the National Assembly speaker ruled that the disqualification of Pakistan’s federal one month whether a disqualification had Gilani was not guilty of contempt. Interior Minister Rehman Malik any taken place or not after the receipt of a He said legal proceedings against Malik time after perceived expiry of a 30-day reference from the Supreme Court clearly had already been initiated on the directive deadline given to the Senate chairman mentioned in the judgment. of the Supreme Court and the matter had for sending a reference against him to the A senior official of the Election been referred to the district and sessions Election Commission, but a legal hitch Commission said the commission could act judge concerned. might delay the process for an indefinite against Malik only after receiving a dis- Some legal experts believe that the period, sources said yesterday. qualification reference from the Senate Senate chairman is not to apply his mind The sources in the Senate secretariat dis- chairman. in the cases where an allegation of violation closed that the Senate chairman had not yet He referred to the confusion arising out of Article 63 by a senator stands proved. received any reference from the Supreme of the judgment’s wording and wondered They say that a reference automatically Court in line with its judgment in the dual when the deadline available to the Senate stands referred when the court finds some- nationality case pronounced a month ago. chairman would expire. body guilty of an offence falling under any The judgment reads, “therefore a ref- He indicated that the commission would of the disqualification clauses. erence will be required to be made to the act only either on receiving a reference from But no action from the Election Senate Chairman under Article 63 (2) in the Senate chairman or getting clear direc- Commission is in sight for the moment. view of the provision of Section 99 (1) (f) tions from the apex court. The sources said the commission would of the Act of 1976, which lays down that The official said in the case of former meet on Monday, but the issue of Malik?s a person shall be disqualified from being Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, the disqualification was not on its agenda. elected or chosen as a member of an assem- Election Commission had acted only after A source said the commission had not bly unless he is sagacious, righteous and the Supreme Court had given clear direc- received the reference from the Senate non-profligate and honest and ameen.” tions to de-notify his election after finding chairman till Friday. The source said under the law, the Senate him guilty of contempt of court and after INTERNEWS MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2012 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Kejriwal dares Manmohan, Sonia to debate Ex-aide confronts IAC leader

NEW DELHI: Sidestepping Digvijay Singh sought to know questions put to him a day why none of the web sites of earlier about his NGO Kabir’s Kejriwal’s NGOs carried details of foreign funding and his own individual and corporate donors, government service, Arvind and if NGO Kabir received Kejriwal yesterday dared Prime $172,000 in 2005 and $197,000 in Minister Manmohan Singh, 2008 from Ford Foundation. Congress chief Sonia Gandhi Minister of State for and General Secretary Rahul Parliamentary Affairs Harish Gandhi to a public debate on Rawat dismissed Kejriwal’s chal- corruption. lenge. “The prime minister can- The Congress dismissed the not be reacting or responding to challenge. each and everything.” However, high drama was cre- Home Minister Sushilkumar ated when former IAC members, Shinde said Kejriwal’s tactics including Annie Kohli, 55, con- were “promoting indiscipline” in fronted Kejriwal at a press con- society. “This sort of protest, by ference by questioning his style of restoring power connections, is functioning. illegal. Are they trying to promote “When you ask questions from indiscipline in society? If this is others, why can’t they question not illegal, then what is?” asked you?” Kohli asked Kejriwal. Shinde. She alleged that Kejriwal has Reacting to Digvijaya Singh’s changed his agenda from his pro- questions, Kejriwal said: “Let tests last year and demand for a him first persuade Manmohan Janlokpal bill. Singh, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul “Kejriwal should clear his stand Gandhi to respond to our charges. whether he is a revolutionary or a Then, I will respond to each of his politician,” Kohli said, adding that questions.” Madhya Pradesh police contingents taking part in the Police Martyrs’ Day parade in Bhopal yesterday. her group would protest against Digvijay Singh on Saturday Kejriwal at Jantar Mantar here. asked Kejriwal about his NGO’s A surprised Kejriwal heard foreign funding and reported Kohli and walked away from the violation of service rules while he press conference without replying. was an Indian Revenue Service 566 security men killed on duty mourned Later, he said: “I haven’t met (IRS) officer. Annie in the past. I think she was The Congress general sec- sent by somebody.” retary, who on Friday called NEW DELHI: At least 566 31, 2012. Uttar Pradesh topped policemen, Maharashtra and of the CRPF, who were ambushed The incident happened after Kejriwal a “self-serving ambitious personnel of railway, para- the list with 133 deaths of secu- Nagaland four each while Assam, and killed by Chinese force in Kejriwal alleged that several IAC megalomaniac with scant regard military and state police were rity personnel. Jharkhand was Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Ladakh region on October 21, members were injured in a police for democracy”, asked the activist killed on duty in the past one second in the list of casualties Nadu three each. 1959. crackdown outside Haryana why he never raised the issue of year in the country, an offi- with 43, while Gujarat, Kerala, Besides, the Border Security Delhi Police constable Naresh Chief Minister Bhupinder corruption in states ruled by the cial said here yesterday. Delhi Rajasthan and Tripura wit- Force lost 85 personnel dur- Kumar Verma lost his life while Singh Hooda’s house in Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Police lost 19 people while nessed one death each of their ing various operations, while 21 chasing a notorious gang in over alleged land deals between Kejriwal said his outfit has been Uttar Pradesh lost 133. constabulary. Central Industrial Security Force Delhi’s Bharat Nagar area May 18 Congress chief Sonia Gandhi’s highlighting the nexus between “Nineteen (personnel) of Delhi Punjab Police lost 29 secu- (CISF) personnel were killed and this year. The criminals crushed son-in-law Robert Vadra and the ruling and the opposition Police were killed while serving rity men, West Bengal 28, the Central Reserve Police Force Verma under the wheels of their realty major DLF. parties. their duty,” said Delhi Police Chhattisgarh 24 and Odhisha 18. (CRPF) lost 57 people during the tempo. Earlier, Kejriwal asked “They can ask us any number Commissioner Neeraj Kumar In Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra period. Delhi Police also paid tributes Congress general secretary of questions about our personal during the commemoration day Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, The causality figures for Railway to head constable Yashpal, shot Digvijay Singh, who had posed life, we will answer. Then we parade organised at Kingsway 10 security men each were killed Protection Force (RPF) were 19, dead by criminals when he tried 27 questions on Saturday, to will ask them. They should also Camp here. during the period. the Special Protection Group to prevent them from stealing first get his party chief and the answer in public,” Kejriwal said, Neeraj Kumar was reading out Manipur mourned the loss of (SPG) two and the Sashastra cows, and head constable Sanjeev prime minister to reply to corrup- noting that the Congress leader- the list of personnel killed dur- nine personnel while Meghalaya Seema Bal (SSB) was five. Kumar, who died May 15 of inju- tion charges against the United ship did not answer questions on ing various operations or attacks that of eight police personnel. The Commemoration Day is ries in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut Progressive Alliance (UPA) Vadra or on the Lokpal. on them in the country between Karnataka and Uttarakhand observed every year on October district. government. IANS September 1, 2011, and August suffered five deaths each of their 21 in the memory of 10 personnel IANS

Kingfisher employees to meet management India wants 26/11 probe NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: demands,” the official added. airworthiness clearance is man- market share in September, which team to visit Pakistan first Striking employees of Kingfisher Nearly, 6,500 employees of the air- datory for any flight to take off, stood at 3.5 percent. The airline Airlines yesterday said they will line face the possibility of losing also struck work. has a total debt of Rs70bn from a meet the management to find their jobs if the airline continues Civil Aviation Minister Ajit consortium of banks. NEW DELHI: A judicial com- India in March this year follow- a solution to the 20-day strike to be in a state of lockout, which Singh said on Saturday: “If they Bankers are scheduled to mission from Pakistan prob- ing a bilateral agreement. that has crippled operations and has been extended till October 23. are not able to provide any con- hold a meeting today to decide ing the Mumbai terror attacks The panel, which included led the Directorate General of The average monthly wage bill crete revival plans on how to on the fate of their exposure to may not be permitted to visit prosecutors and defence lawyers, Civil Aviation (DGCA) to sus- of the airline is said to be around restart operations and to pay Kingfisher Airlines. If they decide India, unless an investigation visited Mumbai and interviewed pend the carrier’s licence. Rs210m . The employees went on their employees, then the DGCA on writing off bad debt owed by team from India gets to visit a judge who recorded the state- “We will hold a meeting with a flash strike October 1 demand- may cancel their licence.” the airline, it may have a negative the neighbouring country first ment of terrorist Ajmal Amir the management tomorrow ing payment of their salaries by Singh’s comments came after impact on their quarterly per- to examine the need for a trip Kasab during the Mumbai attacks (Monday) in Mumbai. We also October 5, which have been pend- the DGCA suspended the airline’s formance and will also affect the by the Pakistani panel. trial, a senior police official and want the airline to start opera- ing since March. operating licence, citing its ina- scrip price in the equities market. India’s home ministry officials two doctors who conducted the tions and to become viable again,” They also claimed that non- bility to provide any reasonable According to a report by the here said that they want to send autopsies on the terrorists’ bodies a senior official who is on strike payment of salaries has affected revival plans. Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation a National Investigation Agency involved in the attacks and their said in New Delhi. their morale and built up stress The airline Friday extended till (CAPA), Kingfisher Airlines may (NIA) team, which is probing the victims. “We will consider any levels that can also affect opera- October 23 the lockout declared have to shut down operations if 26/11 strike, to Pakistan to exam- Officials said India would like offer presented by the air- tional safety. October 1 after negotiations with $600m is not infused in it in the ine material evidence against key to know as to why the Pakistani line which is logical and meets Key personnel like aircraft striking employees failed. next two months. masterminds and accused in the court refused to go by global con- the minimum criteria of our maintenance engineers, whose The airline had the lowest IANS 2008 attacks that claimed over vention of accepting bilateral 160 lives, including that of foreign treaties between nations on issues nationals. relating to terrorism, in particu- Lashkar-e-Toiba commander lar the evidence collected by its Exhibition on Sikh genocide Zaki ur Rehman Lakhvi and his own judicial commission. Two LeT guerrillas six other accomplices are facing The Rawalpindi court had trial in Pakistan in a Rawalpindi rejected the materials collected killed in Sopore court in connection with the by the panel as not having any Mumbai attacks. “evidential value” to punish gunfight India’s Home Minister those being tried for the Mumbai Sushilkumar Shinde had raised attacks after lawyers defending SRINAGAR: Two separatist the issue of the NIA team’s the accused opposed its admission guerrillas of Lashkar-e-Toiba visit during his meeting with as evidence. (LeT) outfit, including one said his counterpart Rehman Malik Following the development, to be involved in the 2011 Delhi on the sidelines of the South Pakistan wanted India to allow High Court blast, were killed Asian Association for Region its judicial commission to visit yesterday in a gunfight with Cooperation (SAARC) ministe- Mumbai once again - this time security forces in Sopore town rial meeting in the Maldives in to ensure the evidences collected in north Kashmir, police said. September. by it conform to Pakistani court’s A senior police officer said that “Unless the NIA team is expectations. the two militants were identified allowed to visit Pakistan and The Mumbai carnage of Nov as Urfi and Abdullah Shaheen. understand the necessity of the 26, 2008 was carried out by 10 “Both the slain militants second visit of the Pakistani Pakistani terrorists and it had belonged to the LeT outfit and judicial commission to India, it left 166 people dead. Nine of were identified as Urfi, a local, is difficult for us to say anything the terrorists were killed by and Abdullah Shaheen, a Pakistani now,” an official said when que- Indian security forces, while national,” the officer said. Police also ried if the panel’s visit was pos- the tenth, Ajmal Amir Kasab, said Urfi had been involved in Delhi sible anytime soon. was nabbed. High Court blasts. Searches are The NIA team also wants to After a Mumbai court held him still continuing in the Shallapora V isitors at a photo exhibition organised by Forgotten Citizens - 1984 on the 1984 massacre of nearly 3,000 meet with the witnesses in the guilty in the attacks case, Kasab area of Sopore, 54km from here, Sikhs following the assassination of former prime minister Indhira Gandhi, in Amritsar yesterday. The aim of case. is now lodged in a Mumbai prison although the firing had stopped. the exhibition is to re-open the unresolved genocide in the Supreme Court. An eight-member Pakistani facing death sentence. IANS judicial commission had visited IANS

