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Monday 5 November 2012 20 Dhul-Hijja 1433 - Volume 17 Number 5509 Price: QR2

Qatar banking Raikkonen sector to grow wins Abu stronger Dhabi GP

Business | 18 Sport | 28

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PM in Ethiopia Media Expo Qatar Syrian rebels 2012 opens today DOHA: The second Media, Advertising and Printing Technology Exhibition (Media Expo Qatar 2012) opens today in bid to form at the Doha Exhibition Center. The three-day expo gathers a big number of people represent- ing media organisations world- wide under one roof including satellite channels, print media, govt-in-exile radio and technology provid- ers who share latest advances in media-related technology Doha meet to continue till Thursday worldwide.

DOHA: Syria’s splintered yesterday’s meet expect that their Bahrain extends opposition factions that kicked conclave would continue for three off their historic meeting here more days until Thursday and custody of activist yesterday hope to expand that the membership base of the and restructure the Syrian SNC would be expanded from the DUBAI: Bahrain has extended National Council (SNC) with a present 300 to 400 to include all the detention of a leading view to forming a provisional opposition factions. human rights activist arrested government-in-exile. SNC is to be the largest coali- last week for taking part in The SNC, though, faces an tion of the Syrian opposition out- a demonstration in the coun- uphill task in ensuring fair rep- side their country and the Council try by seven days, his lawyer resentation to all Syrian opposi- will be discussing a proposal put said yesterday. The Interior tion groups and many of those forward by a former parliamen- Ministry issued no statement present at the meet said they tarian, Riyadh Said, to find a about the case. His lawyer said expected their conclave to be new leadership for the Council The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani being presented Sayed Yousif Al Muhafda was marathon and could continue that represents all local councils a memento by Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn in Addis Ababa yesterday. The Prime Minister being investigated. until Thursday when a follow-up in Syria as well as military and is on a two-day visit to the country. meeting has been convened by the Islamic clerics’ bodies. Arab League and Qatar — which It is hoped that the new and heads a key intra-League panel expanded structure of the SNC on Syria. would be able to adopt the pro- A Syrian opposition group, the posal of forming a provisional Families shocked by firm’s marketing tactics National Coordination Committee Syrian government-in-exile for Democratic Change, has whose priority will be to elbow out meanwhile boycotted the Doha Bashar Al Assad’s regime. DOHA: Some families in Qatar method to woo potential custom- attended to by well-dressed and embarrassing solicitation to sell meet saying enough preparations Said said in remarks to say they felt harassed by what ers (families) to its office located well-mannered young men and timeshare. “We have never been have not been made to hold this Aljazeera.net that perceptions they claim is an aggressive on the sixth floor of Arab Bank women speaking their languages, subjected to such hard sell in the conclave and that they were not that the SNC is in touch with marketing campaign by an building at Grand Hamad Street. who escort them to a table in a past. It was really embarrassing. invited to take part in the pre- the Assad government on the sly India-based timeshare holiday Its representatives distribute hall. No one in this company has First of all, we went there hop- paratory process. and has the tendency to hold tacit company called Country Club. forms at shopping complexes a business card and even if they ing to collect our gift voucher However, a follow-up meet- negotiations with it are baseless. The families accuse the com- and then call them saying they have, they don’t share them with we were promised but what we ing scheduled to be held here on “The revolutionaries don’t need pany’s well-dressed sales person- have won prizes in a draw, which their potential customers. Also, were exposed to really took us Thursday’s is likely to take up any direct external intervention nel of ‘emotionally bullying’ them includes free accommodation they refuse to give in a writ- aback,” said an Indian whose wife the crucial issue of the expansion in their fight against the Assad into buying timeshare in holiday for a week at its properties at ten form the schemes they are had filled up a form at the Safari of the SNC and its success holds regime,” he said rather emphati- resorts in a number of places a dozen holiday destinations in offering. Hypermarket and went with his the key to installing a provisional cally. “What they need is qual- around the world for 30 years for India or in Sri Lanka, Thailand A soft, melodious music is family to collect the gift following Syrian government-in-exile. ity weapons to tilt the balance in around QR20,000. and Indonesia. played in the hall, and as more a phone call. Thursday’s meeting will be con- their favour.” Timeshare is a form of holi- The family, which arrives at vulnerable families walk in, a The company officials were so sultative and it is expected that Meanwhile, wire agencies said day ownership purchased either the company’s office to collect the presentation is made highlight- “shamelessly insistent”, accord- all opposition and army groups that the Doha meet is the first directly or through a club, enti- prize, is then subjected to an hour ing the concept of timeshare and ing to the potential customer, will be fairly represented in it so concerted attempt to meld oppo- tling the buyer to use for a week of lecture by the sales staff about the picturesque properties that that they wouldn’t let him and his that the expansion and restruc- sition groups based abroad and or longer an apartment, a studio the schemes which the company are on offer by ‘Country Club’ wife go despite their repeated and turing of the SNC could become align them with rebels fighting flat or a villa in a resort for a is offering and the customers are around the globe, which lasts an honest confession that they were a reality, Aljazeera.net reported in Syria. number of years or in perpetuity. asked to give a yes or no by the hour. The families are thereafter not interested in the scheme. yesterday. The news website THE PENINSULA It is also called pre-paid holiday. end of the session. subjected to what they describe THE PENINSULA said Syrian politicians attending See also page 8 The company uses a unique The visiting families are as the most aggressive and Continued on page 3

Obama, Romney Iran sets up new naval sprint to campaign finish base near Gulf islands

CONCORD: US President TEHRAN: Iran’s powerful Assembly, it said Iran’s “occupa- Barack Obama and Republican Revolutionary Guards inau- tion” violates international law. challenger Mitt Romney gurated a new naval base yes- In April, a visit by President sprinted to an unpredictable terday to reinforce Tehran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the finish in the last 48 hours of a authority over three Gulf islands inflamed the dispute over close White House race yester- islands claimed by the United the territories and prompted day, trying to turn out support- Arab Emirates (UAE), Iranian an outcry by UAE and its Arab ers and woo undecided voters in state TV reported. allies. a handful of toss-up states. The base near the Iranian Tehran later vowed to develop The two rivals crisscrossed the mainland’s southern port of the islands through tourism country on the next-to-last day Bandar-e Lengeh, some 1,100 kil- and other industries, though of a campaign that polls show is ometers south of Tehran is the little has been reported on deadlocked nationally, although Guards’ fifth in the Gulf. that since the visit. During the president appeared to have The Guards’ navy chief Gen Ali the inauguration of the base, a slight edge in the swing states Fadavi said missile and marine Guards chief Gen Mohammad that will decide who captures the units have been deployed there. Ali Jafari expressed the hope 270 electoral votes needed to win It lies north of the Iranian- that new base could support tomorrow. Hundreds of Kuwaitis protest against the new voting rules ahead of the parliamentary elections, near Kuwait City, controlled islands of Abu Musa, economic development of After months of sometimes bit- yesterday. Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb the islands. ter attacks and saturation adver- that dominate the approach to Tehran says the islands have tising in pivotal states, Obama and the strategic Strait of Hormuz, been part of states that existed Romney pressed their arguments a key waterway through which on the Iranian mainland from that they offer the best solution to about one-fifth of the world’s oil antiquity until the British occu- weak economic growth and parti- Kuwait forces teargas protesters supply passes. pied them in the early 20th san gridlock in Washington. The Revolutionary Guard and century. The two also made direct KUWAIT: Kuwaiti security Arab countries since last year, but February. That parliament was the US Navy both patrol the The UAE insists they belonged appeals for votes in a race that forces fired tear gas to disperse tension has mounted this year in effectively dissolved by a court narrow waterway, which Iran to the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah may come down to which side an unauthorised demonstration a long-running power struggle ruling in June that reinstated a had threatened to choke off in until Iran captured them by force does the best job of getting its yesterday by thousands of oppo- between parliament and the gov- more pro-government assembly, retaliation for tougher Western days before the UAE statehood supporters to the polls. sition supporters against new ernment which is dominated by but the old legislature was unable sanctions over its suspect nuclear in 1971. “It’s up to you. You have the voting rules for parliamentary the ruling Al Sabah family. to meet due to a boycott by law- programme. Iran took control of Also yesterday, Iranian news- power,” Obama told a crowd of elections on December 1. Next month’s elections will makers leading to another dis- the Arabian Gulf islands in 1971, papers reported that the country more than 14,000 people who filled Opec member and US ally be the second in Kuwait this solution and a call by the Emir, after British forces left the region. has produced a domestically- the downtown streets of Concord, Kuwait has so far avoided the year after an opposition bloc H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Since 1992, the UAE has repeat- made drone capable of hovering New Hampshire. REUTERS mass pro-democracy unrest that of Islamists, liberals and tribal Sabah, for snap elections to end edly claimed the islands and in midair. See also page 10 has toppled rulers in four other leaders won a majority in polls in the deadlock. REUTERS last month at the UN General AP MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2012 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Arab Police Sports Federation meet gets under way Assembly elects Qatari Brigadier Khaled bin Hamad Al Attiya as president of the Federation

DOHA: The Minister of State and national sports federations”, for Interior Affairs H E Sheikh the minister said. Abdullah bin Nasser bin The minister added that fit- Khalifa Al Thani inaugurated ness and sports activity are the 37th General Assembly basic requirements for personnel of the Arab Police Sports working in the security field and Federation (APSF) on Saturday appreciated efforts by the federa- at Marriott Hotel. tion in this regard. He promised The Secretary General of Arab all assistance from his part and Interior Ministers Council H E from the Arab Interior Ministers. Dr Mohammed bin Ali Koman, The minister later honoured Chief of General Authority for Chief of General Authority for Youth and Sports in Kuwait Youth and Sports in Kuwait Maj Gen (Rtd) Faisal Musaid Maj Gen (Rtd) Faisal Musaid Al Jazzaf, Head of Kuwait and Al Jazzaf, Head of Kuwait and International Police Sports International Police Sports Federations H E Maj Gen Sheikh Federation H E Maj Gen Sheikh Ahmed Al Nawwaf Al Ahmad Ahmed Al Nawwaf Al Ahmad Al-Saba, Head of Arab and Qatar Al Sabah, head of Iraqi Olympic The Minister of State for Interior Affairs H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani addressing the 37th General Assembly of the Arab Police Police Sports Federations Brig Committee Raad Hammoudi Al Sports Federation (APSF) at Marriott Hotel on Saturday. Khaled bin Hamad Al Attiya and Dulaimi, the ex-head of the APSF a number Ministry of Interior Dr Abdul Qadir Zainal Ridha, (MoI) department directors General Secretary of the APSF Olympic Committee Sheikh Saud minister. The minister also Nusra Al Amiri from UAE as The Secretary General of attended the opening ceremony. Maj Gen Mohammed Sabeeh bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, received mementos on behalf of vice president and Maj Gen Arab Interior Ministers Council The Minister welcomed the Fouda, members of the APSF Legal Consultant to the minis- UAE Police Sports Federation and Ahmed Rajai Ameen from Egypt Dr Mohammed bin Ali Koman attendants to Qatar and wished executive office Brig Saleh Saeed ter Dr Abdullah Yousuf Al Mal, Morocco Police Sports Federation. as General Secretary. said sports is one of the prior- them a nice stay. Al Matroushi, Brig Mohammed Abdullah Sultan Al Noubi on A Memorandum of Maj Gen Mohammed Abdullah ity fields of the Council given the “I find this as a nice opportu- Al Sanousi Ahmed, International behalf of late Col (Rtd) Mubarak Understanding was signed Al Marool (Saudi), Brig Belarabi importance of maintaining fitness nity to meet you and express my referee from Kuwait Police Yaqoub Mubarak Al Ali, Rsrv between Arab Police Sports Saleh Hamdan (Algeria), Col for policemen. He admired the deep admiration for the achieve- Sports Federation Saad Kumail Brig Abdullah Saad Al Sulaiti, Col Federation and International Waleed Ghanem Al Ghanem accomplishments achieved by the ments in the field sports by Arab Al Fadhli and from the General (Rsrv) Mohammed Ali Hobesh Al Police Sports Federation. (Kuwait), Col Sameer Saber APSF during the past four year police agencies, which didn’t come Secretariat of the APSF Majdi Marri and Maj (Rtd) Salman Al The General Assembly meet- Hussain Bakeer (Jordan), Col tenure under the presidency of from a vacuum, but as a result Mohammed Abu Al Majd and Mas Jumua. ing elected Brig Khaled bin Mohammed Rajab Dair Al Lail Brig Khaled Al Attiya and hoped of collective efforts from you and Sabhi Mohammed Khaleel. Maj Gen Sheikh Ahmed Al Hamad Al Attiya from Qatar as (Libya) and Dr Abdul Haqq Adku that the federation will reach into from all those concerned with the The minister also honoured Nawwaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah the President of the Federation, (Morocco) were elected as mem- new heights in the coming tenure. Arab Polices Sports Federation General Secretary of Qatari presented a memento to the Advisor Abdullah Salem bin bers of the executive body. THE PENINSULA

Ben Affleck’s ‘Argo’ set for MENA premiere at DTFF Minister to open MENA transport summit tomorrow

DOHA: Argo, directed by and where DTFF attendees will have After three weeks of its inter- DOHA: The Minister of State will have 28 speakers. UITP The participating organi- starring Ben Affleck, is set for the chance to experience the national release, ‘Argo’ has for Interior Affairs H E Sheikh officials from Brussels and the zations include the Ministry its MENA premiere at the forth- excitement of the hostage thriller already earned more than $60m Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa region, representatives from the of Municipality and Urban coming fourth Doha Tribeca before it has its official release in and is heading towards the $100m Al Thani will open the first Qatari ministries and government Planning, Qatar 2022 Supreme Film Festival (DTFF), the Doha and the region. mark at the American Box office. UITP MENA Public Transport organisations, senior stakeholders Committee, Qatar Olympic annual cultural event organised The third film directed by Ben Those interested to attend the and Large Events Summit here in Qatar developmental projects, Committee, Qatar Airways, Qatar by Doha Film Institute (DFI) to Affleck is based on events from exclusive screening of the criti- tomorrow. major business partners of Railways Company, Qatari Diar, be held from November 17 to 24. recently declassified CIA files and cally acclaimed and commer- The two-day conference to be Mowasalat and Mowasalat’s sen- Qatar Tourism Authority, Qatar Affleck’s latest flick will be reveals the extraordinary behind- cially successful ‘Argo’ may book held at the Hilton Hotel, will focus ior officials will attend the event. Foundation, a youth delegation shown on November 21 at Al the-scenes drama of the 1979 Iran through www.dohafilminstitute. on intelligent transport solutions The Opening ceremony is from various universities, the dis- Rayyan Theatre in Souq Waqif hostage crisis. com THE PENINSULA for large events. The event is scheduled for 9.30 am tomorrow abled community, other regional hosted by Mowasalat. and the sessions will take place stakeholders, members of UITP About 250 delegates from vari- from 11am until 5 pm. There will (the organiser) and speakers from ous parts of the world have reg- be a gala dinner for the guests in various parts. istered for the conference, which with a musical show. THE PENINSULA Awareness events mark first Arab Primary Health Care Day

DOHA: The Primary Health with its ultimate goal of better This message was further con- Care Corporation (PHCC) yes- health for all, including the basic firmed with the appropriate gifts terday marked the first Arab principles of primary health- that PHCC has distributed to the Primary Health Care Day by care such as equitable distribu- visitors yesterday. engaging the public in aware- tion of healthcare, community A flowerpot with an attached ness programmes at key loca- participation, health workforce message ‘Grow your health’ was tions in the city. development, use of appropriate given to the public to be a grow- PHCC representatives wel- technology and multi-sectional ing reminder of the importance comed the public at City approach. and dedication of the Primary Center, Villaggio, Landmark While primary healthcare acts Health Care Corporation. and Wathnan malls with two through a healthcare provider as The General Secretariat of the key messages: What is primary the principal point of consulta- Arab States League in the Tripoli healthcare and the importance tion for patients within a health- Declaration, seeking to improve of family medicine. care system and coordinates all the level of Primary Health Care Dr Mariam Ali Abdul Malik, specialists that the patient may Services and Family Medicine Managing Director of PHCC, need, family medicine is a medi- in the Arab States, declared said: “With a family doctor you cal speciality devoted to compre- November 4 as the Arab Day for always have a partner to guide hensive healthcare for people of Primary Health Care and Family you and help you manage your all ages. Medicine. health. That personal relation- It is a division of primary The Primary Health Care ship, along with the high profes- healthcare that takes care of the Corporation will launch the pri- sional standards and knowledge individual and the family across mary health care strategy as the of our staff is at the core of all ages, genders, diseases, and foundation of the health system PHCC’s strategy to achieve bet- parts of the body. It is based on in the country in 2013, in accord- ter health and well-being for the knowledge of the patient in the ance with the principles of Qatar people of Qatar.” context of the family and the National Vision 2030 and Qatar PHCC promoted the core idea community, emphasising disease National Health Strategy 2011- behind the primary healthcare prevention and health promotion. 2016. THE PENINSULA

Visitors selecting plants distributed by the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) as part of the first Arab Primary Health Day at the City Center yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2012 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

Emir to address Call to relocate gas storage facilities Advisory Council CMC and Municipality to form a committee to probe facilities located in residential areas at White Palace DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh DOHA: Storage of gas cylin- an example which is surrounded Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani ders in residential areas are by residential areas and contains will address the 41st session a ticking bomb that threaten inflammable materials. of the Advisory Council at people’s lives, thus there is “That’s why there is a need White Palace tomorrow. The a need to relocate them in to monitor and inspect Souq Emir’s speech will mark the areas far from homes, Central Harraj for security and safety at inauguration of the regular Municipal Council (CMC) a regular basis,” said Al Malki weekly sessions of the Council. members have said. adding inspectors should ensure The speech will highlight the A number of CMC members security and safety requirements important achievements of recently raised the issue after are always met by stores at the Qatar in the economic, politi- receiving complaints from citi- market. cal, cultural and social sectors, zens who had expressed fear of Another CMC member locally and internationally. fires that could result from these Hamad Saleh Al Hol said storage The Emir will also speak about random storage spaces close to of inflammable materials and Qatar’s role in international residential buildings. many chemicals and foodstuff and regional issues and the Storing gas cylinders in these in a place not licensed to store major issues and challenges areas may increase the possi- such is a violation of health and facing the Arab world. bility of fires posing imminent safety requirements. danger to people’s lives and “Traders always store these properties and is a violation of materials in residential areas Emir sends greetings security and safety law, they and sales outlets to facilitate said. distribution. They are making to UAE president They added these storage lots of profits sacrificing people’s DOHA: The Emir H H facilities must immediate closed safety,” said Al Hol. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al and relocated to places from res- CMC member Meshaal Al Thani and the Heir Apparent idents such as Industrial Area. Dahnem, said the issue had H H Sheikh Tamim bin CMC members referred to been raised many times asking Hamad Al Thani have sent these storage facilities as ‘time concerned departments to move Gas cylinders being loaded into a truck. cables of congratulations to bombs’ that could explode any- these storage to the Industrial the President of the United time that could harm people Area, adding the Civil Defence Arab Emirates H H Sheikh in places such as Najma where has a role to play in this issue. a committee to investigate the the dangers they would cause to residents to cooperate with Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan there are many such storage Mohammed bin Jassim Al issue. the people. “These are residen- CMC members to identify these on the anniversary of his facilities could be found. Maslamani said the CMC in Specifically the committee tial areas and we do not allow storage facilities which are usu- accession to the throne. The Jassim Al Malki, a CMC collaboration with the Doha would identify the total number such dangerous materials near ally located in residential villas. Prime Minister and Foreign member, cited Souq Harraj as Municipality would establish of these storage facilities and families,” he said, adding asking THE PENINSULA Minister H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani has also sent a similar cable. Al Sharq appoints deputy editor-in-chief Heir Apparent meets CIA Director DOHA: Khaled Al Jaber, a noted Qataris are joining the daily as part of a Foreign Ministry, Al Jazeera network DOHA: The Heir Apparent Qatari writer and columnist has been policy to recruit more qualified nation- and The Peninsula. and Deputy Commander-in- appointed as deputy Editor-in-Chief als to senior journalistic positions. Al Al Hajari holds a bachelor degree in Chief of the Qatari Armed of Al Sharq. Jaber holds a bachelor’s degree in mass mass communication from the Qatar Forces H H Sheikh Tamim Faleh Hussain Al Hajiri has been communication from Qatar University University and was previously working bin Hamad Al Thani met appointed as Deputy Editor for local and a doctorate in international media with Al Rayyan magazine. Al Marafi, the Director of US Central affairs and Abdul Azeez Ahmed Marafi, and journalism from Lester University who holds a bachelor degree from Qatar Intelligence Agency (CIA) as acting editor for sports. Abdullatheef in the UK. University in social service, had previ- General David H Petraeus at Al Mahmoud, General Manager of Dar Recently he was working as public ously worked with Al Douri Wal Kas the Emiri Diwan yesterday. Al Sharq issued a circular announc- relations director at Katara Cultural channel and Saqr sports magazine. Petraeus is on an official visit ing the new appointments. The three Village. He had also worked with the THE PENINSULA Khaled Al Jaber and Faleh Hussain Al Hajiri to Qatar. QNA/THE PENINSULA ConocoPhillips renews sponsorship of Qatar Ladies Scientific Club

DOHA: ConocoPhillips yester- day renewed its sponsorship for the third consecutive year of the Ladies Scientific Club in Qatar operating under the auspices of the Qatar Scientific Club (QSC). Gary Sykes, ConocoPhillips President in Qatar, together with other officials paid a visit yesterday to QSC to inaugurate the 2012-2013 sessions of the Ladies’ Mechanics Workshops. They were received by Ali Salem Al Ahbabi, Vice President of QSC Board and other QSC officials. The visit included a compre- hensive review of the Ladies Mechanics Workshops Program, FY2012-213, a documentary ConocoPhillips President in Qatar, Gary Sykes, and other officials visiting on the Ladies’ Scientific Club’s the Ladies’ Mechanics Workshops yesterday. activities as well as a celebration ceremony where Sykes handed and meet with its distinguished “Whereas it is undoubtedly in out graduation certificates to management as well as the mem- the interest of every individual – the ladies who have completed bers of the Girls Scientific Club. man or woman alike – to master the requirements of the 2011 ConocoPhillips continues - for the mechanics and functions of program. yet another year - to express its the vehicle he or she chooses to Al Ahbabi said: “We commend support for the activities of the drive, it is particularly important ConocoPhillips for its sustain- Girls Scientific Club, under the for ladies of all ages to master able contribution to the Ladies auspices of the Qatar Scientific such skills because they often QSC division, a commitment that Club - one of the best estab- drive not only themselves, but highlights the company’s dedica- lished non-government centers also children, friends and other tion to the causes of women and in Qatar,” said Skykes. members of the family. Such skills youth empowerment, the estab- He lauded Qatar Scientific Club will also help increase safety on lishment of a knowledge-based for fostering the cause of sci- Qatari roads in general, protect- society and supporting the role ence and research among Qatari ing pedestrians and other drivers of non-profit non-government youths, male and female alike and from potential hazards caused by organisations such as QSC.” the Girls Scientific Club’s activi- unpredictable auto mechanic fail- “It is indeed a pleasure to ties and courses for their value to ures,” he said. visit the Qatar Scientific Club participants and the community. THE PENINSULA

Families suspect company’s motives

Continued from page 1 was when he left the hall with his busy’. He took the mobile phone “You must have a credit card wife and child, an announcement number of this reporter and said — if you pay using it, we will give was made in the hall, in the pres- a senior official would be calling you a discount of 2,000 riyals,” ence of other potential customers, later tonight or the next morning. he was told. When he insisted he that he was welcome as a member The Indian embassy has not couldn’t afford the amount, he of the club. received any complaint against was even offered he could make “That was the time I decided I the company but sources said in the payment in easy installments would go to the media and expose case a complaint is filed, it would of 500 riyals a month. the company’s questionable prac- swing into action. “They told me the lucrative tices.” A few other families too Qatar’s Ministry of Business offer was valid only for that very spoke of similar experience at the and Trade, which has the day (yesterday), but we somehow hands of the company officials. authority to license such promo- managed to escape.” Meanwhile, when contacted for tions, couldn’t be immediately He added that what made him comment, an official of the com- contacted. suspect the company’s motives pany said his seniors were ‘very THE PENINSULA MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2012 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Record visitors from GCC during Eid Al Adha Hotel occupancy reaches 85pc during the holidays

DOHA: A record number of from the Abu Samra boarders structure of the tourism industry people from GCC visited Qatar and the airport along with those to create an integrated strategic during the Eid Al Adha celebra- returning from the Haj with flow- plan to place Qatar on the world’s tions this year, a Qatar Tourism ers and refreshments. map.” Authority (QTA) press release Visitors also received the list The Eid celebration under the said yesterday. of Eid programmes along with a theme “All Eyes on Qatar” swept An extensive lineup of festive Qatar map. across different parts of Qatar programme drew large number “A Large number of visitors from Al Khor to Doha and all the of people from different parts of and families from neighbouring way to Al Wakra Park. Qatar as well as the neighbouring countries flocked to spend their These included a variety of tra- countries. Eid vacation in Qatar which rein- ditional and modern shows and The Eid Al Adha festivity, forces Qatar’s position as a tour- activities to suit all tastes of fam- which spread over six days, saw ism destination in the region. We ily members. a record increase in the number thank all our partners for their QTA’s number of partners of GCC visitors reaching 72.1 per- support in making this Eid so for Eid Al Adha increased com- cent compared to Eid Al Fitr. special to all of those in and vis- pared to Eid Al Fitr to include A total of 10,318 visitors coming iting Qatar,” Issa Al Mohannadi, the Ministry of Culture, Arts from all GCC countries checked chairman of QTA, said. and Heritage; Katara, The into Qatar on the 25th of October, Celebratory activities included Pearl-Qatar, Souq Waqif, Qatar one day before Eid. folklore games, entertainment Museums Authority (QMA), Hotel occupancy reached a contests, crafts, traditional Aquapark, Aspire, Fun Land, high of 85 percent during the Qatari feasts, art performances, Dream Park, Sawt Al-Rayan, days of Eid with an average of 74 fireworks, heritage exhibitions, q.media, the Mall,the Gate, percent. concerts as well as other outdoor Lagoona Mall, Royal Plaza, In the festive spirit of Eid Al activities. Landmark Mall, Hayyat Plaza, Ahda, for the first time QTA wel- “QTA’s mission will focus on and Al Khor Mall. Artistes at a traditional Qatari music programme at a QTA event. comed visitors coming to Doha enabling the foundation and the THE PENINSULA Three renowned artists showcase works at Katara QMA to bring