Monday 22 October 2012 6 Dhul-Hijja 1433 Volume 17 Number 5495 Price: QR2

Woqod assets Qatari bourse rise 19pc to index down by reach QR8.3bn 0.05 percent

Business | 20 Business | 21

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168,316 9.00 696,875 26.50 261,001 149.50242,710 15.80 23,959 77.20 277,543 28.80 183,850 25.00 39,232 72.90 3,456 52.10 Qtel Group revenues soar to QR25bn DOHA: Driven by its solid Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed for the commercial launch at the The Oman market remains performances in Qatar, Iraq, bin Saud Al Thani, Chairman of end of 2012. The company also highly competitive which has Algeria, Palestine and Indonesia, the Qtel Group, said: “The results revamped roaming and mobile had a bearing on performance. Qtel Group’s revenue grew 6.1 confirm that the Group’s strat- money services. Nawras closed the period with a percent during the first nine egy and management is delivering Indosat continued to make posi- customer base of 2.1m. Revenue months of the year. Net profit financial performance that keeps tive progress in the most recent for the period is down slightly at attributable to Qtel sharehold- us on a positive trajectory. As fur- quarter, building upon the good QR1.40bn. The Qtel Group cur- ers grew 12.6 percent to QR2.4bn ther evidence of this, we have taken momentum already demonstrated rently has a 53.9 percent stake during the period. Earnings per steps during the period to increase in the first half of 2012. Indosat’s in Asiacell with plans to fur- share in nine months stood at our stake in Wataniya Telecom and subscriber base as of September 30, ther increase its shareholding QR8.34 against QR8.17 for the look forward to building on our 2012, stood at 55.7m, representing to 60 percent subject to Iraqi same period in 2011. achievements in the period and a 7.4 percent increase year-on-year Government and Regulatory As of September 30, 2012, the delivering a successful outcome to in subscriber numbers. Revenue Authority approval. Group’s consolidated customer the year as a whole.” performance has also remained During 9M 2012 Asiacell con- base stood at 89.2m compared Dr Nasser Marafih, Chief Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani (left) and Dr Nasser Marafih steady during the period, with tinued to demonstrate the strong with 82.4m in 2011, represent- Executive Officer of Qtel Group, revenue for 9M 2012 standing at growth and subscriber momen- ing an 8.2 percent year-on-year said: “The performances in Qatar, QR6.4bn (9M 2011: QR6.4bn). . tum seen in prior consecutive increase in total customer num- Iraq, Algeria and Palestine are successful 3G launch in Tunisia year-on-year to stand at QR4.6bn Wataniya has continued to quarters. In 9M 2012 Asiacell’s bers. Group revenue for 9M 2012 very impressive and were key to and the launch of a trial phase for (9M2011: QR4.2bn). EBITDA experience increased competition customer base grew by 12.6 per- demonstrated continued growth helping us deliver robust revenue 4G services in Qatar.”. performance showed an increase in Kuwait. As a result, Wataniya’s cent to 9.8 million against 8.7m in at QR25bn against QR23.6bn dur- and EBITDA growth during these In Qatar, Qtel continued to of 9.6 percent year-on-year to financial performance during 2011. This growth has translated ing the same period in 2011. Group first nine months of the year. We strengthen its position in a com- QR2.5bn (9M 2011: QR2.2bn). the period at a group level was into a positive year-on-year rev- EBITDA for the period stood at view technology and service lead- petitive and dynamic market- Qtel enhanced its portfolio of impacted. Wataniya’s consolidated enue growth performance, with QR11.7bn with an EBITDA mar- ership as a strategic differentiator place, ending the period with products and services in the quar- customer base remains strong at Asiacell revenue advancing 16.4 gin of 47 percent achieved. in key markets, demonstrated in 2.5m customers (9M 2011: 2.4m). ter, launching the trial phase of its 18.8 m compared to 17.4m during percent in 9M 2012 to QR5bn. Commenting on the results, the most recent quarter by our Revenue increased by 9.4 percent 4G LTE service, in preparation the first nine months in 2011. THE PENINSULA

MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2012 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Job fair UDC net profit Woqod assets surges 14pc DOHA: United Development Company (UDC) has announced strong per- formance with its revenue recording rise 19pc to QR2.076bn for the first nine months of 2012 compared with QR1.095bn in the same period, 2011. The company’s net profits increased 14 percent to QR537.6m for the nine months reach QR8.3bn as compared to the same period of 2011, excluding revaluation gain on investment properties amounting to QR1.370bn. The Firm implementing over 40 projects profit attributable to owners of the com- pany stood at QR417.4m, with earnings DOHA: Woqod’s net profit, Other projects include Al Ruhaia, per share reaching QR1.24 for the first after excluding minority inter- Al wajba, The Marine at Doha nine months of 2012 compared to QR8.10 est, declined one percent for Port, Um Thughaib, Um Karn, Al in the same period of 2011 due to the the first nine months of 2012, Thakeera, The Al Jumailia, Al revaluation gain on investment properties. compared with the same period Qutaifa and Al Wakeer are either Total assets climbed to QR19.494bn, in 2011. at early stage of construction or in marking a healthy increase over The net profit recorded tendering process . 2011’s reported assets of QR19.056bn. QR876m for 9M as compared Moreover, UDC reported a gross profit to QR888m for the same period OTHER PROJECTS of QR631m, compared to QR493m for last year. The small decrease in Other expansion projects such the same period last year. profit is due to the completion as: Al Hilal, The Industrial Area, UDC was listed on the Qatar Exchange of some major projects such as Al Daayen, North University and in June 2003. Companies under its New Doha International Airport, Muaither are progressing. Some umbrella include United Fashion Company, gas projects and others, which of these expansions are already Hospitality Development Company and resulted in a decline of sales completed and the other will be Ronautica Middle East. Companies estab- for certain petroleum prod- finished during 2012. lished most recently under the umbrella ucts, Mohamed Turki Al-Sobai, Two technical inspection cen- of United Development Company Vice Chairman and Managing tres located at Messaimer petrol include Madinainova, United Facilities Director, Woqod said while station, and North University pet- Women wait in line during the job fair for China Eastern Airlines flight attendants in Shanghai. Some Management Company and The Pearl announcing the results. rol stations are near completion 2,000 people signed up for interviews as China Eastern Airlines planned to recruit 800 flight attend- Owners Corporation. As a result of the increase and will be operational during the ants from Shanghai. THE PENINSULA in capital base through issu- second half year of 2012. ing 25 percent bonus shares in After the commissioning of 2011, earning per share (EPS) Katara and the Educational reached QR16.85 per share as City, Woqod’s Tower C- Store at compared to QR21.35 for the Al-Dafna is slated to be opened same period of 2011. during the fourth quarter of 2012. Ahli Bank nets QR367m profit till September While total assets reached Woqod’s Tower which is QR8.3bn, up by 19 percent from located at Al-Dafna area is last year figures, total equity totally completed. The project is DOHA: Ahli Bank QSC (ABQ) Thani, the Chairman of Ahli Bank Executive Officer, said: “Despite increased by 9 percent to reach currently under commissioning has reported a net profit of said: “The current performance the pressure on our lending mar- QR5.2bn for the same period. and first stage mobilisation is QR367m for the nine months demonstrates the steady progress gins, profitability remains resilient Al Sobai added that Woqod is taken place. ending September 30, 2012, the bank has made during the first with a growth of 5.1 percent over currently involved in implemen- The Product Supply Pipelines recording a growth of 5.13 per- nine months of the year, particu- the same period last year. Our tation of more than 40 projects, project is currently executed by cent compared to the same larly the growth in total assets return on equity to shareholders including expansion projects of Qatar Petroleum, in cooperation period last year. to reach QR19.7bn with a capital now stands at 18.1 percent on an existing petrol stations. with Woqod. The first phase which The bank’s net interest income adequacy ratio of 19.2 percent and increased equity due to the issue Four petrol stations are totally includes 18 inch pipe line to carry stood at QR391.7m. Total fees, increase in core earnings of the of 60 percent bonus shares as divi- completed and expected to be all types of petroleum products commissions and other non-inter- bank”. dend for the year 2011” opened during the fourth quarter from Mesaieed Refinery to Doha est income recorded a growth of The Chairman added: “Ahli The highlight of the perform- of 2012. These projects include Depot has been completed. 19.2 percent to QR116.4 m com- Bank’s performance is being ance was loans and advances Roda Al Hamam, Bu Samra, The second phase which intends pared to QR97.7m in 2011. recognised by the international which stood at QR12.9bn, show- Lakhdaira and Mesaeed West, to supply the New Doha Airport Earnings per share (EPS) for rating agencies. Recently Fitch ing a growth of 19.2 percent over he said. with Jet Fuel (Jet-A1) will be com- the nine months stood at QR3.27 reaffirmed the Bank’s credit rat- September 2011. The loan growth The constructions of two other pleted and commissioned before against QR3.15 reported during ing of A- with a Stable Outlook”. reflects Ahli Bank’s competitive- projects are currently accelerat- the opening of the New Airport the same period last year. The Bank is also rated A- by ness and its ability to successfully ing in the following areas: The at the beginning of 2013. Commenting on the perform- Capital Intelligence. penetrate the market. Sheikh Faisal bin A Aziz Al Thani Pearls and Mesaieed North. THE PENINSULA ance, Sheikh Faisal bin A Aziz Al Moataz El Rafie, Chief THE PENINSULA MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2012 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21 Legal challenges test foreign investors in Egypt New government trying to lure funds from abroad

CAIRO: Vishnu Swaroop Minister Hisham Qandil has said Egyptian Centre for Economic Baldwa is one investor who won’t the contracts will be respected, and Social Rights. Critics including be returning to Egypt any time “this remains to be seen in real Ali say they were often sweetheart soon. “We see better opportuni- life,” Mona Zulficar, chairwoman deals to Mubarak supporters who ties elsewhere,” said the chief of EFG-Hermes Holding, said at were not charged market value. financial officer of Indorama an investor conference last week. Some of the most prominent Corp, one of eight compa- Khalid Ali, an Egyptian law- disputes surround land sales nies seeking arbitration at the yer, says he compiled hundreds related to the planned communi- Washington-based International of documents to convince courts ties that have sprung up around Center for Settlement of to overturn the investments Greater Cairo. Talaat Mustafa Investment Disputes after an of Indorama and others. Last Group’s Madinaty project, Egypt’s Egyptian court stripped it of its month, he persuaded a Cairo biggest property development local unit, a textile producer. court to strip Mexico’s Cemex of with 120,000 homes, is threatened As Egypt struggles to revive an its ownership of Assiut Cement, after a panel of judges recom- economy battered by last year’s its most profitable unit outside mended in July the annulment of uprising against Hosni Mubarak, Latin America. a contract allowing the Mubarak lawsuits attempting to overturn “Privatisation meant work- government to sell the land. the sale of state assets under his ers’ rights were undercut, com- Qandil’s government, sworn in rule threaten to deter foreign panies were sold under value by President Mohammed Mursi investment. The new government and Egyptian production was in August, is seeking to reverse is trying to lure funds from abroad destroyed,” Ali said, citing El Nasr a capital flight that drained while addressing the demands of Steam Boilers Co. as one example. more than half of Egypt’s for- a population that is staging street The company was privatized eign reserves and left it with The Madinaty project, Egypt’s biggest property development with 120,000 homes, shown here in 2011, is threatened protests and strikes almost weekly. in 1994 as part of an IMF-backed the Middle East’s biggest budget after a panel of judges recommended the annulment of a contract allowing the Mubarak government to sell the land. “I pity them,” said Hisham economic programme. It remained deficit. Officials say they target Fahmy, chief executive of the a loss-maker after the sale and 276bn pounds in investments this American Chamber of Commerce was handed back to the state by fiscal year, with the private sector disputes are still before Egyptian its chairman to five years in the government for dispute set- in Cairo, of Egypt’s new rulers. Orascom Construction Industries, called on to provide 176bn pounds. courts. While Assiut Cement prison with hard labour. The gov- tlement,” Baldwa said. The cases “They’re coming on the shoulders Egypt’s largest publicly-traded Workers’ strikes and protests remains committed to Egypt, ernment has been trying to reach may be a costly gamble for Egypt, of a popular movement and, being company, after Ali won his case. have persisted over the past year “we’re worried because of the sig- an out-of-court settlement with which, with between five to six the government, they owe it to the “We bought the asset in 2008 in and a half with demands for nal that this sends to the invest- Damac, asking it to pay financial international arbitrations per public to make sure there is social anticipation of specific contracts,” higher wages and improved work- ment community,” Chief Executive compensation for changing the year, is well above the average for justice and that’s hard to balance.” said Omar Darwazeh, OCI’s inves- ing conditions. “The labour issue Officer Sergio Menendez said. “It agreed use of the land. The com- emerging-market nations, said Aly Most of the contractual dis- tor relations manager. “These is the biggest challenge to foreign generates a climate of uncertainty.” pany hasn’t accepted. Shalakany, a partner at Shalakany putes relate to a privatisation contracts never materialised.” investment,” Investment Minister Damac Properties, a Dubai- Indorama, which was stripped of Law Office, which works on such programme started in the 1990s, In all, 382 companies were Osama Saleh said at an investors’ based developer, filed its case at Misr Shebin El Kom Spinning and cases. The claims are rarely below which critics of Mubarak contend sold for 57.4bn pounds ($9.4bn) conference last week. ICSID in June last year after Weaving in September last year, $50m to $60m, he said, and “Egypt is one of his most corruption- from 1991 to 2009, according to Apart from the eight cases Egypt seized land the company filed its ICSID case in December. loses the majority of ICSID cases”. riddled legacies. While Prime a December 2011 report by the in arbitration at ICSID, other purchased in 2006 and sentenced “We’ve not been approached by WP-BLOOMBERG

Qatar plans centre for industrial Qatari bourse index down a tad Saudi Aramco subcontracting and partnership chooses builders DOHA: Enterprise Qatar (EQ) announced that its board of direc- DOHA: Qatar Exchange ended near an eight-year low of 5,661 percent drop after missing third- tors has approved the establishment of Qatar centre for industrial slightly down by 3.93 points or points hit in August. Its last daily quarter profit estimates. of Jizan refinery subcontracting and partnership, following a meeting held under the 0.05 percent to 8,538.21 points fall of this magnitude occurred Dubai’s benchmark eased away chairmanship of Minister of Business and Trade and EQ Chairman yesterday from the previous clos- when the global financial crisis from Thursday’s 25-week closing DUBAI: Saudi Aramco, the H E Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani. The centre aims to ing of 8,542.14. Among the top was affecting the market. high, ending 0.3 percent lower. world’s biggest oil producer, said develop and support small and medium enterprises industrial losers were Qatar Islamic Bank Blue chips recovered in late Investors booked recent gains in yesterday that it had chosen projects by increasing business opportunities and enhancing their whose share dropped 0.65 percent trade with the three largest Emaar Properties, which slipped Asian and European contrac- competitiveness in order to strengthen its position in the supply to QR76.70, Islamic Insurance stocks, National Bank of Kuwait, 0.8 percent. Emirates NBD shed tors to build the Jizan oil refin- chain locally, regionally and globally, QNA quoted an EQ statement lost 2.90 percent to QR57, Gulf Zain and Kuwait Finance House, 0.7 percent and Dubai Islamic Bank ery and terminal project in the as saying. The new centre is one of the EQ’s initiatives that seek to Warehousing Company fell 1.59 ending flat. But among smaller declined 1 percent. Elsewhere, the southwest of the country. promote transparency in local tendering and the real size of oppor- percent to QR40.25 and Salam caps, Gulf Finance House and Abu Dhabi index ended flat, while The engineering, procurement tunities in the domestic market, the statement said, adding that it International was down 1.01 per- National Ranges dropped 6.9 and Oman’s market eased 0.1 percent. and construction contracts are for also represents an important link for companies and projects with cent to QR13.76. The banking 11.4 percent respectively, while a 400,000 barrel per day refinery external markets. Sheikh Jassim said the way in which EQ is han- and financial sector indeed was Abyaar Real Estate lost 5.8 per- HIGHLIGHTS on the Red Sea. Designed to sup- dling the challenges of the private sector will transparently help in down 6.14 points. the insurance cent. Trading in these three stocks KUWAIT: The benchmark port the growth of major indus- discovering Qatari market opportunities and boost competitiveness sector gained 3.83 points, the accounted for more than a third of dropped 3.1 percent to 5,729 points. tries in the undeveloped region in the light of greater openness between suppliers and buyers in the industrial sector dropped 2.90 overall volume on the bourse. SAUDI ARABIA: The index bordering Yemen, the project is next stage. CEO of EQ, Nora Al Manai, said the creation of the new points and the services sector In Saudi Arabia, the bourse dipped 0.4 percent to 6,780 points. due to be completed in late 2016. centre demonstrated to the government’s efforts in supporting and lost 4.96 points. declined for a second session, down DUBAI: The measure slipped Companies to be awarded con- strengthening the private sector, especially industrial enterprises. Meanwhile, Kuwait’s bourse 0.4 percent from last Wednesday’s 0.3 percent to 1,650 points. tracts include Saudi units of tumbled 3.1 percent, its biggest 10-day high as investors cut risk ABU DHABI: The benchmark Britain’s Petrofac Ltd and South QInvest arranges $200m syndicated daily drop since July 2009. Market with the approach of a long holi- ended flat at 2,652 points. Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries, participants said they believed day. Banks were lower with the QATAR: The measure eased South Korea’s Hanwha Engineering loan facility for Tupras state-linked funds were buying sector’s index down 0.4 percent. 0.05 percent to 8,538 points. and Construction Corp and SK blue chips in an effort to support Heavyweight Al Rajhi Bank shed OMAN: The index edged down Engineering & Construction DOHA: Türkiye Petrol Rafinerileri AS (Tupras) has signed a the market, as they have done 0.4 percent, Arab National Bank 0.08 percent to 5,709 points. Co, Spain’s Tecnicas Reunidas, and $200m, one-year facility with a syndicate of nine banks from during some periods of weakness fell 1.2 percent and Bank Albilad BAHRAIN: The measure Japan’s JGC Corp and Hitachi Plant the GCC, including Qatar. QInvest, Qatar’s leading invest- in the past. The benchmark stock lost 1.8 percent. Saudi Telecom Co declined 0.4 percent to 1,067 points. Technologies Ltd. ment bank, acted as sole book runner and structuring adviser index slumped to 5,729 points, weighed on the market with a 3.5 REUTERS Saudi Aramco did not reveal to Tupras, with QInvest, Qatar Islamic Bank, Barwa Bank, the financial size of the contracts, Commercial Bank of Qatar and First Gulf Bank participating which will be signed next month, as mandated lead arrangers (MLA).The MLAs were joined in but the entire Jizan project is the facility at lead arranger level by Ahli United Bank, Al Hilal believed to be worth billions of Bank, Doha Bank and Dubai Islamic Bank. Tupras is engaged in dollars. The refinery will proc- refining and distribution of petroleum products in Turkey and Egypt bourse Nakheel profit nearly doubles ess Arabian Heavy and Arabian internationally. The firm is listed on Istanbul Stock Exchange Medium crude oil to produce gaso- and has a market capitalisation of $5.7bn as at October 5, 2012. DUBAI: Dubai’s indebted property developer Nakheel said yes- line, ultra-low sulphur diesel, ben- The company is 49 percent owned by the public and 51 percent plans alliance terday that net profit for the first nine months of the year nearly zene and paraxylene. The marine by Enerji Yatırımları AS, a joint venture between Koç Holding doubled, helped by property handovers and growing business in its terminal will be able to handle Very and Shell. Tupras is the leading refiner in Turkey, accounting for retail and leasing segment. Large Crude Carriers. almost 60 percent of Turkish petroleum product consumption. with Turkey Nakheel, whose developments at the height of Dubai’s property boom Two industry sources based in The company is the seventh largest refinery company in Europe, CAIRO: Egypt’s bourse is study- contributed to the emirate’s debt woes, has been slowly recovering from Saudi Arabia told Reuters that and has the world’s 29th largest refining capacity. ing an alliance with the Istanbul the crippling real estate collapse. Net profit for the nine months ended SK Engineering had submitted Stock Exchange that would allow September 30 was Dh1.1bn ($299.5m), up from Dh600m in the year-ago the lowest bid for a crude distilla- Arab Bank Group profit rises 13pc investors in the two countries to period, Nakheel said in a statement sent by email. The company did tion/vacuum distillation unit, while trade on each other’s markets. not provide any quarterly numbers. Hyundai Heavy had submitted the DOHA: Arab Bank Group “A delegation from the Istanbul Revenue for the nine months rose to Dh4.5bn from Dh2bn in the lowest bid for a sour water stripper announced its financial results Stock Exchange will visit Egypt in prior-year period. Nakheel, builder of man-made islands in the shape unit and amine regeneration unit. for the nine months period December ... to discuss the means of palms and a map of the world, said about 4,000 units had been deliv- Hanwha was lowest on a marine ended September 30, 2012, with of joint trading between the ered to customers since the start of its restructuring in August 2011. terminal package, they said. One of a 13 percent growth in net profit Egyptian bourse and the Istanbul The company, brought under direct government control as part of the two sources said Petrofac was compared to the same period bourse,” Mohamed Omran, the the restructuring of its parent Dubai World, said it had made cash lowest bidder on two construction in 2011. Nemeh Sabbagh, Arab Egyptian exchange’s chairman, payments of about Dh9.4bn to trade creditors as part of a $16bn debt packages for tank farms. Bank’s CEO, said that the group said yesterday. restructuring plan agreed last year. REUTERS REUTERS achieved net profit after tax and Under the proposal, which fol- provisions of $484.5m for the lows a memorandum of under- period ended September 30, 2012, standing signed by the two compared with $428.8m for the same period in 2011, as a result of exchanges in June, Turkish inves- growth in net interest income and operating income. The financial tors would be able to trade directly results of Arab Bank Group show an increase in operating income on the Egyptian bourse through BP, Rosneft set for $25bn-plus TNK-BP deal of 7 percent to reach $1329.2m as of September 30, 2012, com- Turkish brokerages and vice versa. pared with $1245.9m for the same period in 2011, while operating Egyptian investors stung last year LONDON/MOSCOW: Rosneft closer ties to a Russian govern- BP’s overall exposure to Russian expenses grew by 5 percent. Customer deposits grew to $32.4bn, by the uprising that overthrew and BP are preparing to announce ment that exerts a much tighter barrels would be lower, but the while credit facilities reached $20.1bn and total assets stood at president Hosni Mubarak have a deal worth over $25bn that could hold on the oil industry than in holding could secure it seats on $45.2bn. Sabih Masri (pictured), Chairman of Arab Bank, said he been trying to improve their access give the British oil company a it did in the 1990s when BP first the Rosneft board and closer was pleased with these positive results at a time when a number of to overseas markets. stake of between 16 and 20 percent invested there. ties than any of its rivals to Igor countries in the region are facing a challenging environment and In June, the industry regulator, in the state-controlled Russian TNK-BP is highly profitable Sechin, the chief executive of the world economy is slowing down. Masri highlighted that the the Egyptian Financial Services energy firm, sources familiar with and provides a quarter of BP’s Rosneft, who has a significant say bank’s underlying strength is its ability to take advantage of its Authority, told local brokerages the situation said. total production, but its fields in energy policy. diversified global network in 30 countries worldwide. Masri added and portfolio management firms The agreement, which has yet are mature, and the Soviet- Rosneft is already the top that the financial results of Arab Bank Group reflect customer con- they could no longer trade foreign to be finalised but which could born business tycoons who own producing company in Russia. fidence in the underlying strength of the Bank. The Group contin- securities. EFSA said at the time be made public today or tomor- the other half through AAR If, as looks likely, it buys out ues to maintain a high quality loan portfolio thanks to its prudent such trading exposed investors to row, folds BP’s half of TNK-BP, were in the way of BP’s search AAR’s half of TNK-BP as well, policies and a high capital adequacy ratio which stands at 14.73 per- risks that authorities were una- Russia’s third-largest oil company, for growth in oil-rich Russia it will control more than half the cent far exceeding the 8 percent minimum required by the Basel ble to monitor. Traders said the into Rosneft, in exchange for cash through closer ties with Rosneft country’s output and be pump- Committee and higher than the minimum required by the Central move may have been motivated by and Rosneft stock. and its powerful boss. ing more oil and gas than Exxon Bank of Jordan of 12 percent. Liquidity remains strong as reflected a desire to limit transfers of hard It allows BP to end a stormy Should the deal be finalised and Mobil, the world’s top interna- in the loan deposit ratio of 62 percent as of September 30, 2012. currency abroad. relationship with its partners in survive a months-long Russian tional oil company. THE PENINSULA REUTERS the venture, AAR, and to pursue government approval process, REUTERS MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2012 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