DOHA: Katara, the Cultural Village, yesterday opened three exhibitions at Katara Art Galleries, ‘Art of Travel’ namely “Intangible Brides” by Japanese photographer Kimiko Yoshida, “Elizabeth Taylor in Iran, 1976” by photographer Firooz expo to Doha Zahedi and “I Dream of Jeannie” by Iranian-American artist Eric DOHA: Qatar Parnes. Museums Intangible Brides by Kimiko Authority (QMA) Yoshida is a collection of works will highlight which features her interpretation the importance of the Middle Eastern, Arab and of European- North African traditional dress and Ottoman rela- accessories. tions through the Through her unique work, Yoshida Qatar Orientalist reveals a blend of countless cultures, Museum’s exhibi- rituals and mythologies to summon tion titled “The timeless female beauty whilst empha- Art of Travel: sising not only the differences between Bartholomäus human diversity but also the similari- Schachman (1559- ties. The exhibition which marks the 1614)” to open on last event which celebrates 40 years of November 15 at Al friendship between Qatar and Japan Riwaq exhibition will run until December 1 at Gallery space next to the 2, Building 18. Museum of Islamic Sa’id Costa, Curator of Visual Iranian-American artist Eric Parnes explains his work ‘I Dream of Jeannie’, to Abdul Rahman Al Khulaifi, President of Katara Art (MIA). Arts Exhibitions and Educational Cultural Village, and other guests during the opening of the exhibition at the Katara yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT Held under Programmes said, “Last night was a the patronage great success, we were joined by VIP of H E Sheikha guests, the creative community and to come and enjoy these spectacular who together present a rich variety of to study at Georgetown University’s Al Mayassa bint well known art professionals in Qatar. exhibitions. We are delighted to part- artworks. This event is a testimonial School of Foreign Service when he Hamad Al Thani, We look forward to welcoming visitors ner with these three talented artists, of our commitment to provide a plat- became friends with Elizabeth Taylor Qatar Museums form for world class artists to show- and Andy Warhol. Authority (QMA) case their artistic skills and enhance He then went on to photograph Chairperson, the creative engagement and promote Barbra Streisand, Meryl Streep, Art of Travel exhi- knowledge exchange,” Sa’id added. Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie, bition will run until “Elizabeth Taylor in Iran” presents Paul Newman, John Travolta, and February 11 next exclusive photographs of the late Leonardo DiCaprio. year. actress which have never been seen The works will be on display until Curated by Dr before in the Middle East, during her December 1 at Gallery 1, Building 19. Olga Nefedova, visit to Iran in 1976. Eric Parnes who presented I Dream Collections The American- Iranian photogra- of Jeannie is also participating in the Director of Two of the paintings that will go on pher, Firooz Zahedi moved to the US International Artist in Residency the Orientalist show at the QMA’s ‘Art of Travel’ Programme which is Museum; the exhi- exhibition. developed and supported bition will intro- by Katara in three artist duce visitors to the studios. The artist uses story of a journey to the Ottoman Empire done by a variety of mediums Bartholomäus Schachman (1559-1614), mayor of Danzig including mixed media (Gdansk), traveller and explorer, art patron and collec- objects and sculpture, tor, benefactor and connoisseur, who travelled through painting, video instal- Europe, Middle East and North Africa between 1588 lation, photography, and 1589. and unique materials. After his travel he commissioned an album, dated The exhibition which is 1590, consisting of 105 full-page watercolour and pencil curated by Sa’id Costa drawings on paper documenting what he saw during will run until November his travels, depicting the costumes and people of the 24 at Katara Gallery 2, Ottoman Empire, together with scenes of everyday life, Building 19. festivals and ceremonies. THE PENINSULA The exhibition, shaped and formed around the album, will provide visitors with a fascinating and vivid view back in time to 16th century Danzig and Istanbul, and the life of Bartholomäus Schachman. A similar joint exhibition by QMA’s Qatar Orientalist Museum and the National Museums of Danzig opened in Gdansk, Poland from July 16 to October 15 and wit- nessed huge turn out from a wide spectrum of com- munity members. An education programme will complement the exhibition including an international conference on December 9 during which distinguished scholars from art history, cultural studies, literature, architectural history, and Ottoman history, as well as museum profes- sionals from Poland, Austria, and Qatar, will explore the subject of 16th century orientalism in art and history. Among the speakers are: Olga Nefedova (Orientalist Museum, Doha), Sara Al Mana (Orientalist Museum, Doha), Tadeusz Majda (Professor Ordinarius, Warsaw University), Harold Lacom (writer and translator, Vienna) and Magdalena Mielnik (National Museum, Gdansk). A number of creative and interactive workshops for families and schools are also scheduled to be held throughout the exhibition allowing visitors to create illustrations and dresses inspired by the orientalist paintings and Ottoman costumes. A bilingual illustrated book by Olga Nefedova, with additional texts by Anna Frackowska, Sara Al Mana and Hyejung Yum published by Skira will accompany the exhibition. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2012 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Syrian rebels seize oilfield; down jets Triple air strikes rattle Al Bab

DAMASCUS: Rebels seized a The fighting began at dawn and major oilfield and shot down a lasted several hours, said Abdel warplane in eastern Syria yes- Rahman, adding that 40 sol- terday, a watchdog said, notch- diers on guard were either killed, ing up new battlefield successes. wounded or taken prisoner. The rebel advances in the east- The Observatory later ern province of Deir Ezzor came announced rebels in Deir Ezzor as their positions were pounded had shot down a warplane, citing by warplanes around the capital witnesses. Damascus and in the northern The group, which gathers its provinces of Aleppo and Idlib. information from a network of State media also reported that activists, lawyers and medics in a blast near the Dama Rose Hotel civilian and military hospitals, in the heart of Damascus wounded said initial reports indicated the 11 civilians. It blamed the explo- pilot had been captured. sion on “terrorists” — the regime’s Fighting also erupted near term for armed rebels. a political intelligence office The hotel hosted UN-Arab in Damascus province, the League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi Observatory said, adding that during his visits to Damascus. warplanes later carried out three The office of the Ombudsman, raids on the Ghuta region north- Syrians take cover as a second bomb explodes while they were undertaking a rescue attempt at a building that was hit by a previous bomb during an headed by diplomat Mokhtar east of the capital. air raid by government forces in the northern Syrian city of Al Bab yesterday. Lamani, is also there. A correspondent in Aleppo The Syrian Observatory for province reported three air Human Rights said the seizure strikes in close succession on the Ambulances raced through Al school, the huge blast kicked up a reminder that death from the doorway by the first air strike and of the eastern oilfield marked a town of Al Bab, with witnesses Bab, hurtling pell-mell through a cloud of dust, stones and debris skies can happen to anyone and then finished off by flying shrap- first by the opposition since the saying there were at least four the clogged traffic, sirens wailing, flying through the air, across the at any time. nel in one of the other blasts. revolt against President Bashar fatalities. to recover the casualties. street and into nearby buildings. Father of three and 42-year-old The next time Hamza came Al Assad’s regime erupted in The Observatory gave an initial Overhead, the pilot circled It was a 20-minute sortie that engineer Adnan Hamza left home home he was dead, his head March 2011. toll of 96 dead — 35 civilians, 41 before making another pass. medics said killed at least four on Sunday morning to chair a civil wrapped in a bloodstained band- “Rebels in the Jaafar Tayyar soldiers and 20 rebels — nation- Rescue workers were already people and wounded eight others council meeting in the rebel-con- age and his body in a blanket, laid Brigade took control of Al Ward wide yesterday. clawing through the rubble, — the latest victims in a nearly trolled town, 35 kilometres (22 out on the floor of the front room oil field, east of the town of Meanwhile, the Syrian war- desperately searching for the 20-month uprising that has miles) northeast of Syria’s second where his brothers paid their last Mayadin, after a siege that lasted plane screeched over the centre wounded when the pilot dropped morphed into civil war. city of Aleppo. respects. several days,” it said. of town, forcing terrified civilians his second bomb. For the families, it means a life- He never saw his wife and chil- A friend said it would have been “This is the first time the rebels to run for cover as the deafening But even then, it wasn’t over. time of sorrow and a thirst for dren again. his last day as head of the coun- have taken control of an oil field,” bomb explosion devastated fami- When he dropped the third revenge. Mourners said he had been cil, because the position rotates Observatory director Rami Abdel lies and shattered an otherwise bomb, this time not on a civilian For friends and neighbours on his way to the meeting when among members every month. Rahman said. peaceful yesterday. home but on the nearby Islamic who escaped unscathed, it was he was mortally wounded in the AFP

Rival militias battle on Tripoli Libya cabinet to Bahrain extends rights be sworn in streets with guns, grenades on Thursday activist’s detention TRIPOLI: Rival state-sanc- for various armed groups that militia belonging called Support TRIPOLI: Libya’s new gov- DUBAI: Bahrain has extended is a base for the US Fifth Fleet, tioned Libyan militias fired guns refused to join the official police Unite No. 8 led by Mohamed Al ernment is to be sworn in on the detention of a leading which patrols oil shipping lanes in and rocket-propelled grenades or army, saying they were still run Warfali. November 8, the head of the human rights activist arrested the Gulf region. at each other in the Libyan cap- by Gaddafi loyalists. A group of rival militias — also national assembly said yesterday, last week for taking part in a Earlier last week, Bahrain’s ital yesterday, leaving the police Civilians blocked the street belonging to the SCC — fired at following protests over some of demonstration in the Gulf Arab interior minister said all ral- powerless to protect locals. where the fighting raged to pre- the building from a former post the ministers in the cabinet. state by seven days, his lawyer lies and gatherings had been At least five people were vent cars from entering the bat- office. “The swearing-in ceremony will said yesterday. banned to ensure public safety, wounded and a stray bullet tleground where the sound of “Mohamed Al Warfali and his be on Thursday (November 8),” Lawyer Mohammed Al Jishi a move condemned by Amnesty entered a hospital, causing panic gunfire rang out. Many civilians lawless group of men have occu- Mohammed Megaryef said during said Sayed Yousif Al Muhafda, International as a violation of the and increasing concerns about went home to get their own arms. pied the SSC building and refuse a televised meeting of the General a leading figure at the Bahrain right to freedom of expression Libya’s precarious security situ- “We called the police early to come out,” said militia mem- National Congress, the country’s Centre for Human Rights, was and peaceful assembly. ation a year after the ouster of in the morning to help us stop ber Mohamed Al Himrazy who highest political authority. being investigated on charges Leading rights activists Nabeel Muammar Gaddafi. the shooting, but no one came,” accused Warfali’s group of break- Libya’s elected representatives of illegally gathering and taking Rajab and Zainab Al Khawaja were By early afternoon the head- resident Khaled Mohamed told ing SSC rules. gave their approval on October part in an unauthorised march arrested in recent months. Rajab is quarters of a Supreme Security Reuters. The SSC, run and paid for by 31 to a 30-member cabinet pre- last Friday, the day of his arrest. appealing convictions for gathering Committee (SSC) militia, a body A stray bullet caused panic the Interior Ministry, is much sented by premier-designate Ali The Interior Ministry issued no illegally. Khawaja was jailed for two set up last year to try to regu- at the nearby Tripoli Central better armed that the official Zeidan weeks after rejecting his statement about the case. months in October for tearing up a late armed groups, was in flames Hospital, sending doctors and police. The ministry has repeat- predecessor’s line-up. Jishi said Friday’s protest took picture of King HM Sheikh Hamad and being looted by members of nurses running for cover. Dr. edly promised to disarm the mili- The chief task of the new gov- place in Diraz, a Shia Muslim dis- bin Isa Al Khalifa. a rival militia faction, witnesses Khaled Ben Nour said five casu- tias but has yet to do so, to the ernment is to organise fresh elec- trict west of Manama. Muhafda says The government said last month said. Local shops were also looted. alties had been brought in. disgust of many Libyans. tions within 12 months on the he went there to follow up on reports that four men had been detained The fight erupted just after “We have real patients with “The government needs to find basis of a new constitution, which of injuries after clashes, Jishi said. on charges of defaming the king on midnight due to a dispute over real needs. These rogue militias a solution for this security mess,” has yet to be drafted. Bahrain, where the Sunni Al Twitter. Jishi said the courts were a detained member of one of the need to leave us in peace so we said resident Khaled Ahmed. “It’s The new cabinet includes mem- Khalifa family rules over a major- prosecuting six such cases. armed groups, residents in the can do our jobs,” Ben Nour said. been two years since the revolu- bers of the main Islamist and lib- ity Shia population, has stepped Thirteen leaders of last year’s southern district of Sidi Khalifa SSC members at the scene said tion and there is still no security. eral parties in the assembly, but up efforts to quell an uprising protests remain in jail serving said. that the SSC headquarters — a They either need to find a solution key portfolios were entrusted to that has simmered since mass terms of between five and 25 Both militias are affiliated former intelligence building — had or we take to the streets again.” independents. protests broke out in February years. to the SSC, an umbrella group been occupied by one particular REUTERS AFP and March 2011. The kingdom REUTERS MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2012 06 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

Editorial ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN: SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: KHALID AL SAYED Myanmar crisis E-MAIL: [email protected] ACTING MANAGING EDITOR: HUSSAIN AHMAD Suu Kyi’s statement that she E-MAIL: [email protected] cannot help Rohingyas shows her EDITORIAL: TEL: 44557741 / 44557743 FAX: 44557746 / 44557758 P. O. BOX: 3488, DOHA, QATAR. lack of moral courage. E-MAIL: [email protected] OBEL laureate Aung San Suu Kyi’s statement in an interview leadership, if you want to call it that, to promote a particular cause ADVERTISING: TEL: 44557837 / 780 FAX: 44557870 with the BBC that she cannot speak out on behalf of Rohingya without really looking at the sources of the problems,” Suu Kyi told the CLASSIFIED: E-MAIL: NMuslims reflects poorly on her moral courage. The communal BBC on Saturday. Speaking in the capital Naypyidaw after talks with 44557857 [email protected] riots in Rakhine state has been the biggest challenge Myanmar has European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, who has said SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY been facing and it has tarnished the country’s image abroad, especially the EU is “deeply concerned” about the violence and its consequences at a time when it is making fast progress in democratic reforms and is for Myanmar’s reforms, Suu Kyi said she could not speak out in favour TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 struggling to get rehabilitated. of the stateless Rohingya. E-MAIL: [email protected] The Nobel laureate insisted she will not use “moral leadership” to Suu Kyi is aware that any support for Rohingya will cost her politi- SUBSCRIPTION RATES back either side in deadly communal unrest in west Myanmar. She cally and will result in a loss of her popularity. Such is the virulence ANNUAL has caused disappointment among international community for her of anti-Muslim feelings in the country that even the government is QR 675 muted response to violence that has swept Rakhine state, and said forced to tread cautiously and has rejected offers of help from Islamic 6 MONTHS QR 340 both Buddhist and Muslim communities were “displeased” that she countries. had not taken their side. Suu Kyi’s helplessness makes the Rohingyas problem in Myanmar The United Nations and the global community are extremely wor- more complicated. It shows the need for more international pressure ried about the violence in Myanmar, which is continuing without any both on the government and Suu Kyi to protect the minorities in the solution in sight as majority of Buddhists in the state are against any country. Western and Islamic countries must link any aid to the coun- solution which will give any rights to Rohingyas. More than 100,000 try to the restoration of peace and the government must be asked to people have been displaced since June in two major outbreaks of vio- educate Buddhists about the need to give more rights to them. PUBLICATION lence in the state, where renewed clashes last month uprooted about The Rohingya, who make up the vast majority of those displaced 30,000 people. Dozens have been killed on both sides and thousands in the fighting, are described by the UN as among the world’s most of homes torched. persecuted minorities. The world should not turn a blind eye to their “I am urging tolerance but I do not think one should use one’s moral suffering.

France will spare no The other side effort to guarantee Lebanon’s independence, Quote of unity and security. Francois Hollande Drone war the day French President

T’S been 10 years since the first strike by an armed US drone killed an Al Qaeda leader and five associates in Yemen. Since Ithen, according to unofficial counts, there have been more than 400 “targeted killing” drone attacks in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia — countries where the United States is not fighting a conventional war. About 3,000 people have been killed, including scores — maybe hundreds — of civilians. And though the United States is winding down its military mission in Afghanistan, the Obama administra- tion, as The Post’s Greg Miller reported last week, “expects to con- tinue adding names to kill or capture lists for years.” All of this causes increasing unease among Americans of both politi- cal parties — not to mention many US allies. They are disturbed by the antiseptic nature of US personnel launching strikes that they watch on screens hundreds or thousands of miles from the action. They question whether drone attacks are legal. They ask why the process of choos- ing names for the kill list as well as the strikes themselves are secret and whether such clandestine warfare does more harm than good to long-term US interests. Some of these anxieties seem to us misplaced. But the means and objectives of drone attacks — and the Obama administration’s steps toward institutionalizing the system — deserve much more debate than they have attracted during the presidential campaign. Start with the misconceptions: Many critics second Kurt Volker, a former US ambassador to NATO under President George W. Bush, who wrote on The Post op-ed page Sunday that drone strikes allow US adversaries to portray the United States as “a distant, high-tech, amoral purveyor of death.” While drones may indeed prompt such propaganda, they are really a more effective and — yes — humane way to conduct one of the age-old tactics for combating an irregular enemy: identifying and eliminating its leaders. That drones do not put the lives of US soldiers at risk and cause fewer collateral deaths are virtues, not evils. Similarly, Mr. Volker asks “what we would say if others used drones to take out their opponents” — such as Russia in Chechnya or China in Tibet. The answer is twofold: Other nations will inevitably acquire and use armed drones, just as they have adopted all previous advances in military technology, from the bayonet to the cruise missile. But the legal and moral standards of warfare will not change. THE WASHINGTON POST Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Europe must impose sanctions on Israel

BY JAMAL ZAHALKA rising political star. to the right, at a time of greater for the toppling of President and influence, this coalition at of politics that are rejected in Netanyahu’s avowed objective extremism in Israeli politics. Mahmoud Abbas, despite the the heart of government sug- Europe be accommodated in the HEAD of the Israeli is to assemble a major politi- Previously, Lieberman was very fact that the Palestinian leader gests a sharp rise in levels of Holy Land? elections next January, cal force that would guarantee much on the margins. When he has maintained the peace in the racism and a dramatic decline The last government and Aa merger between the his re-election and ensure his became minister of transport, shadow of the occupation, and in democracy. Knesset, whose term has just parties of the Prime Minister, dominance of the Israeli right. a minister in the Labour party continues to pursue negotia- Central to Lieberman’s poli- ended, was the most extremist Benjamin Netanyahu, and Lieberman is the main benefici- resigned, refusing to sit at the tions – even in the absence of tics is official recognition for the so far; in the upcoming elec- the foreign minister, Avigdor ary of this alliance: it guaran- same table with him. an Israeli partner. Lieberman annexation of Jerusalem and tions the situation is likely to Lieberman, has been announced. tees power for his party, Yisrael After that, Lieberman also called for economic, politi- the illegal Jewish settlements, change for the worse. So what They are to contest the elec- Beiteinu, and under the agree- became the foreign minister. cal and security sanctions on in exchange for the transfer of should we do? I believe trying tions on a joint list, intending ment, Lieberman can choose Many thought this would pro- the Palestinian Authority after major Arab population centres to persuade Netanyahu and to become the largest bloc in the to run whatever ministry he voke the ire of the international it began diplomatic moves in Israel to Palestine. Altogether, his government to adopt more Knesset. desires, including the impor- community. But he was warmly to gain UN recognition for a Lieberman’s aim is to make the moderate policies is a waste of The move is seen as an tant ministry of defence. He will received in European capitals. If Palestinian state. citizenship of Palestinian Arabs time and effort. The only way to achievement for both men. gain political legitimacy and be one had said 10 years ago that Lieberman has espoused poli- conditional and temporary. ensure change is through pres- Netanyahu was shaken by the transformed from a mere par- Lieberman would become for- cies hostile to Arab citizens of Ultimately, this could result in sure and sanctions on the Israeli recent decline in the popularity ticipant in a coalition govern- eign minister, one would have Israel, who constitute 17% of a pure Jewish state, free of Arab government. of his Likud party at the rate of ment to a key player. If in recent been accused of ignorance, if the population. The slogan of his citizens. Netanyahu’s political conduct one seat per week. More specifi- years the government has been not of hostility and incitement party is “No citizenship without When Jörg Haider and his shows that he bows only when cally, his apprehension revolved a construct of Netanyahu and against Israel. loyalty”; he seeks to oblige Arabs extreme right party entered confronted. Whoever wants a around the possible return of Ehud Barak, the defence min- Among the obvious out- citizens to declare loyalty to the the Austrian government, just peace and to prevent loom- Ehud Olmert, the former Israeli ister, the next government will comes of this new coalition Zionist state as a condition for several European countries ing wars, whoever wants to put prime minister, as leader of an be a Netanyahu-Lieberman is the fact that Likud has citizenship, including the right imposed sanctions. Lieberman an end to the crimes committed opposition alliance consisting of one. Lieberman can also con- become more extremist, and to vote and become members is far more dangerous than by occupation, whoever wants Tzipi Livni, the former foreign test Likud’s leadership after Lieberman more influential of the Knesset. As the danger Haider. His stature is proof that to combat racism, must help in minister; Shaul Mofaz, leader Netanyahu. and more dangerous. A few of racism depends not only on extremism has come to domi- imposing sanctions. of Kadima; and Yair Labed, a The alliance reflects a lunge months ago Lieberman called its callousness but on its power nate in Israel. Should the kind THE GUARDIAN MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2012 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 NY plans to tame sea, but who pays?

recovery projects. And getting that kind To many New of money is going to be increasingly difficult given the lack of consensus in Washington on how to handle the U.S. Yorkers, Sandy’s government’s large budget deficit and soaring debt. destruction came “We have to get a long-term commit- ment from the federal government to put money up, which can be contingent as a shock. But on the state and local governments pro- ducing a significant match,” said former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell. to scientists, Rendell, a major advocate of private sector involvement in infrastructure engineers, finance, argued that public-private part- nerships could be part of the funding mix for such projects. environmentalists Even though something like levees would be not be revenue-generating, private ownership or management was and public still an option, said Raj Agrawal, head of infrastructure for North America at officials, this was investment firm KKR & Co LP. “If you get this under private owner- ship or private operation, you can cer- a tragedy waiting tainly raise more capital than you could in the bond market by getting a capital infusion of funds from a private party,” to happen. he said.

BY GREG ROUMELIOTIS POLITICAL DECISIONS In Europe, the Delta Works in the hen Jeroen Aerts, a Netherlands, as well as the Thames Dutchman tasked Barrier in Britain, were both kicked off with crafting a plan to after the North Sea Flood of 1953 and defend New York City are early examples of how major storms from flooding, first can result in significant infrastructure Wlooked at its coastline seven years ago, investments. he was taken aback by how vulnerable The United States has not always it was. been quick off the mark in erecting such Unlike some of the other large cities defenses. Storm surge barriers off Rhode around the world, such as London and Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts Amsterdam, that have comprehensive were constructed in the 1960s as a result flood defence systems with levees and of a hurricane in 1938, said Graeme storm surge barriers, New York was Mark Baronowski shovels sand for removal, from the living room of a beach front property into a wheel barrow, in Bay Head, New Jersey, Forsyth, a technical director at engineer- completely at the mercy of the elements. yesterday. ing consultancy Halcrow. “I was looking at the water and won- “The design may take two years, the dering — where are the levees?” said barrier linking Sandy Hook in New destruction came as a shock. But to infrastructure. The latest relevant report construction might take six, and the rest Aerts, a professor of environmental risk Jersey to the Rockaway Peninsula in scientists, engineers, environmentalists from Comptroller Liu’s office projects the of it is more to do with getting the ball management at the VU University in Long Island. and public officials, this was a tragedy city to be $18.28 billion below its general rolling politically, getting the funding in Amsterdam and an adviser to New York Aerts estimates storm surge barriers waiting to happen. A 2007 study by the debt limit by July 2013 and $18.74 billion place and all that kind of thing,” said City. “Nobody was doing anything on could cost between $10bn to $17bn, while Organization for Economic Co-operation by July 2014. Forsyth, whose firm is behind a storm flood risk.” additional defences such as levees and and Development (OECD) ranked “I don’t see tight debt capacity as a surge barrier for St Petersburg, Russia, As the devastation after super storm adding sand to eroding beaches could cost greater New York second among the hurdle down the road,” said George that cost $6.9bn. Sandy this week made all too clear, little another $10bn to $12bn. world’s large port cities most exposed Friedlander, chief municipal strategist Still, construction of the storm surge progress has been made since Aerts first Even if the city were to find that kind to coastal flooding based on the value of at Citigroup Inc. barrier in New Orleans was completed looked at the Atlantic Ocean from New of money, an infrastructure project on their property. But the city’s government is likely to in 2011 - just six years after Hurricane York’s shores. The storm caused wide- such a scale can take more than eight “People have said for many years — be loath to jeopardize its strong credit Katrina devastated the city. spread flooding, power outages, travel years to build, which means New Yorkers specifically since Hurricane Katrina in the municipal bond markets. It will “My experience in other countries chaos and left more than 40 people dead would be exposed to the fury of any such hit New Orleans — that New York City have to clinch a deal with the s t ate, with this kind of project is that these are in New York City. Early estimates predict storm in the meantime. was prone to such a super storm,” New the federal government, as well as other political decisions. If the population is in it also caused up to $18bn in economic As shown in the past week, the city’s York City Comptroller John Liu said on states vested in this, particularly New favor of it, then a politician will say we’ll losses in New York state alone. current strategy is to take precautions Thursday. Still it took Hurricane Irene Jersey, at a time when relations between go for it. ... Now we have momentum,” New York state and city officials have — such as evacuations from areas that in August last year for the city to seri- Democrats and Republicans are highly said Aerts. started talking about the need for a flood easily — then take the hit and try ously start exploring a flood plan, accord- polarized. Some skeptics argue that barriers and comprehensive flood defence system, to recover as best as it can. ing to Aerts, who said the city asked him “When we saved New York City from other large-scale infrastructure projects but many obstacles remain. According to “The city’s approach is something that to develop a comprehensive cost-benefit bankruptcy thirty years ago, Governor are not cost-effective because they pro- Aerts’ top estimate, it could cost as much they call ‘resilience’. If they are hit by a analysis for a flood strategy. (Hugh) Carey got people together and tect only specific areas. as $29bn to build and implement. The storm and they have flooding there will After Sandy, the momentum behind made them understand they were bet- “There is too much coastline. In a question of who will pay for it remains be damage but after the storm they can such a plan is set to build. Andrew ter off talking to each other,” said Wall funny kind of way you can protect one unresolved. clean up... kind of repairing the dam- Cuomo, governor of New York state, said Street veteran Felix Rohatyn, currently area at the expense of another. I don’t Most comprehensive proposals for age after it’s happening, bouncing back,” this week that infrastructure will need to a special adviser to Kenneth M. Jacobs, think huge capital infrastructure like storm surge defences involve a system of said Malcolm Bowman, an oceanography be re-examined and reinforced. CEO at the Lazard investment bank. “I’m that is going to be constructive,” said two to four barriers, each spanning from professor at Long Island’s Stony Brook But it is not clear how New York will worried this is something we cannot do Steven Cohen, a professor at Columbia half a kilomwetre to 9.6km and towering University. “Obviously it is not enough.” pay for it, and it may well take an act of today.” University’s School of International and about 9 metres above sea level. This is to New York City and state officials did Congress to prevent the next act of God Public Affairs. Aerts, though, says he is be supplemented by levees, dikes, bulk- not respond to a request for comment from bringing the world’s financial centre FEDERAL MONEY producing an estimate for the cost of bar- heads and beach strengthening. on the question of flood barriers. A city to its knees again. Federal money may prove key to any riers to give to the city’s government. One of the most prominent plans calls spokesperson also did not respond to a “We have to weigh our damages against major flood protection program. This “In the short-term, you can look at for a 0.84-mile East River storm surge request to comment on the significance the cost of building such a levee system,” would mean negotiating funds with existing building codes to make sure that barrier from Whitestone in Queens to of Aerts’ role. The city will occasionally said Liu. Congress rather than relying on the they are maintained. In the longer term, Throgs Neck Bridge in the Bronx, and tap advisers to carry out research. On paper, New York City has the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the barriers come into play,” Aerts said. a much longer 5.92-mile Outer Harbour To many New Yorkers, Sandy’s capacity to borrow more to spend on which reimburses states and cities for REUTERS Obama’s most likely flip-flops in his second term