QE Indices Summary QE Index 8,538.21 3.93 WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 11,555.28 5.32 QE All Share Index 2,061.03 2.37 RATE INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial Services 2,028.25 6.14 GOLD Buying Selling QE All Share Industrials 2,609.99 2.90 All Ordinaries 4580.879 29.986 0.66 4580.879 4033.4 QR204.4763 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 1,355.1 1.21 Cac 40 Index/D 3521.28 -6.22 -0.18 3600.48 2922.26 QE All Share Real Estate 1,683 2.95 SILVER UK ...... QR 5.7933 QR 5.8635 QE All Share Insurance 1,992.72 3.83 Dj Indu Average 0 0 0 13661.87 11231.56 QR 3.8636 Euro ...... QR 4.7000 QR 4.7880 QE All Share Telecoms 1,071.05 5.04 CA$ ...... QR 3.6309 QR 3.7008 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 4,895.76 4.96 Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 Services Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.8834 QR 3.9582 Hang Seng Inde/D 21518.71 102.07 0.48 21760.34 18056.4 Yen ...... QR 0.0455 QR 0.0464 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.7184 QR 3.8128 Iseq Overall/D 3261.67 -11.49 -0.35 3369.33 2882.71 CRUDE OIL Today Previous day Ind Re ...... QR 0.0666 QR 0.0681 21-10-2012 18-10-2012 Karachi 100 In/D 15679.19 24.57 0.16 15981.35 10771.13 Index 8,538.21 8,542.14 BRENT Pak Re ...... QR 0.0378 QR 0.0386 Change 3.93 6.01 Nikkei 225 Index 8982.86 176.31 2 10255.15 8238.96 Peso ...... QR 0.0866 QR 0.0893 % 0.05 0.07 $ 112.42 SL Re ...... QR 0.0280 QR 0.0286 YTD% 2.74 2.7 S&P 500 Index/D 1460.91 5.99 0.41 1474.51 1158.66 DUBAI Taka ...... QR 0.0444 QR 0.0453 Volume 3,915,739 6,413,241 Straits Times/D 3060.36 14.69 0.48 3110.86 2657.77 Nep Re ...... QR 0.0426 QR 0.0434 Value (QAR) 161,586,834.17 218,331,175.11 $ 111.10 Trades 2,656 3,378 SA Rand ...... QR 0.4175 QR 0.4257 Straits Times/D 2989.31 24.69 0.83 3035.78 2657.77 Up 13 | Down 18 | Unchanged 08

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 21-10-2012

Gold retreats as economic data improves; oil range bound HE macro economic the gains occurred within the agri- finely balanced as spare capac- see a deeper correction before outlook continues to culture sector with cotton, lumber Weekly Commodity Update ity, especially from Saudi Arabia buyers will feel incentivised show signs of stabili- and cocoa especially sticking out remains low and leaves little room enough to move back in. sation with US data, while losses were driven by petrol, to cope with any major supply dis- Support from physical buyers especially on house silver and coffee. BY OLE HANSEN ruption. The inability of the price has been muted but support from Tbuilding activity, beginning to get Speculative positioning (Head of Commodity Strategy, of especially Brent crude to reflect the world’s two largest consumers a bit of traction. China’s economy remains elevated: Despite the Saxo Bank) the current levels of adequate (China and India) could emerge slowed for a seventh quarter but overall lacklustre performance supplies is primarily due to the on the back of a rise in the value signs of a pick-up in Q4 could of the two major commodity on-going geo-political concerns, of the Chinese Renminbi over indicate the worst may be over indices the speculative position- around $3.5 per term with the futures exchange due to erosion of currently involving Turkey ver- the last month and the upcom- in the world’s second largest econ- ing across 24 US traded com- weekly injection of gas into stor- the fibre quality. US Lumber, the sus Syria and Iran versus Israel. ing Diwali festival season in India. omy. Meanwhile, in Europe, the modities remains elevated with age signalling a new record in third best commodity performer Goldman Sachs, one of the major The first major level of support EU summit saw politicians reach the net-long number of futures terms of gas availability over the this year behind soybeans and advocates for higher prices in can be found at $1,693 before the an accord on a banking union and options contracts currently coming winter extraction period wheat, rallied by 6.5 percent as recent years, cut its 2013 forecast very important $1,661 level which and further integration although standing at 1,718k contracts com- which begins in a few weeks’ time. US home building rose to its fast- to $110 per barrel from $130 per coincides with both the 50 per- much work and sorting out of pared with 908k at the beginning On this basis and with the peak est pace in four years. barrel citing a continued strong cent retracement of the May to disagreements remains. of the year. The energy and metal winter month of February already Brent crude: Oil markets have rise in unconventional US and October move and the 200-day Overall these events helped to sectors have roughly seen a dou- trading above $4 per term further been generally trading quietly over Canadian production. moving average. weaken the dollar which once again bling of contracts during this near-term upside looks question- the last couple of weeks with Brent We continue to hold a slight neg- Platinum suffers: Platinum moved back above EUR 1.3000 timeframe while the agriculture able with weather developments crude lacking the drive which could ative bias on the near-term price also succumbed to selling despite while stock markets saw gains sector has risen by 150 percent, holding the key. take it away from its current range development of Brent crude and developments in South Africa with the S&P 500 coming close not surprisingly led by grains Cotton and lumber the with most of the action remain- would expect the $116 level to halt which continues to support the to an almost five-year high, hav- given its strong performance over best performers: Performance ing close to the 200-day moving any advances to the upside leaving white metal. In contrast we have ing recouped most of the previous the last six months. amongst the different agricul- average at $112.20 which coincides the door open for a test of support seen speculative positioning which week’s losses. The November US Petrol the main mover: With ture sectors was mixed with with the average price of 2012 so located at $108.50 followed by $107. for the seventh consecutive week election and fiscal cliff together the major crude oil contracts especially soft commodities show- far. Its premium over WTI crude Gold retracing: Precious met- has set new record highs, with the with geo-political uncertainties range bound the attention in the ing solid gains. This was led by has however contracted as WTI als have remained under pres- current net-long position more remain some of the key drivers energy sector turned to petrol cotton which rose to the highest rallied above $90 per barrel as sup- sure following the recent failure than twice the average seen over over the coming weeks. which lost some of the support level since May after stockpiles plies from Canada were reduced to break through resistance at the last three years. Compared to The broad based DJ-UBS seen recently as refineries ramped monitored by the ICE Futures due to the temporary closure of a $1,800 per oz which so far has such numbers platinum will most Commodity Index rose for the sec- up production. This resulted in a US exchange dropped to the key pipeline. The spread however capped market advances three likely under perform gold during ond week in a row but is currently collapse of the crack spread which lowest level in 10 years. Hot and remains elevated due to strong times during the last 14 months. a correction phase even though up just five percent during 2012, is the price which measures the dry weather this summer in the demand for North Sea oil, espe- While we still believe the break the current situation speaks for still a little better than the three profitability of refining crude US, the world’s largest exporter, cially from Korea. above 1,800 is not a question of if a risk premium to be applied to percent return on the energy heavy oil into products such as pet- has reduced the amount of cot- Overall, the crude oil market but when, one should not ignore the price of platinum. S&P GS Commodity Index. Most of rol. Natural gas traded sideways ton available for delivery at the remains well supplied but also the possibility that gold needs to THE PENINSULA MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2012 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Hansen D-Day looms for Armstrong hopes All Blacks learn International Cycling Union to rule on the American’s case today from draw GENEVA: The fate and legacy ruling having spent weeks study- of global cycling icon Lance ing the thousands of pages of the BRISBANE: Steve Hansen’s Armstrong could take a decisive USADA report. bluff good humour did not turn when the International If the UCI does not support desert him on Saturday night Cycling Union (UCI) meets to USADA’s recommendations, the in Brisbane but there was no decide on the American’s spec- case could be decided by the Court disguising his displeasure after tacular fall from grace here of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in New Zealand faltered for the today. Lausanne, Switzerland. first time since he took charge For some observers, the cred- Backing the USADA would as coach at the end of last year. ibility of the sport’s governing boldly underline the UCI’s ongoing An error-strewn perform- body, the UCI, may also be on the commitment to the fight against ance from the world champi- line. drugs cheats as well as highlight ons allowed an injury-depleted Armstrong’s reputation as the its desire to confine the drug- Australia to claim an 18-18 draw cancer survivor who claimed a fuelled successes of the past well in the third and final Bledisloe record seven consecutive Tour de behind it. Cup test, bringing to an end the France victories is now in tatters Although McQuaid is credited All Blacks’ winning streak at 16 after he was handed a life ban by with introducing the much-her- matches. the United States Anti-Doping alded blood passport programme The 53-year-old had not had Agency (USADA). -- a proven deterrent for cheats -- the best of weeks with the death The USADA have also stripped he has often come in for criticism of his father casting a pall over Armstrong of his wins after find- in his years in charge of the UCI. preparations for a match in which ing him guilty of being at the Criticised for not seeing the hooker Keven Mealamu won his centre of the biggest doping pro- harsh reality and the extent of 100th Test cap. gramme in sporting history. doping in the sport, he has argu- Hansen paid grudging tribute Hours before Armstrong’s fate ably also fallen victim to the leg- to the pressure the Wallabies and legacy face a moment of truth acy of his predecessor. exerted on his team but imme- in Europe, the doping-disgraced It was during Verbruggen’s diately turned his attention to US cyclist gave encouragement to stewardship that Armstrong re-establishing their dominance 4,300 bikers yesterday morning at and his teams were, accord- on the tour of Europe in matches a charity race in his hometown. ing to the USADA report, able against Scotland, Italy, Wales and Embattled Armstrong spoke to cheat their way to triumph England. for about 90 seconds before the without being caught despite the “We’ll go away and take the start of the Livestrong Challenge, American undergoing hundreds hurt with us and have a good look a 100-mile cycling event to benefit of doping controls. at what we did individually and the cancer-fighting foundation he For Verbruggen, Armstrong’s collectively as a group and pre- created 15 years ago. yellow jersey win in 1999 could not pare for the next match against “I’ve been better but I’ve also have been more timely -- coming Scotland,” he told reporters. been worse,” Armstrong said. a year after the Festina doping Banned cyclist Lance Armstrong of the US, speaks at the begining of the annual Team Livestrong Challenge “We could find a lot of excuses, “Obviously it has been an inter- affair virtually brought the sport in Austin, Texas yesterday where 4,000 cyclists will ride 18, 65 or 100 miles in a show of support for cancer we could say it had been an emo- esting and difficult couple of to its knees with revelations of survivors. World cycling’s governing body said on October 19 that it will give its response to the devastat- tional week with Dad passing weeks.” rampant abuse of banned drugs ing US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) dossier on Lance Armstrong today while the UCI (International Cycling and Kevy’s 100 but I don’t think A record turnout of riders such as EPO (erythropoietin). Union) has come under growing pressure to explain how seven-time Tour de France winner Armstrong, who they’re the reasons. I think some- raised $1.7m for Livestrong on However, Armstrong’s subse- was described by the USADA as being at the heart of the biggest doping programme in sports history, was where deep down, we just didn’t the eve of an decision by the quent successes, and admission able to evade detection for so long. go deep enough in our preparation International Cycling Union that he had been working with and as a result we didn’t get the (UCI). an Italian sports doctor, Michele relationship with Ferrari. stepped down as chairman of but I’ve also been worse.” Tour game right. Today in Geneva, the UCI, Ferrari, notorious for his work Eventually, in 2004, LeMond his Livestrong foundation which de France race director Christian “That’s certainly not the way whose president Pat McQuaid with banned substances, would said: “If Armstrong’s clean, it’s raised millions for cancer survi- Prudhomme has said he does not we want to play.” succeeded Dutchman Hein go on to raise eyebrows. the greatest comeback. And if he’s vors worldwide. want to award the titles for 1999 Despite the All Blacks’ fail- Verbruggen only in 2006 -- a year Greg LeMond, the first not, then it’s the greatest fraud.” He said on Saturday: “People right through 2005 to other riders ure to match the record winning after Armstrong had secured his American to win the race three Having been deserted by his say, man how are you doing? if Armstrong is found guilty and streak in top tier rugby, Hansen seventh and final yellow jersey times, was one of the first to voice major sponsors in the wake of the And I say this every time - and stripped of the victories. could hardly be too unhappy with -- is expected to give its official his disapproval of Armstrong’s revelations, Armstrong has since I mean it - I say, I’ve been better AFP how the team has been perform- ing in the 11 months since he stepped up from assistant coach under Graham Henry. Hansen has put out sides who Livestrong riders divided have played some breathtaking rugby this season as they swept Ireland 3-0 and romped to the inaugural Rugby Championship title. over cyclist’s legacy Their second half performance against South Africa in Soweto AUSTIN, Texas: Riders in yesterday’s Livestrong owner, was riding for a co-worker who has cancer. two weeks ago was an irresistible Challenge charity benefit bicycle race have mixed She sees Armstrong’s Tour titles as triumphs on a combination of power and pace opinions on the Lance Armstrong doping scandal level playing field in a dope-tainted era. which turned a halftime deficit and the legacy of a disgraced cyclist who is also a “Regardless of whether he cheated or not, if they into a comfortable win. hometown hero. were all cheating, he still won,” she said. That they failed to back that up Armstrong greeted a record 4,300 riders before Zack Horne, 35, put the cycling in a Lance-less against their trans-Tasman Sea the start of the 15th annual event and spoke for perspective. rivals in the same stadium where about 90 seconds, barely touching upon the doping “I’ve been cycling for 25 years,” he said. “I didn’t they last lost a test 14 months ago revelations that shattered his iconic status as he start cycling because of Lance and I’m not going to was disappointing but Hansen did praised the pedal pushers. stop because of the allegations.” see a silver lining. “This is truly an honor to be here,” Armstrong Kevin Stephan, 54, noted that despite Armstrong’s With the hooter having already said. “I’m truly humble.” fall from grace, his story as a survivor of lung cancer sounded to indicate the end of The US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) unveiled that had spread to his brain and lungs who went on 80 minutes, the All Blacks were TOP: Cyclists 1,000 pages of evidence against Armstrong two the win the Tour seven times served to inspire many under the cosh in their own half participate in weeks ago supporting its August decision to impose people with cancer. as the Wallabies pounded away at The Livestrong a life ban on Armstrong and strip him of his seven “He has inspired a lot of people to get on a bike,” their defensive line trying to force Challenge Tour de France titles from 1999-2005. Stephan said. a penalty which could have won Several top sponsors dropped Armstrong last Chip Harris was among 23 people who flew half- the match. Ride after week even as he quit as chairman of Livestrong, the way across the United States from Maine to ride in When Australia were penal- cyclist Lance anti-cancer charity he founded in 1997. Most spon- the south Texas heat. ised, rather than take the safe Armstrong sors said they planned to keep supporting Livestrong “We’re not here for Lance,” he said. “We’re here option to boot the ball into touch, addresses the as they pulled away from Armstrong. for the foundation. It’s a good cause. We’re all out Hansen’s men took a scrum and riders at the “I’m kind of glad he stepped down so he wouldn’t here to support friends and relatives who passed rampaged up to the other end Palmer Events distract from an otherwise noble cause,” said away.” of the pitch where flyhalf Dan Center in 40-year-old rider Chris Jetto. Colin Painter, 35, rides for his mother, who died Carter had a shot at a match- Austin, Texas, Jetto said Armstrong should follow the example of in 2004 of breast cancer, and for himself, having winning drop goal. REUTERS yesterday. another Texan, Major League Baseball pitcher Andy dropped 40 pounds in the past year with cycling as BOTTOM: Pettitte, and admit doping. “If he truly did dope... his main form of exercise. Red Sox hire Cyclists his denials have only tainted his image,” Jetto said. “Whether he did it or not I couldn’t say,” he said. gather at the Rider Jenni Stephenson, 32, was glad to see “What attracts me to this event is cycling keeps start of the Armstrong spare Livestrong the woes his scandal me healthy.” Farrell as new annual Team could bring. Painter added that with concerns about the ends Livestrong “I think he’s probably guilty,” she said. “I think justifying the means in Livestrong’s case, any full manager Challenge. it’s important for people to support the foundation. portrait of Armstrong -- beyond the easy labels of I don’t think it takes away from a good cause.” dope cheat and cancer survivor inspirer -- will be a LOS ANGELES: The Boston Catherine Young, a 50-year-old Houston bike shop long time in coming. AFP Red Sox have hired John Farrell as their new manager, Major League Baseball reported on its official website yesterday. A pitching coach at the Red Armstrong’s 2001 test suspicious, not failure: Lab Sox from 2007-10, Farrell returns after two seasons in charge of LAUSANNE: Lance Armstrong’s con- boasted of the result being covered-up. impossible,” added Saugy. “Since 2003, in their procedures. “Armstrong had Boston’s American League East tentious 2001 Tour of Switzerland drug “There was no positive test on the Tour of procedures oblige to take into account another suspect result during the 2002 rivals Toronto, where he compiled test was suspicious, but wasn’t proof of Switzerland in 2001,” said Martial Saugy, the risks of a false-positive which could Dauphine Libere. The politics of the UCI a 154-170 record. EPO doping, even by today’s stringent the director of the Lausanne laboratory verify that urine had not been affected by at that time, if there was such a result Local media are reporting the standards, the laboratory chief who which conducted the tests. the physiology of the cyclist or degraded involving an important competitor, was deal will be for three seasons with oversaw the procedure said. However, the laboratory did flag up that by bacteria. to meet them and ask for an explanation,” a possible option for a fourth. That test taken 11 years ago forms part three tests, one of which later was revealed “This was not done at the time and the claimed Saugy. Farrell had one-year remain- of the United States Anti-Doping Agency’s to be Armstrong’s, had been judged to be urine no longer exists because the rules “That was their approach to prevention.” ing on his deal with the Blue Jays (USADA) damning dossier which has con- “suspect”, just on the borderline of a posi- did not require keeping it.” “The UCI said to me at the end of June and as such, further compensa- demned the seven-time Tour de France tive result in that era. Furthermore, the decision by the Court 2002: ‘we warned the rider for whom tion between the ballclubs is to winner as being at the the heart of sport’s Saugy is adamant that if the USADA of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to over- you had a suspect result in 2001, he gave be finalised. biggest ever doping conspiracy. believe this to represent a postive test, turn an EPO test on Danish rider Bo another suspect return at another lab and The 50-year-old takes over Floyd Landis and Tyler Hamilton, two then it would be an opinion which would Hamburger on appeal -- on the grounds he would like to know by which method from Bobby Valentine, who was of Armstrong’s team-mates testified that be hard to back up legally. that the probability of a positive test was it was tested’. fired by the Red Sox after just the Texan rider had admitted to testing “There’s no way today that this could not sufficient -- means that laboratories “The rider was Armstrong. It was then one season in which Boston went positive at the race in Switzerland but be defended as a positive result, it’s and federations have become moe cautious that I learned about it.” AFP 69-93 to finish bottom of the divi- sion. REUTERS MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2012 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Bayern Munich set to launch Arabic website Middle East an important market for us: Club official