BY JOSHUA E KEATING but doesn’t specify troop levels. of the pipeline, up a buffer zones the initiative has been successful have his own change of heart. Some military officials say as and the original between the two in getting Russian cooperation GITMO hoever wins on many as 25,000 US troops could decision gives him countries — though on a variety of issues includ- Can you flip-flop on the same November 6, expect remain in Afghanistan after 2014. plenty of wiggle the form this sup- ing nuclear weapons, Iran and issue twice? Obama’s failure to Wa few more shakes room to revisit port would take is supply routes into Afghanistan. follow through on the executive of the Etch-a-Sketch. Here are KEYSTONE XL the Canadian still unclear. The But in recent days, Russia has order he signed in January 2009 five issues Obama might want to For all the attention it’s gotten pipeline after the United States is kicked out USAID, withdrawn closing the detention centre at reverse course on. on the campaign trail, Obama’s election, when also taking on a from a 20-year pact to secure Guantánamo Bay was one of the decision to reject the construc- he’s not worried greater political loose nuclear material, and been biggest disappointments for his AFGHANISTAN tion of the Keystone XL oil pipe- about disaffected role in the Syrian accused of continuing to sup- liberal supporters. In his second Obama’s campaign promises to line, which would transport oil environmentalists opposition, help- ply weapons to the Syrian gov- term, he’s likely to disappoint “transition security responsibility from the controversial tar sands staying home. ing to set up a ernment. Russia has likely gone them all over again. to the Afghan people, and is on of Alberta, Canada, was really new leadership as far as it is willing to on Iran “I still want to close track to responsibly end the war more of a delay. Though environ- SYRIA body to unite the sanctions and the reduced — if Guantánamo. We haven’t there in 2014.” Vice President Joe mentalists cautiously applauded Obama has major rebel fac- not eliminated — US presence been able to get that through Biden was even more explicit in the decision at the time, Obama’s ruled out imposing a no-fly zone tions. There’s also the possibility in Afghanistan will make the Congress,” Obama told the Daily his debate with Paul Ryan, saying, objection to the project was actu- or providing weapons to rebels that Nato member Turkey might Northern Distribution Network Show’s Jon Stewart in October. “We are leaving in 2014, period.” ally rooted in the 60-day-dead- in Syria unless it appears that invoke Article 5 — which commits less of a factor. The Kremlin is Yes, the GOP-controlled House Of course, it all depends on what line Congress had insisted on for Bashar Al Assad’s weapons of members to defence of their fel- also now crowing over what it has been an obstacle in closing the your definitions of the words approval of the project rather mass destruction may fall into low states — in response to fur- sees as the vindication of its facility, but little about Obama’s “end” and “leaving” are. than environmental concerns the wrong hands. But circum- ther provocations from Syria. opposition to the international record in office indicates that it’s The State Department says over what climate scientist James stances on the ground may push Obama would likely wish to intervention in Libya. The United been a major priority. Obama has it is conducting negotiations Hansen calls “essentially game the administration to take on a avoid another military entangle- States has also been showing a bit ordered the resumption of mili- with the Afghan government to over” for the planet. greater role. Earlier this month, it ment in the Middle East, but it’s more willingness lately to criti- tary commissions at Gitmo and extend the US troop presence in “I’m disappointed that was reported that 150 US troops quite possible he will no longer cise the Kremlin on human rights signed a Defense Authorization the country past 2014 in order Republicans in Congress forced had been deployed to Jordan to have that option if the situation grounds. Act allowing the military to indef- to conduct counterterrorism this decision, but it does not help prepare for a flood of Syrian continues to deteriorate. After friendly first-term rela- initely detain terrorist suspects, operations and continue train- change my administration’s refugees and work on contin- tions best remembered for George including US citizens, without ing Afghan forces. The Strategic commitment to American- gency plans if the Syrian govern- THE RESET W Bush’s claim to have seen into trial. Partnership Agreement signed made energy that creates jobs ment loses control of its chemical Launched with high hopes — Putin’s soul, things were much Assuming the Democrats don’t by Obama and Afghan President and reduces our dependence on weapons. if poor spelling — in early 2009, frostier in the second term. With win back both houses of Congress, Hamid Karzai in May promises oil,” Obama said at the time. In Officials have also discussed the vaunted “reset” in relations Putin now back in power, having it seems unlikely that Obama will an ongoing US commitment to March, Obama approved con- the possibility of the US support- with Russia has seen better days. supplanted interregnum leader spend political capital on this. Afghanistan’s security until 2024 struction of the southern portion ing Jordanian troops in setting Senior US officials maintain that Dmitry Medvedev, Obama may WP-BLOOMBERG MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2012 08 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Abbas denies Palestinians’ cars vandalised giving up right to return Thousands protest in Gaza Strip

RAMALLAH: Palestinian including that of the refugees, will leader Mahmoud Abbas has be put on the table for discussion denied giving up on the refu- in the final phase,” he clarified. gees’ right of return, saying “The refugee issue, based on remarks about not returning to UN Resolution 194, will be sub- his home town, which is now in jected to a popular referendum Israel, was a “personal position.” and people will either accept it “I have never and will never or reject it.” give up the right of return,” he Commenting on the Friday told Egypt’s Al Hayatt Egyptian night interview, Israeli Prime satellite channel late on Saturday, Minister Benjamin Netanyahu according to a transcript released noted that the Palestinian leader yesterday. had quickly gone back on his In the interview, Abbas sought comments, and said Abbas’s real to explain remarks he made in an stance on the refugees would only interview with Israel’s Channel 2 become clear in direct peace talks. television on Friday in which he “I watched the interview with appeared to renege on the right of President Abbas at the weekend. I Palestinian refugees to return to heard that since then, he has gone homes they either fled from or were back on his words,” he said at the forced out of during the 1948 war start of the weekly cabinet meeting which attended Israel’s creation. in remarks his relayed by his office. “I want to see Safed,” he told “Only through direct nego- Channel 2, referring to the town tiations can we clarify what the Palestinian men change the tyre of a vandalised car with a graffiti in Hebrew in Shuafat, in Israeli annexed East Jerusalem, yesterday. Palestinian where he grew up which is now in real positions are. If Abu Mazen cars were vandalised overnight in an attack that bore the hallmarks of a hate crime by rightwing Israeli extremists. northern Israel. “It’s my right to (Abbas) is really serious about see it but not to live there.” advancing peace, then from my His remarks were hailed as perspective we can sit down “courageous” by Israeli President together immediately,” he said. Shimon Peres but sparked fury in There are more than four mil- Iraq court hands fugitive VP 4th death sentence the Hamas-run Gaza Strip where lion Palestinian refugees scattered thousands poured onto the streets across the region — those who fled in protest. “Talking about Safed or were expelled in 1948, and their BAGHDAD: A Baghdad court case connected to an attempt to interior ministry official. brother and sister were shot dead is a personal position and does descendants. The Palestinians sentenced vice president Tareq use a car bomb to target Shiite He was handed two death sen- in separate attacks. not mean giving up the right of have always demanded that the Al Hashemi, one of Iraq’s top pilgrims,” judicial spokesman tences in a hearing on September At the time, he was the head of return,” he told Al Hayatt. Jewish state recognise their right Sunni officials, to a fourth death Abdelsattar Bayraqdar said. 9 in a trial connected to the mur- the Iraqi Islamic Party, a group “No-one can give up the right of return to homes in modern- sentence in absentia yesterday Bayraqdar said the attempted ders of three other officials. The that was said to have connections of return as all international texts day Israel in keeping with UN over a foiled car bombing tar- car bombing dated to December verdict was issued on the same to some elements of Iraq’s Sunni and Arab and Islamic decisions General Assembly Resolution 194. geting Shia pilgrims. 2011 during Ashura commemora- day a wave of deadly attacks killed insurgency following the US-led refer to a just and agreed solution Israel categorically rejects the Hashemi, a prominent critic tion ceremonies, when Shiite pil- dozens of people nationwide. invasion of 2003. to the refugee issue, according to right of return, which would end of Shia Prime Minister Nouri Al grims walk along Iraq’s highways Hashemi was originally accused Hashemi later joined Iraqiya, UN Resolution 194, with the term its Jewish majority, but is pre- Maliki, has been out of the coun- to the shrine city of Karbala. of running a death squad in mid- the secular, Sunni-backed bloc ‘agreed on’ meaning agreed with pared to accept them living in the try since accusations he describes Hashemi’s son-in-law, Ahmed December 2011 as the last US that won the most seats in 2010 the Israeli side,” he said. promised Palestinian state. as politically motivated were first Qahtan, is also his secretary and troops left the country. parliamentary polls only to be “I do not change my position Abbas’s remarks were immedi- made against him in December is last known to be in Turkey. He fled to Iraq’s autonomous outmanoeuvred by Maliki, who — what I say to the Palestinians ately welcomed as “courageous” last year. The case has raised sec- Bayraqdar and the head of Kurdistan region, which declined to retained the premiership. is no different from what I say to by Israeli President Shimon tarian tensions in a country that Hashemi’s defence team Muayad hand him over to the federal govern- In the earlier trial that resulted the Israelis or the Americans or Peres, and Defence Minister Ehud only recently emerged from bru- Al Izzi said the death sentence ment, and then embarked on a tour in his first death sentence, the anyone.” Barak also hailed his stance as tal communal bloodshed. was the fourth issued against the that took him to Qatar and Saudi court heard testimony that The issue of the refugees “very important because of its “Today, the court issued a death vice president since September. Arabia, and finally to Turkey. silenced pistols were found in would only be resolved in final clarity” in an interview with the sentence against Hashemi and his Hashemi was on Thursday Born in 1942, Hashemi became raids on his house and that of status negotiations with Israel, left-leaning Haaretz newspaper. son-in-law according to Article sentenced to death in connection one of Iraq’s vice presidents in Qahtan. he insisted. “The six main issues, AFP Four of the Anti-Terror Law in a with the assassination of a senior April 2006, the same month his AFP

Bishop Tawadros South Sudan expels UN’s rights official over ‘unjustified’ reports is Egypt’s new JUBA, South Sudan: South been publishing without justifica- She said she has sought expla- members have been swirling in examples of reports contested by Coptic pope Sudan said yesterday it has tions. This is unethical,” said the nations from Juba. recent months, and there have the government, nor would he say expelled a UN official who spokesman. “Human rights monitor- been growing calls on Juba not to if the expulsion was linked to a CAIRO: Bishop Tawadros was was carrying out a probe on The UN’s peacekeeping mis- ing, investigation and report- follow Khartoum’s mistakes. UN report published in August chosen as new pope of Egypt’s the human rights situation in sion in South Sudan confirmed ing, and building capacity, is a But the government spokesman denouncing military violence Coptic Christians yesterday the fledgling state, accusing the expulsion. Neither Juba nor core element of the mandate of pointed out that “our respect for against a minority ethnic group when a blindfolded altar boy her of producing “unjustified” the UN named the official. UNMISS which must be pro- human rights is reflected in our in the unstable south-Sudanese picked his name from a chalice reports. “The order is in breach of the tected,” Johnson said. constitution”. state of Jonglei. in a ceremony invoking divine “It’s the first person on human legal obligations of the govern- In the statement, the UN The expelled UN official, “She knows what issues what guidance for the beleaguered rights to be (declared) persona ment of the Republic of South mission also noted that “human who has already left the coun- she reports on, you can ask the minority. non grata,” government spokes- Sudan under the Charter of rights violations and discrimina- try, “has not respected what UN... I can’t mention which Acting head of the church man Barnaba Marial Benjamin the United Nations,” said Hilde tion were at the core of the South had been agreed by the UN and reports,” he said. Bishop Pachomius took the ballot said. Johnson, special representative Sudanese struggle during decades the Republic of South Sudan,” A UN mission’s spokesman from the boy’s hand and, showing The UN official has been of the UN to the country which of civil war”. Benjamin said, without giving confirmed that the reasons for the it to the throng inside St Mark’s “reporting on human rights issues gained independence in July Allegations of media harass- details. official’s expulsion was unclear. Cathedral, announced: “Bishop that she could not verify and has 2011. ment and torture of civil society The spokesman would not give AFP Tawadros.” The crowd erupted in cheers and applause as church bells tolled in celebration across the country. The new Pope of Alexandria Hollande backs Lebanon over Syria crisis Somalia names woman and Patriarch of All Africa in the Holy See of St Mark the Apostle succeeds pope Shenuda III, who BEIRUT: French President died in March leaving behind a Francois Hollande on a brief as foreign minister community anxious about its visit to Beirut yesterday pledged future under an Islamist-led to “protect” Lebanon against MOGADISHU: Somali Prime new government, Maryan Qasim government. threats of destabilisation caused Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon Ahmed, will take the role of min- Tawadros, 60, a bishop in the by the deadly conflict in neigh- Said announced the members of ister of development and social Nile Delta province of Beheira, bouring Syria. his new government yesterday, affairs. She had previously served was among three candidates — “France will spare no effort noting that a woman has been as women’s minister. the other two being Bishop Rafael, to guarantee Lebanon’s inde- named as foreign minister for Abdihakin Haji Mohamud Fiqi 54, a medical doctor and current pendence, unity and security,” the first time in the country’s was named defence minister. He assistant bishop for central Cairo, Hollande said at a joint news con- history. had previously held the same post. and Father Rafael Ava Mina, 70. ference with Lebanese President “After long discussions and Somalia has been in politi- On November 18, Tawadros Michel Sleiman. consultations, I have named my cal chaos and deprived of a cen- will assume his new position France is determined “to cabinet which consists of only tral government since the fall of as spiritual head of the largest oppose with all its strength any 10 members. Among them is a President Siad Barre in 1991. Christian minority in the Middle bid to destabilise,” Lebanon, he female foreign affairs minister for The new administration brings East, becoming the 118th pope in added. the first time in Somali history,” eight years of transitional rule a line dating back to the origins “Lebanon must be protected,” the prime minister said. by the corruption-riddled and of Christianity and to Saint Mark, against any fallout from the con- The new foreign minister, Western-backed government to the apostle and author of one of flict in Syria where more than Fowsiyo Yusuf Haji Adan, hails an end. the four Gospels, who brought the 36,000 people have been killed French President Francois Hollande (left) and his Lebanese counterpart from the self-declared independ- Said himself was appointed new faith to Egypt. since an uprising against the Michel Sleiman (right) leave a press conference at Baabda presidential ent state of Somaliland and lived in October by President Hassan “The pope is a servant,” regime erupted in mid-March palace, near Beirut, yesterday. in Britain for a long time. Sheikh Mohamud. Tawadros told Egyptian state 2011, according to monitors. “My nomination as the foreign His new cabinet will now have television after his appointment, Sleiman said at the news Beirut, the French leader flew topped the agenda of his talks minister is historic for the Somali to be approved by the Somali par- adding that he bore “the respon- conference that he reaffirmed to Saudi Arabia for talks with with Sleiman in Beirut, at a time country and particularly for the liament. Several Somali clans sibility of love and peace.” to Hollande “Lebanon’s com- King Abdullah on Syria and Iran, when Lebanon has been reeling women of Somalia, it turns a new were excluded from the new Tawadros, whose given name mitment to avoid the negative before attending an Asia-Europe from the effects of the deadly con- page for the political situation of government, a potential issue in Wagih Sobhy Baqi Suleiman, had repercussions of the (Syrian) summit in Laos to talk trade at a flict that has shaken Syria since our country and will lead to suc- a country where clan balance is come second in a vote last week crisis”. time of economic crisis. mid-March 2011. cess and prosperity,” she said. vital in political life. for three final candidates. After his lightening visit to But security issues and politics AFP Another woman named to the AFP AFP MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2012 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09

Policeman killed in Nationalists grenade attack at Kenya church NAIROBI: Gunmen hurled a grenade at a Kenyan church in hold huge rally a town near the Somali border yesterday, killing one policeman and wounding another 14 peo- ple, the latest such strike in the against Putin volatile area since Nairobi sent troops into Somalia to fight Al Qaeda-linked insurgents. The attack occurred during Protesters denounce migrant inflow morning prayers at the church in the northeastern town of Garissa, MOSCOW: Thousands of restrictions on internal migra- which is home to a large number black-clad Russian national- tion. “All the jobs go to newcom- of Somalis and where 18 people ists marched through central ers, that’s why I think the aim of were killed in similar grenade Moscow yesterday, marking a this march is to get Russian jobs blasts in July. “National Unity Day” holiday to Russians,” Igor, a protester “We have one fatality,” said created by Vladimir Putin by who refused to give his last name regional police chief Philip calling for an end to his rule and hid his face behind a medical Tuimur after a policeman died of and voicing hostility to ethnic mask, said. his wounds in the attack on the minorities. The newly-reconstituted interconfessional Utawala church Putin instituted the holiday in holiday commemorates a at a police camp in Garissa, which 2005 to replace the annual Soviet- Moscow uprising against Polish- lies about 140km from the Somali era celebration of the Bolshevik Lithuanian occupation 400 years border. revolution. But civil rights activ- ago. Putin marked it at an event “We have mobilised our offic- ists say his own flirtation with flanked by leaders of the Russian ers to track down the attackers,” ethnic nationalism has stoked a Orthodox Christian church and Tuimur added, without giving fur- rise in far-right violence, and is the three other faiths the Kremlin ther details. partly to blame for the hijack- regards as traditional in Russia - Russian ultra-nationalists carry Russian Empire’s black-yellow-white flags and banners as they take part in the ing of the holiday by hardline Islam, Buddhism and Judaism. so-called ‘Russian March’ in central Moscow, yesterday. Nigeria gunmen militants. “People united their forces in The marchers, mainly young the name of Russia, in name of burn police men with closely cropped hair the Motherland, rising above class, yellow pre-revolutionary flags and Caucasus and from other ex- they detained 90 people who in black leather jackets, shouted national, religious and other dif- some marched behind large icons, Soviet states. Lev Gudkov, head attempted to hold an unsanc- station, school “Russia without Putin” and anti- ferences,” Putin said after laying a highlighting the church’s role as a of independent pollster the tioned rally in the Urals city of immigrant slogans, carrying wreath at a Red Square monument. marker of national identity. Levada Center, said nearly half of Yekaterinburg, 50 in the central KANO: Gunmen armed with Russian Orthodox icons, wav- “People freed Moscow and the coun- Many risked fines under a new Muscovites oppose immigration. Russian city of Kazan and 40 in explosives attacked a police sta- ing imperial flags and chanting try from the occupiers and those law banning masks at rallies — Moscow mayor’s office approved Nizhny Novogorod. tion, a primary school and two “Russia for Russians”. who sold and betrayed Russia.” covering their noses and mouths the march despite an open letter Putin has promoted national- cellphone towers in a town in Police said 6,000 people turned Putin has begun a new, six-year with scarves and nationalist flags, on Friday by an advocacy group ism to help fill an ideological void Nigeria’s restive northeast yes- out under grey skies for yester- presidential term this year after although not the black ski masks for migrants’ rights calling for the left by the collapse of Communist terday, setting them ablaze, the day’s far-right rally, which was mass rallies against him led by that characterised demonstrators rally to be banned. rule in 1991 and feed his vision of military and residents said. given official permission for the liberals, the biggest signs of dis- at previous right wing “Russian “We have more than once seen a resurgent Russia, emboldened “We heard that there were first time to march through the content since he came to power Marches”. cases of mass beatings and even the by booming oil revenues, during some attacks in Fika by sus- heart of Moscow. on millennium eve. Russian law restricts the right murder of foreign citizens on this two terms as president from 2000 pected Boko Haram terrorists. Many expressed hostility to Yesterday’s march was mostly of provincials to live and work day,” the head of the Federation until 2008. But Russia’s national- They attacked two telecommu- migrants from Russia’s own calm although some protesters in Moscow, but unemployment of Russian Migrants, Mohammad ists now feel he has betrayed them nication masts, a police station mainly Muslim southern regions made Nazi-style salutes and set pushes many to seek jobs in the Amin Madzhumder, wrote. by welcoming migrant labourers and a primary school,” Lazarus and other parts of the former off smoke bombs. Police said 25 capital, including members of “The March may deal a com- and sending billions of dollars in Eli, military spokesman in Yobe Soviet Union, saying Russia were detained for wearing swas- ethnic minorities from Russia’s promising blow to Moscow’s image subsidies to the majority Muslim State, said. should tighten its visa require- tika arm-bands and trenchcoats. poor and violence-prone mostly as welcoming, multi-ethnic city.” regions of the North Caucasus. A resident said he had seen ments and bolster domestic Others had red, black and Muslim regions in the North Outside the capital, police said REUTERS the bodies of two policemen being brought out of the razed police station, but Eli said he could not immediately confirm any casualties. Eli said troops had deployed UK official backs fresh to the town to contain the vio- Ukraine opposition calls protest lence. Fika lies some 170km from Damaturu, the capital KIEV: Ukraine opposition par- candidate and those supporting a protest rally in central Kiev of Yobe State and a hotbed of ties called a public rally for a Batkivshchyna member. over alleged vote-rigging evoke paedophile ring probe Islamist extremist group Boko today to protest against what The Regions, seen as represent- memories of the “Orange revo- Haram. Residents said the gun- they said was fraud by President ing the interests of big business, lution” street protests of 2004-5 LONDON: The children’s com- a cover-up by powerful people men attacked their targets with Viktor Yanukovich’s ruling still seem set to retain a major- which overturned an election of missioner for Wales has backed were “understandable” and a full explosives before dawn at around party in the final stages of the ity of more than 225 seats in the Yanukovich as president, dooming calls for an inquiry into fresh investigation was the only way to 4.30am. vote-count from the October 28 assembly, assuming support from his first bid for power. claims that a senior British pol- resolve the issue. “I would support parliamentary election. their traditional communist allies “The authorities are carrying itician was involved in a paedo- a full inquiry,” he told BBC radio. Czech PM fends off The united opposition, which and some independents. out bare-faced fraud in districts phile ring. “The fact that we have someone includes the Batkivshchyna But Batkivshchyna has made where opposition candidates are The claims surround activi- on camera now who was clearly party challenge (Fatherland) party of jailed a strong showing and the oppo- winning. The wishes of tens of ties at children’s care homes in a victim of appalling abuse... and ex-prime minister Yulia sition will be re-energised by thousands of citizens are being north Wales between 1974 and people told him that he could not BRNO, Czech Republic: Czech Tymoshenko, issued its protest the arrival in parliament of the changed into a forged result in 1990, which were the subject of say these things and he couldn’t Prime Minister Petr Necas won call with a handful of seats to UDAR (Punch) party of world favour of pro-ruling party candi- an inquiry in 2000. talk about people who had abused re-election as head of the cen- the 450-seat parliament still heavyweight boxing champion dates,” a united opposition state- However, the BBC news pro- him, is clearly wrong. The fact tre-right Civic Democrats yes- in dispute between candidates Vitaly Klitschko and the far-right ment said on Sunday. gramme embroiled in the Jimmy that he is now saying that and he terday and must quickly tackle favourable to Yanukovich’s nationalist Svoboda (Freedom) “The united opposition is Savile sex abuse scandal aired a has now said it so publicly means a rebellion among the party’s Party of the Regions or to oppo- party. appealing to all opposition forces, report on Friday in which two we have to respond to that.” backbenchers that could bring sition forces. An overall Regions victory is to all those who are not indiffer- men who grew up in the homes The politician in question was down his cabinet next week. Over the weekend, nerves likely to be seen by Yanukovich ent to fate of the country, to come claimed they had been abused by described as a shadowy figure of high The leadership challenge came were at breaking point in several as a mandate to continue policies to the building of the central elec- a top politician and their com- public standing but the Newsnight from one of a group of dissenters of nine disputed districts with which opponents say favour the toral commission and defend their plaints had not been considered report said there was simply not who oppose Necas’s plans to hike election officials who were con- big business industrialists who vote,” it said. by the original inquiry. enough to go on “to name names”. taxes next year. The rebels could still ducting the vote-count besieged back him. The Regions have denied alle- The report on Newsnight did The BBC has been plunged into bring down the prime minister in a by supporters from both camps, Equally, the leadership will con- gations of vote-rigging. not name the man but said he was crisis over allegations that the confidence motion tied to the tax bill demanding a re-count or threat- tinue to be cold-shouldered by the International monitors, the day a leading Conservative politician late Savile, one of its top present- and due for a vote on Wednesday. ening court action. United States and the European after voting, criticised the author- from Margaret Thatcher’s time as ers from the 1960s to the 1980s, The centre-right cabinet has In one district in southern Union over the imprisonment of ities over aspects of the run-up to prime minister, from 1979 to 1990. abused hundreds of youngsters, won praise from investors over Ukraine, black helmeted riot Tymoshenko. The EU has already the election, mentioning specifi- Wales children’s commis- with Scotland Yard considering its two years in office for a deter- police used tear gas when ten- to refused to settle a major free cally Tymoshenko’s imprisonment sioner Keith Towler, whose job him one of Britain’s most prolific mined push to narrow the budget sions boiled over between rep- trade pact because of her case. and biased media coverage. is to protect the rights of young- sex offenders. deficit. resentatives backing a Regions Calls by the opposition for REUTERS sters, insisted concerns about AFP AGENCIES MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2012 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL Early voting extended at Florida site Polling reopens at one site

MIAMI: Early voting was hours to cast ballots on Saturday. extended yesterday at a cen- The lawsuit said the lines in tral Florida polling site that the Democratic-leaning region was disrupted a day earlier by were longer than in other areas, a bomb scare, and the Florida deterring or preventing people Democratic Party filed a lawsuit from voting. seeking extended early voting The three southeastern coun- at other areas plagued by long ties are home to about 1.6 million lines. registered Democrats — about a Saturday was the last day for third of Florida’s total, The Miami early voting in Florida, where polls Herald said. showed Democratic President The lawsuit did not ask the Barack Obama and Republican judge to reopen early voting sites challenger Mitt Romney running and appeared to be largely moot. neck-and-neck. In Miami-Dade and Palm Beach But Orange County Elections counties, voters were allowed to Supervisor Bill Cowles reopened obtain and cast absentee ballots in the polls at one site, a library in person at the election supervisors’ the Orlando suburb of Winter offices on Sunday. A US Army National Guard aerial photograph taken over the Jersey Shore shows damaged houses during a visit by National Guard senior leaders to Park, from 1pm to 5pm yesterday. “While state law does not per- areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey and New York . The library was evacuated and mit early voting today, we are voting there was suspended for permitted to provide and accept four hours on Saturday because absentee ballots,” the Miami- suspicious items were found on Dade elections office said on its Cold hits storm victims ahead of election the grounds. A bomb squad safely website. detonated both — a cooler con- The Broward County election taining small electronics and supervisors office was open to NEW YORK: Victims of super- restored and fuel shortages end. response officials to cut through days of campaigning. what investigators described as receive absentee ballots, but not storm Sandy on the US East Power restorations over the government “red tape” and work “I’m not thinking about the a bag of miscellaneous garbage. to accept new requests. Coast struggled against the cold weekend relit the skyline in without delay to help affected election too much right now,” said Florida, where 537 votes Republican Governor Rick early yesterday amid fuel short- Lower Manhattan for the first areas return to normal. Frank Carrol, 59, a retired New decided the 2000 presidential Scott refused on Thursday to ages and power outages even as time in nearly a week and allowed Officials have expressed con- York City transit worker who election in George W Bush’s extend early voting statewide officials fretted about getting 80 percent of the New York City cern about getting voters dis- lives in Staten Island. He planned favour, is again a hotly contested despite the long lines. voters displaced by the storm subway service to resume. Some placed by Sandy to polling stations to vote, but did not know if his state crucial to both presidential Early voting ended a day ear- to polling stations for Tuesday’s 2.5 million homes and business for Tuesday’s election. Scores of local polling station would even be candidates. lier than in previous years. The presidential election. still lacked power across the voting centers were rendered use- open. “We’ll stop by and see what The Florida Republican Party Republican-controlled legisla- Overnight, near-freezing temper- Northeast on Saturday, down less by the record surge of seawa- happens,” Carrol said. is appealing a judge’s ruling that ture cut maximum early voting atures gripped the US northeast. At from 3.5 million on Friday. ter in New York and New Jersey. New Jersey Governor Chris allowed the voting to reopen on days from 14 to eight, although least two more victims were found in Temperatures dipped to 39 New Jersey is allowing voters Christie ordered county clerks Sunday, so ballots cast at the total voting hours remained at 96 New Jersey, one dead of hypother- Fahrenheit early yesterday morn- displaced by Sandy to vote by to open on Saturday and Sunday library yesterday will be held as because the polls were allowed to mia, as the overall death toll from ing in New York City, the low- email. Some voters in New York to accommodate early voters and provisional ballots in case the remain open longer. Most urban one of worst storms in US history est in days, with below-freezing could be casting their ballots in ensure a “full, fair and transpar- order is overturned. counties offered the full 96 hours. climbed to at least 112. temperatures expected today. An tents. ent open voting process.” In Miami, the Florida Deidre McNab, president Fuel supplies continued to early-season “Nor’easter” storm An NBC/Wall Street Journal The two new deaths in New Democratic Party filed suit in of Florida’s League of Women rumble toward disaster zones was expected to hit the battered poll released on Sunday found Jersey — where the storm came U.S. District Court on Sunday Voters, said the longest reported and electricity was slowly return- New England coast this week that 68 percent of those surveyed shore last Monday night — included asking for an extension of early lines were at polling sites in urban ing to darkened neighbourhoods with strong winds and heavy rain. approved of how Obama han- a 71-year-old man who suffered from voting opportunities in densely areas and locations most conven- after a storm that hit the coast President Barack Obama, dled Sandy and just 15 percent hypothermia and another man, 55, populated Miami-Dade, Broward ient to college students, senior last Monday. New York Mayor neck-and-neck in opinion polls disapproved. who died from smoke inhalation in and Palm Beach counties, where citizens and minority voters. Michael Bloomberg said it would with Republican challenger Mitt The post-storm chaos in the a house fire, police said yesterday. some voters waited six and seven REUTERS be days before power is fully Romney, ordered emergency region has overshadowed the final REUTERS