BY ARMSTRONG VAS

DOHA: German football giants Bayern Munich are set to launch H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, Chairman of the Organising an Arabic version of the club Committee of the 2015 World Handball Championships and Sheikh website, a senior official of the Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Bundesliga side informed. Committee (QOC), Deputy Chairman of the Organising Committee. The club presently has a multi-lingual website catering to English, Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese fans besides the German Handball: Sheikh Joaan one. The club also periodically carries articles in French and Italian. “It is important for us (Bayern Chairman of 2015 World Munich) to communicate our ideas through the Arabic lan- guage. We thought having an Championships in Doha Arabic language website and it is a must, it is a kind of service for DOHA: The Heir Apparent, Federation (QHF), will be fans which we are looking at, and His Highness Sheikh Tamim the Championship Executive we are working in that direction,” bin Hamad Al Thani, yester- Director, a post on QOC website Andreas Jung, Deputy Executive day issued a decree in which said yesterday. Board Member of FC Bayern H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al The organising committee Munich, told The Peninsula Thani was named the Chairman has been finalised to streamline yesterday. A view of the front page of Bundesliga side Bayern Munich. The club is shortly going to add Arabic language content of the Organising Committee matters relating to the hosting Jung was in Doha to discuss to their website. Currently, the club website has English, Spanish, Chinese, German and Japanese content on its of the 2015 World Handball of handball’s showpiece event in with Qatari officials the club’s site. RIGHT: Andreas Jung, Deputy Executive Board Member of FC Bayern Munich, speaking to The Peninsula in Championships to be held in 2015. winter camp at Aspire Academy. Doha, yesterday. PICTURE BY: KAMMUTTY VP Doha. Qatar was awarded the rights The camp will be held from According to the decree of hosting the 2015 World Men’s January 2 to 9 next year. issued yesterday, Sheikh Saoud Handball Championship follow- The German club official said said internet is an important one of the emerging economic people the brand Bayern Munich. bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, ing stiff competition with three matches involving his club have medium for the club to keep in powers, is one of the target areas And this is why Arabic website is Secretary-General of the Qatar European nations - France, attracted more fans from the constant touch with fans. for Bayern Munich where it important for us. People should Olympic Committee (QOC), will Norway and Poland - at a vote that Middle East region for the last “The interaction between fans wants to make inroads, but for understand and also know the be the Deputy Chairman of the took place during the last World few years and the Arabic website and clubs is much stronger with the moment the club is focusing values that Bayern Munich Organising Committee. Men’s Handball Championship in was the need of the hour. the advent of the internet. You on the Middle East region. stands for and then see for them- Ahmed Mohammed Al Shaabi, Sweden in 2011. “We have supporters and peo- create our own platform; we can The club - which has a Chinese selves. It is possible, alliance with the President of Qatar Handball THE PENINSULA ple from Middle East who are post our videos and also show our partner - is open to the idea of Arabic companies. Every part- interested in Bayern Munich. The TV Channel to fans. Internet has having an Arabic partner on ner is important for us, every interest for our matches on Dubai helped us to create new things, board. area is important for us, because, Sports channel and Al Jazeera more information for fans and so “It is always an option for us. as we understand we are a glo- Angelinos wins singles title Channel is getting increased on.” If we can have a Chinese partner, bal brand in sport and it is not viewership. We have a reason Jung said Internet also has then, why not an Arabic partner. just a German brand,” said the (for that). helped the club to combine eco- For sure, why not, it can hap- Champions League runners-up “We have a long history in that nomic and sports maters. pen, if some Arabic companies official. area (Middle East). We have been “We can now show content of see a chance to associate with The Bavarian club lost to having camps in Dubai, played our partners. It has helped us German market, German sports Chelsea in last season’s Champions some matches in Abu Dhabi and to make brand Bayern Munich and brand, then why not. I think League final at the Allianz Arena now we are in Doha,” said Jung. stronger. So, it has given us a sure it will work, if it fits their in Munich, Germany, in a penalty Jung, who handles Information much wider platform.” ideas (Arabic Companies). shoot-out. Technology at Bayern Munich, Jung said football-crazy Brazil, “I think at first we show the THE PENINSULA

American Van Furyk and Pelt wins first Love III share title of the year McGladrey lead Theodors Angelinos of Greece (centre), winner of the singles title at the 4th Qatar ITF Futures poses for a picture at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. Runner-up Roman Jebavy of Czech PERTH, Australia: American NEW YORK: United States Republic and Qatar Tennis Federation officials are also seen. Unseeded Bo Van Pelt won his first tour- Ryder Cup captain Davis Love Angelinos defeated No. 5 seed Jebavy in straight sets, 7-5, 7-5. nament of the year and the III and Jim Furyk both carded third of his career in the Perth a four-under 66 to share a two- International at Lake Karrinyup shot lead after the third round yesterday. of the McGladrey Classic at Sea Van Pelt won an all-American Island, Georgia yesterday. Spirit of Qatar team duel with Jason Dufner by two Love, the tournament host, strokes in a tense final round to birdied his final hole to get to claim the European Tour event. 13-under and join Furyk, one of The world number 24 had his Ryder Cup captain’s picks, who arrives in America rounds of 70-67-67-68 to finish enjoyed a bogey free afternoon. 16-under par 272 and pocket a Furyk, a 16-time winner on DOHA: The Spirit of Qatar world famous American boating cheque for $333,330. the PGA Tour, has had a year Team has arrived in the United festival at the helm of their spare Van Pelt began the day a shot of golfing heartache, losing to States of America to finalise Spirit of Qatar 96. clear of world number 10 Dufner, Luke Donald in a playoff at the preparations for the 32nd Annual “The engines have been who closed with a three-under 69. Winner of the Hero Indian Open, Thaworn Wiratchant (right) collects the Transitions Championship, blow- Key West World Championships, upgraded to 1000hp and have “It’s a great feeling to come out trophy from president of Indian Golf Union, General Vikram Singh on the ing a late lead at the US Open which will take place in Florida arrived in Florida,” enthused on top,” Van Pelt said. final day of the four-day golf tournament at the Karnataka Golf Association to Webb Simpson and coughing on November 4-11. Sheikh Hassan. “I have a lot of respect for Jason course in Bangalore, yesterday. up a hefty final hole lead at the Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al “We have a short time left to get and his game. WGC Bridgestone Invitational to Thani confirmed that the team the boat ready before the races. “He’s a world-class player and Keegan Bradley. left Qatar yesterday and will We know we have less power that I knew it was going to be tough The misery continued at last arrived in Florida today. the rest of the fleet, but we hope today. I knew he was going to keep month’s Ryder Cup when Furyk The team’s British throttleman that we can sneak some form of the pressure on me, and I needed Wiratchant rallies stumbled late against Spain’s Steve Curtis will be with the crew advantage in rougher weather to play well if I was going to come Sergio Garcia as the Europeans from today and Sheikh Hassan conditions and we can push on out on top.” complete a stunning comeback. will join the team after the Eid with the bigger power boats.” An emotional Van Pelt dedi- to win Indian Open Furyk said nothing he could holidays. The actual races will take place cated his victory to veteran cad- do in the remainder of the year Sheikh Hassan, the President on November 7, 9 and 11 with the die Scotty Steele, who died at the would have any impact on his dis- of the Qatar Marine Sports intermediate days being used for weekend after suffering a heart NEW DELHI: Thailand’s Indian Open appointments in 2012. Federation (QMSF), and Curtis testing, marketing and boat dis- attack a week ago at a Champions Thaworn Wiratchant won his “It’s an opportunity for me to will challenge for honours in the plays. THE PENINSULA Tour event in North Carolina. third Asian Tour title of the sea- Leading final scores go out and win a golf tournament, “It was tough news this morn- son yesterday at the Hero Indian 270 Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 69-68-67- and I’m not trying to make up for ing. I found out off of Twitter, Open by defeating Scotland’s 66, Richie RAMSAY (SCO) 66-66-70-68 the rest of the year,” Furyk told some of the other caddies and Richie Ramsay on the first play- 271 Panuphol Pittayarat (THA) 67-68-69-67 reporters. REUTERS players that I follow, I knew he off hole. had had a heart attack earlier in Thaworn, playing one flight in 272 Shiv Kapur (IND) 67-71-68-66 McGladrey Classic the week,” he said. AFP front of Ramsay, birdied the last 274 Anirban Lahiri (IND) 70-71-66-67, Third-round scores (USA unless noted, par-70) hole in regulation play when his Arnond Vongvanij (THA) 71-67-67-69, Perth International seven-iron approach shot landed Jaakko Makitalo (FIN) 67-68-68-71. 2 197 Jim Furyk 66-65-66, Davis Love about one foot from the hole as he 65-66-66 Final round scores closed with a five-under-par 66. 199 DJ Trahan 66-67-66, Arjun Atwal (IND) 67-63-69 272 Bo Van Pelt (USA) 70-67-67-68 Ramsay, the overnight leader, he two-putted for double bogey. needed a par putt on the last Thaworn, who won the Hero 200 Bud Cauley 62-70-68 274 Jason Dufner (USA) 71-67-67-69 for victory but made a three- Indian Open in 2005, made a 201 Will Claxton 70-66-65, Rory Sabbatini 277 Alejandro Canizares (ESP) 65-73-71-68 putt bogey for a 68 as the pair two-putt bogey for victory after (RSA) 69-65-67, Mathew Goggin (AUS) returned to the par four 18th hole hitting his second shot into the 67-66-68, Ben Crane 68-71-62, 279 Michael Hendry (NZL) 65-73-72-69 at the Karnataka Golf Association greenside bunker. His win pushed Charles Howell 66-68-67 course. him to the top of the Asian Tour 280 Paul Casey (ENG) 67-75-71-67, Scott 202 Kyle Reifers 67-68-67, Peter Tomasulo The Scot then blasted his tee Order of Merit. Jamieson (SCO) 72-71-69-68, Rhys 67-67-68, Vijay Singh (FIJ) 66-68-68, shot into a creek and was penal- “To be honest, I didn’t expect Davies (WAL) 68-72-71-69, David Chad Campbell 66-67-69, Michael ised. His third shot landed in the to win with the way I was driving Thompson 65-68-69, Brian Gay 65-68- Howell (ENG) 71-68-70-71, Emiliano back of the green and he chipped the ball this week,” he said. 69, Gavin Coles (AUS) 67-65-70, David Sheikh Hassan (centre) and Steve Curtis (right) are preparing for the Key Grillo (ARG) 66-67-73-74 to about 10 feet past the hole as AFP Toms 65-67-70 West World Championships in Florida. MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2012 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

QMMF Racing Team rider Anthony West of Australia is seen with Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah, President of Qatar Motor and Motorcycling Federation (QMMF), second rider Elena Rosell of Spain and team mechanics at Sepang Circuit, Malaysia, yesterday. RIGHT: West smiles on the podium after the race.