More New York fuel terminals online ‘Twitter bombs’ may deliver NEW YORK: More fuel ter- shipments to smaller barges for “We have restored power to Only cars with even numbers late election surprise minals came back online in the delivery, despite some traffic all of the refineries and pipeline could buy petrol in the state on New York harbour network yes- restrictions, the U S Coast Guard suppliers that we are aware of,” Sunday. WASHINGTON: As US elec- “I cannot tell if it made a meas- terday as mainline power was said. PSE&G President Ralph LaRossa On the heating oil front, suppli- tion day approaches, “Twitter urable difference in the election,” restored nearly a week after Late on Saturday, Hess Corp said on a conference call. ers were optimistic there would bombs” are expected to fly as Metaxas said. “But in a close race super storm Sandy, but petrol said power was partly restored In a briefing early yesterday, soon be enough supplies, barring part of efforts to swing votes in decided by a few hundred or a few shortages persisted and some at its 70,000 barrel per day (bpd) New York governor Andrew any transportation issues in the a close race. thousand votes, this could be a major facilities remained idle. Port Reading, New Jersey, refin- Cuomo said the fuel shortage is next few days. The “bombs,” a form of spam, factor.” Another concern was that ery, but it needs full power to lifting in New York but problems Two terminals with heating oil are unsolicited Twitter responses “In times of political elections, heating oil supplies were dwin- complete a damage assessment. are likely to persist for “a number supplies — one in the Bronx and which are re-tweeted with the the stakes are high, and advocates dling with temperatures dropping Hess said it could take several of days.” one in Brooklyn — were open for help of automated computer pro- may try to support their cause and expected to dip to freezing in days before it could bring back By early Sunday, less than rtwo business Sunday and some barges grams, or “bots”, to get maximum by active manipulation of social New York today. utility systems necessary to con- million homes and business were were expected to deliver heat- distribution. media,” Metaxas added. Commercial power was sider restarting. without power in states hit by ing oil to terminals operated by These are examples of cyber In politics, Twitter manipulation restored at Colonial Pipeline’s key New Jersey power provider the storm. Power was restored Bayside terminals in Red Hook, tricks which could surface in the can multiply messages from one per- terminal in Linden, New Jersey, PSE&G said it brought power to nearly 77 percent of custom- Brooklyn. final days of the US election cam- son or group, making it appear to be a major supply hub for New York back to 78 percent of gasoline sta- ers that had initially lost power “If all goes smoothly we’ll have paign from candidates or, more a grassroots movements, a phenom- and northern New Jersey. tions in its service area, although after Sandy. enough for this week and into likely, outside groups supporting enon known as “astroturfing.” In the New York Harbour, by early Sunday, there was still Fuel rationing based on license the next weekend,” said John a candidate or cause. “These are nefarious tactics,” some of the four tankers carry- evidence of the shortages that plate numbers in New Jersey, Maniscalco, head of New York The “bomb” technique is as said Jeanette Castillo, a professor ing refined fuels and anchored have gripped the region, causing enacted by governor Chris Oil Heating Association. old as Twitter, and is similar to of communication at Florida State offshore were transferring miles-long gasoline lines. Christie, entered its second day. REUTERS e-mail spam. Both can be used for University who follows new media. commercial or political causes. But Castillo said that over the Experts say it leads those long run, these efforts may be receiving the messages to believe misguided, because it can hurt a there is a groundswell, when in candidate’s “social media capital.” fact, the trend is being manipu- “These kind of tactics may Thousands run in NY lated by those generating the be able to influence trends on message. Twitter, but I think they repre- “This is a new way of propagat- sent a basic miscalculation,” she ing information or misinforma- said. “Bots can’t vote... or volun- race of disappointment tion,” said Panagiotis Metaxas, a teer, or talk to their co-workers, Wellesley College computer sci- family and friends.” NEW YORK: Thousands of were angered at the last-minute entist who studies social media. Filippo Menczer, head of frustrated marathon runners decision to call off the race on Friday “I suspect this will happen close to Indiana University’s Center for from around the world descended when most runners were already in the final days of the election. With Complex Networks and Systems on New York’s Central Park yes- New York. The organisers have still social media you can propagate Research, has set up a research terday to take part in improvised not announced whether or when information or misinformation fast.” project called “Truthy” in an races after the famed event fell they will refund entry fees for the Metaxas, who co-authored a effort to separate real ground- victim to superstorm Sandy. race, which generates an estimated report on the subject in Science swells from fake ones. Many put on the race numbers $340m a year for the city. Magazine, said that even though “We try to find out how it is they would have worn in the mar- Mayor Michael Bloomberg falsehoods can be debunked, “if that some information goes viral athon, a huge earner for the city, had wanted to carry on with the you launch it close enough to the and some does not,” he said. “Fake which was called off for the first race, but gave in to protests over election you can keep enough con- accounts can give the impression time in its 42-year history. resources being devoted to the fusion to last a couple of days.” of a grassroots movement when Under a crystal blue sky, more marathon while thousands still Mexatas studied a case in in fact it is just the coordinated than 3,000 runners started the suffer from Sandy in New York. the 2010 race for US Senate in effort of one person or one group.” Run Anyway NYC Marathon. Runners came from the four New Yorker Gretchen Page, 28, wears a pro-Obama T-shirt making fun of Massachusetts, in which a “tweet Menczer’s team uncovered Similar numbers took part in corners of the world to take part: GOP vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan in Central Park in New York. factory” created in the final days a case in 2010 in which 20,000 other races intended to ease the Chileans, Croats, Canadians and of the campaign produced 1,000 tweets originated from two sporting anger at the cancellation. Kazakhs. Many came from Europe. tweets, which ended up being re- Twitter accounts in an effort to Lance Svendsend put up a Word spread about the Run wanted to finish the miles and Carcassone in France. “This is tweeted 60,000 times. drum up support for Republican Facebook page proposing the race Anyway marathon on social media kilometers they had promised for a pilgrimage for us. We want to The campaign came from a con- congressional candidates, and fre- and soon built up the entry field sites. A lot of runners decided to sponsorship back home. feel the sensation of the marathon servative group in Iowa, in support quently mentioned House GOP as word spread. donate cash to New York groups “It is very disappointing,” com- and the atmosphere.” of Republican Scott Brown, who leader John Boehner. Many of the 47,000 competitors helping storm victims. Some just mented Christophe Pujade from AFP eventually won the race. AFP

MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2012 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES

Philippine govt EU pledges aid, plans to ease hiring rules urges Myanmar for OFWs

MANILA: More Filipino work- ers are likely to be hired abroad with the government’s plan to end unrest to ease overseas employment regulations. Labor Secretary Rosalinda Suu Kyi can’t back Rohingya: BBC Baldoz said the Philippine Overseas Employment YANGON: European Myanmar after a quasi-civilian Administration (POEA) will be Commission President Jose government led by Thein Sein coming out with the new policy on Manuel Barroso has called for took charge last year, was speak- hiring of Filipino workers. an end to communal killings ing at a newly established peace “The POEA is now undertak- in Myanmar following talks centre in Yangon. ing a review of the existing regu- with President Thein Sein, The EU has contributed lations in order to come out with while pledging aid to the former 700,000 euros to set up the peace a new one and we are looking at pariah state. centre, which is designed to ease lesser regulation for skilled and More than 100,000 people “dialogue between all those con- professional workers,” Baldoz have been displaced since June cerned by Myanmar’s ethnic peace said. in two major outbreaks of vio- processes”, a separate European She explained that the POEA lence in western Rakhine state, Commission statement said. needs to come out with a new about 30,000 of them in the lat- Civil war has gripped parts of regulation that would conform est clashes between Buddhists and Myanmar since independence with Republic Act 10022, or Rohingya Muslims which began from British colonial rule in 1948, the Amended Migrant Workers last month. with many of the country’s ethnic Denmark Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt (second left) and her Norwegian counterpart Jens Stoltenberg Act. Dozens have been killed in the minority groups demanding vary- (second right) cut the ribbon during the official opening ceremony of the diplomatic missions of Norway and The new law was enacted a few latest violence and thousands of ing levels of autonomy. Denmark in Yangon yesterday. years ago in an effort to improve homes torched. Tentative ceasefires have been the standard of protection and “We are deeply concerned by agreed with many major rebel promotion of welfare of overseas these events and by the con- groups as part of sweeping reform to provide 150 million euros in The Nobel laureate told the she had not taken their side. Filipinos workers (OFWs). sequences for the reforms and in the former junta-run nation, additional aid to Myanmar over BBC on Saturday that she would “I am urging tolerance but I Under the new law, the democratisation of the country. but fierce fighting between the the next two years. not use “moral leadership” to do not think one should use one’s Philippine government would We hope that all religious lead- army and Kachin rebels contin- Andreas List, head of the back either side in the Rakhine moral leadership, if you want to only allow deployment to coun- ers will call for restraint,” Barroso ues in the north of the country. EU office in Myanmar, said unrest, which has mainly pit- call it that, to promote a particu- tries that could ensure safety and said in a speech on Saturday. Barroso said initial funding for that Barroso had indicated aid ted ethnic Rakhine Buddhists lar cause without really looking welfare of OFWs. “The EU stands ready to mobi- the peace centre would be fol- was likely to be “significantly against stateless Rohingya at the sources of the problems,” The new law also mandates lise ¤4m ($5m) for immediate lowed by a “sizable package later increased” in a new package Muslims. Suu Kyi said. deployment only to countries humanitarian needs, provided this year, also benefitting ethnic from 2014, although he stressed The Nobel laureate, who has Her comments are likely to dis- with existing bilateral agree- access to the affected areas is communities”, according to the that this had not yet been caused disappointment among appoint rights groups hopeful that ments with the Philippine gov- guaranteed,” he said, according statement, which added that the agreed. international supporters for her she would speak up on behalf of ernment and countries with to a copy of his speech released EU will contribute a total of 30 Barroso’s comments came after muted response to violence that the Rohingya, who make up the necessary certification from the in Brussels. million euros to the ethnic peace he met Myanmar’s president and has swept Rakhine state, said majority of those displaced by the Department of Foreign Affairs Barroso, the latest in a series process in 2013. held talks with opposition leader both Buddhist and Muslim com- fighting. (DFA). of Western officials to visit Earlier this year the EU pledged Aung San Suu Kyi. munities were “displeased” that AGENCIES There are 180 certified coun- tries that are considered com- pliant with the requirements of the new law, while 15 are classi- fied as “unsafe destination” and therefore banned from hiring OFWs. China’s Bo Xilai expelled from Communist party Baldoz stressed that existing POEA regulations are yet to be BEIJING: Chinese leaders for “serious disciplinary viola- September of corruption and of at the rail ministry had slipped People’s Liberation Army and adjusted with the newly amended ended a key closed-door conclave tions”, state news agency Xinhua bending the law to hush up his under his watch. China’s rapid defence moderni- Migrant Workers Act. yesterday with a decision to for- said. wife’s murder of a British busi- Xinhua provided no other sation efforts. She also noted that the new mally expel disgraced politician Bo and Liu can now be expected nessman. While she has since details of either case, in a report Former air force commander policy being drafted by the Bo Xilai from the Communist to face criminal charges and a been jailed, Bo has yet to be for- full of turgid Communist termi- Xu Qiliang and Fan Changlong, POEA would also reduce the Party, in a meeting which also trial. mally charged. nology designed to curtain-raise the head of the important Jinan number of private recruitment promoted two senior military The party plenum comes just Liu was fired early last year the congress, at which President military region which oversees agencies. men and approved the party days before the opening of a con- over corruption charges. His Hu Jintao will hand over his party large parts of eastern China, “There are more than a thou- constitution’s amendment. gress in Beijing on November 8 reputation was further marred duties to anointed successor Xi will join that body, Xinhua said. sand recruitment agencies at The secretive four-day meeting that will usher in a generational after a train crash in China a Jinping. Sources had told Reuters that Xu this time and we have to reduce of 365 senior party officials rati- leadership change, which has been few months later killed 40 peo- Another announcement from had been tipped to do so. their number,” Baldoz said, add- fied an earlier decision to expel overshadowed by a scandal with ple. Although the accident hap- the plenum was the appointments The plenum also approved an ing that the number is likely to be Bo, former Chongqing party boss, Bo, who had once been a con- pened after Liu’s dismissal, the of two new chairmen to the par- amendment to the party charter, trimmed based on the market or as well as Liu Zhijun, one-time tender for top office himself. government said he was primarily ty’s powerful Central Military Xinhua said. host countries. railway minister, sacked last year The government accused Bo in responsible as safety standards Commission that oversees the REUTERS THE PHILIPPINE STAR

Bangladeshi schools to warn Sea dispute to be raised of extremism at Asem, says Aquino

DHAKA: Bangladesh’s schools MANILA: Philippine President meanwhile, would seek “sugges- and universities have been Benigno Aquino said yesterday tions on ways to craft a just and asked to warn pupils about the his country would raise overlap- peaceful agreement on the West dangers of religious militancy ping claims to the South China Philippine Sea”. Manila refers to as part of a campaign to tackle Sea during a summit of Asian the South China Sea as the West Islamist extremism, an official and European leaders in Laos Philippine Sea. said yesterday. this week. The Philippines has since April The government last week sent Aquino said he expects to hold been engaged in a stand-off with guidelines to the country’s 114,000 bilateral meetings with the lead- China over a disputed shoal in the schools, seminaries and universi- ers of the European Union, Poland, South China Sea. ties, AZM Nurul Hoque, a senior Switzerland, Norway and Italy China claims the shoal as well official at the education ministry, during the two-day Asia-Europe as nearly all of the South China said. Meeting beginning in Laos today. Sea, even waters close to the “Militancy in the name of reli- “At a time when parts of Asia coasts of neighbouring countries. gion is a major problem. We hope and Europe are facing crisis and The Philippines says the shoal is such programme will help raise uncertainty, it is important for well within its 200-nautical-mile social awareness against the men- leaders of the two regions to discuss exclusive economic zone. ace,” he said. issues they are burdened with,” he Aside from China and the “We have asked the institutions said in his departure speech. Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, to hold regular open talks with Among other issues, he said, Malaysia and Brunei also have students to discuss militancy and the leaders were expected to talk claims to parts of the sea. its dangers.” about increasing economic coop- The Philippines and Vietnam In August, an autonomous gov- eration and seek ways to limit the have accused China of becoming ernment-run body began moni- impact of fiscal crises hobbling increasingly aggressive in staking toring sermons at the country’s Philippines’ President Benigno Aquino is greeted by an honour guard on arrival at Wattay airport to attend the some European nations. out its claims. more than 200,000 mosques to ninth Asia-Europe (ASEM 9) summit in Vientiane, Laos, yesterday. Aquino said the Philippines, AFP ensure clerics did not promote violence. The Muslim-majority country also plans to integrate hundreds of Islamic religious schools into the mainstream secular education Chinese ships enter disputed waters, says Japan coast guard system. Bangladesh has escaped seri- ous Islamist attacks, though a TOKYO: Four Chinese govern- China at about noon (0300 GMT). frequency of such moves” by tel- Chinese vessels have moved in Chinese government ship tem- series of blasts by militants in ment ships temporarily sailed The four ships left the zone ephone, the foreign ministry in and out of what Japan says is its porarily entered the same area, 2004-2005 killed dozens of peo- into the territorial waters of at about 3pm (0600 GMT) and Tokyo said in a statement. Kawai sovereign territory over the past according to the coast guard. ple and prompted fears that the disputed Tokyo-controlled remained within 24-nautical- said the “repeated provocative two months since Tokyo nation- As well as the potential mineral country would become a hotspot islands in the East China Sea mile “contiguous” waters off action” would undermine com- alised some of the islands in the reserves, national pride is at stake for extremism. yesterday, Japan’s coast guard Uotsurijima at 3.30pm, a coast- munication between the countries group. It was the third consecu- in the decades-old spat, which has Last month, a young said. guard official said. aimed at calming the situation, tive day that Chinese vessels have recently spiked and hit the huge Bangladeshi man was arrested in The maritime surveillance ves- Japanese Vice Foreign Minister according to the statement. entered the territorial waters of trade relationship between the two a sting operation in the United sels entered the 12-nautical-mile Chikao Kawai “strongly pro- The Chinese envoy repeated the disputed islets. biggest economies in the region. States on charges of plotting to zone around Uotsurijima, the tested to the Chinese ambassador Beijing’s own view on the issue On Friday, six Chinese govern- Japan and China are readying blow up the New York Federal main islet in the disputed chain Cheng Yonghua about the Chinese but added he was seeking to ment ships temporarily entered for a third round of talks on the Reserve. called the Senkaku Islands in ships’ intrusion into Japan’s ter- resolve the dispute through dia- the territorial waters around the issue. AFP Japan and the Diaoyu Islands in ritorial waters, and the growing logue, it said. same islet, while on Saturday, one AFP MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2012 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

US soldier due Pakistan PM in Laos in court over killing Afghans Victims’ kin may testify by video link

LOS ANGELES: A US soldier Afghans could be called to tes- accused of killing 16 Afghan vil- tify, adding that some witnesses lagers is due in court today for have been “difficult to round up,” the first time since the March according to the Seattle Times. massacre, in a pre-trial hearing Browne was expected to travel to decide if he should face a full to Afghanistan to question the court martial. witnesses for himself, while other Staff Sergeant Robert Bales is staff from his law office would expected to attend throughout remain at the proceedings in Fort the Nov 5-16 Article 32 hearing Lewis-McChord, the newspaper at Fort Lewis-McChord in the reported. western state of Washington, base “This may be our only shot at spokesman Gary Dangerfield said. them, if they don’t show up for Relatives of the victims and the trial,” he was quoted as say- witnesses could testify via vid- ing, adding: “So this (hearing) eolink from a US air base in becomes more important.” Kandahar, southern Afghanistan, Browne’s office did not immedi- according to media reports, ately return calls for comment or although the spokesman could confirmation of the plans. not confirm that. He has previously said that Pakistan’s Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf (left) inspects an honour guard upon his arrival at Wattay airport to attend the ninth Asia-Europe Bales, 39, is accused of leaving Bales cannot remember anything (ASEM 9) summit in Vientiane yesterday. Debt-laden European nations will lobby Asia’s economic dynamos for help to calm the crisis raging in the his base in the Panjwayi district of of the killings. Reports suggest he eurozone at a major summit next week in communist Laos, one of the world’s poorest countries. Kandahar province on the night may have been drinking before of March 11 to commit the kill- the massacre, and been trauma- ings, which included nine chil- tised when a colleague was seri- dren. He allegedly set several of ously injured next to him. their bodies on fire. The decision to whisk him back The killings are thought to be to the US triggered anger from Govt trying to get out of Balochistan mess the deadliest crime by a US sol- locals, many of whom called for dier during the decade-long con- him to be tried in Afghanistan for flict and tested Washington and the rampage. ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Ashraf various options to resolve federal government.” the National Reconciliation Kabul’s already tense relationship Relatives and victims have government is mulling differ- the tricky situation. For example, he said, Ordinance (NRO) to years, it can to the limit. since been paid tens of thousands ent measures to get out of the He said that before taking a Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab attempt different options to live Bales was transferred from of dollars in compensation — fam- complicated Balochistan situa- decision to exercise any option, Aslam Raisani can be unofficially with the Balochistan situation for Afghanistan back to Fort ilies of the dead got 2.3 million tion in the wake of the October the military establishment has to sent on long leave so that he is not another few months despite the Leavenworth in Kansas shortly Afghanis ($46,000) each while the 12 interim order of the Supreme be consulted and taken on board seen as part of the mess. In the court order, he added. after the massacre, before being injured received 500,000 Afghanis, Court that the provincial setup for it is comprehensively involved meantime, the provincial govern- However, he acknowledged moved back to Fort Lewis- Afghan officials said. has lost authority to govern in handling the Balochistan prob- ment may continue in its present that a deep crisis exists and the McChord recently, home base Bales — who prosecutors say under the Constitution. lem through the Frontier Corps shape without a chief minister. court order can’t be ignored. He of the US 2nd Battalion, 3rd returned to his base and turned “I believe the federal govern- and intelligence agencies. At the same time, the source was aware of the judicial proceed- Infantry Regiment. himself in after the shooting ram- ment will soon take appropriate The source said that there were said, another option was the gov- ings on Friday in which the court His wife and two children were page — has been described as “a steps to address the situation”, certain options available, some- ernment’s desire to drag the issue reinforced that its October 12 ver- moved to the sprawling military likeable guy,” always laughing and Spokesman to President Asif Ali thing like the imposition of gover- for so long that the time for dis- dict remains intact and has to be base south of Seattle for their own quick with a joke. Zardari, Senator Farhatullah nor’s rule or a state of emergency solution of all the assemblies to enforced. security, and to shield them from A decorated veteran who did Babar, said. or dissolution of the provincial pave way for holding fresh general It turned down the pleas of the the glare of the media in the wake three tours in Iraq and deployed A reliable official source assembly. elections reaches a span of few interior minister and the attor- of the killings. to Afghanistan in December, said that Law Minister Farooq “Any of these measures may months. If the government can ney general to revoke the order Bales’ Seattle-based lawyer, Bales was raised in Norwood, H Naek was discussing with create more chaos and instabil- prolong the implementation of or give a long adjournment. John Browne, said more than 10 Ohio, outside of Cincinnati. AFP Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz ity, and bring a bad name to the the apex court judgment against INTERNEWS

Going to school Ex-judge says Italian premier visits Afghanistan

ISI political KABUL: Italian Prime Afghanistan alone.” Minister Mario Monti made a Donor nations have pledged cell was set surprise visit to Afghanistan $16bn in civilian aid for yesterday to see his country’s Afghanistan through 2015 to troops and hold talks with prevent the country from sliding up in 1975 President Hamid Karzai. back into turmoil when foreign Monti visited the Nato-led combat troops depart. ISLAMABAD: Former chief Italian contingent at their base There are several pre-condi- justice of Pakistan, Justice in the western province of Herat tions for the aid, including the Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui, has to mark Italian Armed Forces holding of presidential elections said that he remembers it Day before heading to Kabul to in 2014. beyond any doubt that dur- meet Karzai. Afghanistan annnounced last ing the hearing of Asghar “They are doing a really great week the election would be held Khan Case in 1997, the notifi- job, transferring the responsi- on April 5, 2014, but Karzai reit- cation for the establishment bilty of the region to the authori- erated yesterday that the two of a political cell in the Inter- ties, national and local,” he told foreign members of the elec- Services Intelligence (ISI) was a joint news conference with the tion watchdog, the Election presented by the then attor- president. Complaints Commission, would ney general but he had sought “We are very proud of our 3,500 be removed. privilege. men spending a part of their lives “There is no need for them, and During an interview, Justice in the interest of global peace and our national sovereignty does not Siddiqui said the federal gov- in the interest of civic and eco- Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti allow that,” he said. ernment has the right to claim nomic development of a peaceful addresses a joint press conference The last election in 2009, in privilege on any document and, Afghanistan,” he said. with Afghanistan President Hamid which Karzai was reelected for a if it is allowed, such document Fifty-two Italian soldiers have Karzai (not in picture) in Kabul second term, was marred by wide- is not made part of the court so far died in the 11-year con- yesterday. spread allegations of fraud. record. flict against Taliban insurgents, The credibility of the 2014 vote, He added that he had men- according to an AFP count. “We look forward to 2014 as a in which Karzai is constitution- tioned the presentation of this Italy, along with the rest of year of change but not as a year ally barred from standing for a document regarding establish- the Nato-led countries which of rupture,” Monti said. “Italy, like third term, is seen as crucial to ment of political cell in the ISI in have some 100,000 troops in most other countries will trans- the country’s stability after the his order which must be present Afghanistan, plans to pull out its form its support for Afghanistan withdrawal of Nato troops. in the records of the Supreme A Pakistani girl holds the Holy Quran as she arrives to attend a semi- combat troops by the end of 2014. but will by no means leave AFP Court. nary in Rawalpindi yesterday. In the June 16, 1997, order of the Supreme Court by a divi- sion bench comprising Justice Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui and Justice Khalilur Rehman Khan, US nationals in Pakistan seen supporting Mitt Romney it is unambiguously stated: “Learned attorney general (Ch Muhammad Farooq) has ISLAMABAD: The US nation- are currently present in Pakistan invited to watch the elections him or her here. Even non-diplo- Barack Obama are also enthusi- placed before us original letter als living in Pakistan have including 749 diplomats posted in results. mat nationals working in various astic to see the Democrat remain dated 26.6.1997 addressed to him started exercising their right of Islamabad mission and US diplo- Strict and special security other capacities don’t take their in the White House. by the secretary defence (Hasan franchise for next week’s presi- matic facilities in Karachi, Lahore arrangements would be in place spouse into confidence about their The exact number of votes Raza Pasha) along with the dential election and it is likely and Peshawar. on the day in and around the US vote. secured by candidates from document under which the ISI that the process will be com- About one thousand voters liv- facilities. It is done for the respect of Pakistan couldn’t be ascer- was created. The learned attor- pleted by today. ing in Pakistan already cast their Well-placed diplomatic sources democratic norms and tradi- tained but the trend shows ney general, while placing these The new ambassador of the vote by late last evening and they said yesterday that US diplomats tionally it happens in US soci- that Romney has an edge over documents before us, claimed United States to Pakistan, have consigned the same back to are maintaining secrecy while ety where family members are Obama among the voters in privilege which is allowed for Richard G Olson, who has been their respective states through a casting their vote because they most of the time seen to be hav- Pakistan. the time being. From the con- picked by incumbent President secret system. religiously believe that no one ing divergent approach towards US spokesperson Rian Harris tents of the letter addressed to Barak Obama for the slot in The US Embassy and consu- should come to know about their parties. wasn’t available for comments the attorney general, it appears Islamabad also cast his vote lates are contemplating to dis- political loyalties. The informal survey sug- over the casting of votes by that a political cell in the ISI through the online facility. He play the results on huge screens Pakistan is among non-family gests that US citizens living in US diplomats in Pakistan and was created in May 1975 which arrived here last week. through special arrangements diplomatic stations for US diplo- Pakistan are mostly supporting arrangements for displaying the is still in existence.” According to an estimate, about in their respective compounds mats and for the reason no dip- the Republican contender, Mitt results in US missions. INTERNEWS two thousand US national voters where special guests would be lomat has his or her spouse with Romney, while the supporters of INTERNEWS MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2012 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Himachal registers record 75pc polling 459 candidates, including 36 women, in the fray

SHIMLA/NEW DELHI: percentage was 71.61 percent, in point, saw 74.20 percent and 68 Himachal Pradesh yesterday 2003 it was 74.51 percent, in 1998 percent turnout, respectively. registered a record high polling it was 71.23 percent, in 1993 it India’s highest polling booth in of around 75 percent in elec- was 71.50 percent and in 1990 it Lahaul-Spiti district recorded 80 tions for 68 assembly constitu- was 67.76 percent. percent turnout. At the Hikkim encies, Election Commission The voter turnout in the state polling station, located at an alti- officials said. was just nine percent in the first tude of 14,567 feet, 267 voters out The state’s Chief Electoral hour but by noon, it rose to 30 of the 333 on the rolls cast votes. Officer, Narinder Chauhan, told percent and 60 percent by 3pm, The Ka polling station in IANS in Shimla: “The voter said Chauhan. Kinnaur district, which has the turnout was approximately 75 The maximum turnout was in lowest number of 18 electors percent.” Sirmaur district (81.48 percent), in the state, saw 100 percent In New Delhi, Deputy Election followed by Solan district (80.34 turnout. Commissioner Alok Shukla told percent), Kullu district (78.74 A record number of 459 candi- reporters that the final figure percent), Mandi (76.95 percent) dates, including 36 women, were for turnout was likely to go up and Chamba (75.25 percent). in the fray. as voting in about 200 booths The state’s largest district The Election Commission Voters show their identity cards as they wait in a queue before casting their votes at a polling station in Kangra, continued even after 5pm. Kangra, with the maximum set up 7,253 polling stations for Himachal Pradesh yesterday. “It is quite possible (that a) number of 15 seats, saw 72.25 4,608,359 electors, including record is set. It is already higher percent polling. 2,376,587 men. (than the figure of 2007 polls),” “The highest percentage of The main contest was between Virbhadra Singh is contesting its promise of giving induction Saran was among the first to Shukla said. He said the polling polling among the constituencies the Congress and the ruling BJP. the elections from Shimla (rural) stoves to every household if the vote after the country’s inde- had been “absolutely peaceful and was 94.80 percent in Nalagarh Congress leader and five-time and Dhumal from Hamirpur party returned to power, Sharma pendence in the 1951 general completely incident-free”. in Solan district, while the low- chief minister Virbhadra Singh constituency. said: “Who will pay for buying elections. There were reports of a minor est polling percentage of 58.77 cast his vote at his native place Union Commerce Minister utensils required for induction The election result would be clash between the Bharatiya percent was in Shimla (urban),” in Rampur town, around 120 Anand Sharma also cast his stove? Will the BJP pay this? It out December 20. Janata Party (BJP) and Congress Chauhan said. km from Shimla, while Chief vote in the state capital. “We is just misguiding the voters.” In 2007, the BJP won 41 seats, workers at a polling station in The remote districts of Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal will form the government. This Poll officials said Shyam Saran, the Congress 23, the BSP one Chamba town, election officials Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti, where exercised his franchise in is my belief,” Sharma told report- 95, from Kalpa in Kinnaur dis- and Independents three. The said. the minimum temperatures have Samirpur, now part of Bhoranj ers after casting his ballot. trict, one of the oldest voters in lone BSP legislator later joined In 2007 assembly polls, the poll already dipped below the freezing constituency. Taking a jibe at the BJP over the state also cast his vote. the BJP. IANS Kasab suffering from dengue-like fever 22 killed as rains batter Andhra MUMBAI: Ajmal Kasab, him in the Arthur Road prison, Kasab’s health and he was sub- the sole surviving Pakistani where he has been lodged since jected to various tests, most of HYDERABAD: Torrential help from the Navy to rescue the The state-owned road transport involved in 26/11 terror attacks his conviction. which have been negative for den- rains continued to batter passengers. corporation suspended bus serv- on Mumbai, has been suffering Confirming the reports, J.J. gue. We are expecting results of coastal Andhra Pradesh yes- East Godavari, West Godavari ices between several coastal cities. from high fever - earlier sus- Hospital dean T P Lahane said one more medical test,” Lahane terday, claiming 22 lives, inun- and Visakhapatnam districts Hundreds of vehicles were pected to be dengue - for the that while the symptoms of the said. A jail official, however, said dating hundreds of villages, were the worst hit by the rains, stranded on Chennai-Kolkatta last four days, a prison official fever were “dengue-like”, the pos- that Kasab would not be shifted paralysing road and rail traffic which left a trail of destruction highway at Rajanagarm, said. sibility of the disease has been to the hospital and he would be and damaging crops. and brought road and rail services Annavaram and Tuni in East and A team of doctors from nearly ruled out. attended to by doctors within the The rains triggered by north- to a halt. West Godavari districts. Mumbai’s J J Hospital is treating “Doctors are monitoring jail premises. IANS east monsoon and Cyclone The railways suspended all Water entered houses in sev- Nilam, which crossed the coast train services between coastal eral colonies of Rajahmundry, a near Chennai Wednesday, have city of Visakhapatnam and historic town in East Godavari. so far killed 22 people, said T. Hyderabad. Teams of National Disaster Radha, commissioner, disaster Hundreds of passengers were Response Force (NDRF) shifted management. stranded at railway stations as 3,000 people from flooded areas About 60,000 people from train movement was thrown of Eluru town in West Godavari. affected areas were shifted to 86 out of gear between Vijayawada The rescue workers were arrang- relief camps. Incessant rains in and Visakhapatnam -- the two ing large number of sandbags to eight districts of Andhra Pradesh major rail transit hubs in coastal prevent flooding. have damaged 480 houses com- Andhra Pradesh. In the coastal city of pletely and 766 houses partially. The railways have either can- Visakhapatnam, normal life came Standing crops in over 250,000 celled or diverted trains due to a halt due to incessant rains for hectares were also damaged. to flooding of tracks in East the fourth day. In East Godavari district, one Godavari, West Godavari and Main roads in the city have 5-7 NOV 2012 of the worst-hit by flash floods, Visakhapatnam districts, officials turned into pools. Officials seven deaths were reported while said. from Greater Visakhapatnam about 30,000 people were shifted Trains between Hyderabad, Municipal Corporation, revenue to relief camps. Chennai, Bangalore and other cit- and police departments were busy Over 500 villages in the district ies in south India and the destina- in rescue and relief operations. Sponsored By were marooned due to overflowing tions in Orissa and West Bengal People in the area described rivulets, tanks, streams and res- were also hit. Several trains from it as the worst disaster in two ervoirs. As many as 72 tanks were Howrah, Bhubaneswar and other decades. breached in the coastal district, destinations were running sev- Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar inundating dozens of villages, eral hours late and stranded in Reddy, who was in New Delhi, which were without electricity. affected areas. talked to top officials over phone In Visakhapatnam district, Vehicular traffic was also and reviewed the situation, and passengers of two buses were severely affected in the region directed them to take all neces- stranded in flood waters in a with many stretches and national sary measures to help people in PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION stream. Authorities have sought highways coming under water. the affected areas. IANS Army ups vigil to thwart infiltration Use Your Camera or mobile to in Kashmir

SRINAGAR: The army has SHOOT YOUR FAVOURITE PHOTO FROM stepped up vigil along the Line of Control (LoC) to thwart infil- tration attempts from across the border before the ensuing winter, an army officer said here yesterday. Speaking on the sidelines 6/ 11 / 2012, 10:00 pm of a sports event here Sunday, Lieutenant General Om Prakash, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 15th corps, said: “The New recruits of the Border Security Force (BSF) take part in the passing enemy has been trying to increase out parade in Humhama, in Kashmir, yesterday. A total of 540 recruits infiltration bids from across the were formally inducted into the BSF after completing 38 weeks of rigorous & WIN borders in autumn months before training. FIRST PRIZE QR 8,000 the mountain passes get blocked due to heavy snowfall each heads. “It is the duty of all of us convey in the By-pass road EXCITING CASH SECOND PRIZE QR 4,000 winter.” including the people to ensure area near Nowgam in Srinagar “I assure you that our troops security to the panches and sar- October 19 this year. THIRD PRIZE QR 3,000 are always alert to thwart such panches,” he said. After firing at the convoy, PRIZES! infiltration bids,” added Lt Gen On the recent attack by mili- the gunmen had entered a local Prakash, who is also the security tants on a local hotel, he said: hotel where they fired at three advisor to the state government. “The state police is tracking them employees, killing one of them on mail your entries (Maximum 3 Photos) to: [email protected] The GOC also said that domi- down and I am sure those behind the spot. Another employee later nation of areas through increased the attack would soon be tracked succumbed to injuries in hospital. or urther inormaon Please call: patrolling in vulnerable areas was down.” State police said the attack being undertaken to provide over- A group of heavily-armed was carried out by terror group all security to the elected village militants had attacked an army Lashkar-e-Taiba. IANS MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2012 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Did rally give Congress in massive show of strength boost to Combative Sonia says detractors will get ‘fitting reply’; BJP not impressed by rally party image?

NEW DELHI: Buffeted by NEW DELHI: Was the charges of corruption against Congress’ show of strength at its government, a combative a rally at the Ramlila Maidan Congress yesterday hit out at here Sunday really success- detractors saying it would give ful? Analysts said the image- them a “fitting reply” and also boosting exercise might be touted the benefits of its eco- “little and late”. nomic reforms agenda in a mas- At the rally, Congress presi- sive show of strength here. dent Sonia Gandhi, Prime An aggressive Congress presi- Minister Manmohan Singh and dent Sonia Gandhi took on the party general secretary Rahul opposition parties and the anti- Gandhi hit out at the opposi- corruption activists head-on at tion, particularly the Bharatiya a rally held in Ramlila Ground, Janata Party (BJP), over its alle- while Prime Minister Mammohan gations of corruption against the Singh stressed that the economic government. reforms were needed to create The Congress leaders spoke more jobs. in unison about the benefits However, the Bharatiya of Foreign Direct Investment Janata Party (BJP) wasn’t very (FDI) in multi-brand retail to impressed, terming the rally farmers, consumers and its role “anti-people”. in creating jobs for the youth, The rally in the heart of the three key constituencies for the national capital took a major toll party. They also spoke about on vehicular movement on major the compulsions of the govern- thoroughfares, choking several ment to hike price of petroleum roads and huge traffic snarls were products. reported from all over the city. However, the contentious Nearly 3,000 buses from decision of putting a cap on Rajasthan and Haryana and subsidised cylinders was not another 2,000 buses from the cap- elaborated upon. Corruption and ital itself disgorged thousands of FDI are likely to be poll issues in Congress supporters to the rally the Gujarat assembly polls this venue in central Delhi. December and string of assem- Addressing a massive crowd, bly polls next year. estimated to be over 50,000, the Political analyst Subrata prime minister said the move to Mukherjee said Congress had allow FDI and hiking diesel prices been at the receiving end of alle- in the face of much opposition gations and needed to provide were aimed at ushering in faster Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, chief of India’s ruling Congress party Sonia Gandhi and lawmaker and son of Sonia, Rahul Gandhi, wave to their an answer. economic reforms that “will help supporters during a rally in New Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan ground yesterday. “It (the rally) remains a sym- the country to progress and earn bolic mobilisation. It may be too more money to launch welfare little, too late. Such moves will schemes to help the poor people”. the hike in diesel prices. The “We will fight all graft charges had “skipped” the “2G spectrum said his party had supported not create an impression unless He said the economic reforms Trinamool Congress had walked against us and none found guilty and coal block allocations, and the then BJP-led National the government acts and puts were needed to create more jobs. out of the UPA government over will be spared,” she asserted. the corruption allegations against Democratic Alliance government out a cleaner image,” Mukherjee, “People are being misled about the economic move, which has Indirectly hitting out at BJP their leaders”. during the 1999 Kargil battle and a former professor at Delhi our recent economic decisions.” been slammed by the opposition chief Nitin Gadkari, who has BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain asked the BJP to reciprocate the University said. The UPA has just about 18 parties, while UPA ally Samajwadi been targeted by the IAC’s Arvind said: “This rally will only benefit gesture to the UPA’s policies. Asked about Rahul Gandhi’s months to go before the 2014 gen- Party too has voiced concern. Kejriwal for alleged financial America”, referring to allowing This remark drew a sharp reac- assertion to make the political eral elections and the mega rally Taking on the opposition, impropriety in the running of his FDI. tion from Arun Jaitley, who said: system more “open”, Mukherjee is seen as a first step to giving including the anti-corruption Purti Group, she said: “Those who At the rally, Congress general “No one takes national security said such words “do not cut ice a boost to the morale of cadres activists, Sonia Gandhi chal- are talking about corruption are secretary Rahul Gandhi, who as seriously as we (BJP) do, but with people anymore”. in the face of corruption charges, lenged them saying the truth and finding themselves neck-deep in is expected to be anointed the we will not support corruption (of Nisar-ul-Haq, professor of including faulty coal blocks alloca- untruth in their charges needs to corruption.” party’s number two in a major the UPA).” history in Jamia Millia Islamia, tion, the 2G spectrum issue, and be understood well. Sonia Gandhi attacked the organisational move, said the The Communist Party of said the Congress in the past the recent allegations by India “We will give a fitting reply,” opposition for not allowing key UPA government will get the India-Marxist general secretary had not been effectively reach- Against Corruption. she said amid cheers from the legislation to be passed or dis- stalled Lokpal bill passed by par- Prakash Karat said: “We dare the ing out to people in the face of In a reiteration of his party loyalists. cussed in parliament. liament soon. government to get the approval concerted attack by the opposi- September 21 address to the “I admit, corruption is a can- The BJP had stalled the mon- However, Rahul’s remarks, of parliament for its FDI policy.” tion and the rally had helped fill nation, the prime minister said cer... is a disease... But we have soon session of parliament over drawing a parallel with the Kargil Karat said his party will talk the gap. FDI was beneficial for farmers fought this disease before and we alleged irregularities in allocation war, while asking BJP’s support to all opposition leaders to raise “They (were) not clarify- and would not hurt small traders. will continue to fight this disease of coal blocks. to the UPA government’s policy their voice against the FDI during ing what they were doing. The He also mentioned the gov- with all strength once again,” she BJP’s Arun Jaitley asked the raked up a controversy. the winter session of parliament Congress wanted to assert ernment’s subsidy bill to justify said. ruling party leaders why they The Congress heir-apparent beginning November 22. IANS itself,” he said. IANS

Mass marriage ceremony Punjab, Haryana Supreme Court upholds procure 14.7m tonnes of paddy army commanding CHANDIGARH: Inching closer to the 15 million tonne- officers’ power to sack mark, foodgrain producing states Punjab and Haryana NEW DELHI: There is no dealing with court martial pro- have together procured nearly legal infirmity if an army per- ceedings, the apex court said 14.7 million tonnes of paddy sonnel is dismissed in summary the commanding officer of the this season, officials said here court martial proceedings con- accused or of the corps to which yesterday. ducted by a commanding officer the accused belonged was not While Punjab has procured who also issues the charge sheet qualified for serving on general nearly 10.9 million tonnes paddy, against him, the Supreme Court court martial or district court Haryana has procured nearly 3.8 has said. martial, two different types of million tonnes. “There is no violation of the court martial proceedings. Bulk of the paddy (nearly 99 principle of natural justice. No “There is neither any impedi- percent) has been procured by illegality has been committed in ment nor embargo in the Army government agencies while the convening the summary court Act or the Army Rules for an rest has been procured by private martial by the commanding officer who convened the sum- millers in both the states. officer nor there is any illegality mary general courts martial In Punjab, Ludhiana, Sangrur in the conduct of summary court or summary courts martial or Muslim brides sit at a mass marriage ceremony in Bhopal yesterday. More than 45 Muslim couples tied the and Patiala were leading in pro- martial,” said the apex court the commanding officer of the nuptial knot in the ceremony organised for community members. curement. Over Rs3,352 crore has bench of Justice R M Lodha and accused or of the corps to which been distributed as payment to Justice Anil R Dave in a recent the accused belongs to serve on farmers in these three districts judgment. such court,” the judgment said. alone, a food and supplies official The court said this while “Section 116 of the Army Act said here. addressing the challenge about rather provides that a summary Activists demand white paper on Yamuna Punjab officials said farmers the competence of the an accused court martial may be held by the in the state have received a total army man’s commanding officer, commanding officer of any corps, AGRA: Environmental activ- Conservation Society, the organ- for acquisition. All this was done payment of nearly Rs10,460 crore who signed and issued the charge department or detachment of the ists here yesterday demanded isers of the event. without proper environmental this season (starting October 1). sheet, to convene and conduct the regular army and he shall alone a white paper on expenses Environmental activists Anand studies or impact assessment. All Procurement of paddy in both summary court martial proceed- constitute the court (summary incurred by the state and cen- Rai and Devashish Bhattacharya they want is to make easy money states started October 1 but the ings. The question arose during court-martial),” the judges said. tral governments in the past called for continuous monitor- by increasing pressure on the bulk of the stocks started arriving the hearing on the central gov- Prasad, who belonged to 11 25 years on cleaning up the ing of the city’s treatment plants delicate Taj Mahal.” only after October 10. ernment’s appeal challenging Assam Rifle, went on unauthor- Yamuna river. and implementation of various The participants also demanded In Punjab, the state govern- the two concurring judgments ised leave for 808 days from July Deliberating on the issues schemes hanging fire. that the government should begin ment has set up 1,770 procure- of the Gauhati High Court on 26, 1998, to October 11, 2000. threatening the river at a day- The activists stressed that the work on the Yamuna Barrage, ment centres. In Haryana, the September 7, 2006, and August 28, Col A S Sehrawat on August 3, long conference here, activists river can no longer sustain life downstream of the Taj Mahal, to procurement of nearly 3.8 million 2008, setting aside the dismissal 2001, served him a charge sheet to addressing the ‘Yamuna Bachao and the authorities should focus store monsoon rain. The confer- tonnes so far is higher than the of washerman/rifleman Dinesh explain his absence without leave Sammelan’ (save Yamuna confer- on “restoring glory and good ence has finalised 10 demands, 3.135 million tonnes procured in Prasad. and constituted a summary court ence) also questioned the develop- health” to the river, which is the which will be presented to the the same period last year, an offi- The high court held that the martial where Prasad admitted mental projects being undertaken life line of Taj City. authorities for implementation. cial of Haryana food and supplies disciplinary proceedings were his guilt on October 4, 2001. by the Uttar Pradesh government. Surendra Sharma said the fish “Some of the demands can department said. vitiated by the likelihood of bias Before being dismissed, Prasad “Instead of taking measures to of the river have been dying due be met by the local adminis- Kurukshetra, Karnal and and suffered from the breach of sought to explain his unauthor- save the Yamuna from dying, the to pollution downstream of the tration, while some need cen- Kaithal were leading in paddy the principle of natural justice ised absence on the grounds of his state government is more keen Taj Mahal. tral government’s intervention. procurement in Haryana. The because the commanding officer poor mental health. on building the Agra-Lucknow Activist Shravan Kumar Singh But the important point is that minimum support price (MSP) who had issued the charge sheet Setting aside the concurrent Expressway and Sanjay Khan’s said: “Senior state government time is running short and action fixed by the government this time also presided over the summary judgments of the high court, the Seven Cities Park in Agra,” officials on Saturday visited sev- must follow soon,” said confer- is Rs1,250 and Rs1,280 per quintal court martial which dismissed apex court said that absence with- said Surendra Sharma, presi- eral sites and identified 1,000 ence chairperson Chandra Kant for common and grade-A varieties Prasad. out leave was an offence under the dent of Braj Mandal Heritage acres of land along the river bank Tripathi. IANS of paddy. IANS Referring to the Army Rules Army Act. IANS

Monday 5 November 2012 20 Dhul-Hijja 1433 Volume 17 Number 5509 Price: QR2

Qatar’s banking Qatari bourse sector to grow index down by stronger: KPMG 0.45 percent

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106,274 9.00 761,298 26.60 278,254 154.60251,893 15.55 8,880 77.00 121,107 29.00 25,133 24.65 3,000 72.20 33,075 52.70 QNB, Industries Qatar make it to FT top 500 DOHA: Two Qatari entities, crises. Meanwhile, many other deposits by 37 percent to $74bn Mena countries in FT top 500 (September 2012) Index for Large Capitalised com- the easing of tensions related to QNB and Industries Qatar (IQ), global companies have recovered over the same period. These (US$bn) panies rose 18 percent in the sovereign debt. made the Financial Times (FT) sharply after their market capi- strong results have allowed QNB year to end-September as con- There were 90 financial com- top 500 list by market capitalisa- talisation was driven lower by the to maintain its position as the cerns about sovereign debt in panies in the top 500 accounting tion as at end-September 2012. sovereign debt crisis. leading financial institution in advanced economies, particu- for $4.3 trillion of market capi- Market capitalisation at QNB The strong performance of the Mena region with the high- larly the eurozone, have eased and talisation in September 2012, up and IQ rose 5 percent and 15 per- IQ is primarily owing to higher est level of net profit, total assets, central banks have maintained by 18 percent from a year earlier, cent respectively during the first fertiliser production, which has loans and deposits, QNB Group highly accommodative policies broadly in line with growth in the nine months of this year. driven revenue and profits higher noted yesterday. by extending quantitative easing overall top 500. Oil and gas pro- There are six GCC companies at stable prices. New production The company with the largest or expanding lending and sta- ducers accounted for $3.1 trillion in the top 500 global list and their facilities, with capacity of 4.3m market capitalisation in the Mena bility funds. This led to higher of the total index in September capitalisation rose 3 percent from tonnes per year of ammonia and region is Saudi Basic Industries market capitalisation at the end 2012, up by 11 percent from a September 2011 to September 3.8m tonnes per year of urea, have (Sabic), which is predominantly a of September, but there are sig- year earlier. Oil prices have aver- 2012 to $191bn. been launched and ramped up. petrochemicals company but also 23 percent lower than profits in nificant downside risks with the aged $111/barrel over this period, GCC’s leading companies In the third quarter of 2012, net produces fertilisers and steel. Its the same period of 2011. global economic outlook deterio- a relatively high level compared have underperformed the rest profit was 7 percent higher than market capitalisation reached The FT’s total market capi- rating and further sovereign debt with historical averages. This has of the world over this period as in the third quarter of 2011. $73bn at the end of September talisation of the top 500 compa- tensions could emerge. supported the market capitalisa- they have been less affected by QNB’s rising market capi- 2012 and it ranked 81 in the top nies increased 17 percent from In terms of sectors, technology tion of energy producers. the alleviation of sovereign debt talisation comes on the back of 500 global companies. September 2011 to September hardware and software compa- Apple remained the largest concern in advanced economies strong financial results. Profits Although production has 2012 to $25 trillion, equivalent to nies have performed particularly listed company in rankings with and as their exposure to euro- for the first nine months of 2012 increased, weaker prices for about 35 percent of global GDP. strongly, accounting for $2.6 tril- a capitalisation of $625bn. Apple zone debt, in particular, is lower reached $1.7bn, 15 percent higher its products and slow global The strong performance of the lion of market capitalisation in has outperformed the world’s other than the other large corporations. than in the same period of 2011. growth have led to lower prof- leading global stocks has been September 2012, up by 27 per- largest-listed companies whose Broadly speaking, the GCC com- Total assets grew by 25 percent its for the company in each of supported by rising global market cent from a year earlier. Banks market capitalisation changed panies have seen steady growth to $96bn from September 2011 to the last four quarters. Sabic capitalisation during this period, and financial services companies by the following amounts from in market capitalisation with lit- September 2012, total loans by 42 reported profits of $1.7bn in according to QNB Group. have also performed well as they September 2011 to September 2012. tle impact from sovereign debt percent to $66bn and customer the third quarter of this year, The MSCI All Country World have been direct beneficiaries of THE PENINSULA MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2012 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Results Snapshot for listed Banks in Qatar Listed banks’ 30 September 2012 net profitability NET PROFIT NET IMPAIRMENT LOSSES ON LOANS AND INVESTMENTS TOTAL ASSETS grows 9.5pc QAR millions 9 months ended 30/9/11 QAR millions QAR millions 9 months ended 30/9/12 Bank 9 months ended 9 months ended Bank 31 Dec 30 Sep % change DOHA: Listed banks in Qatar 7,000 15% 30/09/11 30/09/12 2011 2012 have delivered impressive results for the nine months 6,000 Impairment / % of net Impairment / % of net (recovery) (recovery) period ended 30 September 5,000 QNB 602 11% 77512% QNB 301,95 5 350,960 16% 2012, with combined net profit- ability increasing by 9.5 percent CBQ 166 11% 1016% CBQ 71,54 0 76,353 7% 4,000 from the nine month period 150 15% 13012% Doha 52,42 0 52,798 1% Doha ended 30 September 2011. 3,000 Khaliji 29 8% 103% Khaliji 27,00 3 32,002 19% Despite higher significantly 4% Ahli 33 9% (16)-4% Ahli 17,73 4 19,727 11% higher investment impairment 2,000 5% 2% 7% QIB * 73 7% 29826% QIB * 58,28 6 66,874 15% charges for one particular bank and 5% intense competition in the market, 1,000 5% 5% Rayan * 84 8% 91% Rayan * 55,27 1 61,436 11% the combined effect of an increase QIIB * 15 3% 458% QIIB * 23,35 8 24,548 5% - in net interest income from financ- QNB CBQ Doha Khaliji Ahli QIB * Rayan * QIIB * 1,152 1,352 607,567 684,698 13% ing activities and investment income resulted in the banks reporting growth in net profit as compared the comparative period. Of particular significance is the fact that the collective total asset base of all banks has increased by Qatar’s banking sector to grow stronger 13 percent, up by QR77.1bn, from 31 December 2011, which is pri- marily due the increase in the Many projects to start in 2013: KPMG official lending portfolios of the banks. Listed banks have also managed DOHA: Driven by a combination of fac- to lot of project financing. There will be l to grow their deposit bases by tors, 2013 will be much significant for be more appetite this type of financing and 24 percent from December 31 Qatar’s banking sector. The integration project bonds,” he said. through increased marketing of regulatory regimes, take off of key Locally, Qatari banks will clearly not and attractive pricing, as liquid- infrastructure projects and the emer- able to manage such a magnitude of funds, ity continues to be available. gence of a fresh regime in US are all on their won. We will see more syndica- There has however been an expected to bring in an added investor tion and more collaboration with regional overall downward share price confidence. and international banks. They will have trend for all listed banks in third “Coming year should be very interesting to join syndication to be able to support quarter of 2012 in line with the year for number of reasons for the banking the growth. market and the QE index. More sector. If we start with macro level, the US On the poor performance of the listed notably the average share price election is critical, both in terms of global banks’ shares, Omar said held market of the four Islamic banks has and regional economy. In the run up to sentiments responsible for the fall. “It is once again out-performed (0.87 the World Cup, lot of projects will be either not the fundamentals, but sentiments that percent increase) their conven- kicked off or taken off in 2013. Banks are really driving down the return on equity. tional counterparts (6.16 percent getting ready for that”, Omar Mahmood, Sustaining global market concerns, region’s decrease) when compared to the Partner, Financial Services, KPMG told prolonged political instability and investors’ third quarter of 2011. The Peninsula in an interview. nervousness are together contributing to Impairment charges –loans The multi-billion spending on infra- the decline.” and investments-have increased structure will kick off in 2013. We see A snapshot of results for listed banks by 17 percent when compared to Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) and QIIB in Qatar released by KPMG yesterday the corresponding nine month (International Islamic) launching sukuk. revealed the banks’ share prices have period last year, with the increase QNB Group launched its debut bond dropped 6.16 percent during the first solely coming from impairment issue under its Euro Medium Term Note nine months of 2012. According to the on investments. Programme in the international capital market analysts, average return on The overall average market on markets. equity for banks in Qatar fell to 18.6 return on equity and return on Doha Bank is going for huge capi- percent in 2011 from a peak of 30.4 per- assets have both declined as com- tal raise. Almost all the banks have cent in 2007. pared to the prior period mainly embarked on some form of equity or “Sentiments are not necessarily linked to The Peninsula due t asset growth, driven by the capital or debt raising to show up their fundamental value of a company. Investors Omar Mahmood, Partner, Financial Services, KPMG in an interview with . increase in lending, and higher balance sheet to give them the funds are cautious about the possible impact of SALIM MATRAMKOT equity, mainly as a result of the to be able to take part in some of these market sentiments on share prices. But it bonus share issues in Q12012, infra structure funding. will not affect the fundamentals. If you look Net profit of all listed banks has collectively predominantly driven by higher net inter- which have both outpaced the “The year 2013 will also see a great appe- at the numbers, the net profits of all these increased by by 9.5 percent from the nine est and investment income”. growth in profitability. tite for project financing. QP is talking in banks have increased during the period. month period ended 30 September 2011, THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA

Corporate Europe in pain as Q3 warnings pour in Sandy to boost construction jobs LONDON/FRANKFURT: From Sandvik have lost much of the previously from detergents to refrigerators via advertising and luxury goods to cars buoyant demand for mining equipment waterproof clothing and computer parts. as storm spurs home repairs and heavy engineering, European and oil rigs. “European consumer and commercial/ industry is retrenching and abandoning Top German grocer Metro turned in a industrial demand is pretty weak across LOS ANGELES: Demand for con- than the 2007 peak of 7.7 million work- its already modest growth targets, a 35 percent plunge in profits and warned the board, including chemicals, and (there struction workers and materials is ers, according to the Bureau of Labour worrying sign for investors who bought of worse to come, and even luxury cloth- are) very few signs of recovery,” Henry said. likely to receive a boost as homeown- Statistics. “We are likely to see local- into the summer stock market rally. ing group Gucci’s previously insatiable Thomson Reuters Starmine data ers in coastal areas of New York and ized spikes in construction employment The signals from third quarter results Chinese customers are curbing their shows that out of the 53 percent of New Jersey rebuild after their proper- throughout November and the winter so far are that Asian, emerging market appetites. “We’re seeing evidence of a leading European companies outside ties were devastated by flooding and as crews are mobilised to rebuild com- and resources sector demand is no longer weak economy all around us,” Royal the energy sector that have reported heavy winds. munities damaged by Hurricane Sandy,” making up for weakness at home. Dutch/Shell’s Chief Financial Officer earnings so far, 44 percent undershot “It’s the most adverse way you ever Ken Simonson, chief economist for the The car industry has turned in a story Simon Henry told reporters. forecast profits. More worryingly, as an want to see positive growth,” Tom Jeffery, Associated General Contractors of of tumbling profits, plant closures and the As well as being Europe’s largest com- indicator of future earnings growth and chief hazard scientist for CoreLogic, said America, an industry trade group based first industry bailout since the 2008 crisis pany selling fuel to millions of drivers and the robustness of demand, 53 percent in a telephone interview. “But a high in Washington, said. for Peugeot. Advertisers are seeing budg- manufacturers, Shell also provides the missed expectations for revenue. percent of damaged properties are going The total impact on employment from ets cut, machine tools makers ABB and chemicals that go into making everything REUTERS to be repaired.” CoreLogic, a real estate reconstruction work, however, “is likely information service based in Irvine, to be minimal, as planned projects in California, estimated that 95,000 homes hurricane-damaged communities are put with a value of $40bn are located in the on hold while people rebuild,” Simonson coastal areas hit hardest by Sandy. said. Housing and home-building, which Insured losses from Sandy to onshore led the US into the recession, have con- properties, including all types of com- tributed to gross domestic product growth mercial and residential real estate and this year. Real residential fixed investment items such as automobiles, will range increased 14.4 percent in the third quarter, from $7bn to $15bn, according to AIR after an 8.5 percent gain in the previous Worldwide, a catastrophe-modeling firm three months, the Bureau of Economic based in Boston. Reis Inc, a New York- Affairs reported October 26. based research firm, gave a preliminary Home starts jumped to an annual pace estimate of total property damage from of 872,000 in September, a four-year the storm of $30bn to $40bn, countered high, Commerce Department figures by reconstruction efforts valued at $25bn showed on October 17. Prices for existing to $30bn. “This nets out to around a homes climbed in August by the most in $10bn to $15bn loss for the economy as a two years as low interest rates, a dimin- whole,” Victor Calanog, head of research ishing supply of discounted foreclosed and economics at Reis, said in an e-mail. properties and a growing US economy Most homes in low-lying coastal spurred demand. The S&P/Case-Shiller areas are required to have flood insur- index of property values in 20 cities rose ance, which should cover much of the 2 percent in August from a year earlier, repair costs, Jeffery said. Federal and the biggest annual gain since July 2010, local governments have offered financial the group said. The median forecast of assistance to help uninsured property 25 economists in a Bloomberg survey owners rebuild after other disasters, projected a 1.9 percent gain. such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and In the New York metropolitan area, last year’s Hurricane Irene, he said. prices fell 2.3 percent in the 12 months Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which through August. Only Atlanta had a control more than half of all US mort- bigger drop among the 20 cities in the gages, announced they were offering as index. The storm is more likely to raise much as one year of payment forbear- labour costs than prices for materi- ance for owners of properties harmed als, said Martin Connor, chief financial by Sandy in communities designated officer at Toll Brothers, the largest US national disaster areas. luxury-home builder. Almost 739,000 properties in Sandy’s “It’s too early to tell,” Connor said in path have negative equity of at least 25 a telephone interview from his home in percent, potentially giving owners of Bryn Mawr. “The advantage we have is those homes a reason to stop paying offering a steady stream of work ver- the mortgage and be foreclosed upon, sus some of our competition.” About according to RealtyTrac Inc. half of Toll’s business is between the US construction employment is still Washington and Boston areas, where recovering from the last recession, Sandy did the most damage. with about 2.2 million fewer jobs today WP-BLOOMBERG MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2012 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Qatari bourse Sterling Group draw index down by 0.45 percent Kuwait slumps to eight-year low

DOHA: Qatar Exchange fell by by market value closed flat, with 38.78 points or 0.45 percent to smaller stocks facing the brunt of 8,564.84 points yesterday from the selling pressure. Government- the previous closing of 8,603.62 linked funds were seen buying points. Among the top losers were larger blue chips to support the Industries Qatar whose share market during some periods of dropped 2.39 percent to QR150.90, market weakness last month and Qatar Electricity and Water lost investors think they may do so 0.67 percent to QR133.50, The again, though there was little if Investors fell 0.89 percent to any such buying noted on Sunday. QR24.43 and Al Meera was down National Ranges was the most 2.10 percent to QR158.60. active stock, falling 2.8 percent. The banking and financial sector Ithmaar Bank shed 1.1 percent. index dropped by 2.39 points while “Not many people are selling, the insurance sector added 9.44 trading values are low - people points. The industrial sector was are scared to leave or to enter down 38.83 points and the services the market,” said Fouad Darwish, sector gained 11.69 points. head of brokerage services at Meanwhile, Gulf bourses were Global Investment House. mostly lower yesterday with polit- In contrast to other Gulf coun- ical tension weighing on Kuwait, tries, few Kuwait companies have while Saudi Arabia’s measure so far reported third-quarter The second draw in Sterling Group’s Mercedez Benz G55 promotion was held at Caravan premises yesterday. Saeed Al Mannai, an official gained in thin trade. Kuwait’s earnings, apparently because they from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, showing the winning coupon (No. 604534). Sterling Group Operations Manager Mohd Metwally index slumped to a new eight- want to limit the negative impact (right) is also seen. ABDUL BASIT year closing low ahead of a major from the political tensions on their demonstration planned by the stocks, he added. They seem to be opposition later in the day. The calculating that politics-related market finished 0.1 percent lower. selling is less likely if investors are The opposition said it would still hoping for positive third-quar- would press ahead with the ter earnings surprises. Vodafone row pushes back Canada-India investment deal march to protest against new Saudi Arabia bucked the voting rules, while the govern- regional trend. The index rose 0.2 AGRA: A high-profile tax dis- opening up Canadian exports of investment protection agree- under way for eight years. ment warned it would not toler- percent, up for a third straight pute between the Indian gov- uranium to India. There had been ments after Vodafone threatened The $2.2bn Vodafone dispute ate unsanctioned demonstrations. session, but trading volumes were ernment and British telecoms media speculation in both coun- the Indian government with arbi- concerns an Indian attempt to Some protests in recent weeks low as investors stayed cautious. operator Vodafone Group has tries that Harper’s November 4-9 tration proceedings under one change tax laws in a way which have seen clashes between police The insurance sector rose made it unlikely that India will visit to India might yield a final that already exists between the would impact Vodafone retroac- and demonstrators. 2.4 percent, accounting for a sign a foreign investment protec- agreement on foreign investment Netherlands and India. tively. On the question of atomic “Retail investors were nervous third of all trading volume on tion treaty with Canada during a protection or on nuclear supplies “They are taking a look at all energy, India plans a major expan- today - we have another protest the bourse. In the United Arab visit this week by Prime Minister or both, but this will now likely their agreements before they sion of nuclear power, and it signed tonight. But I don’t think too Emirates, Abu Dhabi’s measure Stephen Harper, Canada’s top not happen this week. “I imagine finalize any one in particular,” a nuclear cooperation agreement much will happen because a lot dipped 0.2 percent, easing away diplomat in India said yesterday. we’ll have agreements perhaps in Beck said. “I would say this is with Canada in 2010. But the two of security forces have been sent from a 15-month high. Abu Dhabi Canadian High Commissioner the next year,” Beck said. going to take more time (than this countries still need to agree on out,” said a Kuwait-based trader Commercial Bank fell 1.5 percent. Stewart Beck also signalled an The Indian government is week),” he said of the Canadian- safeguards before Canada will allow who asked not to be identified. Dubai’s benchmark closed 0.3 per- important disagreement with putting on hold all its negotiations Indian investment protection its uranium to be exported to India. Nine of the 10 largest stocks cent lower. QNA/REUTERS India in negotiations aimed at with other countries on foreign negotiations, which have been REUTERS US fiscal cliff, Foreign investors dip toes EU debt woes back into the eurozone worry G20 PARIS: Reassured by ECB said he noticed in September anti-crisis moves, major inter- that foreign investment funds had MEXICO CITY: Finance chiefs national investors have begun returned buying eurozone shares of the world’s 20 leading econo- dipping their toes back into “for the first time since February mies are ringing alarm bells over the eurozone, even though they 2011”. There has also been a the US fiscal cliff and Europe’s don’t believe the crisis is over. return to purchasing Italian and debt woes at a meeting in Mexico “The worst-case scenarios of Spanish debt. this weekend as they look to push those who had feared the euro- The September pledge by the back deficit reduction targets to zone would disappear has receded ECB to buy up short term debt help boost growth. a bit,” said Jean-Louis Mourier, an of governments which seek a Unless a fractious US Congress economist at Aurel BGC brokerage. bailout and agree fiscal adjust- can reach a deal, about $600bn in Many foreign banks and invest- ment terms has reassured government spending cuts and ment and pension funds pulled investors, even no country has higher taxes are set to kick in on their placements out of the euro- yet to sign up for the newly January 1, threatening to push zone after Greece, Ireland and available programme. the American economy back into Portugal were forced to seek Pimco, the world’s largest recession and hit world growth. But bailouts and the crisis threat- investment manager, cited that with the US presidential election ened to engulf Italy and Spain, the security blanket when it said in looming tomorrow, dealing with bloc’s third- and fourth-largest October that Italy and Spain now the fiscal cliff has been delayed. economies. “offer relatively attractive sources “The Americans themselves However the European Central of credit risk”. While Pimco said acknowledge that this is a prob- Bank has since pumped a trillion it would continue to take a cau- lem,” a G20 official said. “The US euros into banks to ensure liquid- tious approach, it had steered administration says it doesn’t ity and outlined a plan to buy-up clear of Italian and Spanish debt want to fall off the fiscal cliff, unlimited amounts of debt of gov- for three years, and also said it but right now it can’t tell us how ernments pursuing bailout plans. would continue to avoid Greek, exactly it will address it because And investors are again buy- Portuguese and Irish debt. that issue is on ice ahead of the ing shares in French, Italian and The biggest independent election.” Spanish banks, as well as bonds of French fund manager, Carmignac, Tax cuts enacted under presi- the most fragile eurozone states, has indicated that it has again dent George W Bush are set to which has contributed to a rebound begun buying Italian and Spanish expire in January, when auto- in stock markets since this sum- short-term debt. matic spending cuts designed to mer and sent Spanish and Italian Carmignac moved out of most put pressure on lawmakers to government borrowing rates lower. eurozone bonds in July 2011, and strike a long-term budget deal Jean-Francois Bay, director of said this June that it no longer are also set to kick in. the Morningstar France inde- held any eurozone sovereign debt. The US Congress will also soon pendent market research firm, AFP have to raise the nation’s debt limit to avoid a default. An ini- tial consensus around the need for urgent action to prevent a new depression has given way to deep differences over issues such as spending to boost growth and • Bullion - Mumbai the right pace of belt-tightening Gold (10 gm) Standard Rs. 31145.00 to tackle high debt levels. Silver (1 kg) Rs. 60850.00 Officials are also concerned • Indian Rupees QR1 = 14.66 about Japan’s own fiscal cliff, and recognise that previous commit- • Sensex ments made by developed coun- BSE 18755.45 tries to cut their budget deficits in NSE 5697.70 half by 2013 and to stabilise their • LIC (International) launches New Gold Investment Plan ‘GOLD PLUS’ – debt load by 2015 look unfeasible. which provides an opportunity to invest in GOLD ETF & GOLD SPOT, PAN US and European officials Card/Demat Account not required. are also likely to come under • Short-term investment plan from LIC International upto 6.4 percent return pressure from G20 peers for p.a. (in dollar) dragging their feet on imple- menting the so-called Basel III • Housing loan from HDFC LTD accords on financial regula- • Mutual Fund: Buy & Sell: SBI MF, HDFC MF, UTI MF, Birla Sun Life MF, tions, the world’s response to Tata MF, Reliance MF etc. the 2007-09 financial crisis. Contact: Investec, Tel: 44325060/44365060 email: [email protected] REUTERS MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2012 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS VIEWS

Oman: Money market curbs Strong US dollar, albeit Sandy to challenge Islamic banks ARKETS started the by private-sector investors this year in the week relatively slow, as biggest restructuring in history. Hurricane Sandy dev- German Chancellor, Angela Merkel’s BY BERNARDO VIZCAINO astated the Northern government is willing to consider an ECB East Coast of the United proposal for a buyback of Greece’s debt. The S Oman prepares to introduce Islamic finance, a restric- States. The storm dis- Frankfurt-based institution, which holds tion on the money market instruments which banks Mrupted transportation and electricity, pres- about ¤45bn of the country’s sovereign can use may curb their ability to manage funds in the suring the Mayor of New York, Michael Weekly Money Market Review bonds, views any voluntary haircut as mon- Amarket, hurting profitability. Authorities are expected Bloomberg, to close the markets for two etary state financing, which is prohibited by to release Islamic banking rules by year-end, making Oman the days for safety reasons. market, and declining prices of fuel. its founding treaty. last country in the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council to accom- On the other hand, the disagreement ISM manufacturing PMI: Manufacturing Italian bond auction: Italy’s five and modate Shariah-compliant banks. over austerity in Greece is overshadowing industry in the United States expanded last 10-year borrowing costs fell to their low- But the draft rules, seen by bankers before their publication, recent signs of stability. European govern- month at a faster pace than forecasted, est level since May 2011 at an auction last exclude an instrument which is widely used in some other coun- ments pressured Greece to make deeper after orders and production rose, signaling week, as big redemptions helped offset tries: commodity murabaha or tawarruq, several banking sources spending cuts to keep aid flowing as they that the industry is steadying as the world’s concerns about domestic political instabil- in Oman said. They declined to be named because of the sensitiv- pushed to resolve the region’s three-year- biggest economy lost momentum in the first ity. Borrowing costs for the five-year paper ity of the issue. “The central bank was careful to ensure Islamic old sovereign-debt crisis. half of the year. came in at 3.8 percent, down from 4.09 per- finance is of high standards,” said Mohammad Haris, head of The euro started the week on a nega- The Institute for Supply Management’s cent at a similar sale one month ago. Islamic banking at Bank Sohar. “Certain areas, we believe, are tive note at 1.2938, as the Italian Prime factory index rose the most in three months The treasury placed the maximum- too stringent such as liquidity management,” he added. Minister, Mario Monti, and Spanish coun- to 51.7 in October, from September’s fig- targeted amount of ¤4bn of its bonds Omani bankers argue that in the initial stage, Oman’s Islamic terpart, Mariano Rajoy, diverged their ure of 51.5. As the number above 50 signals maturing November 2017. At the same money market will be too shallow and undeveloped for them to interests as to whether they should ask expansion, the index surpassed the expected time Rome sold ¤3bn, also the top access it conveniently with tools other than tawarruq. So banks for assistance together, pushing the Euro 51.0. A continuous hike in the manufac- amount planned, of a 10-year bond with have been lobbying regulators, asking that tawarruq be made to 1.2887. turing industries will make-up for three a yield of 4.92 percent, down from 5.24 temporarily permissible until the market can develop other solu- The single currency advanced against the straight months of contraction, and will percent a month ago. tions, bankers said. US Dollar to 1.3020, after data showed that create more jobs. Such a provision could be similar to one given to Pakistani the Spanish economy contracted less than Unemployment: Fewer Americans than United Kingdom banks in that country’s initial stage of building up Islamic bank- expected, followed by a successful Italian forecasted filed for first-time claims for ing, one Omani banker said. Oman’s central bank told Reuters bond auction. The euro then eased towards unemployment last week, indicating that PM under pressure: British Prime the Islamic banking law was still being drafted and it would not the end of the week after Greek fears resur- demand is still resilient enough to maintain Minister David Cameron endured a sur- comment on tawarruq, adding that an announcement would be faced with heightened volatility, renewed current employment levels. The number of prise political battle over Britain’s role in made by the end of this year. tension, and after Hurricane Sandy did less Americans filing applications for unemploy- Europe. A large group of euro-sceptic con- In tawarruq, one party buys an asset from a vendor with pay- damage than expected. ment benefits fell by 9,000 to 363,000, below servatives rebelled against the Conservative ment deferred, and sells it to a third party for cash. The arrange- The euro plunged on Friday after a strong the expected 370,000. Party Leader, Cameron. The rebels joined ment allows banks to manage their overnight funds. But organised US jobs report, pushing the single currency Data for certain cities in the US were hands with the opposing Labour Party to tawarruq, where transactions occur in exchange for a financial to break below the 1.2900 level. The euro estimates, as businesses were closed due defeat a proposal backed by the prime min- obligation, has been criticised by some Islamic scholars because closed the week at 1.2834. to Hurricane Sandy that devastated the ister on the European Union’s pending ¤1 of its weak link to real economic activity; Islamic finance bans The sterling pound endured a volatile Northern East Coast. The pace of dis- trillion budget. pure monetary speculation. week. Cable opened the week at 1.6106, missals may indicate that companies are Manufacturing PMI: The manufactur- In April 2009 the Jeddah-based International Islamic Fiqh only to plunge on Monday to the week’s low poised to boost hiring should the econ- ing sector shrank more than expected in Academy, an international body of scholars, issued a resolution of 1.6006 after fears that the UK economy omy avert damage should US lawmakers October, as companies received fewer orders criticising organised tawarruq as a “deception”, hurting its accept- will require further stimulus. The sterling find a way to resolve the fiscal cliff of and costs rose at a faster pace, ending a ability in the industry. Tawarruq, of the organised type and other pound then rebounded for two consecu- tax increase and spending cuts at the run of more hopeful data on the economy. types, is widely used in most countries which practice Islamic tive days to reach a high of 1.6175 after beginning of next year. The Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ finance. There are no reliable measures of transaction volumes, a report showed that UK house prices The US economy generated 171,000 jobs in Index’s (PMI) dropped to 47.5 from a down- but it forms the basis for many Islamic credit card transactions in bounced back in October. Cable followed October, surpassing the expected 125,000 by wardly revised 48.1 in September, dipping the Gulf, while Malaysia’s stock exchange has a trading platform suit with the euro, plunging on Friday to far after a revised 148,000 gain in September. further below the 50 mark, which separates based on commodity murabaha. close at 1.6020. The Unemployment rate ticked up to 7.9 growth from contraction. At least 350m rials ($909m) will enter Oman’s Islamic money The Japanese yen opened the week at percent this month from 7.8 percent the The PMI plunged below economists’ market when the country’s two new Islamic banks and the Islamic 79.65, weakening against the US Dollar previous month. The jobless rate rose as expectation of 48.0, after positive surprises windows of conventional banks start operating, Haris estimated. throughout the week, to touch a high of more Americans entered labour force. from third quarter growth numbers and The figure could climb as high as 550m rials as other firms enter 80.67 on Friday. The Swiss franc opened retail and credit figures. The UK economy the market, said Shaher Abbas, Oman-based director at Islamic the week at 0.9347, only to strengthen Europe is still struggling to break a cycle of poor Finance Advisory & Assurance Services (IFAAS). during the middle of the week to a low of growth and recession, plagued by the biggest If banks lack ways to manage the funds in the market, “this 0.9277. The Swiss franc then weakened Greece back in picture: Greece returned budget cuts in half a century and the debt money will be parked until it is deployed. Banks would be forced against the US dollar towards the end of center stage with the 2013 budget, and fears turmoil, which has hammered its trading to place funds with the central bank at zero - this will put huge the week, following the market, to reach a that the nation might not be granted the partners in the eurozone. pressure on asset yields,” Haris said. In the absence of tawarruq, low of 0.9412. The Swiss franc closed the November ¤31.2bn tranche, and might be some banks aim to use wakala (agency) agreements under which week at 0.9398. forced to bankruptcy as the government Commodities they would entrust their money to other institutions to manage. Consumer confidence at 4-year high: struggles to pass needed austerity measures But the small number of Islamic counterparties would limit this US consumer climbed in October more by the EU and the IMF. The Greek consti- Oil drops: Oil fell towards the end of the option’s appeal, bankers said. than a four year high, which may help tutional court ruled that the reform to the week on speculation that the shutdown A ban on tawarruq could pressure the government into issuing drive bigger gains in consumer spend- pension fund is unconstitutional reviving of refineries on the US east coast due to short-term sukuk, or Islamic bonds, to fill the gap and help banks ing, which counts for 70 percent of the the political risks and fears, adding more Hurricane Sandy will add to already suf- manage their money. If this happens, Oman could move ahead of US economy, as Americas became more pressure on the market. ficient supplies. Crude fell 2.2 percent to some other countries which have been slow to develop issuance of upbeat about the job prospects towards Moreover, Greek Prime Minister $85.21 a barrel, while Brent fell to $105.82 short-term sukuk. But so far Omani authorities have shown no sign the end of the year. The index rose Samaras faces more challenges to please a barrel. of starting an extensive issuance programme. The finance ministry to 72.2 last month, the highest since lenders and to pass the ¤13.5bn austerity KUWAIT: Kuwaiti Dinar at 0.28170. has no need or incentive to issue large volumes of sukuk, Abbas said. February 2008, from 68.4 in September. package. International lenders have so far The USDKWD opened at 0.28170 yester- Also, foreign exposure limits mean Oman’s new Islamic bank- Sentiment among US consumers have pledged funds totaling ¤240bn to Greece, day morning. ing operations will have to keep most of their money onshore. A climbed due to a pickup in the housing which also had ¤100bn written off its debt THE PENINSULA two-year exemption from or relaxation of the limits, allowing banks to invest offshore, could alleviate the liquidity management problem, Abbas said, but authorities have not indicated they will grant such an exemption. If there is no action to make it easier Previous Week Levels This Week’s Expected Range 3-Month for Islamic banks to manage their money during their initial years of operation, “it will be a disaster for the banks,” he said. Currencies Open Low High Close Minimum Maximum Forward Even if liquidity management problems are resolved, competi- tion may be tough for the Islamic banks from the start. In addition EUR 1.2938 1.2821 1.3021 1.2835 1.2650 1.3030 1.2845 to the two dedicated Islamic institutions, Bank Nizwa and Al Izz Islamic Bank, five banks plan to offer Shariah-compliant products GBP 1.6106 1.6007 1.6175 1.6021 1.5830 1.6220 1.6030 through Islamic windows: Bank Sohar, Bank Dhofar, Bank Muscat, Ahli Bank and National Bank of Oman (NBO). Fuelling competitive pressures, the overall banking market is JPY 79.65 79.28 80.68 80.43 78.90 81.30 80.30 quite concentrated: the three largest banks accounted for 62 per- cent of total assets and 59 percent of total deposits as of December CHF 0.9347 0.9277 0.9415 0.9403 0.9210 0.9500 0.9380 2011, central bank data showed. REUTERS

Crude-by-rail carves out long-term North American niche

BY NICOLE MORDANT price differential by moving crude we have seen over the last few segment of the Bakken... So we Philippe Reicher, a spokesman want a rail car,” said Brian Ector, from inland oil fields to coastal years does subside, rail will con- believe there is always going to for the Canadian Energy Pipeline a spokesman for Calgary, Alberta- N THIS era of pipelines span- refineries that pay higher prices tinue to be an important part be opportunity to rail as long Association. based oil producer and marketer ning thousands of miles, the linked to Brent crude. Pipelines of the total distribution capac- as there is production in the Depending on the origin and Baytex Energy. idea of shipping crude across are either full, or don’t reach ity out there, particularly on a Bakken,” Lanigan said. destination of crude, shipping by Rail boosters also say that rail- INorth America in railway cars these refineries. flex basis or a peaking capac- The Bakken extends from North rail can cost nearly four times roads can access more refineries might seem a quaint throwback “We don’t expect for the long ity basis, because the model has Dakota into Montana and across as much as shipping by pipeline. than pipelines and adjust volumes to the oil pioneering days of the term that you’re going to see a been proven,” said Steve Hansen, the Canadian border into southern For example, it will cost Southern more easily. Rail companies usually West. Yet it’s a booming business 300 percent growth in crude oil a transportation analyst with Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Even Pacific Resource Corp, a small don’t require commitments, while for North America’s railroads, and trends,” Union Pacific Corp’s Jack Raymond James in Vancouver. if Bakken crude-by-rail cools, ana- Alberta producer, $31 a barrel to contractual payments are needed should remain an important niche Koraleski, chief executive of the lysts see opportunities elsewhere move its Canadian oil sands-mined to guarantee pipeline capacity. market for years to come. biggest US publicly traded rail- BAKKEN BUSINESS — the Eagle Ford Shale in South heavy crude by rail to the US Gulf Railroads are loathe to disclose Shipments of crude by rail in road, said in an interview. “We In the Bakken, where hydraulic Texas, the Permian Basin in West Coast, according to company esti- their crude oil revenues, but it is the United States have surged think we’re going to continue to fracturing has ignited an oil boom, Texas, the Utica shale of Ohio and mates. The comparative pipeline still small, possibly 1-3 percent of from around 11,000 barrels per grow the oil business. The rate more than half of the 700,000 b/d the Canadian oil sands regions in cost would be around $8 a barrel. total revenue. It is rising, however, day (b/d) in 2007 to an estimated of growth will slow from its cur- produced in August was railed, Alberta. Canadian Pacific Railway, With the recent near-record and has helped to offset a slump in 340,000 b/d in 2012, according rent over-excited pace, but we according to the North Dakota which also has tracks in the US premium of Brent prices over US coal shipments. “We reached to data from the Association of still think it will continue to be a Pipeline Authority. BNSF Railway, Bakken, in July moved up by a the US benchmark West Texas the point in the second half of American Railroads. If rail ship- good business for us.” owned by Warren Buffett’s year to 2013 its forecast for reach- Intermediate, it is worth it for 2012 where it is becoming mate- ments in Canada are added, the The planned expansions of Berkshire Hathaway Inc, is by ing 70,000 carloads of crude, or 46 producers such as Southern Pacific rial in dollars,” Canadian National volume could top 400,000 b/d, pipelines like the mid-continent far the biggest rail shipper in the million barrels. to use rail to ship crude to coastal Railway Chief Marketing Officer more than 4 percent of North Seaway line in the first quarter Bakken, transporting some 40-45 Using North American railway refineries, while a dearth of pipe- Jean-Jacques Ruest said. American crude production and of 2013 should displace some percent of each month’s output, tracks to ship oil is nothing new. line capacity traps oil at the inland Railways are also transport- equal to a new, large pipeline. rail capacity, as pipelines are according to company estimates. Before 1900, in the days of John storage hub in Cushing, Oklahoma. ing oil-field materials such as Crude shipments are now the a cheaper option than rail. But BNSF expects to haul close to D Rockefeller and his Standard Some analysts predict the frac sand, clays, rock and pipe, fastest-growing product for sev- experts say railways have proved 90 million barrels of oil this year, Oil Company, railroads were the Brent-WTI spread will narrow another strong growth area. The eral big US and Canadian Class 1 that they can have a lasting role and can maintain, or expand this chief transport mode for oil before next year, from 2012 highs around rail market is developing more railroads after oil output expanded as crude shippers, especially when over time, said John Lanigan, pipelines took over. $24, when the jointly-owned slowly in Alberta than in the more quickly than pipeline capac- major pipeline projects such as BNSF’s chief marketing officer. “You look at what pipelines Enbridge Inc and Enterprise Bakken, but some believe the ity, particularly in the oil-rich Keystone XL and Northern The prospect of big pipeline can do in terms of their ability Product Partners LP Seaway region, the world’s third biggest Bakken area of North Dakota. Gateway are snarled in politics expansions doesn’t scare him. to carry large volumes over such pipeline triples capacity to 400,000 crude deposit, could become the Railroads allow producers to in the United States and Canada. “Over time they are not going long distances. There is really b/d. “It might close the differen- premier crude-by-rail market. take advantage of a temporary oil “Even if the large growth that to have a pipeline going to every no alternative to that,” said tial to a point where we might not REUTERS MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2012 MARKET www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