Anthony West profile QMMF thrilled with first podium Bike number: 95 Name: Anthony West Team: QMMF Racing Team Bike: Speed Up Maryborough Date of birth: 17 July, 1981 finish, confirms West for 2013 Weight: 67kg Height: 175cm It is a big achievement, says QMMF chief Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah A former dirt track racer with a national 250cc produc- tion title and domestic 125cc BY RIZWAN REHMAT achievement by the rider, by our experience, Anthony West team,” Al Attiyah said over phone debuted in the 250 World DOHA: The Qatar Motor from Sepang. Championship in 1999 ending and Motorcycling Federation “It will give us a big boost for 12th in his first year and then (QMMF) camp yesterday was in the future,” the QMMF chief sixth the following season. ecstatic mood after Australian added. QMMF Racing Team A year in 500cc in 2001 fol- rider Anthony West finished “We have confirmed his name rider Anthony West of lowed in which he placed 18th. second in Moto2 race at the ...Anthony’s name has been for- Australia is seen with West returned to the 250cc Malaysian Grand Prix. warded to Dorna for approval. Nasser bin Khalifa class in 2003 on an Aprilia with West’s daredevil show in pour- It wasn’t a tough decision,” Al Al Attiyah, President one win and four podiums to ing rain at Sepang Circuit was Attiyah said while confirming of Qatar Motor place 7th overall. rewarded by QMMF who have that West would ride for QMMF and Motorcycling Halfway through the follow- offered the Australian another Racing Team next season. ing season he stepped up to the Federation (QMMF), ride in the 2013 championship. “He has improved with every premier class, replacing Olivier at Sepang Circuit, For the 31-year-old Australian, race. We are still considering the Jacque on the Kawasaki team. who joined the QMMF Racing second name. We will decide on Malaysia, yesterday. He ended 15th overall after Team in March this year, it was the second name within a week 11 races, continuing in 2008 his first podium finish in Moto2 or so,” he added. The Qatari, who with the Japanese manufac- racing. is also the Vice-President of FIM, turer for its final season in Alex De Angelis won the Moto2 said he was not surprised to see MotoGP. After a year away race at a rain-soaked Sepang West nail the second spot in try- in 2009 West returned to the Circuit with QMMF’s West com- ing conditions. World Championship for the ing second in an action-packed “I am not surprised because Team President, said. He added well to keep the bike on the track. The QMMF Racing Team new Moto2 category, riding event. Anthony does well in the rain. pelting rain made life tough for We got our best result in these said West’s riding partner Elena two seasons for the MZ Racing British rider Gino Rea, a suc- He has amazing results in wet the riders on the circuit. tough conditions. Rosell from Spain also fought well team. His experience was then cessful supermoto rider, was third weather. We always had big “It was a difficulty race for all “We even led the race for a few in trying racing conditions. called upon by the QMMF on a Suter. expectations from him,” Al riders. The riders had a tough seconds until the red flag came “Elena also did well, finishing in team for the 2012 campaign. Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah, Attiyah said. time to stay on the track. It was a out. We then dropped back. 20th position. That’s a great result He is known as ‘The Rain President of QMMF, was the first “To reach the podium is an tough Grand Prix for riders of all “There was a great fight among for her. She performed brilliantly Man’ because of his ability to one to applaud West’s effort. amazing feat and feeling. We are categories,” Al Attiyah said over the top four riders. It was a chal- too. We hope she could do better ride well in the extreme wet, “It’s a great feeling. It was a glad that this finish has put Qatar from Malaysia. lenge worth watching. I’d say in Phillip Island (Australia) and which he attributes to a dirt wonderful race. We enjoyed it on the world map. This is our first “I would say these were very again, it was an amazing result,” in Valencia (Spain),” he said. track racing background. immensely. It is a big win, a big podium,” Al Attiyah, who is the hard conditions. The riders did Al Attiyah said. THE PENINSULA

LEFT: Anthony West of QMMF Racing Team takes a bend during the Moto2 race at Sepang Circuit in pouring rain. RIGHT: West celebrates his second spot finish with team mechanics and fans at Sepang Circuit.

LEFT and RIGHT: Anthony West (95) of QMMF Racing Team is seen in action during the Moto2 race at Sepang Circuit yesterday. Alex De Angelis won the Moto2 race at a rain-soaked Sepang Circuit, with QMMF’s West coming second in an action-packed event. British rider Gino Rea, a successful supermoto rider, was third on a Suter. MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2012 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Unbeaten Al Sadd pick up 3 points Al Gharafa’s Fahid Al Shammari and Eljaish’s Anderson Martinez vie for Doha giants top standings after week four ball possession during their Qatar DOHA: Qatar Stars League The former Real Madrid star Al Gharafa, who lost to Stars League (QSL) (QSL) giants Al Sadd yester- has been the skipper since the Al Wakra in the first match match at Al Gharafa day hammered Al Sailiyah 3-1 first match after the injury to of the new season, have two Stadium, yesterday. in their round four clash at Al regular captain Mohammed draws against Al Arabi and Al Al Gharafa won 2-0. Rayyan Stadium. Kasola. Kharaitiyat. Khalfan Ibrahim (41 and 90+ 2) Earlier, former champions and Eljaish, who lost to Umm Salal and Hassan Al Haydos (49) scored hosts Al Gharafa yesterday beat in their first of the new season, the goals for Al Sadd, who secured Eljaish 2-0 in their round four were eyeing a hat-trick of wins their fourth successive win this clash. in QSL. season. It was Al Gharafa’s first win of Al Gharafa have 5 points from For Al Sailiyah, Dagano the new QSL season, thanks to four matches whereas Eljaish Mamouni reduced the deficit in goals by Alex Raphael (44) and - who finished runners-up dur- the 90th minute. Mark Bresciano (58). ing the last QSL season - have Al Haydos was later benched in The win relieved pressure on 6 points. th 71st minute. coach Paulo Silas. In another match yesterday, Al Sadd now jump to the top of Rafael produced a slick solo Al Rayyan were held to a goal- QSL standings with a tally of 12 run to score the first goal from less draw by Al Khor. points from four matches. close range whereas Australian Al Rayyan now have ten points Coached by Hussein Amute, midfielder Bresciano deflected a and have slipped to the second Al Sadd have beaten Umm Salal, cross from the left flank just a few spot behind leaders Al Sadd, while Qatar SC, Al Arabi and now Al meters away from the goal-line. Al Khor have six points and are Sailiyah in their four matches. Eljaish found the net through in the fourth spot. Earlier in the season, Al Sadd Adriano Martinez but the lines- Al Wakra are in the third signed Spanish legend Raul man declared the effort offside in place with ten points from four Gonzalez for one year. the 72nd minute. matches. THE PENINSULA

QSL Standings Qatar Stars league standings after the end of the fourth round matches. Read under as teams, matches played, won, lost, drawn, matches left, goals for, goals against, dif- ference, points) Al Sadd 4 4 0 0 7 13 4 9 12 Al Rayyan 4 3 1 0 7 10 2 8 10 Al Wakra 4 3 1 0 7 8 2 6 10 Al Khor 4 1 3 0 7 4 3 1 6 Al Jaish 4 2 0 2 7 3 4 -1 6 Al Garrafa 4 1 2 1 7 3 3 0 5 Lekhwiya 4 1 1 2 7 5 6 -1 4 Qatar SC 4 1 1 2 7 7 9 -2 4 Umm Salal 4 1 1 2 7 3 8 -5 4 Al Kharaitiyat 4 0 2 2 7 1 3 -2 2 Al Arabi 4 0 2 2 7 3 6 -3 2 Al Sadd’s Mamadou Niang (left) fights for the ball with Al Sailiyah’s Kim Al Sailiyah 4 0 0 4 7 1 11 -10 0 Kee-Hee of South Korea during their QSL match, yesterday. Al Gharafa’s Lawrence Quaye (left), Alex Raphael (centre) and Mark Bresciano celebrate at the end of the match. Messi hits three goals Age-old Asian as Barca rivalry takes win thriller MADRID: Lionel Messi scored centre stage a brilliant hat-trick as Barcelona survived Javier Mascherano’s red card to claim a thrilling 5-4 SINGAPORE: AFC Champions League history with win at Deportivo Coruna yester- Saudi giants AFC Champions Fixtures for the AFC Champions League’s day that put them three points Al Ittihad take League wins two-legged semi-finals, which start today: clear at the top of La Liga. on city rivals in 2004 and Real Madrid climbed to Al Ahli in the First leg 2005, plus eight fourth after Gonzalo Higuain AFC Champions Playing today domestic league and Cristiano Ronaldo (penalty) League semi- At Jeddah titles. struck in a 2-0 win at home to finals today as Al Ittihad (KSA) vs AL Ahli (KSA) By contrast, promoted Celta Vigo. one of Asia’s at 8:00 pm (1700 GMT) Al Ahli have Barca raced into a three-goal oldest and fierc- Playing Wednesday only two league lead after 18 minutes in an action- est local derbies titles to their At Tashkent packed clash at the Riazor. The stages arguably name, but they home side pulled two goals back its most impor- Bunyodkor (UZB) vs Ulsan Hyundai (KOR) have held the before Messi scored his second of tant edition yet. at 6:00 pm (1300 GMT) edge in recent the night to make it 4-2 at the Sunderland’s Irish midfielder James McClean (left) vies with Newcastle United’s James Perch during an English Having fought Second leg times after they break. Premier League match at the Stadium of Light, in Sunderland, yesterday. on the domes- Playing October 31 beat Al Ittihad In a frenetic start to the sec- tic stage for At Ulsan to win the King’s ond half, Pizzi curled in a stun- three-quarters Ulsan Hyundai (KOR) vs Bunyodkor (UZB) Cup in 2011 ning 47th-minute free kick and of a century, at 7:30 pm (1030 GMT) and finished Mascherano was harshly shown the stakes are At Jeddah second in the a second yellow card two minutes unprecedented league behind Al Ahli (KSA) vs Al Ittihad (KSA) later. Sunderland grab draw for the Jeddah Al Shabab ear- at 8:00 pm (1700 GMT) Barca coach Tito Vilanova teams with the lier this year reacted by replacing the excel- SUNDERLAND, United added: “Newcastle work hard on winner over two Al Ittihad were lent Cesc Fabregas, who provided Kingdom: Sunderland res- English Premier League their shape with two banks of four legs reaching a final against fifth, their worst league perform- three goal assists, with Xavi before cued a 1-1 draw against 10-man and the big men up front, so it Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor or South ance in 14 years, but their form Messi appeared to have killed the Newcastle yesterday as Demba English Premier League results yesterday: was difficult, but we managed to Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai. has picked up dramatically since game when he made it 5-3 with a Ba’s late own goal cost his team get the goal. The two clubs are among the the appointment of Raul Caneda trademark run and clinical finish a victory over their bitter rivals QPR 1 Everton 1 Meanwhile, Everton held on for most venerable in Asia -- Al as head coach in February. in the 77th minute, his 15th La in the Tyne-Wear derby. a 1-1 draw at QPR despite Steven Ittihad were formed in 1929, and Under the Spaniard, Al Ittihad Liga hat-trick. Martin O’Neill’s team had Sunderland 1 Newcastle 1 Pienaar’s second half dismissal Al Ahli eight years later -- and were unbeaten in 22 games in all A bizarre own goal from Barca laboured in vain to break down at Loftus Road. South African they have been frequent foes in competitions until this month’s full back Jordi Alba, when he the Newcastle defence despite in their last 16 clashes, are still midfielder Pienaar was sent off Saudi Arabia’s league and cup 2-1 away loss to Guangzhou lobbed keeper Victor Valdes from having the numerical advantage waiting for their first win over the for a second booking in the 61st competitions since their first Evergrande in the second leg inside his own penalty area, gave following Newcastle midfielder Magpies since 2008. minute, but struggling QPR clash in 1938. of the Asian quarter-finals -- Depor fresh hope but they were Cheick Tiote’s 25th-minute Despite the late equaliser, were unable to take advantage as It is not the first time that although they still advanced 5-4 unable to make some late pres- dismissal. Pardew was delighted with Everton cemented their position two clubs from the same country on aggregate. sure count. AFP Newcastle, who had taken the Newcastle’s spirit and said: “It in the Premier League’s top four. have been drawn together in the The Tigers will have to cope Spanish League lead through Yohan Cabaye’s early was a magnificent effort. We said David Moyes’ side had earlier last four: South Korea’s Jeonbuk with the absence of veteran strike, were hanging on for three to the players before the game recovered from Junior Hoilett’s Motors and Ulsan Hyundai met in defender Redha Takar, who Spanish league results yesterday points at the Stadium of Light how important it was to the fans, early strike to equalise when a 2006, and Japan’s Gamba Osaka picked up yellow cards in each of Getafe 0 Levante 1 until Senegal striker Ba diverted we’ve now shown how important Sylvain Distin header deflected in and Urawa Reds clashed in 2008. the quarter-final games. Espanyol 3 Rayo Vallecano 2 John O’Shea’s header into his it is to us. off QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar’s But none of those other teams While there will be little travel Granada 1 Real Zaragoza 2 own net with just four minutes “Playing an hour with 10 men, back for an own goal. Everton are shared an age-old rivalry like Al involved in the semi-final, whose On Saturday remaining. if we could have just seen it out it now one point clear of fifth placed Ittihad and Al Ahli have devel- first leg was brought forward Deportivo La Coruna 4 Barcelona 5 Ba’s own goal ensured the would have been one of the great- Tottenham after their fifth league oped over the years. two days because of Eid celebra- Malaga 2 Valladolid 1 fourth 1-1 draw in the last six est victories ever here. But it’s a game without defeat, while QPR, Al Ittihad, who are the nomi- tions in Saudi Arabia, the winner meetings between these two old great point and I’m very proud of still without a league win this sea- nal home side for the first leg at faces a trip to either Uzbekistan Real Madrid 2 Celta Vigo 0 enemies, but Sunderland, who my players.” son, remain bottom of the table. the shared Prince Abdullah Al or South Korea for next month’s Valencia 3 Athletic Bilbao 2 have beaten Newcastle just once Sunderland defender O’Shea AGENCIES Faisal Stadium, have the richer final. AFP Monday 22 October 2012 6 Dhul-Hijja 1433 Volume 17 Number 5495 Sport Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 ‘Rain King’ West battles to second place in Malaysia The QMMF Racing Team achieves best ever Moto2 result in wet weather