QE Indices Summary QE Index 8,564.84 38.78 WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 11,591.32 52.48 QE All Share Index 2,066.95 8.02 RATE INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial Services 2,023.01 2.39 GOLD Buying Selling QE All Share Industrials 2,625.24 38.83 All Ordinaries 4479.904 -55.46 -1.22 4602.5 4033.4 QR202.2523 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 1,388.2 7.89 Cac 40 Index/D 3448.38 19.11 0.56 3600.48 2922.26 QE All Share Real Estate 1,681.47 6.46 SILVER UK ...... QR 5.7998 QR 5.8700 QE All Share Insurance 1,981.59 9.44 Dj Indu Average 0 0 0 13661.87 11231.56 QR 3.8178 Euro ...... QR 4.6320 QR 4.7187 QE All Share Telecoms 1,094.09 5.04 CA$ ...... QR 3.6211 QR 3.6907 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 4,876.36 11.69 Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 Services Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.8812 QR 3.9361 Hang Seng Inde/D 21821.87 180.05 0.83 21847.7 18056.4 Yen ...... QR 0.0447 QR 0.0458 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.7203 QR 3.8148 Iseq Overall/D 3255.92 7.43 0.23 3369.33 2882.71 CRUDE OIL Today Previous day Ind Re ...... QR 0.0668 QR 0.0683 04-11-2012 01-11-2012 Karachi 100 In/D 15969.03 58.92 0.37 15981.35 10771.13 Index 8,564.84 8,603.62 BRENT Pak Re ...... QR 0.0377 QR 0.0385 Change 38.78 57.13 Nikkei 225 Index 8946.87 18.58 0.21 10255.15 8238.96 Peso ...... QR 0.0871 QR 0.0898 % 0.45 0.67 $106.49 SL Re ...... QR 0.0277 QR 0.0283 YTD% 2.44 2 S&P 500 Index/D 1412.16 0.22 0.02 1474.51 1158.66 DUBAI Taka ...... QR 0.0442 QR 0.0453 Volume 2,889,555 3,741,652 Straits Times/D 3026.61 -11.76 -0.39 3110.86 2657.77 Nep Re ...... QR 0.0423 QR 0.0431 Value (QAR) 149,219,307.68 202,793,173.90 $107.35 Trades 1,871 2,788 SA Rand ...... QR 0.4169 QR 0.4252 Straits Times/D 2989.31 24.69 0.83 3035.78 2657.77 Up 17 | Down 17 | Unchanged 04

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 04-11-2012

After Hurricane Sandy, commodities switch focus to elections

INANCIAL and com- expectations and sent stocks and Brent crude lower: As we sug- has left a limited amount of petrol modity markets will the dollar higher but sent gold Weekly Commodity Update gested back in September we saw available for consumers, thereby be presented with a lower. The focus in commodity the potential for Brent crude set- reducing demand and the price. multitude of event markets now switches towards tling into a $105 to $110 range for Risk adversity sees grain risks over the coming the US election tomorrow with BY OLE HANSEN the remainder of 2012. So far this lower: Grain markets continue weeks which could the outcome still quite difficult to (Head of Commodity Strategy, looks possible as weak economic to be well supported despite the Fhelp set the tone for the remain- predict. Once the election is over Saxo Bank) fundamentals combined with a negative sentiment in energy and der of 2012. With many traders and the focus of markets will move time of seasonally lower demand metals. While this risk-off contin- funds preparing to shut down early to concerns about the fiscal cliff will help off-set geopolitical wor- ues we could see some additional after what has been a very difficult which looms large in January and Euro lower and have so far off-set products, such as soybeans and ries which are never far away and weakness in grain prices but the year in terms of generating per- which, unless addressed, could any good macro-economic data. corn, together with supply disrup- keep the market range-bound. fact remains that a low level of formance these event risks will be slice a large chunk off US growth Hedge funds defensive: Hedge tions from key wheat exporting Resistance has been established global stocks of key products such watched very closely. and leave it and the rest of world funds are generally having nations should ensure elevated at $110.50 per barrel while support as soybeans and corn, together The week just gone presented vulnerable to a slowdown. another “annus horribilis” and prices during the winter months. made from the lows seen during the with supply disruptions from key us with two such events, first of all Against this backdrop, com- with December fast approaching Gold in corrective mode: The two most recent attempts to the wheat exporting nations, should hurricane Sandy which slammed modity markets experienced many may be inclined to be defen- precious metals sector contin- downside can be found towards the ensure elevated prices during the into the US eastern seaboard and mixed fortunes during the week sive and protect potential profits ues to look for support as the before mentioned $105 level with a winter months. left a trail of destruction. The with the DJ UBS commodity rather than trying to go for glory improved economic outlook for potential overshot down to $103.20, Soil conditions following the immediate impact on commod- index showing a loss for the sec- during the remaining active trad- the US and Chinese economies the 50 percent retracement of the drought in Russia, Ukraine and ity markets was on petrol prices ond week in a row resulting in ing weeks of the year. has rattled speculators and trig- June to September rally. the USA will determine the mar- which rose as focus returned to a flat return during 2012. This Unless clear investment oppor- gered a much overdue spate of Sandy’s effect on refineries: ket’s outlook for production dur- the already existing low levels of is despite the fact that markets tunities arise either from a change long liquidation. The better than Sandy was primarily a story ing the next season. Currently, supplies around the New York should take some comfort from in macro-economic data or some expected US jobs report triggered about petrol as the shutdown forward prices are lower on both area. The rally however proved emerging optimism that China geopolitical event we suspect that additional selling with gold falling of most of the refinery capacity corn and soybeans but remain short-lived as demand dropped and USA, the world’s two big- the industrial metal and energy to a seven week low below $1,700 in the affected area triggered high on wheat. and refineries came through the gest economies, according to sectors will struggle to perform after resistance at $1,730 was a rally due to concerns about a The fundamental story which storm relatively unscathed and recent data are showing signs of during the remainder of the year. rejected earlier in the week. further reduction in the already has been supporting the grain sec- ready to restart production. improving. However uncertainty While this risk-off continues we The technical levels to look out low inventory levels of petrol and tor these past few months contin- The week ended on a more about the outcome of the US elec- could see some additional weak- for remain the same with critical diesel in North East USA. ues to limit losses as high prices are positive note in the US after the tion, the leadership transition in ness across the grain sector which support located in the $1,660 to A combination of limited dam- expected to stay with us, at least second event - the jobs report China and renewed worries about has been the star performer this $1,665 area as two important tech- age to the refineries but also over the next few months until we for October. The number of jobs Greece’s bailout, together with a year but the fact remains that nical indicators meet in this area. serious problems in getting them approach the new season. created in October exceeded stronger US jobs report sent the low levels of global stocks of key Resistance can be found at $1,730. back online due to power outages THE PENINSULA

MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2012 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Tennis gladiators set

A file photo of Roger Federer posing for London showdown with the ATP World Tour Finals trophy in London last year.

Past champions of the ATP World Tour finals Year Singles 2011 Roger Federer 2010 Roger Federer 2009 Nikolay Davydenko 2008 Novak Djokovic 2007 Roger Federer 2006 Roger Federer 2005 David Nalbandian 2004 Roger Federer 2003 Roger Federer 2002 Lleyton Hewitt Prize Money Singles Alternate $75,000 Participation Fee $130,000 Round-robin match win $130,000 Semi-final match win $410,000 Final win $830,000 Undefeated champion $1,760,000 Doubles Alternate $25,000 Participation Fee $65,000 Round-robin match win $25,000 FROM LEFT: Janko Tipsarevic, Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Juan Martin Del Potro and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in a promotional poster for the ATP Semi-final match win $65,000 World Tour Finals in London. The competition consists of the world’s top best eight players. The same also applies to the double event. The competition starts today and will end on November Final win $125,000 12. Federer is the current champion and will be aiming to win his seventh title. Undefeated champion $330,000 Britain’s best sets sights on Tour Finals for elusive trophy

LONDON: Andy Murray has title by defeating coach Ivan Lendl French Open champion Rafael set his sights on capping a glori- Novak Djokovic over this week for the Nadal is continuing his recov- ous year by winning the season- five dramatic sets in first time since that ery from a knee injury, handing ending ATP World Tour Finals the US Open final in momentous night in Serbia’s Janko Tipsarevic a place on home turf at London’s O2 September. New York. in the draw. Arena. Now Murray Lendl only trav- Murray is in Group A along After spending much of his returns to play in els with his charge with Djokovic, Tomas Berdych and career struggling in vain to break front of a British for certain tourna- last year’s runner-up Jo-Wilfried the vice-like grip Roger Federer, audience for the first ments and stayed Tsonga, and it is Berdych who will Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic time since his US at home in the be the world number three’s first held on the sport’s top prizes, Open breakthrough US while the Scot opponent today. Murray has finally earned the and he is keen to played in Tokyo, Defending champion Federer, right to be regarded as an equal to wrap up his golden Shanghai and Paris, who will lose the number one those three giants after a remark- year with one more where Murray suf- ranking to Djokovic on Monday, able five months. title. fered a shock exit takes on Tipsarevic, Spain’s David In July, the 25-year-old became “There’s always against Poland’s Ferrer and former US Open the first Briton to reach the pressure at all of Jerzy Janowicz in champion Juan Martin del Potro Wimbledon final since 1938 and the major tourna- the third round. in Group B. although Murray wept tears of ments you play but I Murray, who is Federer has won the Tour frustration on Centre Court after feel a little bit more making his fifth Finals a record six times and he Federer took the title, that run relaxed coming in appearance at the underlined his desire to add a sev- proved a defining moment. this year than I have British tennis player Andy Tour Finals, said: “I enth crown when he pulled out While Murray had previously in previous years Murray arrives at the ATP always enjoy having of the Paris Masters at the last reacted to significant defeats by because I man- World Tour Finals Gala Ivan around. He’s minute to rest ahead of his trip heading into prolonged periods of aged to win the US at The Royal Courts of been a great asset to London. introspection and poor form, this Open,” Murray said. Justice in central London, to me and all the Del Potro, who is back at the time his response was that of a “The only thing guys I work with.” Tour Finals for the first time ahead of the competition champion. I can guarantee is He added: “He’s since in 2009, arrives in London which starts today . Instead of wallowing in self- that I’ll give 110 per- been very easy on the back of tournament wins pity, Murray came back to cent on the court, to work with and in Vienna and Basle, where he FROM LEFT: Janko Tipsarevic, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Novak Djokovic, Roger Wimbledon for the Olympics just fight as hard as I can until the end helped me at the big events this beat home-town hero Federer in Federer, Andy Murray, Tomas Berdych and Juan Martin Del Potro pose for weeks later and thrashed Federer of all the matches and see where year. He’s helped me come back the final. a picture with the ATP World Tour Finals trophy. in straights sets to take the gold that gets me. from some tough losses and fin- “It’s a pleasure to be part of the medal in the men’s singles final. “Hopefully it’ll get me a few ish the year in the slams very eight players, it’s an honour,” Del With the confidence from that wins. well. I hope we can have a good Potro said. “We have big names Today’s schedule triumph still racing through his “Against all the guys here tournament.” playing this week, they’re favour- Matches start in Doha time veins, Murray headed to New you’re going to have to play a top- The tournament usually fea- ites more than me, but to be here Andy Murray (Great Britain) vs Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) at 5.00pm York, where he ended his long quality match to win.” tures the top eight players in the is a gift after my wrist injury,” the wait to win a first Grand Slam Murray has been reunited with world rankings, although reigning Argentine added. AFP Novak Djokovic (Serbia) vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France) at 11.00pm

Rivera planning Nets edge Raptors to win on home debut return to New BROOKLYN: The Brooklyn NBA results pre-game festivities as ties to York Yankees Nets baptised their new Indiana 106 Sacramento 98 Brooklyn’s fabled sporting past, Barclays Center home with a Boston 89 Washington 86 dormant since the Dodgers left 107-100 victory over the Toronto for Los Angeles after the 1957 NEW YORK: Baseball’s all- Raptors on Saturday as the first Brooklyn 107 Toronto 100 Major League Baseball season. time saves leader Mariano major professional sports team Miami 119 Denver 116 The Nets also debuted a new Rivera plans to return next Gerald Wallace in 55 years to call Brooklyn New Orleans 89 Chicago 82 team anthem and dropped down year after missing most of the (45) of the their home. Portland 95 Houston 85 from the rafters on a cable their 2012 season with a knee injury, The Nets led by 13 points in new mascot - a masked, shield- the New York Yankees said Brooklyn Dallas 126 Charlotte 99 the third quarter, but had to bearing “Brooklyn Knight”. yesterday. Nets drives hold off the Raptors, who closed Milwaukee 105 Cleveland 102 Overcoming a slow start with “He called me yesterday and to the basket within 97-95 with 75 seconds left San Antonio 110 Utah 100 Toronto leading by eight after the told me that he’d like to play as Jonas before a three-point play by Brook Golden State 114 LA Clippers 110 first quarter, the Nets turned on in 2013,” Yankees general man- Valanciunas Lopez gave Brooklyn the neces- the jets in the second with help ager Brian Cashman told Major (17) of the sary cushion in their first game cross-city rivals the Knicks, but from their bench players to out- League Baseball’s website. “Now Toronto of the season. the game was postponed because score them 33-17 for a 60-52 half- (agent) Fernando Cuza and I will Raptors “The experience was just abso- of mass transit problems due to time lead. work behind the scenes and do defends at the lutely amazing,” said Lopez. “The damage by the superstorm Sandy The Nets extended their lead to our jobs in making that happen.” Barclays Center crowd brought so much energy, that hit the area on Monday. double digits before the Raptors Rivera suffered a season-ending in the Brooklyn its Brooklyn energy.” Nets All-Star guard Deron turned it into a nail-biter at the injury, tearing his right anterior borough of Center Lopez led the Nets Williams thanked the crowd for finish. cruciate ligament. He underwent New York City, with 27 points, while Kyle Lowry turning out given the hardships A three-pointer by Lowry, who surgery and is expected to be yesterday. scored 28 points and DeMar and destruction wrought by the had fueled Toronto’s fast start by ready for spring training. DeRozan had 25 for Toronto, who storm and said: “We hope to rep- hitting his first three shots from “I believe in his ability to fill fell to 0-2 after an opening home resent Brooklyn right.” Williams beyond the arc, put the game on that job that he’s always done,” loss to the Indiana Pacers. scored 19 points and doled out the line with a three-pointer to Cashman said. “He’s never failed, The Nets, who moved to nine assists in the win. make it 97-95. and I know that knee is going to Brooklyn from New Jersey, had Former Brooklyn Dodgers Lopez sank the free throw to be good, so we look forward to been scheduled to play their players Ralph Branca and put the Nets ahead 100-95, and returning him to the closer’s role.” home opener on Thursday against Joe Pignatano participated in later claimed victory. REUTERS REUTERS MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2012 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

Qatar football team train for World Cup qualifier in Doha

Midfielder Khalfan Ibrahim passes the ball during a training session yesterday. CENTRE: Goalkeeper Rajab Hamza (left) watches Baba Malick save a shot. RIGHT: The Qatar football players dribble the ball. Qatar, coached by Paulo Autouri, have begun their preparations for their FIFA 2014 World Cup qualifier against Lebanon on November 14. The match will take place at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, kicking off at 5.45pm. Despite the shock 1-0 loss against Uzbekistan, Qatar still find themselves three points behind Group A leaders, South Korea and Iran. Sweet success for Al Attiyah The Qatari grabs glory at Cyprus Rally; Mikkelsen successfully defends IRC title

CYPRUS: Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah displayed the skill that has seen him score numerous victories on Cyprus motorsport events, to win the Cyprus Rally, yesterday Al Attiyah and co-driver Giovanni Bernacchini steered their Ford Fiesta RRC to a mem- orable 3 minute 35.3 second vic- tory over closest rival Andreas Mikkelsen of Norway. Despite Mikkelsen’s disappoint- ment, the Norwegian was still crowned the 2012 Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) champion – making him the first driver to defend an IRC title. The final round of the 2012 IRC and the penultimate round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC), this year’s Cyprus Rally delivered action and drama from the start. Mikkelsen scored a plethora of fastest stage times, including tak- ing the early event lead on Friday night in his Skoda Fabia S2000, and winning the thrilling Super Special Stage in downtown Pafos that got the event underway in dramatic style. His luck began to change on Nasser Al Attiyah and Giovanni Bernacchini (left) celebrate their victory at the 2012 Cyprus Rally yesterday. RIGHT: Al Attiyah gives a thumbs-up before the start of proceedings yesterday. Saturday when puncture woes Andreas Mikkelsen who finished in second place, defended his 2012 Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC), making him the first person to defend the IRC title. slowed Mikkelsen on the first stage of the day and allowed London 2012 Olympic medalist Al quickly showed he was in no mood the gate on the first of the after- rival. Andreas Aigner finished the Overall Standings Attiyah lead the field in his Ford for taking prisoners, and delivered noon’s repeat loop of stages, stage second fastest. Al Attiyah 1 N. Al Attiyah / G Bernacchini / Ford Fiesta Rrc 3:16:25.2 Fiesta RRC. fastest times on each of the three storming through the predomi- continued to stamp his author- 2 A. Mikkelsen / O. Floene / Skoda Fabia S2000 3:20:00.5 Al Kuwari crashed out in his stages in the morning. nantly gravel Prodromi 2 stage ity on the all-gravel Gialia stage, 3 T. Arai / D. Moscatt / Subaru Impreza 3:26:32.3 MINI in yesterday’s first stage, By lunchtime, Al Attiyah had (SS11) far faster than he managed widening the gap between him 4 J. Nikara / J. Kalliolep / Subaru Impreza 3:29:07.3 but Al Attiyah’s win puts him at done enough to retain his overall in the morning session yesterday. and second fastest Mikkelsen by 5 S. Wiegand / T. Gottschalk. / Skoda Fabia S2000 3:30:25.8 the head of the MERC leadership event lead. Mikkelsen’s chances of an over- a further 5.6 seconds. board with 68 points. But he was wary of Mikkelsen all event victory were effectively Qatari driver Al Attiyah fin- 6 S. Savva / A. Papandreou / Mitsubishi Lancer Evo Ix 3:32:10.3 The final event of the competi- who was pressing hard and had scuppered on the SS11 stage when ished the campaign in style, flying 7 A. Kremer / K. Wicha / Subaru Impreza 3:33:17.6 tion will take place in Dubai later reduced the gap between the two a puncture caused him a huge through the final stage of the day 8 M. Almarri / N. Arena / Mini Jcw Rrc 3:33:52.2 this month. to 49 seconds. delay, losing a full 1 minute and faster than the rest. 9 L. Vizin / G. Zsiros / Skoda Fabia S2000 3:35:25.4 In yesterday’s action, Mikkelsen Al Attiyah was fastest out of 55.1 seconds against his Qatari THE PENINSULA 10 H. Hunt / D. Moynihan. / Citroen Ds3 3:35:37.3

ASPIRE-MED confirms Qatar Basketball League action An Al Gharafa player (right) speakers for conference holds off his Al Wakrah opponent during their Qatar DOHA: ASPIRE-MED, one of ASPIRE-MED, the initial con- Basketball League three conferences included in ference which will be opening for (QBL) match at this year’s ASPIRE4SPORT ASPIRE4SPORT.” Congress and Expo, has con- Included on the list of speakers Al Rayyan Sports firmed a range of world- is Dr. Mario Zorzoli, Chief Doctor Club yesterday. renowned experts and decision of the International Cycling RIGHT: An Eljaish makers as speakers, organisers Union [UCI] who was a member player (5) tries said yesterday. of the UCI leadership team that to score a point Under the patronage of HE reviewed the US Anti-Doping against Al Ahli Abdulla Bin Khalid Al Qahtani, Agency’s [USADA] case against yesterday at Al Minister of Health and Secretary cyclist Lance Armstrong. Rayyan Sports General of the Supreme Council Among the speakers covering Club. of Health, the conference will all specialities in sports medicine, start with a speech by Dr. Khalifa sports science and sports per- In tomorrow’s Al Kuwari, CEO of Aspetar. formance research include; Dr. QBL action, Al He will introduce a keynote Adbulhameed Al Attar, Chairman Shamal will play address by Dr. Hanan Al Kuwari, of Sports Medicine Committee, Al Rayyan at Managing Director of Hamad United Arab Emirates National 5:15pm and Al Medical Corporation, represent- Olympic Committee; Dr. Ghazi Wakra face Al ing the minister. Sarhan, Consultant Physical Sadd at 7:15pm. Dr. Khalifa said: “We are Therapist and EMG, Bahrain looking forward to welcom- Physical Therapy Centre. ing delegates and guests to THE PENINSULA MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2012 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Ryder Cup hero Poulter tops field at Mission Hills The Englishman stuns his challengers to claim first title of the season

DONGGUAN, China: Ryder WGC-HSBC Champions scores Oosthuizen in a four-way tie for Stacy Lewis of the US holds the Cup hero Ian Poulter snatched Leading final scores at the $7m WGC-HSBC the lead at 19-under-par. champion’s trophy during the award a typically steely victory in the Champions on the Olazabal Course (par-72) With half the round to play, 10 $7m WGC-HSBC Champions at Mission Hills in southern China yesterday: players were within three shots ceremony of the USLPGA Tour Mizuno Classic golf tournament at yesterday when he shot seven- 267 Ian Poulter (ENG) 69-68-65-65 of each other at the top of the under-par 65 to settle a thrill- board, making it anyone’s guess the Kashikojima Country Club in 269 Jason Dufner (USA) 68-66-71-64, ing day’s action at China’s who would emerge with the Old Shima city in Mie prefecture, central Phil Mickelson (USA) 66-69-66-68, Mission Hills. Tom Morris Cup. Japan yesterday. Lewis hit a sizzling Ernie Els (RSA) 70-63-69-67, Scott The Englishman started the Poulter, turning in 32, leapt Piercy (USA) 68-68-68-65 64 for a one-stroke victory at the last round four off the pace but ahead with consecutive birdies on tournament. he crafted eight birdies against a 270 Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) 65-63-70-72, 10 and 11, and another on 14 gave lone bogey -- on the penultimate Lee Westwood (ENG) 70-67-61-72 him a two-shot cushion ahead of hole -- before sealing a nerve- 271 Adam Scott (AUS) 65-68-71-67 Mickelson and Kaymer, who put jangling, two-stroke win with a 272 Martin Kaymer (GER) 68-69-67-68 together five birdies in six holes Lewis storms ice-cool par putt on the 18th. 273 Bill Haas (USA) 69-67-66-71 after the halfway point. Poulter fired rounds of 69, 274 Brandt Snedeker (USA) 72-71-60-71, Poulter looked in trouble when 68, 65 and 65 for a total score Thorbjorn Olesen (DEN) 71-65-70- he bunkered his second shot back to of 21-under-par 267, with Phil 68, Prom Meesawat (THA) 67-70-69- greenside on the spectacular, par- Mickelson, Ernie Els, Jason 68, Hiroyuki Fujita (JPN) 73-67-67- five 15th, but he flopped out to 15 claim Mizuno Dufner and Scott Piercy shar- 67, Marcel Siem (GER) 71-70-66-67 feet and then steadied himself to ing second place on a congested grittily hole it and extend his lead leaderboard. said yesterday after this two-shot to three shots. Classic title Overnight leaders Louis victory. Westwood and Kaymer’s Oosthuizen and Lee Westwood “It was a special day... I knew assaults were over when they SHIMA, JAPAN: American faltered to finish a shot further there was a good round of golf in both thinned chips across differ- Stacy Lewis hit a sizzling 64 back with Adam Scott eighth, me on this course.” ent greens within minutes of each for a one-stroke victory at the defending champion Martin Westwood and Oosthuizen other, for bogey and double-bogey USLPGA Tour Mizuno Classic Kaymer ninth and Bill Haas 10th started the day with a handy respectively. tournament yesterday. on the par-72 Olazabal Course. three-shot advantage over the Poulter looked home and dry, The 27-year-old American, Poulter claimed the $1.2m win- chasing pack, but the South but a “disastrous” chip left him starting the day seven strokes ner’s cheque with his first individ- African’s bogey on the very with a long par putt on the 17th behind the pace in eighth place, ual win of the season, and the 15th first hole was the cue for a spell and he just failed to down it, cut- hit 10 birdies against two bogeys of his career -- just a month after of dramatic upheaval on the ting his lead to one shot from for a three-round total of 11-under playing a key role in Europe’s leaderboard. Mickelson, who had two holes par 205 on the 6,506-yard, par 72 come-from-behind Ryder Cup Westwood gave up a two-shot left to play. Kashikojima Country Club course. triumph at Medinah. lead when he double-bogeyed the And there was more drama “I played really solid yester- “After the Ryder Cup I came fifth, but then inched back in when Poulter put his second day, I just didn’t make any putts. here in good spirits. I played well front with a long birdie putt on shot on 18 into a bunker -- but But to make those three puts I last week and took a lot that I the par-three eighth. he chipped out to five feet and, in made coming down the stretch knew that if I did the right things But Poulter and Mickelson front of massed galleries at the Ian Poulter of England poses with his trophy on the 18th green after winning was unbelievable,” said Lewis, who this week and stayed patient I’d were making a charge and when Dongguan clubhouse, held his the WGC-HSBC Champions Tournament at Mission Hills in the southern birdied the last three holes. be right there at the end. It’s just Westwood made bogey on 10, nerve to down the putt and make Chinese city of Dongguan, yesterday. “I didn’t really think I was play- so nice to get another win,” he they joined the Englishman and sure of the win. AFP ing this well coming into the week but I just started playing better and better every day. Putts just No plans for started falling today and it was China’s Tianlang, 14, wins Masters spot meant to be.” PGA event in It was her fourth title of the BANGKOK: Fourteen-year- “I’m so excited. I’m really happy season following victories at old Chinese prodigy Guan to become the youngest player at China: US chief the Navistar LPGA Classic, the Tianlang is set to become the the Masters and looking forward ShopRite LPGA Classic and the youngest-ever player at the US to going there. I don’t know what’s Mobile Bay LPGA Classic. Masters after he held on for going to happen there, but I know DONGGUAN, CHINA: Lewis received the winner’s a one-stroke win at the Asia- I just want to do well,” he said. PGA Tour commissioner Tim cheque and stretched her lead Pacific Amateur Championship “Pan really did a good job, so I Finchem yesterday indicated he over Park In-Bee in the Player of yesterday. just needed to focus on my game was open to organising a tour- the Year standings. AFP Guan, the youngest player and get some more birdies and nament in China but said no in the field and the overnight keep going. I knew Pan had a immediate plans were in place. Mizuno Classic scores leader by two, shot a final round really good front nine, so I was The American circuit co-sanc- of one-under-par 71 at Thailand’s checking the scores a bit on the tions the WGC-HSBC Champions Leading final-round scores in the USLPGA Amata Spring Country Club to back nine. along with the European and Tour $1.2m Mizuno Classic tournament finish ahead of Pan Cheng-Tsung “I just thought if I got a cou- Asian tours but has a minor pres- yesterday (Japanese unless stated): of Taiwan, who fired a 65. ple more birdies I would be the ence in Asia. 205 Stacy Lewis (USA) 71-70-64 He will be 14 years, five months champion.” “Going forward we continue 206 Lee Bo-Mee (KOR) 70-64-72 and 17 days old when he tees off Schoolboy Guan, from the to look at the landscape and our 207 Ayako Uehara 68-72-67 at prestigious Augusta in April, southern city of Guangzhou in calendar and see what might 209 Yani Tseng (TPE) 71-70-68 smashing the record set by Italy’s China , started playing at the age develop,” Finchem told a press 210 Anna Nordqvist (SWE) 72-71-67, Seo Matteo Manassero in 2010 when of four and won the world junior conference. Hee-Kyung (KOR) 73-69-68, Jenny he was aged 16. title by 11 shots last year in San “Things will continue to evolve Winner Guan Tianlang of China (left) holds a certificate of invitation to the Shin (KOR) 71-69-70, Choi Na-Yeon Guan punched the air in delight Diego. but... we have no specific plan for (KOR) 69-71-70 2013 US Masters Tournament as runner-up Pan Chung-Tseng of Taiwan and was quickly embraced by his In April, he made history as the any specific event at this point 211 Chella Choi (KOR) 74-69-68, Beatriz poses with a certificate of entry to International Final Qualifying for the father after clinching the win at youngest player to take part in in time,” he added. “As things Recari (ESP) 69-74-68, Kim So-Hee Open Championship, during the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at 15-under 273 by nervelessly hol- a European Tour event when he develop we’ll have more to say (KOR) 72-70-69, Karine Icher (FRA) Amata Spring Country Club in Chonburi yesterday. Guan earned an invita- ing a five-foot par putt on the last played the Volvo China Open aged down the road if need be, but 71-69-71, Rikako Morita 70-68-73 tion to the 2013 Masters to win by one stroke from Pan. hole. just 13 years old. AFP right now the answer is, ‘no’.”AFP

Qatar’s Flotilla wins Breeders’ QTF-InterContinental Doha Tennis Open to begin today DOHA: This season’s Qatar Khalfan, Tournament Director of Cup Juvenile Tennis Federation (QTF)- QTF Intercontinental Doha 2012, InterContinental Doha Tennis said. Khalfan said the QTF hosts Open 2012 tennis tournament 21 tournaments throughout the Fillies Turf will begin today at two venues season which including the WTA - Khalifa International Tennis and ATP events. CALIFORNIA, USA: Two- and Squash Complex and the The QTF also hosts four open year-old filly Flotilla, owned by Intercontinental Doha tennis tournaments besides the GCC, the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad courts, the QTF said yesterday. Asian, Junior, ITF Futures and bin Khalifa Al Thani, won The 15-day Open tournament Asian Junior Championship the prestigious Breeders’ Cup will be contested in 19 differ- events, which Khalfan said helps Juvenile Fillies Turf race by a ent categories – Boys Under-8, the national players to boost their length and a quarter at Santa Under-10, Under-12, Under-14, worldwide rankings. Anita racetrack in Arcadia, and Under-18, Girls Under-10, “Recently our doubles team California. Under-12, Under-14 and Under 18, of Jabor Al Mutawa and Mousa The jockey of the winning horse Boys Doubles Under-12, Doubles Sayed won the ITF event in was French-born Christophe Under-14, Doubles Under-18, Kuwait, which augurs well for our Lemaire. He has had major Ladies Singles and Doubles, for us. We want more players to wins across the world in France, Men’s Singles and Doubles, Men’s move up to the top of the rank- Great Britain, Hong Kong, Japan, Veterans Singles and Doubles, and ings. We need to have a pool of United Arab Emirates and the Mixed Doubles. 10-20 players and the Open tour- United States of America. The QTF have added one new naments, like this one, helps the Lemaire won the 2011 category, Boys Under-8 this year, local players,” said Khalfan. Melbourne Cup in Australia. in the tournament which ends on “This year, we hosted four ITF FROM LEFT: Ebah Awad Idris, Assistant Tournament Director of the Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF), Sultan The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile November 15. futures, next year we plan to host Khalfan, Tournament Director, QTF, and Andreas Pfister, General Manager of InterContinental Hotel, during a Fillies Turf is a one mile turf “We are introducing the Boys six ITF Futures,” added Khalfan. press conference in Doha yesterday. The QTF-InterContinental Doha Tennis Open 2012 begins today at Khalifa stakes race for thoroughbred fil- Under-8 category this year. Ehab Awad Idris, Assistant International Tennis and Squash Complex and the InterContinental Doha tennis courts. lies two years old. This year’s All the matches of this section Tournament Director informed event was the fifth meeting of the will be played at the Khalifa that around 200 national team race. The first race took place in International Tennis and Squash players were among those who and Squash Complex and the involve 370 matches,” Idris added is sponsored by The Planners, 2008 at Santa Anita Park. Complex. The size of the ball have registered themselves to finals will be played on the courts yesterday. Galaxy Sport and The Bat Club. The $25.5m race is held on an and the court dimensions will be take part in the tournament. at the Intercontinental Doha. The winners and runners- Admission is free throughout annual basis and will continue of a smaller dimension for the “Early rounds of play will be at Around 450 players are partici- up will receive prize money and the tournament. until next Saturday. QNA Under-8, 10, 12 categories,” Sultan the Khalifa International Tennis pating in the tournament and will gift vouchers. The tournament THE PENINSULA MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2012 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Suarez goal salvages draw for Liverpool Draw leaves both QPR and Reading still waiting for wins LONDON: Luis Suarez rescued searching for their first Premier a point for Liverpool with a sub- League win of the season after lime goal that owed nothing to sharing the points in a 1-1 draw his alleged penchant for diving at Loftus Road. in a 1-1 draw at home to 10-man However, the result did see Newcastle at Anfield yesterday. QPR at least climb off the bot- This season the Uruguay tom of the table, leapfrogging striker has been on the receiving Southampton on goal differ- end of repeated charges from rival ence ahead of the Saints’ match managers that he goes to ground against West Brom today. all too easily. Former QPR defender Kaspars However, Suarez delivered a Gorkss opened the scoring for vis- timely reminder of his skill in the itors Reading in the 16th minute. 67th minute at Anfield when he But Djibril Cisse earned QPR a drew Liverpool level after Yohan draw with a 66th minute equaliser. Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan (left), team-mate Kumar Sangakkara (sec- Cabaye had given Newcastle the Meanwhile in the Scottish ond left) and New Zealand cricketers leave the pitch as rain stopped play lead. Jonas Gutierrez gave posses- premier League, an Efe Ambrose during the second ODI match at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium sion away to Jose Enrique, who own goal in stoppage time sealed in Pallekele, yesterday. punted a ball into the Newcastle a remarkable Dundee United box. Suarez brought the ball under comeback as the home side came control, skipped past Fabricio from two goals down to seal a 2-2 Sri Lanka beat New Coloccini and coolly rounded draw with champions Celtic at Magpies goalkeeper Tim Krul in Tannadice yesterday. a sweeping solo move. Despite the draw Celtic Zealand in rain-hit ODI Coloccini’s day got worse when returned to the top on goal dif- he received a straight red card ference from Hibernian ahead of six minutes from time for a wild their crucial Champions League PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka scored a 14-run win over challenge on Suarez. clash against Barcelona at New Zealand by Duckworth-Lewis (D/L) method in the rain-hit Cabaye put Newcastle in front Parkhead on Wednesday. second one-day international yesterday to gain a 1-0 lead in the five- two minutes before half-time with Neil Lennon felt his side didn’t match series. a superb strike across the face of get the result they deserved. Sri Lanka were 118-3 off 22.5 overs chasing a 251-run target when goal and into the far corner of “It was very frustrating play was called off due to rain in Pallekele. They were ahead of the Brad Jones’s net following a cross because we were brilliant today,” D/L par score of 104 at that stage. from Hatem Ben Arfa. the Celtic manager said. Skipper Mahela Jayawardene was unbeaten on 43 with Angelo The draw left Newcastle in 10th “We dominated the game and Mathews (seven not out). place while Liverpool climbed into we got the two goals which we Captain Ross Taylor (72), Bradley-John Watling (55), opener Rob 12th spot, three points behind thoroughly deserved and then we Nicol (46) and James Franklin (35 not out) were the main scorers for the Magpies. Earlier yester- didn’t deal with a couple of balls New Zealand, while fast bowler Lasith Malinga bagged two wickets day, Queens Park Rangers and into our box. for Sri Lanka. Reading were still both left “I just think we were unfortu- The opening one-dayer was abandoned without a ball being bowled nate today. I don’t think anyone due to rain at the same venue on Thursday. AFP English Premier League could take away from the fact we LONDON: English Premier League results were excellent.” Scoreboard yesterday: His United counterpart had a Liverpool 1 Newcastle 1 different view. New Zealand (w3), Mendis 6-0-34-0 (w1). “I think we were well worth the QPR 1 Reading 1 Queens Park Rangers’ French striker Djibril Cisse celebrates scoring their R Nicol c Sangakkara b Perera ...... 46 Sri Lanka result if you look at the game. We T Latham b Malinga ...... 2 U Tharanga c Watling b Mills ...... 6 Playing today equaliser against Reading during their English Premier League match at put a lot of work into the game,” BJ Watling c Jayawardene b Herath ...... 55 T Dilshan c Williamson b McCullum ...... 37 West Brom vs Southampton (2000GMT) Loftus Road in London, England, yesterday. Peter Houston said. AGENCIES R Taylor c Mathews b Kulasekara ...... 72 K Sangakkara c Nicol b Boult ...... 11 J Franklin (not out) ...... 35 M Jayawardene (not out) ...... 43 N McCullum c Perera b Mathews ...... 16 A Mathews (not out) ...... 7 A Ellis b Malinga ...... 4 Extras (LB8, W6) ...... 14 FIFA urged to allow Brazilian food at Cup Extras (B1, LB8, W11) ...... 20 Total (for three wkts; 22.5 overs) ...... 118 Total (for six wickets; 50 overs) ...... 250 Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-39, 3-98. SAO PAULO: FIFA is under onions and shrimp, was declared a the interests of sponsors such as appointing a food and beverage Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-100, 3-130, 4-221, Bowling: Mills 5-0-33-1, Boult 6-0-26-1 pressure to allow sales of a native cultural heritage of Brazil in 2005. McDonald’s,” it said. concessionaire to implement the 5-242, 6-250. (w3), Southee 4-0-16-0 (w2), Franklin 3-0- Brazilian sandwich in stadiums ABAM and its supporters say “We want Bahian women ven- event’s menu. Bowling: Malinga 10-0-39-2 (w2), Ku- 16-0, McCullum 2.5-0-12-1, Nicol 2-0-7-0 at the 2014 World Cup amid alle- the restrictions were imposed to dors and acarajes at the 2014 “Once appointed we will lasekara 10-1-50-1 (w4), Mathews 7-0-38-1 (w1). gations that the governing body protect the interests and ham- World Cup.” together assess the possibilities (w1), Perera 7-0-52-1, Herath 10-0-28-1 Result: Sri Lanka win by 14 runs (D/L method) is bowing to corporate sponsors burger sales of McDonald’s, one FIFA, however, insisted the of including local food choices for such as McDonald’s. of the World Cup’s main sponsors, restrictions were put in place each host city, taking into account The row centers on acaraje, an and argue that it would be outra- for security and safety reasons the requirements of the local peo- iconic black-eyed pea fritter from geous to bar acaraje, particularly and have nothing to do with ple and the international audi- Steyn sounds Pujara, Shah the northeastern state of Bahia, in the Fonte Nova stadium of the McDonald’s. ence,” the statement said. and a FIFA regulation that bars Bahian state capital Salvador. The petition specifically urges “The sale of acaraje in street vendors within a two-kil- ABAM president Rita Santos Ronaldo, who won the World Cup Salvador will be part of these Test warning defy England ometer (1.2 mile) radius of World sent the petition to FIFA with Brazil in 2002, to intervene discussions.” Cup venues. President Sepp Blatter, Brazilian on the issue and secure a concili- FIFA said it was in talks in tour match in Mumbai A petition circulated by the Sport Minister Aldo Rebelo, and atory pledge from FIFA. with Salvador and the other 11 Association of Bahian female national team hero Ronaldo, a In a statement sent to AFP Brazilian host cities to ensure the SYDNEY: South African pace MUMBAI: England’s bowlers acaraje vendors (ABAM) is member of the World Cup’s Local on Saturday, FIFA said it was interests of these informal sell- spearhead Dale Steyn sounded got a taste of what may lie ahead demanding that FIFA guaran- Organizing Committee (LOC). important “the food and bever- ers are taken into account and an ominous warning before in the Test series against India tees space inside stadiums for its “Clearly security, hygiene and age offerings in the stadia at the that “regulated opportunities to the Test series with Australia after they were made to toil members. healthy food must be of concern to 2014 FIFA World Cup incorpo- benefit from the World Cup are with a fiery spell of bowling in hard for wickets in a practice Acaraje, a fritter which is split organizers of such a major event, rate a local Brazilian flavor,” not- offered to this group to the great- the drawn tour match with match in Mumbai yesterday. and stuffed with caramelized but this must not be influenced by ing that it was in the process of est extent possible.” AFP Australia A in Sydney yesterday. The tourists struggled on the Test cricket’s number one- field as Mumbai ‘A’, replying to ranked bowler produced a hos- England’s first innings score of tile spell described by teammate 345-9, cruised to 232-4 by stumps Asian Handball Club Championship Jacques Rudolph as Steyn’s fast- on the second day of the three-day est in seven years. match at the DY Patil stadium. Steyn terrorised the Australia Cheteshwar Pujara, one of the A top order with a five-over salvo, non-Mumbai players in the home taking the wicket of Liam Davis side, warmed up for the four-Test in his haul of one for four. series with a polished 87 on an Davis lasted 11 deliveries before even-paced wicket that offered no being caught behind for a duck, assistance to the bowlers. while Rob Quiney (11 not out) and Pujara, the current number Phil Hughes managed to survive three batsman in the Indian Test the hostilities before an early team, hit 11 boundaries as he put stumps was called. on 163 for the third wicket with Former Test opener Hughes Hiken Shah (84 not out) after faced the majority of Steyn’s 150 Mumbai ‘A’ had slipped to 47-2. km (93 mph) thunderbolts in the The tourists, who started the final hour of play, scoring one run day on 338-6, lost three wickets off 27 balls. for seven runs before stand-in Rudolph said Steyn’s spell was captain Stuart Broad declared one of the fastest he had seen. 30 minutes after the start. But he cautioned that the Broad, a leading contender South African pace attack, which for the first Test which starts also includes Vernon Philander in Ahmedabad on November 15, and Morne Morkel, should not suffered a heel injury in the field get too excited at the prospect of and will undergo scans later on a juicy pitch for the first Brisbane Sunday. Test this week. Fast bowler Steven Finn is “What I’ve heard is that it already being treated for a thigh seams a little bit. It sort of suits strain he picked up in the tour us in South Africa -- it’s the kind opener last week, forcing England of wicket we play on,” he said. to call up Surrey paceman Stuart “(But) I think for our bowlers, Meaker as a precautionary cover. Mostafa Krad (right) of Qatar’s Eljaish tries to score while being challenged by Meshari Al Shammari of Kuwait’s Al Kuwait during the 15th Asian it will be important not to get The tourists rested skipper Handball Club Championship at Al Gharafa Stadium, yesterday. Al Kuwait won 27-24. RIGHT: Mahmoud Osman of Qatar’s Eljaish tries to score next carried away with the bounce. Alastair Cook and star batsman to Meshari Alshammari (top) of Kuwait’s Al Kuwait. The Championship is contested by 13 Asian clubs who are split into three groups. Qatar’s Eljaish “I think the length on those Kevin Pietersen for the match are in Group A along with Al Ahli (UAE), Kuwait SC (Kuwait) and Al Sadd (Lebanon). Defending champions Mudhar (KSA) are in Group C along with kind of wickets is quite important. against a makeshift team com- Samen Al Hojaj (Iran), Al Arabi (Kuwait) Al Ahly, (Bahrain) and Jiangsu (China). Group B consists of Qatar’s Al Rayyan, Al Jazera (UAE), Al Noor (KSA) We’ve got to try and settle into prising players not selected for that as quickly as possible.” the ongoing Ranji Trophy first- and Muscat (Oman). Two matches will be played today: Al Jazera vs Muscat at 3.00pm, Al Rayyan vs Al Noor at 5.00pm. AFP class matches. AFP Monday 5 November 2012 20 Dhul-Hijja 1433 Volume 17 Number 5509 Sport Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Raikkonen wins Abu Dhabi GP Lotus driver clinches first victory since 2009; Vettel’s lead over Alonso cut to 10 points

ABU DHABI: Kimi Raikkonen Celsius, Lewis Hamilton made a in six races. It was his fifth ‘did claimed his first win for three near-perfect start to pull away not finish’ of a frustrating year. Abu Dhabi Grand Prix years yesterday as Sebastian from his 25th pole position and Pole-sitter Hamilton’s demise Results from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Vettel clung on to his champi- into a clear lead. left Raikkonen in the lead while yesterday: onship lead by finishing third in Behind him, Raikkonen enjoyed behind Vettel had climbed into 1. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Lotus) 1hr 45min a dramatic and incident-packed a fast getaway and seized second the points ahead of the midway 58.667sec, 2. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Ferrari) Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. ahead of a slow-starting Mark pit stops. at 0.852s, 3. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Red Bull) The 33-year-old Finn, who Webber. As Felipe Massa, Webber and 4.163, 4. Jenson Button (GBR/McLaren) returned to Formula One this Alonso sized up Webber and the Raikkonen made their stops, 7.787, 5. Pastor Maldonado (VEN/Williams) season after a two-year absence, Spaniard made his pass on the Vettel rose to second, taking full grabbed his triumph after domi- second straight after a dramatic advantage of his luck. 13.007, 6. Kamui Kobayashi (JPN/Sauber) nant early leader Lewis Hamilton wheel-to-wheel tussle through As Vettel struggled to hang on 20.076, 7. Felipe Massa (BRA/Ferrari) was forced into retirement by a turn eight. on soft tyres his team chose to 22.896, 8. Bruno Senna (BRA/Williams) power failure on his McLaren car. On the second lap Vettel in call him in on lap 38 for a pit stop 23.542, 9. Paul di Resta (GBR/Force India) Raikkonen won convincingly 20th damaged the front wing of that saw him rejoin fourth ahead 24.160, 10. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Toro ahead of Fernando Alonso of his Red Bull in a collision with of a multi-car battle for fifth that Rosso) 27.463, 11. Michael Schumacher Ferrari who pushed hard for Bruno Senna’s Williams. exploded into another multiple (GER/Mercedes) 28.075, 12. Jean-Eric victory in the closing laps of an On lap nine Nico Rosberg collision on lap 39. Vergne (FRA/Toro Rosso) 34.906, 13. Heikki extraordinary 55-laps contest ran into the back of Narain After a chain of minor inci- Kovalainen (FIN/Caterham) 47.764, 14. Timo that included two prolonged Karthikeyan’s Hispania car and dents, Sergio Perez crashed his Glock (GER/Marussia) 56.473, 15. Sergio safety car periods and a rash of flipped into an airborne ride Sauber into Grosjean’s Lotus Perez (MEX/Sauber) 56.768, 16. Vitaly major accidents. across the Indian’s car and over and, as they spun across the Petrov (RUS/Caterham) 1:04.595 17. Pedro Defending champion and series his head at more than 300 kph. track, Webber was trapped in the de la Rosa (ESP/HRT) 1:11.778 leader Vettel started from the pit He slid heavily into the barri- carnage. Overall standings lane in his Red Bull car and pro- ers and triggered the introduction He hit the Frenchman’s Lotus duced one of the greatest drives of a safety car for six laps during and was forced out with Grosjean. Drivers of his career to finish third. which Vettel, having risen to 14th, Perez was given a 10-seconds 1. Sebastian Vettel (GER) 255pts, 2. Vettel’s phenomenal drive, ran too close to Daniel Ricciardo’s stop-and-go penalty for his rash Fernando Alonso (ESP) 245, 3. Kimi including clocking a fastest lap, Toro Rosso and swerved wide, racing. Raikkonen (FIN) 198, 4. Mark Webber (AUS) kept him 10 points ahead of hit a bollard and almost hit the All of this required another 167, 5. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 165, 6. Jenson Alonso in the title race with two barriers. safety car intervention with Button (GBR) 153, 7. Felipe Massa (BRA) laps remaining. This further damaged his front Raikkonen in front ahead of 95, 8. Nico Rosberg (GER) 93, 9. Romain The German leads on 255 wing and he pitted on lap 13, Alonso, Jenson Button and Vettel Grosjean (FRA) 90, 10. Sergio Perez (MEX) points with Alonso on 245 and rejoining 22nd to endure a close as the teams recalculated strat- Raikkonen on 198. scrap with Romain Grosjean’s egy, possible tactics and prospects. 66, 11. Kamui Kobayashi (JPN) 58, 12. Nico This was Raikkonen’s first win Lotus, the Frenchman having re- After four laps, they resumed Hülkenberg (GER) 49, 13. Paul di Resta (GBR) since the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix entred the fray after his eighth with Raikkonen re-seizing control 46, 14. Pastor Maldonado (VEN) 43, 15. and his 19th career win. opening lap crash of the year. to lead by two seconds and Vettel Michael Schumacher (GER) 43, 16. Bruno He is the eighth different vic- If it appeared to be ill-fortune challenging Button for third with Senna (BRA) 30, 17. Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA) tor of the season and he gave the for Vettel, it was not as this early 10 laps to go before passing him 12, 18. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) 10 Lotus name a victory for the first stop enabled him to take full on lap 53. Constructors time since Ayrton Senna won for advantage as the race unfolded. Alonso, in a final push, closed the original Lotus team in the Hamilton’s superb drive ended to within striking distance of 1. Red Bull Racing 422pts, 2. Ferrari 340, United States in 1987. on lap 20 when his McLaren lost Raikkonen, but the Lotus man Finnish Formula One driver Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus receives his trophy at 3. McLaren 318, 4. Lotus 288, 5. Mercedes On a hot afternoon, producing all power. He pulled up, retiring clung on in the final two laps. the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, after winning the Abu Dhabi Formula 136, 6. Sauber 124, 7. Force India 95, 8. a track temperature of 33 degrees from the lead for the second time AFP 1 Grand Prix, yesterday. Williams 73, 9. Toro Rosso 22 Czechs retain Ferrer clinches Fed Cup title Paris Masters PRAGUE: The Czech Republic added. The Czechs stumbled ear- won a second straight Fed Cup lier yesterday after Serbia’s Ana PARIS: David Ferrer became here yesterday after Lucie Ivanovic reduced their two rubber the first Spanish winner of the Safarova gave them an unbeat- lead from Saturday to 2-1 by beat- Paris Masters tournament here able 3-1 lead over Serbia by ing Petra Kvitova 6-3, 7-5. yesterday as he beat unseeded thrashing Jelena Jankovic 6-1, Ivanovic, the world number 12, Polish qualifier Jerzy Janowicz 6-1. needed an hour and 46 minutes to 6-4, 6-3. Safarova, the world number 17, sink Kvitova, the world number It was the in-form 30-year-old cruised past 22-ranked Jankovic eight, who was grappling with the Ferrer’s seventh ATP title of the in just an hour and 17 minutes, effects of an illness. season - his first ever Masters win keeping the Serbian under con- Kvitova, sweating profusely and in his fourth appearance in a final stant pressure and earning 32 visibly weakened by a cold that - and set him up ideally for this winners against Jankovic’s eight. forced her to pull out of the WTA week’s season ending World Tour “It’s fantastic because it hap- Championship last week, lost her finals in London. pened at home, in Prague, in first rubber after an 11-game Fed “It is a dream realised to win a front of our fans,” a triumphant Cup winning streak. Czech Republic team players Lucie Hradecka (second left), Lucie Safarova Masters event,” said Ferrer, who Safarova said just after the game, “I really started swinging from (right), Petra Kvitova (second right) and Andrea Hlavackova hold the trophy was succeeding where his more improving her head to head the beginning and it worked well after beating Serbia in the Tennis Fed Cup World Group Final in Prague, celebrated compatriot Rafael record against Jankovic to two for me,” said the 24-year-old Czech Republic, yesterday. Nadal failed to do in the 2007 wins and five losses. Ivanovic, the Serbian number one, final. “It was one of the best games who had lost easily to Safarova on “There was Rome, Monte-Carlo I’ve played in my career,” added Saturday. emotionally. “I lacked energy, the 6-3 on the hardcourt of Prague’s and Shanghai...(the three finals the 25-year-old Safarova, who has “I was a lot calmer today and doctor gave me some sugar dur- O2 Arena, and Kvitova then defeats). This time it is a happy a Serbian coach. I was sort of playing the game ing a bathroom break but it didn’t cruised past Jankovic 6-4, 6-1. ending and the ultimate reward “It was unbelievable. She hardly that I’ve been playing lately,” she help much,” said Kvitova, adding The doubles tie was cancelled of the best season of my career.” missed one ball,” Czech team cap- added. she did not sleep well. as the jubilant Czechs poured onto For Janowicz it was a disap- tain Petr Pala said. Kvitova managed to fight back But Serbia, playing their first the court to lift the cup. pointing end to his fairytale run David Ferrer of Spain celebrates Jankovic, who gave up five at the end of the second set, when final ever, never had a chance to Last year, the Czech Republic in what was his first appearance his victory at the Paris Masters break points, was in tears as she she broke Ivanovic’s serve for the come close as Safarova rallied to won the trophy after beating in such a prestigious event after after defeating Jerzy Janowicz of told reporters she was playing first time and seemed on the put the left-handed Czech team Russia in Moscow 3-2. mainly plugging his way round Poland in the final in Paris, France, with a back injury. verge of overwhelming her rival. ahead. Before that, former the second tier Challenger circuit. yesterday. “I tried my best but it wasn’t But Ivanovic broke back as she “Petra was sick so she wasn’t Czechoslovakia, which split peace- However, while he had claimed enough. I had this problem converted the third match point at her best today, and I thought fully into the Czech Republic and among other scalps US Open for a couple of days and it got in the last game. OK, it’s going to be my turn this Slovakia in 1993, won the Fed Cup champion Andy Murray on his double faults and only got 57% of really bad,” said the 27-year-old Kvitova, who is 22, refused to time, and I’m really happy that I five times between 1975 and 1988, way to the final, Ferrer never his first serves in. Jankovic, who had treatment for blame the loss on her illness. did it,” said Safarova. including three straight wins in allowed him a look in as he tried Ferrer broke the Pole at 5-4 in several minutes between the two “I felt better and I found it eas- On Saturday, Kvitova and 1983-1985. Czech fans are now to emulate the last qualifier to the first set and had little prob- sets. ier to breathe than on Saturday,” Safarova eased past their rivals setting eyes on a rare double as win a Masters event, Albert Porta lem in the second to wrap up the “I thought I could bring out the she said. in straight sets to give the Czechs the country’s Davis Cup team will in Hamburg in 2001. match and his 17th career title best but throughout the match it “But I lost a lot of strength a 2-0 lead. host holders Spain in the final in For once the 21-year-old’s serv- in just under an hour-and-a-half. was getting worse and worse,” she yesterday and I was also drained Safarova first beat Ivanovic 6-4, Prague on November 16-18. AFP ice let him down as he had six AFP