SEPANG, MALAYSIA: ‘Rain unfolded that made the crowd King’ Anthony West showed cheer whenever the front group Czech Republic’s Thomas Berdych his unbelievable skills on the of four passed the grandstands. celebrates with the trophy after wet Sepang Circuit when he Two laps from the end, West winning against France’s Jo-Wilfried stormed to second place at the left Rea and Syahrin behind Tsonga in the ATP Stockholm Open Malaysian Moto2 Grand Prix, to take the second spot on the final match in Stockholm, yesterday. yesterday. podium behind race winner de The podium finished was the Angelis. QMMF Racing Team’s best ever West thanked QMMF after his Grand Prix result. podium finish. He said: “Without Berdych boosts “It’s a long time since I had QMMF, I wouldn’t be here, but I a result like this and I’m very also want to thank the team as Tour Finals happy about my comeback on a they are a great bunch of people. Grand Prix podium. The last two We all have a laugh, but at the chances with years have been really difficult for same time, they all have a lot of me and at times, my confidence experience. I am glad that I finally wasn’t great,” West said. gave them a result that shows Stockholm win He added: “But in the last two how good the team really is.” races, I started to feel really good QMMF Racing team manager STOCKHOLM: Czech Tomas with the Speed Up bike. This race Rashid Al Sulaiti was thrilled Berdych boosted his chances of now is the next push for me to with West’s podium finish. qualifying for the season-ending finish the season strong. I really “Finally we found what we were ATP World Tour Finals yester- want to thank QMMF for giving looking for during the whole sea- day when he defeated top-seeded me the opportunity to race again. son,” he said. “Today (yesterday), Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Initially, I thought I was not going he showed his special skills and 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the Stockholm to be racing this year at all and his unbelievable feeling in the Open final. now I am back on the podium rain. But we are also making big Second-seeded Berdych – things turn around quickly improvements with the set-up became the first Czech to win the sometimes.” of our new Speed Up bike in dry Moto2 race winner Alex De Angelis (centre) of San Marino celebrates next to runner-up, Anthony West (left) of Stockholm title since Ivan Lendl Elsewhere, West’s team-mate, conditions,” he said. Australia and third-place Gino Rea of Britain after the race at the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Sepang in 1989 as he claimed his eighth Elena Rosell, also had reason to “We struggled a lot in the first International Circuit near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, yesterday. With the podium finish, West’s team QMMF career crown. celebrate after finishing in 20th part of the season, but now, in achieved their best ever result so far. Berdych is number six in the position. the second part, we hope that we race to London while Tsonga West started from 19th position can continue on our way up and is at eight with only three sin- on the grid and hunted down no that we’ll be ready for next year. stay behind them. It was difficult, the rain was out of control and I not only reached her goal of fight- gles berths still up for grabs at less than 10 other riders on the I want to thank QMMF, the team because sometimes they did really didn’t think I was going to com- ing with a group of other riders, the eight-man season-ending opening lap to break into the top and our riders. Anthony West was good laps and other times, they plete too many more laps. To see but got stronger and stronger as championship. 10. He continued with the same simply fantastic today,” he added. were sliding around, so I decided the red flags come out was a big the race went on. Juan Martin del Potro, the incredible place and moved up Speaking of the race, West to sit there and watch.” relief!” In 26th position after 12 laps, number seven player, won the to sixth after lap two and fourth said: “On the first laps, I seemed He added: “The conditions were Rosell, who ran to the podium she gained six more places to fin- Vienna title yesterday to also stay after lap three. to pass lots of people quite easily. changing constantly, sometimes to celebrate West’s success with ish in 20th position, which is her in contention. AFP An exciting battle with Italian Finally, I caught up with Gino and you could brake hard and other the entire team, started from 31st personal best in GP racing, when Alex de Angelis, Briton Gino Rea Alex. They were setting a good times the track was too slick to place on the grid. the race was red-flagged because and local hero Hafizh Syahrin pace and I was quite happy just to do anything. Towards the end, The lady racer from Valencia of heavy rain. THE PENINSULA Wozniacki sinks Stosur in Kremin MotoGP: Pedrosa wins QMMF president Cup final

MOSCOW: Third seed Caroline thanks the Emir, Wozniacki of Denmark won the WTA Kremlin Cup here yester- rain-hit race in Sepang day beating Australian top seed Samantha Stosur in the final. SEPANG, Malaysia: Spain’s who started second on the grid Heir Apparent Former world number one Dani Pedrosa stormed to vic- narrowed the points gap with his Wozniacki won 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 for tory in the shortened Malaysian countryman Lorenzo, on 321, to DOHA: The Qatar Motor Qatar spent nearly $75m to her 20th career title and second Motorcycle Grand Prix yester- just 22. and Motorcycling Federation build a state-of-the-art Losail this year to level her head-te- day, keeping his championship There are two more races left (QMMF) yesterday hailed the International Circuit in 2003 head record with ninth-ranked title chase alive on a rain- in the 2012 season, in Australia support of the Emir and the and within only 9 months, held Stosur at 3-3. soaked circuit with his sixth and Valencia. Lorenzo charged Heir Apparent after a QMMF their first MotoGP race in Wozniacki, currently 11th in win of the year. away from the pack at the start Racing Team rider managed October 2004. the world, broke early for a com- The Honda rider passed pole- with hopes of winning for the the country’s first podium fin- In 2008, the same venue fortable 3-0 lead. sitter and Yamaha ace Jorge first time in the MotoGP class at ish in Moto2 racing. staged the first ever - and the Stosur broke back in the fifth Lorenzo, who is the championship Sepang. Anthony West yesterday only race so far - under lights. game but failed to level as the points leader, midway through a But as increasingly heavy rain managed a second-place finish After attending the manda- Dane produced two more breaks race which saw a raft of riders began to hit the circuit, Pedrosa at the Malaysian Grand Prix, tory press conference follow- to take the opening set in 37 crashing out. brilliantly picked up speed and the QMMF Racing Team’s ing the Moto2 race, Al Attiyah minutes. Organisers put out the red caught his arch-rival. first podium finish in Moto2 praised West for his fine Stosur, the 2011 US Open flag on lap 13 of the 20-lap race “It is my first winning in the championship. performance. champion, fought back in the sec- to stop the event due to the tor- wet and I am very happy. I could “I would like to give my thanks “Anthony thanked QMMF ond set to level at one set all after rential rain. get some rhythm and maintained to the Emir, His Highness for the support we have given one hour 20 minutes on court. It is Pedrosa’s third successive Honda rider Dani Pedrosa of Spain a constant lap,” he said. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al him. He said that during the AFP on the podium after victory in the Lorenzo said the red flag came Thani, the Heir Apparent, His press conference,” Al Atiiyah Malaysian Grand Prix MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix results out just as Pedrosa overtook him. Highness Sheikh Tamim bin said. motorcycling race at the Sepang “I was struggling when heavy Hamad Al Thani, and Sheikh “He said he always wanted to Venus wins 44th Results from the Malaysian Motorcycle Circuit, yesterday. rain poured on the track. I am Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani give back something to QMMF Grand Prix at the Sepang circuit yesterday: lucky to be second. It (the 20 on this great day,” Nasser bin because he enjoyed riding for MotoGP (13 laps out of the 20-lap race) career title points obtained for second place) Khalifa Al Attiyah, President our team. He was kind enough 1. Dani Pedrosa (ESP/Honda) 29min race win since moving up to the is good for the championship of QMMF, said from Malaysia. to say this. LUXEMBOURG: US vet- 29.049sec, 2. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/ MotoGP class. He won the race in title,” he said. “They have always supported He thanked the team eran Venus Williams won her Yamaha) at 3.774, 3. Casey Stoner (AUS/ 29 minutes 29.049 seconds while Lorenzo has finished second bike racing and it is because mechanics, and the support 44th career title yesterday and Honda) 7.144, 4. Nicky Hayden (USA/ Lorenzo was 3.774 seconds behind. on the last six occasions he has of their backing that we have staff,” the QMMF President first in over two and a half Ducati) 10.518, 5. Valentino Rossi (ITA/ Pedrosa’s Australian teammate started from pole position. The managed to create a viable added. years, when she brushed aside Ducati) 16.759, 6. Alvaro Bautista (ESP/ Casey Stoner, recovering from only race he won from pole in bike culture in the country,” Al “Today was a good day for Romanian Monica Niculescu in Honda) 17.276, 7. Hector Barbera (ESP/ an ankle injury, was third after 2012 was the season opener in Attiyah said. home riders too. There were straight sets in the Luxembourg Ducati) 50.282, 8. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/ starting from the second row. Qatar. “Their leadership in pro- some 70,000 fans at Sepang Open final. ART) 51.585, 9. James Ellison (GBR/ART) Stoner clocked in at 29 minutes Stoner, who has 230 points, moting sports, and motor and Malaysian riders did well Playing in the 71st final of her 56.676, 10. Karel Abraham (CZE/Ducati) 36.193 seconds. missed three races this season sport especially, has helped us in the 125cc category,” he added career, the 32-year-old Williams 57.622, 11. Danilo Petrucci (ITA/Ioda-Suter) With his first ever win in wet after injuring his right ankle in produce this great result,” Al yesterday. won 6-2, 6-3 in her first meet- 1:02.805, 12. Michele Pirro (ITA/FTR) conditions, and battling for his qualifying at the Indianapolis Attiyah said over phone. THE PENINSULA ing with the 25-year-old from 1:02.891 first MotoGP crown, Pedrosa Grand Prix. AFP Bucharest. AFP